Lancet
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The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene produces a tyrosine kinase that localises to contact points between cells and extracellular matrix. It is believed to be an important signal molecule in cell adhesion. ⋯ There was no detectable FAK mRNA in 6 normal tissue samples. These observations suggest that FAK overexpression may accompany changes in signal pathways involved in tumour cell invasion.
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Letter Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Combination phototherapy of psoriasis with calcipotriol and narrow-band UVB.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Regular inhaled salbutamol and airway responsiveness to allergen.
Regular inhaled beta 2 agonist causes tolerance to the acute protective effect of beta 2 agonist against bronchoconstriction induced by chemical stimuli such as AMP, histamine, and methacholine. We examined a more clinically relevant stimulus, inhaled allergen, in a double-blind, cross-over, random-order trial in 13 mild atopic asthmatics, who had not used beta 2 agonist for at least 4 weeks. We compared regular inhaled salbutamol (200 micrograms four times daily for 2 weeks) with placebo (2 weeks) for effects on bronchodilator response, baseline methacholine, and allergen airway responsiveness, and on the acute protective effect of salbutamol against both stimuli. ⋯ Taking into account the reduced baseline allergen PC20, the post-salbutamol allergen PC20 was almost 2 doubling doses (1.94 [1.43], p < 0.01) lower during salbutamol treatment. Thus, 2 weeks of regular inhaled salbutamol increased airway responsiveness to allergen but not to methacholine, and caused tolerance to the protective effect of salbutamol on bronchoconstriction induced by both stimuli. These effects of inhaled beta 2 agonist provide further evidence to support detrimental effects of their regular use.