Evaluation of Diverse Health Professionals' Learning Experience in a Continuing Education Activity for Quality Practices in Molecular Genetic Testing.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the responses of 3,265 health professionals who took a continuing education (CE) activity during June 2009 - April 2012 for a comprehensive set of good laboratory practice recommendations for molecular genetic testing.

Design: Participants completed an evaluation questionnaire as part of the CE activity. Responses were summarized to assess the participants' learning outcomes and commitment to applying the knowledge gained.

A non-pharmacologic approach to decrease restraint use.

Aims: To evaluate an education intervention to decrease restraint use in patients in a Trauma Intensive Care Unit (TICU) and to evaluate nurses' perceptions regarding restraints.

Objectives: To measure restraint use pre/post-intervention and to measure nurses' perceptions of restraint use.

Methods: Pre/post-intervention design to collate incidences of delirium and restraints pre/post-intervention.

Changes in matrix protein biochemistry and the expression of mRNA encoding matrix proteins and metalloproteinases in posterior tibialis tendinopathy.

Objectives: Adult-acquired flat foot secondary to a dysfunctional posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) is often treated by surgical transfer of the flexor digitorum longus tendon (FDLT). In this study, the authors compared normal PTT, stage II dysfunctional PTT and replacement FDLT, aiming to define changes in collagen modification, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the expression of matrix and metalloproteinase mRNA.

Methods: Normal PTTs were obtained from patients with no history of tendon problems.

The activity of a designer tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 against native membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in a cell-based environment.

The surface-anchored membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) degrades a wide range of extracellular matrix components that includes collagens, laminins, fibronectin and the structural proteoglycan aggrecan. The enzyme modulates cell motility and plays an important role in tumour invasion and proliferation. We have previously designed a variant of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 bearing a triple mutation (V4A+P6V+T98L, or N-TIMP-1(mt1)) that forms tight binary complex with the soluble catalytic domain of MT1-MMP [M.

The regulation of aggrecanase ADAMTS-4 expression in human Achilles tendon and tendon-derived cells.

Several members of the ADAMTS (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs) family have been identified as aggrecanases, whose substrates include versican, the principal large proteoglycan in the tendon extracellular matrix. We have characterized the expression of ADAMTS-4 in human Achilles tendon and tendon-derived cells. ADAMTS-4 mRNA levels were higher in ruptured tendon compared with normal tendon or chronic painful tendinopathy.

Inhibition of interleukin-1beta-stimulated collagenase and stromelysin expression in human tendon fibroblasts by epigallocatechin gallate ester.

The medicinal benefits of green tea (Camellia sinensis) consumption have been attributed to bioavailable polyphenols, notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We have assessed the effects of EGCG and its non-esterified counterpart EGC on the expression of the collagenases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and -13, and the stromelysin, MMP-3, in human tendon-derived fibroblasts. Interleukin (IL)-1beta increased MMP-1, -3 and -13 mRNA and output at least 30-fold.

Ciprofloxacin enhances the stimulation of matrix metalloproteinase 3 expression by interleukin-1beta in human tendon-derived cells. A potential mechanism of fluoroquinolone-induced tendinopathy.

Objective: To determine whether the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which can cause tendon pain and rupture in a proportion of treated patients, affects the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human tendon-derived cells in culture.

Methods: Cell cultures were derived from 6 separate tendon explants, and were incubated in 6-well culture plates for 2 periods of 48 hours each, with ciprofloxacin (or DMSO in controls) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), alone and in combination. Samples of supernatant medium from the second 48-hour incubation were assayed for MMPs 1, 2, and 3 by Western blotting.

Matrix metalloproteinase activities and their relationship with collagen remodelling in tendon pathology.

Our aim was to correlate the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with denaturation and the turnover of collagen in normal and pathological human tendons. MMPs were extracted from ruptured supraspinatus tendons (n=10), macroscopically normal ("control") supraspinatus tendons (n=29) and normal short head of biceps brachii tendons (n=24). Enzyme activity was measured using fluorogenic substrates selective for MMP-1, MMP-3 and enzymes with gelatinolytic activity (MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13).