Marsilea mutica (Marsileaceae) newly reported in Texas, U.S.A.

This paper documents the first occurrence in Texas of a wild population of Marsilea mutica Mett., (Marsileaceae), an exotic species of water-clover fern. The colony's life history and potential for invasive behavior are discussed.

PINK1 drives production of mtDNA-containing extracellular vesicles to promote invasiveness

The cystine-glutamate antiporter, xCT, supports a glutathione synthesis program enabling cancer cells to cope with metabolically stressful microenvironments. Up-regulated xCT, in combination with glutaminolysis, leads to increased extracellular glutamate, which promotes invasive behavior by activating metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3). Here we show that activation of mGluR3 in breast cancer cells activates Rab27-dependent release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which can transfer invasive characteristics to “recipient” tumor cells. These EVs contain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is packaged via a PINK1-dependent mechanism. We highlight mtDNA as a key EV cargo necessary and sufficient for intercellular transfer of invasive behavior by activating Toll-like receptor 9 in recipient cells, and this involves increased endosomal trafficking of pro-invasive receptors. We propose that an EV-mediated mechanism, through which altered cellular metabolism in one cell influences endosomal trafficking in other cells, is key to generation and dissemination of pro-invasive microenvironments during mammary carcinoma progression.

Towards a Better Understanding of the Relationships between Galectin-7, p53 and MMP-9 during Cancer Progression

It has been almost 25 years since the discovery of galectin-7. This member of the galectin family has attracted interest from many working in the cancer field given its highly restricted expression profile in epithelial cells and the fact that cancers of epithelial origin (carcinoma) are among the most frequent and deadly cancer subtypes. Initially described as a p53-induced gene and associated with apoptosis, galectin-7 is now recognized as having a protumorigenic role in many cancer types. Several studies have indeed shown that galectin-7 is associated with aggressive behavior of cancer cells and induces expression of MMP-9, a member of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) family known to confer invasive behavior to cancer cells. It is therefore not surprising that many studies have examined its relationships with p53 and MMP-9. However, the relationships between galectin-7 and p53 and MMP-9 are not always clear. This is largely because p53 is often mutated in cancer cells and such mutations drastically change its functions and, consequently, its association with galectin-7. In this review, we discuss the functional relationships between galectin-7, p53 and MMP-9 and reconcile some apparently contradictory observations. A better understanding of these relationships will help to develop a working hypothesis and model that will provide the basis for further research in the hope of establishing a new paradigm for tackling the role of galectin-7 in cancer.

Development of CT-Based Imaging Signature for Preoperative Prediction of Invasive Behavior in Pancreatic Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm

PurposeIt is challenging for traditional CT signs to predict invasiveness of pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (pSPN). We aim to develop and evaluate CT-based radiomics signature to preoperatively predict invasive behavior in pSPN.MethodsEighty-five patients who had pathologically confirmed pSPN and preoperative contrasted-enhanced CT imaging in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed (invasive: 24; non-invasive: 61). 1316 radiomics features were separately extracted from delineated 2D or 3D ROIs in arterial and venous phases. 200% (SMOTE) was used to generate balanced dataset (invasive: 72, non-invasive: 96) for each phase, which was for feature selection and modeling. The model was internally validated in the original dataset. Inter-observer consistency analysis, spearman correlation, univariate analysis, LASSO regression and backward stepwise logical regression were mainly applied to screen the features, and 6 logistic regression models were established based on multi-phase features from 2D or 3D segmentations. The ROC analysis and Delong’s test were mainly used for model assessment and AUC comparison.ResultsIt retained 11, 8, 7 and 7 features to construct 3D-arterial, 3D-venous, 2D-arterial and 2D-venous model. Based on 3D ROIs, the arterial model (AUC: 0.914) performed better than venous (AUC: 0.815) and the arterial-venous combined model was slightly improved (AUC: 0.918). Based on 2D ROIs, the arterial model (AUC: 0.814) performed better than venous (AUC:0.768), while the arterial-venous combined model (AUC:0.893) performed better than any single-phase model. In addition, the 3D arterial model performed better than the best combined 2D model. The Delong’s test showed that the significant difference of model AUC existed in arterial models in original dataset (p = 0.019) while not in arterial-venous combined model (p=0.49) as comparing 2D and 3D ROIs.ConclusionThe arterial radiomics model constructed by 3D-ROI feature is potential to predict the invasiveness of pSPN preoperatively.

KSR1-and ERK-dependent translational regulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered a transcriptional process that induces a switch in cells from a polarized state to a migratory phenotype. Here we show that KSR1 and ERK promote EMT-like phenotype through the preferential translation of Epithelial-Stromal Interaction 1 (EPSTI1), which is required to induce the switch from E- to N-cadherin and coordinate migratory and invasive behavior. EPSTI1 is overexpressed in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Disruption of KSR1 or EPSTI1 significantly impairs cell migration and invasion in vitro, and reverses EMT-like phenotype, in part, by decreasing the expression of N-cadherin and the transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin expression, ZEB1 and Slug. In CRC cells lacking KSR1, ectopic EPSTI1 expression restored the E- to N-cadherin switch, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth. KSR1-dependent induction of EMT-like phenotype via selective translation of mRNAs reveals its underappreciated role in remodeling the translational landscape of CRC cells to promote their migratory and invasive behavior.

Gamma Knife for Recurrent Ameloblastoma with Cavernous Sinus Metastasis: A Case Report

Ameloblastoma (AME) is a rare, benign intraosseous progressively growing odontogenic tumor. Due to its invasive behavior, the rate of recurrence is high. Recurrent AME tends to transform malignantly and metastatic. Lung is the most common sites of AME metastasis, followed by lymph nodes. Here we present a case of AME with intracranial metastasis. A 26-year-old woman who had recurrent AME in the left jaw. After the second resection, AME metastasis to the cavernous sinus, sellar and suprasellar regions. Because the metastatic tumor was unresectable, she received Gamma Knife instead. After 3 years follow-up, the tumor was well controlled. In conclusion, Gamma Knife can be a feasible option for unresectable Oligometastatic AME.

Acute cardiac complications and subclinical myocardial injuries associated with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Background Catecholamine excess arising from pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) can cause a wide spectrum of cardiac manifestations, including acute cardiac complications (ACCs) and subclinical myocardial injuries (SMIs). In this study, we aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of ACCs and SMIs in a large cohort of patients with PPGLs. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of consecutive patients with PPGLs admitted between January 2013 and July 2020 (n = 189). The prevalence of ACCs and SMIs and characteristics of patients identified with ACCs and SMIs were investigated. Moreover, comparisons were performed between patients with and without ACCs. Results Fourteen patients (7.4%) fulfilled the criteria for ACCs, including nine (4.8%) who presented with Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy, four (2.1%) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and finally one (0.5%) with catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. Compared to those without ACCs (n = 175), patients with ACCs had a higher prevalence of epinephrine-producing PPGLs (81.8% vs 33.9%, P = 0.006) and were more likely to show invasive behavior (61.5% vs 27.3%, P = 0.022) or hemorrhage/necrosis (53.9% vs 17.4%, P = 0.005) on histology. The apical sparing pattern (5/7, 71.4%) was the dominant impairment pattern of longitudinal strain (LS) for patients displaying Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy. In patients without cardiac symptoms, a fairly high proportion (21/77, 27.3%) of patients who underwent screening for troponin and/or natriuretic peptide and/or echocardiography had SMIs. Conclusions One in every fourteen PPGL patients presented with ACCs, and in the patients with Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy, the apical sparing pattern was the primary impairment pattern of LS. Additionally, nearly one-third of patients without symptoms had SMIs. The diagnosis of PPGLs should be considered in patients with acute reversible cardiomyopathy, especially in those exhibiting an apical sparing pattern of LS.

KSR1- and ERK-dependent Translational Regulation of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered a transcriptional process that induces a switch in cells from a polarized state to a migratory phenotype. Here we show that KSR1 and ERK promote EMT through the preferential translation of Epithelial-Stromal Interaction 1 (EPSTI1), which is required to induce the switch from E-to N-cadherin and coordinate migratory and invasive behavior. EPSTI1 is overexpressed in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Disruption of KSR1 or EPSTI1 significantly impairs cell migration and invasion in vitro, and reverses EMT, in part, by decreasing the expression of N-cadherin and the transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin expression, ZEB1 and Slug. In CRC cells lacking KSR1, ectopic EPSTI1 expression restored the E-to N-cadherin switch, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth. KSR1-dependent induction of EMT via selective translation of mRNAs reveals its underappreciated role in remodeling the translational landscape of CRC cells to promote their migratory and invasive behavior.

Acute Cardiac Complications and Subclinical Myocardial Injuries Associated with Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Background: Catecholamine excess arising from pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) can cause a wide spectrum of cardiac manifestations, including acute cardiac complications (ACCs) and subclinical myocardial injuries (SMIs). Hence, we aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of ACCs and SMIs in a large cohort of PPGLs.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of consecutive patients with PPGLs admitted between January 2013 and July 2020 (n = 189). The prevalence and presentation of ACCs and SMIs were investigated, and comparisons were conducted between cases with and without ACCs. Results: Fourteen patients (7.4%) fulfilled the criteria for ACCs, consisting of nine cases (4.8%) with Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy, three cases (1.6%) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and the remaining one (0.5%) with catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. Compared to those without ACCs (n = 175), patients with ACCs had higher prevalence of epinephrine-producing PPGLs (81.8% vs 33.9%. P = 0.006), and were more likely to show invasive behavior (61.5% vs 27.3%, P = 0.022) and hemorrhage/necrosis (53.9% vs 17.4%, P = 0.005) at histology. Among patients suffered Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy, an apical sparing pattern (5/7, 71.4%) dominated in the impaired patterns of longitudinal strain (LS). In the end, a fairly high percent (21/77, 27.2%) of patients (excluding 14 cases with ACCs) who underwent screening troponin, natriuretic peptide, and echocardiography had SMIs.Conclusions: One in every fourteen PPGLs patients presented with ACCs; and, in the cases with Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy, an apical sparing pattern was the primary pattern in LS. Furthermore, nearly one-third of patients without symptoms had SMIs. The diagnosis of PPGLs should be considered in patients with acute reversible cardiomyopathy, especially with an apical sparing pattern in LS.