Regulatory T cells are not a strong predictor of survival for patients with glioblastoma.

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potentially prognostic indicators in patients with glioblastoma. If differences in frequency of Tregs in tumor or blood account for substantial variation in patient survival, then reliably measuring Tregs may enhance treatment selection and improve outcomes.

Methods: We measured Tregs and CD3+ T cells in tumors and blood from 25 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Magnetotactic bacteria as potential sources of bioproducts.

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) produce intracellular organelles called magnetosomes which are magnetic nanoparticles composed of magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4) enveloped by a lipid bilayer. The synthesis of a magnetosome is through a genetically controlled process in which the bacterium has control over the composition, direction of crystal growth, and the size and shape of the mineral crystal. As a result of this control, magnetosomes have narrow and uniform size ranges, relatively specific magnetic and crystalline properties, and an enveloping biological membrane.

Benign phyllodes tumor of the breast recurring as a malignant phyllodes tumor and spindle cell metaplastic carcinoma.

We report a unique case of a 59-year-old woman diagnosed with a benign phyllodes tumor (PT), which recurred twice in the same location over a 7-year period: first as a malignant PT and then as a malignant PT with coexisting spindle cell metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC). The MBC was differentiated from the malignant PT by expression of cytokeratins (CKs) AE1/AE3, CK MNF-116, CK 5/6, and p63. Somatic mutation analysis using a next-generation sequencing platform revealed a shared mutation in F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7, a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a ubiquitin ligase-associated protein, in the original benign PT and the first recurrent malignant PT.

Evaluation of in-channel amperometric detection using a dual-channel microchip electrophoresis device and a two-electrode potentiostat for reverse polarity separations.

In-channel amperometric detection combined with dual-channel microchip electrophoresis is evaluated using a two-electrode isolated potentiostat for reverse polarity separations. The device consists of two separate channels with the working and reference electrodes placed at identical positions relative to the end of the channel, enabling noise subtraction. In previous reports of this configuration, normal polarity and a three-electrode detection system were used.

Accuracy of a probabilistic record-linkage methodology used to track blood donors in the Mortality Information System database.

The probabilistic record linkage (PRL) is based on a likelihood score that measures the degree of similarity of several matching variables. Screening test results for different diseases are available for the blood donor population. In this paper, we describe the accuracy of a PRL process used to track blood donors from the Fundação Pró-Sangue (FPS) in the Mortality Information System (SIM), in order that future studies might determine the blood donor's cause of death.

Molecular mechanism of action of 2-ferrocenyl-1,1-diphenylbut-1-ene on HL-60 leukemia cells.

The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanism of action of 2-ferrocenyl-1,1-diphenylbut-1-ene (1) on HL-60 human leukemia cells. While inactive against noncancerous cells, 1 provoked a concentration-dependent decrease in viable tumor cells, primarily via apoptosis, as evidenced by analysis of cell morphology, activation of caspases 3 and 7, increased DNA fragmentation, and externalization of phosphatidylserine. Necrosis was observed only at the highest tested concentration (4 μM).

Effects of cadmium and copper biosorption on Chlorella vulgaris.

Changes in protein levels and lipid compositions in algal cells indicate the severity of stress related to toxic concentrations of heavy metals. In this study, the effects of exposure to cadmium and copper on Chlorella vulgaris and its capacity to remove metals were evaluated. The data revealed ion removal activity by microalgae under all treatments and different levels of protein expression after 48 h of exposure.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and short-term morbidity in patients undergoing mastectomy with and without breast reconstruction.

Importance: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) is increasingly being used in patients with breast cancer, and evidence-based reports related to its independent effects on morbidity after mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction are limited.

Objective: To determine the effect of NC on 30-day postoperative morbidity in women undergoing mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction.

Design, Setting, And Participants: All women undergoing mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2011, at university and private hospitals internationally were analyzed using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005-2011 databases.

Golgi UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptide O-α-N-Acetyl-d-glucosaminyltransferase 2 (TcOGNT2) regulates trypomastigote production and function in Trypanosoma cruzi.

All life cycle stages of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi are enveloped by mucin-like glycoproteins which, despite major changes in their polypeptide cores, are extensively and similarly O-glycosylated. O-Glycan biosynthesis is initiated by the addition of αGlcNAc to Thr in a reaction catalyzed by Golgi UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptide O-α-N-acetyl-d-glucosaminyltransferases (ppαGlcNAcTs), which are encoded by TcOGNT1 and TcOGNT2. We now directly show that TcOGNT2 is associated with the Golgi apparatus of the epimastigote stage and is markedly downregulated in both differentiated metacyclic trypomastigotes (MCTs) and cell culture-derived trypomastigotes (TCTs).

The requirement of GnRH at the beginning of the five-day CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release protocol in beef heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine if the omission of GnRH at controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) insertion would impact pregnancy rates to timed AI (TAI) in beef heifers enrolled in a 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol that used 1 PGF2α dose given at CIDR removal. Yearling beef heifers in Ohio in 2 consecutive breeding seasons (2011, n = 151, and 2012, n = 143; Angus × Simmental), Utah (2012, n = 265; Angus × Hereford), Idaho (2012, n = 127; Charolais), and Wyoming (2012, n = 137; Angus) were enrolled in the 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol. At CIDR insertion (d -5), heifers were randomly assigned either to receive 100 μg GnRH (GnRH+; n = 408) or not to receive GnRH (GnRH-; n = 415).

Role of estrogen related receptor beta (ESRRB) in DFN35B hearing impairment and dental decay.

Background: Congenital forms of hearing impairment can be caused by mutations in the estrogen related receptor beta (ESRRB) gene. Our initial linkage studies suggested the ESRRB locus is linked to high caries experience in humans.

Methods: We tested for association between the ESRRB locus and dental caries in 1,731 subjects, if ESRRB was expressed in whole saliva, if ESRRB was associated with the microhardness of the dental enamel, and if ESRRB was expressed during enamel development of mice.

Molecular profiling of appendiceal epithelial tumors using massively parallel sequencing to identify somatic mutations.

Background: Some epithelial neoplasms of the appendix, including low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and adenocarcinoma, can result in pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Little is known about the mutational spectra of these tumor types and whether mutations may be of clinical significance with respect to therapeutic selection. In this study, we identified somatic mutations using the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2.

Nature of electrogenerated intermediates in nitro-substituted nor-β-lapachones: the structure of radical species during successive electron transfer in multiredox centers.

Electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and theoretical studies of the reduction reactions in nor-β-lapachone derivatives including a nitro redox center showed that reduction of the compounds involves the formation of several radical intermediates, including a biradical dianion resultant from the separate reduction of the quinone and nitro groups in the molecules. Theoretical descriptions of the corresponding Fukui functions f(αα)⁺ and f(ββ)⁺(r) and LUMO densities considering finite differences and frozen core approximations for describing the changes in electron and spin densities of the system allowed us to confirm these results. A description of the potential relationship with the obtained results and biological activity selectivity indexes suggests that both the formation of stable biradical dianion species and the stability of the semiquinone intermediates during further reduction are determining factors in the description of their biological activity.

An improved LC-MS/MS method for quantitation of indapamide in whole blood: application for a bioequivalence study.

An improved LC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of indapamide in human whole blood was developed and validated. Indapamide-d3 was used as internal standard (IS) and liquid-liquid extraction was employed for sample preparation. LC separation was performed on Synergi Polar RP-column (50 × 4.

Personalized therapy for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a complex disease characterized by many morphological, clinical and molecular features. For many years, this disease has been classified according to histopathologic criteria, known as the tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) staging system. Clinical criteria that include immunohistochemical markers, such as the estrogen receptor (ER), the progesterone receptor (PR), and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), provide a classification of breast cancer and dictates the optimal therapeutic approach for treatment.

Fine mapping of locus Xq25.1-27-2 for a low caries experience phenotype.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to fine map the locus Xq25.1-27-2 in order to identify genetic contributors involved in low caries experience.

Design: Seventy-two families from the Philippines were studied.

Isolation, cultivation and genomic analysis of magnetosome biomineralization genes of a new genus of South-seeking magnetotactic cocci within the Alphaproteobacteria.

Although magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats, they are still considered fastidious microorganisms with regard to growth and cultivation with only a relatively low number of axenic cultures available to date. Here, we report the first axenic culture of an MTB isolated in the Southern Hemisphere (Itaipu Lagoon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Cells of this new isolate are coccoid to ovoid in morphology and grow microaerophilically in semi-solid medium containing an oxygen concentration ([O2]) gradient either under chemoorganoheterotrophic or chemolithoautotrophic conditions.

Starting glargine in insulin-naïve type 2 diabetic patients based on body mass index is safe.

Aim: To evaluate the safety of four insulin titration algorithms in a homogeneous population of insulin-naïve type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: We conducted a 24-wk, open, single-center study with 92 insulin-naïve type 2 diabetes patients who failed treatment with one or two oral drugs. The patients were randomized to one of the four following algorithms: LANMET (n = 26) and LANMET PLUS (n = 22) algorithms, whose patients received a fixed initial insulin dose of 10 U, and DeGold (n = 23) and DeGold PLUS (n = 21) algorithms, whose patients' initial insulin dose was based on their body mass index (BMI).

Effect of follicle age on conception rate in beef heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age of the ovulatory follicle on fertility in beef heifers. Ovulation was synchronized with the 5 d CO-Synch + controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) program in heifers in Montana (MT; n = 162, Hereford and Angus Crossbred) and Ohio (OH; n = 170, Angus Crossbred). All heifers received estradiol benzoate (EB; 1 mg/500 kg BW, [i.

The effect of follicle age on pregnancy rate in beef cows.

The effect of the age of the ovulatory follicle on fertility in beef cows was investigated. Multiparous (n = 171) and primiparous (n = 129) postpartum beef cows in 2 groups (G1 and G2) received estradiol benzoate (EB; 1 mg/500 kg BW, intramuscular [i.m.

Determining methylation status of methylguanine DNA methyl transferase (MGMT) from formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tumor tissue.

O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) has been associated with resistance to alkylating agent cancer therapy in Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Lower expression or silencing of the MGMT protein by promoter methylation has been reported to improve survival in patients with GBM [1]. This protocol describes bisulfite conversion, methylation sensitive PCR amplification and data analysis/interpretation.

Routine use of the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq™ Cancer Hotspot Panel for identification of clinically actionable somatic mutations.

Background: Somatic mutation analysis is standard of practice for solid tumors in order to identify therapeutic sensitizing and resistance mutations. Our laboratory routinely performed standalone PCR-based methods for mutations in several genes. Rapid discovery and introduction of new therapeutics has demanded additional genomic information for adequate management of the cancer patient.

Deciphering unusual uncultured magnetotactic multicellular prokaryotes through genomics.

Candidatus Magnetoglobus multicellularis (Ca. M. multicellularis) is a member of a group of uncultured magnetotactic prokaryotes that possesses a unique multicellular morphology.