European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2007
Expression of the target receptor CD33 in CD34+/CD38-/CD123+ AML stem cells.
CD33 (Siglec-3) is becoming increasingly important as a target of antibody-mediated therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In normal myelopoiesis, expression of CD33 is restricted to advanced stages of differentiation, whereas primitive stem cells do not express CD33. In the present study, we asked whether leukaemic stem cells in patients with AML express CD33. ⋯ Leukaemic stem cells in patients with CD33(+) AML express CD33. This observation is in favour of novel treatment concepts employing CD33-targeting antibodies in AML.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Dec 2006
Immunolocalization of duodenal cytochrome B: a relationship with circulating markers of iron status.
The brush border ferric reductase (Dcytb) is critical for the absorption of dietary iron and appears to be expressed on the duodenal enterocyte brush border. The Dcytb expression is increased in severe iron-deficient anaemia, but the situation in a more typical mild iron deficiency is unclear. This study investigated Dcytb expression in patients with normal iron status or mild iron deficiency and its relationships with enterocyte iron status. ⋯ Enterocyte Dcytb brush border expression is increased even in mild iron deficiency and may be related to serum iron saturation. The lack of correlation with enterocyte ferritin expression deserves further study with direct measurement of intracellular iron.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Dec 2006
Identification and characterization of novel low-density lipoprotein receptor mutations of familial hypercholesterolaemia patients in Taiwan.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease associated with a very high risk of coronary vascular disease. The study objective was to identify patients with FH in Taiwan and characterize novel mutations. ⋯ The study identified 13 LDL receptor gene mutations and characterized three novel mutations causing FH in Taiwan. This facilitated a better understanding of FH among the Chinese population and may enable diagnosis of FH at the molecular level at a presymptomatic, early age.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2006
Effect of lactose on oro-cecal transit in lactose digesters and maldigesters.
The transit time of the small intestine, in addition to lactase activity, may influence lactose digestion and thus play a role in the occurrence of lactose intolerance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of lactose on the oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) in lactose digesters and maldigesters as well as the possible mechanisms underlying these effects. ⋯ Lactose triggers a faster oro-cecal transit in lactose maldigesters, but not in digesters. However, this could not be explained by intestinal distension resulting from the osmotic load posed by maldigested lactose, and thus suggests a direct effect of lactose on intrinsic factors regulating intestinal motility.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2006
Bosentan therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension in connective tissue diseases.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening and debilitating complication of several connective tissue diseases. We aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term treatment with bosentan, an oral dual endothelin ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonist, in a cohort of patients with PAH related to connective tissue diseases. ⋯ Long-term treatment with bosentan was effective in improving exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with PAH related to connective tissue diseases.