Assessing sexual assault survivors' access to emergency contraception: results from a mixed methods study in South Carolina.

Background: Provision of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) is widely recognized as the standard of care to prevent pregnancy after a sexual assault. However, previous research has shown that hospitals do not routinely counsel sexual assault patients about or provide sexual assault survivors with ECPs or accurate referrals.

Methods: We undertook a mixed methods study to assess policies and practices regarding the provision of ECPs for sexual assault survivors in South Carolina.

Reduction of hyaluronan-CD44-mediated growth, migration, and cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer due to inhibition of Rho kinase and PI-3 kinase signaling.

Objectives: To investigate whether hyaluronan (HA), a ligand for the transmembrane receptor CD44, and CD44, which acts through multiple signaling pathways to influence cellular behavior, promote Rho kinase- and phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI-3) kinase-mediated oncogenic signaling to alter cisplatin sensitivity and stimulate tumor cell proliferation, migration, and matrix metalloproteinase secretion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Design: Laboratory investigation using the HNSCC cell line HSC-3.

Setting: University laboratory.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional response of drug-metabolizing enzymes to PAHs contamination in red mullet (Mullus barbatus, Linnaeus, 1758): a field study.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) liver detoxification enzymes to PAHs at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in the field. Fish were captured in the north-eastern Adriatic Sea, close to an oil refinery. Sixteen PAHs (EPA) were determined in sediments and fish fillets; transcription levels of cyp1a, cyp3a and abcc2 genes and EROD, BROD, B(a)PMO, BFCOD, GST and UDPGT enzymatic activities were measured.

Analysis of 21 X-chromosomal STRs in an Algerian population sample.

Twenty-one X-chromosomal short tandem repeat loci, including the six clusters of linked markers DXS10148-DXS10135-DXS8378 (Xp22), DXS7132-DXS10074-DXS10079 (Xq12), DXS6801-DXS6809-DXS6789 (Xq21), DXS7424-DXS101 (Xq22), DXS10103-HPRTB-DXS10101 (Xq26), DXS8377-DXS10146-DXS10134-DXS7423-DXS10011 (Xq28), and the loci DXS6800 and GATA172D05 were typed in a northwestern Algerian population sample (n = 210; 104 men and 106 women). Allele and haplotype frequencies were calculated. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was observed between pairs of loci within clusters of linked markers.

Hypercholesterolemia promotes bone marrow cell mobilization by perturbing the SDF-1:CXCR4 axis.

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with elevated peripheral blood leukocytes and increased platelet levels, generally attributed to cholesterol-induced proinflammatory cytokines. Bone marrow (BM) cell mobilization and platelet production is achieved by disrupting the SDF-1:CXCR4 axis, namely with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and/or CXCR4 antagonists. Here we show that high cholesterol disrupts the BM SDF-1:CXCR4 axis; promotes the mobilization of B cells, neutrophils, and progenitor cells (HPCs); and creates thrombocytosis.

[Atypical vascular tumors of the gastrointestinal tract: four uncommon cases].

Aim: A small but significant percentage of vascular tumors may develop at extracutaneous location. They are difficult to detect on the physical exam and usually they require immediate intervention. Pediatric surgeons must have acknowledge of its prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Lymphangioma-like Kaposi sarcoma: case report.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal vascular disease with uncertain histogenesis. It is characterized by clinical and histologic polymorphism. The "lymphangioma-like" variant is very uncommon, accounting for less than 5% of all cases.

Transcription dynamics in a physiological process: β-catenin signaling directs liver metabolic zonation.

The liver displays a remarkable phenomenon known as metabolic zonation. Highly specialized hepatocytes fulfill different metabolic functions that depend on their position along the porto-central axis, distinguishing "periportal" hepatocytes from "pericentral" hepatocytes. The mechanisms by which zonation is established have been extensively investigated since its initial discovery.

Human apolipoprotein A-II determines plasma triglycerides by regulating lipoprotein lipase activity and high-density lipoprotein proteome.

Introduction: Apolipoprotein (apo) A-II is the second most abundant high-density lipoprotein (HDL) apolipoprotein. We assessed the mechanism involved in the altered postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism of female human apoA-II-transgenic mice (hapoA-II-Tg mice), which results in up to an 11-fold increase in plasma triglyceride concentration. The relationships between apoA-II, HDL composition, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were also analyzed in a group of normolipidemic women.

Adiponectin, IL-10 and metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common basis for the development of atherogenic cardiovascular disease. Adiponectin has been demonstrated to be insulin-sensitizing and an anti-atherogenic factor and is considered a key ofMetS. It was suggested that IL-10 may be involved in the inflammatory network of MetS in relation to adiponectin.

Plant polyphenol intake alters gene expression in canine leukocytes.

Background/aims: Polyphenol compounds may explain most of the health-related beneficial effects of plants and vegetables, mainly through their antioxidant properties. The aim of the study was to assess the main changes on leukocyte gene expression of dogs caused by intake of three natural polyphenol-rich extracts and to compare them with caloric restriction.

Methods: 20 female dogs were divided into 5 groups: control fed ad libitum (C), caloric-restricted to 30% less than control (CR), and 3 groups fed ad libitum supplemented with citrus extract (CE), green tea extract (GTE) or grape seed extract (GSE).

Parenchymal and vascular lesions in ageing equine brains: histological and immunohistochemical studies.

Many age-related changes are described in the nervous system of different species, but detailed studies of brain lesions in ageing horses are lacking. The aim of the present study was to systematically characterize lesions in the brains of 60 horses aged from 7 to 23 years. No gross changes were present in any brain.

Effect of breed on body composition and comparison between various methods to estimate body composition in dogs.

The objectives of this clinical study were firstly, to assess the effects of breed/genetic group on body composition in dogs using Dual-X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as the reference method and secondly, to check, in clinical field conditions, if methods easy to apply in veterinary practice [bioelectrical impedance (BIA), morphometric equations, body condition score and body mass index] can give similar body composition results to DEXA results, using canine breeds with very different genetic and morphologic backgrounds. 19 dogs from 6 breeds with different genetic origin were used. Results showed that breed differences exist regarding body composition in dogs.

Chromosome instability in a patient with recurrent abortions.

Chromosomal aberrations are one of the recognized possible etiologic genetic causes of recurrent spontaneous abortions. Increased chromosome instability without constitutional chromosome abnormalities is uncommon in these couples. In this work we present a non consanguineous healthy couple with recurrent abortions without constitutional chromosome aberrations in which spontaneous and induced chromosome aberrations were observed in the female.