Hypoparathyroidism in beta-thalassemia major. Clinical and laboratory observations in 24 patients.

In the last 18 years, we have observed 24 cases of hypoparathyroidism (HPT) in beta-thalassemia major. At present, 4.5% of patients followed regularly in our department have this complication.

New BK virus episomal vector for complementary DNA expression in human cells.

The properties of pRP-c, a new vector for complementary DNA (cDNA) expression, are described. The vector contains the early region and replication origin of BK virus (BKV), a human papovavirus. Due to the presence of these BKV sequences, pRP-c replicates in human cells allowing amplification of inserted cDNAs.