Targeting the aminopeptidase ERAP enhances antitumor immunity by disrupting the NKG2A-HLA-E inhibitory checkpoint.

The aminopeptidase, endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), trims peptides for loading into major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I), and loss of this activity has broad effects on the MHC class I peptidome. Here, we investigated the impact of targeting ERAP1 in immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), as MHC class I interactions mediate both activating and inhibitory functions in antitumor immunity. Loss of ERAP sensitized mouse tumor models to ICB, and this sensitivity depended on CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells.

MarR-Dependent Transcriptional Regulation of Induces Ethionamide Resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus.

Mycobacterium abscessus () is an emerging nontuberculosis mycobacterial (NTM) pathogen responsible for a wide variety of respiratory and cutaneous infections that are difficult to treat with standard antibacterial therapy. has a high degree of both innate and acquired antibiotic resistance to most clinically relevant drugs, including standard anti-mycobacterial agents. Ethionamide (ETH), an inhibitor of mycolic acid biosynthesis, is currently utilized as a second-line agent for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis infections.

Measurement of radial artery contrast intensity to assess cardiac microbubble behavior.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether analysis of the contrast signal from the radial artery is better able to reflect changes in left ventricular (LV) microbubble dynamics than the signal from the LV itself.

Background: Assessment of microbubble behavior from images of the LV may be affected by attenuation from overlying microbubbles and nonuniform background signal intensities. The signal intensity from contrast in a peripheral artery is not affected by these artifacts and may, thus, be more accurate.

Evaluation of a new ultrasound contrast agent (AI-700) using two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging during acute ischemia.

Background: A new intravenous contrast agent, AI-700, was evaluated to determine whether a bolus injection could be used to detect myocardial perfusion abnormalities during acute ischemia by using 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Methods: 2D MCE was performed in 14 closed-chest dogs during coronary occlusion by using both continuous and triggered gray scale harmonic imaging and triggered power Doppler imaging. 3D MCE (open-chest) and nuclear perfusion imaging were performed in 10 of the 14 dogs.

Quantification of regional myocardial wall thickening on electrocardiogram-gated SPECT imaging.

Background: Current assessment of regional left ventricular function with electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging is generally performed by visual inspection. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a new computer algorithm for quantifying regional left ventricular wall thickening on ECG-gated SPECT images.

Methods: Regional wall thickening was measured from count density changes during the cardiac cycle observed in 24-sector circumferential count distribution profiles generated from each of 8 frames of an ECG-gated SPECT study.