Aquagener Pruritus bei Polycythaemia Vera

Aquagener Pruritus ist eine stark einschränkende Begleiterscheinung der Polycythemia Vera. Er ist gekennzeichnet durch ein stark juckendes, stechendes, kribbelndes oder brennendes Gefühl nach Wasserkontakt mit der Haut. Sichtbare Veränderungen zeigen sich nicht. Da er die Lebensqualität betroffener Patienten stark einschränkt und für einen Großteil der chronischen Beschwerden der Polycythaemia Vera verantwortlich ist, ist ein besseres Verständnis dieser Erscheinung für eine bessere Behandlung dringend erforderlich. Obwohl der aquagene Pruritus zuerst vor mehr als 40 Jahren beschrieben wurde, ist nur sehr wenig über die Pathophysiologie und Prävalenz bekannt. Ebensowenig ist bekannt über den Charakter, seinen Einfluss auf die Lebensqualität oder die optimale Therapie. Auch wenn der Juckreiz in manchen klinischen Studien, die die Polycythaemia Vera betreffen erwähnt wird, wird er überraschenderweise bei der Bewertung der klinischen Wirksamkeit von Medikamenten bisher noch vernachlässigt. Andere Marker, wie die Prävention thromboembolischer Komplikationen, Kontrolle des Hämatokrit oder Reduktion einer Splenomegalie werden üblicherweise als wichtigere Parameter der therapeutischen Wirksamkeit erachtet. Folglich wurde bislang der Einfluß des aquagenen Pruritus auf die Lebensqualität und damit die Notwendigkeit einer Behandlung weitgehend ignoriert. Deshalb haben wir uns entschlossen, die klinischen Eigenschaften des aquagenen Pruritus sowie seinen Einfluß auf die Lebensqualität an einer großen Kohorte deutscher Patienten mit Polycythaemia Vera mittels eines Patientenfragebogen zu untersuchen. 301 der 441 untersuchten Patienten litten an aquagenem Pruritus. Bei 64,8 % dieser Patienten trat er im Durchschnitt 2,9 Jahre vor der Diagnose der Polycythaemia Vera auf. Nur bei 15,4 % führte dies zu einer hämatologischen Untersuchung. Aquagener Pruritus tritt hauptsächlich am Körperstamm und den proximalen Extremitäten auf. Die meisten Patienten beschreiben ihn als Juckreiz (71,8 %), der Rest als kribbelnde, stechende oder brennende Empfindung. 44 Patienten (14,6 %) klassifizierten den Pruritus als "unerträglich". Patienten mit aquagenem Pruritus erzielten im EORTC-Lebensqualität-Fragebogen erniedrigte Werte bezüglich des Globalen Gesundheitsstatus. Sie litten auch mehr unter Fatigue, Schmerzen und Dyspnoe. Nur 24 % der Patienten erhielten eine gegen den aquagenen Pruritus gerichtete Therapie. Meist wurden Antihistaminika verschrieben, die die Symptome in gut der Hälfte der Fälle besserten. Bei 5,6 % der Fälle konnte eine PV-spezifische Therapie (Aderlässe, Zytoreduktion) eine Symptomfreiheit bewirken. Zusammenfassend ist der aquagene Pruritus ein ernstzunehmendes Symptom bei Patienten mit Polycythaemia Vera, das schwierig zu behandeln ist. Die Einführung der neuen JAK2-Inhibitoren könnte jedoch neue Therapiemöglichkeiten eröffnen

Aquagener Pruritus bei Polycythaemia Vera

Aquagener Pruritus ist eine stark einschränkende Begleiterscheinung der Polycythemia Vera. Er ist gekennzeichnet durch ein stark juckendes, stechendes, kribbelndes oder brennendes Gefühl nach Wasserkontakt mit der Haut. Sichtbare Veränderungen zeigen sich nicht. Da er die Lebensqualität betroffener Patienten stark einschränkt und für einen Großteil der chronischen Beschwerden der Polycythaemia Vera verantwortlich ist, ist ein besseres Verständnis dieser Erscheinung für eine bessere Behandlung dringend erforderlich. Obwohl der aquagene Pruritus zuerst vor mehr als 40 Jahren beschrieben wurde, ist nur sehr wenig über die Pathophysiologie und Prävalenz bekannt. Ebensowenig ist bekannt über den Charakter, seinen Einfluss auf die Lebensqualität oder die optimale Therapie. Auch wenn der Juckreiz in manchen klinischen Studien, die die Polycythaemia Vera betreffen erwähnt wird, wird er überraschenderweise bei der Bewertung der klinischen Wirksamkeit von Medikamenten bisher noch vernachlässigt. Andere Marker, wie die Prävention thromboembolischer Komplikationen, Kontrolle des Hämatokrit oder Reduktion einer Splenomegalie werden üblicherweise als wichtigere Parameter der therapeutischen Wirksamkeit erachtet. Folglich wurde bislang der Einfluß des aquagenen Pruritus auf die Lebensqualität und damit die Notwendigkeit einer Behandlung weitgehend ignoriert. Deshalb haben wir uns entschlossen, die klinischen Eigenschaften des aquagenen Pruritus sowie seinen Einfluß auf die Lebensqualität an einer großen Kohorte deutscher Patienten mit Polycythaemia Vera mittels eines Patientenfragebogen zu untersuchen. 301 der 441 untersuchten Patienten litten an aquagenem Pruritus. Bei 64,8 % dieser Patienten trat er im Durchschnitt 2,9 Jahre vor der Diagnose der Polycythaemia Vera auf. Nur bei 15,4 % führte dies zu einer hämatologischen Untersuchung. Aquagener Pruritus tritt hauptsächlich am Körperstamm und den proximalen Extremitäten auf. Die meisten Patienten beschreiben ihn als Juckreiz (71,8 %), der Rest als kribbelnde, stechende oder brennende Empfindung. 44 Patienten (14,6 %) klassifizierten den Pruritus als "unerträglich". Patienten mit aquagenem Pruritus erzielten im EORTC-Lebensqualität-Fragebogen erniedrigte Werte bezüglich des Globalen Gesundheitsstatus. Sie litten auch mehr unter Fatigue, Schmerzen und Dyspnoe. Nur 24 % der Patienten erhielten eine gegen den aquagenen Pruritus gerichtete Therapie. Meist wurden Antihistaminika verschrieben, die die Symptome in gut der Hälfte der Fälle besserten. Bei 5,6 % der Fälle konnte eine PV-spezifische Therapie (Aderlässe, Zytoreduktion) eine Symptomfreiheit bewirken. Zusammenfassend ist der aquagene Pruritus ein ernstzunehmendes Symptom bei Patienten mit Polycythaemia Vera, das schwierig zu behandeln ist. Die Einführung der neuen JAK2-Inhibitoren könnte jedoch neue Therapiemöglichkeiten eröffnen

Microbial colonization and ureteral stent-associated storage lower urinary tract symptoms: the forgotten piece of the puzzle?

Purpose: Ureteral stents are frequently associated with side effects. Most patients suffer from storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Storage LUTS are commonly attributed to the irritation of the trigone, smooth muscle spasm or a combination of factors. The relationship between microbial ureteral stent colonization (MUSC) and de novo or worsening storage LUTS has not been investigated yet. Methods: Five hundred ninety-one polyurethane ureteral stents from 275 male and 153 female patients were prospectively evaluated. The removed stents were sonicated to dislodge adherent microorganisms. Urine flow cytometry was performed to detect pyuria. A standardized urinary symptom questionnaire was given to all patients. Results: Thirty-five per cent of male and 28% of female cases showed de novo or worsened storage LUTS. MUSC was more common in patients with storage LUTS compared to patients without storage LUTS (men: 26 vs. 13%, respectively, P<0.05; women: 63 vs. 48%, respectively, P=0.13). Pyuria was significantly more common in patients with storage LUTS compared to patients without storage LUTS (men: 55 vs. 40%, respectively, P<0.05; women: 70 vs. 45%, respectively, P<0.05). No significant correlation was observed between the detected genera of microorganisms and storage LUTS. Conclusions: Our data show a significant association between MUSC- and stent-related de novo experienced or worsened storage LUTS in men. The incidence of MUSC is most common in both female and male patients with storage LUTS and accompanying pyuria. In these patients, a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs may be regarded as treatment optio

Active surveillance inclusion criteria under scrutiny in magnetic resonance imaging-guided prostate biopsy : a multicenter cohort study

Background Although multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is recommended for primary risk stratification and follow-up in Active Surveillance (AS), it is not part of common AS inclusion criteria. The objective was to compare AS eligibility by systematic biopsy (SB) and combined MRI-targeted (MRI-TB) and SB within real-world data using current AS guidelines. Methods A retrospective multicenter study was conducted by a German prostate cancer (PCa) working group representing six tertiary referral centers and one outpatient practice. Men with PCa and at least one MRI-visible lesion according to Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) v2 were included. Twenty different AS inclusion criteria of international guidelines were applied to calculate AS eligibility using either a SB or a combined MRI-TB and SB. Reasons for AS exclusion were assessed. Results Of 1941 patients with PCa, per guideline, 583–1112 patients with PCa in both MRI-TB and SB were available for analysis. Using SB, a median of 22.1% (range 6.4–72.4%) were eligible for AS. Using the combined approach, a median of 15% (range 1.7–68.3%) were eligible for AS. Addition of MRI-TB led to a 32.1% reduction of suitable patients. Besides Gleason Score upgrading, the maximum number of positive cores were the most frequent exclusion criterion. Variability in MRI and biopsy protocols potentially limit the results. Conclusions Only a moderate number of patients with PCa can be monitored by AS to defer active treatment using current guidelines for inclusion in a real-world setting. By an additional MRI-TB, this number is markedly reduced. These results underline the need for a contemporary adjustment of AS inclusion criteria

Lightweight Visual Transformers Outperform Convolutional Neural Networks for Gram-Stained Image Classification: An Empirical Study

We aimed to automate Gram-stain analysis to speed up the detection of bacterial strains in patients suffering from infections. We performed comparative analyses of visual transformers (VT) using various configurations including model size (small vs. large), training epochs (1 vs. 100), and quantization schemes (tensor- or channel-wise) using float32 or int8 on publicly available (DIBaS, n = 660) and locally compiled (n = 8500) datasets. Six VT models (BEiT, DeiT, MobileViT, PoolFormer, Swin and ViT) were evaluated and compared to two convolutional neural networks (CNN), ResNet and ConvNeXT. The overall overview of performances including accuracy, inference time and model size was also visualized. Frames per second (FPS) of small models consistently surpassed their large counterparts by a factor of 1-2×. DeiT small was the fastest VT in int8 configuration (6.0 FPS). In conclusion, VTs consistently outperformed CNNs for Gram-stain classification in most settings even on smaller datasets

HuR protein attenuates miRNA-mediated repression by promoting miRISC dissociation from the target RNA

The microRNA (miRNA)-mediated repression of protein synthesis in mammalian cells is a reversible process. Target mRNAs with regulatory AU-rich elements (AREs) in their 3′-untranslated regions (3′-UTR) can be relieved of miRNA repression under cellular stress in a process involving the embryonic lethal and altered vision family ARE-binding protein HuR. The HuR-mediated derepression occurred even when AREs were positioned at a considerable distance from the miRNA sites raising questions about the mechanism of HuR action. Here, we show that the relief of miRNA-mediated repression involving HuR can be recapitulated in different in vitro systems in the absence of stress, indicating that HuR alone is sufficient to relieve the miRNA repression upon binding to RNA ARE. Using in vitro assays with purified miRISC and recombinant HuR and its mutants, we show that HuR, likely by its property to oligomerize along RNA, leads to the dissociation of miRISC from target RNA even when miRISC and HuR binding sites are positioned at a distance. Further, we demonstrate that HuR association with AREs can also inhibit miRNA-mediated deadenylation of mRNA in the Krebs-2 ascites extract, in a manner likewise depending on the potential of HuR to oligomerize

Intranasal delivery of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, macrophages, and microglia to the brain in mouse models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease

In view of the rapid preclinical development of cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, and tumors, the safe and efficient delivery and targeting of therapeutic cells to the central nervous system is critical for maintaining therapeutic efficacy and safety in the respective disease models. Our previous data demonstrated therapeutically efficacious and targeted delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the brain in the rat 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The present study examined delivery of bone marrow derived MSCs, macrophages, and microglia to the brain in a transgenic model of PD ((Thy1)-h[A30P] αS) and an APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) via intranasal application (INA). INA of microglia in naïve BL/6 mice led to targeted and effective delivery of cells to the brain. Quantitative PCR analysis of eGFP DNA showed that the brain contained the highest amount of eGFP-microglia (up to 2.1x104) after INA of 1x106 cells, while the total amount of cells detected in peripheral organs did not exceed 3.4x103. Seven days after INA, MSCs expressing eGFP were detected in the olfactory bulb (OB), cortex, amygdala, striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brainstem of (Thy1)-h[A30P] αS transgenic mice, showing predominant distribution within the OB and brainstem. INA of eGFP-expressing macrophages in 13 month-old APP/PS1 mice led to delivery of cells to the OB, hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Both, MSCs and macrophages contained Iba-1-positive population of small microglia-like cells and Iba-1-negative large rounded cells showing either intracellular Amyloid beta (macrophages in APP/PS1 model) or α-Synuclein (MSCs in (Thy1)-h[A30P] αS model) immunoreactivity. Here we show, for the first time, intranasal delivery of cells to the brain of transgenic PD and AD mouse models. Additional work is needed to determine the optimal dosage (single treatment regimen or repeated administrations) to achieve functional improvement in these mouse models with intranasal microglia/macrophages and MSCs

Intranasal delivery of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, macrophages, and microglia to the brain in mouse models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease

In view of the rapid preclinical development of cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, and tumors, the safe and efficient delivery and targeting of therapeutic cells to the central nervous system is critical for maintaining therapeutic efficacy and safety in the respective disease models. Our previous data demonstrated therapeutically efficacious and targeted delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the brain in the rat 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The present study examined delivery of bone marrow derived MSCs, macrophages, and microglia to the brain in a transgenic model of PD ((Thy1)-h[A30P] αS) and an APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) via intranasal application (INA). INA of microglia in naïve BL/6 mice led to targeted and effective delivery of cells to the brain. Quantitative PCR analysis of eGFP DNA showed that the brain contained the highest amount of eGFP-microglia (up to 2.1x104) after INA of 1x106 cells, while the total amount of cells detected in peripheral organs did not exceed 3.4x103. Seven days after INA, MSCs expressing eGFP were detected in the olfactory bulb (OB), cortex, amygdala, striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brainstem of (Thy1)-h[A30P] αS transgenic mice, showing predominant distribution within the OB and brainstem. INA of eGFP-expressing macrophages in 13 month-old APP/PS1 mice led to delivery of cells to the OB, hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Both, MSCs and macrophages contained Iba-1-positive population of small microglia-like cells and Iba-1-negative large rounded cells showing either intracellular Amyloid beta (macrophages in APP/PS1 model) or α-Synuclein (MSCs in (Thy1)-h[A30P] αS model) immunoreactivity. Here we show, for the first time, intranasal delivery of cells to the brain of transgenic PD and AD mouse models. Additional work is needed to determine the optimal dosage (single treatment regimen or repeated administrations) to achieve functional improvement in these mouse models with intranasal microglia/macrophages and MSCs

Prognostic significance of EGFR, AREG and EREG amplification and gene expression in muscle invasive bladder cancer

IntroductionMuscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) remains a prevalent cancer with limited therapeutic options, obviating the need for innovative therapies. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a linchpin in tumor progression and presents a potential therapeutic target in MIBC. Additionally, the EGFR ligands AREG and EREG have shown associations with response to anti-EGFR therapy and improved progression-free survival in colorectal carcinoma.Materials and methodsWe investigated the prognostic significance of EGFR, AREG, and EREG in MIBC. Gene expression and copy number analyses were performed via qRT-PCR on tissue samples from 100 patients with MIBC who underwent radical cystectomy at the University Hospital Mannheim (MA; median age 72, interquartile range [IQR] 64–78 years, 25% female). Results were validated in 361 patients from the 2017 TCGA MIBC cohort (median age 69, IQR 60–77 years, 27% female), in the Chungbuk and MDACC cohort. Gene expressions were correlated with clinicopathologic parameters using the Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis- test and Spearman correlation. For overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) gene expression was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazard models.ResultsSignificant gene expression differences in EGFR, AREG, and EREG could be detected in all cohorts. In the TCGA cohort, EGFR expression was significantly elevated in patients with EGFR amplification and KRAS wildtype. High AREG expression independently predicted longer OS (HR = 0.35, CI 0.19 - 0.63, p = 0.0004) and CSS (HR = 0.42, CI 0.18 – 0.95, p = 0.0378) in the MA cohort. In the TCGA cohort, high EGFR, AREG, and EREG expression correlated with shorter OS (AREG: HR = 1.57, CI 1.12 – 2.20, p = 0.0090) and DFS (EGFR: HR = 1.91, CI 1.31 – 2.8, p = 0.0008). EGFR amplification was also associated with reduced DFS.DiscussionHigh EGFR and EREG indicate worse survival in patients with MIBC. The prognostic role of AREG should further be investigated in large, prospective series. Divergent survival outcomes between the four cohorts should be interpreted cautiously, considering differences in analysis methods and demographics. Further in vitro investigations are necessary to elucidate the functional mechanisms underlying the associations observed in this study

Transphosphorylation of kinase-dead HER3 and breast cancer progression: a new standpoint or an old concept revisited?

Although neither kinase-dead human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)3 nor orphan HER2 can be activated by HER-related ligands on their own, the formation of HER2/HER3 heterodimers creates the most mitogenic and transforming receptor complex within the HER (erbB) family of transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases. The incorporation of markers such as HER3 transactivation, HER2/HER3 dimer, or others that may provide information regarding the level of HER pathway engagement has been demonstrated to allow identification of patients who respond to or escape HER-targeted therapies. Pioneering studies showed that high expression of kinase-dead HER3 can predict early escape from the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab. Also, the growth-inhibitory effects of HER1/2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were previously found to be attenuated in the presence of heregulin, which is a high-affinity combinatorial ligand for HER3. All of these concepts are being revisited with respect to the efficacy of HER family TKI therapies; in particular, HER3 signalling buffered against incomplete inhibition of HER2 kinase activity has been suggested to be the mechanism that allows HER2 over-expressing breast cancer cells to escape HER TKIs. It remains to be elucidated whether reactivation of HER3 signalling can also account for the poor efficacy of HER TKIs in treating breast carcinomas that contain low overall levels of HER2 receptors. However, it appears that regardless of the mechanism that triggers the formation of oncogenic HER2/HER3 heterodimers (HER2 over-expression or overall low HER2 but high levels of the HER3 ligand heregulin), HER3 transphosphorylation is a common response of breast cancer cells upon treatment with current inhibitors of the HER receptor tyrosine kinase network. Because kinase-inactive HER3 is not presently an amenable target for forthcoming HER TKIs, molecular approaches that can efficiently block heregulin-triggered HER3 transactivation or nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of heregulin might offer novel strategies with which to manage HER-driven breast cancer disease