4 research outputs found

    Methylation Profiling Defines an Extensive Field Defect in Histologically Normal Prostate Tissues Associated with Prostate Cancer

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    AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) is typically found as a multifocal disease suggesting the potential for molecular defects within the morphologically normal tissue. The frequency and spatial extent of DNA methylation changes encompassing a potential field defect are unknown. A comparison of non-tumor-associated (NTA) prostate to histologically indistinguishable tumor-associated (TA) prostate tissues detected a distinct profile of DNA methylation alterations (0.2%) using genome-wide DNA arrays based on the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements 18 sequence that tile both gene-rich and poor regions. Hypomethylation (87%) occurred more frequently than hypermethylation (13%). Several of the most significantly altered loci (CAV1, EVX1, MCF2L, and FGF1) were then used as probes to map the extent of these DNA methylation changes in normal tissues from prostates containing cancer. In TA tissues, the extent of methylation was similar both adjacent (2 mm) and at a distance (>1 cm) from tumor foci. These loci were also able to distinguish NTA from TA tissues in a validation set of patient samples. These mapping studies indicate that a spatially widespread epigenetic defect occurs in the peripheral prostate tissues of men who have PCa that may be useful in the detection of this disease

    RNA trans-splicing: Identification of components of a putative chloroplast spliceosome

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    Jacobs J, Glanz S, Bunse-Grassmann A, Kruse O, Kueck U. RNA trans-splicing: Identification of components of a putative chloroplast spliceosome. European Journal of Cell Biology. 2010;89(12):932-939.Group II introns with highly complex RNA structures have been discovered in both prokaryotes and eukaryotic organelles. Usually, excision of non-coding group II intron sequences occurs by cis-splicing, the intramolecular ligation of exons in the same precursor RNA, but some group II introns are excised by intermolecular ligation. This process is called trans-splicing, and genome sequencing predicted that this type of RNA processing occurs in more than 180 organelle genomes from eukaryotes. A well characterised trans-spliced intron RNA is represented by the chloroplast psaA gene of the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The psaA gene is split into three exons, which are widely distributed over the plastome and transcribed independently. PsaA exons are flanked by sequences typical for group II introns and joined by trans-splicing via two transesterification reactions. Although it is known that some group II introns are able to splice autocatalytically, trans-splicing of the psaA RNA depends on several nucleus and chloroplast encoded factors. The phylogenetic relationship between group II introns and nuclear spliceosomal RNA led to the hypothesis that these factors are part of large multiprotein and ribonucleoprotein complexes akin to the nuclear spliceosome. Here, we give a concise overview of experimental strategies to identify novel factors involved in trans-splicing of psaA RNA and review recent results that have elucidated the composition and function of a putative chloroplast spliceosome involved in processing of chloroplast precursor RNAs. (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved

    Sexual Health, Mental Health, and Beliefs About Cancer Treatments Among Women Attending a Gynecologic Oncology Clinic

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    Introduction: Sexual health is an important, yet overlooked, aspect of quality of life for gynecologic oncologic patients. Although patients with gynecologic cancer frequently report sexual health concerns, there are limited efforts to address these problems. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between mental health and sexual health needs to be prioritized. Aim: To examine multiple components of sexual health in patients with gynecologic cancer. Methods: For the present study, sexual health concerns (ie, sexual frequency, desire, response, and satisfaction; orgasm; and pain during sex; independent variables), beliefs about cancer treatments affecting sexual health (dependent variable), and mental health (ie, anxiety and depressive symptoms; dependent variables) of patients at a US gynecologic oncology clinic were assessed. Main Outcome Measures: Demographics; cancer diagnosis; positive screening results for cancer; sexual health histories including sexual frequency, desire, pain, orgasm, responsiveness, and satisfaction; and mental health including depression and anxiety symptoms. Results: Most women reported experiencing at least one sexual health concern, and half the women screened positive for experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Forty-nine percent of participants reported having no or very little sexual desire or interest in the past 6 months. Further, in mediation analyses, pain during sex was significantly and positively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.42, P < .001), and this relationship was fully mediated by believing that cancer treatments affected one's sexual health (B = 0.16, 95% confidence interval = 0.01–0.48, P < .05). Conclusion: Findings emphasize the need to further address and incorporate sexual and mental health into standard care for patients attending gynecologic oncology clinics. Screening women for whether and to what extent they perceive cancer treatments affecting their sexual health could provide a brief, easily administrable, screener for sexual health concerns and the need for further intervention. Intervention development for patients with gynecologic cancer must include mental health components and addressing perceptions of how cancer treatments affect sexual health functioning. Eaton L, Kueck A, Maksut J, et al. Sexual Health, Mental Health, and Beliefs About Cancer Treatments Among Women Attending a Gynecologic Oncology Clinic. Sex Med 2017;5:e175–e183
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