Toward a CRISPR-based mouse model of -deficient clear cell kidney cancer: Initial experience and lessons learned.

CRISPR is revolutionizing the ability to do somatic gene editing in mice for the purpose of creating new cancer models. Inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene is the signature initiating event in the most common form of kidney cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Such tumors are usually driven by the excessive HIF2 activity that arises when the gene product, pVHL, is defective.

Sensitivity of mutant kidney cancers to HIF2 inhibitors does not require an intact p53 pathway.

Inactivation of the VHL tumor suppressor gene is the signature initiating event in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), which is the most common form of kidney cancer. The VHL tumor suppressor protein marks hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) and HIF2 for proteasomal degradation when oxygen is present. The inappropriate accumulation of HIF2 drives tumor formation by VHL tumor suppressor protein (pVHL)–defective ccRCC.

Assessment of a Targeted Trap-Neuter-Return Pilot Study in Auckland, New Zealand.

There is a need for effective and humane management tools to manage urban stray cats and minimise negative impacts associated with stray cats. One such tool is targeted trap-neuter-return (TTNR), but no concerted implementation of this technique or formal assessments have been reported. To address this deficit, a TTNR programme was implemented and assessed in one Auckland suburb from May 2015 to June 2016; the programme sterilised and returned 348 cats (4.

Prevalence and risk factors for cats testing positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection in cats entering an animal shelter in New Zealand.

AIMS To estimate the prevalence of cats testing positive for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigens in domestic cats entering a New Zealand animal shelter, based on a commercial point-of-care ELISA, to identify risk factors associated with cats testing positive, and to compare the results obtained from the ELISA with those obtained using PCR-based testing. METHOD A cross-sectional study was performed on 388 cats entering the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals animal shelter in Auckland, New Zealand between 7 February 2014 and 30 May 2014. Whole blood samples were collected from each cat and tested for FIV antibody and FeLV antigen using a commercial point-of-care ELISA.

Hospital cost flexibility in the presence of many outputs: a public-private comparison.

This paper develops flexibility measures in the context of a multi-firm output based on a generalized average cost function. We then apply this methodology to assess and compare the relative flexibility of hospital services in Québec and California based on two very complete data sets. Results indicate that there is no clear distinction between private and public institutions and that there is no clear distinction between Québec and California hospitals.