Dendritic cells (DCs) sense the microenvironment through several types of receptors recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns. In particular, C-type lectins, expressed by distinct subsets of DCs, recognize and internalize specific carbohydrate antigen in a Ca(2+) -dependent manner. Targeting of these receptors is becoming an efficient strategy of delivering antigens in DC-based antican...

BACKGROUND Carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (Ca-ex-PA) is considered to be a malignant transformation product of pre-existing pleomorphic salivary adenoma (PSA). AIM Our study aimed to characterise alterations in the immunohistochemical expression of the Fragile Histidine Traid (FHIT) and Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) (p16(INK4a)) genes during tumour progression model from PSA...

BACKGROUND We conducted a novel pilot study comparing different delivery routes of ALVAC-HIV (vCP205), a canarypox vaccine containing HIV gene inserts: env, gag and pol. We explored the concept that direct ex vivo targeting of human dendritic cells (DC) would enhance the immune response compared to either conventional intramuscular or intradermal injections of the vaccine alone. METHODOLOGY/P...

In vivo targeting of dendritic cells (DC) represents an attractive alternative to currently apply ex vivo DC-based genetic tumor vaccination protocols. Finding the optimal vector for in vivo targeting of DC is important for such strategies. We, therefore, tested a panel of subgroup C/B chimeric and fiber-modified adenoviruses (Ads) for their relative capacity to transduce human DC. We made use ...

Organic matter is essential in improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Thus, organic widely considered a crucial indicator environmental quality biodiversity. In this study, effect gyttja addition as soil conditioner on some physical soils formed volcanic serpentine parent materials was investigated. The layout incubation study randomized plots with 3 replications l...

BACKGROUND/AIMS The protein kinase Akt2/PKBβ is a known regulator of macrophage and dendritic cell (DC) migration. The mechanisms linking Akt2 activity to migration remained, however, elusive. DC migration is governed by Ca(2+) signaling. We thus explored whether Akt2 regulates DC Ca(2+) signaling. METHODS DCs were derived from bone marrow of Akt2-deficient mice (akt2(-/-)) and their wild typ...

BACKGROUND Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ca ex PA) is a high-grade carcinoma arising from benign pleomorphic adenoma. This is the first population-level analysis of prognosis and prognostic features of parotid Ca ex PA. METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1988-2009) was used to identify 278 patients with parotid Ca ex PA. RESULTS Extraparenchymal ext...

GC-MS analysis of the essential oils from aerial parts of Thymus migricus Klokov & Des.-Shost, Thymus fallax Fisch. & Mey. and Thymus pubescens Boiss. & Kotschy ex Celak var. pubescens resulted in the identification of 26, 35 and 53 constituents, respectively. The major components in the essential oil of T. migricus were found to be α-terpineol (30.6%), thymol (20.7%) and α-terpinyl acetate (14...

BACKGROUND Diagnosis costs for cardiovascular disease waste a large amount of healthcare resources. The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of alternative diagnostic strategies in low risk chest pain patients. METHODS We evaluated direct and indirect downstream costs of 6 strategies: coronary angiography (CA) after positive troponin I or T (cTn-I or cTnT) (strat...