Classical Characteristics Research Articles

Spike timing precision changes with spike rate adaptation in the owl's auditory space map.

Spike rate adaptation (SRA) is a continuing change of responsiveness to ongoing stimuli, which is ubiquitous across species and levels of sensory systems. Under SRA, auditory responses to constant stimuli change over time, relaxing toward a long-term rate often over multiple timescales. With more variable stimuli, SRA causes the dependence of spike rate on sound pressure level to shift toward the mean level of recent stimulus history. A model based on subtractive adaptation (Benda J, Hennig RM. J Comput Neurosci 24: 113-136, 2008) shows that changes in spike rate and level dependence are mechanistically linked. Space-specific neurons in the barn owl's midbrain, when recorded under ketamine-diazepam anesthesia, showed these classical characteristics of SRA, while at the same time exhibiting changes in spike timing precision. Abrupt level increases of sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) noise initially led to spiking at higher rates with lower temporal precision. Spike rate and precision relaxed toward their long-term values with a time course similar to SRA, results that were also replicated by the subtractive model. Stimuli whose amplitude modulations (AMs) were not synchronous across carrier frequency evoked spikes in response to stimulus envelopes of a particular shape, characterized by the spectrotemporal receptive field (STRF). Again, abrupt stimulus level changes initially disrupted the temporal precision of spiking, which then relaxed along with SRA. We suggest that shifts in latency associated with stimulus level changes may differ between carrier frequency bands and underlie decreased spike precision. Thus SRA is manifest not simply as a change in spike rate but also as a change in the temporal precision of spiking.

NADPH oxidase, MPO, NE, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and Ca2+ influx are essential for Cryptosporidium parvum-induced NET formation

Cryptosporidium parvum causes a zoonotic infection with worldwide distribution. Besides humans, cryptosporidiosis affects a wide range of animals leading to significant economic losses due to severe enteritis in neonatal livestock. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation has been demonstrated as an important host effector mechanism of PMN acting against several invading pathogens. In the present study, C. parvum-mediated NET formation was investigated in human and bovine PMN in vitro. We here demonstrate that C. parvum sporozoites indeed trigger NET formation in a time-dependent manner. Thereby, the classical characteristics of NETs were demonstrated by co-localization of extracellular DNA with histones, neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). A significant reduction of NET formation was measured following treatments of PMN with NADPH oxidase-, NE- and MPO-inhibitors, confirming the key role of these enzymes in C. parvum-induced NETs. Additionally, sporozoite-triggered NETosis revealed as dependent on intracellular Ca++ concentration and the ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK-mediated signaling pathway. Moreover, sporozoite-triggered NET formation led to significant parasite entrapment since 15% of the parasites were immobilized in NET structures. Consequently, PMN-pre-exposed sporozoites showed significantly reduced infectivity for epithelial host cells confirming the capability of NETs to prevent active parasite invasion. Besides NETs, we here show that C. parvum significantly up-regulated CXCL8, IL6, TNF-α and of GM-CSF gene transcription upon sporozoite confrontation, indicating a pivotal role of PMN not only in the bovine and human system but most probably in other final hosts for C. parvum.

Controlled formalized operators

In this report is considered the generalization of the principles, which manage the formalization of controlled qubit operators. The research builds on the standard external data sources, for development of a generalized system for conditional operators. Certain controlled operators are viewed as linear combinations of universal operators. This system provides a generalized scheme for the type of the controlled operators, which could be encountered in a circuit, composed entirely of elementary operators. In this report is presented a formalized generalization of single qubit and controlled operators, based on formalized single qubit operator. This work is part of the developed by the author formalized system for designing of algorithmic models for quantum circuits, based on phase encoding, decod- ing and parameterization of primitive quantum operators. In previous publications of the author (6, 7, 8) were defined sev- eral sets of operators on the n qubit, which generalize certain classical characteristics: identity and logical negation. Moreo- ver, some ways were explored in which can be constructed operators as linear combinations of elements from those sets. Such combinations capture the partial application of an opera- tor together with another operator, which in a broader sense is its logical negation.

Quercetin ameliorates dysregulation of lipid metabolism genes via the PI3K/AKT pathway in a diet-induced mouse model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Flavonoids and related compounds seem to have favorable effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression, although the exact mechanisms implicated are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the flanovol quercetin on gene expression deregulation involved in the development of NAFLD, as well as the possible implication of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway modulation. We used an in vivo model based on methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet-fed mice and an in vitro model consisting of Huh7 cells incubated with MCD medium. MCD-fed mice showed classical pathophysiological characteristics of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, associated with altered transcriptional regulation of fatty acid uptake- and trafficking-related gene expression, with increased lipoperoxidation. PI3K/AKT pathway was activated by MCD and triggered gene deregulation causing either activation or inhibition of all studied genes as demonstrated through cell incubation with the PI3K-inhibitor LY294002. Treatment with quercetin reduced AKT phosphorylation, and oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation and lipid metabolism-related genes displayed a tendency to normalize in both in vivo and in vitro models. These results place quercetin as a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing NAFLD progression by attenuating gene expression deregulation, at least in part through PI3K/AKT pathway inactivation.

Different imaging characteristics of concurrent pituitary adenomas in a patient with Cushing’s disease

We report a patient with Cushing’s disease (CD) and two pituitary adenomas that demonstrated different imaging characteristics and therefore suggest an alternative imaging strategy for these patients. A 42-year-old woman presented with signs and symptoms of CD. Biochemical evaluation confirmed hypercortisolemia and suggested CD. On pituitary MRI with spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady-state and T1-weighted spin echo protocols, a 5mm hypoenhancing region typical for a pituitary adenoma was identified on the left. However, after surgical resection the patient remained hypercortisolemic and pathology revealed a non-functional adenoma. At early repeat surgical exploration a 10mm adenoma was found in the right side of the gland. Postoperatively the patient became hypocortisolemic and pathology demonstrated an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-staining adenoma. On review of the initial MRI this tumor corresponded to a region of contrast retention best visualized on delayed fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging. While the incidentaloma in this case demonstrated classical imaging characteristics of a pituitary adenoma the larger ACTH-secreting tumor was best appreciated by contrast retention. This suggests a role for delayed postcontrast FLAIR imaging in the preoperative evaluation of CD. ACTH-secreting tumors causing CD cause significant morbidity. Due to their small size, a pituitary adenoma is frequently not identified on imaging despite endocrinologic testing suggesting CD. Regardless of improvements in MRI, many tumors are only identified at surgical exploration.

Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) PMN and monocytes release extracellular traps to capture the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Extracellular traps (ETs) are composed of nuclear DNA as backbone adorned with histones, cytoplasmic antimicrobial peptides/proteins which are released from a range of vertebrate and invertebrate host immune cells in response to several invading pathogens. Until now this ancient novel innate defence mechanism has not been demonstrated in any marine mammal. Interactions of harbour seal (Phoca vitulina)-PMN and -monocytes with viable tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii were investigated in this respect in vitro. For the demonstration and quantification of harbour seal PMN- and monocyte-derived ETs, extracellular DNA was stained with Sytox Orange. Fluorescence assays as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses demonstrated PMN- and monocyte-promoted ET formation rapidly being induced upon contact with T. gondii-tachyzoites. The co-localisation of extracellular DNA decorated with histones (H3), neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in parasite entrapping structures confirmed the classical characteristics of PMN- and monocyte-promoted ETs. Exposure of harbour seal PMN and monocytes to viable tachyzoites resulted in a significant induction of ETs when compared to negative controls. Harbour seal-ETs were efficiently abolished by DNase I treatment and were reduced after PMN and monocytes pre-incubation with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenilane iodondium. Tachyzoites of T. gondii were firmly entrapped and immobilised within harbour seal-ET structures. To our best knowledge, we here report for the first time on T. gondii-induced ET formation in harbour seal-PMN and -monocytes. Our results strongly indicate that PMN- and monocyte-triggered ETs represent a relevant and ancient conserved effector mechanism of the pinniped innate immune system as reaction against the pathogenic protozoon T. gondii and probably against other foreign pathogens occurring in the ocean environment.

Atypical Presentation of Malignant Melanoma in a 16 Months Old Child

Malignant melanoma in childhood and adolescence is rare but incidences have been seen to rise. Prognostic factors, risk factors and prognosis have similarities to melanoma in adulthood but paediatric melanoma presents a diagnostic challenge as it often lacks the classical features of adult pigmented malignant melanoma and histologically is difficult to diagnose. This case report describes a clinically atypical presentation of melanoma on the thigh of a 16 month old boy. Initially seen at five months old by a dermatologist were a punch biopsy of the element was made with histological diagnosis; unusual congenital nevus. The element hereafter evolved and at the time of diagnosis measured 7.5 mm in Breslow thickness. Sentinel node biopsy and full body scans were made with no sign of metastasis. Like other cases reported, the melanoma did not exhibit the classical characteristics of the ABCD criteria which may have played a part in delaying diagnosis. Studies suggest that delayed diagnosis in children is not uncommon and younger patients present with more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. To facilitate earlier recognition of melanoma in children additions to the conventional ABCD criteria have been suggested. This report illustrates that malignant melanoma should always be taken into consideration when presented with lesions of the skin and that a high level of clinical awareness and suspicion is required in order to hasten diagnosis and maybe improve prognosis in cutaneous malignant melanoma in children and adolescents.

Ultrastructure of the male gamete of Brachylecithum eliomydis (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae)—A parasite of Eliomys quercinus (Rodentia, Gliridae)

The male gametes of Brachylecithum eliomydis (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae) a parasite of Eliomys quercinus “the garden dormouse” caught in France were described by micrographs of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mature spermatozoon of B. eliomydis presents classical characteristics early described in digenean species such as the two axonemes of different lengths with the 9+“1” pattern of the trepaxonematan platyhelminthes, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, two mitochondria, a nucleus and granules of glycogen. Moreover, several characteristics, described in the spermatozoon of B. eliomydis, vary within digenean taxa. Those are (1) the morphology of anterior and posterior spermatozoon extremities, (2) the external ornamentation of the plasma membrane and its association or not with cortical microtubules, (3) the presence or absence of spine-like bodies and (4) the number of cortical microtubules and their organization into one or two parallel bundles. Using these four criteria, the morphology of the mature spermatozoon of B. eliomydis was compared to that of the other dicrocoellids, brachycoeliids, paragonimids and troglotrematids species described so far. The general morphology of the spermatozoon described in B. eliomydis, could characterize the family Dicrocoeliidae.

Characteristics of neck level VI lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma: correlation between nodal characteristics and primary tumor.

Little is known about the pathological characteristics of metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to elucidate the pathological characteristics of neck level VI nodes and correlations with clinicopathological parameters. We investigated the clinicopathological features of 124 classical PTCs and characteristics of 850 dissected neck level VI LNs. Immunohistochemistry for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Ki-67 was performed on primary tumors, and correlations with nodal characteristics were investigated. Nodal metastasis at neck level VI was identified in 68 of 124 PTCs (54.8 %) and was significantly correlated with tumor size, tumor multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, and tumor stage. LN metastasis was significantly correlated with larger mean LN size (P < 0.001), larger size of the largest LN (P < 0.001), and more LNs (P < 0.001). The mean size of metastatic LNs (n = 233) was significantly larger than nonmetastatic LNs (n = 617) (P < 0.001). Primary tumor diameter significantly correlated with the largest LN size (P = 0.014, R (2) = 0.049), but not mean size or number of LNs by linear regression analysis. NF-κB and Ki-67 proliferation indexes were not significantly correlated with larger nodal size. These results suggested that characteristics of nodes and primary tumor would be useful criteria for making decisions about preoperative surveillance of nodal metastasis.

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis Presenting Progressive Dyslexia: A Case Report

The most common etiology of encephalitis is infection. However, immune-mediated etiologies of encephalitis are now increasingly recognized. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis was first identified in 2007 by Dalmau and Bataller.1 Its characteristics include impaired consciousness, psychosis, seizures, dyskinesia, autonomic instability, and other various symptoms.2 Among these symptoms, rapid progressive psychosis is the first symptom of the disease in most cases. We experienced a case of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with phonemic paraphasia and acalculia as first symptoms that were not classical characteristics. CASE REPORT

Working toward consensus among professionals in the identification of classical cervical cytomorphological characteristics in whole slide images

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of death in women worldwide.[1] The introduction of cervical cytology in screening programs is an effective way for early detection and treatment of cervical precancerous lesions. Conventional screening of cervical cytology slides is still considered the current “gold standard” for the assessment of proficiency in becoming a cytotechnician, but diagnosis using digital whole slide images (WSI) may offer many advantages. Materials and Methods: In this study, we have used a selection of WSI from thin-layer specimens of the most common cervical infections and (pre) neoplastic lesions, and hypothesized that weekly WSI based case-meetings would help to obtain optimal acceptance of the new digital workflow in daily pathology practice. A questionnaire, before and after the test period was used to study the effect of our approach. Results: The participants clearly had to go through a learning curve to get accustomed to viewing WSI. In the beginning, there was a little self-confidence in recognizing classical cervical cytomorphological features in the WSI, and there were complaints about the speed of viewing and insufficient Z-resolution for cell groups. Adjusting the Z-stack settings resulted in better three-dimensional information due to better focusing options. Weekly meetings appeared to be instrumental in the implementation process, as participants had to select and present WSI from thematic cases themselves, and thereby, got used to viewing WSI. Some WSI were replaced by better ones until a final set of 45 representatives WSI remained. Eventually, the consensus was reached among all participants that cytomorphological features in WSI from thin-layers cervical specimens could comparably be appreciated in WSI as by conventional microscopy. The selection of 45 WSI was now used to create a digital WSI based reference atlas to support further studies. Conclusion: We have obtained consensus between professionals that WSI from cervical cytology can be used to identify cytomorphological features, necessary for diagnosis. In addition, we observed that active participation of professionals had a positive effect on the overall acceptance of WSI and was important in the change management.

Molecular pathology of cutaneous melanoma.

Cutaneous melanoma is associated with strong prognostic phenotypic features, such as gender, Breslow's thickness and ulceration, although the biological significance of these variables is largely unknown. It is likely that these features are surrogates of important biological events rather than directly promoting cutaneous melanoma progression. In this article, we address the molecular mechanisms that drive these phenotypic changes. Furthermore, we present a comprehensive overview of recurrent genetic abnormalities, both germline and somatic, in relation to cutaneous melanoma subtypes, ultraviolet exposure and anatomical localization, as well as pre-existing and targeted therapy-induced mutations that may contribute to resistance. The increasing knowledge of critically important oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes is promoting a transition in melanoma diagnosis, in which single-gene testing will be replaced by multiplex and multidimensional analyses that combine classical histopathological characteristics with the molecular profile for the prognostication and selection of melanoma therapy.

Found footage and the gothic conventions

Social, historical, political and economic changes somehow are invariably reflected in the cultural and artistic manifestations of their time. In Gothic literature this is noticeable in elements such as medieval settings when they were more frequent (The Castle of Otranto), or the questionings regarding the creationist thought suggested in Frankenstein, materialized in The Origin of Species and revisited in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Dracula, works that also display the technicism and scientific advancements in the second phase of the Industrial Revolution. Nonetheless, one recurrent element in the literary Gothic convention regardless of its time is the claims to truthfulness, understood here as an effort to convince the reader/viewer that the story told indeed happened, as incredible as it seems. Therefore, this article verifies the ways in which the claims to truthfulness appear in found footage movies, observing how the classical Gothic characteristics are replicated or subverted in this subgenre of horror movies. The conclusion points out that convincing the reader/viewer that the story is real still is a priority in the Gothic agenda. The theoretical support comes from texts present in seminal companions to the Gothic (Hogle, 2002; Punter, 2006; Botting, 2004), from Jenkins (2009), through the notion of convergence culture, from Baudrillard (2002), through the notion of the three postmodern phantasies, and from Aufdenheide (2007), through the concept of claims to truthfulness.

Alexithymia, Asperger's syndrome and criminal behaviour: a review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the empirical literature informing the nature of the relationship between criminal behaviour and both Alexithymia and Asperger's syndrome (AS). Design/methodology/approach – The relevant literature was identified through database searches and via citations in primary sources. Findings – Alexithymia and AS are relatively similar constructs with some overlap in their defining characteristics including utilitarian thinking and deficiencies in empathy. Alexithymia is significantly more prevalent in offender populations than controls and, in particular, has a complex relationship with psychopathy. The research concerning AS has mainly focused on offense type and reasons for offending. In terms of offences, homicide rates were in keeping with general base rates, however, sexual offences were under-represented and arson was over-represented. Practical implications – In terms of reasons for offending, criminal behaviour is best described as a consequence of the classical characteristics of AS. It is suggested that despite their similarities the relationship of the two disorders with criminal behaviour may well be different. This suggestion has implications for the design of services intended to reduce the risk of offending in these two groups. Originality/value – The review draws together a diverse range of literature around a rather neglected topic in criminological psychology. It will be of value to researchers in suggesting where new knowledge is needed, particularly with regard to disentangling the risk factors for offending for the two conditions, and to practitioners within the criminal justice system in pointing towards areas for intervention to reduce risk.

Besnoitia besnoiti tachyzoites induce monocyte extracellular trap formation.

Extracellular trap (ET) formation has been demonstrated as an important novel effector mechanism of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), eosinophils, mast cells and macrophages acting extracellularly against pathogens. In the present study, we show that tachyzoites of the emerging apicomplexan parasite Besnoitia besnoiti, that have recently been reported as potent inducers of PMN-derived ETosis, also trigger the release of ETs in an additional cell type, namely in monocytes. Fluorescence illustrations as well as scanning electron microscopy analyses (SEM) showed monocyte-promoted ET formation to be rapidly induced upon exposure to viable tachyzoites of B. besnoiti. Classical characteristics of ETs were confirmed by the co-localization of extracellular DNA with histones (H3) or myeloperoxidase (MPO) in parasite-entrapping structures. Monocyte-derived ETs were efficiently abolished by DNase I treatment and significantly reduced by treatments with inhibitors of MPO and NADPH oxidase, thus strengthening the key roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MPO in monocyte ET formation. For comparative reasons, we additionally tested sporozoite stages of the closely related parasite Eimeria bovis for their capacity to induce monocyte-derived ETs and showed that these stages indeed induce ETs. To our best knowledge, we here report for the first time on monocyte ETs against the apicomplexan parasites B. besnoiti and E. bovis. Our results indicate that monocyte-triggered ETs may represent an important effector mechanism of the host early innate immune response against B. besnoiti and add a new cell type to the list of cells capable to release ETs.

Describing the non-saturating cyclic hardening behavior with a newly developed kinematic hardening model and its application in springback prediction of DP sheet metals

A recently proposed non-saturating kinematic (NSK) Swift model is verified by modeling the advanced high-strength sheet metal DP600, of which the cyclic loading is typically featured by the non-saturating hardening and permanent offset phenomenon along with other classical characteristics. Good performances are also presented to describe the further cyclic hardening behavior in different strain ranges. Noticeably only the tension data are used to determine the model parameters for this material due to the appropriate control function. Then the non-saturating kinematic (NSK) Swift model is applied to the simulation of the automobile underbody cross member in Numisheet 2005 Benchmark 2, where only the tension data is available for the material constant determination while the cyclic loading occurs in the forming process. Nice agreements are achieved between the measured data and the numerical results of the springback and the thickness prediction for two DP sheet metals (DP600 and DP965). Both the theoretical importance of the control functions in material modeling and practical significance of the obtained non-saturating kinematic (NSK) Swift model can be implied through the constitutive verification and the industrial application.

Could Pentraxin 3 Be a New Diagnostic Marker for Excessive Inflammatory Response in Cardiac Surgery?

The aim of this study was to compare the dynamics of two inflammatory response biomarkers pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and C-reactive protein (CRP) after cardiac surgery with particular regard to different postoperative clinical manifestation of inflammatory response. In this study, 42 patients undergoing open heart surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass were included and divided in two groups according to the extent of clinical manifestation of inflammatory response: Group A (n=21)-patients with different severity of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and Group B (n=21)-patients with uneventful postoperative period (no SIRS). The serum levels of PTX3 and CRP were evaluated and compared at the following time points: before and at the end of surgery, 6 hours, 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after surgery. The dynamics of CRP levels were comparable between both groups and showed the classical characteristics after cardiac surgery with a peak on the 3rd postoperative day (113 vs. 132 mg/L). In contrast, the dynamics of PTX3 showed an earlier increase of serum levels with the peak on the 1st postoperative day in both groups (36.3 vs. 42.7 ng/mL). Importantly, a significant difference of PTX3 levels was found on the 3rd postoperative day (31.1 vs. 7.0 ng/mL; p<0.006) between the two groups showing significantly delayed decrease of PTX3 levels in patients with SIRS (Group A). This study demonstrates considerably different dynamics of PTX3 levels after cardiac surgery in patients with SIRS and patients without SIRS, thus it may be indicative to start the appropriate therapy.

Combined use of GIS and experimental functions for the morphometric study of glacial cirques, Zardkuh Mountain, Iran

Morphometric analysis using DEM (with 10 m spatial resolution) is performed on the main cirque-like features in the Zardkuh Mountain (central Zagros Mountain Range, IRAN) to study the evolution patterns of these features. For this purpose, the cirque like-features were delimitated manually and their headwall and floor boundaries were modified based on the slope map (10 m spatial resolution) classified based on the definition of cirque. The power law functions were fitted to 58 longitudinal cross-sections of the cirque-like features and their parameters were analyzed. The analysis showed that high values of b coefficient have good correlation with the cirque-like features which their morphometric characteristics are generally coincide with the definitions of cirques and location of the small glaciers. All the cirque-like features were classified based on results of the power function model and comparison of longitudinal profiles of the cirque like-features with the Vilborg and Evans classification system. At least 9 cirques with the classical characteristics were distinguished in the altitudes above 3650 m a.s.l. of Zardkuh Mountain (mean values of b coefficient (b¯) is equal to 2.1). In addition, 19 cirques were classified as “Well-defined” (10 cirques with b¯ ≥ 2.0) and “Definite cirques” (9 cirques with b¯ ≥ 1.7). The other cirque-like features (30 cirques with b¯ ≥ 1.4) were considered as “Poor” and “Marginal” cirques. In addition, the morphometric parameters of 28 cirques (with most glacial characteristics) and their allometric behaviors were analyzed. The allometric coefficients of length and width are above 1.0 and for depth is significantly below 1.0 (or vertical development of the cirques increases slower than that of length and width) in accordance with similar research.

An exceptionally cold-adapted alpha-amylase from a metagenomic library of a cold and alkaline environment.

A cold-active α-amylase, AmyI3C6, identified by a functional metagenomics approach was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Sequence analysis showed that the AmyI3C6 amylase was similar to α-amylases from the class Clostridia and revealed classical characteristics of cold-adapted enzymes, as did comparison of the kinetic parameters K m and k cat to a mesophilic α-amylase. AmyI3C6 was shown to be heat-labile. Temperature optimum was at 10-15 °C, and more than 70 % of the relative activity was retained at 1 °C. The pH optimum of AmyI3C6 was at pH 8-9, and the enzyme displayed activity in two commercial detergents tested, suggesting that the AmyI3C6 α-amylase may be useful as a detergent enzyme in environmentally friendly, low-temperature laundry processes.

Immunological subtypes in breast cancer are prognostic for invasive ductal but not for invasive lobular breast carcinoma.

Background:Classical patient and tumour characteristics are the benchmark of personalised breast cancer (BC) management. Recent evidence has demonstrated that immune and molecular profiling of BC may also play an important role. Despite evidence of differences between invasive ductal (IDC) and lobular (ILC) BC, they are infrequently accounted for when making treatment decisions for individual patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relevance of the tumour immune response in the major histological subtypes of BC. We also assessed the relationship between immune responses and molecular subtypes and their prognostic potential.Methods:Immunostains were done for HLA-I, HLA-E, HLA-G, Tregs, NK cells and CTLs for the composition of the immune profiles and Ki67, EGFR, CK5/6, ER, PR and HER2 for molecular profiles in 714 breast cancer patients who underwent primary surgery.Results:No significant association was found between IDC (90.6%) and ILC (9.4%) and tumour immune subtypes (P=0.4) and molecular subtypes (P=0.4). However, for the relapse-free period (RFP) tumour immune subtyping was prognostic (P=0.002) in IDC, but not ILC. Contrary to ILC, IDC patients frequently expressed higher cleaved caspase-3 and Ki67, which was prognostic. Intermediate immune-susceptible IDC expressing high cleaved caspase-3 or Ki67 showed worse RFP than those with low expression (caspase-3: P=0.004; Ki67: P=0.002); this was not seen for ILC or in high or low immune-susceptible tumour types for either IDC or ILC.Conclusions:Tumour immune characteristics and host immune responses are prognostic in IDC, but not ILC. In addition, tumour immune profiles are only prognostic in Luminal A tumours.