Oncological outcomes of visibly complete transurethral resection prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the potential oncologic benefit of a visibly complete transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT) prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radical cystectomy (RC). Materials and Methods: We identified patients who received NAC and RC between 2011-2021. Records were reviewed to assess TURBT completeness. The primary outcome was pathologic downstaging (<ypT2N0), with complete pathologic response (ypT0N0) and survival as secondary endpoints. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized. Results: We identified 153 patients, including 116 (76%) with a complete TURBT. Sixty-four (42%) achieved <ypT2N0 and 43 (28%) achieved ypT0N0. When comparing those with and without a complete TURBT, there was no significant difference in the proportion with <ypT2N0 (43% vs 38%, P=0.57) or ypT0N0 (28% vs 27%, P=0.87). After median follow-up of 3.6 years (IQR 1.5-5.1), 86 patients died, 37 died from bladder cancer, and 61 had recurrence. We did not observe a statistically significant association of complete TURBT with cancer-specific or recurrence-free survival (p≥0.20), although the hazard of death from any cause was significantly higher among those with incomplete TURBT even after adjusting for ECOG and pathologic T stage, HR 1.77 (95% CI 1.04-3.00, P=.034). Conclusions: A visibly complete TURBT was not associated with pathologic downstaging, cancer-specific or recurrence-free survival following NAC and RC. These data do not support the need for repeat TURBT to achieve a visibly complete resection if NAC and RC are planned.

Oncological outcomes of visibly complete transurethral resection prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential oncologic benefit of a visibly complete transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT) prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients who received NAC and RC between 2011-2021. Records were reviewed to assess TURBT completeness. The primary outcome was pathologic downstaging (

Cotransplantation of marginal mass allogeneic islets with 3D culture-derived adult human skin cells improves glycemia in diabetic mice

Islet transplantation represents a therapeutic option for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Long-term viability of transplanted islets requires improvement. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been proposed as adjuvants for islet transplantation facilitating grafting and functionality. Stem cell aggregation provides physiological interactions between cells and enhances the in situ concentration of modulators of inflammation and immunity. We established a hanging-drop culture of adult human skin fibroblast-like cells as spheroids, and skin spheroid-derived cells (SphCs) were characterized. We assessed the potential of SphCs in improving islet functionality by cotransplantation with a marginal mass of allogeneic islets in an experimental diabetic mouse model and characterized the secretome of SphCs by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. SphCs were characterized as multipotent progenitors and their coculture with anti-CD3 stimulated mouse splenocytes decreased CD4+ T cell proliferation with skewed cytokine secretion through an increase in the Th2/Th1 ratio profile. SphCs-conditioned media attenuated apoptosis of islets induced by cytokine challenge in vitro and importantly, intratesticular SphCs administration did not show tumorigenicity in immune-deficient mice. Moreover, SphCs improved glycemic control when cotransplanted with a marginal mass of allogeneic islets in a diabetic mouse model without pharmacological immunosuppression. SphCs' protein secretome differed from its paired skin fibroblast-like counterpart in containing 70% of up- and downregulated proteins and biological processes that overall positively influenced islets such as cytoprotection, cellular stress, metabolism, and survival. In summary, SphCs improved the performance of transplanted allogeneic islets in an experimental T1D model, without pharmacological immunosuppression. Future research is warranted to identify SphCs-secreted factors responsible for islets' endurance.

The Upper Juruá Extractive Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon: past and present

Abstract Amazonian livelihoods are largely dependent on rivers, with local protein consumption mainly relying on several species of fish. The UJER (Upper Juruá Extractive Reserve - Reserva Extrativista do Alto Juruá) is located in the state of Acre, bordering Peru and several indigenous areas. Here we summarize the data we collected in 1993/1994 on the population living along the banks of the Juruá, Tejo, Bagé, Igarapé São João and Breu rivers on crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and use of game and fish resources. We interviewed 133 individuals (94 on the Juruá and Tejo, 16 on Bagé, 16 on Igarapé São João and 7 on Breu rivers). Our results include a comprehensive description on local livelihoods, including the most important fish species for local subsistence considering gender and seasonality, the main husbandry and game species, and the items cultivated on the local agriculture. Whenever more recent information was available in the literature, we compared changes in livelihoods over time in the same region and also with the recent patterns observed in the Lower and in the Middle Juruá River. We hope to provide useful information to understand temporal changes in local livelihoods, which can help adapt and shape the ecological management in the region.

Resumo Comunidades da Amazônia são amplamente dependentes dos rios, com o consumo local de alimentos baseado em várias espécies de peixes. A UJER (Reserva Extrativista do Alto Juruá - Reserva Extrativista do Alto Juruá) está localizada no estado do Acre, na fronteira com o Peru e com várias áreas indígenas. Aqui resumimos os dados que coletamos em 1993/1994 da população que vive às margens dos rios Juruá, Tejo, Bagé, Igarapé São João e Breu sobre cultivo, criação de animais e uso de recursos de caça e peixes. Foram entrevistados 133 indivíduos (94 nos rios Juruá e Tejo, 16 em Bagé, 16 em Igarapé São João e 7 no rio Breu). Nossos resultados incluem uma descrição abrangente dos meios de subsistência locais, incluindo as espécies de peixes mais importantes para a subsistência local, considerando gênero e sazonalidade, bem como as principais espécies de criação, de caça e os itens cultivados na agricultura local., Quando foi possível obter informações da literatura, comparamos as mudanças nos meios de subsistência ao longo do tempo na mesma região e também com os padrões recentes observados no Baixo e no Médio Rio Juruá. Esperamos fornecer informações úteis para o entendimento das mudanças temporais nos meios de subsistência locais, o que pode ser útil ao manejo ecológico da região.

Presença do genoma de BoHV-5 no líquido cefalorraquidiano de bovinos com meningoencefalite herpética

The diagnosis of bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) encephalitis is confirmed after death by laboratory methods applied to brain fragments. Alternative methods to confirm ante-mortem diagnosis are important because the disease is not always lethal. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of the virus genome in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) might be admitted as a method for ante-mortem diagnosis. CSF samples were taken from 14 animals suffering from BoHV-5 encephalitis, diagnosed by characteristic histopathological lesions in the brain and by identification of the virus genome by PCR in different portions of the brain. Virus DNA was detected in the CSF of 21.42% (3/14) of the evaluated animals. Ante-mortem detection of the virus genome in the CSF showed low sensitivity to confirm the diagnosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by a positive result but a negative one does not discard the disease.

Modelos lineares generalizados mistos na avaliação genética da prenhez precoce na raça Nelore / Generalized linear mixed models on genetic evaluation of early pregnancy in Nellore breed

Utilizaram-se os modelos lineares generalizados com as funções de ligação probit e logit na avaliação da prenhez precoce, e observaram-se os efeitos na variabilidade genética e na seleção de reprodutores quando diferentes idades são adotadas na definição dessa característica. A prenhez precoce foi estudada aos 15 (PP15) e 21 meses (PP21). Correlações entre os valores genéticos preditos e a porcentagem de touros em comum, considerando 10% dos touros com maiores valores genéticos (TOP10), entre a classificação dos modelos com função de ligação logit e probit e em cada modelo entre PP15 e PP21, foram calculadas. As herdabilidades para PP15 e PP21 foram próximas entre os modelos, exceto para PP15 utilizando a função de ligação probit. Aquelas entre os modelos e a TOP/10 foram altas. Os critérios de Akaike e Bayesiano apresentaram-se semelhantes entre os modelos. As correlações entre PP15 e PP21 e a TOP10, considerando o mesmo modelo, foram de média magnitude.

This study aimed to use the generalized linear models with probit and logit link function to evaluate early pregnancy, and to observe the effects on genetic variability and on sire selection when different ages are adopted in the definition of this trait. Early pregnancy was studied at 15 (EP15), and 21 (EP21) months. The analysis was done in R software. Pearson correlations (PC), between genetic predicted values and percentage of bulls in common considering only 10% of bulls with higher genetic values (TOP 10), between classification by logit and probit models and in each model among EP15 and EP21, were calculated. The heritability for EP15 and EP21 were close between models, except for EP15 using probit link function. PC and TOP10 among models were high. The Akaike and Bayesian criteria reported was similar between models. TOP10, considering the same model, among EP15-EP21 were moderated between EP15-EP21.