Obstetrician views on Fetal Pillow® device use and research in Aotearoa New Zealand: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: There is anecdotal evidence of Fetal Pillow® use, but no formal local information on clinician practices and perspectives.

Aims: To assess obstetrician use of the Fetal Pillow®, knowledge of relevant research, and interest in a proposed randomised controlled trial in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Materials And Methods: Anonymous cross-sectional survey of practising obstetricians and obstetric trainees in Aotearoa New Zealand distributed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Therapeutic Potential of Protein Tyrosine Kinase 6 in Colorectal Cancer.

PTK6, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, modulates the pathogenesis of breast and prostate cancers and is recognized as a biomarker of breast cancer prognosis. There are over 30 known substrates of PTK6, including signal transducers, transcription factors, and RNA-binding proteins. Many of these substrates are known drivers of other cancer types, such as colorectal cancer.

Brk/PTK6 and Involucrin Expression May Predict Breast Cancer Cell Responses to Vitamin D3.

The process of human embryonic mammary development gives rise to the structures in which mammary cells share a developmental lineage with skin epithelial cells such as keratinocytes. As some breast carcinomas have previously been shown to express high levels of involucrin, a marker of keratinocyte differentiation, we hypothesised that some breast tumours may de-differentiate to a keratinocyte-derived 'evolutionary history'. To confirm our hypothesis, we investigated the frequency of involucrin expression along with that of Brk, a tyrosine kinase expressed in up to 86% of breast carcinomas whose normal expression patterns are restricted to differentiating epithelial cells, most notably those in the skin (keratinocytes) and the gastrointestinal tract.

Effects of emotion, emotional tolerance, and emotional processing on reasoning.

Emotion plays a significant role in our reasoning even without awareness, perhaps especially for individuals who have difficulties tolerating strong, negative emotions. Opportunity for reflection may help such individuals decide when emotions should influence reasoning. Two studies attempted to clarify the relationships among reasoning, emotions, and emotion tolerance (measured with the Affect Intolerance Scale).

ACBD3 Bioinformatic Analysis and Protein Expression in Breast Cancer Cells.

overexpression has previously been found to correlate with worse prognosis for breast cancer patients and, as an incredibly diverse protein in both function and cellular localisation, ACBD3 may have a larger role in breast cancer than previously thought. This study further investigated ACBD3's role in breast cancer. Bioinformatic databases were queried to characterise expression and mutation in breast cancer and to investigate how overexpression affects breast cancer patient outcomes.

Breast Tumour Kinase (Brk/PTK6) Contributes to Breast Tumour Xenograft Growth and Modulates Chemotherapeutic Responses In Vitro.

Breast tumour kinase (Brk/PTK6) is overexpressed in up to 86% of breast cancers and is associated with poorer patient outcomes. It is considered a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer, even though the full spectrum of its kinase activity is not known. This study investigated the role of the kinase domain in promoting tumour growth and its potential in sensitising triple negative breast cancer cells to standard of care chemotherapy.

Mitochondrial targeted antioxidants, mitoquinone and SKQ1, not vitamin C, mitigate doxorubicin-induced damage in H9c2 myoblast: pretreatment vs. co-treatment.

Background: Preconditioning of the heart ameliorates doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity. We tested whether pretreating cardiomyocytes by mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants, mitoquinone (MitoQ) or SKQ1, would provide better protection against Dox than co-treatment.

Methods: We investigated the dose-response relationship of MitoQ, SKQ1, and vitamin C on Dox-induced damage on H9c2 cardiomyoblasts when drugs were given concurrently with Dox (e.

Jasmonates induce Arabidopsis bioactivities selectively inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells through CDC6 and mTOR.

Phytochemicals are used often in vitro and in vivo in cancer research. The plant hormones jasmonates (JAs) control the synthesis of specialized metabolites through complex regulatory networks. JAs possess selective cytotoxicity in mixed populations of cancer and normal cells.

Fear and Derision: A Quantitative Content Analysis of Provaccine and Antivaccine Internet Memes.

The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of Internet memes created and disseminated by proponents and opponents of vaccinations. A quantitative content analysis was performed on 234 pro- and antivaccine memes culled from the vaccination fan pages with the greatest number of followers on Facebook. Coding variables included whether the meme was pro- or antivaccine, percentage of factually incorrect claims, mention of the out-group, persuasive appeals (emotion, fear, and rationality), degree of sarcasm, and number of reactions and shares.

Rapid sample preparation with Lyse-It® for Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio cholerae.

Sample preparation is a leading bottleneck in rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria. Here, we use Lyse-It® for bacterial cellular lysis, genomic DNA fragmentation, and protein release and degradation for both Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio cholerae. The concept of Lyse-It® employs a conventional microwave and Lyse-It® slides for intensely focused microwave irradiation onto the sample.

Identification of cancer biomarkers of prognostic value using specific gene regulatory networks (GRN): a novel role of RAD51AP1 for ovarian and lung cancers.

To date, microarray analyses have led to the discovery of numerous individual 'molecular signatures' associated with specific cancers. However, there are serious limitations for the adoption of these multi-gene signatures in the clinical environment for diagnostic or prognostic testing as studies with more power need to be carried out. This may involve larger richer cohorts and more advanced analyses.

An examination of school- and student-level characteristics associated with the likelihood of students' meeting the Canadian physical activity guidelines in the COMPASS study.

Objectives: To examine school- and student-level correlates of physical activity.

Methods: Cross-sectional Year 2 data collected from 45 298 grade 9-12 students attending 89 secondary schools in the COMPASS study were examined using multi-level modelling to predict the likelihood of students a) achieving 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily; and b) achieving the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) activity guideline for youth (60 minutes/MVPA daily, vigorous physical activity at least three days in a week, and resistance training at least three days in a week).

Results: The prevalence of students achieving 60 minutes of MVPA daily and meeting the CSEP guideline was 49.

Functional role of and candidate genes on the regulation of gene expression.

Narrowing the search for the critical repressor sequence(s) has identified three regions on chromosome 3p (3p12-p21.1, 3p21.2 and 3p21.

mTOR function and therapeutic targeting in breast cancer.

The mTOR pathway was discovered in the late 1970s after the compound and natural inhibitor of mTOR, rapamycin was isolated from the bacterium mTOR is serine/threonine kinase belonging to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase related kinase (PIKK) family. It forms two distinct complexes; mTORC1 and mTORC2. mTORC1 has a key role in regulating protein synthesis and autophagy whilst mTORC2 is involved in regulating kinases of the AGC family.

Antimicrobial Graft Copolymer Gels.

In view of the growing worldwide rise in microbial resistance, there is considerable interest in designing new antimicrobial copolymers. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between antimicrobial activity and copolymer composition/architecture to gain a better understanding of their mechanism of action. Specifically, the antibacterial activity of several copolymers based on 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine [MPC] and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) toward Staphylococcus aureus was examined.

Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis Spores during Laboratory-Scale Composting of Feedlot Cattle Manure.

Anthrax outbreaks in livestock have social, economic and health implications, altering farmer's livelihoods, impacting trade and posing a zoonotic risk. Our study investigated the survival of Bacillus thuringiensis and B. anthracis spores sporulated at 15, 20, or 37°C, over 33 days of composting.

MALDI-MSI for the analysis of a 3D tissue-engineered psoriatic skin model.

MALDI-MS Imaging is a novel label-free technique that can be used to visualize the changes in multiple mass responses following treatment. Following treatment with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22), the epidermal differentiation of Labskin, a living skin equivalent (LSE), successfully modeled psoriasis in vitro. Masson's trichrome staining enabled visualization and quantification of epidermal differentiation between the untreated and IL-22 treated psoriatic LSEs.

Examining communication- and media-based recreational sedentary behaviors among Canadian youth: results from the COMPASS study.

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of different communication- and media-based sedentary behaviors and examine how they are associated with modifiable risk behaviors and key demographic correlates among a large sample of youth.

Methods: Data from 23,031 grade 9 to grade 12 students in Year 1 (2012-2013) of the COMPASS study (Canada) were used to examine the prevalence of sedentary behaviors by gender and by grade. The between-school variance in sedentary behaviors was calculated and models were developed to examine how modifiable risk factors and demographic correlates were associated with sedentary behaviors.

Evolution of breast cancer therapeutics: Breast tumour kinase's role in breast cancer and hope for breast tumour kinase targeted therapy.

There have been significant improvements in the detection and treatment of breast cancer in recent decades. However, there is still a need to develop more effective therapeutic techniques that are patient specific with reduced toxicity leading to further increases in patients' overall survival; the ongoing progress in understanding recurrence, resistant and spread also needs to be maintained. Better understanding of breast cancer pathology, molecular biology and progression as well as identification of some of the underlying factors involved in breast cancer tumourgenesis and metastasis has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

HIF-1α-independent hypoxia-induced rapid PTK6 stabilization is associated with increased motility and invasion.

PTK6/Brk is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in cancer. Here we demonstrate that cytosolic PTK6 is rapidly and robustly induced in response to hypoxic conditions in a HIF-1-independent manner. Furthermore, a proportion of hypoxic PTK6 subsequently re-localized to the cell membrane.

The non-random repositioning of whole chromosomes and individual gene loci in interphase nuclei and its relevance in disease, infection, aging, and cancer.

The genomes of a wide range of different organisms are non-randomly organized within interphase nuclei. Chromosomes and genes can be moved rapidly, with direction, to new non-random locations within nuclei upon a stimulus such as a signal to initiate differentiation, quiescence or senescence, or also the application of heat or an infection with a pathogen. It is now becoming increasingly obvious that chromosome and gene position can be altered in diseases such as cancer and other syndromes that are affected by changes to nuclear architecture such as the laminopathies.

The clinicopathological significance of lamin A/C, lamin B1 and lamin B receptor mRNA expression in human breast cancer.

Lamin A/C (LMNA), lamin B1 (LMNB1) and lamin B receptor (LBR) have key roles in nuclear structural integrity and chromosomal stability. In this study, we have studied the relationships between the mRNA expressions of A-type lamins, LMNB1 and LBR and the clinicopathological parameters in human breast cancer. Samples of breast cancer tissues (n = 115) and associated non-cancerous tissue (ANCT; n = 30) were assessed using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR.

Critical research gaps and translational priorities for the successful prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Introduction: Breast cancer remains a significant scientific, clinical and societal challenge. This gap analysis has reviewed and critically assessed enduring issues and new challenges emerging from recent research, and proposes strategies for translating solutions into practice.

Methods: More than 100 internationally recognised specialist breast cancer scientists, clinicians and healthcare professionals collaborated to address nine thematic areas: genetics, epigenetics and epidemiology; molecular pathology and cell biology; hormonal influences and endocrine therapy; imaging, detection and screening; current/novel therapies and biomarkers; drug resistance; metastasis, angiogenesis, circulating tumour cells, cancer 'stem' cells; risk and prevention; living with and managing breast cancer and its treatment.