Rabbit Anti-Ras monoclonal antibody, clone KG21-22

Simple Summary Environmental factors such as UVR exposure and altitude of residence can contribute to the development of cutaneous melanoma. We hereby report that altitude of residence significantly associates with the molecular profiling of CM and melanoma specific survival. The fact that different miRNAs and transcriptomic profile vary with different geographical areas and residences altitude could support for possible regulatory mechanisms induced by environmental conditions, such as hypoxic environment and/or higher UVR exposure. Cutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence is rising worldwide and is the primary cause of death from skin disease in the Western world. Personal risk factors linked to environmental ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are well-known etiological factors contributing to its development. Nevertheless, UVR can contribute to the development of CM in different patterns and to varying degrees. The present study aimed at investigating whether altitude of residence can contribute to the development of specific types of CM and/or influence its progression. To this aim, 306 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from primary CM diagnosed in different geographical areas were submitted to B-RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) and N-RAS proto-oncogene GTPase (NRAS) mutational status detection and mRNA and miRNA profiling by qPCR. Genes were chosen for their functions in specific processes, such as immune response (CD2, PDL1, or CD274) and pigmentation (MITF, TYRP1, and TRPM1). Furthermore, four microRNAs, namely miR-150-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-204-5p, and miR-211-5p, were included in the profiling. Our results highlight differences in the gene expression profile of primary CM with respect to the geographical area and the altitude of residence. Melanoma-specific survival was influenced by the gene expression of mRNA and miRNAs and varied with the altitude of patients' residence. In detail, TYRP1 and miR-204-5p were highly expressed in patients living at higher altitudes, unlike miR-150-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-211-5p. Since miRNAs are highly regulated by reactive oxygen species, it is possible that different regulatory mechanisms characterize CMs at different altitudes due to the different environment and UVR intensity.

Recycling of phosphorus (P) from feed input in aquaculture systems gains increasing importance, especially relating to sustainable agriculture and food production. In order to find possible areas of application of African catfish solid waste, the purpose of this study was to characterize the elemental and organic matter composition and P speciation in the aquaculture fish waste. Pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS) was used to investigate the composition of organic matter and P K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to describe the occurring P-containing compounds in African catfish solid waste from an intensive recirculation aquaculture system (RAS). The solid fish waste was mainly composed of sterols, free fatty acids and alkylaromatics, as it is common for digestive systems of animals. Ingredients such as the phytosterol beta-sitosterin confirm plant-based feed ingredients and some recalcitrance against digestion in the African catfish gut. The P in the solid fish waste was exclusively bound as calcium-phosphates. These calcium-phosphate minerals as major constituents of African catfish waste may have beneficial effects when applied to soils, suggesting the use of this waste as possible soil amendment in the future.