Assessment of Neurological Toxicity of Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 Injected in the Intrathecal Space in Rats.

Objective: Epidural blood patch is the procedure of choice to relieve postdural puncture headache. Hydroxyethyl-starch (HES) has been proposed as a patch in some circumstances such as in the case of hematological disease due to the theoretical risk of neoplastic seeding to the central nervous system. Acute neurological HES toxicity has been excluded by a previous animal study, but the long-term neurological toxicity has not been evaluated. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: no intrathecal injection, 20 µL of intrathecal saline, or a 20-µL intrathecal HES (6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4) administered via a cervical puncture. Clinical daily rat activity was measured before and after dural puncture by actinometry. The rats were killed at day 28, and the spinal cord was surgically removed and stained with hematoxylin-phloxine-saffron for gross and microscopic examination. Results: Eleven rats underwent dural puncture without injection, 11 were injected with normal saline, and 12 received intrathecal HES. No clinical or actimetric changes (total distance traveled, number of direction changes, and number of rearings) were observed up to one month after injection. Nonspecific histopathological changes were equally observed in all groups. Conclusions: The results of the current study indicate that intrathecal injection of HES in rats does not induce any clinical or histopathological evidence of long-term neuronal toxicity. Further safety studies in animals are warranted before HES might be considered a safe alternative to the classic epidural blood patch.

The immune microenvironment of HPV-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma from never-smokers and never-drinkers patients suggests higher clinical benefit of IDO1 and PD1/PD-L1 blockade.

BACKGROUND: Never-smokers and never-drinkers patients (NSND) suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are epidemiologically different from smokers drinkers (SD). We therefore hypothesized that they harbored distinct targetable molecular alterations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (discovery set), Gene Expression Omnibus and Centre Léon Bérard (CLB) (three validation sets) with available gene expression profiles of HPV-negative OSCC from NSND and SD were mined. Protein expression profiles and genomic alterations were also analyzed from TCGA, and a functional pathway enrichment analysis was carried out. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from 44 OSCC including 20 NSND and 24 SD treated at CLB were retrospectively collected to perform targeted-sequencing of 2559 transcripts (HTG EdgeSeq system), and CD3, CD4, CD8, IDO1, and PD-L1 expression analyses by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Enrichment of a six-gene interferon-γ signature of clinical response to pembrozulimab (PD-1 inhibitor) was evaluated in each sample from all cohorts, using the single sample gene set enrichment analysis method. RESULTS: A total of 854 genes and 29 proteins were found to be differentially expressed between NSND and SD in TCGA. Functional pathway analysis highlighted an overall enrichment for immune-related pathways in OSCC from NSND, especially involving T-cell activation. Interferon-γ response and PD1 signaling were strongly enriched in NSND. IDO1 and PD-L1 were overexpressed and the score of response to pembrolizumab was higher in NSND than in SD, although the mutational load was lower in NSND. IHC analyses in the CLB cohort evidenced IDO1 and PD-L1 overexpression in tumor cells that was associated with a higher rate of tumor-infiltrating T-cells in NSND compared with SD. CONCLUSION: The main biological and actionable difference between OSCC from NSND and SD lies in the immune microenvironment, suggesting a higher clinical benefit of PD-L1 and IDO1 inhibition in OSCC from NSND.

Neurotoxicity of intrathecal 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 injection in a rat model.

Epidural blood patch is the gold standard treatment for post-dural puncture headache, although hydroxyethyl starch may be a useful alternative to blood if the latter is contraindicated. The aim of this experimental study was to assess whether hydroxyethyl starch given via an indwelling intrathecal catheter resulted in clinical or histopathological changes suggestive of neurotoxicity. The study was conducted in rats that were randomly allocated to receive three 10-µl injections on consecutive days of either saline or hydroxyethyl starch administered via the intrathecal catheter. Eight rats were given injections of saline 0.9% and 11 were given 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 derived from thin boiling waxy corn starch in 0.9% sodium chloride (Voluven). Daily clinical evaluation, activity measured by actimetry and neuropathological analysis of the spinal cord were subsequently performed to assess for signs of neurotoxicity. No clinical or actimetric changes were observed in either group following intrathecal saline or hydroxyethyl starch administration. Histopathological examination showed non-specific changes with no differences between the two groups. This experimental study in the rat suggests that repeated intrathecal injection of hydroxyethyl starch is not associated with neurotoxicity.

Assessment of the current and emerging criteria for the histopathological classification of lung neuroendocrine tumours in the lungNENomics project.

BACKGROUND: Six thoracic pathologists reviewed 259 lung neuroendocrine tumours (LNETs) from the lungNENomics project, with 171 of them having associated survival data. This cohort presents a unique opportunity to assess the strengths and limitations of current World Health Organization (WHO) classification criteria and to evaluate the utility of emerging markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were diagnosed based on the 2021 WHO criteria, with atypical carcinoids (ACs) defined by the presence of focal necrosis and/or 2-10 mitoses per 2 mm2. We investigated two markers of tumour proliferation: the Ki-67 index and phospho-histone H3 (PHH3) protein expression, quantified by pathologists and automatically via deep learning. Additionally, an unsupervised deep learning algorithm was trained to uncover previously unnoticed morphological features with diagnostic value. RESULTS: The accuracy in distinguishing typical from ACs is hampered by interobserver variability in mitotic counting and the limitations of morphological criteria in identifying aggressive cases. Our study reveals that different Ki-67 cut-offs can categorise LNETs similarly to current WHO criteria. Counting mitoses in PHH3+ areas does not improve diagnosis, while providing a similar prognostic value to the current criteria. With the advantage of being time efficient, automated assessment of these markers leads to similar conclusions. Lastly, state-of-the-art deep learning modelling does not uncover undisclosed morphological features with diagnostic value. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the mitotic criteria can be complemented by manual or automated assessment of Ki-67 or PHH3 protein expression, but these markers do not significantly improve the prognostic value of the current classification, as the AC group remains highly unspecific for aggressive cases. Therefore, we may have exhausted the potential of morphological features in classifying and prognosticating LNETs. Our study suggests that it might be time to shift the research focus towards investigating molecular markers that could contribute to a more clinically relevant morpho-molecular classification.

Comparative roadmaps of reprogramming and oncogenic transformation identify Bcl11b and Atoh8 as broad regulators of cellular plasticity.

Coordinated changes of cellular plasticity and identity are critical for pluripotent reprogramming and oncogenic transformation. However, the sequences of events that orchestrate these intermingled modifications have never been comparatively dissected. Here, we deconvolute the cellular trajectories of reprogramming (via Oct4/Sox2/Klf4/c-Myc) and transformation (via Ras/c-Myc) at the single-cell resolution and reveal how the two processes intersect before they bifurcate. This approach led us to identify the transcription factor Bcl11b as a broad-range regulator of cell fate changes, as well as a pertinent marker to capture early cellular intermediates that emerge simultaneously during reprogramming and transformation. Multiomics characterization of these intermediates unveiled a c-Myc/Atoh8/Sfrp1 regulatory axis that constrains reprogramming, transformation and transdifferentiation. Mechanistically, we found that Atoh8 restrains cellular plasticity, independent of cellular identity, by binding a specific enhancer network. This study provides insights into the partitioned control of cellular plasticity and identity for both regenerative and cancer biology.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with hypermethylation in human left atrium, and treatment with decitabine reduces atrial tachyarrhythmias in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. As the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathology are largely unknown, this cardiac arrhythmia remains difficult to treat. To identify specific molecular actors involved in AF, we have performed a transcriptomic analysis on left atrium (LA) from patients with valvular heart disease with or without AF. We showed that 1627 genes had altered basal expression level in LA tissue of AF patients compared with the control group. The significantly enriched gene ontology biological process "anatomical structure morphogenesis" contained the highest number of genes in line with changes in structure that occur when the human heart remodels following AF development (ie, LA dilatation and interstitial fibrosis). We then focused the study on Pitx2 (paired-like homeodomain 2), being the most altered transcription factor in LA from AF patients and from which compelling evidence have indicated that its reduced expression can be considered as a marker for the disease. In addition, its expression was inversely correlated with LA size. We demonstrated that AF is associated with Pitx2 promoter hypermethylation both in humans and arrhythmic aging spontaneously hypertensive rats. Chronic administration of a DNA methylation inhibitor (ie, 5-Aza-2'-deoxycitidine) improved ECG arrhythmic profiles and superoxide dismutase activities and reduced fibrosis in the left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Taken together, these data support the notion that AF is associated with epigenetic changes in LA and provide a proof-of-concept that hypomethylating agents have to be considered in the treatment of atrial arrhythmias.

An epidemiologic study of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome in Israel.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to estimate the lifetime prevalence of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS) in adolescents aged 16 to 17 years. DESIGN: Population-based epidemiologic study. SUBJECTS: Eighteen thousand three hundred sixty-four males and 9673 females aged 16 to 17 years screened for induction into the Israel Defense Force. RESULTS: Of the 28,037 individuals screened, 12 met diagnostic criteria for GTS. The point prevalence in this population was 4.3 +/- 1.2 (mean +/- SE) per 10,000. The 95% confidence interval for this estimate is 1.9 to 6.7 per 10,000. The point prevalence was 4.9 +/- 1.6 per 10,000 for males (95% confidence interval, 1.8 per 10,000) and 3.1 +/- 1.8 per 10,000 for females (95% confidence interval, 0 to 6.6 per 10,000). The rate of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was significantly elevated among the subjects with GTS (41.7%) compared with the population point prevalence of OCD (3.4) in those without GTS. In contrast, the rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was only 8.3% compared with the population point prevalence of 3.9% in those individuals without GTS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence estimates from this population-based study are in agreement with previous results based on surveys of younger children. The sex ratio observed in this study is not as large as reported in previous studies and remains to be explored in other studies of adolescents and adults.

Fatal peripheral neurolymphomatosis after remission of histiocytic lymphoma.

A 32-year-old woman with histiocytic lymphoma was in complete clinical remission after two courses of chemotherapy, when peripheral neuropathy developed fulminantly. Abnormalities included facial nerve paralysis, dysphagia, quadriparesis, myalgia, and incontinence. She died 10 days after onset of these symptoms. Postmortem examination revealed infiltration of peripheral nerves by lymphomatous cells with no involvement of meninges, brain, lymph nodes, or other organs. Differences in the blood-brain barrier of peripheral and central nervous system are suggested: The peripheral barrier may be more penetrable by malignant histiocytes or less permeable to cytotoxic drugs. Intrathecal chemotherapeutic drug instillation and irradiation may be beneficial.

Benign intracranial hypertension: correlation of cerebral blood flow with disease severity.

UNLABELLED: Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is characterized by symptoms and signs of raised intracranial pressure in the absence of an intracranial mass lesion, infection or hydrocephalus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of disease severity on cerebral blood flow in patients with BIH on acetazolamide therapy. METHODS: 11 patients (nine females, two males; mean age 30.5 years; range 22-29 years) with BIH were studied. All patients underwent CT and MRI scanning which were normal. The CSF pressure of all patients was above 200 mm H2O. All patients were under treatment with acetazolamide (1 g/day). Disease severity was determined by visual field examination and by clinical symptoms. Five patients were categorized into mild to moderate BIH (group I) and six patients had severe BIH (group II). All patients underwent perfusion brain SPECT with 740 MBq of Tc-99m-HMPAO. RESULTS: Brain perfusion abnormalities were observed in six of the 11 patients. One out of five patients in group I (20%) and five out of six patients (83%) in group II, had abnormal SPECT findings (P<0.04). In four patients of group II the left parietal lobe was involved and another patient had a right occipital abnormality. The single patient from group I with SPECT abnormalities demonstrated focal decreased perfusion in the left temporal area and decreased perfusion in the left caudate nucleus. CONCLUSION: Patients with severe degree of BIH have a higher incidence of cerebral perfusion abnormalities. This group may have an increased risk of cerebrovascular complications. The continuous administration of acetazolamide which affects the vascular autoreactivity may contribute to the regional hypoperfusion. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the natural course of disease versus iatrogenic treatment effects.

Cerebrovascular reactivity in patients under long-term acetazolamide treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The acetazolamide (AZA) test is a well-accepted method for measuring the vascular reactivity of the cerebral arteries. In order to investigate the nature of this reactivity after long-term daily AZA treatment, the cerebral blood velocity (CBV) was measured using transcranial Doppler in patients under continuous AZA treatment after a single AZA 1 g intravenous (IV) dose. METHODS: Thirteen patients (eight women, five men) on long-term daily AZA (750 mg/day, mean treatment duration 68 +/- 12+ months) were included in the study. The CBV of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the basilar artery (BA), including the values of peak velocity, mean velocity and pulsatility index (PI) were measured. The examination was performed twice - with the initial IV administration of AZA and 20 min later. The results were compared with those of 10 age matched volunteers. RESULTS: A consistent significant increase of CBV in the right and left MCA (P < 0.001 for both arteries) was found in all study participants. A highly significant decrease of peak CBV in the BA (P < 0.001) was found in the post-AZA velocities of the patient's group. In the control group, a consistent significant increase in all post-AZA tests was demonstrated (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A mild elevation of blood velocity in the MCAs concomitant with a highly significant decrease of velocity in the BA was present in all examined patients. These patterns of CBV changes indicate the presence of a 'steal phenomenon' from the posterior to the anterior circulation and stress the necessity for caution when evaluating the indications for performance of the AZA test in patients under continuous AZA therapy.

Effect of thymic humoral factor on cellular immune factors of normal children and of pediatric patients with ataxia telangiectasia and Down's syndrome.

Cellular immune functions of nine Down's syndrome patients and of nine was Ataxia telangiectasia vs. nine normal children and nine cord bloods, were evaluated using in vitro assays of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The in vitro assays included E rosette formation, antilymphocytic cytotoxicity by an antithymic antiserum and leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) production. The mitogens and antigens used were phytohemagglutinin, purified protein derivative, and monilia antigen. The effect of a thymic hormone (THF) on these parameters was evaluated and it was administered therapeutically to three Down's syndrome patients and to two patients with Ataxia telangiectasia. Most deficient T-cell functions were reversed to normal after incubation of the lymphocytes with THF, or after THF therapeutic administration. In two Down's syndrome cases, the clinical course was not altered by THF administration, while one seemed to benefit from it markedly. One of the Atactic patients recovered from a severe viral infection, while the other died from intractable bronchopneumonia.