Increased Likelihood of Detecting Ebola Virus RNA in Semen by Using Sample Pelleting.

Ebola virus RNA can reside for months or years in semen of survivors of Ebola virus disease and is probably associated with increased risk for cryptic sexual transmission of the virus. A modified protocol resulted in increased detection of Ebola virus RNA in semen and improved disease surveillance.

[The sirtuin family of proteins: the role in the aging processes and regulation of cell metabolism.]

In recent years, the key role of sirtuins in the regulation of the most important cellular processes has been established. Sirtuins are involved in histone deacetylation, regulation of fat and glucose metabolism. Violations of their synthesis and secretion can induce carcinogenesis, aging and cell death. The wide range of processes in which sirtuins are involved indicates their possible role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation associated diseases and tumor growth. All of these diseases are associated with aging. In this article, we analyze the existing data on sirtuins and their role in the pathogenesis of aging, as well as their possible verification as markers for the diagnosis of age-related diseases and as targets of geriatric therapy and prevention.

A Retrospective Analysis of the First 41 mCRPC Patients with Bone Pain Treated with Radium-223 at the National Institute of Oncology in Hungary.

Radium-223 dichloride is an alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical which significantly prolongs overall survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and symptomatic bone metastases. This was a retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of Radium-223 in the first 41 patients treated at a single center in Hungary. Radium-223 was given at a dose of 50 kBq/kg intravenously every 4 weeks for up to 6 cycles. Between 23rd July 2014 and 23rd February 2016, 41 patients were treated. Patient demographics, laboratory values, treatment outcomes and adverse events were collected from medical records. The mean age was 72.2 years (SD: 7.1). 24 patients received Radium-223 as first-line treatment (58%), 7 patients as second (17%), 3 as third (7.3%), 6 as (14.6%), and 1 as fifth-line therapy (2.4%). The mean number of cycles administered was 5.5 (SD: 1.1). The most common side effects were anemia (32% grade 1-3), nausea (28%, grade 1), diarrhea (4%, grade 2), thrombocytopenia (4%, grade 3). The mean baseline PSA level was 307.2 ng/ml (SD: 525.7), which increased to a mean value of 728.5 ng/ml (SD: 1277) by the end of treatment. The baseline mean ALP of 521.1 U/L (SD: 728) decreased to 245.1 U/L (SD: 283.5). The majority of patients experienced a decrease (37%) or complete cessation (43%) of bone pain intensity. In our symptomatic prostate cancer patient population, Radium-223 proved to be efficient in terms of pain relief, with moderate side effects. No PSA response was detected, while alkaline phosphatase levels significantly decreased.

Molecular mechanisms of plasminogen activation: bacterial cofactors provide clues.

Plasminogen activation is a key event in the fibrinolytic system that results in the dissolution of blood clots, and also promotes cell migration and tissue remodelling. The recent structure determinations of microplasmin in complex with the bacterial plasminogen activators staphylokinase and streptokinase have provided novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of plasminogen activation and cofactor function. These bacterial proteins are cofactor molecules that contribute to exosite formation and enhance the substrate presentation to the enzyme. At the same time, they modulate the specificity of plasmin towards substrates and inhibitors, making a 'specificity switch' possible.