Melanoma central nervous system metastases: An update to approaches,challenges, and opportunities

In February 2018, the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Moffitt Cancer Center hosted the Second Summit on Melanoma Central Nervous System (CNS) Metastases in Tampa, Florida. In this white paper, we outline the current status of basic science, translational, and clinical research into melanoma brain metastasis development and therapeutic management. We further outline the important challenges that remain for the field and the critical barriers that need to be overcome for continued progress to be made in this clinically difficult area.     

Hydrogen production by hup− mutant and wild-type strains of Rhodobacter capsulatus from dark fermentation effluent of sugar beet thick juice in batch and continuous photobioreactors

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Photofermentative production of hydrogen is a promising and sustainable process; however, it should be coupled to dark fermentation to become cost effective....     

Prevalence of known mutations in the MEFV gene in a population screening with high rate of carriers

The Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) shows an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance and affects certain ethnic groups. Disease is caused by mutations in MEFV gene and more than 180 mutations have been defined in affected individuals. Current study aimed to determine the frequency-type of the mutations for MEFV gene in Sivas??middle Anatolian city. The cohort was composed of 3340 patients. MEFV gene mutations were studied by multiplex PCR based reverse hybridization stripAssay method. Patients?? clinical features were; family history: 68%, erysipelas-like erythema: 17.6%, fever: 89.9%, abdominal pain: 84.2%, peritonitis: 90.2%, arthritis: 33%, pleuritis: 14.2%, parental consanguinity: 21.2%. Current results revealed that M694V is the most frequent mutation (43.12%), followed by E148Q (20.18), M680I(G/C) (15.00%) and V726A (11.32%). The study population has a high rate of carriers and the E148Q mutation frequency was found to be highest when compared to the other regions of Turkey and other Mediterranean groups.     

Population genetic structure of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L., 1758) in the Black Sea

Turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, is a commercially important demersal flatfish species distributed throughout the Black Sea. Several studies performed locally with a limited number of specimens using both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite markers evidenced notable genetic variation among populations. However, comprehensive population genetic studies are required to help management of the species in the Black Sea. In the present study eight microsatellite loci were used to resolve the population structure of 414 turbot samples collected from 12 sites across the Black Sea. Moreover, two mtDNA genes, COI and Cyt-b, were used for taxonomic identification. Microsatellite markers of Smax-04 and B12-I GT14 were excluded from analysis due to scoring issues. Data analysis was performed with the remaining six loci. Loci were highly polymorphic (average of 17.8 alleles per locus), indicating high genetic variability. Locus 3/20CA17, with high null allele frequency (>30%), significantly deviated from HW equilibrium. Pairwise comparison of the F_ST index showed significant differences between most of the surveyed sampling sites (P < 0.01). Cluster analysis evidenced the presence of three genetic groups among sampling sites. Significant genetic differentiation between Northern (Sea of Azov and Crimea) and Southern (Turkish Black Sea Coast) Black Sea sampling sites were detected. The Mantel test supported an isolation by distance model of population structure. These findings are vital for long-term sustainable management of the species and development of conservation programs. Moreover, generated mtDNA sequences would be useful for the establishment of a database for S. maximus.     

Retrieval of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) oocytes by ultrasound‐guided needle aspiration: Problems and solutions

Oocytes of nonhuman primates such as rhesus monkeys are excellent models for diverse studies on developmental biology, epigenetics, human reproduction, and assisted reproductive technologies, as well as on transgenics. Such studies require numerous oocytes that can be retrieved after controlled ovarian stimulation. Currently, most primate centers use laparoscopic aspiration or laparotomy followed by aspiration to collect rhesus oocytes, although the ultrasound‐guided needle aspiration is more advantageous due to reduced infection risk, less injury, and a shorter recovery period. Yet, some initial difficulties associated with the ultrasound‐guided needle aspiration limit its broader application. The objective of the present study was to address these obstacles. By presenting practical solutions to the initial difficulties, results from our study show that it is possible to collect a mean number of 38 ± 10 rhesus oocytes per hormonally stimulated female. These results compare favorably to the average number of rhesus oocytes collected using the laparoscopic approach and suggest that when initial obstacles are overcome, the ultrasound‐guided oocyte retrieval represents a good alternative to more invasive approaches. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 890–896, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

“Density equilibrium” method for the quantitative and rapid in situ determination of lipid,hydrocarbon, or biopolymer content in microorganisms

The work provides a simple method, based on a direct density equilibrium measurement, for the rapid in situ estimation of total lipid, hydrocarbon or biopolymer content in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic samples. The method can be readily applied to live microalgae and photosynthetic bacteria, single‐celled or colonial microorganisms, as well as cellular fractions and isolated subcellular compartments or components. In this approach, the absolute lipid, hydrocarbon, or biopolymer content of the cells can be readily calculated. This method is especially useful for tracking the oil or polymer content of strains of microalgae and other microorganisms, whose lipid, hydrocarbon or biopolymer content may change with cultivation conditions and/or time, as the case would be in microorganism lipid‐induction industrial processes. The method is also useful for the direct in situ measurement of storage polymer accumulation in live cells, such as starch in microalgae and polyhydroxybutyrate, or other polyhydroxyalkanoates, in photosynthetic and non‐photosynthetic bacteria. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1406–1415. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Therapeutic inducers of the HSP70/HSP110 protect mice against traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces severe harm and disability in many accident victims and combat‐related activities. The heat‐shock proteins Hsp70/Hsp110 protect cells against death and ischemic damage. In this study, we used mice deficient in Hsp110 or Hsp70 to examine their potential requirement following TBI. Data indicate that loss of Hsp110 or Hsp70 increases brain injury and death of neurons. One of the mechanisms underlying the increased cell death observed in the absence of Hsp110 and Hsp70 following TBI is the increased expression of reactive oxygen species‐induced p53 target genes Pig1, Pig8, and Pig12. To examine whether drugs that increase the levels of Hsp70/Hsp110 can protect cells against TBI, we subjected mice to TBI and administered Celastrol or BGP‐15. In contrast to Hsp110‐ or Hsp70i‐deficient mice that were not protected following TBI and Celastrol treatment, there was a significant improvement of wild‐type mice following administration of these drugs during the first week following TBI. In addition, assessment of neurological injury shows significant improvement in contextual and cued fear conditioning tests and beam balance in wild‐type mice that were treated with Celastrol or BGP‐15 following TBI compared to TBI‐treated mice. These studies indicate a significant role of Hsp70/Hsp110 in neuronal survival following TBI and the beneficial effects of Hsp70/Hsp110 inducers toward reducing the pathological consequences of TBI.