Amphibians and reptiles of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, México, with new records

We provide a list of amphibians and reptiles of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the southern half of the Mexican Yucatan, in the state of Campeche. The study area was sampled through opportunistic, transect and pitfall trap surveys conducted for three successive years. These surveys resulted in a total of 2,359 amphibian and reptile encounters, belonging to 20 amphibian and 69 reptile species from 24 total families. We present herein the records for one snake, one chelonian and two salamander species not previously recorded in the area

DNA methylation and gene deletion analysisof brain metastases in melanoma patients identifies mutually exclusive molecular alterations

Background: The brain is a common target of metastases for melanoma patients. Little is known about the genetic and epigenetic alterations in melanoma brain metastases (MBMs). Unraveling these molecular alterations is a key step in understanding their aggressive nature and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Methods: Genome-wide DNA methylation analyses of MBMs (n = 15) and normal brain tissues (n = 91) and simultaneous multigene DNA methylation and gene deletion analyses of metastatic melanoma tissues (99 MBMs and 43 extracranial metastases) were performed. BRAF and NRAS mutations were evaluated in MBMs by targeted sequencing. Results: MBMs showed significant epigenetic heterogeneity. RARB, RASSF1, ESR1, APC, PTEN, and CDH13 genes were frequently hypermethylated. Deletions were frequently detected in the CDKN2A/B locus. Of MBMs, 46.1% and 28.8% had BRAF and NRAS missense mutations, respectively. Compared with lung and liver metastases, MBMs exhibited higher frequency of CDH13 hypermethylation and CDKN2A/B locus deletion. Mutual exclusivity between hypermethylated genes and CDKN2A/B locus deletion identified 2 clinically relevant molecular subtypes of MBMs. CDKN2A/B deletions were associated with multiple MBMs and frequently hypermethylated genes with shorter time to brain metastasis. Conclusions: Melanoma cells that colonize the brain harbor numerous genetically and epigenetically altered genes. This study presents an integrated genomic and epigenomic analysis that reveals MBM-specific molecular alterations and mutually exclusive molecular subtypes.Fil: Marzese, Diego Matías. John Wayne Cancer Institute. Department of Molecular Oncology; Estados UnidosFil: Scolyer, Richard A.. Melanoma Institute Australia; Australia. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Australia. University of Sydney; AustraliaFil: Roque Moreno, Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Cienicas Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Vargas Roig, Laura Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Huynh, Jamie L.. John Wayne Cancer Institute. Department of Molecular Oncology; Estados UnidosFil: Wilmott, James S.. University of Sydney; Australia. Melanoma Institute Australia; AustraliaFil: Murali, Rajmohan. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Estados UnidosFil: Buckland, Michael E.. University of Sydney; Australia. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; AustraliaFil: Barkhoudarian, Garni. Saint John's Health Center; Estados UnidosFil: Thompson, John F.. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Australia. University of Sydney; AustraliaFil: Morton, Donald L.. John Wayne Cancer Institute. Department of Molecular Oncology; Estados UnidosFil: Kelly, Daniel F.. Saint John's Health Center; Estados UnidosFil: Hoon, Dave S. B.. John Wayne Cancer Institute. Department of Molecular Oncology; Estados Unido

Amphibians and reptiles of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, México, with new records

We provide a list of amphibians and reptiles of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the southern half of the Mexican Yucatan, in the state of Campeche. The study area was sampled through opportunistic, transect and pitfall trap surveys conducted for three successive years. These surveys resulted in a total of 2,359 amphibian and reptile encounters, belonging to 20 amphibian and 69 reptile species from 24 total families. We present herein the records for one snake, one chelonian and two salamander species not previously recorded in the area

Amphibians and reptiles of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, México, with new records

We provide a list of amphibians and reptiles of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the southern half of the Mexican Yucatan, in the state of Campeche. The study area was sampled through opportunistic, transect and pitfall trap surveys conducted for three successive years. These surveys resulted in a total of 2,359 amphibian and reptile encounters, belonging to 20 amphibian and 69 reptile species from 24 total families. We present herein the records for one snake, one chelonian and two salamander species not previously recorded in the area