The Acute Effects of 5 Fluorouracil on Skeletal Muscle Resident and Infiltrating Immune Cells in Mice

5 fluorouracil (5FU) has been a first-choice chemotherapy drug for several cancer types (e.g., colon, breast, head, and neck); however, its efficacy is diminished by patient acquired resistance and pervasive side effects. Leukopenia is a hallmark of 5FU; however, the impact of 5FU-induced leukopenia on healthy tissue is only becoming unearthed. Recently, skeletal muscle has been shown to be impacted by 5FU in clinical and preclinical settings and weakness and fatigue remain among the most consistent complaints in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Monocytes, or more specifically macrophages, are the predominate immune cell in skeletal muscle which regulate turnover and homeostasis through removal of damaged or old materials as well as coordinate skeletal muscle repair and remodeling. Whether 5FU-induced leukopenia extends beyond circulation to impact resident and infiltrating skeletal muscle immune cells has not been examined. The purpose of the study was to examine the acute effects of 5FU on resident and infiltrating skeletal muscle monocytes and inflammatory mediators. Male C57BL/6 mice were given a physiologically translatable dose (35 mg/kg) of 5FU, or PBS, i.p. once daily for 5 days to recapitulate 1 dosing cycle. Our results demonstrate that 5FU reduced circulating leukocytes, erythrocytes, and thrombocytes while inducing significant body weight loss (\u3e5%). Flow cytometry analysis of the skeletal muscle indicated a reduction in total CD45+ immune cells with a corresponding decrease in total CD45+CD11b+ monocytes. There was a strong relationship between circulating leukocytes and skeletal muscle CD45+ immune cells. Skeletal muscle Ly6cHigh activated monocytes and M1-like macrophages were reduced with 5FU treatment while total M2-like CD206+CD11c- macrophages were unchanged. Interestingly, 5FU reduced bone marrow CD45+ immune cells and CD45+CD11b+ monocytes. Our results demonstrate that 5FU induced body weight loss and decreased skeletal muscle CD45+ immune cells in association with a reduction in infiltrating Ly6cHigh monocytes. Interestingly, the loss of skeletal muscle immune cells occurred with bone marrow cell cycle arrest. Together our results highlight that skeletal muscle is sensitive to 5FU’s off-target effects which disrupts both circulating and skeletal muscle immune cells

Volumetric CT-based segmentation of NSCLC using 3D-Slicer

Accurate volumetric assessment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is critical for adequately informing treatments. In this study we assessed the clinical relevance of a semiautomatic computed tomography (CT)-based segmentation method using the competitive region-growing based algorithm, implemented in the free and public available 3D-Slicer software platform. We compared the 3D-Slicer segmented volumes by three independent observers, who segmented the primary tumour of 20 NSCLC patients twice, to manual slice-by-slice delineations of five physicians. Furthermore, we compared all tumour contours to the macroscopic diameter of the tumour in pathology, considered as the “gold standard”. The 3D-Slicer segmented volumes demonstrated high agreement (overlap fractions > 0.90), lower volume variability (p = 0.0003) and smaller uncertainty areas (p = 0.0002), compared to manual slice-by-slice delineations. Furthermore, 3D-Slicer segmentations showed a strong correlation to pathology (r = 0.89, 95%CI, 0.81–0.94). Our results show that semiautomatic 3D-Slicer segmentations can be used for accurate contouring and are more stable than manual delineations. Therefore, 3D-Slicer can be employed as a starting point for treatment decisions or for high-throughput data mining research, such as Radiomics, where manual delineating often represent a time-consuming bottleneck

Mast Cell Diseases in Practice and Research:Issues and Perspectives Raised by Patients and Their Recommendations to the Scientific Community and Beyond

Background: Since 2010, patients and physicians have collaborated to understand unmet needs of patients with mast cell diseases, incorporating mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorders, which include mast cell activation syndromes. Objective: This Open Innovation in Science project aims to expand understanding of the needs of patients affected by mast cell diseases, and encourage global communication among patient advocacy groups, physicians, researchers, industry, and government. A major aim is to support the scientific community's efforts to improve diagnosis, management, therapy, and patients’ quality of life by addressing unmet needs. Methods: In collaboration with mast cell disease specialists, 13 patient advocacy groups from 12 countries and regions developed lists of top patient needs. A core team of leaders from patient advocacy groups collected and analyzed the data and proposed possible actions to address patient needs. Results: Findings identified similarities and differences among participating countries in unmet needs between patients with mastocytosis and those with mast cell activation syndromes. Issues emphasized struggles relating to the nature and rarity of mast cell diseases, their impact on quality of life, the diagnostic process, access to appropriate care, more effective treatment, and the need for research. Conclusions: Solutions vary across countries because situations differ, in particular regarding the existence of and access to centers of excellence and reference centers. Multifaceted mast cell activation syndrome barriers necessitate innovative approaches to improve access to appropriate care. The outcomes of this project should greatly support scientists and clinicians in their efforts to improve diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorders

Mutational spectrum in a worldwide study of 29,700 families with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

The prevalence and spectrum of germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been reported in single populations, with the majority of reports focused on White in Europe and North America. The Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA) has assembled data on 18,435 families with BRCA1 mutations and 11,351 families with BRCA2 mutations ascertained from 69 centers in 49 countries on six continents. This study comprehensively describes the characteristics of the 1,650 unique BRCA1 and 1,731 unique BRCA2 deleterious (disease-associated) mutations identified in the CIMBA database. We observed substantial variation in mutation type and frequency by geographical region and race/ethnicity. In addition to known founder mutations, mutations of relatively high frequency were identified in specific racial/ethnic or geographic groups that may reflect founder mutations and which could be used in targeted (panel) first pass genotyping for specific populations. Knowledge of the population-specific mutational spectrum in BRCA1 and BRCA2 could inform efficient strategies for genetic testing and may justify a more broad-based oncogenetic testing in some populations

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

American College of Rheumatology Provisional Criteria for Clinically Relevant Improvement in Children and Adolescents With Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

10.1002/acr.23834ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH715579-59

Efecto de la infección natural de Phoma oleracea var. helianthi-tuberosi Sacc. sobre algunos caracteres agronómicos y el rendimiento de aceite de cuatro genotipos de girasol (Helianthus annuus L.) con dos niveles de fertilización nitrogenada

Durante la campaña 1995/96, en la EEA Paraná del INTA (Entre Ríos, Argentina), seestudió el efecto de la infección natural de Phoma oleraceavar. helianthi-tuberosiSacc. sobre la altura de planta, el diámetro del tallo, el diámetro del capítulo, el pesototal de aquenios, el peso de 100 aquenios, el contenido de aceite y el rendimientode aceite por planta de 4 genotipos (IN-PRA 03, ACA 884, TC 2000 y Paraíso 3) degirasol (Helianthus annuus L.), bajo 2 niveles de fertilización nitrogenada (0 y 46 kg Nha-1). La enfermedad ocasionó reducciones significativas en el diámetro del tallo (5,4%),el diámetro del capítulo (4,8%), el peso total de aquenios (11,2%), el peso de 100aquenios (7,6%) y el rendimiento de aceite por planta (12,2%). Las disminuciones enla altura de planta (1,5%) y el contenido de aceite (1%) no fueron significativas, al igualque las interacciones. La incidencia de la enfermedad fue el principal factor de dañoy se correlacionó significativamente (P< 0,01) en los estados fenológicos R8 y R8-R9, con el rendimiento de aceite por planta y los caracteres agronómicos, a excep-ción de la altura de planta y el contenido de aceite. En presencia de genotipos sus-ceptibles, las infecciones naturales de P. oleraceavar. helianthi-tuberosipueden tenerun efecto negativo sobre algunos caracteres agronómicos y reducir el rendimiento deaceite del girasol, independientemente del nivel de N en el suelo.A field experiment was conducted during the 1995/96 sunflower growing season atthe Agricultural Experimental Station of INTA (Paraná, province of Entre Ríos, Argen-tina) in order to determine the effect the natural infection caused by Phoma oleraceavar. helianthi-tuberosiSacc. on plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, acheneweight per head, 100-achene weight, oil content and oil yield of four sunflower (He-lianthus annuusL.) genotypes (IN-PRA 03, ACA 884, TC 2000 and Paraíso 3) under2 levels of nitrogen fertilization (0 and 46 kg N.ha-1). The disease caused significantreductions in stem diameter (5.4%), head diameter (4.8%), achene weight per head(11.2%), 100-achene weight (7.6%) and oil yield per plant (12.2%). Reductions ofplant height (1.5%) and oil content (1%), as well as the interactions, were non-signi-ficant. Disease incidence was the main factor of damage which was correlated (P<0.01) with oil yield per plant and with the agronomic characters, except for plant heightand oil content, in the R8 and R8-R9 growth stages. In the presence of susceptiblegenotypes, natural infections by P. oleraceavar. helianthi-tuberosimay have a nega-tive effect on some agronomic characters and reduce the sunflower oil yield, regard-less of the N level in the soil.EEA FamailláFil: Velazquez, Pablo Daniel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Formento, Angela Norma. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentin

Sustainable Retrofit of Yarra

To reach the ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2020 in Yarra, the Yarra Energy Foundation leads projects like the Total Yarra Retrofit initiative, a proposed city-wide sustainability retrofit. We examined plans for similar projects and determined a method for choosing commercial buildings on Bridge Road in Richmond to retrofit. By focusing initial efforts on large commercial properties, Yarra can help build a more sustainable future. Our formative research can be utilized by other locations aiming to do the same

Vascularization of the arteriovenous fistula wall and association with maturation outcomes

Background and objectives: The venous vasa vasorum is the mesh of microvessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the walls of large veins. Whether changes to the vasa vasorum have any effects on human arteriovenous fistula outcomes remains undetermined. In this study, we challenged the hypothesis that inadequate vascularization of the arteriovenous fistula wall is associated with maturation failure. Design, setting, participants, and measurements: This case–control pilot study includes pre-access veins and arteriovenous fistula venous samples (i.e. tissue pairs) from 30 patients undergoing two-stage arteriovenous fistula creation (15 matured and 15 failed to mature). Using anti-CD31 immunohistochemistry, we quantified vasa vasorum density and luminal area (vasa vasorum area) in the intima, media, and adventitia of pre-access veins and fistulas. We evaluated the association of pre-existing and postoperative arteriovenous fistula vascularization with maturation failure and with postoperative morphometry. Results: Vascularization of veins and arteriovenous fistulas was predominantly observed in the outer media and adventitia. Only the size of the microvasculature (vasa vasorum area), but not the number of vessels (vasa vasorum density), increased after arteriovenous fistula creation in the adventitia (median vasa vasorum area 1366 µm2/mm2 (interquartile range 495–2582) in veins versus 3077 µm2/mm2 (1812–5323) in arteriovenous fistulas, p < 0.001), while no changes were observed in the intima and media. Postoperative intimal thickness correlated with lower vascularization of the media ( r 0.53, p = 0.003 for vasa vasorum density and r 0.37, p = 0.045 for vasa vasorum area). However, there were no significant differences in pre-existing, postoperative, or longitudinal change in vascularization between arteriovenous fistulas with distinct maturation outcomes. Conclusion: The lack of change in intimal and medial vascularization after arteriovenous fistula creation argues against higher oxygen demand in the inner walls of the fistula during the vein to arteriovenous fistula transformation. Postoperative intimal hyperplasia in the arteriovenous fistula wall appears to thrive under hypoxic conditions. Vasa vasorum density and area by themselves are not predictive of maturation outcomes