Glycan-Lectin Interactions in Cancer and Viral Infections and How to Disrupt Them.

Glycan-lectin interactions play an essential role in different cellular processes. One of their main functions is involvement in the immune response to pathogens or inflammation. However, cancer cells and viruses have adapted to avail themselves of these interactions. By displaying specific glycosylation structures, they are able to bind to lectins, thus promoting pathogenesis. While glycan-lectin interactions promote tumor progression, metastasis, and/or chemoresistance in cancer, in viral infections they are important for viral entry, release, and/or immune escape. For several years now, a growing number of investigations have been devoted to clarifying the role of glycan-lectin interactions in cancer and viral infections. Various overviews have already summarized and highlighted their findings. In this review, we consider the interactions of the lectins MGL, DC-SIGN, selectins, and galectins in both cancer and viral infections together. A possible transfer of ways to target and disrupt them might lead to new therapeutic approaches in different pathological backgrounds.

Adherence to Guidelines in the Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Children: An Austrian Survey.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the adherence of Austrian physicians to International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes guidelines 2009 concerning treatment in diabetic ketoacidosis and whether there is a difference between specialty (endocrinologists or intensivists) or clinical experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to members of the working groups of the Austrian Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. RESULTS: Of 106 questionnaires, 56 were included in the analysis. The mean ± SD overall adherence was 60 ± 23.5%. Endocrinologists showed a nonsignificant higher result, related to a significant higher adherence regarding the amount of fluids (P < 0.05) and tendency to bicarbonate use (P = 0.052) respectively. No differences were found between participants with different clinical experience. All gave crystalloids, 55% administered initial bolus of 10 to 20 mL/kg per hour, 58% used 1.5 to 2 times fluid maintenance, 87% started insulin after first fluid bolus, 28% gave 0.05 and 0.1 IE/kg per hour to infants and children respectively, and 43% 0.05 IE/kg per hour to all patients. When blood glucose falls, 53% gave glucose and 47% reduced insulin. In cerebral edema, 46% gave at least 2 of 3 recommended measures (fluid reduction, mannitol, or hypertonic saline). In acidosis (pH <6.9), 25% administered bicarbonate (as per guideline) and 52.9% never gave bicarbonate. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the actual guidelines is 60% and does neither depend on speciality nor on clinical routine. Essential treatment measures (eg, amount of fluids, consequence of rapid glucose fall, bicarbonate use) are not commonly known.