This strategic interaction makes CBD as a potential candidate

for the development of a new class of anti-IBD drugs. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“Ingestion of arsenic (As) through contaminated drinking water results in increased risks of skin, lung, kidney, and bladder cancers. Due to its association with kidney and bladder cancers, we hypothesized that analysis of the urinary proteome could provide insight into the mechanisms of As toxicity. Urine from participants in a cross-sectional As biomarker study conducted in Nevada, classified as having either high (>= 100 mu g total urinary As/l) or low exposure (< 100 mu g total urinary As/l) was analyzed by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization OSI-906 solubility dmso time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Two polypeptides, 2.21 and 4.37 kDa, were significantly decreased in the high exposure group (p < 0.05) and were limited to men when stratified by sex. To replicate these findings, urine from participants in a second As study in Chile was analyzed and results confirmed the decrease of the 4.37 kDa polypeptide as well as a 4.76 kDa polypeptide among highly exposed men. These peaks were identified and confirmed as human beta-defensin-1 (HBD-1) peptides. In

a separate in vitro experiment, gene expression analysis of As-treated cell lines demonstrated reduced HBD1 mRNA confirming that the observed decrease in HBD-1 resulted from As exposure. HBD-1 is an antimicrobial peptide constitutively expressed in U0126 MK-8776 cell line multiple tissues including epithelial cells of the respiratory and urogenital systems. Recent studies support its role as a tumor suppressor gene for urological cancers suggesting that decreased HBD-1 levels may play a role in the development of cancers associated with As exposure. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of HBD-1 in As-related toxicity.”
“Background: Aging promotes neuromuscular loss, significantly

reducing muscle strength. The magnitude of loss of strength seems to be different between the limbs, probably because of differences in activities of daily living (ADL). Therefore, the present study compared the muscle strength of the elbow flexors and knee extensors in younger (n = 7, mean age 23.3 +/- 1.2 years) and older (n = 5, mean age 61.8 +/- 2.6 years) men matched by ADL level.\n\nMethods: The study participants performed maximal concentric, isometric, and eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors and knee extensors using an isokinetic dynamometer following a crossover study design. Changes in the dependent variables were compared using mixed model analysis (limb versus age).\n\nResults: The main results demonstrated that concentric, eccentric, and mean contraction torques for knee extensors were significantly (P > 0.05) higher for younger men than for elderly men. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.

Our results suggest that the association of LRRs with RKs appeared independently at least four times in eukaryotic evolutionary history. Moreover, the molecular evolutionary history of the LRR-RKs found in oomycetes is reminiscent of the

pattern observed in plants: expansion with amplification/deletion and evolution of the domain organization leading to the functional diversification of members of the gene family. Finally, the expression data suggest that oomycete LRR-RKs may play a role in several stages of the oomycete life cycle.\n\nConclusions: In view of the key roles that LRR-RLKs play throughout the entire lifetime of plants and plant-environment interactions, the emergence and expansion of this type of receptor in several phyla along CT99021 the evolution of eukaryotes, and particularly in oomycete genomes, questions their intrinsic functions in mimicry and/or in PLX4032 datasheet the coevolution of receptors between hosts and pathogens.”
“Ion induced desorption is

a severe luminosity limitation for low charge state heavy ion accelerators. Therefore, it was intensively investigated in dedicated experiments during recent years. Several experimental results were obtained Providing numerous desorption yields for different ion beam parameters and different materials as well as surface treatments. The heavy ion induced desorption was identified as a pure surface cleaning effect. Nevertheless it was shown that the yields have a strong link to the irradiated material. The initial desorption yield decreases

during the irradiation reaching a dynamic equilibrium. Desorption yields of several hundred molecules per incident ion from one monolayer adsorbed gas can not be explained with the geometrical cross section of the projectile. Therefore we have expanded the inelastic thermal spike model to describe the process as thermal desorption from a microscopic heated region. The obtained results of this extended model represent very well the numbers from many experimental studies. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibition in cancer has been evaluated in both the ligand-independent and ligand-dependent settings, where Hh signaling occurs either directly within the cancer cells or within the nonmalignant cells of the CP-868596 datasheet tumor microenvironment. Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor of cartilage in which there is ligand-dependent activation of Hh signaling. IPI-926 is a potent, orally delivered small molecule that inhibits Hh pathway signaling by binding to Smoothened (SMO). Here, the impact of Hh pathway inhibition on primary chondrosarcoma xenografts was assessed. Mice bearing primary human chondrosarcoma xenografts were treated with IPI-926. The expression levels of known Hh pathway genes, in both the tumor and stroma, and endpoint tumor volumes were measured.

Quantified Ab load in the brain biopsy showed a negative correlation with CSF levels of Ab42 in ventricular (r = 20.295, p = 0.003) and lumbar (r = 20.356, p = 0.01) samples, while the levels of Ab38 and Ab40 showed no correlation. CSF levels of proinflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of neuronal damage did not associate to the brain biopsy findings, diagnosis, or shunt response. Higher lumbar/ventricular CSF IL-8 ratios (p smaller than 0.001) were seen in lumbar samples collected after ventriculostomy compared to the samples collected before the procedure. Conclusions: The role

of sAPP isoforms in iNPH seems to be independent from the amyloid buy SN-38 cascade. No neuroinflammatory background was observed in iNPH or AD.”
“Approximately ten percent of male infertility is caused by non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), but the etiologies of many NOA remain elusive. Recently, a genome-wide association study

(GWAS) of NOA in Han Chinese men was conducted, and only a few genetic variants associated LY2606368 research buy with NOA were found, which might have resulted from genetic heterogeneity. However, those variants that lack genome-wide significance might still be essential for fertility. Functional analysis of genes surrounding these variants in Drosophila identified some spermatogenesis-essential genes. As a complementary method of Drosophila screening, SK1 background Saccharomvces cerevisiae was used as a model to screen meiosis-related genes from the https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Imatinib-Mesylate.html NOA GWAS data in this study. After functional screening, GDA1 (orthologous to human ENTPD6) was found to be a novel meiosis-related gene. The deletion of GDA1 resulted in the failure of yeast sporulation. Further investigations showed that Gda1p was important for pre-meiotic S phase entry. Interestingly,

the meiotic role of Gda1p was dependent on its guanosine diphosphatase activity, but not it’s cytoplasmic, transmembrane or stem domains. These yeast data suggest that ENTPD6 may be a novel meiosis-associated NOA-related gene, and the yeast model provides a good approach to analyze GWAS results of NOA.”
“Background & objectives: The study was taken up to define criteria of normality for meiosis by assessing the frequency of meiotic prophase cell types, the frequency of pachytene substage in normal and abnormal spermatogenesis and to determine what synaptonemal complex.\n\nMethods: A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the first meiotic prophase was performed in 10 patients presenting with non-obstructive infertility and 10 controls, using dual colour immunocytochemistry with SCP3 and BRCA1 which visualise axial elements and synaptonemal complexes (SC). The respective frequencies of the leptotene, zygotene and pachytene stages as well as the frequencies of the four substages of pachytene were evaluated. The frequencies of the main types of meiotic abnormalities at pachytene were also assessed.\n\nResults: The frequencies of leptotene and zygotene stages were significantly higher in patients (7.

In patients with preoperative sensorimotor deficits, we found a significantly (p = 0.028) higher ICR of F-18-FET uptake (1.01-1.59) than in patients without any deficits (0.96-1.08). The ICR of F-18-FET-uptake showed a strong correlation (r = 0.696, p = 0.001) with the absolute number of tumour cells and a moderate correlation (r = 0.535, p = 0.012) with the percentage of tumour cells.\n\nOur data show an association between preoperative sensorimotor

deficits, increased F-18-FET uptake and decreased FA ratio in the pyramidal tract. We demonstrated a correlation between tumour invasion and F-18-FET uptake. These findings may help to distinguish between edema versus tumour-associated neurological deficits and could prevent the destruction of important structures, like the pyramidal tract, during tumour operations by allowing more precise preoperative planning.”
“Blue-red complex light emitting InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well (MQW) HDAC inhibitor structures are fabricated by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The structures are grown on a 2-inch diameter (0001) oriented (c-face) sapphire substrate, which consists of an approximately 2-mu m-thick GaN template and a five-period

layer consisting of a 4.9-nm-thick In(0.18)Ga(0.82)N well layer and a GaN barrier layer. The surface morphology of the MQW structures is observed by an atomic force microscope (AFM), which indicates the presence of islands of several tens of nanometers in height on the surface. The high resolution x-ray diffraction (XRD) theta/2 theta scan is carried out Selleck 4EGI-1 on the symmetric (0002) of the InGaN/GaN MQW structures. At least four order satellite peaks presented in the XRD spectrum indicate that the thickness and alloy compositions of the individual quantum wells are repeatable throughout the active region. Besides the 364 nm GaN band edge emission, two main emissions of blue and amber light from these MQWs are found, which possibly originate from the carrier recombinations in the InGaN/GaN QWs and InGaN quasi-quantum dots embedded in the QWs.”
“Hemicelluloses

Copanlisib concentration are promising biopolymers for substituting petroleum-based polymers. Distillers’ grains (DG), a residual product from the dry grind ethanol industry, has a high hemicellulose and low lignin content making it an interesting feedstock as a low-cost source of hemicelluloses. This study fractionated DG into an alkali-soluble hemicellulose-rich polymer (DG-HC) and an alkali-insoluble residue (DG-AI). Chemical and 2D-NMR analyses suggested that DG-HC was rich in arabinoxylans, whereas DG-AI was more rich in glucans, along with crude proteins and fat. The DG-HC was made into stand-alone films or thin film coatings on paper, and evaluated by DSC, TGA, FT-IR, corrected water vapor transfer rate and tensile strength. Created DG-HC films were stiff with a T-g of about 174 degrees C. When coated onto paper, DG-HC can effectively increase paper dry and wet tensile strength.

“
“The anesthesia community is still divided as to the appropriate airway management in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Increasingly, gastroenterologists are comfortable with deep sedation (normally propofol) without endotracheal intubation. There are no comprehensive reviews addressing the various pros and cons of an un-intubated airway management. It is hoped that the present review will benefit both anesthesia providers and gastroenterologists. The reasons to avoid routine endotracheal intubation and the approaches for an un-intubated

anesthetic management are discussed. The special situations where endotracheal intubation is the preferred approach are mentioned. Many special techniques to manage airway AZD1480 inhibitor are illustrated.”
“A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether it is safe to divide the left innominate vein (LIV) in aortic arch surgery to improve access. Altogether, 228 relevant papers were found using the reported NVP-HSP990 cell line search, of which nine represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication,

patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Following LIV division, the venous drainage takes place via multiple collateral systems such as the azygous/hemiazygous, the internal mammary veins, the lateral thoracic and superficial thoracoabdominal veins, vertebral venous plexus AG-014699 purchase as well as the transverse sinus. The possible complications are mainly left upper limb swelling

and neurological symptoms. In one case series of 14 patients, the LIV was divided and ligated to facilitate the exposure for aortic arch surgery. More than 2-year follow-up did not reveal upper limb oedema or neurological symptoms. In two cohorts of 52 patients, the LIV was ligated prior to the superior vena cava (SVC) resection for malignancy. During the mid-term follow-up, no neurological or upper limb symptoms were reported. Although in two studies with 72 and 70 patients undergoing SVC resection it was not specified how many of them had LIV ligation, no relevant complications were reported. In a report, LIV occlusion was observed in 4 patients undergoing left internal jagular vein catheterization for haemodialysis. The reported symptom was left arm swelling with no neurological problems. In a cohort of 18 patients undergoing SVC resection for malignancy and major vein reconstruction, 7 patients underwent ligation of the LIV with no neurological symptoms. It was also concluded that reconstruction of the LIV is not consistent with favourable patency. In a case series of 10 patients with central venous obstruction, collateral pathways to conduct efficient venous drainage were mapped. We conclude that division of the LIV is safe in selected patients and operations.

“
“Cell migration is a crucial event for normal T-cell development, and various ligand/receptor pairs have been implicated. Most of

them, including chemokines and extracellular matrix proteins, have attractant properties on thymocytes. We discuss herein two further groups of ligand/receptor pairs, semaphorins/neuropilins and ephs/ephrins, which are constitutively expressed by thymocytes and thymic microenvironmental cells. Evidence shows that the corresponding interactions are relevant for developing T-cell migration, including the entry of bone marrow progenitor cells, migration of CD4/CD8-defined thymocyte subpopulations triggered by chemokines and/or extracellular matrix proteins, and thymocyte export. Conceptually, the data summarized here show that thymocyte migration results from a complex network of molecular interactions, which generate not only buy FK228 attraction, but also repulsion of migrating T-cell precursors.-Mendes-da-Cruz, D. A., Stimamiglio, M. A., Munoz, J. J., Alfaro, D., Terra-Granado, E., Garcia-Ceca, J., Alonso-Colmenar, L. M., Savino, W., Zapata, A. G. Developing T-cell migration: role of semaphorins and Selleck OSI-744 ephrins. FASEB J. 26, 4390-4399 (2012). www.fasebj.org”
“RNA polymerase (RNAP) from thermophilic Thermus aquaticus is

characterized by higher temperature of promoter opening, lower promoter complex stability, and higher promoter escape efficiency than RNAP from mesophilic Escherichia coli. We demonstrate that these differences are in part explained by differences in the structures of the N-terminal regions 1.1 and 1.2 of the E. coli sigma(70) and T. aquaticus sigma(A) subunits. In particular, region 1.1 and, to a lesser extent, region 1.2 of the E. coli sigma(70) subunit determine higher promoter complex stability of E. coli RNAP. On the other hand, nonconserved amino acid substitutions in region 1.2, but not region 1.1, contribute to the differences

in promoter opening between E. GDC-0068 research buy coli and T. aquaticus RNAPs, likely through affecting the sigma subunit contacts with DNA nucleotides downstream of the -10 element. At the same time, substitutions in sigma regions 1.1 and 1.2 do not affect promoter escape by E. coli and T. aquaticus RNAPs. Thus, evolutionary substitutions in various regions of the sigma subunit modulate different steps of the open promoter complex formation pathway, with regions 1.1 and 1.2 affecting promoter complex stability and region 1.2 involved in DNA melting during initiation.”
“Objective: Septoplasty is one of the most common operations performed by otorhinolaryngologists. Nasal packing is not an innocuous procedure. The most common problem encountered by the patients after septoplasty is the pain and discomfort during removal of the nasal packs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of septoplasty without postoperative nasal packing.

We tested the hypothesis that it was not influences from higher centers but a brain stem mechanism, associated with RTJM, which caused GHemg to occur earlier in the

swallow. In 38 decerebrate piglets, RTJM occurred sporadically in seven animals. Before RTJM, GHemg had a long latency, but, MX69 nmr during RTJM, swallow related GHemg occurred synchronously with activity in hyoglossus and mylohyoid, early in the swallow. Both early and late responses were present during the changeover period. During this changeover period, duplicate electrodes in the geniohyoid could individually detect either the early or the late burst in the same swallow. This suggested that two sets of geniohyoid task units existed that were potentially active in the swallow and that they were differentially facilitated or inhibited depending on the presence or absence of rhythmic activity originating in the brain stem.”
“The oral delivery of protein and peptide drugs is limited by their proteolytic degradation and the poor absorption across the intestinal epithelia. In this work, we exposed a phage library of small bicyclic peptides (1.5 kDa) to a pancreatic extract of proteases prior to affinity selection to enrich binders with higher Tariquidar stability in the intestinal environment. Panning with the

therapeutic target plasma kallikrein yielded potent inhibitors (K(i)s between 5.6 and 336 nM) wherein bicyclic peptides isolated with proteolytic pressure were more stable. A CCI-779 cost proline residue found in a specific position of several resistant bicyclic peptides proved

to be a oprotective mark’, rendering the bicyclic peptides resistant to significantly higher concentrations of intestinal proteases while retaining essentially their inhibitory activity.”
“Alcohol-dependence is associated with cognitive and biological alterations, and also with interpersonal impairments. Although overwhelming in clinical settings and involved in relapse, these social impairments have received little attention from researchers. Particularly, brain alterations related to social exclusion have not been explored in alcohol-dependence. Our primary purpose was to determine the neural correlates of social exclusion feelings in this population. In all, 44 participants (22 abstinent alcohol-dependent patients and 22 paired controls) played a virtual game (‘cyberball’) during fMRI recording. They were first included by other players, then excluded, and finally re-included. Brain areas involved in social exclusion were identified and the functional connectivity between these areas was explored using psycho-physiological interactions (PPI).

\n\nResults: Using plasmalogen deficient (NRel-4) and plasmalogen sufficient (HEK293) cells we investigated the effect of species-dependent plasmalogen restoration/augmentation on membrane cholesterol processing. The results of these studies indicate that the esterification of cholesterol is dependent upon the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn) click here present in the membrane. We further elucidate that the concentration-dependent increase in esterified cholesterol observed with PUFA-PlsEtn was due to a concentration-dependent increase in sterol-O-acyltransferase-1 (SOAT1) levels, an observation not reproduced by 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA

(HMG-CoA) reductase inhibition.\n\nConclusion: The present study describes a novel mechanism of cholesterol regulation that is consistent with clinical and epidemiological studies of cholesterol, aging and disease. Specifically, the present study describes how selective membrane PUFA-PlsEtn enhancement”
“In the meat industry the fat portions coming from two different subcutaneous

layers, i.e., inner and outer, are destined to the manufacturing of different products, hence the availability of cheap, rapid and affordable methods for the characterization of the overall fat quality is desirable. In this work the Selleckchem BMS-777607 potential usefulness of three techniques, i.e. tristimulus colorimetry, FT-NIR spectroscopy and NIR hyperspectral imaging, were tested to rapidly discriminate fat

samples coming from the two different layers. To this aim, various multivariate classification methods were used, AICAR concentration also including signal processing and feature selection techniques. The classification efficiency in prediction obtained using colorimetric data did not reach excellent results (78.1%); conversely, the NIR-based spectroscopic methods gave much more satisfactory models, since they allowed to reach a prediction efficiency higher than 95%. In general, the samples of the outer layer showed a high degree of variability with respect to the samples of the inner layer. This is probably due to a greater variability of the outer samples in terms of fatty acid composition and water amount. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“‘Perennial ryegrass staggers’ is a neurological condition characterised by muscular tremors and ataxia in livestock that ingest the indole diterpene lolitrem B from endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass. While the neurotoxic mechanism of action of ryegrass staggers has been defined, little is known about metabolic and other molecular processes that lolitrem B may affect in livestock. The objective of this study was to characterise differential gene expression in the liver of animals fed lolitrem B-containing feed over an extended period of time. Eighteen steers were fed one of three rations (n=6/group) containing lolitrem B (247, 1,554 or 2,256 mu g/kg (dry matter basis)) over 64 days in a double-blind study.

Most patients mobilized readily: close to 85% of the patients had a level of 20/mu L to >500/mu L of CD34(+) cells at the peak of stimulation. Of the 840 patients, 129 (15.3%) were considered to be PMs, defined as patients who had a peak concentration of <20/mu L of CD34(+) cells upon stimulation with granulocytecolony

stimulating factor (G-CSF) subsequent to induction chemotherapy appropriate for the respective disease. Among them, 38 (4.5%) patients had CD34(+) levels between II and 19/mu L at maximum stimulation, defined as “borderline” PM, 49 (5.8%) patients had CD34(+) levels between 6 and 10/mu L defined as “relative” PM, and 42 patients (5%) with levels of <5/mu L, defined as “absolute” PM. There was no difference in the incidence of PM between patients with MM versus those with NHL. Sex, age, body weight (b.w.) and previous irradiation find more therapy did not make any significant difference. Only the total number of cycles of previous chemotherapy (P = .0034), and previous treatment with melphalan (Mel; P = .0078) had a significant impact on the ability to BAY 80-6946 mouse mobilize. For the good mobilizers, the median time to recovery of the white blood cells (WBCs) to 1.0/nL or more was 13 days with a range of 7 to 22 days, whereas for the PM group it was 14 days with

a range of 8 to 37 days. This difference was statistically not significant. The median time to recovery of the platelets counts to an unmaintained level of >20/nL was 11 days with a range of 6 to 17 days for the good mobilizers, whereas for the PM it was I I days with a range of 7 to 32 days. Again, this difference was not significant. The www.selleckchem.com/products/BEZ235.html majority of the patients today intended for autologous transplantations were able to mobilize readily. As long as >= 2.0 x 10(6) of CD34(+) cells/kg b.w. have been collected, PM was not associated with inferior engraftment. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 16: 490-499 (2010) (C) 2010 American Society for Blood Marrow Transplantation”
“Study Design. We used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to examine the bone

mineral densities (BMDs) of the vertebral bodies at the fused level (the fused vertebral BMDs), at the unfused level (the unfused vertebral BMDs), and the intertransverse fusion mass (the fusion mass BMD) after instrumented intertransverse process fusion.\n\nObjective. We wanted to determine whether there are any relationships among the unfused vertebral BMDs, the fused vertebral BMD, and the fusion mass BMD after successful solid union.\n\nSummary of Background Data. Device-related vertebral osteoporosis is a well-known phenomenon that occurs in an early adaptive phase after instrumented spinal fusion. However, any relationships among the unfused vertebral BMDs, the fused vertebral BMD, and the fusion mass BMD in a later phase after obtaining successful spinal union are unknown.\n\nMethods.

Recent data suggest that activation of TRPA1 on these vagal sensory afferents by these irritant substances could lead to central reflexes, including dyspnea, changes in breathing pattern, and cough, which contribute to the symptoms and pathophysiology of respiratory diseases. CHEST 2011; 140(4):1040-1047″
“Azelastine is a second-generation antihistamine approved for treatment of allergic rhinitis. This randomized, double-blind, placebo- YH25448 in vitro and active-con trolled, parallel-group

clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of azelastine 0.15% and azelastine 0.10% nasal spray at a dosage of 2 sprays/nostril twice daily in patients with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). In total, 526 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to treatment with 2 sprays/nostril twice daily of azelastine 0.15%, azelastine 0.10%, or placebo. The primary efficacy variable was change from baseline in 1.2-hour reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS; A.M. and P.M. combined), consisting of nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, itchy nose, and sneezing. After 2 weeks, the mean improvement and percentage improvement in the 12-hour reflective TNSS

were significant (p < 0.001) with azelastine 0.15% and azelastine 0.1.0% compared with placebo. In a retrospective analysis, there was a statistical difference CDK inhibitor drugs (p = 0.047) in the mean improvement versus placebo in the 1.2-hour reflective TNSS with azelastine 0.15% compared with azelastine 0.1.0%. Onset of action with azelastine 0.15% was within 30 minutes. Bitter taste was the most common adverse event with both azelastine 0.15% and azelastine 0.10% (8.4% and 9.4% of patients, respectively). Somnolence was reported by 1.7% of patients

treated with azelastine 0.15%, 0.6% of patients treated with azelastine 0.10%, and 0.6% of patients treated with Dehydrogenase inhibitor placebo. Azelastine 0.15% nasal spray at 2 sprays/nostril twice daily significantly improved the nasal symptoms associated with SAR with an onset of action within 30 minutes and was well tolerated. (Allergy Asthma Proc 30:628-633, 2009; doi: 10.2500/aap.2009.30.3296)”
“Hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) are mostly used as supportive measures to reduce infectious complications associated with neutropenia. Over the past decade, the use of HGFs became a common method for mobilizing human CD34 stem cells, either for autologous or allogeneic transplantation. However, since their introduction the long-term safety of the procedure has become a major focus of discussion and research. Most information refers to healthy normal donors and data concerning pregnant and lactating women are scarce. The clinical question, which is the core of this review, is whether stem cell donation, preceded by administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for mobilization, is a safe procedure for pregnant donors.