Clinical significance of quantitative monitoring and mutational analysis of BCR-ABL1 transcript in Philadelphia chromosome positive B lymphoblastic leukemia.

Quantitative detection of BCR-ABL1 transcript is essential in monitoring residual disease of Philadelphia chromosome positive B lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ B-LL). We studied the kinetics of BCR-ABL1 transcript in 41 Ph+ B-LL patients in correlation with their clinical outcome. A total of 23 patients achieved complete molecular remission at 6 months post-treatment.

Cytochrome P450 2D6 polymorphisms and predicted opioid metabolism in African American children with sickle cell disease.

The opioid medications codeine and hydrocodone, commonly prescribed in sickle cell disease (SCD), require metabolic conversion by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) to morphine and hydromorphone, respectively, to exert their analgesic effects. The CYP2D6 gene is highly polymorphic, with variant alleles that result in decreased, absent, or ultrarapid enzyme activity. Seventy-five children with SCD were tested for CYP2D6 polymorphisms, and metabolic phenotypes were inferred from the genotypes.

Angelica sinensis isolate SBD.4: composition, gene expression profiling, mechanism of action and effect on wounds, in rats and humans.

This report characterizes an aqueous isolate (SBD.4) of one of the most broadly used Chinese medicinal herbs, Angelica sinensis, from the perspective of its application in skin and wound care. SBD.

Performance characteristics of the MultiCode-RTx hepatitis C virus load test targeting the 3' untranslated region.

Viral load testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA has become a key parameter in the diagnosis of infection and treatment monitoring. This study evaluated the performance characteristics of the MultiCode-RTx HCV assay (MultiCode; EraGen Biosciences, Inc., Madison, WI), a real-time PCR test targeting the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the HCV genome, compared to the TaqMan HCV load ASR assay (TaqMan; Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) that targets the 5' UTR.

MicroParticle photophysics illuminates viral bio-sensing.

The authors present an approach for specific and rapid unlabeled detection of a virus by using a microsphere-based whispering gallery mode sensor that transduces the interaction of a whole virus with an anchored antibody. They show theoretically that this sensor can detect a single virion below the mass of HIV. A micro-fluidic device is presented that enables the discrimination between viruses of similar size and shape.