Molecular Plasticity of E-Cadherin and Sialyl Lewis X Expression, in Two Comparative Models of Mammary Tumorigenesis

The process of metastasis involves a series of steps and interactions between the tumor embolus and the microenvironment. Key alterations in adhesion molecules are known to dictate progression from the invasive to malignant phenotype followed by colonization at a distant site. The invasive phenotype results from the loss of expression of the E-cadherin adhesion molecule, whereas the malignant phenotype is associated with an increased expression of the carbohydrate ligand-binding epitopes, (e.g. Sialyl Lewis (x/a)) that bind endothelial E-selectin of the lymphatics and vasculature.Our study analyzed the expression of two adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and Sialyl Lewis x (sLe(x)), in both a canine mammary carcinoma and human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) model, using double labelled immunofluorescence staining.Our results demonstrate that canine mammary carcinoma and human IBC exhibit an inversely correlated cellular expression of E-cadherin and sLe(x) within the same tumor embolus.Our results in these two comparative models (canine and human) suggest the existence of a biologically coordinated mechanism of E-cadherin and sLe(x) expression (i.e. molecular plasticity) essential for tumor establishment and metastatic progression

Decadal soil carbon accumulation across Tibetan permafrost regions

Acknowledgements We thank the members of Peking University Sampling Teams (2001–2004) and IBCAS Sampling Teams (2013–2014) for assistance in field data collection. We also thank the Forestry Bureau of Qinghai Province and the Forestry Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region for their permission and assistance during the sampling process. This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31670482 and 31322011), National Basic Research Program of China on Global Change (2014CB954001 and 2015CB954201), Chinese Academy of Sciences-Peking University Pioneer Cooperation Team, and the Thousand Young Talents Program.Peer reviewedPostprintPostprin

NHG-guideline acute cough

Acute cough is one of the most common reasons for patients to visit a general practitioner. In this revised guideline acute cough is defined as cough lasting less than 3 weeks at presentation. The guideline covers the diagnosis, treatment, and education of patients with cough, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, croup, whooping cough, and Q-fever. It is important to distinguish an uncomplicated respiratory tract infection from a complicated respiratory tract infection that requires antibiotic treatment. In most cases, cough is caused by an uncomplicated respiratory tract infection (viral or bacterial) A patient with an uncomplicated respiratory tract infection has no risk factors for complications (age &gt; 3 months and &lt; 75 years, no relevant comorbidity), is not very ill, doesn't have signs of a complicated respiratory tract infection and has a fever &lt; 7 days. The symptoms (cough) can last up to 4 weeks. There is no effective therapy. There are two groups of patients with a complicated respiratory tract infection. 1 Patients with a pneumonia (severely ill [tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension or confusion] OR moderately ill and one-sided auscultatory findings, CRP &gt; 100 mg/l [a CRP of 20-100 mg/l doesn't exclude a pneumonia, [management depends on presentation and risk-factors], infiltrate on chest X-ray or sick &gt; 7 days with fever and a cough). These patients are prescribed an antibiotic. 2 Patients with other risk factors for complications (age &lt; 3 months or &gt; 75 years and/or relevant comorbidity [in children cardial and pulmonary disease not being astma, in adults congestive heart failure, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, severe renal failure, compromised immunity]). In these patients, the decision to prescribe antibiotics is based on the presentation, supported, if necessary, by measurement of CRP. Specific management recommendations are made for croup, bronchiolitis and whooping cough. In cases of moderate croup, a single dose of corticosteroid (e.g. dexamethasone, 0.15 mg/kg, oral or intramuscular, or 2 mg of nebulized budesonide) should be given. Mild croup is self-limiting; children with severe croup should be referred to a paediatrician. Children with bronchiolitis and dyspnoea should be monitored regularly during the first few days. Use of medication has not proven to be effective. In whooping cough antibiotics might be useful in preventing secondary cases only Additional investigations should be performed if there is suspicion of whooping cough in a patient from a family with unvaccinated or incomplete vaccinated children younger than 1 year or with a pregnant woman of more than 34 weeks gestation. Main changes to the previous issue of these guidelines: - The measurement of C-reactive protein can help differentiate between pneumonia and mild respiratory tract infection in moderately ill adults with general and/ or local symptoms. This recommendation does not apply to children. - The increasing resistance to doxycyclin and macrolide antibiotics makes amoxicillin (for 5 days) the drug of first choice for pneumonia, with doxycyclin as second choice. Doxycyclin remains the first-choice drug if there is an increased risk of pneumonia caused by Coxiella burnetii (Q-fever) or Legionella. - Because of lack of evidence on the effectiveness of noscapine and codeine and their known side effects these drugs are not recommended.</p

Role of the Circadian Clock in Cold Acclimation and Winter Dormancy in Perennial Plants

Johansson M, Ramos-Sánchez JM, Conde D, et al. Role of the Circadian Clock in Cold Acclimation and Winter Dormancy in Perennial Plants. In: Anderson JV, ed. Advances in Plant Dormancy. Cham: Springer Science + Business Media; 2015: 51-74