Progress in Polyhaploid Production Techniques of Hexaploid Wheat through Wide Crosses

(Triticum aestivum L.) through wide crosses were evaluated in terms of pollen sources, 2,4-D application, embryo rescue and chromosome retention. Pollen sources included Hordeum bulbosum L., Zea mays L., Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L. Maize-mediated polyhaploid production was more stable than the other methods because of a lesser genotypic influence on embryo formation. Application of 2,4-D onto wheat after pollination was critical to promote seed setting and embryo formation in all cross combinations. Embryo rescue was necessary at an appropriate embryo developmental stage to obtain plant regeneration. Paternal chromosomes were eliminated by the stage of active growth of the polyhaploid seedlings. Polyhaploid production frequencies ranged between 10 and 20% of pollinated wheat florets, suggesting germ plasm genotypic effects

Needle localization of non-palpable breast lesions

Screening mammography identifies suspicious, non palpable mammary lesions. Mammographic needle localization (MNL) is currently being used to facilitate excision biopsy of these lesions. Thirty-two patients underwent biopsies of the breast after MNL for non-palpable lesions. Mammographic indications for biopsy consisted of microcalcifications (48%), mass or abnormal density (21%) or mass+abnormal density (24%). The carcinoma was identified in four cases (12%). Two of these were in situ, one was microinvasive and one was frankly invasive. Three were treated with a modified radical mastectomy. One of these non palpable lesion demonstrated nodal metastasis but none showed distant metastasis. All radiologically detected abnormalities were removed and confirmed with repeat radiology. No complications were identified. MNL effectively localizes non-palpable lesion of the breast and compliments accurate diagnosis and treatment of early carcinoma of the breast

Keratin 19 expression correlates with poor prognosis in breast cancer

Breast cancer expression profiling has been used for determining biomarkers. Using gene expression profiles of 2,400 patients we identified keratin 19 (KRT19) as a highly deregulated gene in breast cancer. KRT19 expression is independent of patient race but correlates with disease grade, and ER, PR or HER2 expression. Expression of TPD52, GATA3 and KRT18 was increased in KRT19 expressing patients. Furthermore, KRT19 expression was associated with ER up-regulation and Luminal B gene signatures, as well as a constitutive RAF1 signaling pathway. Finally, KRT19 expression correlated with poor overall survival. Taken together, our results suggest that KRT19 expression can be used as a prognostic marker

Deregulation of protein phosphatase expression in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly malignant disease of myeloid cell line. AML is the most frequent adult leukemia with inadequate treatment possibility. The protein phosphatases are critical regulators of cell signaling, and deregulation of protein phosphatases always contribute to cell transformation. Although many studies established a relationship between protein phosphatases and leukemia, little is known about the role of this group of proteins in AML. To address this issue, we initially identified the complete catalog of human protein phosphatase genes and used this catalog to study deregulation of protein phosphatases in AML. Using mRNA expression data of AML patients, we show that 11 protein phosphatases are deregulated in AML within 174 protein phosphatases. The GO enrichment study suggests that these genes are involved in multiple biological processes other than protein de-phosphorylation. Expression of DUSP10, PTPRC, and PTPRE was significantly higher than average expression in AML, and a linear combination of DUSP10, MTMR11, PTPN4, and PTPRE expressions provides important information about disease subtypes. Our results provide an overview of protein phosphatase deregulation in AML

Protein kinase C (PKC) as a drug target in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Protein kinase C (PKC) belongs to a family of ten serine/threonine protein kinases encoded by nine genes. This family of proteins plays critical roles in signal transduction which results in cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. Due to differential subcellular localization and tissue distribution, each member displays distinct signaling characteristics. In this review, we have summarized the roles of PKC family members in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is a heterogeneous hematological disorder with survival ranging from months to decades. PKC isoforms are differentially expressed in CLL and play critical roles in CLL pathogenesis. Thus, isoform-specific PKC inhibitors may be an attractive option for CLL treatment