Nodule Cell Research Articles

Soybean symbiotic-nodule zonation and cell differentiation are defined by NIN2 signaling and GH3-dependent auxin homeostasis

Symbiotic nodules comprise two classes, indeterminate and determinate, defined by the presence/absence of apical meristem and developmental zonation. Why meristem and zonation are absent from determinate nodules remains unclear. Here, we define cell types in developing soybean nodules, highlighting the undifferentiated infection zones and differentiated nitrogen-fixation zones. Auxin governs infection zone maintenance. GRETCHEN HAGEN 3 (GH3) enzymes deactivate auxin by conjugation and promote cell differentiation. gh3 mutants increased undifferentiated cells and enlarged infection zones. The central symbiosis-transcription factor NIN2a activates GH3.1 to reduce auxin levels and facilitates cell differentiation. High auxin promotes NIN2a protein accumulation and enhances signaling, further deactivating auxin and depleting infection zones. Our findings shed light on the NIN2a-GH3-auxin module that drives soybean nodule cell differentiation. This study challenges our understanding of determinate nodule development and proposes that the regulation of nodule zonation offers valuable insights into broader mechanisms of cell differentiation across plant species.

Single-cell transcriptome atlases of soybean root and mature nodule reveal new regulatory programs that control the nodulation process

The soybean root system is complex. In addition to being composed of various cell types, the soybean root system includes the primary root, the lateral roots, and the nodule, an organ in which mutualistic symbiosis with N-fixing rhizobia occurs. A mature soybean root nodule is characterized by a central infection zone where atmospheric nitrogen is fixed and assimilated by the symbiont, resulting from the close cooperation between the plant cell and the bacteria. To date, the transcriptome of individual cells isolated from developing soybean nodules has been established, but the transcriptomic signatures of cells from the mature soybean nodule have not yet been characterized. Using single-nucleus RNA-seq and Molecular Cartography technologies, we precisely characterized the transcriptomic signature of soybean root and mature nodule cell types and revealed the co-existence of different sub-populations of B. diazoefficiens–infected cells in the mature soybean nodule, including those actively involved in nitrogen fixation and those engaged in senescence. Mining of the single-cell-resolution nodule transcriptome atlas and the associated gene co-expression network confirmed the role of known nodulation-related genes and identified new genes that control the nodulation process. For instance, we functionally characterized the role of GmFWL3, a plasma membrane microdomain-associated protein that controls rhizobial infection. Our study reveals the unique cellular complexity of the mature soybean nodule and helps redefine the concept of cell types when considering the infection zone of the soybean nodule.

Laser Capture Microdissection Transcriptome Reveals Spatiotemporal Tissue Gene Expression Patterns of Medicago truncatula Roots Responding to Rhizobia.

We report a public resource for examining the spatiotemporal RNA expression of 54,893 Medicago truncatula genes during the first 72 h of response to rhizobial inoculation. Using a methodology that allows synchronous inoculation and growth of more than 100 plants in a single media container, we harvested the same segment of each root responding to rhizobia in the initial inoculation over a time course, collected individual tissues from these segments with laser capture microdissection, and created and sequenced RNA libraries generated from these tissues. We demonstrate the utility of the resource by examining the expression patterns of a set of genes induced very early in nodule signaling, as well as two gene families (CLE peptides and nodule specific PLAT-domain proteins) and show that despite similar whole-root expression patterns, there are tissue differences in expression between the genes. Using a rhizobial response dataset generated from transcriptomics on intact root segments, we also examined differential temporal expression patterns and determined that, after nodule tissue, the epidermis and cortical cells contained the most temporally patterned genes. We circumscribed gene lists for each time and tissue examined and developed an expression pattern visualization tool. Finally, we explored transcriptomic differences between the inner cortical cells that become nodules and those that do not, confirming that the expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthases distinguishes inner cortical cells that become nodules and provide and describe potential downstream genes involved in early nodule cell division. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells paracrine TGF-β1 to mediate the biological activity of osteoblasts in bone repair.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are an important source of seed cells for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering therapy. BMSCs have multiple differentiation potentials and can release paracrine factors to facilitate tissue repair. Although the role of the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs has been fully confirmed, the function and mechanism of BMSC paracrine factors in bone repair are still largely unclear. This study aimed to determine the roles of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) produced by BMSCs in bone tissue repair. To confirm our hypothesis, we used a Transwell system to coculture hBMSCs and human osteoblast-like cells without contact, which could not only avoid the interference of the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs but also establish the cell-cell relationship between hBMSCs and human osteoblast-like cells and provide stable paracrine substances. In the transwell coculture system, alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralized nodule formation, cell migration and chemotaxis analysis assays were conducted. Osteogenesis, migration and chemotaxis of osteoblast-like cells were regulated by BMSCs in a paracrine manner via the upregulation of osteogenic and migration-associated genes. A TGF-β receptor I inhibitor (LY3200882) significantly antagonized BMSC-induced biological activity and related gene expression in osteoblast-like cells. Interestingly, coculture with osteoblast-like cells significantly increased the production of TGF-β1 by BMSCs, and there was potential intercellular communication between BMSCs and osteoblast-like cells. Our findings provide evidence that the biological mechanism of BMSC-produced TGF-β1 promotes bone regeneration and repair, providing a theoretical basis and new directions for the application of BMSC transplantation in the treatment of osteonecrosis and bone injury.

Multidisciplinary Postoperative Validation of 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan in Nodal Staging of Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the validity of PET/CT scans in the preoperative identification of lymph node metastases (LNM) and compare them with postoperative outcomes. In this retrospective study, we included 87 patients with a solitary lung nodule or biopsy-proven non-small cell lung cancer treated in our institution from 2009 to 2015. Patients were divided into two groups and four subgroups, depending on pre- and postoperative findings. According to our analysis, PET/CT scan has a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 88.89%, a positive predictive value of 63.16%, and a negative predictive value of 82.35%. Among the patients, 13.8% were downstaged in PET-CT, while 8% were upstaged. In 78.2% of cases, the PET/CT evaluation was consistent with the histology. Metastases without extracapsular invasion were seldom recognized on PET/CT. This analysis showed the significance of extracapsular tumor invasion, which causes an inflammatory reaction, on LNM, which is probably responsible for preoperative false-positive findings. In conclusion, PET/CT scans are very effective in identifying patients without tumors. Furthermore, it is highly probable that patients with negative findings are free of disease.

MiR-140-5p upregulation suppressed β-glycerophosphate-induced vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via targeting TLR4

Background The role and function of microRNA (miRNA, miR)-140-5p in the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have been explored in this study. Methods The calcium nodules formed in transfected and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-treated VSMCs were observed using Alizarin Red S staining, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined. VSMC apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry assay. The target gene of miR-140-5p was predicted and confirmed with dual-luciferase reporter assay. Relative expressions of miR-140-5p, toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and vascular calcification-related proteins (α-smooth muscle actin, α-SMA; Msh Homeobox 2, MSX2; bone morphogenetic protein 2, BMP2; Kruppel-like factor 4, KLF4; Runt-related transcription factor 2, RUNX2) were measured through quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Results MiR-140-5p upregulation reversed the effects of β-GP on downregulating miR-140-5p and α-SMA expressions, enhancing ALP activity, calcium nodule formation and cell apoptosis, and upregulating levels of MSX2, BMP2, KLF4 and RUNX2. TLR4 was the target of miR-140-5p, and offset the effects of miR-140-5p on β-GP-induced VSMCs. Conclusions MiR-140-5p upregulation represses β-GP-induced calcification of VSMCs via targeting TLR4, providing a potential therapeutic method for vascular calcification.

Phosphorus deprivation affects composition and spatial distribution of membrane lipids in legume nodules.

In legumes, symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation (SNF) occurs in specialized organs called nodules after successful interactions between legume hosts and rhizobia. In a nodule, N-fixing rhizobia are surrounded by symbiosome membranes, through which the exchange of nutrients and ammonium occurs between bacteria and the host legume. Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient, and N2-fixing legumes have a higher requirement for P than legumes grown on mineral N. As in the previous studies, in P deficiency, barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) plants had impaired SNF activity, reduced growth, and accumulated less phosphate in leaves, roots, and nodules compared with the plants grown in P sufficient conditions. Membrane lipids in M. truncatula tissues were assessed using electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry. Galactolipids were found to increase in P deficiency, with declines in phospholipids (PL), especially in leaves. Lower PL losses were found in roots and nodules. Subsequently, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry imaging was used to spatially map the distribution of the positively charged phosphatidylcholine (PC) species in nodules in both P-replete and P-deficient conditions. Our results reveal heterogeneous distribution of several PC species in nodules, with homogeneous distribution of other PC classes. In P poor conditions, some PC species distributions were observed to change. The results suggest that specific PC species may be differentially important in diverse nodule zones and cell types, and that membrane lipid remodeling during P stress is not uniform across the nodule.

Abstract 2649: Isolation and characterization of novel murine mammary cell line with dormant phenotype and identification of new potential targets by mass spectrometry

Abstract Breast cancer is the first cause of death from female cancer. After treatments against the primary tumor, a few cells can prevail in a dormant state for a long period, becoming minimal residual disease. These cells can resume growth and establish as metastasis, which are responsible for 90% of deaths from cancer. Patients with breast cancer diagnosed at early stage with small tumours have a 25-30% chance of recurrence after 10-15 years after treatment. These new growth often entails chemo and radio resistance and there is not response to conventional treatment. For all these reasons, there is a clear need for the development of novel therapies against these cells in a dormant state. The main limitation on the study of these dormant cells is the lack of relevant in vitro an in vivo models. In this work, we isolated and characterized two novel cell lines F3II-TP and F3II-NM. F3II-TP represents tumours with high proliferation rate whereas F3II-NM represents a dormant cell phenotype. The comparison between these cell lines is expected to yield new molecular targets for the design of new drugs that point dormant cells. The study began with the isolation and establishment of new tumour cell lines. After inoculation of the F3II murine mammary carcinoma cell line, we established cell populations in vitro, one from the primary tumour and another from a spontaneous metastatic nodule, F3II TP and F3II NM cell lines respectively. First, we analysed the expression of EMT markers such as E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Pan-Cytoqueratin and β-catenin by immunofluorescence. In in vitro assays, F3II NM presented major doubling time, major adhesion capacity and lower clonogenic potential. In addition, the expression of the dormancy related genes such as NR2F1 and BHLHE41 was analysed by qPCR, and we found that F3II-NM showed higher levels of transcript than F3II-TP. In addition, F3II NM showed lower chemo sensibility to cisplatin and in an orthotopic model of BALB/c mice, presented a longer latency time and lower tumour growth rate in comparison to F3II-TP. Taking all these together, F3II NM present a dormant phenotype and F3II TP a proliferative one. Finally, analysis and comparison of the cell lines using LFQ-Mass spectrometry revealed 256 differentially expressed proteins between the lines studied. Overexpressed genes of survival paths were identified in F3II-NM, such as DDX42, COX-2, ATGB4 involved in the inhibition of apoptosis, promotion of tumour recurrence via SOX-2 and therapy resistance, respectively. To sum up, we established a new interesting dormant tumour cell model, F3II NM that could help to a better understanding of the behaviour and survival of dormant cells. Moreover, we identified interesting protein targets that encourage the possibility of design new drugs that point and eliminate dormant cells Citation Format: Johanna E. Sidabra, Carla S. Capobianco, Maria F. Gottardo, Daniel F. Alonso, Hernan G. Farina. Isolation and characterization of novel murine mammary cell line with dormant phenotype and identification of new potential targets by mass spectrometry [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2649.

Evolution of lung pathology in lymphangioleiomyomatosis: associations with disease course and treatment response.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare multisystem disease with a variable clinical course. The lungs are infiltrated by nodules of LAM cells, stromal cells and inflammatory cells, causing lung cysts and respiratory failure. We used immunohistochemical markers in lung biopsy and transplant samples from a national cohort of women with LAM with linked clinical data to understand how LAM nodule cell populations changed with disease progression. Marker distribution was examined qualitatively by dual immunohistochemistry, and markers for LAM cells, fibroblasts, lymphatics, mast cells, proliferation, cathepsin K and mTOR pathway activity were quantitated in LAM nodules and compared with clinical features and prospective lung function loss. The LAM cell marker PNL2 was more extensively expressed in those with higher forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), higher diffusion in the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and less extensive disease involvement whilst the converse was true for the protease cathepsin K. Each percentage increase in cathepsin K reactivity was associated with a 0.65% decrease in FEV1 (95% CI −1.11 to −0.18) and a 0.50% decrease in DLCO (95% CI −0.96 to −0.05). Higher reactivity to the mTOR complex 1 activation marker, phospho‐ribosomal protein S6, was associated with a better lung function response to rapamycin (p = 0.0001). We conclude that LAM nodules evolve with disease progression, with LAM cells becoming outnumbered by fibroblasts. Increasing cathepsin K expression is associated with more severe disease and lung function loss. Markers of mTOR activation predict the response to rapamycin, suggesting that more advanced LAM may be less mTOR responsive and treatments specifically targeted towards LAM associated fibroblasts may have roles as adjuncts to mTOR inhibition.

A VIT‐like transporter facilitates iron transport into nodule symbiosomes for nitrogen fixation in soybean

Effective legume-rhizobia symbiosis depends on efficient nutrient exchange. Rhizobia need to synthesize iron-containing proteins for symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in nodules, which depends on host plant-mediated iron uptake into the symbiosome. We functionally investigated a pair of vacuolar iron transporter like (VTL) genes, GmVTL1a/b, in soybean (Glycine max) and evaluated their contributions to SNF, including investigations of gene expression patterns, subcellular localization, and mutant phenotypes. Though both GmVTL1a/b genes were specifically expressed in the fixation zone of the nodule, GmVTL1a was the lone member to be localized at the tonoplast of tobacco protoplasts, and shown to facilitate ferrous iron transport in yeast. GmVTL1a targets the symbiosome in infected cells, as verified by in situ immunostaining. Two vtl1 knockout mutants had lower iron concentrations in nodule cell sap and peribacteroid units than in wild-type plants, suggesting that GmVTL1 knockout inhibited iron import into symbiosomes. Furthermore, GmVTL1 knockout minimally affected soybean growth under nonsymbiotic conditions, but dramatically impaired nodule development and SNF activity under nitrogen-limited and rhizobia-inoculation conditions, which eventually led to growth retardation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GmVTL1a is indispensable for SNF in nodules as a transporter of ferrous iron from the infected root cell cytosol to the symbiosome.

Experimental Evolution of Legume Symbionts: What Have We Learnt?

Rhizobia, the nitrogen-fixing symbionts of legumes, are polyphyletic bacteria distributed in many alpha- and beta-proteobacterial genera. They likely emerged and diversified through independent horizontal transfers of key symbiotic genes. To replay the evolution of a new rhizobium genus under laboratory conditions, the symbiotic plasmid of Cupriavidus taiwanensis was introduced in the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, and the generated proto-rhizobium was submitted to repeated inoculations to the C. taiwanensis host, Mimosa pudica L. This experiment validated a two-step evolutionary scenario of key symbiotic gene acquisition followed by genome remodeling under plant selection. Nodulation and nodule cell infection were obtained and optimized mainly via the rewiring of regulatory circuits of the recipient bacterium. Symbiotic adaptation was shown to be accelerated by the activity of a mutagenesis cassette conserved in most rhizobia. Investigating mutated genes led us to identify new components of R. solanacearum virulence and C. taiwanensis symbiosis. Nitrogen fixation was not acquired in our short experiment. However, we showed that post-infection sanctions allowed the increase in frequency of nitrogen-fixing variants among a non-fixing population in the M. pudica–C. taiwanensis system and likely allowed the spread of this trait in natura. Experimental evolution thus provided new insights into rhizobium biology and evolution.

17. Cytological diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of thyroid

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid is one of the most common sites encountered in routine practice and one of the challenges is accurately diagnosing rare malignancies including medullary carcinoma thyroid. Aims: To study the cytological criteria for accurate diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of thyroid and to determine factors causing false negativity. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the department of Pathology, at a tertiary care centre in South India, retrieving data from the Laboratory Information System (LIS), on diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of thyroid (MCT). A total of 22 cases of MCT were diagnosed during a period of 5 years from September 2013 to August 2018, on histopathology. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed in 8 of these cases. However, a second search on LIS revealed 2 more cases under the FNA section, without subsequent biopsies. Results and conclusions: Of the 10 FNA cases, 6 were diagnosed accurately; 4 cases had discordance with diagnosis of colloid adenomatous goiter in 2, a case each of involutional nodule and Hurthle cell neoplasm. All the slides were reviewed along with gross findings of resection specimens wherever available. One case was recategorised as MCT on review. The cause of false negativity in the other 3 included paucicellularity and presence of an adjacent larger involutional nodule with a smaller hidden focus of MCT. One case of oncocytoid variant of MCT was misinterpreted as Hurthle cell neoplasm on FNA. In conclusion, FNAC is a useful and accurate non-invasive method that can be used for diagnosis of MCT. With classical cytological features of plasmacytoid to spindle cells, dispersed chromatin, binucleation and presentation of amorphous material in the background, diagnosis can be made with accuracy. The pitfalls include sampling error, misinterpretation in cases with microfollicular pattern or oncocytic cells.

Modulation of Quorum Sensing as an Adaptation to Nodule Cell Infection during Experimental Evolution of Legume Symbionts.

Over millions of years, changes have occurred in regulatory circuitries in response to genome reorganization and/or persistent changes in environmental conditions. How bacteria optimize regulatory circuitries is crucial to understand bacterial adaptation. Here, we analyzed the experimental evolution of the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum into legume symbionts after the transfer of a natural plasmid encoding the essential mutualistic genes. We showed that the Phc quorum sensing system required for the virulence of the ancestral bacterium was reconfigured to improve intracellular infection of root nodules induced by evolved Ralstonia A single mutation in either the PhcB autoinducer synthase or the PhcQ regulator of the sensory cascade tuned the kinetics of activation of the central regulator PhcA in response to cell density so that the minimal stimulatory concentration of autoinducers needed for a given response was increased. Yet, a change in the expression of a PhcA target gene was observed in infection threads progressing in root hairs, suggesting early programming for the late accommodation of bacteria in nodule cells. Moreover, this delayed switch to the quorum sensing mode decreased the pathogenicity of the ancestral strain, illustrating the functional plasticity of regulatory systems and showing how a small modulation in signal response can produce drastic changes in bacterial lifestyle.IMPORTANCE Rhizobia are soil bacteria from unrelated genera able to form a mutualistic relationship with legumes. Bacteria induce the formation of root nodules, invade nodule cells, and fix nitrogen to the benefit of the plant. Rhizobial lineages emerged from the horizontal transfer of essential symbiotic genes followed by genome remodeling to activate and/or optimize the acquired symbiotic potential. This evolutionary scenario was replayed in a laboratory evolution experiment in which the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum successively evolved the capacities to nodulate Mimosa pudica and poorly invade, then massively invade, nodule cells. In some lines, the improvement of intracellular infection was achieved by mutations modulating a quorum sensing regulatory system of the ancestral strain. This modulation that affects the activity of a central regulator during the earliest stages of symbiosis has a huge impact on late stages of symbiosis. This work showed that regulatory rewiring is the main driver of this pathogeny-symbiosis transition.

A subcompatible rhizobium strain reveals infection duality in Lotus.

Lotus species develop infection threads to guide rhizobia into nodule cells. However, there is evidence that some species have a genetic repertoire to allow other modes of infection. By conducting confocal and electron microscopy, quantification of marker gene expression, and phenotypic analysis of transgenic roots infected with mutant rhizobia, we elucidated the infection mechanism used by Rhizobium leguminosarum Norway to colonize Lotus burttii. Rhizobium leguminosarum Norway induces a distinct host transcriptional response compared with Mesorhizobium loti. It infects L. burttii utilizing an epidermal and transcellular infection thread-independent mechanism at high frequency. The entry into plant cells occurs directly from the apoplast and is primarily mediated by 'peg'-like structures, the formation of which is dependent on the production of Nod factor by the rhizobia. These results demonstrate that Lotus species can exhibit duality in their infection mechanisms depending on the rhizobial strain that they encounter. This is especially relevant in the context of interactions in the rhizosphere where legumes do not encounter single strains, but complex rhizobial communities. Additionally, our findings support a perception mechanism at the nodule cell entry interface, reinforcing the idea that there are successive checkpoints during rhizobial infection.

The symbiotic role of the actin filament cytoskeleton.

This article is a Commentary on Zhang et al., 221: 1049–1059.

Clinical Significance of Testicular FDG-PET/CT Uptake in Aggressive Lymphomas

IntroductionPrimary testicular lymphoma (PTL) and testicular involvement of systemic lymphoma (secondary testicular lymphoma, STL) are uncommon. Most testicular lymphomas are aggressive B-cell lymphomas and portend a high risk of extranodal relapse, including CNS relapse. As such, when testicular lymphoma is identified, the management strategy is often changed to include CNS prophylaxis. It is, therefore, essential to evaluate testicular involvement in diagnosis and staging. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is a standard imaging modality to stage aggressive lymphoma. Physiologic testicular FDG activity can be challenging to distinguish from involvement by lymphoma given a wide range of normal. An imaging threshold for testicular PET uptake would be clinically relevant and would help guide management. We compare testicular FDG avidity in testicular lymphoma with physiologic testicular FDG avidity.MethodsRecords of patients (pts) diagnosed with PTL or STL from 2002-2018 enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource were reviewed, yielding 36 pts with testicular lymphoma. Physiologic testicular avidity by FDG PET/CT was determined from analysis of 70 randomly selected patients who received FDG PET/CT from 2013-2018 prior to treatment for non-lymphoma indications including pulmonary nodule, lung carcinoma, head & neck squamous cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal carcinomas, and metastatic melanoma, without known hematologic malignancy, testicular pathology, or history of testicular infection/surgery by medical chart review. Imaging parameters compared in this analysis were SUVmax and SUVmean. All FDG PET/CT exams were reviewed centrally by a nuclear medicine radiologist and a radiology resident.ResultsOf the 36 pts with testicular lymphoma, 19 had an orchiectomy prior to FDG PET/CT and 7 pts did not have a staging FDG PET/CT scan. Of the 10 pts with intact testes at the time of staging FDG PET/CT, 1 pt with low-grade lymphoma was excluded. 9 pts with aggressive lymphomas were included in this analysis: 7 pts with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 1 pt each with Burkitt lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. Testicular lymphoma was diagnosed by orchiectomy in 3 pts, and by percutaneous biopsy in 3 pts. 3 pts did not have tissue sampling of testes or scrotal contents, but had an overtly FDG-avid testicle highly suggestive of lymphomatous involvement. These 3 pts had biopsy-proven lymphoma in parotid, bone marrow, and stomach, respectively, with mean testicular SUVmax 6.8 among the 3 pts. The median age in this analysis cohort was 62 years (range 35-88). Of the 7 analyzed DLBCL pts, 6 were non-germinal center B-cell, and 1 was germinal center B-cell. The 70 control pts had a median age of 55 years (range 18-90).In known testicular lymphoma cases and control pts, SUVmax and SUVmean were assessed from the most FDG-avid testicle. Median SUVmax for the testicular lymphoma cases was 13.3 (range 5.5-29.9), compared to a median of 3.8 (range 2.1-5.5) for controls (Wilcoxon p <0.0001). Median SUVmean for testicular lymphoma was 9.2 (range 3.3-18.6), compared to a median of 3.1 (range 1.8-4.8) for controls (Wilcoxon p <0.0001) (Figure). Based on this dataset, an SUVmax cutoff of 5.0 has a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 66.3-100) and a specificity of 98.6% (98% CI 92.3-99.9) for the detection of testicular involvement by an aggressive lymphoma.ConclusionsFDG PET/CT shows significantly greater FDG avidity for testicular aggressive lymphomas as compared with physiologic testicular FDG uptake in this single institution study with centralized radiology review of cases and controls. Testicular FDG avidity greater than an SUVmax 5.0 in staging aggressive lymphoma is highly suggestive for testicular involvement, warranting follow-up clinical exam and ultrasound, at a minimum. In addition, testicles with SUVmax <5.0 in a patient with known lymphoma but no symptoms or signs of testicular involvement should be considered negative for the purposes of staging and treatment planning. A pragmatic limitation of this study is that most patients with testicular involvement of lymphoma underwent orchiectomy prior to FDG PET/CT scan, which decreased our sample size. Larger, pooled studies would be helpful to validate these clinically relevant findings. DisclosuresWitzig:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Cerhan:Celgene: Research Funding; Jannsen: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Nanostring: Research Funding.

Quantitative 3D imaging of cell level auxin and cytokinin response ratios in soybean roots and nodules.

Legume-Rhizobium symbiosis results in root nodules where rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen into plant usable forms in exchange for plant-derived carbohydrates. The development of these specialized root organs involves a set of carefully orchestrated plant hormone signalling. In particular, a spatio-temporal balance between auxin and cytokinin appears to be crucial for proper nodule development. We put together a construct that carried nuclear localized fluorescence sensors for auxin and cytokinin and used two photon induced fluorescence microscopy for concurrent quantitative 3-dimensional imaging to determine cellular level auxin and cytokinin outputs and ratios in root and nodule tissues of soybean. The use of nuclear localization signals on the markers and nuclei segmentation during image processing enabled accurate monitoring of outputs in 3D image volumes. The ratiometric method used here largely compensates for variations in individual outputs due to sample turbidity and scattering, an inherent issue when imaging thick root and nodule samples typical of many legumes. Overlays of determined auxin/cytokinin ratios on specific root zones and cell types accurately reflected those predicted based on previously reported outputs for each hormone individually. Importantly, distinct auxin/cytokinin ratios corresponded to distinct nodule cell types indicating a key role for these hormones in nodule cell type identity.

FDG PET-CT for solitary pulmonary nodule and lung cancer: Literature review.

The investigation of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has rapidly become one of the main indications for 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), currently combined with computed tomography (PET-CT). In this literature review, we first attempt to clarify how PET imaging contributes to investigating SPN, in conjunction with conventional CT. We highlight the prospects of research underway to improve our understanding of SPN. In the second part of this review, we analyze the current role of PET-CT in the overall care process for lung cancer. We review the indications for which consensus has been reached, for example initial staging, as well as new indications such as radiation therapy planning or prognostic assessment.

Inoculation insensitive promoters for cell type enriched gene expression in legume roots and nodules.

BackgroundEstablishment and maintenance of mutualistic plant–microbial interactions in the rhizosphere and within plant roots involve several root cell types. The processes of host–microbe recognition and infection require complex signal exchange and activation of downstream responses. These molecular events coordinate host responses across root cell layers during microbe invasion, ultimately triggering changes of root cell fates. The progression of legume root interactions with rhizobial bacteria has been addressed in numerous studies. However, tools to globally resolve the succession of molecular events in the host root at the cell type level have been lacking. To this end, we aimed to identify promoters exhibiting cell type enriched expression in roots of the model legume Lotus japonicus, as no comprehensive set of such promoters usable in legume roots is available to date.ResultsHere, we use promoter:GUS fusions to characterize promoters stemming from Arabidopsis, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) or L.japonicus with respect to their expression in major cell types of the L.japonicus root differentiation zone, which shows molecular and morphological responses to symbiotic bacteria and fungi. Out of 24 tested promoters, 11 showed cell type enriched activity in L.japonicus roots. Covered cell types or cell type combinations are epidermis (1), epidermis and cortex (2), cortex (1), endodermis and pericycle (2), pericycle and phloem (4), or xylem (1). Activity of these promoters in the respective cell types was stable during early stages of infection of transgenic roots with the rhizobial symbiont of L.japonicus, Mesorhizobium loti. For a subset of five promoters, expression stability was further demonstrated in whole plant transgenics as well as in active nodules.Conclusions11 promoters from Arabidopsis (10) or tomato (1) with enriched activity in major L.japonicus root and nodule cell types have been identified. Root expression patterns are independent of infection with rhizobial bacteria, providing a stable read-out in the root section responsive to symbiotic bacteria. Promoters are available as cloning vectors. We expect these tools to help provide a new dimension to our understanding of signaling circuits and transcript dynamics in symbiotic interactions of legumes with microbial symbionts.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13007-016-0105-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Imaging Manifestations of a Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma in Tuberous Sclerosis.

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disorder resulting in benign tumor growth in various organs including the brain, heart, skin, eyes, kidney, and lung as well as systemic manifestations including seizures, cognitive impairment, and dermatologic abnormalities. This report shows the radiological findings and differentiation between a subependymal nodule and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in a patient with tuberous sclerosis presenting with new onset seizures.