Inhibition of Arabidopsis stomatal advancement through plastoquinone oxidation
Real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) left amygdala (LA) training is a promising intervention for major depressive disorder (MDD). We have previously proposed that rtfMRI-nf LA training may reverse depression-associated regional impairments in neuroplasticity and restore information flow within emotion-regulating neural circuits. Inflammatory cytokines as well as the neuroactive metabolites of an immunoregulatory pathway, i.e. the kynurenine pathway (KP), have previously been implicated in neuroplasticity. Therefore, in this proof-of-principle study, we investigated the association between rtfMRI-nf LA training and circulating inflammatory mediators and KP metabolites. Based on our previous work, the primary variable of interest was the ratio of the NMDA-receptor antagonist, kynurenic acid to the NMDA receptor agonist, quinolinic acid (KynA/QA), a putative neuroprotective index. We tested two main hypotheses. i. Whether rtfMRI-nf acutely modulates KynA/QA, and ii. whether baseline KynA/QA predicts responsewhether the increase in KynA/3HK and KynA/QA is specific to rtfMRI-nf or whether it is a non-specific correlate of the resolution of depressive symptoms. Similarly, replication studies are needed to determine whether KynA/QA has clinical utility as a treatment response biomarker.
About 10-15% children develop frequent acute otitis media (AOM) confirmed by tympanocentesis. These children are designated sOP (stringently defined otitis-prone) because all AOM episodes have been microbiologically confirmed. The cause of otitis-proneness in sOP children is multi-factorial, including frequent otopathogen nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization and deficiency in innate and adaptive immune responses. A largely unexplored contributor to otitis proneness is NP microbiome composition. Since the microbiome modulates otopathogen NP colonization and immune responses, we hypothesized that the NP microbiome composition in sOP children might be dysregulated.
We performed 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze microbiome composition in 157 NP samples from 28 sOP and 68 AOM-free children when they were 6 months or 12 months old and healthy. Bioinformatic approaches were employed to examine the composition difference between the two populations and its correlation with changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines.
A different global microbiome profile and reduced alpha diversity was observed in the NP microbiome of sOP children when 6 months old, compared with that from AOM-free children of the same age. This difference was resolved when groups were compared at 12 months old. We found 4 bacterial genera-Bacillus, Veillonella, Gemella, and Prevotella-correlated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the NP. Those 4 bacterial genera were in lower abundance in sOP compared to AOM-free children.
Dysbiosis occurs in the NP microbiome of sOP children at an early age even when they were healthy. This dysbiosis correlates with a lower inflammatory state in the NP of these children.
Dysbiosis occurs in the NP microbiome of sOP children at an early age even when they were healthy. This dysbiosis correlates with a lower inflammatory state in the NP of these children.Paneth-like cells (PLCs) are different from Paneth cells (PCs) and contain Paneth-like granules, which have been reported in non-neoplastic conditions and in neoplasms of various organs. PLCs have been reported in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), but not in non-CCRCC, including acquired cystic disease-associated renal cell carcinoma (ACD-RCC). We analyzed clinicopathological features of 24 acquired cystic disease-associated renal cell carcinoma (ACD-RCC) with PLCs (ACD-RCCP+) and compared with those of 23 ACD-RCCs without PLCs (ACD-RCCP-). Approximately half of ACD-RCCs had PLCs and that almost all kidneys harboring ACD-RCC had cysts with PLCs. read more The fact that many ACD-RCCs and the cysts had PLCs is further evidence that the cyst with vacuoles and complex architecture might be a precursor lesion for ACD-RCC. The presence of PLCs may provide additional morphologic clue for distinguishing ACD-RCC from PRCC in challenging differential diagnostic workup in acquired cystic disease of the kidney setting.Two cases of primary intrapulmonary hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes are presented. The patients are one woman and one man ages 37 and 42 years respectively. Both patients presented with non-specific symptoms of cough, dyspnea, and chest pain. Imaging revealed the presence of an intrapulmonary mass. One tumor was located in the left lower lobe while the other tumor was in the right upper lobe. Both patients underwent lobectomy. The tumors ranged from 2.4 to 3.0 cm in greatest dimension and were characterized by the presence of a bland spindle cell proliferation with areas of hyalinization and the presence of the so-called giant rosettes. Immunohistochemical stains were performed and the spindle cell component show positive staining for vimentin and negative staining for Bcl-2, CD34, STAT6, p40. Keratin immunohistochemical stain highlighted the entrapped alveolar epithelium while S-100 protein showed weak focal staining in the spindle cells. Both patients have remained alive and well without evidence of recurrence or metastasis for a period of 6 to 14 months post-surgical resection. The cases herein presented highlight the ubiquitous distribution of this tumor and underscores the importance of keeping this particular tumor in the differential diagnosis of spindle cell tumors of the lung.
and purpose Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used among cancer patients. It is unclear whether and how far patients adapt CAM to the treatment situation. The objective is to assess the changes of CAM use between radiotherapy for breast cancer and the follow-up.
107 patients who participated in a study assessing the possible effects of vitamin D and selenium on radiation-induced skin toxicity completed the CAM-PRIO (Working Group for Prevention and Integrative Oncology of the German Cancer Society) questionnaire during and after radiotherapy. The results were compared.
Overall, 79.8% of the patients used at least one CAM method. Supplementation with vitamin D (49.4%) and selenium (28.7%) and prayer (37.1%) were the methods most used. After completing radiotherapy, many patients started using selenium, vitamin D, relaxation techniques, and yoga to a greater extent. Prior chemotherapy or concurrent endocrine treatments were not associated with the changes in CAM use.
CAM use is mainly reported to be a static phenomenon.