POTENTIAL GENETIC AGENT BFL1 FOR TARGETED THERAPY IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

Background: Many prognostic factors have been identified in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) but new ones are still desired. The biological characterization of CLL is now being translated into novel treatment strategies. One new prognostic factor, and therapeutic target, may be BFL1. It is both a serum and a molecular marker that contributes to the progression of CLL and its resistance to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of BFL1 and to assess its correlation with other known prognostic markers in CLL for the cladribine and cyclophosphamide regimen (CC). Methods: qPCR TaqMan® Low Density Array was used for gene expression measurements. Assessment of CD38, ZAP70 and BFL-1 proteins expression was done by means of flow cytometry. Serum TK activity was measured by immunoassay. Results: Protein BFL1 expression was found to be significantly higher in CLL patients than healthy volunteers (p=0.001). Moreover its level was significantly higher in patients with no response (NR) to CC therapy (p=0.009). The expression of BFL1 was considerably down regulated during CC treatment and BFL1 mRNA levels were inversely correlated with apoptotic response. In addition, protein BFL1 expression was found to be similar to thymidine kinase (TK) concentration regarding treatment response. As far as other markers are concerned, a positive correlation was identified between BFL1 and TK (r=0.52, p=0.01). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that BFL1 contributes to chemoresistance and may be a co-existing prognostic factor in CLL in the future

Occupational exposure to organic dust, microorganisms, endotoxin and peptidoglycan among plants processing workers in Poland

The objective of present work was to determine and compare the components of bioaerosol in several sectors of plant processing industries. The Study was conducted in 10 Facilities engaged in herb and grain processing, flax threshing, grain storing, baking, and cereals production. The air samples were taken on glass fibre litters with an AS-50 sampler. We determined the concentrations of airborne microorganisms, dust, endotoxin and peptidoglycan. Total concentrations of viable airborne microorganisms ranged from 0.18-861.4 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). The highest levels of microbial contamination of the air were observed at flax farms, in grain elevators and in a herb processing plant. Gram-positive bacteria aid fungi were detected at all sampling sites, and their median concentrations were respectively 18.1 x 10(3) cfu/m(3) and 0.66 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). The concentration of Gram-negative bacteria ranged from 0.0-168.0 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). The concentration of thermophilic actinomycetes ranged from 0.0-1.45 x 10(3) cfu/m(3). Qualitatively Gram-positive bacteria constituted 23-93% of the total microbial Count. The most common species were: Staphylococcus spp., Curtobacterium pusillum, Rhodococcus fascians, Aureobacterium testaceum, Sanguibacter keddieii, Microbacterium spp., and Bocillus spp. Gram-negative bacteria formed 0-48% of the total Count. The species Pantoea agglomerans dominated in all examined air samples. Fungi constituted 2.5-76.9% of the total microbial count. Among them, Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Alternario spp., Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus spp. were found. The dust concentration ranged from 0.18-86.9 mg/m(3). The concentration of endotoxin was large and ranged front 0.0041-1562.6 mu g/m(3). Muramic acid, the chemical marker of peptidoglycan, was detected in 9 out of 13 (69.2%) collected samples. The concentration of peptidoglycan ranged front 1.93-416 ng/m(3). A highly significant correlation was found between the individual components of bioaerosol determined in this study. The concentration of endotoxin was correlated with the concentration of Gram-negative bacteria, total microorganisms, and peptidoglycan (R>0.9, p0.9, p<0.001)

Pass it on: Advanced Relaying Concepts and Challenges for Networks Beyond 4G

Relay nodes (RNs) will be a key feature of future wireless networks. RNs can extend coverage, increase network capacity, and provide more uniform quality-of-service (QoS) across the cell area in a cost-effective manner. Therefore, not surprisingly, relaying techniques have attracted a significant amount of attention from the wireless industry and standards. The Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) release 10 has considered RNs that act as base stations (BSs), known as type-1 RNs, aiming only for coverage extension. However, RNs can be employed in different ways, and several challenges have to be addressed to attain the theoretical gains. This article presents an overview of the relaying concepts related to the 3GPP long-term evolution (LTE) road map, i.e., concepts related to type-1, type-2, and moving RNs. The implementation challenges are outlined, and a number of promising solutions for each RN type are discussed. More specifically, for type-1 RNs, this article focuses on the allocation of resources to the backhaul and access links. For type-2 RNs, the focus is on designing distributed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocols that involve RNs. Moving RNs are presented as an efficient solution to the ever-growing demand for wireless broadband by vehicleborne users. Overall, the presented relaying concepts and solutions can significantly improve the user experience and can play an important role in the future

Pass it on: Advanced Relaying Concepts and Challenges for Networks Beyond 4G

Relay nodes (RNs) will be a key feature of future wireless networks. RNs can extend coverage, increase network capacity, and provide more uniform quality-of-service (QoS) across the cell area in a cost-effective manner. Therefore, not surprisingly, relaying techniques have attracted a significant amount of attention from the wireless industry and standards. The Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) release 10 has considered RNs that act as base stations (BSs), known as type-1 RNs, aiming only for coverage extension. However, RNs can be employed in different ways, and several challenges have to be addressed to attain the theoretical gains. This article presents an overview of the relaying concepts related to the 3GPP long-term evolution (LTE) road map, i.e., concepts related to type-1, type-2, and moving RNs. The implementation challenges are outlined, and a number of promising solutions for each RN type are discussed. More specifically, for type-1 RNs, this article focuses on the allocation of resources to the backhaul and access links. For type-2 RNs, the focus is on designing distributed hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocols that involve RNs. Moving RNs are presented as an efficient solution to the ever-growing demand for wireless broadband by vehicleborne users. Overall, the presented relaying concepts and solutions can significantly improve the user experience and can play an important role in the future

EU FP7 INFSO-ICT-247223 ARTIST4G, D5.1 Scenarios, Key Performance Indicators and Evaluation Methodology for Advanced Cellular Systems

The following document states what performance indicators,evaluation scenarios and evaluation methodologies should be used within the ARTIST4G project in order to meet the overall objective: an increased and more uniform quality of service within the radio network

EU FP7 INFSO-ICT-247223 ARTIST4G, D3.1 Definitions and Architecture requirements for supporting Advanced Relay concepts

The following document addresses the questions received from WP4 and presents the architecture requirements and targets that need to be considered by WP4 in order to support advanced relays in future wireless networks