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Molecular medicine requires the precise definition of drug targets, and tools are now in place to provide genome-wide information on the expression and alternative splicing patterns of any known gene. DNA microarrays were used to monitor transcript levels of the nine well-characterized α-subunit sodium channel genes across a broad range of tissues from cynomolgus monkey, a non-human primate model. Alternative splicing of human transcripts for a subset of the genes that are expressed in dorsal root ganglia, SCN8A (Nav1.6), SCN9A (Nav1.7), and SCN11A (Nav1.9) was characterized in detail. Genomic sequence analysis among gene family paralogs and between cross-species orthologs suggested specific alternative splicing events within transcripts of these genes, all of which were experimentally confirmed in human tissues. Quantitative PCR revealed that certain alternative splice events are uniquely expressed in dorsal root ganglia. In addition to characterization of human transcripts, alternatively spliced sodium channel transcripts were monitored in a rat model for neuropathic pain. Consistent down-regulation of all transcripts was observed, as well as significant changes in the splicing patterns of SCN8A and SCN9A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Introduction: b Coagulation factors produced by breast tumour cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts signal via protease-activated receptors to induce invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. B Hypothesis: b A procoagulant tumour microenvironment will increase breast cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro, with this effect being abrogated by DOACs. [Extracted from the article]

There is a mass of detailed data concerning technical risk assessment methods and practices for underground work. But there is very little advice or guidance on the broad apportionment of the total risk between the various phases of an underground project or general advice on how risk might be managed. The Working Group has produced a generic Risk Budget covering five typical phases of an underground works project, which illustrates the heavy bias of risk towards the early phases. Using a practical example the report illustrates how project risk can be managed in a structured manner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) is one of the few members of the human claudin family of tight junction molecules with strict restriction to one cell lineage. The objective of the current study was to compare molecular structure and tissue distribution of this gastrocyte specific molecule in mammals. We show here that the CLDN18.2 protein sequence is highly conserved, in particular with regard to functionally relevant domains in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, monkey and human and also in lizards. Moreover, promoter regions of orthologs are highly homologous, including the binding site of the transcription factor cyclic AMP–responsive element binding protein (CREB), which is known to regulate activation of human CLDN18.2. Employing RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, we found that, analogous to the human gene, all orthologous CLDN18.2 transcripts and proteins are exclusively expressed in differentiated gastric cells. Gene structure, promoter elements and RNA expression pattern of the lung-tissue specific Claudin-18 isoform 1 (CLDN18.1) as well, are homologous across species. These findings exemplify phylogenetic conservation of lineage-specific members of a multigene family. Given that CLDN18.2 is a novel drug target candidate, our data is also relevant for drug development as it reveals all six investigated mammalian species as suitable models for testing safety of CLDN18.2 targeting regimen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]