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Analysis of the influence of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as genistein on fertilized sea urchin eggs reveals that genistein curbs phosphorylation of a 350 KDa protein and fertilization-mediated activity of protein kinase. At concentrations of above 100 micromoles, protein kinase C activity is disrupted, as also DNA synthesis and cell division.

Site-directed antibodies in sea urchin egg transcripts reveal a 220-kDa abl-related protein tyrosine kinase in the egg cortex that is bound to the detergent-insoluble cytoskeletal elements. Fertilization stimulates the protein to participate in the egg activation process. The kinase phosphorylates synthetic peptide substrates that are applied in immune-complex assays to study tyrosine kinase function.

For residents in long-term care facilities, falling is a major concern requiring preventive intervention. A prospective cohort study measured the impact of falls reduction following the implementation of evidence- based fall prevention interventions in 9 Australian residential care facilities. An external project team provided a comprehensive audit of current practice. Facilitated by an action research approach, interventions were individualized to be facility- and patient-specific and included the following: environmental modifications such as low beds and height-adjustable chairs, movement alarms, hazard removal, and hip protectors. Participants included 670 residents and 650 staff from 9 facilities across 3 states. A significant reduction of falls were observed per site in the proportion of fallers (P = .044) and single fallers (P = .04). However, overall the number of falls was confounded by multiple falls in residents. Reduction in fallers was sustained in the 6-month follow-up phase. Positive outcomes from interventions varied between facilities. Further research is necessary to target frequent fallers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed data gathered from a survey of online information on the intrauterine device (IUD) to determine the content and quality of information available to consumers and providers, as evidenced by the presence or absence of a series of attributes measuring the accuracy and objectiveness of information provided. While information on the IUD is consistently available on websites providing information about birth control options, there is a great deal of misinformation about the IUD on the Internet. A substantial percentage of sites, designed for both healthcare providers and consumers, state that the IUD increases risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. This misinformation can effectively limit access to the IUD, so it is vital to monitor the quality of information available to consumers online and encourage clinicians to take an active role in correcting misperceptions among their patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Elective surgeries account for millions of acquired scars annually. Many of these scars can be problematic, being aesthetically unpleasant and causing discomfort. Silicone gel sheeting has been shown to be efficacious for the prevention and treatment of problematic scars. By wound hydration, along with other factors, silicone dressings are thought to decrease scarring. However, we found the usual treatment was commonly started after epithelialization of the incision site. The current standard of care in wound healing is to promote a moist wound environment to ensure quick epithelialization and decrease excessive scar formation. With that standard in mind, after foot surgery was performed on 2 patients, silicone sheeting was applied immediately in order to compare its effects with those of standard moist wound healing (XEROFORM Petrolatum Gauze). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Background Molecular imaging of carotid plaque vulnerability to atheroembolic events is likely to lead to improvements in selection of patients for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The aims of this study were to assess the relative value of endothelial inflammatory markers for this application and to develop molecular ultrasound contrast agents for their imaging. Methods Human CEA specimens were obtained prospectively from asymptomatic (30) and symptomatic (30) patients. Plaques were assessed by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry for vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1, P-selectin, and von Willebrand factor. Established small peptide ligands to each of these targets were then synthesized and covalently conjugated to the surface of lipid-shelled microbubble ultrasound contrast agents, which were then evaluated in a flow chamber for binding kinetics to activated human aortic endothelial cells under variable shear conditions. Results Expression of VCAM-1 on the endothelium of CEA specimens from symptomatic patients was 2.4-fold greater than that from asymptomatic patients (P <.01). Expression was not significantly different between groups for P-selectin (P =.43), von Willebrand factor (P =.59), or lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (P =.99). Although most plaques from asymptomatic patients displayed low VCAM-1 expression, approximately one in five expressed high VCAM-1 similar to plaques from symptomatic patients. In vitro flow chamber experiments demonstrated that VCAM-1-targeted microbubbles bind cells that express VCAM-1, even under high-shear conditions that approximate those found in human carotid arteries, whereas binding efficiency was lower for the other agents. Conclusions VCAM-1 displays significantly higher expression on high-risk (symptomatic) vs low-risk (asymptomatic) carotid plaques. Ultrasound contrast agents bearing ligands for VCAM-1 can sustain high-shear attachment and may be useful for identifying patients in whom more aggressive treatment is warranted. Clinical Relevance A noninvasive method for stroke risk assessment in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis is long overdue and key to improving treatment. Our data are the first to show that vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression is significantly increased in high-risk compared with low-risk carotid plaques in humans (P =.0005), and they demonstrate a novel targeted ultrasound agent that could be used for noninvasive vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 evaluation in patients. Furthermore, these data build on our understanding of carotid plaque biology and define tools for in vivo molecular analysis of atherosclerosis in animal models as well as in humans. This ultrasound technology would be easily translatable to a vascular outpatient setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess whether ad libitum consumption of thiamin-fortified fish sauce over 6 months yields higher erythrocyte thiamin diphosphate concentrations (eTDP) among women of childbearing age and their children aged 12-59 months compared with control sauce containing no thiamin.Study Design: In this double-blind, randomized controlled efficacy trial, 276 nonpregnant, nonlactating women (18-45 years of age) and their families in Prey Veng, Cambodia, were randomized to receive 1 of 3 fish sauce formulations: low thiamin concentration (low, 2 g/L), high thiamin concentration (high, 8 g/L), or a control (no thiamin) fish sauce. Baseline (t = 0) and endline (t = 6 months) eTDP were measured with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector.Results: Fish sauce consumption did not differ between treatment groups (P = .19). In intent-to-treat analysis, women's baseline-adjusted endline eTDP (mean; 95% CI) was higher among women in the low (259; 245-274 nmol/L) and high (257; 237-276 nmol/L) groups compared with control (184; 169-198 nmol/L; P < .001); low and high groups did not differ (P = .83). Similarly, children's baseline-adjusted eTDP was higher in the low (259; 246-271 nmol/L) and high (257; 243-270 nmol/L) groups compared with control (213; 202-224 nmol/L; P < .001).Conclusion: Fortified fish sauce appears to be an efficacious means of improving biochemical thiamin status in nonpregnant, nonlactating women and their children (1-5 years of age) living in rural Cambodia.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02221063. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The adverse mental health effects of caring have been studied, frequently in carers of people with dementia. Less is known about the mental health of carers of people with other conditions. This study compared depression and burden in older carers looking after people with a variety of conditions. Design, methods and measures Over 200 older carers interested in participating in the Improving Mood through Physical Activity in Carers and Care-recipient Trial were included in this cross-sectional study, using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI). Results Overall there were 43% of carers who were depressed and a quarter of them reported moderate-to-severe burden. Carers of people with physical conditions had the highest levels of depression and burden. Patient diagnosis, hours spent caring, and burden were associated with depression, while hours spent caring and carer depression were associated with burden. These factors contributed approximately 25–30% of the variance of depression and burden, respectively. Conclusions The diagnosis of the patient was a factor associated with depression, and older carers of people with physical conditions were at the highest risk. It is important for clinicians to assess the mental health of all carers, regardless of the patient diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research demonstrates that physical activity has psychological benefits for people of all ages. However, it is unclear whether people caring for a frail or ill relative would derive similar psychological benefits, considering the potentially stressful caregiver role. This article reviews the current literature describing the effect of physical activity interventions on the psychological status of caregivers. A search from January 1975 to December 2012 identified five intervention studies investigating physical activity and psychological status in caregivers. These focused on female Caucasian caregivers who were older than 60 years. The physical activity interventions improved stress, depression and burden in caregivers, but small sample sizes, short-term follow up and varying results limited the generalizability of the findings. There were few trials investigating male caregivers, and most care-recipients were people with dementia. Studies with caregivers of different ages and gender, with a range of physical activity interventions, are needed to clarify whether physical activity has psychological benefits for caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]