Oncology Nursing Symptom Science: Overview of the NINR, ONS, and NCI Symptom Science Colloquium.

This article provides an overview of the process, development, and evaluation of the Symptom Science Colloquium sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research, Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), and National Cancer Institute. This colloquium was the first of its kind to leverage the common goals of these institutes to advance oncology symptom science. Specifically, this article will identify the goals of the agencies involved and synergy in forming this collaboration, review the ONS Research Agenda that provided the blueprint for the colloquium, and offer insights and lessons learned to be used for future planning.

P. falciparum modulates erythroblast cell gene expression in signaling and erythrocyte production pathways.

Global, genomic responses of erythrocytes to infectious agents have been difficult to measure because these cells are e-nucleated. We have previously demonstrated that in vitro matured, nucleated erythroblast cells at the orthochromatic stage can be efficiently infected by the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We now show that infection of orthochromatic cells induces change in 609 host genes.

The host targeting motif in exported Plasmodium proteins is cleaved in the parasite endoplasmic reticulum.

During the blood stage of its lifecycle, the malaria parasite resides and replicates inside a membrane vacuole within its host cell, the human erythrocyte. The parasite exports many proteins across the vacuole membrane and into the host cell cytoplasm. Most exported proteins are characterized by the presence of a host targeting (HT) motif, also referred to as a Plasmodium export element (PEXEL), which corresponds to the consensus sequence RxLxE/D/Q.

Stage-specific susceptibility of human erythroblasts to Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection.

Malaria parasites are known to invade and develop in erythrocytes and reticulocytes, but little is known about their infection of nucleated erythroid precursors. We used an in vitro cell system that progressed through basophilic, polychromatic, orthochromatic, and reticulocyte stages to mature erythrocytes. We show that orthochromatic cells are the earliest stages that may be invaded by Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of fatal human malaria.

An erythrocyte vesicle protein exported by the malaria parasite promotes tubovesicular lipid import from the host cell surface.

Plasmodium falciparum is the protozoan parasite that causes the most virulent of human malarias. The blood stage parasites export several hundred proteins into their host erythrocyte that underlie modifications linked to major pathologies of the disease and parasite survival in the blood. Unfortunately, most are 'hypothetical' proteins of unknown function, and those that are essential for parasitization of the erythrocyte cannot be 'knocked out'.

Chemosensitizing action of cepharanthine against drug-resistant human malaria, Plasmodium falciparum.

We have established a system of in vitro and in vivo assays to prioritize plant extracts that can serve as a source of drug candidates for the treatment of malaria, an infectious disease that affects nearly 40% of the world's population. In the present study, we have investigated the biological potential of one such plant-derived drug lead, cepharanthine. In vitro growth inhibition studies indicated this compound possessed good antiplasmodial activity without mediating a cytotoxic response.

Biologically active alkylated coumarins from Kayea assamica.

Four coumarin derivatives, theraphins A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4), along with three known xanthones, 2-hydroxyxanthone, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, and 5-hydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone, were isolated from the bark of Kayea assamica (Clusiaceae) native to Myanmar. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic and chemical techniques. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by the modified Mosher ester method.

Antimalarial agents from plants. III. Trichothecenes from Ficus fistulosa and Rhaphidophora decursiva.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract prepared from the dried leaves and stem barks of Ficus fistulosa Reinw. ex Blume (Moraceae) led to the isolation of verrucarin L acetate (1), together with 3alpha-hydroxyisohop-22(29)-en-24-oic acid, 3beta-gluco-sitosterol, 3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisocarbostyril, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol, alpha-methyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, palmanine, and aurantiamide acetate. Roridin E (2) was identified in a subfraction from the dried leaves and stems of Rhaphidophora decursiva Schott (Araceae).

Natural anti-HIV agents-part I: (+)-demethoxyepiexcelsin and verticillatol from Litsea verticillata.

The eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, verticillatol (1), as well as the lignan, (+)-5'-demethoxyepiexcelsin (2), and a known lignan, (+)-epiexcelsin (3), were isolated from Litsea verticillata Hance. Lignan 2 showed moderate anti-HIV activity with an IC(50) value of 16.4 microg/ml (42.