Bioinformatics-based discovery and identification of new biologically active peptides for GPCR deorphanization.

Owing to their involvement in many physiological and pathological processes, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are interesting targets for drug development. Approximately, 100 endoGPCRs lack their natural ligands and remain orphan (oGPCRs). Consequently, oGPCR deorphanization appears a promising research field for the development of new therapeutics.

The relationship between CD4 cell count nadirs and the toxicity profiles of antiretroviral regimens.

Background: It has been suggested that a lower pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) CD4 count nadir may lead to a greater risk of experiencing HAART-related toxicity. We investigated the relationship between the pre-HAART CD4 count nadir, HAART and the occurrence of laboratory-defined toxicities.

Methods: Previously antiretroviral-naive individuals starting HAART at the Royal Free Hospital, London, UK, were included.

Prevention of early postmenopausal bone loss by strontium ranelate: the randomized, two-year, double-masked, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled PREVOS trial.

Early postmenopausal women ( n = 160) were randomised to receive placebo or strontium ranelate (SR) 125 mg/day, 500 mg/day or 1 g/day for 2 years (40 participants per group). All participants received calcium 500 mg/day. The primary efficacy parameter was the percent variation in lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

[Soft tissue sarcomas of the hand: report of a radiation-induced case].

Soft tissue sarcoma surgery is based on techniques that are in the process of ongoing development. In this study, the case is reported of a female patient who was operated on at the age of 14 years for a primary synoviosarcoma of the dominant hand, which was treated by conservative surgery and 60 Gy adjuvant radiotherapy. Twenty-two years later, she presented with a clinical picture of recurrence, but with no detectable metastases.