A Tissue Dielectric Constant Evaluation of Knee Edema: A Retrospective Intra-rater Reliability and Association Study of Repeated Measures.

BACKGROUND: This research compared the reliability and association of tissue dielectric constant (TDC) measures of knee edema to circumferential measurements of knee girth recorded as part of a physical therapy examination. METHODS: Twenty adults having observable unilateral knee edema were enrolled. A single examiner measured edematous knee swelling with a TDC device and a tape measure across two visits. The presence of edema was recorded as a positive number in reporting side-to-side differences and a positive percentage in documenting change over time. Intra-rater reliability of the measures was assessed with an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Percent change in edema was evaluated independently for both methods using a paired t-test, and the association between measures was assessed by a Pearson's statistic. RESULTS: Both measures were reliable (ICC ≥ 0.81), and both detected a significant percentage decrease (p < 0.05) in edema across visits. The TDC measure changed by 8.3%, an amount nearly four times larger compared to knee girth (2.4%). The subsequent follow-up comparison revealed an inverse relationship (p = 0.049; r = -0.44) between the two percent change measurements of edema. CONCLUSION: The two methods capture different physical attributes of edema. The TDC records the water content of the tissue, while the use of a tape measure records circumferential limb girth. The TDC measurement was reliable and more responsive in detecting a percentage decrease in knee edema in comparison to a circumferential measure of knee girth. The TDC method may have wider use in directly measuring edema in other tissue structures and regions of the body.

Synergy between EphA2-ILs-DTXp, a Novel EphA2-Targeted Nanoliposomal Taxane, and PD-1 Inhibitors in Preclinical Tumor Models.

Combinations of chemotherapy with immunotherapy have seen recent clinical success, including two approvals of anti-PD-1/L1 agents in combination with taxane-based chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. Here, we present a study on the combination activity and mechanistic rationale of a novel EphA2-targeted liposomal taxane (EphA2-ILs-DTXp) and anti-PD-1. This combination was highly active in mouse syngeneic tumor models, with complete responses observed in 3 of 5 models. In the EMT-6 tumor model, combination of EphA2-ILs-DTXp with anti-PD-1 resulted in a 60% complete response rate, with durable responses that were resistant to rechallenge. These responses were not observed in the absence of CD8+ T cells. Characterization of the immune infiltrates in EMT-6 tumors reveals increased CD8+ T cells, increased CD8+ IFNγ+ CTLs, and an increased CD8/regulatory T-cell (Treg) ratio. These immunomodulatory effects were not observed in mice treated with a combination of docetaxel and anti-PD-1. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the AUC of docetaxel was increased 15 times, from 52.1 to 785 ng/mL/hour, when delivered by EphA2-ILs-DTXp. A dose reduction study of EphA2-ILs-DTXp showed a dose-response relationship for both tumor growth inhibition and the CD8/Treg ratio. Our data indicate that synergism between docetaxel and anti-PD-1 is achievable with nanoliposomal delivery.

Antibody-mediated targeting of TNFR2 activates CD8+ T cells in mice and promotes antitumor immunity.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is the alternate receptor for TNF and can mediate both pro- and anti-inflammatory activities of T cells. Although TNFR2 has been linked to enhanced suppressive activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in autoimmune diseases, the viability of TNFR2 as a target for cancer immunotherapy has been underappreciated. Here, we show that new murine monoclonal anti-TNFR2 antibodies yield robust antitumor activity and durable protective memory in multiple mouse cancer cell line models. The antibodies mediate potent Fc-dependent T cell costimulation and do not result in significant depletion of Tregs Corresponding human agonistic monoclonal anti-TNFR2 antibodies were identified and also had antitumor effects in humanized mouse models. Anti-TNFR2 antibodies could be developed as a novel treatment option for patients with cancer.

Antitumour activity and tolerability of an EphA2-targeted nanotherapeutic in multiple mouse models.

Antibody-mediated tumour targeting and nanoparticle-mediated encapsulation can reduce the toxicity of antitumour drugs and improve their efficacy. Here, we describe the performance of a nanotherapeutic encapsulating a hydrolytically sensitive docetaxel prodrug and conjugated to an antibody specific for EphA2-a receptor overexpressed in many tumours. Administration of the nanotherapeutic in mice led to slow and sustained release of the prodrug, reduced exposure of active docetaxel in the circulation (compared with administration of the free drug) and maintenance of optimal exposure of the drug in tumour tissue. We also show that administration of the nanotherapeutic in rats and dogs resulted in minimal haematological toxicity, as well as the absence of neutropenia and improved overall tolerability in multiple rodent models. Targeting of the nanotherapeutic to EphA2 improved tumour penetration and resulted in markedly enhanced antitumour activity (compared with administration of free docetaxel and non-targeted nanotherapeutic controls) in multiple tumour-xenografted mice. This nanomedicine could become a potent and safe therapeutic alternative for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Host-Seeking Behavior in the Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius.

The reemergence of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, has recently spawned a frenzy of public, media, and academic attention. In response to the growing rate of infestation, considerable work has been focused on identifying the various host cues utilized by the bed bug in search of a meal. Most of these behavioral studies examine movement within a confined environment, such as a Petri dish. This has prevented a more complete understanding of the insect's host-seeking process. This work describes a novel method for studying host-seeking behavior, using various movement parameters, in a time-lapse photography system. With the use of human breath as an attractant, we qualitatively and quantitatively assessed how bed bugs navigate their environment between its harborage and the host. Levels of behavioral activity varied dramatically between bed bugs in the presence and absence of host odor. Bed bugs demonstrated not simply activation, but attraction to the chemical components of breath. Localized, stop-start host-seeking behavior or alternating periods of movement and pause were observed among bed bugs placed in the environment void of human breath, while those exposed to human breath demonstrated long range, stop-start host-seeking behavior. A more comprehensive understanding of bed bug host-seeking can lead to the development of traps and monitors that account for unique subtleties in their behavior. The time-lapse photography system uses a large, artificial environment and could also be employed to study other aspects of the insect's behavioral patterns.

Dietary supplementation with S-adenosyl methionine delays the onset of motor neuron pathology in a murine model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The full range of causative factors in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains elusive, but oxidative stress is recognized as a contributing factor. Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), associated with familial ALS, promote widespread oxidative damage. Mice-expressing G93A mutant human SOD-1 mice display multiple pathological changes characteristic of ALS and are therefore useful for therapeutic development. Dietary supplementation with S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) has provided multiple neuroprotective effects in mouse models of age-related cognitive pathology. We examined herein whether SAM supplementation could affect the course of motor neuron pathology in mice-expressing mutant human SOD-1. SAM delayed disease onset by 2-3 weeks. SAM also delayed hallmarks of neurodegeneration in these mice and in ALS, including preventing loss of motor neurons, and reducing gliosis, SOD-1 aggregation, protein carbonylation, and induction of antioxidant activity. SAM did not increase survival time. These preliminary findings, using a single concentration of SAM, suggest that SAM supplementation maybe useful as part of a comprehensive therapeutic approach for ALS.

Dietary supplementation with a combination of alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, glycerophosphocoline, docosahexaenoic acid, and phosphatidylserine reduces oxidative damage to murine brain and improves cognitive performance.

Alzheimer disease has a complex etiology composed of nutritional and genetic risk factors and predispositions. Moreover, genetic risk factors for cognitive decline may remain latent pending age-related decline in nutrition, suggesting the potential importance of early nutritional intervention, including preventative approaches. We hypothesized that a combination of multiple nutritional additives may be able to provide neuroprotection. We demonstrate herein that dietary supplementation with a mixture of ALA, ALCAR, GPC, DHA, and PS reduced reactive oxygen species in normal mice by 57% and prevented the increase in reactive oxygen species normally observed in mice lacking murine ApoE when maintained on a vitamin-free, iron-enriched, oxidative-challenge diet. We further demonstrate that supplementation with these agents prevented the marked cognitive decline otherwise observed in normal mice maintained on this challenge diet. These findings add to the growing body of research indicating that key dietary supplementation may delay the progression of age-related cognitive decline.