A practical algorithmic approach to mature aggressive B cell lymphoma diagnosis in the double/triple hit era. Selecting cases, matching clinical benefit. A position paper from the Italian Group of Haematopathology (G.I.E.)

An accurate diagnosis of clinically distinct subgroups of aggressive mature B cell lymphomas is crucial for the choice of proper treatment. Presently, precise recognition of these disorders relies on the combination of morphological, immunophenotypical, and cytogenetic/molecular features. The diagnostic workup in such situations implies the application of costly and time-consuming analyses, which are not always required, since an intensified treatment option is reasonably reserved to fit patients. The Italian Group of Haematopathology proposes herein a practical algorithm for the diagnosis of aggressive mature B cell lymphomas based on a stepwise approach, aimed to select cases deserving molecular analysis, in order to optimize time and resources still assuring the optimal management for any patient

Alternative Materials for Plumule Initiation and Callus Induction of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cv. Laguna Tall

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an important Philippine export crop. Coconut yields in the Philippines are low owing to high genetic variability and old, senile trees. To provide better quality replacement planting materials, somatic embryogenesis was introduced in the country. It produces uniform, disease-free planting materials, in a high volume at a shorter time than seedling propagation. However, this modern technology requires expert skill, costly equipment, and specialized laboratory-grade materials. Hence, low-cost material options must be considered. Using Laguna Tall coconut embryos, the plumule initiation study was laid out in a two-factorial completely randomized design with sugar (sucrose, white table sugar) and duration (1, 3, and 5 d) as factors. Likewise, the callus induction experiments had culture vessel (45, 60, and 100 mL) and sealing materials (polypropylene sheets with rubber band, aluminum foil with masking tape) as factors. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with LSD for mean separation. Plumule growth was initiated to remove the need for microscopy in plumule excision prior to callus induction. For plumule initiation, embryo plugs were held for 3 d in liquid medium with sucrose resulting in plumule protrusion. Highest percentage of healthy explants was produced in 45-mL glass jars. Moreover, white calli were most abundant in cultures sealed with aluminum foil and masking tape. The combination of 45-mL glass jar and aluminum foil with masking tape was the only treatment that produced white calli at the second culture cycle. Relative cost analysis further revealed that 45-mL glass jars sealed with aluminum foil and masking tape was cheapest at PhP 7.32 compared to 100-mL jars with polypropylene sheets and rubber band at PhP 22.68. Results suggest that the use of 45-mL glass jars with the combination of aluminum foil and masking tape can be cheaper alternatives to conventional materials for coconut plantlet production

First experimental test of Bell inequalities performed using a non-maximally entangled state

We report on the realisation of a new test of Bell inequalities using the superposition of type I parametric down conversion produced in two different non-linear crystals pumped by the same laser, but with different polarisation. The produced state is non-maximally entangled. We discuss the advantages and the possible developments of this configuration

Exhaled nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase expression in Hodgkin's disease

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a malignant lymphoma with frequent mediastinal involvement, characterized by a significant inflammatory infiltration. Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO), is present in healthy humans, and has been proven to be increased in eosinophilic diseases such as allergic asthma. We investigated whether FENO is increased in mediastinal HD and whether NO is produced by lymphoma tissue. To this aim FENO was measured in 56 HD patients, 17 with and 39 without bulky mediastinal involvement, in the period from January 2007 to December 2008. Thirty-seven patients were reassessed after remission. Lymph node biopsies of 10 patients were evaluated for inducible (iNOS) and constitutive (eNOS) nitric oxide synthase expression by immunohistochemistry. FENO resulted significantly related to the mediastinal mass maximum diameter (p=0.009) and was significantly higher in patients with as compared to those without bulky mediastinal disease (38.7 ppb, CI95% 19.3–58.0, versus 20.7 ppb, CI95% 16.6–24.7; p=0.009). iNOS and eNOS immunoreactivity was observed in tumour and inflammatory cells (eosinophils and histiocytes). Only in patients with bulky mediastinal HD there was a significant decrease in FENO (from 50.4 ppb CI95% 18.0–82.8 to 11.1 ppb CI95% 4.4–17.8, p=0.011). In conclusion, high FENO and NOS expression in lymph-nodes indicate that NO is a component of the inflammatory network of HD. FENO may be proposed for the assessment and follow up of bulky mediastinal HD patients

A practical algorithmic approach to mature aggressive B cell lymphoma diagnosis in the double/triple hit era: selecting cases, matching clinical benefit : A position paper from the Italian Group of Haematopathology (G.I.E.).

An accurate diagnosis of clinically distinct subgroups of aggressive mature B cell lymphomas is crucial for the choice of proper treatment. Presently, precise recognition of these disorders relies on the combination of morphological, immunophenotypical, and cytogenetic/molecular features. The diagnostic workup in such situations implies the application of costly and time-consuming analyses, which are not always required, since an intensified treatment option is reasonably reserved to fit patients. The Italian Group of Haematopathology proposes herein a practical algorithm for the diagnosis of aggressive mature B cell lymphomas based on a stepwise approach, aimed to select cases deserving molecular analysis, in order to optimize time and resources still assuring the optimal management for any patient. © 2019, The Author(s)

The mycorrhizal root-shoot axis elicits Coffea arabica growth under low phosphate conditions

Coffee is one of the most traded commodities world-wide. As with 70% of land plants, coffee is associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, but the molecular bases of this interaction are unknown. We studied the mycorrhizal phenotype of two commercially important Coffea arabica cultivars (‘Typica National’ and ‘Catimor Amarillo’), upon Funnelliformis mosseae colonisation grown under phosphorus limitation, using an integrated functional approach based on multi-omics, physiology and biochemistry. The two cultivars revealed a strong biomass increase upon mycorrhization, even at low level of fungal colonisation, improving photosynthetic efficiency and plant nutrition. The more important iconic markers of AM symbiosis were activated: We detected two gene copies of AM-inducible phosphate (Pt4), ammonium (AM2) and nitrate (NPF4.5) transporters, which were identified as belonging to the C. arabica parental species (C. canephora and C. eugenioides) with both copies being upregulated. Transcriptomics data were confirmed by ions and metabolomics analyses, which highlighted an increased amount of glucose, fructose and flavonoid glycosides. In conclusion, both coffee cultivars revealed a high responsiveness to the AM fungus along their root-shoot axis, showing a clear-cut re-organisation of the major metabolic pathways, which involve nutrient acquisition, carbon fixation, and primary and secondary metabolism