Into Inclusion: Increasing Trans-Inclusive Practices with Behavior Analysis.

Unlabelled: Promoting an inclusive culture can be critical to the progression of diverse groups. Practicing inclusive behavior is one important step toward fostering inclusion. Applied behavior analysis can contribute much to this topic given its use of practical methods to encourage socially significant behavior change (Baer et al.

LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and applied behavior analysis: A call to action.

The term conversion therapy refers to any practices intended to alter a person's sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or any combination thereof. The present-day scientific consensus is that such practices are not only ineffective, but highly harmful and fundamentally unethical. However, historical connections exist between applied behavior analysis and the design and dissemination of conversion therapy practices.

Comparing the results of one-session, two-session, and three-session MSWO preference assessments.

The multiple-stimulus-without-replacement (MSWO) preference assessment is commonly used in behavior-analytic research and practice. As originally published, the MSWO included 5 sessions in an effort to confirm stimulus preferences. Subsequent researchers have evaluated the validity of MSWO outcomes when the assessment is abbreviated.

Assessment and treatment of response to name for children with autism spectrum disorder: Toward an efficient intervention model.

Response to name (RTN) is an early developmental milestone, deficits in which are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study extends previous research by evaluating an assessment and treatment model for RTN with 13 children with ASD. For all participants, phase 1 was a naturalistic social baseline.

PML-RAR alpha induces the downmodulation of HHEX: a key event responsible for the induction of an angiogenetic response.

Background: Recent studies indicate that angiogenesis is important in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). Among the various AMLs, the bone marrow angiogenetic response is particularly pronounced in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this angiogenetic response are largely unknown.

Autocrine role of angiopoietins during megakaryocytic differentiation.

The tyrosine kinase Tie-2 and its ligands Angiopoietins (Angs) transduce critical signals for angiogenesis in endothelial cells. This receptor and Ang-1 are coexpressed in hematopoietic stem cells and in a subset of megakaryocytes, though a possible role of angiopoietins in megakaryocytic differentiation/proliferation remains to be demonstrated. To investigate a possible effect of Ang-1/Ang-2 on megakaryocytic proliferation/differentiation we have used both normal CD34(+) cells induced to megakaryocytic differentiation and the UT7 cells engineered to express the thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR, also known as c-mpl, UT7/mpl).

CDDO-Im is a stimulator of megakaryocytic differentiation.

Although the triterpene CDDO and its potent derivatives, CDDO-Im and CDDO-Me, are now in phase I/II studies in the treatment of some pathological conditions, their effects on normal hematopoiesis are not known. In the present study we provide evidence that CDDO-Im exerts in vitro a potent inhibitory effect on erythroid cell proliferation and survival and a stimulatory action on megakaryocytic differentiation. The effect of CDDO-Im on erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation was evaluated both on normal hemopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) induced to selective erythroid (E) or megakaryocytic (Mk) differentiation and on erythroleukemic cell lines HEL and TF1.

Primary ovarian cancer cells are sensitive to the proaptotic effects of proteasome inhibitors.

Resistance of tumors to cell death signals poses a complex clinical problem. In the present study, we have explored the capacity of proteasome inhibitors to induce cell death of ovarian cancer cells. We explored the sensitivity of primary ovarian cancer cells to a combination of bortezomib (also known as PS-341), a proteasome inhibitor and TRAIL, a death ligand, or mapatumumab or lexatumumab, TRAIL-R1 or TRAIL-R2 targeting agonist monoclonal antibodies, respectively.

Triterpenoids as new promising anticancer drugs.

Triterpenoids are structurally diverse organic compounds, characterized by a basic backbone modified in multiple ways, allowing the formation of more than 20 000 naturally occurring triterpenoid varieties. Several triterpenoids, including ursolic and oleanolic acid, betulinic acid, celastrol, pristimerin, lupeol, and avicins possess antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. To improve antitumor activity, some synthetic triterpenoid derivatives have been synthesized, including cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9 (11)-dien-28-oic (CDDO), its methyl ester (CDDO-Me), and imidazolide (CDDO-Im) derivatives.

High sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to the synthetic triterpenoid CDDO-Imidazolide.

In the present study we have explored the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to the synthetic triterpenoid CDDO-Imidazolide (CDDO-Im). For these studies we have used the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line and its chemoresistant derivatives A2780/ADR and A2780/CISP, OVCAR3, SKOV3 and HEY cancer cell lines and primary ovarian cancer cells, providing evidence that: (i) the majority of these cell lines are highly sensitive to the pro-apoptotic effects induced by CDDO-Im; (ii) TRAIL, added alone exerted only a weak proapoptotic, but clearly potentiated the cytotoxic effect elicited by CDDO-Im; (iii) the apoptotic effect induced by CDDO-Im involves GSH depletion, c-FLIP downmodulation and caspase-8 activation; (iv) CDDO-Im inhibits STAT3 activation and CDDO-Im sensitivity is inversely related to the level of constitutive STAT3 activation. Importantly, studies on primary ovarian cancer cells have shown that these cells are sensitive to the pro-apoptotic effects of CDDO-Im.

A small molecule Smac mimic potentiates TRAIL-mediated cell death of ovarian cancer cells.

Objectives: Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of death in women and development of new therapies is essential. Second mitochondria derived activator of caspase (Smac) has been described to sensitize for apoptosis. We have explored the proapoptotic activity of a small molecule mimic of Smac/DIABLO on ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 cells and its chemoresistant derivatives A2780/ADR and A2780/DDP), cancer cell lines and in primary ovarian cancer cells.

Proteasome inhibitors sensitize ovarian cancer cells to TRAIL induced apoptosis.

In the present study we have explored the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to TRAIL and proteasome inhibitors. Particularly, we have explored the capacity of proteasome inhibitors to bypass TRAIL resistance of ovarian cancer cells. For these studies we have used the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line and its chemoresistant derivatives A2780/DDP and A2780/ADR, providing evidence that: (i) the three cell lines are either scarcely sensitive (A2780 and A2780/ADR) or moderately sensitive (A2780/DDP) to the cytotoxic effects of TRAIL; (ii) the elevated c-FLIP expression observed in ovarian cancer cells is a major determinant of TRAIL resistance of these cells; (iii) proteasome inhibitors (PS-341 or MG132) are able to exert a significant pro-apoptotic effect and to greatly enhance the sensitivity of both chemosensitive and chemoresistant A2780 cells to TRAIL; (iv) proteasome inhibitors damage mitochondria through stabilization of BH3-only proteins, Bax and caspase activation and significantly enhance TRAIL-R2 expression; (v) TRAIL-R2, but not TRAIL-R1, mediates the apoptotic effects of TRAIL on ovarian cancer cells.

Helicobacter pylori in patients with gastric and nongastric cancer.

Objectives: To compare the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in gastric and nongastric carcinoma patients and to investigate the relationship between H. pylori, gastric cancer site, and histological type.

Methods: In a 24-month period, 307 gastric cancer patients (male/female: 185/122; age range 19-94 yr, mean 69 yr) were investigated by serology (IgG to H.

Role of rectal formulations: enemas.

Clinical experience with mesalazine enemas in the treatment of ulcerative colitis is reviewed. After rectal administration, plasma mesalazine levels remain low, and 15% of the administered dose is recovered in the urine. Enemas containing 2 and 4 g of mesalazine have been shown to be effective, safe, and well tolerated by patients with mild and moderate ulcerative colitis.

A double-blind comparative trial of dihydroxydibutylether in patients with cholesterol gallstones.

In a double-blind crossover design we compared dihydroxydibutylether (DHBE) with placebo in ten patients with cholesterol gallstones. The results showed that DHBE reduced (p less than 0.01) the bile saturation index (SI).

Treatment of constipation with chenodeoxycholic acid.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the cathartic effect of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) could be helpful in the management of chronic constipation. Twenty cholesterol gall-stone patients with chronic constipation were randomly treated with either CDCA (750 mg/day in three divided doses at meals) or placebo for a period of 4 weeks. The administration of CDCA produced a significant increase of stool frequency and a decrease of stool consistency, while placebo was not effective in improving the bowel habit of the patients.