Tumor markers are a heterogeneous group of substances released by cancer cells into bloodstream, but also expressed by healthy tissues. Thus, very small concentrations can be present in plasma and serum from healthy subjects. Cancer patients tend to show increased levels correlating with tumor bulk, but false positive results could be present in patients with benign conditions. The correct interpretation of TM results could be challenging and many factors should be considered, from pre-analytical conditions to patient concomitant diseases. In this line, the Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine journal has made important contributions though several publications promoting the adequate use of TM and therefore improving patient safety. TM measurement offers valuable information for cancer patient management in different clinical contexts, such as helping diagnosis, estimating prognosis, facilitating early detection of relapse and monitoring therapy response. Our review analyzes the clinical usefulness of tumor markers applied in most frequent epithelial tumors, based on recent evidence and guidelines.

Reference genes are frequently used as normalizers for expression studies despite not being previously verified to present suitable stabilities. Considering the interest that tiger beetles have generated in the past years, resulting in a variety of studies, it is crucial to dispose of a validated reference gene panel for expression studies. Nine candidate genes were tested in Cicindela campestris and Calomera littoralis across several conditions and their transcription levels were assessed with geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ΔCT method algorithms. Results showed high stabilities across sexes, immune challenge and gonad developmental stages for all genes tested, while body parts comparison presented less constant expression values. Only two genes are sufficient to perform a proper normalization for most of the conditions tested, except for the body parts comparison in C. littoralis, which requires the use of at least three reference genes. On the whole, no universal gene is found to be suitable for all situations, but according to the acceptable range of values, NADH, B-t, Vatpase and ArgKin seem to present the most constant expression stability, indicating their suitability as reference genes in most of the conditions. This is the first report evaluating the stability of housekeeping genes in adephagan beetles.

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En este estudio se analizan dos fragmentos del gen de la citocromo c oxidasa subunidad I (COX1) del ADN mitocondrial de 61 individuos del género Rhynchophorus colectados en la Región de Murcia a fin de determinar su procedencia. El análisis filogenético del fragmento 1 de las muestras de la Región de Murcia conjuntamente con las secuencias disponibles en GenBank indica que los individuos corresponden a la especie Rhynchophorus ferrugineus.Las secuencias de Murcia se colapsan en un único haplotipo (H8 mediterráneo) que aparece dentro del clado de R. ferrugineus. De los análisis filogeográficos se infiere que el origen de los individuos de Murcia es Egipto. Adicionalmente, se examinó una región contigua del COX1 (fragmento 2) en la que las secuencias se colapsaron en dos haplotipos. In this research two fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1) gene of the mitochondrial DNA were analyzed in 61 individuals of the genus Rhynchophorus collected in the Region of Murcia with the aim of determining their origin. Phylogenetic analysis of fragment 1 of the samples collected in the Region of Murcia together with the available sequences in GenBank, indicated that these individuals correspond to the species R. ferrugineus. Sequences from Murcia collapsed into the H8 Mediterranean haplotype, which cluster into the R. ferrugineus clade. Phylogeographic analysis shows that the origin of the individuals collected in the Region of Murcia is Egypt. Additionally, a contiguous fragment of COX1 (fragment 2) was analyzed and the sequences collapsed into two haplotypes.

Diferenciación rápida de Alectoris rufa Linnaeus, 1758 y Alectoris chukar (Gray, 1830) (Galliformes: Phasianidae) mediante curvas de disociación de un SNP del gen de la hormona paratiroidea Los métodos actuales basados en ADN para identificar los niveles de introgresión en especies cercanas implican la manipulación posterior a la PCR, aumentando el tiempo y coste en el procesado de las muestras. El análisis de curvas de disociación es una técnica que utiliza cebadores especie-específicos. En este trabajo se demuestra que tal análisis resulta muy preciso para la diferenciación de individuos puros de Alectoris chukar y A. rufa, utilizando un SNP del gen de la hormona paratiroidea de una manera simple, rápida y eficiente. Se analizaron setenta y ocho muestras (A. chukar, n=15; A. rufa, n=63), y no se detectaron híbridos. Este método podría ser aplicado en políticas de gestión basadas en el control genético de las perdices reproducidas en granjas y utilizadas en repoblación u otras actividades cinegéticas. AbstractCurrent DNA-based methods for identifying introgression levels of closely related species imply post-polymerase chain reaction manipulations that requires additional time and expenses for sample processing. Melting curves analysis is a technique that uses species-specific primers. Here we show this method to be highly accurate for the rapid differentiation of pure individual partridges of Alectoris chukar and A. rufa species, using a SNP of the parathyroid hormone gene in a simple, rapid and efficient way. Seventy eight individuals were analyzed, (A. chukar, n=15; A. rufa, n=63), and no hybrids were detected. This method should find wide use for the management polices based on strict genetic controls for partridge stocks reproduced in farms and used in restocking or other hunting activities.