protoporphyrin/inflammation

Auto-immune diseases are characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory response against tissues in the body. These diseases, of which rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most well-known, represent a major health care burden. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β are central in the

Actinic keratoses (AK) are common precancerous skin lesions that arise on sun-damaged skin. Treatment is aimed at preventing progression to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). First-line therapy for clinically apparent lesions includes cryotherapy and curettage; and field therapy options are

Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is the 2nd most common urological malignancy. The vast majority of newly diagnosed cases are non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC), which represent about 75%, and it can be treated with transurethral resection (TURBT). The goal of TURBT in Ta and T1 NMIBC is

20 infants will be recruited from the Msambweni County Referral Hospital in southern coastal Kenya to participate in both studies. Study 1: At baseline a morning blood sample will be collected from potential study participants for the determination of the following iron and inflammation status

Iron absorption from two iron-fortified maize-based test meals will be measured in two groups of 40 infants (total N=80). Infants will be recruited at Msambweni District Hospital and communities served by Msambweni District Hospital in southern coastal Kenya. In group 1, iron absorption is measured

Fifty infants per group will be enrolled (n=150) and randomly divided in three groups, from those identified in selected villages in the catchment area of the Kikoneni Health Clinic in southern coastal Kenya, about 2 hours south of Mombasa. All children whose caregivers agree to participate in the

In a group of people with proven acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) mutation, some will remain asymptomatic, while others have repeated periods of porphyria symptoms. Glucose inhibits ALA synthetase (ALAS), the first rate-limiting enzyme in the haem synthesis. Studies of individual patients point to

Background and Rationale The most severe problems of micronutrient deficiency are found amongst resource poor, food insecure and vulnerable households in developing countries. From the 1999 Kenya national survey on micronutrients, it was estimated that seven out of every ten children under five

This research will determine the effects of acute infection with Plasmodium falciparum on the absorption, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of iron from iron supplements and other iron preparations in non-immune adults in Thailand. Our project will combine measurements of iron absorption during and