Integrated genome and tissue engineering enables screening of cancer vulnerabilities in physiologically relevant perfusable ex vivo cultures

Genetic screens are powerful tools for both resolving biological function and identifying potential therapeutic targets, but require physiologically accurate systems to glean biologically useful information. Here, we enable genetic screens in physiologically relevant ex vivo cancer tissue models by integrating CRISPR-Cas-based genome engineering and biofabrication technologies. We first present a novel method for generating perfusable tissue constructs, and validate its functionality by using it to generate three-dimensional perfusable dense cultures of cancer cell lines and sustain otherwise ex vivo unculturable patient-derived xenografts. Using this system we enable large-scale CRISPR screens in perfused tissue cultures, as well as emulate a novel point-of-care diagnostics scenario of a clinically actionable CRISPR knockout (CRISPRko) screen of genes with FDA-approved drug treatments in ex vivo PDX cell cultures. Our results reveal differences across in vitro and in vivo cancer model systems, and highlight the utility of programmable tissue engineered models for screening therapeutically relevant cancer vulnerabilities.

Selection of a suitable data set and model for the genetic evaluation of the linear description of conformation and type description in Old Kladruber horses

Abstract. The objective of this paper was to select a suitable data subset and statistical model for the estimation of genetic parameters for 36 traits of the linear type in 977 Old Kladruber horses. Two subsets were tested to identify a suitable subset for analysis. One subset included repeated evaluation of certain individuals, whereas the other did not. The most suitable subset included repeated evaluation (n=1 390). The selection of a suitable model was made from 4 candidate models. These models comprised a number of random effects (direct individual effect and animal permanent environmental effect of the animal) and a number of fixed effects (colour variant, stud, colour variant × stud interaction, sex, age at description, year of birth, year of description). The model was selected based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC, Akaike 1974), residual variance and heritability coefficient. The model that included colour variant, stud, colour variant × stud interaction, sex, age at description, and year of description as fixed effects and direct individual and animal permanent environment as random effects was the most suitable model for the estimation of genetic parameters and for the subsequent estimation of breeding values.

Population structure of Czech cold-blooded breeds of horses

Abstract. In order to estimate effective population size, generation interval and the development of inbreeding coefficients (Fx) in three original breeds of cold-blooded horses kept in the Czech Republic: Silesian Noriker (SN), Noriker (N) and Czech-Moravian Belgian horse (CMB) all animals of the particular breeds born from 1990 to 2007 were analysed. The average values of generation interval between parents and their offspring were: 8.53 in SN, 8.88 in N and 8.56 in CMB. Average values of effective population size were estimated to be: 86.3 in SN, 162.3 in N and 104.4 in CMB. The average values of inbreeding coefficient were 3.13 % in SN stallions and 3.39 % in SN mares, in the N breed 1.76 % and 1.26 % and in the CMB breed 3.84 % and 3.26 % respectively. Overall averages of Fx were: 3.23 %, 1.51 % and 3.55 % for the breeds SN, N and CMB. The average value of inbreeding coefficient Fx increased by 1.22 % in SN, by 0.35 % in N and by 1.01 % in CMB, respectively. This may lead to a reduction in genetic variability. Reduction in genetic variability could be either controlled in cooperation with corresponding populations of cold-blooded breeds in other European countries or controlled by number of sires used in population

Selection in the genetic resource: genetic variation of the linear described type traits in the Old Kladrub horse

Abstract. The structure of the breed in 2003 was: 39 sires and 350 dams. The breed was closed against immigration in 1992. In 1993 and 2003 coefficients of inbreeding (Fx) were calculated from 5 parental generations for sires and dams in the whole breed and white and black variety. From 1993 to 2003 decreased the Fx (%) in the breed for stallions from 5.65 to 5.57 and for mares from 7.75 to 4.88. The effective population size was in 1993 Ne=114.00 and 2003 Ne=140.36. The increment of Ne during the 10-year period was 26.36 animals. The average heterozygosity estimated on the frequencies of blood types, biochemical markers and microsatellites was enough large and was connected with a low coefficient of inbreeding. Linear type evolutions of 494 horses of the Old Kladrub breed for 32 traits were used to analyse the effect of variety and stud. The data were used for the estimation of population parameters and heritability coefficients. The specific properties and variation of the Old Kladrub horse in its current state were characterized by the overall mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, number of utilized scores and heritabilities. The highest coefficient of variation showed the forelimbs-side view (40.14 %), chest girth (36.25 %) and height at withers (30.97 %). The 8 traits showed heritabilities within the interval of 0.20 to 0.68. These traits are candidates as selection criteria. Significant differences between both varieties were found in 13 from 32 traits. Significant differences were found in 12 of 32 traits between the Kladruby stud and the private studs.

Estimation of animal × environment interaction in Czech beef cattle

Abstract. The objective was the estimation of animal × environment interaction for weaning weight (WWT) of the most frequent breeds of beef cattle in the Czech Republic. The environment was represented by 3 areas: Mountain (1), Foothills (2) and Lowland (3). A pairwise analysis was carried out between the areas: 1 vs 2 (n=5 149) and 2 vs 3 (n=4 971) for the estimation of (co)variance components and genetic correlations between the environments. A multiple-trait animal model was used where weaning weights in different areas were considered as different traits. The direct and maternal heritability estimates of WWT were for area (1): 0.12 (direct) and 0.05 (maternal); for (2): 0.26 and 0.11 (direct), 0.10 and 0.11 (maternal) and for (3): 0.26 (direct) 0.03 (maternal). Direct and maternal genetic correlations were between: 1 and 2 0.98 and 0.65 respectively, with standard deviations 0.03 and 0.37 respectively, and between 2 and 3: 0.82 and 0.50 respectively, with standard deviations 0.12 and 0.31 respectivly. The magnitude of the across-areas genetic correlation indicates that the animal by environment interaction was not biologically important and can be ignored in the evaluation of beef cattle in the Czech Republic.

Weekly high-dose 5-FU as a 24h-infusion and sodium folinic acid (AIO regimen) plus Irinotecan in patients with locally advanced non-resectable and metastatic adenocarcinoma or squamous epithelial carcinoma of the esophagus: Analysis of a phase II trial

15051

Background: In the majority of patients with esophageal carcinoma curative treatment proves to be impossible when establishing the diagnosis. While adenocarcinomas (ac) of the oesophago-gastric junction are increasingly treated in the same way as gastric carcinomas, the most frequently applied palliative chemotherapy regimen for both advanced squamous epithelial carcinomas (sec) of the oesophagus and gastric carcinomas is a combination of 5-FU and cisplatin. The question should be answered whether the AIO regimen plus irinotecan may achieve similarly positive results in esophageal carcinomas such as in gastric carcinomas (median survival (ms) up to 11 months). Methods: Prospective phase II trial, patients: n=25, trial start: 11/2002, chemotherapy: Irinotecan (80 mg/m2 i.v. as 1h-infusion; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57) as well as sodium folinic acid (500 mg/m2 i.v.) together with 5-FU (2000 mg/m2 i.v.; d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, qd 57) as 24h-infusion via a miniature pump system. Results: Last date of evaluation: 31/12/2006: n=25; ac: n=13, sec: n=12; UICC III: n=3, UICC IV: n =22; grading G1/G2/G3/G4: 0/10/10/5; median age: 58 (44- 77) years; men/women: 20/5; ECOG 0/1/2/3: 3/17/4/1; chemotherapeutic applications: 429. Evaluable in terms of toxicity: n=25. Higher grade toxicity: grade (g) III diarrhea: n=2, g III hyponatremia: n=1, g III stomatitis: n=1, g III fatigue: n=1, g III vomiting: n=1, g IV nausea: n=1, g IV elevation of creatinine: n=1, thrombosis of the vena subclavia: n=1, ischemic lesion of the brain stem: n=1. 4 patients died after 2 chemotherapeutic applications due to known peritoneal carcinomatosis and high tumour burden. Evaluable in terms of response: n=25. PR: n=7 (28%), SD: n=10 (40%), PD: n=2 (8%), not evaluable: n=6 (24%). Cases of death: n=18. Total ms: 13 months (95% CI 3,9–22,1). ms of ac: 20 months (95% CI 8,6–31,4). ms of sec: 8 months (95% CI 0,0–17). Secondary resection (R0): n=2. Conclusion: In oesophageal carcinomas the AIO regimen plus irinotecan is excellently manageable on an outpatient basis and shows high efficacy in both adenocarcinomas and squamous epithelial carcinomas of the oesophagus.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Interaction of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) with Helicobacter pylori in the stomach of humans and experimental animals

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are major pathogenic factors in peptic ulcer disease but whether these two factors exert synergistic or antagonistic action on the gastric mucosa has been a subject of controversy. The classic concept states that there is an increased ulcer occurrence and bleeding in patients with both H. pylori infection and NSAID use. However, the question whether the H. pylori eradication therapy in NSAID users reduces the occurrence of peptic ulcer has not been fully addressed. Studies on secondary prevention of NSAID-associated ulcers in H. pylori patients have indicated that H. pylori eradication results in impaired ulcer healing with an effect on the rate of peptic ulcer occurrence. On the other hand, the treatment of H. pylori in patients with no prior history of chronic NSAID therapy has been shown to decrease the risk of peptic ulcer. Studies in experimental animals revealed for instance, that the H. pylori infection augments the gastric mucosal damage induced by NSAID in Mongolian gerbils. In rats with preexisting chromic gastric ulcers, H. pylori infection attenuated significantly the aspirin-induced inhibition of ulcer healing and accompanying fall in the gastric blood flow at the margin of these ulcers, suggesting negative interaction between aspirin and H. pylori on ulcerogenesis. Accumulated evidence in humans and animals shows that both aspirin and H. pylori upregulate the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 both at mRNA and protein levels at the ulcer margin, but failed to influence significantly that of COX-1. It was, therefore, proposed that H. pylori may in fact, antagonize, aspirin-induced delay of ulcer healing due to suppression of acid secretion by the enhancement in PGE(2) possibly derived from COX-2 expression and activity and to the overexpression of growth factors such as TGF alpha and VEGF. The present review summarizes and further addresses the issue of the interaction between these two major ulcer risk factors determined in the stomach of humans and experimental animals.

Significance of salicylate intolerance in diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract

Salicylate intolerance is defined as a nonspecific antigen-induced pseudo-allergic hypersensitivity reaction which can occur upon contact of an organism with salicylic acid, its derivatives or other related organic or inorganic acids of similar chemical structure. Since the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) intolerance are by no means always severe or life-endangering but may just as well present as oligosymptomatic or local disorders (e.g. abdominal pain, diarrhea, we decided to evaluate the characteristics of patients with salicylate intolerance on the basis of gastroenterological case material of Medical Department I of Erlangen University. On the basis of the findings from the Erlangen interdisciplinary data register of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease, the signs and symptoms of NSAID intolerance were found to constitute a diagnosis of great practical import to clinical medicine (allergology, dermatology, immunology, other disorders etc.) including gastroenterology. For approx. 2-7% of all patients with inflammatory bowel syndrome and food allergies this poses a new diagnostic and therapeutic challenge which may concern physicians from any of the disciplines involved. When presented with patients with chronic active disease who are suffering from these symptoms one should, therefore, in future give greater thought to the possibility of salicylate intolerance, all the more as there are meaningful dietetic, diagnostic and therapeutic options available for these persons.

Reduction of bis

The reduction of symmetric, fully-substituted titanocene dichlorides bearing two pendant omega-alkenyl groups, [TiCl2(eta5-C5Me4R)2], R = CH(Me)CH= CH2 (1a). (CH2)2CH=CH2 (1b) and (CH2)3CH=CH2 (1c), by magnesium in tetrahydrofuran affords bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanacyclopentanes [Ti(IV)[eta1:eta1: eta5:eta5-C5Me4CH(Me)CH(Ti)CH2CH(CH2(Ti))CH(Me)C5Me4]] (2a), [Ti(IV)[eta1:eta1:eta5: eta5-C5Me4(CH2)2CH(Ti)(CH2)2CH(Ti)(CH2)2C5Me4]] (2b) and [Ti(IV)[eta1:eta1:eta5:eta5-C5Me4(CH2)2CH(Ti)CH(Me)CH(Me)CH(Ti)(CH2)2C5Me4]](2c), respectively, as the products of oxidative coupling of the double bonds across a titanocene intermediate. For the case of complex 1c, a product of a double bond isomerisation is obtained owing to a preferred formation of five-membered titanacycles. The reaction of the titanacyclopentanes with PbCl2 recovers starting materials 1a from 2a and 1b from 2b, but complex 2c affords, under the same conditions, an isomer of 1c with a shifted carbon - carbon double bond, [TiCl[eta5-C5Me4(CH2CH2CH=CHMe)]2] (1c'). The titanacycles 2a-c can be opened by HCl to give ansa-titanocene dichlorides ansa-[[eta5:eta5-C5Me4CH(Me)CH2CH2CH(Me)CH(Me)C5Me4]TiCl2] (3a), ansa-[[eta5:eta5-C5Me4(CH2)8C5Me4]TiCl2] (3b), along with a minor product ansa-[[eta5:eta5-C5Me4CH2CH=CH(CH2)5C5Me4]TiCl2] (3b'), and ansa-[[eta5:eta5-CsMe4(CH2)3CH(Me)CH(Me)CH=CHCH2C5Me4]TiCl2] (3c), respectively, with the bridging aliphatic chain consisting of five (3a) and eight (3b, 3b' and 3c) carbon atoms. The course of the acidolysis changes with the nature of the pendant group; while the cyclopentadienyl ring-linking carbon chains in 3a and 3b are fully saturated, compounds 3c and 3b' contain one asymetrically placed carbon-carbon double bond, which evidently arises from the beta-hydrogen elimination that follows the HCl addition.

[Balloon dilatation of benign esophageal stenoses]

Benign stenoses of the oesophagus have been conventionally treated by endoscopic bougienage and were operated on in case of failure. Now that balloon catheters with large balloon diameters are available, interventional radiological dilatation of enteric strictures can be easily performed. In case of eccentric high-grade stenosis with or without blind loop, stenosis is often easier to manage and associated with less risk with an angiographic guide wire and catheter than by endoscopy. 53.3% of the patients were referred to balloon dilatation after failed endoscopic bougienage. The indications for balloon dilatation were anastomotic stenosis (66.2%), peptic stenosis (16.9%), achalasia (7%), pylorospasm (5.6%) and stenosis due to pemphigus vulgaris, acid ingestion and (in one case) a Schatzki ring. The complication rate was low at 1%. The experience collected with 297 dilatations in 71 patients with benign oesophageal stenosis, is reported.

[Radiological contribution to skeletal changes in systemic mastocytosis. Urticaria pigmentosa]

Three patients are demonstrated suffering from systemic mastocytosis with skin and skeletal involvement. History, clinical and radiological results are reported. After a brief analysis of the pathogenetic mechanism, the radiological findings on the skeletal system in systemic mastocytosis are discussed. Finally, roentgenological differential diagnosis of the osseous lesions is explained.

[Treatment of Amanita phalloides poisoning with silybin in combination with penicillin and cortisone]

A report is presented of Amanita phalloides poisoning in a family of 3 members admitted with acute gastrointestinal symptoms after eating a meal of various self-picked mushrooms. A latent period of 11 hours preceded the onset of symptoms, a typical feature of this form of poisoning. There was an enormous increase in liver-specific enzymes in two of the cases. The clinical picture was markedly mitigated by the early initiation of silybin therapy, in combination with penicillin and cortisone. The patients made a rapid symptomatic recovery and the liver parameters were sufficiently improved by the 12th day so that the patients could be discharged.

[Treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma (author's transl)]

24 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were treated with DTIC applied alone or in combination with other cytotoxic agents (Oncovin, Bleomycin, Adriblastin). Treatment resulted in objective improvement (3 patients), subjective improvement (2 patients), stable state (5 patients). The other patients showed further progression of their disease.

[Acne vulgaris--principles and results of treatment with retinoic acid and tetracyclines (author's transl)]

According to the results obtained in a recent clinical trial over a four-year period retinoic acid represents the most effective single agent available for the topical management of acne vulgaris. Retinoic acid yields impressive therapeutic results not only in patients with manifest acne, but, provided it is applied early enough, it is also effective in preventing the severe inflammatory manifestations of this disease. In medium to severe cases of inflammatory acne, topical retinoic acid therapy should be combined with a low-dose, long-term systemic tetracycline regimen. The course of treatment may extend over months or years, depending on the severity of the condition. Particularly patients in the acne-prone age group are candidates for long-term therapy. Retinoic acid therapy, alone or in combination with tetracyclines, proved far superior to conventional regimens with respect to the effective treatment and prophylaxis of acne.

[Results of thoracoscopic sympathectomy in hyperhidrosis of the upper extremities (author's transl)]

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy bei Kux's method was undertaken on 256 occasions for the treatment of 168 patients suffering from hyperhidrosis of the upper extremities. There were no operative fatalities. Thoracotomy was required in only 2 cases, the indication being intraoperative bleeding. 2 further patients developed a tension pneumothorax postoperatively necessitating drainage. The operation was successful in all but 2 cases. Division of the sympathetic chain between T1 and T2 suffices to achieve dryness of the hands; if underarm perspiration is to equally influenced then division of the sympathetic trunk must be extended caudally to the level of T5. On follow-up examination of 104 patients 2 and 10 years after the operation, a successful result was noted in 94% of cases. Unwanted side effects were vicarious and gustatory perspiration, which arose in 39% and 56% of cases respectively, but did not affect the successful outcome of the operation.