Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the head and neck. Case report

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a rare tumor included in the group of soft tissue sarcomas. Approximately 1-3% of these tumors affect the head and neck, with about 100 cases reported to date. A case affecting the retromolar trigone and involving the postero-lateral portion of the left hemi-tongue is reported. Etiological and pathological aspects are discussed. Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this neoplasm are reviewed.Le fibro-histiocytome malin est une tumeur rare faisant partie du groupe des sarcomes des tissus mous. Environ 1-3% de ce type de tumeur est localisé dans la région de la tête et cou, dont 100 cas ont été rapportés à ce jour. Le cas rapporté affecte le trigone rétromolaire envahissant la portion postéro-latérale de l’hémi-langue. Les aspects étiologiques et pathologiques sont discutés. Le diagnostic, le traitement et le pronostic sont passés en revue

In vitro and ex vitro germination of three Handroanthus species (Bignoniaceae)

Handroanthus impetiginosus, H. lapacho and “H.ochraceuslapachos” se distribuyen en el NO Argentino y presentan inconvenientes de germinación y conservación en su ambiente natural. La germinación de semillas bajo condiciones controladas es una alternativa para asegurar la propagación de especies con este tipo de problemáticas. En el presente estudio integral, se analizó la germinación in vitroy ex vitro, las características de las semillas y la morfología de las plántulas de las tres especies de Handroanthusmencionadas. Para ello, se midió el largo y ancho de las semillas, el ancho de las alas de la cubierta seminal, el ancho y largo del cuerpo seminal y del embrión. El poder germinativo de las tres especies fue determinado durante 12 meses luego de la cosecha de las semillas. Fueron determinados los parámetros de las plántulas obtenidas in vitroy ex vitro. El tamaño de la semilla y embrión de H. impetiginosus

Characterization of genetic variation within table grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) based on AFLP markers

AFLPs were used to characterize a collection of 35 table grape varieties. A single AFLP reaction with a single combination of selective primers yielded an average of 50 polymorphic and scorable amplified bands in this collection and was enough to unequivocally identify each analyzed variety, Genetic similarity between different varieties was estimated, based on the results obtained with two primer combinations, to be between 0.65 and 0.90, while sibling varieties derived from the same cross showed a genetic similarity higher than 0.80, The analysis of several samples belonging to the same varieties, yet from different origins, showed stability of the AFLP patterns as to unequivocally and reproducibly identify them. Furthermore, some specific primer combinations detected a low level of variation that could be due to somatic variation and would be useful in clonal identification

Pedigree analysis of the Spanish grapevine cultivar 'Hebén'

The use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers allows genetic identification and parentage analysis of grapevine cultivars. Ancient cultivars like 'Hebén' were widely cultivated in the Iberian Peninsula along its history and likely contributed to the origin of varieties which are still cultivated today. The goal of our study was to search for possible first-degree relationships between the female variety 'Hebén' and other Iberian and Mediterranean cultivars. For this purpose, we used a set of 261 SNP markers which allowed identifying 23 trios and 37 parent-offspring relationships supported by high overall likelihood ratios (LOD scores). The results shed light on the relationships among several cultivars from Spain and Portugal, and demonstrated that 'Hebén' is a major founder of current varieties in the Iberian Peninsula viticulture, and contributed to spread the chlorotype A in this region.L. H. ZINELABIDINE was supported by a fellowship from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional. J. CUNHA was supported by a Post-doctoral fellowship “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” (SFRH/BPD/ 74895/2010). LHZ and JC were supported by COST action FA1003 “East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding”, from European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research, through the funding of short scientific missions at the ICVV.Peer Reviewe

Pedigree analysis of the Spanish grapevine cultivar Heben

Trabajo presentado en la Final Conference Progress in Vitis Vinifera diversity evaluation and use, celebrada en Lisboa del 7 al 9 de octubre de 2014.Cost action FA1003 - GRAPENET. East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding.Several studies have shown that some varieties have had a large contribution in the production of varieties in certain regions, like ‘Pinot’ and ‘Heunisch Weiss’ in France. Previous results had pointed out that the old Spanish female variety ‘Hebén’, known as ‘Mourisco Branco’ in Portugal, could be one of those varieties with a remarkable role in the Iberian Peninsula. This ancient winegrape cultivar was already described in Spain in the 16th century as a white variety of grapevine producing large and sparse bunches of grape with big seeds.Peer Reviewe

Pedigree analysis of the Spanish grapevine cultivar 'Hebén'

The use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers allows genetic identification and parentage analysis of grapevine cultivars. Ancient cultivars like 'Hebén' were widely cultivated in the Iberian Peninsula along its history and likely contributed to the origin of varieties which are still cultivated today. The goal of our study was to search for possible first-degree relationships between the female variety 'Hebén' and other Iberian and Mediterranean cultivars. For this purpose, we used a set of 261 SNP markers which allowed identifying 23 trios and 37 parent-offspring relationships supported by high overall likelihood ratios (LOD scores). The results shed light on the relationships among several cultivars from Spain and Portugal, and demonstrated that 'Hebén' is a major founder of current varieties in the Iberian Peninsula viticulture, and contributed to spread the chlorotype A in this region

Solar ultraviolet radiation is necessary to enhance grapevine fruit ripening transcriptional and phenolic responses

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation modulates secondary metabolism in the skin of Vitis vinifera L. berries, which affects the final composition of both grapes and wines. The expression of several phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-related genes is regulated by UV radiation in grape berries. However, the complete portion of transcriptome and ripening processes influenced by solar UV radiation in grapes remains unknown.Results: Whole genome arrays were used to identify the berry skin transcriptome modulated by the UV radiation received naturally in a mid-altitude Tempranillo vineyard. UV radiation-blocking and transmitting filters were used to generate the experimental conditions. The expression of 121 genes was significantly altered by solar UV radiation. Functional enrichment analysis of altered transcripts mainly pointed out that secondary metabolism-related transcripts were induced by UV radiation including VvFLS1, VvGT5 and VvGT6 flavonol biosynthetic genes and monoterpenoid biosynthetic genes. Berry skin phenolic composition was also analysed to search for correlation with gene expression changes and UV-increased flavonols accumulation was the most evident impact. Among regulatory genes, novel UV radiation-responsive transcription factors including VvMYB24 and three bHLH, together with known grapevine UV-responsive genes such as VvMYBF1, were identified. A transcriptomic meta-analysis revealed that genes up-regulated by UV radiation in the berry skin were also enriched in homologs of Arabidopsis UVR8 UV-B photoreceptor-dependent UV-B -responsive genes. Indeed, a search of the grapevine reference genomic sequence identified UV-B signalling pathway homologs and among them, VvHY5-1, VvHY5-2 and VvRUP were up-regulated by UV radiation in the berry skin.Conclusions: Results suggest that the UV-B radiation-specific signalling pathway is activated in the skin of grapes grown at mid-altitudes. The biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites, which are appreciated in winemaking and potentially confer cross-tolerance, were almost specifically triggered. This draws attention to viticultural practices that increase solar UV radiation on vineyards as they may improve grape features. © 2014 Carbonell-Bejerano et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Does HIV infection have an impact upon dental implant osseointegration? A systematic review

Background: A systematic review is made to determine whether human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has an impact upon dental implant osseointegration. Material and Methods: A PubMed (MEDLINE) literature search was made of articles published up until 14 April 2014. The systematic review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). The quality of the studies included in the review was assessed using the Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS) and levels of evidence (based on the University of Oxford's Center for Evidence Based Medicine criteria). Results: The combinations of search terms resulted in a list of 132 titles. Nine studies finally met the inclusion criteria and were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. A total of 173 dental implants were placed in 80 patients (135 implants in 56 HIV-positive subjects and 38 implants in 24 HIV-negative patients), and a single loss of dental implant osseointegration was recorded in an HIV-positive patient. Conclusions: Our results suggest that dental implant placement in HIV-positive patients does not increase the dental implant failure rate. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment, the administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and control of the CD4+ T lymphocyte counts appear to be the main influencing factors in this respect. Given the few studies included in our systematic review, further prospective studies involving larger sample sizes and longer durations of follow-up are required in order to confirm the results obtained

Genetic variation and association analyses identify genes linked to fruit set-related traits in grapevine

Grapevine is one of the most valuable fruit crops in the world. Adverse environmental conditions reduce fruit quality and crop yield, so understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms determining crop yield components is essential to optimize grape production. The analysis of a diverse collection of grapevine cultivars allowed us to evaluate the relationship between fruit set-related components of yield, including the incidence of reproductive disorders such as coulure and millerandage. The collection displayed a great phenotypic variation that we surveyed in a genetics association study using 15, 309 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected in the sequence of 289 candidate genes scattered across the 19 grapevine linkage groups. After correcting statistical models for population structure and linkage disequilibrium effects, 164 SNPs from 34 of these genes were found to associate with fruit set-related traits, supporting a complex polygenic determinism. Many of them were found in the sequence of different putative MADS-box transcription factors, a gene family related with plant reproductive development control. In addition, we observed an additive effect of some of the associated SNPs on the phenotype, suggesting that advantageous alleles from different loci could be pyramided to generate superior cultivars with optimized fruit production

CAR Co-Operates With Integrins to Promote Lung Cancer Cell Adhesion and Invasion.

The coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is a member of the junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) family of adhesion receptors and is localised to epithelial cell tight and adherens junctions. CAR has been shown to be highly expressed in lung cancer where it is proposed to promote tumor growth and regulate epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), however the potential role of CAR in lung cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. To better understand the role of this receptor in tumor progression, we manipulated CAR expression in both epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like lung cancer cells. In both cases, CAR overexpression promoted tumor growth in vivo in immunocompetent mice and increased cell adhesion in the lung after intravenous injection without altering the EMT properties of each cell line. Overexpression of WTCAR resulted in increased invasion in 3D models and enhanced β1 integrin activity in both cell lines, and this was dependent on phosphorylation of the CAR cytoplasmic tail. Furthermore, phosphorylation of CAR was enhanced by substrate stiffness in vitro, and CAR expression increased at the boundary of solid tumors in vivo. Moreover, CAR formed a complex with the focal adhesion proteins Src, Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and paxillin and promoted activation of the Guanine Triphosphate (GTP)-ase Ras-related Protein 1 (Rap1), which in turn mediated enhanced integrin activation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CAR contributes to lung cancer metastasis via promotion of cell-matrix adhesion, providing new insight into co-operation between cell-cell and cell-matrix proteins that regulate different steps of tumorigenesis