Lipid microdomains are involved in adhesion of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites to host extracellular matrix components

Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic human protozoan that infects 500,000,000 people worldwide annually. In the course of the parasite\u27s life cycle, motile trophozoites breach the colonic mucosa, invade through the epithelial layer and extracellular matrix (ECM) and occasionally disseminate through portal blood vessels to distant organs. Membrane rafts are small heterogeneous, highly dynamic, sterol- and sphingolipid- enriched domains whose functional significance entails compartmentalization of cellular processes and regulation of cellular signaling. Recent studies reveal the physiological role of membrane rafts in adhesion to host epithelium in E. histolytica. In the current study we examined the role of lipid rafts in adhesion of trophozoites to host ECM components, collagen and fibronectin. A high throughput fluorescence based assay was developed to assess parasitic adhesion to commercial collagen type I- and fibronectin-coated microtiter plates. Disruption of membrane rafts by treatment with a cholesterol extracting agent, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD), resulted in inhibition of adhesion to ECM. Replenishment of cholesterol by treatment with a lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrate (LCC) restored adhesion. Confocal microscopy, using fluorescent lipid analogs, revealed enrichment of lipids at the parasite-ECM interface. The galactose inhibitable Gal/GalNAc lectin is a glycoprotein on E. histolytica that is a known resident of lipid rafts and mediates adhesion to host cells. Adhesion to collagen was observed to decline in the presence of galactose, suggesting a role for the Gal/GalNAc lectin as a putative receptor mediating adhesion to collagen. On the other hand, adhesion to fibronectin was not impaired by galactose, suggesting that the Gal/GalNAc lectin is not involved in adhesion of E. histolytica to fibronectin. This study has offered new insight into the molecular mechanisms of adhesion, which is important to the pathogenesis of amoebiasis. Such insight may lead to the development of innovative therapeutic modalities and vaccines

Role of Essential Oil Used Pharmaceutical Cosmetic Product

When it comes to choosing which cosmetics to buy, consumers typically identify the smell as the factor that is most important to them. When uncovered, the fatty acids, oils, and surfactants that are frequently included in cosmetic formulations can all contribute to the production of odours that are unpleasant. Essential oils are used in a wide variety of cosmetic products because, in addition to the fragrant contributions they make, they serve as preservatives, active agents, and additions that are helpful to the skin. In addition, the growing demand for natural components has significantly contributed to the revival of interest in plant derivatives, particularly essential oils, in the industries of cosmetics and health. Popular cosmetic companies have been forced to promote natural fragrances and pick for minimally processed natural materials as a result of the potential health concerns related with artificial smell compounds, which are major components of cosmetics. As a result of this pressure, the cosmetic industry as a whole has moved towards natural fragrances. Some of the most highly regarded essential oils that are utilised in the creation of fragrances include citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and other flower oils. Some of the most highly prized scent components that are utilised in the creation of various cosmetics include linalool, geraniol, limonene, citronellol, and citral. In the fields of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, essential oils have a wide variety of applications, including use as a source of natural fragrances. The purpose of this review was to shed light on those applications. Origins of essential oils, commercial viability of essential oils, chemical makeup of essential oils, fragrance classification, olfactory character of essential oils, authenticity, and safety will all receive the attention they deserve

Effect of Preirradiation Fluoride Treatment on the Physical Properties of Dentin

Objective. To determine the effects of preirradiation fluoride treatments on the Knoop hardness of dentin. Materials and Methods. Human posterior teeth mounted into acrylic resin molds were polished with silicon carbide (SiC) abrasives and 3-micron diamond paste. The Knoop hardness of dentin was measured with a Leco hardness instrument. The teeth were divided into groups of ten teeth per group as follows: no treatment (control), treatment with silver diamine fluoride (SDF), MI varnish (MI), and cavity shield (CS). The teeth were exposed to 2 Gy of daily radiation for six weeks using an X-Rad 320ix biological irradiator. Hardness was measured weekly, before, during, and after irradiation. The teeth were stored in artificial saliva at 37oC between radiation treatments. Results. In preirradiation dentin, a Knoop hardness value of 58.8 (14.1) KHN was obtained. Treatment with SDF significantly increased KHN before irradiation. Immediately after radiation treatment, hardness was significantly reduced in all experimental groups. Postirradiation fluoride treatments increased the hardness of dentin to varying degrees. Conclusions. Preirradiation fluoride treatment does not provide protection from decreases in the hardness of dentin. Treatment of teeth with fluoride formulations after radiation progressively restores the hardness of dentin to different degrees. © 2022 Francis K. Mante et al

Telehealth through the pandemic at a safety net hospital: observations and next steps for cancer care delivery

The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized cancer care delivery leading to rapid adoption of digital technology for telehealth in the United States. In this study, we describe telehealth utilization trends across the three largest waves of the pandemic at a safety net academic center. We also provide a perspective on lessons learnt and our vision for cancer care delivery using digital technology in the near future. The integration of interpreter services within the video platform and its integration within the electronic medical record system is crucial for safety net institutes that service a diverse patient population. Pay-parity for telehealth, especially ongoing support for audio-only visits, will be critical in overcoming health disparities for patients without access to smartphone technology. Use of telehealth in clinical trials, widespread adoption of hospital at home programs, electronic consults for rapid access, and structured telehealth slots in clinic templates will be crucial in making cancer care more equitable and efficient

Opportunities and Challenges for a Histology-Agnostic Utilization of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review delves into the prospects and challenges offered by a potential pan-histological utilization of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in patients with advanced solid tumors. RECENT FINDINGS: The HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) T-DXd has shown broad activity across cancer types, with current indications for patients with biomarker-selected breast, gastric, and non-small-cell lung cancer and relevant activity observed in multiple histology-specific trials. Moreover, two recently reported phase 2 trials (DESTINY-Pantumor02 and HERALD) have supported the potential for a pan-cancer utilization of this ADC in patients with advanced cancers expressing HER2 or with HER2 amplifications. By improving the delivery of cytotoxic chemotherapy, ADCs have allowed for meaningful clinical advantages in broad populations of cancer patients, often leading to survival advantages over conventional chemotherapy. Notably, the broad spectrum of activity of certain ADCs has led to the hypothesis of a histology-agnostic utilization based on detecting specific biomarkers, similar to what is already established for certain targeted treatments and immunotherapy. To date, T-DXd has shown the broadest activity across cancer types, with current approvals in breast, gastric, and lung cancer, and relevant antitumor activity observed in a multiplicity of additional cancer types. The optimization of the drug dose, identification of predictive biomarkers, and clarification of mechanisms of resistance will be critical steps in view of a pan-histological expansion in the use of T-DXd

Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate: Future Directions for Translational Science

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is a common malignancy affecting one in nine men, with six of every 10 cases identified in men older than 66 years, and more adversely affects African American males. It remains less common in men under the age of 40. The age adjusted incidence is increasing with the application of prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a biomarker. PSA helps identifying the disease at an early stage, which is treatable and curable with traditional therapies. However, a significant percentage of men present with high Gleason grade and advanced disease, with lower PSA, and younger age at presentation. These patients can have a compromised outcome. Once again, we are evaluating patients under the age of 50 with advanced disease due in part to inconsistent application of clinical screening. More effort is needed for high-risk patients to provide timely, meaningful intervention and effective therapy. In this chapter, we review the status of therapy for standard and high-risk patients, and strategies for translational science for patients at risk of compromised outcome and treatment failure

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Palliation of Hematuria Arising From Urothelial Carcinoma of the Kidney in Unfavorable Surgical Candidates

INTRODUCTION: Hematuria can be a distressing and debilitating complication of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the kidney for patients who are not candidates for surgery or ureteroscopic ablation. We retrospectively assessed the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for controlling gross hematuria in this patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved review of the records, laboratory values, pathology, and imaging of 8 consecutive patients treated with SBRT over a 5-year period for uncontrolled gross hematuria caused by UC of the renal pelvis or calyces. RESULTS: Therapy was delivered in 3 to 5 treatments over 1 to weeks. Individual treatments lasted an average of 17.2 minutes. No patient experienced treatment-related pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. All enjoyed cessation of bleeding within a week of completing therapy. Hematuria recurred in 2 patients in 4 and 22 months. Of the patients who have not re-bled, 3 expired of metastatic disease or co-morbidities, and 3 remain alive up to 6 years posttreatment. Of patients who have survived longer than a year, creatinine has changed by -0.05 to +0.35, and estimated glomerular filtration rate has fallen by an average of 22%. No patient has required dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT appears to be an effective and well-tolerated means of palliating gross hematuria secondary to UC of the renal pelvis or calyces in patients who are unfavorable candidates for nephrectomy or ureteroscopic ablation. Treatment was associated with a moderate decline in renal function

Coordination and optimization of FDG PET/CT and COVID-19 vaccination; Lessons learned in the early stages of mass vaccination

As the world embarks on mass vaccination for COVID-19, we are beginning to encounter unintended dilemmas in imaging oncology patients; particularly with regards to FDG PET/CT. In some cases, vaccine-related lymphadenopathy and FDG uptake on PET/CT can mimic cancer and lead to confounding imaging results. These cases with findings overlapping with cancer pose a significant dilemma for diagnostic purposes, follow-up, and management leading to possible treatment delays, unnecessary repeat imaging and sampling, and patient anxiety. These cases can largely be avoided by optimal coordination between vaccination and planned imaging as well as preemptive selection of vaccine administration site. This coordination hinges on patient, oncologist, and radiologists’ awareness of this issue and collaboration. Through close communication and patient education, we believe this will eliminate significant challenges for our oncology patients as we strive to end this pandemic