A contiguous stretch of methionine residues mediates the energy-dependent internalization mechanism of a cell-penetrating peptide

Recently we characterized an unusual switch in the internalization mechanism of the monomeric and dimeric forms of the cell-penetrating peptide RDLWEMMMVSLACQY. Here, we observed both energy-dependent and energy-independent modes of peptide uptake by the target B-lymphocytes WI-L2-729HF2, suggesting that higher-order structure might modulate the action of this novel cell-penetrating peptide. In the present work, we propose a possible internalization mechanism for the dimeric peptide which involves an initial interaction with the cell membrane, followed by an energy-dependent internalization process which requires the contiguous Met(6-8) sequence.     

Lipolytic activity and radial daily growth rate changes during incubation of thermomyces lanuginosus on natural and synthetic fatty substrates

The aim of the study was to compare lipolytic activity and radial growth rate changes during the incubation of Thermomyces lanuginosus strains on natural (sunflower oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, and corn oil) and synthetic (tributyrin, Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60, Tween 80, and Tween 81) fatty substrata. The general lipolytic activity index decreased on natural substrata and increased on synthetic substrata during a five-day incubation period. The general daily growth rate changes were found to be similar on both natural and synthetic fatty substrates.     

A study of herpes simplex type 2 antibody status in groups of patients with cervical neoplasia in Czechoslovakia

Sera collected from patients with cervical epithelial atypia, carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma, as well as from control subjects, were examined for the presence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies. All these subjects came from one district of Prague. In agreement with results reported from other laboratories, the serological findings indicated that the prevalence of HSV type 2 antibodies was markedly higher in the groups of patients with different stages of neoplastic process in the cervix, than in control groups of comparable age and socioeconomic status. The geometric mean titres for both HSV type 1 and type 2 antibodies were higher in the invasive carcinoma patient group than in other groups of patients.     

Exposure to violence and parenting as mediators between poverty and psychological symptoms in urban African American adolescents

The present study builds on past research that has found support for a conceptual model in which poverty is linked with adolescent psychological symptoms through economic stressors and impaired parenting. The present study examined this model in a sample of urban African American mothers and their adolescent children. In addition, an alternative hypothesis was examined: that exposure to community violence mediates the relation between poverty and psychological symptoms in urban youth. Limited support was found for a model in which poverty is linked with internalizing symptoms through exposure to community violence and with externalizing symptoms through economic stressors and inconsistent discipline. Interpretations, limitations, and directions for future research are outlined.     

Ability of the strains of the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus to hydrolyze cocoa fat and lard

The purpose of the study was the estimation of the lipolytic activity of the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus on the solid base with the cocoa fat and the lard. The material was 144 strains isolated from biohumus, garden compost, leaf compost, mushroom compost, hazelnuts and raw coffee beans. The study proved, that all species was able to hydrolyze both the cocoa oil and the lard. The index of the lipolytic activity was the same on the medium with cocoa oil and on the medium with the lard.     

The view from two sides: a qualitative study of community and medical perspectives on screening for colorectal cancer using FOBT

BACKGROUND: Population-wide screening for people at average risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) by faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is under consideration in Australia. METHODS: Qualitative methods were used to examine the views of community members who did (n = 18) or did not (n = 12) participate in a pilot program of FOBT screening. In addition, views were obtained from general practitioners (GPs) and specialist gastroenterologists directly involved in the implementation of the program. Two focus group sessions were conducted with screening participants and interviews were conducted with nonparticipants, GPs and gastroenterologists. RESULTS: The findings suggest that CRC screening by FOBT distributed to households by mail was well accepted by the community and by the medical practitioners involved in its implementation. The trial had little negative effect on general practice. Both medical practitioners and consumers raised concerns about the efficacy of FOBT screening. Medical practitioners were also concerned about the potential burden mass screening could place on the public (government-funded) health care sector. CONCLUSIONS: It would seem that CRC screening using FOBT will not enjoy unqualified support from the community or from medical practitioners involved in the continuum of screening. Information about the objectives of screening programs, in general, and the efficacy of FOBT screening in particular, needs to be provided to the community to ensure informed individual choice.     

Prevalence of Whole-Body Skin Self-Examination in a Population at High Risk for Skin Cancer (Australia)

OBJECTIVE: Whole-body skin self-examination (SSE) with presentation of suspicious lesions to a physician may improve early detection of melanoma. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and determinants of SSE in a high-risk population in preparation for a community-based randomised controlled trial of screening for melanoma. METHODS: A telephone survey reached 3110 residents older than 30 years (overall response rate of 66.9%) randomly selected from 18 regional communities in Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: Overall, 804 (25.9%) participants reported whole-body SSE within the past 12 months and 1055 (33.9%) within the past three years. Whole-body SSE was associated in multivariate logistic regression analysis with younger age (< 50 years); higher education; having received either a whole-body skin examination, recommendation or instruction on SSE by a primary care physicial; giving skin checks a high priority; concern about skin cancer and a personal history of skin cancer. CONCLUSION: Overall, the prevalence of SSE in the present study is among the highest yet observed in Australia, with about one-third of the adult population reporting whole-body SSE in the past three years. People over 50 years, who are at relatively higher risk for skin cancer, currently perform SSE less frequently than younger people.     

Fluorescence staining of oral and laryngeal cancer after application of 5-aminolevulinic acid

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the oral cavity, oropharynx and larynx are the most common malignancies in the head and neck region. The prognosis for the patients concerned is highly dependent on an early detection and fast surgical treatment. Fluorescence guided examinations may serve as a possible diagnostic tool for better demarcation and delimitation of head and neck cancer. Therefore, the presented study was aimed at the detection of a selective Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) accumulation in malignant oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal lesions following topical and systemic application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). PATIENTS: We investigated 193 patients with suspected lesions in the oral cavity and oropharynx (n = 126) as well as in the larynx (n = 67). The patients received a varying dose (rinsing 200 mg, inhalation 30 mg, 2,5 - 25 mg/kg BW by mouth) of 5-ALA in aqueous solution. Both fluorescence pictures and macroscopic findings under white light were recorded using a target integrating, color CCD camera. Fluorescence contrasts between tumor and normal tissue were registered by an optical multichannel analyser. RESULTS: Our results have shown that after topical and systemic application of 5-ALA, PPIX fluorescence could be identified within the mucosa of the oral cavity, oropharynx and the larynx of all patients with a duration of up to 48 hours after systemic application. Malignant lesions usually showed higher intensities of PPIX-fluorescence than surrounding innocuous mucosa. A maximum fluorescence contrast between normal tissue and neoplastic lesions was observed at 1.5 hours after topical application and 3 hours after systemic application. CONCLUSIONS: It will be the aim of further investigations to verify the optimal time of incubation and dosing of systemical 5-ALA application to enhance fluorescence contrasts and set the basis for fluorescence guided resections.