Gene expression profiling in the developing prostate.

Gene expression profiling has proven to be an effective tool for characterizing genes and molecular pathways operative at key stages of organogenesis. Temporal profiling of RNA transcripts can provide valuable insights into mechanisms of differentiation and lay a foundation for characterizing molecular aspects of development. Descriptive and functional experiments have demonstrated critical roles for androgenic hormones and mesenchymal-epithelial interactions during prostate organogenesis.

Vignettes to assess healthcare staff perceptions of risk.

Medical devices have become prolific and continue to increase in complexity and diversity which will inevitably affect risk. The aim of this UK study conducted by Anthony Brown and with statistical support and guidance from Colin Pritchard, was to investigate the extent to which healthcare professionals' attitudes and perceptions of risk influence the use of medical devices and the efficacy of error reporting.

A Bayesian framework for data and hypotheses driven fusion of high throughput data: application to mouse organogenesis.

In this paper we present a framework for integrating diverse data sets under a coherent probabilistic setup. The necessity of a probabilistic modeling arises from the fact that data integration does not restrict to compiling information from data bases with data that are typically thought to be non-random. Currently wide range of experimental data is also available however rarely these data sets can be summarized in simple output data, e.

Role of serotonin transporter polymorphisms in the behavioural and psychological symptoms in probable Alzheimer disease patients.

Background/aims: Alzheimer disease (AD) patients commonly suffer from behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). A genetic component to BPSD development in AD has been demonstrated. This is an investigation of whether the linked polymorphic region and variable number tandem repeat variants of the serotonin transporter (SERT) are associated with BPSD.

Comparison of problematic behaviours of 10th and 11th year Southern English adolescents. Part 2: Current drink, drug and sexual activity of children with smoking parents.

To determine parental and school influences upon the behaviour and attitudes of adolescents of smoking versus non-smoking parents and of those "liking and disliking" school. Utilising a self-administered confidential standardised questionnaire, a representative sample of Southern English 10th and 11th year secondary school pupils was obtained. Current drink, drug and sexual behaviour were explored and data on adolescents whose parents smoked was extrapolated and compared against adolescents of non-smoking parents.

Comparison of problematic behaviours of 10th and 11th year Southern English adolescents in 1985 and 2005. Part 1: Trends in gender behaviour.

Unlabelled: To compare the problematic behaviours of 1985 adolescent 10th and 11th year students with that of 2005 pupils, and to examine current drink, drug and sexual activity.

Method: Utilised a standardised questionnaire from 1985 and replicated the survey in broadly the same area in 2005. The study was self-administered and guaranteed anonymity for pupil and school, and was able to eliminate any bravado reporting.

Genetic background influences murine prostate gene expression: implications for cancer phenotypes.

Background: Cancer of the prostate is influenced by both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The identification of genes capable of modulating cancer development has the potential to unravel disease heterogeneity and aid diagnostic and prevention strategies. To this end, mouse models have been developed to isolate the influences of individual genetic lesions in the context of consistent genotypes and environmental exposures.

Helicobacter pylori in colorectal neoplasms: is there an aetiological relationship?

Background: This pilot study was carried out to determine whether Helicobacter pylori can be detected in normal colon or in association with colorectal neoplasia.

Methods: Paraffin processed colonic tissue blocks of normal colonic mucosa (n = 60), and patients diagnosed as adenoma (n = 60), and adenocarcinoma (n = 60) were retrieved from our archive; the adenoma group included tubular (n = 20), tubulovillous (n = 20) and villous adenomas (n = 20). 4 mum sections were stained by immunohistochemical methods using anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies (polyclonal NCL-HPp and monoclonal NCL-C-jejuni).

A comparison of UK and US mortality outcomes.

In response to US colleagues' concerns about the NHS, we undertook a comparison of mortality rates in England and Wales and the US. Figures for 1974-2000 were obtained from World Health Organization data on all-cause and cancer mortality rates. Overall rates fell in all three countries but there was a more significant drop in England and Wales over the period.

Role of 5HT 2A and 5HT 2C polymorphisms in behavioural and psychological symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients suffer from behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). A genetic component to BPSD development in AD has been demonstrated. Polymorphisms within serotonin receptors 5HT(2A) and 5HT(2C) have been previously investigated in a few interesting studies reviewed here, however, their role remains unclear.

The contributions of normal variation and genetic background to mammalian gene expression.

Background: Qualitative and quantitative variability in gene expression represents the substrate for external conditions to exert selective pressures for natural selection. Current technologies allow for some forms of genetic variation, such as DNA mutations and polymorphisms, to be determined accurately on a comprehensive scale. Other components of variability, such as stochastic events in cellular transcriptional and translational processes, are less well characterized.

The Tei index identifies a differential effect on left and right ventricular function with low-dose anthracycline chemotherapy.

Objective: We sought to study the relative effect on left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function of low-dose anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimes.

Methods: A total of 23 patients (mean age 48 +/- 20 years) underwent echocardiographic examinations before any anthracycline had been administered and then after low-dose anthracycline (doxorubicin 50-125 mg/m2). The Tei index was used to compare the relative effects on RV and LV function.

Increased expression of osteopontin contributes to the progression of prostate cancer.

Osteopontin is a secreted glycosylated phosphoprotein known to be involved in numerous physiologic functions and associated with the late stages of various cancers. We used preneoplastic and neoplastic mouse models of prostate cancer to determine the onset of elevated expression of osteopontin in the development of this disease. Osteopontin alterations occurred early in the disease with dysregulated expression observed in lesions of low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).

Association study and meta-analysis of low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein in Alzheimer's disease.

Genome scans in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) have revealed a possible susceptibility locus on chromosome 12. The low density lipoprotein receptor related protein (LRP1) gene lies within this area of linkage. Eighteen previous AD case-control studies have investigated the C766T polymorphism in LRP1 with conflicting results, including a protective effect on AD of the T allele, an increased susceptibility towards AD with both the C and T alleles, or no association at all.

Hematopoietic cells and osteoblasts are derived from a common marrow progenitor after bone marrow transplantation.

Bone and bone marrow are closely aligned physiologic compartments, suggesting that these tissues may represent a single functional unit with a common bone marrow progenitor that gives rise to both osteoblasts and hematopoietic cells. Although reports of multilineage engraftment by a single marrow-derived stem cell support this idea, more recent evidence has challenged claims of stem cell transdifferentiation and therefore the existence of a multipotent hematopoietic/osteogenic progenitor cell. Using a repopulation assay in mice, we show here that gene-marked, transplantable marrow cells from the plastic-nonadherent population can generate both functional osteoblasts/osteocytes and hematopoietic cells.

Cost-benefit analysis of an integrated approach to reduce psychosocial trauma following neurosurgery compared with standard care: two-year prospective comparative study of enhanced specialist liaison nurse service for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH) patients and carers.

Background: Dysfunctional psychosocial stress often follows standard treatment for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH). An enhanced Specialist Liaison Nurse (SLN) service sought to reduce this stress in a 2-year comparative prospective study, and was designed to determine if such a service would be cost-effective?

Method: Clinical data based on consultant notes, included Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and high-risk bleed score. Psychosocial outcomes used a standardized patient/carer designed questionnaire to compare outcomes of the SLN cohort (n = 184) with retrospective 18/12 control ASAH cohort (n = 142).

Comparison of cohorts of elective and emergency neurosurgical patients: psychosocial outcomes of acoustic neuroma and aneurysmal sub arachnoid hemorrhage patients and carers.

Objectives: To compare the psychosocial outcomes of cohorts of elective [Acoustic Neuroma (AN)] and emergency [Aneu-rysmal Sub Arachnoid Hemorrhage (ASAH)] Neurosurgical patients and carers.

Methods: The standardized Wessex Patient Carer Questionnaire was designed with patients and carers and provided psychosocial and economic outcome data following elective or emergency surgery. Clinical data on size of tumor and size of bleed, respectively, were extracted from Consultant notes.