Reliability of the self-awareness of deficits interview for adults with traumatic brain injury

Primary objective : This paper investigates the test-re-test reliability of the Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview (SADI) for assessing level of self-awareness in clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Research design : Twenty rehabilitation clients with TBI were interviewed using the SADI and re-test interviews were conducted 2-4 weeks later.

Methods and procedures : Two checklists were used to collect collateral information on the client from significant others and rehabilitation staff. This information was used to assist in assigning SADI scores.

Main outcomes and results : High test-re-test reliability was demonstrated for both total (ICC = 0.94) and sub-section scores (ICC = 0.85, 0.86 and 0.86). The results, combined with previous research indicating the high inter-rater reliability of the SADI, suggest the SADI is a reliable means of evaluating level of self-awareness. Further research is required to investigate other psychometric properties of the SADI and the two checklists.     

Regulation of tissue factor expression in smooth muscle cells with nitric oxide

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on tissue factor (TF) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. STUDY DESIGN: Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) were exposed to NO delivered exogenously with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or produced endogenously after infection with an adenoviral vector carrying human inducible NO synthase (AdiNOS). Functional TF activity was assessed with chromogenic TF assay. TF antigen was determined with immunohistochemistry. Northern blot analysis was used to determine steady- state TF messenger RNA (mRNA). Electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay was performed to determine the nuclear binding activity of nuclear factor kappa-B (NFkappaB). NFkappaB activity was inhibited by either prior transduction of RASMCs with mutant IkappaB or treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. RESULTS: RASMCs exposed to SNAP or infected with AdiNOS exhibited increased functional TF activity and antigen. Regardless of the source of NO, a time-dependent and concentration-dependent increase in TF activity was observed. Steady-state TF mRNA levels were also increased by NO delivered via either method. NFkappaB nuclear binding activity was also increased by NO. Inhibition of NFkappaB activity by either pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate treatment or mutant IkappaB transduction abrogated NO-induced enhancement of TF mRNA and functional activity. CONCLUSION: In RASMC, NO exposure results in upregulation of TF functional activity, antigen, and mRNA. This effect appears to be mediated by an NFkappaB-dependent pathway.     

GP and patient predictors of PSA screening in Australian general practice

OBJECTIVE: We determined GP and patient variables associated first with men's prior uptake of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and, subsequently, its initiation during an 'index consultation' in Australian general practice. METHODS: From the practices of 60 GPs, we recruited a sample of 423 male patients aged 40-70 years. In a waiting room questionnaire completed before their 'index consultation' (retrospective component), men reported their previous PSA screening status. We obtained demographic and clinical data, including the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Men also were mailed a questionnaire 2 days after their 'index consultation' to ascertain whether the GP had discussed PSA screening (prospective component) for prostate cancer and other behaviours. GPs themselves completed questionnaires eliciting demographic and practice characteristics as well as their propensity to screen and understanding of the evidence about PSA testing. GP and patient study variables were modelled simultaneously in analyses. RESULTS: Of those 348 men consulting with their regular GP, 80 (23.0%) reported previously having had a PSA screening test. Men were significantly and independently more likely ever to have had PSA screening if their regular GP reported a propensity to initiate screening [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-4.20; P = 0.009]. GP age also was independently associated with men's PSA screening status [chi-squared (3) P < 0.0001] as was men's age and severity of LUTS (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.58-3.57, P < 0.0001 and AOR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.00-3.19, P = 0.004, respectively). Current smokers were less likely ever to have had a PSA screening test (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.69; P = 0.003). Discussion of PSA screening in their 'index consultation' was recalled independently more often by older men (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.00-2.13; P = 0.04), those with moderate/severe LUTS (AOR = 1.94, 1.07-3.49; P = 0.04), those whose GP had performed or discussed a cholesterol test (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.03-4.92; P = 0.04) and those whose GP had postgraduate training in family medicine (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI 1.23-8.00; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In the absence as yet of compelling evidence that PSA screening will prolong life or enhance its quality, our findings identify GP and patient factors that could be targeted to modify PSA screening.     

MOZ-TIF2-induced acute myeloid leukemia requires the MOZ nucleosome binding motif and TIF2-mediated recruitment of CBP

The MOZ-TIF2 fusion is associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(8)(p11q13). MOZ is a MYST family histone acetyltransferase (HAT), whereas TIF2 is a nuclear receptor coactivator that associates with CREB binding protein (CBP). Here we demonstrate that MOZ-TIF2 has transforming properties in vitro and causes AML in a murine bone marrow transplant assay. The C2HC nucleosome recognition motif of MOZ is essential for transformation, whereas MOZ HAT activity is dispensable. However, MOZ-TIF2 interaction with CBP through the TIF2 CBP interaction domain (CID) is essential for transformation. These results indicate that nucleosomal targeting by MOZ and recruitment of CBP by TIF2 are critical requirements for MOZ-TIF2 transformation and indicate that MOZ gain of function contributes to leukemogenesis.     

A new food guide for North American vegetarians

In summary, this vegetarian food guide has a number of advantages over previous guides designed for this population:

• It is based on current nutritional science. This guide aims to provide sufficient nutrient intake based on the most recent dietary reference intakes and addresses concerns such as balance of fats in diets.

• It provides information about how to meet calcium needs that is appropriate to a wide range of individuals, including those who follow lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets and vegan diets.

• It promotes the concepts of variety and moderation. Many other guides for both vegetarians and nonvegetarians direct consumers only to dairy foods to meet calcium needs, whereas this guide emphasizes the wide variety of foods that can meet calcium requirements.

• It focuses on foods that are commonly consumed by vegetarians.

125I]-S36057: a new and highly potent radioligand for the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor

Shortened, more stable and weakly hydrophobic analogues of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) were searched as candidates for radioiodination. Starting from the dodecapeptide MCH(6 - 17), we found that: (1) substitution of Tyr(13) by a Phe residue; (2) addition of a 3-iodo-Tyr residue at the N-terminus; and (3) addition of a hydrophilic spacer 8-amino-3,6-dioxyoctanoyl between the 3-iodo-Tyr and MCH(6 - 17) (compound S36057), led to an agonist more potent than MCH itself in stimulating [35S]-GTPgammaS binding at membranes from HEK293 cells stably expressing the human MCH receptor. Specific binding of [125I]-S36057 was found in HEK293 and CHO cell lines stably expressing the human MCH receptor. This radioligand recognized a similar number of binding sites (ca. 800 fmol mg(-1)) than [125I]-[3-iodo Tyr(13)]-MCH. However, the K(D) for [125I]-S36057 obtained from saturation studies (0.037 nM) or from binding kinetics (0.046 nM) was at least 10 fold higher to that of [125I]-[3-iodo Tyr(13)]-MCH (0.46 nM). Affinities determined for a series of MCH analogues were similar with both radioligands, S36057 being the most potent compound tested (K(i)=0.053 nM). Finally, [125I]-S36057 also potently labelled the MCH receptor in membranes from whole rat brain (K(D) 0.044 nM, B(max)=11 fmol mg(-1)). In conclusion, [125I]-S36057 is a more potent and more stable radioligand than [125I]-[3-iodo Tyr(13)]-MCH that will represent a reliable tool for binding assays in the search of novel MCH ligands. It should also provide great help for autoradiographic studies of the MCH receptor distribution in the central nervous system.     

Economic consequences of workplace injuries and illnesses: lost earnings and benefit adequacy.

BACKGROUND: This is the first study based on individual data to estimate earnings lost from virtually all reported workplace injuries and illnesses in a state. METHODS: We estimated lost earnings from workplace injuries and illnesses occurring in Wisconsin in 1989-90, using workers' compensation data and 6 years of unemployment insurance wage data. We used regression techniques to estimate losses relative to a comparison group. RESULTS: The average present value of losses projected 10 years past the observed period is over $8,000 per injury. Women lose a greater proportion of their preinjury earnings than do men. Replacement of after-tax projected losses averages 64% for men and 50% for women. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, workers with compensated injuries and illnesses experienced discounted pre-tax losses projected to total over $530,000,000 (1994 dollars), with about 60% of after-tax losses replaced by workers' compensation. Generally, groups losing over eight weeks' work received workers' compensation benefits covering less than 40% of their losses.     

Tankyrase-1 mRNA expression in bladder cancer and paired urine sediment: preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: The enzyme tankyrase-1 (TNKS-1), a member of the growing family of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), was identified as a component of the human telomeric complex. PARPs catalyze the formation of long chains of poly(ADP-ribose) onto protein acceptors using NAD(+) as a substrate. TNKS-1 interacts with the telomeric DNA-binding protein TTAGGG repeat-binding factor 1 (TRF1), which is a negative regulator of telomere length. TNKS-1 is a positive regulator of telomere elongation and its activity appears to be upregulated in some human cancers. METHODS: We evaluated for the first time TNKS-1 mRNA expression by real time RT-PCR in tumor tissue, paired normal mucosa and urine sediment in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Samples were collected from 41 consecutive patients, 20 with non-muscle-invasive (pTa-pT1) and 21 with muscle-invasive (>/=pT2) bladder TCC. Results obtained in urine sediment were compared with those from 40 healthy subjects matched for age and sex. RESULTS: In pTa-pT1 tumor tissues, TNKS-1 mRNA levels were significantly higher than in >/=pT2 patients (p<0.0001). In urine sediment from TCC patients, independent of tumor stage, TNKS-1 mRNA levels were significantly higher than in healthy controls, with maximal levels in >/=pT2 patients. In particular, TNKS-1 mRNA levels in urine were elevated in 31/41 patients with a sensitivity of 81% in >/=pT2 tumors and 65% in pTa-pT1 TCC. Of patients with pTa-pT1 tumors, 11 had a recurrence within 18 months after initial transurethral resection. In these patients, urine levels of TNKS-1 mRNA were higher than in non-relapsing patients (p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, TNKS-1 mRNA in urine sediment from patients with bladder TCC correlated with tumor stage, and higher preoperative levels were associated with increased risk of early recurrence.     

New carbenicillin-hydrolyzing beta-lactamase (CARB-7) from Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 strains encoded by the VCR region of the V. cholerae genome

In a previous study, an analysis of 77 ampicillin-nonsusceptible (resistant plus intermediate categories) strains of Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139, isolated from aquatic environment and diarrheal stool, showed that all of them produced a beta-lactamase with a pI of 5.4. Hybridization or amplification by PCR with a probe for bla(TEM) or primers for bla(CARB) gene families was negative. In this work, an environmental ampicillin-resistant strain from this sample, ME11762, isolated from a waterway in the west region of Argentina, was studied. The nucleotide sequence of the structural gene of the beta-lactamase was determined by bidirectional sequencing of a Sau3AI fragment belonging to this isolate. The gene encodes a new 288-amino-acid protein, designated CARB-7, that shares 88.5% homology with the CARB-6 enzyme; an overall 83.2% homology with PSE-4, PSE-1, CARB-3, and the Proteus mirabilis N29 enzymes; and 79% homology with CARB-4 enzyme. The gene for this beta-lactamase could not be transferred to Escherichia coli by conjugation. The nucleotide sequence of the flanking regions of the bla(CARB-7) gene showed the occurrence of three 123-bp V. cholerae repeated sequences, all of which were found outside the predicted open reading frame. The upstream fragment of the bla(CARB-7) gene shared 93% identity with a locus situated inside V. cholerae's chromosome 2. These results strongly suggest the chromosomal location of the bla(CARB-7) gene, making this the first communication of a beta-lactamase gene located on the VCR island of the V. cholerae genome.