Systematic discovery of mutation-directed neo-protein-protein interactions in cancer.

Comprehensive sequencing of patient tumors reveals genomic mutations across tumor types that enable tumorigenesis and progression. A subset of oncogenic driver mutations results in neomorphic activity where the mutant protein mediates functions not engaged by the parental molecule. Here, we identify prevalent variant-enabled neomorph-protein-protein interactions (neoPPI) with a quantitative high-throughput differential screening (qHT-dS) platform. The coupling of highly sensitive BRET biosensors with miniaturized coexpression in an ultra-HTS format allows large-scale monitoring of the interactions of wild-type and mutant variant counterparts with a library of cancer-associated proteins in live cells. The screening of 17,792 interactions with 2,172,864 data points revealed a landscape of gain of interactions encompassing both oncogenic and tumor suppressor mutations. For example, the recurrent BRAF V600E lesion mediates KEAP1 neoPPI, rewiring a BRAFV600E/KEAP1 signaling axis and creating collateral vulnerability to NQO1 substrates, offering a combination therapeutic strategy. Thus, cancer genomic alterations can create neo-interactions, informing variant-directed therapeutic approaches for precision medicine.

New insights into KLFs and SOXs in cancer pathogenesis, stemness, and therapy.

Despite the development of cancer therapies, the success of most treatments has been impeded by drug resistance. The crucial role of tumor cell plasticity has emerged recently in cancer progression, cancer stemness and eventually drug resistance. Cell plasticity drives tumor cells to reversibly convert their cell identity, analogous to differentiation and dedifferentiation, to adapt to drug treatment. This phenotypical switch is driven by alteration of the transcriptome. Several pluripotent factors from the KLF and SOX families are closely associated with cancer pathogenesis and have been revealed to regulate tumor cell plasticity. In this review, we particularly summarize recent studies about KLF4, KLF5 and SOX factors in cancer development and evolution, focusing on their roles in cancer initiation, invasion, tumor hierarchy and heterogeneity, and lineage plasticity. In addition, we discuss the various regulation of these transcription factors and related cutting-edge drug development approaches that could be used to drug "undruggable" transcription factors, such as PROTAC and PPI targeting, for targeted cancer therapy. Advanced knowledge could pave the way for the development of novel drugs that target transcriptional regulation and could improve the outcome of cancer therapy.

Repurposed Antiviral Drugs for Covid-19 - Interim WHO Solidarity Trial Results.

BACKGROUND: World Health Organization expert groups recommended mortality trials of four repurposed antiviral drugs - remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon beta-1a - in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). METHODS: We randomly assigned inpatients with Covid-19 equally between one of the trial drug regimens that was locally available and open control (up to five options, four active and the local standard of care). The intention-to-treat primary analyses examined in-hospital mortality in the four pairwise comparisons of each trial drug and its control (drug available but patient assigned to the same care without that drug). Rate ratios for death were calculated with stratification according to age and status regarding mechanical ventilation at trial entry. RESULTS: At 405 hospitals in 30 countries, 11,330 adults underwent randomization; 2750 were assigned to receive remdesivir, 954 to hydroxychloroquine, 1411 to lopinavir (without interferon), 2063 to interferon (including 651 to interferon plus lopinavir), and 4088 to no trial drug. Adherence was 94 to 96% midway through treatment, with 2 to 6% crossover. In total, 1253 deaths were reported (median day of death, day 8; interquartile range, 4 to 14). The Kaplan-Meier 28-day mortality was 11.8% (39.0% if the patient was already receiving ventilation at randomization and 9.5% otherwise). Death occurred in 301 of 2743 patients receiving remdesivir and in 303 of 2708 receiving its control (rate ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 1.11; P = 0.50), in 104 of 947 patients receiving hydroxychloroquine and in 84 of 906 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.59; P = 0.23), in 148 of 1399 patients receiving lopinavir and in 146 of 1372 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.25; P = 0.97), and in 243 of 2050 patients receiving interferon and in 216 of 2050 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.39; P = 0.11). No drug definitely reduced mortality, overall or in any subgroup, or reduced initiation of ventilation or hospitalization duration. CONCLUSIONS: These remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon regimens had little or no effect on hospitalized patients with Covid-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation, and duration of hospital stay. (Funded by the World Health Organization; ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN83971151; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04315948.).

Characterizing the Relationship between HIV Peer Support Groups and Internalized Stigma Among People Living with HIV in Nigeria.

HIV-related stigma remains a significant barrier to implementing effective HIV treatment and prevention strategies in Nigeria. Despite the high uptake of peer support groups among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria, the potential role of such peer support on the burden of internalized stigma remains understudied. To address this gap, we conducted a secondary analysis of the PLHIV Stigma Index 2.0, a socio-behavioral survey implemented by PLHIV led-organizations to assess the relationship between group membership and internalized stigma. Internalized stigma was measured using the Internalized AIDS-related Stigma Scale. Multinomial logistic regression was used to measure the association between self-reported engagement in peer support groups and internalized stigma adjusting for age, education, duration since HIV diagnosis, employment, disclosure status, and sex-work engagement. Of the 1,244 respondents in this study, 75.1% were engaged in HIV peer support groups. Over half (55.5%) and about one-fourth (27.3%) demonstrated low/moderate and high levels of internalized stigma, respectively. PLHIV engaged in HIV peer support groups were less likely to report both low/moderate (versus no) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.47 [95% CI: 0.27 to 0.81]; p = 0.006) and high (versus no) (aOR: 0.30 [95% CI: 0.17 to 0.53]; p < 0.001) levels of internalized stigma compared to those not engaged. In this study, the burden of internalized stigma is high among PLHIV in Nigeria. However, engagement in peer support groups appears to mitigate these stigmas. Stigma mitigation strategies to increase peer support may represent a critical tool in decreasing sustained HIV treatment gaps among PLHIV in Nigeria.

Creation of a pandemic memory by tracing COVID-19 infections and immunity in Luxembourg (CON-VINCE).

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic swift implementation of research cohorts was key. While many studies focused exclusively on infected individuals, population based cohorts are essential for the follow-up of SARS-CoV-2 impact on public health. Here we present the CON-VINCE cohort, estimate the point and period prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, reflect on the spread within the Luxembourgish population, examine immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, and ascertain the impact of the pandemic on population psychological wellbeing at a nationwide level. METHODS: A representative sample of the adult Luxembourgish population was enrolled. The cohort was followed-up for twelve months. SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR and serology were conducted at each sampling visit. The surveys included detailed epidemiological, clinical, socio-economic, and psychological data. RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred sixty-five individuals were followed over seven visits (April 2020-June 2021) with the final weighted period prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection of 15%. The participants had similar risks of being infected regardless of their gender, age, employment status and education level. Vaccination increased the chances of IgG-S positivity in infected individuals. Depression, anxiety, loneliness and stress levels increased at a point of study when there were strict containment measures, returning to baseline afterwards. CONCLUSION: The data collected in CON-VINCE study allowed obtaining insights into the infection spread in Luxembourg, immunity build-up and the impact of the pandemic on psychological wellbeing of the population. Moreover, the study holds great translational potential, as samples stored at the biobank, together with self-reported questionnaire information, can be exploited in further research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number: NCT04379297, 10 April 2020.

Comparative analysis of Krüppel-like factors expression in the retinas of zebrafish and mice during development and after injury.

The Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) have emerged as important transcriptional regulators of various cellular processes, including neural development. Some of them have been described as intrinsic factors involved in axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates. Zebrafish are known for their ability to regenerate several tissues in adulthood, including the CNS, a capability lost during vertebrate evolution and absent in adult mammals. The role that KLFs could play in this differential ability remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the endogenous response of certain KLFs implicated in axon regeneration (KLFs 6, 7, 9, and 13) during retina development and after axon injury. The results showed that the expression of Klfs 6, 7, and 13 decreases in the developing retina of mice but not in zebrafish, while the mRNA levels of Klf9 strongly increase in both species. The response to injury was further analyzed using optic nerve crush (ONC) as a model of lesion. Our analysis during the acute phase (hours) demonstrated an induction of Klfs 6 and 7 expression exclusively in the zebrafish retina, while Klfs 9 and 13 mRNA levels increased in both species. Further analysis of the chronic response (days) showed that mRNA levels of Klf6 transiently increase in the retinas of both zebrafish and mice, whereas those of Klf7 decrease later after optic nerve injury. In addition, the analysis revealed that the expression of Klf9 decreases, while that of Klf13 increases in the retinas of zebrafish in response to optic nerve injury but remains unaltered in mice. Altogether, these findings support the hypothesis that KLFs may play a role in the differential axon regeneration abilities exhibited by fish and mice.

Influence of the time of day in the effect of caffeine on maximal fat oxidation during exercise in women: a randomized, crossover, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.

PURPOSE: Caffeine is a stimulant with well-recognized performance and metabolic benefits, however, there is a lack of studies investigating the time-of-day influence in the properties of caffeine to enhance fat oxidation in women. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the time of the day on the effect of caffeine on the maximal rate of fat oxidation during aerobic exercise in trained women. METHODS: Fourteen female athletes (25.5 ± 7.1 years) took part in a randomized, crossover, double-blind study. All participants undertook four different experimental trials combining the ingestion of 3 mg/kg caffeine and a placebo either in the morning (8.00-10.00 h) and in the evening (17.00-19.00 h) realizing an incremental test on a cycle ergometer with 3 min stages at workloads from 30 to 70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Substrate oxidation rates were measured by indirect calorimetry. In each trial, the maximum rate of fat oxidation (MFO) and the intensity that elicited MFO (Fatmax) were measured. RESULTS: In comparison to placebo, MFO was significantly higher with caffeine both in the morning (0.24 ± 0.13 vs 0.30 ± 0.14 g/min; p < 0.001; ES = 0.79) and in the evening (0.21 ± 0.08 vs 0.28 ± 0.10 g/min; p = 0.002; ES = 0.72). No time-of-day effect on the capacity of caffeine to increase MFO was found (all p = 0.336) CONCLUSION: The intake of 3 mg/kg of caffeine increased the use of fat as a fuel during exercise independently of the time-of-day in trained women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the following ID: NCT05880186 by 15 May 2023.

Dynamics of Anti-influenza Mucosal IgA Over a Season in a Cohort of Individuals Living or Working in a Long-term Care Facility.

BACKGROUND: Serological surveys are used to ascertain influenza infection and immunity, but evidence for the utility of mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) as a correlate of infection or protection is limited. METHODS: We performed influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance on 220 individuals living or working in a retirement community in Gainesville, Florida from January to May 2018, and took pre- and postseason nasal samples of 11 individuals with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed influenza infection and 60 randomly selected controls. Mucosal IgA against 10 strains of influenza was measured from nasal samples. RESULTS: Overall, 28.2% and 11.3% of individuals experienced a 2-fold and 4-fold rise, respectively, in mucosal IgA to at least 1 influenza strain. Individuals with PCR-confirmed influenza A had significantly lower levels of preseason IgA to influenza A. Influenza-associated respiratory illness was associated with a higher rise in mucosal IgA to influenza strains of the same subtype, and H3N2-associated respiratory illness was associated with a higher rise in mucosal IgA to other influenza A strains. CONCLUSIONS: By comparing individuals with and without influenza illness, we demonstrated that mucosal IgA is a correlate of influenza infection. There was evidence for cross-reactivity in mucosal IgA across influenza A subtypes.

Viral reactivations and co-infections in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Viral reactivations and co-infections have been reported among COVID-19 patients. However, studies on the clinical outcomes of different viral reactivations and co-infections are currently in limit. Thus, the primary purpose of this review is to perform an overarching investigation on the cases of latent virus reactivation and co-infection in COVID-19 patients to build collective evidence contributing to improving patient health. The aim of the study was to conduct a literature review to compare the patient characteristics and outcomes of reactivations and co-infections of different viruses. METHODS: Our population of interest included confirmed COVID-19 patients who were diagnosed with a viral infection either concurrently or following their COVID-19 diagnosis. We extracted the relevant literature through a systematic search using the key terms in the online databases including the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), from inception onwards up to June 2022. The authors independently extracted data from eligible studies and assessed the risk of bias using the Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting (CARE) guidelines and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Main patient characteristics, frequency of each manifestation, and diagnostic criteria used in studies were summarized in tables. RESULTS: In total, 53 articles were included in this review. We identified 40 reactivation studies, 8 coinfection studies, and 5 studies where concomitant infection in COVID-19 patients was not distinguished as either reactivation or coinfection. Data were extracted for 12 viruses including IAV, IBV, EBV, CMV, VZV, HHV-1, HHV-2, HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8, HBV, and Parvovirus B19. EBV, HHV-1, and CMV were most frequently observed within the reactivation cohort, whereas IAV and EBV within the coinfection cohort. In both reactivation and coinfection groups, patients reported cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression as comorbidities, acute kidney injury as complication, and lymphopenia and elevated D-dimer and CRP levels from blood tests. Common pharmaceutical interventions in two groups included steroids and antivirals. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings expand our knowledge on the characteristics of COVID-19 patients with viral reactivations and co-infections. Our experience with current review indicates a need for further investigations on virus reactivation and coinfection among COVID-19 patients.

Effect of caffeine intake on fat oxidation rate during exercise: is there a dose-response effect?

PURPOSE: The effect of caffeine to enhance fat utilisation as fuel for submaximal aerobic exercise is well established. However, it is unknown whether this effect is dose dependent. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 and 6 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass (mg/kg) on whole-body substrate oxidation during an incremental cycling exercise test. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomised, and counterbalanced experiment, 18 recreationally active males (maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] = 56.7 ± 8.2 mL/kg/min) performed three experimental trials after ingesting either 3 mg/kg of caffeine, 6 mg/kg of caffeine or a placebo (cellulose). The trials consisted of an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer with 3-min stages at workloads from 30 to 80% of VO2max. Energy expenditure, fat oxidation rate, and carbohydrate oxidation rate were continuously measured by indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: During exercise, there was significant effect of substance (F = 7.969; P = 0.004) on fat oxidation rate. In comparison to the placebo, the rate of fat oxidation was higher with 3 mg/kg of caffeine at 30, 40, 50 and 70% of VO2max [all P < 0.050, effect sizes (ES) from 0.38 to 0.50] and with 6 mg/kg of caffeine at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70% of VO2max (all P < 0.050, ES from 0.28 to 0.76). Both 3 mg/kg (0.40 ± 0.21 g/min, P = 0.021, ES = 0.57) and 6 mg/kg of caffeine (0.40 ± 0.17 g/min P = 0.001, ES = 0.60) increased the maximal rate of fat oxidation during exercise over the placebo (0.31 ± 0.15 g/min). None of the caffeine doses produced any significant effect on energy expenditure or heart rate during exercise, while both caffeine doses reduced perceived fatigue at 80% of VO2max (all P < 0.050, ES from 0.71 to 1.48). CONCLUSION: The effect of caffeine to enhance fat oxidation during submaximal aerobic exercise is of similar magnitude with 3 and 6 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass. Thus, a dose of 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass would be sufficient to enhance fat utilisation as fuel during submaximal exercise.

Distinct pathophysiological characteristics in developing muscle from patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with malignant hyperthermia susceptibility diagnosed by the in vitro caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) develop excessive force in response to halothane but not caffeine (halothane-hypersensitive). Hallmarks of halothane-hypersensitive patients include high incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms at rest and abnormal calcium events in muscle. By measuring sensitivity to halothane of myotubes and extending clinical observations and cell-level studies to a large group of patients, we reach new insights into the pathological mechanism of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. METHODS: Patients with malignant hyperthermia susceptibility were classified into subgroups HH and HS (positive to halothane only and positive to both caffeine and halothane). The effects on [Ca2+]cyto of halothane concentrations between 0.5 and 3 % were measured in myotubes and compared with CHCT responses of muscle. A clinical index that summarises patient symptoms was determined for 67 patients, together with a calcium index summarising resting [Ca2+]cyto and spontaneous and electrically evoked Ca2+ events in their primary myotubes. RESULTS: Halothane-hypersensitive myotubes showed a higher response to halothane 0.5% than the caffeine-halothane hypersensitive myotubes (P<0.001), but a lower response to higher concentrations, comparable with that used in the CHCT (P=0.055). The HH group had a higher calcium index (P<0.001), but their clinical index was not significantly elevated vs the HS. Principal component analysis identified electrically evoked Ca2+ spikes and resting [Ca2+]cyto as the strongest variables for separation of subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced sensitivity to depolarisation and to halothane appear to be the primary, mutually reinforcing and phenotype-defining defects of halothane-hypersensitive patients with malignant hyperthermia susceptibility.

Oral Dantrolene for Myopathic Symptoms in Malignant Hyperthermia-Susceptible Patients: A 25-Year Retrospective Cohort Study of Adverse Effects and Tolerability.

BACKGROUND: Patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH) may experience disabling manifestations of an unspecified myopathy outside the context of anesthesia, including myalgia, fatigue, or episodic rhabdomyolysis. Clinical observations suggest that oral dantrolene may relief myopathic symptoms in MH-susceptible (MHS) patients. However, high-dose oral dantrolene has been associated with severe hepatotoxicity. METHODS: In a retrospective database review (1994-2018), we investigated a cohort of patients who were diagnosed as MHS by a positive caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT), had myopathic manifestations, and received oral dantrolene. Our aim was to investigate the occurrence of serious adverse effects and the adherence to oral dantrolene therapy. We also explored factors associated with self-reported clinical improvement, considering as nonresponders patients with intolerable adverse effects or who reported no improvement 8 weeks after starting treatment. RESULTS: Among 476 MHS patients with positive CHCT, 193 had muscle symptoms, 164 started oral dantrolene, 27 refused treatment, and 2 were excluded due to abnormal liver function before starting therapy. There were no serious adverse effects reported. Forty-six of 164 patients (28%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 22%-35%) experienced mild to moderate adverse effects. Twenty-two patients (22/164, 13%; 95% CI, 9%-19%) discontinued treatment, among which 16 due to adverse effects and 6 due to lack of improvement. One hundred forty-two patients (87%; 95% CI, 80%-90%) adhered to therapy and reported improvement of myalgia (n = 78), fatigue (n = 32), or rhabdomyolysis/hiperCKemia (n = 32). The proportion of responders was larger among patients with MH history than among those referred due to a clinical myopathy with nonpertinent anesthetic history (97% vs 79%, respectively; 95% CI of the difference, 8.5-28; P < .001). Patients with a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channel ryanodine receptor gene ( RYR1 ) variant had higher odds of responding to dantrolene treatment (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.3-30.9; P = .013). Dantrolene median dose was 50 (25-400) and 200 (25-400) mg·day -1 in responders and nonresponders, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that oral dantrolene produced no serious adverse effects within the reported dose range, and was well tolerated by most MH-susceptible patients presenting myopathic symptoms. Our study provides dosing and adverse effect data as a basis for further randomized controlled clinical trials to determine the efficacy of oral dantrolene for symptomatic relief in MHS-related myopathies.

Impact of urinary catheter on resistance patterns and clinical outcomes on complicated urinary tract infection.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) is highly prevalent and costly for health systems. The impact of the indwelling urinary catheter on etiologic agents and clinical outcomes has been poorly studied in Latin America. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including patients with cUTI, with positive urine culture, treated at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá (Colombia) between 2017 and 2020. Clinical and microbiologic characteristics, treatments and outcomes are explored, comparing those with and without indwelling urinary catheter. RESULTS: Seven hundred thirty-five patients with non-catheter-associated cUTI (NC-cUTI) and 165 with catheter-associated cUTI (CAUTI) were included. CAUTI group had a higher proportion of recurrent UTI (18% vs 33.3%, p < 0.001), ICU requirement (2.7% vs 8.5%, p < 0.001), longer hospital stay (6 vs 10 days, p < 0.001) and > 30 days unplanned readmission rate (5.8% vs 10.3%, p < 0.001). In the same group, we found a higher frequency of Pseudomonas spp (2.6% vs 9.4%, p < 0.001), Enterococcus spp. (2.4% vs 3.3%, p = 0.016), Serratia marcescens (0.6% vs 3.3%, p < 0.001) and Citrobacter freundii (0.5% vs 5.7%, p < 0.001). It implied a higher number of patients treated with fourth-generation cephalosporins (1.4% vs 4.8%, p = 0.004), ertapenem (32.9% vs 41.8%, p = 0.027) and carbapenems associated with a second antibiotic (1.9% vs 8.5%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CAUTI have a higher frequency of resistant germs, require greater use of resources and have worse clinical outcomes than patients who do not require such devices. Measures should be strengthened to minimize its use, in both the hospital and outpatient setting.

KLF13 Regulates the Activity of the GH-Induced JAK/STAT Signaling by Targeting Genes Involved in the Pathway.

The Krüppel-like factor 13 (KLF13) has emerged as an important transcription factor involved in essential processes of the central nervous system (CNS). It predominantly functions as a transcriptional repressor, impacting the activity of several signaling pathways with essential roles in the CNS, including the JAK/STAT pathway, which is the canonical mediator of growth hormone (GH) signaling. It is now recognized that GH has important actions as a neurotrophic factor. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of KLF13 on the activity of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the hippocampus-derived cell line HT22. Results showed that KLF13 directly regulates the expression of several genes involved in the JAK-STAT pathway, including Jak1, Jak2, Jak3, and Socs1, by associating with their proximal gene promoters. In addition, it was found that in KLF13-deficient HT22 neurons, the expression of Jak1, Stat3, Socs1, Socs3, and Igf1 was dysregulated, exhibiting mRNA levels that went up to 7-fold higher than the control cell line. KLF13 displayed a differential effect on the GH-induced JAK/STAT pathway activity, decreasing the STAT3 branch while enhancing the STAT5 branch. In KLF13-deficient HT22 cells, the activity of the STAT3 branch was enhanced, mediating the GH-dependent augmented expression of the JAK/STAT output genes Socs1, Socs3, Igf1, and Bdnf. Furthermore, GH treatment increased both the nuclear content of KLF13 and Klf13 mRNA levels, suggesting that KLF13 could be part of the mechanisms that maintain the homeostatic state of this pathway. These findings support the notion that KLF13 is a regulator of JAK/STAT activity.

Host Transcriptional Regulatory Genes and Microbiome Networks Crosstalk through Immune Receptors Establishing Normal and Tumor Multiomics Metafirm of the Oral-Gut-Lung Axis.

The microbiome has shown a correlation with the diet and lifestyle of each population in health and disease, the ability to communicate at the cellular level with the host through innate and adaptative immune receptors, and therefore an important role in modulating inflammatory process related to the establishment and progression of cancer. The oral cavity is one of the most important interaction windows between the human body and the environment, allowing the entry of an important number of microorganisms and their passage across the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. In this review, the contribution of the microbiome network to the establishment of systemic diseases like cancer is analyzed through their synergistic interactions and bidirectional crosstalk in the oral-gut-lung axis as well as its communication with the host cells. Moreover, the impact of the characteristic microbiota of each population in the formation of the multiomics molecular metafirm of the oral-gut-lung axis is also analyzed through state-of-the-art sequencing techniques, which allow a global study of the molecular processes involved of the flow of the microbiota environmental signals through cancer-related cells and its relationship with the establishment of the transcription factor network responsible for the control of regulatory processes involved with tumorigenesis.

Guanylation Reactions for the Rational Design of Cancer Therapeutic Agents.

The modular synthesis of the guanidine core by guanylation reactions using commercially available ZnEt2 as a catalyst has been exploited as a tool for the rapid development of antitumoral guanidine candidates. Therefore, a series of phenyl-guanidines were straightforwardly obtained in very high yields. From the in vitro assessment of the antitumoral activity of such structurally diverse guanidines, the guanidine termed ACB3 has been identified as the lead compound of the series. Several biological assays, an estimation of AMDE values, and an uptake study using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy were conducted to gain insight into the mechanism of action. Cell death apoptosis, induction of cell cycle arrest, and reduction in cell adhesion and colony formation have been demonstrated for the lead compound in the series. In this work, and as a proof of concept, we discuss the potential of the catalytic guanylation reactions for high-throughput testing and the rational design of guanidine-based cancer therapeutic agents.

Virtual Reality for Decreasing Procedural Pain during Botulinum Toxin Injection Related to Spasticity Treatment in Adults: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Botulinum toxin injections are commonly used for the treatment of spasticity. However, injection procedures are associated with pain and procedural anxiety. While pharmacological approaches are commonly used to reduce these, innovative technology might be considered as a potential non-pharmacological alternative. Given this context, immersive virtual reality (VR) has shown effectiveness in the management of procedural pain. Our retrospective pilot study aimed to assess the potential added value of virtual reality in the management of pain and anxiety during intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen adult patients receiving botulinum toxin injections were included. A numerical rating scale was used to assess pain and anxiety during the injection procedure. The patients reported the pain experienced during previous injections without VR before injection and the pain experienced in the current procedure with VR after the end of the procedure. The level of satisfaction of VR experience, whether or not they agreed to reuse VR for the subsequent toxin botulinum injection, and whether or not they would recommend VR to other patients were assessed. RESULTS: The use of virtual reality led to a decrease of 1.8 pain-related points compared to the procedure without technology. No significant improvement in the level of anxiety was reported. Patients were very satisfied with their VR experiences (7.9 out of 10), and many would agree to reuse VR in their next injection procedure (88%) and to recommend the use of VR in other patients (100%). CONCLUSION: VR was useful for managing procedural pain related to botulinum toxin injection in adults, with a high level of satisfaction reported by the patients. VR should be considered as a valuable alternative to pharmacological approaches to manage procedural pain during botulinum toxin injection in adults.

Clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of difficult biliary stones in a reference hospital in Colombia.

The local experience and the success rate of different available treatments for difficult biliary stones in Colombia are poorly described. We made an observational study reporting patients treated for difficult biliary stones, at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia between January 2015, and November 2021. Clinical characteristics, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) findings, and outcomes are presented. Additionally, the success rates of Endoscopic Sphincterotomy Plus Large Balloon Dilation (ESLBD), Mechanical Lithotripsy (ML), temporary stenting (TS), cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy (CGLL), and surgery are described. A total of 146 patients were included (median age 69 years, IQR 58.5-78.5, 33.8% men). The median stone diameter was 15 mm (IQR 10 - 18 mm). One stone was presented in 39.9%, two stones in 18.2%, and ≥3 stones in the remaining stone. A 67.6% disproportion rate was observed between the stone and distal common bile duct. Successful stone extraction was achieved in 56.2% in the first procedure, 22.6% in the second, 17.1% in the third, 3.4% in the fourth, and 0.7% in the fifth procedures. The successful extraction rates were 56.8% for ESLBD, 75% for ML, 23.4% for TS, 57.7% for CGLL, and 100% for surgery. Endoscopic management of difficult stones is usually successful, although it usually requires 2 or more ERCPs procedures. The surgical requirements were low. ESLBD is an effective technique unlike TS. Few patients required advanced techniques such as ML or CGLL. Endoscopic procedures are associated with a low rate of complications.

Effect of 3 and 6 mg/kg of caffeine on fat oxidation during exercise in healthy active females.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 and 6 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass (mg/kg) on whole-body substrate oxidation during an incremental cycling exercise test in healthy active women. Using a double-blind placebo-controlled counterbalanced experimental design, 14 subjects performed three identical exercise trials after the ingestion of 3 or 6 mg/kg of caffeine or placebo. The exercise trials consisted of an incremental test on a cycle ergometer with 3-min stages at workloads from 30 to 70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Substrate oxidation rates were measured by indirect calorimetry. During exercise, there was a significant effect of substance (F = 5.221; p = 0.016) on fat oxidation rate. In comparison to the placebo, 3 mg/kg of caffeine increased fat oxidation rates at 30 to 60% of VO2max (all p < 0.050) and 6 mg/kg at 30 to 50% of VO2max (all p < 0.050). There was also a significant effect of substance (F = 5.221; p = 0.016) on carbohydrate oxidation rate (F = 9.632; p < 0.001). In comparison to placebo, both caffeine doses decreased carbohydrate oxidation rates at 40 to 60% VO2max (all p < 0.050). The maximal rate of fat oxidation with placebo was 0.24 ± 0.03 g/min, which increased with 3 mg/kg to 0.29 ± 0.04 g/min (p = 0.032) and to 0.29 ± 0.03 with 6 mg/kg of caffeine (p = 0.042). Acute intake of caffeine improves the utilization of fat as a fuel during submaximal aerobic exercise in healthy active women with an effect of similar magnitude after the intake of 3 and 6 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass. Thus, the use of 3 mg/kg of caffeine would be more recommended than 6 mg/kg for women seeking increased fat utilization during submaximal exercise.

Understanding the Potential Impact of Different Drug Properties on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Transmission and Disease Burden: A Modelling Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The public health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has motivated a rapid search for potential therapeutics, with some key successes. However, the potential impact of different treatments, and consequently research and procurement priorities, have not been clear. METHODS: Using a mathematical model of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, COVID-19 disease and clinical care, we explore the public-health impact of different potential therapeutics, under a range of scenarios varying healthcare capacity, epidemic trajectories; and drug efficacy in the absence of supportive care. RESULTS: The impact of drugs like dexamethasone (delivered to the most critically-ill in hospital and whose therapeutic benefit is expected to depend on the availability of supportive care such as oxygen and mechanical ventilation) is likely to be limited in settings where healthcare capacity is lowest or where uncontrolled epidemics result in hospitals being overwhelmed. As such, it may avert 22% of deaths in high-income countries but only 8% in low-income countries (assuming R = 1.35). Therapeutics for different patient populations (those not in hospital, early in the course of infection) and types of benefit (reducing disease severity or infectiousness, preventing hospitalization) could have much greater benefits, particularly in resource-poor settings facing large epidemics. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in the treatment of COVID-19 to date have been focused on hospitalized-patients and predicated on an assumption of adequate access to supportive care. Therapeutics delivered earlier in the course of infection that reduce the need for healthcare or reduce infectiousness could have significant impact, and research into their efficacy and means of delivery should be a priority.