Cep192, a Novel Missing Link between the Centrosomal Core and Corona in Amoebae.

The centrosome is a nucleus-associated body with a diameter of approx. 500 nm. It contains no centrioles but consists of a cylindrical layered core structure surrounded by a microtubule-nucleating corona.

Pre-orchiectomy tumor marker levels should not be used for International Germ Cell Consensus Classification (IGCCCG) risk group assignment.

Purpose: To investigate whether the use of pre-orchiectomy instead of pre-chemotherapy tumor marker (TM) levels has an impact on the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification (IGCCCG) risk group assignment in patients with metastatic germ cell tumors (GCT).

Methods: Demographic and clinical information of all patients treated for primary metastatic testicular non-seminomatous GCT in our tertiary care academic center were extracted from medical charts. IGCCCG risk group assignment was correctly performed with pre-chemotherapy marker levels and additionally with pre-orchiectomy marker levels.

Systemic inflammatory markers have independent prognostic value in patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumours undergoing first-line chemotherapy.

Background: The prognostic utility of systemic inflammatory markers has so far not been investigated in patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs).

Methods: International Germ Cell Cancer Cooperative Group (IGCCCG) risk groups and blood-based systemic inflammatory markers (haemoglobin, leukocytes, platelets (P), neutrophils (N), lymphocytes (L), C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin) of 146 patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy for GCT were retrieved. In addition, N to L ratio (NLR), P to L ratio and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII=N × P/L) were calculated.

Neurofibromin controls macropinocytosis and phagocytosis in Dictyostelium.

Cells use phagocytosis and macropinocytosis to internalise bulk material, which in phagotrophic organisms supplies the nutrients necessary for growth. Wildtype Dictyostelium amoebae feed on bacteria, but for decades laboratory work has relied on axenic mutants that can also grow on liquid media. We used forward genetics to identify the causative gene underlying this phenotype.