FISH characterization of t(8;12)(q12;p13) observed as the sole karyotypic anomaly in a myelodysplastic syndrome patient

We report a t(8;12)(q12; p13) as the sole cytogenetic anomaly in a patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). By means of FISH, we mapped the genomic region involved in the breakpoint (bkp) on both chromosomes. The 12p13 bkp mapped between markers WI-664 and WI-9218, immediately distal to the breakpoint cluster region frequently involved in hematological neoplasms targeted by y964C10. The 8q12 bkp (not yet investigated by FISH) was characterized and found to occur between markers WI-3263 and D8S524 within the region recognized by y874E1

FIP200 claw domain binding to p62 promotes autophagosome formation at ubiquitin condensates

The autophagy cargo receptor p62 facilitates the condensation of misfolded, ubiquitin-positive proteins and their degradation by autophagy, but the molecular mechanism of p62 signaling to the core autophagy machinery is unclear. Here, we show that disordered residues 326-380 of p62 directly interact with the C-terminal region (CTR) of FIP200. Crystal structure determination shows that the FIP200 CTR contains a dimeric globular domain that we designated the "Claw" for its shape. The interaction of p62 with FIP200 is mediated by a positively charged pocket in the Claw, enhanced by p62 phosphorylation, mutually exclusive with the binding of p62 to LC3B, and it promotes degradation of ubiquitinated cargo by autophagy. Furthermore, the recruitment of the FIP200 CTR slows the phase separation of ubiquitinated proteins by p62 in a reconstituted system. Our data provide the molecular basis for a crosstalk between cargo condensation and autophagosome formation

An unusual type of myeloid sarcoma localization following myelofibrosis : a case report and literature review

Myeloid Sarcoma (MS) is a rare malignancy that can present as an isolated disease or more frequently in association with or following acute myeloid leukemia or other myeloid neoplasms and rarely following myelofibrosis. Since molecular pathogenesis and prognostic factors of MS are not well understood, its prognosis remains poor even in the era of novel agents and target therapies. We report the case of a patient with MS following myelofibrosis with multiple subcutaneous, cutaneous and muscle localizations; the latter has been reported in the literature as anecdotal. In this way we aimed to enhance the understanding of this disease

Soil Management Systems: Effects on Soil Properties and Weed Flora

A three-year experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of three different soil management systems in a vineyard (organic mulch with exhausted olive pomace at 6 cm thick, weed mowing and herbicide application) on soil physicochemical characteristics and weed flora. A variety of data was collected throughout the trial, such as soil analyses, weed surveys and phytotoxicity tests. The results show that the exhausted olive pomace was able to increase the K and Mg content and exerted good control over weeds, and also had an effect on the weed flora composition. Although further research is needed, it is possible to conclude that the mode of action of the exhausted olive pomace was both mechanical (thickness of the layer) and phytochemical for the release of phytotoxic compounds (allelochemicals)

Acute myeloid leukemia and pregnancy: Clinical experience from a single center and a review of the literature

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accounts for more than two thirds of leukemia during pregnancy and has an incidence of 1 in 75,000 to 100,000. Its clinical management remains a challenging therapeutic task both for patient and medical team, given to the therapy-attributable risks for mother and fetus and the connected counseling regarding pregnancy continuation. Methods: We provided a review of updated literature and a comprehensive description of five maternal/fetal outcomes of AML cases diagnosed concomitantly to pregnancy and treated at our Institution from 2006 to 2012. Results: Median age at AML diagnosis was 32 years (31-39). One diagnosis was performed in first trimester and the patient asked for therapeutic abortion before starting chemotherapy. Three cases were diagnosed in second/third trimester; in one case leukemia was diagnosed concomitantly with intrauterine fetal death, while the remaining two patients continued pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby by cesarean section. In only one of these two cases chemotherapy was performed during pregnancy (at 24 + 5 weeks) and consisted of a combination of daunorubicine and cytarabine. Therapy was well tolerated and daily fetus monitoring was performed. After completion of 30 weeks of gestation a cesarean section was carried out; the newborn had an Apgar score of 5/1'-7/5'-9/10', oxygen therapy was temporarily given and peripheral counts displayed transient mild leukopenia. One patient had diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome rapidly progressed to AML after delivery. Four out of the 5 described women are currently alive and disease-free. Three children were born and long-term follow-up has shown normal growth and development. Conclusions: The treatment of AML occurring during pregnancy is challenging and therapeutic decisions should be taken individually for each patient. Consideration must be given both to the immediate health of mother and fetus and to long-term infant health. Our series confirmed the literature data: fetal toxicity of cytostatic therapy clusters during the first trimester; while chemotherapy can be administered safely during second/third trimester and combination of daunorubicin and cytarabine is recommended for induction

Operations of and Future Plans for the Pierre Auger Observatory

Technical reports on operations and features of the Pierre Auger Observatory, including ongoing and planned enhancements and the status of the future northern hemisphere portion of the Observatory. Contributions to the 31st International Cosmic Ray Conference, Lodz, Poland, July 2009.Comment: Contributions to the 31st ICRC, Lodz, Poland, July 200

Measurement of the Depth of Maximum of Extensive Air Showers above 10^18 eV

We describe the measurement of the depth of maximum, Xmax, of the longitudinal development of air showers induced by cosmic rays. Almost four thousand events above 10^18 eV observed by the fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory in coincidence with at least one surface detector station are selected for the analysis. The average shower maximum was found to evolve with energy at a rate of (106 +35/-21) g/cm^2/decade below 10^(18.24 +/- 0.05) eV and (24 +/- 3) g/cm^2/decade above this energy. The measured shower-to-shower fluctuations decrease from about 55 to 26 g/cm^2. The interpretation of these results in terms of the cosmic ray mass composition is briefly discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication by PR

The Pierre Auger Observatory III: Other Astrophysical Observations

Astrophysical observations of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays with the Pierre Auger ObservatoryComment: Contributions to the 32nd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Beijing, China, August 201

Update on the correlation of the highest energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic matter

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory through 31 August 2007 showed evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of cosmic rays above the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min energy threshold, \nobreak{$6\times 10^{19}$eV}. The anisotropy was measured by the fraction of arrival directions that are less than $3.1^\circ$ from the position of an active galactic nucleus within 75 Mpc (using the V\'eron-Cetty and V\'eron $12^{\rm th}$ catalog). An updated measurement of this fraction is reported here using the arrival directions of cosmic rays recorded above the same energy threshold through 31 December 2009. The number of arrival directions has increased from 27 to 69, allowing a more precise measurement. The correlating fraction is $(38^{+7}_{-6})$, compared with $21$ expected for isotropic cosmic rays. This is down from the early estimate of $(69^{+11}_{-13})$. The enlarged set of arrival directions is examined also in relation to other populations of nearby extragalactic objects: galaxies in the 2 Microns All Sky Survey and active galactic nuclei detected in hard X-rays by the Swift Burst Alert Telescope. A celestial region around the position of the radiogalaxy Cen A has the largest excess of arrival directions relative to isotropic expectations. The 2-point autocorrelation function is shown for the enlarged set of arrival directions and compared to the isotropic expectation.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physics on 31 August 201