Cardiovascular changes after administration of aerosolized salbutamol in horses: five cases

Prevention and treatment of intraoperative hypoxemia in horses is difficult and both efficacy and safety of therapeutic maneuvers have to be taken into account. Inhaled salbutamol has been suggested as treatment of hypoxia in horses during general anesthesia, due to safety and ease of the technique. The present report describes the occurrence of clinically relevant unwanted cardiovascular effects (i.e. tachycardia and blood pressure modifications) in 5 horses undergoing general anesthesia in dorsal recumbency after salbutamol inhalation. Balanced anesthesia based on inhalation of isoflurane in oxygen or oxygen and air and continuous rate infusion (CRI) of lidocaine, romifidine, or combination of lidocaine and guaifenesine and ketamine was provided. Supportive measures were necessary to restore normal cardiovascular function in all horses but no long-term adverse effects were noticed in any of the cases

Cardiac Explant-Derived Cells Are Regulated by Notch-Modulated Mesenchymal Transition

Progenitor cell therapy is emerging as a novel treatment for heart failure. However the molecular mechanisms regulating the generation of cardiac progenitor cells is not fully understood. We hypothesized that cardiac progenitor cells are generated from cardiac explant via a process similar to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).Explant-derived cells were generated from partially digested atrial tissue. After 21 days in culture, c-Kit+ cells were isolated from cell outgrowth. The majority of explant-originated c-Kit+ cells expressed the epicardial marker Wt1. Cardiac cell outgrowth exhibits a temporal up-regulation of EMT-markers. Notch stimulation augmented, while Notch inhibition suppressed, mesenchymal transition in both c-Kit+ and c-Kit- cells. In c-Kit+ cells, Notch stimulation reduced, while Notch inhibition up-regulated pluripotency marker expressions such as Nanog and Sox2. Notch induction was associated with degradation of β-catenin in c-Kit- cells. In contrast, Notch inhibition resulted in β-catenin accumulation, acquisition of epitheloid morphology, and up-regulation of Wnt target genes in c-Kit- cells.Our study suggests that Notch-mediated reversible EMT process is a mechanism that regulates explant-derived c-Kit+ and c-Kit- cells

Mild hypothermia delays the development of stone heart from untreated sustained ventricular fibrillation - a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>'Stone heart' resulting from ischemic contracture of the myocardium, precludes successful resuscitation from ventricular fibrillation (VF). We hypothesized that mild hypothermia might slow the progression to stone heart.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fourteen swine (27 ± 1 kg) were randomized to normothermia (group I; n = 6) or hypothermia groups (group II; n = 8). Mild hypothermia (34 ± 2°C) was induced with ice packs prior to VF induction. The LV and right ventricular (RV) cross-sectional areas were followed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance until the development of stone heart. A commercial 1.5T GE Signa NV-CV/i scanner was used. Complete anatomic coverage of the heart was acquired using a steady-state free precession (SSFP) pulse sequence gated at baseline prior to VF onset. Un-gated SSFP images were obtained serially after VF induction. The ventricular endocardium was manually traced and LV and RV volumes were calculated at each time point.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In group I, the LV was dilated compared to baseline at 5 minutes after VF and this remained for 20 minutes. Stone heart, arbitrarily defined as LV volume <1/3 of baseline at the onset of VF, occurred at 29 ± 3 minutes. In group II, there was less early dilation of the LV (p < 0.05) and the development of stone heart was delayed to 52 ± 4 minutes after onset of VF (P < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this closed-chest swine model of prolonged untreated VF, hypothermia reduced the early LV dilatation and importantly, delayed the onset of stone heart thereby extending a known, morphologic limit of resuscitability.</p

Bacillus pumilus reveals a remarkably high resistance to hydrogen peroxide provoked oxidative stress

Contains fulltext : 127684.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Bacillus pumilus is characterized by a higher oxidative stress resistance than other comparable industrially relevant Bacilli such as B. subtilis or B. licheniformis. In this study the response of B. pumilus to oxidative stress was investigated during a treatment with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide at the proteome, transcriptome and metabolome level. Genes/proteins belonging to regulons, which are known to have important functions in the oxidative stress response of other organisms, were found to be upregulated, such as the Fur, Spx, SOS or CtsR regulon. Strikingly, parts of the fundamental PerR regulon responding to peroxide stress in B. subtilis are not encoded in the B. pumilus genome. Thus, B. pumilus misses the catalase KatA, the DNA-protection protein MrgA or the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase AhpCF. Data of this study suggests that the catalase KatX2 takes over the function of the missing KatA in the oxidative stress response of B. pumilus. The genome-wide expression analysis revealed an induction of bacillithiol (Cys-GlcN-malate, BSH) relevant genes. An analysis of the intracellular metabolites detected high intracellular levels of this protective metabolite, which indicates the importance of bacillithiol in the peroxide stress resistance of B. pumilus

Results of a 2-arm, phase 2 clinical trial using post-transplantation cyclophosphamide for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease in haploidentical donor and mismatched unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BackgroundHigh-dose, post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has improved outcomes in haploidentical (HAPLO) stem cell transplantation (SCT). However, it remains unclear whether this strategy is effective in SCT from 1-antigen human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched unrelated donors (9/10 MUD) and how the outcomes of these patients compare with those of haploidentical transplantation recipients.MethodsA parallel, 2-arm, nonrandomized phase 2 clinical trial was conducted of melphalan-based reduced-intensity conditioning with PTCy, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil to prevent GVHD in patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies who underwent HAPLO (n = 60) or 9/10 MUD (n = 46) SCT.ResultsThe 1-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 70% and 60%, respectively, in the HAPLO arm and 60% and 47%, respectively, in the 9/10 MUD arm. The day +100 cumulative incidence of grade II to IV acute GVHD and grade III to IV acute GVHD was 28% and 3%, respectively, in the HAPLO arm and 33% and 13%, respectively, in the 9/10 MUD arm. The 2-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 24% in the HAPLO arm and 19% in the 9/10 MUD arm. The 1-year cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality was 21% in the HAPLO arm and 31% in the 9/10 MUD arm, and the 1-year relapse rate was 19% in the HAPLO arm and 25% in the 9/10 MUD arm.ConclusionsAlthough this was a nonrandomized study and could not serve as a direct comparison between the 2 groups, the authors conclude that PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis is effective for both HAPLO and 9/10 MUD SCTs. Prospective randomized trials will be required to compare the efficacies of alternative donor options for patients lacking HLA-matched donors. Cancer 2016;122:3316-3326. © 2016 American Cancer Society

Results of a Two-Arm Phase II Clinical Trial Using Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide for Prevention of Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Haploidentical and Mismatched Unrelated Donors Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Abstract Allogeneic stem cell transplantation offers curative therapy for many patients (pts) with high-risk hematologic malignancies. Donor availability remains a major limitation for many pts. The introduction of high-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has significantly improved the outcomes of pts undergoing haploidentical (HAPLO) stem cell transplants. The choice between a HAPLO or a one-antigen HLA mismatched unrelated donor (9/10 MUD) for pts lacking an HLA-matched donor remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a prospective non-randomized phase 2 clinical trial with two parallel arms, HAPLO (n=60) and 9/10 MUD (n=46) transplants, for pts with advanced hematologic malignancies or aplastic anemia who lacked an HLA-matched unrelated donor type at 10 loci (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1) using a MEL-based reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. The regimen included a single intravenous dose of MEL 140 mg/m2 (day -7), thiotepa 5 mg/kg (day -6), and four daily IV doses of fludarabine 40 mg/m2 (day -5 to day -2) (FM140). Thiotepa was intermittently available and was replaced by total body irradiation at a dose of 2 Gy on day -1. Pts &gt;55 years (yr) old or with significant comorbidities received a lower MEL dose (100 mg/m2) (FM100). All pts with CD20-positive lymphoma received rituximab (375 mg/m2) on days -13, -6, +1 and +8. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of PTCy 50 mg/kg on day +3 and +4, and tacrolimus and mycophenolate for 6 and 3 months (mo), respectively. The stem cell source was unmodified bone marrow for both arms. Results: Patient characteristics are shown in Table 1. The median follow-up duration was 24 mo in the HAPLO arm and 29 mo in the 9/10 MUD arm. The cumulative incidence (CI) of neutrophil (ANC) recovery at day 45 was 95% and 98% in the HAPLO and 9/10 MUD arm, respectively. The median time to ANC recovery was 18 days in both arms; the median time to platelet recovery was 25 days in the HAPLO arm and 28 days in the 9/10 MUD arm. Primary graft failure developed in two pts in the HAPLO arm (one due to anti-donor HLA antibodies) and one patient in the 9/10 MUD arm. One pt in both arms developed mixed donor chimerism at day 100; otherwise, all pts in both arms achieved full (&gt;95%) donor chimerism. Bone marrow was the graft source in all pts except 2 in the HAPLO arm and 8 in the 9/10 MUD arm who received a peripheral blood graft. The 1-yr overall and progression free survival were 70% and 60%, respectively, in the HAPLO arm (Fig. 1A) and 60% and 47%, respectively, in the 9/10 MUD arm (Fig. 1B). Day 100 CI of grade II-IV aGVHD and III-IV aGVHD were 28% and 3%, respectively, in the HAPLO arm versus 33% and 13%, respectively, in the 9/10 MUD arm; the 2-yr CI of chronic extensive GVHD was 13% and 14% in the two groups, respectively. The 1-yr CI of non-relapse mortality was 21% in the HAPLO arm and 31% in the 9/10 MUD arm, while the 1-yr relapse rate was 19% and 25% in the two groups, respectively. Conclusions: This study establishes PTCy, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate as an effective regimen for GVHD prevention in mismatched transplantation using both haploidentical and mismatched unrelated donor sources. Melphalan-based reduced-intensity conditioning is an effective regimen for a broad range of hematologic malignancies. Prospective randomized studies comparing haploidentical and unrelated donor sources are needed. Table 1. HAPLO (n=60) 9/10 MUD (n=46) Median Age, years (Range) 45 (20-63) 51 (20-64) Sex (M/F) 29/31 23/23 KPS ³90 53 (88%) 40 (87%) &lt;90 7 (12%) 6 (13%) HCT-CI 0-3 50 (83%) 38 (83%) &gt;3 10 (17%) 8 (17%) Disease Risk Index* Very high 5 (8%) 3 (7%) High 18 (30%) 15 (33%) Intermediate 29 (48%) 12 (26%) Low 8 (13%) 12 (26%) NA 0 4 (9%)** Conditioning Regimen FM100 20 (33) 18 (39%) FM140 40 (67%) 28 (61%) Diagnosis AML/MDS 33 (55%) 18 (39%) ALL 7 (11%) 5 (11%) Lymphoma 10 (17%) 13 (28%) Others 10 (17%) 10 (22%) Disease Stage Acute Leukemia CR1/CR2 24 (66%) 9 (56%) CR3 or higher/ CRpx 6 (17%) 5 (31%) Active disease 6 (17%) 2 (13%) Lymphoma CR 3 (30%) 8 (62%) PR 5 (50%) 3 (23%) Chemoresistant 2 (20%) 2 (15%) *Disease Risk Index by Armand et al; xCRp: Complete Remission with incomplete count recovery; **Patients had aplastic anemia. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Brammer: Celgene: Research Funding. Lee:Ziopharm: Equity Ownership; Cyto-Sen: Equity Ownership; Intrexon: Equity Ownership. Rezvani:Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Alousi:Therakos, Inc: Research Funding. </jats:sec