pVEGFR2 receptors are largely expressed in colon cancer cells and intratumoural vasculature. As VEGF targeting agents enter the clinical practice, the role of monoclonal antibodies recognising the phosphorylated form of VEGF receptors as predictors of response to targeted therapies should be sought in clinicopathological trials.

We recently published a review in this journal describing the design, hybridisation and basic data processing required to use gene arrays to investigate vascular biology (Evans et al. Angiogenesis 2003; 6: 93-104). Here, we build on this review by describing a set of powerful and robust methods for the analysis and interpretation of gene array data derived from primary vascular cell cultures. First, we describe the evaluation of transcriptome heterogeneity between primary cultures derived from different individuals, and estimation of the false discovery rate introduced by this heterogeneity and by experimental noise. Then, we discuss the appropriate use of Bayesian t-tests, clustering and independent component analysis to mine the data. We illustrate these principles by analysis of a previously unpublished set of gene array data in which human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured in either rich or low-serum media were exposed to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A165 or placental growth factor (PlGF)-1(131). We have used Affymetrix U95A gene arrays to map the effects of these factors on the HUVEC transcriptome. These experiments followed a paired design and were biologically replicated three times. In addition, one experiment was repeated using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). In contrast to some previous studies, we found that VEGF-A and PlGF consistently regulated only small, non-overlapping and culture media-dependant sets of HUVEC transcripts, despite causing significant cell biological changes.

The authors developed "DIET", a computerized system preparing dietary prescriptions in clinical settings. "DIET" has the ability to calculate the nutritional requirements and to produce daily menus of patients automatically. Also, it serves as an electronic medical and dietetic record and it can produce daily reports regarding portions, quantities and cost of meals. The authors also conducted a preliminary evaluation of the system by comparing the design of nutritional plans for 135 patients using "DIET" versus the customary manual methods. Its use resulted in a decrease of the error percentages, concerning appropriate food choices, data recording and calculations of daily nutrient requirements; from 12% to 1.5%. Additionally, there was a reduction by 50% of the time required to obtain and process data as well as design a patient's menu. "DIET" implementation resulted in error decrease and thus in improvement of menu planning, accuracy and recovery of data and decreased the time spent on menu planning.

The use of standardized protocols in preterm neonates resulted in more adequate provision of nutrients, weight gain and better blood count profile compared with protocols prescribed by individual physicians.

In this paper we use a simple model to explore the function of the gene Osteosarcoma-9. We are in particular interested in understanding the role of this gene as a potent anti-apoptotic factor.The theoretical description is constrained by experimental data from induction of apoptosis in cells where OS-9 is overexpressed. The data available suggest that OS-9 promotes cell viability and confers resistance to apoptosis, potentially implicating OS-9 in the survival of cancer cells. Three different apoptosis-inducing mechanisms were tested and are here modeled. A more complex and realistic model is also discussed.