Molecular subsets of mantle cell lymphoma defined by the IGHV mutational status and SOX11 expression have distinct biologic and clinical features

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a heterogeneous disease with most patients following an aggressive clinical course, whereas others having an indolent behavior. We conducted an integrative and multidisciplinary analysis of 177 MCL to determine whether the immunogenetic features of the clonotypic B-cell receptors (BcR) may identify different subsets of tumors. Truly unmutated (100% identity) IGHV genes were found in 24% cases, 40% were minimally/borderline mutated (99.9%-97%), 19% significantly mutated (96.9%-95%), and 17% hypermutated (<95%). Tumors with high or low mutational load used different IGHV genes, and their gene expression profiles were also different for several gene pathways. A gene set enrichment analysis showed that MCL with high and low IGHV mutations were enriched in memory and naive B-cell signatures, respectively. Furthermore, the highly mutated tumors had less genomic complexity, were preferentially SOX11-negative, and showed more frequent nonnodal disease. The best cut-off of germline identity of IGHV genes to predict survival was 97%. Patients with high and low mutational load had significant different outcome with 5-year overall survival (OS) of 59% and 40%, respectively (P = 0.004). Nodal presentation and SOX11 expression also predicted for poor OS. In a multivariate analysis, IGHV gene status and SOX11 expression were independent risk factors. In conclusion, these observations suggest the idea that MCL with mutated IGHV, SOX11-negativity, and nonnodal presentation correspond to a subtype of the disease with more indolent behavior.

Gibberellins signal nuclear import of PHOR1, a photoperiod-responsive protein with homology to Drosophila armadillo

S. tuberosum ssp. andigena potato plants require short days (SD) for tuberization. We have isolated PHOR1 (photoperiod-responsive 1), which shows upregulated expression in induced leaves (SD). PHOR1 encodes an arm repeat protein with homology to the Drosophila segment polarity protein armadillo. Antisense inhibition of PHOR1 produces a semidwarf phenotype similar to that of GA-deficient plants, and the antisense lines show reduced GA responsiveness combined with a higher endogenous GA content than wild-type plants. Feedback regulation of GA biosynthetic genes is also altered in these lines. Conversely, transgenic lines overexpressing PHOR1 show an enhanced response to GA. GA application induces rapid migration of PHOR1-GFP protein to the nucleus. Thus, PHOR1 appears to be a general component of GA signaling pathways that relocalizes to the nucleus in the presence of GA.

[Microscopic characteristics of epidural filter pores]

OBJECTIVE

The increased use of the epidural route for administering opioids to treat chronic pain and the need to reduce complications as much as possible, has led some authors to recommend using micro filters to reduce catheter contamination. This study was motivated by the lack of technical information documenting epidural filters used routinely, as well as by the scarcity of literature describing their characteristics. Our aim was to investigate the true nature of the membrane pores, their characteristics and dimensions.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Samples from 30 epidural filters labelled "Porosity: 0.2 microns" from three different manufacturers were studied. Filters from Vygon, Braun and Abbot were labelled A, B and C, respectively. The samples were placed in six groups of five filters each, and 15 random studies were made of each sample. Three of the six groups were used to study prefiltration surfaces and the others to study postfiltration surfaces. Each sample was metalized with gold and its center was then studied by scanning electron microscope. Given that the pores were anfractuous, they were measured by taking the diameter of the largest circle fitting inside that could predict the size of the smallest spherical non elastic body that might be retained. The samples for measuring thickness were cryofractured for determining the number of filtration planes in the 15 filters.

RESULTS

Prefiltration surface: Pore diameters were 0.70 (0.66 to 0.74), 0.45 (0.41 to 0.49), and 2.077 (2.01 to 2.15) microns on the filtration surfaces of manufacturers A, B and C, respectively. The differences were significant (p < 0.01) and the pore shapes were also different. Postfiltration surface: The function pores of filters from manufacturers A and B measured 0.26 (0.25 to 0.28) and 0.26 (0.24 to 0.28) microns, and the differences were not significant. The pores of filters from company C were significantly larger (p < 0.01), measuring 0.46 (0.43 to 0.49) microns. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in pore size on the pre- and postfiltration surfaces from all three manufacturers. Gauge: The five A, B and C filters averaged 130, 118 and 165 microns thick, respectively, with an average number of 140, 220 and 210 filtration planes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The pores of filters for epidural use labelled "0.2 microns" actually had much larger pores on their prefiltration surfaces and throughout the membrane thickness. On the postfiltration surface, however, the diameters of pores on filters manufactured by Vygon and Braun approached 0.2 microns. Pores on filters manufactured by Abbot, however, were approximately 0.46 microns. We believe that in the future manufacturers should include more information in the documentation accompanying their filters.

[Skin fragments carried by spinal needles in cadavers]

Epidural or intradural puncture with inappropriately stiffened or improperly placed needles can carry cells or fragments of epithelial tissue into the epidural or intradural space. These skin fragments feed by imbibition, possibly leading to the development of epidermoid cysts. We aimed to study the ability of today's needles to transport cells or epithelial fragments. We studied 120 needles in 6 groups of 20, as follows: group 1, Touhy G-16; group 2, Touhy G-17; group 3, Quincke G-22; group 4, Quincke G-26; group 5, Sprotte G-22, and group 6, Sprotte G-24. These needles were used to make intradural and epidural insertions, as indicated, with stiffeners fully in place. Insertions were made into 3 cadavers, epidermal cells or skin fragments were then isolated from the solutions used to wash the needles, and the samples were studied under an optical microscope. We identified groups of cells or epidermal tissues in 45% of the Touhy G-16 samples and in 30% of the Touhy G-17 samples. Squamous epithelial cells were found in 15% of the Quincke G-22 samples and in 30% of the Sprotte G-22 samples. There was a significant difference between the amount of tissue transported by the Touhy needles in comparison with the Quincke (p < 0.01) and Sprotte (p < 0.05) needles. Needles from some manufacturers transport epithelial fragments during lumbar puncture. We believe that better quality control during manufacture of epidural and intradural needles can help to eradicate the rare neurological complications derived from the removal of epithelial cells and their subsequent deposit inside the spinal channel.