Expression and activity profiles of DPP IV/CD26 and NEP/CD10 glycoproteins in the human renal cancer are tumor-type dependent

[Background] Cell-surface glycoproteins play critical roles in cell-to-cell recognition, signal transduction and regulation, thus being crucial in cell proliferation and cancer etiogenesis and development. DPP IV and NEP are ubiquitous glycopeptidases closely linked to tumor pathogenesis and development, and they are used as markers in some cancers. In the present study, the activity and protein and mRNA expression of these glycoproteins were analysed in a subset of clear-cell (CCRCC) and chromophobe (ChRCC) renal cell carcinomas, and in renal oncocytomas (RO).[Methods] Peptidase activities were measured by conventional enzymatic assays with fluorogen-derived substrates. Gene expression was quantitatively determined by qRT-PCR and membrane-bound protein expression and distribution analysis was performed by specific immunostaining.Peer reviewe

Supporting Youth at Risk: A Policy Toolkit for Middle-Income Countries

Youth at risk can be defined as individuals between the ages of 12 and 24 who face “environmental, social, and family conditions that hinder their personal development and their successful integration into society as productive citizens". The World Bank has produced this Policy Toolkit in response to a growing demand from its government clients and partners for advice on how to create and implement effective policies for at-risk youth. Highlighted are 22 policies (six core policies, nine promising policies, and seven general policies) that have been effective in addressing the following five key risk areas for young people around the world: i) youth unemployment, underemployment, and lack of formal sector employment; ii) early school leaving; iii) risky sexual behavior leading to early childbearing and HIV/AIDS; iv) crime and violence; v) substance abuse.youth, risk, HIV/AIDS, early childbearing, employment, underemployment, school, substance abuse, crime, violence