Keap1 inhibition sensitizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells to ionizing radiation via impaired non-homologous end joining and induced autophagy.

The function of Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1), a sensor of oxidative and electrophilic stress, in the radiosensitivity of cancer cells remains elusive. Here, we investigated the effects of pharmacological inhibition of Keap1 with ML344 on radiosensitivity, DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. Our data demonstrate that Keap1 inhibition enhances HNSCC cell radiosensitivity.

Treatment With Bortezomib-based Therapy, Followed by Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation, Improves Outcomes in Light Chain Amyloidosis: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The hematologic response is critical in patients with light chain amyloidosis because a good response is known to improve organ response and overall survival. We present a retrospective analysis to compare the hematologic and organ response in patients who received bortezomib-based therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) versus those who received non-bortezomib-based therapy before ASCT and those who underwent ASCT at diagnosis.

Patients And Methods: Of a total of 63 patients who underwent ASCT for light chain amyloidosis, 34 received bortezomib-based therapy before ASCT (Bor-ASCT) and 29 did not receive bortezomib therapy (non-Bor-ASCT).

Evaluation of Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) for transplant-eligible multiple myeloma patients.

The International Myeloma Working Group has proposed the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) for risk stratification of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. There are a limited number of studies that have validated this risk model in the autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) setting. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the applicability and value for predicting survival of the R-ISS model in 134 MM patients treated with new agents and ASCT at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and the University Hospital of Salamanca in Spain.

Ionizing Radiation Alters Human Embryonic Stem Cell Properties and Differentiation Capacity by Diminishing the Expression of Activin Receptors.

Exposure of the embryo to ionizing radiation (IR) is detrimental as it can cause genotoxic stress leading to immediate and latent consequences such as functional defects, malformations, or cancer. Human embryonic stem (hES) cells can mimic the preimplantation embryo and help to assess the biological effects of IR during early development. In this study, we describe the alterations H9 hES cells exhibit after X-ray irradiation in respect to cell cycle progression, apoptosis, genomic stability, stem cell signaling, and their capacity to differentiate into definitive endoderm.

Fate of D3 mouse embryonic stem cells exposed to X-rays or carbon ions.

The risk of radiation exposure during embryonic development is still a major problem in radiotoxicology. In this study we investigated the response of the murine embryonic stem cell (mESC) line D3 to two radiation qualities: sparsely ionizing X-rays and densely ionizing carbon ions. We analyzed clonogenic cell survival, proliferation, induction of chromosome aberrations as well as the capability of cells to differentiate to beating cardiomyocytes up to 3 days after exposure.

The phenomenology of intersubjectivity in Jaspers and Husserl: on the capacities and limits of empathy and communication in psychiatric praxis.

In this article, we present two accounts of intersubjectivity in Jaspers and Husserl, respectively. We argue that both can be brought together for a more satisfying account of empathy and communication in the context of psychiatric praxis. But while we restrict ourselves for the most part to this praxis, we also indicate the larger agenda that drives Jaspers and Husserl, despite all disagreement.

Real-time temperature determination during retinal photocoagulation on patients.

The induced thermal damage in retinal photocoagulation depends on the temperature increase and the time of irradiation. The temperature rise is unknown due to intraocular variations in light transmission, scattering and grade of absorption in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid. Thus, in clinical practice, often stronger and deeper coagulations are applied than therapeutically needed, which can lead to extended neuroretinal damage and strong pain perception.

Cortical glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells generate neurons after perinatal hypoxic injury.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive (GFAP(+)) cells give rise to new neurons in the neurogenic niches; whether they are able to generate neurons in the cortical parenchyma is not known. Here, we use genetic fate mapping to examine the progeny of GFAP(+) cells after postnatal hypoxia, a model for the brain injury observed in premature children. After hypoxia, immature cortical astroglia underwent a shift toward neuronal fate and generated cortical excitatory neurons that appeared synaptically integrated into the circuitry.

In-vitro evaluation of the corrosion behavior of orthodontic brackets.

Objective: The number of bracket systems for orthodontic therapy increases significantly. One major concern of newly developed orthodontic devices is aspects of corrosion and biocompatibility.

Material And Methods: In this study, nine bracket systems made of different material and from various design principles were tested with respect to their corrosion behavior.

The hierarchy of work pursuits of public health managers.

How public health is managed in various settings is an important but under-examined issue. We examine themes in the management literature, contextualize issues facing public health managers and investigate the relative importance placed on their various work pursuits using a 14-activity management model empirically derived from studies of clinician-managers in hospitals. Ethnographic case studies of 10 managers in nine diverse public health settings were conducted.

The use of olfaction in the foraging behaviour of the golden-mantled flying fox, Pteropus pumilus, and the greater musky fruit bat, Ptenochirus jagori (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae).

Double-choice experiments with three adult males of the little golden-mantled flying fox, Pteropus pumilus, and ten adult greater musky fruit bats, Ptenochirus jagori (both Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae), demonstrate that they are able to discriminate accurately between an empty dish and a dish containing fruits of one of several species by odour alone. Tests were run using fruits of six fruit species for Pteropus pumilus and five fruit species for Ptenochirus jagori. The fruit species used are known to be consumed in the wild by Ptenochirus jagori and are, with two exceptions, species of the natural rain-forest habitat.

Parameters of self-organization in Hydra aggregates.

Self-organization has been demonstrated in a variety of systems ranging from chemical-molecular to ecosystem levels, and evidence is accumulating that it is also fundamental for animal development. Yet, self-organization can be approached experimentally in only a few animal systems. Cells isolated from the simple metazoan Hydra can aggregate and form a complete animal by self-organization.

Isotype profile and clinical relevance of anticardiolipin antibodies in Sjögren's syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence and clinical value of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Thirty one patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (all women, mean (SD) age 48.3 (11.

Circulating immune complexes in systemic scleroderma.

Circulating immune complexes were detected by the immunoelectrophoretic method in 18 of 29 (62 per cent) of patients with systemic scleroderma. The presence of immune complexes did not correlate with that of antinuclear antibodies to dsDNA, DNP, RNP, and Sm. The mean levels of immunoglobulins G, A, and M as well as of C3 were significantly higher in patients with systemic scleroderma than in blood donors.