Role of the extracellular matrix proteins in the resistance of SP6.5 uveal melanoma cells toward cisplatin

Uveal melanoma is the most frequent primary intraocular tumor in the adult population. This malignancy has a high mortality rate and responds poorly to existing chemotherapy. Recently, the tumor environment has been found to exert a profound influence on drug response through cell interaction with components from the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present study, we investigated whether individual components from the ECM may affect cell survival and/or cell death induced by the cytotoxic agent cisplatin on the SP6.5 uveal melanoma cell line. Tumor cells were shown by immunofluorescence analyses to be surrounded by the ECM proteins fibronectin (FN), type IV collagen (CIV) and laminin (LM), both at the primary and metastatic sites. Binding of SP6.5 cells to FN, LM and CIV is primarily dictated by the expression of membrane bound integrins from the beta1 family as revealed by cell adhesion assays conducted on ECM-coated culture plates. Analysis of cell death by flow cytometry demonstrated that culturing SP6.5 cells in the presence of FN, CIV and LM, substantially reduced the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis after cisplatin treatment when compared with those seeded on a non-permissive matrix. These results suggest that adhesion of the SP6.5 uveal melanoma cells to the ECM proteins FN, CIV and LM might therefore confer resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. The cellular resistance induced by the ECM proteins toward cisplatin could explain in part the local recurrence of metastasis derived from uveal melanoma often observed clinically after chemotherapy

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry

Objectives Hearing, vision, and cognitive impairment commonly co‐occur in older adults. Improving sensory function may positively impact outcomes in people with dementia (PwD). We developed a “sensory intervention” (SI) to support hearing and vision in PwD. Here, we report the findings of an international open‐label field trial, and nested case series, to explore the impact of the SI on dementia‐related outcomes. Methods This was a home‐based trial conducted in France, England, and Cyprus. Participants were people with mild‐to‐moderate dementia and hearing and/or vision impairment (n = 19) and their study partners (unpaid carers; n = 19). The “basic” SI included a hearing and vision assessment and provision of glasses and/or hearing aids. A subsample received the “extended” SI with additional weekly visits from a sensory support therapist (SST). Exploratory analyses of dementia‐related, health utility and resource utilisation outcomes were performed. Results Quality of life (QoL) and sensory functional ability improved. Change in QoL exceeded the threshold for a minimum clinically important difference. There was a modest improvement (in absolute terms) post intervention in behavioural disturbance, self‐efficacy, and relationship satisfaction. Study partner time assisting instrumental activities of daily living (iADL) and supervision decreased by about 22 and 38 hours per month, respectively, although time for personal ADL support increased. Qualitative data supported effectiveness of the intervention: PwD were more socially engaged, less isolated, less dependent on study partners, and had improved functional ability and communication. Conclusions These findings support the need for a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention

Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2200 BCE in Eurasia.

Horses revolutionized human history with fast mobility1. However, the timeline between their domestication and their widespread integration as a means of transport remains contentious2-4. Here we assemble a collection of 475 ancient horse genomes to assess the period when these animals were first reshaped by human agency in Eurasia. We find that reproductive control of the modern domestic lineage emerged around 2200 BCE, through close-kin mating and shortened generation times. Reproductive control emerged following a severe domestication bottleneck starting no earlier than approximately 2700 BCE, and coincided with a sudden expansion across Eurasia that ultimately resulted in the replacement of nearly every local horse lineage. This expansion marked the rise of widespread horse-based mobility in human history, which refutes the commonly held narrative of large horse herds accompanying the massive migration of steppe peoples across Europe around 3000 BCE and earlier3,5. Finally, we detect significantly shortened generation times at Botai around 3500 BCE, a settlement from central Asia associated with corrals and a subsistence economy centred on horses6,7. This supports local horse husbandry before the rise of modern domestic bloodlines

Conserver la biodiversité intra-spécifique des arbres forestiers en France et en Europe

À l'aide d'exemples issus de son expertise en matière d'ormes et de son expérience de Secrétaire de la commission «Ressources génétiques forestières», Éric Collin illustre les enjeux et méthodes de la conservation de la diversité génétique des arbres forestiers dans la perspective du changement climatique

Strategies for the in situ conservation of the genetic resources of forest Elms

Il faut conserver les ressources génétiques des trois espèces d'Ormes indigènes en Europe. Les populations d'Orme champêtre (Ulmus minor Mill.) et de montagne (Ulmus glabra Huds.) ont été décimées par l'épidémie de graphiose. L'Orme lisse (Ulmus laevis Pall.) est moins touché par la maladie, mais il est victime de la destruction des forêts riveraines des grands fleuves. En complément des collections de clones déjà constituées ex situ, il convient d'engager des mesures de conservation in situ dans une perspective de conservation "dynamique". Pour cela, on définira, à l'échelle européenne et dans des conditions de milieu très variées, un réseau de peuplements où l'on exercera une sylviculture favorable à la régénération de la population locale d'Orme. Dans la mesure du possible, on y effectuera des études démographiques et génétiques afin de suivre l'évolution de la structure de la population

Putting to use the genetic resources of French forest tree collections

In France, the genetic diversity of forest trees is the subject of a national conservation policy. In some cases, this diversity is conserved ex situ in the National Collections of copies of wild trees. These collections are used for scientific studies and as a gene pool for the creation of new varieties. In response to new needs for afforestation, multiclonal varieties of black poplar from the National Collection are currently being released.En France, la diversité génétique des arbres forestiers fait l’objet d’une politique nationale de conservation. Dans un certain nombre de cas, cette diversité est conservée ex situ dans les collections nationales de copies d’arbres sauvages. Ces collections servent de support à des études scientifiques et de réservoir génétique pour la création de nouvelles variétés forestières. En réponse aux évolutions des besoins de boisement, des variétés multiclonales de Peuplier noir issues de la collection nationale sont actuellement en cours de mise sur le marché

Towards Better Coastal Mapping Using Fusion of High Temporal SENTINEL-2 and PLANETSCOPE-2 Imageries: 12 Bands at 3 M Through Neural Network Modelling.

International audienc