BMP/TGF-β signaling as a modulator of neurodegeneration in ALS

This commentary focuses on the emerging intersection between BMP/TGF-β signaling roles in nervous system function and the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease state. Future research is critical to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of this intersection of the cellular processes disrupted in ALS and those influenced by BMP/TGF-β signaling, including synapse structure, neurotransmission, plasticity, and neuroinflammation. Such knowledge promises to inform us of ideal entry points for the targeted modulation of dysfunctional cellular processes in an effort to abrogate ALS pathologies. It is likely that different interventions are required, either at discrete points in disease progression, or across multiple dysfunctional processes which together lead to motor neuron degeneration and death. We discuss the challenging, but intriguing idea that modulation of the pleiotropic nature of BMP/TGF-β signaling could be advantageous, as a way to simultaneously treat defects in more than one cell process across different forms of ALS.     

MR引导放疗在胰腺癌中的应用

放疗是治疗胰腺癌的重要手段。但受胰腺运动等因素影响,放疗疗效难以充分发挥。更高效的胰腺癌放疗有赖于运动管理方式的改进与高质量的图像引导。新兴的MR引导放疗技术软组织分辨率高、无额外辐射、能进行功能成像,经过大量研究评估与验证,其在靶区与危及器官的精准勾画、辅助运动管理和自适应放疗等方面有着巨大优势,有望更好地发挥放疗在胰腺癌治疗中的作用。本文就MR引导放疗在胰腺癌治疗中的应用作一综述和展望。