Search

A combined in vitro and in vivo functional analysis of genetically engineered tumor cells corresponding to antisense phenocopies of an insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) null mutation was presented. It was shown that a complete shutoff of the protein product was observed following antisense induction in vitro. IGF-I inhibition in vitro resulted in loss of tumorigenecity in vivo which is explained by the autocrine type of tumorigenesis and an autocrine rolefor IGF-I in this tumor type.

Limited water quality sampling gruidelines led to the study of a hydraulic scale model for selecting a representative sampling of wastewater-treatement plant effluent. Case study results indicated that in order to get a representative sampling, determination of concetration fluctuation over time is needed to get an idea of the flow pattern and velocity distribution. Grab sampling is reliable if the flow is well-mixed annd concentrations do not fluctuate. If these conditions do not exist, tolerance levels need to be established before a sampling can be selected. Purpose of the sampling will affect the tolerance level and site selected.

Chemotherapeutic agents invariably destroy some normal healthy cells in addition to the cancerous cells for which they are administered. Cells of the bone marrow are particularly susceptible, and patients receiving chemotherapeutic treatment are often rendered more susceptible to infection. Fungal infections pose a particular threat. Most common among the fungal infections are infections with various Candida species, popularly referred to as "yeast" infections. The predominant Candida species causing illness and death among patients receiving chemotherapy are C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Fluconazole is a recently introduced antifungal antibiotic that kills a wide variety of fungi and is less toxic than some other antifungal drugs. However, the introduction of fluconazole for the prevention of fungal infections has corresponded with an increase in the rate of infection with some Candida species. The case records of 419 patients were reviewed, and it was found that the 84 patients who were given fluconazole had a seven times greater rate of infection with C. krusei than did 335 patients who were treated with the drug miconazole. The rate of infection with the most common pathogens, C. albicans and C. tropicalis, was reduced to zero, however. The powerful, but highly toxic, drug amphotericin B controlled the C. krusei infection in 10 of 11 affected patients. Studies in the laboratory have indicated that C. krusei is not susceptible to the antifungal effects of fluconazole. The observations among these patients indicate that the use of antibiotics to prevent infections with the most common pathogens may simply set the stage for less common fungi to assume a role of greater importance. The understanding of the factors that lead to fungal infection may permit the development of combinations of antibiotics that are more effective in preventing infection by a wider array of fungi. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abstract Background Prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) is expressed in tissues of high epithelial content including prostate, although its precise function has not been fully established. Conventional therapies produce a high rate of cure for patients with localized prostate cancer, but there is, at present, no effective treatment for intervention in metastatic prostate cancer. These facts underline the need to develop new approaches for early diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer patients, and mechanism based anti-metastasis therapies that will improve the outlook for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. In this study we evaluated role of prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) in prostate cancer. Results We observed decreased PDEF expression in prostate cancer cell lines correlated with increased aggressive phenotype, and complete loss of PDEF protein in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines. Loss of PDEF expression was confirmed in high Gleason Grade prostate cancer samples by immuno-histochemical methods. Reintroduction of PDEF profoundly affected cell behavior leading to less invasive phenotypes in three dimensional cultures. In addition, PDEF expressing cells had altered cell morphology, decreased FAK phosphorylation and decreased colony formation, cell migration, and cellular invasiveness. In contrast PDEF knockdown resulted in increased migration and invasion as well as clonogenic activity. Our results also demonstrated that PDEF downregulated MMP9 promoter activity, suppressed MMP9 mRNA expression, and resulted in loss of MMP9 activity in prostate cancer cells. These results suggested that loss of PDEF might be associated with increased MMP9 expression and activity in aggressive prostate cancer. To confirm results we investigated MMP9 expression in clinical samples of prostate cancer. Results of these studies show increased MMP9 expression correlated with advanced Gleason grade. Taken together our results demonstrate decreased PDEF expression and increased MMP9 expression during the transition to aggressive prostate cancer. Conclusions These studies demonstrate for the first time negative regulation of MMP9 expression by PDEF, and that PDEF expression was lost in aggressive prostate cancer and was inversely associated with MMP9 expression in clinical samples of prostate cancer. Based on these exciting results, we propose that loss of PDEF along with increased MMP9 expression should serve as novel markers for early detection of aggressive prostate cancer.

In China, urban middle class mobilization against potential pollution risk has become increasingly common. This article examines this phenomenon through a detailed case study of a 2009 anti-waste incinerator campaign in the Panyu District of Guangzhou, which culminated in a sizeable public protest and government U-turn. This episode revealed tension between the narrow, state-centered regulatory model fixated on end-of-pipe pollution control, and a much broader decentered approach advocated - and practiced - by project opponents, which incorporated public consultation and much greater emphasis on upstream waste reduction and sorting. In the process, the Panyu campaign progressed beyond a case of 'regulation by escalation,' whereby beneficial regulations are belatedly enforced following populist pressure. Instead, it transformed into an open dialogue between a plurality of actors, including citizens, journalists, experts, and officials, about what regulation should constitute and who should determine acceptable levels of risk. By focusing on the processes through which regulatory issues emerged and changed during the Panyu campaign, this article highlights the regulatory dynamism of environmental mobilization in a context of regulatory uncertainty, and campaigns against 'locally unwanted land uses' more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses institutional wellness programs in higher education and their impact on a college's healthcare status, focusing on the author's experience creating a wellness program for Albion College in Albion, Michigan, beginning in 2011. Topics include the examination of existing wellness practices in higher education, the work of the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), and details of the Albion College system.

Background: Prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) is expressed in tissues of high epithelial content including prostate, although its precise function has not been fully established. Conventional therapies produce a high rate of cure for patients with localized prostate cancer, but there is, at present, no effective treatment for intervention in metastatic prostate cancer. These facts underline the need to develop new approaches for early diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer patients, and mechanism based anti-metastasis therapies that will improve the outlook for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. In this study we evaluated role of prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) in prostate cancer. Results: We observed decreased PDEF expression in prostate cancer cell lines correlated with increased aggressive phenotype, and complete loss of PDEF protein in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines. Loss of PDEF expression was confirmed in high Gleason Grade prostate cancer samples by immuno-histochemical methods. Reintroduction of PDEF profoundly affected cell behavior leading to less invasive phenotypes in three dimensional cultures. In addition, PDEF expressing cells had altered cell morphology, decreased FAK phosphorylation and decreased colony formation, cell migration, and cellular invasiveness. In contrast PDEF knockdown resulted in increased migration and invasion as well as clonogenic activity. Our results also demonstrated that PDEF downregulated MMP9 promoter activity, suppressed MMP9 mRNA expression, and resulted in loss of MMP9 activity in prostate cancer cells. These results suggested that loss of PDEF might be associated with increased MMP9 expression and activity in aggressive prostate cancer. To confirm results we investigated MMP9 expression in clinical samples of prostate cancer. Results of these studies show increased MMP9 expression correlated with advanced Gleason grade. Taken together our results demonstrate decreased PDEF expression and increased MMP9 expression during the transition to aggressive prostate cancer. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate for the first time negative regulation of MMP9 expression by PDEF, and that PDEF expression was lost in aggressive prostate cancer and was inversely associated with MMP9 expression in clinical samples of prostate cancer. Based on these exciting results, we propose that loss of PDEF along with increased MMP9 expression should serve as novel markers for early detection of aggressive prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the revision of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Physical Education framework. It notes that the new framework is enclosed with documents such as the content expectation for grade levels, the content expectations for each K-8 students, and the Michigan Merit Curriculum Physical Education High School Expectations. Moreover, it also offers an opportunity for local educators to consider the impact they are having on the lives of children through physical activity.