Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in multiple myeloma: implications and significance.

Angiogenesis governs the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) contribute to angiogenesis and comprise mature ECs and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The present study sought to characterize CECs and their relation to disease activity and therapeutic response in 31 consecutive patients with MM.

Alleles of the alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype in patients with aortic aneurysms.

Objective: To examine the possible significance of homo- or heterozygous alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms (AA).

Design: Prospective investigation.

Setting: University hospital.

A scientific relational database combined with a report generator for endoscopy in networks: EndoNet.

Background And Study Aims: The flexibility required in academic endoscopy units is not provided by the available database systems. In a project involving substantial cooperation between endoscopists and computer scientists, we have developed an adaptable database, combined with a report generator embedded in the hospital's intranet.

Patients And Methods: Six workstations in different areas of the hospital were clustered with a UNIX operating system to implement multi-user capability and access control.

[Is heterozygote alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency a risk factor in the etiology of aortic aneurysm?].

A potential role of homozygous or heterozygous alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency alleles Pi*Z or Pi*S in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms has been debated in recently published papers. Therefore, we have determined the alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype in 103 patients with aortic aneurysms using isoelectric focusing. The vast majority of patients (92.

On the unique structural organization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

Dihydrolipoamide acyltransferase (E2), a catalytic and structural component of the three functional classes of multienzyme complexes that catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of alpha-keto acids, forms the central core to which the other components attach. We have determined the structures of the truncated 60-mer core dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (tE2) of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and complexes of the tE2 core associated with a truncated binding protein (tBP), intact binding protein (BP), and the BP associated with its dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (BP.E3).