Fyn kinase initiates complementary signals required for IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation

FcRI activation of mast cells is thought to involve Lyn and Syk kinases proximal to the receptor and the signaling complex organized by the linker for activation of T cells (LAT). We report here that FcRI also uses a Fyn kinase-dependent pathway that does not require Lyn kinase or the adapter LAT for its initiation, but is necessary for mast cell degranulation. Lyn-deficiency enhanced Fyn-dependent signals and degranulation, but inhibited the calcium response. Fyn-deficiency impaired degranulation, whereas Lyn-mediated signaling and calcium was normal. Thus, FcRI-dependent mast cell degranulation involves cross-talk between Fyn and Lyn kinases.

Human marrow mesenchymal stem Cells (MSCs) in the peplated non-adherent cell population serve as a complementary source of osteogenic cells

To obtain enough quantity of osteogenic cells is a challenge for successful cell therapy in bone defect treatment, and cell numbers were usually achieved by culturing bone marrow cells in a relatively long duration. This study reported a simple and cost effective method to enhance the number of MSCs by collecting and replating the non-adherent cell population of marrow MSCs culture. Bone marrow MSCs were isolated from 11 patients, cultured at a density of 1×105/cm2 to 1×106/cm2 in flasks. For the first three times of media change, the floating cells were centrifuged and replated in separate flasks. The total number of cells in both the primary and replating flasks were counted at day 21. Cell proliferation rate, potentials for osteogenic, chondrognenic, and adipogenic differentiation were examined in both cell types in vitro. In-vivo osteogenic potentials of the cells were also tested in mice implantation model. The results showed that MSCs derived from non-adherent cell population of marrow cell cultures have similar cell proliferation and differentiation potentials as the originally attached MSCs in vitro. When implanted with HA-TCP materials subcutaneously in SCID mice, newly formed bony tissues were found in both cell type groups with osteocalcin expression. We have obtained 36.6% (20.70%-44.97%) more MSCs in the same culture period when the non-adherent cell populations were collected. The findings confirmed that the non-adherent cell population in the bone marrow culture is a complementary source of MSCs, collecting these cells is a simple and cost-effective way to increase MSCs numbers and reduce the time required for culturing MSCs for clinical applications.

Ligand differentiated complementary Rh-catalyst systems for the enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-cyclic anhydrides

Two distinct systems for the rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of meso-cyclic anhydrides have been developed. Each system has been optimized and are compatible with the use of in situ prepared organozinc reagents. Rhodium/PHOX species efficiently catalyze the addition of alkyl nucleophiles to glutaric anhydrides, while a rhodium/phosphoramidite system is effective in the enantioselective arylation of succinic and glutaric anhydrides.

Orotate complexes of rhodium(I) and iridium(I): effect of coligand, counter ion, and solvent of crystallisation on association via complementary hydrogen bonding

The new complexes [NEt3H][M(HL)(cod)] (M = Rh 1 or Ir 2; H3L = 2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid, erotic acid; cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) have been prepared by the reaction between [M2Cl2(cod)(2)] and erotic acid in dichloromethane in the presence of Ag2O and NEt3. They crystallise as dichloromethane adducts 1 . CH2Cl2 and 2 . CH2Cl2 from dichloromethane-hexane solutions. These isomorphous structures contain doubly hydrogen-bonded dimers, with additional hydrogen bonding to NEt3H+ cations and bridging CH2Cl2 molecules to form tapes. The use of (NBu4OH)-O-n instead of NEt3 gave the related complex [NBu4n][Rh(HL)(cod)] 1' which has an innocent cation not capable of forming strong hydrogen bonds and in contrast to 1 exists as discrete doubly hydrogen-bonded dimers. Complex 1' cocrystallises with 2,6-diaminopyridine (dap) via complementary triple hydrogen bonds to give [NBu4n][Rh(HL)(cod)]. dap . CH2Cl2 3. Complex 3 exhibits an extended sheet structure of associated [2 + 2] units, with layers of NBu4n, cations separating the sheets. These structural data together with those reported previously for platinum orotate complexes suggest that the steric requirements of the other ligands co-ordinated to the metal are important in influencing their hydrogen-bonding abilities. The solvent of crystallisation, the hydrogen-bonding propensity of the coligand and the nature of the counter ion also determine the type of association in the solid state.

Integrated care: utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine within a conventional cancer treatment centre

Objectives: To estimate the proportion of cancer outpatients who visit a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) unit that is located within a conventional cancer treatment centre; to compare the characteristics of CAM unit visitors with those of all outpatients; to monitor the demand for 20 CAM therapies delivered by professionals, and the use of the CAM unit for waiting, gathering information and informal support from volunteer staff.

Design: Prospective, observational, over a six month period.

Setting: CAM unit within a NHS cancer treatment centre.

Main outcome measures: Utilisation of the CAM unit for 20 complementary therapies, and for waiting, gathering information, informal support; characteristics of CAM users compared with those of all cancer outpatients attending the cancer centre; predictors of CAM therapy use and frequent use.

Results: 761 (95% of those approached) people were recruited, 498 (65.4%) cancer patients, 202 (26.5%) relatives, 37 (4.8%) friends/carers, 24 (3.2%) staff. Women predominated (n = 560, 73.6%). Of all outpatients attending the cancer centre, 498 (15.8%) visited the CAM unit, 290 (9.2%) accessed therapies. Compared to all outpatients, those visiting the CAM unit were: younger (mean 63.7 vs. 58.4 years), more likely to be female (57.9% vs. 78.7%), have breast (14.8% vs. 51.9%), gynaecological (5.0% vs. 9.1%) cancer, live in local postal district (57.3% vs. 61.6%). Significant predictors of therapy use and frequent visits were being a patient, female, higher education, living closer to the cancer centre.

Conclusions: Despite easy access to CAM therapies, a relatively small number of people regularly used them, whilst a larger number selectively tried a few. The integrated CAM unit meets a demand for information and informal support. The findings inform emerging policy on integrating CAM and conventional cancer treatment to address psychosocial needs of people with cancer. More research is needed on why people do not use integrated CAM services and how charges affect demand. © 2008.

Availability of complementary and alternative medicine for people with cancer in the British National Health Service: Results of a national survey

This study assessed access to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies for people with cancer within the British National Health Service. CAM units were identified through an internet search in 2009. A total of 142 units, providing 62 different therapies, were identified: 105 (74.0%) England; 23 (16.2%) Scotland; 7 (4.9%) each in Wales and Northern Ireland. Most units provide a small number of therapies (median 4, range 1–20), and focus on complementary, rather than alternative approaches. Counselling is the most widely provided therapy (available at 82.4% of identified units), followed by reflexology (62.0%), aromatherapy (59.1%), reiki (43.0%), massage (42.2%). CAM units per million of the population varied between countries (England: 2.2; Wales: 2.3; Scotland: 4.8; Northern Ireland: 5.0), and within countries. Better publicity for CAM units, greater integration of units in conventional cancer treatment centres may help improve access to CAMs.