Responses of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) cultivated in a closed hydroponic system to variable calcium concentrations in the nutrient solution

BACKGROUND

The use of water containing calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO₃ )₂ ) at excessively high concentrations in closed hydroponic crops can cause calcium ion (Ca²⁺ ) accumulation in the recycled nutrient solution (NS) and concomitantly negatively affect yield and product quality. The aim of the study was to determine maximum Ca²⁺ concentrations that do not harm the crop and to simulate the pattern of Ca²⁺ accumulation when the Ca²⁺ concentration in the irrigation water, and concomitantly in the replenishment nutrient solution (RNS), is excessive. In the current study, irrigation water containing 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 mmol L^-1 Ca²⁺ was used to prepare the RNS supplied to pepper cultivated in a closed hydroponic system.

RESULTS

At 1.5 mmol L^-1 Ca²⁺ , no Ca²⁺ accumulation was observed in the recirculating NS. However, at 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 mmol L^-1 in the irrigation water, the Ca²⁺ concentration in the recirculating NS, increased by the latter cropping stages to 17, 28 and 37 mmol L^-1 , corresponding to 6.4, 9.0 and 10.8 dS m^-1 . The accumulation of Ca²⁺ in the recirculating NS affected both tissue nutrient concentrations and uptake concentrations of Ca²⁺ , sulphate ion (SO₄ ^2- ) and magnesium ion (Mg²⁺ ), but this was not the case for nitrogen (N) or potassium ion (K⁺ ). Growth, yield and plant water uptake were restricted at moderate (3.0 and 4.5 mmol L^-1 ) and high (6.0 mmol L^-1 ) external Ca²⁺ levels.

CONCLUSION

In soilless pepper crops with zero discharge of fertigation effluents, the Ca²⁺ concentration in the irrigation water and the RNS should be lower than 3.0 mmol L^-1 to avoid yield restrictions due to salinity. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Simulation of schoolyard's microclimate and human thermal comfort under Mediterranean climate conditions: effects of trees and green structures

The present study explores the effects on microclimate parameters and on heat stress conditions of the bioclimatic redevelopment of an urban schoolyard based mainly on inserting shading canopies and replacing hard surfaces with green cover. This included the use of the recent version of the microclimate model ENVI-met (V4), first validated using experimental data and then later applied to different case studies in schoolgrounds of Volos, a coastal city in central Greece under Mediterranean type climate. The simulation of the existing yard condition showed that the values of the biometorological index PET (physiologically equivalent temperature, in °C), were within the range of the thermal sensation class of extreme heat stress (> 41 °C) from early morning, while at midday 80.5% of the yard area was within the range of the above class. With the implementation of the redesign proposal, 69.9% of the yard area was improved by two or three PET scale classes, helping to improve the microclimate in 82% of the total area of the courtyard. Tree canopies reduced the direct incident radiation more than 90%, reduced T_mrt and PET index up to 31 °C and 19 °C, respectively, and the surface ground temperatures of wet grass and hard surfaces more than 20 °C and 14 °C, respectively.

Impact of Cultivar and Grafting on Nutrient and Water Uptake by Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Grown Hydroponically Under Mediterranean Climatic Conditions

In closed-cycle hydroponic systems (CHS), nutrients and water should be delivered to the plants at identical ratios to those they are removed via plant uptake, to avoid their depletion or accumulation in the root zone. For a particular plant species and developmental stage, the nutrient to water uptake ratios, henceforth termed "uptake concentrations" (UC), remain relatively constant over time under similar climatic conditions. Thus, the nutrient to water uptake ratios can be used as nutrient concentrations in the nutrient solution (NS) supplied to CHS to compensate for nutrient and water uptake by plants. In the present study, mean UC of macro- and micronutrients were determined during five developmental stages in different pepper cultivars grown in a closed hydroponic system by measuring the water uptake and the nutrient removal from the recirculating NS. The experiment was conducted in a heated glasshouse located in Athens Mediterranean environment and the tested cultivars were 'Orangery,' 'Bellisa,' 'Sondela,' 'Sammy,' self-grafted and 'Sammy' grafted onto the commercial rootstock 'RS10' (Capsicum annuum). 'Sondela' exhibited significantly higher NO₃^-, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and B UC, while Bellisa exhibited higher K UC in comparison with all other cultivars. The UC of all nutrients were similar in the grafted and the non-grafted 'Sammy' plants, which indicates that this Capsicum annum rootstock does not modify the uptake of nutrients and water by the scion. The UC of macronutrients estimated in the present study (mmol L^-1) ranged from 2.4 to 3.7 for Ca, 1.0 to 1.5 for Mg, 6.2 to 9.0 for K, 11.7 to 13.7 for N, and 0.7 to 1.1 for P. The UC of N, K, Ca, and Mg were appreciably higher than the corresponding values found in Dutch tomato glasshouse, while that of P was similar in both locations during the vegetative stage and higher in the present study thereafter. The UC of Fe, Zn and B tended to decrease with time, while that of Mn increased initially and subsequently decreased slightly during the reproductive developmental stage.

Microclimatic effects of planted hydroponic structures in urban environment: measurements and simulations

The objectives of this effort was to study the effect of vertical (green wall) and horizontal (pergola) green structures on the microclimate conditions of the building surroundings and estimate the thermal perception and heat stress conditions near the two structures. The experimental data were used to validate the results simulated by the recent version (V4.0 preview III) of ENVI-met software which was used to simulate the effect of different design parameters of a pergola and a green façade on microclimate and heat stress conditions. Further aim is to use these results for better design of green structures. The microclimate measurements were carried out in real scale structures (hydroponic pergola and hydroponic green wall) at the Kostakii Campus of the Technological Education Institute of Epirus (Arta, Greece). The validation results showed a very good agreement between measured and simulated values of air temperature, with T_air,sim = 0.98 T_air,meas in the Empty atrium and T_air,sim = 0.99 T_air,meas in the Atrium with pergola, with a determination coefficient R ² of 0.98 and 0.93, respectively. The model was used to predict the effects of green structures on air temperature (T_air), relative humidity (RH), and mean radiant temperature (T_mrt). The output values of these parameters were used as input data in the RayMan pro (V 2.1) model for estimating the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) of different case scenarios. The average daytime value of simulated air temperature in the atrium for the case without and with pergola during three different days was 29.2 and 28.9 °C while the corresponding measured values were 29.7 and 29.2 °C. The results showed that compared to the case with no pergola in the atrium, covering 100% the atrium area with a planted pergola reduced at the hottest part of the day T_mrt and PET values by 29.4 and 17.9 °C, respectively. Although the values of air temperature (measured and simulated) were not greatly affected by the presence of a green wall, the most important effect of green wall to the building wall is the reduction of solar radiation behind the green wall. This reduction leads to a significant reduction (about 8 °C) of building surface temperature behind the green wall and accordingly to a reduction of the energy load of the building.

A case report of comorbid Munchausen type factitious disorder with bipolar II disorder

We present an uncommon case of a 46-year-old woman suffering from Munchausen type factitious disorder comorbid with bipolar II disorder.

The patient was diagnosed with major depression disorder 4 years ago during her hospitalization in the internal medicine department after a suicide attempt and SSRI was prescribed.

Since the onset of the disorder the patient started complaining for physical symptoms, migrating from hospital to hospital seeking pathological and surgical interventions, fabulating her medical history. In the last 3 years, the patient visited the emergency room of university hospital of Ioannina 85 times and she was hospitalized in internal medicine or surgical clinics 16 times, performing 19CR, 11 CT and 4MRI.

Many times, she turned to the police suing the treating doctors. During her hospitalizations she refused psychiatric evaluation. Twelve months ago the patient finally visited a psychiatrist, bipolar II disorder was diagnosed and administrated quetiapine with good results to both, mood and ER visits (7 visits in one year and 1 hospitalization).

During the analysis of her mood switches, we observed non-euphoric hypomanic episodes and association of the hypomanic phase with the factitious behavior.

This case report reinforces the importance of maintaining a clinical suspicion of major psychopathology coexistence with factitious disorder.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Study of heat-stress levels in naturally ventilated sheep barns during heat waves: development and assessment of regression models

It is well documented that heat-stress burdens sheep welfare and productivity. Peak heat-stress levels are observed when high temperatures prevail, i.e. during heat waves; however, continuous measurements inside livestock buildings are not usually available for long periods so as to study the variation of summer heat-stress levels for several years, especially during extreme hot weather. Α methodology to develop a long time series of summer temperature and relative humidity inside naturally ventilated sheep barns is proposed. The accuracy and the transferability of the developed linear regression models were verified. Temperature Humidity Index (THI) was used to assess sheep's potential heat-stress. Τhe variation of THI inside a barn during heat wave and non-heat wave days was examined, and the results were comparatively assessed. The analysis showed that sheep were exposed to moderate, severe, and extreme severe heat-stress in 10, 21 and 66 % of hours, respectively, during heat wave days, while the corresponding values during non-heat wave days were 14, 33 and 43 %, respectively. The heat load on sheep was much higher during heat wave events than during non-heat wave periods. Additionally, based on the averaged diurnal variation of THI, it was concluded that extreme severe heat-stress conditions were prevailing between 1000 and 2400 hours local time during heat wave days. Cool off night periods were never and extremely rarely detected during heat wave and non-heat wave days, respectively.

Evaluation of thermal perception in schoolyards under Mediterranean climate conditions

The aim of this paper was to study qualitatively and quantitatively the thermal perception and corresponding heat stress conditions that prevail in two schoolyards in a coastal city in central Greece. For this purpose, meteorological parameters (i.e., wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation) were recorded at 70 and 55 measuring points in the schoolyards, from 14:00 to 15:30 local time, during May and June of 2011. The measuring points were distributed so as to get measurements at points (a) directly exposed to the sun, (b) under the shadow of trees and building structures, and (c) near building structures. Cluster analysis was applied to group observations and revealed places that are microclimatically homogeneous. Thermal perception and heat stress conditions were assessed by means of the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET, °C), and the results are presented in relevant charts. The impact of material's albedo, radiation's reflection by structures and obstacles, and different tree species on thermal perception and heat stress conditions was also assessed. The analysis showed that trees triggered a reduction of incident solar radiation that ranged between 79 and 94 % depending on tree's species, crown dimension, tree height, and leaf area. PET values were mainly affected by solar radiation and wind speed. Trees caused a reduction of up to 37 % in PET values, while a 1-m s(-1) increase in wind speed triggered a reduction of 3.7-5.0 °C in PET value. The effective shading area in the two schoolyards was small, being 27.5 and 11 %. The results of this study could be exploited by urban planning managers when designing or improving the outdoor environment of a school complex.

The role of ThinPrep cytology in the investigation of ki-67 index, p53 and HER-2 detection in fine-needle aspirates of breast tumors

PURPOSE

The aim of the current study was to compare the immunocytochemical expression of ki-67, HER-2 and p53 on ThinPrep (TP)-processed smears, obtained by preoperative fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies from primary breast carcinoma with the immunohistochemical results obtained on the corresponding surgical samples.

METHODS

FNA biopsies were collected from 119 female patients during a 31-month period. Subsequently, these patients underwent surgical resection of the tumors.

RESULTS

The overall accuracy (OA) of the TP cytology for ki-67, p53 and HER-2 expression was 96, 99 and 97%, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry results for ki-67 (Spearman's test 0.875) for p53 (Cramer's phi test 0.965) and HER-2 (Kendall's tau test 0.891).

CONCLUSION

This pilot study demonstrates that it is possible to monitor multiple molecular markers by using the TP cytology. Sample collection and storage is simple and permits the assortment of the FNA sample for both morphologic diagnosis and ancillary studies. The accuracy of TP technique in the evaluation of ki-67, p53 and HER-2 expression is comparable to those of the histological evaluation, and could be of paramount importance for the preoperative planning of treatment.

Evaluation of apoptosis in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma comparing different methods

PURPOSE

Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death (PCD) with specific morphologic changes in the dying cell. Since classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) is characterised by abnormalities in the apoptotic pathways, apoptosis may play a central role in its pathogenesis. Our purpose was to estimate the apoptotic process in cases of cHL using 3 different, widely accepted methods, comparing their results as well as with those found in the literature.

METHODS

Detection of apoptosis was performed in 76 cases of cHL, using morphological criteria, TUNEL assay (TUNEL apoptotic index; T-AI) and immunohistochemical detection of active caspase 3 (casp3-AI) on paraffin embedded sections.

RESULTS

When both apoptotic (MA) and mummified (mummi-I) cells were evaluated by morphological apoptotic index (morph-AI), the median value was 10.3%, while for MA and mummi-I the results were 3.4% and 6%, respectively. T-AI and casp3-AI values were 10.9% and 1.9%, respectively. Morph-AI was significantly higher in the mixed cellularity (MC) subtype (p7equals;0.047rpar;, while MA was significantly higher in the male subgroup (p7equals;0.03). MA was strongly correlated with casp37horbar;AI (p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Detection of apoptosis has become an important parameter in understanding tumor pathology and in designing antitumor treatment. A combination of methods is proposed in order to estimate accurately this form of cell death.

The efficacy of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) vs antithrombin III (at III) vs heparin, in the healing process of partial-thickness burns: a comparative study

This is an experimental study regarding the positive effect of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in the healing process of partial-thickness burns, in comparison to antithrombin III and heparin. On a porcine model we induced superficial partial-thickness and deep partial-thickness burns and performed intravenous administration of the elements of study during the first 48 h. The progress of the condition of the injured tissues was evaluated by histopathological examination at specific time intervals. The results showed an improved healing response of the specimens treated with rhAPC compared to those treated with antithrombin III, heparin, and placebo.

Monitoring particulate matter levels and climate conditions in a Greek sheep and goat livestock building

Atmospheric pollutants from livestock operations influence air quality inside livestock buildings and the air exhausted from them. The climate that prevails inside the building affects human and animal health and welfare, as well as productivity, while emissions from the building contribute to environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to examine the variation of two climatic parameters (namely temperature and relative humidity) and the levels of particulate matter of different sizes (PM10-PM2.5-PM1), as well as the relationships between them, inside a typical Greek naturally ventilated livestock building that hosts mainly sheep. The concentration of particles was recorded during a 45-day period (27/11-10/1), while temperature and relative humidity were observed during an almost 1-year period. The analysis revealed that the variation of outdoor weather conditions significantly influenced the indoor environment, as temperature and relative humidity inside the building varied in accordance to the outside climate conditions. Temperature remained higher indoors than outdoors during the winter and extremely low values were not recorded inside the building. However, the tolerable relative humidity levels recommended by the International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR) were fulfilled only in 47% of the hours during the almost 1-year period that was examined. This fact indicates that although temperature was satisfactorily controlled, the control of relative humidity was deficient. The concentration of particulate matter was increased during the cold winter days due to poor ventilation. The maximum daily average value of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 concentration equaled to 363, 61 and 30 μg/m(3) respectively. The concentration of the coarse particles was strongly influenced by the farming activities that were daily taking place in the building, the dust resuspension being considered as the dominant source. A significant part of the fine particles were secondary, which the production of could be attributed to an increase in relative humidity levels. It is concluded that measures have to be adopted in order to achieve sufficient ventilation and to reduce particulate matter levels.

Expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Absence of correlation with the presence of EBV encoded EBER1-2 transcripts and latent membrane protein-1

Aims-To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins in nasopharyngeal carcinomas in relation to the expression of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encoded EBER messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1).Methods-Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue from 44 nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) was stained by immunohistochemistry for p53, bcl-2 and LMP-1 proteins and by RNA in situ hybridisation for EBER mRNAs.Results-The tumours were divided histologically into 13 cases of keratinising squamous cell NPC (KNPC), 15 cases of non-keratinising squamous cell NPC (NKNPC) and 16 cases of undifferentiated NPC (UNPC). Bcl-2 expression was observed in five of 15 NKNPC cases and in six of 16 UNPC cases; p53 expression was observed in one of 13 KNPC, two of 15 NKNPC and four of 16 UNPC cases. EBER 1-2 transcripts were detected in five of 15 NKNPC and nine of 16 UNPC cases, while LMP-1 expression was observed in one of 16 UNPC cases. All 13 KNPCs were EBV and bcl-2 negative. No correlation was found between the presence of EBER 1-2 transcripts and the detection of bcl-2 or p53 proteins, or both, in NPC cells.Conclusions-The expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins may be associated with the level of the tumour cell differentiation in NPC. In addition, in view of the important role of the bcl-2 protein in the inhibition of apoptosis, the expression of bcl-2 protein may contribute to tumour cell survival in a proportion of NPCs. Furthermore, in the light of previous findings that the p53 gene in most UNPCs is in the wild-type configuration, mechanisms other than mutation may be responsible for stabilisation of the p53 protein in UNPCs.

Temperature, comfort and pollution levels during heat waves and the role of sea breeze

During the summer of 2007 several Greek regions suffered periods of extreme heat, with midday temperatures of over 40 degrees C on several consecutive days. High temperatures were also recorded on the east coast of central Greece, where a complex sea breeze circulation system frequently develops. The more intense events occurred at the end of June and July. The highest temperatures were observed on 26 June and 25 July, while the sea breeze developed only on 25 July. Meteorological data collected at two sites-a coastal urban location and an inland suburban site that is not reached by the sea breeze flow-as well as pollution data collected at the urban site, were analysed in order to investigate the relationship between sea breeze development and the prevailing environmental conditions during these two heat wave events. The analysis revealed that sea breeze development affects temperature and pollution levels at the shoreline significantly, causing a decrease of approximately 4 degrees C from the maximum temperature value and an increase of approximately 30% in peak PM10 levels. Additionally, several stress indices were calculated in order to assess heat comfort conditions at the two sites. It was found that nocturnal comfort levels are determined mainly by the urban heat island effect, the intensity of which reaches up to 8 degrees C, while the applied indices do not demonstrate any significant daytime thermal stress relief due to sea breeze development.

Electron microscopy evidence that cytoplasmic localization of the p16INK4A“nuclear” cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) in tumor cells is specific and not an artifact. A study in non-small cell lung carcinomas

It is well established that p16(INK4A) protein acts as a cell cycle inhibitor in the nucleus. Therefore, cytoplasmic localization of p16 (INK4A) usually is disregarded by investigators as nonspecific. Three recent studies reported findings that differ from the current view concerning p16(INK4A) immunohistochemical localization. All three demonstrated that breast and colon cancers expressing cytoplasmic p16(INK4) represent distinct biological subsets. We previously detected in a percentage of non-small cell lung carcinomas simultaneous nuclear and cytoplasmic p16(INK4A) staining. In view of the reports concerning breast and colon carcinomas, we conducted an ultrastructural re-evaluation of our cases to clarify the specificity of p16(INK4A) cytoplasmic expression. We observed p16 (INK4A) immunolocalization in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of a proportion of tumor cells. Diffuse dense nuclear staining was detected in the nucleoplasm, whereas weaker granular immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm near the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Negative tumor cells also were visible. In the tumor-associated stromal, cells p16(INK4A) immunoreactivity was detected only in the nuclei. We have demonstrated that p16(INK4A) cytoplasmic staining is specific and suggest that it represents a mechanism of p16(INK4A) inactivation similar to that observed in other tumor suppressor genes.

Sertoli cell proliferation in the fetal and neonatal rat testis: a continuous phenomenon?

Sertoli cell population kinetics, as evidenced by semi-quantitative immunolabeling for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67, in developing Wistar rat male gonads of embryos and neonates [14.5 days post conception (dpc)-7 days post partum (dpp)], was investigated. Throughout the examined period a gradual increase of immunolabeled Sertoli cell number, associated with intense mitotic activity, was observed. PCNA labeling index of Sertoli cells increased from 66.67 (at 14.5 dpc) to 89.74 (at 18.5 dpc) and then dropped to 75.24 (at 20.5 dpc). At birth, the percentage of PCNA immunoreactive Sertoli cells reached 98.70% and remained high thereafter, attaining a peak value of 99.90% at 7 dpp. The percentage of Ki-67 immunoreactive Sertoli cells in the fetal testis increased from E14.5 (43.95%) to E20.5 (77.40%). The proliferation rate did not alter considerably in the neonatal testis until 5 dpp. At this point, a significant increase of the Ki-67 labeling index was observed and a peak value of 95.76% was reached at 7 dpp. The pattern of Sertoli cell proliferation with age and the establishment of the final Sertoli cell number in vivo established in the present study was compared to the results from earlier investigations reported in the literature and the observed fluctuation of dividing cell numbers, associated with immunolabeling results throughout the examined period, complements and extends existing data. An appraisal of the timing of Sertoli cell proliferation in other species, namely mouse and man, is presented. The current investigation may be useful in evaluating the potential influence of factors interfering with normal mitotic activity of Sertoli cells, including cell selection mechanisms, such as apoptosis, senescence, DNA repair and hormonal/paracrine growth modulation.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunohistochemical study of calreticulin in colorectal adenocarcinoma and mirror biopsies

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to analyse the polypeptide patterns of colorectal adenocarcinomas and mirror biopsies and to investigate the expression of calreticulin and the relationship of this chaperon to colon cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The investigation was carried out on 21 adenocarcinomas and 21 mirror biopsies using high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis and immunohistochemical PAP method.

RESULTS

2D electrophoresis revealed several polypeptide patterns that were shown to be upregulated in colorectal adenocarcinomas compared to their mirror biopsies. One polypeptide spot being upregulated in colorectal adenocarcinoma, turned out to be calreticulin. The overexpression of calreticulin was confirmed by further examination in immunohistochemical level.

CONCLUSION

Calreticulin was found overexpressed in colon cancer tissues as compared to the corresponding mirror biopsy tissues. The overexpression was particularly intense to high-malignancy tissues and particularly in the poorly differentiated regions of the tissue. Calreticulin showed a direct relationship to the disease stage, a fact strongly indicating that the functional role of calreticulin is directly associated with tumor growth and metastasis.

Epithelial cell turnover, p53 and bcl-2 protein expression during oncogenesis of early and advanced gastric cancer in a Western population

OBJECTIVES

To investigate epithelial cell turnover alterations, and p53, bcl-2 protein expression during development of early and advanced gastric cancer in a Western population.

METHODS

We investigated cell apoptosis and proliferation rates, p53 and bcl-2 protein expression in 17 early and 34 advanced gastric carcinomas and in the adjacent non-dysplastic mucosa. Cell proliferation, p53 and bcl-2 expression were detected immunohistochemically using MIB-1, anti-p53 and anti-bcl-2 monoclonal antibodies. Apoptosis was measured by TUNEL. The rate of the positive stained cells (labelling index) was count using image analysis technique.

RESULTS

No difference was observed of either apoptotic (10 vs. 11) or proliferation (35 vs. 25) index between early and advanced cancers. However, the apoptotic index was significantly higher in intestinal type advanced tumors. While both apoptotic and proliferation indices were significantly higher in tumors than in the adjacent mucosa, no difference was observed of either apoptotic (2 vs. 2) or proliferation (8 vs. 13) index between the tissues adjacent to early and advanced tumors. p53 protein expression was significantly higher in advanced cancers (7 vs. 5, p=0.001) and in the non-dysplastic tissue adjacent to advanced tumors (3.5 vs. 2, p=0.001). bcl-2 labelling index was significantly higher in the mucosa adjacent to advanced carcinomas (15 vs. 5, p=0.016) but this difference did not reach significance in the tumors (20 vs. 15, p=0.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate similar cell turnover during tumorigenesis of early and advanced cancer. p53 and bcl-2 protein accumulation is more intense in gastric mucosa adjacent to advanced tumors and p53 immunoreactivity peaks in advanced carcinomas.

Gene amplification is a relatively frequent event leading to ZBTB7A (Pokemon) overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer

ZBTB7A (Pokemon) is a member of the POK family of transcriptional repressors. Its main function is the suppression of the p14ARF tumour suppressor gene. Although ZBTB7A expression has been found to be increased in various types of lymphoma, there are no reports dealing with its expression in solid tumours. Given that p14(ARF) inhibits MDM2, the main negative regulator of p53, we hypothesized that overexpression of ZBTB7A could lead indirectly to p53 inactivation. To this end, we examined the status of ZBTB7A and its relationship with tumour kinetics (proliferation and apoptosis) and nodal members of the p53 network in a panel of 83 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). We observed, in the majority of the samples, prominent expression of ZBTB7A in the cancerous areas compared to negligible presence in the adjacent normal tissue elements. Gene amplification (two- to five-fold) was found in 27.7% of the cases, denoting its significance as a mechanism driving ZBTB7A overproduction in NSCLCs. In the remaining non-amplified group of carcinomas, analysis of the mRNA and protein expression patterns suggested that deregulation at the transcriptional and post-translational level accounts for ZBTB7A overexpression. Proliferation was associated with ZBTB7A expression (p = 0.033) but not apoptosis. The association with proliferation was reflected in the positive correlation between ZBTB7A expression and tumour size (p = 0.018). The overexpression of ZBTB7A in both p53 mutant and p53 wild-type cases, implies either a synergistic effect or that ZBTB7A exerts its oncogenic properties independently of the p14(ARF)-MDM2-p53 axis. The concomitant expression of ZBTB7A with p14(ARF) (p = 0.039), instead of the anticipated inverse relation, supports the latter notion. In conclusion, regardless of the pathway followed, the distinct expression of ZBTB7A in cancerous areas and the association with proliferation and tumour size pinpoints a role for this novel cell cycle regulator in the pathogenesis of lung cancer.

Early impact of a fat-enriched diet on behavioral responses of male and female rats

Prolonged high-fat diets have been shown to affect an organism's stress responsiveness at the neuroendocrine level. In the present study, the authors used a 7-day protocol of fat administration in adult rats of both sexes to investigate the early behavioral impact of a moderately fat (20%) diet, often used by Western societies, on rats' reaction to acute stress and novelty. Their results show that this diet can reduce the rats' active behavioral responses to subsequent stressors and influence their corticosterone secretion. Fat-fed male rats adopted a less active behavior to cope with forced swimming stress, whereas their exploratory behavior in the open field environment was rather increased compared with chow-fed males. Fat-fed female rats exhibited a less active behavioral response to both stress paradigms compared with their chow-fed counterparts. Fat diet abolished facilitation in corticosterone secretion following a subsequent stressor in both sexes. However, only in males did fat diet exaggerate corticosterone response to novelty, irrespective of the previous stress history of the rat. These data indicate that a short-term metabolic stress can modify the rats' stress coping strategy in interaction with the gender.

E2F-1 overexpression correlates with decreased proliferation and better prognosis in adenocarcinomas of Barrett oesophagus

BACKGROUND

E2F-1 expression is positively associated with tumour growth in oesophageal squamous-cell carcinomas (OSCC), while it exhibits oncosuppressive features in colonic adenocarcinomas (AC). To date there are no data regarding E2F-1 expression and its relationship with tumour kinetics (proliferation, apoptosis) in adenocarcinomas that develop on Barrett oesophagus.

AIM

As oesophageal adenocarcinomas occur almost exclusively in the metaplastic Barrett epithelium and the opposing E2F-1 behaviour seems to be cell and tissue-type dependent, we examined the manner in which E2F-1 acts in ACs of Barrett oesophagus.

METHODS

We estimated the immunohistochemical expression of E2F-1, Ki-67, caspase-3 and p53 immunohistochemical status in 35 Barrett oesophagus ACs.

RESULTS

E2F-1 immunopositivity correlated inversely with Ki-67, by semi-serial section and statistical analysis (p = 0.023, Spearman correlation). Semi-serial section analysis revealed a direct association between E2F-1 and caspase-3 staining. No correlation was found with p53 status. Cases with higher E2F-1 immunoexpression exhibited longer survival (p = 0.047, Cox-regression).

CONCLUSIONS

E2F-1 expression was negatively related to tumour proliferation in ACs of Barrett oesophagus. Additionally, E2F-1 immunohistochemical status correlated positively with patient survival. These findings are opposite from those seen in OSCCs, suggesting that the tumour-suppressing E2F-1 behaviour in oesophageal adenocarcinomas is possibly due to the intestinal-type nature of the metaplastic Barrett mucosa.

Evaluation of claspin as a proliferation marker in human cancer and normal tissues

Claspin is a nuclear protein involved in DNA replication and the DNA damage response. Its structural and functional properties suggest that it may represent a potentially useful proliferation marker. To this end, a monoclonal antibody was generated and the expression of claspin was investigated in normal fibroblasts and various cancer cell lines, as well as in tumour and normal tissues from patients with primary epithelial carcinomas. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the specificity of the antibody, while immunohistochemistry demonstrated its applicability in archival material. In normal cells and tissues, claspin expression was weak, whereas increased levels were observed in cancer cell lines and tumour specimens. Claspin staining correlated strongly with Ki67 staining in both normal (p < 0.001) and tumour tissues (p < 0.001). However, the labelling index (LI) of claspin was consistently lower than that of Ki67, suggesting that claspin expression may be limited to a narrower part of the cell cycle. Co-localization assays with cyclin A and cell synchronization experiments indicated that claspin expression coincides with the S phase. Interestingly, the relative increase of the claspin LI in tumour samples compared with normal tissues was significantly higher (14-fold) than that of the Ki67 LI (five-fold), suggesting that claspin may be a more sensitive marker of aberrant proliferation.

Centrosome abnormalities are frequently observed in non-small-cell lung cancer and are associated with aneuploidy and cyclin E overexpression

Centrosome abnormalities are observed in human cancers and have been associated with aneuploidy, a driving force in tumour progression. However, the exact pathways that tend to cause centrosome abnormalities have not been fully elucidated in human tumours. Using a series of 68 non-small-cell lung carcinomas and an array of in vitro experiments, the relationship between centrosome abnormalities, aneuploidy, and the status of key G1 to S-phase transition cell-cycle molecules, involved in the regulation of centrosome duplication, was investigated. Centrosome amplification and structural abnormalities were common (53%), were strongly related to aneuploidy, and, surprisingly, were even seen in adjacent hyperplastic regions, suggesting the possibility that these are early lesions in lung carcinogenesis. Cyclin E and E2F1 overexpression, but not p53 mutation, was observed to correlate with centrosome abnormalities in vivo (p = 0.029 and p = 0.015, respectively). This was further strengthened by the observation that cyclin E was specifically present in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of the cells that contained centrosome aberrations. The cytoplasmic cyclin E signal may be attributed, in part, to the presence of truncated low-molecular-weight isoforms of cyclin E. In order to isolate the effect of cyclin E on the appearance of centrosome abnormalities, a U2OS tetracycline-repressible cyclin E cell line that has a normal centrosome profile by default was used. With this system, it was confirmed in vitro that persistent cyclin E overexpression is sufficient to cause the appearance of centrosome abnormalities.

Decidualized and pre-decidualized normal endometrial stromal cells produce more O-linked N-acetylglucosamine containing epitope H than non-decidualized normal endometrial stromal cells

The epitope H contains an O-linked N-acetylglucosamine residue in a specific conformation and/or environment recognized by the monoclonal antibody H (mAbH). mAbH stains two bands with Mr x10(-3) of 209 and 62 in lysates of cultured rat astrocytes. In addition, in extracts of cultured MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line cells it stains cytokeratin 8 and five polypeptides originating from Triton X-100-soluble (Mr x10(-3) of 232, 67 and 37) and from the Triton X-100-insoluble (Mr x10(-3) of 51 and 50) fractions, respectively. In our previous studies we used the mAbH to investigate by immunostaining the expression of the epitope H in normal human brains, human brains with a variety of lesions, astrocytic tumors, infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas, fibroadenomas, and mitochondria-rich normal, metaplastic and neoplastic cells. In order to gain further insight into the expression patterns of the epitope H in human tissues we used the mAbH to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of the epitope H in normal human endometrium, including 30 cases of proliferative endometrium, 30 cases of early secretory endometrium, 30 cases of mid secretory endometrium, 30 cases of late secretory endometrium and 30 cases of decidual tissues. The main results were the following: 1) The decidual stromal cells presented in all cases high cytoplasmic expression of the epitope H; 2) The pre-decidual stromal cells presented in all cases of late secretory endometrium significant cytoplasmic expression of the epitope H ranging from moderate to high expression; 3) The non pre-decidual stromal cells of the functional endometrial layer presented in all cases insignificant cytoplasmic expression of the epitope H ranging from null to low expression; 4) The stromal cells of the basal layer of the endometrium and decidua did not express the epitope H in any case; 5) The endometrial stromal granulocytes did not express the epitope H in any case and 6) The blood vessel wall cells (endothelial and smooth muscle) of the endometrium through the whole duration of the menstrual cycle and of the decidua presented high cytoplasmic expression of the epitope H. It is concluded that decidualized and pre-decidualized human normal endometrial stromal cells show increased expression of the O-linked N-acetylglucosamine containing epitope H compared to non-decidualized endometrial stromal cells. These findings suggest that the expression of the epitope H may be under positive progesteronic control in normal human endometrium. Further investigation of the antigens bearing the epitope H might help to gain further insight into the histophysiology and the pathology of human endometrium.

Effect of different ventilatory strategies on local and systemic cytokine production in intact swine lungs in vivo

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different ventilatory strategies on local and systemic cytokine production in swine with intact lungs in vivo after 4 h of mechanical ventilation. Twenty-five swine were anesthetized and then randomized into five groups (n = 5): (1) low tidal volume zero PEEP (LVZP); (2) medium tidal volume zero PEEP (MVZP); (3) high tidal volume zero PEEP (HVZP); (4) low tidal volume PEEP (LVP); (4) high tidal volume PEEP (HVP). Respiratory rate was adjusted to maintain normocapnia and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) was 1.0. TNF-alpha and IL-10 were measured in BALF and serum at baseline, 2 h, and 4 h of MV. One animal in LVZP (2 h) and two in HVP (3 h) group died before the end of the experiment. TNF-alpha level in BALF was significantly higher in LVZP and LVP at 4 h compared to baseline and the other groups. IL-10 level in BALF was significantly higher in LVP at 4h compared to baseline and the other groups. There was a statistically significant increase in serum TNF-alpha levels at 4 h in LVP group compared to baseline and the other groups at 4 h. There was statistically significant increase in serum IL-10 levels in HVZP and LVP groups at 2 and 4 h which was significantly higher compared to the other groups at 4 h. Our results show that a) low volume MV may induce local and systemic pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine increase b) in the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokine response there is also an anti-inflammatory response in the same compartment (lungs, circulation). c) There maybe loss of alveolar-to-systemic cytokine compartmentalization.

Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates from Greek patients with sarcoidosis by Spoligotyping

Spoligotyping was undertaken with 38 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Greek sarcoidosis patients and 31 isolates from patients with tuberculosis. Fifty percent of the isolates from sarcoidosis patients and 16.13% of the isolates from patients with tuberculosis were represented by a unique pattern, whereas the remaining isolates belonged to seven shared types. Interestingly, half of the isolates from sarcoidosis patients did not resemble the spoligotypes of the isolates from patients with tuberculosis, most of which pertained to shared spoligotypes.

Psoriasis induced by anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy: A paradoxical adverse reaction

Administration of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents is beneficial in a variety of chronic inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis. We describe 5 patients in whom psoriasiform skin lesions developed 6-9 months after the initiation of anti-TNF therapy for longstanding, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (etanercept or adalimumab), typical ankylosing spondylitis (infliximab), and Adamantiades-Behçet's disease (infliximab). In all 5 patients, the underlying disease had responded well to anti-TNF therapy. Four patients developed a striking pustular eruption on the palms and/or soles accompanied by plaque-type psoriasis at other skin sites, while 1 patient developed thick erythematous scaly plaques localized to the scalp. In 3 patients there was nail involvement with onycholysis, yellow discoloration, and subungual keratosis. Histologic findings from skin biopsies were consistent with psoriasis. None of these patients had a personal or family history of psoriasis. In all patients, skin lesions subsided either with topical treatment alone, or after discontinuation of the responsible anti-TNF agent. The interpretation of this paradoxical side effect of anti-TNF therapy remains unclear but may relate to altered immunity induced by the inhibition of TNF activity in predisposed individuals.

Gender-dependent alterations in corticosteroid receptor status and spatial performance following 21 days of restraint stress

The effects of 21-day exposure to restraint stress on hippocampal corticosteroid receptors and on spatial performance of male and female rats were evaluated. Stressed male animals exhibited a decrease in glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity in the CA1 area and the dentate gyrus. At the same time, stressed males tested on Morris water maze showed delayed learning and worse memory scores, compared with the control males. By contrast, stressed females exhibited an increase in glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity in CA1, similar learning ability and improved memory scores, compared with control females. In addition, stressed females showed a significant increase in mineralocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity in the CA3 area compared with controls. These data show that 21 days of restraint stress affect hippocampal corticosteroid receptors and spatial performance in a gender-specific manner. The observed changes in corticosteroid receptor levels following stress, may be causatively linked to the stress-induced alterations on spatial learning and memory.

Impaired erythrocyte deformability precedes vascular changes in experimental diabetes mellitus

The effect of diabetes on the red blood cell (RBC) deformability and its association with histological vascular changes was investigated in 35 streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats in a 30-day experiment and compared to 10 controls. RBC deformability was significantly impaired in the diabetic rats on day 5 (p < 0.001) and continued to deteriorate until day 20. On the 20 (th) day, the diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups (group A: insulin-treated; group B: non-insulin-treated). A slight, non-significant (p = 0.20) improvement in RBC deformability was noticed in the insulin-treated group. In vitro incubation of RBCs with insulin did not improve the acquired RBC rigidity in either diabetic group. In contrast, it caused a significant reduction in RBC-deformability in the controls. On day 30, histological examination of arterial specimens from various sites revealed moderate to significant thickening in medium- and small-size artery and arteriole walls in both diabetic groups, with no evidence of diabetes-related changes in large, elastic-type arteries. No vascular changes were noticed in nine diabetic rats that succumbed between days 10 and 15. The results of this study indicate that reduced RBC deformability is an early manifestation of abnormal blood rheology in experimental diabetes, and precedes the evolution of vascular changes.

Temperature and serum proinflammatory cytokine changes in patients with NSCLC after BAL

We examined the effects of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and BAL fluid characteristics on the systemic proinflammatory cytokine expression and their relation to clinical and laboratory findings. Thirty patients suspected to have lung cancer were subjected to fiber-optic bronchoscopy (FOB) and BAL. Clinical and laboratory findings were determined at baseline, 4 h, and 24 h, including lung auscultation, temperature, chest X-ray, WBC, neutrophils, and serum IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. BAL fluid characteristics were determined including cytokine levels. Fifteen volunteers served as controls to determine serum variation of the same cytokines. Significant temperature elevation was defined as 1 degrees C increase compared to baseline. BAL was associated with temperature and serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 but not IL-1beta increase at 4 h. Four patients (13.3%) developed temperature over 38 degrees C. In controls there were no significant changes between baseline and 24 h measurements for the same cytokines. Eleven patients (36.6%) developed a significant temperature elevation 4 h after BAL. These patients had a statistically significant ( p < 0.05) increase in serum IL-6 at 4 h and in TNF-alpha at both 4 and 24 h after BAL compared with the nonsignificant temperature increase group. BAL characteristics were not different between the two groups. On the other hand, BAL fluid IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in the nonfever group. Significant temperature increase was observed in 36.6% of the patients undergoing BAL and associated with significant serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 increase at 4 h. Lung cytokines levels, alveolar macrophages, and BAL fluid characteristics are not related to temperature and serum proinflammatory cytokine increase. The hypothesis of alveolar macrophages derive from cytokine production and shift to the systemic circulation cannot be supported by our data.

Leukoplakia and intraoral malignancies: female cases increase in Greece

In the developed world, intraoral malignancies are more frequent in males than females. Recent observations from Greece suggest that the number of females is increasing.

AIM

The present study investigates gender and age statistics among subjects with cancers of the mouth or leukoplakia.

METHODS

Five hundred and twelve subjects of Greek origin participated in this analysis. Chi-square and logistic regression statistics were used to compare if there are differences in participants' gender and age, stratified by histological type.

RESULTS

Epithelial cancers and leukoplakia exhibited equal distributions among men and women. Men were diagnosed at a much younger age than women. Our data also indicates a progression in the process of epithelial cancer development, as benign leukoplakia was diagnosed 2-4 years earlier than epithelial dysplasia and 8 years earlier than squamous cell carcinoma (SSC). The same age difference was observed in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, although the male to female ratio was 3:1. In regards to anatomy, 47% of SSC appeared in the tongue. The most prevalent site for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was the gingival (50%), followed by the palate (40%).

CONCLUSION

Although oral cancer occurs earlier in men than women, the risk of females tends to be similar to that of males.

Assessment of mycobacterial, propionibacterial, and human herpesvirus 8 DNA in tissues of greek patients with sarcoidosis

The causes of sarcoidosis are unknown. In this study, we report the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Propionibacterium granulosum DNA in a significant proportion of Greek patients with sarcoidosis. Human herpesvirus 8 DNA was not detected in sarcoid tissues from Greek patients. Our findings are discussed.

Histological and functional changes in the salivary glands in thalassaemia major

Oral salivary secretion and oral histology in 15 multi-transfused adult thalassaemia homozygotes was studied. Iron stores of minor salivary glands were also histochemically determined. Salivary secretion in multi-transfused thalassaemia patients was subclinically decreased, but no clear correlation was evident between salivary secretion impairment and salivary gland destruction by iron deposition, lymphocyte infiltration and fibrosis. The underlying mechanism remains to be determined.