Immunohistochemical/histochemical double staining method in the study of columnar metaplasia of the oesophagus

Intestinal metaplasia in Barrett\u2019s oesopha- gus (BO) represents an important risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Instead, few and controversial data are reported about the progression risk of columnar-lined oesophagus without intestinal metaplasia (CLO), posing an issue about its clinical management. The aim was to evaluate if some immunophenotyp- ic changes were present in CLO independently of the presence of the goblet cells. We studied a series of oesophageal biopsies from patients with endoscopic finding of columnar metapla- sia, by performing some immunohistochemical stainings (CK7, p53, AuroraA) combined with histochemistry (Alcian-blue and Alcian/PAS), with the aim of simultaneously assess the his- tochemical features in cells that shows an aber- rant expression of such antigens. We evidenced a cytoplasmic expression of CK7 and a nuclear expression of Aurora A and p53, both in goblet cells of BO and in non-goblet cells of CLO, some of which showing mild dysplasia. These find- ings suggest that some immunophenotypic changes are present in CLO and they can pre- cede the appearance of the goblet cells or can be present independently of them, confirming the conception of BO as the condition charac- terized by any extention of columnar epitheli- um. This is the first study in which a combined immunohistochemical/histochemical method has been applied to Barrett pathology

Uso de la Biodiversidad Genética en la Agricultura Familiar

La utilización sustentable de los recursos genéticos es una herramienta fundamental para preservar la biodiversidad, el uso de esta biodiversidad en la agricultura familiar tiende a mejorar la sustentabilidad de este tipo de producción ya que las semillas utilizadas en las huertas familiares son generalmente de mala calidad, uniformes y producidas en regiones agroecológicas muy distintas al lugar donde se desarrollará el cultivo. El maíz Dulce se identifica como Zea mays var. Saccharata; el mismo posee una mutación natural (Su) que reduce la acumulación de almidón en el grano aumentando el contenido de azúcar. El objetivo de este ensayo fue evaluar  la adaptación de una población mejorada de maíz dulce para su utilización en la agricultura familiar. Los materiales obtenidos han sido evaluados en Ensayos Comparativos de Rendimientos de sus características agronómicas y componentes del rendimiento,  por lo que en el presente trabajo que se está evaluando la adaptación de estos a distintos ambientes. Para ello se desarrolló durante la campaña agrícola 2018/19, evaluaciones cualitativas en  huertas de Lujan, provincia de Buenos Aires y en tres huertas de las localidades de Los Molles y Carpintería, provincia de San Luis. Se utilizó la población resultante de las campaña  agrícola 2017/8, obtenido como resultado del cruzamiento de materiales del Banco Activo de Germoplasma del INTA Pergamino y dos variedades comerciales de maíz dulce. La distribución de la semilla se realizó en el Encuentro de Semillas y Saberes realizado en Carpintería S.L. Las siembras se realizaron a mano, en surcos distanciados a 0.52m, y una distancia entre plantas de 0.25m en la última semana de septiembre. Se realizaron visitas a los lotes durante el desarrollo de los mismos con el propósito de evaluar el comportamiento agronómico y fitosanitario, para finalmente realizar la cosecha de los mismos. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una excelente adaptación de la población obtenida debido a la diversidad genética que posee, lográndose en todos los casos muy buenos comportamiento agronómico y excelentes rendimientos en choclo. Se concluye que el material evaluado presenta características muy destacadas para su utilización en huertas de agricultura familiar. Con estos resultados se continuará con el proceso de mejoramiento genético de los materiales en estudio

Valoración de líneas avanzadas de Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack)

Los verdeos de invierno se constituyen en un recurso forrajero apto para complementar las pasturas permanentes naturales o implantadas. Dependiendo, la elección de la especie y cultivar a su adaptación y a las condiciones edafoclimáicas de la zona. El triticale (x Triticosecale wittmack) es un cereal que proviene de una cruza entre trigo y centeno es utilizado como verdeo de invierno. Es apreciado por su rusticidad, por su participación en áreas con limitaciones climáticas y/o edáficas, especialmente en la región semiárida pampeana. El objetivo de este trabajo es continuarcon la evaluación del comportamiento de líneas experimentales de genotipos superiores de triticale como productores de forraje. Las líneas evaluadas provienen del Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo, comenzando en el año 2013 con 50 líneas de triticale. Durante la campaña 2017 se realizó un ensayo comparativo de rendimiento para evaluar la producción forrajera de 18 materiales genéticos, de los cuales 13 fueron líneas experimentales de triticale, 2 cultivares comerciales y 3 variedades diferentes de avena. La siembra se realizó el 17 de abril en el campo experimental de la Universidad de Luján, las parcelas constaron de 2 surcos de 5 metros de largo con una distancia de entre surco de 25 cm. El diseño experimental utilizado fue de bloques completos aleatorizados con tres repeticiones. La siembra se realizó con sembradora tipo planet. Para evaluar la producción forrajera se realizaron 3 cortes, el primero el 17 de julio, el segundo el 11 de septiembre y el último el 26 de noviembre. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los tres materiales con mayor producción fueron las líneas avanzadas Exp 49; Exp 50 y Exp 23, superando al promedio del ensayo de manera estadísticamente significativa. Los resultados obtenidos vuelven a mostrar un buen comportamiento de las líneas experimentales debiendo continuarse con más evaluaciones de los materiales en estudio

Type and gene location of kit mutations predict progression-free survival to first-line imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A look into the exon

In previous studies on localized GISTs, KIT exon 11 deletions and mutations involving codons 557/558 showed an adverse prognostic influence on recurrence-free survival. In the metastatic setting, there are limited data on how mutation type and codon location might contribute to progression-free survival (PFS) variability to first-line imatinib treatment. We analyzed the type and gene location of KIT and PDGFRA mutations for 206 patients from a GIST System database prospectively collected at an Italian reference center between January 2005 and September 2020. By describing the mutational landscape, we focused on clinicopathological characteristics according to the critical mutations and investigated the predictive role of type and gene location of the KIT exon 11 mutations in metastatic patients treated with first-line imatinib. Our data showed a predictive impact of KIT exon 11 pathogenic variant on PFS to imatinib treatment: patients with deletion or insertion/deletion (delins) in 557/558 codons had a shorter PFS (median PFS: 24 months) compared to the patients with a deletion in other codons, or duplication/insertion/SNV (median PFS: 43 and 49 months, respectively) (p < 0.001). These results reached an independent value in the multivariate model, which showed that the absence of exon 11 deletions or delins 557/558, the female gender, primitive tumor diameter (≤5 cm) and polymorphonuclear leucocytosis (>7.5 109/L) were significant prognostic factors for longer PFS. Analysis of the predictive role of PDGFRA PVs showed no significant results. Our results also confirm the aggressive biology of 557/558 deletions/delins in the metastatic setting and allow for prediction at the baseline which GIST patients would develop resistance to first-line imatinib treatment earlier

Muestras de granos de maíz: análisis de micotoxinas

El mundo demanda granos sanos e inocuos, las regulaciones de los países compradores impactan en los países productores quienes desean satisfacer las crecientes demandas impuestas para asegurar la protección de la salud y los derechos de los consumidores. La presencia de micotoxinas ocasiona pérdidas, porque la contaminación comienza a campo, se presenta en cosecha y continua en el almacenamiento especialmente, cuando las buenas prácticas están ausentes.La importancia consiste en impulsar la vigilancia a nivel nacional y la implementación de monitoreos para determinar la incidencia de las diferentes micotoxinas en las partidas de maíz. Es por ello, que se requiere de muestras, y determinar el tamaño de muestra, es una decisión importante en cualquier investigación. Se presenta el diseño del muestreo1 (determinación de tamaño de muestra y plan de muestreo) realizado en el monitoreo de las partidas comerciales de granos de maíz para exportación. Las muestras de granos de maíz fueron obtenidas al momento de arribo en las terminales portuarias de los camiones provenientes de zonas de la región pampeana Argentina. La presencia de Fumonisina B total (FBt: B1, B2 y B3) fue predominante en dichas muestras. Sin embargo, según el programa conjunto FAO/OMS y las normas alimentarias Comité del Codex (2014), los niveles máximos en granos de maíz entero y sin elaborar establecidos para un lote indicaron que se considera aceptable, si este contiene menos de 5000 μg/g. Según los resultados de los niveles de concentración de FBt obtenidos en las muestras2, en general, estuvieron por debajo de estos límites, excepto en zonas de Córdoba donde solo 4 muestras presentaron valores superiores al contenido máximo fijado por UE (CE Nº1126/7 y 1881/6). El muestreo presentado podría servir de guía a futuros trabajos de investigación, así como la influencia de otros factores tales como, las variables meteorológicas y sus interacciones

Aberrant methylation within RUNX3 CpG island associated with the nuclear and mitochondrial microsatellite instability in sporadic gastric cancers. Results of a GOIM (Gruppo Oncologico dell'Italia Meridionale) prospective study.

Gastric cancer (GC) development is a multistep process, during which numerous alterations accumulate in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. A deficiency of repair machinery brings about an accumulation of errors introduced within simple repetitive microsatellite sequences during replication of DNA. Aberrant methylation is related to microsatellite instability (MSI) by the silencing of the hMLH1 gene. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible relationship between the RUNX3 promoter methylation, nuclear microsatellite instability (nMSI) and mitochondrial microsatellite instability (mtMSI), in order to clarify its biological role in GC

New insights to assess the consolidation of stone materials used in built heritage: the case study of ancient graffiti (Tituli Picti) in the archaeological site of Pompeii

Tituli Picti are an ancient form of urban graffiti very common in the archaeological site of Pompeii (Naples, South—Italy). They are generally made of red pigments applied on walls of Campanian ignimbrite. This paper deals with a scientific investigation aimed to their conservation. This is a challenging task since it requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes restorers, archaeologists and conservation scientists. The study has provided suggestions on the proper way to conserve Tituli Picti over time. In the present work, several specimens of Campanian ignimbrite were painted with red earth pigment; lime and Arabic gum have been used as binders as well. Such painted stones were treated with three consolidants: a suspension of reactive nanoparticles of silica, ethyl silicate and an acrylic microemulsion. Treated and untreated specimens were subjected to thermal aging, artificial solar radiation and induced crystallization decay. It has been assessed the colorimetric variations induced by treatments. Moreover, the micromorphologic features of the consolidated surfaces have been highlighted by means of electron microscope observations. The scotch tape test allowed to compare the superficial cohesion induced by the three used products. According to the results, ethyl silicate seems to represent the most successful product

The Prevalence of NAFLD and Fibrosis in Bariatric Surgery Patients and the Reliability of Noninvasive Diagnostic Methods

Background: Bariatric surgery patients have a higher prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) than the general population; however, its assessment and the accurate staging of fibrosis are often complicated because noninvasive tests are not very accurate in patients with morbid obesity, and liver biopsy cannot be performed as a routine exam. The aim of this study was to evaluate (A) the histological prevalence of NAFL, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and fibrosis in patients undergoing bariatric surgery; (B) the reliability of ultrasound (US) in diagnosing NAFL; and (C) the reliability of various fibrosis scoring systems for defining fibrosis. Methods: US and intraoperative liver biopsy results were reviewed in 57 bariatric surgery patients. NAFL, NASH, and fibrosis were diagnosed according to the Kleiner scoring system. US diagnosis of liver steatosis was based on the bright liver. Fibrosis scores used were (i) the BMI, AST/ALT Ratio, Diabetes (BARD) scoring system; (ii) the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score; and (iii) the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index. Results: The prevalence of NAFL was 81%, NASH 61.4%, and fibrosis 94% (F3 5.7%, cirrhosis 2.8%). The sensitivity of US was 95%, specificity 50%, and likelihood ratio (LR+, LR-) 1.91 and 0.1. The reliability of fibrosis scores for F ≥ 2 were as follows: BARD score: sensitivity 46%, specificity 54%, and area under the receiver-operating characteristics (AUROC) curve 0.5; NAFLD score: sensitivity 30%, specificity 89%, and AUROC 0.5; and FIB-4: sensitivity 68%, specificity 67%, and AUROC 0.7. Conclusions: In bariatric surgery patients, the prevalence of NAFL was 81%, NASH 61.4%, and fibrosis 94%. US is able to rule out the presence of NAFL, while the commonly used scores may be inaccurate in defining fibrosis in patients with morbid obesity

Not all KIT 557/558 codons mutations have the same prognostic influence on recurrence-free survival: breaking the exon 11 mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs)

Background: Although the gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) genotype is not currently included in risk-stratification systems, a growing body of evidence shows that the pathogenic variant (PV) type and codon location hold a strong prognostic influence on recurrence-free survival (RFS). This information has particular relevance in the adjuvant setting, where an accurate prognostication could help to better identify high-risk tumors and guide clinical decision-making. Materials and Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2020, 96 patients with completely resected GISTs harboring a KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) exon 11 PV were included in the study. We analyzed the type and codon location of the PV according to clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcome; the metastatic sites in relapsed patients were also investigated. Results: Tumors harboring a KIT exon 11 deletion or deletion/insertion involving the 557 and/or 558 codons, showed a more aggressive clinical behavior compared with tumors carrying deletion/deletion/insertion in other codons, or tumors with duplication/insertion/single-nucleotide variant (SNV) (7-year RFS: 50% versus 73.1% versus 88.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). Notably, among 18 relapsed patients with 557 and/or 558 deletion or deletion/insertion, 14 patients (77.8%) harbored deletions simultaneously involving 557 and 558 codons, while only 4 patients (22.2%) harbored deletions involving only 1 of the 557/558 codons. Thus, when 557 or 558 deletions occurred separately, the tumor showed a prognostic behavior similar to the GIST carrying deletions outside the 557/558 position. Remarkably, patients with GISTs stratified as intermediate risk, but carrying the 557/558 deletion, showed a similar outcome to the high-risk patients with tumors harboring deletions in codons other than 557/558, or duplication/insertion/SNV. Conclusion: Our data support the inclusion of the PV type and codon location in routine risk prediction models, and suggest that intermediate-risk patients whose GISTs harbor 557/558 deletions may also need to be treated with adjuvant imatinib like the high-risk patients

Numerical modeling of the thermal contact in metal forming processes

Heat flow across the interface of solid bodies in contact is an important aspect in several engineering applications. This work presents a finite element model for the analysis of thermal contact, which takes into account the effect of contact pressure and gap dimension in the heat flow across the interface between two bodies. Additionally, the frictional heat generation is also addressed, which is dictated by the contact forces predicted by the mechanical problem. The frictional contact problem and thermal problem are formulated in the frame of the finite element method. A new law is proposed to define the interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) as a function of the contact pressure and gap distance, enabling a smooth transition between two contact status (gap and contact). The staggered scheme used as coupling strategy to solve the thermomechanical problem is briefly presented. Four numerical examples are presented to validate the finite element model and highlight the importance of the proposed law on the predicted temperature.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the project PTDC/EMS-TEC/1805/2012 and by FEDER funds through the program COMPETE Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade, under the project CENTRO-07-0224- FEDER-002001 (MT4MOBI). The second author is also grateful to the FCT for the postdoctoral grant SFRH/BPD/101334/2014. The authors would like to thank Prof. A. Andrade-Campos for helpful contributions on the development of the finite element code presented in this work.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio