Phospho-STAT5 and phospho-Akt expression in chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.

The majority of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) are characterised by mutations in genes encoding molecules or receptors involved in cell signalling, the most common being the JAK2 V617F mutation. This mutation leads to ligand-independent activation of downstream signalling pathways by constitutive phosphorylation. The signalling pathways affected include the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) and phosphotidylinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) pathways, which regulate cell survival and apoptosis respectively.

TGF-beta activates Erk MAP kinase signalling through direct phosphorylation of ShcA.

Erk1/Erk2 MAP kinases are key regulators of cell behaviour and their activation is generally associated with tyrosine kinase signalling. However, TGF-beta stimulation also activates Erk MAP kinases through an undefined mechanism, albeit to a much lower level than receptor tyrosine kinase stimulation. We report that upon TGF-beta stimulation, the activated TGF-beta type I receptor (TbetaRI) recruits and directly phosphorylates ShcA proteins on tyrosine and serine.

Determining measles-containing vaccine demand and supply: an imperative to support measles mortality reduction efforts.

Measles remains a major cause of mortality with an estimated 745,000 deaths in 2001. The timely, sustained, and uninterrupted supply of affordable vaccines is critical for global efforts to reduce measles mortality. The measles vaccine supply needs to be considered in the context of vaccine security.

Cooperative efforts improve compliance with acute stroke guidelines.

Objective: Guidelines for emergency treatment of stroke are not always known or followed. Florida Medical Quality Assurance, Inc. collaborated with hospitals to determine how closely the current American Heart Association (AHA) and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) guidelines were being followed and to improve compliance with these guidelines.