Exploring the role of fallopian ciliated cells in the pathogenesis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

High-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and the first among gynecological malignancies. Despite an initial response to standard chemotherapy, most HGSOC patients relapse. To improve treatment options, we must continue investigating tumor biology. Tumor characteristics (e.g., risk factors and epidemiology) are valuable clues to accomplish this task. The two most frequent risk factors for HGSOC are the lifetime number of ovulations, which is associated with increased oxidative stress in the pelvic area caused by ovulation fluid, and a positive family history due to genetic factors. In the attempt to identify novel genetic factors (i.e., genes) associated with HGSOC, we observed that several genes in linkage with HGSOC are expressed in the ciliated cells of the fallopian tube. This finding made us hypothesize that ciliated cells, despite not being the cell of origin for HGSOC, may take part in HGSOC tumor initiation. Specifically, malfunction of the ciliary beat impairs the laminar fluid flow above the fallopian tube epithelia, thus likely reducing the clearance of oxidative stress caused by follicular fluid. Herein, we review the up-to-date findings dealing with HGSOC predisposition with the hypothesis that fallopian ciliated cells take part in HGSOC onset. Finally, we review the up-to-date literature concerning genes that are located in genomic loci associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) predisposition that are expressed by the fallopian ciliated cells

Struvite crystallization mitigates reactive N losses from swine manure in-vessel composting.

ABSTRACT: We assessed the addition Mg and P salts to promote struvite crystallization and mitigate reactive N losses from a rotating drum (12 m3 ) used for in-vessel composting of swine manure. The tested treatments were: mixture of sawdust and swine manure (baseline) and the same mixture with the addition of magnesium sulfate and phosphoric acid (MgSO4+H3PO4). Struvite crystallization decreased NH3-N and TN losses by 96.5 and 46%, respectively. Higher N2O-N emissions were related with resolubilization of the struvite under lower pH conditions. Further research is needed to assess strategies for the stabilization of struvite crystals, minoring N losses and increasing nutrient concentration value of the organic compost

Greenhouse gas emissions on the treatment of swine slurry by composting.

The treatment of swine manure through composting is seen as an alternative to minimize environmental impact and im prove nutrient recycling. However, the degradation of organic matter during the composting process promotes greenhouse gas emissions (GHG: CO2, CH4, N2O), NH3 and water vapor. The objective of this study was to measure the flux of these gases to perform the mass balance (DM, TN, C and P) of composting piles. Three compost piles (3 m3, initial mass .935 kg of sawdust and slurry) were mounted inside PVC tunnels with controlled ventilation (flow 1.526 m3 /h). We evaluated temperatures and humidity (Datalogger TESTO 174H) inside and outside the tunnels and inside the biomass (TESTO Mod. 926, Type T), performed physical-chemical analysis of compost and measured GHG, NH3 and water vapor emissions every 4 min through infra red photoacoustic spectroscopy (INNOVA 1412). The average temperature observed in the biomass during composting was 45.53 ± 5.48ºC. The average H2O balance error (between input and output) recorded was 5.52%. Gaseo us losses of N-NH3 and N-N2O totaled 1.21 kg, representing 10.4% of the original 11.63 kg of N applied in the compost piles. NH3represented 78% of measured total N gaseous losses(NH3+N2O). The total C emitted as CH4 and CO2 gases totaled 80.96 kg, representing 40.2% of the original 201.28 kg of TOC in compost piles (sawdust+slurry). CO2 emission accounted for 97% of total C losses. Considering the global warming potential (GWP) of each GHG, 615.3 kg of CO2 eq were emitted duringcomposting. CO2 emissions accounted for 46.8% of total CO2 eq emission, while CH4 and N2O represented 11.1 and 42.2%, respectively. Mitigation of CH4, and especially N2 O emissions, during composting is critical due to the higher GPW of the se gases. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli and coli form bacteria) was observed in the input slurry, but those microorganisms were not detected in the final compost. It was possible to accurately measure and verify gas emissions with the association of direct measurements and mass balance.Edited by Mélynda Hassouna and Nadine Guingand

Greenhouse gas emissions in the treatment of laying hen farm residues by in-vessel composting with forced aeration.

Edited by Mélynda Hassouna and Nadine Guingand