Novartis

About: Novartis is a company organization based out in Basel, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Alkyl & Population. The organization has 41930 authors who have published 50566 publications receiving 1978996 citations. The organization is also known as: Novartis International AG.

Comparison of fixed interval and visual analogue scales for rating chronic pain

Abstract: A visual analogue scale (VAS) and a 4-point scale (FPS) have been compared in patients suffering from prolonged constant pain due to chronic inflammatory or degenerative arthropathy. Each patient was treated with a constant low or high dose of paracetamol or dihydrocodeine throughout a four week period. The VAS was accurate, as reliable and more sensitive than the FPS in registering the intensity of chronic pain. Separate records of each estimate, sealed immediately on completion by the patient, resulted in omission of significantly more pain recordings on the FPS, whereas retention by the patients of their previous records did not systematically influence subsequent judgments. In this study, the VAS appeared to be more satisfactory than the FPS for patient self-rating of pain intensity.

MAPKK-Independent Activation of p38α Mediated by TAB1-Dependent Autophosphorylation of p38α

Abstract: Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) on specific tyrosine and threonine sites by MAP kinase kinases (MAPKKs) is thought to be the sole activation mechanism. Here, we report an unexpected activation mechanism for p38α MAPK that does not involve the prototypic kinase cascade. Rather it depends on interaction of p38α with TAB1 [transforming growth factor-β–activated protein kinase 1 (TAK1)–binding protein 1] leading to autophosphorylation and activation of p38α. We detected formation of a TRAF6-TAB1-p38α complex and showed stimulus-specific TAB1-dependent and TAB1-independent p38α activation. These findings suggest that alternative activation pathways contribute to the biological responses of p38α to various stimuli.

Antitumor activity of a phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeted against C- raf kinase

Abstract: Substantial evidence exists supporting a direct role for raf kinases in the development and maintenance of certain human malignancies. Here we test the potential of phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeted against human C-raf-1 kinase to specifically inhibit C-raf-1 kinase gene expression and tumor progression in cell culture and in vivo, using human tumor xenograft mouse models. Treatment of human tumor cells with appropriate phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides led to specific inhibition of C-raf kinase gene expression in cell culture and in vivo at well-tolerated doses. Moreover, oligodeoxynucleotide treatment resulted in potent antiproliferative effects in cell culture and potent antitumor effects in vivo against a variety of tumor types that were highly consistent with an antisense mechanism of action for these compounds. These studies strongly suggest that antisense inhibitors targeted against C-raf-1 kinase may be of considerable value as antineoplastic agents that display activity against a wide spectrum of tumor types at well-tolerated doses.

Data-analysis strategies for image-based cell profiling

Abstract: Image-based cell profiling is a high-throughput strategy for the quantification of phenotypic differences among a variety of cell populations. It paves the way to studying biological systems on a large scale by using chemical and genetic perturbations. The general workflow for this technology involves image acquisition with high-throughput microscopy systems and subsequent image processing and analysis. Here, we introduce the steps required to create high-quality image-based (i.e., morphological) profiles from a collection of microscopy images. We recommend techniques that have proven useful in each stage of the data analysis process, on the basis of the experience of 20 laboratories worldwide that are refining their image-based cell-profiling methodologies in pursuit of biological discovery. The recommended techniques cover alternatives that may suit various biological goals, experimental designs, and laboratories' preferences.