Immunohistochemical Expression of Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in Feline Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and in Normal and Hyperplastic Endometria

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is overexpressed in several human and animal neoplasms, including the human endometrial carcinoma. It has been suggested as a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target. This study aimed to (i) clarify histological aspects of feline endometrial adenocarcinomas (FEA) of the papillary serous type and (ii) characterize COX‐2 immunohistochemical expression in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium in this species. Archived paraffin‐embedded tissue samples of 33 FEA, eight cystic endometrial hyperplasias (CEHs) and 21 samples of normal, healthy endometrium in the follicular (FS; n = 10) and luteal (LS; n = 11) stages were evaluated. Histological evaluation of haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections of the FEA revealed a papillary proliferation of neoplastic cells of serous type, accompanied by clear and multinucleated cells. Other architectural arrangements mainly included solid and tubular growth. Randomly distributed areas of necrosis within the tumours were commonly observed. Invasion of the myometrium, of the serosa and of the vascular and/or lymphatic vessels was not constant features. The mean number of mitoses was higher in FEA compared to non‐neoplastic endometrium. COX‐2 scores were lower in FEA (p = 0.003) and CEH (p = 0.05) when compared to normal epithelium (NE). The loss of the membrane apical reinforcement in epithelial cells was observed in FEA samples, which was accompanied by the dislocation of COX‐2 labelling into the cytoplasm and the perinuclear area; in contrast, in epithelial cells in the healthy and hyperplastic endometria, the immunoreaction showed the characteristic pattern of apical membrane reinforcement, suggestive of the membrane polarization. COX‐2 epithelial scores were higher in the FS than in the LS. No differences were found in stromal COX‐2 expression between normal, CEH and FEA groups, but it was higher in the LS than in the FS. In summary, loss of COX‐2 compartmentalization in neoplastic epithelial cells might be one of the molecular events underlying endometrial carcinogenesis.     

Growth and Ca,Mg, K,and P uptake by triticale,wheat, and rye at four al levels

This study was conducted to determine relationships between Al toxicity and mineral uptake of triticale (X Triticosecale, Wittmack), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.). Two culti‐vars of each species were grown in 1/5‐strength Steinberg solution with 0, 3, 6, or 12 ppm Al added. The solutions were adjusted to pH 4.8 at transplanting and were not adjusted thereafter. The plants were grown in a growth chamber for 19 days before harvesting to determine nutrient solution pH, dry weights, and Al, Ca, Mg, K, and P levels in plants. Increasing Al concentration reduced the final pH of solutions. The addition of 12 ppm Al severely reduced the growth and increased Al concentration of plant tops. The Al levels in roots generally increased with increments of added Al up to 6 ppm. Increasing Al decreased the uptake of Ca, Mg, and P by plant tops more than that of K. Regression analyses indicated that Al toxicity was associated with increasing K/Ca + Mg equivalent ratios and decreasing P concentration in plant tops. Differences between species were: higher Al concentration in rye than wheat with 6 and 12 ppm Al, higher translocation of Ca from roots to tops in wheat than in rye and Mg in triticale and wheat than rye; K/Ca + Mg equivalent ratios associated with 50% reduction in top growth followed the order: triticales > tolerant wheat > sensitive wheat > rye. Differences in mineral uptake associated with Al toxicity in wheat were more indicative of differential Al sensitivity in wheat than in triticale and rye which have higher internal Al tolerance.     

Phase velocities of rayleigh waves in the MELT experiment on the east pacific rise

The phase velocities of Rayleigh waves increase more rapidly with distance from the East Pacific Rise (EPR) axis than is predicted by models of conductive cooling of the lithosphere. Low velocities near the axis are probably caused by partial melt at depths of 20 to 70 kilometers in a zone several hundred kilometers wide. The lowest velocities are offset to the west of the EPR. Wave propagation is anisotropic; the fast direction is approximately perpendicular to the ridge, parallel to the spreading direction. Anisotropy increases from a minimum near the axis to 3 percent or more on the flanks.     

Predatory dinosaur remains from madagascar: implications for the cretaceous biogeography of gondwana

Recent discoveries of fossil vertebrates from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar include several specimens of a large theropod dinosaur. One specimen includes a nearly complete and exquisitely preserved skull with thickened pneumatic nasals, a median frontal horn, and a dorsal projection on the parietals. The new materials are assigned to the enigmatic theropod group Abelisauridae on the basis of a number of unique features. Fossil remains attributable to abelisaurids are restricted to three Gondwanan landmasses: South America, Madagascar, and the Indian subcontinent. This distribution is consistent with a revised paleogeographic reconstruction that posits prolonged links between these landmasses (via Antarctica), perhaps until late in the Late Cretaceous.     

Climate-Ocean Variability and Ecosystem Response in the Northeast Pacific

The role of climatic variation in regulating marine populations and communities is not well understood. To improve our knowledge, the sign, amplitude, and frequency of climatic and biotic variations should be compared as a necessary first step. It is shown that there have been large interannual and interdecadal sea-surface temperature changes off the West Coast of North America during the past 80 years. Interannual anomalies appear and disappear rather suddenly and synchronously along the entire coastline. The frequency of warm events has increased since 1977. Although extensive, serial, biological observations are often incomplete, it is clear that climate-ocean variations have disturbed and changed our coastal ecosystems.