Developments in the scientific understanding of lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). Recent research into human and murine lupus suggests that disease susceptibility results from genetic polymorphisms regulating immune responses as well as impairing the clearance of apoptotic cells. Because the products of dead cells, including nucleic acids, have immunologic activity, this situation can promote antigen-driven ANA responses. Furthermore, immune complexes of ANAs can drive the production of proinflammatory cytokines, inducing the 'interferon signature', and intensifying disease. Together, these findings point to new genetic and immunologic markers of disease as well as targets for new therapies.     

Developments in the clinical understanding of lupus

Advances in genetics and new understanding of the molecular pathways that mediate innate and adaptive immune system activation, along with renewed focus on the role of the complement system as a mediator of inflammation, have stimulated elaboration of a scheme that might explain key mechanisms in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clinical observations identifying important comorbidities in patients with lupus have been a recent focus of research linking immune mechanisms with clinical manifestations of disease. While these advances have identified rational and promising targets for therapy, so far the therapeutic trials of new biologic agents have not met their potential. Nonetheless, progress in understanding the underlying immunopathogenesis of lupus and its impact on clinical disease has accelerated the pace of clinical research to improve the outcomes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.     

Developments in the synovial biology field 2006

Synovial pathophysiology is a complex and synergistic interplay of different cell populations with tissue components, mediated by a variety of signaling mechanisms. All of these mechanisms drive the affected joint into inflammation and drive the subsequent destruction of cartilage and bone. Each cell type contributes significantly to the initiation and perpetuation of this deleterious concert, especially in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts and macrophages, both cell types with pivotal roles in inflammation and destruction, but also T cells and B cells are crucial for complex network in the inflamed synovium. An even more complex cellular crosstalk between these key players maintains a process of chronic inflammation. As outlined in the present review, in the past year substantial progress has been made to elucidate further details of the rich pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis, which may also facilitate the identification of novel targets for future therapeutic strategies.     

Developments in cancer management by innovative genomics. 2006 report of the National Cancer Consortium

Research on developing molecular diagnostics for hereditary cancers resulted in establishing diagnostic services for familiar polyposis and non-polyposis patients (mutation determination of APC, MYH, STK11, SMAD4, MLH1, MSH2). In familiar testicular cancers the role of gr/gr gene on Y chromosome was identified. Molecular diagnostic tool was established to monitor the progression of follicular lymphoma using Bcl-2/IgH fusion sequences. Molecular diagnostic tools were developed to monitor circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEP) as well and the technique was tested in lung cancer patients. In malignant melanoma we have tested several potential novel markers among which ryanodine receptor seems to be a promising one, while the functional P2X7 receptor may serve as a therapeutic target. We have determined the tyrosine kinase "kinome" profile of HER-2-amplified breast cancers. Furthermore, the "kinome" profile was found to be characteristic for head and neck cancers of various anatomical location. Based on previous studies on the anti-migratory and antimetastatic potential of low-molecular-weight heparins, we have identified short heparin-derived oligosaccharides with maintained antimetastatic- but non-anticoagulant potentials. Pharmacogenomic studies on the role of polymorphism of the serine-hydroxymethyl-transferase (SHMT) gene in the efficacy of 5-FU and FOLFIRI protocols of colorectal cancer patients revealed a significant effect resulting in altered overall survival as well.     

Developments in ultrasound--non-medical

Ultrasound is defined as sound of a frequency that is too high for the human ear to detect—i.e. it is inaudible. Nevertheless this “silent sound” has a large range of applications in science, medicine and industry. The study of the effects of ultrasound on materials—known as sonochemistry—is one of the broadest and most exciting areas in current research. In this review some recent developments with major potential are identified from the fields environmental protection and materials processing.

Environmental protection can refer to methods of preventing pollution or to the removal of existing pollution. Here we will look at examples drawn from the latter in which ultrasound has been used for the purification of water (chemical and biological), the decontamination of the atmosphere and soil remediation i.e. the classic three domains of water, air and land.

In terms of materials processing two examples have been chosen, the treatment of sewage sludge and the control of crystallisation. In both of these cases it is predominantly the mechanical effects of acoustic cavitation, which produce the enhanced digestion, and dewatering of sludge and provide for the control in crystallisation processes.     

微生态系统研究动态

微生态系统研究在生态学中已有相当长的历史 ,具有微小、简化、方便、准确地模拟预定设计结果的特点。近年来随着生态学的发展 ,利用微生态系统研究生态学的原理与方法正成为一种被广泛采用的手段。本文初步探讨了微生态系统研究的最新进展 ,并对微生态系统在现代生态学中的地位与作用作了分析     

Developments in developmental genomics

A report on the 62nd Annual Meeting for the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB), Boston, USA, 30 July to 3 August 2003.     

Developments in enzyme technology

Enzyme technology has a well established industrial base with applications which have survived the test of time in a competitive market place. In this review a number of the most prominent applications of enzymes in the wide field of Biotechnology are examined together with a brief exposition of some of the theoretical background.     

Current Developments in Bioerosion

Ichnofossils of flank‐buttressed trees are reported from upper Eocene coastal deposits in the Fayum Depression of northern Egypt. These ichnofossils represent the only known direct ichnofossil evidence for flank‐buttressing of trees. In living trees flank‐buttresses compensate for poor attachment to the soil surface caused by high water tables, poorly cohesive substrates or shallow soil profiles. Flank‐buttressing is confined to trees living in subtropical and tropical climates. The fossil flank buttresses support the idea that the Fayum area had a tropical climate and high water tables with low oxygen contents in the late Eocene, although it is unclear whether the fossils represent terra‐firma or mangrove forests.     

Developments in cranial morphometrics

This paper sets out to describe a number of traditional and novel approaches to craniometry. These include linear and angular measurements, indices, shape factors, least squares, and Fourier analysis. A study is presented in which these different techniques are applied to a phenetic analysis of the crania of a variety of living and extinct hominoids, with the aim of assessing the relative merits of different approaches. The results allow an appraisal of the stability of phenetic groupings in the face of different data and suggest that the choice of data can considerably influence the observed pattern of between-group relationships. The choice of craniometric method should be made with due regard for the questions at hand and the interpretation of phenetic relationships should allow for the particular data.