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A very high number of different types of blood cells must be generated daily through a process called haematopoiesis in order to meet the physiological requirements of the organism. All blood cells originate from a population of relatively few haematopoietic stem cells residing in the bone marrow, which give rise to specific progenitors through different lineages. Steady-state dynamics are governe

Numerous publications have described the importance of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling in the specification of hematopoietic tissue in developing embryos. Here we investigate the full role of canonical BMP signaling in both adult and fetal liver hematopoiesis using conditional knockout strategies, since conventional disruption of components of the BMP signaling pathway result in early d

Background Ezrin is a cytoskeletal protein involved in tumour growth and invasion. Ezrin expression has been suggested to play a role in metastasis in paediatricosteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Aim To evaluate the prognostic role of ezrin in a large series of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk wall. Methods Ezrin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray

BACKGROUND: Although 2-20% of breast cancer patients develop a contralateral breast cancer (CBC), prognosis after CBC is still debated. Using a unique patient cohort, we have investigated whether time interval to second breast cancer (BC2) and mode of detection are associated to prognosis. METHODS: Information on patient-, tumour-, treatment-characteristics, and outcome was abstracted from patien

A statistical model based on four kallikrein markers (total prostate-specific antigen [tPSA], free PSA [fPSA], intact PSA, and human kallikrein-related peptidase 2) in blood can predict risk of Gleason score ≥7 (high-grade) cancer at prostate biopsy.

Background Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with increased risks of breast and ovarian cancers. Although several common variants have been associated with breast cancer susceptibility in mutation carriers, none have been associated with ovarian cancer susceptibility. A genome-wide association study recently identified an association between the rare allele of the sing

The special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2), a nuclear matrix-associated transcription factor and epigenetic regulator, was identified as a tissue type-specific protein when screening protein expression patterns in human normal and cancer tissues using an antibody-based proteomics approach. In this respect, the SATB2 protein shows a selective pattern of expression and, within cells of e

Polymorphisms associated with prostate cancer include those in three genes encoding major secretory products of the prostate: KLK2 (encoding kallikrein-related peptidase 2; hK2), KLK3 (encoding prostate-specific antigen; PSA), and MSMB (encoding beta-microseminoprotein). PSA and hK2, members of the kallikrein family, are elevated in sera of men with prostate cancer. In a comprehensive analysis tha

BACKGROUND:: In soft tissue sarcoma, better distinction of high-risk and low-risk patients is needed to individualize treatment and improve survival. Prognostic systems used in clinical practice identify high-risk patients based on various factors, including age, tumor size and depth, histological type, necrosis, and grade. METHODS:: Whole-tumor sections from 239 soft tissue sarcomas of the extrem

Background: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity has been shown to predict calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) outcomes. Our objective was to test the association between plasma Lp-PLA2 activity and genetically elevated Lp-PLA2 mass/activity with CAVS in humans. Methods and results: Lp-PLA2 activity was measured in 890 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including 476 pati

Background/Aims: Inguinal incisions are a common route of access in vascular surgery. Due to anatomical challenges and a diverse bacterial flora in this area, surgical site infections (SSI) represent a common, debilitating and sometimes life-threatening complication. The INVIPS-Trial evaluates the role of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) on closed inguinal incisions in elective vascular surg

Background: The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is implicated in cancer drug resistance, metastasis, and immunosuppression and has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for new anticancer drugs. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a major role in the suppression of antitumor immunity and STAT3 is involved in the accumulation, ge

Most common breast cancer susceptibility variants have been identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of predominantly estrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease1. We conducted a GWAS using 21,468 ER-negative cases and 100,594 controls combined with 18,908 BRCA1 mutation carriers (9,414 with breast cancer), all of European origin. We identified independent associations at P < 5 × 10-8

Objectives The aim was to investigate the variation in risk of breast cancer between occupational groups with a focus on white-collar and blue-collar workers and to investigate to what extent the differences were explained by risk factors related to reproduction and lifestyle. Methods Between 1991 and 1996, 14 119 women born between 1923 and 1950 and residents of Malmö, Sweden, were included in th

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of self-assessed preoperative physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking with self-assessed quality of life, negative intrusive thoughts and depressed mood after radical prostatectomy. Materials and methods: The Laparoscopic Prostatectomy Robot Open (LAPPRO) trial was a prospective, controlled, non-randomized longitudinal tri

BACKGROUND: Analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTC) is a promising prognostic marker in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The aim of this study was to investigate CTC detection and phenotyping as prognostic biomarkers for response to primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) of metastatic prostate cancer (PC). METHODS: PC patients presenting with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) >80

Deficient production of anti-viral interferons (IFNs) may be involved in causing viral-induced asthma exacerbations. Hence, drugs inducing lung IFN production would be warranted. Azithromycin may reduce asthma exacerbations but its modus operandi is unknown. Here, we investigated if azithromycin induces IFNβ expression in vitro in rhinovirus-infected bronchial epithelial cells from asthmatic donor

Chills and vomiting have traditionally been associated with severe bacterial infections and bacteremia. However, few modern studies have in a prospective way evaluated the association of these signs with bacteremia, which is the aim of this prospective, multicenter study. Patients presenting to the emergency department with at least one affected vital sign (increased respiratory rate, increased he

Background: Current prostate cancer screening guidelines conflict with respect to the age at which to initiate screening. Objective: To evaluate the effect of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening versus zero screening, starting at age 50-54 yr, on prostate cancer mortality. Design, setting, and participants: This is a population-based cohort study comparing 3479 men aged 50 yr through 54 yr r

PURPOSE: About 60% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at late stage, when 5-year survival is less than 30% in contrast to 90% for local disease. This has prompted search for early detection biomarkers. For initial testing, specimens taken months or years before ovarian cancer diagnosis are the best source of information to evaluate early detection biomarkers. Here we evaluate the most promising ovar