Cranial neural crest cells on the move: their roles in craniofacial development

The craniofacial region is assembled through the active migration of cells and the rearrangement and sculpting of facial prominences and pharyngeal arches, which consequently make it particularly susceptible to a large number of birth defects. Genetic, molecular, and cellular processes must be temporally and spatially regulated to culminate in the three-dimension structures of the face. The starting constituent for the majority of skeletal and connective tissues in the face is a pluripotent population of cells, the cranial neural crest cells (NCCs). In this review we discuss the newest scientific findings in the development of the craniofacial complex as related to NCCs. Furthermore, we present recent findings on NCC diseases called neurocristopathies and, in doing so, provide clinicians with new tools for understanding a growing number of craniofacial genetic disorders.     

Troubleshooting fine-tuning procedures for qPCR system design

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has been improved and optimized over the past decade for a wide range of applications. Design of primers and probes is one of the crucial steps to obtain high system efficiency of qPCR since design pitfalls influence negatively amplification performances. We report the results of some experiments. First, we demonstrate the utility of optimal primer design and concentration in PCR by constructing suboptimal primers, for instance with hairpin and primer-dimers secondarystructures, and quantifying the decrease in efficiency of amplification. Second, we show the adverse effects of the target sequence harboring stable secondary structures on the primer binding sites. Finally, we let see that the mere use of probe-based detection is not enough to ensure robustness of qPCR data, because the eventual detrimental products generated by primers not well designed may influence in any case the PCR efficiency.     

Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease: A Comparison of Methods of Delivery

The field of myocardial regeneration utilizing novel cell-based therapies, gene transfer, and growth factors may prove to play an important role in the future management of ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Phases I and II clinical trials have been published for a variety of biologics utilizing four methods of delivery: systemic infusion, intracoronary infusion, transvenous coronary sinus, and intramyocardial. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the delivery approaches above.     

State budget cuts, health care reform, and a crisis in rural community mental health agencies

Between 2009 and 2011, states implemented significant budget cuts to community mental health agencies (CMHAs), which are frequently the sole provider of specialized behavioral health services in rural communities. Starting in 2010, federal policy changes created by health care reform and mental health parity are likely to increase the number of individuals who can afford to seek services for a mental illness. CMHAs under financial stress have begun to eliminate services and reduce staff. These trends could result in a growing gap between available behavioral health services and the number of people who can afford to seek treatment for a mental illness.     

Identification of personal lubricants that can cause rectal epithelial cell damage and enhance HIV type 1 replication in vitro

Over-the-counter personal lubricants are used frequently during vaginal and anal intercourse, but they have not been extensively tested for biological effects that might influence HIV transmission. We evaluated the in vitro toxicity anti-HIV-1 activity and osmolality of popular lubricants. A total of 41 lubricants were examined and compared to Gynol II and Carraguard as positive and negative controls for toxicity, respectively. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the XTT assay. The MAGI assay with R5 and X4 HIV-1 laboratory strains was used to evaluate antiviral activity. The effect of the lubricants on differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers (transepithelial electrical resistance, TEER) was also measured. None of the lubricants tested showed significant activity against HIV-1. Surprisingly, four of them, Astroglide Liquid, Astroglide Warming Liquid, Astroglide Glycerin & Paraben-Free Liquid, and Astroglide Silken Secret, significantly enhanced HIV-1 replication (p<0.0001). A common ingredient in three of these preparations is polyquaternium-15. In vitro testing of a chemically related compound (MADQUAT) confirmed that this similarly augmented HIV-1 replication. Most of the lubricants were found to be hyperosmolar and the TEER value dropped approximately 60% 2 h after exposure to all lubricants tested. Cells treated with Carraguard, saline, and cell controls maintained about 100% initial TEER value after 2-6 h. We have identified four lubricants that significantly increase HIV-1 replication in vitro. In addition, the epithelial damage caused by these and many other lubricants may have implications for enhancing HIV transmission in vivo. These data emphasize the importance of performing more rigorous safety testing on these products.