Uptake Prediction of Ten Heavy Metals by Eruca sativa Mill. Cultivated in Soils Amended with Sewage Sludge

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - This study was carried out to develop mathematical regression equations for predicting the uptake of ten heavy metals (HMs) (cadmium, Cd;...     

Patient reported dry mouth: Instrument comparison and model performance for correlation with quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors

Purpose

To identify a clinically meaningful cut-point for the single item dry mouth question of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck module (MDASI-HN).

Treatment With JAK Inhibitors in Myelofibrosis Patients Nullifies the Prognostic Impact of Unfavorable Cytogenetics

Introduction

In the era before Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, cytogenetic information was used to predict survival in myelofibrosis patients. However, the prognostic value of cytogenetics in the setting of JAK inhibitor therapy remains unknown.

The added value of contrast enhanced spectral mammography in identification of multiplicity of suspicious lesions in dense breast

Objective

To evaluate the additive value of Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) in the preoperative assessment of malignant lesions in dense breast parenchyma regarding multiplicity.

Comprehensive cancer control planning in the Pacific: the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands a multi-national regional coalition

Introduction

In the early 1990s, a comprehensive cancer control (CCC) approach was developed in the United States (US). In 2003, the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) adopted the CCC approach through a regional coalition, the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands (CCPI). Using the CCC approach, the CCPI developed jurisdiction-specific cancer coalitions and initiated their respective cancer plans.

Methods

The evolution of the CCC approach and the history of the CCPI regional coalition are reviewed. The outcomes of the regional approach for cancer control in the USAPI are described to illustrate the possibilities, value-added and innovation of using a CCC strategy in a multi-national coalition based in a resource-limited environment.

Results

The CCC approach enabled the CCPI to (1) harmonize cancer control efforts between the six USAPI jurisdictions, (2) represent the USAPI cancer needs as a single voice, and (3) develop a regional cancer control strategy. Outcomes include (1) a regional cancer registry, (2) three sequential regional CCC plans, (3) leveraged resources for the USAPI, (4) enhanced on-site technical assistance and training, (5) improved standards for cancer screening, (6) evidence-based cancer control interventions adapted for the USAPI.

Conclusion

The regional CCPI coupled with the CCC approach is an effective engine of change. The CCC strategies enabled navigation of the political, geographic, cultural, and epidemiologic Pacific environment. The regional partners have been able to harmonize cancer control efforts in resource-limited settings. Regional cancer coalitions may be effective in the global arena for cancer control between communities, states, or countries.

     

Effect of neurotransmitters, Guanosine triphosphate, and divalent ions on the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in malignant and adenosine cyclic 3':5'-monophosphate-induced "differentiated" neuroblastoma cells.

The effect of acetylcholine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine, prostaglandin (PGE1), guanosine triphosphate (GTP), and divalent ions on adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of "differentiated" and malignant mouse neuroblastoma cells was studied. The sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to acetylcholine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine markedly increased in adenosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate-induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells. Although 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in malignant neuroblastoma cells, it failed to do so in X-irradiation induced differentiated cells. PGE1 and GTP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in malignant and adenosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells to about the same level. GTP protentiated the PGE1 effect in differentiated concentrations of magnesium and manganese inhibited adenylate cyclase activity; this effect was more pronounced in differentiated cells than in malignant cells. Calcium stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in malignant and differentiated cells to about the same level. There was no significant difference in the values of Km and Vmax of neuroblastoma cells. This study shows that the sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to neurotransmitters and divalent ions (magnesium and manganese) and the sensitivity of PGE1 stimulated enzyme activity to GTP increase in adenosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate-induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that the reverse may be true during malignant transformation of nerve cells.     

Differential Control of the Sympathetic Nervous System by Leptin: Implications for Obesity

1. Leptin is a hormone that is secreted by adipocytes and delivered to the brain to regulate appetite and energy expenditure. Other effects of leptin include activation of the sympathetic nervous system and an increase in arterial pressure.2. Mounting evidence suggests that the sympathetic nervous system subserving different tissues is differentially controlled by leptin. For instance, leptin-induced regional increases in sympathetic nerve activity do not respond uniformly to baroreflex activation and hypothermia.3. In several mouse models of obesity, the ability of leptin to increase renal sympathetic nerve activity is preserved, despite resistance to leptin's effect on food intake, body weight and thermogenic sympathetic tone. Furthermore, obese mice also retain the increase in arterial pressure in response to leptin.3. Although they display a lack of metabolic responses to leptin, animal models of obesity preserve renal sympathetic and arterial pressure responses that potentially cause the adverse cardiovascular consequences of obesity. Thus, it is possible that excess leptin contributes to cardiovascular complications, even when a subject shows metabolic resistance to leptin.