Automated voxel-based analysis of volumetric dynamic contrast-enhanced CT data improves measurement of serial changes in tumor vascular biomarkers.

Objectives: Development of perfusion imaging as a biomarker requires more robust methodologies for quantification of tumor physiology that allow assessment of volumetric tumor heterogeneity over time. This study proposes a parametric method for automatically analyzing perfused tissue from volumetric dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) computed tomography (CT) scans and assesses whether this 4-dimensional (4D) DCE approach is more robust and accurate than conventional, region-of-interest (ROI)-based CT methods in quantifying tumor perfusion with preliminary evaluation in metastatic brain cancer.

Methods And Materials: Functional parameter reproducibility and analysis of sensitivity to imaging resolution and arterial input function were evaluated in image sets acquired from a 320-slice CT with a controlled flow phantom and patients with brain metastases, whose treatments were planned for stereotactic radiation surgery and who consented to a research ethics board-approved prospective imaging biomarker study.

[Adipose-derived stromal cells: history, isolation, immunomodulatory properties and clinical perspectives].

Over the last decade, the clinical use of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC) in regenerative medicine is rapidly increasing. ASC belong to the mesenchymal stromal cells initially obtained from the bone marrow. Their limited differentiation capacity in vivo into functional mature cells has led to a reassessment of their mechanisms of action.

Germinal center reentries of BCL2-overexpressing B cells drive follicular lymphoma progression.

It has recently been demonstrated that memory B cells can reenter and reengage germinal center (GC) reactions, opening the possibility that multi-hit lymphomagenesis gradually occurs throughout life during successive immunological challenges. Here, we investigated this scenario in follicular lymphoma (FL), an indolent GC-derived malignancy. We developed a mouse model that recapitulates the FL hallmark t(14;18) translocation, which results in constitutive activation of antiapoptotic protein B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) in a subset of B cells, and applied a combination of molecular and immunofluorescence approaches to track normal and t(14;18)(+) memory B cells in human and BCL2-overexpressing B cells in murine lymphoid tissues.

Effects of a ceramic biomaterial on immune modulatory properties and differentiation potential of human mesenchymal stromal cells of different origin.

The aim of this study was to assess the immune modulatory properties of human mesenchymal stromal cells obtained from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), fat (ASCs), and cord blood (CB-MSCs) in the presence of a hydroxyapatite and tricalcium-phosphate (HA/TCP) biomaterial as a scaffold for MSC delivery. In resting conditions, a short-term culture with HA/TCP did not modulate the anti-apoptotic and suppressive features of the various MSC types toward T, B, and NK cells; in addition, when primed with inflammatory cytokines, MSCs similarly increased their suppressive capacities in the presence or absence of HA/TCP. The long-term culture of BM-MSCs with HA/TCP induced an osteoblast-like phenotype with upregulation of OSTERIX and OSTEOCALCIN, similar to what was obtained with dexamethasone and, to a higher extent, with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) treatment.

Neuroprotective action of resveratrol.

Low-to-moderate red wine consumption appeared to reduce age-related neurological disorders including macular degeneration, stroke, and cognitive deficits with or without dementia. Resveratrol has been considered as one of the key ingredients responsible for the preventive action of red wine since the stilbene displays a neuroprotective action in various models of toxicity. Besides its well documented free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties, resveratrol has been shown to increase the clearance of beta-amyloid, a key feature of Alzheimer's disease, and to modulate intracellular effectors associated with oxidative stress (e.

Neuropilin-1 mediates myeloid cell chemoattraction and influences retinal neuroimmune crosstalk.

Immunological activity in the CNS is largely dependent on an innate immune response and is heightened in diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. The molecular dynamics governing immune cell recruitment to sites of injury and disease in the CNS during sterile inflammation remain poorly defined. Here, we identified a subset of mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) that responds to local chemotactic cues that are conserved among central neurons, vessels, and immune cells.

MR-guided prostate biopsy for planning of focal salvage after radiation therapy.

Purpose: To determine if the integration of diagnostic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR-guided biopsy would improve target delineation for focal salvage therapy in men with prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Between September 2008 and March 2011, 30 men with biochemical failure after radiation therapy for prostate cancer provided written informed consent and were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial approved by the institutional research ethics board. An integrated diagnostic MR imaging and interventional biopsy procedure was performed with a 1.

Assessment of nonrespiratory stomach motion in healthy volunteers in fasting and postprandial states.

Purpose: To characterize nonrespiratory stomach motion in the fasting state and postprandial.

Methods And Materials: Ten healthy volunteers underwent 2-dimensional Fiesta cine magnetic resonance imaging studies in 30-second voluntary breath hold, in axial, coronal, and 2 oblique planes while fasting, and 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes postmeal. Each stomach contour was delineated and sampled with 200 points.

Improving atrial fibrillation detection in patients with implantable cardiac devices by means of a remote monitoring and management application.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and has been associated with an increased stroke risk. The aim of our project was to assess the clinical value of a web-based application, Discovery Link AFinder, in improving AF detection in CIED patients.

Methods And Results: Seven Italian hospitals performed an observational study consisting of four phases.

Temporal dystrophic remodeling within the intrinsic cardiac nervous system of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.

Introduction: The pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) in diabetic individuals, called "diabetic cardiomyopathy", is only partially understood. Alterations in the cardiac autonomic nervous system due to oxidative stress have been implicated. The intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS) is an important regulatory pathway of cardiac autonomic function, however, little is known about the alterations that occur in the ICNS in diabetes.

Glutamatergic signaling and low prodynorphin expression are associated with intact memory and reduced anxiety in rat models of healthy aging.

The LOU/C/Jall (LOU) rat strain is considered a model of healthy aging due to its increased longevity, maintenance of stable body weight (BW) throughout life and low incidence of age-related diseases. However, aging LOU rat cognitive and anxiety status has yet to be investigated. In the present study, male and female LOU rat cognitive performances (6-42 months) were assessed using novel object recognition and Morris Water Maze tasks.

Glioblastoma treatment in the elderly in the temozolomide therapy era.

Background: optimal treatment of glioblastoma (gBM) in the elderly remains unclear. the impact of age on treatment planning, toxicity, and efficacy at a Canadian Cancer Centre was retrospectively reviewed.

Methods: glioblastoma patients treated consecutively between 2004 and 2008 were reviewed.

Human t(14;18)positive germinal center B cells: a new step in follicular lymphoma pathogenesis?

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a B-cell neoplasm resulting from the transformation of germinal center (GC) B cells. Although t(14;18) and ectopic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) expression constitute the genetic hallmark of FL, t(14;18)(pos) B cells bearing genotypic and phenotypic features of FL cells can be found in the blood of most healthy individuals. Nevertheless, the localization of these FL-like cells (FLLCs) in nonmalignant GC-rich tissues and the functional consequences of BCL2 overexpression have not been evaluated thus far.

A microRNA-based test improves endoscopic ultrasound-guided cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Background & Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in combination with cytopathology is the optimal method for diagnosis and staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other pancreatic lesions. Its clinical utility, however, can be limited by high rates of indeterminate or false-negative results. We aimed to develop and validate a microRNA (miRNA)-based test to improve preoperative detection of PDAC.

Collaboration between general practitioners and occupational physicians: a comparison of the results of two national surveys in France.

Objective: To study the perceptions that general practitioners (GPs) and occupational physicians (OPs) have of GPs' role in occupational health and their willingness to work together to prevent the exclusion of patients with disabilities from the workplace.

Methods: Cross-sectional telephone survey of two randomly selected national samples of GPs and OPs was conducted.

Results: The majority of GPs and OPs are in favor of cooperation, especially to prevent exclusion from the workplace.

Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol and epigallocatechin gallate polyphenols are mediated by the activation of protein kinase C gamma.

Polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and resveratrol have received a great deal of attention because they may contribute to the purported neuroprotective action of the regular consumption of green tea and red wine. Many studies, including those published by our group, suggest that this protective action includes their abilities to prevent the neurotoxic effects of beta-amyloid, a protein whose accumulation likely plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the scavenging activities of polyphenols on reactive oxygen species and their inhibitory action of cyclooxygenase likely explain, at least in part, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Medial thighplasty after massive weight loss: are there any risk factors for postoperative complications?

Background: With the increasing incidence of obesity in Western societies, an increasing number of patients undergo bariatric surgery that leads to functional and aesthetic sequelae related to a rapid and massive weight loss, namely, skin and fat excess. The goal of surgical management after massive weight loss is to optimize the functional results obtained from bariatric surgery or diet by removal of the redundant skin folds. The authors report their experience with medial thighplasty after massive weight loss and identify factors predictive of postoperative complications.

Salvage radiosurgery for brain metastases: prognostic factors to consider in patient selection.

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is offered to patients for recurrent brain metastases after prior brain radiation therapy (RT), but few studies have evaluated the efficacy of salvage SRS or factors to consider in selecting patients for this treatment. This study reports overall survival (OS), intracranial progression-free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) after salvage SRS, and factors associated with outcomes.

Methods And Materials: This is a retrospective review of patients treated from 2009 to 2011 with salvage SRS after prior brain RT for brain metastases.

Neuron-derived semaphorin 3A is an early inducer of vascular permeability in diabetic retinopathy via neuropilin-1.

The deterioration of the inner blood-retinal barrier and consequent macular edema is a cardinal manifestation of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the clinical feature most closely associated with loss of sight. We provide evidence from both human and animal studies for the critical role of the classical neuronal guidance cue, semaphorin 3A, in instigating pathological vascular permeability in diabetic retinas via its cognate receptor neuropilin-1. We reveal that semaphorin 3A is induced in early hyperglycemic phases of diabetes within the neuronal retina and precipitates initial breakdown of endothelial barrier function.

Glioblastoma management in the temozolomide era: have we improved outcome?

Temozolomide (TMZ) during and after radiotherapy (RT) is recommended for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). We analyzed the adoption of this new standard of care for GBM in an academic cancer centre in Canada and assessed its impact on survival. GBM patients registered with Cancer Care Ontario between 2004 and 2008 were identified.

Possible role of dynorphins in Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive deficits.

Background/aims: Expression of dynorphin, an endogenous opioid peptide, increases with age and has been associated with cognitive deficits in rodents. Elevated dynorphin levels have been reported in postmortem samples from Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and prodynorphin (PDYN) gene polymorphisms might be linked to cognitive function in the elderly. Activation of κ-opioid receptors by dynorphins has been associated with stress-related memory impairments.

Knockdown of prodynorphin gene prevents cognitive decline, reduces anxiety, and rescues loss of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor function in aging.

Expression of dynorphin, an endogenous opioid peptide, increases with age and has been associated with memory impairments in rats. In human, prodynorphin (Pdyn) gene polymorphisms might be linked to cognitive function in the elderly. Moreover, elevated dynorphin levels have been reported in postmortem samples from Alzheimer's disease patients.