Comparison of Basophil Activation Test and Skin Testing Performances in NMBA Allergy

Publication date: Available online 22 February 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Pascale Dewachter, Sylvie Chollet-Martin, Claudie Mouton-Faivre, Luc de Chaisemartin, Pascale Nicaise-Roland
BackgroundNeuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are the main agents involved during perioperative immediate hypersensitivity. The etiological diagnosis (IgE-mediated allergy vs nonallergy) is linked to the clinical presentation together with tryptase and histamine levels and skin test results. The role of basophil activation test (BAT) needs to be better defined in this setting.ObjectivesTo assess the role of BAT compared with the results of skin testing in 31 patients experiencing immediate NMBA hypersensitivity and compare skin test results and BAT performances in the identification of alternative NMBAs.MethodsHistamine and tryptase levels were quantified. Anesthetic drugs, including NMBAs, were skin-tested. Basophil CD63 and CD203c expressions were measured in response to serial dilutions of the different NMBAs.ResultsAllergy and Nonallergy groups involved 19 and 12 patients, respectively. Circulating histamine and tryptase levels were significantly increased in allergic patients. In the Allergy group, while skin test results were positive in 100% (19 of 19) of the cases, BAT positivity to the culprit NMBA reached 78.9% (15 of 19) when combining CD63 and CD203c. NMBAs cross-reactivity was identified through skin testing and BAT in 36.8% (7 of 19) and 26.3% (5 of 19) of the cases, respectively. The concordance (culprit and cross-reactive NMBAs) between skin tests and BATs was between 73.6% (14 of 19) and 100% (19 of 19) for each NMBA. Negative skin-tested NMBAs were uneventfully used in 7 NMBA-allergic patients. In the Nonallergy group, skin test results were negative in 100% of the cases while BAT result was positive once (CD63 upregulation).ConclusionIn our technical conditions, BAT does not replace skin testing in the assessment of NMBA allergy.

Open-label randomised phase III trial of vinflunine versus an alkylating agent in patients with heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

Background

There is no standard treatment after progression on second-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We compared vinflunine with physician's choice of alkylating agent (AA) for patients with heavily pretreated MBC.

Patients and methods

In this open-label phase III trial, patients with MBC were included if they had received at least two prior chemotherapy regimens for MBC and had received anthracycline, taxane, antimetabolite and vinca alkaloid therapy. Patients were no longer candidates for these chemotherapies because of resistance and/or intolerance. Patients were randomised to either vinflunine 280 mg/m² intravenously every 3 weeks (q3w) or AA monotherapy q3w. Stratification factors were performance status, number of prior chemotherapy lines for MBC, disease measurability and study site. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 594 patients were randomised (298 to vinflunine, 296 to AA). There was no difference between treatment arms in OS (hazard ratio 1.04, P = 0.67; median 9.1 months for vinflunine versus 9.3 months for AA), progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.94, P = 0.49; median 2.5 versus 1.9 months, respectively) or overall response rate (6% versus 4%, respectively). However, the disease control rate was significantly higher with vinflunine than AA (44% versus 35%, respectively; P = 0.04). The most common adverse events (any grade) were haematological and gastrointestinal disorders and asthenia in both arms. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (19% versus 11% with vinflunine versus AA, respectively) and asthenia (10% versus 4%).

Conclusions

Vinflunine 280 mg/m² q3w did not improve OS compared with the physician's choice of AA as third- or later-line therapy for MBC. Vinflunine demonstrated an acceptable safety profile, suggesting that vinflunine 320 mg/m² merits evaluation. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01091168.

Computational prediction of neoantigens: do we need more data or new approaches?

Abstract

Personalized cancer immunotherapy may benefit from improved computational algorithms for identifying neoantigens. Recent results demonstrate that machine learning can improve accuracy. Additional improvements may require more genomic data paired with in vitro T cell reactivity measurements, and more sophisticated algorithms that take into account T cell receptor specificity.

Polyphosphate Metabolic Gene Expression Analyses Reveal Mechanisms of Phosphorus Accumulation and Release in Microlunatus phosphovorus Strain JN459

Abstract

The ability of Microlunatus phosphovorus to accumulate large amounts of polyphosphate (Poly-P) plays an important role in removing soluble phosphorus from wastewater. Strain JN459, isolated from a sewage system, was previously demonstrated to be Microlunatus phosphovorus. In this study, we analyzed the phosphorus-accumulating and phosphorus-releasing characteristics of strain JN459. Our analyses indicate that strain JN459 accumulates Poly-P under aerobic conditions but releases phosphorus under anaerobic conditions. To determine the mechanisms underlying Poly-P metabolism in strain JN459, we compared transcriptional profiles under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Significant differences were detected in the expression levels of genes associated with Poly-P metabolism between aerobic and anaerobic conditions, including ppk (MLP_47700, MLP_50300 and MLP_05750), ppgk (MLP_05430 and MLP_26610), ppx (MLP_44770), pap (MLP_23310) and ppnk (MLP_17420). The high expression of polyphosphate glucokinase (MLP_05430) and polyphosphate/ATP-dependent NAD kinase (MLP_17420) indicated that both of them might be responsible for utilizing Poly-P as the energy resource for growth under anaerobic conditions. These findings enhance our understanding of phosphate metabolism in a major bacterial species involved in wastewater phosphorus reduction.

Fatty acid addition and thermotolerance of Kluyveromyces marxianus

Abstract

Membrane fatty acid composition has an important role in yeast stress resistance, particularly in temperature tolerance. Most studies investigating temperature and membrane fatty acids use the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae without considering other yeasts, such as Kluyveromyces marxianus, which has physiological differences and industrial advantages with respect to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. One of the primary traits of Kluyveromyces marxianus is its thermotolerance. The effect of fatty acid addition (oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and araquidic acid) on the thermotolerance of the Kluyveromyces marxianus strain SLP1 was evaluated. SLP1 yeast exhibited temperature tolerance of up to 50°C; at 55°C, viability was reduced significantly, probably due to an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen chemical species. Externally added fatty acids were incorporated in the yeast membrane, increasing their proportion to approximately 70%, thereby changing membrane fluidity. SLP1 cells supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased cell thermotolerance and increased the degree of lipoperoxidation, while arachidic acid addition exhibited a tendency to increase yeast thermotolerance.

Biological responses of aquatic organisms and assessment water contamination and ecotoxicity

Annals of Work Exposures and Health Performance, 2017

I am pleased to offer this report of the publication record of the first volume of Annals of Work Exposures and Health (AWEH) completed in 2017. The change from the Annals of Occupational Hygiene to AWEH was made in recognition of the vast changes occurring in the ways in which work is organized by most enterprises, the risks to health that accompany these changes, and the need for the occupational hygiene community to change with it. In light of these changes in the field, we sought to broaden the types of exposures addressed by the journal, and the methods required to understand the nature of the new threats to health.

Age-dependent skin texture analysis and evaluation using mobile camera image

Abstract

Background/Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate skin condition, expensive equipment is required, continuous skin care is difficult. Therefore, we obtain the skin image using mobile camera, and propose a new algorithm that easily and simply extracts skin features.

Methods

We analyze skin features, extracting the wrinkle length, cell area, and the number of cells. To get accurate skin features, we obtain a new skin binary image, and apply Watershed segmentation to it. So, we improve the accuracy of skin analysis. Therefore, we compare and analyze the degree of matching distribution of wrinkles, the shape of the cell, etc., using similarity between the ground truth and the proposed algorithm result image.

Results

We extract skin surface features using a mobile camera image, and verify the change in skin features with age. Also, we demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm through the similarity between the ground truth and proposed result image.

Conclusion

The proposed method in this study shows that the skin surface can be quantitatively evaluated by the similarity with ground truth. We also propose a method to diagnose and manage individual skin condition using a mobile camera in real life.

Editorial-ozone and plant life: the Italian state-of-the-art

Editorial board

The Editor's Choice

Neuroprotective effect of Annona glabra extract against ethanol-induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in neonatal rats

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Hongru Ma, Jianfeng Han, Qinchuan Dong
The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Annona glabra extract (AGE) against ethanol-induced neurodegeneration in neonatal rats. AGE is known to contain various pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Phytochemical analysis of AGE was performed to understand the presence of vital therapeutic components. Neonatal rats were assigned to the following groups: group I (normal control rats receiving normal saline), group II (control rats receiving ethanol), and group III (treated rats receiving ethanol-AGE). The lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) levels were determined. Behavioral parameters, histological features, neuronal cell viability, and apoptosis were also investigated. The presence of flavonoids, terpenoid, glycosides, steroids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, and acidic compounds was noted in the AGE. Ethanol supplementation drastically increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content to 52.17 nmol/g in the control rats (group II). However, the MDA content was reduced to 27.34 nmol/g in ethanol-AGE-treated neonatal rats (group III) compared with control rats. The GSH content was substantially reduced, to 33.68 mg/g, in control rats compared with in normal control rats. However, the GSH content was significantly increased, to 59.32 mg/g, following ethanol-AGE supplementation. Gpx, SOD, catalase, and AChE enzyme activities were increased in treated neonatal rats compared with their respective controls. Locomotor activities, such as crossing, grooming, rearing, and sniffing, were increased in ethanol-AGE-treated neonatal rats compared with controls. Reduced levels of intact pyramidal cells and cells with degenerative alterations appeared in the control rats. However, ethanol-AGE supplementation reduced degenerative alterations and hippocampal damage. Reduced cultured hippocampal neuron cell viability and increased apoptosis were noted in the control rats, whereas these impacts were significantly recovered following ethanol-AGE supplementation. Based on all these data, we concluded that the supplementation of AGE was very effective against ethanol-induced neurodegeneration in neonatal rats.

Reduced graphene oxide coated Cu2−xSe nanoparticles for targeted chemo-photothermal therapy

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 180
Author(s): Shu Jun Zhen, Ting Ting Wang, Yu Xin Liu, Zhu Lian Wu, Hong Yan Zou, Cheng Zhi Huang
Recently, copper chalcogenide semiconductors have been reported as new near-infrared (NIR) photothermal agents. However, it is difficult to modify them with recognition molecules, and their photothermal conversion efficiencies are relatively low, making it difficult to achieve the targeted photothermal ablation of cancer cells with a high efficiency. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was first coated on the surface of Cu2-xSe nanoparticles (NPs) to provide abundant functional groups for the next modification and to increase the photothermal conversion efficiency. Then, doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded and folic acid (FA) molecules were covalently linked onto the surface of Cu2−xSe/rGO nanocomposites. The formed DOX@Cu2−xSe@rGO-FA nanocomposites were successfully used as chemo-photothermal agents for the targeted killing of cancer cells by utilizing the recognition ability of FA, chemotherapy effect of DOX and photothermal effects of rGO and Cu2−xSe NPs. Under the 980-nm NIR laser irradiation, the nanocomposites showed significantly enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy effect, which can be potentially applied in the nanomedicine field.

Platelet-rich plasma-induced feedback inhibition of activin A/follistatin signaling: A mechanism for tumor-low risk skin rejuvenation in irradiated rats

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 180
Author(s): Nesreen Nabil Omar, Rasha R. Rashed, Rania M. El-Hazek, Walaa A. El-Sabbagh, Engy R. Rashed, Mona A. El-Ghazaly
BackgroundPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a source of natural growth factors and is emerging as a treatment modality to mitigate radiotherapy- induced adverse effects. Activin A (ACTA) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, which has been shown to modulate the inflammatory response and macrophages polarization between different phenotypes. The aim of this study is to determine the value of PRP in preventing radiation-induced malignancies in light of the cross-talk between PRP and activin A type II receptors (ActR-IIA)/follistatin (FST) signaling pathways where the inflammatory responses at 2 different time points were evaluated.Material and MethodsMale albino rats were exposed to radiation and given PRP over the course of 6 days. Rats were sacrificed on day 7 or day 28 post radiation.ResultsQuantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) and western-blot showed that after 7 days of administrating of PRP, ActR-IIA/FST signaling was markedly induced and was associated with the expressions of inflammatory, natural killer and M1 macrophages markers, TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ and IL-12. By contrast, on day 28 of PRP administration, ActR-IIA/FST signaling and the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines were downregulated in parallel with inducing M2 macrophages phenotype as indicated by arginase-1, IL-10 and dectin-1.ConclusionThe suppression of inflammation and induction of M2 macrophages phenotype in response to PRP administration were found significantly linked to ActR-IIA/FST signaling downregulation. Furthermore, the specific M2 macrophage subtype was found to express dectin-1 receptors which have high affinity for tumor cells thereby is expected to reduce the potential for developing tumors after radiotherapy.

Exploring the non-covalent binding behaviours of 7-hydroxyflavone and 3-hydroxyflavone with hen egg white lysozyme: Multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking perspectives

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 180
Author(s): Sourav Das, Mostofa Ataur Rohman, Atanu Singha Roy
The interactions of bio-active flavonoids, 7-hydroxyflavone (7HF) and 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF) with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) have been established using differential spectroscopic techniques along with the help of molecular docking method. The characteristic dual fluorescence of 3HF due to the excited intramolecular state proton transfer (ESIPT) process is altered markedly upon binding with HEWL. Both the flavonoids quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of HEWL through static quenching mechanism while the binding affinity of 7HF was found to be greater than 3HF under experimental conditions. The binding constant (Kb) values were estimated to be in the order of 10⁴ M⁻¹ and decreased with the rise in temperature. The contributions of the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° and ΔS°) revealed that hydrophobic forces along with hydrogen bonding played a crucial role in the interaction of HEWL with 7HF and 3HF respectively and this finding was aptly supported by the molecular docking studies. The donor (HEWL) to acceptors (7HF and 3HF) binding distances were calculated using the Föster's theory. The phenomena of blue shifting of the emission maxima of the residues indicated the increase in hydrophobicity around the Trp micro-environment upon addition of the flavonoids was observed from synchronous and 3D fluorescence measurements whereas REES study indicated the decrease in mobility of the Trp residues upon addition of the ligands. The CD, FTIR and thermal melting studies indicated the alteration in the structural stability of HEWL on ligand binding and it was found that the % α-helical content decreased on complexation with 7HF and 3HF respectively as compared to native state. The flavonoids were found to inhibit the enzymatic activity of HEWL. The molecular docking results and accessible surface area (ASA) calculations revealed that the flavonoids bind within the active site of HEWL. The negative ΔG° values obtained from experimental and molecular docking studies indicate the spontaneity of the interaction processes.

Graphical abstract

Synthesis and characterization of Tamoxifen citrate modified reduced graphene oxide nano sheets for breast cancer therapy

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 180
Author(s): Yu-jin Zhang, Bao-an Li, Zhao-yuan Li, Ning xia, Hai-ying Yu, Ya-zhi Zhang
Theranostic agents are of immense consideration in the current generation nanomedicine. In this study, we have developed a facile approach for the fabrication of Tamoxifen citrate modified nanosized reduced graphene oxide (nano-rGO) with more stability and low cytotoxicity. The prepared nano-rGO sheets were characterized using HR-TEM and AFM imaging techniques. Further, the cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assay on female BALB/c nude mice MCF-7 cell lines. In addition, by means of continuous-wave near-infrared laser, cancer cells in vivo were significantly ablated because of the photothermal effect stimulated by tamoxifen modified nano-rGO. These results indicated that the prepared tamoxifen modified nano-rGO has the ability to apply in the photothermal therapy of breast cancers. Consequently, further exploration of photothermal therapeutics is desirable for the synthesis of novel nano materials with additional functionalities.

Graphical abstract

Effect of carbon limitation on photosynthetic electron transport in Nannochloropsis oculata

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Tomáš Zavřel, Milán Szabó, Bojan Tamburic, Christian Evenhuis, Unnikrishnan Kuzhiumparambil, Petra Literáková, Anthony W.D. Larkum, John A. Raven, Jan Červený, Peter J. Ralph
This study describes the impacts of inorganic carbon limitation on the photosynthetic efficiency and operation of photosynthetic electron transport pathways in the biofuel-candidate microalga Nannochloropsis oculata. Using a combination of highly-controlled cultivation setup (photobioreactor), variable chlorophyll a fluorescence and transient spectroscopy methods (electrochromic shift (ECS) and P700 redox kinetics), we showed that net photosynthesis and effective quantum yield of Photosystem II (PSII) decreased in N. oculata under carbon limitation. This was accompanied by a transient increase in total proton motive force and energy-dependent non-photochemical quenching as well as slightly elevated respiration. On the other hand, under carbon limitation the rapid increase in proton motive force (PMF, estimated from the total ECS signal) was also accompanied by reduced conductivity of ATP synthase to protons (estimated from the rate of ECS decay in dark after actinic illumination). This indicates that the slow operation of ATP synthase results in the transient build-up of PMF, which leads to the activation of fast energy dissipation mechanisms such as energy-dependent non-photochemical quenching. N. oculata also increased content of lipids under carbon limitation, which compensated for reduced NAPDH consumption during decreased CO2 fixation. The integrated knowledge of the underlying energetic regulation of photosynthetic processes attained with a combination of biophysical methods may be used to identify photo-physiological signatures of the onset of carbon limitation in microalgal cultivation systems, as well as to potentially identify microalgal strains that can better acclimate to carbon limitation.

Photodynamic effect and mechanism study of selenium-enriched phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis against liver tumours

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 180
Author(s): Zijian Liu, Xiang Fu, Wei Huang, Chunxia Li, Xinyan Wang, Bei Huang
Selenium-containing phycocyanin (Se-PC) has been proved to have many biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In this study, we investigated the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects of Se-PC against liver tumour in vitro and in vivo experiment. Our results demonstrated that the half lethal dose of Se-PC PDT on HepG2 cells was 100μg/ml PC containing 20% selenium. Se-PC location migration from lysosomes to mitochondria was time dependent. In in vivo experiments, the tumour inhibition rate was 75.4% in the Se-PC PDT group, compared to 52.6% in PC PDT group. Histological observations revealed that the tumour cells outside the tissue showed cellular necrosis, and those inside the tissue exhibited apoptotic nuclei and digested vacuoles in the cytoplasm after Se-PC PDT treatment. Antioxidant enzyme analysis indicated that GSH-Px activity was linked to the selenium content of Se-PC, and SOD activity was affected by PC PDT. Therefore, Se-PC PDT could induce cell death through free radical production of PDT in tumours and enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes with selenium in vivo. The mechanism of Se-PC PDT against liver tumour involves hematocyte damage and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis accompanied with autophagy inhibition during early stage of tumour development, which displayed new prospect and offered relatively safe way for cancer therapy.

The effect of combined photobiomodulation and curcumin on skin wound healing in type I diabetes in rats

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Hasan Soleimani, Abdollah Amini, Soudabeh Taheri, Ensieh Sajadi, Sasha Shafikhani, Lucia A. Schuger, Vijaya B. Reddy, Seyed Kamran Ghoreishi, Ramin Pouriran, Sufan Chien, Mohammad Bayat
The purpose of the present scientific study was to analyze the effects of combined pulsed wave Photobiomodulation (PW PBM) and Curcumin on the microbial flora; in addition, the tensiometrical wounds properties for type one diabetes mellitus (TIDM) in an experimental animal model.TIDM induction was performed in thirty rats. In the entire animals, one full-thickness excision was implemented on their backs. Randomly, the divisions of rats into 5 groups took place. The primary group was considered as the control group and did not receive any treatment. The secondary group (placebo) received sesame oil by gastric gavage. The third group received PWPBM (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.2 J/cm²). The fourth group received curcumin (40 mg/kg, which was dissolved in sesame oil) by gastric gavage. Eventually, the fifth group received PW PBM + curcumin. Precisely, on day 7, microbiological examinations, and on the 15th day microbiological and tensiometrical examinations were conducted. The data were analyzed by statistical tests.PW PBM, significantly exacerbated tensiometrical properties of the TIDM repairing wound. PW PBM, curcumin, and PWPBM + curcumin significantly decreased colony forming units compared to the control and the placebo groups indeed.It was remarkably attained that PW PBM significantly accelerated the process of wound healing in the STZ-induced TIDM. The PW PBM was statistically more compelling compared to the curcumin and PWPBM + curcumin. PW PBM, curcumin, and PWPBM + curcumin significantly decreased colony forming units compared to the control and placebo groups.

Catalytic potential of bio-synthesized silver nanoparticles using Convolvulus arvensis extract for the degradation of environmental pollutants

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Tahir Rasheed, Muhammad Bilal, Chuanlong Li, Faran Nabeel, Muhammad Khalid, Hafiz M.N. Iqbal
Herein, we reported a facile, green and environmental friendlier biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the Convolvulus arvensis extract. The influences of various physicochemical factors such as the concentration of the plant extract, reaction time, and different pH levels were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The UV–Visible absorption spectrum of biogenic silver nanoparticles at λmax around ~400 nm suggested the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to confirm the chemical transformation and role of various phyto-reductants in the conversion of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰. The surface morphology, topography, and elemental composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. X-ray diffraction corroborated the face-centered cubic crystalline structure. The dynamic light scattering and zeta potential demonstrate the size distribution (90.9 nm) and surface charge (−18.5). Finally, the newly developed C. arvensis based silver nanoparticles were exploited as a catalyst for the catalytic reduction of azo dyes in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent, and reducing the activity of C. arvensis based silver nanoparticles was evaluated by a decrease in optical density using UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The nanoparticles developed herein displayed potential efficiency for the degradation of all the tested dye pollutants. Conclusively, plant-based synthesis of nanoparticles provides an environmentally-responsive option for the reduction of highly environmental-polluted organic compounds including toxic azo dyes as compared to chemical and physical methods.