Vitamin D receptor regulates autophagy in the normal mammary gland and in luminal breast cancer cells.

Women in North America have a one in eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer (BC), and a significant proportion of these individuals will develop recurrent BC and will eventually succumb to the disease. Metastatic, therapy-resistant BC cells are refractory to cell death induced by multiple stresses. Here, we document that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) acts as a master transcriptional regulator of autophagy.

A Randomized-Controlled Trial of Social Norm Interventions to Increase Physical Activity.

Background: Physical activity confers numerous health benefits, yet few adults meet recommended physical activity guidelines.

Purpose: The impact of brief messages providing descriptive and injunctive social norm feedback on physical activity was tested in this conceptual pilot study.

Methods: Young adults (N = 111) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: descriptive norm feedback, descriptive-plus-injunctive norm feedback, or no social feedback (control condition).

Crizotinib Associated Renal Cysts [CARCs]: incidence and patterns of evolution.

Background: Novel therapeutic agents recently introduced for the treatment of cancer have several unusual side effects. An increased incidence of renal cystic lesions, often with features concerning for malignancy or infection, has been reported in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) - rearranged advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with Crizotinib. Many of these lesions undergo spontaneous resolution despite developing complex features on imaging.

Effect of Exercise on Ovulation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Infertility has been described as a devastating life crisis for couples, and has a particularly severe effect on women, in terms of anxiety and depression. Anovulation accounts for around 30% of female infertility, and while lifestyle factors such as physical activity are known to be important, the relationship between exercise and ovulation is multi-factorial and complex, and to date there are no clear recommendations concerning exercise regimes.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to systematically assess the effect of physical activity on ovulation and to discuss the possible mechanisms by which exercise acts to modulate ovulation in reproductive-age women.

Latino and Non-Latino Perceptions of the Air Quality in California's San Joaquin Valley.

The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California has poor air quality, high rates of asthma, and high rates of obesity. Informational campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the health impacts of poor air quality and promoting behavior change need to be tailored to the specific target audiences. The study examined perceptions of air quality, perceived health impacts, and methods of accessing information about air quality between Latinos and other groups in the SJV.

A theory-informed approach to developing visually mediated interventions to change behaviour using an asthma and physical activity intervention exemplar.

Background: Visualisation techniques are used in a range of healthcare interventions. However, these frequently lack a coherent rationale or clear theoretical basis. This lack of definition and explicit targeting of the underlying mechanisms may impede the success of and evaluation of the intervention.

Qualitatively understanding patients' and health professionals' experiences of the BRECONDA breast reconstruction decision aid.

Objective: Women diagnosed with breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ and those with a genetic susceptibility to developing this disease face the challenging decision of whether or not to undergo breast reconstruction following mastectomy. As part of a large randomized controlled trial, this qualitative study examined women's experiences of using the Breast RECONstruction Decision Aid (BRECONDA) and health professionals' feedback regarding the impact of this resource on patients' knowledge and decision making about breast reconstruction.

Method: Semistructured interviews were conducted with women who accessed the BRECONDA intervention (N = 36) and with their healthcare providers (N = 6).

Calcitriol Reduces Eosinophil Necrosis Which Leads to the Diminished Release of Cytotoxic Granules.

Background: Asthma severity and eosinophilia correlate with a deficiency in vitamin D and its active metabolite calcitriol. Calcitriol modulates numerous leukocyte functions, but its effect on eosinophils is not fully understood. We postulated that calcitriol exerts a direct effect on eosinophil biology by modulating cell survival.

Two familial ALS proteins function in prevention/repair of transcription-associated DNA damage.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron dysfunction disease that leads to paralysis and death. There is currently no established molecular pathogenesis pathway. Multiple proteins involved in RNA processing are linked to ALS, including FUS and TDP43, and we propose a disease mechanism in which loss of function of at least one of these proteins leads to an accumulation of transcription-associated DNA damage contributing to motor neuron cell death and progressive neurological symptoms.

Investigating the Cellular and Metabolic Responses of World-Class Canoeists Training: A Sportomics Approach.

(1) Background: We have been using the Sportomics approach to evaluate biochemical and hematological changes in response to exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic and hematologic responses of world-class canoeists during a training session; (2) Methods: Blood samples were taken at different points and analyzed for their hematological properties, activities of selected enzymes, hormones, and metabolites; (3) Results: Muscle stress biomarkers were elevated in response to exercise which correlated with modifications in the profile of white blood cells, where a leukocyte rise was observed after the canoe session. These results were accompanied by an increase in other exercise intensity parameters such as lactatemia and ammonemia.

A Case Report of Neurosarcoidosis Presenting as a Lymphoma Mimic.

To describe a unique presentation of neurosarcoidosis. Central nervous system involvement is rare in sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis can be severe and can be mistaken for systemic lymphoma.

Lower limb immobilisation and venous thromboembolism risk: combined case-control studies.

Background: Evidence from randomised controlled trials shows that low-molecular-weight heparin is effective in reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the clinical setting of temporary lower limb immobilisation. Despite this, international guidelines are non-committal in advocating the use of anticoagulation in this clinical scenario. We determined the risk of VTE associated with lower limb immobilisation and the proportion of VTE events associated with lower limb immobilisation by undertaking a secondary analysis of two case-control studies that had used a similar methodology.

Vulnerability to extreme-heat-associated hospitalization in three counties in Michigan, USA, 2000-2009.

With climate change, extreme heat (EH) events are increasing, so it is important to understand who is vulnerable to heat-associated morbidity. We determined the association between EH and hospitalizations for all natural causes; cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal diseases; diabetes mellitus; and acute myocardial infarction in Michigan, USA, at different intensities and durations. We assessed confounding by ozone and how individual characteristics and health insurance payer (a proxy for income) modified these associations.

Reducing Decisional Conflict and Enhancing Satisfaction with Information among Women Considering Breast Reconstruction following Mastectomy: Results from the BRECONDA Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Deciding whether or not to have breast reconstruction following breast cancer diagnosis is a complex decision process. This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of an online decision aid [Breast RECONstruction Decision Aid (BRECONDA)] on breast reconstruction decision-making.

Methods: Women (n = 222) diagnosed with breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ, and eligible for reconstruction following mastectomy, completed an online baseline questionnaire.

Feasibility, Accuracy, and Repeatability of Suprathreshold Saccadic Vector Optokinetic Perimetry.

Purpose: To evaluate feasibility, accuracy, and repeatability of suprathreshold Saccadic Vector Optokinetic Perimetry (SVOP) by comparison with Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) perimetry.

Methods: The subjects included children with suspected field defects ( = 10, age 5-15 years), adults with field defects ( = 33, age 39-78 years), healthy children ( = 12, age 6-14 years), and healthy adults ( = 30, age 16-61 years). The test protocol comprised repeat suprathreshold SVOP and HFA testing with the C-40 test pattern.

Employment programmes and interventions targeting adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder face significant challenges entering the workforce; yet research in this area is limited and the issues are poorly understood. In this systematic review, empirical peer-reviewed studies on employment programmes, interventions and employment-related outcomes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder over 18 years with and without intellectual disability were identified and evaluated. The review was prefaced by a summary of previous systematic reviews in the area.

Venous thromboembolism risk associated with protracted work- and computer-related seated immobility: A case-control study.

Objective: To examine the association between venous thromboembolism and prolonged work- and computer-related seated immobility.

Design: A case-control study.

Participants And Setting: Cases were 200 patients attending venous thromboembolism clinics with a history of deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism in the past six months, and controls were 200 patients treated in fracture clinic for an upper limb injury in the past six months.

An investigation into the prevalence and impact of breast pain, bra issues and breast size on female horse riders.

For female horse riders, breast pain, bra issues and breast size may be important concerns which have yet to be considered. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of breast pain and bra issues in female horse riders and explores the impact of breast size on breast pain and bra issues. A 6-part, 32 question online survey was completed by 1324 females who participated in horse riding activities.

Uptake, outcomes, and costs of implementing non-invasive prenatal testing for Down's syndrome into NHS maternity care: prospective cohort study in eight diverse maternity units.

Objective:  To investigate the benefits and costs of implementing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down's syndrome into the NHS maternity care pathway.

Design:  Prospective cohort study.

Setting:  Eight maternity units across the United Kingdom between 1 November 2013 and 28 February 2015.

Breast cancer among women in Michigan following exposure to brominated flame retardants.

In this updated follow-up, we investigated the breast cancer experience among women in Michigan exposed to brominated flame retardants, some 30 years following exposure. Michigan residents were enrolled in a study cohort after exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) through the consumption of contaminated food products. PBB concentrations were measured in serum at the time of enrolment.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis: pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a remarkably versatile environmental bacterium with an extraordinary capacity to infect the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. Infection with P. aeruginosa occurs early, and although eradication can be achieved following early detection, chronic infection occurs in over 60% of adults with CF.

Gout and diabetes: a common combination.

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to compare metabolic parameters in people with gout and diabetes with gout only and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) only. Fifty General Practices in NHS Ayrshire and Arran (population 340 377) contributed data. The sample was split into three groups, those with both gout and T2DM, those with gout only and those with T2DM only.

Drawings of Blood Cells Reveal People's Perception of Their Blood Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Context: Sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia are rare but chronic blood disorders. Recent literature showed impaired quality of life (QOL) in people with these blood disorders. Assessing one of the determinants of QOL (i.