One Group's Historical Reflections on DNA Vaccine Development.

DNA vaccines were pioneered by several groups in the early 1990s. This article presents the reflections of one of these groups on their work with retroviral vectors in chickens that contributed to the discovery and early development of DNA vaccines. Although the findings were initially met with skepticism, the work presented here combined with that of others founded a new method of vaccination: the direct inoculation of purified DNA encoding the target antigen.

Pharmacological inhibition of Rho-kinase (ROCK) signaling enhances cisplatin resistance in neuroblastoma cells.

The role of the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway in cell survival remains a very controversial issue, with its activation being pro-apoptotic in many cell types and anti-apoptotic in others. To test if ROCK inhibition contributes to tumor cell survival or death following chemotherapy, we treated cisplatin damaged neuroblastoma cells with a pharmacological ROCK inhibitor (Y27632) or sham, and monitored cell survival, accumulation of a chemoresistant phenotype, and in vivo tumor formation. Additionally, we assayed if ROCK inhibition altered the expression of genes known to be involved in cisplatin resistance.

Revisiting the measurement of Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness.

Unlabelled: In the last 10 years, over 80% of adults surveyed report some familiarity with Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) and the dangers of shaking infants younger than 2 years of age (Dias et al., 2005; Russell & Britner, 2006). Hence, in the context of SBS prevention, the question of whether caregivers knew the safety risks of shaking an infant becomes less meaningful than questioning whether caregivers have an awareness of alternate responses they could use to respond safely to the relatively normative occurrence of inconsolable crying (Barr, Trent, & Cross, 2006).

Overtime work--related to increased risk of incident coronary heart disease?

The Whitehall II Study finds overtime work is related to increased risk of incident coronary heart disease independent of conventional risk factors.

Bisphenol A--a precautionary approach.

CDC research found detectable levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in samples from 93% of individuals 6 years and older.

The impact of environmental and occupational exposures on reproductive health.

Environmental exposures during critical periods of susceptibility in utero may result in lifelong or intergenerational adverse health effects. Most chemicals in commercial use in the United States have not been tested for possible developmental toxicity to fetuses, infants, and children. Environmental and occupational exposures can result in adverse effects on female and male reproduction.

Gestational diabetes-what comes next?

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus should have an oral glucose tolerance test 6 to 12 weeks after delivery.

Pharmacological inhibition of Rho-kinase signaling with Y-27632 blocks melanoma tumor growth.

Primarily through in vitro studies, the Rho-family of small GTPases and their effector proteins have been implicated in mediating oncogenic properties of cancer cells. We sought to determine if pharmacological inhibition of the RhoA effector proteins known as Rho-kinases (ROCK) with the small molecule inhibitor Y-27632 could inhibit melanoma in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that Y-27632 treatment of a panel of melanoma cells alters cellular morphology leading to spindly cells with decreased lamellipodia and increased filopodia formation.

Gestational weight gain to promote optimal outcomes.

How much weight women gain during pregnancy, and their weight at conception, can affect their health and that of their babies.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PuFA) therapy shows promise in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Challenges in hearing conservation--the hearing-impaired worker.

Hearing-impaired workers face special challenges in the workplace, including communicating and identifying and using appropriate hearing protection.

Development of a pedestrian walkability database of Northern Kentucky using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Background: Rising obesity rates in the United States has spurred efforts by health advocates to encourage more active lifestyles including walking. Ensuring the availability, quality and safety of pedestrian walkways has become an important issue for government at all levels.

Methods: Pedestrian paths in Campbell County Kentucky were evaluated using a ranking criteria developed by the Walking and Bicycling Suitability Assessment (WABSA) project at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health.

The function of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered the master regulator of angiogenesis during growth and development, as well as in disease states such as cancer, diabetes, and macular degeneration. This review details our current understanding of VEGF signaling and discusses the benefits and unexpected side effects of promising anti-angiogenic therapeutics that are currently being used to inhibit neovacularization in tumors.

Functional morphology of the ankle and the likelihood of climbing in early hominins.

Whether early hominins were adept tree climbers is unclear. Although some researchers have argued that bipedality maladapts the hominin skeleton for climbing, others have argued that early hominin fossils display an amalgamation of features consistent with both locomotor strategies. Although chimpanzees have featured prominently in these arguments, there are no published data on the kinematics of climbing in wild chimpanzees.

Intervention type matters in primary prevention of abusive head injury: event history analysis results.

Purpose: The current study sought to compare interventional materials intended to raise public awareness of the caregiving practices connected to Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Two hundred and sixty four adults (mean age 32 years) were recruited for participation through convenience sampling at a large Northeastern university. Participants fell into two groups-those who regularly cared for children (46%) and those who did not (54%).

Teaching prevention on sensitive topics: key elements and pedagogical techniques.

This paper presents a set of topical and pedagogical considerations for instructors teaching material on sensitive topics with either the primary or secondary aim of addressing prevention. Prevention can be approached as an effort to create changes in an individual's attitudes/beliefs, knowledge, and behavior. Following this framework, classroom content that challenges students' perceptions, preconceived notions, and attitudes can be seen as preventive in nature.

The promise of primary prevention home visiting programs: a review of potential outcomes.

Home visitation (HV) is a promising service delivery model, despite a history of mixed documented results. Compiling results on the promising family and child development outcomes in the HV literature has utility for current programs and those under development. We review traditional outcomes (e.

Enhancing success in transition service coordinators: use of transformational leadership.

Purpose: The lifespan of children with special healthcare needs has been extended because of improved technology and medical advances. Successful transition to the adult arena of healthcare, social services, and education by adolescents with special healthcare needs (ASHCN) is lacking. The transition service coordinator (TSC) is a multifaceted role of advanced practice nursing that provides highly specialized transition services to adolescents with special healthcare needs.

Psychiatrists' opinions about involuntary civil commitment: results of a national survey.

This article presents results of a national survey of psychiatrists in the United States about involuntary civil commitment. The questionnaire, created by the researcher, asked respondents about their knowledge of and support for various legal standards surrounding inpatient and outpatient commitment. Data from 739 members of the American Psychiatric Association indicated support for relatively limited definitions of mental disorder for purposes of commitment and relatively limited legal grounds for commitment.

Permanency mediation: a path to open adoption for children in out-of-home care.

This research study examined the experiences of birthparents, permanent parents, and mediators in permanency mediation following a state child welfare agency's recommendation for termination of parental rights. Permanency mediation provides participants with the opportunity to collaborate in an agreement that entails a voluntary surrender of parental rights by the birthparents and the placement of children with permanent parents in open adoption or guardianship. Findings suggested that permanency mediation has the potential to be a successful practice.

Oligonucleotide therapeutics: 25 years agrowing.

The year 2003 saw the 25th anniversary of the first publication of research using antisense oligonucleotides in cells. Oligonucleotides complementary to RNA use a variety of mechanisms to provide a direct link from genomics to gene function, drug target validation and new lead therapeutics. Other applications use oligonucleotides that bind to DNA or proteins to serve similar purposes.