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New Zealand’s older Indigenous people (Māori) are underserved and underrepresented as consumers of aged residential care services (ARC). This study seeks to ascertain, from the perspectives of older Māori and whānau (family), the influence of structural factors that impact the process of seeking aged residential care. This study used a qualitative Kaupapa Māori research approach. In-depth interviews were undertaken with older Māori (n = 30) and whānau members (n = 18). Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed with themes identified using thematic analysis. Structural barriers related to ‘Navigation’ and ‘Service design and locality’ were identified by older Māori and whānau which provide insight into the oppressive nature of structural racism and highlighting various factors that affect older Māori and whānau access to ARC. Equity approaches that focus on optimising Māori access to ARC are needed in order to move ARC services towards equity. ARC services provide an important service for older New Zealanders. Our findings challenge and disrupt the universalistic nature that underpin New Zealand health structures. Health decision-makers should consider these findings to address the powerful and damaging effects structural racism has that compromise older Māori and whānau uptake and access to ARC services.

ABSTRACT: The Maillard reaction (MR), under proper environmental conditions, has been used to improve protein functionality. In the present work, 2 high temperatures (50–80°C) and water activity (Aw; 0.45–0.67) were used to promote exogenous glycosylation of glycomacropeptide (GMP) while minimizing processing times (0, 8, 24, 48, and 96 h at 50°C; 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h at 80°C). Maltodextrin, a polysaccharide commonly used in the food industry as a functional ingredient, was used as a reducing sugar, and compared with lactose, a native milk sugar. The progression of MR was evaluated by tracking changes in molecular weight using SDS-PAGE, the formation of Amadori compounds, and browning. Aqueous glycosylated GMP solutions (5 to 20% wt/vol) were tested for solubility, rheological properties, and foam formation. As expected, MR progression was faster with Aw = 0.67 and 80°C. Glycosylated GMP powders showed no change in their solubility after MR. However, the apparent viscosity (γ=30s-1) of the 20% wt/vol suspensions exhibited a slight increase when GMP was glycosylated with maltodextrin for 24 h at 80°C, and a 2-log increase when GMP was glycosylated with lactose, with a high browning development in both cases. The foam expansion index of the resuspended glycosylated powders was increased by between 25 and 66% compared with the nonglycosylated powders. Better foam stability (approximately 2 h) and no browning development were observed for GMP glycosylated with maltodextrin for 2 h at Aw = 0.67 and 80°C. The results show that GMP has undergone further glycosylation by means of controlled MR, which improves viscosity and foaming index without negatively affecting solubility. These preliminary studies provide a basis for the future creation of a new ingredient with GMP and reducing sugars.

Plain English summary Caring for a person with any significant health or disability condition can have a harmful effect on the carer’s own wellbeing. This study estimates this burden of caring for people with either ongoing ED symptoms or who have recovered, in New Zealand. The study recruited 121 carers, of whom almost all (97.5%) were parents, with most caregivers reporting impacts as this related to caring for someone with anorexia nervosa (82.6%). Overall, the results found widespread impacts on carers, particularly impacts on multiple relationships in their life, especially family relationships. These impacts extended to reporting harmful effects on the relationship with the person with the ED. Carers are also burdened by difficulties accessing treatment and wider economic impacts such as loss of income and productivity at work. As New Zealand’s health system is relatively unique and this is the first quantitative study in New Zealand exploring ED carer impacts, larger studies are needed to capture the full extent of this in order to better meet these needs both at a health service and government level.

BackgroundDiscrepancies have been reported between what is being researched, and what patients/families deem important to be investigated. Our aim was to understand research priorities for those who live with cancer in Aotearoa/New Zealand, with emphasis on Māori.MethodsAdult outpatients with cancer and their whānau/family completed a survey (demographics, selecting keywords, free-text comments) at Christchurch hospital. Quantitative and qualitative data were evaluated using standard statistical and thematic analyses, respectively.ResultsWe recruited 205 participants, including both tūroro/patients (n = 129) and their whānau/family/carer (n = 76). Partnership with Māori health workers enabled greater recruitment of Māori participants (19%), compared to the proportion of Māori in Canterbury (9%). Cancer research was seen as a priority by 96% of participants. Priorities were similar between Māori and non-Māori participants, with the keywords 'Cancer screening', 'Quality of Life' and 'Development of new drugs' chosen most often. Free-text analysis identified three themes; 'Genetics and Prevention', 'Early Detection and Treatment', and 'Service Delivery', with some differences by ethnicity.ConclusionsCancer research is a high priority for those living with cancer. In addition, participants want researchers to listen to their immediate and practical needs. These findings may inform future cancer research in Aotearoa.Māori terms and translationAotearoa (New Zealand) he aha ō whakaaro (what are your thoughts) hui (gathering) mate pukupuku (cancer) mokopuna (descendent) Ōtautahi (Christchurch) rongoā (traditional healing) tāne (male) te reo (Māori language) Te Whatu Ora (weaving of wellness, Health New Zealand) tikanga (methods, customary practices) tūroro (patients) (alternative terms used: whānau affected by cancer or tangata whaiora (person seeking health)) wahine (female) Waitaha (Canterbury) whakapapa (genealogy) whānau ((extended) family, based on whakapapa, here also carer).

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous disease characterised by uncontrolled proliferation, block in differentiation and acquired self‐renewal of hematopoietic stem and myeloid progenitor cells. This results in the clonal expansion of myeloid blasts within the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The incidence of AML increases with age, and in childhood, AML accounts for 20% of all leukaemias. Whilst there are many clinical and biological similarities between paediatric and adult AML with continuum across the age range, many characteristics of AML are associated with age of disease onset. These include chromosomal aberrations, gene mutations and differentiation lineage. Following chemotherapy, AML cells that survive and result in disease relapse exist in an altered chemoresistant state. Molecular profiling currently represents a powerful avenue of experimentation to study AML cells from adults and children pre‐ and postchemotherapy as a means of identifying prognostic biomarkers and targetable molecular vulnerabilities that may be age‐specific. This review highlights recent advances in our knowledge of the molecular profiles with a focus on transcriptomes and metabolomes, leukaemia stem cells and chemoresistant cells in adult and paediatric AML and focus on areas that hold promise for future therapies.

MDM2 and BET inhibitors have shown efficacy in AML treatment. Here, the authors show that the two compounds can synergize through both p53 protein stabilization and inhibition of BRD4-mediated repression of p53 target genes.

The sex chromosome pairs of many species do not undergo genetic recombination, unlike the autosomes. It has been proposed that the suppressed recombination results from natural selection favouring close linkage between sex-determining genes and mutations on this chromosome with advantages in one sex, but disadvantages in the other (these are called sexually antagonistic mutations). No example of such selection leading to suppressed recombination has been described, but populations of the guppy display sexually antagonistic mutations (affecting male coloration), and would be expected to evolve suppressed recombination. In extant close relatives of the guppy, the Y chromosomes have suppressed recombination, and have lost all the genes present on the X (this is called genetic degeneration). However, the guppy Y occasionally recombines with its X, despite carrying sexually antagonistic mutations. We describe evidence that a new Y evolved recently in the guppy, from an X chromosome like that in these relatives, replacing the old, degenerated Y, and explaining why the guppy pair still recombine. The male coloration factors probably arose after the new Y evolved, and have already evolved expression that is confined to males, a different way to avoid the conflict between the sexes.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) affects people of all ages. Here, the authors model AML in vivo and demonstrate that the age of the cell of origin impacts leukaemia development and the genetic signature where adult cells of origin give rise exclusively to AML and young cells of origin give rise to myeloid, lymphoid or mixed phenotype acute leukaemia.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common condition that increases in prevalence with age. The erratic pumping of blood in AF can create areas of disrupted blood flow in the heart, which can cause thrombi to form within static pools. These can be dislodged into the systemic circulation, causing strokes. Patients with AF have a five-fold higher risk of stroke. This article reviews recent advances in the detection and treatment of AF, including developments in cardiac monitoring, advances in the field of oral anticoagulants, and new surgical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PML/RARA fusion protein occurs as a result of the t(15;17) translocation in the acute promyelocytic leukemia subtype of human acute myeloid leukemia. Gain of chromosome 8 is the most common chromosomal gain in human acute myeloid leukemia, including acute promyelocytic leukemia. We previously demonstrated that gain of chromosome 8-containing MYC is of central importance in trisomy 8, but the role of the nearby TRIB1 gene has not been experimentally addressed in this context. We have now tested the hypothesis that both MYC and TRIB1 have functional roles underlying leukemogenesis of trisomy 8 by using retroviral vectors to express MYC and TRIB1 in wild-type bone marrow and in marrow that expressed a PML/RARA transgene. Interestingly, although MYC and TRIB1 readily co-operated in leukemogenesis for wild-type bone marrow, TRIB1 provided no selective advantage to cells expressing PML/RARA. We hypothesized that this lack of co-operation between PML/RARA and TRIB1 reflected a common pathway for their effect: both proteins targeting the myeloid transcription factor C/EBPα. In support of this idea, TRIB1 expression abrogated the all-trans retinoic acid response of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data delineate the common and redundant inhibitory effects of TRIB1 and PML/RARA on C/EBPα providing a potential explanation for the lack of selection of TRIB1 in human acute promyelocytic leukemia, and highlighting the key role of C/EBPs in acute promyelocytic leukemia pathogenesis and therapeutic response. In addition, the co-operativity we observed between MYC and TRIB1 in the absence of PML/RARA show that, outside of acute promyelocytic leukemia, gain of both genes may drive selection for trisomy 8.

Los disruptores endocrinos son sustancias químicas, exógenas al organismo, capaces de alterar la homeostasis del sistema endocrino-reproductivo. Un grupo de ellos, los compuestos estrogénicos, pueden ocasionar efectos negativos sobre la capacidad reproductiva de algunos peces, disminución de la fertilidad, la aptitud sexual y la producción de esperma y feminización de los machos. En este trabajo se describe el desempeno analítico de un método para la cuantificación de estrogenicidad en aguas. Se utilizó la técnica Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) con Saccharomyces cerevisiae recombinante, una levadura modificada genéticamente que expresa el receptor de estrógenos humano y un plasmido de expresión con el gen reportero lacZ, bajo el control de elementos de respuesta a estrógenos. Dicho gen codifica para la ƒÀ-galactosidasa, que se secreta al medio y metaboliza un sustrato cromogénico, observandose un cambio de color que se mide a 420 nm. Se utilizaron estándares de 17 ƒÀ-estradiol para realizar una curva de calibración en el rango de concentraciones entre 1.75 ng/l y 7.5 ƒÊg/l. Las curvas sigmoides dosis.respuesta obtenidas se ajustaron mediante la función de Hill y los r2 fueron mayores a 0,95. El limite de detección fue de 55 ng/l. La estrogenicidad para las muestras ensayadas fue no detectable.

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados preliminares para el desarrollo de un biosensor amperométrico destinado a la cuantificación de Proteína B Específica de la Preñez (PSPB) en fluidos biológicos como medio de diagnóstico clínico precoz de la preñez bovina. A la superficie de oro modificada con ácido mercaptoundecanoico (MUA) se fijaron anticuerpos anti-PSPB y peroxidasa de rábano (HRP). Se verificó la inmovilización de las biomoléculas mediante voltamperometría cíclica y medida del ángulo de contacto.Se estudió el comportamiento electroquímico del electrodo desarrollado por medio de voltamperometría cíclica y medidas a potencial constante, estableciendo la relación entre el cambio de corriente catódica (al potencial de reducción de la quinona) y la concentración de PSPB. Esta relación se ve afectada por la formación de complejos antígeno – anticuerpo que limitan el acceso del sustrato al sitio activo de la enzima, provocando una disminución en la señal eléctrica.El electrodo modificado de oro - anti-PSPB – HRP respondió de forma inversamente proporcional a la concentración de PSPB a un potencial de -200 mV (contra electrodo de referencia Ag/AgCl), tanto por voltamperometría cíclica como a potencial constante, y por tanto podría ser la base para el desarrollo de un biosensor amperométrico para detectar precozmente la preñez bovina.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la toxicidad de los sedimentos de una zona del Río Uruguay, aplicando una batería de bioensayos. Las muestras provinieron de: una zona de influencia de descargas domésticas y efluentes de una planta de celulosa (Fray Bentos), una ciudad turística aguas abajo (Las Cañas) y otra aguas arriba (Nuevo Berlín), sin influencia directa de dichos vertidos. Los bioensayos aplicados en elutriados fueron: de toxicidad con Photobacterium leiognathi, de reproducción con Ceriodaphnia dubia, de teratogenicidad y letalidad con Pimephales promelas y el ensayo sub-letal en sedimento completo con Hyalella curvispina. Para evaluar la biodisponibilidad y las rutas de toxicidad, se midió el fraccionamiento del 2,4,5-triclorofenol, con resultados: 63% disuelto, 27% adsorbido sobre partículas y el resto sedimentado.Se observó toxicidad por orgánicos y metales con P. leioghnati para todos los sitios. La frecuencia de malformaciones vertebralesde P. promelas fue de 3.3% en Fray Bentos, pero C. dubia sólo mostró efectos en Nuevo Berlín y Las Cañas. Los efectos con H. curvispina se evidenciaron en todas las muestras. Las rutas de toxicidad incluirían la ingestión de contaminantes disueltos y particulados asociados a arcillas y limo. El vínculo causa-efecto para la toxicidad se continuará investigando.

The commitment of stem and progenitor cells toward specific hematopoietic lineages is tightly controlled by a number of transcription factors that regulate differentiation programs via the expression of lineage restricting genes. Nuclear factor one (NFI) transcription factors are important in regulating hematopoiesis and here we report an important physiological role of NFIX in B- and myeloid lineage commitment and differentiation. We demonstrate that NFIX acts as a regulator of lineage specification in the haematopoietic system and the expression of Nfix was transcriptionally downregulated as B cells commit and differentiate, whilst maintained in myeloid progenitor cells. Ectopic Nfix expression in vivo blocked early B cell development stage, coincident with the stage of its downregulation. Furthermore, loss of Nfix resulted in the perturbation of myeloid and lymphoid cell differentiation, and a skewing of gene expression involved in lineage fate determination. Nfix was able to promote myeloid differentiation of total bone marrow cells under B cell specific culture conditions but not when expressed in the hematopoietic stem cell (HSPC), consistent with its role in HSPC survival. The lineage choice determined by Nfix correlated with transcriptional changes in a number of genes, such as E2A, C/EBP, and Id genes. These data highlight a novel and critical role for NFIX transcription factor in hematopoiesis and in lineage specification.