Conventional Treatment for Multiple Myeloma Drives Premature Aging Phenotypes and Metabolic Dysfunction in T Cells

New diagnoses of multiple myeloma (MM) tend to occur after the age of 60, by which time thymic output is severely reduced. As a consequence, lymphocyte recovery after lymphopenia-inducing anti-MM therapies relies on homeostatic proliferation of peripheral T cells rather than replenishment by new thymic emigrants. To assess lymphocyte recovery and phenotype in patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) and relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM), we tracked CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations at serial time points throughout treatment and compared them to age-matched healthy donors (HD). Anti-MM therapies and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) caused a permanent reduction in the CD4:8 ratio, a decrease in naïve CD4+ T cells, and an increase in effector memory T cells and PD1-expressing CD4+ T cells. Transcriptional profiling highlighted that genes associated with fatty acid β-oxidation were upregulated in T cells in RRMM, suggesting increased reliance on mitochondrial respiration. High mitochondrial mass was seen in all T cell subsets in RRMM but with relatively suppressed reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings highlight that anti-MM and ASCT therapies perturb the composition of the T cell compartment and drive substantial metabolic remodeling, which may affect the fitness of T cells for immunotherapies. This is particularly pertinent to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy, which might be more efficacious if T cells were stored prior to ASCT rather than at relapse.

The effects of ram exposure during progestagen oestrus synchronisation and time of ram introduction post progestagen withdrawal on fertility in ewes

Three experiments were undertaken to investigate the effect of a pre-mating ram exposure during progestagen synchronisation treatment on time of breeding, ovulation rate, embryo quality and fertility and any interaction with time of ram introduction for breeding post sponge withdrawal. Crossbred ewes in experiment 1a (n = 348), 1b (mule; n = 133) and 2 (n = 58) underwent a 12-14 days synchronisation protocol. Three days prior to sponge withdrawal ewes were divided into Control (ewes in continued isolation from rams) or +Ram (ram-exposed) groups. Rams were introduced to +Ram ewes and remained with ewes until sponge withdrawal. Ewes in experiments 1a and 2 received eCG at sponge withdrawal and were reintroduced to rams at either 36 or 48 h post sponge removal (PSR). In experiment 1b, ewes did not receive eCG and were reintroduced to rams at 24 h PSR. In experiments 1a and 1b time of breeding, date of lambing and litter size were recorded. In experiment 2, ewes were slaughtered 5 days post breeding, reproductive tracts flushed and corpora lutea, ova and embryos assessed. Fewer +Ram ewes were mated by 96 h PSR (P < 0.001) than Control ewes in experiment 1a but not when rams were introduced earlier in experiment 1b. In experiment 1a, ram introduction at 36 h PSR improved conception to first service compared to introduction at 48 h PSR (P < 0.01) in both +Ram and Control groups. In experiments 1a and 1b, +Ram ewes had reduced litter size caused by more single births (1a; P < 0.001, 1b; P < 0.01). In experiment 2, +Ram ewes had fewer corpora lutea than Control ewes (P < 0.001) but embryo quality was similar. However, more good embryos were produced when rams were introduced for breeding at 36 h compared to 48 h PSR (P < 0.001). We conclude that a pre-mating ram exposure during the synchronisation treatment reduced the number of ewes mated at and conceiving to the first service. This was partially overcome by introducing rams for breeding earlier (24 or 36 h compared to 48 h PSR) but the most dramatic decrease in fertility was due to a reduction in ovulation rate in the ram-exposed ewes.

Ovulation of aged follicles does not affect embryo quality or fertility after a 14-day progestagen estrus synchronization protocol in ewes

The aim was to examine the effect of ovulation of aged follicles on embryo quality and fertility in ewes. In Experiment 1, ewes (n = 39) received a prostaglandin analogue on Day 6 of the cycle and then received either a progestagen sponge from Day 6 to 20 after estrus (Single sponge) or a progestagen sponge on Day 6 that was replaced on Day 11 and 16 and removed on Day 20 (Multiple sponges). In a subgroup of ewes, the growth of ovarian follicles was characterised using ultrasonography. Fertile rams were introduced 48 hours after sponge withdrawal; we slaughtered the ewes on Day 5 of pregnancy and recovered the embryos. The mean age of the ovulatory follicles was greater in ewes that received a single sponge compared with multiple sponges (8.7+/-0.8 days, range 4 to 14, versus 4.5+/-0.7 days, range 3 to 6; P<0.05). However, the groups did not differ (P>0.05) in ovulation rate (2.4+/-0.3 corporal lutea per ewe) or the proportion of good quality embryos recovered (71 to 82%; developed to the early morula stage or further). In Experiment 2, ewes (570 in total) received treatments similar to those in Experiment 1 but were kept until lambing. Ewes that received a single sponge came into heat earlier (P<0.05) than those that received multiple sponges, but > or = 97% of ewes in all groups (P>0.05) were bred by 48 to 72 hours after ram introduction. There was no difference (P>0.05) between groups for the proportion of ewes that lambed to first service (80 to 86%) or the number of lambs per ewe (1.94+/-0.08 lambs). We conclude that when luteolysis occurs at the beginning of progestagen synchronisation, ewes will ovulate aged follicles, but that compared to shorter duration follicles, these follicles produce oocytes that are equally competent to be fertilised and develop into good quality embryos and full-term lambs.

Effect of diet quantity and urea supplementation on oocyte and embryo quality in sheep

The objective was to investigate the effects of dietary energy and urea supplementation on oocyte and embryo quality in sheep using in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Sixty-three ewes were fed grass meal at 0.5 or 2.0 times maintenance energy requirements (MER). The diet was supplemented with feed grade urea (U) for half of the ewes on each energy treatment. Ewes were stimulated with 1000 IU eCG and either slaughtered on the day of pessary withdrawal, for in vitro embryo production, or mated and slaughtered on Day 5 for embryo recovery. Urea decreased cleavage rate (48.3 vs 39.7%) and consequently blastocyst rate (41.6 vs 36.8%) but the differences were not significant. Oocytes from animals on 2.0 MER had a lower cleavage rate (54.9 vs 36.0%) and blastocyst yield (49.3 vs 31.4%) than those on 0.5 MER. However, there was an interaction between urea and energy for cleavage (P = 0.04) and blastocyst yield (P = 0.03) indicating a variable response to urea in the presence of high energy. This was manifested by a decrease in cleavage rate in the presence of urea and high energy (22%, 8 of 36), and a reduction in blastocyst development (19%, 7 of 36). When blastocyst development rate was expressed as a proportion of cleaved oocytes there was no difference between groups; in addition, there was no difference between groups in terms of blastocyst hatching rate (overall mean 66.1%) or blastocyst cell number on Day 8 (overall mean +/- SEM, 138.4 +/- 9.0, n=61). The effect of urea on cleavage rate in vivo was more severe. Urea supplementation reduced (P<0.001) the cleavage rate (93 vs 62%). Despite this, the yield of blastocysts was unaffected. Oocytes from ewes on 0.5 MER exhibited a lower (P<0.05) cleavage rate than those on 2.0 MER (66 vs 87%). This effect was also apparent at the blastocyst stage (40.0 vs 50.9%), although the difference was no longer significant. There were no differences in hatching rate (overall mean 70.7%) or blastocyst cell numbers (overall mean +/- SEM, 166.3 +/- 15.6, n=40). Collectively, these results suggest that both high dietary energy and urea content influence subsequent embryo development in vitro, and the deleterious effects of urea are likely influenced by concomitant energy intake.

Interventions for preventing ankle ligament injuries

BACKGROUND

Some sports, for example basketball and soccer, have a very high incidence of ankle injuries, mainly sprains. This contributes to ankle sprains being one of the most commonly treated injuries.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions used for the prevention of ankle ligament injuries or sprains in physically active individuals from adolescence to middle age.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group trials register, MEDLINE (1966 to July 1996), EMBASE (1980 to September 1996), CINAHL (1982 to June 1996), and bibliographies of study reports. We also contacted colleagues and some trialists. Date of the most recent search: March 1997.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised or quasi-randomised trials of interventions for the prevention of ankle sprains in physically active individuals from adolescence to middle age were included provided ankle sprains were recorded. Interventions include use of modified footwear and associated supports, adapted training programmes and health education.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least four reviewers independently assessed methodological quality and extracted data. Wherever possible, results of outcome measures were pooled and sub-grouped by history of previous sprain.

MAIN RESULTS

Five randomised trials with data for 3954 participants were included. All trials involved young, active, mostly male adults participating in high-risk, usually sporting, activities. With the exception of ankle disc training, all prophylactic interventions entailed the application of an external ankle support in the form of a semi-rigid orthosis, air-cast brace or high top shoes. There was a significant reduction in the number of ankle sprains in people allocated external ankle support (Peto odds ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.66). This reduction was greater for those with a previous history of ankle sprain, but still possible for those without prior sprain. There was no apparent difference in the degree of severity of the ankle sprain prevented nor any change to the incidence of other leg injuries. The protective effect of 'high-top' shoes remains to be established. There was limited evidence for reduction in ankle sprain for those with previous ankle sprains who did ankle disc training exercises.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

This review provides good evidence for the beneficial effect of ankle supports in the form of semi-rigid orthoses or air-cast braces to prevent ankle sprain during high-risk sporting activities (e.g. soccer, basketball). Participants with a history of previous sprain can be advised that wearing such supports may reduce the risk of incurring a future sprain. However, any potential prophylactic effect should be balanced against the baseline risk of the activity, the supply and cost of the particular device, and for some, the possible or perceived loss of performance. Further research is indicated principally to investigate other prophylactic interventions and general applicability.

The Illinois elder abuse system: program description and administrative findings

In this article we describe the Illinois statewide elder abuse social service program, which is unusual in its comprehensive approach to the assessment and documentation of reported cases of abuse and its extensive data monitoring system. Descriptive information on the number and types of cases of elder abuse reported to the system are presented, along with information on the amount of social work time and administrative effort spent on substantiating abuse reports and providing services. Financial exploitation, emotional abuse, and neglect were the most common types of abuse reported, although emotional abuse was the type most frequently substantiated. The most frequent reasons for case closure were (a) victim entered long-term care, and (b) the workers' assessment that the victim was not at risk for future abuse. A detailed description of the comprehensive assessment and substantiation process is provided.

Curbing drug abuse in Iowa: one response to a growing problem

The State of Iowa in the United States of America faced a growing drug-related problem, with cocaine abuse increasing in the cities and cannabis availability spreading to rural areas. The State also experienced a concomitant rise in crime, particularly by juveniles, which was demonstrably linked to the prevalence of illicit drugs. To counter these problems, Governor Robert Ray convened a State-wide Crime Prevention Conference, provided help to communities in organizing drug abuse prevention programmes, proposed legislation to seize illegally gained assets and allocated additional funds to law-enforcement agencies for narcotics operations. The Governor's programme included, inter alia: (a) The establishment of a "crime stoppers" hot-line, providing a toll-free telephone number for citizens to report crime anonymously; (b) The outlawing of "look-alike" drugs, i.e. pills designed to look like controlled substances (usually amphetamines) but actually containing licit substances such as caffeine; (c) The outlawing of "turkey" substances, such as baking flour and detergent, which were not themselves illegal but which dealers sold as illegal substances to test whether a purchaser might be an undercover police officer; (d) The proposal for a criminal justice improvement fund to provide money to enhance State-wide law enforcement efforts.