Tmem119 expression is downregulated in a subset of brain metastasis-associated microglia.

Under pathological conditions, the immune-specialized brain microenvironment contains both resident microglia and bone marrow-derived myeloid cells recruited from peripheral circulation. Due to largely overlapping phenotypic similarities between these ontogenically distinct myeloid populations, studying their individual functions in central nervous system diseases has been challenging. Recently, transmembrane protein 119 (Tmem119) has been reported as a marker for resident microglia which is not expressed by bone marrow-derived myeloid cells.

A distinct pattern of growth and RAC1 signaling in melanoma brain metastasis cells.

Background: Melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers, has a high propensity to form brain metastases that are associated with a markedly worsened prognosis. In spite of recent therapeutic advances, melanoma brain lesions remain a clinical challenge, biomarkers predicting brain dissemination are not clear and differences with other metastatic sites are poorly understood.

Methods: We examined a genetically diverse panel of human-derived melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) and extracranial cell lines using targeted sequencing, a Reverse Phase Protein Array, protein expression analyses, and functional studies in vitro and in vivo.

Infrared Spectroscopy-Determined Bone Compositional Changes Associated with Anti-Resorptive Treatment of the Mouse Model of Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Applications of vibrational spectroscopy to assess bone disease and therapeutic interventions are continually advancing, with tissue mineral and protein composition frequently investigated. Here, we used two spectroscopic approaches for determining bone composition in a mouse model () of the brittle bone disease osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with and without antiresorptive agent treatment (alendronate, or ALN, and RANK-Fc). Near-infrared (NIR) spectral analysis using a fiber optic probe and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) mode were applied to investigate bone composition, including water, mineral, and protein content.

Environmentally-Controlled Near Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging of Bone Water.

We have designed an environmentally-controlled chamber for near infrared spectroscopic imaging (NIRSI) to monitor changes in cortical bone water content, an emerging biomarker related to bone quality assessment. The chamber is required to ensure repeatable spectroscopic measurements of tissues without the influence of atmospheric moisture. A calibration curve to predict gravimetric water content from human cadaveric cortical bone was created using NIRSI data obtained at six different lyophilization time points.

Improvement in Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms From a Food-grade Maltosyl-isomaltooligosaccharide Soluble Fiber Supplement: A Case Series.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common medical condition. Symptom improvement from ingested prebiotic soluble fiber has not been reported previously. In fact, a related soluble fiber, fructooligosaccharides, has been shown to worsen GERD.

A Survey of Commercially Available Isomaltooligosaccharide-Based Food Ingredients.

Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) are included in many commercially available food products including protein/fiber bars, shakes, and other dietary supplements. Marketed as "high fiber," "prebiotic soluble fiber," and/or as a "low-calorie, low glycemic sweetener," IMO may be present in significant amounts, for example, more than 15 g/item or serving. Herein, high-pressure anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and high-pressure liquid chromatography with differential refractive index detection are used to compare 7 commercially available IMO-containing bulk food ingredients.