Expression of centromere protein F (CENP-F) associated with higher FDG uptake on PET/CT, detected by cDNA microarray, predicts high-risk patients with primary breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Higher standardized uptake value (SUV) detected by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) correlates with proliferation of primary breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to identify specific molecules upregulated in primary breast cancers with a high SUV and to examine their clinical significance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We compared mRNA expression profiles between 14 tumors with low SUVs and 24 tumors with high SUVs by cDNA microarray. We identified centromere protein F (CENP-F) and CDC6 were upregulated in tumors with high SUVs. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to validate these data. Clinical implication of CENP-F and CDC6 was examined for 253 archival breast cancers by the tissue microarray.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The relative ratios of CENP-F and CDC6 expression levels to β-actin were confirmed to be significantly higher in high SUV tumors than in low SUV tumors (<it>p </it>= 0.027 and 0.025, respectively) by RT-PCR. In immunohistochemical analysis of 47 node-negative tumors, the CENP-F expression was significantly higher in the high SUV tumors (74%) than the low SUV tumors (45%) (<it>p </it>= 0.04), but membranous and cytoplasmic CDC6 expressions did not significantly differ between both groups (<it>p </it>= 0.9 each). By the tissue microarray, CENP-F (HR = 2.94) as well as tumor size (HR = 4.49), nodal positivity (HR = 4.1), and Ki67 (HR = 2.05) showed independent impact on the patients' prognosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>High CENP-F expression, correlated with high SUV, was the prognostic indicators of primary breast cancer. Tumoral SUV levels may serve as a pretherapeutic indicator of aggressiveness of breast cancer.</p

Breeding a New Strawberry Cultivar ‘KD-S1’ and Its Characteristics

Strawberries represent a significant cash crop in Japan, with considerable efforts being dedicated to breeding. The aim of breeding is to produce distinct cultivars with unique traits, for example, high sugar content. It is imperative to create cultivars with beneficial traits to enhance the quality of the cash crop. With this objective in mind, a breeding program was undertaken to develop a new strawberry cultivar characterized by high sugar content. The two parental cultivars utilized for crossbreeding were the high-sugar cultivar 'Amaekubo' and the high-yielding cultivar 'Kaorino'. In 2020, 24 varieties were chosen using a tasting test from a pool of 536 seedlings. The following year, measurements of monthly yield, sugar content, acidity, and peel hardness were taken for the chosen 24 varieties and two parental cultivars. The recorded data was then subjected to cluster analysis to classify the selected varieties and two parental cultivars. Consequently, KD-S1 and B99 varieties created a distinct cluster from the parental cultivars and other varieties. Both of these two varieties exhibited notably high Brix levels for sugar content during February, with levels exceeding 16°. Furthermore, they also displayed high sugar content values in March, as well as acidity and fruit hardness in February. Considering these data alongside the visual appearance of the fruit, KD-S1 was deemed the most suitable line. Additionally, a trait survey of KD-S1 was conducted in 2022, revealing that it possesses qualities that enable it to sustain high quality beyond March, ultimately making it a cultivar capable of producing superior-quality fruit over an extended period. As a university-originated strawberry cultivar, KD-S1 holds promise for novel research and educational activities. Additionally, it is anticipated that KD-S1, with its distinctive features, will experience a surge in demand, particularly among children, and will be manufactured and marketed across Japan.departmental bulletin pape