Tetraspanin CD151 is a novel prognostic marker in poor outcome endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND: Type II cancers account for 10% of endometrial cancers but 50% of recurrence. Response rates to chemotherapy at recurrence are poor and better prognostic markers are needed to guide therapy. CD151 is a small transmembrane protein that regulates cell migration and facilitates cancer metastasis. High CD151 expression confers poor prognosis in breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. The prognostic significance of tetraspanin CD151 expression in poor outcome endometrial cancers was evaluated, along with oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor -2 (HER-2), and CD 151 staining compared with α6β1, α3β1 integrins, and E-cadherin. METHODS: Tissue microarray constructed from 156 poor outcome endometrial cancers, tested with immunohistochemistry and staining correlated with clinicopathological data were used. A total of 131 data sets were complete for analysis. RESULTS: Expression of CD151 was significantly higher in uterine papillary serous and clear cell carcinoma than in grade 3 endometrioid carcinoma, sarcoma or carcinosarcoma (P<0.001). In univariate analysis, age, stage, histology type and CD151 were significant for both recurrence free (RFS) and disease specific survival (DSS). In multivariate analyses, CD151 was significant for RFS and DSS (P=0.036 and 0.033, respectively) in triple negative (ER, PR and HER-2 negative) tumours (88/131). The HER-2, p53, ER and PR were not prognostic for survival. There was strong concordance of CD151 with E-cadherin (98%), but not with α6β1 (35%), α3β1 staining (60%). CONCLUSION: The CD151 is a novel marker in type 2 cancers that can guide therapeutic decisions. CD151 may have an important role in tumourigenesis in some histology types

Remodeling of extracellular matrix by normal and tumor-associated fibroblasts promotes cervical cancer progression

Background: Comparison of tissue microarray results of 29 cervical cancer and 27 normal cervix tissue samples using immunohistochemistry revealed considerable reorganization of the fibrillar stroma of these tumors. Preliminary densitometry analysis of laminin-1, α -smooth muscle actin (SMA) and fibronectin immunostaining demonstrated 3.8-fold upregulation of laminin-1 and 5.2-fold increase of SMA in the interstitial stroma, indicating that these proteins and the activated fibroblasts play important role in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. In the present work we investigated the role of normal and tumor-associated fibroblasts. Methods: In vitro models were used to throw light on the multifactorial process of tumor-stroma interaction, by means of studying the cooperation between tumor cells and fibroblasts. Fibroblasts from normal cervix and cervical cancers were grown either separately or in co-culture with CSCC7 cervical cancer cell line. Changes manifest in secreted glycoproteins, integrins and matrix metallo-proteases (MMPs) were explored. Results: While normal fibroblasts produced components of interstitial matrix and TGF- β 1 that promoted cell proliferation, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) synthesized ample amounts of laminin-1. The following results support the significance of laminin-1 in the invasion of CSCC7 cells: 1.) Tumor-associated fibroblasts produced more laminin-1 and less components of fibrillar ECM than normal cells; 2.) The production of laminin chains was further increased when CSCC7 cells were grown in co-culture with fibroblasts; 3.) CSCC7 cells were capable of increasing their laminin production; 4.) Tumor cells predominantly expressed integrin α 6 β 4 laminin receptors and migrated towards laminin. The integrin profile of both normal and tumor-associated fibroblasts was similar, expressing receptors for fibronectin, vitronectin and osteopontin. MMP-7 secreted by CSCC7 cells was upregulated by the presence of normal fibroblasts, whereas MMP-2 produced mainly by fibroblasts was activated in the presence of CSCC7 cells. Conclusions: Our results indicate that in addition to degradation of the basement membrane, invasion of cervical cancer is accomplished by the remodeling of the interstitial stroma, which process includes decrease and partial replacement of fibronectin and collagens by a laminin-rich matrix

Wpływ stosowania bioodpadów na zawartość azotu nieorganicznego w glebie oraz jakość korzeni buraka cukrowego

In this paper two-year results of field experiment with sugar beet arranged in four treatments and four replications are presented. The fertilizing effects of biosludge (by product of biogas production by continual anaerobic fermentation of animal and plant wastes) on the content of N-NH₄⁺, N-NO₃⁻ in soil profile of 0.0-0.6 m as well as on content of sugar, á-amino N, production of refined sugar and yields of roots was investigated and compared with treatments fertilized with mineral fertilizers and farm-yard manure. High levels of inorganic nitrogen (Nan) in soil in the final part of the growing season tended to cause a higher content of α-amino N in beet roots. The content of Nan and N-NO₃⁻ in soil at the final part of the growing season was markedly influenced by the amount and distribution of precipitation in experimental years. A strong deficit of precipitation in July and August caused nitrates accumulation in soil resulting in a high supply of Nan in soil in final part of the growing season with dominance of nitrate form of nitrogen. On the contrary, an intense precipitation in July and high uptake of nitrogen by plants in the following period caused marked reduction of Nan content in soil with especially low content of N-NO₃⁻ form of nitrogen in the final part of growing season. A potential danger of environmental pollution with nitrogen (especially underground water pollution with N-NO₃⁻) under biosludge application is not great and reaches the level corresponding to the application of common rates of FYM. The application of biosludge positively influenced yields of roots, production of refined sugar and digestion.W pracy zamieszczono wyniki dwuletnich badań uzyskanych w doświadczeniach polowych z burakiem cukrowym, w których uwzględniono cztery obiekty nawozowe prowadzone w czterech powtórzeniach. Wpływ nawożenia bioodpadami (odpady powstające przy produkcji biogazu w wyniku fermentacji beztlenowej odpadów zwierzęcych i roślinnych) na zawartość N-NH₄⁺, N-NO₃⁻ w profilu glebowym 0,0-0,6 m, zawartość cukru w korzeniach buraków oraz zawartość α-amino N, produkcję cukru rafinowanego i plon korzeni porównywany z nawozami mineralnymi i obornikiem. Wysoki poziom azotu nieorganicznego (Nan) w glebie pod koniec sezonu wegetacyjnego powodował wyższą zawartość α-amino N w korzeniach buraka. Na zawartość azotu nieorganicznego i N-NO₃⁻ w glebie pobranej pod koniec sezonu wegetacyjnego znacznie wpływała ilość i rozkład opadów atmosferycznych w poszczególnych latach eksperymentu. Duży deficyt opadów w lipcu i sierpniu spowodował akumulację azotanów w glebie, co przyczyniło się do wysokiej zawartości azotu nieorganicznego (Nan), z przewagą form azotanowych, w końcowej fazie sezonu wegetacyjnego. W przeciwieństwie, intensywne opady w lipcu a następnie wysokie pobranie azotu przez rośliny wywoływały znaczną redukcję azotu nieorganicznego (Nan) w glebie z wyjątkowo niską zawartością form saletrzanych pod koniec sezonu. Potencjalne zagrożenie zanieczyszczenia środowiska azotem w wyniku nawożenia bioodpadami (w szczególności wód gruntowych przez N-NO₃⁻) jest niewielkie i osiąga poziom zbliżony do zagrożeń powodowanych zastosowaniem standardowych dawek obornika

Zawartosc C organicznego i pH gleb bagiennych i pobagiennych a wystepowanie naziemnych Carabidae w obiekcie Stary Dwor k. Olsztyna

The present study consisted of an evaluation of assemblages of epigeic carabid beetles (Col. Carabidae) colonizing hydrogenic soils (bog and post-bog ones), different in the soil development degree. The observations were conducted on a drained, low bog area called Stary Dwór, which today is used as a cut meadow. This is an oblong depression, filled in with (partly mucky) rush peats and situated in the sandur landscape. It lies in the mesoregion called Pojezierze Olsztyńskie (Olsztyn Lake District) near Olsztyn (UTM DE 65), about 3 km of the southern borders of the town. The field observations for determination of the soil type were conducted using soil catenas. A transect was established, which cut across different types and sub-types of bog and post-bog soils. In this paper, the authors have attempted to answer the question whether the sequence of hydrogenic soils and some parameters chosen to describe them have any influence on assemblages of epigeic carabid beetles dwelling in such habitats. Based on the results, it has been concluded that the soils present in the analyzed peat bog were characterized by the following sequence: muckous soils → peat-muck soils → peat soils. Their properties depended on the position in the soil relief, advancement of muck formation and content of organic carbon. It has been found out that the highest soil ash content in the surface horizons was in muckous soil (90.39%), and the lowest – in profile 3 of peat-muck soil (18.77%). The reaction of the analyzed soils ranged from slightly acidic to neutral and tended to decrease towards the centre of the depression, reaching the lowest value in peat soil. During the two years of our observations, a total of 673 individuals of Carabidae belonging to 29 species were captured. It has been determined that the type of soil as a factor significantly affected the number of captured carabid beetles, but did not influence the species abundance. The decreasing pH gradient as well as an increasing content of organic C were associated with a decreasing number of the species of carabid beeetles tolerant to moisture conditions (mesophilous species), which were being replaced by hygrophilous individuals. As the acidic reaction of soil increased and the soil content of organic matter rose, so did the abundance of mixophagous species at the expense of predatory individuals.W badaniach poddano ocenie zgrupowania epigeicznych biegaczowatych (Col., Carabidae) zasiedlających gleby hydrogeniczne (bagienne i pobagienne) o różnym stopniu rozwoju. Terenem badań było odwodnione torfowisko niskie Stary Dwór, użytkowane jako łąka kośna. Obiekt stanowi podłużne zagłębienie wypełnione torfami szuwarowymi (częściowo zmurszałymi) w krajobrazie sandrowym. Jest on zlokalizowany w mezoregionie Pojezierza Olsztyńskiego, w pobliżu Olsztyna (UTM DE 65), w odległości ok. 3 km od południowych granic miasta. Prace terenowe, w których określano typ gleby, prowadzono metodą katen glebowych. Wyznaczono transekt przebiegający przez różne typy i podtypy gleb bagiennych i pobagiennych. W pracy próbowano uzyskać odpowiedź na pytanie, czy sekwencja gleb hydrogenicznych oraz wybrane parametry opisujące te gleby mają wpływ na zgrupowania zasiedlających je epigeicznych biegaczowatych. Stwierdzono, że opisane na badanym torfowisku gleby charakteryzowały się następującą sekwencją: gleby murszaste → gleby torfowo- murszowe → gleby torfowe. Ich właściwości były uzależnione od usytuowania w reliefie, zaawansowania procesu murszenia oraz zawartości C organicznego. Największą popielność stwierdzono w poziomach powierzchniowych gleby murszastej (90,39%), natomiast najniższą w profilu 3 (18,77%) gleby torfowo-murszowej. Odczyn badanych gleb kształtował się od lekko kwaśnego do obojętnego i malał w kierunku centrum obniżenia, osiągając najniższe wartości w glebie torfowej. W czasie dwuletnich obserwacji na badanym obiekcie odłowiono łącznie 673 osobniki Carabidae należące do 29 gatunków. Stwierdzono, że typ gleby okazał się czynnikiem istotnie wpływającym na liczbę odłowionych osobników Carabidae, natomiast nie wpływał na ich bogactwo gatunkowe. Malejący gradient pH oraz wzrastająca zawartość C organicznego wiązały się ze spadkiem liczebności osobników badanej grupy chrząszczy, mało wrażliwych na zmieniające się warunki wilgotnościowe (mezofile), i zastępowaniem ich przez osobniki wilgociolubne. Wraz ze zwiększającą się kwasowością gleby i zawartością materii organicznej wzrastała również liczebność miksofagów, kosztem zmniejszania się grupy osobników drapieżnych

Photocurable acrylate-based composites with enhanced thermal conductivity containing boron and silicon nitrides

Boron nitride (BN) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) are very promising particulate fillers for production of photocurable composites dedicated to thermally conductive and electrically insulating protective coatings. Composites containing crosslinked methacrylate-based matrices filled with BN or Si3N4 (in amounts up to 5 wt%) were prepared in a fast in situ photocuring process with high conversion (>90%). The monomers were polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate and mono - methacrylate (50/50 by weight mixture). Investigations included determination of properties of the monomer/filler compositions, photocuring kinetics and thermal, conductive and mechanical properties of the resulting composites. It was found that addition of the fillers improves polymerization kinetics and mechanical properties compared to the pure polymer matrix. Despite the very low loading level a substantial improvement in thermal conductivity was obtained: a 4-fold increase after addition of only 2 wt% of Si3N4 and 2.5-fold increase after addition of 0.5 wt% of BN. SEM and AFM imaging (with nanoscopic Young’s modulus determination) revealed good matrix-filler adhesion for the both types of fillers, tendency of the particles to be preferentially located in the bulk rather than at the interface and formation of thermally conducting paths (for the Si3N4 filler)