Imaging Tumor-Targeting Bacteria Using 18F-Fluorodeoxysorbitol Positron Emission Tomography.

Background: Microbial-based cancer treatments are an emerging field, with multiple bacterial species evaluated in animal models and some advancing to clinical trials. Noninvasive bacteria-specific imaging approaches can potentially support the development and clinical translation of bacteria-based cancer treatments by assessing the tumor and off-target bacterial colonization.

Methods: 18F-Fluorodeoxysorbitol (18F-FDS) positron emission tomography (PET), a bacteria-specific imaging approach, was used to visualize an attenuated strain of Yersinia enterocolitica, currently in clinical trials as a microbial-based cancer treatment, in murine models of breast cancer.

Tailored Modulation of Cellular Pro-inflammatory Responses With Disaccharide Lipid A Mimetics.

Pro-inflammatory signaling mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation-2 (MD-2) complex plays a crucial role in the instantaneous protection against infectious challenge and largely contributes to recovery from Gram-negative infection. Activation of TLR4 also boosts the adaptive immunity which is implemented in the development of vaccine adjuvants by application of minimally toxic TLR4 activating ligands. The modulation of pro-inflammatory responses via the TLR4 signaling pathway was found beneficial for management of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders including asthma, allergy, arthritis, Alzheimer disease pathology, sepsis, and cancer.

Relation between self-perceived stress, psychopathological symptoms and the stress hormone prolactin in emerging psychosis.

Background: Psychosocial stress and the stress hormone prolactin are assumed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and related psychoses, and have been frequently observed to be increased in antipsychotic-naïve patients with a clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) or first episode of psychosis (FEP). The aim of this study was to further elucidate the relationships between self-perceived stress, psychopathological symptoms and prolactin levels in these patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 45 healthy controls, 31 CHR-P patients and 87 FEP patients were recruited from two different study centers.

Sex differences in cognitive functioning of patients at-risk for psychosis and healthy controls: Results from the European Gene-Environment Interactions study.

Background: Sex differences in cognitive functioning have long been recognized in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls (HC). However, few studies have focused on patients with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate sex differences in neurocognitive performance in ARMS patients compared with HC.

Gender differences of patients at-risk for psychosis regarding symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity and functioning - Results from the EU-GEI study.

Background: Gender differences in symptomatology in chronic schizophrenia and first episode psychosis patients have often been reported. However, little is known about gender differences in those at risk of psychotic disorders. This study investigated gender differences in symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity (i.