A simple cytofluorimetric score may optimize testing for biallelic CEBPA mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia with biallelic mutation of CEBPA (CEBPA-dm AML) is a distinct good prognosis entity recognized by WHO 2016 classification. However, testing for CEBPA mutation is challenging, due to the intrinsic characteristics of the mutation itself. Indeed, molecular analysis cannot be performed with NGS technique and requires Sanger sequencing. The association of recurrent mutations or translocations with specific immunophenotypic patterns has been already reported in other AML subtypes. The aim of this study was the development of a specific cytofluorimetric score (CEBPA-dm score), in order to distinguish patients who are unlikely to harbor the mutation. To this end, the correlation of CEBPA-dm score with the presence of the mutation was analyzed in 50 consecutive AML patients with normal karyotype and without NPM1 mutation (that is mutually exclusive with CEBPA mutation). One point each was assigned for expression of HLA DR, CD7, CD13, CD15, CD33, CD34 and one point for lack of expression of CD14. OS was not influenced by sex, age and CEBPA-dm score. Multivariate OS analysis showed that CEBPA-dm (p < 0.02) and FLT3-ITD (p < 0.01) were the strongest independent predictors of OS. With a high negative predictive value (100%), CEBPA-dm score < 6 was able to identify patients who are unlikely to have the mutation. Therefore, the application of this simple score might optimize the use of expensive and time-consuming diagnostic and prognostic assessment in the baseline work up of AML patients

NOVA1 regulates hTERT splicing and cell growth in non-small cell lung cancer

Alternative splicing is dysregulated in cancer and the reactivation of telomerase involves the splicing of TERT transcripts to produce full-length (FL) TERT. Knowledge about the splicing factors that enhance or silence FL hTERT is lacking. We identified splicing factors that reduced telomerase activity and shortened telomeres using a siRNA minigene reporter screen and a lung cancer cell bioinformatics approach. A lead candidate, NOVA1, when knocked down resulted in a shift in hTERT splicing to non-catalytic isoforms, reduced telomerase activity, and progressive telomere shortening. NOVA1 knockdown also significantly altered cancer cell growth in vitro and in xenografts. Genome engineering experiments reveal that NOVA1 promotes the inclusion of exons in the reverse transcriptase domain of hTERT resulting in the production of FL hTERT transcripts. Utilizing hTERT splicing as a model splicing event in cancer may provide new insights into potentially targetable dysregulated splicing factors in cancer

Establishment of an Efficient In Vitro Propagation Protocol for Cannabis sativa L. subsp. ruderalis Janish

Cannabis sativa L., subsp. ruderalis Janish., 'Finola' is a dioecious cultivar of Finnish origin. This cultivar is very interesting because its cultivation cycle lasts less than 3 months. The aim of this study was to define an efficient micropropagation protocol to ensure in vitro multiplication and rooting and in vivo acclimatization. Two different explant sources were tested: seed-derived in vitro explants and nodal segments containing axillary buds from selected mother plants. Shoot proliferation was tested on different growth media enriched with cytokinin alone or cytokinin in combination with auxins. Among all combinations, the best results were obtained by combining the Basal Medium (BM-a Murashige and Skoog modified medium) with sucrose (20 g L-1), thidiazuron (TDZ 0.4 mg L-1), and 1-naphthalenacetic acid (NAA 0.2 mg L-1). Regarding rooting induction, the plants developed an extensive root system under red/blue lights on BM enriched with sucrose (30 g L-1) and indol-3 butyric acid (0.1 mg L-1), which allowed the survival of more than 90 percent of the plantlets once transplanted into the climate-controlled greenhouse

Non-ambulatory People with Intellectual Disabilities Practice Functional Arm, Leg or Head Responses Via a Smartphone-Based Program

This study extended the research on technology-aided programs for promoting the independent performance (practice) of functional motor responses (e.g., arm or leg-foot movements) in people with intellectual disabilities and extensive motor impairments. Specifically, the study assessed (a) the suitability of simple commercial technology (i.e., a smartphone) to monitor the responses targeted and provide stimulation contingent on them, and (b) the impact of response performance on the participants' level of physical exertion (heart rates) and mood. The results showed that the simple commercial technology was effective in helping the participants independently practice the two target responses selected for them. All participants had a significant increase in their heart rates during the intervention sessions, thus suggesting that the performance of the target responses represented a mild form of physical activity. Moreover, all participants displayed mood improvement (i.e., an increase in indices of happiness) during the intervention sessions. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of (a) new technology solutions for intervention programs with people with intellectual disabilities and extensive motor impairments, and (b) potential benefits of those programs