Association between estrogen receptors and GATA3 in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of their clinicopathological significance

Background: Estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) and the cooperating protein GATA-binding factor 3 (GATA3) have been implicated in bladder carcinogenesis and tumour progression. GATA3 and ER have been functionally linked in the establishment of luminal fate in breast tissue, but to date their relationship in bladder cancer has not been established. This information will be useful to advance diagnostic and prognostic markers. Aim: To determine the relationship between the expression of ERα, ERβ and GATA3 in bladder cancer, disclose their prognostic and diagnostic value and their association with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed database was performed for all immunohistochemical studies of ERα, ERβ and/or GATA3 in bladder cancer patients. We selected eligible studies in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and evaluated methodological quality and risk of bias based on quality criteria from the reporting recommendations for tumour MARKer (REMARK) prognostic studies. Risk of bias assessment was performed using Review Manager 5. R software was used for all statistical analysis, the packages used were meta and dmetar for the standard meta-analysis, and netmeta for the network meta-analysis. Results: Thirteen studies were eligible for ERα, 5 for ERβ and 58 for GATA3 meta-analysis. Low grade tumours showed significantly lower ERα expression. GATA3 was widely expressed in bladder tumours, especially urothelial carcinomas, with higher expression of GATA3 in low grade and low stage tumours. Data was insufficient to determine the prognostic value of either ERα or ERβ, but GATA3-positivity was associated with higher recurrence free survival. A negative correlation between ERα or ERβ positivity and GATA3 expression was disclosed. Additionally, several sources of heterogeneity were identified, which can be used to improve future studies. Conclusion: The clinicopathological value of ERα and ERβ was inconclusive due to low availability of studies using validated antibodies. Still, this meta-analysis supports GATA3 as good prognostic marker. On the contrary, ERα-positivity was associated to higher grade tumours; while ERα and ERβ were inversely correlated with GATA3 expression. Considering that it has previously been shown that bladder cancer cell lines have functional ERs, this suggests that ERα could be activated in less differentiated cells and independently of GATA3. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of ERα and ERβ expression in BlaCa supported by complete patient clinical history is required for the identification of BlaCa subtypes and subgroups of patients expressing ERα, to investigate if they could benefit from treatment with hormonal therapy. Systematic Review Registration: Prospero, CRD42021226836.publishe

Determination of the surface charge density of a mercury electrode by extrusion: a new method for correction of the faradaic component

The accurate determination of the surface charge density at the mercury | solution interface by the method of extrusion of mercury drops is impaired by the faradaic current caused by traces of electroactive species. This paper describes a new design of a hanging mercury drop electrode with accurate control of the extruded electrode area, to within 0.1%, together with a new and reliable procedure for correction of the faradaic current. The procedure is based on first obtaining the correction parameters in the presence of increasing amounts of electroactive species and then using these parameters for correction of the faradaic component so as to obtain the surface charge density of the electrode. Implementation of the method with a microcomputer controlled system provides automatic acquisition of corrected electrode charge density values as a function of the electrode potential. The results obtained with this new method are in excellent agreement with those obtained by other methods, as illustrated for aqueous sodium fluoride solution.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TGB-3WS6M1X-4/1/959396100ce50f29fe3e81cc9a42242

Comportamento fisiológico de sementes de Baraúna Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. (Anacardiaceae) acondicionadas em diferentes embalagens e ambientes de armazenamento.

O experimento foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Análises de Sementes/Fisiologia Vegetal da Embrapa Semi-¡rido, Petrolina-PE, com o objetivo de obter informações sobre o comportamento fisiológico de sementes de Baraúna (Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl.) armazenadas em diferentes embalagens e ambientes, visando auxiliar no processo de multiplicação, manutenção da viabilidade das sementes e, consequentemente, na preservação da espécie

Comportamento fisiológico de sementes de Quixabeira (Sideroxylon obtusifolium Roem & Schult., Sapotaceae) submetidas a diferentes temperaturas de germinação.

Devido à degradação ambiental, a quixabeira (Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem & Schult.) é mais uma espécie ameaçada de extinção, sendo a mesma de grande importância pelas suas propriedades medicinal e madeireira. A fisiologia das sementes de quixabeira é pouco conhecida, bem como os fatores ambientais que influenciam na germinação das mesmas. O experimento foi desenvolvido na Embrapa Semi-Árido, Petrolina – PE., com o objetivo de gerar informações sobre o comportamento germinativo das sementes de quixabeira, submetidas a diferentes temperaturas

Curva de embebição em sementes de quixabeira Sideroxylon obtusifolium Roem & Schult. (Sapotaceae).

O experimento foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Análises de Sementes/Fisiologia Vegetal da Embrapa Semi-¡rido, Petrolina, PE, com o objetivo de avaliar a curva de embebição em sementes de quixabeira. As sementes foram coletadas em plantas matrizes na Reserva Legal do Projeto Salitre, localizada no distrito de Juremal, Município de Juazeiro. BA