Acute GvHD (aGvHD) is a life-threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Frontline therapy for aGvHD consists of corticosteroid administration. However, ∼25% of the patients ...have a steroid-refractory disease, a sign of poor prognosis. An alternative therapy for steroid-refractory aGvHD is infusion of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Herein, we report the results of 46 patients treated with MSC infusion as salvage therapy for steroid-refractory aGvHD III/IV (78% grade IV). Patients received a median cumulative dose of MSCs of 6.81 × 10
/kg (range, 0.98-29.78 × 10
/kg) in a median of 3 infusions (range, 1-7). Median time between the onset of aGvHD and the first MSC infusion was 25.5 days (range, 6-153). Of the patients, 50% (23/46) presented clinical improvement. Of these, 3 patients (13%) had complete response, 14 (61%) had partial response and 6 (26%) had transient partial response. The estimated probability of survival at 2s year was 17.4%. Only 2 patients (4.3%) presented acute transient side effects (nausea/vomiting and blurred vision) during cell infusion. No patient had late or severe side effects because of MSC infusion. These results suggest that this therapeutic modality is safe and should be considered for steroid-refractory aGvHD, especially in countries where other second-line agents are less available.
New results on the short-term galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) intensity variation (Forbish decrease) in 2006 December measured by the PAMELA instrument are presented. Forbush decreases are sudden ...suppressions of the GCR intensities, which are associated with the passage of interplanetary transients such as shocks and interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs). Most of the past measurements of this phenomenon were carried out with ground-based detectors such as neutron monitors or muon telescopes. These techniques allow only the indirect detection of the overall GCR intensity over an integrated energy range. For the first time, thanks to the unique features of the PAMELA magnetic spectrometer, the Forbush decrease, commencing on 2006 December 14 and following a CME at the Sun on 2006 December 13, was studied in a wide rigidity range (0.4-20 GV) and for different species of GCRs detected directly in space. The daily averaged GCR proton intensity was used to investigate the rigidity dependence of the amplitude and the recovery time of the Forbush decrease. Additionally, for the first time, the temporal variations in the helium and electron intensities during a Forbush decrease were studied. Interestingly, the temporal evolutions of the helium and proton intensities during the Forbush decrease were found to be in good agreement, while the low rigidity electrons ( GV) displayed a faster recovery. This difference in the electron recovery is interpreted as a charge sign dependence introduced by drift motions experienced by the GCRs during their propagation through the heliosphere.
In summary, our study emphasizes that CCP should not be transfused late in the course of disease, when the clinical course is driven by inflammation. Google Scholar Casadevall A, Scharff MD. Serum ...therapy revisited: animal models of infection and development of passive antibody therapy. Development and validation of a treatment benefit index to identify hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who may benefit from convalescent plasma.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aims. The goal of this work is to infer the star formation properties and the mass assembly process of high redshift ($0.3 \leq z < 2.5$) galaxies from their IR emission using the 24 μm band of ...MIPS-Spitzer. Methods. We used an updated version of the GOODS-MUSIC catalog, which has multiwavelength coverage from 0.3 to 24 μm and either spectroscopic or accurate photometric redshifts. We describe how the catalog has been extended by the addition of mid-IR fluxes derived from the MIPS 24 μm image. We compared two different estimators of the star formation rate (SFR hereafter). One is the total infrared emission derived from 24 μm, estimated using both synthetic and empirical IR templates. The other one is a multiwavelength fit to the full galaxy SED, which automatically accounts for dust reddening and age-star formation activity degeneracies. For both estimates, we computed the SFR density and the specific SFR. Results. We show that the two SFR indicators are roughly consistent, once the uncertainties involved are taken into account. However, they show a systematic trend, IR-based estimates exceeding the fit-based ones as the star formation rate increases. With this new catalog, we show that: a) at $z>0.3$, the star formation rate is correlated well with stellar mass, and this relationship seems to steepen with redshift if one relies on IR-based estimates of the SFR; b) the contribution to the global SFRD by massive galaxies increases with redshift up to $\simeq $2.5, more rapidly than for galaxies of lower mass, but appears to flatten at higher z; c) despite this increase, the most important contributors to the SFRD at any z are galaxies of about, or immediately lower than, the characteristic stellar mass; d) at $z\simeq 2$, massive galaxies are actively star-forming, with a median ${\it SFR} \simeq 300~ M_\odot$ yr-1. During this epoch, our targeted galaxies assemble a substantial part of their final stellar mass; e) the specific SFR (SSFR) shows a clear bimodal distribution. Conclusions. The analysis of the SFR density and the SSFR seems to support the downsizing scenario, according to which high mass galaxies have formed their stars earlier and more rapidly than their low mass counterparts. A comparison with renditions of theoretical simulations of galaxy formation and evolution indicates that these models follow the global increase in the SSFR with redshift and predict the existence of quiescent galaxies even at $z>1.5$. However, the average SSFR is systematically underpredicted by all models considered.
Purpose
The relevance of cardiotoxicity in the context of HER2-positive breast cancer is likely to increase with increasing patient treatment exposure, number of treatment lines, and prolonged ...survival. Circulating biomarkers to early identify patients at risk of cardiotoxicity could allow personalized treatment and follow-up measures. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between circulating microRNAs and adverse cardiac events in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
Methods
We based our work on plasma samples from NeoALTTO trial obtained at baseline, after 2 weeks of anti-HER2 therapy, and immediately before surgery. Eleven patients experienced either a symptomatic or asymptomatic cardiac event. Circulating microRNAs were profiled in all patients presenting a cardiac event (case) and in an equal number of matched patients free of reported cardiac events (controls) using microRNA-Ready-to-Use PCR (Human panel I + II). Sensitivity analyses were performed by increasing the number of controls to 1:2 and 1:3. Normalized microRNA expression levels were compared between cases and controls using the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test.
Results
Eight circulating microRNAs resulted differentially expressed after 2 weeks of anti-HER2 therapy between patients experiencing or not a cardiac event. Specifically, the expression of miR-125b-5p, miR-409-3p, miR-15a-5p, miR-423-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-99a-5p, and miR-320b increased in plasma of cases as compared to controls, while the expression of miR-642a-5p decreases. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that all these microRNAs were involved in cardiomyocyte adrenergic signaling pathway.
Conclusion
This study provides proof of concept that circulating microRNAs tested soon after treatment start could serve as biomarkers of cardiotoxicity in a very early stage in breast cancer patients receiving anti-HER2 therapy.
ABSTRACT Precision measurements of the electron component of cosmic radiation provide important information about the origin and propagation of cosmic rays in the Galaxy not accessible from the study ...of cosmic-ray nuclear components due to their differing diffusion and energy-loss processes. However, when measured near Earth, the effects of propagation and modulation of Galactic cosmic rays in the heliosphere, particularly significant for energies up to at least 30 GeV, must be properly taken into account. In this paper the electron (e−) spectra measured by the Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics down to 70 MeV from 2006 July to 2009 December over six-month time intervals are presented. Fluxes are compared with a state-of-the-art three-dimensional model of solar modulation that reproduces the observations remarkably well.
The High-energy Particle Detector (HEPD) on board the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES-01)-launched on 2018 February 2-is a light and compact payload suitable for measuring electrons ...(3-100 MeV), protons (30-250 MeV), and light nuclei (up to a few hundreds of MeV). The Sun-synchronous orbit and large acceptance allow HEPD to measure cosmic-ray particles near the 65° latitude limit for a fair amount of time per day. In this work, three semiannual galactic hydrogen energy spectra between ∼40 and 250 MeV are presented, including a comparison with theoretical spectra from HelMod, a 2D Monte Carlo model developed to simulate the solar modulation of cosmic rays throughout the heliosphere. To our knowledge, these are the first hydrogen energy spectra below 250 MeV measured at 1 au between 2018 and 2020.
Purpose
To cope physical and/or psychological threats, the human body activates multiple processes, mediated by a close interconnection among brain, endocrine and inflammatory systems. The aim of the ...study was to assess the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axes involvement after an acute stressful event (Emilia Romagna earthquake swarm) with a big data approach.
Methods
A retrospective, observational trial was performed, collecting all biochemical examinations regarding HPA and HPT axes performed in the same laboratory the year before and the year after the earthquake swarm (20–29 May 2012).
Results
Comparing 2576 pre-earthquake to 3021 post-earthquake measurements, a cortisol serum level increase was observed (
p
< 0.001). Similar increase was evident for urinary free cortisol (
p
= 0.016), but not for adrenocorticotropic hormone (
p
= 0.222). The biochemical hypercortisolism incidence increased from 7.6 to 10.3% after earthquakes (
p
= 0.001). Comparing 68,456 pre-earthquake to 116,521 post-earthquake measurements, a reduction in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels was evident (
p
= 0.018), together with an increase in free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels (
p
< 0.001 and
p
< 0.001). Moreover, a significant increase in altered TSH after earthquakes was registered considering the epicenter-nearest measurements (
p
< 0.001). No clinically relevant alterations were observed considering thyroid-specific autoantibodies.
Conclusion
A long-term HPA axis activation in the inhabitants of the earthquake-affected areas was highlighted for the first time. Moreover, an increased incidence of biochemical hypercortisolism emerged after earthquakes. We confirmed a recruitment of HPT axis after stressful events, together with increased incidence of altered TSH in the. Our big data study allowed to increase knowledge about the connection between external stressors and endocrine regulation.
The China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) aims to monitor electromagnetic, particle, and plasma perturbations in the iono-magnetosphere and inner Van Allen radiation belts originated by ...electromagnetic sources external and internal to the geomagnetic cavity, cosmic rays, and solar events. In particular, the objective of the space mission is to investigate lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling mechanisms (including the effects of lightning, earthquakes, volcanoes, and artificial electromagnetic emissions) that induce perturbations of the top side of the ionosphere and lower boundary of the radiation belts. To this purpose, the mission has been conceived to take advantage of a multi-instrument payload comprising nine detectors for the measurement of electromagnetic field components, plasma parameters, and energetic particles, as well as X-ray flux. The Italian team participating in the CSES mission has built one of these devices, the High-Energy Particle Detector (HEPD), for high-precision observations of electrons, protons, and light nuclei. During its trip along the orbit, and thanks to the large set of detectors operated on board, CSES completely monitors the Earth, acting as an excellent instrument for space weather. The satellite was launched on 2018 February 2, with an expected life span of 5 yr. This article describes the CSES mission with a particular focus on the HEPD apparatus and its in-flight performance.
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