12498 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

in 12.22 milliseconds.

• Sequence analysis of colorectal serrated lesions

  Recent studies have shown that colorectal serrated lesions, which include sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs), are precursors of colorectal cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis, particularly in TSAs, remain largely uncharacterized. To clarify their molecular and clinicopathological characteristics, we performed mutation and methylation analyses of cancer-associated genes in 78 serrated lesions, including TSAs, SSAs and microvesicular hyperplastic polyps. Target exon sequence analysis was performed with 39 genes, including genes known to be frequently mutated in colorectal cancers and/or serrated lesions. We also used bisulfite pyrosequencing to assess the methylation status of various cancer-associated genes and marker genes of the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). The prevalence of mutations in genes associated with Wnt signaling was significantly higher in TSAs than SSAs (65% vs. 28%, p < 0.01). Among those, RNF43 mutations were observed in 38% of TSAs and 17% of SSAs. In immunohistochemical studies of 39 serrated lesions, the prevalence of abnormal nuclear ?-catenin accumulation was significantly higher in TSAs (57%) than SSAs (8%) (P = 0.01). SMOC1 methylation was detected in 54% of TSAs but in no SSAs (p < 0.01). Additionally, SMOC1 methylation was more prevalent among TSAs with KRAS mutation (82%) than with BRAF mutation (38%, p = 0.03). Lesions with CIMP-high or RNF43 mutations were detected only in TSAs with BRAF mutation, suggesting two distinct carcinogenic pathways in TSAs. Mutations in genes associated with Wnt signaling play a greater role in the carcinogenesis of TSAs than SSAs.

  Study JGAS000217

• Butyrate producers as potential next-generation probiotics: safety assessment of the administration of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum to healthy volunteers

  Advances in gut microbiota research have triggered interest in developing colon butyrate producers as niche-specific next-generation probiotics, targeted at increasing colon butyrate production and countering disease-associated microbiota alterations. Crucial steps in the development of next-generation probiotics are the design of formulations with a reasonable shelf life as well as the safety demonstration of an intervention in healthy volunteers. One such potential next-generation butyrate-producing probiotic is Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum 25-3T, with demonstrated safety in in vitro as well as in animal models. Here, we examined the strain's safety, tolerability, and impact on microbiota composition and metabolic activity in healthy volunteers in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 30 healthy volunteers. Study design consisted of two four-week intervention periods (108 CFU B. pullicaecorum [treatment] or maltodextrin [placebo] per day) with a three-week washout in between. We assessed adverse events, blood parameters (primary endpoints), and fecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles (secondary endpoints).The number of reported adverse events during the B. pullicaecorum treatment was similar to placebo intervention, as were observed changes in blood chemistry parameters, bowel habits, and fecal calprotectin concentrations. Administration of the strain did not induce any disruptive effect in microbiota composition or metabolic activity. In this first human intervention trial with a butyrate-producing Clostridium cluster IV isolate, we demonstrated B. pullicaecorum 25-3T administration to be both safe and well tolerated by healthy participants. This safety study paves the way for the further development of the strain as a next-generation probiotic.

  Study EGAS00001003276

• Colorectal cancer study

  Matrix metalloproteinase-11 (MMP11) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity against matrix and non-matrix proteins. Although most MMPs are secreted as inactive proenzymes and they are later activated extracellularly, MMP11 is activated intracellularly by furin within the constitutive secretory pathway. It is a key factor in physiological tissue remodeling and its alteration may play an important role in the progression of epithelial malignancies and other diseases. TCGA colon and colorectal adenocarcinoma data showed that upregulation of MMP11 expression correlates with tumorigenesis and malignancy. Here, we provide evidence that a germline variant in the MMP11 gene (NM_005940: c.232C&gt;T; p.(Pro78Ser)), identified by whole exome sequencing, can increase the tumorigenic properties of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. P78S is located in the prodomain region, which is responsible for blocking MMP11’s protease activity. This variant was detected in the proband and all the cancer-affected family members analyzed, while it was not detected in healthy relatives. In silico analyses predict that P78S could have an impact on the activation of the enzyme. Furthermore, our in vitro analyses show that the expression of P78S in HCT116 cells increases tumor cell invasion and proliferation. In summary, our results show that this variant could modify the structure of the MMP11 prodomain, producing a premature or uncontrolled activation of the enzyme that may contribute to an early CRC onset in these patients. The study of this gene in other CRC cases will provide further information about its role in CRC development, which might improve patient treatment in the future.

  Study EGAS00001006489

• Pharmacogenomics of Mercaptopurine Intolerance in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (AALL03N1)

  Mercaptopurine (MP) is the mainstay of curative therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to comprehensively identify the genetic basis of MP intolerance in children with ALL in AALL03N1. MP dose intensity was defined as prescribed dose divided by the planned protocol dose during maintenance therapy.&nbsp; Germline variants in NUDT15 and TPMT were found to be strongly associated with MP intolerance in childhood ALL, which may have implications for treatment individualization in this disease.

  Study phs002846

• Investigation of BK Polyomavirus (BKPyV) and Molecular Signatures in UC specimens from Taiwan

  Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most prevalent cancer of kidney transplant recipients in some regions. The integration of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) genome into the human genome is observed in some cases of UC. The prevalence of aristolochic acid (AA) mutational signatures in urothelial carcinoma is high in the general population of Taiwan. To better understand the mechanisms of UC carcinogenesis in kidney transplant recipients, 19 UC specimens were analyzed by whole genome sequencing (WGS) and Hybrid Sequencing.

  Study EGAS50000001063

• Chromosome contacts in activated T cells identify autoimmune disease-candidate genes

  Autoimmune disease-associated DNA variants are preferentially found in regions with putative regulatory function in immune cells, particularly CD4+ T cells. Linking such regulatory elements to gene promoters in disease-relevant cells and contexts is essential to identify disease candidate genes. Here we show that the activation of CD4+ T cells invokes changes in the activity of regulatory elements and transcription of RNAs that correspond to changes in the expression of their interacting genes identified by promoter capture Hi-C (PCHi-C).

  Study EGAS00001001961

• Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis of HIV-1 Viral Burden in HIV-1 Infected Subjects: Response to Antiretroviral Therapy

  The purpose of this study is to provide a reference profile of small extracellular RNAs in body fluids. These samples were originally obtained in a study that had a different purpose. The purpose of the original study was to collect information on the changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) related to HIV infection, including the viral burden (amount of virus) and the body responses of the infected individual, such as the number and types of lymphocytes in the CSF. In addition to looking at the number and types of lymphocytes in the CSF, this original study also examined the presence of markers of inflammation and other chemical changes, and the relationship of those changes to nervous system dysfunction in AIDS.

  Study phs001694

• Construction of endoscopic biopsy banking for understanding the intestinal environment in colorectal diseases and exploratory studies using these banking systems.

  Colorectal cancer is the most common type of cancer in Japan. Although some colorectal cancers have a genetic background, most colorectal cancers are sporadic. Known risk factors for colorectal cancer include smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and red and processed meat. Furthermore, although it has been suggested that changes in the intestinal environment due to changes in diet and lifestyle may be involved in the increased incidence of colorectal cancer in Japan, the molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. The main objective of this study is to elucidate the changes in the intestinal environment that cause colorectal tumors, and also to contribute to the establishment of colorectal mucosal tissue banking in Japan.

  Study JGAS000655

• Single cell sequencing data of PBMC and CSF from a cohort of Multiple Sclerosis patients and other neurological disease controls

  Neuroinflammation is often characterised by immune cell infiltrates in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Here we apply single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the functional characteristics of these cells in patients with various inflammatory, infectious and non-inflammatory neurological disorders. We show that CSF is distinct from the peripheral blood in terms of both cellular composition and gene expression. We report that the cellular and transcriptional landscape of CSF is altered in neuroinflammation, but is strikingly similar across different neuroinflammatory disorders. We find clonal expansion of CSF B and T cells in all disorders but most pronounced in inflammatory diseases, and we functionally characterise the transcriptional features of these cells. Finally, we explore the genetic control of gene expression in CSF lymphocytes. Our results highlight the common features of immune cells in the CSF compartment across diverse neurological diseases and may help to identify new targets for drug development or repurposing in Multiple Sclerosis.

  Study EGAS50000000739

• Phase 1 CX-5461 Trial (Canadian Cancer Trials Group Trial IND.231)

  CX-5461 is a G-quadruplex stabilizer that exhibits synthetic lethality in homologous recombination (HR) deficient models. In this multicentre Phase Ib trial in patients with solid tumors, 40 patients were treated across 10 dose levels (50 - 650 mg/m2) to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D), and evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics. Defective HR was explored as a predictive biomarker. CX-5461 was generally well tolerated, with a RP2D of 475 mg/m2 d1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks, and dose limiting toxicities of phototoxicity. Responses were observed in 10% of patients, primarily in patients with defective HR (ORR 14%). Reversion mutations in PALB2 and BRCA2 were detected on progression following initial response in germline carriers, confirming the underlying synthetic lethal mechanism. In vitro characterization of UV sensitization showed this toxicity is related to the CX-5461 chemotype, independent of G4 synthetic lethality. These results establish clinical proof-of-concept for this first-in class G4 stabilizer.

  Study EGAS00001006173