RESUMEN
Light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) is a transformative imaging method that enables the visualization of non-dissected specimen in real-time 3D. Optical clearing of tissues is essential for LSFM, typically employing toxic solvents. Here, we test the applicability of a non-hazardous alternative, ethyl cinnamate (ECi). We comprehensively characterized autofluorescence (AF) spectra in diverse murine tissues-ocular globe, knee, and liver-employing LSFM under various excitation wavelengths (405-785 nm) to test the feasibility of unstained samples for diagnostic purposes, in particular regarding percutaneous biopsies, as they constitute to most harvested type of tissue sample in clinical routine. Ocular globe structures were best discerned with 640 nm excitation. Knee tissue showed complex variation in AF spectra variation influenced by tissue depth and structure. Liver exhibited a unique AF pattern, likely linked to vasculature. Hepatic tissue samples were used to demonstrate the compatibility of our protocol for antibody staining. Furthermore, we employed machine learning to augment raw images and segment liver structures based on AF spectra. Radiologists rated representative samples transferred to the clinical assessment software. Learning-generated images scored highest in quality. Additionally, we investigated an actual murine biopsy. Our study pioneers the application of AF spectra for tissue characterization and diagnostic potential of optically cleared unstained percutaneous biopsies, contributing to the clinical translation of LSFM.
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Hígado , Microscopía Fluorescente , Imagen Óptica , Animales , Ratones , Microscopía Fluorescente/métodos , Hígado/diagnóstico por imagen , Hígado/patología , Imagen Óptica/métodosAsunto(s)
Vesícula , Humanos , Masculino , Vesícula/patología , Adulto , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Piel/patologíaAsunto(s)
Vesícula , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Vesícula/patología , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Piel/patologíaRESUMEN
Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has advanced basic research and clinical medicine. However, limited resolution and imperfections of real-world 3D image material often preclude algorithmic image analysis. Here, we present a methodologic framework for such imaging and analysis for functional and spatial relations in experimental nephritis. First, optical tissue-clearing protocols were optimized to preserve fluorescence signals for light sheet fluorescence microscopy and compensated attenuation effects using adjustable 3D correction fields. Next, we adapted the fast marching algorithm to conduct backtracking in 3D environments and developed a tool to determine local concentrations of extractable objects. As a proof-of-concept application, we used this framework to determine in a glomerulonephritis model the individual proteinuria and periglomerular immune cell infiltration for all glomeruli of half a mouse kidney. A correlation between these parameters surprisingly did not support the intuitional assumption that the most inflamed glomeruli are the most proteinuric. Instead, the spatial density of adjacent glomeruli positively correlated with the proteinuria of a given glomerulus. Because proteinuric glomeruli appear clustered, this suggests that the exact location of a kidney biopsy may affect the observed severity of glomerular damage. Thus, our algorithmic pipeline described here allows analysis of various parameters of various organs composed of functional subunits, such as the kidney, and can theoretically be adapted to processing other image modalities.
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Algoritmos , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Glomerulonefritis , Imagenología Tridimensional , Glomérulos Renales , Proteinuria , Animales , Proteinuria/patología , Glomérulos Renales/patología , Imagenología Tridimensional/métodos , Ratones , Glomerulonefritis/patología , Microscopía Fluorescente/métodos , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Prueba de Estudio Conceptual , MasculinoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Radiation dermatitis (RD) remains the most common side effect in radiation therapy (RT) with various pharmaceutical options available for prevention and treatment. We sought to determine pharmaceutical management patterns of radiation dermatitis among radiation oncology professionals. METHODS: We conducted a survey on RD among the German-speaking community of radiation oncologists inquiring for their opinion on preventive and therapeutic pharmaceutical approaches for acute RD. RESULTS: 244 health professionals participated. Dexpanthenol lotion is the agent most widely used both for prevention (53.0%) and treatment (76.9%) of RD, followed by urea (29.8%) for prevention and corticosteroids (46.9%) for treatment. A wide range of substances is used by participants, though the overall experience with them is rather limited. 32.5% of participants do generally not recommend any preventative treatment. 53.4% of participants recommend alternative medicine for RD management. While seldomly used, corticosteroids were considered most effective in RD therapy, followed by dexpanthenol and low-level laser therapy. A majority of participants prefers moist over dry treatment of moist desquamation and 43.8% prescribe antiseptics. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmaceutical management of RD in the German-speaking radiation oncology community remains controversial, inconsistent, and partially not supported by evidence-based medicine. Stronger evidence level and interdisciplinary consensus is required amongst practitioners to improve these care patterns.
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Ácido Pantoténico/análogos & derivados , Oncología por Radiación , Radiodermatitis , Humanos , Radiodermatitis/tratamiento farmacológico , Radiodermatitis/prevención & control , Corticoesteroides/uso terapéutico , Preparaciones FarmacéuticasRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Radiation dermatitis (RD) represents one of the most frequent side effects in radiotherapy (RT). Despite technical progress, mild and moderate RD still affects major subsets of patients and identification and management of patients with a high risk of severe RD is essential. We sought to characterize surveillance and nonpharmaceutical preventive management of RD in German-speaking hospitals and private centers. METHODS: We conducted a survey on RD among German-speaking radiation oncologists inquiring for their evaluation of risk factors, assessment methods, and nonpharmaceutical preventive management of RD. RESULTS: A total of 244 health professionals from public and private institutions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland participated in the survey. RT-dependent factors were deemed most relevant for RD onset followed by lifestyle factors, emphasizing the impact of treatment conceptualization and patient education. While a broad majority of 92.8% assess RD at least once during RT, 59.0% of participants report RD at least partially arbitrarily and 17.4% stated to classify RD severity solely arbitrarily. 83.7% of all participants were unaware of patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Consensus exists on some lifestyle recommendations like avoidance of sun exposure (98.7%), hot baths (95.1%), and mechanical irritation (91.8%) under RT, while deodorant use (63.4% not at all, 22.1% with restrictions) or application of skin lotion (15.1% disapproval) remain controversial and are not recommended by guidelines or evidence-based practices. CONCLUSION: Identification of patients at an increased risk of RD and subsequent implementation of adequate preventive measures remain relevant and challenging aspects of clinical routines. Consensus exists on several risk factors and nonpharmaceutical prevention recommendations, while RT-dependent risk factors, e.g., the fractionation scheme, or hygienic measures like deodorant use remain controversial. Surveillance is widely lacking methodology and objectivity. Intensifying outreach in the radiation oncology community is needed to improve practice patterns.
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Desodorantes , Oncología por Radiación , Radiodermatitis , Humanos , Radiodermatitis/epidemiología , Radiodermatitis/etiología , Radiodermatitis/prevención & control , Fraccionamiento de la Dosis de Radiación , Medición de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Nummular eczema (NE) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by multiple, pruritic, discoid-shaped lesions. Since the underlying immune mechanisms are not fully understood, it is unclear whether NE should be regarded as variant of atopic dermatitis (AD) or a distinct disease. OBJECTIVE: We compared the clinical, histopathologic, and molecular signatures of NE with that of type 2 and type 3 skin diseases. METHODS: We performed bulk RNA sequencing as well as histologic and clinical studies in lesional and nonlesional skin biopsy specimens from NE (n = 50), AD (n = 47), and psoriasis (n = 90) patients. RESULTS: NE displayed typical hallmarks of AD, such as an impaired epidermal barrier, microbial colonization, spongiosis, and eosinophil infiltration, but also aspects of psoriasis, including increased epidermal thickness, number of Ki-67+ cells, and neutrophilic infiltration. At the gene expression level, neutrophil-attracting cytokines (IL19, CXCL8, CXCL5) were upregulated, whereas TH2-related cytokines (IL13, CCL17, CCL18, CCL26, CCL27) were similarly expressed in NE compared to AD. Principal component analysis of transcriptome data from lesional skin showed that AD and NE cluster together distinct of psoriasis. In line with this, an established molecular classifier identified NE as AD rather than psoriasis. Finally, we demonstrated clinical and molecular efficacy of dupilumab treatment in NE. CONCLUSION: NE shows overlapping type 2 and type 3 immune signatures, while type 2 immunity predominates and should be the primary target of specific therapeutic interventions. This supports the view of NE as a variant of AD.
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Dermatitis Atópica , Eccema , Psoriasis , Humanos , Eccema/patología , Piel , Citocinas/metabolismo , InmunidadRESUMEN
Total body irradiation (TBI) remains an important component in many conditioning regimens before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Because of its frequent toxicity, patient selection is crucial, making it of interest to identify factors improving engraftment. In this retrospective single center analysis, the characteristics of 48 adult such patients were studied. Mean overall survival (OS) was 22.2 months after allo-HSCT. Interestingly, people with an interval ≥3 days between TBI completion and allo-HSCT showed improved OS, when compared to a shorter interval (p = 0.10). Peripheral blood kinetics after successful engraftment also differed, with a longer interval resulting in a higher platelet count and lower leukocyte and neutrophil (p < 0.05) count. These data suggest that the exact timing of TBI before allo-HSCT might directly impact a patient's survival and could help single out those at higher risk of graft failure who might benefit from an altered conditioning regimen.
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Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda , Adulto , Humanos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Irradiación Corporal Total , Cinética , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/métodos , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/complicaciones , Acondicionamiento Pretrasplante/métodos , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/etiologíaRESUMEN
Autoimmune vasculitis is a group of life-threatening diseases, whose underlying pathogenic mechanisms are incompletely understood, hampering development of targeted therapies. Here, we demonstrate that patients suffering from anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) showed increased levels of cGAMP and enhanced IFN-I signature. To identify disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets, we developed a mouse model for pulmonary AAV that mimics severe disease in patients. Immunogenic DNA accumulated during disease onset, triggering cGAS/STING/IRF3-dependent IFN-I release that promoted endothelial damage, pulmonary hemorrhages, and lung dysfunction. Macrophage subsets played dichotomic roles in disease. While recruited monocyte-derived macrophages were major disease drivers by producing most IFN-ß, resident alveolar macrophages contributed to tissue homeostasis by clearing red blood cells and limiting infiltration of IFN-ß-producing macrophages. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of STING, IFNAR-I, or its downstream JAK/STAT signaling reduced disease severity and accelerated recovery. Our study unveils the importance of STING/IFN-I axis in promoting pulmonary AAV progression and identifies cellular and molecular targets to ameliorate disease outcomes.
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Interferón Tipo I , Ácidos Nucleicos , Vasculitis , Animales , Pulmón , Macrófagos , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Ratones , NucleotidiltransferasasRESUMEN
Crescentic glomerulonephritis (cGN) is the most aggressive form of glomerulonephritis in humans. A widely studied mouse model is induced by sheep or rabbit antisera raised against murine renal cortical antigens. We here, report that Alpaca readily produce ample amounts of antisera that induces pathology in mice, resembling human disease regarding crescent formation, proteinuria, infiltrating immune cells and a significant Th1, but not Th17 immune response. Alpaca antiserum did not cause end-stage kidney failure, neither in a passive nor in an accelerated experimental setting, which may be advantageous for long term studies of crescentic glomerulonephritis.
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Camélidos del Nuevo Mundo , Glomerulonefritis , Animales , Glomerulonefritis/etiología , Glomerulonefritis/patología , Humanos , Sueros Inmunes , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Proteinuria/complicaciones , Conejos , OvinosRESUMEN
Anti-COVID-19 vaccination may have functional implications for immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment in patients with cancer. This study was undertaken to determine whether the safety or efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy is reduced in patients with cancer during COVID-19 vaccination. A large multicenter observational study was conducted in 83 Chinese hospitals between January 28, 2021 and September 30, 2021. A total of 3552 patients were screened and 2048 eligible patients with cancer receiving PD-1 inhibitor treatment were recruited. All enrolled patients had received camrelizumab treatment alone or in conjunction with other cancer therapies. Among these, 1518 (74.1%) patients received the BBIBP-CorV vaccine and were defined as the vaccinated subgroup. The remaining 530 (25.9%) patients did not receive anti-COVID-19 vaccination and were defined as the non-vaccinated subgroup. For all participants, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab treatment, respectively. Propensity score match analysis with the optimal pair matching was used to compare these criteria between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated subgroups. A total of 2048 eligible patients with cancer were included (median age 59 years, 27.6% female). Most patients (98.8%) had metastatic cancer of the lung, liver or intestinal tract. Aside from the PD-1 inhibitor treatment, 55.9% of patients received additional cancer therapies. 1518 (74.1%) patients received the BBIBP-CorV vaccine with only mild side effects reported. The remaining patients did not receive COVID-19 vaccination and had a statistically greater percentage of comorbidities. After matching for age, gender, cancer stage/types, comorbidity and performance status, 1060 patients (530 pairs) were selected for propensity score match analysis. This analysis showed no significant differences in overall response rate (25.3% vs 28.9%, p=0.213) and disease control rate (64.6% vs 67.0%, p=0.437) between vaccinated and non-vaccinated subgroups. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were reported in both subgroups after camrelizumab treatment. Among vaccinated patients who experienced irAEs, the median interval between the first dose of camrelizumab treatment and the first vaccine shot was ≤16 days. Compared with the non-vaccinated subgroup, irAEs in vaccinated patients were more frequently reported as mild (grade 1 or 2 irAEs; 33.8% vs 19.8%, p<0.001) and these patients were less likely to discontinue the PD-1 inhibitor treatment (4.2% vs 20.4%, p<0.001). Severe irAEs (grade 3 irAE or higher) related to camrelizumab treatment were reported, however no significant differences in the frequency of such events were observed between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated subgroups. The COVID-19 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV, did not increase severe anti-PD-1-related adverse events nor did it reduce the clinical efficacy of camrelizumab in patients with cancer. Thus, we conclude that patients with cancer need not suspend anti-PD-1 treatment during COVID-19 vaccination.
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Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/uso terapéutico , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/uso terapéutico , COVID-19/prevención & control , Inhibidores de Puntos de Control Inmunológico/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , Receptor de Muerte Celular Programada 1/antagonistas & inhibidores , SARS-CoV-2 , Vacunas de Productos Inactivados/uso terapéutico , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Resultado del Tratamiento , VacunaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Primary gliosarcoma (GS) is a rare variant of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma multiforme. We performed a single-center analysis to identify prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 26 patients newly diagnosed with primary WHO grade IV GS. Factors of interest were clinical and treatment data, as well as molecular markers, time to recurrence, and time to death. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 9 months (range 5-21 months). Gross total resection did not lead to improved survival, most likely due to the relatively small sample size. Low symptom burden at the time of diagnosis was associated with longer PFS (Pâ¯= 0.023) and OS (Pâ¯= 0.018). Median OS in the entire cohort was 12 months. Neither MGMT promoter hypermethylation nor adjuvant temozolomide therapy influenced survival, consistent with some previous reports. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, patients exhibiting low symptom burden at diagnosis showed improved survival. None of the other factors analyzed were associated with an altered outcome.
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Neoplasias Encefálicas , Glioblastoma , Gliosarcoma , Gliosarcoma/genética , Humanos , Pronóstico , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Renal denervation (RDN) is an invasive intervention to treat drug-resistant arterial hypertension. Its therapeutic value is contentious. Here we examined the effects of RDN on inflammatory and infectious kidney disease models in mice. METHODS: Mice were unilaterally or bilaterally denervated, or sham operated, then three disease models were induced: nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN, a model for crescentic GN), pyelonephritis, and acute endotoxemic kidney injury (as a model for septic kidney injury). Analytical methods included measurement of renal glomerular filtration, proteinuria, flow cytometry of renal immune cells, immunofluorescence microscopy, and three-dimensional imaging of optically cleared kidney tissue by light-sheet fluorescence microscopy followed by algorithmic analysis. RESULTS: Unilateral RDN increased glomerular filtration in denervated kidneys, but decreased it in the contralateral kidneys. In the NTN model, more nephritogenic antibodies were deposited in glomeruli of denervated kidneys, resulting in stronger inflammation and injury in denervated compared with contralateral nondenervated kidneys. Also, intravenously injected LPS increased neutrophil influx and inflammation in the denervated kidneys, both after unilateral and bilateral RDN. When we induced pyelonephritis in bilaterally denervated mice, both kidneys contained less bacteria and neutrophils. In unilaterally denervated mice, pyelonephritis was attenuated and intrarenal neutrophil numbers were lower in the denervated kidneys. The nondenervated contralateral kidneys harbored more bacteria, even compared with sham-operated mice, and showed the strongest influx of neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the increased perfusion and filtration in denervated kidneys can profoundly influence concomitant inflammatory diseases. Renal deposition of circulating nephritic material is higher, and hence antibody- and endotoxin-induced kidney injury was aggravated in mice. Pyelonephritis was attenuated in denervated murine kidneys, because the higher glomerular filtration facilitated better flushing of bacteria with the urine, at the expense of contralateral, nondenervated kidneys after unilateral denervation.
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Lesión Renal Aguda/etiología , Lesión Renal Aguda/fisiopatología , Desnervación Autonómica/efectos adversos , Vasoespasmo Coronario/cirugía , Hipertensión/cirugía , Nefritis/patología , Animales , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Endotoxemia/complicaciones , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular , Inmunoglobulina G/metabolismo , Riñón/irrigación sanguínea , Lipopolisacáridos , Ratones , Nefritis/inmunología , Nefritis/metabolismo , Neutrófilos/patología , Proteinuria/etiología , Pielonefritis/microbiología , Pielonefritis/patología , Pielonefritis/fisiopatología , Arteria Renal/lesiones , Arteria Renal/cirugíaAsunto(s)
Linfocitos B/inmunología , Dermatitis Atópica/terapia , Inmunoglobulina E/inmunología , Receptores de IgE/análisis , Adulto , Linfocitos B/metabolismo , Eliminación de Componentes Sanguíneos , Dermatitis Atópica/sangre , Dermatitis Atópica/inmunología , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina E/metabolismo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Receptores de IgE/metabolismo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Background: Radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) is frequent in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). Spectrophotometry (SP) is an objective and reliable tool for assessing RID severity. Despite intensive research efforts during the past decades, no sustainable prophylactic and treatment strategies have been found. Estimation of new and reevaluation of established risk factors leading to severe RID is therefore of major importance. Methods: 142 early breast cancer patients underwent whole-breast irradiation following breast-conserving surgery. RID was evaluated by physician-assessed Common Terminology Criteria of Adverse Events (CTCAE v4.03). Spectrophotometers provided additional semi quantification of RID using the L*a*b color-space. A total of 24 patient- and treatment-related parameters as well as subjective patient-assessed symptoms were analyzed. Results: Values for a*max strongly correlated with the assessment of RID severity by physicians. Breast volume, initial darker skin, boost administration, and treatment technique were identified as risk factors for severe RID. RID severity positively correlated with the patients' perception of pain, burning, and reduction of everyday activities. Conclusions: Physician-assessed RID gradings correlate with objective SP skin measurements. Treatment technique and high breast volumes were identified as objective and significant predictors of RID. Our data provide a solid benchmark for future studies on RID with objective SP.
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BACKGROUND: The management of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) and actinic keratosis (AK) as well as the number of dermatologists differ across the Bavarian counties in Germany. OBJECTIVES: To determine regions with low utilization rates of dermatological care and a high medical need due to AK and KC burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 2,483 people was carried out during the Munich Oktoberfest in September 2016. Participants from urban, semi-urban and rural areas completed a questionnaire and received a medical examination on site by dermatologists. RESULTS: The rate of previous skin cancer screening and previous treatment by dermatologists ranged from 18.8% to 58.6% and from 34.3% to 75.4% for all regions, respectively. Over 60% of people living in the environs or rural areas would consult a dermatologist first if they found a visible skin condition. Thus, people living in urban areas were twice as likely as people living in rural areas to consult a dermatologist first (odds ratio = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.38-3.39). Comparing the three different locations, dermatologists detected the highest AK burden among people living in rural areas (27.3% of the participants) and the highest KC burden among people living in urban areas (3.4% of the participants). CONCLUSION: In rural areas, a high AK burden coupled with a low utilization rate of dermatological care was observed. To effectively address these problems, a broader implementation of alternative medical resources, such as teledermatology, might improve access to health care.