The main challenge for a pediatric hemato-oncologist today is to obtain a cure for the sick child with the minimum of treatment-related complications. Children on their way to achieving adulthood face many risks after hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). Continuous follow-up includes assessment of organ function, focus on vaccinations and screening for secondary malignancies. Updated treatment protocols are

To examine possible species differences in pharmacology, rat adenosine A2A receptors were studied in PC12 (pheochromocytoma) cells, and human receptors in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the cloned human A2A receptor cDNA. Using [3H]-5-amino-7(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo [1,5-c]pyrimidine ([3H]-SCH 58261) as radioligand, the estimated Bmax (maximal

The communicational and computational demands of neural networks are hard to satisfy in a digital technology. Temporal computing solves this problem by iteration, but leaves a slow network. Spatial computing was no option until the coming of modern FPGA devices. The letter shows how a small feed-forward neural module can be configured on the limited logic blocks between RAM and multiplier macro’s.

Background: Weused a sensitive and specific beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) assay to determine the relationship between BACE1 activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and markers of APP metabolism and axonal degeneration in early and late stages of Alzheimer disease (AD). Objective: To assess CSF BACE1 activity in AD. Design: Case-control and longitudinal follow-up

In 1997, the World Health Organization recommended establishing an international registry of alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency. The objective of the present article is to describe the Organisation of an international network of registries, the Alpha One International Registry (AIR), and the processes of enrolling and entering data. By the end of 2005, the registry included individuals from 21 countr

Bacteria-controlled regulation of host responses to infection is an important virulence mechanism that has been demonstrated to contribute to disease progression. Here we report that the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes employs the procarboxypeptidase TAR (thrombin-activatablefibrinolysis inhibitor) to modulate the kallikrein/kinin system. To this end, bacteria initiate a chain of events star

Background: We examined the activation pattern of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and its dependence on D1 versus D2 dopamine receptors in hemiparkinsonian rats treated with 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (L-DOPA). Methods: 6-Hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats were treated acutely or chronically with L-DOPA in combination with antagonists for D1 or D2 receptors. Development of dys

The cytogenetic features (ploidy, complexity, breakpoints, imbalances) were ascertained in 783 abnormal multiple myeloma (MM) cases to identify frequently involved chromosomal regions as well as a possible impact of age/sex. The series included MM patients from the Mitelman Database of Chromosome Aberrations in Cancer and from our own laboratory. Hyperdiploidy was most common, followed by hypodipl

Objectives: Familial Clustering of a disease is an indicator of a possible heritable Cause. provided that environmental sharing can be excluded. Thus. data on familial risks are important For genetic Studies and for clinical genetic counseling. Design: We carried Out a nationwide family study on nontoxic and toxic nodular goiters, and Graves' disease in order to search for familial clustering of t

Genotoxic heterocyclic amines (HAs) are formed via the Maillard reaction and free radical reaction mechanisms when meat or fish is cooked at usual cooking conditions. In this paper, the effect of the addition of red wine was tested to study if it interferes in HA formation. Fried chicken breast was the food item chosen, and three different red wines, characterized in terms of grape varieties, free

BACKGROUND: The metabolism of sphingomyelin generates important signals regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Previous studies found that the administration of colon carcinoma carcinogen was associated with an accumulation of membrane sphingomyelin, and that dietary sphingomyelin inhibited promotion of experimental colon carcinoma in mice, indicating that the abnormal metabolism of sphingom

The effects of scattered actinic radiation on photomultipliers (Hamamatsu R-562) were investigated. Using cotton-wool to model dense biological preparations, it was found that the scattered actinic radiation received by the photomultiplier gives rise to phytochrome-like signals. This demonstrated the necessity to shield the photomultiplier from scattered actinic light for sensitive measurements wi

Dermatan sulfate (DS) chains are variants of chondroitin sulfate (CS) that are expressed in mammalian extracellular matrices and are particularly prevalent in skin. DS has been implicated in varied biological processes including wound repair, infection, cardiovascular disease, tumorigenesis, and fibrosis. The biological activities of DS have been attributed to its high content of IdoA(alpha 1-3)Ga