BCL2 mutations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BCL2 is deregulated in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by the t(14;18) translocation, gene amplification and/or nuclear factor-κB signaling. RNA-seq data have recently shown that BCL2 is the most highly mutated gene in germinal center B-cell (GCB) DLBCL. We have sequenced BCL2 in 298 primary DLBCL biopsies, 131 additional non-Hodgkin lymphoma biopsies, 24 DLBCL cell lines and 51 germline DNAs. We found frequent BCL2 mutations in follicular lymphoma (FL) and GCB DLBCL, but low levels of BCL2 mutations in activated B-cell DLBCL, mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic leukemia and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. We found no BCL2 mutations in GC centroblasts. Many mutations were non-synonymous; they were preferentially located in the flexible loop domain, with few in BCL2-homology domains. An elevated transition/transversions ratio supports that the mutations result from somatic hypermutation. BCL2 translocations correlate with, and are likely important in acquisition of, additional BCL2 mutations in GCB DLBCL and FL. DLBCL mutations were not independently associated with survival. Although previous studies of BCL2 mutations in FL have reported mutations to result in pseudo-negative BCL2 protein expression, we find this rare in de-novo DLBCL.

Examples of Hydrothermal Titration and Real Time X-Ray Diffraction in the Synthesis of Open Frameworks

Hydrothermal titration (HTT) techniques represent a new synthetic strategy for the production of open frameworks. As an example, initial digestion of amorphous GeS2 in the presence of tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) at 100°C is followed by injection of Ag+ into this mixture to condense the [Ge4S10]4− clusters and form a framework consisting of 8-ring channels bounded by alternating GeS-clusters and Ag+. The rational use of this apparatus depends upon determining the timing of injection. Insight into the changes occurring during reactant digestion is provided by real time synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. Changes in the the system dimethylamine-Sb-S have been followed in real time at different temperatures. The transformation from mixtures of DMA, Sb and S to the known open phase DMA-SbS-SB8 was followed by observing monochromatic X-ray scattering detected on an imaging plates over a 8 hr period with one continuous exposure.

Evaluation of physician knowledge and referral practices for colorectal cancer (CRC) genetic risk assessment: The experience at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania (HUP)

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Background: 3-5% of CRCs are due to inherited genetic mutations. We surveyed knowledge and practices of academic physicians for identification and care of individuals at risk for inherited CRC.

Methods: 264 physicians (oncologists (ON), gastroenterologists (GA), surgeons, internists, gynecologists, and radiation oncologists) at HUP were invited to participate in a web-based 9-min survey. The ability to obtain appropriate medical history and to make referral to genetic services was evaluated. Knowledge of hereditary CRC syndromes was examined both pre and post viewing of an educational web-page on inherited CRCs. Mantel-Haenszel, Fisher exact, and McNemar statistical tests were applied.

Results: Response rate was 33.3%; and of those, 97.4% accessed the educational webpage. In the cohort, 98.9 % obtained a medical history very frequently (VF), 88.6% obtained cancer history in 1st and 45.5% in the 2nd degree relatives VF, and 63.9% asked about the relatives' age at time of cancer diagnosis VF. Of those most likely to care for patients with CRC, the GA more frequently asked about relatives' age at cancer diagnosis (p=0.014) and family history of polyps (p< 0.001) than ON. GA were more likely than ON to refer patients for genetic counseling (73.9% vs. 36.8%, p=0.008). GA had superior knowledge of the availability of genetic testing for Lynch syndrome (LS) (95.6% GA vs. 63.2% ON, p=0.005) and for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) (100.0% GA vs. 65.8% ON, p<0.001). For the entire cohort, the educational intervention raised awareness of genetic testing for LS (64.5% pre vs. 94.7% post, p<0.001), FAP (69.7% pre vs. 97.4% post, p<0.001), and Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (31.6% pre vs. 84.2% post, p<0.001); and it significantly improved recognition of LS family pedigrees and selection of appropriate surveillance.

Conclusions: Of the respondents, GA are more likely to obtain a detailed family history, utilize genetic services, and have a greater awareness of the availability of genetic testing, than ON. A simple educational intervention improves physician knowledge on inherited CRC risk recognition and surveillance recommendations.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Wasp hawking induces endothermic heat production in guard bees

When vespine wasps, Vespa velutina Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), hawk (capture) bees at their nest entrances alerted and poised guards of Apis cerana cerana F. and Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola (Hymenoptera: Apidae) have average thoracic temperatures slightly above 24° C. Many additional worker bees of A. cerana, but not A. mellifera, are recruited to augment the guard bee cohort and begin wing-shimmering and body-rocking, and the average thoracic temperature rises to 29.8 ± 1.6° C. If the wasps persist hawking, about 30 guard bees of A. cerana that have raised their thoracic temperatures to 31.4 ± 0.9° C strike out at a wasp and form a ball around it. Within about three minutes the core temperature of the heat-balling A. cerana guard bees reaches about 46° C, which is above the lethal limit of the wasps, which are therefore killed. Although guard bees of A. mellifera do not exhibit the serial behavioural and physiological changes of A. cerana, they may also heat-ball hawking wasps. Here, the differences in the sequence of changes in the behaviour and temperature during "resting" and "heat-balling" by A. cerana and A. mellifera are reported.

The alteration of Id-1 and TSP-1 expression in mucoepidermoid carcinoma associated with its clinical features and prognosis

Expression of Id-1 (inhibitors of DNA binding/differentiation protein 1) and TSP-1 (thrombospondin-1) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and their relationship to pathological features and prognosis was studied. Moderately and poorly differentiated groups had significantly higher Id-1 positive expression rate (p<0.05) than well differentiated carcinoma. Stages III-IV showed significant increase of Id-1 positive expression rate (p<0.05) compared with stages I and II. Id-1 positive expression was significantly higher in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis or relapse at 5 years (p<0.05). After that, patients with negative Id-1 expression had significantly higher tumor-free survival than patients with positive expression (p<0.05). Correlation between the expression of Id-1 and TSP-1 in mucoepidermoid carcinoma was negative (p<0.05). Poorly differentiated groups show significantly lower TSP-1 positive expression rate than well differentiated groups (p<0.05). No significant differences of TSP-1 positive expression were detected with clinical stage. TSP-1 positive expression was significantly lower in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis or relapse at 5 years (p<0.05). After 5 years, patients with positive TSP-1 expression had significantly higher tumor-free survival than patients with negative TSP-1. Positive Id-1 expression is associated with high malignancy/poor prognosis; positive TSP-1 expression is associated with low malignancy/good prognosis. Protein expression status may help assess tumor malignancy and patient prognosis.