Quantitative proteome profiling of respiratory virus-infected lung epithelial cells.

Respiratory virus infections are among the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in humans. Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza (PIV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are major causes of respiratory illness in humans. Especially young children and the elderly are susceptible to infections with these viruses.

Thiopurine methyltransferase in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: biochemical and molecular biological aspects.

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme, catalysing S-methylation of aromatic and heterocyclic sulphhydryl compounds. TPMT activities and genotypes have been determined in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and in control children. Median red blood cell (RBC) TPMT activity in ALL patients at diagnosis was significantly lower than in controls (median 11.

Real-time analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression: a sensitive and semiquantitative marker for minimal residual disease detection of neuroblastoma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish a sensitive and semiquantitative method for the detection of minimal residual disease of neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumor in childhood.

Experimental Design: Analysis was performed on a molecular level by reverse transcription-PCR using a new, real-time detection method. We measured two genes simultaneously, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as the target gene and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as a reference gene, in blood and bone marrow samples at diagnosis and after follow-up from six patients with neuroblastoma, one patient with ganglioneuroma, and one patient with ganglioneuroblastoma.

Measurement of thiopurine S-methyltransferase activity in human blood samples based on high-performance liquid chromatography: reference values in erythrocytes from children.

Background: Monitoring 6-thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT; EC 2.1.1.

Combination therapy in childhood leukaemia: in vitro studies of thiopurines and inhibitors of purine metabolism on apoptosis.

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) followed by 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) is one of the best known combinations for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Tiazofurin (TF) and 6-thioguanine (TG) are also used as chemotherapy agents in the treatment of malignancies. We have examined the induction of apoptosis by combinations of these drugs to gain more insights into their efficacy in the treatment of malignancies.