Alternative NF-κB Signaling Discriminates Induction of the Tumor Marker Fascin by the Viral Oncoproteins Tax-1 and Tax-2 of Human T-Cell Leukemia Viruses.

Transcriptional regulation of the actin-bundling protein and tumor marker Fascin is highly diverse depending on cell and tumor type. Previously, we discovered that the viral oncoprotein Tax-1 of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) considerably enhances Fascin expression in T-cells, depending on classical NF-κB signaling. In this study, we asked if the non-oncogenic Tax-2 of the related HTLV-2 is still able to induce Fascin by using luciferase assays, immunoblot, and qPCR.

Regulation of the tumor marker Fascin by the viral oncoprotein Tax of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) depends on promoter activation and on a promoter-independent mechanism.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a highly infiltrative neoplasia of CD4(+) T-lymphocytes that occurs in about 5% of carriers infected with the deltaretrovirus human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The viral oncoprotein Tax perturbs cellular signaling pathways leading to upregulation of host cell factors, amongst them the actin-bundling protein Fascin, an invasion marker of several types of cancer. However, transcriptional regulation of Fascin by Tax is poorly understood.

The tumor marker Fascin is induced by the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncoprotein LMP1 via NF-κB in lymphocytes and contributes to their invasive migration.

Background: The actin-bundling protein Fascin (FSCN1) is a tumor marker that is highly expressed in numerous types of cancer including lymphomas and is important for migration and metastasis of tumor cells. Fascin has also been detected in B lymphocytes that are freshly-infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), however, both the inducers and the mechanisms of Fascin upregulation are still unclear.

Results: Here we show that the EBV-encoded oncoprotein latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), a potent regulator of cellular signaling and transformation, is sufficient to induce both Fascin mRNA and protein in lymphocytes.

The association between behavioural and emotional problems and age in adults with Down syndrome without dementia: Examining a wide spectrum of behavioural and emotional problems.

The literature on the association between behavioural and emotional problems and ageing in adults with Down syndrome (DS) without dementia is limited and has generally not reported on a wide range of behavioural and emotional problems. This research aimed to extend the field by examining the associations between age and a wide spectrum of behavioural and emotional problems in adults with DS without dementia. A preliminary analysis of the association between potential covariates and behavioural and emotional problems was also undertaken.

The availability of normative data for the Developmental Behaviour Checklist for Adults.

Background: Standardised normative data for checklists of behavioural and emotional disturbance have a demonstrated usefulness for clinicians, researchers, and service providers.

Method: The Developmental Behaviour Checklist for Adults (DBC-A) was the instrument used in a large-scale Australian study (n = 1,538) of emotional and behavioural disturbance.

Results: To assist the field, normative data is now available on the DBC-A for adults with ID from age 18-85 years, across three levels of intellectual disability (ID).

Assessment in intellectual disability.

Purpose Of Review: This review examines an eclectic selection of publications from the past 12 months under the broad heading of 'assessment in intellectual disability'. Being unable to cover all possible publications the authors have concentrated on the assessment of pain (in those with severe intellectual disability), psychopathology, risk assessment and offending, autism, preference and choice, and dementia.

Recent Findings: Research into assessment has generally taken the form of developing new instruments, or adapting existing ones, or comparing the performance of a range of scales in a certain area.

The assessment and treatment of behavioural problems.

Background: While general practitioners acknowledge their responsibility for the medical management of people with intellectual disability and autism, there may be a need for more skill in the assessment and management of behavioral problems.

Objective: This article provides an overview of services for this group of patients, the role of the GP, and provides a guide to assessment and treatment of behavioural problems.

Discussion: While GPs have skills in medical and psychiatric assessment, the different social, cognitive and communicative context in this group of people limits their ability to apply those skills.

Collaboration--together we can find the way in dual diagnosis.

Service systems in health and community agencies are struggling to deliver mental health services to adults with an intellectual disability. Many professionals feel ill equipped to assess and treat mental health disorders in this population. This Australian case study describes the collaborative effort required to meet the complex health needs of a client with an intellectual disability and the needs of her family, and the role played by a specialist, Disability Health Service.