[Endometrial cancers arising in polyps associated with tamoxifen use]. / Dégénérescence maligne de polypes endométriaux sous tamoxifène.

OBJECTIVES: To review and describe the anatomoclinical cases of the endometrial cancers arising on polyps during a hormonotherapy by tamoxifen for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the surgical inventory 1990-2002 of the benign or malignant uterine lesions investigated by hysteroscopy with dilatation & curettage (D&C) and/or hysterectomy, 108 single or multiple endometrial polyps were encountered and histologically analyzed. RESULTS: A malignant transformation of polyp was found in 5 instances, meaning a rate of 4.6% i.e. 5/108: 4 cases of adenocarcinoma, 1 case of sarcoma. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The existence of endometrial polyps - symptomatic or not - does not seem compatible with the prolonged use of tamoxifen treatment owing the estrogen agonist potential effects of tamoxifen and its well-known hyperplastic and carcinogenic properties for the endometrium. The increased risk of endometrial cancer developing in polyps in this iatrogenic context is estimated between 2.5% and 10% in the literature.

Inheritance of partial resistance against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in Phaseolus vulgaris and co-localization of quantitative trait loci with genes involved in specific resistance.

Anthracnose, one of the most important diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. A "candidate gene" approach was used to map anthracnose resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL). Candidate genes included genes for both pathogen recognition (resistance genes and resistance gene analogs [RGAs]) and general plant defense (defense response genes). Two strains of C. lindemuthianum, identified in a world collection of 177 strains, displayed a reproducible and differential aggressiveness toward BAT93 and JaloEEP558, two parental lines of P. vulgaris representing the two major gene pools of this crop. A reliable test was developed to score partial resistance in aerial organs of the plant (stem, leaf, petiole) under controlled growth chamber conditions. BAT93 was more resistant than JaloEEP558 regardless of the organ or strain tested. With a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between these two parental lines, 10 QTL were located on a genetic map harboring 143 markers, including known defense response genes, anthracnose-specific resistance genes, and RGAs. Eight of the QTL displayed isolate specificity. Two were co-localized with known defense genes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein) and three with anthracnose-specific resistance genes and/or RGAs. Interestingly, two QTL, with different allelic contribution, mapped on linkage group B4 in a 5.0 cM interval containing Andean and Mesoamerican specific resistance genes against C. lindemuthianum and 11 polymorphic fragments revealed with a RGA probe. The possible relationship between genes underlying specific and partial resistance is discussed.

[Cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma of the external ear canal]. / Carcinome neuro-endocrine cutane localise dans le conduit auditif externe.

Authors report a case of a neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell tumor) located in the external meatus. These tumors have a fearsome prognostic. Immunohistochemical study has become indispensable to make the diagnosis. A literature review is presented, and therapeutic choices discussed. Wide and precocious surgical resection is advised.

Improved flax regeneration from hypocotyls using thidiazuron as a cytokinin source.

The effects of thidiazuron, benzyladenine and zeatin were tested with respect to bud regeneration of different flax explants from hypocotyls, cotyledons and apices of two fibre varieties (Ariane, Viking) and one linseed variety (Antarès). These three cytokinins were tested either alone or in combination with naphthalene acetic acid, indole acetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.Hypocotyls were the most responsive explants. Thidiazuron was significantly the most effective followed by benzyladenine, and then zeatin, in inducing organogenesis from hypocotyl segments. The optimal thidiazuron concentration for bud regeneration from hypocotyls was 0.1-0.3 µM in combination with 0.01 µM of naphthalene acetic acid. Six days after plating, shoot initials began to appear on hypocotyl sections compared with ten to fifteen days when using benzyladenine or zeatin.