Tumor angiogenic switch determines sustained proliferative malignant transformation in tumorigenesis and overlaps with para-inflammatory phenomena

Contextual BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase over-activity determines in formulated fashion the emergence of proliferation and anti-apoptosis that arise largely as derived phenomena of otherwise homeostatic mechanisms of the c-ABL gene within hematopoietic stem cells and hemangioblasts in the bone marrow. The ability to suppress almost completely, both in terms of phenotype and cytogenetically, the myeloid cell line expansion by imatinib mesylate is indicative of a phenomenon that depends strictly on the transformed status of the cell of origin in the chronic myeloid leukemia process. It is with relevance to complex participation of the dynamics of the fused BCR- ABL protein product that contextual conditioning of the cells of origin of the gene translocation further motivates the dimensional expansion of the transformed myeloid cell clones to increasing proliferative rates, thus leading to blast crisis as eventual loss of differentiating potential.peer-reviewe

A dual origin for Bcr-Abl gene translocation/fusion as dynamics of synergism of the hematopoietic stem cell and hemangioblast in chronic myeloid leukemia

Contextual BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase over-activity determines in formulated fashion the emergence of proliferation and anti-apoptosis that arise largely as derived phenomena of otherwise homeostatic mechanisms of the c-ABL gene within hematopoietic stem cells and hemangioblasts in the bone marrow. The ability to suppress almost completely, both in terms of phenotype and cytogenetically, the myeloid cell line expansion by imatinib mesylate is indicative of a phenomenon that depends strictly on the transformed status of the cell of origin in the chronic myeloid leukemia process. It is with relevance to complex participation of the dynamics of the fused BCR- ABL protein product that contextual conditioning of the cells of origin of the gene translocation further motivates the dimensional expansion of the transformed myeloid cell clones to increasing proliferative rates, thus leading to blast crisis as eventual loss of differentiating potential.peer-reviewe

A national health information strategy for Malta

In 1992 a national health information strategy was developed jointly by the Department of Health and the Information Systems Division. A detailed strategy study report was compiled, with recommendations for the development of a number of information systems. The main system proposed was an integrated and comprehensive health care information system encompassing all of Malta’s hospitals and health centres, based on a single Patient Master Index. This system would support the concepts of an integrated health record and of a person-based view for resource management.peer-reviewe

Developing a new business model for enabling research - the case of the ACPFG in Australia

Publisher's postprint archived as permitted by publisher.The way in which companies, research centres and educational institutions are organised and structured may provide a competitive advantage for commercialisation, in particular if companies are dependent on the deployment of complementary assets and capabilities by third parties. This paper presents the case of the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG), a private agricultural biotechnology (agbiotech) company specialising in early stage Research and Development (R&D) to produce superior adapted cereal varieties, tolerant to abiotic stress conditions such as drought, frost, salt, or mineral toxicity, all of which have a direct and negative impact on plant growth and crop productivity. The organisational structure of the company has been influenced and shaped by Government policy, shareholders expectations and trends in the agbiotech industrial organisation. It has proved attractive to potential alliance partners for collaborative R&D and commercialisation. We present the ACPFG as a new business model to fund basic research and facilitate technology transfer.Stephanie C. Agius, David Corkindale, Antonio G. Dottore, Michael Gilber

Screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Maltese newborns using cord blood

Routine screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) has been introduced because clinical features of CHT may not be evident before the baby is a few weeks old and treatment at this stage may already be too late. Since a newborn testing programme employing liquid cord blood for other conditions had already been developed in the University of Malta and the Department of Health, we explored the possibility of implementing newborn thyroid testing using liquid cord blood. A similar programme had been implemented successfully in Finland and Philadelphia. Between September 1989 and August 1995 around 32,000 newborns were tested. This is nearly complete ascertainment. Preliminary testing was by radioimmunoassay for TSH. The sera of those with TSH levels more than 13mU/l were further tested for free T4. If the free T4 level was below 12 pmol/l, the babies were recalled for clinical evaluation and repeat testing. Other babies were recalled for technical reasons, giving a total recall rate of 3.88%. CHT was identified in seven newborns and treatment started within 3 weeks of delivery. One baby was reported normal on screening but was suspected to have CHT on clinical grounds at 3 weeks of age, confirmed biochemically. The incidence of CHT in Malta is therefore 1 in 4500.peer-reviewe

Association of surgeons of Malta : eCME programme

The Association of Surgeons of Malta has recently launched a new programme of Continuing Medical Education for the medical profession. Co-financed by the European Social Fund and Malta Government the programme consists of a series of modules each dealing with a number of conditions that are often encountered in practice.peer-reviewe