Molecular responses to toxicological stressors: profiling microRNAs in wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exposed to acidic aluminum-rich water.

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is among the most sensitive organisms toward acidic, aluminum exposure. Main documented responses to this type of stress are a combination of hypoxia and loss of blood plasma ions. Physiological responses to stress in fish are often grouped into primary, secondary and tertiary responses, where the above mentioned effects are secondary responses, while primary responses include endocrine changes as measurable levels of catecholamines and corticosteroids.

Differential expression of miRNAs in colorectal cancer: comparison of paired tumor tissue and adjacent normal mucosa using high-throughput sequencing.

We present the results of a global study of dysregulated miRNAs in paired samples of normal mucosa and tumor from eight patients with colorectal cancer. Although there is existing data of miRNA contribution to colorectal tumorigenesis, these studies are typically small to medium scale studies of cell lines or non-paired tumor samples. The present study is to our knowledge unique in two respects.

Wobble-enhanced ARMS method for detection of KRAS and BRAF mutations.

Monoclonal antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor have expanded the range of treatment options for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. However, somatic mutations in the KRAS and BRAF genes have proven to be molecular predictors of resistance to treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy in these patients. Thus, we have developed a sensitive mutation assay, wobble-enhanced amplification refractory mutation system, for detecting the 8 most commonly reported mutations of clinical importance in the KRAS and BRAF genes; KRAS g.

Airway inflammation in paper mill workers.

Paper mill workers are exposed to culturable microorganisms (MOs). We hypothesized that inflammatory airway response could be detected in sputum of nonsymptomatic workers. From four paper mills, we included 29 healthy nonsmoking men.