An orthotopic xenograft model of human nonseminomatous germ cell tumour

We have established the first example of an orthotopic xenograft model of human nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT). This reproducible model exhibits many clinically relevant features including metastases to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and lungs, making it an ideal tool for research into the development and progression of testicular germ cell tumours. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Sex chromosome positions in human interphase nuclei as studied by in situ hybridization with chromosome specific DNA probes

Two cloned repetitive DNA probes, pXBR and CY1, which bind preferentially to specific regions of the human X and Y chromosome, respectively, were used to study the distribution of the sex chromosomes in human lymphocyte nuclei by in situ hybridization experiments. Our data indicate a large variability of the distances between the sex chromosomes in male and female interphase nuclei. However, the mean distance observed between the X and Y chromosome was significantly smaller than the mean distance observed between the two X-chromosomes. The distribution of distances determined experimentally is compared with three model distributions of distances, and the question of a non-random distribution of sex chromosomes is discussed. Mathematical details of these model distributions are provided in an Appendix to this paper. In the case of a human translocation chromosome (XqterXp22.2::Yq11Y qter) contained in the Chinese hamster x human hybrid cell line 445 x 393, the binding sites of pXBR and CY1 were found close to each other in most interphase nuclei. These data demonstrate the potential use of chromosome-specific repetitive DNA probes to study the problem of interphase chromosome topography

Investigaciones bioarqueológicas en la laguna Chadilauquen, Embajador Martini, departamento Realicó, provincia de La Pampa. Segunda etapa

In this paper we present the results of the analysis of archaeological evidence recovered since 1989 during different archaeological and bioarchaeological fieldworks at Chadilauquen lagoon, located about five km SE from the town of Embajador Martini (Realicó district, La Pampa Province, Argentina). The aim of this second stage was to contribute with new information obtained from new naturally exposed archaeological evidence and to compare and evaluate it with the information obtained in previous fieldworks. Post deposit factors were analyzed to provide a more accurate characterization on the formation processes that took place and determined the distribution of findings as well as the sedimentary removal phenomenon observed at the NE margin of the lagoon. The new findings were found in a similar topologic position than those recovered between 1989 and 1994. On April 2003, due to a formal invitation from the County authorities, the works at the lagoon were renewed. In the year 2005 adequate climatic conditions as well as the decrease of water level made possible to continue systematic research at the place. In 2009, bone and dental samples were obtained for AMS dating and sent to the University of Arizona. Several chemical analyses were performed at the University of Arizona as well as at the University of South Florida. Results suggest the existence of different episodes of human occupation potentially verifiable at least from two stratigraphic levels. Possible chronologic differences throughout the Holocene and the existence of chronologic as well as cultural variation in a general isotopic C3 pattern are discussed.Se presentan los resultados obtenidos a partir del análisis de evidencia arqueológica recuperada desde 1989 durante trabajos arqueológicos y bioarqueológicos en la laguna Chadilauquen, a 5 km al SE de Embajador Martini, depto. de Realicó, prov. de La Pampa. El objetivo de esta segunda etapa fue aportar información relacionada con nuevos materiales expuestos por la acción de agentes erosivos y evaluarlos conjuntamente con aquellos obtenidos en campañas anteriores. Los nuevos hallazgos fueron encontrados en posición topológica similar a los recuperados entre 1989 y 1994. Se analizaron factores post-depósito para proporcionar una caracterización más ajustada sobre los procesos de formación del lugar y del fenómeno de remoción sedimentaria observado sobre la margen NE de la laguna. En abril de 2003, mediando invitación expresa del Municipio, se renovaron los trabajos en la laguna. Recién en el año 2005 se dieron las condiciones climáticas adecuadas que, junto con el necesario descenso de las aguas, posibilitaron la continuación de los trabajos sistemáticos. En el año 2009, se obtuvieron muestras de materiales óseos y dentales a fin de realizar sobre ellos tanto dataciones por AMS (Universidad de Arizona) como análisis químicos (Universidad de Arizona y Universidad de South Florida). Los resultados sugieren la existencia de al menos dos eventos de ocupación potencialmente verificables en diferentes niveles estratigráficos. Se discuten posibles diferencias cronológicas a lo largo del Holoceno y la existencia de variaciones temporales y culturales dentro de un patrón isotópico general de tipo C3

Genome-wide identification of direct HBx genomic targets

Background: The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) HBx regulatory protein is required for HBV replication and involved in HBV-related carcinogenesis. HBx interacts with chromatin modifying enzymes and transcription factors to modulate histone post-translational modifications and to regulate viral cccDNA transcription and cellular gene expression. Aiming to identify genes and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) directly targeted by HBx, we performed a chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to analyse HBV recruitment on host cell chromatin in cells replicating HBV. Results: ChIP-Seq high throughput sequencing of HBx-bound fragments was used to obtain a high-resolution, unbiased, mapping of HBx binding sites across the genome in HBV replicating cells. Protein-coding genes and ncRNAs involved in cell metabolism, chromatin dynamics and cancer were enriched among HBx targets together with genes/ncRNAs known to modulate HBV replication. The direct transcriptional activation of genes/miRNAs that potentiate endocytosis (Ras-related in brain (RAB) GTPase family) and autophagy (autophagy related (ATG) genes, beclin-1, miR-33a) and the transcriptional repression of microRNAs (miR-138, miR-224, miR-576, miR-596) that directly target the HBV pgRNA and would inhibit HBV replication, contribute to HBx-mediated increase of HBV replication. Conclusions: Our ChIP-Seq analysis of HBx genome wide chromatin recruitment defined the repertoire of genes and ncRNAs directly targeted by HBx and led to the identification of new mechanisms by which HBx positively regulates cccDNA transcription and HBV replication

Investigaciones bioarqueológicas en la laguna Chadilauquen, Embajador Martini, departamento Realicó, provincia de La Pampa: segunda etapa

Se presentan los resultados obtenidos a partir del análisis de evidencia arqueológica recuperada desde 1989 durante trabajos arqueológicos y bioarqueológicos en la laguna Chadilauquen, a 5 km al SE de Embajador Martini, depto. de Realicó, prov. de La Pampa. El objetivo de esta segunda etapa fue aportar información relacionada con nuevos materiales expuestos por la acción de agentes erosivos y evaluarlos conjuntamente con aquellos obtenidos en campañas anteriores. Los nuevos hallazgos fueron encontrados en posición topológica similar a los recuperados entre 1989 y 1994. Se analizaron factores post-depósito para proporcionar una caracterización más ajustada sobre los procesos de formación del lugar y del fenómeno de remoción sedimentaria observado sobre la margen NE de la laguna. En abril de 2003, mediando invitación expresa del Municipio, se renovaron los trabajos en la laguna. Recién en el año 2005 se dieron las condiciones climáticas adecuadas que, junto con el necesario descenso de las aguas, posibilitaron la continuación de los trabajos sistemáticos. En el año 2009, se obtuvieron muestras de materiales óseos y dentales a fin de realizar sobre ellos tanto dataciones por AMS (Universidad de Arizona) como análisis químicos (Universidad de Arizona y Universidad de South Florida). Los resultados sugieren la existencia de al menos dos eventos de ocupación potencialmente verificables en diferentes niveles estratigráficos. Se discuten posibles diferencias cronológicas a lo largo del Holoceno y la existencia de variaciones temporales y culturales dentro de un patrón isotópico general de tipo C3.In this paper we present the results of the analysis of archaeological evidence recovered since 1989 during different archaeological and bioarchaeological fieldworks at Chadilauquen lagoon, located about five km SE from the town of Embajador Martini (Realicó district, La Pampa Province, Argentina). The aim of this second stage was to contribute with new information obtained from new naturally exposed archaeological evidence and to compare and evaluate it with the information obtained in previous fieldworks. Post deposit factors were analyzed to provide a more accurate characterization on the formation processes that took place and determined the distribution of findings as well as the sedimentary removal phenomenon observed at the NE margin of the lagoon. The new findings were found in a similar topologic position than those recovered between 1989 and 1994. On April 2003, due to a formal invitation from the County authorities, the works at the lagoon were renewed. In the year 2005 adequate climatic conditions as well as the decrease of water level made possible to continue systematic research at the place. In 2009, bone and dental samples were obtained for AMS dating and sent to the University of Arizona. Several chemical analyses were performed at the University of Arizona as well as at the University of South Florida. Results suggest the existence of different episodes of human occupation potentially verifiable at least from two stratigraphic levels. Possible chronologic differences throughout the Holocene and the existence of chronologic as well as cultural variation in a general isotopic C3 pattern are discussed.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Investigaciones bioarqueológicas en la laguna Chadilauquen, Embajador Martini, departamento Realicó, provincia de La Pampa: segunda etapa

Se presentan los resultados obtenidos a partir del análisis de evidencia arqueológica recuperada desde 1989 durante trabajos arqueológicos y bioarqueológicos en la laguna Chadilauquen, a 5 km al SE de Embajador Martini, depto. de Realicó, prov. de La Pampa. El objetivo de esta segunda etapa fue aportar información relacionada con nuevos materiales expuestos por la acción de agentes erosivos y evaluarlos conjuntamente con aquellos obtenidos en campañas anteriores. Los nuevos hallazgos fueron encontrados en posición topológica similar a los recuperados entre 1989 y 1994. Se analizaron factores post-depósito para proporcionar una caracterización más ajustada sobre los procesos de formación del lugar y del fenómeno de remoción sedimentaria observado sobre la margen NE de la laguna. En abril de 2003, mediando invitación expresa del Municipio, se renovaron los trabajos en la laguna. Recién en el año 2005 se dieron las condiciones climáticas adecuadas que, junto con el necesario descenso de las aguas, posibilitaron la continuación de los trabajos sistemáticos. En el año 2009, se obtuvieron muestras de materiales óseos y dentales a fin de realizar sobre ellos tanto dataciones por AMS (Universidad de Arizona) como análisis químicos (Universidad de Arizona y Universidad de South Florida). Los resultados sugieren la existencia de al menos dos eventos de ocupación potencialmente verificables en diferentes niveles estratigráficos. Se discuten posibles diferencias cronológicas a lo largo del Holoceno y la existencia de variaciones temporales y culturales dentro de un patrón isotópico general de tipo C3.In this paper we present the results of the analysis of archaeological evidence recovered since 1989 during different archaeological and bioarchaeological fieldworks at Chadilauquen lagoon, located about five km SE from the town of Embajador Martini (Realicó district, La Pampa Province, Argentina). The aim of this second stage was to contribute with new information obtained from new naturally exposed archaeological evidence and to compare and evaluate it with the information obtained in previous fieldworks. Post deposit factors were analyzed to provide a more accurate characterization on the formation processes that took place and determined the distribution of findings as well as the sedimentary removal phenomenon observed at the NE margin of the lagoon. The new findings were found in a similar topologic position than those recovered between 1989 and 1994. On April 2003, due to a formal invitation from the County authorities, the works at the lagoon were renewed. In the year 2005 adequate climatic conditions as well as the decrease of water level made possible to continue systematic research at the place. In 2009, bone and dental samples were obtained for AMS dating and sent to the University of Arizona. Several chemical analyses were performed at the University of Arizona as well as at the University of South Florida. Results suggest the existence of different episodes of human occupation potentially verifiable at least from two stratigraphic levels. Possible chronologic differences throughout the Holocene and the existence of chronologic as well as cultural variation in a general isotopic C3 pattern are discussed.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Nanocomposite MFI-alumina and FAU-alumina Membranes: Synthesis, Characterization and Application to Paraffin Separation and CO2 Capture

Rouleau, L. Pirngruber, G. Guillou, F. Barrere-Tricca, C. Omegna, A. Valtchev, V. Pera-Titus, M. Miachon, S. Dalmon, J. A.International audienceIn this work, we report the preparation of thermally and mechanically resistant high-surface (24-cm2) nanocomposite MFI-alumina and FAUalumina membranes by pore-plugging synthesis inside the macropores of α-alumina multilayered tubular supports. The MFI membranes were prepared from a clear solution precursor mixture being able to easily penetrate into the pores of the support. The MFI membranes were evaluated in the separation of n-/i-butane mixtures. The synthesis reliability was improved by mild stirring. The most selective MFI membranes were obtained for supports with mean pore sizes of 0.2 and 0.8 μm. The MFI effective thickness could be reduced to less than 10 μm by impregnating the support with water prior to synthesis and by diluting the synthesis mixture. The best MFI membrane offered an excellent tradeoff between selectivity and permeance at 448 K, with separation factors for equimolar n-butane/i-butane mixtures up to 18 and n-butane mixture permeances as high as 0.7 μmol$\cdot$s-1$\cdot$m-2$\cdot$Pa-1.Furthermore, a novel nanocomposite FAU membrane architecture has been obtained by an original synthesis route including in situ seeding using a cold gel-like precursor mixture, followed by growth of the FAU material by hydrothermal synthesis in two steps using a clear solution of low viscosity. This new membrane showed interesting performance in the separation of an equimolar CO2/N2 mixture at 323 K, with CO2/N2 separation factors and mixture CO2 permeances up to 12 and 0.4 μmol$\cdot$s-1$\cdot$m-2$\cdot$Pa-1,respectively

Salvage neck dissection for isolated neck recurrences in head and neck tumors: Intra and postoperative complications

Background and Objectives: The current evidence regarding complications after salvage neck dissection (ND) for isolated regional recurrences (IRRs) in head and neck cancers is poor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and differences in complication rates of salvage ND after primary surgery, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or combined treatments. Methods: This was a multicentric retrospective study on 64 patients who underwent salvage ND for IRR in three Italian institutes between 2008 and May 2020. Results: Complications were detected in 7 of the 34 patients (20.8%) and surgeons described difficult dissection in 20 patients (58.82%). Accidental vascular ligations or nervous injury during surgery were never detected. None of the variables analyzed were statistically significant in predicting the risk of complications, disease-free survival, or overall survival. Conclusions: IRR represents a rare entity among total relapses. The incidence of complications after salvage ND for IRR is higher than after primary surgery but at an acceptable rate in experienced hands. However, an adequate balance between functional and oncological outcomes is mandatory

Long-term follow-up of prophylactic mesh reinforcement after emergency laparotomy. A retrospective controlled study

Prevention of incisional hernias with a prophylactic mesh in emergency surgery is controversial. The present study aimed to analyze the long-term results of prophylactic mesh used for preventing incisional hernia after emergency midline laparotomies. This study was a registered (NCT04578561) retrospective analysis of patients who underwent an emergency midline laparotomy between January 2009 and July 2010 with a follow-up period of longer than 2 years. Long-term outcomes and risk factors for the development of incisional hernias between patients who received a prophylactic reinforcement mesh (Group M) and suture (Group S) were compared. From an initial 266 emergency midline laparotomies, 187 patients were included. The median follow-up time was 64.4 months (SD 35). Both groups had similar characteristics, except for a higher rate of previous operations (62 vs. 43.2%; P = 0.01) and operation due to a revision laparotomy (32.5 vs.13%; P = 0.02) in the M group. During follow-up, 29.9% of patients developed an incisional hernia (Group S 36.6% vs. Group M 14.3%; P = 0.002). Chronic mesh infections were diagnosed in 2 patients, but no mesh explants were needed, and no patient in the M group developed chronic pain. Long-term risk factors for incisional hernia were as follows: smoking (HR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.318-4.624; P = 0.05), contaminated surgery (HR = 2.98; 95% CI 1.142-7.8; P = 0.02), surgical site infection (SSI; HR = 3.83; 95% CI 1.86-7.86; P = 0.001), and no use of prophylactic mesh (HR = 5.09; 95% CI 2.1-12.2; P = 0.001). Incidence of incisional hernias after emergency midline laparotomies is high and increases with time. High-risk patients, contaminated surgery, and surgical site infection (SSI) benefit from mesh reinforcement. Prophylactic mesh use is safe and feasible in emergencies with a low long-term complication rate. Trial registration: NCT04578561