High-mortality epizootic ecovar Liflandii in a colony of Zaire Dwarf Clawed Frogs ().

ecovar Liflandii (Liflandii) was identified as the causative agent of mycobacteriosis in a research colony of Zaire dwarf clawed frogs () at the University of Michigan. Clinical presentation included lethargy, generalized septicemia, cutaneous granulomas, coelomic effusion, and acute mortality. Identification of the mycobacterial species was based on molecular, microbiological, and histopathologic characteristics.

Integration of Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing and Network Analysis to Investigate Mechanisms of Drug Resistance.

Innate resistance and therapeutic-driven development of resistance to anticancer drugs is a common complication of cancer therapy. Understanding mechanisms of drug resistance can lead to development of alternative therapies. One strategy is to subject drug-sensitive and drug-resistant variants to single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) and to subject the scRNA-seq data to network analysis to identify pathways associated with drug resistance.

Septicemia caused by an emerging pathogen, , in a laboratory colony of African dwarf frogs (.

An outbreak of morbidity and mortality in an African dwarf frog ( colony was reported following arrival at an animal research facility. Animals were found dead on arrival or became moribund shortly thereafter, and additional animals showed clinical signs of lethargy, weight loss, and anorexia over the following 3 weeks. Externally, some affected animals presented with multifocal areas of hyperemia in the inguinal and axillary areas and on the limbs, and mottled tan discoloration along the ventral abdomen.

Pheno-SELEX: Engineering Anti-Metastatic Aptamers through Targeting the Invasive Phenotype Using Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment.

Multiple methods (e.g., small molecules and antibodies) have been engineered to target specific proteins and signaling pathways in cancer.

Transcription factor network analysis based on single cell RNA-seq identifies that Trichostatin-a reverses docetaxel resistance in prostate Cancer.

Background: Overcoming drug resistance is critical for increasing the survival rate of prostate cancer (PCa). Docetaxel is the first cytotoxic chemotherapeutical approved for treatment of PCa. However, 99% of PCa patients will develop resistance to docetaxel within 3 years.

Effects of Analgesics on Tumor Growth in Mouse Models of Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis.

Murine models of tumor development often require invasive procedures for tumor implantation, potentially causing pain or distress. However, analgesics are often withheld during implantation because of concerns that they may adversely affect tumor development. Previous studies examining the effects of analgesics on the development and metastasis of various tumor lines show that the effect of analgesics depends on the tumor line and analgesic used.

The National Longitudinal Study of Young Life Scientists: Career differentiation among a diverse group of biomedical PhD students.

Young biomedical PhD scientists are needed in a wide variety of careers. Many recent efforts have been focused on revising training approaches to help them choose and prepare for different careers. However, very little is known about how biomedical PhD students decide on and "differentiate" into careers, which limits the development of new training models.

Enrichment Preferences of Singly Housed Zebrafish ().

Despite the increasing popularity of zebrafish () as an animal model, the environmental enrichment preferences of this species have been largely unexplored. We sought to determine the preferences of mature female zebrafish that were singly housed with or without access to one of 10 inanimate forms of enrichment. As a marker of preference, in-tank fish location was observed by video recording.

Primary prostate cancer educates bone stroma through exosomal pyruvate kinase M2 to promote bone metastasis.

Prostate cancer (PCa) metastasizes selectively to bone through unknown mechanisms. In the current study, we identified exosome-mediated transfer of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) from PCa cells into bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as a novel mechanism through which primary tumor-derived exosomes promote premetastatic niche formation. We found that PKM2 up-regulates BMSC CXCL12 production in a HIF-1α-dependent fashion, which subsequently enhances PCa seeding and growth in the bone marrow.

Immune mediators in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer tissue is composed of both cancer cells and host cells. The milieu of host components that compose the tumor is termed the tumor microenvironment (TME). Host cells can be those derived from the tissue in which the tumor originates (e.

Bone Microenvironment Changes in Latexin Expression Promote Chemoresistance.

Although docetaxel is the standard of care for advanced prostate cancer, most patients develop resistance to docetaxel. Therefore, elucidating the mechanism that underlies resistance to docetaxel is critical to enhance therapeutic intervention. Mining cDNA microarray from the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line and its docetaxel-resistant derivative (PC3-TxR) revealed decreased latexin (LXN) expression in the resistant cells.

Phase II studies of two different schedules of dasatinib in bone metastasis predominant metastatic breast cancer: SWOG S0622.

Bone metastases from breast cancer are common, causing significant morbidity. Preclinical data of dasatinib, an oral small molecule inhibitor of multiple oncogenic tyrosine kinases, suggested efficacy in tumor control and palliation of bone metastases in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This clinical trial aimed to determine whether treatment with either of 2 dose schedules of dasatinib results in a progression-free survival (PFS) >50 % at 24 weeks in bone metastasis predominant MBC, to evaluate the toxicity of the 2 dosing regimens, and explore whether treatment results in decreased serum bone turnover markers and patient-reported "worst pain.

Diffuse Infiltrative Gastrointestinal Lipomatosis in a Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus).

An intact adult male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) went into cardiopulmonary arrest during a surgical procedure, and efforts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. Gross examination revealed a gastric rupture along the greater curvature of the stomach, which was associated with free blood and ingesta in the abdominal cavity, and a 2-cm nodular, partially circumferential, soft-to-firm mass within the pyloric region. Histologically, the pyloric mass was composed of sheets of infiltrative adipocytes expanding the muscular wall.

Beyond Preparation: Identity, Cultural Capital, and Readiness for Graduate School in the Biomedical Sciences.

In this study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 52 college graduates as they entered a Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP). Our goal was to investigate what it means for these aspiring scientists, most of whom are from groups underrepresented in the sciences, to feel ready to apply to a doctoral program in the biomedical sciences. For our analysis, we developed and used a theoretical framework which integrates concepts from identity-in-practice literature with Bourdieu's formulation of cultural capital and also examined the impact of racial, ethnic, and gender identities on education and career trajectories.

Survey of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) in multiple cancer types.

Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), an inhibitor of several signaling pathways, has been shown to have metastasis suppressor gene activity and promote apoptosis. While first identified in prostate cancer, RKIP's anti-metastasis properties have now been demonstrated in multiple tumor types. Furthermore, loss of RKIP expression is observed in many cancers as they progress.

Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) deficiency decreases latency of tumorigenesis and increases metastasis in a murine genetic model of prostate cancer.

Background: Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) has been shown to act as a metastasis suppressor gene in multiple models of cancer. Loss of RKIP expression promotes invasion and metastasis in cell transplantation animal models. However, it is unknown if RKIP expression can impact the progression of cancer in an autochthonous model of cancer.

Recent advances in bone-targeted therapies of metastatic prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting men worldwide, with bone being the most common site of metastasis in patients that progress beyond organ confinement. Bone metastases are virtually incurable and result in significant disease morbidity and mortality. Bone provides a unique microenvironment whose local interactions with tumor cells offer novel targets for therapeutic interventions.

A review on the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with a focus on the role of Wnts and the dickkopf family of Wnt inhibitors.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. There are multiple etiologic factors including viral and environmental influences that can lead to HCC. Successful screening for early HCC is challenging due to the lack of well characterized and specific biomarkers.

Cabozantinib inhibits prostate cancer growth and prevents tumor-induced bone lesions.

Purpose: Cabozantinib, an orally available multityrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), induces resolution of bone scan lesions in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer bone metastases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cabozantinib elicited a direct antitumor effect, an indirect effect through modulating bone, or both.

Experimental Design: Using human prostate cancer xenograft studies in mice, we determined the impact of cabozantinib on tumor growth in soft tissue and bone.

Activation of the Wnt pathway through AR79, a GSK3β inhibitor, promotes prostate cancer growth in soft tissue and bone.

Unlabelled: Due to its bone anabolic activity, methods to increase Wnt activity, such as inhibitors of dickkopf-1 and sclerostin, are being clinically explored. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3β) inhibits Wnt signaling by inducing β-catenin degradation, and a GSK3β inhibitor, AR79, is being evaluated as an osteoanabolic agent. However, Wnt activation has the potential to promote tumor growth; therefore, the goal of this study was to determine if AR79 has an impact on the progression of prostate cancer.

A novel canine model for prostate cancer.

Background: No existing animal model fully recapitulates all features of human prostate cancer. The dog is the only large mammal, besides humans, that commonly develops spontaneous prostate cancer. Canine prostate cancer features many similarities with its human counterpart.

Transcriptional regulation of RKIP expression by androgen in prostate cells.

Background/aims: Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a scaffolding molecule in the PEBP family that sequesters certain signaling molecules away from their pathways, thereby abrogating intracellular growth signals. RKIP has been assigned multiple functions and is associated with an increasing number of diseases through its involvement with signal transduction pathways. We previously demonstrated that RKIP is highly expressed in human normal prostate epithelial cells and plays a pivotal role during prostate cancer (PCa) progression.

Histotripsy focal ablation of implanted prostate tumor in an ACE-1 canine cancer model.

Purpose: Histotripsy is a nonthermal ablative focused ultrasound technology with possible future applications for prostate cancer focal therapy. We used the ACE-1 prostate tumor model and evaluated the feasibility of treating prostate tumors with histotripsy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 10 immunosuppressed (cyclosporine treated) canine subjects received transrectal ultrasound guided percutaneous intraprostatic injection of ACE-1 canine prostate cancer cells.

Reversal of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia using granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor promotes bone metastasis that can be blocked with osteoclast inhibitors.

Hematopoietic growth factors are used to reverse chemotherapy-induced leukopenia. However, some factors such as granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induce osteoclast-mediated bone resorption that can promote cancer growth in the bone. Accordingly, we evaluated the ability of GM-CSF to promote bone metastases of breast cancer or prostate cancer in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia.