RGS16, a novel p53 and pRb cross-talk candidate inhibits migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells

Data collected since the discovery of p53 and pRb/RB1 suggests these tumor suppressors cooperate to inhibit tumor progression. Patients who have mutations in both p53 and RB1 genes have increased tumor reoccurrence and decreased survival compared to patients with only one tumor suppressor gene inactivated. It remains unclear how p53 and pRb cooperate toward inhibiting tumorigenesis. Using RNA expression profiling we identified 179 p53 and pRb cross-talk candidates in normal lung fibroblasts (WI38) cells exogenously coexpressing p53 and pRb. Regulator of G protein signaling 16 (RGS16) was among the p53 and pRb cross-talk candidates and has been implicated in inhibiting activation of several oncogenic pathways associated with proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. RGS16 has been found to be downregulated in pancreatic cancer patients with metastases compared to patients without metastasis. Expression of RGS16 mRNA was decreased in the pancreatic cancer cell lines tested compared to control. Expression of RGS16 inhibited migration of the BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 but not PANC-1 cells and inhibited invasion of BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 cells with no impact on cell viability. We have identified for the first time p53 and pRb cross-talk candidates and a role for RGS16 to inhibit pancreatic cancer migration and invasion

The harmonised geological map of Italy 1:100,000 scale

The INSPIRE Directive establishes a European infrastructure for spatial information to support the environmental policies of the European Union. Thirty-four different themes representing various environmental information have been identified. Geology theme is modelled conforming specific data structure that is Geology, Geophysic, Hydrogeology, which is further divided into three subthemes. Geology is in "priority dataset" list as it provides fundamental knowledge about the physical properties and composition of rocks and sediments, their structure, and their age, as depicted in geological maps, including geomorphological features and it represents the base map for geological phenomenon monitoring. In the INSPIRE data model, specific codelists have been reused in the different field types to satisfy the compliance to the geological information content. Some of the codelists fully comply with the features contained in the 1:100,000 geological map database are integrated in the semantic harmonization process. In 2021-22, the dataset was further harmonized in accordance with the INSPIRE and GeoSciML data models. The Geological Map of Italy at a scale of 1:100,000 is currently the most comprehensive and detailed geological map available for Italy. It consists of a compilation of 277 sheets and was created over a period exceeding 100 years, with certain sheets having two editions. In the late 1990s, the map was converted into a vector database through the digitization of raster format data. The dataset underwent revision, integration, and correction by the Geological Survey of Italy between 2005 and 2009. The dataset is served through a specific online resource allows the visualization of the Geologic Map of Italy 1:100,000 scale, in a digital format. The geology has been grouped based on the lower age of the geological units. Additionally, the service allows for the visualization of tectonic features. The map has been harmonized in the framework of the activity of the Geological Survey of Italy - ISPRA with a support by the Joint Research Unit - EPOS Italia (2020-2022)

Rapid Selection and Proliferation of CD133(+) Cells from Cancer Cell Lines: Chemotherapeutic Implications

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered a subset of the bulk tumor responsible for initiating and maintaining the disease. Several surface cellular markers have been recently used to identify CSCs. Among those is CD133, which is expressed by hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as embryonic stem cells and various cancers. We have recently isolated and cultured CD133 positive [CD133(+)] cells from various cancer cell lines using a NASA developed Hydrodynamic Focusing Bioreactor (HFB) (Celdyne, Houston, TX). For comparison, another bioreactor, the rotary cell culture system (RCCS) manufactured by Synthecon (Houston, TX) was used. Both the HFB and the RCCS bioreactors simulate aspects of hypogravity. In our study, the HFB increased CD133(+) cell growth from various cell lines compared to the RCCS vessel and to normal gravity control. We observed a (+)15-fold proliferation of the CD133(+) cellular fraction with cancer cells that were cultured for 7-days at optimized conditions. The RCCS vessel instead yielded a (−)4.8-fold decrease in the CD133(+)cellular fraction respect to the HFB after 7-days of culture. Interestingly, we also found that the hypogravity environment of the HFB greatly sensitized the CD133(+) cancer cells, which are normally resistant to chemo treatment, to become susceptible to various chemotherapeutic agents, paving the way to less toxic and more effective chemotherapeutic treatment in patients. To be able to test the efficacy of cytotoxic agents in vitro prior to their use in clinical setting on cancer cells as well as on cancer stem cells may pave the way to more effective chemotherapeutic strategies in patients. This could be an important advancement in the therapeutic options of oncologic patients, allowing for more targeted and personalized chemotherapy regimens as well as for higher response rates

The geological map of Italy 1:100,000 scale INSPIRE harmonised

<p>The INSPIRE Directive institute a European infrastructure for spatial information to support the environmental policies of the European Union. In the mainframe of the Directive, 34 different themes that represents different environmental information has been identified. One of this is the Geology theme; it is split into three subthemes and represent a "reference data theme” because it provides basic knowledge on the physical properties and composition of rocks and sediments, their structure and their age as represented in geological maps, as well as geomorphological features.</p> <p>In the feature catalogue of the INSPIRE application schema Geology has been defined the term lists for the information types. Some of these are fully compliant with the features defined in the 1:100.000 scale geological map database and are used in the semantic harmonization procedure.</p> <p>The Geological Map of Italy at 1:100,000 scale is, at present, the most detailed complete geological map of Italy. It consists of a collage of 277 sheets, and it was produced over a period of more than 100 years, with some sheets in two editions. In the late 1990s, it was transformed into a vector database by digitising from raster format. The dataset was revised, integrated, and corrected between 2005-2009 by the Geological Survey of Italy. In 2021-22 the dataset was harmonised according to the INSPIRE and GeoSciML data models.</p> <p>The whole area has been subdivided into three different .gml format dataset on geographic base: Northern, Central and Southern Italy.</p&gt

Sensitivity of SAOS-2 cells to cisplatin following growth in simulated hypogravity.

<p><b>A</b>) LD₅₀ for cisplatin determined for the SAOS-2 cells. An LD₅₀ of 10µg/mL for cisplatin was determined exposing the SAOS-2 cells to a 24-hours treatment using the MTT assay. Comparable results were obtained with cell count by trypan blue exclusion. <b>B</b>) Histogram showing the sensitivity of SAOS-2 cells to 5µg/mL of cisplatin following a 24-hours treatment, using an MTT assay. CD133(+) cells are resistant to the chemotherapy treatment, but the CD133(+) SAOS-2 cells proliferated and selected with the HFB culture system are sensitive, instead. <b>C</b>) Histogram showing the sensitivity of SAOS-2 cells to a clinically relevant dose of 10µg/mL of cisplatin following a 24-hours treatment, using an MTT assay. CD133(+) cells are resistant to the chemotherapy treatment, but the CD133(+) SAOS-2 cells proliferated and selected with the HFB culture system are sensitive, instead. <b>D</b>) Histogram showing the sensitivity of SAOS-2 cells of 15µg/mL of cisplatin following a 24-hours treatment, using an MTT assay. CD133(+) cells are resistant to the chemotherapy treatment, but the CD133(+) SAOS-2 cells proliferated and selected with the HFB culture system are sensitive, instead.</p

Phase contrast images of spheres formed by MACSorted CD133(+) SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells in ultra low-attaching dishes.

<p><b>A</b>) MACSorted CD133(+) SAOS-2 cells assemble three-dimensionally as sarcosheres after 2 weeks of culture in ultra low-attaching dishes (20× magnification). <b>B</b>) Another example of MACSorted CD133(+) SAOS-2 cells forming sarco-spheres after 2 weeks of culture in ultra low-attaching dishes (10× magnification). <b>C</b>) SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells deriving from three-dimensional cultures grown in ultra low-attaching dishes seeded into attaching dishes show an adherent a differentiated phenotype after 3-days. <b>D</b>) SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells deriving from three-dimensional cultures grown in ultra low-attaching dishes seeded into attaching dishes show an adherent a differentiated phenotype after 5-days. <b>E</b>) SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells deriving from three-dimensional cultures grown in ultra low-attaching dishes seeded into attaching dishes show an adherent and differentiated phenotype after 10 days.</p

Phase contrast images of spheres formed by HFB SAOS-2 CD133(+) enriched osteosarcoma cells.

<p><b>A</b>) HFB grown SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells (CD133+) are able to proliferate and assemble three-dimensionally as sarcosheres after 3-days of culture in the bioreactor (10× magnification). <b>B</b>) HFB grown SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells (CD133+) are able to proliferate and assemble three-dimensionally as sarcosheres after 3-days of culture in the bioreactor (40× magnification). <b>C</b>) HFB grown SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells (CD133+) seeded into an irradiated plastic culture dish, reconstitute the normal attached phenotype of the parental SAOS-2 cells after one week of culture (10× magnification). Arrows point at CD133(+) SAOS-2 cells showing a rounded and weakly attaching phenotype. <b>D</b>) HFB grown SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells (CD133+) seeded into an irradiated plastic culture dish, reconstitute the normal attached phenotype of the parental SAOS-2 cells after one week of culture (40× magnification). Arrow points at CD133(+) SAOS-2 cells showing a rounded and weakly attaching phenotype.</p