Woody species distribution across a savanna-dry forest soil gradient in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract Although richness and distribution of woody species in the Cerrado physiognomies have been extensively studied, the shifts of woody species from savanna physiognomies to dry forests have not yet been addressed. Here, we investigate the effect of soil physical-chemical traits on the woody species turnover between adjacent cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest physiognomies. Woody species were surveyed, and soil and topographic variables measured, in 30 10×40 m plots systematically distributed, with 15 plots in each physiognomy. We found a spatially structured distribution of woody species, and differences of soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest areas, mainly related to the aluminum saturation, base saturation, and available phosphorus. Aluminum saturation increased toward the savanna area, while base saturation increased toward the dry forest. Most woody species predominated in one physiognomy, such as Callisthene major in the cerrado stricto sensu and Anadenanthera colubrina in the dry forest. Only 20% of the species were widely distributed across both physiognomies or, not often, restricted to the intermediary values of the soil gradient. General results indicate that contrasting soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest produce a strongly spatially organized and sharp transition in terms of species distribution between these physiognomies.

Resumo Embora a distribuição e a riqueza em espécies arbóreas nas fitofisionomias do Cerrado venham sendo bastante estudadas, a transição entre savanas e florestas deciduais ainda não foi abordada. Investigamos o efeito de características físico-químicas do solo sobre a distribuição de espécies arbóreas em região de contato entre cerrado sentido restrito e floresta estacional decidual (FED). As espécies arbóreas foram amostradas sistematicamente, e variáveis de topografia e características do solo foram medidas em 30 parcelas de 10×40 m, sendo 15 parcelas em cada fisionomia. A distribuição das espécies arbóreas foi espacialmente estruturada, e as características do solo diferiram entre as áreas de cerrado sentido restrito e FED, principalmente relacionadas à saturação de alumínio, saturação de bases e teores de fósforo. A saturação de alumínio aumentou em direção ao cerrado sentido restrito, enquanto a saturação de bases aumentou em direção à FED. A maioria das espécies arbóreas predominou em uma das fisionomias, como Callisthene major em cerrado sentido restrito e Anadenanthera colubrina em FED. Apenas 20% das espécies foram amplamente distribuídas em ambas as fisionomias ou, em poucos casos, restritas aos valores intermediários do gradiente de solo. Os resultados indicam um forte contraste de características do solo entre o cerrado sentido restrito e a FED, assim como uma transição acentuada e espacialmente organizada quanto à distribuição de espécies arbóreas.

Woody species distribution across a savanna-dry forest soil gradient in the Brazilian Cerrado / Distribuição de espécies arbóreas em gradiente de solo savana-floresta seca no Cerrado brasileiro

Abstract Although richness and distribution of woody species in the Cerrado physiognomies have been extensively studied, the shifts of woody species from savanna physiognomies to dry forests have not yet been addressed. Here, we investigate the effect of soil physical-chemical traits on the woody species turnover between adjacent cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest physiognomies. Woody species were surveyed, and soil and topographic variables measured, in 30 10×40 m plots systematically distributed, with 15 plots in each physiognomy. We found a spatially structured distribution of woody species, and differences of soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest areas, mainly related to the aluminum saturation, base saturation, and available phosphorus. Aluminum saturation increased toward the savanna area, while base saturation increased toward the dry forest. Most woody species predominated in one physiognomy, such as Callisthene major in the cerrado stricto sensu and Anadenanthera colubrina in the dry forest. Only 20% of the species were widely distributed across both physiognomies or, not often, restricted to the intermediary values of the soil gradient. General results indicate that contrasting soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest produce a strongly spatially organized and sharp transition in terms of species distribution between these physiognomies.

Resumo Embora a distribuição e a riqueza em espécies arbóreas nas fitofisionomias do Cerrado venham sendo bastante estudadas, a transição entre savanas e florestas deciduais ainda não foi abordada. Investigamos o efeito de características físico-químicas do solo sobre a distribuição de espécies arbóreas em região de contato entre cerrado sentido restrito e floresta estacional decidual (FED). As espécies arbóreas foram amostradas sistematicamente, e variáveis de topografia e características do solo foram medidas em 30 parcelas de 10×40 m, sendo 15 parcelas em cada fisionomia. A distribuição das espécies arbóreas foi espacialmente estruturada, e as características do solo diferiram entre as áreas de cerrado sentido restrito e FED, principalmente relacionadas à saturação de alumínio, saturação de bases e teores de fósforo. A saturação de alumínio aumentou em direção ao cerrado sentido restrito, enquanto a saturação de bases aumentou em direção à FED. A maioria das espécies arbóreas predominou em uma das fisionomias, como Callisthene major em cerrado sentido restrito e Anadenanthera colubrina em FED. Apenas 20% das espécies foram amplamente distribuídas em ambas as fisionomias ou, em poucos casos, restritas aos valores intermediários do gradiente de solo. Os resultados indicam um forte contraste de características do solo entre o cerrado sentido restrito e a FED, assim como uma transição acentuada e espacialmente organizada quanto à distribuição de espécies arbóreas.

Woody species distribution across a savanna-dry forest soil gradient in the Brazilian Cerrado / Distribuição de espécies arbóreas em gradiente de solo savana-floresta seca no Cerrado brasileiro

Although richness and distribution of woody species in the Cerrado physiognomies have been extensively studied, the shifts of woody species from savanna physiognomies to dry forests have not yet been addressed. Here, we investigate the effect of soil physical-chemical traits on the woody species turnover between adjacent cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest physiognomies. Woody species were surveyed, and soil and topographic variables measured, in 30 10×40 m plots systematically distributed, with 15 plots in each physiognomy. We found a spatially structured distribution of woody species, and differences of soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest areas, mainly related to the aluminum saturation, base saturation, and available phosphorus. Aluminum saturation increased toward the savanna area, while base saturation increased toward the dry forest. Most woody species predominated in one physiognomy, such as Callisthene major in the cerrado stricto sensu and Anadenanthera colubrina in the dry forest. Only 20% of the species were widely distributed across both physiognomies or, not often, restricted to the intermediary values of the soil gradient. General results indicate that contrasting soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest produce a strongly spatially organized and sharp transition in terms of species distribution between these physiognomies.

Embora a distribuição e a riqueza em espécies arbóreas nas fitofisionomias do Cerrado venham sendo bastante estudadas, a transição entre savanas e florestas deciduais ainda não foi abordada. Investigamos o efeito de características físico-químicas do solo sobre a distribuição de espécies arbóreas em região de contato entre cerrado sentido restrito e floresta estacional decidual (FED). As espécies arbóreas foram amostradas sistematicamente, e variáveis de topografia e características do solo foram medidas em 30 parcelas de 10×40 m, sendo 15 parcelas em cada fisionomia. A distribuição das espécies arbóreas foi espacialmente estruturada, e as características do solo diferiram entre as áreas de cerrado sentido restrito e FED, principalmente relacionadas à saturação de alumínio, saturação de bases e teores de fósforo. A saturação de alumínio aumentou em direção ao cerrado sentido restrito, enquanto a saturação de bases aumentou em direção à FED. A maioria das espécies arbóreas predominou em uma das fisionomias, como Callisthene major em cerrado sentido restrito e Anadenanthera colubrina em FED. Apenas 20% das espécies foram amplamente distribuídas em ambas as fisionomias ou, em poucos casos, restritas aos valores intermediários do gradiente de solo. Os resultados indicam um forte contraste de características do solo entre o cerrado sentido restrito e a FED, assim como uma transição acentuada e espacialmente organizada quanto à distribuição de espécies arbóreas.

Prognostic impact of activin subunit inhibin beta A in gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas.

PURPOSE: Adenocarcinomas of the esophagus (AEG) and stomach (AS) are among the most common cancers worldwide. Novel markers for risk stratification and guiding treatment are strongly needed. Activin is a multi-functional cytokine with context specific pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of activin tumor protein expression in AEG/ASs. METHODS: Tissue from a retrospective cohort of 277 patients with AEG/AS treated primarily by surgery at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin was collected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry using a specific antibody to the activin homodimer inhibin beta A. Additionally, we evaluated T-cell infiltration and PD1 expression as well as expression of PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry as possible confounding factors. Clinico-pathologic data were collected and correlated with activin protein expression. RESULTS: Out of 277 tumor samples, 72 (26.0%) exhibited high activin subunit inhibin beta A protein expression. Higher expression was correlated with lower Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage and longer overall survival. Interestingly, activin subunit expression correlated with CD4+ T-cell infiltration, and the correlation with higher overall survival was exclusively seen in tumors with high CD4+ T-cell infiltration, pointing towards a role of activin in the tumor immune response in AEG/ASs. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of AEG/AS, higher activin subunit levels were correlated with longer overall survival, an effect exclusively seen in tumors with high CD4+ cell infiltration. Further mechanistic research is warranted discerning the exact effect of this context specific cytokine.

Better prognosis of gastric cancer patients with high levels of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is counteracted by PD-1 expression.

The prognostic potential of anti-tumor immune responses is becoming increasingly important in adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction and stomach (AGE/S) especially regarding the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. This study analyzes for the first time the prognostic impact of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and checkpoint inhibitors in a large Caucasian cohort in patients with AGE/S. We screened tissue samples from 438 therapy-naïve patients with AGE/S undergoing surgery between 1992 and 2005, examined in a tissue microarray (TMA) and stained against human CD3, CD4, CD8, PD-1, and PD-L1. Out of 438 tissue samples, 210 were eligible for multivariate analysis. This revealed that high infiltration with CD3+, CD4+, or CD8+ TILs was associated with an increased overall survival in AGE/S patients, which could only be confirmed in multivariate analysis for CD3 (HR: 0.326; p = .023). Independent improved survival was limited to gastric cancer patients and to early tumor stages as long as TILs did not express PD-1 (HR: 1.522; p = .021). Subgroup analyses indicate that TIL-dependent anti-tumor immune response is only effective in gastric cancer patients in early stages of disease in PD-1 negative TILs. Combined analysis of PD-1 and CD3 could serve as a prognostic marker for the clinical outcome of gastric cancer patients and could also be of interest for immunotherapy.

Prognostic impact of Claudin 18.2 in gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas.

INTRODUCTION: The tight junction molecule Claudin 18.2 is selectively expressed in healthy and malignant gastric epithelial tissue and is a promising therapy target for high Claudin 18.2 expressing adenocarcinomas of the esophagogastric junction and stomach (AEG/S). METHODS: This study analyzed the prevalence, characteristics and prognostic impact of Claudin 18.2 expression in primary tumor, lymph node and distant metastasis in a large Caucasian AGE/S cohort with 414 patients. RESULTS: Claudin 18.2 was highly expressed in 17.1% of primary tumors, 26.7% of lymph node metastasis and 16.7% of distant metastasis. High Claudin 18.2 expression in lymph node metastasis and primary tumors correlated significantly (p < 0.001). High expression of Claudin 18.2 was neither associated with histomorphogical subtype, or tumor state, nor with overall survival. CONCLUSION: In Caucasian AEG/S patients, 17.1% appeared to be eligible for an anti-Claudin 18.2 therapy. Claudin 18.2 expression itself has no impact on prognosis and is not related to any tumor subtype.

Evidence for a role of RUNX1 as recombinase cofactor for TCRß rearrangements and pathological deletions in ETV6-RUNX1 ALL.

T-cell receptor gene beta (TCRß) gene rearrangement represents a complex, tightly regulated molecular mechanism involving excision, deletion and recombination of DNA during T-cell development. RUNX1, a well-known transcription factor for T-cell differentiation, has recently been described to act in addition as a recombinase cofactor for TCRδ gene rearrangements. In this work we employed a RUNX1 knock-out mouse model and demonstrate by deep TCRß sequencing, immunostaining and chromatin immunoprecipitation that RUNX1 binds to the initiation site of TCRß rearrangement and its homozygous inactivation induces severe structural changes of the rearranged TCRß gene, whereas heterozygous inactivation has almost no impact. To compare the mouse model results to the situation in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) we analyzed TCRß gene rearrangements in T-ALL samples harboring heterozygous Runx1 mutations. Comparable to the Runx1+/- mouse model, heterozygous Runx1 mutations in T-ALL patients displayed no detectable impact on TCRß rearrangements. Furthermore, we reanalyzed published sequence data from recurrent deletion borders of ALL patients carrying an ETV6-RUNX1 translocation. RUNX1 motifs were significantly overrepresented at the deletion ends arguing for a role of RUNX1 in the deletion mechanism. Collectively, our data imply a role of RUNX1 as recombinase cofactor for both physiological and aberrant deletions.

Analysis of NTRK expression in gastric and esophageal adenocarcinoma (AGE) with pan-TRK immunohistochemistry.

Small molecule inhibitors such as Larotrectinib have been recently approved in the treatment of patients with fusions of the neurotrophic-tropomyosin receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) genes 1-3. These genomic rearrangements have been reported across different tumor subtypes with a high prevalence in rare tumors. However, in gastric and esophageal adenocarcinoma (AGE) NTRK fusions have also been described in a subset of Asian patients. In order to study the prevalence of this alteration in Caucasian patients with AGE we performed immunohistochemistry for pan-NTRK in 438 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor samples. While we found NTRK expression in gastric glands and tumor adjacent nerve tissue, we did not detect this marker in the tumor compartment. Based on our findings NTRK fusions do not seem to play a role in the molecularpathology of Caucasian AEG patients, so that other treatment options are required.

Primary human testicular PDGFRα+ cells are multipotent and can be differentiated into cells with Leydig cell characteristics in vitro.

STUDY QUESTION: Is it possible to differentiate primary human testicular platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha positive (PDGFRα+) cells into functional Leydig cells? SUMMARY ANSWER: Although human testicular PDGFRα+ cells are multipotent and are capable of differentiating into steroidogenic cells with Leydig cell characteristics, they are not able to produce testosterone after differentiation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: In rodents, stem Leydig cells (SLCs) that have been identified and isolated using the marker PDGFRα can give rise to adult testosterone-producing Leydig cells after appropriate differentiation in vitro. Although PDGFRα+ cells have also been identified in human testicular tissue, so far there is no evidence that these cells are true human SLCs that can differentiate into functional Leydig cells in vitro or in vivo. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We isolated testicular cells enriched for interstitial cells from frozen-thawed fragments of testicular tissue from four human donors. Depending on the obtained cell number, PDGFRα+-sorted cells of three to four donors were exposed to differentiation conditions in vitro to stimulate development into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes or into Leydig cells. We compared their cell characteristics with cells directly after sorting and cells in propagation conditions. To investigate their differentiation potential in vivo, PDGFRα+-sorted cells were transplanted in the testis of 12 luteinizing hormone receptor-knockout (LuRKO) mice of which 6 mice received immunosuppression treatment. An additional six mice did not receive cell transplantation and were used as a control. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Human testicular interstitial cells were cultured to Passage 3 and FACS sorted for HLA-A,B,C+/CD34-/PDGFRα+. We examined their mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) membrane protein expression by FACS analyses. Furthermore, we investigated lineage-specific staining and gene expression after MSC trilineage differentiation. For the differentiation into Leydig cells, PDGFRα+-sorted cells were cultured in either proliferation or differentiation medium for 28 days, after which they were stimulated either with or without hCG, forskolin or dbcAMP for 24 h to examine the increase in gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes using qPCR. In addition, testosterone, androstenedione and progesterone levels were measured in the culture medium. We also transplanted human PDGFRα+-sorted testicular interstitial cells into the testis of LuRKO mice. Serum was collected at several time points after transplantation, and testosterone was measured. Twenty weeks after transplantation testes were collected for histological examination. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: From primary cultured human testicular interstitial cells at Passage 3, we could obtain a population of HLA-A,B,C+/CD34-/PDGFRα+ cells by FACS. The sorted cells showed characteristics of MSC and were able to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes. Upon directed differentiation into Leydig cells in vitro, we observed a significant increase in the expression of HSD3B2 and INSL3. After 24 h stimulation with forskolin or dbcAMP, a significantly increased expression of STAR and CYP11A1 was observed. The cells already expressed HSD17B3 and CYP17A1 before differentiation but the expression of these genes were not significantly increased after differentiation and stimulation. Testosterone levels could not be detected in the medium in any of the stimulation conditions, but after stimulation with forskolin or dbcAMP, androstenedione and progesterone were detected in culture medium. After transplantation of the human cells into the testes of LuRKO mice, no significant increase in serum testosterone levels was found compared to the controls. Also, no human cells were identified in the interstitium of mice testes 20 weeks after transplantation. LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study was performed using tissue from only four donors because of limitations in donor material. Because of the need of sufficient cell numbers, we first propagated cells to passage 3 before FACS of the desired cell population was performed. We cannot rule out this propagation of the cells resulted in loss of stem cell properties. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: A lot of information on Leydig cell development is obtained from rodent studies, while the knowledge on human Leydig cell development is very limited. Our study shows that human testicular interstitial PDGFRα+ cells have different characteristics compared to rodent testicular PDGFRα+ cells in gene expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes and potential to differentiate in adult Leydig cells under comparable culture conditions. This emphasizes the need for confirming results from rodent studies in the human situation to be able to translate this knowledge to the human conditions, to eventually contribute to improvements of testosterone replacement therapies or establishing alternative cell therapies in the future, potentially based on SLCs. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was funded by Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. All authors declare no competing interests.

European recommendations and quality assurance for cytogenomic analysis of haematological neoplasms.

Cytogenomic investigations of haematological neoplasms, including chromosome banding analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and microarray analyses have become increasingly important in the clinical management of patients with haematological neoplasms. The widespread implementation of these techniques in genetic diagnostics has highlighted the need for guidance on the essential criteria to follow when providing cytogenomic testing, regardless of choice of methodology. These recommendations provide an updated, practical and easily available document that will assist laboratories in the choice of testing and methodology enabling them to operate within acceptable standards and maintain a quality service.

[Alloplastic material in prolapse surgery : Indications and postoperative outcome of ventral rectopexy]. / Alloplastisches Material in der Prolapschirurgie : Indikation und postoperatives Outcome der ventralen Rektopexie.

BACKGROUND: In rectopexy the use of meshes provides stability by mechanical support as well as by the induction of scar formation; however, one of the problems of conventional methods of mesh rectopexy is that many patients postoperatively suffer from functional disorders, such as fecal incontinence and stool evacuation disorders. One reason is the damage of vegetative nerves following dorsal and lateral mobilization of the rectum, which is required for positioning of the mesh. In 2004 D'Hoore and Penninckx first described the method of ventral rectopexy, a new technique of mesh rectopexy which allows preservation of the autonomic nerves. OBJECTIVE: Does ventral rectopexy provide advantages regarding functional outcome, complications and recurrence rates? MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search was carried out in the databases PubMed and Medline for studies on ventral rectoplexy. Presentation and analysis of the current state of relevant studies relating to ventral rectopexy. RESULTS: Ventral rectopexy is characterized by a low complication rate and good functional results in terms of improvement of incontinence, constipation and stool evacuation disorders. The indications for ventral rectopexy are considered in patients with external prolapse of the rectum. Also in a well-selected patient population internal prolapse, rectocele as well as enterocele accompanied by obstructive defecation syndrome represent relative indications for ventral rectopexy. CONCLUSION: In order to obtain a valid assessment of the value of this procedure it is crucial to improve the current lack of evidence (level 3) by prospective randomized studies that compare ventral rectopexy with other surgical techniques and nonsurgical treatment options.

Results of the Gore Bio-A fistula plug implantation in the treatment of anal fistula: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the efficiency of the Gore Bio-A synthetic plug in the treatment of anal fistulas. METHODS: A synthetic bioabsorbable anal fistula plug was implanted in 60 patients. All fistulas were transsphincteric and cryptoglandular in origin. RESULTS: The healing rate after 1 year of follow-up was 52 % (31 out of 60 patients). No patient was lost to follow-up. The treatment had no effect on the incontinence score. The plug dislodgement rate was 10 % (6 out of 60 patients). Thirty-four per cent of the patients (16 out of 47) required reoperation. The average operating time was 32 ± 10.2 min, and the average length of hospital stay was 3.3 ± 1.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic plugs may be an alternative to bioprosthetic fistula plugs in the treatment of transsphincteric anal fistulas. This method might have better success rates than treatment with bioprosthetic fistula plugs.

Gene expression profiling in the leukemic stem cell-enriched CD34+ fraction identifies target genes that predict prognosis in normal karyotype AML.

In order to identify acute myeloid leukemia (AML) CD34(+)-specific gene expression profiles, mononuclear cells from AML patients (n=46) were sorted into CD34(+) and CD34(-) subfractions, and genome-wide expression analysis was performed using Illumina BeadChip Arrays. AML CD34(+) and CD34(-) gene expression was compared with a large group of normal CD34(+) bone marrow (BM) cells (n=31). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis showed that CD34(+) AML samples belonged to a distinct cluster compared with normal BM and that in 61% of the cases the AML CD34(+) transcriptome did not cluster together with the paired CD34(-) transcriptome. The top 50 of AML CD34(+)-specific genes was selected by comparing the AML CD34(+) transcriptome with the AML CD34(-) and CD34(+) normal BM transcriptomes. Interestingly, for three of these genes, that is, ankyrin repeat domain 28 (ANKRD28), guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha 15 (GNA15) and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 (UGP2), a high transcript level was associated with a significant poorer overall survival (OS) in two independent cohorts (n=163 and n=218) of normal karyotype AML. Importantly, the prognostic value of the continuous transcript levels of ANKRD28 (OS hazard ratio (HR): 1.32, P=0.008), GNA15 (OS HR: 1.22, P=0.033) and UGP2 (OS HR: 1.86, P=0.009) was shown to be independent from the well-known risk factors FLT3-ITD, NPM1c(+) and CEBPA mutation status.

[Pathological work-up of rectal cancer following partial/total mesorectal excision]. / Pathologische Aufarbeitung von Rektumkarzinomen mit partieller/totaler mesorektaler Exzision.

Total mesorectal excision (TME) refers to the anatomically accurate surgical resection of the rectum from its surrounding fascias and has become the gold standard for treating rectal cancer. The pathologist plays a key role in the assessment of these specimens and good pathological reporting of rectal cancer is essential to achieving the optimum possible results for patients with rectal cancer. In experienced hands, these techniques result in a dramatic improvement in cancer-related cure rates from 45% to 75% and a reduction in pelvic recurrences from 40% to 5%-10%. Moreover, preservation of sexual and urinary functions is possible in the majority of cases. This article reviews the pathological assessment of the TME specimen in detail with regards to current international guidelines and describes its anatomical background. In addition, particular issues relating to margins, lymph node dissection and effects of neoadjuvant therapy are discussed.

Loss of lamin A/C expression in stage II and III colon cancer is associated with disease recurrence.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Loss of the nuclear lamina protein lamin A/C (LMNA) has been observed in several human malignancies. The present study aimed to investigate associations between LMNA expression and clinical outcome in colon cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological data and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues were collected from 370 stage II and III colon cancer patients. Tissue microarrays were constructed, stained for lamin A/C and evaluated microscopically. Microsatellite instability status was determined for 318 tumours. RESULTS: Low levels of LMNA expression were observed in 17.8% of colon tumours, with disease recurrence occurring in 45.5% of stage II and III colon cancer patients with LMNA-low expressing tumours compared to 29.6% of patients with LMNA-high expressing tumours (p=0.01). For stage II patients, disease recurrence was observed for 35.7% of LMNA-low compared to 20.3% of LMNA-high expressing tumours (p=0.03). Microsatellite stable (MSS) tumours exhibited more frequently low LMNA expression than microsatellite instable (MSI) tumours (21% versus 9.8%; p=0.05). Interestingly, disease recurrence among LMNA-low and LMNA-high expressing MSS tumours varied significantly for stage III patients who had not received adjuvant chemotherapy (100% versus 37.8%; p<0.01) while no such difference was observed for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (46.7% versus 46.0%; p=0.96). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that low expression of LMNA is associated with an increased disease recurrence in stage II and III colon cancer patients, and suggest that these patients in particular may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein and lipid profile in patients with chronic periaortitis: case-control study.

Chronic periaortitis is thought to result from an autoallergic reaction to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL). No data exist on lipid profile and atherosclerotic biomarkers. We investigated circulating levels of OxLDL and of anti-OxLDL (aOxLDL) antibodies in patients with chronic periaortitis using the cross-sectional case-control study on 20 patients with chronic periaortitis. Patients were compared to 20 age- and sex-matched controls. aOxLDL antibodies were measured by ELISA and expressed as mean optical density values at 450 nm from duplicate measurements (OD(450)). aOxLDL antibody titers (median [interquartile range]) did not differ significantly between patients and controls (aOxLDL-IgM: 0.70 [0.24-1.08] vs. 0.54 [0.25-0.73] OD(450); aOxLDL-IgG: 0.59 [0.38-0.75] vs. 0.41[0.33-0.63]OD(450)). Female patients had higher aOxLDL-IgM levels than male patients (1.02 [0.46-1.38] vs. 0.29 [0.22-0.84] OD(450); P = 0.05). aOxLDL-IgM titers were lower in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) than in patients without CVD (0.22 [0.16-0.37] vs. 0.92 [0.70-1.30] OD(450); P = 0.003) and correlated positively with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.47, 95% CI 0.02-0.69; P = 0.03) and inversely with diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.46, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.01; P = 0.03) and OxLDL/apoB ratio (r = -0.41, 95% CI -0.73 to 0.04; P = 0.06). No differences or associations were found between aOxLDL-IgG titers and other variables between or within patients and/or controls. In patients OxLDL levels correlated with smoking pack-years (r = 0.58, 95% CI 0.17-0.81; P = 0.007). Data suggest a differing innate immune response to OxLDL in patients with chronic periaortitis compared to controls. Whether this response is causally related to chronic periaortitis development remains to be clarified.

Effects of soil water table regime on tree community species richness and structure of alluvial forest fragments in Southeast Brazil / Efeitos da flutuação do nível freático sobre a riqueza e estrutura de comunidades arbóreas de fragmentos de floresta aluvial na região sudeste do Brasil

In order to determine the influence of soil water table fluctuation on tree species richness and structure of alluvial forest fragments, 24 plots were allocated in a point bar forest and 30 plots in five forest fragments located in a floodplain, in the municipality of São Sebastião da Bela Vista, Southeast Brazil, totalizing 54, 10 X 20 m, plots. The information recorded in each plot were the soil water table level, diameter at breast height (dbh), total height and botanical identity off all trees with dbh > 5 cm. The water table fluctuation was assessed through 1 m deep observation wells in each plot. Correlations analysis indicated that sites with shallower water table in the flooding plains had a low number of tree species and high tree density. Although the water table in the point bar remained below the wells during the study period, low tree species richness was observed. There are other events taking place within the point bar forest that assume a high ecological importance, such as the intensive water velocity during flooding and sedimentation processes.

Com o propósito de avaliar a influência da flutuação do nível freático do solo sobre a riqueza de espécies arbóreas e a estrutura de fragmentos florestais aluviais, foram alocadas 24 parcelas em um dique marginal de floresta ciliar e 30 parcelas em cinco fragmentos localizados na planície de inundação no Município de São Sebastião da Bela Vista, na região sudeste do Brasil, totalizando 54 parcelas de 10 X 20 m. As informações coletadas em cada parcela foram: altura do nível freático do solo, diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP), altura total e identificação botânica de todas as árvores com DAP > 5 cm. A flutuação do nível freático foi avaliada por meio de um poço de observação enterrado a uma profundidade de 1 m em cada parcela. Análises de correlação indicaram que, na planície de inundação, os locais com o nível freático do solo mais superficial possuíram menor número de espécies arbóreas e maior densidade de árvores. Apesar do dique marginal da floresta ciliar apresentar o nível freático no solo abaixo de 1 m de profundidade durante o período de estudo, nesse local foi observada baixa diversidade de espécies arbóreas. No dique marginal existem outros eventos com maior importância ecológica que podem explicar a baixa diversidade, tais como a velocidade do rio mais intensa durante enchentes e o processo de sedimentação.