Investigating the Role of Glyoxalase 1 as a Therapeutic Target for Cocaine and Oxycodone Use Disorder.

Methylglyoxal (MG) is an endogenously produced non-enzymatic side product of glycolysis that acts as a partial agonist at GABA receptors. MG that is metabolized by the enzyme glyoxalase-1 (GLO1). Inhibition of GLO1 increases methylglyoxal levels, and has been shown to modulate various behaviors, including decreasing seeking of cocaine-paired cues and ethanol consumption.

MKLP2 functions in early mitosis to ensure proper chromosome congression.

Mitotic kinesin-like protein 2 (MKLP2; also known as KIF20A) is a motor protein with a well-established function in promoting cytokinesis. However, our results with siRNAs targeting MKLP2 and small-molecule inhibitors of MKLP2 (MKLP2i) suggest that it also has a function earlier in mitosis, prior to anaphase. In this study, we provide direct evidence that MKLP2 facilitates chromosome congression in prometaphase.

Motor performance after treatment of pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa in childhood.

Background: Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common brain tumour type in childhood located in the posterior fossa, and treated mainly with surgery. These tumours have low mortality, but knowledge concerning its long-term outcome is sparse.

Aims: The aim was to investigate if patients treated for pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa had motor complications, including balance, motor and process skills.

The deubiquitinating enzyme USP37 enhances CHK1 activity to promote the cellular response to replication stress.

The deubiquitinating enzyme USP37 is known to contribute to timely onset of S phase and progression of mitosis. However, it is not clear if USP37 is required beyond S-phase entry despite expression and activity of USP37 peaking within S phase. We have utilized flow cytometry and microscopy to analyze populations of replicating cells labeled with thymidine analogs and monitored mitotic entry in synchronized cells to determine that USP37-depleted cells exhibited altered S-phase kinetics.

Cognitive, language, and school performance in children and young adults treated for low-grade astrocytoma in the posterior fossa in childhood.

Background: Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common brain tumour type in childhood located in the posterior fossa, and treated mainly with surgery. These tumours have low mortality, but knowledge concerning its long-term outcome is sparse.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether children treated for pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa had late complications affecting cognition, language and learning.