End-of-life decisions are different for physicians of different religions.11 More withdrawal of care is performed by Catholic, Protestant, or physicians with no religions.

Greek Orthodox, Jewish, and Moslem doctors do not withdraw treatment and usually withhold treatment. Greek Orthodox and Moslem doctors are less likely to discuss end-of-life Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical decisions with patients and family. Acculturation may explain why doctors of the same religion have different practices in different locations.30 A person’s religion is important, but equally important is whether the person considers themselves religious or not.22 Religious respondents wanted more extensive treatment than respondents only Ipatasertib clinical trial affiliated Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical with the same religion. Fewer religious respondents wanted active euthanasia if terminally ill. Patients and families desire more aggressive treatments than doctors and nurses.13 Health care professionals must take into account religious and cultural aspects when making end-of-life decisions. When faced with end-of-life decisions, it is important to remember always that while therapies may be withheld or withdrawn, care continues until the very end. Abbreviations: CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical ICU intensive care unit; SDP shortening of dying

process.
Quantification of the T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) has recently emerged as a useful non-invasive clinical and research tool to investigate thymic activity. It allows the identification of T cell production

by the thymus. Quantification of TREC copies has recently been implemented as the preferred test to Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical screen neonates with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) or significant lymphopenia. Neonatal genetic screening for SCID is highly important in countries with high rates of consanguinous marriages, such as Israel, and can be used for early diagnosis, enabling prompt therapeutic intervention that will save lives and improve the outcome Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of these patients. TREC measurement is also applicable in clinical settings where T cell immunity is involved, including any T cell immunodeficiencies, HIV infection, the aging process, autoimmune diseases, and immune reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES many Severe combined immunodeficiency, a life-threatening condition, can be detected by neonatal screening. The earlier the detection and the quicker the implementation of appropriate treatment, the greater the likelihood for improved outcome, even cure, for the affected children. TRECs and KRECs quantification are useful screening tests for severe T and B cell immunodeficiency and can be used also to evaluate every medical condition involving T and B cell immunity.