Metastases are a major cause of cancer mortality. AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) aberrantly expressed in many tumors, is a potent oncogenic driver of metastatic cell motility and has been identified as broadly relevant in cancer drug resistance. Despite its frequent association with changes in cancer phenotypes, the precise mechanism leading to AXL activation is incompletely understood. In addition to its ligand growth arrest specific-6 (Gas6), activation of AXL requires the lipid moiety phosphatidylserine (PS). PS is only available to mediate AXL activation when it is externalized on cell membranes, an event that occurs during certain physiologic processes such as apoptosis. Here it is reported that exposure of cancer cells to PS-containing vesicles, including synthetic liposomes and apoptotic bodies, contributes to enhanced migration of tumor cells via a PS-Gas6-AXL signaling axis. These findings suggest that anti-cancer treatments that induce fractional cell killing enhance the motility of surviving cells in AXL-expressing tumors, which may explain the widespread role of AXL in limiting therapeutic efficacy.

No abstract

mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). These techniques were also validated using samples from ZIKV infected patients and mosquitoes.RESULTS: RT-LAMP could specifically detect ZIKV in ZIKV positive samples. This could be done in under 30 minutes and did not require timely RNA extraction from the urine, unlike real time PCR.CONCLUSIONS: Here we describe a technique by which ZIKV can be rapidly detected in a non-invasive urine sample. This may allow for easy monitoring of potentially exposed individuals, especially pregnant women, couples wanting to conceive, or individuals with suspicious symptoms.Source of Funding: This study was funded in part by the Maureen and Ronald Hirsch family philanthropic contribution.

No abstract

French argues that improving the diversity reflected in reproductive health education with queer pedagogy is key to meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population.