Parathyroid hormone-related protein inhibits DKK1 expression through c-Jun-mediated inhibition of β-catenin activation of the DKK1 promoter in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa)bone metastases are unique in that majority of them induce excessive mineralized bone matrix, through undefined mechanisms, as opposed to most other cancers that induce bone resorption. Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is produced by PCa cells and intermittent PTHrP exposure has bone anabolic effects, suggesting that PTHrP could contribute to the excess bone mineralization. Wnts are bone-productive factors produced by PCa cells, and the Wnt inhibitor Dickkopfs-1 (DKK1) has been shown to promote PCa progression. These findings, in conjunction with the observation that PTHrP expression increases and DKK1 expression decreases as PCa progresses, led to the hypothesis that PTHrP could be a negative regulator of DKK1 expression in PCa cells and, hence, allow the osteoblastic activity of Wnts to be realized. To test this, we first demonstrated that PTHrP downregulated DKK1 mRNA and protein expression. We then found through multiple mutated DKK1 promoter assays that PTHrP, through c-Jun activation, downregulated the DKK1 promoter through a transcription factor (TCF) response element site. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and re-ChIP assays revealed that PTHrP mediated this effect through inducing c-Jun to bind to a transcriptional activator complex consisting of β-catenin, which binds the most proximal DKK1 promoter, the TCF response element. Together, these results demonstrate a novel signaling linkage between PTHrP and Wnt signaling pathways that results in downregulation of a Wnt inhibitor allowing for Wnt activity that could contribute the osteoblastic nature of PCa.

Attitudinal acceptance of intimate partner violence among U.S. adults

Attitudinal acceptance of intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important correlate of violent behavior. This study examined acceptance of IPV using data collected from a nationally representative telephone survey of 5,238 adults. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations between sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to violence, question order, and acceptance of hitting a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend under specific circumstances. Depending on the circumstance examined, acceptance of IPV was significantly higher among participants who were male and younger than 35; were non-White; were divorced, separated, or had never married; had not completed high school; had a low household income; or were victims of violence within the past 12 months. Participants were more accepting of women hitting men; they also were consistently more likely to report tolerance of IPV if they were asked first about women hitting men rather than men hitting women. Reports of IPV tolerance need to be interpreted within the context of the survey. Efforts to change IPV attitudes can be tailored to specific IPV circumstances and subgroups, and these efforts should emphasize that the use of physical violence is unacceptable to both genders.

Partner violence, partner notification, and women's decisions to have an HIV test

OBJECTIVES

Reports of partner violence against HIV-positive women after they have disclosed their serostatus have led some to reassess partner notification strategies and to speculate that fear of partner violence following partner notification may influence women's HIV testing decisions. We studied whether associations exist between women's declining to have an HIV test and history of partner violence, fear of partner violence, previous experience with partner notification, or beliefs about partner notification.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we interviewed women seen at Newark and Miami sexually transmitted disease clinics. The women were at least 18 years old, not known to be HIV positive, not tested for HIV in the previous 3 months, and offered HIV testing during the clinic visit. Women who declined testing were compared with women who accepted.

RESULTS

Of 490 participants (89% of eligible women), 16% reported partner violence in the past year, and 28% declined HIV testing. Declining the test was not significantly (p >.05) associated with history or fear of partner violence, previous experience with partner notification, or beliefs about partner notification. When specifically asked, only 2 women responded that their declining the test was related to fear that their partner or partners might harm them if the women tested positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women seen at these clinics, we did not find evidence that declining the HIV test was strongly influenced by partner violence, previous experience with partner notification, or beliefs about partner notification. However, many women reported partner violence. Therefore, providers should assess the potential for partner violence and be prepared to make appropriate referrals.

A PR-5 gene promoter from Asparagus officinalis (AoPRT-L) is not induced by abiotic stress, but is activated around sites of pathogen challenge and by salicylate in transgenic tobacco

Summary Using a promoter-uidA (AoPRT-L-GUS) construct, we have characterized heterologous expression controlled by an Asparagus officinalis acidic PR-5 gene promoter. The construct was found to be up-regulated following a variety of treatments with the defence signal salicylate. Similarly, AoPRT-L-GUS was induced by the SA mimic benzothiodiazole, however, unlike salicylate, this compound does not appear to be transported through the vasculature. The construct was insensitive to wounding and to the wound signal jasmonate. Pathogen challenge resulted in a restricted zone of expression at and around the infection site. High levels of NaCl or PEG 8000 failed to induce foliar expression, however, mannitol proved to be an effective inducer when applied as a root drench. The oxidants H(2)O(2) and t-butyl hydroperoxide also failed to induce AoPRT-L-GUS expression. Developmental expression of the construct appeared to be limited to leaf axils, sepal tips, a proportion of anthers and a small segment of tissue just below the stigma. Thus, the AoPRT-L promoter exhibits a limited expression profile responding principally to salicylate-related defence signals, and shows very little developmental expression. This suggests that the AoPRT-L promoter may be an ideal choice for contained gene expression.

Measuring services: a district nursing dependency tool

The government has highlighted the importance of reducing inequalities in health and providing an equal and high quality service to all patients. The district nursing service in Wolverhampton monitors the provision of services across the town to ensure high quality care for all patients.

A study of the relationship between tensile testing of condoms and breakage in use

The ability of the condom wall to maintain its integrity throughout sexual intercourse is critical to its role in halting the spread of major sexually transmissible pathogens including the human immunodeficiency virus. There are three principal in vitro performance tests applied to condoms: a test for freedom from holes, an inflation test, and tensile testing. In this study we subjected condoms that had broken in use to tensile tests in order to determine any correlation between their in vivo and in vitro performance. Condoms which had broken in use showed similar tensile properties to those which had not. All passed all tensile test criteria. Thus, the inclusion of tensile testing in National Standards for condoms is not sufficient to insure strong products.

Testosterone, and winning and losing in human competition

Testosterone and cortisol were measured in six university tennis players across six matches during their varsity season. Testosterone rose just before most matches, and players with the highest prematch testosterone had the most positive improvement in mood before their matches. After matches, mean testosterone rose for winners relative to losers, especially for winners with very positive moods after their victories and who evaluated their own performance highly. Winners with rising testosterone had higher testosterone before their next match, in contrast to losers with falling testosterone, who had lower testosterone before their next match. Cortisol was not related to winning or losing, but it was related to seed (top players having low cortisol), and cortisol generally declined as the season progressed. These results are consistent with a biosocial theory of status.

Respiratory cytodiagnosis: study in observer variation and its relation to quality of material

Sensitivity and accuracy of cytodiagnosis were assessed in a multicentre study. Six centres each provided sputum cytological material from 20 cases. Each centre screened and reported on the 100 slides provided by the other five centres. The reports were assessed against consensus reference diagnoses, reached by discussion with transparencies, histological sections, and closed-circuit television. False positive rates of 0-4% (average 1.3%) and false negative rates of 0-12% (average 5.0%) of slides examined were recorded. The order of agreement on the three common cell types was adenocarcinoma 75% (50-91%), squamous cell carcinoma 80% (59-94%) and small carcinoma 95% (71-100%). The effect of quality of material on cytological opinion was assessed by comparing disagreement rates on each of the different sets of 20 slides. Disagreement varied from 1% to 23% depending on which set of material was examined.

Actinomyces-like structures and their association with intrauterine contraceptive devices, pelvic infection and abnormal cervical cytology

A total of 1919 cervical cytology smears from South Galmorgan family planning clinic patients were studied and actinomyces-like structures were identified in 38. All 38 were from women reported as having an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and they represent 25 per cent of the 147 women in the whole study who were reported as having an IUCD. There was no evidence of pelvic infection or significant increase in gynaecological problems amongst these 38 women, but there was a significant increase in atypical and dyskaryotic cells in the cervical smears.

Antenatal screening for candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea was not found to be a problem in antenatal patients. It was found in only one out of 625 women, thus confirming other British surveys which do not agree with the North American figures. Candidiasis is commoner than trichomoniasis (27.4 and 4.7 per cent. prevalence respectively) and culture of a high vaginal swab is more effective as a means of diagnosis than a cervical cytology smear. The two conditions seldom occur together. The detection rate for Candida increases with gestation, but not with age, parity, or premarital and extramarital conception. The species isolated was predominantly Candida albicans. Trichomonads are detected in culture of a high vaginal swab more often than in a cervical cytology smear. Detection does not increase with age, parity, or gestation, but does increase with premarital and extramarital conception. It is difficult to diagnose clinically the cause of vaginal discharge in a pregnant woman.

Observer variation and quality control of cytodiagnosis

The aim of quality control of a laboratory investigation is to ensure that similar results are obtained on the same material at different centres. To investigate its practicability in cytodiagnosis, the same cytological material was examined independently at six centres. Each centre supplied material from 20 cases, providing a total of 120 cases, ie, 100 cases excluding the donor centre's own material. The degree of agreement between the centres was studied using (a) the standard National Health Service cytology report terminology, (b) the centre's own terminology, and (c) the recommended recall time. The results revealed close agreement between five out of six centres in the reports obtained in relation to dysplasia and malignancy, namely, less than 3% false negative results and not more than 1.7% false positive results. The recommended recall time provided a similar order of agreement after discrepancies due to the management of inflammatory conditions had been eliminated. There was marked disagreement in the diagnosis of both presence and type of infection. The results indicate that improvement in the quality of cytological material would increase the consistency of cytodiagnosis. Cytodiagnosis itself, being an expression of opinion, does not appear to be an appropriate field for quality control.

Antifungal activity of alkylxylylene-bis-isothiuronium chlorides

Low concentrations of dodecylxylylene-bis-isothiuronium chloride, synthesized from an inexpensive detergent intermediate, inhibited members of 21 genera of fungi.