Baseline chest computed tomography as standard of care in high-risk hematology patients

Baseline chest computed tomography (BCT) in high-risk hematology patients allows for the early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The distribution of BCT implementation in hematology departments and impact on outcome is unknown. A web-based questionnaire was designed. International scientific bodies were invited. The estimated numbers of annually treated hematology patients, chest imaging timepoints and techniques, IPA rates, and follow-up imaging were assessed. In total, 142 physicians from 43 countries participated. The specialties included infectious diseases (n = 69; 49%), hematology (n = 68; 48%), and others (n = 41; 29%). BCT was performed in 57% (n = 54) of 92 hospitals. Upon the diagnosis of malignancy or admission, 48% and 24% performed BCT, respectively, and X-ray was performed in 48% and 69%, respectively. BCT was more often used in hematopoietic cell transplantation and in relapsed acute leukemia. European centers performed BCT in 59% and non-European centers in 53%. Median estimated IPA rate was 8% and did not differ between BCT (9%; IQR 5-15%) and non-BCT centers (7%; IQR 5-10%) (p = 0.69). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) for IPA was performed in 98% (n = 90) of centers. In high-risk hematology patients, baseline CT is becoming a standard-of-care. Chest X-ray, while inferior, is still widely used. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to investigate the impact of BCT on patient outcome

Lipoic acid plays a role in scleroderma: insights obtained from scleroderma dermal fibroblasts

Abstract Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and organs. Increase in oxidative stress and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) activation promote type I collagen (Col I) production, leading to fibrosis in SSc. Lipoic acid (LA) and its active metabolite dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) are naturally occurring thiols that act as cofactors and antioxidants and are produced by lipoic acid synthetase (LIAS). Our goals in this study were to examine whether LA and LIAS were deficient in SSc patients and to determine the effect of DHLA on the phenotype of SSc dermal fibroblasts. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a commonly used thiol antioxidant, was included as a comparison. Methods Dermal fibroblasts were isolated from healthy subjects and patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and LIAS were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of Col I was measured by immunofluorescence, hydroxyproline assay and quantitative PCR. PDGFR phosphorylation and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were measured by Western blotting. Student’s t-tests were performed for statistical analysis, and P-values less than 0.05 with two-tailed analysis were considered statistically significant. Results The expression of LA and LIAS in SSc dermal fibroblasts was lower than normal fibroblasts; however, LIAS was significantly higher in SSc plasma and appeared to be released from monocytes. DHLA lowered cellular oxidative stress and decreased PDGFR phosphorylation, Col I, PAI-1 and αSMA expression in SSc dermal fibroblasts. It also restored the activities of phosphatases that inactivated the PDGFR. SSc fibroblasts produced lower levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3, and DHLA increased them. In contrast, TIMP-1 levels were higher in SSc, but DHLA had a minimal effect. Both DHLA and NAC increased MMP-1 activity when SSc cells were stimulated with PDGF. In general, DHLA showed better efficacy than NAC in most cases. Conclusions DHLA acts not only as an antioxidant but also as an antifibrotic because it has the ability to reverse the profibrotic phenotype of SSc dermal fibroblasts. Our study suggests that thiol antioxidants, including NAC, LA, or DHLA, could be beneficial for patients with SSc.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112060/1/13075_2014_Article_411.pd

Baseline Chest Computed Tomography as Standard of Care in High-Risk Hematology Patients

Baseline chest computed tomography (BCT) in high-risk hematology patients allows for the early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The distribution of BCT implementation in hematology departments and impact on outcome is unknown. A web-based questionnaire was designed. International scientific bodies were invited. The estimated numbers of annually treated hematology patients, chest imaging timepoints and techniques, IPA rates, and follow-up imaging were assessed. In total, 142 physicians from 43 countries participated. The specialties included infectious diseases (n = 69; 49%), hematology (n = 68; 48%), and others (n = 41; 29%). BCT was performed in 57% (n = 54) of 92 hospitals. Upon the diagnosis of malignancy or admission, 48% and 24% performed BCT, respectively, and X-ray was performed in 48% and 69%, respectively. BCT was more often used in hematopoietic cell transplantation and in relapsed acute leukemia. European centers performed BCT in 59% and non-European centers in 53%. Median estimated IPA rate was 8% and did not differ between BCT (9%; IQR 5-15%) and non-BCT centers (7%; IQR 5-10%) (p = 0.69). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) for IPA was performed in 98% (n = 90) of centers. In high-risk hematology patients, baseline CT is becoming a standard-of-care. Chest X-ray, while inferior, is still widely used. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to investigate the impact of BCT on patient outcome

Effets aigus d’un travail de squat à charges lourdes sur la performance consécutive en détente verticale

Introduction : L’objectif de cette étude était d’explorer les effets d’un travail de demi-squat concentrique et isométrique à charges élevées sur la performance consécutive en détente verticale (saut avec contre mouvement [CMJ]). Synthèse des faits : Dix-sept jeunes hommes (20–35 ans) actifs ont participé à cette étude. La force maximale en demi-squat a été mesurée par un appareil de musculation classique (Smith machine) et la détente verticale de base a été évaluée par un accéléromètre (Myotest Pro). Soixante-douze heures après, la détente verticale a été mesurée immédiatement après (CMJconc0), deux minutes après (CMJconc2), et quatre minutes après (CMJconc4) trois répétitions en demi-squat à 85 % de la force maximale. Soixante-douze heures après, la détente verticale a été mesurée immédiatement après (CMJiso0), deux minutes après (CMJiso2), et quatre minutes après (CMJiso4) cinq secondes de contraction isométrique à 100 % de la force maximale en demi-squat. Les valeurs de CMJ obtenues immédiatement après et quatre minutes après le travail de squat (dans les deux formes étudiées : concentriques et isométriques) étaient significativement inférieures par rapport à la détente verticale (CMJ) de base. Conclusion : Cette étude montre des effets négatifs du travail de demi-squat à charges lourdes sur la performance consécutive en détente verticale

Microbial community profiling and characterization of some heterotrophic bacterial isolates from river waters and shallow groundwater wells along the Rouge River, southeast Michigan

This study was conducted to elucidate microbiological characteristics of river water and groundwater communities in order to improve our conceptual and predictive understanding of river and groundwater ecosystem processes, functioning and management. Rouge River bacterial communities from shallow groundwater and river water were screened using Biolog Ecoplates, which test for oxidation of selected carbon sources and by culturing heterotrophic bacteria. The isolates cultured from the samples were also characterized using the 16S rRNA gene-based approach. The patterns of utilization of the groups of carbon substrates by the microbial communities revealed differences between river water and groundwater samples. Carbohydrates, polymers, carboxylic acids and amino acids were highly utilized by the microbial communities in the river samples, while carbohydrates, polymers, amino acids and phenolic compounds were metabolized in the groundwater samples. Sequence comparison results showed that the most prevalent phylum in all sites was the Firmicutes (low G+C, mostly gram-positive bacteria). The dominant isolates from this phylum were similar to Bacillus spp., (98% nucleotide identity), which represented approximately 62% of the total number of unique isolates. Also prevalent were the γ-Proteobacteria, which were dominated by 16S rRNA sequences 98-99% similar to that of Pseudomonas spp. The observed profile of carbon sources metabolized reflected the catabolic potential of the river water and groundwater community. Many of the isolates recovered have been known to metabolize several organic substrates, and may have potential use in remediation organic contaminants from the Rouge River. Direct incubation water samples in Biolog Ecoplates produced patterns of metabolic response useful in the classification and characterization of river water and groundwater microbial communities. Heterotrophic bacteria isolated from the sites may play important roles in the fate of many organic and inorganic contaminants from the Rouge River, although future studies are needed to understand their response to these contaminants. © Taylor & Francis, 2008.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/191255/2/JA1-2008-PDF.pdfPublished versionDescription of JA1-2008-PDF.pdf : Accepted versio