Critical Diamond-Blackfan anemia due to ribosomal protein S19 missense mutation.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by pure erythrocyte aplasia, and approximately 70% of patients carry mutations in the genes encoding ribosomal proteins (RP). Here, we report the case of a male infant with DBA who presented with anemic crisis (hemoglobin [Hb] concentration 1.5 g/dL) at 58 days after birth.

Targeted induction of interferon-λ in humanized chimeric mouse liver abrogates hepatotropic virus infection.

Background & Aims: The interferon (IFN) system plays a critical role in innate antiviral response. We presume that targeted induction of IFN in human liver shows robust antiviral effects on hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods: This study used chimeric mice harboring humanized livers and infected with HCV or HBV.

Infantile neuroblastoma of the urinary bladder detected by hematuria.

Malignant tumors of the urinary bladder in infants are extremely rare. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most likely tumor in this site, whereas neuroblastoma of the urinary bladder is exceedingly uncommon and is not listed as a differential diagnosis for tumors of this site. We present a case of neuroblastoma arising from the dome of the bladder wall, detected by hematuria.

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia characterized by cutaneous lesion containing Langerhans cell histiocytosis-like cells.

We present a 1-year-old boy who developed a cutaneous lesion on the trunk and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory examination showed leukocytosis with peripheral blasts, atypical monocytosis, anemia, hyper IgG, and a mild elevation of C-reactive protein. Clinical features and skin biopsy findings matched the diagnostic criteria of both juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).

Psychological distress related to patterns of family functioning among Japanese childhood cancer survivors and their parents.

Objective: Family functioning appears to be a predictor of psychological distress among childhood cancer survivors and their family members; however, relatively little is known about patterns in those families that are psychologically at-risk. The purpose of this study was to identify distinct clusters of families that include childhood cancer survivors, and to evaluate differences between the clusters with respect to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).

Methods: Childhood cancer survivors and their parents (247 individuals: 88 adolescent cancer survivors, 87 mothers, and 72 fathers) completed self-report questionnaires.

Discovery and structure-activity relationships of 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives, a novel class of opioid receptor like-1 (ORL1) antagonists.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of a series of 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives led to the identification of (1R,2S)-17, N-[(1R,2S)-2-({2-[(4-chlorophenyl)carbonyl]amino-6-methylquinazolin-4-yl}amino)cyclohexyl]guanidine dihydrochloride, as a highly potent ORL1 antagonist with up to 3000-fold selectivity over the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors. Molecular modeling clarified the structural factors contributing to the high affinity and selectivity of (1R,2S)-17.

Liver target delivery of small interfering RNA to the HCV gene by lactosylated cationic liposome.

Background/aims: RNA interference has considerable therapeutic potential, particularly for anti-viral therapy. We previously reported that hepatitis C virus (HCV)-directed small interfering RNA (siRNA; siE) efficiently inhibits HCV replication, using HCV replicon cells. To employ the siRNA as a therapeutic strategy, we attempted in vivo silencing of intrahepatic HCV gene expression by siE using a novel cationic liposome.

Hsp90 inhibitors suppress HCV replication in replicon cells and humanized liver mice.

Persistent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we report that inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is highly effective in suppressing HCV genome replication. In HCV replicon cells, HCV replication was reduced by Hsp90 inhibitors and by knockdown of endogenous Hsp90 expression mediated by small-interfering RNA (siRNA).

Antitumor activity of small interfering RNA/cationic liposome complex in mouse models of cancer.

Purpose: The RNA interference effect is an alternative to antisense DNA as an experimental method of down-regulating a specific target protein. Although the RNA interference effect, which is mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or micro-RNA, has potential application to human therapy, the hydrodynamic method usually used for rapid administration of oligonucleotides is unsuitable for use in humans. In this study, we have investigated the antitumor activity of a synthetic siRNA, B717, which is sequence specific for the human bcl-2 oncogene, complexed with a novel cationic liposome, LIC-101.