Prognostic role of c-met expression in breast cancer patients

Background

Hepatocyte growth factor plays an important role in tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. C-met is HGF''s high affinity receptor.

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess the correlations between c-met expression and clinic-pathological factors in breast cancer tissues. Furthermore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR, c-met) expressions in homogenous group of breast cancer patients.

Materials and methods

Tumor samples were collected from 302 patients with breast carcinoma treated with primary surgery. We have assessed the percentage of tumor cells with c-met expression, the intensity of reaction and the ratio of these two factors—immunoreactivity according to the Remmele score.

Results

We have observed no correlations between HGFR immunoreactivities and clinical parameters (tumor size, grade, axillary lymph node status, age). In 5-year observation we have found prognostic value of assessing c-met immunoreactivity in primary tumor.

Conclusion

Our study has revealed prognostic value of c-met. Unlike in other authors’ studies, our patients’ group is very homogenous which might contribute to obtained results.     

Infiltration with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis> — the method for stable transformation avoiding tissue culture

A number of in planta transformation protocols that avoid long culture under sterile conditions were developed for Arabidopsis thaliana. The most widely used methods are based on vacuum infiltration and floral dip. These methods were adapted for transformation of other species as well. Successful in planta transformations of alfalfa, radish, pakchoi and petunia were reported recently. In this short review we present several modified procedures originally developed for Arabidopsis thaliana and in some cases adapted to other species. We emphasize the crucial parameters involved in in planta transformation. We also describe here the studies attempting to shed light on the mechanisms and estimating the cellular target of transformation, which may help in transforming new plant species.     

Anemia secondary to valproic acid therapy in a 13- year-old boy: a case report

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Valproic acid is a commonly used anti-epileptic drug. Hematological toxicities are among theoccasionally observed adverse effects of this medication. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 13-year-old Caucasian boy who demonstrated mild anemia 12months after the introduction of valproic acid therapy. A bone marrow biopsy revealedmaturation arrest of proerythroblasts. CONCLUSION: Prompt diagnosis and valproic acid discontinuation resulted in the patient's recovery.     

Hydrogen bonded supramolecular structures of cationic and anionic module assemblies containing square-planar oximate complex anions

The formation of the molecular assemblies consisting of anionic and cationic molecules may lead to their interesting structural properties. In this work, we present three new structures based on the tetradentate oxime and amide open-chain ligand CH₃-C(NOH)-C(O)-NH-(CH₂)₃-NH-C(O)-C(NOH)-CH₃ (PAP). All the structures contain the complex cations, complex anions [M(PAP-3H)]⁻ and solvating water molecules. These are H-bonded complex anions: [Ni(1,3-pn)₂(H₂O)₂][Ni(PAP-3H)]₂ · 4 H₂O (1), [Ni(Im)₄(H₂O)₂][Ni(PAP-3H)]₂ (2) and [Cu(Im)₄(H₂O)₂][Cu(PAP-3H)]₂ · 2H₂O (3) (Im=imidazole; 1-3-pn=1,3-diaminopropane). All compounds were synthesised by co-crystallisation of octahedral amine-containing cationic complex with oxime-containing anionic complexes in methanol solution. They were compared with some earlier reported assemblies based on the same ligand (PAP). The comparison of the structures reveals one distinct difference in the separation between the cis-situated oximate oxygen atoms O(1)?O(4) in the copper complexes. The consequence of this effect is the lengthening of the Cu-N distances. In the nickel complexes containing [Ni(PAP-3H)]⁻ anion this effect is much less pronounced.     

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 deficiency increases CTP:choline cytidylyltransferase translocation into the membrane and enhances phosphatidylcholine synthesis in liver

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is the rate-limiting enzyme in monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis. Previously, we showed that Scd1 deficiency reduces liver triglyceride accumulation and considerably decreases synthesis of very low density lipoprotein and its secretion in both lean and obese mice. In the present study, we found that Scd1 deficiency significantly modulates hepatic glycerophospholipid profile. The content of phosphatidylcholine (PC) was increased by 40% and the activities of CTP:choline cytidylyltransferase (CCT), the rate-limiting enzyme in de novo PC synthesis, and choline phosphotransferase were increased by 64 and 53%, respectively, in liver of Scd1-/- mice. In contrast, the protein level of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, an enzyme involved in PC synthesis via methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine, was decreased by 80% in the liver of Scd1-/- mice. Membrane translocation of CCT is required for its activation. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated that twice as much CCTalpha was associated with plasma membrane in livers of Scd1-/- compared with wild type mice, suggesting that Scd1 mutation leads to an increase in CCT membrane affinity. The incorporation of [(3)H]glycerol into PC was increased by 2.5-fold in Scd1-/- primary hepatocytes compared with those of wild type mice. Furthermore, mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activity was reduced by 42% in liver of Scd1-/- mice; however, the activities of microsomal glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and ethanolamine phosphotransferase were not affected by Scd1 mutation. Our study revealed that SCD1 deficiency specifically increases CCT activity by promoting its translocation into membrane and enhances PC biosynthesis in liver.     

Biogenic and Risk Elements in Wines from the Slovak Market with the Estimation of Consumer Exposure

Wine consumption delivers macroelements and microelements necessary for the proper metabolism. On the other hand, wine can be an important source of toxic metals. The aim of this study was to estimate the concentrations of Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the Slovak and non-Slovak wines. The concentration of metals was evaluated with respect to the type, the alcohol content, and the age of Slovak wine. The general scheme of concentrations found was as follows Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd > Ni > Cu > Hg. The type of wine and the alcohol content do not have a significant impact on metal concentrations. Also, the age of wine has no influence on the mean concentration of metals, except for Zn. Metal concentrations in Slovak and non-Slovak wines indicate similar contents of metals, except for Ni. The contribution to both dietary reference values (DRVs) and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) evaluations in the Slovak wine suggested low dietary exposure to Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb, respectively. However, we do not suggest that the consumption of all Slovak wines is healthy. The maximum Pb concentrations in Slovak wines exceed the maximum permitted level proposed by the European Commission. This might be proved by the results of the margin of the exposure (MOE) value evaluation in the samples containing the maximum Pb concentrations, showing a high risk of CKD and SBP in high and extreme consumption groups.     

Susceptibility to antifungal agents of Candida sp. and biofilm formation

In recent years the increase in frequency of fungal infections with Candida sp. was noticed. These infections are connected with ability of Candida sp. to form biofilm on surfaces of biomaterials used in medicine. Furthermore fungal infections make serious therapeutic problems because ofbiofilm resistance to antifungal agents actually. The aim of the study was to evaluate the susceptibility to antifungal agents of Candida sp. and their ability to form biofilm on different biomaterials. 50 strains of Candida sp. isolated from patients of University Hospital No. 1 of dr A. Jurasz in Bydgoszcz were examined. API Candida (bioMérieux) tests were used to identify Candida sp. strains. The susceptibility of the yeast strains to antifungal agents was evaluated by ATB FUNGUS 2 INT (bioMérieux) tests. The susceptibility of examined strains to voriconazole, posaconazole, caspofungin and anidulafungin was assessed by means ofEtests (AB BIODISK) method employing drug concentrations from 0,002 to 32 microg/ml. All analysed strains were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin. Biofilm formation on different biomaterials (silicon, latex, polychloride vinyl, polypropylene, nylon) was measured after 72 hour incubation at 37 degrees C. All examined yeasts formed biofilm on all analysed biomaterials. The highest number of strains formed biofilm on surface of polychloride vinyl: 23 (92,0%) by C. albicans strains and 24 (96,0%) Candida non-albicans strains. The lowest number of the strains formed biofilm on the surface of nylon: 12 (48,0%) of C. albicans strains and 9 (36,0%) of Candida non-albicans strains. The studied strains resistant to azoles and anidulafungin display stronger ability to form biofilm on surfaces of all analysed biomaterials.