Immune activity during progression of human colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients survive and stay free of disease for longer after surgery if their primary tumours were infiltrated with an increased density of T cells. Studies of breast tumours and melanoma have also shown that the presence of specialised blood vessels named high endothelial venules (HEVs), within tumours are associated with a high density of infiltrating T cells and a positive prognosis. It is therefore possible, that presence of HEVs within CRC is associated with a high density of infiltrating T cells and a good patient outcome. To test this hypothesis, primary tumours, resected from sixty-two CRC patients were analysed for the presence of HEVs. These were studied with respect to the numbers and distribution of intra-tumoural T cells as well as tumour stage and patient survival. The results showed that HEV developed in response to CRC but were found within the extra-tumoural area and not the tumour mass. HEVs were also always present within a concentration of T and B cells, namely lymphoid aggregates which resemble ectopic lymphoid structures (ELS). These ELS were associated with more advanced disease and hence did not necessarily identify patients with a better prognosis. Recent studies have suggested that the type of T cells infiltrating the tumours is a determinant for patient outcome indicating that not all T cells confer benefit. IL-17A producing T cells are thought to drive CRC development. Moreover, our laboratory has previously shown that detection of a CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen)-specific T cell response by in vitro secretion of IFN-γ is associated with tumour recurrence whereas the opposite is true for the 5T4 tumour antigen. This study therefore set out to determine whether IL-17A producing T cells are present at higher frequencies in CRC compared to normal bowel and whether IL-17Aproducing T cells are CEA-specific. The experiments revealed that IL-17A-producing T cells are present at a higher frequency within CRCs, but the prevalence of Th17 responses specific for 5T4 was slightly higher than for CEA, implying that IL-17A secretion by CEA-specific T cells was not responsible for the tumour recurrence. Tumours from CEA-responsive patients were less immunogenic than those from CEA non-responsive patients reflecting the aggressiveness of the tumour

High endothelial venules are rare in colorectal cancers but accumulate in extra-tumoral areas with disease progression

Prolonged patient survival after surgical resection, is associated with a higher cytotoxic and memory T cell density within colorectal cancers (CRC). High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized blood vessels present in secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) that allow ingress of naïve and central memory T cells from the blood. It has been proposed that HEVs in tumors might serve as a similar route of entry for lymphocytes into the tumor and result in an improved prognosis. The present study aimed to characterize HEVs and their microenvironment in resected tumors from colorectal cancer patients (n = 62). We observed HEVs in association with lymphoid aggregates in 49 out of 62 patients. However, these HEV+ lymphoid aggregates were largely at the invasive margin of the tumor and although there was an association with lymphocytes and HEVs at the invasive margin (p = 0.002) there was only a very weak association with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Indeed, lymphoid aggregates were associated with more advanced disease (Dukes’ stage C) and did not indicate a favorable prognosis

The incidence of exposure to antibiotics in children less than 6 years of age: a survey in a Portuguese metropolitan Area

Background: The contact with antibiotics at an early age may lead to a number of nefarious consequences. Nevertheless, the amount of literature available on the usage of antibiotics in children is scarce. Taking into account the increasing emergence of resistant bacterial strains, it is imperative to study and make society aware of the excessive exposure of children to antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of antibiotic therapy in children under the age of six, in the metropolitan area of Oporto. Methods: Surveys (concerning children born in the metropolitan area of Oporto since 2010) were conducted in several nursery schools, and its answers (n=1031) were subsequently analysed. Our primary outcome was the incidence of exposure to antibiotics in children under 6 years of age in the metropolitan area of Oporto. Statistical significance was set as a p value inferior to 0.05. Results: We verified that 958 children (92.9%) were exposed to antibiotics before the age of six. Additionally, five associations were found between the considered variables: cessation of treatment and number of times the child has resorted to antibiotics in his/her lifetime (p<0,0001); cessation of treatment and average of intake per year (p=0,021, R=0,082); child with chronic disease and number of times of usage during his/her lifetime (p=0,02); eldest child’s age and cessation of treatment (p=0,018); eldest child’s age and number of times of usage during the child’s lifetime (p=0,014, R=0,096). Conclusion: Our study revealed that the exposure to antibiotics in children under six years of age is exceptionally high. Furthermore, the presence of chronic disease seems to be associated with a higher frequency of antibiotic intake. Couples with older children had better antibiotic therapy compliance, as well as higher frequency of antibiotic intake.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Immune activity during progression of human colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients survive and stay free of disease for longer after surgery if their primary tumours were infiltrated with an increased density of T cells. Studies of breast tumours and melanoma have also shown that the presence of specialised blood vessels named high endothelial venules (HEVs), within tumours are associated with a high density of infiltrating T cells and a positive prognosis. It is therefore possible, that presence of HEVs within CRC is associated with a high density of infiltrating T cells and a good patient outcome. To test this hypothesis, primary tumours, resected from sixty-two CRC patients were analysed for the presence of HEVs. These were studied with respect to the numbers and distribution of intra-tumoural T cells as well as tumour stage and patient survival. The results showed that HEV developed in response to CRC but were found within the extra-tumoural area and not the tumour mass. HEVs were also always present within a concentration of T and B cells, namely lymphoid aggregates which resemble ectopic lymphoid structures (ELS). These ELS were associated with more advanced disease and hence did not necessarily identify patients with a better prognosis. Recent studies have suggested that the type of T cells infiltrating the tumours is a determinant for patient outcome indicating that not all T cells confer benefit. IL-17A producing T cells are thought to drive CRC development. Moreover, our laboratory has previously shown that detection of a CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen)-specific T cell response by in vitro secretion of IFN-γ is associated with tumour recurrence whereas the opposite is true for the 5T4 tumour antigen. This study therefore set out to determine whether IL-17A producing T cells are present at higher frequencies in CRC compared to normal bowel and whether IL-17Aproducing T cells are CEA-specific. The experiments revealed that IL-17A-producing T cells are present at a higher frequency within CRCs, but the prevalence of Th17 responses specific for 5T4 was slightly higher than for CEA, implying that IL-17A secretion by CEA-specific T cells was not responsible for the tumour recurrence. Tumours from CEA-responsive patients were less immunogenic than those from CEA non-responsive patients reflecting the aggressiveness of the tumour

High endothelial venules are rare in colorectal cancers but accumulate in extra-tumoral areas with disease progression

Prolonged patient survival after surgical resection, is associated with a higher cytotoxic and memory T cell density within colorectal cancers (CRC). High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized blood vessels present in secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) that allow ingress of naïve and central memory T cells from the blood. It has been proposed that HEVs in tumors might serve as a similar route of entry for lymphocytes into the tumor and result in an improved prognosis. The present study aimed to characterize HEVs and their microenvironment in resected tumors from colorectal cancer patients (n = 62). We observed HEVs in association with lymphoid aggregates in 49 out of 62 patients. However, these HEV+ lymphoid aggregates were largely at the invasive margin of the tumor and although there was an association with lymphocytes and HEVs at the invasive margin (p = 0.002) there was only a very weak association with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Indeed, lymphoid aggregates were associated with more advanced disease (Dukes’ stage C) and did not indicate a favorable prognosis

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved