Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer: extended long-term follow-up of the IBIS-I breast cancer prevention trial

© Cuzick et al. Open Access article distributed under the terms of CC BY.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(14)71171-

Deficiency in trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) increases tumorigenicity of human breast cancer cells and mammary tumor development in TFF1-knockout mice

Although trefoil factor 1 (TFF1; previously named pS2) is abnormally expressed in about 50% of human breast tumors, its physiopathological role in this disease has been poorly studied. Moreover, controversial data have been reported. TFF1 function in the mammary gland therefore needs to be clarified. In this study, using retroviral vectors, we performed TFF1 gain- or loss-of-function experiments in four human mammary epithelial cell lines: normal immortalized TFF1-negative MCF10A, malignant TFF1-negative MDA-MB-231 and malignant TFF1-positive MCF7 and ZR75.1. The expression of TFF1 stimulated the migration and invasion in the four cell lines. Forced TFF1 expression in MCF10A, MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells did not modify anchorage-dependent or -independent cell proliferation. By contrast, TFF1 knockdown in MCF7 enhanced soft-agar colony formation. This increased oncogenic potential of MCF7 cells in the absence of TFF1 was confirmed in vivo in nude mice. Moreover, chemically induced tumorigenesis in TFF1-deficient (TFF1-KO) mice led to higher tumor incidence in the mammary gland and larger tumor size compared with wild-type mice. Similarly, tumor development was increased in the TFF1-KO ovary and lung. Collectively, our results clearly show that TFF1 does not exhibit oncogenic properties, but rather reduces tumor development. This beneficial function of TFF1 is in agreement with many clinical studies reporting a better outcome for patients with TFF1-positive breast primary tumors

Spatial and temporal distribution of false codling moth across landscapes in the Citrusdal area (Western Cape Province, South Africa).

Thesis (MScAgric (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an indigenous pest of citrus fruit in southern Africa, and is a pest of high phytosanitary concern, impacting negatively on the export of fresh citrus fruit from South Africa to some international markets. FCM is a particularly serious pest in the Citrusdal area in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. FCM is known to infest most types of citrus, with navel oranges being particularly prone to attack, whereas lemons are not considered to be a favoured host. Conventional control strategies that rely on the use of insecticides are of limited use due to high levels of insecticide resistance in FCM populations. Mating disruption, the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and the integration of different control techniques are options that are currently being adopted. Little is known about FCM host preferences in this geographical area, or about its dispersal capacity. The ability of FCM to migrate between various host patches, including citrus orchards and indigenous fynbos vegetation, and its ability to maintain a viable population in alternative host plants when there is no fruit available for infestation in citrus orchards has not been well studied. Knowledge of these largely behavioural facets is important in planning an effective control strategy for FCM. Towards addressing this dearth of knowledge, FCM pheromone traps were set out in transects in the Citrusdal area. These transects included citrus orchards, and extended beyond citrus orchards, to include a range of habitat types and elevational gradients. This provided a grid to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of male FCM in the area. In addition, intensive sampling and inspection of potential host plant material was undertaken in the area in an attempt to identify any alternative host plants

Acute kidney injury in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

© 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Purpose of review Acute kidney injury (AKI) in the setting of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is common in pediatric and adult patients. The incidence ranges from 12 to 66%, and development of AKI in the posttransplant course is independently associated with higher mortality. Recent findings Patients who undergo HSCT have many risk factors for developing AKI, including sepsis, use of nephrotoxic medications, graft versus host disease (GVHD), and veno-occlusive disease (VOD). In addition, engraftment syndrome/cytokine storm, transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), and less common infections with specific renal manifestations, such as BK and adenovirus nephritis, may lead to kidney injury. There has been significant advancement in the understanding of TA-TMA in particular, especially the role of the complement system in its pathophysiology. The role of early dialysis has been explored in the pediatric population, but not well studied in adult HSCT recipients Summary This review provides an update on the risk factors, causes, and treatment approaches to HSCT-associated AKI. Video abstract http://links.lww.com/COCC/A29