DNA methylation-based classification of sinonasal tumors

The diagnosis of sinonasal tumors is challenging due to a heterogeneous spectrum of various differential diagnoses as well as poorly defined, disputed entities such as sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas (SNUCs). In this study, we apply a machine learning algorithm based on DNA methylation patterns to classify sinonasal tumors with clinical-grade reliability. We further show that sinonasal tumors with SNUC morphology are not as undifferentiated as their current terminology suggests but rather reassigned to four distinct molecular classes defined by epigenetic, mutational and proteomic profiles. This includes two classes with neuroendocrine differentiation, characterized by IDH2 or SMARCA4/ARID1A mutations with an overall favorable clinical course, one class composed of highly aggressive SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas and another class with tumors that represent potentially previously misclassified adenoid cystic carcinomas. Our findings can aid in improving the diagnostic classification of sinonasal tumors and could help to change the current perception of SNUCs

Pleurotus lindquistii is a Lentinus

Using a strain determined by Singer 37 years ago as Pleurotus lindquistii, fruitbodies were obtained using traditional methods for edible mushroom culture. The new basidiomata allowed us to redescribe the species and to transfer it to Lentinus. Mating studies between monosporic cultures revealed a tetrapolar mating system. Descriptions of cultural characters and Nobles' code are given.Fil:Lechner, B.E. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil:Albertó, E. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Hygroaster iguazuensis sp. nov. and a new continental record for Lentinus similis

Hygroaster iguazuensis is proposed as a new species and Lentinus similis is a new record for the Americas. Both fungi are fully described and illustrated.Fil:Lechner, B.E. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

PTSD Symptoms and Onset of Neurologic Disease in Elderly Trauma Survivors

In this case study, we present two Holocaust survivors who appeared to have adapted well post-trauma, but developed severe PTSD symptomatology following the onset of neurologic illness in later life. These individuals were referred for neuropsychological evaluations by their treating neurologists to assess their levels of cognitive functioning. We present the neuropsychological findings, and discuss possible mechanisms for the emergence of PTSD symptoms. These case studies demonstrate the need for systematic research to further investigate the potential relationship between aging, degenerative disease, and PTSD symptoms in elderly trauma survivors

Biglycan Is an Extracellular MuSK Binding Protein Important for Synapse Stability

The receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK is indispensable for nerve-muscle synapse formation and maintenance. MuSK is necessary for pre-patterning of the endplate zone anlage and as a signaling receptor for agrin-mediated postsynaptic differentiation. MuSK-associated proteins such as Dok7, LRP4, and Wnt11r are involved in these early events in neuromuscular junction formation. However, the mechanisms regulating synapse stability are poorly understood. Here we examine a novel role for the extracellular matrix protein biglycan in synapse stability. Synaptic development in fetal and early postnatal biglycan null (bgn(-/o)) muscle is indistinguishable from wild type controls. However, by 5 wks after birth nerve-muscle synapses in bgn(-/o) mice are abnormal as judged by the presence of perijunctional folds, increased segmentation and focal misalignment of acetylcholinesterase and AChRs. These observations indicate that previously occupied pre- and post- synaptic territory has been vacated. Biglycan binds MuSK and the levels of this receptor tyrosine kinase are selectively reduced at bgn(-/o) synapses. In bgn(-/o) myotubes, the initial stages of agrin-induced MuSK phosphorylation and AChR clustering are normal, but the AChR clusters are unstable. This stability defect can be substantially rescued by the addition of purified biglycan. Together, these results indicate that biglycan is an extracellular ligand for MuSK that is important for synapse stability

Aproveitamento de resíduos madeireiros para o cultivo do cogumelo comestível Lentinus strigosus de ocorrência na Amazônia

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a utilização de resíduos madeireiros do estado do Amazonas para o cultivo de Lentinus strigosus. de ocorrência na região. A linhagem foi procedente da coleção do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA. Utilizou-se separadamente serragens de Simarouba amara (marupá), Ochroma piramidale (pau de balsa) e Anacardium giganteum (cajuí) suplementadas com farelo de arroz e de trigo e CaCO3 (80:10:8:2), respectivamente, ajustando-se a umidade em torno de 75%. Os substratos (500g) foram acondicionados em sacos de polipropileno, esterilizados a 121 ºC , durante 30 minutos, inoculados e incubados em câmara climatizada a 25 ± 3 ºC e UR de 85%, até emissão dos primórdios, com redução de temperatura de 25 para 23 ± 1 ºC e aumento de UR para 85-90%, no período de "frutificação". O crescimento micelial ocorreu de 12 a 20 dias, com surgimento de primórdios com cerca de 15 a 25 dias após a inoculação. A produção de basidiocarpos ocorreu três a cinco dias após a emissão dos primórdios. Foram avaliados: eficiência biológica (EB, %), rendimento (g kg-1) e perda da matéria orgânica (PMO, %). As serragens suplementadas foram eficientes no cultivo de L. strigosus, apresentando EB de 38, 48 e 59%; rendimento de 98, 119 e 177 g kg-1; e PMO de 42, 59 e 48%, para marupá, pau de balsa e cajuí, respectivamente. Assim, há um potencial de aproveitamento desses resíduos na Amazônia, bem como uma provável utilização da linhagem selvagem, podendo contribuir para melhoria das condições sócio-econômicas da população regional e sustentabilidade dos recursos da biodiversidade.The objective of this work was to use wood residues from the state of Amazonas for the cultivation of Lentinus strigosus. found in that region. The strain came from the collection of the National Institute of Amazonian Research. Sawdust species Simarouba amara, Ochroma piramidale and Anacardium giganteum were separately used in the preparation of the substrates, supplemented with rice and wheat bran and CaCO3 (80:10:8:2), respectively, with humidity adjusted to approximately 75%. Substrates (500 g) were packed using bags polypropylene, sterilized at 121 ºC for 30 minutes, inoculated and incubated in an acclimatized chamber at 25 ± 3 ºC and relative air humidity of 85% until primordia emission, with temperature reduced from 25 to 23 ± 1 ºC and air relative humidity increased to 85-90% in the fruiting period. Micelial growth occurred within 12 to 20 days and primordia appeared within 15 to 25 days after the inoculation. Harvest occurred three to five days after primordia emission. Biological efficiency (BE, %), yield (g kg-1) and loss of organic matter (PMO, %) were evaluated. Supplemented sawdust were efficient in the cultivation of L. strigosus, presenting BE of 38, 48 and 59%, yield of 98, 119 and 177 g kg-1 and PMO of 42, 59 and 48% for Simarouba amara, Ochroma piramidale and Anacardium giganteum, respectively. The results show the potential use of those residues in the Amazon, as well as the possibility of using the wild strain, to contribute to the improvement of the social and economical conditions of the regional population and sustainability of the biodiversity resources