Different biological and prognostic breast cancer populations identified by FDG-PET in sentinel node-positive patients: Results and clinical implications after eight-years follow-up

Abstract Background Sentinel node (SN) biopsy is the standard method to evaluate axillary node involvement in breast cancer (BC). Positron emission tomography with 2-(fluorine-18)-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) provides a non-invasive tool to evaluate regional nodes in BC in a metabolic-dependent, biomolecular-related way. In 1999, we initiated a prospective non-randomized study to compare these two methods and to test the hypothesis that FDG-PET results reflect biomolecular characteristics of the primary tumor, thereby yielding valuable prognostic information. Patients and methods A total of 145 cT1N0 BC patients, aged 24–70 years, underwent FDG-PET and lymphoscintigraphy before surgery. SN biopsy was followed in all cases by complete axillary dissection. Pathologic evaluation in tissue sections for involvement of the SN and other non-SN nodes served as the basis of the comparison between FDG-PET imaging and SN biopsy. Results FDG-PET and SN biopsy sensitivity was 72.6% and 88.7%, respectively, and negative predictive values were 80.5% and 92.2%, respectively. A subgroup of more aggressive tumors (ER-GIII, Her2+) was found mainly in the FDG-PET true-positive (FDG-PET+) patients, whereas LuminalA, Mib1 low-rate BCs were significantly undetected ( p = 0.009) in FDG-PET false-negative (FDG-PET−) patients. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates after a median follow-up of more than 8 years showed significantly worse overall survival for FDG-PET+ patients in node-positive (N+) patients ( p = 0.035) as compared to N+/FDG-PET− patients, which overlapped with survival curves of N− and FDG-PET+ or − patients. Conclusions Our findings suggest that FDG-PET results reflect intrinsic biologic features of primary BC tumors and have prognostic value with respect to nodal metastases. FDG-PET false negative cases appear to identify less aggressive indolent metastases. The possibility to identify a subgroup of N+ BC patients with an outcome comparable with N− BC patients could reduce the surgical and adjuvant therapeutic intervention

Effect of Unloaded and Curcumin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on Tissue Transglutaminase Isoforms Expression Levels in an Experimental Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease representing the most prevalent cause of dementia. It is also related to the aberrant amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein deposition in the brain. Since oxidative stress is involved in AD, there is a possible role of antioxidants present in the effected person’s diet. Thus, we assessed the effect of the systemic administration of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to facilitate curcumin (CUR) delivery on TG2 isoform expression levels in Wild Type (WT) and in TgCRND8 (Tg) mice. An experimental model of AD, which expresses two mutated human amyloid precursor protein (APP) genes, was used. Behavioral studies were also performed to evaluate the improvement of cognitive performance and memory function induced by all treatments. The expression levels of Bcl-2, Cyclin-D1, and caspase-3 cleavage were evaluated as well. In this research, for the first time, we demonstrated that the systemic administration of SLNs-CUR, both in WT and in Tg mice, allows one to differently modulate TG2 isoforms, which act either on apoptotic pathway activation or on the ability of the protein to repair cellular damage in the brains of Tg mice. In this study, we also suggest that SLNs-CUR could be an innovative tool for the treatment of AD

Haemodracon riebeckii Peters 1882

Haemodracon riebeckii (Peters, 1882) Diplodactylus Riebeckii Peters 1882 b: 43 —Locus typicus: “ Socotra ”. Diplodactylus Riebeckii. — Taschenberg, 1883: 165. Phyllodactylus riebeckii. — Boulenger, 1885: 94. Ptyodactylus homolepis Blanford, 1877.— Steindachner, 1899: 162. Ptyodactylus socotranus Steindachner, 1902: 168. Phyllodactylus riebeckii. — Boulenger, 1903: 78, Pl. 8. Ptyodactylus sokotranus [sic].— Steindachner, 1903: 12. Phyllodactylus riebeckii. — Smith 1933: 10. P.[hyllodactylus] riebecki [sic].— Loveridge, 1947: 238. Ptyodactylus homolepis sokotranus [sic].— Loveridge, 1947: 274. Phyllodactylus riebeckii.— Eiselt, 1962: 286 (footnote 2). Ptyodactylus homolepis socotranus.— Wermuth, 1965: 157. Phyllodactylus riebeckii.— Kluge, 1967: 32. Ptyodactylus homolepis socotranus. — Kluge, 1991: 29. Phyllodactylus riebecki [sic].— Arnold & Gardner, 1994: 440. Phyllodactylus riebeckii. — Kluge & Nussbaum, 1995: 7. Phyllodactylus riebecki [sic].— Wranik & Rösler, 1997: 10, 11. Haemodracon riebeckii. — Bauer, Good & Branch, 1997: 462. Phyllodactylus riebeckii. —Rösler, 1998: 34. Haemodracon riebecki [sic].— Joger 2000: 343, 345. Haemodracon sp.— Joger, 2000: 343, 345. According to Rösler & Wranik (2003, 2004) this large species is considered widespread especially at higher altitudes but our data show that it is also fairly common close to the coasts, since we recorded it in the Noged, near Shu’ab, near Qalansiyah, near Howlef and along the North-Eastern Coast. Habitat. We found the species active at night on cliffs, rocks, large boulders, caves, tree trunks (Dracaena, Phoenyx, Tamarix and also Adenium), inside buildings, and inactive during daytime under stones in Croton bushlands and below Dracaena trees, as well as in tree holes (Boswellia sp.). We found it from sea level to 938 meters (Tahr). Original data. Fig. 4. Socotra Island: NE Coast, Homhil, Momi plateau, Wadi Di-Fa'rhoh, Firmihin, Dheroh, SW Diksam, Central Noged, Qa'arah area, Shu'ab area, Qeysoh, Qalansiyah, Mori West, Terr Ditrur, Wadi Trubah, Wadi Ayhaft, Hadiboh plain, Howlef. Samha Island: inland of the village of Khaysat. Bibliographic data. Boulenger (1903), Steindachner (1903), Loveridge (1947), Wranik (1998 b), Schätti & Desvoignes (1999), Rösler & Wranik (2004). General distribution. Endemic to the Socotran archipelago: Socotra and Samha Island. Remarks. The specimen from Samha Island was considered by Joger (2000) as a new species (Haemodracon sp.), but it has never been formally described. The specimens found by us on Samha Island were apparently identical to the Socotran ones.Published as part of Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 2826 on page 5, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27727

Androgen receptors and serum testosterone levels identify different subsets of postmenopausal breast cancers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Androgen receptors (AR) are frequently expressed in breast cancers, but their implication in cancer growth is still controversial. In the present study, we further investigated the role of the androgen/AR pathway in breast cancer development.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>AR expression was evaluated by immunochemistry in a cohort of 528 postmenopausal breast cancer patients previously examined for the association of serum testosterone levels with patient and tumor characteristics. AR expression was classified according to the percentage of stained cells: AR-absent (0%) and AR-poorly (1%-30%), AR-moderately (>30%-60%), and AR-highly (>60%) positive.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Statistical analysis was performed in 451 patients who experienced natural menopause. AR-high expression was significantly related with low histologic grade and estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive status (<it>P</it> trend<0.001). Mean testosterone levels were significantly higher in the AR-high category than in the other categories combined (<it>P</it>=0.022), although a trend across the AR expression categories was not present. When women defined by ER status were analyzed separately, regression analysis in the ER-positive group showed a significant association of high testosterone levels with AR-highly-positive expression (OR 1.86; 95% CI, 1.10-3.16), but the association was essentially due to patients greater than or equal to 65 years (OR 2.42; 95% CI, 1.22-4.82). In ER-positive group, elevated testosterone levels appeared also associated with AR-absent expression, although the small number of patients in this category limited the appearance of significant effects (OR 1.92; 95% CI, 0.73–5.02): the association was present in both age groups (<65 and ≥65 years). In the ER-negative group, elevated testosterone levels were found associated (borderline significance) with AR-absent expression (OR 2.82, 95% CI, 0.98-8.06). In this ER-negative/AR-absent subset of tumors, elevated testosterone levels cannot stimulate cancer growth either directly or after conversion into estrogens, but they probably induce increased synthesis of some other substance that is responsible for cancer growth through binding to its specific receptor.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings in the present study confirm that testosterone levels are a marker of hormone-dependent breast cancer and suggest that the contemporary evaluation of ER status, AR expression, and circulating testosterone levels may identify different subsets of cancers whose growth may be influenced by androgens.</p

Haemodracon trachyrhinus Boulenger 1899

Haemodracon trachyrhinus (Boulenger, 1899) Phyllodactylus trachyrhynus: Boulenger 1899: 4 —Locus typicus: “Jena-agahan, 1200–2500 feet, and Adho Dimellus, 3500– 4500 feet ”. Phyllodactylas trachyrhinus. — Boulenger, 1903: 79, Pl. 9.1. Haemodracon trachyrhinus. — Bauer, Good & Branch, 1997: 462. Phyllodactylus trachyrhinus.—Rösler, 1998: 34. Haemodracon trachyrhinus.— Joger, 2000: 343. This small and inconspicuous species has been largely overlooked, and this is probably why Rösler & Wranik (2003) wrote: “it seems relatively rare, because only few specimens have been recorded so far”. Most of the bibliographic data are from Hadiboh and the Hajhir massif, with just two exceptions: Homhil and Shu’ab (Schätti & Desvoignes, 1999; Rösler & Wranik, 2004). Haemodracon trachyrhinus has been reported up to at least 1000 m (Schätti & Desvoignes, 1999). We found Haemodracon trachyrhinus at only three sites at high altitude: Ma’alah Plateau (at 550 and at 580 m a.s.l), above Firmhin (780 m a.s.l.), and Menhem in the SW Diksam Plateau (870 m), but we also recorded it from several low altitude localities. Habitat. Our research proved that Haemodracon trachyrhinus is fairly common in different habitats including the widespread Croton bushes, barren stony plains, vegetated sand dunes, sparse and dense shrublands, wadi areas. During daytime it was found under stones, while at night it was observed active on the ground and also on the trunks of bushes and on Tamarix barks. Original data. Fig. 5. NE Coast, Momi plateau, E Noged, Wadi Di Asrhon, Firmihin, SW Diksam, Central Noged, Qa'arah area, Qabheten area, Meyhah area, Plateau W of Qabhete, Shu'ab area, Ma'alah plateau, Qalansiyah, Mori West, Howlef. Bibliographic data. Boulenger (1903), Rösler & Wranik (1998, 2004), Wranik (1998 b), Schätti & Desvoignes (1999). General distribution. Endemic to Socotra Island.Published as part of Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 2826 on pages 5-6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27727

Pristurus guichardi Arnold 1986

Pristurus guichardi Arnold, 1986 Pristurus guichardi Arnold, 1986 b: 356, Figs 4–6 —Locus typicus: “Haggier (= Hajhir, 12 ° 34 ’N 54 °02’E)”. Pristurus rupestris Blanford, 1874 [partim].— Boulenger, 1903: 77. Pristurus sokotranus Parker, 1938.— Loveridge, 1947: 74. Pristurus guichardi.— Arnold, 1993: 358, Figs 1 –6. Pristurus guichardi. — Arnold, 2009: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 20, 21. Pristurus guichardi was described and originally reported from a very limited area of the island, the Hajhir Massif, over 700 m. Unpublished genetic data (S. Carranza in litt.) seem to confirm this pattern, but with a wider altitudinal range between 90 m (Wadi Di-Fa'rhoh) and 1030 m (Skand area). Habitat. P. g u i c h a rd i is strictly arboreal; we observed this species on branches and tree trunks and medium size shrubs; we found P. guichardi on the ground only once, near the base of a Dracaena tree trunk. The species occurs in woods and forests on highlands, bushes mixed with Dracaena (however, it has never been observed on its stems), and on palms and other trees along the wadis. Original data. Fig. 16. Go'o area, Wadi Di-Fa'rhoh, Firmihin, Dheroh, Skand. Bibliographic data. Arnold (1986 c), Wranik (1998 b), Schätti & Desvoignes 1999, Rösler & Wranik (1999, 2004). General distribution. Endemic to Socotra Island.Published as part of Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 2826 on page 11, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27727

Hemidactylus inintellectus Sindaco, Ziliani, Razzetti, Pupin, Grieco 2009

Hemidactylus inintellectus Sindaco, Ziliani, Razzetti, Pupin, Grieco, 2009 Hemidactylus inintellectus Sindaco et al. 2009: 86 —Locus typicus: “ Yemen, Socotra Island, Wadi Ayhaft (12 ° 36 ’ 47 ”N – 53 ° 57 ’ 52 ”E), about m 200 a.s.l.”. Hemidactylus granti. — Schätti and Desvoignes, 1999: 108 –109, fig. 30. Hemidactylus aff. turcicus.— Rösler & Wranik, 2000 a: 24, tab. 1. [Hemidactylus] turcicus -like.—Rösler & Wranik (in Wranik 2003: 133). Hemidactylus sp.—Rösler & Wranik (in Wranik 2003: pl. 74 up). Hemidactylus sp. B.— Rösler & Wranik, 2004: 518, pl. 5, fig. 20. Hemidactylus sp. B.— Rösler & Wranik, 2006 a: 127, tab. 1. Hemidactylus granti. —Sindaco et al., 2008: tab. 1. This taxon was observed and/or collected by several authors (Schätti & Desvoignes, 1999; Rösler & Wranik 2003, 2004, 2006 a) but always confused with other taxa or, until two years ago, just suspected to be a new species without any formal description (see Sindaco et al., 2009). Original data. Fig. 11. NE Coast, Homhil, Momi plateau, Firmihin, Dheroh, Central Noged, Neet, Shu'ab inland, Qeysoh, Qalansiyah, Wadi Ayhaft, Kadheb E. Habitat. This species is a nocturnal rock dwelling gecko. Individuals were observed usually climbing on cliffs, deep crevices, large boulders, tree trunks (including palms and occasionally Adenium or Dracaena), generally on limestone rocks, but also on granite. Recorded from near sea level up to 762 m a.s.l. (North of Derhoh). Bibliographic data. This species was reported by some authors (under different names: see synonymy) for a few localities in the central and eastern part of the island. General distribution. Endemic to Socotra Island.Published as part of Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 2826 on pages 8-9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27727

Pachycalamus brevis Gunther 1881

Pachycalamus brevis Günther, 1881 Pachycalamus brevis Günther, 1881: 462 —Locus typicus: “ Socotra ”. Pachycalamus brevis.— Peters, 1882 a: 583. Pachycalamus brevis.— Gans, 1960: 178. Pachealamus [sic] brevis.— Doe, 1992: 131. Pachycalamus brevis.— Hallermann, 1998: 201. Pachycalamus brevis.— Kearney, 2003: 13 (fig. 8). Pachycalamus brevis.— Gans, 2005: 43. A burrowing species, rarely detected because of its mainly fossorial habits. Habitat. It can be observed under stones or beneath rotten vegetation in habitats with rather deep soils (forested valleys, palm grooves along wadis, bushlands). It was reported also among droppings of goats (Schätti & Desvoignes 1999). We have collected it from 20 m of altitude at Wadi Qishn to 380 m south of Rokeb, but the species was collected at Diksam (695 m) by H. Rösler (Rösler & Wranik, 2004) and Schätti & Desvoignes (1999) cited it from Homhil at 700 m. Original data. Fig. 26. Go'o area, Qeysoh, Wadi Ayhaft, Hadiboh plain, Di Lishah area, Rokeb area. Bibliographic data. Boulenger (1903), Steindachner (1903), Loveridge (1941), Gans (1960), Schätti & Gasperetti (1994), Wranik (1998 b), Schätti & Desvoignes (1999), Rösler & Wranik (2004). General distribution. Endemic to Socotra Island. Remarks. Our record from Qeysoh palm grove is the first from the western part of the island.Published as part of Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 2826 on pages 15-16, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27727

Pristurus abdelkuri Arnold 1986

Pristurus abdelkuri Arnold, 1986 Pristurus abdelkuri Arnold, 1986 b: 359, Fig. 7 —Locus typicus: “Abd el Kuri ”. Pristurus rupestris Blanford, 1874 [partim].— Boulenger 1903: 94. Pristurus abdelkuri.— Arnold, 1993: 358 [368, 375, 377, 379]. Figs 1 –6 (ecology, behaviour). Pristurus cf. abdelkuri.—Rösler, 1998: 34. Pristurus abdelkuri.— Wranik, 1998 b: 149, Tab. 1. Pristurus abdelkuri. — Arnold, 2009: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 20, 21. In Abd al-Kuri this gecko can be observed on rock or gravel grounds with scattered rocks (Rösler & Wranik, 2004 and our original data). There are some populations in Socotra Island that have been attributed to this species, although its taxonomy is not clear and therefore some authors refer to these as Pristurus cf. abdekuri. If populations of Socotra Island will be proved to belong to P. abdelkuri, they could have been only recently introduced from Adb al-Kuri, as hypothesized by Rösler & Wranik (2003, 2004), since they seem to be restricted to the shores near Hadiboh and east of this town up to Bindar di-Lishah, and to two other littoral areas: Noged at 12 ° 18 ’ N – 53 ° 48 ’ E (Rösler & Wranik, 2004) and Qalansiyah (our data). Preliminary genetic data seems support the hypotesis of an introduction (S, Carranza in litt.) Habitat. In Socotra we observed the species on coastal rocks (just N of Qalansiyah and near Hawlef harbour) but also in sandy and gravel coasts (including the “vertical” dunes above Hawlef, up to 50 m of elevation), or beaches with presence of fossil corals and scattered vegetation, dead trunks and other debris. In Abd al-Kuri we found the species on rocks, piles of stones, hardened ground with stones or corals. Original data. Fig. 15. Socotra Island: Qalansiyah, Howlef, Di Lishah area. Abd al-Kuri Island. Bibliographic data. Steindachner (1903), Arnold (1986 c), Wranik (1998 b), Schätti & Desvoignes (1999), Rösler & Wranik (2004). General distribution. Endemic to Abd al-Kuri and Socotra Islands. Remarks. The distinctiveness of this Pristurus species from Abd al Kuri was suggested for the first time by Parker (1938): “ At present it seems advisable to use the name sokotranus for the Pristurus of Abd-el-Kuri also, though further collecting may reveal that the colour differences are sufficiently constant and well-marked to warrant the use of a distinctive name ”.Published as part of Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 2826 on pages 10-11, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27727

Leptotyphlops wilsoni Hahn 1978

Leptotyphlops wilsoni Hahn, 1978 Leptotyphlops wilsoni Hahn, 1978: 478, Fig. 1, Tab. 1.—Locus typicus: “Kirschon, Socotra Island; elevation 634 meters”. Leptotyphlops "spp.".— Corkill & Cochrane, 1966: 496. Leptotyphlops wilsoni.— Hahn, 1980: 82. Leptotyphlops cf. wilsoni.— Rösler & Wranik, 2004: 527, Pl. 41. Leptotyphlops wilsoni. — Rösler & Wranik, 2006 a: 126, 128. Leptotyphlops sp.— Rösler & Wranik, 2006 a: 126, 128. Myriopholis wilsoni. — Adalsteinsson, Branch, Trape, Vitt & Hedges, 2009: 11, 28, 38. Known from several localities of the Hajhir massif, with a single old lowland record from Hakari in the Noged plain, recently studied by Rösler & Wranik (2004); our records confirm this scenario. Habitat. Sparse and dense Croton and Buxus shrublands with scattered trees (Dracaena and Boswellia), forested areas, palm groves near the seacoast, along wadis, often with scattered stones, up to 995 m (Qaroni). Original data. Fig. 29. Go'o area, Diksam plateau, Central Noged, Wadi Ayhaft. Bibliographic data. Corkill & Cochrane (1966), Hahn (1978), Schätti & Desvoignes (1999), Rösler & Wranik (2004, 2006a). General distribution. A Socotran endemic. Remarks. Rösler & Wranik (2004) observed relevant morphological variation among the specimens examined and provisionally assigned them to Leptotyphlops cf. wilsoni. Two years later these authors further improved their taxonomical hypotheses assigning part of the material they studied to Leptotyphlops wilsoni and part to a new undescribed species “ Leptotyphlops sp.” (Rösler & Wranik, 2006 a). Adalsteinsson et al. (2009) followed Rösler & Wranik (2006 a) indicating four species of worm snakes (Myriopholis) distributed on Socotra Island. Since Rösler & Wranik (2006 a) have never formally described their unnamed taxon, we adopt here a conservative approach considering all these specimens as conspecific, pending further evidence.Published as part of Razzetti, Edoardo, Sindaco, Roberto, Grieco, Cristina, Pella, Francesca, Ziliani, Ugo, Pupin, Fabio, Riservato, Elisa, Pellitteri-Rosa, Daniele, Butikofer, Luca, Suleiman, Ahmed Saeed & Al-Aseily, Badar Awadh, 2011, Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 2826 on page 17, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27727