study of the platelet inhibitor prasugrel in children with sickle cell disease was designed to identify drug doses that inhibit platelet function between 30% and 50%, a level thought to balance safety and efficacy, 24 similar to the level of inhibition observed here, although the dual effects of RN-1 on platelet function and platelet counts could pose an additional risk for bleeding that will require further monitoring.Our results show that administration of RN-1 to normal baboons over a prolonged period increases HbF, F cells, and F retics and is generally well tolerated, supporting further development of LSD1 inhibitors as therapeutic agents for SCD. Because LSD1 also has an important functional role in neural stem cell maintenance and proliferation, effects of LSD1 inhibitors on the brain and nervous system should be carefully evaluated.

In conclusion, comparison of the HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 distribution in NMO and MS in this Afro-Caribbean population shows important differences in the HLA associations among NMO and MS.

An increasing number of older patients receive dialysis treatment to compensate for deficient kidneys due to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Ethical questions arise about the benefits of dialysis when a patient appears unwilling or unable to comply with this treatment procedure. Such attitudes and behaviour may be due to psychological factors, but these are not routinely assessed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate levels of cognitive impairment, depressive mood and self-reported quality of life in older dialysis patients (>70 years). A total of 51 outpatients receiving dialysis were assessed by psychologists, using a depression scale (MADRS), two cognitive tests (MMSE and BEC 96), and a quality of life questionnaire (NHP). Sixty percent of the patients were depressed, and between 30-47% had cognitive impairment. Almost half of the depressed patients were also cognitively impaired. The scores for self-reported quality of life varied widely within the sample. Cognitive impairment and depressive mood are often overlooked and underestimated in this population. Regular assessments of depressive mood, cognitive ability and quality of life are recommended, given the prevalence of problems in these domains for older dialysis patients. The information obtained should assist staff as they reflect on individual cases where the benefits of continuing treatment are being examined.

No abstract