Models of cancer progression provide insights on the order of accumulation of genetic alterations during cancer development. Algorithms to infer such models from the currently available mutational profiles collected from different cancer patiens (cross-sectional data) have been defined in the literature since late 90s. These algorithms differ in the way they extract a graphical model of the eve...

CXCR4 is the receptor of CXC chemokine SDF-1 and may play a role in the homing of hematopoietic stem cells. We have investigated the CXCR4 gene expression during ATRA treatment in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients. APL is a characteristic disorder with a specific translocation between PML and RAR alpha genes on chromosome 15 and 17. ATRA-induced differentiation of APL cells is strict...

Background: Anterior cervical surgery now represents one of the most frequently performed spinal procedures. Although a majority of these procedures are localized to the intervertebral disc space, removal of a vertebra or several vertebrae may be indicated if the site of epidural compression extends beyond the level of a disc space. Objectives: The aim of this work is to evaluate the clinical a...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In this study we assesed the effect of a small dose of ketamine on the production of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 and the postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS Fifty patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized in two equal groups. Patients in the ketamine group after induction in anesthesia received ketamine--025...

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent malignant diseases in the world. Metastatic spread of the cancer to the lymph nodes is a crucial factor for progression and therapeutic management of the disease. We analysed gene expression profiles of CRC patiens by low-density cancer-focused oligonucleotide microarrays to identify new predictive markers of the extent of the disease and for ...

The author's hypothesis is that adequate acetylcholine (ACh) hydrolysis inhibition acting through a physiological mechanism could maintain levels of the neurotransmitter sufficient to stimulate postsynaptic receptors which are still active in the brain of patiens affected by senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT). We postulate that the use of reversible and specific cholinesterase inhibitors ...

BACKGROUND Oral lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving skin and mucous membranes. Its etiology is still uncertain whilst an autoimmune mechanism is known to be implicated. OLP is commonly considered a geriatric disease and gender differences in prevalence are clear, whereby females are generally more frequently affected than males more often during the 5th and 6th decad...

Models of cancer progression provide insights on the order of accumulation of genetic alterations during cancer development. Algorithms to infer such models from the currently available mutational profiles collected from different cancer patiens (cross-sectional data) have been defined in the literature since late 90s. These algorithms differ in the way they extract a graphical model of the eve...