Circulating levels of cell adhesion molecule L1 as a prognostic marker in gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients.

Background: L1 cell adhesion molecule (CD171) is expressed in many malignant tumors and its expression correlates with unfavourable outcome. It thus represents a target for tumor diagnosis and therapy. An earlier study conducted by our group identified L1 expression levels in primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) as a prognostic marker.

The 14-3-3ζ protein binds to the cell adhesion molecule L1, promotes L1 phosphorylation by CKII and influences L1-dependent neurite outgrowth.

Background: The cell adhesion molecule L1 is crucial for mammalian nervous system development. L1 acts as a mediator of signaling events through its intracellular domain, which comprises a putative binding site for 14-3-3 proteins. These regulators of diverse cellular processes are abundant in the brain and preferentially expressed by neurons.

Persistent presentation of medically unexplained symptoms in general practice.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of persistent presentation of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in general practice. To assess socio-demographic characteristics, health status and use of health services of patients who frequently present MUPS, compared with reference groups.

Design: One-year, nationwide, representative survey of morbidity in general practice in The Netherlands, including 400,000 enlisted patients in 104 general practices.

Effects of thioacetamide on pancreatic islet B-cell function.

Thioacetamide (0.01-1.3 mM) fails to exert any significant immediate effect upon insulin release from rat isolated islets.