Although the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway has been prior investigated for its prometastatic and immuno- suppressive roles in the tumor microenvironment, evidence on the spatiotemporal regulation of these hallmarks has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate that CXCL12 forms a gradient specifically around cancer cell intravasation doorways, also known as Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis (TMEM) doorways, thus facilitating the chemotactic translocation of prometastatic tumor cells expressing CXCR4 toward the perivascular TMEM doorways for subsequent entry into peripheral circulation. Fur- thermore, we demonstrate that the CXCL12-rich micro-environment around TMEM doorways may cre- ate immunosuppressive niches, whereby CD8 T cells, despite being attracted to these regions, often exhibit reduced effector functions, limiting their efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe synthesis and structural characterization of four novel supramolecular hydrogen-bonded arrangements based on self-assembly from molecular `[Cu(2,2'-biimidazole)]' modules and malonate anions are presented, namely, tetrakis(2,2'-biimidazole)di-μ-chlorido-dimalonatotricopper(II) pentahydrate, [Cu(CHO)Cl(CHN)]·5HO or [Cu(Hbiim)(μ-Cl)Cu(mal)]·5HO, aqua(2,2'-biimidazole)malonatocopper(II) dihydrate, [Cu(CHO)(CHN)(HO)]·2HO or [Cu(Hbiim)(mal)(HO)]·2HO, bis[aquabis(2,2'-biimidazole)copper(II)] dimalonatodiperchloratocopper(II) 2.2-hydrate, [Cu(CHN)(HO)][Cu(CHO)(ClO)]·2.2HO or [Cu(Hbiim)(HO)][Cu(mal)(ClO)]·2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHydrophilic functionalized carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) were developed via hydrothermal glucose-coated carbonization, mixing MWCNTs with glucose in different weight ratios. Methyl violet (MV), methylene blue (MB), alizarin yellow (AY), and methyl orange (MO) were used as dye models for adsorption studies. Comparative dye adsorption capacity onto the pristine (MWCNT-raw) and functionalized (MWCNT-COOH-11) CNTs was evaluated in aqueous solution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is increasingly recognized as a cause of heart failure in the elderly. Although wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis is the most frequent form of ATTR-CM found in the elderly, hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) can also occur. We sought to determine the prevalence of ATTRv among elderly ATTR-CM patients, identify predictors of ATTRv and evaluate the clinical consequences of positive genetic testing in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction And Objectives: Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is the only technique able to establish an etiological diagnosis of myocarditis or inflammatory cardiomyopathy (ICM). The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical profile, outcomes, and prognostic factors of patients with suspected myocarditis/ICM undergoing EMB.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, histological findings, and follow-up data of all patients with suspected myocarditis or ICM who underwent EMB between 1997 and 2019 in a Spanish tertiary hospital.
Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its complications in many countries, including Iran. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of a community-based HCV model of care on HCV testing and treatment initiation among PWID in Kerman, Iran.
Methods: This study is part of the Rostam study and is a non-randomized trial evaluating the effect of on-site HCV- antibody rapid testing, venipuncture for HCV RNA testing, and treatment eligibility assessment on HCV testing and treatment initiation among PWID.
Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy type 5 (ARVC5) is an inherited cardiac disease with complete penetrance and an aggressive clinical course caused by mutations in (transmembrane protein 43). There is no cure for ARVC5 and palliative treatment is started once the phenotype is present. A transgenic mouse model of ARVC5 expressing human TMEM43-S358L (TMEM43mut) recapitulates the human disease, enabling the exploration of preventive treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The lack of robust estimates of HIV/HCV incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran calls for well-designed prospective cohort studies. Successful recruitment and follow-up of PWID in cohort studies may require formative assessment of barriers PWID are faced with in participation and retention in cohort studies and factors they think may facilitate their engagement in such studies. Using a focus group discussion (FGD) format, we conducted a consultation with PWID in southeast Iran to recognize those barriers and motivators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is common and rising among young persons who inject drugs (PWID). Reducing the level of viremia may be an intervention, yet the impact of viremia on HCV transmission is unknown.
Methods: We conducted a prospective study of injecting partnerships (Partner Study) of young adult (age < 30 years) PWID within the UFO Study, which enrolled those at risk for HCV or with seronegative viremic infection and up to 3 HCV RNA-positive regular injecting partners.
Objective: To understand the number of young adult people who inject drugs (PWID) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection accessing direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment and their barriers and facilitators to treatment uptake.
Methods: Using prospective cohort data from young adult PWID in San Francisco with newly identified HCV infection, we calculated the number who: (i) accepted referral to DAA therapy, (ii) initiated DAA therapy, (iii) completed DAA therapy, and (iv) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) or cure. Behavioral survey data identified possible barriers and facilitators to DAA therapy.
Background: Cardiovascular complications can occur in up to 80% of adolescent patients with eating disorders (ED) and account for 30% of their mortality.
Aim: To evaluate cardiovascular complications in adolescents with ED and their evolution after refeeding.
Patients And Methods: In adolescents with ED admitted to treatment, we assessed the nutritional status, weight loss prior to consultation, presence of bradycardia (BC, defined as heart rate < 60 bpm), we performed an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiography and measured thyroid hormones.
Purpose: A cornerstone of the Title X program is guaranteed access to confidential family planning services regardless of patients' ability to pay. This is particularly important for adolescents and young adults. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health insurance access for thousands of individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe crystal engineering of hydrogen bonded organic assemblies based on 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (H4bta) and stilbazole derivatives (1-10) is exploited to provide regio-controlled [2 + 2] photocycloadditions in the solid state. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses have revealed that all the arrays are built-up from the self-assembly of the (H2bta)2- dianion with two stilbazolium cations via O-HO- and N+-HO- charge-assisted H-bonding synthons: (4-Hstilbazolium+)2(H2bta2-). The dianion displays an interesting diversity of H-bonding motifs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the determinants of subjecti ve well-being and happiness. In that context, life satisfaction is one of the measures used to assess subjective well-being, with emphasis in adult population.
Objective: Adapt and validate (cultu rally and linguistically) the Canadian "Satisfaction with Life adapted for Children" (SWLS-C) in Chilean adolescents, in order to assess their global judgement about their own lives.
Background: To date, research applying the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) has been limited to sexual risk behaviors.
Objective: We measured levels of sexual relationship power and examined associations between sexual relationship power and injecting and sexual behaviors that place women at increased risk for blood borne infections.
Methods: Using data from a cross-sectional study of young women who inject drugs (WWID) in San Francisco, USA, logistic regression analysis identified independent associations between SRPS and subscale scores (relationship control [RC] and decision making dominance [DMD]) and injecting and sexual behaviors.
We measured HIV incidence rate, trend and risk factors in 564 HIV-negative young people (< 30 years) who inject drugs (PWID) in San Francisco between 2000 and 2014. HIV incidence was 0.93/100 person-years (PY; 95% CI 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Resistance to insecticides through one or several mechanisms has a cost for an insect in various parameters of its biological cycle. The present study evaluated the effect of deltamethrin on detoxifying enzymes and biological parameters in a population of Aedes aegypti selected for 15 generations. The enzyme activities of alpha- and beta-esterases, mixed-function oxidases and glutathione-S-transferases were determined during selection, along with biological parameters.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To determine the association between multiple drug use and nonfatal overdose among young people (younger than 30 years) who inject drugs.
Methods: We completed a longitudinal study of 173 injection drug users younger than 30 years living in San Francisco, California, between April 2012 and February 2014.
Results: The odds of nonfatal overdose increased significantly as heroin and benzodiazepine pill-taking days increased and when alcohol consumption exceeded 10 drinks per day compared with 0 drinks per day.
In this study, we investigated the role of adducts formation between aminochrome and tubulin and its interference in microtubules assembly and stability in aminochrome-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. We also investigated whether changes in the microtubules structures are an early event that could affect tubulin expression. We demonstrated in vitro that aminochrome tubulin adducts inhibit tubulin polymerization and that aminochrome induces microtubules disassembly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIt was reported that aminochrome induces the formation of alpha synuclein (SNCA) oligomers during dopamine oxidation. We found that DT-diaphorase (NQO1) prevents the formation of SNCA oligomers in the presence of aminochrome determined by Western blot, transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism, and thioflavin T fluorescence, suggesting a protective role of NQO1 by preventing the formation of SNCA oligomers in dopaminergic neurons. In order to test NQO1 protective role in SNCA neurotoxicity in cellular model, we overexpressed SNCA in both RCSN-3 cells (wild-type) and RCSN-3Nq7 cells, which have constitutive expression of a siRNA against NQO1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: It is increasingly recognized that the risk for HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID), such as syringe sharing, occurs in the context of relationships between (at least) two people. Evidence suggests that the risk associated with injection behavior varies with injection partner types.
Methods: We utilized longitudinal dyad-level data from a study of young PWID from San Francisco (2006 to 2013) to investigate the relationship-level factors influencing high-risk injecting within HCV-serodiscordant injection partners (i.
Background: Despite potential applications for improving health services using GPS technology, little is known about ethical concerns, acceptability, and logistical barriers for their use, particularly among marginalized groups.
Objectives: We garnered the insights of people who inject drug (PWID) in San Francisco on these topics.
Methods: PWID were enrolled through street-outreach (n=20) and an ongoing study (n=4) for 4 focus group discussions.
Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at highest risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, yet many remain unaware of their infection status. New anti-HCV rapid testing has high potential to impact this.
Methods: Young adult (<30 years) active PWID were offered either the rapid OraQuick® or standard anti-HCV test involving phlebotomy, then asked to complete a short questionnaire about testing perceptions and preferences.