A multinodular goiter as the initial presentation of a renal cell carcinoma harbouring a novel VHL mutation

BACKGROUND: Secondary involvement of the thyroid gland is rare. Often the origin of the tumor is difficult to identify from the material obtained by fine-needle aspiration cytology. Renal cell carcinoma of the clear-cell type is one of the more common carcinomas to metastasize to the thyroid gland. Somatic mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene are associated with the sporadic form of this tumor. We aimed to illustrate the potential utility of DNA based technologies to search for specific molecular markers in order to establish the anatomic site of origin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-yr-old Caucasian male complaining of a rapidly increasing neck tumor was diagnosed as having a clear-cell tumor by fine-needle aspiration cytology. A positive staining for cytokeratin as well as for vimentin and CD10 in the absence of staining for thyroglobulin, calcitonin and TTF1 suggested a renal origin confirmed by computed tomography. Using frozen RNA, obtained from cells left inside the needle used for fine needle aspiration cytology, it was possible to identify a somatic mutation (680 delA) in the VHL gene. CONCLUSION: In the presence of a clear-cell tumor of the thyroid gland, screening for somatic mutations in the VHL gene in material derived from thyroid aspirates might provide additional information to immunocytochemical studies and therefore plays a contributory role to establish the final diagnosis. Moreover, in a near future, this piece of information might be useful to define a targeted therapy

Aerosol optical properties from columnar data during the second Aerosol Characterization Experiment on the south coast of Portugal

Measurements of aerosol optical properties over the atmospheric column (aerosol optical thickness, spectral angular sky radiance (sky brightness), and downwelling hemispheric flux) have been used to derive climate-relevant aerosol parameters such as the phase function, the broadband single-scattering albedo, and the refractive index. These parameters are needed to estimate the direct short-wave radiative forcing by aerosols and to validate aerosol models in the satellite retrieval algorithms. Values of the broadband single-scattering albedo obtained in this study range between w0 = 0.98 (marine aerosols) and 0.90 (continental pollution aerosols). The columnar ambient broadband refractive index is found to be m = 1.39 ± 0.044 i (<0.003) for marine conditions and m = 1.48 ± 0.058 i (0.01 ± 0.003) for polluted continental aerosols. Nonsphericity is shown to be important in the case of marine aerosols. Moreover, aerosol nonsphericity gives an additional contribution to the negative short-wave radiative forcing of marine aerosols under clear-sky conditions, which can be estimated as being 30 up to 50% of the radiative forcing estimated for spherical marine aerosols. In the case of continental polluted aerosols the optical properties can be represented by spherical particles, and no additional shape effect has to be considered. However, the aerosol absorption leads to an increase of about 40% of the radiative forcing estimated for nonabsorbing aerosol of the same size distribution

Mediterranean cork oak savannas require human use to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services

9 páginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablas.Mediterranean cork oak savannas, which are found only in southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa, are ecosystems of high socioeconomic and conservation value. Characterized by sparse tree cover and a diversity of understory vegetation - ranging from shrub formations to grasslands - that support high levels of biodiversity, these ecosystems require active management and use by humans to ensure their continued existence. The most important product of these savannas is cork, a non-timber forest product that is periodically harvested without requiring tree felling. Market devaluation of, and lower demand for, cork are causing a decline in management, or even abandonment, of southwestern Europe's cork oak savannas. Subsequent shrub encroachment into the savanna's grassland components reduces biodiversity and degrades the services provided by these ecosystems. In contrast, poverty-driven overuse is degrading cork oak savannas in northwestern Africa. "Payment for ecosystem services" schemes, such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+) programs, could produce novel economic incentives to promote sustainable use and conservation of Mediterranean cork oak savanna ecosystems in both Europe and Africa.We thank C Fontaine, S Cerasoli, C Moura, R Jackson, R Ryel, L Silva, D Porej, and HM Pereira for helpful comments that greatly improved the manuscript. Funding was provided by CREOAK project (EU R&D Fund project number QLK5-CT-2002-01596) and Portuguese National Science Foundation projects POCTI/AGG/48704/2002, POCI/AGR/63322/2004, and PTDC/AGR-AAM/098790/2008.Peer reviewe

Comparison of methane, nitrous oxide fluxes and CO2 respiration rates from a Mediterranean cork oak ecosystem and improved pasture

Background and aims: During the recent decades, cork oak (Q. suber) mortality has been increasing in Mediterranean oak woodland endangering the economical and environmental sustainability of the “montado” ecosystem. This fact in combination with climate change and conversion of forestland to pasture may significantly affect the soil-atmosphere greenhouse gases (GHGs) exchange. Our study evaluates the impact of oak trees as compared to pasture on net ecosystem GHG (CH4, N2O, and CO2) exchange as well as the main environmental factors influencing this exchange. Methods: We used field chamber measurements for the collection of GHGs under three different conditions: 1) open area (OA), 2) under tree canopy area (UC) and 3) improved pasture (IP). Experiments were done under typical Mediterranean climate at central Portugal in 2010 and 2011. Results: The UC had higher nitrification potential, soil C/N ratio, electrical conductivity, litter input and soil organic matter (SOM) than OA and IP. SOM positively correlated with soil CH4 and N2O fluxes but not with soil CO2 respiration rates. Soil water content (SWC) drives both CH4 and N2O fluxes. Under certain conditions, when SWC reached a threshold (7 % for CH4 and 3 % for N2O) the result was net uptake and that net uptake increased with SWC. This was the case for the UC and OA. Conversely, for the IP soil water content above 4 % promoted net CH4 release. Conclusions: Our results show that cork oak influences soil properties and consequently GHGs fluxes. In the UC the input of litter for SOM together with soil moisture, favoured microbiological activity and related GHGs fluxes. Soil temperature is a secondary factor in the studied conditions. Our results also emphasized the potential impact posed by decreased cork oak tree density in the functioning of the “montado” ecosystem. Keywords Evergreen oak . Greenhouse gases