Retrospective Evaluation of Thromboembolism Risk in Ovarian Cancer Patients Treated with Bevacizumab.

Background: Bevacizumab is used in addition to standard, platinum-based chemotherapy to treat advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients. Thrombosis is a well-documented adverse effect of bevacizumab.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify predictive parameters for thromboembolic events in ovarian cancer patients and to explain how bevacizumab increases the risk of these events.

Sensitization of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Cells to Lapatinib Using Plants-Derived Isothiocyanates.

Nearly 25% of all breast cancer is characterized by overexpression of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) which leads to overactivation of prosurvival signal transduction pathways, especially through Akt-mTOR-S6K kinases, and results in enhanced proliferation, migration, induction of angiogenesis, and apoptosis inhibition. Anti-HER2 targeted therapies, such as specific monoclonal antibodies or small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, even in combination, still seem to be insufficient due to incidence of primary or acquired resistance and prevalence of serious side-effects of these drugs. We assumed that combination of compounds that target different levels of the above-mentioned signal transduction pathway might be more effective in eradication of breast cancer cells.

Rhinanthus serotinus (Schönheit) Oborny (Scrophulariaceae): immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of endosperm chalazal haustorium development.

Chalazal endosperm haustorium in Rhinanthus serotinus consists of a single large binucleate cell. It originates from the primary endosperm cell dividing transversely into two unequal cells: a smaller micropylar cell and a larger chalazal cell. The chalazal cell undergoes a single mitotic division, then lengthens significantly during development and functions as a chalazal endosperm haustorium.

Embryogenesis in Sedum acre L.: structural and immunocytochemical aspects of suspensor development.

The changes in the formation of both the actin and the microtubular cytoskeleton during the differentiation of the embryo-suspensor in Sedum acre were studied in comparison with the development of the embryo-proper. The presence and distribution of the cytoskeletal elements were examined ultrastructurally and with the light microscope using immunolabelling and rhodamine-phalloidin staining. At the globular stage of embryo development extensive array of actin filaments is present in the cytoplasm of basal cell, the microfilament bundles generally run parallel to the long axis of basal cell and pass in close to the nucleus.

Are extracellular matrix surface network components involved in signalling and protective function?

Endosperm is an interesting model for in vitro experiments, because of its unique origin, development and ploidy level. Here we used Actinidia deliciosa endosperm-derived callus to investigate morphology, histology and chemistry of extracellular matrix (ECM) structures in morphogenically stable tissue from long-term culture. SEM and TEM analysis showed that ECM is a heterogenous layer which consists of amorphous, dark-staining material, osmiophilic granules and reticulated fibres outside the outer callus cell wall.

Distribution of pectin and arabinogalactan protein epitopes during organogenesis from androgenic callus of wheat.

The distribution of several arabinogalactan protein and pectic epitopes were studied during organogenesis in androgenic callus of wheat. In cell wall of mature and degenerating parenchyma cells, the arabinogalactan epitopes JIM4, JIM14, JIM16 or LM2 were expressed differently according to the cells location. LM2 was observed also in meristematic cells of regenerated shoot buds and leaves.