Extracellular Vesicles and Tunnelling Nanotubes as Mediators of Prostate Cancer Intercellular Communication.

Prostate cancer (PCa) pathogenesis relies on intercellular communication, which can involve tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs). TNTs and EVs have been reported to transfer critical cargo involved in cellular functions and signalling, prompting us to investigate the extent of organelle and protein transfer in PCa cells and the potential involvement of the androgen receptor. Using live cell imaging microscopy, we observed extensive formation of TNTs and EVs operating between PCa, non-malignant, and immune cells.

Congenital Titinopathy: Comprehensive Characterization of the Most Severe End of the Disease Spectrum.

Unlabelled: Congenital titinopathy has recently emerged as one of the most common congenital muscle disorders.

Objective: To better understand the presentation and clinical needs of the under-characterized extreme end of the congenital titinopathy severity spectrum.

Methods: We comprehensively analyzed the clinical, imaging, pathology, autopsy, and genetic findings in 15 severely affected individuals from 11 families.

Perinatal exposure to methadone or buprenorphine impairs hippocampal-dependent cognition and brain development in juvenile rats.

The opioid crisis continues to escalate, disproportionately affecting women of reproductive age. Traditionally the first line of treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder is the mu-opioid receptor agonist methadone. However, in recent years, the use of buprenorphine as a replacement therapy has increased as it has fewer side-effects and longer duration of action.

Tandem duplication of serpin genes yields functional variation and snake venom inhibitors.

Tandem duplication of genes can play a critical role in the evolution of functional novelty, but our understanding is limited concerning gene duplication's role in coevolution between species. Much is known about the evolution and function of tandemly duplicated snake venom genes, however the potential of gene duplication to fuel venom resistance within prey species is poorly understood. In this study, we characterize patterns of gene duplication of the SERPINA subfamily of genes across in vertebrates and experimentally characterize functional variation in the SERPINA3-like paralogs of a wild rodent.

Predictors of Service Awareness: Results from a Community Survey in an Urban Area.

We examined information seeking strategies and predictors of service awareness from a 2019 survey of Detroit area adults. Participants were age 60+ (mean age = 72.10; SD = 8.