Is the Glycoprotein Responsible for the Differences in Dispersal Rates between Lettuce Necrotic Yellows Virus Subgroups?

is a type of species in the genus and appears to be endemic to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). The population of lettuce necrotic yellows virus (LNYV) is made up of two subgroups, SI and SII. Previous studies demonstrated that SII appears to be outcompeting SI and suggested that SII may have greater vector transmission efficiency and/or higher replication rate in its host plant or insect vector.

Leaf Stable Isotope and Nutrient Status of Temperate Mangroves As Ecological Indicators to Assess Anthropogenic Activity and Recovery from Eutrophication.

We measured nitrogen stable isotope values (δN), and total phosphorus (%P) and total nitrogen (%N) contents in leaves of the temperate mangrove ( sp. ) from three coastal ecosystems exposed to various levels of human impact (Manukau, high; Mangawhai, low; and Waitemata, intermediate) in northern New Zealand. We measured δN values around 10‰ in environments where the major terrestrial water inputs are sewage.

Surviving in a semi-marine habitat: Dietary salt exposure and salt secretion of a New Zealand intertidal skink.

Species that inhabit marine and intertidal ecosystems face osmoregulatory challenges, risking dehydration and increased ion concentrations in the body. Lizards need to either tolerate or regulate these increased ion concentrations. In this study, we aim to understand how Suter's skink (Oligosoma suteri), an intertidal skink restricted to shoreline habitats, is able to cope with the physiological stress of living in an extreme salt environment.

Ghrelin promotes intestinal epithelial cell proliferation through PI3K/Akt pathway and EGFR trans-activation both converging to ERK 1/2 phosphorylation.

Little is known about ghrelin's effects on intestinal epithelial cells even though it is known to be a mitogen for a variety of other cell types. Because ghrelin is released in close proximity to the proliferative compartment of the intestinal tract, we hypothesized that ghrelin may have potent pro-proliferative effect on intestinal epithelial cells as well. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the effects of ghrelin on FHs74Int and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cell lines in vitro.

Implementation of an enhanced recovery programme following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objectives: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods: Patients undergoing PD were managed according to an ERAS protocol. Outcome measures included postoperative mortality, morbidity, hospitalization and 30-day readmission rate.

Hospital volume and patient outcomes after cholecystectomy in Scotland: retrospective, national population based study.

Objectives: To define associations between hospital volume and outcomes following cholecystectomy, after adjustment for case mix using a national database.

Design: Retrospective, national population based study using multilevel modelling and simulation.

Setting: Locally validated administrative dataset covering all NHS hospitals in Scotland.

Homo sapiens systemic RNA interference-defective-1 transmembrane family member 1 (SIDT1) protein mediates contact-dependent small RNA transfer and microRNA-21-driven chemoresistance.

Locally initiated RNA interference (RNAi) has the potential for spatial propagation, inducing posttranscriptional gene silencing in distant cells. In Caenorhabditis elegans, systemic RNAi requires a phylogenetically conserved transmembrane channel, SID-1. Here, we show that a human SID-1 orthologue, SIDT1, facilitates rapid, contact-dependent, bidirectional small RNA transfer between human cells, resulting in target-specific non-cell-autonomous RNAi.

Giant haemangioma of the liver: observation or resection?

Background: Haemangiomata are the most frequent benign solid liver lesion. The management of giant (> or =5 cm) haemangiomata of the liver remains controversial.

Methods: A search of relevant peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed and original articles were reviewed.

Systematic review of postdischarge oral nutritional supplementation in patients undergoing GI surgery.

Objective: To determine whether nutritional supplementation following hospital discharge in patients who undergo gastrointestinal (GI) surgery is beneficial in specific outcome measures.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted of randomized controlled trials comparing nutritional supplements vs a "standard care" regimen given to patients following discharge from hospital after GI surgery. Outcome measures were weight change, quality of life, clinical complications, fatigue, and hand grip strength.

Exogenous ghrelin modulates release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated macrophages through distinct signaling pathways.

Background: Ghrelin, an orexigenic 28-amino-acid peptide, has been studied primarily in relation to the control of appetite and fat metabolism. In addition to these well-known functions, ghrelin, and its target receptors, growth hormone secretagogue receptors (GHS-Rs), have been localized to neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages, which suggests that ghrelin may be involved in immune modulation.

Methods: To assess the therapeutic role of ghrelin in production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, the effects of exogenous ghrelin administration on the regulation of cytokine release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine RAW 264.

RRM2 induces NF-kappaB-dependent MMP-9 activation and enhances cellular invasiveness.

Ribonucleotide reductase is a dimeric enzyme that catalyzes conversion of ribonucleotide 5'-diphosphates to their 2'-deoxynucleotide forms, a rate-limiting step in the production of 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates required for DNA synthesis. The ribonucleotide reductase M2 subunit (RRM2) is a determinant of malignant cellular behavior in a range of human cancers. We examined the effect of RRM2 overexpression on pancreatic adenocarcinoma cellular invasiveness and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcription factor activity.

RNA interference demonstrates a novel role for integrin-linked kinase as a determinant of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell gemcitabine chemoresistance.

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) facilitates signal transduction between extracellular events and important intracellular survival pathways involving protein kinase B/Akt. We examined the role of ILK in determining pancreatic adenocarcinoma cellular chemoresistance to the nucleoside analogue gemcitabine. Cellular ILK expression was quantified by Western blot analysis.

RNA interference: a mammalian SID-1 homologue enhances siRNA uptake and gene silencing efficacy in human cells.

SID-1 is a transmembrane protein that mediates systemic RNA interference in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we show that the mammalian SID-1 homologue FLJ20174 localizes to the cell membrane of human cells and enhances their uptake of small interfering RNA (siRNA), resulting in increased siRNA-mediated gene silencing efficacy. This is the first demonstration to show that overexpression of a membrane protein enhances siRNA internalization in mammalian cells.

Glucagon-like peptide 2 is an endogenous mediator of postresection intestinal adaptation.

Background: After massive small bowel resection, the remnant intestine undergoes compensatory adaptation. We tested the hypothesis that glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an endogenous mediator of postresection intestinal adaptation.

Methods: Rats were allocated to 1 of 4 groups: groups 1 and 2 rats underwent mid-small bowel transection and reanastomosis; groups 3 and 4 rats underwent 75% mid-small bowel resection and reanastomosis.

CEACAM6 is a novel biomarker in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and PanIN lesions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that CEACAM6 expression is an indicator of adverse pathologic features and clinical outcome in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Summary Background Data: Previously, we have demonstrated carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) to be an oncoprotein that plays an important role in the biology of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Suppression of CEACAM6 expression reduces tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo.

Prostaglandin E2 enhances pancreatic cancer invasiveness through an Ets-1-dependent induction of matrix metalloproteinase-2.

Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the pathogenesis of a wide range of malignancies. Here we tested the hypothesis that the COX-2 product prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) increases cellular invasive potential by inducing matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression and activity through an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/Ets-1-dependent mechanism in pancreatic cancer. PANC-1 and MIAPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with PGE(2) or rofecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor.