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Common Denominator (common + denominator)
Selected AbstractsAngelman Syndrome: Difficulties in EEG Pattern Recognition and Possible MisinterpretationsEPILEPSIA, Issue 8 2003Kette D. Valente Summary: Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the EEG in Angelman syndrome (AS), to verify the age at onset of suggestive EEGs and to study EEG patterns, analyzing variations and comparing our findings with nomenclature previously used. Methods: Seventy EEG and 15 V-EEGs of 26 patients were analyzed. Suggestive EEG patterns of AS were classified in delta pattern (DP), theta pattern (TP), and posterior discharges (PDs). Generic terms were used to simplify the analysis. Results: Suggestive EEGs were observed in 25 (96.2%) patients. DP occurred in 22 patients with four variants,hypsarrhythmic-like: irregular, high-amplitude, generalized delta activity (DA) with multifocal epileptiform discharges (EDs); slow variant: regular, high-amplitude, generalized DA with rare EDs; ill-defined slow spike-and-wave: regular, high-amplitude, generalized DA with superimposed EDs characterizing a slow wave, with notched appearance; triphasic-like: rhythmic, moderate-amplitude DA over anterior regions with superimposed EDs. TP was observed in eight patients, as generalized or over the posterior regions. PDs were seen in 19 patients as runs of sharp waves or runs of high-amplitude slow waves with superimposed EDs. TP was the only age-related pattern (younger than 8 years) and observed only in patients with deletion. In 15 patients who had an EEG before the clinical diagnosis, 60% had a suggestive tracing. Conclusions: Although some EEG descriptions are not very detailed, and every author describes findings in a slightly different manner, obviously a common denominator must exist. In this context, EEG seems to be a very sensitive method for the diagnosis of AS, offering an opportunity to corroborate this etiologic diagnosis. Conversely, we do not believe that these patterns may be accounted as specific, except for the delta pattern, which seems to be extremely unusual in other syndromes. Other EEG patterns observed in AS, such as theta activity and PDs, occur in a wide variety of disorders. Nonetheless, their importance for the EEG diagnosis of AS is supported by the fact that they are associated with other features and may be helpful in a proper clinical setting. [source] A common European foreign policy after Iraq?INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, Issue 3 2003Brian Crowe Taking as read the wide range of other instruments that the EU has for international influence (enlargement, aid, trade, association and other arrangements, etc.), the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), under pressure from the Kosovo conflict, has been shaped by two important decisions in 1999: the creation of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) to give the EU a military capability when NATO as a whole is not engaged, and the appointment as the new High Representative for the CFSP of a high-profile international statesman rather than a senior civil servant. A major European effort will still be needed if Europe is to be effective militarily, whether in the EU/ESDP or NATO framework. The management of the CFSP has been held back by the doctrine of the equality of all member states regardless of their actual contribution. This in turn leads to a disconnect between theory (policy run by committee in Brussels) and practice (policy run by the High Representative working with particular member states and other actors, notably the US). It has been difficult for Javier Solana to develop the authority to do this, not in competition with the Commission as so widely and mistakenly believed, as with member states themselves, and particularly successive rotating presidencies. It is important that misdiagnosis does not lead to politically correct solutions that end up with the cure worse than the disease. Ways need to be found to assure to the High Representative the authority to work with third countries and with the member states making the real contribution, while retaining the support of all. Then, with its own military capability, the EU can have a CFSP that is the highest common factor rather than the lowest common denominator, with member states ready to attach enough priority to the need for common policies to give Europeans a strong influence in the big foreign policy issues of the day. [source] Mechanism of metabolic activation and DNA adduct formation by the human carcinogen diethylstilbestrol: The defining link to natural estrogensINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2009Muhammad Saeed Abstract Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a human carcinogen, based on sufficient epidemiological evidence. DES is mainly metabolized to its catechol, 3,-hydroxyDES (3,-OH-DES), which can further oxidize to DES-3,,4,-quinone (DES-3,,4,-Q). Similarly to estradiol-3,4-quinone, the reaction of DES-3,,4,-Q with DNA would form the depurinating 3,-OH-DES-6,-N3Ade and 3,-OH-DES-6,-N7Gua adducts. To prove this hypothesis, synthesis of DES-3,,4,-Q by oxidation of 3,-OH-DES with Ag2O was tried; this failed due to instantaneous formation of a spiro -quinone. Oxidation of 3,-OH-DES by lactoperoxidase or tyrosinase in the presence of DNA led to the formation of 3,-OH-DES-6,-N3Ade and 3,-OH-DES-6,-N7Gua adducts. These adducts were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS as 3,-OH-DES-6,-N3Ade, m/z = 418 [M+H]+, and 3,-OH-DES-6,-N7Gua, m/z = 434 [M+H]+. Demonstration of their structures derived from their oxidation by MnO2 to the DES quinone adducts and subsequent tautomerization to the dienestrol (DIES) catechol adducts, which are identical to the standard 3,-OH-DIES-6,-N3Ade, m/z = 416 [M+H]+, and 3,-OH-DIES-6,-N7Gua, m/z = 432 [M+H]+, adducts. The reaction of DIES-3,,4,-Q or lactoperoxidase-activated 3,-OH-DIES with DNA did not produce any depurinating adducts, due to the dienic chain being perpendicular to the phenyl planes, which impedes the intercalation of DIES into the DNA. Enzymic oxidation of 3,-OH-DES suggests that the catechol of DES intercalates into DNA and is then oxidized to its quinone to yield N3Ade and N7Gua adducts. These results suggest that the common denominator of tumor initiation by the synthetic estrogen DES and the natural estrogen estradiol is formation of their catechol quinones, which react with DNA to afford the depurinating N3Ade and N7Gua adducts. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Paraneoplastic pemphigus/paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndromeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009FNASC, FRAS(LOND.), Virendra N. Sehgal MD Paraneoplastic pemphigus is the term used for an exclusive subset of pemphigus. The clinical lesions may resemble pemphigus, pemphigoid, erythema multiforme, graft-vs.-host disease, or lichen planus. A common denominator in all patients is the concomitant occurrence of either occult or confirmed systemic neoplasm. It is imperative to confirm the diagnosis through microscopy, where intraepidermal suprabasal cleavage, epidermal acantholysis, dyskeratotic keratinocytes and vacuolar changes in the basal epidermis, interfacial dermatitis, and epidermal exocytosis can be seen. Furthermore, the deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and complement in the epidermal intercellular spaces, detected by direct and/or indirect immunofluorescence, is equally crucial for confirming the diagnosis. [source] Chromosome-mediated alterations of the MYC gene in human cancerJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002N. C. Popescu Abstract The step-wise accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in cancer development includes chromosome rearrangements and viral integration-mediated genetic alterations that frequently involve proto-oncogenes. Protooncogenes deregulation lead to unlimited, self-sufficient cell growth and ultimately generates invasive and destructive tumors. C-MYC gene, the cellular homologue of the avian myelocitic leukemia virus, is implicated in a large number of human solid tumors, leukemias and lymphomas as well as in a variety of animal neoplasias. Deregulated MYC expression is a common denominator in cancer. Chromosomal rearrangements and integration of oncogenic viruses frequently target MYC locus, causing structural or functional alterations of the gene. In this article, we illustrate how genomic rearrangements and viruses integration affect MYC locus in certain human lymphomas and solid tumors. [source] KSHV/HHV8-associated primary cutaneous plasmablastic lymphoma in a patient with Castleman's disease and Kaposi's sarcomaJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 2006Wenhua Liu Three months following the diagnosis of KS affecting a left cervical lymph node and Castleman's disease with bone marrow involvement, he presented with a subcutaneous, tender lesion on his left arm. A skin biopsy demonstrated a superficial and deep, interstitial-nodular infiltrate of severely atypical lymphoid cells showing plasmacytoid features, numerous mitotic figures, and frequent individual apoptotic tumor cells. The morphologic features were those of plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL). Immunohistochemical study showed that the lymphoma cells strongly expressed CD45, CD30, and KSHV/HHV8 latency-associated nuclear antigen. KSHV/HHV8 was also detected in the biopsy sections of the patient's KS and Castleman's disease. Epstein,Barr virus in situ hybridization was diffusely positive. In situ hybridization demonstrated ,-light chain restriction. Although KSHV/HHV8 has been individually associated with KS, Castleman's disease, and PBL, this appears to be the first reported case in which all three entities were present simultaneously in one person, suggesting a critical role of KSHV/HHV8 as a common denominator in the pathogenesis of these diseases. [source] Vesicular release of glutamate mediates bidirectional signaling between astrocytes and neuronsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2007Yingchun Ni Abstract The major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, glutamate, can be released exocytotically by neurons and astrocytes. Glutamate released from neurons can affect adjacent astrocytes by changing their intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and, vice versa, glutamate released from astrocytes can cause a variety of responses in neurons such as: an elevation of [Ca2+]i, a slow inward current, an increase of excitability, modulation of synaptic transmission, synchronization of synaptic events, or some combination of these. This astrocyte-neuron signaling pathway might be a widespread phenomenon throughout the brain with astrocytes possessing the means to be active participants in many functions of the CNS. Thus, it appears that the vesicular release of glutamate can serve as a common denominator for two of the major cellular components of the CNS, astrocytes and neurons, in brain function. [source] Endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction , a common denominator for cell injury in acute and degenerative diseases of the brain?JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2001Wulf Paschen Various physiological, biochemical and molecular biological disturbances have been put forward as mediators of neuronal cell injury in acute and chronic pathological states of the brain such as ischemia, epileptic seizures and Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. These include over-activation of glutamate receptors, a rise in cytoplasmic calcium activity and mitochondrial dysfunction. The possible involvement of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction in this process has been largely neglected until recently, although the ER plays a central role in important cell functions. Not only is the ER involved in the control of cellular calcium homeostasis, it is also the subcellular compartment in which the folding and processing of membrane and secretory proteins takes place. The fact that blocking of these processes is sufficient to cause cell damage indicates that they are crucial for normal cell functioning. This review presents evidence that ER function is disturbed in many acute and chronic diseases of the brain. The complex processes taken place in this subcellular compartment are however, affected in different ways in various disorders; whereas the ER-associated degradation of misfolded proteins is affected in Parkinson's disease, it is the unfolded protein response which is down-regulated in Alzheimer's disease and the ER calcium homeostasis that is disturbed in ischemia. Studying the consequences of the observed deteriorations of ER function and identifying the mechanisms causing ER dysfunction in these pathological states of the brain will help to elucidate whether neurodegeneration is indeed caused by these disturbances, and will help to fascilitate the search for drugs capable of blocking the pathological process directly at an early stage. [source] The immunocompromised district: a unifying concept for lymphoedematous, herpes-infected and otherwise damaged sitesJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 12 2009V Ruocco Abstract Systemic immunodeficiency is known to facilitate the onset of opportunistic infections, tumours and immune disorders in any district of the body. There are clinical events, such as chronic lymphoedema, herpetic infections, vaccinations and heterogeneous physical injuries which can selectively damage and immunologically mark the cutaneous district they act upon. After the causing event has disappeared, the affected district may appear clinically normal, but its immune behaviour is often compromised forever. An immunocompromised district becomes a site which is particularly susceptible to subsequent outbreaks of opportunistic infections, tumours and immune disorders confined to the district itself. In this review, there is an ample case-report collection of opportunistic disorders (infectious, neoplastic, immune) which appeared in immunocompromised districts. The cases have been grouped according to the clinical settings responsible for the local immune imbalance: regional chronic lymphoedema; herpes-infected sites, which feature the well-known Wolf's isotopic response; and otherwise damaged areas, comprising sites of vaccination, ionizing or UV radiation, thermal burns and traumas. Whatever the immunocompromising factor, a common denominator which facilitates the occurrence of tumours, infections and dysimmune reactions in an immunocompromised district may reside in locally hampered lymph drainage and/or locally altered neuromediator signalling. In fact, any obstacle to the normal trafficking of immunocompetent cells through lymphatic channels or any interference with the signals that the neuropeptides and neurotransmitters released by peripheral nerves send to cell membrane receptors of immunocompetent cells, can significantly alter the local immune response, thus paving the way for heterogeneous opportunistic disorders in the immunocompromised district. [source] Recent advances in extending the shelf life of fresh Agaricus mushrooms: a reviewJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2010Preeti Singh Abstract Postharvest browning of Agaricus mushrooms is a severe problem that reduces the shelf life of harvested mushrooms because of their continued respiration and biochemical activity. There are no simple answers and no single treatment is known to limit overall quality deterioration. However, there are several strategies that are being implemented in order to reduce the rate of respiration for mushrooms. Packaging technology is the common denominator that allows us to implement these strategies and thus is key to quality preservation. In this review, first, the major factors involved in postharvest quality deterioration are discussed and then technological advances/methods used to counteract these hurdles are presented. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Neurorehabilitation of Upper Extremities in Humans with Sensory-Motor ImpairmentNEUROMODULATION, Issue 1 2002Dejan B. Popovic PhD Abstract Today most clinical investigators agree that the common denominator for successful therapy in subjects after central nervous system (CNS) lesions is to induce concentrated, repetitive practice of the more affected limb as soon as possible after the onset of impairment. This paper reviews representative methods of neurorehabilitation such as constraining the less affected arm and using a robot to facilitate movement of the affected arm, and focuses on functional electrotherapy promoting the movement recovery. The functional electrical therapy (FET) encompasses three elements: 1) control of movements that are compromised because of the impairment, 2) enhanced exercise of paralyzed extremities, and 3) augmented activity of afferent neural pathway. Liberson et al. (1) first reported an important result of the FET; they applied a peroneal stimulator to enhance functionally essential ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of walking. Merletti et al. (2) described a similar electrotherapeutic effect for upper extremities; they applied a two-channel electronic stimulator and surface electrodes to augment elbow extension and finger extension during different reach and grasp activities. Both electrotherapies resulted in immediate and carry-over effects caused by systematic application of FET. In studies with subjects after a spinal cord lesion at the cervical level (chronic tetraplegia) (3,5) or stroke (6), it was shown that FET improves grasping and reaching by using the following outcome measures: the Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT), coordination between elbow and shoulder movement, and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Externally applied electrical stimuli provided a strong central sensory input which could be responsible for the changes in the organization of impaired sensory-motor mechanisms. FET resulted in stronger muscles that were stimulated directly, as well as exercising other muscles. The ability to move paralyzed extremities also provided awareness (proprioception and visual feedback) of enhanced functional ability as being very beneficial for the recovery. FET contributed to the increased range of movement in the affected joints, increased speed of joint rotations, reduced spasticity, and improved functioning measured by the UEFT, the FIM and the Quadriplegia Index of Function (QIF). [source] From W. N. Hohfeld to J. R. Commons, and Beyond?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010A "Law, Economics" Enquiry on Jural Relations In this article we try to reformulate the approaches of Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld and John Rogers Commons on jural relations speculating on the concept of positionality as introduced by Fred Hirsch in his original work on positional good and competition. Furthermore, by placing Hohfeld's jural lowest common denominator within the Commonsian transaction, we propose a more structured economic description of the jural relations theory. [source] Neurophatic Pain Treatment: The ChallengePAIN PRACTICE, Issue 1 2003Jose De Andrés Abstract: Neuropathic pain covers a heterogeneous group of pain conditions characterized by a primary lesion or dysfunction of the sensory nervous system. Its pathophysiology is not yet clear, but neuronal hyperexcitability in those neurons that have lost their normal patterned input seems to be a common denominator for neuropathic pain. A mechanism-based approach is being developed, but still the clinical workup is being based on the anatomical location and the determination of an underlying cause. In addition, clinicians are presented with a challenge because neuropathic pain does not respond well to traditional pain therapies and there are greater individual variations in pain responsiveness. A number of drug classes have been evaluated in the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes; these are mainly drugs developed for other nervous system diseases, although their precise action and whether their action is central or peripheral remains unknown for the majority of them. First-line agents used in the treatment of neuropathic pain conditions are tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, especially carbamazepine and gabapentin. Novel therapies are currently being developed for neuropathic pain that are based in experimental models and theoretical frameworks on the pathosphysiological events that initiate this type of pain. [source] STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRACY AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITYPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 2 2007PETER HUPE The concept of ,street-level bureaucracy' was coined by Michael Lipsky (1980) as the common denominator for what would become a scholarly theme. Since then his stress on the relative autonomy of professionals has been complemented by the insight that they are working in a micro-network of relations, in varying contexts. The conception of ,governance' adds a particular aspect to this: the multi-dimensional character of a policy system as a nested sequence of decisions. Combining these views casts a different perspective on the ways street-level bureaucrats are held accountable. In this article some axiomatic assumptions are drawn from the existing literature on the theme of street-level bureaucracy and on the conception of governance. Acknowledging variety, and arguing for contextualized research, this results in a rethinking of the issue of accountability at the street level. [source] A Simple Noninvasive Test to Detect Vascular Disease in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: A Novel MethodTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006MSc (Urol.), Shawket Alkhayal MB ChB ABSTRACT Introduction., The association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is becoming increasingly evident. Both conditions are thought to share a common denominator, which is endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, testing endothelial function in ED patients may serve to detect vascular disease in this cohort of patients. Aims., To investigate whether measuring the reactive hyperemic response (RHR) of the forearm vessels through a simple noninvasive method could identify vascular disease in patients with ED. Patients and Methods., Forty-eight male subjects were recruited into the study, 35 of whom presented to the sexual dysfunction clinic with a complaint of ED, and 13 healthy subjects served as a control group. The ED patients were subdivided into two groups, according to the presence or absence of CVD or its risk factors. The RHR of the forearm vessels was measured noninvasively in all subjects by using a handheld Doppler device. Results., Significant reduction in the peak systolic velocity ration was observed in ED patients with concomitant CVD or risk factors in comparison with the other ED patients with no CVD or risk factors and the control group. Results were highly significant on both occasions (P < 0.001). The 50% recovery time was not significantly different between any of the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion., Our results suggest that those patients with impaired RHR have an abnormality in their vascular system, which is likely to be the cause of their ED and CVD. Using this simple noninvasive method can help to identify vascular disease in ED patients. It can also be used to suggest vascular disease in any patient, where further tests might be indicated. Alkhayal S, Lehmann V, and Thomas P. A simple noninvasive test to detect vascular disease in patients with erectile dysfunction: A novel method. J Sex Med 2006;3:331,336. [source] ,Eosinophilic Fungal Rhinosinusitis': A Common Disorder in Europe?THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2003Hannes Braun MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis The traditional criteria for the diagnosis of allergic fungal sinusitis include chronic rhinosinusitis, "allergic mucin" (mucus containing clusters of eosinophils), and detection of fungi by means of histological examination or culture. In 1999, a group of Mayo Clinic researchers, with a novel method of mucus collection and fungal culturing technique, were able to find fungi in 96% of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Immunoglobulin E,mediated hypersensitivity to fungal allergens was not evident in the majority of their patients. Because the presence of eosinophils in the allergic mucin, not a type I hypersensitivity, is probably the common denominator in the pathophysiology of allergic fungal sinusitis, the Mayo Clinic group proposed a change in terminology from allergic fungal sinusitis to eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis. Using new techniques of culturing fungi from nasal secretion, as well as preservation and histological examination of mucus, we investigated the incidence of "eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis" in our patient population. Study Design Methods In an open prospective study nasal mucus from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis as well as from healthy volunteers was cultured for fungi. In patients, who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery, nasal mucus was investigated histologically to detect fungi and eosinophils within the mucus. Results Fungal cultures were positive in 84 of 92 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (91.3%). In all, 290 positive cultures grew 33 different genera, with 3.2 species per patient, on average. Fungal cultures from a control group of healthy volunteers yielded positive results in 21 of 23 (91.3%). Histologically, fungal elements were found in 28 of 37 patients (75.5%) and eosinophilic mucin in 35 of 37 patients (94.6%). Neither fungi nor eosinophils were present in 2 of 37 patients (5.4%). Conclusions Our data show that the postulated criteria of allergic fungal sinusitis are present in the majority of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Either those criteria will be found to be invalid and need to be changed or, indeed, "eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis" exists in the majority of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Based on our results, fungi and eosinophilic mucin appear to be a standard component of nasal mucus in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. [source] Mast cells, peptides and cardioprotection , an unlikely marriage?AUTONOMIC & AUTACOID PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 3 2009S. K. Walsh Summary 1,Mast cells have classically been regarded as the ,bad guys' in the setting of acute myocardial ischaemia, where their released contents are believed to contribute both to tissue injury and electrical disturbances resulting from ischaemia. Recent evidence suggests, however, that if mast cell degranulation occurs in advance of ischaemia onset, this may be cardioprotective by virtue of the depletion of mast cell contents that can no longer act as instruments of injury when the tissue becomes ischaemic. 2,Many peptides, such as ET-1, adrenomedullin, relaxin and atrial natriuretic peptide, have been demonstrated to be cardioprotective when given prior to the onset of myocardial ischaemia, although their physiological functions are varied and the mechanisms of their cardioprotective actions appear to be diverse and often ill defined. However, one common denominator that is emerging is the ability of these peptides to modulate mast cell degranulation, raising the possibility that peptide-induced mast cell degranulation or stabilization may hold the key to a common mechanism of their cardioprotection. 3,The aim of this review was to consolidate the evidence implying that mast cell degranulation could play both a detrimental and protective role in myocardial ischaemia, depending upon when it occurs, and that this may underlie the cardioprotective effects of a range of diverse peptides that exerts physiological effects within the cardiovascular system. [source] Protective and detrimental immunity: lessons from stiff person syndrome and multiple sclerosisACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2009T. Holmøy Background,, The immune system may attack the brain and cause inflammatory disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS). On the other hand, the immune system may protect and support neurons. Methods, There are two obstacles to study this paradox in humans. First, the target antigens in many human central nervous system (CNS) disorders are unknown. Second, it is often difficult to separate pathogenic from protective events, as well as primary from secondary phenomena. Idiopathic stiff person syndrome (SPS) circumvents the first obstacle, because most patients secrete antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65. The immune response against glatiramer acetate (GA) may circumvent the second obstacle. Migration of activated T helper cells to the intrathecal compartment could be a common denominator in GA treatment and SPS. Results, We here discuss recent results on T cells in MS and SPS, showing that GAD65-specific and GA-reactive lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid are not a simple reflection of those in blood. Conclusion, The rules and mechanisms governing T cell selection and maintenance in the CNS may provide a key to the understanding of protective and detrimental aspects of CNS immunity. [source] Tumor formation by genetic mutations in the components of the Wnt signaling pathwayCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2003Akira Kikuchi The genetics of development and cancer have converged in the identification of intra- and extra-cellular signaling pathways that are aberrantly regulated in cancer, and are also central to embryonic patterning. The Wnt signaling pathway has provided an outstanding example of this. The genes for ,-catenin, ARC, and Axin in the Wnt signaling pathway are often mutated in human cancers. In all such cases, the common denominator is the activation of gene transcription by ,-catenin. The resulting gene expression profile should provide a significant clue to the developmental mechanisms of cancers carrying defects in the Wnt signaling pathway. In this review, the functions of ,-catenin, APC and Axin, and the alterations of the three genes in human cancers are described. (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 225,229) [source] Gene therapy: can we prevent/modulate apoptosis in EC?ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009T FUCHSLUGER Purpose Regardless of the inciting cause, CEC loss is a common denominator of corneal graft failure. CEC loss during storage results in significant loss of suitable tissue for grafting, CEC loss after transplantation is a major cause of graft failure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of apoptosis in CEC in order to prevent CEC loss during storage. Methods Gene transfer of Lenti-Bcl-xL or ,p35 was accomplished in human donor corneas, primary cultured CEC and an immortalized CEC line and compared to untreated controls. Cell death (apoptosis) was induced by Actinomycin or Etoposide (external vs. internal apoptotic pathway, respectively). In addition, CEC loss during preservation was studied both during Optisol GS (4C) and organ culture storage (37C, Biochrome Medium I). Both storage media were diluted with PBS to promote cell loss. CEC were enumerated, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining and confocal microscopy. Results The percentage of TUNEL-positive CEC provoked by the apoptotic inducers was significantly reduced relative to controls. Transfected corneas preserved an almost intact endothelial monolayer while controls nearly entirely lost vital CEC. During long-term storage experiments at 4C and at 37C, CEC counts in corneas expressing anti-apoptotic genes remained significantly higher compared to the controls. Conclusion Protection of CEC by anti-apoptotic genes appears to be an effective method to reduce CEC loss during storage. The application of this technique could increase the amount of high quality grafts in eye banking and further reduce graft failure following corneal transplantation, and is be of specific interest as to precut corneas and DSAEK procedures. [source] The future of primary paediatric care in Europe: reflections and Report of the EPA/UNEPSA CommitteeACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 1 2010S Barak Abstract Background:, Changes in the scope of the field of paediatrics and the variability in primary paediatric care (PPC) and practice throughout Europe motivated the European Paediatric Association and Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA/UNEPSA) to establish a working group to discuss definitions of paediatric coverage in terms of age limits, find common denominators in the provision of PPC and examine the challenges and goals of 21st century paediatrics relevant to the continent. These issues were presented at the 2008 Europaediatrics in Istanbul, where a consensus declaration was drawn up and accepted by the EPA/UNEPSA Executive Committee. Aim:, To present an outline of the essential elements of the 2008 EPA/UNEPSA Executive Committee consensus declaration. Conclusion:, The definition of basic characteristics and the establishment of requirements for optimal PPC and practice are important steps in overcoming the differences among European countries and pave the way for an acceptable formulation of standardized high-quality paediatric medical care in Europe. [source] For the child's sake: parents and social workers discuss conflict-filled parental relations after divorceCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 2 2001Hydén After a divorce, the former partners have to form new relationships between themselves as parents, and with their children. What does this reconstruction involve? What are the tasks facing the parents? What are the areas of conflict? This paper attempts to answer these questions. Eight initial sessions of parental mediation were chosen for the analysis. The analysis indicates that statements about the ways in which parents are entitled to their children, and vice versa, are common denominators for the transition from nuclear family parenting to post-nuclear family parenting. In the sessions, parents dealt with this duty by fighting a battle for a place in the children's lives. The battles were expressed in negotiations about time and place. The analysis revealed two different solutions to the problem of the parents' entitlements. One was the creation of the homogeneous family, with one parent and the children living together in a close relationship, giving the other parent visiting rights. The other was to form a heterogeneous family, based on the idea that it is possible to build a childhood on differences and dissimilarities. Most of the conflicts originated from parents' efforts to create homogeneous families. 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