Publications by authors named "Rowan A"

Using joint genomic-transcriptomic analysis of 243 samples, we reveal recurrent patterns of nongenetic evolution in ccRCC not exclusively governed by genetic factors, including T-cell depletion, tumor T-cell receptor coevolution, potential cGAS-STING repression, and increased cell proliferation. These patterns can aid clinical management and guide novel treatment approaches.

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While the key aspects of genetic evolution and their clinical implications in clear cell renal-cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are well-documented, how genetic features co-evolve with the phenotype and tumor microenvironment (TME) remains elusive. Here, through joint genomic-transcriptomic analysis of 243 samples from 79 patients recruited to the TRACERx Renal study, we identify pervasive non-genetic intratumor heterogeneity, with over 40% not attributable to genetic alterations. By integrating tumor transcriptomes and phylogenetic structures, we observe convergent evolution to specific phenotypic traits, including cell proliferation, metabolic reprogramming and overexpression of putative cGAS-STING repressors amid high aneuploidy.

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Human T-cell leukaemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) causes the highly aggressive malignancy adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma (ATL) in approximately 5 % of chronically infected carriers. HTLV-1 persists in the host by enhancing survival of infected-T-cells despite the presence of a strong immune response. Therefore, asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers have a lifelong balance between infected cell proliferation and the host antiviral immune response.

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  • - The study introduces the SPRINTER algorithm, which analyzes single-cell DNA sequencing to identify and classify the proliferation rates of different cancer cell clones within tumors, shedding light on the variability of cell growth among these clones.
  • - Applying SPRINTER to nearly 15,000 non-small cell lung cancer cells showed significant differences in clone proliferation, which was corroborated by various imaging techniques and indicated that more proliferative clones also had a higher likelihood of metastasis and altered genetic replication patterns.
  • - The algorithm's effectiveness was further demonstrated in breast and ovarian cancer datasets, where it uncovered higher proliferation rates and genetic variations in specific, more rapidly growing cell clones.
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Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is a major contributor to treatment resistance and poor outcome for patients with cancer. Here we examine the diversity of ecDNA elements across cancer, revealing the associated tissue, genetic and mutational contexts. By analysing data from 14,778 patients with 39 tumour types from the 100,000 Genomes Project, we demonstrate that 17.

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  • Oncogene amplification on extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is linked to treatment resistance and poorer survival in cancer patients, particularly those with glioblastoma, contributing to genetic diversity in tumors.* ! -
  • The study used a new computational model called 'SPECIES' to analyze tumor samples from 94 glioblastoma patients, providing insights into how ecDNA evolves in time and space within tumors.* ! -
  • Findings reveal significant patterns in ecDNA copy number variation, indicating strong positive selection on certain oncogenes and suggesting that ecDNA accumulation occurs before major cell growth phases.* !
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Disruption of the class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules has important implications for immune evasion and tumor evolution. We developed major histocompatibility complex loss of heterozygosity (LOH), allele-specific mutation and measurement of expression and repression (MHC Hammer). We identified extensive variability in HLA allelic expression and pervasive HLA alternative splicing in normal lung and breast tissue.

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  • Confocal reflectance imaging has issues with high background noise and low sensitivity in observing cells.
  • The study showcases a new method for imaging cells embedded in clear 3D hydrogels that achieves high sensitivity and low background interference.
  • This technique allows for detailed visualization of cell structures with low laser power and less harmful effects on the specimens, while also requiring minimal preparation.
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  • Serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) are proteins that play important roles in various biological processes, including blood coagulation and extracellular matrix remodeling.
  • This study reveals that SERPINA3, a specific serpin, is crucial for the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes during early cartilage development, showing increased expression during this process.
  • Silencing SERPINA3 impairs cartilage formation and reduces levels of SOX9, a master regulator of chondrogenesis, indicating that SERPINA3 is essential for proper chondrocyte differentiation through the regulation of SOX9.
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Haemorrhage control during surgery and following traumatic injury remains a critical, life-saving challenge. Cellulose products are already employed in commercially available haemostatic dressings. This work explores sourcing cellulose from sugarcane trash pulp to produce micro- and nanosized fibres with hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, and trimethylamine functional groups, resulting in either positive or negative surface charges.

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Women in developing countries still face enormous challenges when accessing reproductive health care. Access to voluntary family planning empowers women allowing them to complete their education and join the paid workforce. This effectively helps to end poverty, hunger and promotes good health for all.

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Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are widely used in cancer research. To investigate the genomic fidelity of non-small cell lung cancer PDX models, we established 48 PDX models from 22 patients enrolled in the TRACERx study. Multi-region tumor sampling increased successful PDX engraftment and most models were histologically similar to their parent tumor.

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Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a neglected tropical disease that causes substantial morbidity and mortality, is a serious health problem in Ethiopia. Infections are caused by (.) parasites.

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When The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique was published in 1959, authors William Russell and Rex Burch had a modest goal: to make researchers think about what they were doing in the laboratory – and to do it more humanely. Sixty years later, their groundbreaking book was celebrated for inspiring a revolution in science and launching a new field: The 3Rs of alternatives to animal experimentation. On November 22, 2019, some pioneering and leading scientists and researchers in the field gathered at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Bal­timore for the 60 Years of the 3Rs Symposium: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead.

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Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular lesions that predominantly form in blood vessels of the central nervous system upon loss of the CCM multimeric protein complex. The endothelial cells within CCM lesions are characterized by overactive MEKK3 kinase and KLF2/4 transcription factor signaling, leading to pathological changes such as increased endothelial cell spreading and reduced junctional integrity. Concomitant to aberrant endothelial cell signaling, non-autonomous signals from the extracellular matrix (ECM) have also been implicated in CCM lesion growth and these factors might explain why CCM lesions mainly develop in the central nervous system.

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Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended treatment for insomnia, yet multiple barriers limit utilization. Digital CBT-I may present a solution, though related reviews have focused on Internet-based delivery rather than app use. The high utilization of health apps and prevalence of sleep apps indicate the need to equip clinicians with app-specific research.

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Introduction: is a Gram-negative bacillus with intrinsic multidrug-resistant properties.

Case Presentation: Herein, we present the first case report of human infection, relating to an implantable portal and catheter (port-a-cath) central line in a 5-year-old female with cystic fibrosis. The infection was identified using a Bruker MALDI-TOF Biotyper with BDAL (v12) of blood, which was cultured due to pyrexia and rigour following port-a-cath access.

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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biological nanoparticles that promote intercellular communication by delivering bioactive cargo over short and long distances. Short-distance communication takes place in the interstitium, whereas long-distance communication is thought to require transport through the blood circulation to reach distal sites. Extracellular vesicle therapeutics are frequently injected systemically, and diagnostic approaches often rely on the detection of organ-derived EVs in the blood.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the role of the APOBEC3B (A3B) enzyme in lung cancer, specifically in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
  • It was found that A3B expression can limit tumor growth in mouse models but is linked to resistance against EGFR-targeted therapies in tumors.
  • The research suggests that A3B could be targeted to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments, as its upregulation was observed in both preclinical models and patients undergoing EGFR-targeted therapy.
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Reactions occurring at surfaces and interfaces necessitate the creation of well-designed surface and interfacial structures. To achieve a combination of bulk material (i.e.

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Introduction: Fragmented genomic DNA is constitutively released from dying cells into interstitial fluid in healthy tissue. In cancer, this so-called 'cell-free' DNA (cfDNA) released from dying malignant cells encodes cancer-associated mutations. Thus, minimally invasive sampling of cfDNA in blood plasma can be used to diagnose, characterise and longitudinally monitor solid tumours at remote sites in the body.

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Metastatic disease is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths. We report the longitudinal evolutionary analysis of 126 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours from 421 prospectively recruited patients in TRACERx who developed metastatic disease, compared with a control cohort of 144 non-metastatic tumours. In 25% of cases, metastases diverged early, before the last clonal sweep in the primary tumour, and early divergence was enriched for patients who were smokers at the time of initial diagnosis.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines how intratumour heterogeneity (ITH) impacts lung cancer evolution, leading to immune evasion and therapy resistance using data from non-small cell lung cancer patients.
  • It analyzes RNA and whole-exome sequencing from 354 tumours, revealing significant transcriptomic diversity that contributes to phenotypic variation and influences the selection process during tumour evolution.
  • The research identifies key mechanisms like allele-specific expression and RNA-editing enzyme activity that connect the genome and transcriptome, affecting metastasis potential and the overall evolution of lung cancer.
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