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Hepatoblastoma is a rare liver cancer that occurs most often in children who present with lower birth weight. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder distinguished by irregularities in muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. CP is caused by damage to the developing brain and is often associated with secondary complications such as severe constipation. Clinicians must be aware of sudden worsening constipation occurring in CP children because it can also be a sign of hepatoblastoma. The aim of this review is to summarize the current understanding of the risks for hepatoblastoma development in children with CP. Cancer risks likely include dysfunction of the immune system surveillance in CP children. Elevated C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels may be higher in children with CP, which weakens their innate immune system. Metabolic disruption increases the risk of some cancers, and poor nutrition and reduced growth that occur in CP patients may have an impact on cancer development through a loss in immune function. Increased mobility and physical activity can increase the T-cell, natural killer cell, and neutrophil population. Children with CP tend to engage poorly in physical activity, and consequently, their immune system is affected. There are multiple factors associated with CP that increase the risk of childhood cancers such as hepatoblastoma.

Since ancient times, date fruit has been used as a staple food because of its high nutritional value and caloric content. With the development of food science and the application of modern instrumentation, we now know that date seeds contain large amounts of dietary fiber, phenols, polyphenols, amino acids, fatty acids, and many vitamins and minerals. Due to the presence of these functional food ingredients, date seeds are used in various applications, including foods such as bread, hot beverages, cosmetics such as hair and skin products, and as feed for culturing aquatic animals. Date seeds have been used in clinical applications, making use of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial properties. There is now growing awareness of the value of date seeds, which were considered a waste product. In this review, we focused on explaining the major biochemical constituents of date seeds and developing these constituents for various applications. We also highlight the expected developments in date seed use for the future.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) remains the most prevalent nosocomial pathogen and carries the carbapenemase (KPC) gene which confers resistance towards carbapenem. Thus, it is necessary to discover novel antimicrobials to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance in such pathogens. Natural products such as essential oils are a promising source due to their complex composition. Essential oils have been shown to be effective against pathogens, but the overall mechanisms have yet to be fully explained. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of essential oil towards KPC-KP cells would provide a deeper understanding of their potential use in clinical settings. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mode of action of essential oil against KPC-KP cells from a proteomic perspective by comparing the overall proteome profile of KPC-KP cells treated with cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) essential oil (CBO) at their sub-inhibitory concentration of 0.08% (v/v). A total of 384 proteins were successfully identified from the non-treated cells, whereas only 242 proteins were identified from the CBO-treated cells. Proteins were then categorized based on their biological processes, cellular components and molecular function prior to pathway analysis. Pathway analysis showed that CBO induced oxidative stress in the KPC-KP cells as indicated by the abundance of oxidative stress regulator proteins such as glycyl radical cofactor, catalase peroxidase and DNA mismatch repair protein. Oxidative stress is likely to oxidize and disrupt the bacterial membrane as shown by the loss of major membrane proteins. Several genes selected for qRT-PCR analysis validated the proteomic profile and were congruent with the proteomic abundance profiles. In conclusion, KPC-KP cells exposed to CBO undergo oxidative stress that eventually disrupts the bacterial membrane possibly via interaction with the phospholipid bilayer. Interestingly, several pathways involved in the bacterial membrane repair system were also affected by oxidative stress, contributing to the loss of cells viability.

BACKGROUND: The role of estrogen and estrogen receptors in oncogenesis has been investigated in various malignancies. Recently our group identified estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) expression as an independent prognostic factor in the progression of human Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MMe), but the underlying mechanism by which ERβ expression in tumors determines clinical outcome remains largely unknown. This study is aimed at investigating the molecular mechanisms of ERβ action in MMe cells and disclosing the potential translational implications of these results. METHODS: We modulated ERβ expression in REN and MSTO-211H MMe cell lines and evaluated cell proliferation and EGF receptor (EGFR) activation. RESULTS: Our data indicate that ERβ knockdown in ER positive cells confers a more invasive phenotype, increases anchorage independent proliferation and elevates the constitutive activation of EGFR-coupled signal transduction pathways. Conversely, re-expression of ERβ in ER negative cells confers a more epithelioid phenotype, decreases their capacity for anchorage independent growth and down-modulates proliferative signal transduction pathways. We identify a physical interaction between ERβ, EGFR and caveolin 1 that results in an altered internalization and in a selective reduced activation of EGFR-coupled signaling, when ERβ is over-expressed. We also demonstrate that differential expression of ERβ influences MMe tumor cell responsiveness to the therapeutic agent: Gefitinib. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a role for ERβ in the modulation of cell proliferation and EGFR activation and provides a rationale to facilitate the targeting of a subgroup of MMe patients who would benefit most from therapy with Gefitinib alone or in combination with Akt inhibitors.

'Tis honor with most lands to be at odds. (3.5.124) Timon of Athens has for a long time been considered a 'problem play' or, as Coppelia Kahn has more recently [...]

Teaching technical writing without formal training can be daunting. However, there are many resources available that can provide background and materials for teaching. My approach involved reading textbooks and articles not only on approaches to technical writing but also on what students can expect once they complete their education and are hired. Journals both in the field and in similar fields, working as a technical editor or writer, and attending conferences and talking with both other academics and those in the field offer help. This article, therefore, describes my approach from the day I was hired to teach two technical writing courses to my retirement 37 years later.

Agricultural commodity production is a major driver of tropical deforestation and biodiversity loss. Natural rubber from Hevea brasiliensis, a valuable commodity without viable substitutes, has recently been included in the European Union (EU) deforestation regulation that aims to halt imports of goods containing embedded deforestation. Sustained growth in demand for rubber is driven by increasing tire production, caused by rising transport flows and personal car ownership. We show that average natural rubber yields remain static, meaning 2.7–5.3 million ha of additional plantations could be needed by 2030 to meet demand. A systematic literature search identified 106 case studies concerning transitions to and from rubber, revealing that substantial rubber plantation area expansion since 2010 has occurred at the expense of natural forest. Eliminating deforestation from rubber supply chains requires support for millions of smallholder growers to maintain or increase production from existing plantations, without land or water degradation. Supply chain traceability efforts offer opportunities to deliver such support. While the inclusion of rubber in EU legislation is a positive step, it is critical to ensure that smallholders are not marginalized to avoid exacerbating poverty, and that other markets follow suit to avoid displacement of rubber‐driven deforestation to unregulated markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide an empirical measure of how principals enact prescribed leadership standards into practice. The aim of the study was to ascertain how current school principals perceive the practice of a specific set of leadership standards. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 61 practicing school principals in North Carolina were asked to rate (in a forced distribution) how they currently enact the North Carolina Standards for School Executives (their professional standards for certification and evaluation). Using Q-methodology, factor analysis generated three model sorts. These factors are examined with the sorting data along with data from a post sort questionnaire. Findings: The three factors that emerged in this study highlight that there is no one way leadership practices are lived in schools. Specifically, this study provided three distinct categories of how school principals practice leadership. The three factors that accounted for 38 percent of the variance in this study. The factors were named collaboration focus, policy focus, and vision focus. Each provides illustrative descriptions of what fosters and inhibits practices within each factor. Practical implications: The findings have clear and present implications for how, why, and to what extent current school principals enact professional standards in the face of contextual factors that may complicate or even negate the efficacy of standardized practice. Such analysis holds promise that practices can be mediated in a meaningful manner. Originality/value: This study adds value to the field by virtue of examining the dissonance between standards and practice. This study's methodology that seeks to operationalize subjectivity is original in the field of principal leadership. (Contains 3 tables and 4 figures.)

This article presents a transcript of a recent interview with Jana Frieler, 2010-2011 president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Ms. Frieler has been in education for 26 years, 16 of those in administration. For the past 6 years, she has been with the Cherry Creek School District, most recently as principal of Overland High School, Aurora, Colorado. During the course of her education career, Ms. Frieler has been active in her home state's professional administration association, the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals (CASSP), where she has held all offices. Ms. Frieler attributes the insight and experience that she gained from serving the CASSP and public schools as two of the personal strengths that she brings to the current NASSP leadership. The interview provides a glimpse into a veteran principal's--now national professional organization leader's--insight into current secondary public school administration issues. There is plenty to digest from the interview with Ms. Frieler for all education stakeholders, whether practitioner, theorist, policymaker, or citizen.

At Wentworth, rule violations are normally minor in nature and handled at the private school administration's discretion. A recent event involving the possession and use of alcohol during an off-campus school overnight activity leads to the development of a zero tolerance substance abuse policy. The zero tolerance policy is tested by one of the school's top students and her influential parents. This case study examines the possible impact zero tolerance policies can have on behavior management in a niche, private, secondary education institution. Related educational leadership issues include: zero-tolerance education policies; school organizational culture; punitive and restorative mechanisms of social justice; moral and ethical school leader decision-making; and the politics of education.

We gathered information on MA and PhD psychology programs from direct mailings and Web sites from 70 universities in the United States. Analyses revealed that Web sites provided more information about graduate programs than direct mailings, especially in areas not directly related to graduate applications. Further analyses indicated that information on the Web was, overall, not more difficult to find than information through direct mail. We make suggestions to universities and students for maximizing their use of Web sites.

Discusses the cultural elements in developing a technical manual. Shows, through a comparison of two mythical cultures, how the manual will differ when organized for those two cultures. Considers the influences of culture on developing technical documents, specifically manuals. Concludes that the attitudes of a culture are significant factors in preparing a manual. (SG)

Looks at a sample of instructional documents using Restricted and Elaborated Code and metadiscourse analysis to determine how easily users can read and understand the material. Suggests that the documents do not send a clear message to authors and editors and can be stylistically hard to understand and consequently, the approved standards themselves are hard to read and interpret. (SG)