Structural and functional aspects of platelet-derived growth factor and its role in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family consists of three different dimeric forms, AA, BB, and AB, of the two consitituent polypeptide chains, A and B. These interact with two different cell surface receptors that, in part, mediate different cellular functions. The various forms of PDGF, as well as the receptors, are expressed at high frequency in glioblastoma multiforme, and it has been suggested that the growth of this tumor might be affected by autocrine loops involving PDGF and its receptors. The present paper focuses on recent discoveries regarding the family of PDGF ligands and receptors, as well as reviews results concerning PDGF-dependent autocrine growth in experimental and spontaneous glioblastoma.     

Cholesterol crystals in biliary microlithiasis

A recent study put forward the hypothesis that microlithiasis may represent an early stage in the development of biliary calculi. It is an established fact that cholesterol crystals are the product of an inevitable stage in the sequence leading to gallstone formation. To test the hypothesis stated above ten patients affected by gallbladder cholesterol microlithiasis (CM) were examined in the lipid composition of the bile, the cholesterol saturation index and the presence of cholesterol crystals being calculated. The results were compared with those of 14 patients affected by pigment microliths, 24 with larger stones (LS) and ten control patients. The cholesterol saturation index was above one in all CM patients, whereas in some LS patients the gall-bladder bile was not supersaturated. Cholesterol crystals were observed in the gallbladders of all CM patients and seven LS patients. These results would seem to provide support for the hypothesis of microcalculi as being "young stones", with the bile of CM patients maintaining the conditions leading to gallstone formation.     

Induction of apoptosis of human primary osteoclasts treated with extracts from the medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emblica officinalis</Emphasis>

Background  

Osteoclasts (OCs) are involved in rheumatoid arthritis and in several pathologies associated with bone loss. Recent results support the concept that some medicinal plants and derived natural products are of great interest for developing therapeutic strategies against bone disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. In this study we determined whether extracts of Emblica officinalis fruits display activity of possible interest for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis by activating programmed cell death of human primary osteoclasts.     

The rheumatic patient''s early needs and expectations

During the last few years, studies have revealed that the need for psychosocial support and concrete social services are great in the early stages of the treatment of rheumatic diseases. The ability to keep a job, to do household chores, to participate in leisure activities and to maintain social relations is clearly impaired. Anxiety and depression are not unusual and often associated with weak support from relatives, loneliness and disturbed family relations. Nevertheless, the patients report resilience and determination to cope with the impacts of illness. Crisis intervention, vocational guidance and counselling about problems concerning the disease should be available and offered to the patients. As the patients seem to be unaccustomed to talking about their psychosocial problems, an empathetic and information-seeking attitude on the part of the health care staff is essential.     

Acrocentric interconnections and NOR variants in human lymphocytes

Acrocentric interconnections and NOR (nucleolus organizer region) variants are frequently observed in silver-stained metaphase preparations from lymphocytes of phenotypically normal individuals. The types of interconnections and of NOR variants are outlined. It is speculated that the satellite acrocentrics (both normal and variant) are the consequence of breakage and recoiling of these interconnections. Awareness of these two features of the human genome may facilitate understanding of the NOR/nucleolus interaction(s) in such important processes as nucleolus formation and in development and/or diagnosis of disease states (i.e., malignancy).     

Family functioning in school-age children with cystic fibrosis: an observational assessment of family interactions in the mealtime environment

OBJECTIVE: To examine, using direct observation methodology, differences in family functioning at mealtime between families of school-age children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and families of school-age children without a chronic illness. METHOD: Family functioning was rated using the McMaster Mealtime Interaction Coding System (MICS) during a videotaped dinner among 28 families of children with CF and 27 families of non-ill, age-matched peers. Families were rated on overall family functioning and on six dimensions of the MICS: task accomplishment, communication, affect management, interpersonal involvement, behavior control, and role allocation. RESULTS: Ratings for families of a child with CF were significantly lower than they were for comparison families on overall family functioning and on four of the six MICS dimensions: communication, affect management, interpersonal involvement, and behavioral control. Moreover, a significantly greater percentage of families of children with CF were rated in the unhealthy range on overall family functioning and on five of six MICS dimensions. There was no relationship between family functioning and child weight status for children with CF. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that for families of school-age children with CF, the family system is negatively affected during mealtime. Dietary interventions need to address family-centered, as well as child-centered, interventions to help families manage challenges presented during the family meal.     

Improved overall survival in dendritic cell vaccination-induced immunoreactive subgroup of advanced melanoma patients

Background  

We present our experience of therapeutic vaccination using dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with autologous tumor antigens in patients with advanced melanoma.     

A concept-based retrieval system for thoracic radiology

Current digital information systems in radiology are insufficient to accommodate the retrieval needs of academicians. Significant efforts are required in retrieving clinical cases for teaching and research. We describe a prototype system that supports intelligent case retrieval based on a combined specification of patient demographics, radiologic findings, and pathologic diagnoses. The documents for these cases can be distributed among multiple heterogeneous data bases. The system features automatic indexing of radiology and pathology reports, a comprehensive lexicon for thoracic radiology, an interface to a hospital information system, radiology information system, and picture archiving and communication systems, and a graphical user interface for query formulation and results visualization. The prototype system was developed within the domain of thoracic radiology involving patients with lung cancer.