Publications by authors named "R Lerma"

Metastasis to vital organs remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, emphasizing an urgent need for actionable targets in advanced-stage cancer. The role of mitochondrial Rho GTPase 2 (MIRO2) in prostate cancer growth was recently reported; however, whether MIRO2 is important for additional steps in the metastatic cascade is unknown. Here, we show that knockdown of MIRO2 ubiquitously reduces tumor cell invasion in vitro and suppresses metastatic burden in prostate and breast cancer mouse models.

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Standard zebrafish transgenesis involves random transgene integration with resource-intensive screening. While phiC31 integrase-based / recombination has streamlined transgenesis in mice and , validated -based landing sites for universal applications are lacking in zebrafish. Here, we developed () as transgenesis approach, with two landing sites and from well-validated Tol2 transgenes.

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Standard methods for transgenesis in zebrafish depend on random transgene integration into the genome followed by resource-intensive screening and validation. Targeted vector integration into validated genomic loci using phiC31 integrase-based / recombination has transformed mouse and transgenesis. However, while the phiC31 system functions in zebrafish, validated loci carrying -based landing or safe harbor sites suitable for universal transgenesis applications in zebrafish have not been established.

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Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is equivalent in safety and efficacy to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) while decreasing number of procedures and length of stay (LOS). Despite these advantages LCBDE is infrequently utilized. We hypothesized that formal, simulation-based training in LCBDE would result in increased utilization and improve patient outcomes across participating institutions.

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Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis is associated with bone pain and fractures in addition to cardiovascular morbidity. Cinacalcet is the most commonly used drug to treat such patients, but it has never been compared to surgery. The goal of this study is to compare the long-term outcomes and survival between cinacalcet and parathyroidectomy in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.

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