BTK inhibition potentiates anti-PD-L1 treatment in murine melanoma: potential role for MDSC modulation in immunotherapy.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) have been linked to loss of immune effector cell function through a variety of mechanisms such as the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and the production of inhibitory cytokines. Our group has shown that signaling through Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is important for MDSC function. Ibrutinib is an orally administered targeted agent that inhibits BTK activation and is currently used for the treatment of B cell malignancies.

Dietary anions control potassium excretion: it is more than a poorly absorbable anion effect.

The urinary potassium (K) excretion machinery is upregulated with increasing dietary K, but the role of accompanying dietary anions remains inadequately characterized. Poorly absorbable anions, including [Formula: see text], are thought to increase K secretion through a transepithelial voltage effect. Here, we tested if they also influence the K secretion machinery.

Histological and histochemical characteristics of the esophagus in local breed donkey ().

Objective: Certain advantages of donkeys are still not listed as for other equine species. Moreover, donkeys lack comprehensive scientific studies. The present study examines the histological architecture and histochemical characteristics of the esophagus in the Iraqi local breed donkey ().

Pendrin abundance, subcellular distribution, and function are unaffected by either αENaC gene ablation or by increasing ENaC channel activity.

The intercalated cell Cl/HCO exchanger, pendrin, modulates ENaC subunit abundance and function. Whether ENaC modulates pendrin abundance and function is however unknown. Because αENaC mRNA has been detected in pendrin-positive intercalated cells, we hypothesized that ENaC, or more specifically the αENaC subunit, modulates intercalated cell function.

Effect of Immune Checkpoint Blockade on Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Populations in Patients With Melanoma.

Introduction: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a subset of immature myeloid cells that inhibit anti-tumor immunity and contribute to immune therapy resistance. MDSC populations were measured in melanoma patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Methods: Patients with melanoma (n=128) provided blood samples at baseline (BL), and before cycles 2 and 3 (BC2, BC3).

Changing Demographics of NIDDK-Funded Physician-Scientists Doing Kidney Research.

Background And Objectives: Although US physician-scientists have made enormous contributions to biomedical research, this workforce is thought to be getting smaller. However, among kidney researchers, changes have not been fully quantified.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We mined National Institutes of Health RePORTER to explore demographic changes of early-career and established physician and nonphysician principal investigators doing kidney-focused research.

Histological assessment of the efficiency of rabbit serum in healing skin wounds.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of rabbit serum on skin wound healing with the help of histological examination.

Materials And Methods: A total of ten indigenous rabbits were used in this study. The animals were divided into two groups: control and serum- treated.

An IL-15-based superagonist ALT-803 enhances the NK cell response to cetuximab-treated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in greater than 90% of patient tumors. Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to EGFR and can activate immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, that express receptors for the Fc (constant region) of immunoglobulin G. IL-15 (interleukin-15) is a critical factor for the development, proliferation and activation of effector NK cells.

Nitric Oxide Production by Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Plays a Role in Impairing Fc Receptor-Mediated Natural Killer Cell Function.

mAbs are used to treat solid and hematologic malignancies and work in part through Fc receptors (FcRs) on natural killer cells (NK). However, FcR-mediated functions of NK cells from patients with cancer are significantly impaired. Identifying the mechanisms of this dysfunction and impaired response to mAb therapy could lead to combination therapies and enhance mAb therapy.

Targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells using a novel adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of early myeloid cells that accumulate in the blood and tumors of patients with cancer. MDSC play a critical role during tumor evasion and promote immune suppression through variety of mechanisms, such as the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) and cytokines. AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that regulates energy homeostasis and metabolic stress.

Self-efficacy improves weight loss in overweight/obese postmenopausal women during a 6-month weight loss intervention.

The objective was to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and subsequent weight loss during a 6-month weight loss intervention in 90 white early postmenopausal healthy women. We hypothesized that participants with higher self-efficacy scores, either at baseline or follow-up, would lose more weight than those with lower scores. Each participant received a balanced meal plan with reduced energy intake.

Effects of resistance training and chiropractic treatment in women with fibromyalgia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate resistance training (RES) and RES combined with chiropractic treatment (RES-C) on fibromyalgia (FM) impact and functionality in women with FM.

Design: The design of the study was a randomized control trial.

Setting: Testing and training were completed at the university and chiropractic treatment was completed at chiropractic clinics.

The freshman weight gain phenomenon revisited.

Earlier studies associated the first year of college with a dramatic increase in body weight, termed the "freshman 15". However, recent studies showed that weight gain might be smaller. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the extent of observed weight/body composition changes, including factors associated with them, among students entering university.

Evaluation of a school-based teen obesity prevention minimal intervention.

Objective: A school-based nutrition education minimal intervention (MI) was evaluated.

Design: The design was experimental, with random assignment at the school level.

Setting: Seven schools were randomly assigned as experimental, and 7 as delayed-treatment.

Body mass index and percentage body fat as health indicators for young adults.

Objectives: To investigate the validity of an axiom that body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF), above an ideal, are health risk factors.

Methods: Participants were 2615 volunteers who participated in a health-screening program conducted in college residence halls over a consecutive 8-year period.

Results: Nearly half of all participants were misclassified when BMI and/or %BF were used to define better versus poorer health whether analyzing all variables together, by individual factor, or by type of variable.

Loss-framed minimal intervention increases mammography use.

Introduction: Although mammography is the most effective early detection breast cancer screening technology available, it is underutilized. This study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a loss-framed minimal intervention to increase mammography use. Loss-frame refers to a communication strategy in which messages are framed from the perspective of what a person has to lose by not taking a particular behavioral action.

Nutrition education intervention for college female athletes.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a nutrition education intervention for college female athletes to improve nutrition knowledge, build self-efficacy with respect to making healthful dietary choices, and improve dietary intake.

Design: A pretest-posttest control group design was implemented.

Participants: A women's soccer team (n =15) and a women's swim team (n = 15) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, respectively.

Physiologic Screening Test for Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating Among Female Collegiate Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a physiologic screening test specifically designed for collegiate female athletes engaged in athletic competition or highly athletic performances in order to detect eating disorders/disordered eating. No such physiologically based test currently exists. METHODS: Subjects included 148 (84.

Nutrition education worksite intervention for university staff: application of the health belief model.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an 8-week worksite nutrition education intervention for university staff using the Health Belief Model (HBM) to promote healthful dietary behaviors that reduce risks for cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Design: 2 3 2 repeated measures baseline/posttest ex post facto research design.

Participants: Staff employees were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 28) and control groups (n = 25).

Evaluation of a "loss-framed" minimal intervention to increase mammography utilization among medically un- and under-insured women.

This study was conducted because mammography is under-utilized, even though it is the most effective early detection screening device for breast cancer. A loss-framed telephonic message based on prospect theory was evaluated for the effects on mammography utilization among medically un- and under-insured women living in demographically similar rural counties in Florida. The sample consisted mostly of White women (approximately 89%) 50-64 years old.

Levels of cigarette and alcohol use related to eating-disorder attitudes.

Objective: To examine levels of cigarette and alcohol use relative to body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness in 206 black and white college women.

Method: Anonymous, paper-and-pencil, self-report questionnaires were administered.

Results: Frequency of both cigarette and alcohol use were significantly and linearly related to body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness.

Racial differences in eating disorder attitudes, cigarette, and alcohol use.

Objective: To compare eating disorder attitudes, cigarette, and alcohol use between black and white college women.

Method: Four validated, self-report questionnaires were administered.

Results: Black women reported significantly less substance use.

Bonding of resin composite to carbon dioxide laser-modified human enamel.

Objectives: Irradiation of enamel with carbon dioxide (CO2) laser energy alters physical and chemical properties of the enamel surface, and these lasers hold promise for conditioning enamel for bonding of adhesive restorations. This laboratory study examined the influence of laser irradiation parameters on the shear bond strength obtained for laser etching using a hybrid composite.

Methods: Standardized surfaces prepared on 110 non-carious intact extracted anterior teeth were exposed to CO2 laser energy (9 different laser exposure parameters) or etched with orthophosphoric acid.

Lp(a) and premature mortality during chronic hemodialysis treatment.

Lipoprotein(a) levels are approximately three to four times higher in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) when compared to controls with normal renal function (H.J. Parra, H.