John Radcliffe Hospital

About: John Radcliffe Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Antigen. The organization has 14491 authors who have published 23670 publications receiving 1459015 citations.

Genome-wide association study identifies a locus at 7p15.2 associated with endometriosis

Abstract: Krina Zondervan and colleagues report a genome-wide association study for endometriosis. The authors identify a susceptibility locus on chromosome 7p15.

Exosomal miRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Abstract: Intercommunication between cancer cells and with their surrounding and distant environments is key to the survival, progression and metastasis of the tumour. Exosomes play a role in this communication process. MicroRNA (miRNA) expression is frequently dysregulated in tumour cells and can be reflected by distinct exosomal miRNA (ex-miRNA) profiles isolated from the bodily fluids of cancer patients. Here, the potential of ex-miRNA as a cancer biomarker and therapeutic target is critically analysed. Exosomes are a stable source of miRNA in bodily fluids but, despite a number of methods for exosome extraction and miRNA quantification, their suitability for diagnostics in a clinical setting is questionable. Furthermore, exosomally transferred miRNAs can alter the behaviour of recipient tumour and stromal cells to promote oncogenesis, highlighting a role in cell communication in cancer. However, our incomplete understanding of exosome biogenesis and miRNA loading mechanisms means that strategies to target exosomes or their transferred miRNAs are limited and not specific to tumour cells. Therefore, if ex-miRNA is to be employed in novel non-invasive diagnostic approaches and as a therapeutic target in cancer, two further advances are necessary: in methods to isolate and detect ex-miRNA, and a better understanding of their biogenesis and functions in tumour-cell communication.

Increasing Coverage and Decreasing Inequity in Insecticide-Treated Bed Net Use among Rural Kenyan Children

Abstract: Background Inexpensive and efficacious interventions that avert childhood deaths in sub-Saharan Africa have failed to reach effective coverage, especially among the poorest rural sectors. One particular example is insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs). In this study, we present repeat observations of ITN coverage among rural Kenyan homesteads exposed at different times to a range of delivery models, and assess changes in coverage across socioeconomic groups.

Peripheral tolerance to alloantigen results from altered regulation of the interleukin 2 pathway.

Abstract: Tolerance to alloantigen may be induced in rats by administration of blood followed by transplantation of a renal allograft. The mechanism of this tolerance was investigated by directly analyzing the functional activity of graft-infiltrating cells. We have previously shown cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration of, and major histocompatibility complex induction on, grafts of tolerant animals. We now report that cells isolated from the grafts of tolerant rats show a reduced expression of the p55 interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) chain on the cell surface compared with that seen on the cells of untreated animals. Scatchard analysis further reveals low expression of high affinity IL-2R. This is due to reduced transcription of both IL-2R alpha and beta chain mRNAs and results in a reduced ability of cells to proliferate in response to IL-2. Cells isolated from tolerant animals are unable to make biologically active IL-2 in culture, whereas cells from untreated animals make high levels. This is not reflected at the mRNA level as the IL-2 gene is induced in both tolerant and untreated animals to similar levels. The induction of tolerance is abrogated by administration of recombinant IL-2 to animals at the time of transplantation. Thus, we conclude that an altered regulation of the IL-2 pathway results in tolerance in these alloantigen-treated and transplanted animals.