Interaction of amyloidogenic proteins in pancreatic β cells from subjects with synucleinopathies.

Parkinson's disease patients experience a wide range of non-motor symptoms that may be provoked by deposits of phosphorylated α-synuclein in the peripheral nervous system. Pre-existing diabetes mellitus might be a risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease, and indeed, nearly 60% of Parkinson's disease patients are insulin resistant. Thus, we have investigated whether phosphorylated α-synuclein is deposited in pancreatic tissue of subjects with synucleinopathies.

Reduction in mortality associated with secondary cytomegalovirus prophylaxis after solid organ transplantation.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important viral pathogen in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The role of secondary CMV prophylaxis in this population remains unclear.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study in a single center.

Complement C4d-specific antibodies for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Development of molecular markers that help to identify high-risk individuals or diagnose indeterminate pulmonary nodules could have a major impact on lung cancer clinical management. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic potential of a newly-developed ELISA that specifically detects complement C4d. We measured this marker in five independent cohorts of plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage samples from lung cancer patients and controls.

Complement anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a: Emerging roles in cancer progression and treatment.

Recent insights into the role of complement anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a in cancer provide new opportunities for the development of innovative biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. These two complement activation products can maintain chronic inflammation, promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment, induce angiogenesis, and increase the motility and metastatic potential of cancer cells. Still, the diverse heterogeneity of responses mediated by these peptides poses a challenge both to our understanding of the role played by these molecules in cancer progression and to the development of effective treatments.

Genomic Profiling of Patient-Derived Xenografts for Lung Cancer Identifies Inactivation Impairing Immunorecognition.

We aimed to maximize the performance of detecting genetic alterations in lung cancer using high-throughput sequencing for patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). We undertook an integrated RNA and whole-exome sequencing of 14 PDXs. We focused on the genetic and functional analysis of β2-microglobulin (B2M), a component of the HLA class-I complex.

A Combined PD-1/C5a Blockade Synergistically Protects against Lung Cancer Growth and Metastasis.

Disruption of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway with immune checkpoint inhibitors represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. We hypothesized that combined inhibition of C5a/C5aR1 and PD-1 signaling may have a synergistic antitumor effect. The RMP1-14 antibody was used to block PD-1, and an L-aptamer was used to inhibit signaling of complement C5a with its receptors.

Analysis of satisfaction after breast reduction comparing vertical scar versus inverted T-shaped technique using the Breast-Q questionnaire. Is patient satisfaction influenced by the amount of tissue removed?

Background: Breast reduction is a procedure with a high rate of patient satisfaction. Many techniques can be used for this type of surgery; patient satisfaction can vary from one technique to another. The main aim of this study was to use Breast-Q for initial evaluation of patient satisfaction after breast reduction by either vertical or inverted-T technique and then determine if the quantity of breast tissue removed had any influence on patient satisfaction.

Soft drink consumption and gestational diabetes risk in the SUN project.

Background & Aims: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevalence is increasing worldwide. To the best of our knowledge the specific evaluation of soft drink consumption as a risk factor for developing GDM has only been conducted in the Nurses' Health Study II.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of GDM according to soft drink consumption in the SUN project.

Associations between Yogurt Consumption and Weight Gain and Risk of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

The role of yogurt consumption in the risk of developing overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome has been the subject of epidemiologic studies over the last 10 y. A comprehensive literature search on MEDLINE and ISI Web of Knowledge from 1966 through June 2016 was conducted to examine the relation between yogurt consumption and weight gain, as well as the risk of overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, in prospective cohort studies. Ten articles met all the inclusion criteria and were included in our systematic review.

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and the Incidence of Hypertension in a Mediterranean Cohort: The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra Project.

Background: Some available evidence suggests that high consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with a higher risk of obesity. Collectively, this association and the nutritional characteristics of UPFs suggest that UPFs might also be associated with hypertension.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated the relationship between UPF consumption and the risk of hypertension in a prospective Spanish cohort, the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra project.

Updosing nonsedating antihistamines in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is a lack of large, randomized, double-blind studies that address antihistamine updosing for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). The objective of this systematic review is to explore and analyse available data to provide clinical evidence for the efficacy of antihistamine updosing. We searched the literature in Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane databases using the keywords 'chronic, urticaria, antihistamines' to identify studies published between January 1990 and November 2014.

The experience of family caregivers caring for a terminal patient at home: A research review.

Introduction: One of the key aspects of the care of terminal patients is care delivered in their own home. Increasingly, the process of dying is moving from hospitals to homes. Although this process is directly related to the support of the social health environment, the involvement of family caregivers is essential.

Prevalence of sleep disorders and their relationship with core symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of sleep disorders in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and in a control population. To examine the relationship between sleep disorders and symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsiveness and executive dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: We studied 126 children with ADHD and 1036 control children aged between 5 and 18 years old.

The Novel Pan-PIM Kinase Inhibitor, PIM447, Displays Dual Antimyeloma and Bone-Protective Effects, and Potently Synergizes with Current Standards of Care.

Purpose: PIM kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases recently proposed as therapeutic targets in oncology. In the present work, we have investigated the effects of the novel pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, PIM447, on myeloma cells and myeloma-associated bone disease using different preclinical models.

Experimental Design: In vitro/ex vivo cytotoxicity of PIM447 was evaluated on myeloma cell lines and patient samples.

Impact of sugars and sugar taxation on body weight control: A comprehensive literature review.

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive literature review in the field of added-sugar consumption on weight gain including the effect of fructose-containing caloric sweeteners and sugar taxation.

Methods: A search of three databases was conducted in the time period from the inception of the databases to August 2015. Sensitive search strategies were used in order to retrieve systematic reviews (SR) of fructose, sucrose, or sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on weight gain and metabolic adverse effects, conducted on humans and written in English, Spanish, or French.

The personal experience of living with chronic heart failure: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the literature.

Aims And Objectives: To determine, from a systematic literature review, the experience of living with heart failure and to propose some practice guidelines and research questions.

Background: Chronic heart failure has been one of the fastest growing illnesses in recent decades, with almost 23 million people affected worldwide. This complex syndrome has multiple causes and appears when underlying heart disease is advanced.

Beneficial changes in food consumption and nutrient intake after 10 years of follow-up in a Mediterranean cohort: the SUN project.

Background: The assessment of changes in dietary habits provides interesting information on whether or not the observed trends are in line with accepted nutritional guidelines. The objective was to evaluate within-subject longitudinal changes in food consumption and nutrient intake and in a 10-year follow-up study.

Methods: The SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) project is a prospective Spanish cohort study.

Characterization of the Antiglioma Effect of the Oncolytic Adenovirus VCN-01.

Despite the recent advances in the development of antitumor therapies, the prognosis for patients with malignant gliomas remains dismal. Therapy with tumor-selective viruses is emerging as a treatment option for this devastating disease. In this study we characterize the anti-glioma effect of VCN-01, an improved hyaluronidase-armed pRB-pathway-selective oncolytic adenovirus that has proven safe and effective in the treatment of several solid tumors.

Short Leukocyte Telomere Length Is Associated With Cardioembolic Stroke Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background And Purpose: The risk of cardioembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) cannot be accurately assessed and novel tools are needed to improve prediction. We hypothesize that telomere shortening constitutes a novel risk factor for cardioembolic stroke in patients with AF.

Methods: The peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 187 patients with AF, 93 of them without stroke history and 94 of them having suffered 1 cardioembolic stroke.

Effects of Hyperoxia on Oxygen-Related Inflammation with a Focus on Obesity.

Several studies have shown a pathological oxygenation (hypoxia/hyperoxia) on the adipose tissue in obese subjects. Additionally, the excess of body weight is often accompanied by a state of chronic low-degree inflammation. The inflammation phenomenon is a complex biological response mounted by tissues to combat injurious stimuli in order to maintain cell homeostasis.

Free Form Deformation-Based Image Registration Improves Accuracy of Traction Force Microscopy.

Traction Force Microscopy (TFM) is a widespread method used to recover cellular tractions from the deformation that they cause in their surrounding substrate. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is commonly used to quantify the substrate's deformations, due to its simplicity and efficiency. However, PIV relies on a block-matching scheme that easily underestimates the deformations.

Prebiotic consumption and the incidence of overweight in a Mediterranean cohort: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra Project.

Background: The consumption of prebiotics (fermentable and nondigestible carbohydrates) has been proposed as a potentially protective factor against overweight and obesity. However, to our knowledge, no previous prospective studies have assessed the association between the consumption of prebiotics and the incidence of overweight or obesity.

Objective: We evaluated the association between prebiotic consumption [fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs)] and the incidence of overweight [body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) ≥25] in the SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) Project, which is a prospective cohort of Spanish, middle-aged university graduates with initial BMI <25.

Combined clinical and genomic signatures for the prognosis of early stage non-small cell lung cancer based on gene copy number alterations.

Background: The development of a more refined prognostic methodology for early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an unmet clinical need. An accurate prognostic tool might help to select patients at early stages for adjuvant therapies.

Results: A new integrated bioinformatics searching strategy, that combines gene copy number alterations and expression, together with clinical parameters was applied to derive two prognostic genomic signatures.

Education, implementation, and policy barriers to greater integration of palliative care: A literature review.

Background: Early integration of palliative care into the management of patients with serious disease has the potential to both improve quality of life of patients and families and reduce healthcare costs. Despite these benefits, significant barriers exist in the United States to the early integration of palliative care in the disease trajectory of individuals with serious illness.

Aim: To provide an overview of the barriers to more widespread palliative care integration in the United States.