The alternative Thomas-plot: A new tool for effective anemia diagnostics.

Introduction: The Thomas-plot has proven to be a helpful tool to discriminate between different types of anemia. This plot combines the reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He) with the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)/log ferritin (fer) ratio. In this study, we designed an alternative Thomas-plot in which Ret-He is combined with the transferrin (Tf)/log ferritin ratio.

A placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study of alirocumab on postprandial lipids and vascular elasticity in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) linked to atherogenic dyslipidaemia and postprandial hyperlipidaemia. Alirocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, improves CVD risk by reducing the concentration of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). However, effects of PCK9 inhibitors on other aspects of diabetic dyslipidaemia, particularly in the postprandial situation, are less clear.

Gene transfer of human TCR in primary murine T cells is improved by pseudo-typing with amphotropic and ecotropic envelopes.

Background: T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy represents an attractive anti-cancer treatment but requires further optimization of its efficacy and safety in clinically relevant models, such as those using a tumor antigen and TCR of human origin. Currently, however, there is no consensus as to what protocol is most optimal for retroviral human TCR gene transfer into primary murine T cells, most notably with respect to virus pseudo-type.

Methods: Primary murine T cells were transduced, expanded and subsequently tested for transgene expression, proliferation and antigen-specific function.