Chanalyzer: A Computational Geometry Approach for the Analysis of Protein Channel Shape and Dynamics.

Morphological analysis of protein channels is a key step for a thorough understanding of their biological function and mechanism. In this respect, molecular dynamics (MD) is a very powerful tool, enabling the description of relevant biological events at the atomic level, which might elude experimental observations, and pointing to the molecular determinants thereof. In this work, we present a computational geometry-based approach for the characterization of the shape and dynamics of biological ion channels or pores to be used in combination with MD trajectories.

Role of active follow-up for early diagnosis of relapse after elective end of therapies.

Objective: To evaluate the role of active follow-up for the detection of relapses occurring after completion of therapy in children with cancer.

Methods: The clinical records of all children who had a cancer relapse more than 3 months after the end of therapies in the period 1985-2000 were reviewed. Relapses were defined "diagnosed at a scheduled visit" or "at an unscheduled visit" based upon how the visit that lead to the suspected diagnosis was scheduled.

[A case of pediatric ganglioneuroma with second tumor nine years later].

The Authors describe the case of a 8-y female with an abdominal GN who developed nine years later an ovarian tumor. This association is an unusual and noteworthy event.

A phase II study of topotecan with vincristine and doxorubicin in children with recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma.

Background: A Phase II trial in children with advanced neuroblastoma was carried out in five Italian institutions to evaluate the antitumor activity and tolerability of topotecan followed by vincristine and doxorubicin.

Methods: Children older than age 1 year with Stage III or Stage IV neuroblastoma, all of whom had been treated previously with chemotherapy and were diagnosed with either refractory or recurrent disease, were treated with topotecan at an intravenous dose of 1.5 mg/m(2) (the dose was 0.