Characterization of Profilin Polymorphism in Pollen with a Focus on Multifunctionality

Profilin, a multigene family involved in actin dynamics, is a multiple partners-interacting protein, as regard of the presence of at least of three binding domains encompassing actin, phosphoinositide lipids, and poly-L-proline interacting patches. In addition, pollen profilins are important allergens in several species like Olea europaea L. (Ole e 2), Betula pendula (Bet v 2), Phleum pratense (Phl p 12), Zea mays (Zea m 12) and Corylus avellana (Cor a 2). In spite of the biological and clinical importance of these molecules, variability in pollen profilin sequences has been poorly pointed out up until now. In this work, a relatively high number of pollen profilin sequences have been cloned, with the aim of carrying out an extensive characterization of their polymorphism among 24 olive cultivars and the above mentioned plant species. Our results indicate a high level of variability in the sequences analyzed. Quantitative intra-specific/varietal polymorphism was higher in comparison to inter-specific/cultivars comparisons. Multi-optional posttranslational modifications, e.g. phosphorylation sites, physicochemical properties, and partners-interacting functional residues have been shown to be affected by profilin polymorphism. As a result of this variability, profilins yielded a clear taxonomic separation between the five plant species. Profilin family multifunctionality might be inferred by natural variation through profilin isovariants generated among olive germplasm, as a result of polymorphism. The high variability might result in both differential profilin properties and differences in the regulation of the interaction with natural partners, affecting the mechanisms underlying the transmission of signals throughout signaling pathways in response to different stress environments. Moreover, elucidating the effect of profilin polymorphism in adaptive responses like actin dynamics, and cellular behavior, represents an exciting research goal for the future

Comparative toxicities of 3 platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens in relapsed/refractory lymphoma patients: Platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens

International audienceOptimal salvage chemotherapy regimen for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma remains unclear but often based on platinum regimens. This retrospective study assesses in real life the toxicities profiles of patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma treated with DHA (dexamethasone, high dose aracytine cytarabine) plus platinum salt (dexamethasone-High dose aracytine (cis)platin (DHAP), dexamethasone-High dose aracytine carboplatin (DHAC), or dexamethasone-High dose aracytine Oxaliplatin (DHAOX)), from February 2007 to May 2013 in 2 French hospitals. Toxicities were recorded from medical files and assessed according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0. Potential risk factors of renal insufficiency were tested by univariate analyses. A total of 276 patients were treated: 168 with DHAP (60.9%), 79 with DHAOX (28.6%), and 29 with DHAC (10.5%). Rituximab was associated in 80.1% of patients (n = 221). Renal failure was reported in 97 patients, mainly with cisplatin regimen (86.6%) leading to 8.9% grade III to IV renal failure (P = .001). Renal insufficiency was reversible in most patients but remained persistent in 24, with all of them being treated with DHAP except 1. Cisplatin-based regimen (50.0% versus 12.0%, P \\textless .05) and female (44.6% versus 29.7%, P \\textless .05) appeared to be at higher risks of renal failure. Platinum cumulative dose is a significant risk factor of nephrotoxicity. Hematologic toxicity was more frequent with carboplatin and cisplatin with at least 1 event (all toxicity grade) respectively in 79.3% and 71.4% of patients treated (P \\textless .005). Auditory toxicity was mainly reported with cisplatin (n = 19; 4 grade I-II and 15 grade III-IV). Oxaliplatin was implicated in 77.6% of neurotoxicity (n = 59), mainly moderate (grade I-II). In conclusion, DHAOX and DHAC regimens have more favorable toxicity profile than DHAP regimen. Their lack of renal toxicity makes them attractive regimens, which may be interesting for patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation. Nevertheless, these results have to be confirmed by the therapeutic efficacy of these 3 regimen

Outcome and factors associated with mortality in patients receiving urgent chemotherapy in the ICU: A retrospective study

International audiencePURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the outcome and factors associated with mortality in patients who received urgent chemotherapy (CT) in the intensive care unit (ICU) in Lyon, France. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 147 adult patients diagnosed with cancer and requiring urgent CT during ICU stay between October 2014 and December 2019 were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Hematological cancer was found in 77% of patients, and acute respiratory failure was the leading cause of ICU admission (46.3%). The 6-month mortality rate was 69.4%; patients with solid cancer had a higher risk of mortality. Patients who died within 6 months had a poor performance score and a higher SOFA score at admission. The multivariate analysis showed that solid tumors, sepsis on the day of CT, and SOFA score on the day of CT were associated with 6-month mortality. Additionally, 95% of patients who survived the ICU resumed conventional CT, with a higher likelihood of resuming CT among those with hematological cancer. CONCLUSION: Urgent CT in the ICU is feasible in a specific subset of patients, mainly those with hematological cancer, with resumption of the curative treatment regimen after ICU discharge