Retinoids augment the expression of podocyte proteins by glomerular parietal epithelial cells in experimental glomerular disease.

Background/aims: A decrease in glomerular podocyte number in membranous nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) ultimately underlines glomerulosclerosis and the decrease in kidney function. Recent studies have shown that in these diseases, glomerular parietal epithelial cells begin to express proteins considered unique to podocytes, and that these glomerular epithelial transition cells might serve as podocyte progenitors. Because retinoids improve many forms of experimental glomerular disease characterized by podocyte injury and loss, we asked if all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces parietal epithelial cells to express podocyte proteins.

New mothers' interest in web-based health promotion: association with healthcare barriers, risk status, and user characteristics.

Objective: Our first aim was to assess the contributions of health-related risks, barriers to healthcare, and user characteristics to new mothers' interest in two Web-based health programs: postpartum weight loss or parenting advice. Our second aim was to determine if the preceding proximal variables diminished associations of income level with interest in Web-based health programs.

Subjects And Methods: A mail survey of a stratified random sample was conducted with a resulting analytic sample that included 121 white/Anglo, African American, or Hispanic women of higher and lower income.

Providing care for women with gynaecological malignancy: the need for a coordinated national approach.

Gynaecological cancer services in New Zealand have followed an evolutionary process rather than being centrally organised according to evidence on best practice. A report was recently commissioned by the Ministry of Health to review gynaecological cancer services and to provide guidance on the most efficient and effective way to delivery high quality, equitable care for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers. It is apparent the sustainability of current services is compromised by disparities in access to evidence-based multidisciplinary care, significant workforce shortages and a lack of standardised formal referral protocols.

Brefeldin A-inhibited ADP-ribosylation factor activator BIG2 regulates cell migration via integrin β1 cycling and actin remodeling.

Brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein (BIG)2 activates ADP-ribosylation factors, ∼20-kDa GTPase proteins critical for continuity of intracellular vesicular trafficking by accelerating the replacement of ADP-ribosylation factor-bound GDP with GTP. Mechanisms of additional BIG2 function(s) are less clear. Here, the participation of BIG2 in integrin β1 cycling through actin dynamics during cell migration was identified using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and difference gel electrophoresis analyses.

Homologous RXLR effectors from Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis and Phytophthora sojae suppress immunity in distantly related plants.

Diverse pathogens secrete effector proteins into plant cells to manipulate host cellular processes. Oomycete pathogens contain large complements of predicted effector genes defined by an RXLR host cell entry motif. The genome of Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa, downy mildew of Arabidopsis) contains at least 134 candidate RXLR effector genes.

Communication technologies and maternal interest in health-promotion information about postpartum weight and parenting practices.

Objective: To describe postpartum women's access, perceived skill, confidence, and use of Internet and mobile technologies; their views about receiving health information about postpartum weight and parenting; and whether these factors varied by race/ethnicity or income level.

Design: Health survey of a stratified random sample.

Setting: County in central Texas.

Changes in Affect and Drinking Outcomes in a Pharmacobehavioral Trial for Alcohol Dependence.

OBJECTIVE: Despite extensive research exploring affect in alcohol dependent individuals in recovery, empirical research on affective changes over the course of psychosocial treatment and their role on drinking outcomes has been minimal. The present study examined the relationship between changes in positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), and drinking outcomes during a pharmacobehavioral trial. METHOD: Data for these post-hoc exploratory analyses were derived from a clinical trial of 321 alcohol dependent male and female individuals.

Evolution in a centralized transfusion service.

The metropolitan Seattle area has utilized a centralized transfusion service model throughout the modern era of blood banking. This approach has used four laboratories to serve over 20 hospitals and clinics, providing greater capabilities for all at a lower consumption of resources than if each depended on its own laboratory and staff for these functions. In addition, this centralized model has facilitated wider use of the medical capabilities of the blood center's physicians, and a county-wide network of transfusion safety officers is now being developed to increase the impact of the blood center's transfusion expertise at the patient's bedside.

Effects of brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange (BIG) 1 and KANK1 proteins on cell polarity and directed migration during wound healing.

Brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein (BIG) 1 activates class I ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs) by accelerating the replacement of bound GDP with GTP to initiate recruitment of coat proteins for membrane vesicle formation. Among proteins that interact with BIG1, kinesin family member 21A (KIF21A), a plus-end-directed motor protein, moves cargo away from the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) on microtubules. Because KANK1, a protein containing N-terminal KN, C-terminal ankyrin-repeat, and intervening coiled-coil domains, has multiple actions in cells and also interacts with KIF21A, we explored a possible interaction between it and BIG1.

Retaining clients in an outcome monitoring evaluation study: HIV prevention efforts in community settings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) conducted outcome monitoring studies on evidence-based interventions (EBIs) provided by CDC-funded community-based organizations (CBOs). Critical to the success of outcome monitoring was the ability of CBOs to recruit and retain clients in evaluation studies. Two EBIs, Video Opportunities for Innovative Condom Education and Safer Sex (VOICES/VOCES) and Healthy Relationships, were evaluated using repeated measure studies, which require robust follow-up retention rates to increase the validity and usefulness of the findings.

Rapidly induced chemical defenses in maize stems and their effects on short-term growth of Ostrinia nubilalis.

Plants damaged by insect herbivory often respond by inducing a suite of defenses that can negatively affect an insect's growth and fecundity. Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer, ECB) is one of the most devastating insect pests of maize, and in the current study, we examined the early biochemical changes that occur in maize stems in response to ECB herbivory and how these rapidly induced defenses influence the growth of ECB. We measured the quantities of known maize defense compounds, benzoxazinoids and the kauralexin class of diterpenoid phytoalexins.

Novel acidic sesquiterpenoids constitute a dominant class of pathogen-induced phytoalexins in maize.

Nonvolatile terpenoid phytoalexins occur throughout the plant kingdom, but until recently were not known constituents of chemical defense in maize (Zea mays). We describe a novel family of ubiquitous maize sesquiterpenoid phytoalexins, termed zealexins, which were discovered through characterization of Fusarium graminearum-induced responses. Zealexins accumulate to levels greater than 800 μg g⁻¹ fresh weight in F.

Impact of motivational changes on drinking outcomes in pharmacobehavioral treatment for alcohol dependence.

Background: Psychological factors such as motivation to change and self-efficacy influence drinking outcomes in alcohol-dependent individuals who are enrolled in pharmacobehavioral studies. Previous results from our research clinic indicated that initial stage of change of heavy drinkers enrolled in a pharmacobehavioral trial was significantly associated with alcohol consumption. However, overall empirical findings regarding the consistency and extent of the connection between motivational factors and behavior are mixed.

Regulation of growth factor receptor degradation by ADP-ribosylation factor domain protein (ARD) 1.

ADP-ribosylation factor domain protein 1 (ARD1) is a 64-kDa protein containing a functional ADP-ribosylation factor (GTP hydrolase, GTPase), GTPase-activating protein, and E3 ubiquitin ligase domains. ARD1 activation by the guanine nucleotide-exchange factor cytohesin-1 was known. GTPase and E3 ligase activities of ARD1 suggest roles in protein transport and turnover.

Decreased hypersensitivity reactions with carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin compared to carboplatin-paclitaxel combination: analysis from the GCIG CALYPSO relapsing ovarian cancer trial.

Objective: To describe and analyze observed hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) from the randomized, multicenter phase III CALYPSO trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (CD) compared with standard carboplatin-paclitaxel (CP) in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (ROC).

Methods: HSR documented within case report forms and SAE reports were specifically analyzed. Analyses were based on the population with allergy of any grade and for grade >2 allergy.

Identity, regulation, and activity of inducible diterpenoid phytoalexins in maize.

Phytoalexins constitute a broad category of pathogen- and insect-inducible biochemicals that locally protect plant tissues. Because of their agronomic significance, maize and rice have been extensively investigated for their terpenoid-based defenses, which include insect-inducible monoterpene and sesquiterpene volatiles. Rice also produces a complex array of pathogen-inducible diterpenoid phytoalexins.

An aeroponic culture system for the study of root herbivory on Arabidopsis thaliana.

Background: Plant defense against herbivory has been studied primarily in aerial tissues. However, complex defense mechanisms have evolved in all parts of the plant to combat herbivore attack and these mechanisms are likely to differ in the aerial and subterranean environment. Research investigating defense responses belowground has been hindered by experimental difficulties associated with the accessibility and quality of root tissue and the lack of bioassays using model plants with altered defense profiles.

Symptomatic retethering of the spinal cord after section of a tight filum terminale.

Background: Section of a tight filum terminale is a minimally invasive procedure compared with cord untethering procedures used for more complex spinal abnormalities. Anecdotal evidence suggests, however, that the risk of symptomatic retethering resulting from scarring might be higher than previously thought.

Objective: To determine the frequency of symptomatic retethering after section of a tight filum terminale and to explore possible risk factors.

Factors associated with Australian and New Zealand oncologists' future work preferences.

Aim: To understand the factors associated with oncologists' work preferences to help future workforce planning.

Methods: In May 2008 a questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, Fellowship of Radiation Oncologists and the New Zealand Association of Cancer Specialists. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine if gender, age, specialist status or specialty were associated with the intention to work full time or part time or consider weekend or evening work, and with the level of satisfaction with current working hours.

Automatic Detection of Previously-Unseen Application States for Deployment Environment Testing and Analysis.

For large, complex software systems, it is typically impossible in terms of time and cost to reliably test the application in all possible execution states and configurations before releasing it into production. One proposed way of addressing this problem has been to continue testing and analysis of the application in the field, after it has been deployed. A practical limitation of many such automated approaches is the potentially high performance overhead incurred by the necessary instrumentation.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein expression is associated with poor survival in normal karyotype adult acute myeloid leukemia.

We examined the predictive impact of HIF-1α protein expression on clinical outcome of 84 normal karyotype acute myeloid leukemia (NK-AML) patients (median age 66.5 years) at our institute. Thirty percent of NK-AML cells expressed cytoplasmic HIF-1α.

AGE-RAGE in multiple sclerosis brain.

This pilot study used immunohistochemical techniques to investigate the advanced glycation end-product (AGE) Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and its receptor (RAGE) in the brains of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, comparing them with the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (positive controls) and with age-matched control subjects (negative controls). Postmortem slides derived from the hippocampi of MS patients, AD patients, and controls were stained with monoclonal antibodies for CML and human RAGE. Results showed increased AGE and RAGE immunostaining in the hippocampi of MS patients, similar to AD patients.

The use of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo for the acute toxicity testing of surfactants, as a possible alternative to the acute fish test.

At present, the acute toxicity of chemicals to fish is most commonly estimated by means of a short-term test on juvenile or adult animals (OECD TG 203). Although, over the last few years, the numbers used have been reduced due to the implementation of the Three Rs (Reduction, Refinement and Replacement), significant numbers of fish are still used in acute toxicity tests. With the introduction of the new European Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) system, this number is likely to increase dramatically.