Successful combined surgical approach in a rare case of retrotracheal goitre in a patient with anatomical impediments

Diving goitres can descend the cervical region expanding directly into the thoracic cavity. In most cases, diving goitres extend into the anterosuperior compartment, but they may also extend behind the trachea. We herein present a case of a male patient with retrotracheal goitre and history of left thyroid lobectomy and median sternotomy for thoracic aortic aneurysm repair with graft placement. After detailed preoperative evaluation, the patient underwent surgical resection of the mass through a combined approach; the existing cervical incision and a right posterolateral mini-thoracotomy. The postoperative course of the patient was uncomplicated. One year after surgery, the patient is asymptomatic and disease-free. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 166–169

Effect of density of state on isotope effect exponent of two-band superconductors

The exact formula of Tc's equation and the isotope effect exponent of two-band s-wave superconductors in weak-coupling limit are derived by considering the influence of two kinds of density of state : constant and van Hove singularity. The pairing interaction in each band consisted of 2 parts : the electron-phonon interaction and non-electron-phonon interaction are included in our model. We find that the interband interaction of electron-phonon show more effect on isotope exponent than the intraband interaction and the isotope effect exponent with constant density of state can fit to an experimental data,MgB2, and high-Tc superconductors, better than van Hove singularity density of state.Comment: 11 pages. accepted in Physica

Cuticular hydrocarbons on old museum specimens of the spiny mason wasp, Odynerus spinipes (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae), shed light on the distribution and on regional frequencies of distinct chemotypes

The mason wasp Odynerus spinipes shows an exceptional case of intrasexual cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile dimorphism. Females of this species display one of two CHC profiles (chemotypes) that differ qualitatively and quantitatively from each other. The ratio of the two chemotypes was previously shown to be close to 1:1 at three sites in Southern Germany, which might not be representative given the Palearctic distribution of the species. To infer the frequency of the two chemotypes across the entire distributional range of the species, we analyzed with GC–MS the CHC profile of 1042 dry-mounted specimens stored in private and museum collections. We complemented our sampling by including 324 samples collected and preserved specifically for studying their CHCs. We were capable of reliably identifying the chemotypes in 91% of drymounted samples, some of which collected almost 200 years ago. We found both chemotypes to occur in the Far East, the presumed glacial refuge of the species, and their frequency to differ considerably between sites and geographic regions. The geographic structure in the chemotype frequencies could be the result of differential selection regimes and/or different dispersal routes during the colonization of the Western Palearctic. The presented data pave the route for disentangling these factors by providing information where to geographically sample O. spinipes for population genetic analyses. They also form the much-needed basis for future studies aiming to understand the evolutionary and geographic origin as well as the genetics of the astounding CHC profile dimorphism that O. spinipes females exhibit

Percutaneous treatment with Mitraclip for functional mitral regurgitation: medium-term follow up according to left ventricular function

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is a bad prognosis condition despite optimal medical treatment. Nowadays there is an open debate about the surgical versus percutaneous treatment. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the mid-term follow up clinical outcomes of patients with FMR treated with MitraClip((R)) system, according to their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: Data was obtained from two experienced centers in transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). All consecutive cases of severe FMR undergoing TMVR in both centers with the same inclusion criteria were included prospectively in this study and followed-up. Periodical follow-ups with clinical and echocardiographic evaluation were scheduled from the baseline procedure, at 3 months and then yearly. Results: From October 2015 to October 2019, a total of 119 patients with FMR at 2 centers in Spain underwent TMVR with the MitraClip((R)) procedure and were included in this study. The mean age was 73.8+/-8.9 years old and 32 patients (26.9%) were female. A 39.5% of cases [47] had a LVEF 30% (group 2). There was a similar distribution in cardiovascular risk factors, age and other diseases. All MitraClip((R)) implantations were elective and procedural success was achieved in 110 patients (92.4%) with a similar distribution between the groups. There were no differences in procedural time and the number of implanted clips. The median follow-up was 22.6 months (IQR, 11.43-34.98 months). The primary combined endpoint occurred in the 41.6% of the global cohort, 57.5% in group 1 and 30.99% in group 2 (P=0.036). LVEF was associated to the main event in the multivariate analysis (HR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.12-3.89; P=0.02). Conclusions: The MitraClip edge-to-edge technique is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of FMR. In this study, patients with LVEF >30% treated with Mitraclip presented better clinical cardiovascular outcomes than those with a LVEF </=30%. Regardless clinical outcomes, at the end of the follow-up, there was a sustained reduction in MR grades and an important improvement in NYHA functional class

Non-human TRIM5 variants enhance recognition of HIV-1-infected cells by CD8+ T cells

Tripartite motif-containing protein 5 (TRIM5) restricts human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) in a species-specific manner by uncoating viral particles while activating early innate responses. Although the contribution of TRIM5 proteins to cellular immunity has not yet been studied, their interactions with the incoming viral capsid and the cellular proteasome led us to hypothesize a role for them. Here, we investigate whether the expression of two non-human TRIM5 orthologs, rhesus TRIM5α (RhT5) and TRIM-cyclophilin A (TCyp), both of which are potent restrictors of HIV-1, could enhance immune recognition of infected cells by CD8+ T cells. We illustrate how TRIM5 restriction improves CD8+ T cell-mediated HIV-1 inhibition. Moreover, when TRIM5 activity was blocked by the non-immunosuppressive analog of cyclosporin A, SmBz-CsA, we found a significant reduction in CD107a/MIP1β expression in HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells. This finding underscores the direct link between TRIM5 restriction and activation of CD8+ T-cell responses. Interestingly, cells expressing RhT5 induced stronger CD8+ T-cell responses through the specific recognition of the HIV-1 capsid by the immune system. The underlying mechanism of this process may involve TRIM5-specific capsid recruitment to cellular proteasomes and increase peptide availability for loading and presentation of HLA class I antigens. In summary, we identified a novel function for non-human TRIM5 variants in cellular immunity. We hypothesise that TRIM5 can couple innate viral sensing and CD8+ T-cell activation to increase species barriers against retrovirus infection. IMPORTANCE: New therapeutics to tackle HIV-1 infection should aim to combine rapid innate viral sensing and cellular immune recognition. Such strategies could prevent seeding of the viral reservoir and the immune damage that occurs during acute infection. The non-human TRIM5 variants, rhesus TRIM5α (RhT5) and TRIM-cyclophilin A (TCyp), are attractive candidates owing to their potency in sensing HIV-1 and blocking its activity. Here, we show that expression of RhT5 and TCyp in HIV-1-infected cells improves CD8+ T cell-mediated inhibition through the direct activation of HIV-1-specific CD8+ T-cell responses. We found that the potency in CD8+ activation was stronger for RhT5 variants and capsid-specific CD8+ T-cells in a mechanism that relies on TRIM5-dependent particle recruitment to cellular proteasomes. This novel mechanism couples innate viral sensing with cellular immunity in a single protein and could be exploited to develop innovative therapeutics for control of HIV-1 infection

Fermiology and superconductivity studies on the non-tetrachalcogenafulvalene structured organic superconductor beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6

The quantum oscillatory effect and superconductivity in a non-tetrachalcogenafulvalene (TCF) structure based organic superconductor beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 are studied. Here the Shubnikov-de Haas effect (SdH) and angular dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMRO) are observed. The oscillation frequency associated with a cylindrical Fermi surface is found to be about 4050 tesla, which is also verified by the tunnel diode oscillator (TDO) measurement. The upper critical field Hc2 measurement in a tilted magnetic field and the TDO measurement in the mixed state reveal a highly anisotropic superconducting nature in this material. We compared physical properties of beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 with typical TCF structure based quasi two-dimensional organic conductors. A notable feature of beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 superconductor is a large value of effective cyclotron mass m_c^*=12.4+/1.1 m_e, which is the largest yet found in an organic superconductor. A possible origin of the enhanced effective mass and its relation to the superconductivity are briefly discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure

How to summarise and report written qualitative data from patients: a method for use in cancer support care

Goals of work: Determination of key themes to aid the analysis of qualitative data collected at three cancer support centres in England, using the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW) questionnaire. Patients and methods: People with cancer who use complementary therapies experience and value a wide range of treatment effects, yet tools are urgently required to quantitatively measure these outcomes. MYCAW is an individualised questionnaire used in cancer support centres providing complementary therapies, scoring 'concerns or problems' and 'wellbeing' and collects qualitative data about other major events in a patient's life and what has been most important to the patient. Content analysis on 782 MYCaW questionnaires from people at these cancer support centres was carried out. The "concerns", "other things going on in their life" and "important aspects of centre" were thematically categorised, externally validated by a focus group and the inter-rater reliability calculated. Main results: Clinical information from a cancer patient's perspective was collected that is not measured on standard quality of life questionnaires; furthermore some themes acknowledge the multifaceted aspects of CAM provision, rather than information only relating to the therapeutic intervention. Categories for qualitative MYCaW analysis have been established providing a tool for future research and/or service delivery improvement within cancer support centres such as these. Conclusions: The established themes provide a framework to aid analysis of qualitative aspects of complementary therapy care for people with cancer, improving our understanding of how the patient’s cancer experience can be aided by complementary therapies in specialized cancer centres

The role of TET-mediated DNA hydroxymethylation in prostate cancer

Massie C. is funded by an ERC grant (337905) and acknowledges support of the University of Cambridge, the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre and Hutchison Whampoa Limited. Claessens F. and Joniau S. hold grants from Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek-Vlaanderen (GOA9816N, G.0684.12N, G.0830.13N). Van den Broeck T. is supported by a PhD fellowship from Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek-Vlaanderen (11ZO616N). This work was also supported by the KU Leuven (GOA/15/017) and Kom op tegen Kanker.Ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins are recently characterized dioxygenases that regulate demethylation by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and further derivatives. The recent finding that 5hmC is also a stable and independent epigenetic modification indicates that these proteins play an important role in diverse physiological and pathological processes such as neural and tumor development. Both the genomic distribution of (hydroxy)methylation and the expression and activity of TET proteins are dysregulated in a wide range of cancers including prostate cancer. Up to now it is still unknown how changes in TET and 5(h)mC profiles are related to the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. In this review, we explore recent advances in the current understanding of how TET expression and function are regulated in development and cancer. Furthermore, we look at the impact on 5hmC in prostate cancer and the potential underlying mechanisms. Finally, we tried to summarize the latest techniques for detecting and quantifying global and locus-specific 5hmC levels of genomic DNA.PostprintPeer reviewe

Sistemas mistos de espécies florestais nativas com eucalipto em propriedades rurais familiares na região Noroeste do estado do Paraná.

A regeneração natural e o crescimento de espécies florestais nativas sob plantações de eucalipto têm sido relatadas em vários artigos científicos. Com manejo adequado, estes sistemas possibilitam vários serviços ambientais, como conservação e restauração da diversidade biológica e captura de gases de efeito estufa (GEE). Com base em um modelo formatado como um projeto de mecanismos de desenvolvimento limpo (MDL) florestal, produtores rurais familiares implantaram plantios mistos, com faixas de eucalipto e de espécies nativas, em áreas de pastagem degradada, em seis municípios na região noroeste do estado do Paraná. Os plantios integram o projeto “Implantação e manejo de florestas em pequenas propriedades no estado do Paraná”, coordenado pelo Programa Paraná Biodiversidade, da Secretaria de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos (SEMA), envolvendo Emater, Embrapa Florestas, IAP, SEPL e SEAB. Os sistemas visaram à recomposição da vegetação em áreas de reserva legal (RL), utilizando o eucalipto como uma espécie facilitadora e com madeira propícia a acréscimos à renda dos produtores. No presente trabalho são apresentados detalhes do projeto e resultados da produção de madeira de eucalipto, carbono sequestrado e crescimento das espécies nativas. O crescimento e produção dos eucaliptos foram avaliados em seis plantios, sendo que em dois deles foram avaliadas as nativas. A regeneração natural das espécies nativas apresentou, nestes dois plantios, 15 espécies com bom crescimento, o que deve garantir a sobrevivência das mesmas nos períodos de seca comuns na região. Os resultados indicaram que a produtividade dos eucaliptos pode ser considerada satisfatória e tem potencial para aumentar e melhorar significativamente a renda das áreas convertidas. Concluiu-se que este modelo inovador é plenamente viável, pois concilia conservação ambiental, conservação genética de espécies ameaçadas ou em risco de extinção, garantindo a sobrevivência de populações locais dessas espécies; produção econômica e inclusão social, pois gera renda com a produção florestal e venda de carbono.Capítulo 24

HIV and Mature Dendritic Cells: Trojan Exosomes Riding the Trojan Horse?

Exosomes are secreted cellular vesicles that can induce specific CD4+ T cell responses in vivo when they interact with competent antigen-presenting cells like mature dendritic cells (mDCs). The Trojan exosome hypothesis proposes that retroviruses can take advantage of the cell-encoded intercellular vesicle traffic and exosome exchange pathway, moving between cells in the absence of fusion events in search of adequate target cells. Here, we discuss recent data supporting this hypothesis, which further explains how DCs can capture and internalize retroviruses like HIV-1 in the absence of fusion events, leading to the productive infection of interacting CD4+ T cells and contributing to viral spread through a mechanism known as trans-infection. We suggest that HIV-1 can exploit an exosome antigen-dissemination pathway intrinsic to mDCs, allowing viral internalization and final trans-infection of CD4+ T cells. In contrast to previous reports that focus on the ability of immature DCs to capture HIV in the mucosa, this review emphasizes the outstanding role that mature DCs could have promoting trans-infection in the lymph node, underscoring a new potential viral dissemination pathway