Platelet transfusion refractoriness after T-cell-replete haploidentical transplantation is associated with inferior clinical outcomes

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT) has been an alternative source of bone marrow for patients without human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) and clinical outcomes in the setting of haplo-SCT. Between May 2012 and March 2014, 345 patients who underwent unmanipulated haplo-SCT were retrospectively enrolled. PTR occurred in 20.6% of all patients. Patients in the PTR group experienced higher transplant-related mortality (TRM, 43.7% vs. 13.5%, P<0.001), lower overall survival (OS, 47.9% vs. 76.3%, P<0.001) and lower leukemia-free survival (LFS, 47.9% vs. 72.3%, P<0.001) compared to patients in the non-PTR group. The multivariate analysis showed that PTR was associated with TRM (P=0.002), LFS (P<0.001), and OS (P<0.001). The cumulative incidences of PTR in patients receiving >12 platelet (PLT) transfusions (third quartile of PLT transfusions) were higher than in patients receiving either >6 (second quartile) or >3 (first quartile) PLT transfusions (56.1% vs. 41.6% vs. 28.2%, respectively; P<0.001). The multivariate analysis also showed that PTR was associated with the number of PLT transfusions (P<0.001). PTR could predict poor transplant outcomes in patients who underwent haploidentical SCT.     

Characterization and prognosis of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative male breast cancer: a population-based study

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and prognostic information of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative (ER+/PR?) male breast cancer.

Methods

Using the US National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we compared the demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-positive (ER+/PR+) patients with ER+/PR? male breast cancer patients from 1990 to 2010. Two thousand three hundred twenty-two patients with ER+/PR+ tumors and 355 patients with ER+/PR? tumors were included in our study.

Results

ER+/PR? patients were younger (P?=?0.008) and more likely to be African American (P?<?0.001) while presented with higher histological grade (P?<?0.001), larger tumor size (P?=?0.010), and more invasion to the lymph nodes (P?=?0.034) and distant sites (P?<?0.001), thus later stage (P?=?0.001). Despite higher chance of receiving chemotherapy (51.0% vs 36.5%, P?<?0.001), ER+/PR? patients experienced significantly worse breast cancer-specific survival (BSCC) (P?<?0.001) and shorter overall survival (OS) (P?=?0.003). Multivariate Cox model confirmed that tumor size, lymph node invasion, metastasis, and surgery were independent prognostic factors of both BSCC and OS for ER+/PR? male breast cancer. Age at diagnosis and chemotherapy were significantly associated with OS but not with BSCC.

Conclusion

ER+/PR? male breast cancer was more aggressive and experienced shorter survival than ER+/PR+ patients. The prognosis was mainly associated with tumor size, lymph node invasion, metastasis, and surgery.

     

Frequent alterations of SLIT2–ROBO1–CDC42 signalling pathway in breast cancer: clinicopathological correlation

The aim of the study was to understand the role of SLIT2–ROBO1/2–CDC42 signalling pathways in development of breast cancer (BC). Primary BC samples (n=150), comprising of almost equal proportion of four subtypes were tested for molecular alterations of SLIT2, ROBO1, ROBO2 and CDC42, the key regulator genes of this pathway. Deletion and methylation frequencies of the candidate genes were seen in the following order: deletion, SLIT2 (38.6%) >ROBO1 (30%) >ROBO2 (7.3%); methylation, SLIT2 (63.3%) >ROBO1 (26.6%) >ROBO2 (9.3%). Majority (80%, 120/150) of the tumours showed alterations (deletion/methylation) in at least one of the candidate genes. Overall, alterations of the candidate genes were as follows: SLIT2, 75.3% (101/150); ROBO1, 45.3% (68/150); ROBO2, 15.3% (23/150). Significantly, higher alteration of SLIT2 locus was observed in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) over HER2 subtype (P=0.0014). Similar trend is also seen in overall alterations of SLIT2 and/or ROBO1, in TNBC than HER2 subtype (P=0.0012); of SLIT2 and/or ROBO2 in TNBC than luminal A (P=0.014) and HER2 subtype (P=0.048). Immunohistochemical analysis of SLIT2, ROBO1/2 showed reduced expression, concordant with their molecular alterations. Also, high expression of total CDC42 (49/52; 94.2%) and reduced expression of phospho Serine-71 CDC42 (41/52; 78.8%) was observed. Coalterations of SLIT2 and/or ROBO1, SLIT2 and/or ROBO2 had significant association with reduced expression of phospho Serine-71 CDC42 (P=0.0012–0.0038). Alterations of SLIT2 and/or ROBO1, reduced expression of phospho Serine-71 CDC42 predicted poor survival of BC patients. Results indicate the importance of SLIT2–ROBO1–CDC42 signalling pathway in predicting tumour progression.     

H558R,a common SCN5A polymorphism,modifies the clinical phenotype of Brugada syndrome by modulating DNA methylation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">SCN5A</Emphasis> promoters

Background

A common SCN5A polymorphism H558R (c.1673 A?>?G, rs1805124) improves sodium channel activity in mutated channels and known to be a genetic modifier of Brugada syndrome patients (BrS). We investigated clinical manifestations and underlying mechanisms of H558R in BrS.

Methods and results

We genotyped H558R in 100 BrS (mean age 45?±?14 years; 91 men) and 1875 controls (mean age 54?±?18 years; 1546 men). We compared clinical parameters in BrS with and without H558R (H558R+ vs. H558R- group, N?=?9 vs. 91). We also obtained right atrial sections from 30 patients during aortic aneurysm operations and compared SCN5A expression and methylation with or without H558R. H558R was less frequent in BrS than controls (9.0% vs. 19.2%, P?=?0.028). The VF occurrence ratio was significantly lower (0% vs. 29.7%, P?=?0.03) and spontaneous type 1 ECG was less observed in H558R+ than H558R- group (33.3% vs. 74.7%, P?=?0.01). The SCN5A expression level was significantly higher and the methylation rate was significantly lower in sections with H558R (N?=?10) than those without (0.98?±?0.14 vs. 0.83?±?0.19, P?=?0.04; 0.7?±?0.2% vs. 1.6?±?0.1%, P?=?0.004, respectively). In BrS with heterozygous H558R, the A allele mRNA expression was 1.38 fold higher than G allele expression.

Conclusion

The SCN5A polymorphism H558R may be a modifier that protects against VF occurrence in BrS. The H558R decreased the SCN5A promoter methylation and increased the expression level in cardiac tissue. An allelic expression imbalance in BrS with a heterozygous H558R may also contribute to the protective effects in heterozygous mutations.

     

Intestinal enterobacteria of the hibernating <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera mellifera</Emphasis> L. bees

Dynamics of enterobacteria of normal intestinal microflora was studied in Apis mellifera mellifera L. bees hibernating under snow in the Western Urals. The cell numbers (N) of the predominant species Klebsiella oxytoca increased from 10-10⁶ CFU/bee in November 2004 to 10⁴-10⁷ CFU/bee in March 2005; its frequency of occurrence (P) increased from 92 to 100%. Increase of Providencia rettgeri (11.2004: N up to 10⁶, P 25%; 03.2005: N 10²-10⁶, P 80%) was accompanied by the substitution of Morganella morganii (11.2004: N up to 10⁶, P 25%) with Proteus vulgaris (03.2005: N up to 10⁵, P 8%). By spring, Hafnia alvei and Citrobacter sp., which are pathogenic to bees, disappeared (11.2004: N up to 10⁵, P 13 and 10%, respectively). Endophytic species Pantoea agglomerans, Leclecria sp., and other representatives of the “Enterobacter agglomerans” group were present in November and after the first emergence in spring (N up to 10⁵; November: P 15%; April: P 23%). In April, the number of enterobacteria decreased to 10⁵, and P. rettgeri became the predominant species (P 54%) instead of K. oxytoca (P 43%).     

Interaction of various types of photosystem I complexes with exogenous electron acceptors

Interaction of photosystem I (PS I) complexes from cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 containing various quinones in the A₁-site (phylloquinone PhQ in the wild-type strain (WT), and plastoquinone PQ or 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinone Cl ₂ NQ in the menB deletion strain) and different numbers of Fe₄S₄ clusters (intact WT and F_X-core complexes depleted of F_A/F_B centers) with external acceptors has been studied. The efficiency of interaction was estimated by measuring the light-induced absorption changes at 820 nm due to the reduction of the special pair of chlorophylls (P₇₀₀ ⁺) by an external acceptor(s). It was shown that externally added Cl ₂ NQ is able to effectively accept electrons from the terminal iron-sulfur clusters of PS I. Moreover, the efficiency of Cl ₂ NQ as external acceptor was higher than the efficiency of the commonly used artificial electron acceptor, methylviologen (MV) for both the intact WT PS I and for the F_X-core complexes. The comparison of the efficiency of MV interaction with different types of PS I complexes revealed gradual decrease in the following order: intact WT?>?menB?>?F_X-core. The effect of MV on the recombination kinetics in menB complexes of PS I with Cl ₂ NQ in the A₁-site differed significantly from all other PS I samples. The obtained effects are considered in terms of kinetic efficiency of electron acceptors in relation to thermodynamic and structural characteristics of PS I complexes.     

Decrease of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-nitrosodimethylamine and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-nitrosodiethylamine by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus pentosus</Emphasis> R3 is associated with surface-layer proteins

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of five strains of meat-borne bacteria to decrease N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and to elucidate the mechanism in Mann-Rogosa-Sharp (MRS) broth. Lactobacillus pentosus R3 was found to be the most effective in decreasing the concentration of the two N-nitrosamines (NAs) in MRS broth, with a rate of 22.05% for NDMA and 23.31% for NDEA. The concentration of the two NAs could not be reduced by either extracellular metabolites or intracellular extracts of Lb. pentosus R3 (P?>?0.05), and proteinaceous substances in the cell debris were found to be responsible for the decrease. These were surface-layer proteins (SLPs) located on the cell wall. Therefore, the decrease in NDMA and NDEA by Lb. pentosus R3 is associated with its SLPs. Lb. pentosus R3 may be developed as a starter culture in the production of fermented foods with lower NAs.     

Adaptive photosynthetic strategies of the Mediterranean maquis species according to their origin

In consideration of their origin the adaptive strategies of the evergreen species of the Mediterranean maquis were analysed. Rosmarinus officinalis L., Erica arborea L., and Erica multiflora L. had the lowest net photosynthetic rate (P_N) in the favourable period [7.8±0.6 μmol(CO₂) m^?2s^?1, mean value], the highest P_N decrease (on an average 86 % of the maximum) but the highest recovery capacity (>70 % of the maximum) at the first rainfall in September. Cistus incanus L. and Arbutus unedo L. had the highest P_N during the favourable period [15.5±5.2 μmol(CO₂) m^?2s^?1, mean value], 79 % decrease during drought, and a lower recovery capacity (on an average 54 %). Quercus ilex L., Phillyrea latifolia L., and Pistacia lentiscus L. had an intermediate P_N in the favourable period [9.2±1.3 μmol(CO2) m^?2s^?1, mean value], a lower reduction during drought (on an average 63 %), and a range from 62 % (Q. ilex and P. latifolia) to 39 % (P. lentiscus) of recovery capacity. The Mediterranean species had higher decrease in P_N and stomatal conductance during drought and a higher recovery capacity than the pre-Mediterranean species. Among the pre-Mediterranean species, P. latifoliahad the best adaptation to long drought periods also by its higher leaf mass per area (LMA) which lowered leaf temperature thus decreasing transpiration rate during drought. Moreover, its leaf longevity determined a more stable leaf biomass during the year. Among the Mediteranean species, R. officinalis was the best adapted species to short drought periods by its ability to rapidly recover. Nevertheless, R. officinalis had the lowest tolerance to high temperatures by its P_N dropping below half its maximum value when leaf temperature was over 33.6°C. R. officinalismay be used as a bioindicator species of global change.     

Robot-assisted therapy using the MOTOmed letto 2 for the integrated early rehabilitation of stroke patients admitted to the intensive care unit

In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of early robot-assisted rehabilitation using the MOTOmed letto 2 on neurological recovery, disease severity, the rate and severity of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and the rate of venous thromboembolism in acute stroke patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including patients requiring mechanical ventilation. This case-control study included 66 patients (49 men and 17 women; median age, 59 years) with acute ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage admitted to the ICU. Patients were divided into two comparable groups, the intervention group (n = 33) and the control group (n = 33), and monitored from admission to day 21. After admission, both groups received standard rehabilitation, and patients in the intervention group also received robot-assisted arm and leg therapy. The groups had similar median Glasgow coma scale (GCS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), APACHE II, and multiple organ dysfunction scale (MODS) scores on admission. There were no significant differences in neurological and medical outcomes on day 21 between the intervention and control groups (median GCS: 15 vs. 15, p = 0.32; median NIHSS 11 vs. 15, p > 0.05; median APACHE II: 6 vs. 9, p > 0.05; median MODS: 0 vs. 1, p > 0.05). The prevalence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) on day 21 was also similar in the intervention and control groups (60% vs. 67%, p > 0.05, and 58% vs. 45%, p > 0.05, respectively). However, the prevalence of severe multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, the incidence of pulmonary embolism, and the mortality rate were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (14% vs. 41%, p < 0.05; 12% vs. 33%; p < 0.05; 12% vs. 39%, p < 0.05, respectively). Our results indicate that early robot-assisted therapy in patients with severe stroke admitted to the ICU reduces the rate of pulmonary embolism, the incidence of severe multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality on day 21, but does not influence neurological outcomes or the rate of deep vein thrombosis.     

Pelagic larval dispersal habits influence the population genetic structure of clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gomphina aequilatera</Emphasis> in China

Pelagic larval dispersal habits influence the population genetic structure of marine mollusk organisms via gene flow. The genetic information of the clam Gomphina aequilatera (short larval stage, 10 days) which is ecologically and economically important in the China coast is unknown. To determine the influence of planktonic larval duration on the genetic structure of G. aequilatera. Mitochondrial markers, cytochrome oxidase subunit i (COI) and 12S ribosomal RNA (12S rRNA), were used to investigate the population structure of wild G. aequilatera specimens from four China Sea coastal locations (Zhoushan, Nanji Island, Zhangpu and Beihai). Partial COI (685 bp) and 12S rRNA (350 bp) sequences were determined. High level and significant F_ST values were obtained among the different localities, based on either COI (F_ST?=?0.100–0.444, P?<?0.05) or 12S rRNA (F_ST?=?0.193–0.742, P?<?0.05), indicating a high degree of genetic differentiation among the populations. The pairwise N_m between Beihai and Zhoushan for COI was 0.626 and the other four pairwise N_m values were >?1, indicating extensive gene flow among them. The 12S rRNA showed the same pattern. AMOVA test results for COI and 12S rRNA indicated major genetic variation within the populations: 77.96% within and 22.04% among the populations for COI, 55.73% within and 44.27% among the populations for 12S rRNA. A median-joining network suggested obvious genetic differentiation between the Zhoushan and Beihai populations. This study revealed the extant population genetic structure of G. aequilatera and showed a strong population structure in a species with a short planktonic larval stage.     

Association between <Emphasis Type="Italic">TNF,IL1B,IL6, IL10</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">IFNG</Emphasis> polymorphisms and recurrent miscarriage: a case control study

Background

Approximately half of recurrent miscarriages have unexplained etiology. Recent evidences suggest that cytokines are important determinants in pregnancy maintenance and as such, cytokine gene polymorphisms, which can affect cytokine production and/or functionality, could play a role in the disorder. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of selected cytokine gene polymorphisms with risk of recurrent miscarriage among Chinese.

Methods

TNF -238G > A, TNF -308G > A, IL1B -511 T > C, IL1B 3954C > T, IL6 -174G > C, IL6 -634C > G, IL10 -1082A > G and IFNG 874A > T polymorphisms were genotyped on 775 women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and 805 healthy parous control women. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) of the association between the polymorphisms and recurrent miscarriage risk.

Results

Among the eight polymorphisms studied, only the IL1B -511 T > C and IL6 -634C > G polymorphisms showed statistically significant associations with recurrent miscarriage risk. For the former, a significantly increased risk of recurrent miscarriage was observed for the mutant (CC) genotype (OR: 1.377; 95% CI: 1.039–1.824; P?=?0.026). However, for the IL6 -634C?>?G polymorphism, a decreased recurrent miscarriage risk was observed for the heterozygous (CG) genotype (OR: 0.614; 95% CI: 0.493–0.765; P < 0.001) and the mutant (GG) genotype (OR: 0.414; 95% CI: 0.251–0.684; P?=?0.001).

Conclusions

The IL1B -511 T > C polymorphism may serve as important risk factor for recurrent miscarriage while the IL6 -634C > G polymorphism may protect against the risk of recurrent miscarriage.

     

Effects of Common Polymorphisms in the MTHFR and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ACE</Emphasis> Genes on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Progression: a Meta-Analysis

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C>T and ACE I/D polymorphisms in the development of DPN. We systematically reviewed published studies on MTHFR 677 C>T and ACE I/D polymorphisms and DPN found in various types of electronic databases. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) quality score systems were used to determine the quality of the articles selected for inclusion. Odds ratios (ORs) and its corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were calculated. We used STATA statistical software (version 12.0, Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA) to deal with statistical data. Our results indicated an association of ACE D>I mutation (OR?=?1.43, 95 % CI 1.12–1.83, P?=?0.004) and MTHFR 677 C>T mutation (OR?=?1.43, 95 % CI 1.08–1.90, P?=?0.014) with DPN under the allele model, and similar results were also found under the dominant model (all P?<?0.05). Subgroup analysis by country indicated that the MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphism may be the main risk factor for DPN in Turkey under four genetic models. ACE D>I mutation was correlated with DPN in Japanese and Pakistani populations in the majority of groups. The relationships of MTHFR 677 C>T and ACE I/D polymorphisms with DPN patients presented in this meta-analyses support the view that the MTHFR and ACE genes might play an important role in the development of DPN.     

The effects of polymorphisms in <Emphasis Type="Italic">growth hormone</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">growth hormone receptor</Emphasis> genes on production and reproduction traits in Aberdeen-Angus cattle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus</Emphasis> L., 1758)

The study was aimed to analyze the relation between individual genotypes and allelic variants of SNPs g.2141C>G of growth hormone gene, g.914T>A and g.257A>G of growth hormone receptor gene with growth and reproduction traits and to evaluate the populationgenetic structure in Aberdeen-Angus cattle (Bos taurus L., 1758) sample of Eastern Ukraine according SNPs studied. Allele C of SNP g.2141C>G has a positive correlation with birth weight, body stature, bigger rump, udder and total exterior evaluation score, shorter calving interval and better calve birth weight and negative correlation with calve average daily gain. Allele T of SNP g.914T>A has positive correlation with the muscle and udder size; live weight in each age, average daily gain, weight and average daily gain of calves born conform to the principle AA>TT≥TA. SNP g.257A>G showed a positive correlation for G allele with muscle size. The population is in equilibrium for SNPs g.2141C>G and g.257A>G, and in disequilibrium for SNP g.914T>A. The analysis showed no linkage disequilibrium between SNPs g.914T>A and g.257A>G. Inbreeding coefficient F_ST in Aberdeen-Angus group studied was 16.1%.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel glycyrrhizic acid conjugates with D-amino acid esters

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) conjugates with methyl and ethyl esters of D-amino acids (D-Trp, D-Phe, D-Tyr, D-Val, D-Leu) have been synthesized by the activated esters method using mixtures of N-hydroxybenzotriazole or N-hydroxysuccinimide with N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. GA conjugate with D-Trp ethyl ester exhibited antiviral activity against influenza viruses A/H3N2, A/H1N1/pdm09, A/H5N1, B (SI > 10–29), and HRSV (SI > 25). GA conjugate with D-Trp methyl ester inhibited influenza virus A/H1N1/pdm09 (SI > 30).     

Revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neolebouria</Emphasis> Gibson, 1976 (Digenea: Opecoelidae), with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trilobovarium</Emphasis> n. g., for species infecting tropical and subtropical shallow-water fishes

A new opecoelid trematode is reported from fishes of the Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae and Nemipteridae off Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The new species keys to Neolebouria Gibson, 1976 and shows strong similarity to several species of that genus, but is not consistent with the type-species, N. georgiensis Gibson, 1976, or others known from temperate/polar and/or deep-sea fishes. The new species is also phylogenetically distant from N. lanceolata (Price, 1934) Reimer, 1987, the only representative of the genus for which molecular data are available. A new genus, Trilobovarium n. g., is proposed for the new species, T. parvvatis n. sp. Eight morphologically similar species, previously recognised as belonging to Neolebouria, from shallow-water, mostly tropical/subtropical fishes, are transferred to Trilobovarium: T. diacopae (Nagaty & Abdel Aal, 1962) n. comb.; T. ira (Yamaguti, 1940) n. comb.; T. khalili (Ramadan, 1983) n. comb.; T. krusadaiense (Gupta, 1956) n. comb.; T. lineatum (Aken’Ova & Cribb, 2001) n. comb.; T. moretonense (Aken’Ova & Cribb, 2001) n. comb.; T. palauense (Machida, 2014) n. comb.; and T. truncatum (Linton, 1940) n. comb. Paramanteriella Li, Qiu & Zhang, 1988 is resurrected for five species of Neolebouria with a post-bifurcal genital pore: P. cantherini Li, Qiu & Zhang, 1988; P. capoori (Jaiswal, Upadhyay, Malhotra, Dronen & Malhotra, 2014) n. comb.; P. confusa (Overstreet, 1969) n. comb.; P. leiperi (Gupta, 1956) n. comb.; and P. pallenisca (Shipley & Hornell, 1905) n. comb. Neolebouria georgenascimentoi Bray, 2002, a species with an exceptionally long cirrus-sac, is transferred to Bentholebouria Andres, Pulis & Overstreet, 2004 as B. georgenascimentoi (Bray, 2002) n. comb., and N. maorum (Allison, 1966) Gibson 1976, an unusual species known from cephalopods, is designated a species incertae sedis. Eleven species are retained in a revised concept of Neolebouria.     

Role of perfusion parameters on DCE-MRI and ADC values on DWMRI for invasive ductal carcinoma at 3.0 Tesla

Background

The value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and quantitative parameters (Ktrans, Kep, Ve) in detecting prognostic factor at 3.0 Tesla remains unclear, especially in predicting prognosis of breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 151 patients with IDC underwent breast DCE-MRI and DWI-MRI at 3.0 Tesla following surgery. The ADC values were acquired with b values of 0 and 1000?s/mm². The relationship between ADC values or DCE-MRI quantitative parameters and size, histologic grade (HG), lymph node metastasis (LNM), ER, PR, and Ki67 was evaluated. The predictive values of ADC, Ktrans, Kep, and Ve to prognosis of IDC were assessed.

Results

ADC value was positively related to size (P?=?0.04) and HER2 (P?=?0.046) expression and negatively related to ER (P?=?0.012) and PR (P?<?0.001) expression. Ktrans value has positive correlation with size (P?<?0.001), HG (P?<?0.001), LNM (P?<?0.001), HER2 (P?=?0.007), and Ki67 (P?<?0.001) expression and negative correlation with ER (P?<?0.001) and PR (P?<?0.001) expression. Kep value was positively related to size (P?<?0.001) and negatively related to ER (P?<?0.001) and PR (P?<?0.001) expression. Ve value was negatively related to HER2 expression (P?=?0.004). The Cox hazard ratio (HR) of ADC, Ktrans, Kep, and Ve values on survival was 5.26 (P?=?0.093), 1.081 (P?=?0.002), 1.006 (P?=?0.941), and 0.883 (P?=?0.926), respectively.

Conclusions

Ktrans value was a best predictive indicator of HG, LNM, ER, PR, and Ki67 expression, and ADC value was the best predictive indicator of HER2. Preoperative use of the 3.0 Tesla could provide important information to determine the optimal treatment plan.

     

Light availability and soil flooding regulate photosynthesis of an imperiled shrub in lowland forests of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley,USA

Physiological responses to light availability and soil flooding on Lindera melissifolia (Walt.) Blume were studied. Shrubs were grown under 70, 37 or 5% of full sunlight with either 0, 45, or 90 d of soil flooding. We measured leaf photosynthetic rate (PN) to test the hypothesis that soil flooding reduces P _N in L. melissifolia following shrub acclimation to low light availability. Results showed that light availability and soil flooding interacted to affect P _N. In the 0 d and 45 d flooding regimes (flood water removed 36–39 d prior to measurement), P _N was similar between shrubs receiving 70% or 37% light, and these shrubs had 147% greater P _N than shrubs receiving 5% light. Shrubs receiving 90 d of soil flooding had similar low rates of area-based P _N regardless of light level. Similar P _N between 0 d and 45 d flooded shrubs indicated physiological recovery following removal of flood water.     

Variants in the interleukin-1 alpha and beta genes,and the risk for periodontal disease in dogs

Elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been shown to amplify the inflammatory response against periodontopathogenic bacteria. In humans, polymorphisms in the IL1A and IL1B genes are the most well-studied genetic polymorphisms associated with periodontal disease (PD). In contrast to human, there is a lack of knowledge on the genetic basis of canine PD. A case–control study was conducted in which a molecular analysis of dog IL1A and IL1B genes was performed. Of the eight genetic variants identified, seven in IL1A gene and one in IL1B gene, IL1A/1_g.388A >C and IL1A/1_g.521T >A showed statistically significant differences between groups (adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.15 (0.03–0.76), P= 0.022; 5.76 (1.03–32.1), P= 0.046, respectively). It suggests that in the studied population the IL1A/1_g.388C allele is associated with a decreased PD risk, whereas the IL1A/1_g.521A allele can confer an increased risk. Additionally, the IL1A/2_g.515G >T variation resulted in a change of amino acid, i.e. glycine to valine. In silico analysis suggests that this change can alter protein structure and function, predicting it to be deleterious or damaging. This work suggests that IL1 genetic variants may be important in PD susceptibility in canines.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Glycosylation of an IgG antibody secreted by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana tabacum</Emphasis> BY-2 cells can be modulated through co-expression of human β-1,4-galactosyltransferase

Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 suspension cells have several advantages that make them suitable for the production of full-size monoclonal antibodies which can be purified directly from the culture medium. Carbohydrate characterization of an antibody (Lo-BM2) expressed in N. tabacum BY-2 cells showed that the purified Lo-BM2 displays N-glycan homogeneity with a high proportion (>70%) of the complex GnGnXF glycoform. The stable co-expression of a human β-1,4-galactosyltransferase targeted to different Golgi sub-compartments altered Lo-BM2N-glycosylation and resulted in the production of an antibody that exhibited either hybrid structures containing a low abundance of the plant epitopes (α-1,3-fucose and β-1,2-xylose), or a large amount of galactose-extended N-glycan structures. These results demonstrate the suitability of stable N-glycoengineered N. tabacum BY-2 cell lines for the production of human-like antibodies.