Expansion of Pathogenic Cardiac Macrophages in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Myocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), antibodies targeting PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1)/PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) or CTLA4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4), have revolutionized cancer management but are associated with devastating immune-related adverse events including myocarditis. The main risk factor for ICI myocarditis is the use of combination PD-1 and CTLA4 inhibition. ICI myocarditis is often fulminant and is pathologically characterized by myocardial infiltration of T lymphocytes and macrophages. Although much has been learned about the role of T-cells in ICI myocarditis, little is understood about the identity, transcriptional diversity, and functions of infiltrating macrophages. METHODS: We used an established murine ICI myocarditis model (Ctla4+/-Pdcd1-/- mice) to explore the cardiac immune landscape using single-cell RNA-sequencing, immunostaining, flow cytometry, in situ RNA hybridization, molecular imaging, and antibody neutralization studies. RESULTS: We observed marked increases in CCR2 (C-C chemokine receptor type 2)+ monocyte-derived macrophages and CD8+ T-cells in this model. The macrophage compartment was heterogeneous and displayed marked enrichment in an inflammatory CCR2+ subpopulation highly expressing Cxcl9 (chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand 9), Cxcl10 (chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand 10), Gbp2b (interferon-induced guanylate-binding protein 2b), and Fcgr4 (Fc receptor, IgG, low affinity IV) that originated from CCR2+ monocytes. It is important that a similar macrophage population expressing CXCL9, CXCL10, and CD16α (human homologue of mouse FcgR4) was expanded in patients with ICI myocarditis. In silico prediction of cell-cell communication suggested interactions between T-cells and Cxcl9+Cxcl10+ macrophages via IFN-γ (interferon gamma) and CXCR3 (CXC chemokine receptor 3) signaling pathways. Depleting CD8+ T-cells or macrophages and blockade of IFN-γ signaling blunted the expansion of Cxcl9+Cxcl10+ macrophages in the heart and attenuated myocarditis, suggesting that this interaction was necessary for disease pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that ICI myocarditis is associated with the expansion of a specific population of IFN-γ-induced inflammatory macrophages and suggest the possibility that IFN-γ blockade may be considered as a treatment option for this devastating condition.

Transcriptional and Immune Landscape of Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac involvement is an important determinant of mortality among sarcoidosis patients. Although granulomatous inflammation is a hallmark finding in cardiac sarcoidosis, the precise immune cell populations that comprise the granuloma remain unresolved. Furthermore, it is unclear how the cellular and transcriptomic landscape of cardiac sarcoidosis differs from other inflammatory heart diseases. METHODS: We leveraged spatial transcriptomics (GeoMx digital spatial profiler) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing to elucidate the cellular and transcriptional landscape of cardiac sarcoidosis. Using GeoMX digital spatial profiler technology, we compared the transcriptomal profile of CD68+ rich immune cell infiltrates in human cardiac sarcoidosis, giant cell myocarditis, and lymphocytic myocarditis. We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing of human cardiac sarcoidosis to identify immune cell types and examined their transcriptomic landscape and regulation. Using multichannel immunofluorescence staining, we validated immune cell populations identified by single-nucleus RNA sequencing, determined their spatial relationship, and devised an immunostaining approach to distinguish cardiac sarcoidosis from other inflammatory heart diseases. RESULTS: Despite overlapping histological features, spatial transcriptomics identified transcriptional signatures and associated pathways that robustly differentiated cardiac sarcoidosis from giant cell myocarditis and lymphocytic myocarditis. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed the presence of diverse populations of myeloid cells in cardiac sarcoidosis with distinct molecular features. We identified GPNMB (transmembrane glycoprotein NMB) as a novel marker of multinucleated giant cells and predicted that the MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) family of transcription factors regulated this cell type. We also detected additional macrophage populations in cardiac sarcoidosis including HLA-DR (human leukocyte antigen-DR)+ macrophages, SYTL3 (synaptotagmin-like protein 3)+ macrophages and CD163+ resident macrophages. HLA-DR+ macrophages were found immediately adjacent to GPMMB+ giant cells, a distinct feature compared with other inflammatory cardiac diseases. SYTL3+ macrophages were located scattered throughout the granuloma and CD163+ macrophages, CD1c+ dendritic cells, nonclassical monocytes, and T cells were located at the periphery and outside of the granuloma. Finally, we demonstrate mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway activation is associated with proliferation and is selectively found in HLA-DR+ and SYLT3+ macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified diverse populations of immune cells with distinct molecular signatures that comprise the sarcoid granuloma. These findings provide new insights into the pathology of cardiac sarcoidosis and highlight opportunities to improve diagnostic testing.

Glucoregulation and coping behavior after chronic stress in rats: Sex differences across the lifespan.

The purpose of the current study was to determine how biological sex shapes behavioral coping and metabolic health across the lifespan after chronic stress. We hypothesized that examining chronic stress-induced behavioral and endocrine outcomes would reveal sex differences in the biological basis of susceptibility. During late adolescence, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats experienced chronic variable stress (CVS). Following completion of CVS, all rats experienced a forced swim test (FST) followed 3 days later by a fasted glucose tolerance test (GTT). The FST was used to determine coping in response to a stressor. Endocrine metabolic function was evaluated in the GTT by measuring glucose and corticosterone, the primary rodent glucocorticoid. Rats then aged to 15 months when the FST and GTT were repeated. In young rats, chronically stressed females exhibited more passive coping and corticosterone release in the FST. Additionally, chronically stressed females had elevated corticosterone and impaired glucose clearance in the GTT. Aging affected all measurements as behavioral and endocrine outcomes were sex specific. Furthermore, regression analysis between hormonal and behavioral responses identified associations depending on sex and stress. Collectively, these data indicate increased female susceptibility to the effects of chronic stress during adolescence. Further, translational investigation of coping style and glucose homeostasis may identify biomarkers for stress-related disorders.

Endocrine stress responsivity and social memory in 3xTg-AD female and male mice: A tale of two experiments.

Stress confers risk for the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Relative to men, women are disproportionately more likely to be diagnosed with this neurodegenerative disease. We hypothesized that sex differences in endocrine stress responsiveness may be a factor in this statistic. To test this hypothesis, we assessed basal and stress-induced corticosterone, social recognition, and coat state deterioration (surrogate for depression-like behavior) in male and female 3xTg-AD mice. Prior to reported amyloid plaque deposition, 3xTg females (4 months), but not 3xTg males, had heightened corticosterone responses to restraint exposure. Subsequently, only 3xTg females (6 months) displayed deficits in social memory concomitant with prominent ß-amyloid (Aß) immunostaining. These data suggest that elevated corticosterone stress responses may precede cognitive impairments in genetically vulnerable females. 3xTg mice of both sexes exhibited coat state deterioration relative to same-sex controls. Corticolimbic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) dysfunction is associated with glucocorticoid hypersecretion and cognitive impairment. Our findings indicate sex- and brain-region specific effects of genotype on hippocampal and amygdala GR protein expression. Because olfactory deficits may impede social recognition, in Experiment 2, we assessed olfaction and found no differences between genotypes. Notably, in this cohort, heightened corticosterone stress responses in 3xTg females was not accompanied by social memory deficits or coat state deterioration. However, coat state deterioration was consistent in 3xTg males. We report consistent heightened stress-induced corticosterone levels and Aß pathology in female 3xTg-AD mice. However, the behavioral findings illuminate unknown inconsistencies in certain phenotypes in this AD mouse model.

WIP modulates dendritic spine actin cytoskeleton by transcriptional control of lipid metabolic enzymes.

We identify Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP)-interacting protein (WIP) as a novel component of neuronal synapses whose absence increases dendritic spine size and filamentous actin levels in an N-WASP/Arp2/3-independent, RhoA/ROCK/profilinIIa-dependent manner. These effects depend on the reduction of membrane sphingomyelin (SM) due to transcriptional upregulation of neutral sphingomyelinase (NSM) through active RhoA; this enhances RhoA binding to the membrane, raft partitioning and activation in steady state but prevents RhoA changes in response to stimulus. Inhibition of NSM or SM addition reverses RhoA, filamentous actin and functional anomalies in synapses lacking WIP. Our findings characterize WIP as a link between membrane lipid composition and actin cytoskeleton at dendritic spines. They also contribute to explain cognitive deficits shared by individuals bearing mutations in the region assigned to the gene encoding for WIP.

Beck Hopelessness Scale-20: Dimensionality and Nomological Validity Among Colombian School-Age Adolescents.

To establish the validity of the BHS-20, a sample of 2064 adolescent students aged 14 and 17 years (M = 15.61, SD = 1.05) were invited to participate in the research. Cronbach's alpha (α) and McDonald's omega (ω) were computed to evaluate the internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the dimensionality of the BHS-20. The Spearman correlation (rs) with depressive symptoms and risk of suicide scores of the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale were computed to explore the nomological validity. The BHS-20 showed a high internal consistency (α = .81, ω = .93), an adequate one-dimensional structure with an excellent adjustment [χ2 S-B = 341, df = 170, p < .01, Comparative Fit Index = .99, RMSEA = .03] and acceptable nomological validity with depressive symptoms (rs = .47, p < .01) and scores for suicide risk (rs = .33, p < .01). In conclusion, current results suggest that the BHS-20 demonstrates validity and reliability among Colombian adolescent students.

Clinical and Histopathologic Characteristics of Recurrent Sarcoidosis in Posttransplant Lungs: 25 Years of Experience.

Lung transplantation is the definitive therapy for end-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis. While recurrent sarcoidosis in allografts has been described in several case reports, the incidence and clinicopathologic characteristics remain unclear. In this study, we characterize the clinical and histopathologic features of recurrent sarcoidosis diagnosed in posttransplant lung surveillance transbronchial biopsies (TBBx). We identified 35 patients who underwent lung transplant for pulmonary sarcoidosis during the study period. Among them, 18 patients (51%) experienced recurrent sarcoidosis posttransplant. These included 7 females and 11 males with mean age at recurrence of 51.6 years. The average time interval from transplant to recurrence was 252 days (22 to 984 d). All TBBx contained >4 pieces of alveolated lung tissue with no evidence of International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) grade A2, A3, or A4 acute cellular rejection; chronic rejection; or antibody-mediated rejection. There were 33 surveillance TBBx that contained granulomatous inflammation with a mean of 3.6 well-formed granulomas per TBBx (range: 1 to >20). Multinucleated giant cells were identified in 11 TBBx (33.3%), with 1 case containing asteroid bodies. While most of the granulomas were "naked granulomas," 5 cases (15.2%) showed prominent lymphoid cuffing. Two cases showed evidence of fibrosis. One of the granulomas had focal necrosis; however, no infectious organisms were identified by special stains and clinical correlation suggested this case represented recurrent sarcoidosis. Biopsies of recurrent sarcoidosis usually show multiple well-formed granulomas with giant cells in more than half of the cases, while lymphoid cuffing, fibrosis, asteroid bodies, and necrotizing granulomas are uncommon findings. Pathologists should be aware of these features, as recurrence of sarcoidosis following lung transplant occurs in more than half of patients.

Mice Overexpressing Wild-Type RRAS2 Are a Novel Model for Preclinical Testing of Anti-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Therapies.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is the most common type of leukemia in the Western world. Mutation in different genes, such as TP53 and ATM, and deletions at specific chromosomic regions, among which are 11q or 17p, have been described to be associated to worse disease prognosis. Recent research from our group has demonstrated that, contrary to what is the usual cancer development process through missense mutations, B-CLL is driven by the overexpression of the small GTPase RRAS2 in its wild-type form without activating mutations. Some mouse models of this disease have been developed to date and are commonly used in B-CLL research, but they present different disadvantages such as the long waiting period until the leukemia fully develops, the need to do cell engraftment or, in some cases, the fact that the model does not recapitulate the alterations found in human patients. We have recently described Rosa26-RRAS2fl/flxmb1-Cre as a new mouse model of B-CLL with a full penetrance of the disease. In this work, we have validated this mouse model as a novel tool for the development of new therapies for B-CLL, by testing two of the most broadly applied targeted agents: ibrutinib and venetoclax. This also opens the door to new targeted agents against R-RAS2 itself, an approach not yet explored in the clinic.

Expansion of Disease Specific Cardiac Macrophages in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Myocarditis.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA4 have revolutionized cancer management but are associated with devastating immune-related adverse events (irAEs) including myocarditis. The main risk factor for ICI myocarditis is the use of combination PD-1 and CTLA4 inhibition. ICI-myocarditis is often fulminant and is pathologically characterized by myocardial infiltration of T lymphocytes and macrophages. While much has been learned regarding the role of T-cells in ICI-myocarditis, little is understood regarding the identity, transcriptional diversity, and functions of infiltrating macrophages. Methods: We employed an established murine ICI myocarditis model ( Ctla4 +/- Pdcd1 -/- mice) to explore the cardiac immune landscape using single-cell RNA-sequencing, immunostaining, flow cytometry, in situ RNA hybridization and molecular imaging and antibody neutralization studies. Results: We observed marked increases in CCR2 + monocyte-derived macrophages and CD8 + T-cells in this model. The macrophage compartment was heterogeneous and displayed marked enrichment in an inflammatory CCR2 + subpopulation highly expressing Cxcl9 , Cxcl10 , Gbp2b , and Fcgr4 that originated from CCR2 + monocytes. Importantly, a similar macrophage population expressing CXCL9 , CXCL10 , and CD16α (human homologue of mouse FcgR4) was found selectively expanded in patients with ICI myocarditis compared to other forms of heart failure and myocarditis. In silico prediction of cell-cell communication suggested interactions between T-cells and Cxcl9 + Cxcl10 + macrophages via IFN-γ and CXCR3 signaling pathways. Depleting CD8 + T-cells, macrophages, and blockade of IFN-γ signaling blunted the expansion of Cxcl9 + Cxcl10 + macrophages in the heart and attenuated myocarditis suggesting that this interaction was necessary for disease pathogenesis. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that ICI-myocarditis is associated with the expansion of a specific population of IFN-γ induced inflammatory macrophages and suggest the possibility that IFN-γ blockade may be considered as a treatment option for this devastating condition.

A practical method for reducing blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a common cause of blindness in countries with rapidly developing systems of neonatal care. At present, detection and treatment programs are not widely available in many regions of middle- and low-income countries. SUBJECT POPULATION: Case series. METHODS: An analysis was undertaken to determine in which neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Peru babies blind from ROP had been cared for. Demographic and hospital information was gathered for children blind from ROP presenting before the age of 5 years. NICUs with a high likelihood of having ROP-blind children were offered training and equipment designed to improve neonatal care. RESULTS: Ninety-one children with ROP blindness were identified. Twenty-six percent were <1000 g at birth, and 17% had birth weights of >1500 g. Forty-six percent came from NICUs in Lima. Interventional workshops emphasizing neonatal care and oxygen administration have been conducted thus far in six of the 13 largest NICUs in Lima. The percentage of at-risk babies being examined has generally increased, whereas the percentage of babies requiring treatment decreased in three NICUs and increased slightly in two, and no preworkshop data were available in one. CONCLUSION: This report represents the initial results of an evidence-based approach to decreasing blindness from ROP in Peru. Workshops emphasizing neonatal care, especially targeting oxygen administration, provide methods for improving care of at-risk babies.

Antigen presentation between T cells drives Th17 polarization under conditions of limiting antigen.

T cells form immunological synapses with professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) resulting in T cell activation and the acquisition of peptide antigen-MHC (pMHC) complexes from the plasma membrane of the APC. They thus become APCs themselves. We investigate the functional outcome of T-T cell antigen presentation by CD4 T cells and find that the antigen-presenting T cells (Tpres) predominantly differentiate into regulatory T cells (Treg), whereas T cells that have been stimulated by Tpres cells predominantly differentiate into Th17 pro-inflammatory cells. Using mice deficient in pMHC uptake by T cells, we show that T-T antigen presentation is important for the development of experimental autoimmune encephalitis and Th17 cell differentiation in vivo. By varying the professional APC:T cell ratio, we can modulate Treg versus Th17 differentiation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that T-T antigen presentation underlies proinflammatory responses in conditions of antigen scarcity.

[Abdominal girth utility as a method of metabolic syndrome screening in people with hypertension]. / Utilidad del perímetro abdominal como método de cribaje del síndrome metabólico en las personas con hipertensión arterial.

BACKGROUND: The most useful criteria for diagnosis of the Metabolic Syndrome (MS) are those proposed by the ATP-III from NCEP 2001, reviewed in 2005. Waist circumference is one of the criteria included in the ATP-III estimate. Given the high incidence of coronary disease attributable to this risk factor, it seems interesting to evaluate its performance as an isolated parameter for the screening of MS among people with a variety of other prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure. DESIGN: case-control study. Cases were defined as patients with hypertension and MS. Controls were those patients with hypertension and without MS. SAMPLE: the entire population attended in a Primary Care area that had, unless one blood analysis performed between July first 2007 and December 31st 2007. SAMPLE size: 137 individuals were included (60 cases and 77 controls). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: test of logistical regression was used to estimate of the probability of suffering from MS according to values of waist circumference. RESULTS: Probability of MS among hypertensive patients = 1/ (1+2,718281828-(-10+ (perimeter x 0,097))). Probability of MS among female hypertensive patients = 1/(1+2,718281828-(-10+ (perimeter x 0,099))). Probability of MS among male hypertensive patients = 1/(1 +2,718281828-(-10+ (perimeter x 0,105))). CONCLUSIONS: Among hypertensive patients, MS can be predicted by means of a formula (calculator), which takes waist circumference as unique variable. This method can be used to better stratify patients according to their cardiovascular risk and to identify those who need an early preventive intervention. We propose a table with the calculations already made.

Chemogenetic Inhibition of Infralimbic Prefrontal Cortex GABAergic Parvalbumin Interneurons Attenuates the Impact of Chronic Stress in Male Mice.

Hypofunction of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) contributes to stress-related neuropsychiatric illnesses. Mechanisms leading to prefrontal hypoactivity remain to be determined. Prior evidence suggests that chronic stress leads to an increase in activity of parvalbumin (PV) expressing GABAergic interneurons (INs) in the PFC. The purpose of the study was to determine whether reducing PV IN activity in the Infralimbic (IL) PFC would prevent stress-related phenotypes. We used a chemogenetic approach to inhibit IL PFC PV INs during stress. Mice were first tested in the tail suspension test (TST) to determine the impact of PV IN inhibition on behavioral responses to acute stress. The long-term impact of PV IN inhibition during a modified chronic variable stress (CVS) was tested in the forced swim test (FST). Acute PV IN inhibition reduced active (struggling) and increased passive coping behaviors (immobility) in the TST. In contrast, inhibition of PV INs during CVS increased active and reduced passive coping behaviors in the FST. Moreover, chronic inhibition of PV INs attenuated CVS-induced changes in Fos expression in the prelimbic cortex (PrL), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and also attenuated adrenal hypertrophy and body weight loss associated with chronic stress. Our results suggest differential roles of PV INs in acute versus chronic stress, indicative of distinct biological mechanisms underlying acute versus chronic stress responses. Our results also indicate a role for PV INs in driving chronic stress adaptation and support literature evidence suggesting cortical GABAergic INs as a therapeutic target in stress-related illnesses.

Erección prolongada dolorosa / Prolonged painful erection

El priapismo es una erección peneana prolongada y dolorosa, que ocurre sin estímulo sexual previo. Existen dos tipos principales, el priapismo de alto flujo y el priapismo de bajo flujo. Aunque en la mayoría de las ocasiones la causa subyacente será desconocida, puede ser la primera manifestación de una enfermedad grave. En el paciente pediátrico con una erección prolongada se debe diferenciar entre la erección peneana recurrente y los distintos tipos de priapismo, puesto que cada entidad requiere un manejo concreto e implica un pronóstico diferente. (AU)

Priapism is a prolonged and painful penile erection, which occurs without prior sexual stimulation. There are two main types, high-flow priapism and low-flow priapism. Although on most occasions the underlying cause will be unknown, it may be the first manifestation of serious disease. In the pediatric patient with prolonged erection we must differentiate between recurrent penile erection and the different types of priapism since each entity requires a specific management and implies a different prognosis. (AU)

Sex differences in DEK expression in the anterior cingulate cortex and its association with dementia severity in schizophrenia.

DEK is a chromatin-remodeling phosphoprotein found in most human tissues, but its expression and function in the human brain is largely unknown. DEK depletion in vitro induces cellular and molecular anomalies associated with cognitive impairment, including down-regulation of the canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. ToppGene analyses link DEK loss to genes associated with various dementias and age-related cognitive decline. To examine the role of DEK in cognitive impairment in severe mental illness, DEK protein expression was assayed by immunoblot in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of subjects with schizophrenia. Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and cognitive function in subjects was assessed antemortem using the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale. DEK protein expression was not significantly altered in schizophrenia (n = 20) compared to control subjects (n = 20). Further analysis revealed significant reduction in DEK protein expression in women with schizophrenia, and a significant increase in expression in men with schizophrenia, relative to their same-sex controls. DEK protein expression levels were inversely correlated with dementia severity in women. Conversely, in men, DEK protein expression and dementia severity were positively correlated. Notably, there was no sex difference in DEK protein expression in the control group, suggesting that this sex difference is specific to schizophrenia and not due to inherent differences in DEK expression between males and females. These results suggest a novel, sex-specific role for DEK in cognitive performance and highlight a putative sex-specific link between central nervous system DEK protein expression and a neuropsychiatric disease that is commonly associated with cognitive impairment.

Neuroanatomical Distribution of DEK Protein in Corticolimbic Circuits Associated with Learning and Memory in Adult Male and Female Mice.

DEK, a chromatin-remodeling gene expressed in most human tissues, is known for its role in cancer biology and autoimmune diseases. DEK depletion in vitro reduces cellular proliferation, induces DNA damage subsequently leading to apoptosis, and down-regulates canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, a molecular pathway essential for learning and memory. Despite a recognized role in cancer (non-neuronal) cells, DEK expression and function is not well characterized in the central nervous system. We conducted a gene ontology analysis (ToppGene), using a cancer database to identify genes associated with DEK deficiency, which pinpointed several genes associated with cognitive-related diseases (i.e., Alzheimer's disease, presenile dementia). Based on this information, we examined DEK expression in corticolimbic structures associated with learning and memory in adult male and female mice using immunohistochemistry. DEK was expressed throughout the brain in both sexes, including the medial prefrontal cortex (prelimbic, infralimbic and dorsal peduncular). DEK was also abundant in all amygdalar subdivisions (basolateral, central and medial) and in the hippocampus including the CA1, CA2, CA3, dentate gyrus (DG), ventral subiculum and entorhinal cortex. Of note, compared to males, females had significantly higher DEK immunoreactivity in the CA1, indicating a sex difference in this region. DEK was co-expressed with neuronal and microglial markers in the CA1 and DG, whereas only a small percentage of DEK cells were in apposition to astrocytes in these areas. Given the reported inverse cellular and molecular profiles (e.g., cell survival, Wnt pathway) between cancer and Alzheimer's disease, these findings suggest a potentially important role of DEK in cognition.

Functional disruption of stress modulatory circuits in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Clinical data suggest that the neuroendocrine stress response is chronically dysregulated in a subset of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), potentially contributing to both disease progression and the development of psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. Whether neuroendocrine dysregulation and psychiatric comorbidities reflect direct effects of epilepsy-related pathologies, or secondary effects of disease burden particular to humans with epilepsy (i.e. social estrangement, employment changes) is not clear. Animal models provide an opportunity to dissociate these factors. Therefore, we queried whether epileptic mice would reproduce neuroendocrine and behavioral changes associated with human epilepsy. Male FVB mice were exposed to pilocarpine to induce status epilepticus (SE) and the subsequent development of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Morning baseline corticosterone levels were elevated in pilocarpine treated mice at 1, 7 and 10 weeks post-SE relative to controls. Similarly, epileptic mice had increased adrenal weight when compared to control mice. Exposure to acute restraint stress resulted in hypersecretion of corticosterone 30 min after the onset of the challenge. Anatomical analyses revealed reduced Fos expression in infralimbic and prelimbic prefrontal cortex, ventral subiculum and basal amygdala following restraint. No differences in Fos immunoreactivity were found in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, hippocampal subfields or central amygdala. In order to assess emotional behavior, a second cohort of mice underwent a battery of behavioral tests, including sucrose preference, open field, elevated plus maze, 24h home-cage monitoring and forced swim. Epileptic mice showed increased anhedonic behavior, hyperactivity and anxiety-like behaviors. Together these data demonstrate that epileptic mice develop HPA axis hyperactivity and exhibit behavioral dysfunction. Endocrine and behavioral changes are associated with impaired recruitment of forebrain circuits regulating stress inhibition and emotional reactivity. Loss of forebrain control may underlie pronounced endocrine dysfunction and comorbid psychopathologies seen in temporal lobe epilepsy.

[WebSurvCa: web-based estimation of death and survival probabilities in a cohort]. / WebSurvCa: estimación vía web de las probabilidades de fallecimiento y de supervivencia de una cohorte.

Relative survival has been used as a measure of the temporal evolution of the excess risk of death of a cohort of patients diagnosed with cancer, taking into account the mortality of a reference population. Once the excess risk of death has been estimated, three probabilities can be computed at time T: 1) the crude probability of death associated with the cause of initial diagnosis (disease under study), 2) the crude probability of death associated with other causes, and 3) the probability of absolute survival in the cohort at time T. This paper presents the WebSurvCa application (https://shiny.snpstats.net/WebSurvCa/), whereby hospital-based and population-based cancer registries and registries of other diseases can estimate such probabilities in their cohorts by selecting the mortality of the relevant region (reference population).

Ascending mechanisms of stress integration: Implications for brainstem regulation of neuroendocrine and behavioral stress responses.

In response to stress, defined as a real or perceived threat to homeostasis or well-being, brain systems initiate divergent physiological and behavioral processes that mobilize energy and promote adaptation. The brainstem contains multiple nuclei that engage in autonomic control and reflexive responses to systemic stressors. However, brainstem nuclei also play an important role in neuroendocrine responses to psychogenic stressors mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Further, these nuclei integrate neuroendocrine responses with stress-related behaviors, significantly impacting mood and anxiety. The current review focuses on the prominent brainstem monosynaptic inputs to the endocrine paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), including the periaqueductal gray, raphe nuclei, parabrachial nuclei, locus coeruleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). The NTS is a particularly intriguing area, as the region contains multiple cell groups that provide neurochemically-distinct inputs to the PVN. Furthermore, the NTS, under regulatory control by glucocorticoid-mediated feedback, integrates affective processes with physiological status to regulate stress responding. Collectively, these brainstem circuits represent an important avenue for delineating interactions between stress and health.

Evaluation of the antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects of a double-stranded RNA mimic complexed with polycations in an experimental mouse model of leiomyoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects of the double-stranded RNA mimic polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (pIC) complexed with polyethylenimine [pIC(PEI)] in xenografted human leiomyomas. DESIGN: Heterologous leiomyoma mouse model. SETTING: University-affiliated infertility center. ANIMAL(S): Ovariectomized and hormone-replaced nude mice (n = 16) who received human leiomyoma fragment transplantation. INTERVENTION(S): Leiomyoma fragments placed in the peritoneum of 5-week-old nude female mice and treated with the vehicle (n = 8) or 0.6 mg/kg [pIC(PEI)] (n = 8) for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The size of the leiomyoma implants, and cellular proliferation (Ki67), vascularization (PECAM), and apoptosis (OH-ends) assessed by quantitative immunohistochemical/immunofluorescent analysis of the recovered implants. RESULT(S): No significant differences were observed in the size of the leiomyoma implants between groups. Vascularization and proliferation were significantly decreased, and apoptosis was increased in the [pIC(PEI)]-treated group versus control. CONCLUSION(S): We hypothesize that the antiangiogenic and apoptotic effects exerted by [pIC(PEI)] might lead to a decrease in lesion size in this animal model if the compound is administered for longer periods of time. This study provides promising data on [pIC(PEI)] as a potential novel therapeutic agent against human leiomyoma.