Protons as second messenger regulators of G protein signaling.

In response to environmental stress, cells often generate pH signals that serve to protect vital cellular components and reprogram gene expression for survival. A major barrier to our understanding of this process has been the identification of signaling proteins that detect changes in intracellular pH. To identify candidate pH sensors, we developed a computer algorithm that searches proteins for networks of proton-binding sidechains.

Role of seipin in lipid droplet morphology and hepatitis C virus life cycle.

Infectious hepatitis C virus (HCV) particle assembly starts at the surface of lipid droplets, cytoplasmic organelles responsible for neutral fat storage. We analysed the relationship between HCV and seipin, a protein involved in lipid droplet maturation. Although seipin overexpression did not affect the total mean volume occupied by lipid droplets nor the total triglyceride and cholesterol ester levels per cell, it caused an increase in the mean diameter of lipid droplets by 60 %, while decreasing their total number per cell.

Mass media interventions for reducing mental health-related stigma.

Background: Mental health-related stigma is widespread and has major adverse effects on the lives of people with mental health problems. Its two major components are discrimination (being treated unfairly) and prejudice (stigmatising attitudes). Anti-stigma initiatives often include mass media interventions, and such interventions can be expensive.

Prevention of diabetes with pioglitazone in ACT NOW: physiologic correlates.

We examined the metabolic characteristics that attend the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in 441 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subjects who participated in the ACT NOW Study and had complete end-of-study metabolic measurements. Subjects were randomized to receive pioglitazone (PGZ; 45 mg/day) or placebo and were observed for a median of 2.4 years.

Long-term follow-up of the thyroid gland after treatment with 131I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine in children with neuroblastoma: importance of continuous surveillance.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction has been reported in up to 52% of patients 1.4 years after treatment with (131) I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in children with neuroblastoma (NBL), despite the use of potassium-iodide (KI). Our aim was to investigate if the incidence and severity of thyroid damage increases in time.

Chirality in DNA-π-conjugated polymer supramolecular structures: insights into the self-assembly.

The self-assembly of DNA and π-conjugated polyelectrolytes leads to chiral structures, with specific right- or left-handed assemblies ruled by the DNA sequence and topology.

PTEN protein phosphatase activity regulates hepatitis C virus secretion through modulation of cholesterol metabolism.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is dependent on lipid metabolism. Hepatocyte steatosis occurs frequently in HCV infection, but the relationship between steatosis and HCV life cycle is unclear. We showed that HCV induces steatosis via the downregulation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN).

Discrimination in relation to parenthood reported by community psychiatric service users in the UK: a framework analysis.

Background: Experienced discrimination refers to an individual's perception that they have been treated unfairly due to an attribute and is an important recent focus within stigma research. A significant proportion of mental health service users report experiencing mental illness-based discrimination in relation to parenthood. Existing studies in this area have not gone beyond prevalence, therefore little is known about the nature of experienced discrimination in relation to parenthood, and how is it constituted.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC).

Mental illness is associated with unfair treatment in a number of areas of life. There is currently no psychometrically validated measure that has been developed to specifically focus on such experienced discrimination. This study aimed to finalise the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC) and establish its psychometric properties.

Effect of pioglitazone on body composition and bone density in subjects with prediabetes in the ACT NOW trial.

Aims: This study examined the effects of pioglitazone on body weight and bone mineral density (BMD) prospectively in patients with impaired glucose tolerance as pioglitazone (TZD) increases body weight and body fat in diabetic patients and increases the risk of bone fractures.

Methods: A total of 71 men and 163 women aged 49.3 (10.

[A newborn with tachypnea].

A neonate developed a tachypnea 2 hours after his birth. Blood measurements showed low infectious parameters and a respirator acidosis. The x-ray showed a pneumomediastinum.

Development of high-density SNP genotyping arrays for white spruce (Picea glauca) and transferability to subtropical and nordic congeners.

High-density SNP genotyping arrays can be designed for any species given sufficient sequence information of high quality. Two high-density SNP arrays relying on the Infinium iSelect technology (Illumina) were designed for use in the conifer white spruce (Picea glauca). One array contained 7338 segregating SNPs representative of 2814 genes of various molecular functional classes for main uses in genetic association and population genetics studies.

Pioglitazone slows progression of atherosclerosis in prediabetes independent of changes in cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: To determine whether changes in standard and novel risk factors during the Actos Now for Prevention of Diabetes trial explained the slower rate of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) progression with pioglitazone treatment in persons with prediabetes.

Methods And Results: CIMT was measured in 382 participants at the beginning and up to 3 additional times during follow-up of the Actos Now for Prevention of Diabetes trial. During an average follow-up of 2.

Intrahepatic mRNA levels of SOCS1 and SOCS3 are associated with cirrhosis but do not predict virological response to therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C is not invariably successful, costly and associated with serious side-effects, and therefore should be indicated only when the chances of benefitting patients exceed the potential risks. The suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) family members have been suggested to affect the rate of virological response to therapy, but the published evidence is conflicting.

Methods: We measured the intrahepatic SOCS1, SOCS3 and SOCS7 mRNA levels in 107 chronic hepatitis C patients and assessed their clinical and histological correlates with the virological response to therapy and with some factors known for affecting treatment outcome.

Mental Illness: Clinicians' Attitudes (MICA) scale-psychometric properties of a version for healthcare students and professionals.

There are currently no published scales to assess the attitudes of students and professionals across a wide range of healthcare disciplines towards people with mental illness. Secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of anti-stigma interventions was carried out to test the reliability, validity and acceptability of the Mental Illness: Clinicians' Attitudes (MICA) v4 scale, a modification of the MICA v2 scale in a sample of 191 nursing students. The MICA v4 was found to have good internal consistency (α=0.

Ottawa Panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on therapeutic massage for low back pain.

Objective: To update evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (EBCPG) on massage therapy compared to control or other treatment for adults (>18 years) suffering from acute, sub-acute and chronic low back pain (LBP).

Methods: A literature search was performed for relevant articles between January 1, 1948 and December 31, 2010. Eligibility criteria were then applied focussing on participants, interventions, controls, and outcomes, as well as methodological quality.

A decision aid to assist decisions on disclosure of mental health status to an employer: protocol for the CORAL exploratory randomised controlled trial.

Background: The UK Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for employers to ask health questions before making an offer of employment except in certain circumstances. While the majority of employers would prefer applicants to disclose a mental illness at the application stage, many people either wait until they have accepted the job and then disclose to an occupational health professional, or do not do so at all due to the anticipation of discrimination or a wish for privacy. However, non disclosure precludes the ability to request reasonable adjustments in the workplace or to make a claim of direct discrimination.

Probing excited state electronic communications across diethynyl-[2.2]paracyclophane-containing conjugated organometallic polymers.

The triplet k(ET) for three organometallic polymers built upon the diethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane was studied to show good excited state electronic communication across the materials.

Rhizobial plasmids that cause impaired symbiotic nitrogen fixation and enhanced host invasion.

The genetic rules that dictate legume-rhizobium compatibility have been investigated for decades, but the causes of incompatibility occurring at late stages of the nodulation process are not well understood. An evaluation of naturally diverse legume (genus Medicago) and rhizobium (genus Sinorhizobium) isolates has revealed numerous instances in which Sinorhizobium strains induce and occupy nodules that are only minimally beneficial to certain Medicago hosts. Using these ineffective strain-host pairs, we identified gain-of-compatibility (GOC) rhizobial variants.

[Non pharmacological treatment for Alzheimer's disease: comparison between musical and non-musical interventions].

On account of the limited effectiveness of pharmacological treatments in Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is a growing interest on nonpharmacological treatments, including musical intervention. Despite the large number of studies showing the multiple benefits of music on behavioral, emotional and cognitive disorders of patients with AD, only a few of them used a rigorous method. Finally, the specificity of musical as compared to non-musical and pleasant interventions has rarely been addressed.

Ottawa Panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on therapeutic massage for neck pain.

Objective: To update evidence-based clinical practice guideline (EBCPG) on the use of massage compared to a control or other treatments for adults (>18 years) suffering from sub-acute and chronic neck pain.

Methods: A literature search was performed from January 1, 1948 to December 31, 2010 for relevant articles. The Ottawa Panel created inclusion criteria focusing on high methodological quality and grading methods.

Understanding service user-defined continuity of care and its relationship to health and social measures: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite the importance of continuity of care [COC] in contemporary mental health service provision, COC lacks a clearly agreed definition. Furthermore, whilst there is broad agreement that definitions should include service users' experiences, little is known about this. This paper aims to explore a new construct of service user-defined COC and its relationship to a range of health and social outcomes.

The journey to magnet: an international perspective.

An Australian hospital achieves recognition by the ANCC's Magnet program.

Development and psychometric properties the Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation scale (BACE) related to people with mental ill health.

Background: Many people with mental illness do not seek or delay seeking care. This study aimed to develop, and provide an initial validation of, a comprehensive measure for assessing barriers to access to mental health care including a 'treatment stigma' subscale, and to present preliminary evidence about the prevalence of barriers experienced by adults currently or recently using secondary mental health services in the UK.

Methods: The Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation scale (BACE) was developed from items in existing scales, systematic item reduction, and feedback from an expert group.

Synthesis of stable free base secochlorins and their corresponding metal complexes from meso-tetraarylporphyrin derivatives.

Cleavage reactions of 2,3-diamino-meso-tetraarylporphyrins and meso-tetraarylporphyrins fused to imidazole rings afforded secochlorins including stable free base derivatives.