Centrosome loss results in an unstable genome and malignant prostate tumors

Localized, nonindolent prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by large-scale genomic rearrangements, aneuploidy, chromothripsis, and other forms of chromosomal instability (CIN), yet how this occurs remains unclear. A well-established mechanism of CIN is the overproduction of centrosomes, which promotes tumorigenesis in various mouse models. Therefore, we developed a single-cell assay for quantifying centrosomes in human prostate tissue. Surprisingly, centrosome loss-which has not been described in human cancer-was associated with PCa progression. By chemically or genetically inducing centrosome loss in nontumorigenic prostate epithelial cells, mitotic errors ensued, producing aneuploid, and multinucleated cells. Strikingly, transient or chronic centrosome loss transformed prostate epithelial cells, which produced highly proliferative and poorly differentiated malignant tumors in mice. Our findings suggest that centrosome loss could create a cellular crisis with oncogenic potential in prostate epithelial cells.6 month embargo; published online: 2 September 2019This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Using WebGIS to Develop a Spatial Bibliography for Organizing, Mapping, and Disseminating Research Information: A Case Study of Quaking Aspen

On the Ground • Spatial data is valuable to researchers for locating studies that occur in a particular area of interest, or one with similar attributes. • Without a standard in publishing protocol, spatial data largely goes unreported, or is difficult to find without searching the publication. • Assigning location data and displaying points on a public web map makes locating publications based on spatial location possible

HST UV Spectroscopy of the Dwarf Starburst Galaxy Pox 186

Studying the galaxies responsible for reionization is often conducted through local reionization-era analogs; however, many of these local analogs are too massive to be representative of the low-mass star-forming galaxies that are thought to play a dominant role in reionization. The local, low-mass dwarf starburst galaxy Pox 186 is one such system with physical conditions representative of a reionization-era starburst galaxy. We present deep ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of Pox 186 to study its stellar population and ionization conditions and to compare these conditions to other local starburst galaxies. The new Cosmic Origins Spectrograph data are combined with archival observations to cover $\sim$1150-2000 A and allow for an assessment of Pox 186's stellar population, the relative enrichment of C and O, and the escape of ionizing photons. We detect significant Ly$\alpha$ and low-ionization state absorption features, indicative of previously undetected neutral gas in Pox 186. The C/O relative abundance, log(C/O) = -0.62$\pm$0.02, is consistent with other low-metallicity dwarf galaxies and suggests a comparable star formation history in these systems. We compare UV line ratios in Pox 186 to those of dwarf galaxies and photoionization models, and we find excellent agreement for the ratios utilizing the intense C III], O III], and double-peaked C IV lines. However, the UV and optical He II emission is faint and distinguishes Pox 186 from other local starburst dwarf galaxies. We explore mechanisms that could produce faint He II, which have implications for the low-mass reionization-era galaxies which may have similar ionization conditions.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Overwintering habitat links to summer reproductive success: intercontinental carry-over effects in a declining migratory bird revealed using stable isotope analysis

Capsule: Breeding success in female Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca is related to isotopic signature of feathers grown in Africa, suggesting wintering habitat links to breeding performance 5000km away. Aims: Better understanding of interseasonal carry-over effects is a research priority, especially for declining migrants. We use stable isotope analysis to relate Pied Flycatcher winter habitat to summer reproductive success. Methods: Flycatchers were captured in three UK woodlands in 2013-2015. An Africa-grown tertial was trimmed and analysed using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry to quantify Nitrogen-15 (δ15N) and Carbon-13 (δ13C). In total, 135 samples were taken from 80 individuals. Results: Wintering δ15N and δ13C differed significantly between years. δ13C correlated with lay date, such that birds with lower carbon levels (indicative of more mesic habitat) bred earlier. There was a significant correlation between wintering δ13C and productivity after allowing for year, site, and lay date; birds with low δ13C were more successful. This suggests δ13C links productivity directly as well as indirectly through phenological effects. δ15N did not relate to phenology or productivity. Conclusion: This is the first evidence of carry-over effects between geographical regions for a European passerine. Conservation measures should focus on all aspects of seasonal cycles, not just breeding grounds

Promoting patient engagement with self-management support information: a qualitative meta-synthesis of processes influencing uptake

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patient information has been viewed as a key component of self-management. However, little attention has been given to methods of dissemination or implementation of effective information strategies. Previous problems identified with the use and implementation of patient information point to the need to explore the way in which patients engage with and use information to support self-management for chronic conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four published qualitative studies from a programme of research about self-management were analysed as a group; these included studies of the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); self-help in anxiety and depression (SHADE); menorrhagia, treatment, information, and preference (MENTIP) study; and self-help for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For the analysis, we used an adapted meta-ethnographic approach to the synthesis of qualitative data in order to develop an evidence base.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ontological status and experience of the condition in everyday life was the most dominant theme to emerge from this synthesis. This, coupled with access to and experience of traditional health services responses, shaped the engagement with and use of information to support self-management. Five key elements were found which were likely to influence this: the perception and awareness of alternative self-management possibilities; the prior extent and nature of engagement with information; the extent of and ability to self-manage; opportunities for use of the information and the stage of the illness career; and congruence and synergy with the professional role.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>People with chronic conditions need support from providers in both supply and engagement with information, in a way which gives legitimacy to the person's own self-management strategies and possible alternatives. Thus, a link could usefully be made between information offered, as well as patients' past experiences of self-management and engagement with services for their condition. The timeliness of the information should be considered, both in terms of the illness career and the type of condition (<it>i.e</it>., before depression gets too bad or time to reflect on existing knowledge about a condition and how it is to be managed) and in terms of the pre-existing relationship with services (<it>i.e</it>., options explored and tried).</p> <p>More considered use of information (how it is provided, by whom, and at what point it should be introduced) is key to facilitating patients' engagement with and therefore use of information to support self-management.</p

Integrating mobile-phone based assessment for psychosis into people\u27s everyday lives and clinical care: a qualitative study

Background: Over the past decade policy makers have emphasised the importance of healthcare technology in the management of long-term conditions. Mobile-phone based assessment may be one method of facilitating clinically- and cost-effective intervention, and increasing the autonomy and independence of service users. Recently, text-message and smartphone interfaces have been developed for the real-time assessment of symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. Little is currently understood about patients\u27 perceptions of these systems, and how they might be implemented into their everyday routine and clinical care. Method: 24 community based individuals with non-affective psychosis completed a randomised repeated-measure cross-over design study, where they filled in self-report questions about their symptoms via text-messages on their own phone, or via a purpose designed software application for Android smartphones, for six days. Qualitative interviews were conducted in order to explore participants\u27 perceptions and experiences of the devices, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: i) the appeal of usability and familiarity, ii) acceptability, validity and integration into domestic routines, and iii) perceived impact on clinical care. Although participants generally found the technology non-stigmatising and well integrated into their everyday activities, the repetitiveness of the questions was identified as a likely barrier to long-term adoption. Potential benefits to the quality of care received were seen in terms of assisting clinicians, faster and more efficient data exchange, and aiding patient-clinician communication. However, patients often failed to see the relevance of the systems to their personal situations, and emphasised the threat to the person centred element of their care. Conclusions: The feedback presented in this paper suggests that patients are conscious of the benefits that mobile-phone based assessment could bring to clinical care, and that the technology can be successfully integrated into everyday routine. However, it also suggests that it is important to demonstrate to patients the personal, as well as theoretical, benefits of the technology. In the future it will be important to establish whether clinical practitioners are able to use this technology as part of a personalised mental health regime

Why less may be more: a mixed methods study of the work and relatedness of 'weak ties' in supporting long-term condition self-management

Background: The distribution of the roles and responsibilities of long-term condition management (LTCM) outside of formal health services implicates a wide set of relationships and activities of involvement. Yet, compared to studies of professional implementation, patient systems of implementation remain under-investigated. The aim of this paper is to explore the work, meaning and function attributed to ‘weaker’ ties relative to other more bonding relationships in order to identify the place of these within a context of systems of support for long-term conditions. Methods: This is a mixed methods survey with nested qualitative study. A total of 300 people from deprived areas in the North West of England with chronic illnesses took part in a survey conducted in 2010 to 2011. A concentric circles diagram was used as a research tool with which participants identified 2,544 network members who contributed to illness management. Notions of ‘work’ were used to describe activities associated with chronic illness and to identify how weaker ties are included and perceived to be involved through social network members (SNM) contributions. Results: The results provide an articulation of how SNMs are substantially involved in weak tie illness management. Weaker ties constituted 16.1% of network membership involved in illness work. The amount of work undertaken was similar but less than that of stronger ties. Weaker ties appeared more durable and less liable to loss over time than stronger ties. The qualitative accounts suggested that weak ties enabled the moral positioning of the self-managing ‘self’ and acted on the basis of a strong sense of reciprocity. Conclusions: Weak ties act as an acceptable bridge between a sense of personal agency and control and the need for external support because it is possible to construct a sense of moral acceptability through reciprocal exchange. Access to weak tie resources needs to be taken into account when considering the ways in which systems of health implementation for chronic illness are designed and delivered