The BCL9-2 proto-oncogene governs estrogen receptor alpha expression in breast tumorigenesis

The majority of human breast cancers express estrogen receptor {Alpha} (ER), which is important for therapy with anti-estrogens. Here we describe the role of BCL9-2, a proto-oncogene previously characterized as co-activator of Wnt/{beta}-catenin signaling, for mammary tumorigenesis in mice and human. ER positive human breast cancers showed overexpression of BCL9-2 and tamoxifen treated patients with high BCL9-2 demonstrated a better survival. BCL9-2 was upregulated during puberty and pregnancy in normal mammary epithelia, but downregulated in the involuted gland. BCL9-2 overexpression in vivo delayed the mammary involution and induced alveolar hyperplasia. Moreover, aged BCL9-2 transgenic mice developed ductal-like mammary tumors with high nuclear ER expression. We found, that primary cell cultures of BCL9-2 breast tumors responded to tamoxifen treatment. Moreover, BCL9-2 regulated the expression of ER and the proliferation of human breast cancer cells independently of {beta}-catenin. Finally, we describe a novel mechanism, how BCL9-2 regulates ER transcription by interaction with Sp1 through the proximal ESR1 gene promoter. In summary, BCL9-2 induces ER positive breast cancers in vivo, regulates ER expression by a novel {beta}-catenin independent mechanism in breast cancer cells, and might predict the therapy response to tamoxifen treatment

Performance and economic potential of Eucalyptus plants grown in silvipastoral systems in Pampa Biome.

The aims of the current study are to assess the performance of genetic materials of eucalyptus trees planted in different arrangements, to measure the stock of forest multiproducts and to investigate the financial viability of these plantations in silvopastoral systems in Bagé (RS). Data were collected between June 2018 and August 2019, in 15 family livestock properties in 2013 and 2014. Data about plant growth (diameter at breast height, height, total and comercial volume) and mortality were collected. The economic viability of eucalyptus plantations was analyzed based on a market study and Net Present Value (NPV) and Equivalent Annual Cost (EAC) methods. It was possible concluding that the introduction of this forestry component in pastoral systems can increasing income in rural properties, both by trading forest products and using it in the property. The investment in afforesting native fields with eucalyptus has great potential to generate financial surpluses at significantly younger cutting ages than that of the economic rotation often applied to this genus in the region. Key words: Integration systems; Eucalyptus dunnii; economic viability.WCCLF. Evento online

Desempenho e potencial econômico para o eucalipto em sistemas silvipastoris em Bagé-RS.

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de materiais genéticos de eucalipto plantados em diferentes arranjos, quantificar o estoque de multiprodutos florestais e avaliar a viabilidade financeira destes plantios em sistemas silvipastoris na região de Bagé (RS). Os dados foram coletados entre junho de 2018 e agosto de 2019 em 15 Unidades de Referência Tecnológicas implantadas em propriedades de pecuária familiar e no campo experimental da Embrapa em 2013 e 2014. Foram coletados dados de crescimento (diâmetro à altura do peito, altura, volume total e por sortimentos), mortalidade, forma e qualidade do tronco, fitossanidade, danos por animais e ventos e verificada a viabilidade econômica dos plantios com base em um estudo de mercado. Concluiu-se que a introdução do componente florestal em sistemas pastoris praticados na região pode contribuir para o incremento da renda na propriedade rural, tanto pela comercialização do produto florestal como pelo seu uso na propriedade. O investimento em arborizar o campo nativo com eucalipto tem grande potencial para gerar excedentes financeiros em idades bem inferiores à de rotação econômica comumente empregada para o gênero na região.bitstream/item/219505/1/BPD-45-online.pd

O eucalipto em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta (ILPF) no Bioma Pampa.

Resumo: O bioma Pampa, restrito ao estado do Rio Grande do Sul, ocupa uma área de 176.496 km², correspondendo a 63% do território estadual e a 2,07% do território brasileiro. A cadeia produtiva da pecuária é uma das mais tradicionais desse bioma e segue mantendo grande importância econômica e social e poder de integração regional. Suas pastagens nativas de clima subtropical representam um patrimônio natural, genético e cultural e têm na pecuária extensiva a sua vocação e principal atividade econômica. Entretanto, a baixa produtividade e rentabilidade da pecuária tradicional praticada na região têm sido determinante na conversão dos campos nativos em outras atividades econômicas, como as lavouras e a silvicultura. A busca de sustentabilidade nas fazendas é um desafio para a competitividade no mercado globalizado. Nesse cenário, devido ao forte apelo ambiental, econômico e social, os sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta (ILPF) têm sido considerados como uma estratégia de uso sustenta¬do da terra, principalmente pela possibilidade da produção simultânea de carne, forragem e madeira, conciliando desenvolvimento, tradição e modernidade. O presente capítulo apresenta um breve histórico de pesquisas com esses sistemas de integração, com espécies do gênero Eucalyptus, e registra estudos de caso exitosos com os sistemas silvipastoris envolvendo insti¬tuições de pesquisa universidades e iniciativas privadas. Destacam-se pesquisas com sistemas silvipastoris na redução de emissões de gases efeito estufa e na recuperação de áreas degradadas com capim-annoni, bem como, a expansão das áreas cultivadas com sistemas de integração pecuária-floresta no bioma Pampa. Abstract: The Pampa biome, which in Brazil occurs only in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, occupies an area of 176,496 km², corresponding to 63% of the state territory and 2.07% of the Brazilian territory. Livestock production is one of the most traditional in this biome and continues to be economically and socially significant, while supporting regional integration. The native, subtropical pastures of the Pampa represent a natural, genetic and cultural heritage, and livestock production continues to be the main economic activity. However, low-levels of productivity and profitability associated with traditional livestock farming in the region has been a key driver of the conversion of native pastures into other agricultural activities, such as crops and forestry. In order for farms to remain competitive in the globalized market, there is an increasing need for the integration of sustainable practices. Due to their significant environmental, economic and social appeal, integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF) systems are considered a sustainable land use strategy, mainly due to the possibility of simultaneously producing meat, forage and wood, thus reconciling development with tradition and modernity. This chapter offers a brief history of research on these integrated systems with species of the Eucalyptus genus and describes successful case studies with silvopastoral systems involving research institutions, universities, and private initiatives. Research on silvopastoral systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recover degraded areas with Annoni grass, as well as the expansion of areas cultivated with integrated livestock-forest systems in the biome, are highlighted.bitstream/item/223931/1/EmbrapaFlorestas-2021-LV-EucaliptoEmbrapa-cap33.pd

Sistema silvipastoril na região da Campanha do Rio Grande do Sul.

Sistemas silvipastoris; Projeto silvipastoril da Região da Campanha; Implantação e manejo das árvores; Implantação e manejo das pastagensbitstream/item/129414/1/Sistema-Silvipastori-pdfl.pd

The role of supporters in facilitating the use of technologies by adolescents and adults with learning disabilities: a place for positive risk-taking?

The role of supporters in facilitating access to and use of technology by people (adolescents and adults) with learning disabilities has not been the primary focus of much of the research that has been undertaken to date. The review of literature presented in this paper suggests, however, that issues of support, risk and safety are emerging as factors that have a significant influence on the quality of technology access and use that adults with learning disabilities experience. There is a need for more research into how the relationship between supporters, technologies, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities is mediated by risk, and this paper offers an original perspective on how positive risk-taking might be a useful conceptual framework to aid in the exploration of this relationship

Acute effects of intracranial hypertension and ARDS on pulmonary and neuronal damage: a randomized experimental study in pigs

Abstract PURPOSE: To determine reciprocal and synergistic effects of acute intracranial hypertension and ARDS on neuronal and pulmonary damage and to define possible mechanisms. METHODS: Twenty-eight mechanically ventilated pigs were randomized to four groups of seven each: control; acute intracranial hypertension (AICH); acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); acute respiratory distress syndrome in combination with acute intracranial hypertension (ARDS + AICH). AICH was induced with an intracranial balloon catheter and the inflation volume was adjusted to keep intracranial pressure (ICP) at 30-40 cmH2O. ARDS was induced by oleic acid infusion. Respiratory function, hemodynamics, extravascular lung water index (ELWI), lung and brain computed tomography (CT) scans, as well as inflammatory mediators, S100B, and neuronal serum enolase (NSE) were measured over a 4-h period. Lung and brain tissue were collected and examined at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: In both healthy and injured lungs, AICH caused increases in NSE and TNF-alpha plasma concentrations, extravascular lung water, and lung density in CT, the extent of poorly aerated (dystelectatic) and atelectatic lung regions, and an increase in the brain tissue water content. ARDS and AICH in combination induced damage in the hippocampus and decreased density in brain CT. CONCLUSIONS: AICH induces lung injury and also exacerbates pre-existing damage. Increased extravascular lung water is an early marker. ARDS has a detrimental effect on the brain and acts synergistically with intracranial hypertension to cause histological hippocampal damage

Hyaluronsäure-Metabolismus beim Reinkeödem

Hintergrund: Die Pathogenese des Reinkeödems (RE) ist bis heute nicht vollständig geklärt. Eine große Bedeutung kommt hierbei den extrazellulären Matrixproteinen zu. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, die für die Viskosität der Stimmlippe bedeutsame Hyaluronsäure (HA) näher zu untersuchen.Material und Methoden: Eingeschlossen wurden 40 histologische Schnitte von 28 Patienten mit einem histologisch und klinisch nachgewiesenen Reinkeödem. Als Vergleich dienten 6 Proben von Nicht-Reinkeödemen (2 Ca in situ, 1 SL-Polyp, 1 Leukoplakie, 1 Laryngocele und 1 normale Larynxschleimhaut). Die quantitative Bestimmung der HA erfolgte nach Anfärbung mit Alcianblau vor und nach dem Verdau mit Hyaluronidase (Bovine Testicular Hyaluronidase; Sigma St Louis, MO©) digital mit Hilfe von Photoshop CS5, Zeiss©Axiovision 3.1 und Olympus©DotSlide. Die Expression der Hyaluronsyntethase 1, 2, 3 und der Hyaluronidase 1, 2 wurde mittels einer Real-Time-PCR iQ(TM)SyBR Green Supermix Kit (BioRad©) bei 6 RE und 5 Nicht RE bestimmt.Ergebnisse: Reinkeödeme wiesen im Vergleich zu den Kontrollproben sowohl in der oberen als auch in der mittleren Schicht der Lamina propria eine deutlich erhöhte Konzentration an HA auf (Farbintensität von 4827 Pixel2 im Vgl. zu 200 Pixel2 im Median). Dabei fand sich im Median eine erhöhte HA Menge in der mittleren Schicht (4827 Pixel2) im Vergleich zu oberen (718 Pixel2). Das klinische Ausmaß des Reinkeödems korrelierte mit der Hyaluronsäurekonzentration in der mittleren, nicht jedoch in der oberen Lamina propria. Die Expression der Hyaluronsäuresynthetase und der Hyaluronidase war bei den RE Proben geringer als bei den Kontrollen.Diskussion: Patienten mit RE zeigen eine vermehrte Menge an HA vor allem in der mittleren Lamina propria. Ursache hierfür ist nicht eine vermehrte Hyaluronsäurebildung, sondern ein verminderter Hyaluronsäureabbau. Dies deutet auf einen verminderten HA-Metabolismus beim Reinkeödem hin

Free propagation phase-contrast breast CT provides higher image quality than cone-beam breast-CT at low radiation doses: a feasibility study on human mastectomies

In this study we demonstrate the first direct comparison between synchrotron x-ray propagation-based CT (PB-CT) and cone-beam breast-CT (CB-CT) on human mastectomy specimens (N = 12) including different benign and malignant lesions. The image quality and diagnostic power of the obtained data sets were compared and judged by two independent expert radiologists. Two cases are presented in detail in this paper including a comparison with the corresponding histological evaluation. Results indicate that with PB-CT it is possible to increase the level of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) keeping the same level of dose used for the CB-CT or achieve the same level of CNR reached by CB-CT at a lower level of dose. In other words, PB-CT can achieve a higher diagnostic potential compared to the commercial breast-CT system while also delivering a considerably lower mean glandular dose. Therefore, we believe that PB-CT technique, if translated to a clinical setting, could have a significant impact in improving breast cancer diagnosis