Genomic amplification of a decoy receptor for Fas ligand in lung and colon cancer

Fas ligand (FasL) is produced by activated T cells and natural killer cells and it induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in target cells through the death receptor Fas/Apol/CD95. One important role of FasL and Fas is to mediate immune-cytotoxic killing of cells that are potentially harmful to the organism, such as virus-infected or tumour cells. Here we report the discovery of a soluble decoy receptor, termed decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), that binds to FasL and inhibits FasL-induced apoptosis. The DcR3 gene was amplified in about half of 35 primary lung and colon tumours studied, and DcR3 messenger RNA was expressed in malignant tissue. Thus, certain tumours may escape FasL-dependent immune-cytotoxic attack by expressing a decoy receptor that blocks FasL.     

Bilateral detection thresholds in dextrals and sinistrals reflect the more sensitive side of the nose, which is not lateralized

Recent studies have shed light on the different relationships between odorant receptor expression and the specification of neural identity in the olfactory systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. In mice, neuronal identity and axon guidance are specified by the single expressed olfactory receptor, whereas in C. elegans, neuronal identity appears to be independent of receptor expression.     

The use of intravenous intermediate dose melphalan and dexamethasone as induction treatment in the management of de novo multiple myeloma

The variable absorption of melphalan from the gastrointestinal tract results in response rates between 40 and 60%. High dose melphalan increases response rates but at the cost of increased morbidity and mortality. We have investigated intravenous intermediate dose melphalan and dexamethasone in the treatment of patients presenting with de novo multiple myeloma with the object of reducing toxicity while preserving an improved response rate compared to oral melphalan and prednisolone. The results show that this treatment can be delivered safely on an outpatient basis in patients up to the age of 78 yr; 82% of patients achieved an objective response and 30% a complete haematological and clinical remission. Median overall survival for the whole group is 37 months.     

Fluoride and dental age

The dental ages of 1286 (674 males and 612 females) Egyptian children born and grown up in a community with naturally occurring overfluoride ions in the drinking water (more than the optimal level) in Matrouh Governorate, were compared with the Egyptian standards of the fluoride deficient area of the same socioeconomic level. The age ranged from 8 years to 14 years and 6 months. The results of the present study revealed that the communal water supply with a fluoride ions concentration more than optimal level has no long term effect on the dental age, as judged from the tooth emergence of the growing children.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Giardia isolated from the straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) in Western Australia

Following the first report of avian Giardia infection in Australia, isolates of the parasite recovered from naturally infected straw-necked ibis (Theskiornis spinicollis) were characterized using median body morphology, scanning electron microscopy, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) analyses. Results were compared with Giardia from other birds and mammals, and the extent of genetic diversity between a range of ibis isolates collected in Western Australia was determined. The ibis isolates of Giardia were genetically relatively homogeneous, which is in contrast to the extensive genetic heterogeneity often displayed by mammalian Giardia isolates. Morphologically, Giardia from ibis were similar to Giardia ardeae although they differed genetically and by the fact that the ibis isolates could not be established in in vitro culture. Sequence data of the DNA coding for the SSU-rRNA found a 96% homology between the ibis isolates from Western Australia and G. ardeae, suggesting that they represent distinct strains of the same species. In contrast, the ibis isolates were genetically and morphologically very different than Giardia duodenalis and Giardia muris from mammals.