DNA methylation analysis of floral parts revealed dynamic changes during the development of homostylous Fagopyrum tataricum and heterostylous F. esculentum flowers

BACKGROUND

Proper flower development is essential for plant reproduction, a crucial aspect of the plant life cycle. This process involves precisely coordinating transcription factors, enzymes, and epigenetic modifications. DNA methylation, a ubiquitous and heritable epigenetic mechanism, is pivotal in regulating gene expression and shaping chromatin structure. Fagopyrum esculentum demonstrates anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, and neuroprotective properties. However, the heteromorphic heterostyly observed in F. esculentum poses a significant challenge in breeding efforts. F. tataricum has better resistance to high altitudes and harsh weather conditions such as drought, frost, UV-B radiation damage, and pests. Moreover, F. tataricum contains significantly higher levels of rutin and other phenolics, more flavonoids, and a balanced amino acid profile compared to common buckwheat, being recognised as functional food, rendering it an excellent candidate for functional food applications.

RESULTS

This study aimed to compare the DNA methylation profiles between the Pin and Thrum flower components of F. esculentum, with those of self-fertile species of F. tataricum, to understand the potential role of this epigenetic mechanism in Fagopyrum floral development. Notably, F. tataricum flowers are smaller than those of F. esculentum (Pin and Thrum morphs). The decline in DNA methylation levels in the developed open flower components, such as petals, stigmas and ovules, was consistent across both species, except for the ovule in the Thrum morph. Conversely, Pin and Tartary ovules exhibited a minor decrease in DNA methylation levels. The highest DNA methylation level was observed in Pin stigma from closed flowers, and the most significant decrease was in Pin stigma from open flowers. In opposition, the nectaries of open flowers exhibited higher levels of DNA methylation than those of closed flowers. The decrease in DNA methylation might correspond with the downregulation of genes encoding methyltransferases.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced overall DNA methylation and the expression of genes associated with these epigenetic markers in fully opened flowers of both species may indicate that demethylation is necessary to activate the expression of genes involved in floral development.

The Potential Role of the Ketogenic Diet in Serious Mental Illness: Current Evidence, Safety, and Practical Advice

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that mimics the physiological state of fasting. The potential therapeutic effects in many chronic conditions have led to the gaining popularity of the KD. The KD has been demonstrated to alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress, modulate the gut microbiota community, and improve metabolic health markers. The modification of these factors has been a potential therapeutic target in serious mental illness (SMI): bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. The number of clinical trials assessing the effect of the KD on SMI is still limited. Preliminary research, predominantly case studies, suggests potential therapeutic effects, including weight gain reduction, improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, decrease in disease-related symptoms, increased energy and quality of life, and, in some cases, changes in pharmacotherapy (reduction in number or dosage of medication). However, these findings necessitate further investigation through larger-scale clinical trials. Initiation of the KD should occur in a hospital setting and with strict care of a physician and dietitian due to potential side effects of the diet and the possibility of exacerbating adverse effects of pharmacotherapy. An increasing number of ongoing studies examining the KD's effect on mental disorders highlights its potential role in the adjunctive treatment of SMI.

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa's major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species' population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate 'intactness scores': the remaining proportion of an 'intact' reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region's major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems.

A Longitudinal Study of the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety and Stress among Medical University Students

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared an international health emergency by the World Health Organization. The dramatic, widespread transmission of the virus, high mortality, and lack of specific drugs caused the development of panic attacks and anxiety. Healthcare professionals, including medical students, were challenged to provide medical care to patients in need, often exposing themselves to the virus. (2) Methods: This study aimed to assess anxiety and stress levels in medical students, both at the beginning and after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The STAI and PSS-10 questionnaires were used. (3) Results: This study showed a decrease in anxiety levels among medical students after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. In both 2020 and 2022, female students were found to experience higher stress levels than male students. Anxiety levels were similar among students of different medical-related faculties. (4) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic caused stress and anxiety among medical students, which decreased throughout the duration of the pandemic.

Threats to conservation from national security interests

There is a growing trend of nation states invoking national security and emergency declarations to build state-sponsored infrastructure projects for border defense, energy production, and transportation. Established laws, regulations, and agreements for the protection of nature and cultural heritage within and between countries are becoming secondary to national security, compromising the function of protected areas, such as national parks, wilderness areas, and biosphere reserves that safeguard biodiversity, climate, and human health. We considered cases where decades-long multinational cross-border endangered species recovery programs have been jeopardized by waivers of environmental protection laws to facilitate rapid construction of border barriers that impede the movement and migration of animals, such as at the US-Mexico and Poland-Belarus borders. Renewable energy megaprojects, such as the Pinacate solar plant in Mexico, coupled with power transmission lines and road networks likewise cast a large footprint on the land and are being carried out with minimal to no environmental compliance under the guise of national security. National sovereignty likewise has been used as justification for bypassing laws to proceed with similar projects, such as Mexico's Dos Bocas refinery and Poland's Vistula Spit canal. Emphasis on security is also apparent in increasing military expenditure by the world's largest economies, which has created a mismatch with improvement in environmental policy stringency. Decisions to prioritize security can undermine democratic principles and environmental review protocols, trivialize humanity's dependence on functioning ecosystems, and contradict the United Nation's resolution on the human right to a healthy environment. Framing infrastructure projects as matters of national security also foments civil and political unrest by the labeling and casting of dissenters, including conservation scientists and environmental defenders, as antinational. World leaders must refrain from misusing extraordinary powers, adhere to laws and international agreements, and consult experts and local people before taking unilateral action on projects that affect ecological and human communities.

The improvement of the in vitro plant regeneration in barley with the epigenetic modifier of histone acetylation, trichostatin A

Genotype-limited plant regeneration is one of the main obstacles to the broader use of genetic transformation in barley breeding. Thus, developing new approaches that might improve responses of in vitro recalcitrant genotypes remains at the center of barley biotechnology. Here, we analyzed different barley genotypes, including "Golden Promise," a genotype commonly used in the genetic transformation, and four malting barley cultivars of poor regenerative potential. The expression of hormone-related transcription factor (TF) genes with documented roles in plant regeneration was analyzed in genotypes with various plant-regenerating capacities. The results indicated differential expression of auxin-related TF genes between the barley genotypes in both the explants and the derived cultures. In support of the role of auxin in barley regeneration, distinct differences in the accumulation of free and oxidized auxin were observed in explants and explant-derived callus cultures of barley genotypes. Following the assumption that modifying gene expression might improve plant regeneration in barley, we treated the barley explants with trichostatin A (TSA), which affects histone acetylation. The effects of TSA were genotype-dependent as TSA treatment improved plant regeneration in two barley cultivars. TSA-induced changes in plant regeneration were associated with the increased expression of auxin biosynthesis-involved TFs. The study demonstrated that explant treatment with chromatin modifiers such as TSA might provide a new and effective epigenetic approach to improving plant regeneration in recalcitrant barley genotypes.

A Rare Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Pregnancy: Successful Treatment Strategies

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy is rare, but is associated with a high mortality rate, particularly during labor and delivery. This article concerns a 23-year-old woman with a history of insulin-treated gestational diabetes and hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine presenting at 32 weeks of pregnancy with acute chest pain and coronary artery occlusion requiring angioplasty followed by cesarean delivery. The aim of this report is to outline the diagnostic difficulties of acute coronary syndromes during pregnancy and to present their treatment. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old female patient at 32 weeks' gestation treated for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism was admitted to the hospital due to acute chest pain. The ECG showed ST-segment elevation in leads I, aVL, and V4-V6 and elevated troponin T. Based on this, the patient was diagnosed with myocardial infarction and given low-molecular heparin, followed by primary coronary angioplasty with revascularization. After the procedure, she received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. The pregnancy was terminated at 38 weeks by cesarean section, delivering a healthy baby. CONCLUSIONS This report shows the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis and management of acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy, and delivery by cesarean section, to ensure survival of the mother and the child.

Strengthening a One Health approach to emerging zoonoses

Given the enormous global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada, and manifold other zoonotic pathogen activity, there is a pressing need for a deeper understanding of the human-animal-environment interface and the intersecting biological, ecological, and societal factors contributing to the emergence, spread, and impact of zoonotic diseases. We aim to apply a One Health approach to pressing issues related to emerging zoonoses, and propose a functional framework of interconnected but distinct groups of recommendations around strategy and governance, technical leadership (operations), equity, education and research for a One Health approach and Action Plan for Canada. Change is desperately needed, beginning by reorienting our approach to health and recalibrating our perspectives to restore balance with the natural world in a rapid and sustainable fashion. In Canada, a major paradigm shift in how we think about health is required. All of society must recognize the intrinsic value of all living species and the importance of the health of humans, other animals, and ecosystems to health for all.

The benefits of contributing to the citizen science platform iNaturalist as an identifier

As the number of observations submitted to the citizen science platform iNaturalist continues to grow, it is increasingly important that these observations can be identified to the finest taxonomic level, maximizing their value for biodiversity research. Here, we explore the benefits of acting as an identifier on iNaturalist.

An Unusual Case of Vulvar Involvement in the Course of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare autoimmune disease with the presence of c-ANCA in most cases. It involves necrotizing inflammation in small and medium-sized vessels with multiple granulomas. The disease can affect many systems, but the typical triad of attacked systems are the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys, with varying degrees of severity. Involvement of the respiratory tract may manifest, among other symptoms, as nasal crusting, nosebleeds, and dyspnea. Among patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, only less than 1% develop genitourinary system involvement. We present a case study of a 36-year-old woman with an 8-year-long GPA history and a lesion, which, due to its appearance and accompanying symptoms, aroused the suspicion of a neoplasm but was proven to be a granuloma with a nontypical location. The systemic disease was treated with glucocorticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. The lesion on the labium minus was surgically removed. We concluded that the macroscopic picture of GPA of the vulva and vulvar cancer is similar. The patient's medical history may help differentiate GPA and vulvar cancer. Although vulvar GPA is extremely rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vulvar lesions, especially those suspected to be oncological.

Anxiety Assessment in Polish Students during the Russian-Ukrainian War

Anxiety is described as a feeling of fear that appears in stressful or threatening situations. A terrorist attack is one such situation. The aim of this study was to assess anxiety levels among students using the STAI questionnaire. The study group consisted of 510 participants. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica software. Anxiety levels, correlations between STAI scores, and individual variables were assessed. Logit models were performed for the study variables. Higher levels of anxiety were found in females compared to males (p = 0.0000). The highest level of anxiety overall was found in year 1 students, the lowest in year 5 students (p = 0.0005). The highest level of anxiety overall was found in pharmacy students, the lowest in midwifery students. We concluded that there was a relatively strong relationship between anxiety and gender. Gender and fear of an armed attack on Poland had a significant impact on anxiety.

Evaluation of Paraoxonase-1 and Pentraxin-3 in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Endometrial Cancer

It is relevant to find new prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for endometrial cancer. The study group consisted of 94 cases of endometrial cancer, the control group of 65 cases of normal endometrium. We evaluated PON1 and PTX3 serum levels. The ROC curve was plotted. The area under the curve was calculated to characterize the sensitivity and specificity of the studied parameters. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed simultaneously using the Cox regression model. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to assess survival. The cut-off level of PON1 was 142.6 ng/mL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 79 and 84% (p = 0.0321). The cut-off level of PTX3 was 4.2 ng/mL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 63 and 57% (p = 0.028). The favorable prognostic factor determined in serum was PON1 (for PFS: HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.03, p = 0.046; for OS: HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.89-1.08, p = 0.009). PON1 may be considered a potential biomarker in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Considering multivariate analysis, the PON1 serum level above the median is an independent favourable prognostic factor affecting PFS and OS. Considering Kaplan-Meier curves, longer recurrence-free survival and overall survival were found in patients with PON1 levels below the median. In view of the inconclusive results, we suggest that further studies should be conducted.

Use of statins in cancer patients following acute myocardial infarction and its impact on long-term clinical outcomes

Background

Statin use and its impact on long-term clinical outcomes in cancer patients following acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains insufficiently elucidated.

Purpose

We sought to analyze the prevalence of statins use in MI patients with cancer hospitalized in a tertiary cardio-oncology center and its influence on long-term mortality.

Methods

Of the 1,011 consecutive acute MI patients hospitalized between 2012 and 2017, cancer was found in 134 (13.3%) subjects including newly diagnosed cancer in 24 of them. All patients underwent coronary angiography. Within a median follow-up of 69.2 (37.8–79.9) months, a mortality rate, and its determinants were analyzed.

Results

Compared with non-cancer population, MI patients with cancer were older (73 [66–79] versus 68 [60–78] years, P<0.001), had lower hemoglobin level (12.8 [11.2–14.0] vs 13.8 [12.8–15.0], P<0.001), lower total cholesterol (4.1 [3.4–4.8] vs 4.4 [3.6–5.3], P=0.006) and lower HDL cholesterol (1.1 [0.9–1.4] vs 1.2 [1.0–1.6], P<0.001), without significant differences in LDL cholesterol (2.5 [1.9–3.1] vs 2.6 [1.7–3.4], P=0.70). Statins were prescribed less frequently in MI patients with cancer as compared with non-cancer MI population (80.5% versus 92.1%, P<0.001). Atorvastatin was the most frequent statin in both cancer and non-cancer groups (68.4% versus 75.1%, P=0.13). In cancer group simvastatin was more frequently (16.7% versus 5.9%, P<0.001) while rosuvastatin was less frequently (8.8% versus 18.9%, P=0.007) prescribed than in non-cancer patients. The independent determinants of no use of statins were anemia (hazard ratio [HR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.3–4.2, P=0.006), no coronary artery stenosis >50% (HR 5.0, 95% CI 2.5–10.1, P<0.001) and cancer (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.01–3.7, P=0.049) but not LDL cholesterol. The mortality rates were significantly higher in MI patients not treated with statins, both in non-cancer population (29.5%/year versus 6.7%/year, P<0.001) as well as in cancer group (53.9%/year versus 24.9%/year, P<0.05) as compared to those treated with statins (Figure 1). No statin use (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8–3.0, P<0.001), an active cancer (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8–3.0, P<0.001), patient's age (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8–2.9, P<0.001, per year) and anemia (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4–2.1, P<0.001) independently increased long-term mortality while no coronary artery stenosis >50% (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.96, P=0.03) and better left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.98, P<0.001, per 1%) improved long-term survival.

Conclusions

An active cancer, anemia and lack of significant coronary lesions were associated with no use of statins in patients following MI. By multivariable approach both no statins use in MI patients independently on an active malignancy were associated with unfavorable long-term outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

P22 Paraneoplastic diffuse systemic sclerosis in association with ano-rectal tumour

Introduction/Background

Rheumatic diseases can manifest as a paraneoplastic phenomenon. They can be seen during the course of neoplastic disease, precede the diagnosis, appear simultaneously or occur after the diagnosis of malignancy. Overall, paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes are rare. It is however important to be aware of this phenomenon as the signs and symptoms of the rheumatic syndrome will usually subside with treatment of the underlying malignant disease. Furthermore, reappearance of symptoms may suggest cancer relapse.

Description/Method

51 year old woman with no significant past medical history was referred by her General Practicioner with 6-week history of pain and stiffness in hands, arms and legs. There was also associated 4-week history of change in bowel habit (diarrhoea and faecal incontinence). Clinical examination revealed skin thickening proximal to elbows and knees, sclerodactyly, facial telangiectasia as well as tendon friction rubs in lower limbs. There was also a mass palpable on digital rectal examination. Investigations revealed that the patient had new iron deficiency anaemia and mildly raised carcinoembryonic antigen. Anti-RNA polymerase III antibody returned positive. CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis suggested tumour involving the anus and lower rectum with metastatic lymphadenopathy. Those findings were also confirmed on subsequent MRI pelvis and PET CT. She underwent anal biopsy, examination under anaesthesia and formation of loop colostomy. Histopathology results confirmed poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma. Patient was then reviewed by oncology and discussed at multidisciplinary meeting. She was commenced on palliative chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin). After the first session she became severely anaemic and developed acute renal failure. She passed away approximately three months after initial referral to rheumatology.

Discussion/Results

This patient was diagnosed with paraneoplastic diffuse systemic sclerosis in association with ano-rectal tumour. Unfortunately at the time of diagnosis the disease was metastatic therefore the only treatment option available was palliative rather than curative. Paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes are rare. The signs and symptoms are secondary to the presence of malignancy. They may be induced by the substances that are secreted by the tumour or the immune system’s response to the malignant cells. Usually once patient recovers from the neoplastic disease the rheumatic disease signs/symptoms subside. In our patient’s history there were a number of features which raised the possibility of paraneoplastic aetiology. These included: sudden onset and rapid progression of clinical symptoms, late onset of disease (after 50 years of age), family history of cancer (dad had prostate cancer), new iron deficiency anaemia as well as the presence of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies. This antibody is linked with cancer-associated systemic sclerosis. Patients who are positive have shorter cancer-scleroderma interval. Anti-RNA polymerase III antibody is unique to scleroderma and is not found in cancer patients without scleroderma.

Key learning points/Conclusion

The key learning point from this case was not to forget the paraneoplastic aetiology in patients who present with rheumatic syndromes. In particular if the symptoms are of sudden onset or are progressing rapidly/responding poorly to therapy. There is only a small number of cases reported in literature of paraneoplastic systemic sclerosis. Furthermore, the importance of anti-RNA polymerase III antibody testing in scleroderma patients. If positive, it is important to be aware that those patients have >4-fold increased risk of cancer occurring within 2 years of scleroderma onset. It is therefore vital to look for any signs/symptoms during their routine follow-up appointments at rheumatology clinics.

Pituitary abscess in an eight-year-old girl - diagnostic difficulties

Not required for Clinical Vignette.

The costs and benefits of primary prevention of zoonotic pandemics

The lives lost and economic costs of viral zoonotic pandemics have steadily increased over the past century. Prominent policymakers have promoted plans that argue the best ways to address future pandemic catastrophes should entail, "detecting and containing emerging zoonotic threats." In other words, we should take actions only after humans get sick. We sharply disagree. Humans have extensive contact with wildlife known to harbor vast numbers of viruses, many of which have not yet spilled into humans. We compute the annualized damages from emerging viral zoonoses. We explore three practical actions to minimize the impact of future pandemics: better surveillance of pathogen spillover and development of global databases of virus genomics and serology, better management of wildlife trade, and substantial reduction of deforestation. We find that these primary pandemic prevention actions cost less than 1/20th the value of lives lost each year to emerging viral zoonoses and have substantial cobenefits.

Clinical Relevance of Soluble Forms of Immune Checkpoint Molecules sPD-1, sPD-L1, and sCTLA-4 in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Ovarian Cancer

It is crucial to find new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. A total of 80 patients were enrolled in the study. The study group consisted of 37 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, and the control group consisted of 43 patients with benign ovarian cystic lesions. Three proteins involved in the immune response were studied: PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. The study material was serum and peritoneal fluid. The ROC curve was plotted, and the area under the curve was calculated to characterize the sensitivity and specificity of the studied parameters. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed simultaneously using the Cox regression model. The cut-off level of CTLA-4 was 0.595 pg/mL, with the sensitivity and specificity of 70.3% and 90.7% (p = 0.000004). Unfavorable prognostic factors determined in serum were: PD-L1 (for PFS: HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11–1.21, p = 0.016; for OS: HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.14–1.19, p = 0.048) and PD-1 (for PFS: HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.91–1.06, p = 0.035). Unfavorable prognostic factors determined in peritoneal fluid were: PD-L1 (for PFS: HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.11, p = 0.049; for OS: HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.10–1.17, p = 0.045) and PD-1 (for PFS: HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.19–1.26, p = 0.044). We conclude that CTLA-4 should be considered as a potential biomarker in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. PD-L1 and PD-1 concentrations are unfavorable prognostic factors for ovarian cancer.

Extent of the frontal sinuses in the aspect of neurosurgical craniotomy approaches

BACKGROUND

Frontal sinuses within the frontal bone can be a potential obstacle in neurosurgical approach in this region. Their unintended opening during craniotomy is not beneficial due to the risk of brain infections by bacteria inhabiting the sinus mucosa. Therefore, such opening should be avoided whenever the surgical procedure does not involve the sinus itself. The aim of the study was the morphometric analysis of the frontal sinuses based on computed tomography imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The width, height, projection surface area and location of the highest and most lateral points of the sinuses were determined.

RESULTS

The vertical diameter of the sinuses was found to be greater in men compared with women. The most lateral point of the sinuses was located higher in men, and in men was located higher on the left side. The results obtained may indicate that the frontal sinuses tend to be larger in men and that air cells in men extend further in the upper-lateral direction on the left side of the frontal bone.

CONCLUSIONS

This may cause an increased risk of unintentional opening of the left frontal sinus during frontal craniotomy or pterional craniotomy with frontal extension.

Practices towards SARS-CoV-2 transmission prevention among Polish high school students

Background

Adolescents play a significant role in SARS-CoV-2 spread. The study objective was to assess practices towards COVID-19 among final year Polish high school students.

Methods

Between December 2020-March 2021 an online cross-sectional survey was conducted. Multistage random sampling selected 24 high schools in the Lubuskie region then 51 classes. Students' practices were assessed by an anonymous questionnaire. Significance was tested by Chi-square test.

Results

Response rate was 72.3%; 638 students (360 females) participated (mean age 18.4±0.6 years); 68.7% attended schools in the cities with <100,000 inhabitants; 31.5% were in the science program. Most (81.3%) declared they always used masks in public spaces in the last month (74.3% males vs 86.1% females, p < 0.001; 77.2% of those living in smaller vs 90.5% in larger cities, p < 0.001; 89.6% in the science program vs 77.6% - in the other programs, p < 0.001); 35% always avoided crowded areas (26.9% males vs 39.4% females, p = 0.001; 29.5% living in smaller vs 47% in larger cities, p < 0.001; 43.8% in the science program vs 30.9% - in the other programs, p = 0.002); 24.3% declared always keeping social distance (19.4% males vs 27.2% females, p = 0.02), 29.9% stated they did not touch their faces (25% males vs 33.3% females, p = 0.02; 27.2% living in smaller vs 36% in larger cities, p = 0.02; 37.8% in the science program vs 26.3% - in the other programs, p = 0.003). Among those wearing masks - uncovered noses (64.6%) and masks around the neck (42.3%; 48.1% males vs 38.9% females, p = 0.02) were the most frequent incorrect practices.

Conclusions

Most high school students, in particular males, living in small cities and attending non-science program have inappropriate preventive practices towards COVID-19. Health education programs are urgently needed to better equip students with COVID-19 prevention skills.

Key messages

The study shows data of final year high-school students' practices towards COVID-19 and maybe used by public health experts to better address educational campaigns oriented to Polish adolescents. Health education aimed at high school students would be crucial to improve compliance with SARS-CoV-2 infection control procedures.

P24 Ankylosing spondylitis & uveitis - challenges in management

Case report - Introduction

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition involving spine, chest and sacroiliac joints. It can be associated with extra spinal manifestations which include uveitis and enthesitis, as well as other features of an inflammatory spondyloarthropathy including psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. It is characterised by the presence of inflammatory back pain, limited range of spinal movement, sacroiliitis on imaging, excess spinal bone formation and a high prevalence of HLA-B27. The main aims of treatment are to improve symptoms and retain function as well as to prevent disease complications.

Case report - Case description

A 49-year-old male diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the age of 23 (HLA-B27 positive, classical radiographic features on plain radiographs and MRI), with background of meningitis and subsequent epilepsy (not on treatment since the age of 13), severe hip osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. He has peripheral elbow and knee synovitis. At the age of 27 he developed sight-threatening bilateral recurrent anterior uveitis complicated by cystoid macular oedema (causing central vision loss). Initial management included anti-inflammatories and steroids. He progressed to biologics but developed a rash on adalimumab. He was switched to infliximab in 2010. In 2015 it was switched due to reduced response to golimumab which was non-beneficial. Subsequently he was switched to etanercept but after 3 months it was discontinued due to eye flare. The patient’s therapy was switched to certolizumab, which was non-beneficial for spine and discontinued. In 2016, infliximab was retried as the patient thought it worked best. Unfortunately, in 2018 patient developed Infliximab antibodies and treatment was changed to secukinumab. After 9 months this was stopped owing to ongoing active eye and spine disease. Adalimumab was re-tried; however, it was discontinued as it was showing no benefit. In 2020 Eeanercept (Benepali) was re-tried; however, only for 4 months because of severe flare of joint and eye disease. Tofacitinib was commenced but was non-beneficial and hence it was discontinued. Currently he continues on ixekizumab, oral prednisolone and also receives steroid eye and joint injections. On commencing biologics he was on methotrexate; however, the patient stopped. He was switched to mycophenolate mofetil which he remained on for 10 years. It was switched to methotrexate to try and control peripheral inflammatory joint disease better (re-tried for the second time) which the patient has recently discontinued as he felt it was non-beneficial.

Case report - Discussion

The case is very challenging. The patient’s disease continues to flare despite changing therapies. He continues to get flares in his back disease, eye disease and peripheral synovitis. His latest BASDI was 5.1 and VAS was 9/10. Measurements: intermalleolar distance 15cm, modified Schober’s 4cm, right lateral flexion 3.8cm and left lateral flexion 11cm. His latest MRI of whole spine and SI joints (in 2020) showed signs of previously active seronegative spondyloarthropathy with established cervical and thoracic ankyloses as well as bilateral sacroiliac joint ankylosis. There is a need for repeated steroid injections to the knees as well as the eyes. He continues on oral prednisolone which was first started in 2006. This is associated with multiple side effects, i.e., osteoporosis. The patient has already completed 8 years of bisphosphonate therapy. He is under regular review with the osteoporosis clinic. His bone density scan showed worsening bone mineral density and bisphosphonates had to be restarted. The patient adjusted medications depending on his symptoms. Recently he also discontinued methotrexate as he felt it was of no benefit to him at all. We are very limited at present to find combined medications to manage both the patient’s inflammatory back disease and inflammatory eye disease.

Case report - Key learning points

This patient was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 26 years ago. To date he has tried 5 different anti-TNF agents (two of which have also been re-tried at a different time point). This failed to control his disease as he continued to experience flares in either inflammatory back or eye disease. The biologic classes were also changed – he has tried one IL-17A agent as well as a JAK-I. Unfortunately, they both failed to control his disease. He currently continues on a second IL-17A; however, he still requires steroid eye and joint injections as well as systemic steroids. Throughout the years he has tried different DMARDs – most recently methotrexate. Unfortunately, the patient decided to discontinue it as he felt it was of no benefit to him. All of the above indicates that there is still a need to find a collaborative treatment option that will control the patient’s inflammatory back disease, inflammatory eye disease and peripheral synovitis. The aim would be, if possible, to decrease the steroid dose as well (currently on prednisolone 15mg daily) in order to prevent the steroid-associated side effects.

The determinants and significance of intraluminal stent protrusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

The mchanisms leading to intraluminal stent protrusion in patients following primary coronary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are not fully elucidated.

Purpose

We sought to investigate composition of stent protrusion, its systemic and local determinants as well as its consequences for epicardial blood flow restoration in STEMI patients.

Methods

We enrolled 85 STEMI patients with median age 61 (interquartile range 54–69) years. In all patients optical coherence tomography of an infarct-related artery was performed first following epicardial blood flow restoration after aspiration thrombectomy and second after final stent deployment. On admission, besides standard laboratory investigations we measured calibrated automated thrombogram parameters including time to start clotting, time to peak thrombin generation, peak thrombin generation and endogenous thrombin potential as well as ex vivo measured fibrin clot permeability reflecting fibrin pore size and fibrin clot lysis time.

Results

A median volume of stent protrusion was 13.4 (8.5–25.4) mm3 while atherothrombotic burden defined as a ratio of free intraluminal thrombus and tissue protrusion divided by stent volume was 6 (3.9–7.5)%. The main component of stent protrusion was lipid tissue in 32 (37.6%), fibrous tissue in 27 (31.8%) and thrombus in 26 (30.6%) patients. A volume of stent protrusion was correlated with total stent volume (R=0.79, P<0.001) and the length of lipid reach pool in the naïve coronary vessel intima (R=0.31, P=0.007) whereas atherothrombotic burden was correlated with residual thrombus volume before stent implantation (R=0.34, P=0.003), arcus of maximal lipid reach pool in the naïve coronary vessel intima (R=0.25, P=0.03) and stent area (R=0.26, P=0.02). The residual thrombus volume after aspiration thrombectomy was correlated with clot permeability (R=0.024, P=0.04) and inversely correlated with time to peak thrombin generation (R=−0.23, P=0.04). A temporary deterioration of epicardial blood flow of at least 1 point in Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scale following stent implantation detected in 20 (23.5%) patients was associated with shorter lag time (3.0 [2.7–3.3] vs. 3.3 [3.0–4.0] min, P=0.015), shorter time to peak thrombin generation (5.7 [5.3–6.1] vs. 6.3 [5.7–7.1] min, P=0.026) and more frequent presence of lipid-rich stent protrusion (65 vs. 29%, P=0.007) as compared to the patients without slow-flow phenomenon after stent deployment.

Conclusions

The total volume of stent protrusion is correlated with local determinants including stent size and lipid content in the naïve coronary artery intima. After adjustment for stent volume, atherothrombotic burden is additionaly affected by residual thrombus volume after aspiration thrombectomy. However, patients with faster thrombin formation and lipid-rich stent protrusion are more prone to slow-flow phenomenon following stent implantation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Science Center of Poland

Coronary slow-flow phenomenon in takotsubo syndrome: the prevalence, clinical determinants and long-term prognostic impact

Background

Previous studies demonstrated that patients with takotsubo syndrome (TTS) may present with coronary slow-flow (CSF) at coronary angiography performed in the acute phase [1]. However, the exact clinical relevance and its long-term prognostic impact have not been established yet. In the only recently published study Montone et al. proved that TTS patients with CSF were characterized by a worse clinical presentation with higher rate of intrahospital complications and poor long-term clinical outcome [2].

Purpose

We sought to investigate the prevalence of CSF in TTS patients, its determinants and long-term prognostic impact.

Methods

Among 7771 myocardial infarction patients hospitalized in our center in 2012–2019 years, we identified 82 (1.1%) TTS patients with performed coronary angiography (Figure 1A). The coronary flow was assessed quantitatively with TIMI Frame Count (TFC), whereas myocardial perfusion with TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG). The clinical and angiographic characterstics of 67 TTS patients complying with MINOCA definition were compared with representative 50 non-TTS MINOCA (Figure 1A).

Results

CSF (TIMI 2) was identified in 33 (40.2%) TTS patients. CSF-TTS patients were characterized with higher TFC and worse TMPG in each analyzed coronary vessel (Figure 1B). CSF was observed in LAD artery in each patient, in 78.8% in LCx and in 33.3% in RCA, respectively. In CSF-TTS lower values of LVEF on admission (33.5 (25–40) vs 40 (35–45)%, P=0.019) as well as more frequent midventricular TTS (27.3 vs 8.2%, P=0.020), nearly normal coronary arteries (<30% stenosis) (75.8 vs 49.0%, P=0.015) and coexistence of both physical and emotional triggers (9.1 vs 0%, P=0.032) were noted. Moreover, CSF was observed significantly more frequent than in non-TTS MINOCA (44.8 vs 10.0%, P<0.001) with different distribution in particular vessels (P<0.001). In median 55 months of long-term observation higher all-cause mortality was stated in CSF-TTS (30.3 vs 10.2%, P=0.024) (Figure 1C) without difference between TTS and non-TTS MINOCA (P=0.42) (Figure 1D). By Cox proportional hazards model the CSF was identified as an independent predictor of long-term mortality (P<0.001).

Conclusions

As has been shown high proportion of TTS patients were characterized with remarkably marked myocardial perfusion abnormalities, especially in the left coronary vessels, which were associated with unfavorable long-term prognosis. Our study is the first presenting the direct angiographic, clinical and prognostic comparison of TTS MINOCA and non-TTS MINOCA patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Chronic rhinosinusitis: microbiology and treatment of acute exacerbations in patients after endoscopic surgery

Objective

Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy for acute exacerbation of chronic rhinosinusitis. However, no treatment guidelines exist. Most clinicians follow the recommendations for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, usually caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Moraxella catarrhalis, and treat with amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate.

Method

Medical data of 810 patients who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery were analysed retrospectively. The results of bacterial cultures and treatment course were assessed in 152 patients who presented with acute exacerbation of chronic rhinosinusitis within 6 months of endoscopic sinus surgery.

Results

The most common bacterial species present were Staphylococcus aureus (36 per cent), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 per cent) and Escherichia coli (11 per cent). Most of the isolates showed resistance or intermediate sensitivity to amoxicillin-clavulanate. Targeted antibiotic therapy was significantly more effective than empiric therapy (71 per cent versus 42 per cent). The most effective antibiotics were fluoroquinolones.

Conclusion

Acute exacerbation of chronic rhinosinusitis shows different microbiology than acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and requires a different therapeutic approach. It is optimally treated with culture-directed antibiotic therapy.

Therapeutic Management of Rare Primary Ovarian Neoplasms: Carcinosarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, Melanoma and Carcinoid

Carcinosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, melanoma and carcinoid as primary tumors in the ovary are extremely rare. In this paper, the authors reviewed the literature from 2010 to 2021, based on specific criteria, to analyze the treatment of these rare ovarian neoplasms. We also aimed to verify whether modern therapies have been found in recent years. For this article, 80 papers were finally selected. The vast majority of the articles were clinical case reports. Despite single mentions of new potential pharmacological treatments, surgery (radical or fertility-sparing) is definitely the mainstay of treatment. There are currently no treatment guidelines for these tumors. A review of the literature has revealed the use of various adjuvant treatments. We, therefore, believe that a more detailed understanding of the biology of these tumors is necessary in order to find new target points for treatment. We would like to emphasize the importance of creating an international database of rare ovarian tumors which would make it possible to gather data from various oncological centers and enable further research into these neoplasms.

Long-Term Follow-Up of a Female Patient Treated with Olaparib-Hope for a Long Life without Relapse?

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers of the reproductive organs. As there are no symptoms in the early stages, it is mainly detected in the advanced stages. Even then, the symptoms are non-specific and include, for example, abdominal pain, early satiety, or changes in bowel habits. Both biochemical marker levels and imaging studies are used in the initial diagnosis. However, it should be emphasized that they are not characterized by high specificity. Treatment is multistage, and usually first-line debulking surgery is used followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Here we present a clinical case of a 56-year-old female, a carrier of a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, with a history of breast cancer and with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. The patient was qualified for treatment with a PARP inhibitor and is currently undergoing treatment with olaparib. In the patient’s follow up of 50 months to date, there has been no recurrence of cancer. Few side effects have been observed, and the most serious one that can be effectively treated is anemia. On the basis of the described case, the authors concluded that olaparib treatment is effective, relatively safe, and does not significantly affect daily functioning.

Assessing gage: an online tool for improving gender visibility in STEMM

Women continue to be underrepresented and less visible in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). 500 Women Scientists created and launched in January 2018 a global (>140 countries to date), online, open-access directory of women in STEMM fields. This directory—recently renamed gage—now also includes gender diverse persons (i.e., additional underrepresented genders) in STEMM fields. The purpose of the directory is to make these scientists’ expertise easier to locate and access for conference organizers, journalists, policy makers, educators, and others. Here, we undertake an assessment of the directory using surveys, Google Analytics, and focus groups to understand its efficacy and direction to date and identify future improvements we pledge to undertake. Through this assessment—conducted externally and in accordance with privacy protocols by Concolor Research—we identified who and how people are using our directory, why people signed up to be a resource, and areas for improvement. Through such assessment, we can learn how to enhance the directory’s efficacy and our broader efforts to boost the visibility of underrepresented people in STEMM.

Using community photography to investigate phenology: A case study of coat molt in the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) with missing data

Participatory approaches, such as community photography, can engage the public in questions of societal and scientific interest while helping advance understanding of ecological patterns and processes. We combined data extracted from community-sourced, spatially explicit photographs with research findings from 2018 fieldwork in the Yukon, Canada, to evaluate winter coat molt patterns and phenology in mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), a cold-adapted, alpine mammal. Leveraging the community science portals iNaturalist and CitSci, in less than a year we amassed a database of almost seven hundred unique photographs spanning some 4,500 km between latitudes 37.6°N and 61.1°N from 0 to 4,333 m elevation. Using statistical methods accounting for incomplete data, a common issue in community science datasets, we identified the effects of intrinsic (sex and presence of offspring) and broad environmental (latitude and elevation) factors on molt onset and rate and compared our findings with published data. Shedding occurred over a 3-month period between 29 May and 6 September. Effects of sex and offspring on the timing of molt were consistent between the community-sourced and our Yukon data and with findings on wild mountain goats at a long-term research site in west-central Alberta, Canada. Males molted first, followed by females without offspring (4.4 days later in the coarse-grained, geographically wide community science sample; 29.2 days later in our fine-grained Yukon sample) and lastly females with new kids (6.2; 21.2 days later, respectively). Shedding was later at higher elevations and faster at northern latitudes. Our findings establish a basis for employing community photography to examine broad-scale questions about the timing of ecological events, as well as sex differences in response to possible climate drivers. In addition, community photography can help inspire public participation in environmental and outdoor activities specifically with reference to iconic wildlife.

Dementia screening in elderly high-risk patients following heart failure decompensation may predict unfavorable long-term clinical outcomes

Background

Recently heart failure (HF) has been found to be a new dementia risk factor, nevertheless their relations in patients following HF decompensation remain unknown.

Purpose

We sought to investigate whether a screening diagnosis for dementia (SDD) in this high-risk population may predict unfavorable long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods

142 patients following HF decompensation requiring hospitalization were enrolled. Within a median time of 55 months all patients were screened for dementia with ALFI-MMSE scale whereas their compliance was assessed with the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Any incidents of myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), revascularization, HF hospitalization and bleedings during follow-up were collected.

Results

SDD was established in 37 patients (26%) based on the result of an ALFI-MMSE score of <17 points. By multivariate analysis the lower results of the ALFI-MMSE score were associated with a history of stroke/TIA (β=−0.29, P<0.001), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (β=−0.20, P=0.011) and lower glomerular filtration rate (β=0.24, P=0.009). During the follow-up, patients with SDD were more often rehospitalized following HF decompensation (48.7% vs 28.6%, P=0.014) than patients without SDD, despite a similar level of compliance (P=0.25). Irrespective of stroke/TIA history, SDD independently increased the risk of rehospitalization due to HF decompensation (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.23–4.01, P=0.007).

Conclusions

As shown for the first time in literature patients following decompensated HF, a history of stroke/TIA, PAD and impaired renal function independently influenced SDD. In this high-risk population, SDD was not associated with patients' compliance but irrespective of the stroke/TIA history it increased the risk of recurrent HF hospitalization.

The survival free of rehospitalization

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Over-representation of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries in oncological patients. The prevalence, clinical characteristics and long-term mortality

Introduction

According to the current guidelines, myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is defined by general criteria of myocardial infarction (MI) with no hemodynamically significant lesions in coronary arteries (<50%). As shown in large MI registers, MINOCA is diagnosed in 1–13% of patients. The potential etiology of MINOCA is an intensively studied issue. To date, a number of potential mechanisms have been proposed. In our opinion, hypercoagulable states may be indicated as a direct trigger for such a sequence of events. Based on our previously published study, we found the presence of inherited thrombophilia in over 23.8% of MINOCA patients

Purpose

We suspect that oncological patients, the group with well-known prothrombotic state, are predisposed to MINOCA and have different clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis.

Methods

We analyzed a group of 1011 consecutive patients with MI who underwent coronary angiography in the years 2012–2017. A group of 134 patients with active cancer (13.3%) was separated. Working diagnosis of MINOCA was performed in accordance with current guidelines.

Results

MINOCA diagnosis was stated in 21 oncological patients (15.7%) and 51 others (5.8%) (P<0.001). Cancer patients were characterized by a higher incidence of anemia (47.6 vs 21.6%, P=0.027), lower hemoglobin levels (12.9 vs 14.1 g/dl, P=0.048) and higher troponin values (0.306 vs 0.076 ng/ml, P=0.003). Based on echocardiographic measurements, more frequent occurrence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (19.1 vs 2.0%, P=0.010), higher values of right ventricular systolic pressure (44.5 vs 31.5 mmHg, P=0.016) and lower left atrial dimensions (36 vs 41.5 mm, P=0.020) were observed in the group of cancer patients. As expected, patients with active cancer had significantly higher all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up (66.7 vs 29.4%, P=0.003). In a multivariable analysis of oncological MINOCA was independently associated with a long-term mortality (P<0.001).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, our study is the first report concerning a high prevalence of MINOCA in oncological patients with MI. We observed a significant proportion of cancer-associated anemia in this group of patients. The high incidence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy and significant differences in individual echocardiographic parameters underline the important role of cardiac imaging in this group of patients with unfavorable long-term prognosis.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Hypermethylation of Auxin-Responsive Motifs in the Promoters of the Transcription Factor Genes Accompanies the Somatic Embryogenesis Induction in Arabidopsis

The auxin-induced embryogenic reprogramming of plant somatic cells is associated with extensive modulation of the gene expression in which epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, seem to play a crucial role. However, the function of DNA methylation, including the role of auxin in epigenetic regulation of the SE-controlling genes, remains poorly understood. Hence, in the present study, we analysed the expression and methylation of the TF genes that play a critical regulatory role during SE induction (LEC1, LEC2, BBM, WUS and AGL15) in auxin-treated explants of Arabidopsis. The results showed that auxin treatment substantially affected both the expression and methylation patterns of the SE-involved TF genes in a concentration-dependent manner. The auxin treatment differentially modulated the methylation of the promoter (P) and gene body (GB) sequences of the SE-involved genes. Relevantly, the SE-effective auxin treatment (5.0 µM of 2,4-D) was associated with the stable hypermethylation of the P regions of the SE-involved genes and a significantly higher methylation of the P than the GB fragments was a characteristic feature of the embryogenic culture. The presence of auxin-responsive (AuxRE) motifs in the hypermethylated P regions suggests that auxin might substantially contribute to the DNA methylation-mediated control of the SE-involved genes.

AGL15 Controls the Embryogenic Reprogramming of Somatic Cells in Arabidopsis through the Histone Acetylation-Mediated Repression of the miRNA Biogenesis Genes

The embryogenic transition of somatic cells requires an extensive reprogramming of the cell transcriptome. Relevantly, the extensive modulation of the genes that have a regulatory function, in particular the genes encoding the transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs, have been indicated as controlling somatic embryogenesis (SE) that is induced in vitro in the somatic cells of plants. Identifying the regulatory relationships between the TFs and miRNAs during SE induction is of central importance for understanding the complex regulatory interplay that fine-tunes a cell transcriptome during the embryogenic transition. Hence, here, we analysed the regulatory relationships between AGL15 (AGAMOUS-LIKE 15) TF and miR156 in an embryogenic culture of Arabidopsis. Both AGL15 and miR156 control SE induction and AGL15 has been reported to target the MIR156 genes in planta. The results showed that AGL15 contributes to the regulation of miR156 in an embryogenic culture at two levels that involve the activation of the MIR156 transcription and the containment of the abundance of mature miR156 by repressing the miRNA biogenesis genes DCL1 (DICER-LIKE1), SERRATE and HEN1 (HUA-ENHANCER1). To repress the miRNA biogenesis genes AGL15 seems to co-operate with the TOPLESS co-repressors (TPL and TPR1-4), which are components of the SIN3/HDAC silencing complex. The impact of TSA (trichostatin A), an inhibitor of the HDAC histone deacetylases, on the expression of the miRNA biogenesis genes together with the ChIP results implies that histone deacetylation is involved in the AGL15-mediated repression of miRNA processing. The results indicate that HDAC6 and HDAC19 histone deacetylases might co-operate with AGL15 in silencing the complex that controls the abundance of miR156 during embryogenic induction. This study provides new evidence about the histone acetylation-mediated control of the miRNA pathways during the embryogenic reprogramming of plant somatic cells and the essential role of AGL15 in this regulatory mechanism.

Impact of curcumin on replicative and chronological aging in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast

Curcumin is a biologically active compound of vegetable origin which has a hormetic effect. Pro-health and anti-aging properties of curcumin have been known for years. The main benefit of curcumin is thought to be its anti-oxidative action. Despite vast amount of data confirming age-delaying activity of curcumin in various groups of organisms, so far little has been discovered about curcumin's impact on cell aging in the experimental model of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae budding yeast. We have been able to demonstrate that curcumin significantly increases oxidative stress and accelerates replicative and chronological aging of yeast cells devoid of anti-oxidative protection (with SOD1 and SOD2 gene deletion) and deprived of DNA repair mechanisms (RAD52). Interestingly, curcumin delays aging, probably through hormesis, of the wild-type strain BY4741.

Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography Can Guide Intraoperative Localization During Parathyroid Surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intraoperative localization of pathologic parathyroid glands is of major importance for the hyperparathyroidism treatment. Based on the small size and the anatomic variability, the localization can be very challenging. The current practice is to compare preoperative ultrasonography with Technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy (MIBI) and plan the resection accordingly. In this study, we implemented indocyanine green angiography for the intraoperative localization of parathyroid glands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 37 patients with primary, secondary, or tertiary hyperparathyroidism who were operated using indocyanine green angiography for the intraoperative localization of pathological parathyroid glands. An indocyanine green solution of 2.5 mg was were intravenously administered for parathyroid gland visualization. Different fluorescence scores were correlated with changes in postoperative parathyroid hormone levels.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence of uniglandular or multiglandular disease. Sixty-four lesions were resected, and the final histopathologic analysis confirmed the parathyroid origin in 62 of them (96.8%). None of the patients with uniglandular disease developed postoperative hypoparathyroidism, whereas three patients in the multiglandular group developed temporary hypoparathyroidism symptoms. Indocyanine green imaging had higher sensitivity for the intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands compared with ultrasonography and MIBI (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Indocyanine green angiography indicated high sensitivity for the intraoperative identification of pathologic parathyroid glands leading to a resection rate of 95.16%. The modality was useful, especially in cases of revisional surgery or ectopic parathyroid glands. Randomized trials have already proven the value of indocyanine green imaging in predicting postoperative hypocalcemia. Our results support the regular use of this method during parathyroid surgery.

Request a woman scientist: A database for diversifying the public face of science

A global online register of women scientists, ready to share their science, was established by a cohort of volunteer women from the grassroots organization 500 Women Scientists on January 17th, 2018. In less than one year, the database “Request a Woman Scientist” comprised over 7,500 women from 174 scientific disciplines and 133 countries. The database is built upon a voluntary questionnaire regarding career stage, degree, scientific discipline, geographic location, and other self-identifying dimensions of representation. The information was visualized using the software platform Tableau, with dropdown menus that help query the database and output a list of names, email addresses, and websites. The biological sciences and women scientists from the United States of America were best represented in the database. A survey of women in the database conducted in November 2018 showed that of 1,278 respondents, 11% had been contacted since signing up for a variety of engagements, including media, peer review, panel participation, educational outreach, and professional/research connections. These engagements resulted in consultations for articles, video chats with students, and speaking opportunities at conferences and events. With improved functionality and marketing, outreach in the global south, and future translation in other languages, this database will further promote the profile and participation of women scientists across society, which in turn will benefit the advancement of science.

This Community Page article describes the “Request a Woman Scientist” resource, which was launched in January 2018 through the 500 Women Scientists organization, and constitutes an important step in increasing the diversity of voices represented as scientists in the public and scientific communities.

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) induced apoptosis dependent on Fas/FasL complex in human leukocytes

Objective:

To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis dependent on the Fas/FasL (Fas ligand) complex in the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in human leukocytes.

Methods:

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated form whole blood by density centrifugation. The concentration of NDMA was assessed by cellular toxicity assay. Apoptotic cells were assessed with flow cytometry and the expression of pro- and antiapoptotic proteins was investigated by Western blotting in PMNs and PBMCs treated with NDMA and/or FasL.

Results:

PMNs showed a higher ratio of apoptotic cells than PBMCs after exposure to NDMA and/or FasL. Enhanced apoptosis was related to the increased expression of proapoptotic proteins in neutrophils following exposure to either NDMA or FasL. In PBMCs, the relation was observed after exposure to FasL only. PMNs and PBMCs incubated with NDMA and FasL simultaneously demonstrated the highest increase in protein expression.

Conclusions:

NDMA shows a stronger proapoptotic effect with PMNs than with PBMCs. The Fas/FasL complex, along with other proapoptotic proteins of the receptor (Fas, FADD) and mitochondrial pathway (Noxa, Puma, Bim), plays a key role in the induction of neutrophil apoptosis. Synergic effects of NDMA and FasL which lead to higher induction of apoptosis in PMNs than in PBMCs indicates a multistage and varied regulation of apoptosis in different populations of leukocytes.