Regulation of estrogen-mediated cell survival and proliferation by p160 coactivators.

Background: Estrogen receptor (ER) activity is dependent on coactivator (CoA) proteins. The role of CoA-ER interactions in breast cancer apoptosis remains unexplored.

Methods: Expression vectors for the p160 CoA genes NCOA-1, NCOA-2, or NCOA-3 were transiently transfected into MCF-7 cells.

Substituted 3-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl- 4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-[1,4]diazepino-[6,7,1-hi]indol-7-yl)pyrrole-2,5-diones as highly selective and potent inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) is involved in signaling from the insulin receptor. Inhibitors of GSK3 are expected to effect lowering of plasma glucose similar to insulin, making GSK3 an attractive target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Herein we report the discovery of a series of potent and selective GSK3 inhibitors.

The lingual arm cantilever.

The use of cantilevers has been popularized again for use with implant-supported prostheses. A fulcrum, the center of rotation, is usually established on the terminal unit when the cantilever unit moves tissueward (compression) and the anterior units move occlusally (tension). The lingual arm cantilever is another suggested approach that could change the position of the fulcrum forward so that the most distal implant counteracts the rotation.

Wnt signaling and the developmental fate of lung cells.

Constitutive activation of the Wnt signaling pathway during lung development in mouse embryos causes some cells to develop a gut-like phenotype. These findings are reminiscent of classical embryological experiments and may have therapeutic implications for pre-cancerous metaplasias.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis masquerading as pulmonary tuberculosis.

We present an unusual pediatric patient with severe allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis that masqueraded as pulmonary tuberculosis. After antituberculous therapy, the patient's pulmonary disease flared, prompting an aggressive diagnostic evaluation. Radiographic findings included nodular pulmonary densities with superimposed infiltrates.

Nursing a patient during and after 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) therapy.

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a new cancer therapy that uses monoclonal antibodies to deliver targeted radiation to cancer cells, allowing multiple sites of disseminated disease to be treated simultaneously, while limiting toxicity to normal healthy tissue. 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan was the first RIT to be approved for the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and consists of the anti-CD20 murine monoclonal antibody, ibritumomab, covalently bound to the linker tiuxetan, which securely chelates the radioactive isotope 90Y. Effective RIT demands a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, which places considerable emphasis on the role of the nurse.

Sensitization of apoptotically-resistant breast carcinoma cells to TNF and TRAIL by inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is a critical component in the regulation of cell survival and proliferation decisions. In breast carcinoma cells, activation of the p38-MAPK member of this family occurs in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines and cellular stress. The involvement of p38-MAPK in the activation of the transcription factor, NF-kappaB, suggests a potential role and mechanism for regulation of cell survival and drug resistance.

Tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab for recurrent indolent and transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Purpose: An open-label phase II study was conducted at two centers to establish the efficacy and safety of tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab at first or second recurrence of indolent or transformed indolent B-cell lymphoma.

Patients And Methods: A single dosimetric dose was followed at 7 to 14 days by the patient-specific administered radioactivity required to deliver a total body dose of 0.75 Gy (reduced to 0.

Promoting evidence-based practice: an organizational approach.

Aim: To examine factors influencing the achievement of evidence-based practice.

Background: This paper reports on the approach taken by a large teaching hospital in England to promote evidence-based practice. A summary of initiatives spanning a 5 year period is presented in order to set the scene for a recent survey of nurses to review progress made.

Asking questions can help: development and preliminary evaluation of a question prompt list for palliative care patients.

Question prompt lists (QPLs) have been shown to be an inexpensive and effective communication tool for patients in oncology consultations. We aimed to develop and pilot a QPL for palliative care (PC) patients. In order to identify suitable questions for inclusion in the QPL, we conducted focus groups and individual interviews with 19 patients, 24 carers and 22 PC health professionals.

Co-expression of N-terminal truncated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and C24-sterol methyltransferase type 1 in transgenic tobacco enhances carbon flux towards end-product sterols.

The enzymes 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR) and C24-sterol methyltransferase type 1 (SMT1) have been proposed to be key steps regulating carbon flux through the sterol biosynthesis pathway. To further examine this hypothesis, we co-expressed the catalytic domain of Hevea brasiliensis HMGR (tHMGR) and Nicotiana tabacum SMT1 in tobacco, under control of both constitutive and seed-specific promoters, resulting in increased accumulation of total sterol in seed tissue by 2.5- and 2.

An educational journey towards recovery for individuals with persistent mental illnesses: a New Zealand perspective.

A recovery approach is proposed as the way forward in the New Zealand Ministry of Health and Mental Health Commission documents published in the late 1990s. This has changed the focus of mental health care in New Zealand. The development and evaluation of an education program, the Health and Wellbeing course, for people in recovery from mental health issues, is described.

Parenteral antibiotics in a palliative care unit: prospective analysis of current practice.

All patients receiving parenteral antibiotics in a palliative care unit were prospectively monitored over a 13-month period. Of 913 consecutive admissions, 41 patients received 43 courses of parenteral antibiotics. On 27 of 43 occasions, the use of parenteral antibiotics was considered helpful (62%), in eight cases it was considered unhelpful (19%) and in a further eight cases the outcome could not be assessed (19%).

Co-ordinate regulation of sterol biosynthesis enzyme activity during accumulation of sterols in developing rape and tobacco seed.

The activities of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, sterol methyl transferase 1 and sterol acyltransferase, key enzymes involved in phytosterol biosynthesis were shown to be co-ordinately regulated during oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L.) and tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) seed development.

Sterol C-24 methyltransferase type 1 controls the flux of carbon into sterol biosynthesis in tobacco seed.

The first committed step in the conversion of cycloartenol into Delta(5) C24-alkyl sterols in plants is catalyzed by an S-adenosyl-methionine-dependent sterol-C24-methyltransferase type 1 (SMT1). We report the consequences of overexpressing SMT1 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), under control of either the constitutive carnation etched ring virus promoter or the seed-specific Brassica napus acyl-carrier protein promoter, on sterol biosynthesis in seed tissue. Overexpression of SMT1 with either promoter increased the amount of total sterols in seed tissue by up to 44%.

Identification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase as a chemoresistant pathway in MCF-7 cells by using gene expression microarray.

Background: Components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade have been implicated in apoptotic regulation. This study used gene expression profiling analysis to identify and implicate mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK5)-BMK1 (big mitogen-activated kinase-1)/extracellular signal related protein kinase (ERK5) pathway as a novel target involved in chemoresistance.

Methods: Differential gene expression between apoptotically sensitive (APO+) and apoptotically resistant (APO-) MCF-7 cell variants was determined by using microarray and confirmed by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).