Comparative analysis of Bcl-2 family protein overexpression in CAR T cells alone and in combination with BH3 mimetics.

Approximately 50% of patients with hematologic malignancies relapse after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell treatment; mechanisms of failure include loss of CAR T persistence and tumor resistance to apoptosis. We hypothesized that both of these challenges could potentially be overcome by overexpressing one or more of the Bcl-2 family proteins in CAR T cells to reduce their susceptibility to apoptosis, both alone and in the presence of BH3 mimetics, which can be used to activate apoptotic machinery in malignant cells. We comprehensively investigated overexpression of different Bcl-2 family proteins in CAR T cells with different signaling domains as well as in different tumor types.

The digiti quinti sign in hemiplegic migraine: An fMRI study.

Background And Purpose: The digiti quinti sign (DQS) consists of a wider angle between the fourth and fifth fingers (ANG) indicative of subtle hemiparesis that has been found interictally in hemiplegic migraine (HM), suggesting a permanent subtle motor dysfunction. The aim of this study was to find a possible cortical origin for the DQS using blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional (f) MRI.

Methods: Eight HM patients and 13 controls entered the cross-sectional study.

The Potential Applications of Augmented Reality in Fetoscopic Surgery for Antenatal Treatment of Myelomeningocele.

Objective: To develop a preoperative planning method using augmented reality (AR) of a specific surgical procedure: fetoscopy for myelomeningocele repair.

Methods: Imaging data were acquired of a pregnant woman at 27 weeks of gestation whose fetus was diagnosed with myelomeningocele. The patient was identified as a candidate for fetoscopic repair of the spine defect, and an AR application for mobile device simulation was developed.

Preliminary comparative study of cortical thickness in HIV-infected patients with and without working memory deficit.

Purpose: Changes in cerebral cortical regions occur in HIV-infected patients, even in those with mild neurocognitive disorders. Working memory / attention is one of the most affected cognitive domain in these patients, worsening their quality of life. Our objective was to assess whether cortical thickness differs between HIV-infected patients with and without working memory deficit.

A broad-spectrum beta-lactam-sparing stewardship program in a middle-income country public hospital: antibiotic use and expenditure outcomes and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programs are an efficient way to reduce inappropriate use of antimicrobials and costs; however, supporting data are scarce in middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibiotic use, bacterial susceptibility profiles, and the economic impact following implementation of a broad-spectrum beta-lactam-sparing antimicrobial stewardship program.

Methods: An interrupted time-series analysis was performed to evaluate antibiotic use and expenditure over a 24-month period (12 months before the antimicrobial stewardship program and in the 12 months after implementation of the antimicrobial stewardship program).

Vernonia condensata Baker (Asteraceae): a promising source of antioxidants.

The present study evaluated the antioxidant potential of Vernonia condensata Baker (Asteraceae). Dried and powdered leaves were exhaustively extracted with ethanol by static maceration followed by partition to obtain the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions. Total phenols and flavonoids contents were determined through spectrophotometry and flavonoids were identified by HPLC-DAD system.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis: diagnostic approaches based on polymerase chain reaction employing different biological samples.

The accurate diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanL) is essential for visceral leishmaniasis control. To this end, DNA detection on different biological samples has been employed. In this study, we report the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay on samples such as buffy coat, bone marrow, intact skin and cutaneous ulcers fragments, and lymph node aspirate collected from 430 dogs to determine the suitable biological sample for use in CanL diagnosis.

Biodistribution of bone marrow mononuclear cells after intra-arterial or intravenous transplantation in subacute stroke patients.

Aims: To assess the biodistribution of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) delivered by different routes in patients with subacute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke.

Patients & Methods: This was a nonrandomized, open-label Phase I clinical trial. After bone marrow harvesting, BMMNCs were labeled with technetium-99m and intra-arterially or intravenously delivered together with the unlabeled cells.

CADASIL: case report.

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary cerebral arteriopathy caused by mutations in the Notch-3 gene. The diagnosis is reached by skin biopsy revealing presence of granular osmiophílic material (GOM), and/or by genetic testing for Notch-3. We report a case of a 52-year-old man with recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIA), migraine, in addition to progressive sensory, motor and cognitive impairment.

New approaches to clarify antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract from Vernonia condensata leaves.

The present study was aimed at evaluating the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract from Vernonia condensata leaves in animal models, in order to afford a better understanding of these properties. The extract reduced the number of abdominal contortions at doses of 100 (51.00 ± 3.

Cognitive and neuroimaging profile of a Brazilian family with CADASIL.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited small vessel disease leading to small infarcts and subcortical vascular dementia. This study presents results from the neuropsychological and neuroimaging evaluation of functionally autonomous individuals of a Brazilian family with CADASIL. The causal mutation was confirmed in four family members.