Histopathological changes in the human larynx following expanded polytetrafluroethylene (Gore-Tex(®)) implantation

BACKGROUND: Expanded polytetrafluroethelyne (e PTFE, Gore-Tex(®)) has been advocated as an implant material for medialization of the vocal fold. Animal studies involving rabbits and a porcine model have demonstrated host tolerance of the implant. There have been no reports describing the histological changes in a human laryngectomy specimen with a Gore-Tex implant. CASE PRESENTATION: The histological findings in a laryngectomy specimen of a patient previously implanted with e PTFE for medialization of a paralyzed vocal fold following excision of a vagal neurofibroma were studied. Histopathology revealed a mild foreign-body giant cell granulomatous reaction with some associated fibrosis. The granulomatous response was limited to the periphery of the Gore-Tex and although it closely followed the profile of the material it did not encroach into or significantly break up the material. There was no significant neutrophilic or lymphocytic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with the animal models confirming that Gore-Tex implantation does not result in a significant granulomatous reaction in the human larynx over a 13-month period. Moreover, there is no evidence of resorption or infection. Further, the lack of lymphocytes in association with the granulomas indicates that there is no significant immunological hypersensitivity. Histologically, the slight permeation by connective tissue is similar to that seen in Gore-Tex vascular and cardiac implants. The degree of the slight giant cell response appears to be dependent on the profile of the material; a sharp edge incited more of a response than a flat surface

Effect of radiotherapy on local recurrence, distant metastasis and overall survival in 1200 extremity soft tissue sarcoma patients.:Retrospective analysis using IPTW-adjusted models

Background and purpose: Neoadjuvant (NRTX) and adjuvant radiotherapy (ARTX) reduce local recurrence (LR) risk in extremity soft tissue sarcoma (eSTS), yet their impact on distant metastasis (DM) and overall survival (OS) is less well defined. This study aimed at analysing the influence of NRTX/ARTX on all three endpoints using a retrospective, multicentre eSTS cohort. Materials and methods: 1200 patients (mean age: 60.7 ± 16.8 years; 44.4 % females) were retrospectively included, treated with limb sparing surgery and curative intent for localised, high grade (G2/3) eSTS. 194 (16.2 %), 790 (65.8 %), and 216 (18.0 %) patients had received NRTX, ARTX and no RTX, respectively. For the resulting three groups (no RTX vs. NRTX, no RTX vs. ARTX, NRTX vs. ARTX) Fine&amp;Gray models for LR and DM, and Cox-regression models for OS were calculated, with IPTW-modelling adjusting for imbalances between groups. Results: In the IPTW-adjusted analysis, NRTX was associated with lower LR-risk in comparison to no RTX (SHR [subhazard ratio]: 0.236; p = 0.003), whilst no impact on DM-risk (p = 0.576) or OS (p = 1.000) was found. IPTW-weighted analysis for no RTX vs. ARTX revealed a significant positive association between ARTX and lower LR-risk (SHR: 0.479, p = 0.003), but again no impact on DM-risk (p = 0.363) or OS (p = 0.534). IPTW-weighted model for NRTX vs. ARTX showed significantly lower LR-risk for NRTX (SHR for ARTX: 3.433; p = 0.003) but no difference regarding DM-risk (p = 1.000) or OS (p = 0.639). Conclusion: NRTX and ARTX are associated with lower LR-risk, but do not seem to affect DM-risk or OS. NRTX may be favoured over ARTX as our results indicate better local control rates.</p

Role of ER Stress Response in Photodynamic Therapy: ROS Generated in Different Subcellular Compartments Trigger Diverse Cell Death Pathways

We have analyzed the molecular mechanisms of photoinduced cell death using porphyrins with similar structure differing only in the position of the ethylene glycol (EG) chain on the phenyl ring. Meta- and para-positioned EG chains targeted porphyrins to different subcellular compartments. After photoactivation, both types of derivatives induced death of tumor cells via reactive oxygen species (ROS). Para derivatives pTPP(EG)4 and pTPPF(EG)4 primarily accumulated in lysosomes activated the p38 MAP kinase cascade, which in turn induced the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In contrast, meta porphyrin derivative mTPP(EG)4 localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induced dramatic changes in Ca2+ homeostasis manifested by Ca2+ rise in the cytoplasm, activation of calpains and stress caspase-12 or caspase-4. ER stress developed into unfolded protein response. Immediately after irradiation the PERK pathway was activated through phosphorylation of PERK, eIF2α and induction of transcription factors ATF4 and CHOP, which regulate stress response genes. PERK knockdown and PERK deficiency protected cells against mTPP(EG)4-mediated apoptosis, confirming the causative role of the PERK pathway

Long-term dynamics of Cs in dairy products in Austrian Alpine regions

Among the Western European Countries Austria was one of the most heavily effected by the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident. Initial ground deposition levels of 137Cs between < 10 and 150 kBq/m2 resulted in considerably contaminated agricultural products. On average these contamination levels dropped fast after the first winter following the accident, when contaminated feeding produced in the summer after the radionuclide deposition accident had to be used for feeding the livestock. However, in seminatural environments in the alpine regions, which are only inhabited and used for agricultural production during the summer time, higher soil-to-plant transfer resulted in a long-term contamination of the local produced foodstuff. For 137Cs the effective half-life in these regions ranges between 3 and 8 years. These effects are most pronounced in areas with silicate bedrock material and they seem to be closely associated with slow migration of the radiocaesium into deeper soil layers. A considerable fraction of the nuclide inventory is cycling within the organic layer on top of the soil

Plutonium in soil samples from Dolon near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site

The plutonium activities (238Pu and 239,240Pu) of soil samples from the village of Dolon, located close to the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan, were measured and compared with the 90Sr and 137Cs activities. Depth profiles of 239,240Pu were determined for four of the nine sampling sites. The 239,240Pu areal deposition at the nine sites is in the range of 140 to 9700 Bq m-2. For all samples, the 239,240Pu yield after destruction of the soil matrix is significantly higher than after extracting with 8 M HNO3 indicating that 239,240Pu originates mainly from local fallout. The fraction of 239,240Pu not leached with 8 M HNO3 is assumed to be associated with fused silicates

The oxidized proteome of peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a valuable repository for clinical proteomics

1 póster presentado a las IV Jornadas Bienales de Jóvenes Investigadores en Proteómica, Bilbao 8-9 junio 2015PBMCs and its specific cell subsets have allowed for a very broad collection of applications such as in vitro cell-based assays to study the immune response to a given stimuli, or to monitor in vivo or ex vivo changes before and after a drug treatment. More importantly, they are an easily accessible cellular part of the blood, and they are the only component of the blood that could have a gene expression activity. Access to complete atlas of the gene expression and posttranslational modifications in PBMCs will permit more sophisticated studies such us the selection of potential biomarkers that could be used for many purposes ranging from diagnostic, prognosis or even help selecting the appropriate therapy for a patient.Peer reviewe

Accumulation of Anthropogenic Radionuclides in Cryoconites on Alpine Glaciers

Cryoconites are airborne sediments which accumulate on the surface of glaciers. In samples of cryoconites a temperate Austrian glacier high activity concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides were found, which stem from global and Chernobyl fallouts. Radionuclides identified were 137Cs, 134Cs, 238Pu, 239þ240Pu, 90Sr, 241Am, 60Co, 154Eu, 207Bi, and 125Sb. Given the approximately known isotopic ratios, Cs and Pu can be separated into the contributions of either source of origin. Published 137Cs/134Cs and 239þ240Pu/238Pu ratios were used for the discrimination of the Dachstein-glacier cryoconites according to their origin from global or Chernobyl fallout. Two different groups of cryoconites were identified, an older population dominated by nuclear weapons fallout and a younger one with predominant Chernobyl fallout. With those data a simple model was formulated to demonstrate the transition and mixing of these 2 populations on the glacier surface.JRC.DDG.H.4-Transport and air qualit