Presse Med
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ADVANTAGES OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS: Better prognosis and quality of life for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers depends on early diagnosis as specific treatment (anticholinesterase drugs) early in the disease process can have a beneficial effect on cognition and psychiatric or behavioral disorders. In addition early diagnosis gives the physician the opportunity to provide adapted advice for the patient and caregivers especially important in preventing complications and helping the family cope with the inevitable disruption of the family pattern caused by the disease, a situation which is particularly for the "designated caregiver".
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CONSTRICTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE RAS AND DEVELOPMENT OF RENAL DISEASES: Several studies have suggested that the constitutive level of activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and especially of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) which plays an important role in the kidney in determining intrarenal angiotensin and kinin concentrations, is genetically determined and linked to the risk of developing several vascular diseases, including diabetic nephropathy, and to the risk of renal function deterioration in glomerular diseases of several origins.
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METALLOPROTEINASES: The progression to end-stage kidney disease is accompanied by accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The degradation of ECM proteins occurs by the action of proteases, notably the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). ⋯ MMP are also involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and possibly of apoptosis. In the kidney, MMP are synthesized by intrinsic glomerular cells and tubular epithelial cells.
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There is a need in the management of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) for tumor-targeted therapy. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies can be used to reach this goal. ⋯ Initial phase I/II trials of monoclonal antibodies for relapse or refractory NHL, especially with chimeric anti-CD20 rituximab, demonstrated encouraging results. FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Randomized trials are now necessary to compare these agents with standard regimens and to determine their optimal use.