Long noncoding RNA profiles of adrenocortical cancer can be used to predict recurrence

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive malignancy with high rates of recurrence following surgical resection. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in cancer development. Pathogenesis of adrenal tumours have been characterised by mRNA, microRNA and methylation expression signatures, but it is unknown if this extends to lncRNAs. This study describes lncRNA expression signatures in ACC, adrenal cortical adenoma (ACA) and normal adrenal cortex (NAC) and presents lncRNAs associated with ACC recurrence to identify novel prognostic and therapeutic targets. RNA was extracted from freshly frozen tissue with confirmation of diagnosis by histopathology. Focused lncRNA and mRNA transcriptome analysis was performed using the ArrayStar Human LncRNA V3.0 microarray. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were validated using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and correlated with clinical outcomes. Microarray of 21 samples (ten ACCs, five ACAs and six NACs) showed distinct patterns of lncRNA expression between each group. A total of 956 lncRNAs were differentially expressed between ACC and NAC, including known carcinogenesis-related lncRNAs such as H19, GAS5, MALAT1 and PRINS (P≤0.05); 85 lncRNAs were differentially expressed between ACC and ACA (P≤0.05). Hierarchical clustering and heat mapping showed ACC samples correctly grouped compared with NAC and ACA. Sixty-six differentially expressed lncRNAs were found to be associated with ACC recurrence (P≤0.05), one of which, PRINS, was validated in a group of 20 ACCs and also found to be associated with metastatic disease on presentation. The pathogenesis of adrenal tumours extends to lncRNA dysregulation and low expression of the lncRNA PRINS is associated with ACC recurrence.

Wntless regulates dentin apposition and root elongation in the mandibular molar

Wnt signaling plays an essential role in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme during tooth morphogenesis. However, it remains unclear if Wnt ligands, produced from dental mesenchyme, are necessary for odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. Here, we show that odontoblast-specific disruption of Wntless (Wls), a chaperon protein that regulates Wnt sorting and secretion, leads to severe defects in dentin formation and root elongation. Dentin thickness decreased remarkably and pulp chambers enlarged in the mandibular molars of OC-Cre;Wls(CO/CO) mice. Although the initial odontoblast differentiation was normal in the mutant crown, odontoblasts became cuboidal and dentin thickness was reduced. In immunohistochemistry, Wnt10a, β-catenin, type I collagen, and dentin sialoprotein were significantly down-regulated in the odontoblasts of mutant crown. In addition, roots were short and root canals were widened. Cell proliferation was reduced in the developing root apex of mutant molars. Furthermore, Wnt10a and Axin2 expression was remarkably decreased in the odontoblasts of mutant roots. Deletion of the Wls gene in odontoblasts appears to reduce canonical Wnt activity, leading to inhibition of odontoblast maturation and root elongation.

Osterix regulates tooth root formation in a site-specific manner

Bone and dentin share similar biochemical compositions and physiological properties. Dentin, a major tooth component, is formed by odontoblasts; in contrast, bone is produced by osteoblasts. Osterix (Osx), a zinc finger-containing transcription factor, has been identified as an essential regulator of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. However, it has been difficult to establish whether Osx functions in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. To understand the role of Osx in dentin formation, we analyzed mice in which Osx was subjected to tissue-specific ablation under the control of either the Col1a1 or the OC promoter. Two independent Osx conditional knockout mice exhibited similar molar abnormalities. Although no phenotype was found in the crowns of these teeth, both mutant lines exhibited short molar roots due to impaired root elongation. Furthermore, the interradicular dentin in these mice showed severe hypoplastic features, which were likely caused by disruptions in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. These phenotypes were closely related to the temporospatial expression pattern of Osx during tooth development. These findings indicate that Osx is required for root formation by regulating odontoblast differentiation, maturation, and root elongation. Cumulatively, our data strongly indicate that Osx is a site-specific regulator in tooth root formation.

Engineered micro- and nanoscale diamonds as mobile probes for high-resolution sensing in fluid

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an attractive platform for quantum information and sensing applications because of its room temperature operation and optical addressability. A major research effort focuses on improving the quantum coherence of this defect in engineered micro- and nanoscale diamond particles (DPs), which could prove useful for high-resolution sensing in fluidic environments. In this work we fabricate cylindrical diamonds particles with finely tuned and highly reproducible sizes (diameter and height ranging from 100 to 700 and 500 nm to 2 μm, respectively) using high-purity, single-crystal diamond membranes with shallow-doped NV centers. We show that the spin coherence time of the NV centers in these particles exceeds 700 μs, opening the possibility for the creation of ultrahigh sensitivity micro- and nanoscale sensors. Moreover, these particles can be efficiently transferred into a water suspension and delivered to the region to probe. In particular, we introduce a DP suspension inside a microfluidic circuit and control position and orientation of the particles using an optical trapping apparatus. We demonstrate a DC magnetic sensitivity of 9 μT/√Hz in fluid as well as long-term trapping stability (>30 h), which paves the way toward the use of high-sensitivity pulse techniques on contactless probes manipulated within biological settings.

Seasonal phenology of Amphorophora agathonica (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and spread of viruses in red raspberry in Washington

Amphorophora agathonica (Hottes) is the primary vector of aphid-transmitted viruses in red raspberry in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. To better understand the biology of the aphid, we estimated the lower developmental threshold and studied the seasonal activity of A. agathonica in commercial fields in northern Washington state. In addition, we monitored the spread of raspberry viruses (raspberry latent virus and raspberry leaf mottle virus, RLMV) to determine how rapidly fields became infected and whether there was a relationship between aphid presence and infection. The lower developmental threshold of A. agathonica was estimated to be 2.7°C. In the field, apterous and alate aphid populations began rapidly increasing at ≍800 growing degree-days and peaked at 1,050 growing degree-days. RLMV spread rapidly, with 30-60% of plants in four different commercial fields testing positive after three growing seasons. There was no discernible relationship between the presence or abundance of aphids based on 10 leaves sampled per plant location, and the odds of that plant becoming infected with RLMV.

Development of biological control of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phorodon humuli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Oregon hop yards

The temporal development of biological control of arthropod pests in perennial cropping systems is largely unreported. In this study, the development of biological control of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank), in a new planting of hop in Oregon is described over a period of 9 yr (2005-2013). Both the abundance and diversity of natural enemies increased over time. Known predators of hop aphid (Coccinellidae and Anthocoridae) were present in all years; however, stable biological control of hop aphid was not achieved in most years and aphicides were required to suppress populations at commercially acceptable levels in 5 of 9 yr. Populations of aphidophagous coccinellids developed synchronously with hop aphid populations, and temporal correlations indicated these are the primary predatory insect associated with hop aphid regulation. However, sampling methods did not assess levels of aphid parasitoids and hyperparasitoids and their contribution to biological control was unquantified. Spider mite biological control was associated primarily with predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) and Stethorus spp. (Coccinellidae). The magnitude of temporal correlations of abundance of these predators with spider mites was found to be greatest on the same sampling dates and at lags of 7-14 d. Stable biological control of spider mites occurred after four field seasons, suppressing spider mites to levels similar to those commonly achieved with chemical control. A survey of 11 commercial hop yards in Oregon documented pest and natural enemy densities under commercial management practices over a period of 4 yr (2008-2011). Natural enemy abundance in commercial hop yards was similar to that of a 2- to 3-yr-old hop yard with limited disturbance. Whereas total reliance on biological control for hop aphid is unlikely to be successful, there appears to be unrealized potential for biological control of spider mites in commercial production. Dynamic action thresholds that consider the value of natural enemies are needed for both pests.

Acapsular clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates lack agr function

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen causing community- and hospital-acquired infections. Capsule production of S. aureus confers protection against host defence. There is a lack of information concerning the association of capsular polysaccharide (CP) expression and activity of the accessory gene regulator (agr) in clinical S. aureus isolates. Production of CP and agr expression were assessed in 195 S. aureus isolates from infected patients at a German University Hospital. Northern blot analysis revealed that S. aureus strains with a non-functional agr locus were more likely to be CP-negative than strains with a functional agr locus.

Early plasma soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-product levels are associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

Early epithelial injury after lung transplantation may contribute to development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We evaluated the relationship between early postoperative soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-product (sRAGE) levels, a marker of type I alveolar cell injury and BOS. We performed a cohort study of 106 lung transplant recipients between 2002 and 2006 at the University of Pennsylvania with follow-up through 2010. Plasma sRAGE was measured 6 and 24 h after transplantation. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between sRAGE and time to BOS, defined according to ISHLT guidelines. Sixty (57%) subjects developed BOS. The average time to BOS was 3.4 years. sRAGE levels measured at 6 h (HR per SD of sRAGE: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.57, p = 0.02) and 24 h (HR per SD of sRAGE: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.65, p = 0.01) were associated with an increased hazard of BOS. Multivariable Cox regression indicated this relationship was independent of potential confounders. Elevated plasma sRAGE levels measured in the immediate postoperative period are associated with the development of BOS. Early epithelial injury after transplantation may contribute to the development of fibrosis in BOS.

Excessive Wnt/β-catenin signaling disturbs tooth-root formation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling plays an essential role in cellular differentiation and matrix formation during skeletal development. However, little is known about its role in tooth-root formation. In a previous study, we found excessive formation of dentin and cementum in mice with constitutive β-catenin stabilization in the dental mesenchyme. In the present study we analyzed the molar roots of these mice to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in root formation in more detail.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We generated OC-Cre:Catnb(+/lox(ex3)) mice by intercrossing Catnb(+/lox(ex3)) and OC-Cre mice, and we analyzed their mandibular molars using radiography, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

OC-Cre:Catnb(+/lox(ex3)) mice showed impaired root formation. At the beginning of root formation in mutant molars, dental papilla cells did not show normal differentiation into odontoblasts; rather, they were prematurely differentiated and had a disorganized arrangement. Interestingly, SMAD family member 4 was upregulated in premature odontoblasts. In 4-wk-old mutant mice, molar roots were about half the length of those in their wild-type littermates. In contrast to excessively formed dentin in crown, root dentin was thin and hypomineralized in mutant mice. Biglycan and dentin sialophosphoprotein were downregulated in root dentin of mutant mice, whereas dentin matrix protein 1 and Dickkopf-related protein 1 were upregulated. Additionally, ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 was significantly downregulated in the cementoblasts of mutant molars. Finally, in the cementum of mutant mice, bone sialoprotein was downregulated but Dickkopf-related protein 2 was upregulated.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that temporospatial regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in cell differentiation and matrix formation during root and cementum formation.

Location of the mechanism of resistance to Amphorophora agathonica (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in red raspberry

The aphid Amphorophora agathonica Hottes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an important virus vector in red (Rubus idaeus L.) and black (Rubus occidentalis L.) raspberries in North America. Raspberry resistance to A. agathonica in the form of a single dominant gene named Ag1 has been relied upon to help control aphid-transmitted plant viruses; however, the mechanism of resistance to the insect is poorly understood. Aphid feeding was monitored using an electrical penetration graph on the resistant red raspberry 'Tulameen' and compared with a susceptible control, 'Vintage'. There were no differences in pathway feeding behaviors of aphids as they moved toward the phloem. Once in the phloem, however, aphids feeding on resistant plants spent significantly more time salivating than on susceptible plants, and ingested significantly less phloem sap. This suggests that a mechanism for resistance to A. agathonica is located in the phloem. Reduced ingestion of phloem may result in inefficient acquisition of viruses and is a likely explanation for the lack of aphid-transmitted viruses in plantings of resistant cultivars.

Imaging of muscle injury in the elite athlete

Injuries to muscle in the elite athlete are common and may be responsible for prolonged periods of loss of competitive activity. The implications for the athlete and his/her coach and team may be catastrophic if the injury occurs at a critical time in the athlete's diary. Imaging now plays a crucial role in diagnosis, prognostication and management of athletes with muscle injuries. This article discusses the methods available to clinicians and radiologists that are used to assess skeletal muscle injury. The spectrum of muscle injuries sustained in the elite athlete population is both discussed and illustrated.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of whole human blood, blood plasma, and red blood cells: cellular processes and bioanalytical sensing

SERS spectra of whole human blood, blood plasma, and red blood cells on Au nanoparticle SiO(2) substrates excited at 785 nm have been observed. For the sample preparation procedure employed here, the SERS spectrum of whole blood arises from the blood plasma component only. This is in contrast to the normal Raman spectrum of whole blood excited at 785 nm and open to ambient air, which is exclusively due to the scattering of oxyhemoglobin. The SERS spectrum of whole blood shows a storage time dependence that is not evident in the non-SERS Raman spectrum of whole blood. Hypoxanthine, a product of purine degradation, dominates the SERS spectrum of blood after ~10-20 h of storage at 8 °C. The corresponding SERS spectrum of plasma isolated from the stored blood shows the same temporal release of hypoxanthine. Thus, blood cellular components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and/or platelets) are releasing hypoxanthine into the plasma over this time interval. The SERS spectrum of red blood cells (RBCs) excited at 785 nm is reported for the first time and exhibits well-known heme group marker bands as well as other bands that may be attributed to cell membrane components or protein denaturation contributions. SERS, as well as normal Raman spectra, of oxy- and met-RBCs are reported and compared. These SERS results can have significant impact in the area of clinical diagnostics, blood supply management, and forensics.

Rapid bacterial diagnostics via surface enhanced Raman microscopy

There is a continuing need to develop new techniques for the rapid and specific identification of bacterial pathogens in human body fluids especially given the increasing prevalence of drug resistant strains. Efforts to develop a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based approach, which encompasses sample preparation, SERS substrates, portable Raman microscopy instrumentation and novel identification software, are described. The progress made in each of these areas in our laboratory is summarized and illustrated by a spiked infectious sample for urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnostics. SERS bacterial spectra exhibit both enhanced sensitivity and specificity allowing the development of an easy to use, portable, optical platform for pathogen detection and identification. SERS of bacterial cells is shown to offer not only reproducible molecular spectroscopic signatures for analytical applications in clinical diagnostics, but also is a new tool for studying biochemical activity in real time at the outer layers of these organisms.

Narrowing oF the critical hydration window for cryopreservation of Salix caprea seeds following ageing and a reduction in vigour

We investigated the effects of desiccation, rehydration and cryopreservation on the viability of seeds of a wild mountain species and seven clones of Salix caprea L. Seeds responded differently to all treatments depending on clone, seed initial moisture content (MC) and seed vigour. Fresh seeds of two randomly selected clones tolerated desiccation to MC 8.5-9.6 % FW (0.09-0.11 g water per g dry mass. g/gdw) without any noticeable loss in viability and were successfully cryopreserved at MCs ranging from 8.5 to 23.4 % (0.09-0.30 g/gdw). Storage at 5 degree C for approximately 10 weeks significantly reduced the viability of seed lots of a wild species and of three S. caprea clones, whilst viability of seeds of four other clones remained unaffected. Since all clones tested were genetically derived from one tree, this variation is unlikely to be of maternal origin. Most probably paternal x environmental factors have influenced seed behavior during desiccation and storage. As viability decreased due to partial ageing, seeds became more susceptible to desiccation stress. When seeds of three clones were cryopreserved, the hydration window for survival was wider for highly vigorous seeds (c. 0.05-0.28 g/gdw) than for seeds with intermediate vigour (c. 0.10-0.24 g/gdw) and low vigour (c. 0.20-0.37 g/gdw). Rehydration to MC above 0.15 g/gdw improved germination of low vigour seeds, both in controls and after cryopreservation. In contrast, cryopreservation of high vigour seeds rehydrated to MCs above 0.11 g/gdw resulted in a sharp decrease in normal seedling production. Whilst no effect of cryogenic temperature on germination and normal seedling production was observed when seeds of seven clones were cryopreserved within their hydration windows, the results indicate the need to account for seed lot vigour when designing cryopreservation protocols.

Coupling of silicon-vacancy centers to a single crystal diamond cavity

Optical coupling of an ensemble of silicon-vacancy (SiV) centers to single-crystal diamond microdisk cavities is demonstrated. The cavities are fabricated from a single-crystal diamond membrane generated by ion implantation and electrochemical liftoff followed by homo-epitaxial overgrowth. Whispering gallery modes spectrally overlap with the zero-phonon line (ZPL) of the SiV centers and exhibit quality factors ∼ 2200. Lifetime reduction from 1.8 ns to 1.48 ns is observed from SiV centers in the cavity compared to those in the membrane outside the cavity. These results are pivotal in developing diamond integrated photonics networks.

Homoepitaxial growth of single crystal diamond membranes for quantum information processing

Homoepitaxial growth of single crystal diamond membranes is demonstrated employing a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition technique. The membranes possess excellent structural, optical, and spin properties, which make them suitable for fabrication of optical microcavities for applications in quantum information processing, photonics, spintronics, and sensing.

Upregulation of CXCR4 is functionally crucial for maintenance of stemness in drug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells

The hypothesis of cancer stem cells has been proposed to explain the therapeutic failure in a variety of cancers including lung cancers. Previously, we demonstrated acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a feature highly reminiscent of cancer stem-like cells, in gefitinib-resistant A549 cells (A549/GR). Here, we show that A549/GR cells contain a high proportion of CXCR4+ cells that are responsible for having high potential of self-renewal activity in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. A549/GR cells exhibited strong sphere-forming activity and high CXCR4 expression and SDF-1α secretion compared with parent cells. Pharmacological inhibition (AMD3100) and/or siRNA transfection targeting CXCR4 significantly suppressed sphere-forming activity in A549 and A549/GR cells, and in various non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. A549/GR cells showed enhanced Akt, mTOR and STAT3 (Y705) phosphorylation. Pharmacological inhibition of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase or transfection with wild-type PTEN suppressed phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and STAT3 (Y705), sphere formation, and CXCR4 expression in A549/GR cells, whereas mutant PTEN enhanced these events. Inhibition of STAT3 by WP1066 or siSTAT3 significantly suppressed the sphere formation, but not CXCR4 expression, indicating that STAT3 is a downstream effector of CXCR4-mediated signaling. FACS-sorted CXCR4+ A549/GR cells formed many large spheres, had self-renewal capacity, demonstrated radiation resistance in vitro and exhibited stronger tumorigenic potential in vivo than CXCR4- cells. Lentiviral-transduction of CXCR4 enhanced sphere formation and tumorigenicity in H460 and A549 cells, whereas introduction of siCXCR4 suppressed these activities in A549/GR cells. Our data indicate that CXCR4+ NSCLC cells are strong candidates for tumorigenic stem-like cancer cells that maintain stemness through a CXCR4-medated STAT3 pathway and provide a potential therapeutic target for eliminating these malignant cells in NSCLC.

Evaluation of airborne methyl salicylate for improved conservation biological control of two-spotted spider mite and hop aphid in Oregon hop yards

The use of synthetic herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) to attract natural enemies has received interest as a tool to enhance conservation biological control (CBC). Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is a HIPV that is attractive to several key predators of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), and hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Homoptera: Aphididae). A 2-year study was conducted to evaluate the recommended commercial use of MeSA in hop yards in Oregon. Slow-release MeSA dispensers were stapled to supporting poles in 0.5 ha plots and these plots were compared to a paired non-treated plot on each of three farms in 2008 and 2009. Across both years, there was a trend for reduced (range 40-91%) mean seasonal numbers of T. urticae in five of the six MeSA-baited plots. Stethorus spp., key spider mite predators, tended to be more numerous in MeSA-baited plots compared to control plots on a given farm. Mean seasonal densities of hop aphid and other natural enemies (e.g., Orius spp. and Anystis spp.) were similar between MeSA-treated and control plots. Variability among farms in suppression of two-spotted spider mites and attraction of Stethorus spp. suggests that the use of MeSA to enhance CBC of spider mites in commercial hop yards may be influenced by site-specific factors related to the agroecology of individual farms or seasonal effects that require further investigation. The current study also suggests that CBC of hop aphid with MeSA in this environment may be unsatisfactory.

Laboratory diagnosis of factitious disorder: a systematic review of tools useful in the diagnosis of Munchausen's syndrome

AIMS

To assist clinicians in the diagnosis of factitious disorder.

METHODS

This is a systematic review of the role of laboratory, radiologic, procedural, and pathological modalities to assist in the diagnosis of factitious disorder (Munchausen's syndrome). The review evaluated 3104 article titles and abstracts that were identified from MEDLINE as of January 2010.

RESULTS

We found 190 articles that demonstrated techniques that will assist clinicians in recognizing fabricated manifestations of disease. The results are divided into 13 areas of clinical medicine for easy reference. They are further sub-divided by the diseases or conditions that patients have been reported to simulate and the diagnostic techniques suggested by the literature in each case.

CONCLUSIONS

Factitious disorder is difficult to diagnose and may present as a wide array of fabricated conditions, but there are a range of laboratory and technical means available to assist clinicians in the 21st Century.

Significance of smoking history and FDG uptake for pathological N2 staging in clinical N2-negative non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to evaluate whether smoking history and the standardized uptake value (SUV) of 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake are associated with unexpected pathological N2 status (pN2) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed the data of 220 patients who underwent surgical resection with clinical N2-negative status on computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT. The maximum SUV of primary tumor was chosen for logistic analysis.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients (33%) had never smoked. The SUV ranged from 1.0 to 29.0 (median 9.1). In univariate analysis, adenocarcinomas (P = 0.019), female gender (P = 0.010), N1 on CT (P = 0.025), and N1 PET-CT (P = 0.001) were associated with a high probability of pN2. The proportion of pN2 in never smokers was higher than in ever smokers (26% versus 10% respectively; P = 0.002). The SUV remained on a multivariate logistic model (odds ratio 1.1; 95% confidence interval 1.0-1.2; P = 0.010) and it had a better predictive value in never smokers than in ever smokers (P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates an association between smoking history and pN2 in clinically negative N2 NSCLC. The different roles of FDG uptake were also suggested based on smoking history.