Reviews & Analysis

Removal of a primary tumour can result in a burst of growth in previously ‘dormant’ micrometastases and is associated with onset of angiogenesis and a reduced incidence of apoptosis (see pages 149–153)

A demonstration of inhibition of β-sheets in both reactive amyloid, using an in vivo mouse model, and synthetic Alzheimer (β) amyloid, in vitro (pages 143–148).

It is reported that DNA fragmentation (indicating apoptosis) is rarely observed in HIV-1 or SIV-producing infected cells, and HIV-1 or SIV RNA is rarely (0-1%) observed in apoptotic cells. What is the role of apoptosis in the pathogenicity of HIV infection? (pages 129–134)

Examination of the effects of three new drugs shows that the destruction of the immune system in AIDS reflects fulminant HIV production, which eventually overwhelms the immune system's prodigious powers of regeneration.

Three articles claim to have identified the spinal muscular atrophy gene, yet they do not appear to have enough in common to identify the same gene.

Skinner and colleagues (pages 69–73) show that MRI can be used to evaluate atherosclerotic lesions, non-invasively and in vivo

By careful microscopic examination of in vitro fertilization (pages 47–52) Simerly et al. demonstrate the paternal origin of the human centrosome and reveal steps at which fertilization may fail.

Two recent reports provide further evidence for a link between coxsackieviruses and the onset of IDDM, although a careful examination suggests it is still too early to conclude a definitive role.

For many years cholesterol was seen as the worst enemy of coronary arteries. Recent advances show that interactions between lipoproteins, coagulation and growth factors are important in atherosclerosis.

The demonstration, by Rutkowski et al. (page 80), that human Schwann cells can now be expanded to around 1 × 10⁸ cells, provides a new opportunity for the study and therapy of myelin disorders.

Caplen et al. (pages 39–46) demonstrate that it is feasible to use liposomes to transfer a human gene in vivo. Can this vector mimic the ability of viruses to effectively transfer genetic information into target cells?

Further progress in organ transplantation must overcome two key problems: a shortage of organs and long term immunological tolerance. Xenografts and immunological conditioning may help