Cellular Effects of the Antiepileptic Drug Valproic Acid in Glioblastoma

Background/Aims: Valproic acid (VPA), an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug is used to treat epileptic seizure of glioblastoma patients. Besides its antiepileptic activity, VPA has been attributed further functions that improve the clinical outcome of glioblastoma patients. Those comprise the inhibition of some histone deacetylase (HDAC) isoforms which reportedly may result in radiosensitization. Retrospective analysis of patient data, however, could not unequivocally confirm a prolonged survival of glioblastoma patients receiving VPA. The present study aimed to identify potential VPA targets at the cellular level. Methods: To this end, the effect of VPA on metabolism, Ca2+-, biochemical and electro-signaling, cell-cycling, clonogenic survival and transfilter migration was analyzed in three human glioblastoma lines (T98G, U-87MG, U251) by MTT assay, Ca2+ imaging, immunoblotting, patch-clamp recording, flow cytometry, delayed plating colony formation and modified Boyden chamber assays, respectively. In addition, the effect of VPA on clonogenic survival of primary glioblastoma spheroid cultures treated with temozolomide and fractionated radiation was assessed by limited dilution assay. Results: In 2 of 3 glioblastoma lines, clinical relevant concentrations of VPA slightly slowed down cell cycle progression and decreased clonogenic survival. Furthermore, VPA induced Ca2+ signaling which was accompanied by pronounced K+ channel activity and transfilter cell migration. VPA did not affect metabolic NAD(P)H formation or radioresistance of the glioblastoma lines. Finally, VPA did not impair clonogenic survival or radioresistance of temozolomide-treated primary spheroid cultures. Conclusions: Combined, our in vitro data do not propose a general use of VPA as a radiosensitizer in anti-glioblastoma therapy

Fontes visuais, cultura visual, história visual: balanço provisório, propostas cautelares

O objetivo do artigo é deslocar o interesse dos historiadores, das fontes visuais (iconografia, iconologia) para um tratamento mais abrangente da visualidade como uma dimensão importante da vida social e dos processos sociais. Após um rápido exame das contribuições trazidas para o estudo dos registros visuais e dos regimes visuais pela História da Arte, Antropologia Visual, Sociologia Visual e Estudos de Cultura Visual, o autor propõe algumas premissas para a consolidação de uma História Visual, concebida não como mais um feudo acadêmico, mas como uma conjunto de recursos operacionais para ampliar a consistência da pesquisa histórica em todos os seus domínios.<br>The aim of this article is to displace the historian's focus on visual sources (iconography, iconology) into a more rewarding treatment of visuality as an important dimension of social life and historical processes. After a survey of contributions brought in by Art History, Visual Anthropology, Visual Sociology and Visual Culture Studies, concerning visual records and visual regimes, the author introduces a few prerequisites for a Visual History - intended not as a new academic feud, but as a set of strategic operational means of enhancing historical research in all its domains

Oxygen targets and 6-month outcome after out of hospital cardiac arrest: a pre-planned sub-analysis of the targeted hypothermia versus targeted normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (TTM2) trial

International audienceAbstract Background Optimal oxygen targets in patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest are uncertain. The primary aim of this study was to describe the values of partial pressure of oxygen values (PaO 2 ) and the episodes of hypoxemia and hyperoxemia occurring within the first 72 h of mechanical ventilation in out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. The secondary aim was to evaluate the association of PaO 2 with patients’ outcome. Methods Preplanned secondary analysis of the targeted hypothermia versus targeted normothermia after OHCA (TTM2) trial. Arterial blood gases values were collected from randomization every 4 h for the first 32 h, and then, every 8 h until day 3. Hypoxemia was defined as PaO 2  300 mmHg. Mortality and poor neurological outcome (defined according to modified Rankin scale) were collected at 6 months. Results 1418 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 64 ± 14 years, and 292 patients (20.6%) were female. 24.9% of patients had at least one episode of hypoxemia, and 7.6% of patients had at least one episode of severe hyperoxemia. Both hypoxemia and hyperoxemia were independently associated with 6-month mortality, but not with poor neurological outcome. The best cutoff point associated with 6-month mortality for hypoxemia was 69 mmHg (Risk Ratio, RR = 1.009, 95% CI 0.93–1.09), and for hyperoxemia was 195 mmHg (RR = 1.006, 95% CI 0.95–1.06). The time exposure, i.e., the area under the curve (PaO 2 -AUC), for hyperoxemia was significantly associated with mortality ( p = 0.003). Conclusions In OHCA patients, both hypoxemia and hyperoxemia are associated with 6-months mortality, with an effect mediated by the timing exposure to high values of oxygen. Precise titration of oxygen levels should be considered in this group of patients. Trial registration : clinicaltrials.gov NCT02908308 , Registered September 20, 2016

Ventilatory settings in the initial 72 h and their association with outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: a preplanned secondary analysis of the targeted hypothermia versus targeted normothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (TTM2) trial

International audienc