Cross-platform comparison of immune-related gene expression to assess intratumor immune responses following cancer immunotherapy.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy can induce immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Gene expression can be used to assess responses with limited amounts of conventionally-fixed patient-derived samples. We aim to assess the cross-platform concordance of immune-related gene expression data.

Phase I study of ABBV-428, a mesothelin-CD40 bispecific, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Background: CD40 agonist immunotherapy can potentially license antigen-presenting cells to promote antitumor T-cell activation and re-educate macrophages to destroy tumor stroma. Systemic administration of CD40 agonists has historically been associated with considerable toxicity, providing the rationale for development of tumor-targeted immunomodulators to improve clinical safety and efficacy. This phase I study assessed the safety, tolerability, preliminary antitumor activity, and preliminary biomarkers of ABBV-428, a first-in-class, mesothelin-targeted, bispecific antibody designed for tumor microenvironment-dependent CD40 activation with limited systemic toxicity.

Rapamycin as a potential treatment for succinate dehydrogenase deficiency.

is a powerful model to study mitochondrial respiratory chain defects, particularly succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) deficiency. Mutations in genes cause degenerative disorders and often lead to death. Therapies for such pathologies are based on a combination of vitamins and dietary supplements, and are rarely effective.

Mutagenesis of GPR139 reveals ways to create gain or loss of function receptors.

GPR139 is a Gq-coupled receptor activated by the essential amino acids L-tryptophan (L-Trp) and L-phenylalanine (L-Phe). We carried out mutagenesis studies of the human GPR139 receptor to identify the critical structural motifs required for GPR139 activation. We applied site-directed and high throughput random mutagenesis approaches using a double addition normalization strategy to identify novel GPR139 sequences coding receptors that have altered sensitivity to endogenous ligands.

Gambling Behaviour, Problem Gambling and Reasons for Gambling Among International Students in Tasmania, Australia.

Individuals who undertake tertiary study outside their home countries ("international students") may be at increased risk of problem gambling behaviour. To inform this issue, we examined gambling behaviour, problem gambling behaviour and reasons for gambling among international students, primarily from Asian countries, attending university in Tasmania, Australia. Online surveys that included established measures of each outcome were completed by these students (n = 382) along with a comparison group of domestic students (n = 1013).

Health and Well-Being of International University Students, and Comparison with Domestic Students, in Tasmania, Australia.

International students comprise an increasingly larger proportion of higher education students globally. Empirical evidence about the health and well-being of these students is, however, limited. We sought to examine the health and well-being of international students, primarily from Asian countries, attending the University of Tasmania, Australia, using domestic students as a comparison group.

Overexpression of CYB5R3 and NQO1, two NAD -producing enzymes, mimics aspects of caloric restriction.

Calorie restriction (CR) is one of the most robust means to improve health and survival in model organisms. CR imposes a metabolic program that leads to increased stress resistance and delayed onset of chronic diseases, including cancer. In rodents, CR induces the upregulation of two NADH-dehydrogenases, namely NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and cytochrome b reductase 3 (Cyb5r3), which provide electrons for energy metabolism.

Chlamydia trachomatis regulates growth and development in response to host cell fatty acid availability in the absence of lipid droplets.

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular pathogen of humans that causes significant morbidity from sexually transmitted and ocular diseases globally. Ct acquires host fatty acids (FA) to meet the metabolic and growth requirements of the organism. Lipid droplets (LDs) are storehouses of FAs in host cells and have been proposed to be a source of FAs for the parasitophorous vacuole, termed inclusion, in which Ct replicates.

"Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in subclinical and clinical stages, role of inflammation for risk prediction and potential treatment targets, and management strategies".

Stroke and dementia are the most common neurological disorders worldwide. Cerebrovascular disease, particularly cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is implicated in both, and the two main types of CSVD (hypertensive vasculopathy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy) account for the majority of cerebrovascular contributions to stroke and dementia. Current knowledge of CSVD may influence treatment decisions and preventive efforts.

Rapamycin reduces longevity under low nutrition.

Rapamycin treatment is considered a pharmacological intervention with the potential to mimic the longevity benefits of dietary manipulations. However, how rapamycin interacts with nutrition is not fully understood. Here we studied the effect of rapamycin on the longevity of Drosophila under a range of dietary conditions.