Hypoxia regulate developmental coronary angiogenesis potentially through VEGF-R2- and SOX17-mediated signaling.

Background: The development of coronary vessels in embryonic mouse heart involves various progenitor populations, including sinus venosus (SV), endocardium, and proepicardium. ELA/APJ signaling is known to regulate coronary growth from the SV, whereas VEGF-A/VEGF-R2 signaling controls growth from the endocardium. Previous studies suggest hypoxia might regulate coronary growth, but its specific downstream pathways are unclear.

Hypoxia regulate developmental coronary angiogenesis potentially through VEGFR2- and SOX17-mediated signaling.

Background: Coronary vessels in embryonic mouse heart arises from multiple progenitor population including sinus venosus (SV), endocardium, and proepicardium. ELA/APJ signaling is shown to regulate coronary growth from SV pathway within the subepicardium, whereas VEGF-A/VEGF-R2 pathways is implicated to regulate coronary growth from endocardium pathway. Our previous study show hypoxia as a potential signaling cue to stimulate overall coronary growth and expansion within the myocardium.

Children with cancer and medical students teach each other.

A medical student group and a pediatric oncology staff have united resources to provide a unique opportunity for patients and students. This article describes a program that matches first- and second-year medical students with individual children who have cancer or another chronic illness. Modeled after the traditional "Big Brother/Big Sister" programs, this program has two purposes: (1) to provide medical students with a better understanding of the issues concerning patients with chronic illness and their families, and (2) to provide individual emotional support for young patients while, coincidentally, offering some relief for their parents.

Preparing the family for their responsibilities during treatment.

Long-term needs of a family whose child has cancer must be integrated into the family's responsibilities early in the disease treatment. The family's understanding, acceptance, and participation in the patient's care is a determining factor in the effectiveness of the treatment plan. Family responsibilities are twofold: obtain correct medical information about child's disease and its treatment, and adapt to necessary changes in lifestyle.