Targeting tumor multicellular aggregation through IGPR-1 inhibits colon cancer growth and improves chemotherapy

Adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucially important for survival of normal epithelial cells as detachment from ECM triggers specific apoptosis known as anoikis. As tumor cells lose the requirement for anchorage to ECM, they rely on cell-cell adhesion 'multicellular aggregation' for survival. Multicellular aggregation of tumor cells also significantly determines the sensitivity of tumor cells to the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutics. In this report, we demonstrate that expression of immunoglobulin containing and proline-rich receptor-1 (IGPR-1) is upregulated in human primary colon cancer. Our study demonstrates that IGPR-1 promotes tumor multicellular aggregation, and interfering with its adhesive function inhibits multicellular aggregation and, increases cell death. IGPR-1 supports colon carcinoma tumor xenograft growth in mouse, and inhibiting its activity by shRNA or blocking antibody inhibits tumor growth. More importantly, IGPR-1 regulates sensitivity of tumor cells to the chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin/adriamycin by a mechanism that involves doxorubicin-induced AKT activation and phosphorylation of IGPR-1 at Ser220. Our findings offer novel insight into IGPR-1's role in colorectal tumor growth, tumor chemosensitivity, and as a possible novel anti-cancer target.Grant support from: R01 CA175382/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States, R21 CA191970/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States, and R21 CA193958/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United State

Low Level of Transmitted HIV Drug Resistance at Two HIV Care Centres in Ghana: A Threshold Survey

Background: As access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases, the emergence and transmission of HIV drug resistant strains becomes a major problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore recommends an initial minimum-resource method to signal when transmitted HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) requires action.Objective: This survey sought to generate information on the presence of HIV drug-resistant strains in the locality where Ghana’s ART for HIV was first introduced.Methods: The Ghana HIVDR threshold survey (TS) was conducted and analyzed according to WHO strategy for surveillance of HIVDR in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Sixty (60) plasma specimens were collected from 2007 to 2009 by an unlinked anonymous method from HIV seropositive pregnant women, aged between 15 to24 years, who were with their first pregnancy and ART naive. Genotyping was done as follows; Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from the samples and the protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes amplified and sequenced. The sequences were then analyzed for HIV drug resistance mutations using Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database.Results: Only two individuals were found with major HIVDR mutations: one each in the PR and RT genes. Thus the level of HIVDR in the study population in 2009 was classified as low (< 5%).Conclusion: As at February 2009, transmitted drug resistance was not a serious problem in the Eastern Region of Ghana. However, it is important to continue monitoring tHIVDR in order to understand the dynamics of the evolution of HIV drug resistance in the country

The influence of encounter service quality on patient satisfaction : an empirical study in Chinese public hospitals

Purpose: This paper examined the association between perceived service quality and patient satisfaction of Chinese out-patients in the patronage of medical services. Design/Methodology/Approach: Utilizing by novelty specific departments in the hospital’s and logistics multiple regression investigation, the researchers tested and estimated the statistical effects of the department’s services (perceived service quality) as a predictor for out-patients satisfaction. Findings: The analysis shows that patients who exhibited content from the services of selected departments reported greater satisfaction, with it impacts suggesting a measurably noteworthy effect, even in a total medical seller market like China. Practical Implication: The study brings forth implications both for professionals and academics. It encourages more studies, and its findings and application can provide value as a management tool to consider and identify sources as linking the relationship between potential improvements in perceived service quality from as low as departmental levels and patient’s satisfaction to achieve advantage. Originality/Value: It encourages more studies, and its findings and application can provide value as a management tool to consider and identify sources as linking the relationship between potential improvements in perceived service quality.peer-reviewe

Assessment of Face-to-Face Tutorial Sessions of the University of Education, Winneba Distance Education Learners of Ghana

The study assessed the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) distance education (DE) learners’ perceptions, expectations, and challenges of face-to-face tutorial sessions and why DE learners absent themselves from face-to-face tutorial sessions. It was a qualitative study; precisely participatory research. The data was collected through focus group discussion. Twenty-eight (28) participants (learners) on UEW DE degree programmes were purposively selected for the research. The objectives of the study were to find out DE students' perceptions, absenteeism, challenges and expectations of tutorial sessions. The research questions that guided that study were: what are the UEW DE students' perceptions about face-to-face tutorials? what are the expectations of UEW DE students of face-to-face tutorials? what are the challenges that UEW DE students encounter during face- to-face tutorials? and, why do UEW DE learners absent themselves from face-to-face tutorials? The research found out that DE students see face-to-face tutorial sessions as vital, and expected their tutors to teach them and not to facilitate during the face-to-face tutorial sessions. Challenges associated with face-to-face tutorial sessions were mostly administrative and andragogical. It was recommended that tutors should involve the DE students in deciding which method of tutoring to be used at all times to encourage participation and attendance. Also, more reliable technological distance learners' support system aimed at breaking communication barriers with the distance learners should be deployed in the provision of distance education in UEW. Résumé L'étude a évalué les perceptions, les attentes et les défis des apprenants de l'enseignement à distance (FOAD) de l'Université d'Éducation, Winneba (UEW) des séances de tutorat en présentiel et pourquoi les apprenants de DE s'abstiennent des séances de tutorat en face à face. C'était une étude qualitative ; précisément la recherche participative. Les données ont été recueillies dans le cadre de discussions de groupe. Vingt-huit (28) participants (apprenants) aux programmes de diplôme de l'UEW-FOA D ont été sélectionnés à dessein pour la recherche. Les objectifs de l'étude étaient de connaître les perceptions, l'absentéisme, les défis et les attentes des étudiants de l'UEW-FOAD face aux séances de tutorat. Les questions de recherche qui ont guidé cette étude étaient les suivantes : quelles sont les perceptions des étudiants de l'UEW-FOA D sur les tutoriels en présentiel ? Quelles sont les attentes des étudiants de l'UEW-FOAD vis-à-vis des tutoriels en présentiel ? Quels sont les défis que rencontrent les étudiants de l'UEW FOAD lors des tutoriels en face à face ? et pourquoi les apprenants l'UEW-FOAD s'absentent-ils des tutoriels en présentiel ? La recherche a révélé que les étudiants des FOAD considèrent les séances de tutorat en présentiel comme vitales et ils s'attendent à recevoir de la part de leurs tuteurs des enseignements et non de la facilitation pendant lesdites sessions. Les défis associés aux séances de tutorat en face à face étaient principalement d'ordre administratif et andragogique. Il a été recommandé que les tuteurs impliquent les étudiants des FOAD dans le choix de la méthode de tutorat à utiliser à tout moment pour encourager la participation et l'assiduité. En outre, un système d'appui technologique plus fiable aux apprenants à distance visant à briser les barrières de communication avec ces derniers, devrait être déployé dans le cadre de l'enseignement à distance à UEW