An immunoinformatics assessment of the cancer testis antigen, DDX53, as a potential early esophageal cancer antigen.

T-lymphocytes have been implicated in facilitating a pro-inflammatory, pro-tumorigenic microenvironment that worsens prognosis for esophageal carcinoma (ESCA). In this study, we identified tumor resident, T-cell receptor (TCR) complementarity determining region-3 (CDR3) amino acid sequences and employed an algorithm particularly suited to the big data setting to evaluate TCR CDR3-cancer testis antigen (CTA) chemical complementarities. Chemical complementarity of the ESCA TCR CDR3s and the cancer testis antigen DDX53 represented a disease-free survival (DFS) distinction, whereby the upper fiftieth percentile complementarity group correlated with worse DFS.

Combined Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy and Cesarean Delivery in BRCA1/2 Alteration Carriers : A Case Series.

Background: The cumulative lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 16-68% and 11-30% in female BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene alteration carriers, respectively. Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is the only proven way to reduce ovarian cancer mortality. We report a series of patients who underwent risk-reducing surgery at the time of planned obstetric-indicated cesarean delivery.

Surgical Management of the Axilla in HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer in the Z1071 Era: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Background: Axillary management varies between sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for patients with clinical N1 (cN1), hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu-negative (HER2-), infiltrative ductal carcinoma (IDC) who achieve a complete clinical response (cCR) to neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST). This study sought to evaluate clinical practice patterns and survival outcomes of SLNB versus ALND in this patient subset.

Methods: Patients with cN1, HR+/HER2-, unilateral IDC demonstrating a cCR to NAST were identified from the 2012-2017 National Cancer Database (NCDB) and stratified based on final axillary surgery management (SLNB vs ALND).

TRB CDR3-cancer testis antigen chemical complementarity scoring for identifying productive immune responses in renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Immunogenomics approaches to the characterization of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have helped to better our understanding of the features of RCC immune dysfunction. However, much is still unknown with regard to specific immune interactions and their impact in the tumor microenvironment.

Objective: This study applied chemical complementarity scoring for the TRB complementarity determining region-3 (CDR3) amino acid sequences and cancer testis antigens (CTAs) to determine whether such complementarity correlated with survival and the expression of immune marker genes.

Exploiting big data survival information to unify risk-stratification related, adaptive immune receptor parameters for multiple myeloma.

With the improvement of treatment options, multiple myeloma related life expectancy has been prolonged, but the disease remains largely incurable. Immunotherapy is a growing field that shows promise in advancements for treatment, and recent work has demonstrated an opportunity to use immune receptor, complementarity determining region-3 (CDR3)-candidate antigen chemical complementarity scores to identify survival distinctions among subgroups of patients. Here, we have applied the complementarity scoring algorithm to identify multiple myeloma related, CDR3-cancer testis antigen (CTA) relationships associated with survival distinctions.

Rapid prototyping for quantifying belief weights of competing hypotheses about emergent diseases.

Emerging diseases can have devastating consequences for wildlife and require a rapid response. A critical first step towards developing appropriate management is identifying the etiology of the disease, which can be difficult to determine, particularly early in emergence. Gathering and synthesizing existing information about potential disease causes, by leveraging expert knowledge or relevant existing studies, provides a principled approach to quickly inform decision-making and management efforts.

TCR gene segment usage and HLA alleles that are associated with cancer survival rates also represent racial disparities.

Understanding racial disparities in cancer outcomes continues to be a challenge, with likely many factors at play, including socioeconomic factors and genetic polymorphisms impacting basic cellular and molecular functions. Additionally, it is possible that specific combinations of environment and genetics have specific impacts. T-cell receptor (TCR) gene segment usage, HLA allele combinations have been associated with autoimmune and infectious disease courses, and more recently, TCR gene segment usage, HLA allele combinations have been associated with distinct survival outcomes in cancer as well.

TCR CDR3-antigen chemical complementarity associated with poor ovarian cancer outcomes: A vestigial immune response to early cancer antigens?

Ovarian cancer continues to present significant challenges for early detection and treatment, indicating a need for novel approaches to improve disease outcomes. In this report, we applied a previously described algorithm for detecting chemical complementarity between candidate cancer antigens and complementarity determining region-3 (CDR3) amino acid sequences from tumor resident T-cell receptors. Current literature indicates an association between high CDR3-cancer antigen complementarity and improved survival outcomes.

Delineation of a T-cell receptor CDR3-cancer mutanome aromaticity factor, assessable via blood samples, that facilitates the establishment of survival distinctions in bladder cancer.

Purpose: A very large and still expanding collection of adaptive immune receptor (IR) recombination reads, representing many diseases, is becoming available for downstream analyses. Among the most productive approaches has been to establish risk stratification parameters via the chemical features of the IR complementarity determining region-3 (CDR3) amino acid (AA) sequences, particularly for large datasets where clinical information is available. Because the IR CDR3 AA sequences often play a large role in antigen binding, the chemistry of these AAs has the likelihood of representing a disease-related fingerprint as well as providing pre-screening information for candidate antigens.

Comparison of the host response to larvicidal and nonlarvicidal treatment of naturally acquired cyathostomin infections in horses.

This study aimed to collect information on local and systemic inflammatory responses, and goblet cell-associated components, following anthelmintic treatment with moxidectin and ivermectin in horses naturally infected with cyathostomin parasites. Thirty-six horses aged 2-5 years of age were randomly allocated to three groups. Group 1 received ivermectin/praziquantel (0.

CNV assessments associated with outcome distinctions for adult and pediatric cancers: Loss of BRCA1 in neuroblastoma associates with a lower survival probability.

DNA copy number variations (CNV) are common in cancer development, however, CNV detection approaches that include assessments of small CNVs, for example, due to locally misaligned sister chromatid exchanges, have not been substantially applied. Using such approaches, CNVs have been detected, in the cancer setting, for regulatory elements common to both proliferation and apoptosis effector genes, but no linkage has yet been made to cancer patient clinical data. Thus, we hypothesized that copy number losses, including local copy number losses, of specific apoptosis effector genes would be associated with reduced survival.

Seasonal Insulin Responses to the Oral Sugar Test in Healthy and Insulin Dysregulated Horses.

Seasonal effects on the oral sugar test (OST), used to monitor insulin dysregulation (ID) status to help reduce laminitis risk, are poorly understood in the ID horse. Resting, (basal) insulin (T0) and 60-minute (T60) OST (0.15 mL/Kg BW Karo Light Corn Syrup) insulin responses were evaluated, once per each season over 2 years, in ID (n = 11 14.

Surgical Management of Axilla of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in the Z1071 Era: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Background: The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients who present with clinical N1 (cN1) disease and undergo complete clinical response (cCR) to neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) remains unclear. We aimed to study the outcomes of SLNB versus axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in this setting.

Patients And Methods: Patients with cN1 TNBC who showed cCR to NAST were selected from the National Cancer Database (NCDB), and propensity score matched 1:1 between SLNB and ALND in all-comers, ypN0, and ypN1 subgroups.

Short-term transport stress and supplementation alter immune function in aged horses.

Long-distance transport is associated with stress-related changes in equine immune function, and shipping-associated illnesses are often reported. Horses are frequently transported short distances, yet the effects of short-term transport on immune function remain largely unknown. Twelve horses, aged 15-30 yr, were assigned to either the control (n = 6) or treatment (n = 6) groups; treatment horses received a daily antioxidant supplement 3 weeks before and after transport.

Effects of Cannabidiol on the In Vitro Lymphocyte Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production of Senior Horses.

Cannabis sativa L. contains cannabidiol (CBD), a compound that has many anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, 99.

Postprandial insulin responses to various feedstuffs differ in insulin dysregulated horses compared with non-insulin dysregulated controls.

Background: Controlling postprandial hyperinsulinaemia is important in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses to reduce the risk of laminitis.

Objectives: To evaluate postprandial insulin responses of ID versus non-insulin dysregulated (NID) horses to feedstuffs varying in nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and crude protein (CP).

Study Design: Randomised crossover.

Expression of select mRNA in Thoroughbreds with catastrophic racing injuries.

Background: The ability to identify horses at risk for catastrophic injuries continues to be a pressing issue for the racing industry, especially given recent events in North America.

Objectives: Since most catastrophic injuries occur in areas of existing pathology and this pathology is likely to elicit an inflammatory response, it was hypothesised that analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression would detect significant changes in select genes in horses at risk for a catastrophic injury.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Effects of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and Prascend (pergolide tablets) treatment on endocrine and immune function in horses.

It remains unclear how pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and pergolide treatment (Prascend [pergolide tablets]) affect endocrine and immune function in horses. To evaluate these effects, blood was collected regularly from 28 university-owned horses (10 Non-PPID, 9 PPID control [PC], and 9 PPID treatment [PT]) over approximately 15 mo. Pergolide treatment was initiated after Day 0 collections.

Alterations of peripheral gene expression in response to lipopolysaccharide-induced synovitis as a model for inflammation in horses.

While the use of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation has been well described in the horse, the object of this study was to evaluate the effect of repeated intra-articular LPS injections and determine whether this method may be of use to assess changes in gene expression related to inflammation. Six mixed breed horses were utilized for this study, with three horses aged 10-17 years (older group) and three horses aged 3 years (younger group). One milliliter of phosphate-buffered saline containing 3 μg of LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 was aseptically injected into either the radiocarpal or front fetlock joint a total of four times, with at least two weeks between each injection and a different joint injected each time.

Effects of advanced age and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction on components of the acute phase reaction in horses.

Age, neurodegenerative disorders, and dysfunction of insulin secretion may be correlated with increased systemic concentrations of acute phase markers. Thus, the study aimed to determine the effect of age, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and insulin dysregulation (ID) associated with PPID, on markers of the acute phase reaction. Twenty-nine mix-breed horses of both sexes were classified into groups: (1) healthy adult controls, (2) healthy non-PPID geriatric horses, (3) PPID ID+ horses, and (4) PPID ID- horses.

Effects of equine metabolic syndrome on inflammation and acute-phase markers in horses.

Obesity and metabolic disorders are associated with systemic low-grade chronic inflammation, both in humans and animals. The aim of the study is to assess the effects of obesity and hyperinsulinemia on individual components of the acute-phase reaction in equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) horses. Eight mixed-breed EMS and six control, age-matched horses of both sexes were included in the study.

Cytokine and goblet cell gene expression in equine cyathostomin infection and larvicidal anthelmintic therapy.

Aims: The role of the immune response to cyathostomin infections in horses remains unknown. Intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia has previously been noted as a component in cyathostomin infection; however, the function is unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the local and systemic gene expression to cyathostomin infections following larvicidal treatment and explore their relation to goblet cells.

Relationships of inflamm-aging with circulating nutrient levels, body composition, age, and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in a senior horse population.

Similarly to aged humans, senior horses (≥20 years) exhibit chronic low-grade inflammation systemically, known as inflamm-aging. Inflamm-aging in the senior horse has been characterized by increased circulating inflammatory cytokines as well as increased inflammatory cytokine production by lymphocytes and monocytes in response to a mitogen. Little is currently known regarding underlying causes of inflamm-aging.