Development of Macrocycle Kinase Inhibitors for ALK2 Using Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva-Derived Endothelial Cells.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an extremely rare congenital form of heterotopic ossification (HO), caused by heterozygous mutations in the activin A type I receptor (ACVR1), that encodes the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor ALK2. These mutations enable ALK2 to induce downstream signaling in response to activins, thereby turning them into bone-inducing agents. To date, there is no cure for FOP.

Risk factors for central nervous system tumors in children: New findings from a case-control study.

Background: Central nervous system tumors (CNS) are the most frequent solid tumor in children. Causes of CNS tumors are mainly unknown and only 5% of the cases can be explained by genetic predisposition. We studied the effects of environmental exposure on the incidence of CNS tumors in children by subtype, according to exposure to industrial and/or urban environment, exposure to crops and according to socio-economic status of the child.

Risk of bone tumors in children and residential proximity to industrial and urban areas: New findings from a case-control study.

Few epidemiologic studies have explored risk factors for bone tumors in children, and the role of environmental factors needs to be analyzed. Our objective was to ascertain the association between residential proximity to industrial plants and urban areas and risk of bone tumors in children, taking into account industrial groups and toxic pollutants released. A population-based case-control study of childhood bone cancer in Spain was carried out, covering 114 incident cases obtained from the Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumors (between 1996 and 2011), and 684 controls individually matched by sex, year of birth, and autonomous region of residence.

Monitoring Huntington's Disease Mortality across a 30-Year Period: Geographic and Temporal Patterns.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by chorea, dystonia, behavioral disturbances and cognitive decline. The aim of this study is to assess temporal and spatial changes on mortality attributable to HD over 30 years in Spain.

Methods: HD data were extracted from the nationwide mortality registry for the period 1984-2013.

Residential proximity to environmental pollution sources and risk of rare tumors in children.

Background: Few epidemiologic studies have explored risk factors for rare tumors in children, and the role of environmental factors needs to be assessed.

Objectives: To ascertain the effect of residential proximity to both industrial and urban areas on childhood cancer risk, taking industrial groups into account.

Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study of five childhood cancers in Spain (retinoblastoma, hepatic tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, germ cell tumors, and other epithelial neoplasms/melanomas), including 557 incident cases from the Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumors (period 1996-2011), and 3342 controls individually matched by year of birth, sex, and region of residence.