"Language Breathes Life"-Barngarla Community Perspectives on the Wellbeing Impacts of Reclaiming a Dormant Australian Aboriginal Language.

Traditional languages are a key element of Indigenous peoples' identity, cultural expression, autonomy, spiritual and intellectual sovereignty, and wellbeing. While the links between Indigenous language loss and poor mental health have been demonstrated in several settings, little research has sought to identify the potential psychological benefits that may derive from language reclamation. The revival of the Barngarla language on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, offers a unique opportunity to examine whether improvements in mental health and social and emotional wellbeing can occur during and following the language reclamation process.

Binaural Loudness Constancy.

In binaural loudness summation, diotic presentation of a sound usually produces greater loudness than monaural presentation. However, experiments using loudspeaker presentation with and without earplugs find that magnitude estimates of loudness are little altered by the earplug, suggesting a form of loudness constancy. We explored the significance of controlling stimulation of the second ear using meatal occlusion as opposed to the deactivation of one earphone.

Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of the MSLN gene products, mesothelin and megakaryocyte potentiating factor, as biomarkers for mesothelioma in pleural effusions and serum.

The MSLN gene products, soluble mesothelin and megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), are being investigated as biomarkers for the asbestos-related cancer malignant mesothelioma (MM). Pleural fluid biomarkers of MM can be elevated when serum levels remain normal. The aim of this study was to determine if this was true for MPF and to compare levels of mesothelin.

Does CA125 binding to mesothelin impact the detection of malignant mesothelioma?

The biomarker mesothelin is a useful diagnostic tool in malignant mesothelioma (MM) patients. It has high specificity but a sensitivity of only 50%. As mesothelin binds CA125, and as CA125 is often elevated in MM, we asked whether this binding affected measurable mesothelin levels in a relevant clinical setting.

mLin-7 is localized to the basolateral surface of renal epithelia via its NH(2) terminus.

In Caenorhabditis elegans, the basolateral localization of the Let-23 growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase requires the expression of three genes: lin-2, lin-7, and lin-10. Mammalian homologs of these three genes have been identified, and a complex of their protein products exists in mammalian neurons. In this paper, we examine the interaction of these mammalian proteins in renal epithelia.

Asterriquinones produced by Aspergillus candidus inhibit binding of the Grb-2 adapter to phosphorylated EGF receptor tyrosine kinase.

Five new asterriquinone analogs (2-4, 6, 7), together with previously identified neoasterriquinone (1) and isoasterriquinone (5), were isolated from a fermentation broth of the fungus Aspergillus candidus and purified by HSCCC (high speed counter current chromatography) followed by HPLC. The structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR and MS/MS techniques. All seven showed inhibitory activity against the binding of a recombinant protein containing the SH2 protein domain of Grb-2 to the tyrosine phosphorylated form of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase.

Endotoxin-stimulated monocytes release multiple forms of IL-1 beta, including a proIL-1 beta form whose detection is affected by export.

The processing and release of 31-kDa proIL-1 beta to the mature 17-kDa form of IL-1 beta are still poorly understood. To help elucidate the mechanisms involved in IL-1 beta processing and release, we measured IL-1 beta forms released from endotoxin-stimulated monocytes by immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled protein, by Western blots, and by our recently developed ELISA specific for proIL-1 beta. Our studies demonstrate that in addition to the 17-kDa mature IL-1 beta, IL-1 beta is also released as 31-, 28-, and 3-kDa molecules.

Expression of Grb7 growth factor receptor signaling protein in kidney development and in adult kidney.

Grb7, a signaling protein whose physiological function is unknown, binds receptor tyrosine kinases important for normal kidney development. By investigating and correlating Grb7 gene expression with that reported for Grb7-binding receptors, we provide clues to Grb7 function(s). RT-PCR and immunoblot were used to demonstrate Grb7 gene and protein expression in the mature kidney.

IL-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) is present and functional in human alveolar macrophages: macrophage IL-1 beta release limitation is ICE independent.

Tissue macrophages readily produce intracellular pro-IL-1beta in response to stimuli such as LPS, but are limited in mature IL-1beta release compared with blood monocytes. The mechanism of this IL-1beta control may provide important insights into the physiology of IL-1beta at the tissue level. Since it has been hypothesized that IL-1beta processing by the IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE) regulates IL-1beta release, we compared human alveolar macrophages and human blood monocytes for relative ICE expression and activation.

Skeletal changes in multiparous, nulliparous and ovariectomized mice fed either a nutrient-sufficient or -deficient diet containing cadmium.

As a simulation of the etiological factors known for Itai-Itai disease, a syndrome characterized by osteomalacia and renal dysfunction in its Japanese victims, female mice were subjected to the individual and combined stresses of dietary cadmium, nutrient-deficient diet, multiparity and ovariectomy; the calcium-depleting effect of each factor was evaluated by determining Ca levels in femur and lumbar vertebrae. At age 68 days, female mice were given nutrient-sufficient (+) or -deficient (-), purified diets containing either 0.25 (environmental), 5, or 50 ppm Cd as CdCl2; the nutritional composition of (-) diet simulated that of food consumed by Japanese victims of Itai-Itai disease.

The combination of endotoxin and dexamethasone induces type II interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1r II) in monocytes: a comparison to interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra).

Soluble type II interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1r II) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) regulate inflammation by competitively inhibiting the binding of IL-1 beta to the signalling IL-1 receptor. In addition, glucocorticoids also regulate IL-1 beta by suppressing gene transcription. More recently, glucocorticoids have been shown to increase soluble IL-1r II concentrations, which may contribute to their anti-inflammatory properties.