N-terminal alanine-rich (NTAR) sequences drive precise start codon selection resulting in elevated translation of multiple proteins including ERK1/2.

We report the discovery of N-terminal alanine-rich sequences, which we term NTARs, that act in concert with their native 5'-untranslated regions to promote selection of the proper start codon. NTARs also facilitate efficient translation initiation while limiting the production of non-functional polypeptides through leaky scanning. We first identified NTARs in the ERK1/2 kinases, which are among the most important signaling molecules in mammals.

Implementation of a nurse-led alternate care site for the management of the surge of patients with COVID-19 in an Italian emergency department.

Background: To accommodate and separate the large numbers of patients going to hospital with COVID-19, many EDs had to create new pathways for patients. We describe the outcomes of patients treated in a nurse-led alternate care site (ACS) at our hospital.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of outcomes of patients managed at the ACS of 'San Bassiano' Hospital ED, Bassano del Grappa, Italy between 9 March and 16 April 2020.

RhoGDI2 antagonizes ovarian carcinoma growth, invasion and metastasis.

Previous studies described functional roles for Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI2) in bladder, gastric and breast cancers. However, only limited expression and no functional analyses have been done for RhoGDI2 in ovarian cancer. We determined RhoGDI2 protein expression and function in ovarian cancer.

Influence of the VEGF-A 936C>T germinal polymorphism on tumoral VEGF expression in head and neck cancer.

Aims: Elevated tumoral vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression is linked to poor survival in head and neck cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of VEGF-A gene polymorphisms on tumoral VEGF-A expression and to test their prognostic value in head and neck cancer patients.

Materials & Methods: VEGF-A polymorphisms at position -2578C>A, -1498T>C, -1154G>A, -634G>C and 936C>T were analyzed (PCR-RFLP) in tumoral DNA, along with tumoral VEGF-A expression (ELISA), in 49 Caucasian head and neck cancer patients.