\n\nConclusions:\n\nIn selleck inhibitor ISM, gene expression profiles are different between patients with a history of IVA and those without. These findings might reflect a more pronounced mast cells dysfunction in patients without a history of anaphylaxis. Gene expression profiling might be a useful tool to predict the risk of anaphylaxis on insect venom in patients with ISM. Prospective studies are needed to substantiate any conclusions.”
“Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors (TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2) are promising targets

for tumor therapy. However, their clinical use is limited because some tumors show resistance to TRAIL-treatment. Here, we analyzed epitopes of nine TRAIL-R1-specific human monoclonal antibodies and demonstrated at least five tentative epitopes on human TRAIL-R1. We found that some of the five were post-translationally modified on some tumor

cell lines. Interestingly, one of them, an epitope of TR1-272 antibody (TR1-272-epitope) disappeared on the tumor cells that are more susceptible to TRAIL-induced apoptosis compared to TR1-272-epitope positive cells. Treatment of TR1-272-epitope negative cells with TRAIL induced large cluster formation S3I-201 price of TRAIL-R1, while treatment of TR1-272-epiope positive cells with TRAIL did not. These results suggest that TR1-272-antibody might distinguish the TRAIL-R1 conformation that could deliver stronger death signals. Further analysis of epitope-appearance and sensitivity to GANT61 cost TRAIL should clarify the mechanisms of TRAIL-induced apoptosis of tumor cells and would provide

useful information about tumor therapy using TRAIL and TRAIL-R signaling. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Contents\n\nOur study was conducted to assess the follicular development and availability of sound ovarian oocytes for in vitro production (IVP) of embryos in pre-pubertal cats. The relationship between body and ovarian weight was examined in 93 cats. The results revealed that ovarian weight rapidly increased until 100 days of estimated age. By histological evaluation of ovaries obtained from 11 pre-pubertal cats with estimated age of < 20, 20-40 and 100-120 days, it was clarified that the increase in ovarian weight during kitten growth accompanied the increase in the number and size of antral follicles. The follicular diameter and percentage of normal oocytes in secondary/antral follicles also increased as estimated age (body weight) increased. The oocytes obtained from pre-pubertal cats with 100-120 days of estimated age were used for IVP of embryos. The results showed that the success rates of in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and development to blastocysts after in vitro culture in pre-pubertal cats were lower than in sexually mature cats. However, the percentage of blastocysts based on the cleaved embryos and cell number of blastocysts in pre-pubertal cats were comparable to those in mature cats.