High Transformation Rate Research Articles

Serial 18F-FET PET Imaging of Primarily 18F-FET-Negative Glioma: Does It Make Sense?

PET with O-(2-(18)F-fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine ((18)F-FET) has gained increasing importance for glioma management. With regard to the occurrence of (18)F-FET-negative glioma, we investigated the value of (18)F-FET PET monitoring of primarily (18)F-FET-negative gliomas concerning the detection of progression and malignant transformation. We included 31 patients (26 World Health Organization [WHO] grade II, 5 WHO grade III) with primarily (18)F-FET-negative glioma and available (18)F-FET PET follow-up. (18)F-FET PET analysis comprised maximal tumor-to-background ratio (TBRmax) and dynamic analysis of tumoral (18)F-FET uptake over time (increasing vs. decreasing) including minimal time to peak (TTPmin). PET findings were correlated with MRI and clinical findings of progression as well as histology of recurrent tumors. Twenty-three of 31 patients experienced tumor progression (median progression-free survival, 41.7 mo). Fourteen of 23 patients showed tumoral (18)F-FET uptake concurrent to and 4 of 23 before MRI-derived or clinical signs of tumor progression; 2 of 23 patients presented signs of progression in MRI when no concomitant (18)F-FET PET was available, but subsequent follow-up PET was positive. In 3 of 23 patients, no (18)F-FET uptake was detected at tumor progression. Overall, 20 of 31 primarily (18)F-FET-negative glioma turned (18)F-FET-positive during the follow-up. At first occurrence of tumoral (18)F-FET uptake, TBRmax was significantly higher in patients with malignant transformation (11/20) than in those without malignant progression (3.2 ± 0.9 vs. 1.9 ± 0.5; P = 0.001), resulting in a high detection rate for malignant transformation (for TBRmax > 2.46: sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 89%; negative predictive value, 80%; positive predictive value, 90%; and accuracy, 85%). Although static evaluation was superior to dynamic analysis for the detection of malignant transformation (for TTPmin ≤ 17.5 min: sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 67%; negative predictive value, 67%; positive predictive value, 73%; and accuracy, 70%), short TTPmin was associated with an early malignant transformation in the further disease course. Overall, 18 of 31 patients experienced malignant transformation; of these, 16 of 17 (94%) evaluable patients showed (18)F-FET uptake at the time of malignant transformation. (18)F-FET PET monitoring with static and dynamic evaluation is useful even in primarily (18)F-FET-negative glioma, providing a high detection rate of both tumor progression and malignant transformation, partly before further signs of progression in MRI. Hence, (18)F-FET uptake indicating malignant transformation might influence the patient management.

Metastable Co3C nanocrystalline powder produced via reactive ball milling: Synthesis and magnetic properties

This study investigates reactive ball milling synthesis of a single phase metastable Co3C compound from starting mixtures of cobalt and graphite powders under argon and nitrogen environments. It reports their phase formations, magnetic, and structural properties. Regardless of the starting powder composition (25.0 or 33.3 at.% C) and milling atmosphere, reactive ball milling leads to the formation of the Co3C compound with an orthorhombic structure. Coercivities of the starting mixtures first increases with milling time as the Co3C compound starts to form and subsequently decreases due to structural defects induced by further milling. Higher graphite containing starting powder mixtures yield higher peak coercivity values and higher transformation rates. The formed Co3C compound exhibits a Curie temperature of 563 K and a decomposition temperature around 710 K. Compared to argon milled powders, reactive milling under a nitrogen atmosphere increases the coercivity and decomposition temperature of the Co3C compound.

Safety of Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients Receiving Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants.

Prospective data on the safety of endovascular thrombectomy in acute stroke patients on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are lacking. Prospective multicenter observational study. Patients with ischemic stroke undergoing thrombectomy with or without preceding thrombolysis were enrolled into the Registry of Acute Ischemic Stroke Under New Oral Anticoagulants. Baseline characteristics and functional outcome at 3 months were assessed. Hemorrhagic transformation and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were analyzed. Reperfusion was graded using the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score. Of 28 patients treated with thrombectomy, 5 had received also systemic thrombolysis (18%). Intracranial hemorrhage was observed in 46%, but symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred only in 1 patient. Successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, 2b-3) was achieved in 59%. At 3 months, 19% had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2, and mortality was 26%. Thrombectomy in non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant patients seems safe although a comparatively high rate of asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation was noted. Confirmation in larger prospective controlled cohorts is necessary. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01850797.

Prevalence of Candida spp. in Healthy Oral Mucosa Surfaces with Higher Incidence of Chronic Hyperplastic Candidosis.

Predisposing factors in chronic hyperplastic candidosis (CHC) have been poorly recognized. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of Candida spp. in areas of the oral mucosa showing greater prevalent rate of CHC, such as the retrocomissural area, the lateral borders of the tongue, and the hard-palate mucosa in four groups of individuals presenting predisposing factors as follows: Smoking habits (group I); patients with low salivary flow rate (SFR) (hyposalivation - group II); patients with loss of vertical dimension of occlusion (LVDO -group III); and control subjects (group IV). A total of 44 individuals (age 4090 years, mean: 55.8 years) were divided into four groups: Group I (11 smokers); group II (10 hyposalivation patients); group III (10 LVDO patients); and group IV (control, 13 healthy subjects). All individuals were tested for Candida-pseudohyphae form by direct examination and for Candida spp. culture growth in samples obtained from the retrocomissural, tongue's lateral border, and hard-soft palatal mucosa. Direct examination showed a statistically significant prevalence rate for pseudohyphae (p < 0.05) on the retrocomissural and on tongue's lateral borders of individuals with LVDO. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) culture growth for Candida spp. was found on the retrocomissural areas of those with hyposalivation and with LVDO, and on the palate mucosa and on the tongue's lateral borders in the smokers and in the individuals with LVDO when compared with those of the control group. While direct examination is effective for detecting pseudohyphae, LVDO and tobacco smoking seem to be factors of relevance to the development of CHC. Since CHC has been linked to a high rate of malignant transformation, this study analyzes some clinical (and exogenous) factors that may contribute to the development of CHC and addresses some preventive measures to reduce its incidence.

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: An update.

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a rare form of oral leukoplakia, which was first described in 1985 by Hansen et al. Since then, various published case series have presented PVL as a disease with aggressive biological behavior due to its high probability of recurrence and a high rate of malignant transformation, usually higher than 70%. PVL is a long-term progressive condition, which is observed more frequently in elderly women, over 60 years at the time of diagnosis. The buccal mucosa and tongue are the most frequently involved sites. It develops initially as a white plaque of hyperkeratosis that eventually becomes a multifocal disease with confluent, exophytic and proliferative features with a progressive deterioration of the lesions, making it more and more difficult to control. Tobacco use does not seem to have a significant influence on the appearance or progression of PVL and may occur both in smokers and nonsmokers. Prognosis is poor for this seemingly harmless-appearing white lesion of the oral mucosa. At present, the etiology of PVL remains unclear as well as its management and diagnosis, which is still retrospective, late and poorly defined, lacking consensus criteria. This short review discusses the clinical and histopathological features, diagnosis, traditional treatment and the current management of the disease.

Analysis of iron levels in the mucosal tissue and serum of oral submucous fibrosis patients

Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), being a chronic insidious oral mucosal condition, affects most parts of the oral cavity and has a high malignant transformation rate, which is triggered by areca nut chewing, nutritional deficiencies, immunologic processes, and genetic predisposition. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the levels of iron, as a trace element of patients with OSMF, and its association with areca nut and betel quid chewing. Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 30 patients who were clinically diagnosed with OSMF and 10 healthy controls. OSMF patients were categorized by clinical staging. Tissue and serum estimation of iron levels was done using Vitros 250 photometry. Results: The levels of tissue and serum iron was significantly decreased in OSMF patients when compared to controls, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Most of the patients with OSMF chewed gutkha, as compared to the transitional form of pan masala. The betel quid and areca nut chewing habits are associated with the disease state, which may play a role in altering the tissue and serum iron levels.

An adamant entity of oral cavity-A case report of Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia with review of literature

Hansen et al first described proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) in the year of 1985. It is a rare form of oral leukoplakia which occurs as a slow growing and becomes multifocal and as the time progresses it becomes exophytic, wart like and ultimately transforms to squamous carcinoma. It has a high recurrence rate and also high malignant transformation rate. Etiology is still under the sheets. Though there has been association of human papilloma virus with its occurrence. The diagnosis and the management is still unclear.

Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Outcomes for Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Chromosome 5q Abnormalities in the Republic of Ireland

IntroductionMyelodysplastic Syndromes are diverse group of bone marrow failure syndromes and current treatment options are guided by International Prognostic scoring systems (IPSS and IPSS-R) based on clinical phenotype and cytogenetics. Deletion of long-arm of chromosome 5 is the commonest cytogenetic abnormality and confers distinct biological and clinical implications. A specific subgroup of MDS patients with isolated Del(5q) was described as a separate entity in WHO 2008 classification owing to its unique clinical features, a low risk of leukemic transformation and a relatively good prognosis. Lenalidomide is proven to induce high erythroid response rates (frequently abolishing transfusion requirements) with a median response time of over 2 years in MDS patients with Del(5q). However, with time their anaemia worsens and most patients will become transfusion dependent with subsequent iron overload. Other treatment strategies were explored for those who failed Lenalidomide.MethodThis retrospective multi-centre analysis involved collecting data for MDS patients with 5q abnormalities (isolated Del(5q), Del(5q) with one additional cytogenetic abnormality, or Del(5q) within a complex karyotype) diagnosed between 2006 and 2014 in the Republic of Ireland. Six haematology units participated and the data of 47 patients were available for analysis.ResultsThe median age of diagnosis was 72(29-91) with male-female ratio of 1:1.6. A range of WHO subgroups were identified and classic 5q Syndrome was documented in only 6.4% of patients. Cytogenetic results showed 47% isolated Del(5q), 17% Del(5q) plus one other abnormality and 36% Del(5q) in a complex karyotype. Patients with isolated Del(5q) or Del(5q) plus one other abnormality had similar haemoglobin, higher neutrophil and platelet count and lower marrow blasts than those with having a complex karyotype as previously described. IPSS-R scores were available in 37 patients as very low(7), low(8), intermediate(6), high(5) and very high(11). IPSS risks were available for 40 patients as low risk(12), intermediate-1(11), Intermediate-2(8) and high risk(9).Treatment options included red cell transfusion(85%), Recombinant Erythropoietin(45%), Lenalidomide(17%), Azacitidine(36%), Intensive chemotherapy(7%), transplantation(5%) and others(21%). All 8 patients in Lenalidomide group had either isolated Del(5q) or Del(5q) plus one other abnormality and received a median of 3 cycles (range 1-50). Responses were as follows: stable disease (3,38%), complete response (3,38%), and no response (2,25%). Three patients (38%) became transfusion independent with Lenalidomide.In 16 patients treated with Azacitidine, 50% had Del(5q) in a complex karyotype and 19% had failed Lenalidomide previously. A median of 10 cycles(range 1-18) were given. Four(25%) patients achieved a complete response, 1(6%) partial response, 1(6%) haematological improvement and 8(50%) stable disease. Response patterns were similar between the two groups with a trend towards improved survival in patients with isolated Del(5q) or Del(5q) plus one other abnormality compared to those with a complex karyotype treated with Azacitidine(23 vs. 15 months, p=0.0862).Transformation to AML was observed in 44% of patients without any difference between different cytogenetic groups. Median time to AML was 14 months. Median overall survival was 15 months(range <1-152) and 5-year survival was 9.6%. A significant difference in survival was observed between patients with isolated Del(5q) or Del(5q) plus one other abnormality compared to those with Del(5q) in a complex karyotype (26 vs. 10 months, p=0.009).ConclusionsIrish patients with Del(5q) have similar pattern of disease with previously published data. Only a small proportion of patients were treated with Lenalidomide. Irish patients showed a good response to Azacitidine, even when Lenlalidomide failed and this is an important consideration for selected patients. A high rate of AML transformation was observed in Irish MDS patients with Del5q abnormalities. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresO'Dwyer:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Malignant Transformation Rate in Patients Presenting Oral Epithelial Dysplasia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies that assess malignant transformation rates (MTR) of oral epithelial dysplasia. Materials and Methods. This review was planned and conducted in accordance with the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were screened to identify observational studies. Quality assessments were completed by two reviewers independently using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Pooled-malignant transformation rate (MTR) in person years, subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analysis were calculated using STATA 13.0 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results. Sixteen observational cohort studies were identified with a total of 3708 participants from Asia, North America, and Europe. Analysis showed a MTR of 10.5% (pooled-MTR: 10.5, 95% CI: 3.7 to 17.3; fixed effect model, I2=0.0%; Q-value = 2.389; p&gt;0.05) among patients with histologically confirmed oral epithelia dysplasia undergoing long-term follow-up. Higher MTR in person year were seen among the sever dysplastic cases (pooled-MTR: 14.4%, 95% CI: 5.3% to 23.5%), studies published in Europe (pooled-MTR: 12.6%, 95% CI: 8.0% to 24.3%), and retrospective studies (pooled-MTR: 11.0%, 95% CI: 2.2% to 19.9%). Conclusion. These studies show that oral epithelial dysplasia has a significant high rate of transformation to cancer.

Clinical and prognostic significance of 3q26.2 and other chromosome 3 abnormalities in CML in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors

AbstractChromosome 3q26.2 abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia, including inv(3)/t(3;3) and t(3;21), have been studied and are associated with a poor prognosis. Their prevalence, response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment, and prognostic significance in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are largely unknown. In this study, we explored these aspects using a cohort of 2013 patients with CML diagnosed in the era of TKI therapy. Chromosome 3 abnormalities were observed in 116 (5.8%) of 2013 cases. These cases were divided into 5 distinct groups: A, inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2), 26%; B, t(3;21)(q26.2;q22), 17%; C, other 3q26.2 rearrangements, 7%; D, rearrangements involving chromosome 3 other than 3q26.2 locus, 32%; and E, gain or loss of partial or whole chromosome 3, 18%. In all, 3q26.2 rearrangements were the most common chromosome 3 abnormalities (50%, groups A-C). 3q26.2 rearrangements emerged at different leukemic phases. For cases with 3q26.2 rearrangements that initially emerged in chronic or accelerated phase, they had a high rate of transformation to blast phase. Patients with 3q26.2 abnormalities showed a marginal response to TKI treatment, and no patients achieved a long-term sustainable response at a cytogenetic or molecular level. Compared with other chromosomal abnormalities in CML, patients with 3q26.2 rearrangements had poorer overall survival. The presence or absence of other concurrent chromosomal abnormalities did not affect survival in these patients, reflecting the predominant role of 3q26.2 rearrangements in determining prognosis. Interestingly, although heterogeneous, chromosome 3 abnormalities involving non-3q26.2 loci (groups D, E) also conferred a worse prognosis compared with changes involving other chromosomes in this cohort.

Clinical and prognostic significance of 3q26 rearrangements and other chromosome 3 abnormalities in chronic myelogenous leukemia in era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Chromosome 3q26.2 abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including inv(3)/t(3;3) and t(3;21), have been studied and are associated with a poor prognosis. Their prevalence, response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment and prognostic significance in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are largely unknown. In this study we explored these aspects using a cohort of 2013 CML patients in the era of TKI therapy. Chromosome 3 abnormalities were observed in 116 of 2013 (5.8%) cases. These cases were divided into five distinct groups: A, inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2), 26%; B, t(3;21)(q26.2;q22), 17%; C, other 3q26.2 rearrangements, 7%; D, rearrangements involving chromosome 3 other than 3q26.2 locus, 32%; and E, gain or loss of partial or whole chromosome 3, 18%. In all, 3q26.2 rearrangements were the most common chromosome 3 abnormalities (50%, groups A-C). 3q26.2 rearrangements emerged at different leukemic phases. For cases with 3q26.2 rearrangements that initially emerged in chronic or accelerated phase, they had a high rate of transformation to blast phase. Patients with 3q26.2 abnormalities showed a marginal response to TKIs treatment and no patients achieved a long-term sustainable response at cytogenetic or molecular level. Compared to other chromosomal abnormalities in CML, patients with 3q26.2 rearrangements had a poorer overall survival. The presence or absence of other concurrent chromosomal abnormalities did not affect survival in these patients, reflecting the predominant role of 3q26.2 rearrangements in determining prognosis. Interestingly, although heterogeneous, chromosome 3 abnormalities involving non-3q26.2 loci (groups D, E) also conferred a worse prognosis compared with changes involving other chromosomes in this cohort.

Nitrous oxide productivity of soil fungi along a gradient of cattle impact

The objective of the study was to identify N2O-producing fungi isolated from six qualitatively different sections of an overwintering pasture with substantial cattle impact. 80 out of 164 fungal isolates were considered as N2O-producers in nitrite-containing medium, representing 33 fungal species of 23 different genera. Ability to produce N2O was newly reported in eight genera: Arthrinium, Gibellulopsis, Ilyonectria, Lichtheimia, Paraphaeosphaeria, Purpureocillium, Tolypocladium and Westerdykella. Three levels of fungal N2O-productivity were assigned according to the fraction of nitrite-N transformed into N2O–N: < 1%, 1–10%, over 10%. Fungi capable of high and moderate transformation rates were predominantly isolated from sections under current or past cattle impact, where they contributed with a maximum of 65% of the total N2O emissions. There was no significant effect of cultivation conditions on the fraction of N2O-producing fungi. The results demonstrate that N2O-producing fungi are a common constituent of fungal communities in soils impacted by overwintering cattle.

Establishment of Agrobacterium tumefaciensmediated transformation system for Phomopsis asparagi, the pathogen of asparagus stem blight / Asparagus (Kuşkonmaz) pas hastalığına neden olan Phomopsis asparagi için Agrobacterium tumefaciens’e dayalı transformasyon sistemi geliştirilmesi

Abstract Objective: The transformation system for the asparagus stem blight pathogen Phomopsis asparagi (Sacc.) Bubak has not yet been reported. In the present study, we intend to achieve and optimize the genetic transformation of P. asparagi. This study aims at establishing the foundation for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of P. asparagi, which will be of great theoretical and practical significance. Methods: The Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system for P. asparagi was constructed at three aspects, i.e. condition optimization, insertion verification and transformant stability. Results: The optimal conditions for this ATMT system were as follows: 8 h of pre-induction, 48 h of co-culture, 200 μmol/L AS in ISM, co-culture at 25-28°C and pH 5.6-5.8 of ISM at the co-culture phase. The PCR result of the hph gene revealed that an expected band of about 500 bp was amplified from all the 10 transformants selected at random, and the PCR result of the Vir gene revealed that an expected band of about 730 bp was amplified from the four strains of A. tumefacien as positive controls, whereas no corresponding DNA band could be amplified from the 10 transformants. The results of the two PCR amplifications clearly showed that T-DNA was indeed inserted into the genome of target isolate FJ2. The stability result revealed that transformants still displayed high resistance to hygromycin B and could grow normally after subculture for five generations. Conclusion: A stable and efficient ATMT transformation system for P. asparagus was constructed systematically, in which a high transformation rate was achieved. For improving this system, the trasformation conditions were optimized through gradient experiments, T-DNA insertion was verified through dual PCR and the insertion segment containing hph gene in the transformant was proved hereditary stable through subculture. This system layed a foundation for the research on pathogenic mechanism and pathogenicity-related genes of P. asparagi.

Fluctuation emergence of bubbles under a rapid drop of pressure in a liquid

Explosive cavitation at the front of a negative-pressure pulse has been studied. Conditions for the emergence of bubbles by the mechanism of homogeneous fluctuation nucleation were identified. Those conditions feature a high rate of the phase transformation, with the vapor formation process being concentrated in time at the instant of attainment of a certain pressure. Under such conditions, the liquid cavitation strength is maximal, and its value can be predicted by the homogeneous nucleation theory. For implementing the regime with high nucleation frequency, a method based on passing a negative-pressure pulse across a region with locally heated liquid was employed. The cavitation kinetics was examined by monitoring the perturbation of the heat flow from a miniature heater. The experimental data were generalized using the theory of explosive vapor formation in shock boiling mode. A method for calculating the cavitation in the regime of the fluctuation emergence of bubbles was approbated.

An efficient transformation method for a potato (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Atlantic)

We found that a long period of in vitro culture is a critical factor on the low transformation rate for a specific potato genotype, Solanum tuberosum L. var. Atlantic when phosphinothricin (PPT) was added to select putative transformants in a solid media. The fresh explants of the newly produced plants from a micro-tuber was able to increase the transformation rate significantly while the old explants prepared from a plant maintained for longer than 6 months in vitro by sub-culturing every 3 ~ 4 weeks resulted in a very low transformation frequency. However, Jowon cultivar was not so much influenced by the period of in vitro culture with high transformation rate (higher than 10.0%). Further research need to be explored for the reason why a particular potato genotype, Atlantic is more vulnerable than the Jowon cultivar during the regeneration stage resulting in the low transformation frequency.

Peroxiredoxin 1 suppresses apoptosis via regulation of the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 signaling pathway in human oral leukoplakia.

Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) has a significant role in several malignant types of tumor. However, the role of Prx1 in oral leukoplakia (OLK) has remained to be elucidated. OLK is a common precancerous lesion of the oral mucosa that has a very high malignant transformation rate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the roles of Prx1, and its association with apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and p38 in OLK. A total of 20 OLK samples and 10 normal oral mucosa samples were obtained from patients at the Beijing Stomatological Hospital (Beijing, China). The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels of Prx1, ASK1 and p38 were determined by polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. The interaction between Prx1 and ASK1 was examined in H2O2-treated DOK cells by glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays and by co-immunoprecipitation in vitro. Compared with those of the normal oral mucosa, the mRNA levels of Prx1, ASK1 and p38 were elevated in OLK tissues (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of Prx1, phosphorylated-ASK1 (p-ASK1) and p-p38 were also significantly enhanced in OLK tissues compared with those of the normal mucosa (P<0.05). In Prx1-knockdown DOK cells, ASK1 and p38 were activated, leading to enhanced levels of apoptosis in response to H2O2. No clear interaction between Prx1 and ASK1 was detected in H2O2-treated DOK cells. Prx1 was suggested to be involved in OLK pathogenesis by providing resistance against extracellular damages from oxidative stress via inhibition of the ASK1-induced apoptotic signaling pathway. Targeting Prx1 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with OLK.

An Efficient Regeneration System and Optimization of the Transformation from the Cotyledonary Node of Jute (Corchorus capsularis L.)

The purpose of this study was to use cotyledonary nodes as explants to establish an efficient regeneration protocol for jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium. Research into the different growth regulators using the orthogonal design L16 (45) revealed that the best shoot induction medium is MS medium containing 8% (w/v) agar and 3% (w/v) sucrose supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 6BA and 0.25 mg/L NAA. The average number of shoots per explant and the explant induction rate were 9.8 and 100%. After 3 weeks, 2–3 cm shoots were rooting on 1/2 MS medium containing 8% (w/v) agar and 3% (w/v) sucrose supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 6-BA + 0.2 mg/L NAA. Moreover, we optimized Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the GUS gene transient expression system. The best condition for obtaining higher transformation rate consisted of the use of fresh explants to which 100 μM acetosyringone was added for a co-culture time of 10 min, the OD value of Agrobacterium liquid is 0.5 at 600 nm. These data provide an important basis for the application of other trait gene in the improvement of jute fiber quality.

Optimal Management of Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a rare and recalcitrant form of leukoplakia. The purpose of this review is to further characterize the risk factors, clinical course, and optimal treatment for this highly aggressive, premalignant lesion. Twenty-six articles on PVL with a total of 329 PVL cases. A systematic review of the literature using Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane Database, and gray literature was conducted of all PVL cases reported between 1985 and 2014. Inclusion criteria required reporting of patient follow-up and recurrence rates. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Student t test and Fisher exact test were used to identify factors associated with malignant transformation. The mean patient age was 63.9 years. Most patients were female (66.9%) and nontobacco users (65.22%). Mean follow-up was 7.4 years, with an average of 9.0 biopsies per patient during this period. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia exhibited histopathologic features along a progressive spectrum, evolving from leukoplakia to verrucous hyperplasia and ultimately invasive carcinoma. Surgery was the most common treatment implemented, but recurrence rates among 222 patients reached 71.2%. Subgroup analysis of 277 patients identified a 63.9% malignant transformation rate, and 39.6% of patients died of their disease. Age, sex, and tobacco use were not identified as risk factors associated with progression to cancer. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a rare form of leukoplakia with a high rate of malignant transformation. It necessitates high clinical suspicion, to include a lifetime of close follow-up and repeat biopsies by a health care provider well versed in oral carcinoma.

Chromosomal 3 Abnormalities in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Implications on Prognosis and Response to Treatment

Abstract Background: Cytogenetic abnormalities are the most powerful co-variates in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) prognostic models. In the revised international prognostic scoring system (R-IPSS), abnormalities of chromosome 3 (i.e. inv(3), t(3q), del(3q)) represent a poor risk karyotype and this derivation alone translates to higher risk disease for risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) transformation and decreased overall survival (OS). In the recent World Health Organization (WHO) MDS pathology classification meeting, a proposal was entertained to classify MDS with chromosome 3 abnormalities as a separate entity. There is only minimal data to support such classification and chromosome 3 karyotype data regarding response to hypomethylating agents (HMA) or allogeneic transplantation is limited. In response to this proposal, we examined outcomes of MDS patients and chromosome 3 abnormalities. Patients and Methods: MDS patients with chromosome 3 abnormalities were identified through the Moffitt Cancer Center MDS database (n=1900). Patients were included if they had a WHO diagnosis of MDS, MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), therapy related MDS (t-MDS), or AML (20-30% myeloblasts) and had any karyotypic abnormality in chromosome 3. MDS data included baseline demographics, disease characteristics, treatment and outcome. Response was evaluated by IWG 2006 criteria. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used for overall survival Results: A total of 129 patients were identified in our cohort with a median age of 70 years. WHO classification was as follows: 8% RA/RARS, 18% RCMD, 40% RAEB-1, 29% RAEB-2, 4% MDS/MPN, 1% AML. One third of the patients had t-MDS. Overall, 92% of patients were higher risk by R-IPSS (intermediate to very high risk) with a mean blast % in bone marrow of 7.2%. Distribution of cytogenetic abnormalities were inv(3) (7%), del(3q) (18%), t(3) (18%), monosomy 3 (19%), 3p abnormalities (15%), and other chromosome 3 changes (23%). Median OS for the cohort was 17.4 months (95% C.I. 14.6 to 20.2 months) and 51% of patients transformed to AML. R-IPSS was predictive for median OS across subgroups (p=0.04). Of interest, cytogenetic abnormality was predictive for survival (p=.001) with median OS as follows: inv(3) (30 months), t(3) (26 months), 3p (22 months), del(3q) (17 months), other (17 months) and monosomy 3 (13 months). Complex karyotype (>/= 3 abnormalities) was observed in 68% of patients and correlated with decreased OS (14 months versus 30 months, p Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort reported to date describing MDS patients with chromosome 3 abnormalities. These patients have a poor prognosis and very high rate of leukemic transformation. However, survival was heterogeneous based on the specific cytogenetic abnormality with inv(3) having more favorable overall survival. Azacitidine therapy is effective in this population. Although the median OS is similar to patients with poor karyotype on the AZA-001 study, the ORR is less than expected. Allogeneic transplantation has significant impact on improved OS but is only an option for a subset of patients. Disclosures Lancet: Celgene: Consultancy. List: Celgene: Consultancy. Komrokji: Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Cryogun cryotherapy is the first-line treatment of choice for oral leukoplakia

tp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2015.0 91-7902/Copyrighta 2015, Associatio Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common oral precancerous lesion. Histologically, approximately 90% of OL lesions show hyperkeratosis and/or epithelial hyperplasia, 5% show epithelial dysplasia or carcinoma in situ, and another 5% show invasive carcinoma. The malignant transformation rates of OL lesions have been reported to be 1e7% for homogenous thick leukoplakia, and 4e15% for granular or verruciform leukoplakia. The relatively high malignant transformation rates of OL lesions highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of OL lesions. Although OL lesions can be eradicated by surgical excision, laser surgery, and photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy is also an effective and alternative treatment modality for