Mechanisms and Regulation of RNA Condensation in RNP Granule Formation.

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are RNA-protein assemblies that are involved in multiple aspects of RNA metabolism and are linked to memory, development, and disease. Some RNP granules form, in part, through the formation of intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions. In vitro, such trans RNA condensation occurs readily, suggesting that cells require mechanisms to modulate RNA-based condensation.

Does diversity go beyond sex and gender? Gender as social category of diversity training in health profession education - a scoping review.

Sex and gender are social categories of diversity. Diversity can be perceived with an intersectional framework as it demonstrates the intersecting categories that might contribute to oppression, inequality, power and privilege. This article focused on what aspects were considered in diversity training programmes for health professions and the role of sex/gender in this context.

Gene-Related Response of Basal Cell Carcinoma to Biologic Treatment with Vismodegib.

We aimed to characterise the response of locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) to systemic treatment with Vismodegib, a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, by changes in the expression levels of Hedgehog pathway genes. Data were collected prospectively on 12 patients treated systemically for locally advanced BCC. Biopsy samples taken on admission and after treatment cessation were analysed pathologically and with the NanoString nCounter system to quantify the expression of 40 Hedgehog signaling pathway genes.

Modulation of RNA Condensation by the DEAD-Box Protein eIF4A.

Stress granules are condensates of non-translating mRNAs and proteins involved in the stress response and neurodegenerative diseases. Stress granules form in part through intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions, and to better understand how RNA-based condensation occurs, we demonstrate that RNA is effectively recruited to the surfaces of RNA or RNP condensates in vitro. We demonstrate that, through ATP-dependent RNA binding, the DEAD-box protein eIF4A reduces RNA condensation in vitro and limits stress granule formation in cells.

In Vivo Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in High-Risk Non-Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

High-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) has the potential to progress into lethal disease. Treatment options are manifold but, given a lack of surrogate biomarkers, it remains unclear which treatment offers the best results. Several studies have reported circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to be a prognostic biomarker in metastatic PCa.

Efficacy of Vismodegib for the Treatment of Orbital and Advanced Periocular Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of vismodegib, a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, in treating orbital and advanced periocular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in Israeli multidisciplinary medical centers.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Background, treatment, and outcome data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of all patients with locally advanced and metastatic orbital or periocular BCC treated with vismodegib in 2012-2017 at 2 tertiary medical centers.

Radiation-induced morphea-a rare but severe late effect of adjuvant breast irradiation : Case report and review of the literature.

Background: Radiation-induced morphea (RIM) is a circumscribed localized scleroderma that occurs most often in the breast. After an asymptomatic period of one month to several years, the symptoms (circumscribed inflammation, edema, sclerosis) often arise suddenly and cannot be clinically distinguished from a local recurrence in the form of inflammatory carcinoma.

Case: We present a case of a 74-year-old woman who developed this rare and serious local side-effect in connective tissue following neoadjuvant CDK 4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib (Verzenio®) and aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex®) therapy and subsequent radiation therapy of the breast.

Gender differences and similarities in medical students' experiences of mistreatment by various groups of perpetrators.

Background: Mistreatment of medical students during medical education is a widespread concern. Studies have shown that medical students report the most mistreatment compared to students of other study programs and that the prevalence of mistreatment peaks during clinical training. For this reason, a study was conducted to assess prevalence of mistreatment among medical students committed by various groups of people.

Catch and Release: rare cell analysis from a functionalised medical wire.

Enumeration and especially molecular characterization of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) holds great promise for cancer management. We tested a modified type of an in vivo enrichment device (Catch&Release) for its ability to bind and detach cancer cells for the purpose of single-cell molecular downstream analysis in vitro. The evaluation showed that single-cell analysis using array comparative genome hybridization (array-CGH) and next generation sequencing (NGS) is feasible.

Automated image analysis reveals the dynamic 3-dimensional organization of multi-ciliary arrays.

Multi-ciliated cells (MCCs) use polarized fields of undulating cilia (ciliary array) to produce fluid flow that is essential for many biological processes. Cilia are positioned by microtubule scaffolds called basal bodies (BBs) that are arranged within a spatially complex 3-dimensional geometry (3D). Here, we develop a robust and automated computational image analysis routine to quantify 3D BB organization in the ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila.

Vismodegib for radiation-induced multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the scalp.

Background: Vismodegib has been approved for treatment of locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Its use for postirradiation multiple BCCs has not yet been reported.

Objective: We sought to investigate the effectiveness and safety of vismodegib for the treatment of recurrent radiation-induced multiple BCCs.

Vismodegib as a neoadjuvant treatment to Mohs surgery for aggressive basal cell carcinoma.

Background: Vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor has been recently introduced as an oral therapy for locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma. Although treatment of patients with basal cell carcinoma with vismodegib has been associated with partial or complete clinical response, it is still unclear if it is also associated with histological cure.

Patients: Two patients with 3 large and aggressive basal cell carcinomas were treated with Vismodegib for 6 months.

Vitamin D receptor initiation codon polymorphism, bone density and inflammatory activity of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objectives: Osteoporosis is a common finding in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and may contribute to spinal deformity and bone pain. Bone metabolism as well as inflammatory processes are influenced by the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR). We investigated initiation codon ( FokI) and 3'UTR ( BsmI) polymorphisms of the VDR for whether there could be an association with bone mineral density (BMD) in relation to bone metabolism or inflammatory activity in patients with AS.

Feedback regulation of bile acid synthesis measured by stable isotope kinetics in humans.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a low dose of exogenous bile acids and a non-absorbable antibiotic on bile acid kinetics in healthy human subjects.

Methods: Pool size, synthesis rate and fractional turnover rate of the three main bile acids were determined simultaneously with stable isotope labelled bile acids in volunteers before and during intake of 500 mg cholic acid (n = 6), chenodeoxycholic acid (n = 6) or deoxycholic acid (n = 5) per day for 4 weeks or 1 g of paromomycin (n = 6) per day for 2 weeks.

Results: Administration of cholic acid nearly doubled the input and pool of deoxycholic acid; chenodeoxycholic acid synthesis was inhibited by 38% and pool size was reduced by 50%.

Biliary cholesterol secretion and bile acid formation in the hamster: the role of newly synthesized cholesterol.

In order to define the source of cholesterol for bile acid synthesis and biliary cholesterol, hamsters with an extracorporeal bile duct received an intraperitoneal bolus of [3H]water labeling newly synthesized cholesterol. Thereafter the enterohepatic circulation was interrupted and a nutrient solution was infused during the experimental period of 78 h. In a separate group, pravastatin was administered (54-78 h) to allow discrimination of 3H-labeled cholesterol recycling from plasma and newly synthesized hepatic cholesterol late during the experiment.

Bile acid synthesis from newly synthesized vs. preformed cholesterol precursor pools in the rat.

The present study defines the origin of cholesterol subserving bile acid synthesis in male rats with an extracorporal bile duct by labeling newly formed cholesterol with tritiated water. Within 6 hr after interruption of the enterohepatic circulation, the bile acid pool was depleted. At this early time point the proportion from de novo cholesterol was 8% and 12% for biliary cholesterol and cholate, but 18% and 19% for muricholate and chenodeoxycholate, respectively.

Enterohepatic circulation in hamsters with an extracorporeal bile duct.

The present study describes a novel technique for investigations of the enterohepatic circulation in the hamster with an extracorporeal bile duct that allows long-term bile collection in the free-moving animal. The animals recovered for 7 days after the operation before the external loop was cut and bile was collected over a period of 78 h. Under these optimal conditions, initial bile flow (651 +/- 89 microliters per 100 g.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of monoclonal antibodies recognizing surface antigens expressed on viable cells.

A solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for detecting monoclonal antibodies binding to surface antigens expressed on viable adherent cells of tumor cell lines. This assay utilizes a sheep anti-mouse IgG to which a beta-galactosidase is linked. It is highly sensitive and permits quantification of IgG monoclonal antibody levels.