White clover: the forgotten component of high-producing pastures?

The contribution of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) to nitrogen fixation and feed quality in mixed pastures is indisputable, but the benefits of clover inclusion to total herbage accumulation (HA) are less clear. Results from four experiments comparing mixed pastures of white clover–perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with perennial ryegrass monocultures are presented. These experiments covered a range of environments (dryland northern New Zealand and irrigated southern New Zealand), management inputs (nitrogen (N) fertiliser rates and defoliation management), and genotypes of ryegrass and white clover. Mixtures resulted in a significantly greater HA than did monocultures in 7 of the 8 years for which data were available; the interaction between pasture type (monoculture or mixture) and N rate was significant in six of those years, with a greater advantage in HA for mixtures under low N rates (mean = 3.08 t DM/ha.year) than under high N rates (mean = 1.54 t DM/ha.year). Two-thirds to four-fifths of the yield advantage under grazing was due to the direct effect of clover contribution (which ranged between 10% and 30% of total annual yield) to HA, most of which accrued in summer. The remainder was due to the capture of additional clover-derived N by the grass component of the mixture, estimated to equate to 50–60 kg N/ha under low N-fertiliser rates and 15–35 kg N/ha under high N rates. The magnitude and consistency of the yield advantages observed here indicates that there are unrealised yield and other benefits not currently being captured in New Zealand dairy production systems, largely because they are negated by the use of high N-fertiliser rates. The agronomic practices required to support clover-rich mixed pastures receiving moderate rates of N fertiliser are well documented and can be applied to help deal with nutrient loss limits required by environmental regulations plus volatility in farm-gate milk prices.

A new vinyl selenone-based domino approach to spirocyclopropyl oxindoles endowed with anti-HIV RT activity

Herein, we disclose a general and flexible access to spirocyclopropyl oxindoles by a domino Michael/intramolecular nucleophilic substitution pathway with variously substituted vinyl selenones and enolizable oxindoles in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The spirocyclopropyl oxindole being a privileged scaffold, some of the synthesized compounds were selected for biological evaluation. Compound showed selective anti-HIV-1 activity thanks to its ability to inhibit the reverse transcriptase.

Surgical management of papillary thyroid carcinoma in childhood and adolescence: an Italian multicenter study on 250 patients

PURPOSE

The extent of surgery for pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma is debatable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of offering pediatric patients a tailored surgical approach based on certain clinical features.

METHODS

A national multicenter retrospective review of 250 pediatric patients treated for papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 14-year period was performed. Outcomes of interest included tumor-related features, type of surgery, surgical morbidity, disease-free and overall survival rates. Recurrence was thoroughly analyzed with particular focus on how it correlated with certain patient- and tumor-related features.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (58.8 %) had tumors >2 cm in size. Nodal involvement occurred in 115/250 (46 %) patients and distant metastasis in 4 % (10/250). Total thyroidectomy and lobectomy were performed in 90.4 % (226/250) and 9.6 % (24/250) of patients, respectively. The overall rate of surgical complications was 20.8 % (52/250). These included transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism (13.6 and 4.4 %, respectively), and vocal fold palsy (2.8 %). All surgical complications occurred exclusively in the total thyroidectomy group. The rate of recurrent disease was 12 % (30/250) with the vast majority of recurrences (96.6 %) occurring in the total thyroidectomy group. The risk of recurrence correlated significantly with certain tumor-related features (size > 2 cm, multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion, nodal positivity, and distant metastasis). However, it did not correlate with the patient's age or sex. Overall survival was 100 %.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric patients are likely to benefit from a tailored surgical strategy. Uniformly offering patients total thyroidectomy seems to be an overly radical approach.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Long-Term Administration of 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine in the LP-BM5 Murine-Induced Immunodeficiency Model

The LP-BM5 murine retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency model was used to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of long-term 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (DDC) therapy. A mean plasma drug concentration of 0.2 + 0.02 μm of DDC for 3 months was found to reduce splenomegaly, lymphoadenopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia in infected mice. However, DDC also reduced spleen weight in control mice and spleen haemopoiesis in both infected and uninfected animals. In the bone marrow the most prominent feature of DDC treatment was a marked reduction of megakariocytes, while in the liver an hepatocellular vacuolation was evident in uninfected animals. DDC reduced, but did not prevent, LP-BM5 integration in lymph node DNA and Pr 60gag expression in spleen lymphocytes and bone marrow cells. Furthermore, DDC reduced the mitochondrial DNA content and restored the mitogen proliferation of T cells but not that of B cells in infected mice. Thus, DDC appears to be of some, but limited, efficacy in murine AIDS, with a toxicity profile involving more cell types than previously thought.

Inhibition of HIV-1 and LP-BM5 Replication in Macrophages by Dideoxycytidine and Dideoxycytidine 5′-Triphosphate

The antiviral agent 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC) has been shown to be active against HIV-1 infectivity. However, conflicting results have been reported concerning its efficacy in macrophages. Because macrophages possess low levels of the kinase(s) responsible for ddC phosphorylation, we investigated the ability of ddC and 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine 5′-trisphosphate (ddCTP) to suppress HIV-1 and LP-BM5 replication in these cells. Retrovirus replication was only partially inhibited in the two systems investigated by a high (1 μM) ddC concentration. The direct administration of ddCTP, using autologous red blood cells as a delivery system, was found to inhibit HIV-1 and LP-BM5 replication by more than 90% in macrophages without affecting major cell functions. These data, together with those already reported for FIV [Magnani et al. (1994) AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 10: 1179-1186], suggest that the anabolic phosphorylation of ddC is an important determinant of its anti-HIV activity and that pharmacological interventions that modulate ddC metabolism may be useful for improving its antiretroviral activity in macrophages.

Vasculogenic potential evaluation of bottom-up, PCL scaffolds guiding early angiogenesis in tissue regeneration

Vascularization is a key factor in the successful integration of tissue engineered (TE) grafts inside the host body. Biological functions of the newly formed tissue depend, in fact, on a reliable and fast spread of the vascular network inside the scaffold. In this study, we propose a technique for evaluating vascularization in TE constructs assembled by a bottom-up approach. The rational, ordered assembly of building blocks (BBs) into a 3D scaffold can improve vessel penetration, and-unlike most current technologies-is compatible with the insertion of different elements that can be designed independently (e.g. structural units, growth factor depots etc.). Poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds composed of orderly and randomly assembled sintered microspheres were used to assess the degree of vascularization in a pilot in vivo study. Scaffolds were implanted in a rat subcutaneous pocket model, and retrieved after 7 days. We introduce three quantitative factors as a measure of vascularization: the total percentage of vascularization, the vessels diameter distribution and the vascular penetration depth. These parameters were derived by image analysis of microcomputed tomographic scans of biological specimens perfused with a radiopaque polymer. The outcome of this study suggests that the rational assembly of BBs helps the onset and organization of a fully functional vascular network.

Branchial cleft and pouch anomalies in childhood: a report of 50 surgical cases

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Branchial abnormalities occur when there is disturbance in the maturation of the branchial apparatus during fetal development. Branchial anomalies are congenital lesions usually present in childhood, even if they can be diagnosed later for enlargement or infection. A correct diagnosis will lead to proper management: complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The purpose of this article is to present clinical features, diagnostic methods and surgical treatment of branchial anomalies in childhood, based on a series of 50 patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a total of 50 pediatric patients operated from June 2005 to June 2014 for the presence of branchial cleft anomalies.

RESULTS

27 cases (54 %) presented a second branchial cleft fistula and 11 cases (22 %) a second branchial cleft cyst and one case (2 %) presented both cyst and sinus of the second branchial cleft; four cases (8 %) presented first branchial cleft cyst whereas four cases (8 %) a first branchial cleft sinus and two cases (4 %) a first branchial cleft fistula; one case (2 %) presented a piriform sinus fistula (third branchial cleft). None of our patients presented anomalies of the fourth branchial cleft. All patients underwent surgical treatment and lesions have been removed by excision or fistulectomy. No post-surgical complication occurred. The rate of recurrence was 4 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-operative diagnosis supplies important information to the surgeon for a proper therapy: a complete excision of the lesion without inflammatory signs is essential to avoid re-intervention and to achieve a good outcome.

Abstract P3-07-63: Ki67 cut-off point to predict the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in ER+ HER2- breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND: The benefit of chemotherapy for patients with estrogen receptor(ER)+ HER2- breast cancers is an ongoing question. The evaluation of the tumor's proliferation by Ki67 may guide the indication but no consensual predictive cut-off has been set yet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included women with a first ER+HER2- invasive breast cancer treated by primary surgery between 2003 and 2008. Data was collected prospectively. Ki67 cut-off was sequentially set each 1% from 5% to 30%. For each threshold, the interaction between Ki67 and adjuvant chemotherapy was integrated in a multivariate Cox model to determine when it became statistically significant in predicting distant-disease free survival (DDFS). Using different Ki67 cut-offs, we also compared DDFS of patients who had or not an indication of chemotherapy, depending on whether they actually received it or not.

RESULTS: Among the 3221 breast cancers, median Ki67 was 10%, with a mean of 15% (S.D = 14). Ki67 was an independent prognosis factor whether the cut-off was set to 14% or to 20% (p<0.001). The interaction between Ki67 and chemotherapy became significant only for a threshold of Ki67 above 20% (p<0.05). When adjuvant chemotherapy was not indicated according to St Gallen guidelines 2013 with a Ki67 cut-off set to 20%, DDFS was not significantly improved if patients did receive chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION: In ER+ HER2- breast cancers, a Ki67 level of expression >= 20% was predictive of benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. A threshold at 14% was not as discriminant. Based on this large cohort study, we recommend the use of a cut-off at 20% to decide whether patientes with ER positive tumors should receive chemotherapy or not/.

Citation Format: Rouzier R, Rossi L, Lerebours F, Savignoni A, Falcou M-C, Bonneau C, Pierga J-Y, Guinebretière J-M. Ki67 cut-off point to predict the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in ER+ HER2- breast cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-63.

BMIm HCO3: an ionic liquid with carboxylating properties. Synthesis of carbamate esters from amines

BMIm HCO₃ is an ionic liquid obtained by the ion-exchange method showing interesting carboxylating properties.

Non-ceruloplasmin bound copper and ATP7B gene variants in Alzheimer's disease

ATP7B, a protein mainly expressed in the hepatocytes, is a copper chaperone that loads the metal into the serum copper–protein ceruloplasmin during its synthesis and also escorts superfluous copper into the bile, by a sophisticated trafficking mechanism.

Prognostic impact of discrepant Ki67 and mitotic index on hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast carcinoma

Background:

Inconsistencies between mitotic index (MI) and Ki67 measures have been identified in many breast tumour samples. The aim of this study was to describe the prognosis of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) HER2− tumours having discrepant MI and Ki67.

Methods:

We included a cohort of breast cancer patients initially treated by surgery between 2001 and 2005 in the Institut Curie. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analysed according to three proliferation groups: high MI/high Ki67 (MI=3, Ki67>20%), low MI/low Ki67 (MI<3, Ki67⩽20%) and discrepant (high MI/low Ki67 or low MI/high Ki67).

Results:

Among the 1430 patients, 19.6% had discrepant Ki67 and MI, 11.6% had high markers and 68.8% had low markers. The 5-year BCSS was 95.8%, 95% CI (0.93–0.98) in the discrepant group, 99.3%, 95% CI (0.993–0.999) in the low-proliferation group and 91.8%, 95% CI (0.88–0.96) in the high-proliferation group. In multivariate analysis, the survival of the discrepant group was lower than that of the low-proliferation group: BCSS hazard ratio (HR)=3.01 (1.32–6.84; P=0.008) and DFS HR=2.07, 95% CI (1.31–3.26; P=0.002). Among grade 2 tumours in multivariate analysis, DFS of the discrepant group was lower than that of the low MI/low Ki67 group: HR=1.98, 95% CI (1.14–3.46), P=0.02. Regarding BCSS, the obtained results were similar.

Conclusion:

The prognosis of patients with discrepant MI and Ki67 appears intermediate between that of low MI/low Ki67 and high MI/high Ki67 groups. These markers should be jointly analysed to clarify prognosis.

The lion in Ghana: its historical and current status

Historically, the lion (Panthera leo) population in Ghana has been little studied and its status is poorly documented. Currently, after recent unsuccessful attempts to find signs of the presence of the species, many authors believe that the Ghanaian lion population is most likely extinct. In an attempt to gather more data, since 2005 we have been carrying out lion surveys in the most important parks and other protected areas of Ghana, mainly focusing on Mole National Park (MNP). We have also been extensively reviewing the literature in an attempt to reconstruct the history of the presence of the lion in the country. Although our research has not provided unequivocal evidence of the presence of the lion, we have collected circumstantial evidence that suggests that a small lion population might still be present in MNP and its surrounding areas.

CO2 Sorption-Enhanced Processes by Hydrotalcite-Like Compounds at Different Temperature Levels

The aim of this work is to identify solid sorbents for CO2 capture for coal and biomass syngas conditioning and cleaning by means of a sorption-enhanced reaction process. Hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlcs) were synthesized with and without K2CO3 impregnation. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) porosimetry after synthesis and after capture tests, respectively. Sorption and desorption tests were performed in a fluidized bed reactor, under cyclic conditions, at two different temperature levels: 350/450°C and 600/700°C. At low temperature only the Mg–Al HTlcs K promoted samples showed stability and sorption capacity comparable with literature values. On the other hand, results at high temperature indicate that the mixed Mg-Ca-Al HTlcs samples exhibit the best behavior with the highest sorption capacity (1.7 mmolCO2/g) almost stable over 5 sorption/regeneration cycles; furthermore, addition of steam allowed increasing their reactivity by 70% compared to the dry value. This type of sorbent could be a promising candidate to prepare a bifunctional sorbent–catalyst for sorption-enhanced processes, taking place directly in the fluidized bed gasifier, or downstream the reactor for adjustment of gas composition before further conversion in gaseous energy carriers.