Proper control of R-loop homeostasis is required for maintenance of gene expression and neuronal function during aging.

Age-related loss of cellular function and increased cell death are characteristic hallmarks of aging. While defects in gene expression and RNA metabolism have been linked with age-associated human neuropathies, it is not clear how the changes that occur in aging neurons contribute to loss of gene expression homeostasis. R-loops are RNA-DNA hybrids that typically form co-transcriptionally via annealing of the nascent RNA to the template DNA strand, displacing the non-template DNA strand.

Characterizing a gene expression toolkit for eye- and photoreceptor-specific expression in Drosophila.

Binary expression systems are a powerful tool for tissue- and cell-specific research. Many of the currently available eye-specific drivers have not been systematically characterized for their expression level and cell-type specificity in the adult eye or during development. Here, we used a luciferase reporter to measure expression levels of different drivers in the adult eye, and characterized the cell type-specificity of each driver using a fluorescent reporter in live 10-day-old adult males.

The evolution of the steps program, 2003-2010: transforming the federal public health practice of chronic disease prevention.

The Steps program, formerly known as Steps to a HealthierUS, was the first Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program to support a community-based, integrated approach to chronic disease prevention. Steps interventions addressed both diseases and risk factors, focusing on the 3 leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States--tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity--and the associated chronic conditions of asthma, diabetes, and obesity. When Steps shifted from interventions focused on individual health-risk behaviors to the implementation of policy, systems, and environmental changes, the program became an integral part of changing the way CDC addressed chronic disease prevention.

Prevalence of selected risk behaviors and chronic diseases and conditions-steps communities, United States, 2006-2007.

Problem: At least one chronic disease or condition affects 45% of persons and account for seven of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Persons who suffer from chronic diseases and conditions, (e.g.

The YMCA/Steps Community Collaboratives, 2004-2008.

Since the YMCA/Steps National Partnership began in 2004, the collaborative approach has built local synergy, linked content experts, and engaged national partners to concentrate on some of the most pressing health issues in the United States. Together, national and local partners used evidence-based public health programs to address risk factors such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and tobacco use. This article describes the YMCA/Steps National Partnership and focuses on the experiences and achievements of the YMCA/Steps Community Collaboratives, conducted with technical assistance from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors between 2004 and 2008.

A comprehensive worksite wellness program in Austin, Texas: partnership between Steps to a Healthier Austin and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Background: In 2003, Steps to a Healthier Austin was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement chronic disease prevention and health promotion activities. We report Steps to a Healthier Austin's partnership with Health & Lifestyles Corporate Wellness, Inc (Health & Lifestyles), to provide a worksite wellness program for Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro), Austin's local transit authority.

Context: Capital Metro employs 1,282 people.

Youth risk behavior surveillance--selected Steps communities, United States, 2007.

Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, including tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and physical inactivity often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. These behaviors contribute to chronic disease and other health conditions, including asthma.

Reporting Period Covered: January--May 2007.

Prevalence of selected risk behaviors and chronic diseases--Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 39 steps communities, United States, 2005.

Problem: Behavioral risk factors (e.g., tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity) can lead to chronic diseases.

Adolescent same-sex and both-sex romantic attractions and relationships: implications for smoking.

Objectives: We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between smoking and romantic attractions and relationships.

Methods: We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to assess associations of smoking at Waves I and II with same-sex, both-sex, and opposite-sex romantic attractions or relationships as determined at Wave I. We used logistic regression to predict smoking at Wave II by sexual orientation.

Youth tobacco surveillance--United States, 2001-2002.

Problem/condition: Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately 440,000 deaths each year. The prevalence of cigarette smoking nationwide among high school students (grades 9-12) increased during the 1990s, peaking during 1996-1997, and then declined. Approximately 80% of tobacco users initiate use before age 18 years.

Covariates of current cigarette smoking among secondary school students in Budapest, Hungary, 1999.

To date, few studies have examined the relationship between health behavior risk factors and cigarette smoking in Hungary. From 1995 to 1999, the prevalence of current smoking increased from 35.9 to 46.

Smoking cessation counseling: training and practice among women pediatricians.

We examined characteristics associated with smoking cessation counseling among a national sample of 579 women pediatricians. Fifty-two percent of women pediatricians had received at least some training in cessation counseling and 41% counseled smoking patients at least once per year. Prevalence of counseling increased by amount of training; 20.