679 research outputs found
Protecting forest edges using trap logs - Limited effects of associated push-pull strategies targeting Ips typographus
Bark beetles can cause epidemic outbreaks and kill millions of cubic meters of economical and ecologically important forests around the world. It is well known what attracts and what repels different species of bark beetle, and these chemical cues can be used to protect trees and catch the beetles without using pesticides. Applying this knowledge, we investigated the use of push-pull strategies with trap logs along susceptible edges of a Swedish boreal spruce forest. The repellents (push) used were non-host volatiles (NHV) attached to tree trunks at the forest edge, and the attractants (pull) was a commercial aggregation pheromone attached to trap logs. The aim was to test whether the Ips typographus catch could be significantly increased by combining a push-pull system with traditional trap logs, thereby providing additional protection. The experiment was performed over two years and included the main flight period of I. typographus. The study sites were clear-cuts that had been harvested the preceding winter, and sun-exposed forest edges of mature spruce were targeted for protection. A full factorial setup was used comprising two treatments (repellent and attractant) and a control. Seven replicates of the trap logs were used, three during the first year and four during the second. The number of established I. typographus maternal galleries per square meter of log surface was used as the response variable. The trap logs captured large numbers of I. typographus, at an average density of 353 and 169 maternal galleries per m(2) during year 1 and year 2, respectively, over all treatments. Based on the catch data, with a sufficient number of trap logs, the risk of tree mortality at forest edges may be reduced and we recommend its general use. However, we did not see any significant effect of either the repellent or the attractant on the density of maternal galleries. Hence, we cannot recommend the addition of chemical cues to improve the efficiency of trap logs. Although trap logs are efficient in capturing bark beetles and hence may protect forest edges, it does not imply that they can provide protection on a larger scale. In line with other studies, we hence recommend that forest management to target nature-based solutions that strengthen the resilience of forest stands, by using mixed forest stands and resistant plant species, and nurture habitats for natural predators of I. typographus
Paramedic-conducted Mental Health Counselling for Abused Women in Rural Bangladesh: An Evaluation from the Perspective of Participants
This paper reports on evaluation of an initiative to use paramedics as the first-level mental health counsellors of abused women in rural Bangladesh (2003–2004) from the perspective of the abused women who participated in one or more counselling sessions. Thirty in-depth interviews, followed by a survey (n=372), targeted to cover all participants, were conducted in 2006. Overall, the arrangement, management of ethical issues, and skills of paramedics were rated favourably. Most (89%) abused women (n=372) considered the session useful; one-fourth of these women considered it very useful; and only a few abused women considered the session useless. Usefulness of the session was expressed mostly in terms of relief attained after talking about the issue. Most (87%) women reported being encouraged to be self-confident. In a context characterized by low self-confidence of women, lack of opportunity to talk about violence, and absence of professional mental health counselling services, this initiative is sufficiently promising to warrant further testing
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion and Lead Toxicity in a Child With Sickle Cell Disease and Pica.
We describe the presentation and management of a three-year-old child with a history of pica, vitamin D deficiency, and sickle cell disease, who was admitted for pyelonephritis, and found to have elevated blood lead level (BLL) of 103.7 µg/dL, and who subsequently developed altered mental status and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). In consultation with Medical Toxicology, the patient was chelated with calcium disodium edetate (EDTA) and British Anti Lewisite (BAL). The patient\u27s hyponatremia was managed with hypertonic saline infusion. The patient\u27s encephalopathy improved throughout her hospital course, and she was discharged on hospital day 8. Following five days of EDTA and three days of BAL injections, her repeat BLL was 15.3 µg/dL. SIADH has been associated with severe lead poisoning and may be more likely to occur in high risk patients such as individuals with sickle cell anemia, particularly where medications are used that may cause iatrogenic hyponatremia
Lactoferrin and cancer disease prevention
Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is composed of the transferrin family and is predominantly found in the products of the exocrine glands located in the gateways of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems, suggesting a role in the non-specific defence against invading pathogens. Additionally, several physiological roles have been attributed to LF, namely regulation of iron homeostasis, host defence against infection and inflammation, regulation of cellular growth, and differentiation and protection against cancer development and metastasis. These findings have suggested LF's great potential therapeutic use in cancer disease prevention and/or treatment, namely as a chemopreventive agent. This review looks at the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms underlying the multifunctional roles of LF and future perspectives on its potential therapeutic applications.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BPD/26064/2005
The role of osteopontin in tumour progression and metastasis in breast cancer
The use of cancer biomarkers to anticipate the outlines of
disease has been an emerging issue, especially as cancer
treatment has made such positive steps in the last few years.
Progress in the development of consistent malignancy
markers is imminent because advances in genomics and
bioinformatics have allowed the examination of immense
amounts of data. Osteopontin is a phosphorylated glycoprotein
secreted by activated macrophages, leukocytes, and
activated T lymphocytes, and is present in extracellular fluids,
at sites of inflammation, and in the extracellular matrix of
mineralized tissues. Several physiologic roles have been
attributed to osteopontin, i.e., in inflammation and immune
function, in mineralized tissues, in vascular tissue, and in
kidney. Osteopontin interacts with a variety of cell surface
receptors, including several integrins and CD44. Binding of
osteopontin to these cell surface receptors stimulates cell adhesion, migration, and specific signaling functions. Overexpression
of osteopontin has been found in a variety of
cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer,
stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, and melanoma. Moreover,
osteopontin is present in elevated levels in the blood and
plasma of some patients with metastatic cancers. Therefore,
suppression of the action of osteopontin may confer significant
therapeutic activity, and several strategies for bringing
about this suppression have been identified. This review
looks at the recent advances in understanding the possible
mechanisms by which osteopontin may contribute functionally
to malignancy, particularly in breast cancer. Furthermore,
the measurement of osteopontin in the blood or tumors of
patients with cancer, as a way of providing valuable prognostic
information, will be discussed based on emerging clinical
data.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FC
Lymph node tissue kallikrein-related peptidase 6 mRNA: a progression marker for colorectal cancer
BACKGROUND: A most important characteristic feature for poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) is the presence of lymph node metastasis. Determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA levels in lymph nodes has proven powerful for quantification of disseminated tumour cells. Here, we investigate the utility of human tissue kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) mRNA as a progression biomarker to complement CEA mRNA, for improved selection of patients in need of adjuvant therapy and intensified follow-up after surgery. METHODS: Lymph nodes of pTNM stage I-IV CRC-(166 patients/503 lymph nodes) and control (23/108) patients were collected at surgery and analysed by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Lymph node KLK6 positivity was an indicator of poor outcome (hazard ratio 3.7). Risk of recurrence and cancer death increased with KLK6 lymph node levels. Patients with KLK6 lymph node levels above the 90th percentile had a hazard ratio of 6.5 and 76 months shorter average survival time compared to patients with KLK6 negative nodes. The KLK6 positivity in lymph nodes with few tumour cells, that is, low CEA mRNA levels, also indicated poor prognosis (hazard ratio 2.8). CONCLUSION: In CRC patients, lymph node KLK6 positivity indicated presence of aggressive tumour cells associated with poor prognosis and high risk of tumour recurrence. British Journal of Cancer (2012) 107, 150-157. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2012.220 www.bjcancer.com Published online 14 June 2012 (C) 2012 Cancer Research U
Significance of osteopontin expression in human invasive breast tumour stroma
Osteopontin has been reported to stimulate cell adhesion, migration and specific signalling functions. Its overexpression
has been found in melanoma, breast, lung, colorectal, stomach and ovarian cancer. However, its overexpression
and role in human breast cancer remains to be elucidated. In this study, invasive breast tumours from 129 patients
were examined by immunohistochemistry in order to assess osteopontin association with several molecular tumour markers.
Additionally, its relationship with proliferation and angiogenesis was determined. Ultimately, other tumour variables
such as histological grade, tumour size and nodal status were also assessed. Results achieved showed that no statistical
significant association exists between osteopontin expression and major clinicopathological parameters or angiogenesis,
except for the number of lymph nodes involved. However, a correlation with some molecular markers was observed,
namely with P-Cadherin, EGFR, cytokeratin 14 and vimentin. Additionally, higher proliferation rates were found for the
tumours expressing osteopontin. Although several studies refer osteopontin as a potential breast cancer biomarker, it is
still not clear if it can provide important diagnosis information, evaluate treatment effects or assess the potential for metastatic
disease in patients.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT
Paramedic-Conducted Mental Health Counselling for Abused Women in Rural Bangladesh: An Evaluation from the Perspective of Participants
This paper reports on evaluation of an initiative to use paramedics as
the first-level mental health counsellors of abused women in rural
Bangladesh (2003-2004) from the perspective of the abused women who
participated in one or more counselling sessions. Thirty in-depth
interviews, followed by a survey (n=372), targeted to cover all
participants, were conducted in 2006. Overall, the arrangement,
management of ethical issues, and skills of paramedics were rated
favourably. Most (89%) abused women (n=372) considered the session
useful; one-fourth of these women considered it very useful; and only a
few abused women considered the session useless. Usefulness of the
session was expressed mostly in terms of relief attained after talking
about the issue. Most (87%) women reported being encouraged to be
self-confident. In a context characterized by low self-confidence of
women, lack of opportunity to talk about violence, and absence of
professional mental health counselling services, this initiative is
sufficiently promising to warrant further testing
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