Telomerase activation

<i>TERT</i> promoter mutations occur frequently in gliomas and a subset of tumors derived from cells with low rates of self-renewal

Malignant cells, like all actively growing cells, must maintain their telomeres, but genetic mechanisms responsible for telomere maintenance in tumors have only recently been discovered. In particular, mutations of the telomere binding prot...

Macronutrient metabolism by the human gut microbiome: major fermentation by-products and their impact on host health

The human gut microbiome is a critical component of digestion, breaking down complex carbohydrates, proteins, and to a lesser extent fats that reach the lower gastrointestinal tract. This process results in a multitude of microbial metaboli...

Telomerase Mutations in Families with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is progressive and often fatal; causes of familial clustering of the disease are unknown. Germ-line mutations in the genes hTERT and hTR, encoding telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomerase RNA...

Genomic and transcriptomic hallmarks of poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers

BACKGROUND: Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) are rare and frequently lethal tumors that so far have not been subjected to comprehensive genetic characterization. METHODS: We performed next-gene...

Comparison of Allogeneic vs Autologous Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Delivered by Transendocardial Injection in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

CONTEXT: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are under evaluation as a therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Both autologous and allogeneic MSC therapies are possible; however, their safety and efficacy have not been compared. OBJECTIVE: To...

Building roots in a changing environment: implications for root longevity

Root turnover is important to the global carbon budget as well as to nutrient cycling in ecosystems and to the success of individual plants. Our ability to predict the effects of environmental change on root turnover is limited by the diffi...

Prevention of non-communicable disease in a population in nutrition transition: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study phase II

BACKGROUND: The Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) is a long term integrated community-based program for prevention of non-communicable disorders (NCD) by development of a healthy lifestyle and reduction of NCD risk factors. The study be...

Inflammatory Markers and Onset of Cardiovascular Events

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the predictive value of several inflammatory markers on the incidence of cardiovascular events in well-functioning older per...

Frequency of TERT promoter mutations in human cancers

Inflammatory Markers and Risk of Heart Failure in Elderly Subjects Without Prior Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies support a key role for cytokines in left ventricular remodeling. In congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, elevated plasma cytokine levels are associated with worse functional status and adverse prognosis....

Mutations in <i>TERT,</i> the Gene for Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase, in Aplastic Anemia

BACKGROUND: Mutations in TERC, the gene for the RNA component of telomerase, cause short telomeres in congenital aplastic anemia and in some cases of apparently acquired hematopoietic failure. We investigated whether mutations in genes for...

Roles of telomeres and telomerase in cancer, and advances in telomerase-targeted therapies

Telomeres maintain genomic integrity in normal cells, and their progressive shortening during successive cell divisions induces chromosomal instability. In the large majority of cancer cells, telomere length is maintained by telomerase. Thu...