Review
Parasitology
Mostafa Zamanian, John D. Chan
Summary: Most anthelmintics were discovered through in vivo screens using animal models, but developing in vitro assays for parasitic worms faces challenges. The lack of in vitro life cycle culture protocols results in limited assay throughput after harvesting worms from hosts, with established drugs often showing no obvious phenotype, raising doubts about the predictive value of many in vitro assays. However, recent progress in understanding how anthelmintics affect host-parasite interactions, along with advances in high-content imaging and machine learning, may enable in vitro assays to detect subtle cryptic parasite phenotypes better than conventional viability assays.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Gabriela Marsavela, Ashleigh C. McEvoy, Michelle R. Pereira, Anna L. Reid, Zeyad Al-Ogaili, Lydia Warburton, Muhammad A. Khattak, Afaf Abed, Tarek M. Meniawy, Michael Millward, Melanie R. Ziman, Leslie Calapre, Elin S. Gray
Summary: This study analyzed ctDNA in patients with metastatic melanoma, finding 62% detection rate at the time of disease progression. However, compared to standard medical imaging, the efficacy of ctDNA for detecting melanoma disease progression was low.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lara Duerr, Tanja Hell, Maciej Dobrzynski, Alberto Mattei, Anika John, Nathanja Augsburger, Gloria Bradanini, Jakob K. Reinhardt, Florian Rossberg, Milos Drobnjakovic, Mahabir P. Gupta, Matthias Hamburger, Olivier Pertz, Eliane Garo
Summary: This study identified natural products that can inhibit oncogenic signaling in melanoma through a combination of techniques.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Bedour Alrashidi, Amani Jamal, Imtiaz Khan, Ali Alkhathlan
Summary: This article reviews the automatic detection approaches for abusive content and introduces a new taxonomy for such detection. By utilizing natural language processing technologies, researchers analyze and detect abusive content in social media.
PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongzhao Sun, Ge Song, Wenbin Gong, Weibang Lu, Shan Cong, Zhigang Zhao
Summary: In this study, photo-induced oxygen vacancy (PIVo) defects are successfully stabilized by the photoexcitation of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, leading to a significant enhancement in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analysis and a reduced limit of detection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi-Qi Xu, Chao Zhang, Ya-Long Zhang, Jian-Li Lei, Ling-Yi Kong, Jian-Guang Luo
Summary: This study screened medicinal plants for Snail inhibitory active components, finding potential activity in the crude extract of Xylopia vielana leaves. Subsequent isolation of dimeric guaianes yielded compounds that showed inhibition of Snail expression and tumor migration, with compounds 1 and 12 identified as the most active. This research provided insights into potential anticancer lead compounds targeting the Snail protein.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erwin Kupczyk, Kenji Schorpp, Kamyar Hadian, Sean Lin, Dimitrios Tziotis, Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin, Constanze Mueller
Summary: Complex mixtures containing natural products are a valuable source of novel drug candidates. High content screening is commonly used to identify potential bioactive compounds. Machine learning algorithms play a crucial role in analyzing the large amounts of data generated by these assays and can predict the biological activity of samples.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Jayashree Shetty, Nisha P. Shetty, Hrushikesh Kothikar, Saleh Mowla, Aiswarya Anand, Veeraj Hegde
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder that affects brain cells and causes early deterioration. Mild cognitive impairment is an early sign of Alzheimer's that hinders regular functioning and daily activities. The proposed work utilizes a deep learning approach with a multimodal recurrent neural network to predict whether mild cognitive impairment progresses to Alzheimer's disease. The results show that the prediction model, which combines multiple modalities, achieves an accuracy improvement of up to 96% compared to individual modalities.
INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION AND SOFT COMPUTING
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Munoz-Palazon, Susanna Gorrasi, Aurora Rosa-Masegosa, Marcella Pasqualetti, Martina Braconcini, Massimiliano Fenice
Summary: Polyphenols and their metabolites are natural compounds with both beneficial and harmful effects. Their discharge into water effluents by industries poses serious environmental issues. Biotechnological approaches, exploiting microbial metabolisms, offer effective and versatile methods for treating high-polyphenol-content water. The use of these technologies is essential for reducing the detrimental effects of polyphenols and potentially recovering beneficial compounds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clemens Roehrl, Stefanie Steinbauer, Raimund Bauer, Eva Roitinger, Katharina Otteneder, Melanie Wallner, Cathrina Neuhauser, Bettina Schwarzinger, Clemens Schwarzinger, Herbert Stangl, Marcus Iken, Julian Weghuber
Summary: This study identified lingonberry and blackberry leaf aqueous extracts as strong candidates for cardiovascular protection by lowering LDL cholesterol levels and increasing LDLR expression in hepatic cell lines and in vivo mouse models, which also led to an increase in HDL cholesterol levels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengying Feng, Yansong Tang, Su Yao, Hongjie Zhang, Dachun Xu, Ke Wei
Summary: Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) provide a valuable resource for biomedical applications, but they are developmentally immature. In this study, a high content screening (HCS) assay based on the subcellular localization of PCM1 in hPSC-CMs was developed to identify molecules promoting cardiomyocyte maturation. PLK inhibitors were found to enhance maturation by suppressing the AKT signaling pathway.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Maximilian Schindler, Florian Siegerist, Tim Lange, Stefan Simm, Sophia-Marie Bach, Marianne Klawitter, Jochen Gehrig, Sheraz Gul, Nicole Endlich
Summary: This study developed a novel in vivo high-content screening assay using an FSGS-like zebrafish model, and identified belinostat and related pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential drugs for treating FSGS.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Katya Nardou, Michael Nicolas, Fabien Kuttler, Katarina Cisarova, Elifnaz Celik, Mathieu Quinodoz, Nicolo Riggi, Olivier Michielin, Carlo Rivolta, Gerardo Turcatti, Alexandre Pierre Moulin
Summary: Using a high throughput drug screening assay, this study evaluated the sensitivity of conjunctival melanoma cells to various inhibitors and found that cell cycle inhibition showed sensitivity in all cell lines, especially with polo-like inhibitors. Additionally, the response to MAPK pathway inhibition was better in the presence of BRAF(V600E) mutations, while the response to PI3k/mTOR inhibition was better in the presence of NRAS(Q61L) mutation. The study uncovers new vulnerabilities in conjunctival melanoma and expands therapeutic options for this tumor.
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Matthew Carter, Michail Tsikerdekis, Sherali Zeadally
Summary: In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in fake content on the Internet, threatening the veracity of information. Advanced technologies like machine learning are being used to detect this fake content, but they still have weaknesses. The article describes methods for detecting fake content and potential adversarial attacks, while also discussing future research challenges in this area.
IEEE INTERNET COMPUTING
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Devarati Mitra, Morgan Farr, Priyadharsini Nagarajan, Joel Ho, Andrew J. Bishop, Anuja Jhingran, Ahsan S. Farooqi, Michael Frumovitz, Rodabe N. Amaria, Jennifer L. McQuade, Amir A. Jazaeri, B. Ashleigh Guadagnolo
Summary: This study examines the patterns of care and oncologic outcomes in patients with gynecologic tract melanoma (GTM). The results show that GTM patients continue to have poor outcomes, particularly in terms of local disease control. More effective oncologic therapy is needed.
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marco S. Nobile, Thalia Vlachou, Simone Spolaor, Daniela Bossi, Paolo Cazzaniga, Luisa Lanfrancone, Giancarlo Mauri, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci, Daniela Besozzr
Article
Oncology
Mohamed Elgendy, Marco Ciro, Amir Hosseini, Jakob Weiszmann, Luca Mazzarella, Elisa Ferrari, Riccardo Cazzoli, Giuseppe Curigliano, Andrea DeCensi, Bernardo Bonanni, Alfredo Budillon, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci, Veerle Janssens, Manfred Ogris, Manuela Baccarini, Luisa Lanfrancone, Wolfram Weckwerth, Marco Foiani, Saverio Minucci
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Ivan Molineris, Lauretta Levati, Enrico Berrino, Stefania D'Atri, Chiara Menin, Gabriele Madonna, Jenny Bulgarelli, Paola Ghiorzo, Virginia Ferraresi, Tiziana Venesio, Licia Rivoltini, Monica Rodolfo, Luisa Lanfrancone, Luca Mazzarella, Alessandro Guida, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci, Ruggero De Maria, Paolo Antonio Ascierto, Enzo Medico, Giandomenico Russo
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biology
Carolina D'Alesio, Grazia Bellese, Maria Cristina Gagliani, Anastasia Lechiara, Martina Dameri, Elena Grasselli, Luisa Lanfrancone, Katia Cortese, Patrizio Castagnola
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xing Yi Woo, Jessica Giordano, Anuj Srivastava, Zi-Ming Zhao, Michael W. Lloyd, Roebi de Bruijn, Yun-Suhk Suh, Rajesh Patidar, Li Chen, Sandra Scherer, Matthew H. Bailey, Chieh-Hsiang Yang, Emilio Cortes-Sanchez, Yuanxin Xi, Jing Wang, Jayamanna Wickramasinghe, Andrew V. Kossenkov, Vito W. Rebecca, Hua Sun, R. Jay Mashl, Sherri R. Davies, Ryan Jeon, Christian Frech, Jelena Randjelovic, Jacqueline Rosains, Francesco Galimi, Andrea Bertotti, Adam Lafferty, Alice C. O'Farrell, Elodie Modave, Diether Lambrechts, Petra ter Brugge, Violeta Serra, Elisabetta Marangoni, Rania El Botty, Hyunsoo Kim, Jong-Il Kim, Han-Kwang Yang, Charles Lee, Dennis A. Dean, Brandi Davis-Dusenbery, Yvonne A. Evrard, James H. Doroshow, Alana L. Welm, Bryan E. Welm, Michael T. Lewis, Bingliang Fang, Jack A. Roth, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Meenhard Herlyn, Michael A. Davies, Li Ding, Shunqiang Li, Ramaswamy Govindan, Claudio Isella, Jeffrey A. Moscow, Livio Trusolino, Annette T. Byrne, Jos Jonkers, Carol J. Bult, Enzo Medico, Jeffrey H. Chuang
Summary: The analysis of copy number alterations in patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and matched patient tumor samples reveals strong conservation of copy number alterations from patient tumors through late-passage PDXs, without systematic evolution driven by the mouse host. This suggests that PDX models are accurate in representing human cancer and that the mouse host does not significantly impact the copy number alterations during tumor evolution within the PDX model.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marine Melixetian, Daniela Bossi, Marija Mihailovich, Simona Punzi, Iros Barozzi, Federica Marocchi, Alessandro Cuomo, Tiziana Bonaldi, Giuseppe Testa, Jean-Christophe Marine, Eleonora Leucci, Saverio Minucci, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci, Luisa Lanfrancone
Summary: The study found that the lncRNA TINCR is down-regulated in metastatic melanoma and its silencing increases invasive markers expression, migration, tumor growth, and resistance to inhibitors. ATF4 plays a key role in this process by regulating translational reprogramming. Re-expression of TINCR suppresses the invasive phenotype, reduces tumor-initiating cells and metastasis, and increases drug sensitivity in metastatic melanoma.
Review
Cell Biology
Marine Melixetian, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci, Luisa Lanfrancone
Summary: Long non-coding RNAs play crucial roles in melanoma growth and spreading, and can be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and patient prognosis.
Article
Cell Biology
Letizia Granieri, Federica Marocchi, Marine Melixetian, Neda Mohammadi, Paola Nicoli, Alessandro Cuomo, Tiziana Bonaldi, Stefano Confalonieri, Federica Pisati, Giuseppina Giardina, Giovanni Bertalot, Daniela Bossi, Luisa Lanfrancone
Summary: This study identifies USP7 as a regulator of melanoma and shows that its downregulation induces cellular senescence, inhibiting tumor growth and proliferation. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis reveals the targets and networks affected by USP7 depletion. RRM2 is identified as a target of USP7 and is regulated by USP7 during the S phase of the cell cycle. Combination therapy using a USP7 inhibitor and a histone deacetylase (HDAC)/LSD1 inhibitor eliminates senescent cells.
Article
Biology
Arnaud Carrier, Cecile Desjobert, Loic Ponger, Laurence Lamant, Matias Bustos, Jorge Torres-Ferreira, Rui Henrique, Carmen Jeronimo, Luisa Lanfrancone, Audrey Delmas, Gilles Favre, Antoine Daunay, Florence Busato, Dave S. B. Hoon, Jorg Tost, Chantal Etievant, Joelle Riond, Paola B. Arimondo
Summary: This study identified 229 differentially hypermethylated genes in aggressive melanoma cell lines, and eight hypermethylated gene promoters were validated in tissues from melanoma patients. Additionally, five identified CpGs from primary melanoma tissues were transformed into a DNA methylation score that can predict patient survival. This strategy has the potential to be applied to other diseases with DNA methylation alterations.
Article
Cell Biology
Pietro Carotenuto, Alessia Romano, Anna Barbato, Paola Quadrano, Simona Brillante, Mariagrazia Volpe, Luigi Ferrante, Roberta Tammaro, Manuela Morleo, Rossella De Cegli, Antonella Iuliano, Marialuisa Testa, Fabrizio Andreone, Gennaro Ciliberto, Eduardo Clery, Giancarlo Troncone, Giuseppe Palma, Claudio Arra, Antonio Barbieri, Mariaelena Capone, Gabriele Madonna, Paolo A. Ascierto, Luisa Lanfrancone, Alessia Indrieri, Brunella Franco
Summary: This study identifies the MITF/APAF-1 axis as a molecular driver of MAPK inhibitor resistance in melanoma, and quinacrine and methylbenzethonium as potent activators of apoptosis and suppressors of MITF function, demonstrating their potential as therapeutic approaches for resistant melanoma.
Article
Oncology
Arnaud Carrier, Cecile Desjobert, Valerie Lobjois, Lise Rigal, Florence Busato, Jorg Tost, Miquel Ensenyat-Mendez, Diego M. Marzese, Anne Pradines, Gilles Favre, Laurence Lamant, Luisa Lanfrancone, Chantal Etievant, Paola B. Arimondo, Joelle Riond
Summary: Protocadherin proteins play an important role in cell adhesion and signaling pathways. The study found that the PCDHB15 gene's specific exon is hypermethylated in melanoma, leading to its silencing. This silencing contributes to the aggressiveness of melanoma.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Sorbi, Silvia Belluti, Claudio Giacinto Atene, Federica Marocchi, Pasquale Linciano, Neena Roy, Elia Paradiso, Livio Casarini, Simone Ronsisvalle, Tommaso Zanocco-Marani, Livio Brasili, Luisa Lanfrancone, Carol Imbriano, Giulia Di Rocco, Silvia Franchini
Summary: The management of advanced-stage melanoma is challenging due to resistance to current therapies. Therefore, developing alternative strategies is important. Recent research has identified a potent S2R modulator (BS148) that effectively targets melanoma. Mechanistic studies revealed that BS148 activates the endoplasmic reticulum stress response and downregulates genes related to the cholesterol pathway and activates the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, BS148 treatment reduces melanoma cell viability and migration in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells, demonstrating its potential as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Federica Marocchi, Fernando Palluzzi, Paola Nicoli, Marine Melixetian, Giulia Lovati, Giovanni Bertalot, Salvatore Pece, Pier Francesco Ferrucci, Daniela Bossi, Luisa Lanfrancone
Summary: Despite improvements in the management of metastatic melanoma, there are still patients who do not respond to current therapies. Through a preclinical assay, researchers identified a combination therapy targeting AURKA and MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase that was highly effective in metastatic melanoma. Addition of a fatty acid oxidation inhibitor further improved treatment outcomes.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ewa Aladowicz, Letizia Granieri, Federica Marocchi, Simona Punzi, Giuseppina Giardina, Pier Francesco Ferrucci, Giovanni Mazzarol, Maria Capra, Giuseppe Viale, Stefano Confalonieri, Sara Gandini, Fiorenza Lotti, Luisa Lanfrancone
Article
Oncology
Simona Punzi, Chiara Balestrieri, Carolina D'Alesio, Daniela Bossi, Gaetano Ivan Dellino, Elena Gatti, Giancarlo Pruneri, Carmen Criscitiello, Giulia Lovati, Marine Meliksetyan, Alessandro Carugo, Giuseppe Curigliano, Gioacchino Natoli, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci, Luisa Lanfrancone
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
(2019)
