Sost, independent of the non-coding enhancer ECR5, is required for bone mechanoadaptation.

Sclerostin (Sost) is a negative regulator of bone formation that acts upon the Wnt signaling pathway. Sost is mechanically regulated at both mRNA and protein level such that loading represses and unloading enhances Sost expression, in osteocytes and in circulation. The non-coding evolutionarily conserved enhancer ECR5 has been previously reported as a transcriptional regulatory element required for modulating Sost expression in osteocytes.

Nuclear phosphatase PPM1G in cellular survival and neural development.

Background: PPM1G is a nuclear localized serine/threonine phosphatase implicated to be a regulator of chromatin remodeling, mRNA splicing, and DNA damage. However, its in vivo function is unknown.

Results: Here we show that ppm1g expression is highly enriched in the central nervous system during mouse and zebrafish development.

p38γ activity is required for maintenance of slow skeletal muscle size.

Introduction: p38γ kinase is highly enriched in skeletal muscle and is implicated in myotube formation. However, the activation status of p38γ in muscle is unclear.

Methods: p38γ activity in slow and fast adult mouse skeletal muscle tissue was examined, as was the impact of p38γ deficiency on muscle development and gene expression.

Estimate of the commercial value of underage drinking and adult abusive and dependent drinking to the alcohol industry.

Objectives: To document quantity and cash value of underage and adult Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)-defined abusive and dependent drinking as well as underage drinking and adult DSM-IV-defined abusive and dependent drinking combined to the alcohol industry.

Design: Analysis of multiple cross-sectional national data sets.

Setting: The 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, the 2000 US Census, the 2000 to 2001 National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, and the 2001 Adams Business Research.

Absenteeism and business costs: does substance abuse matter?

We conducted an empirical test of the assertion that absenteeism related to substance abuse and dependence among workers is an important contributor to the cost of doing business among American companies, a cost sufficient to motivate firms to aggressively intervene to eliminate abuse and dependence among their employees. The results of this analysis, based on relevant national data sets, suggest that such abuse-based absenteeism is, at best, an incidental cost to business and is insufficient to justify significant prophylactic or therapeutic investments of scarce human resource dollars to achieve an abuse and dependence free workplace. These findings force both public and private sector policymakers to turn to a "hazardous use"/"critical incident" rational as the basis of their argument that American business should invest human resource dollars in specific programs and technologies designed to achieve a drug-free workplace.

Alcohol consumption and expenditures for underage drinking and adult excessive drinking.

Context: Although estimates of the amount and proportion of alcohol consumed by underage and adult drinkers have been reported, more accurate estimates are possible and the economic impact has not been explored.

Objectives: To provide accurate estimates of underage and adult excessive drinking and to describe consumer expenditures linked to underage and adult excessive drinking.

Design And Setting: Information was obtained from national data sets, including 1999 versions of the National Household Survey of Drug Abuse, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2000 US Census, and national data on consumption and consumer expenditures for alcohol, published by Adams Business Research.