The reported use and effectiveness of Hypericum (St John’s wort) on affective symptoms in a depression self-help group

A recent meta-analysis suggested that Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression and may have a superior side-effect profile to some antidepressant drugs. The aim of this study was to assess the use of herbal remedies in treating depressive and anxiety symptoms, as reported by members of the UK self-help organization Depression Alliance using self-completed questionnaires. More than 50% of the 452 respondents reported using Hypericum, onequarter of whom also reported concurrent use of traditional antidepressants. Most of the sample reported sufficient symptoms for warranting a diagnosis of major depression, with the majority also describing symptoms suggestive of co-morbid psychiatric conditions. One-half of the Hypericum users experienced symptom improvement, which for most occurred within the first 4 weeks of use. Response was better for those with mild as compared to severe symptoms and poorer for those taking Hypericum alongside other antidepressants. The responders were generally older than non-responders. Adverse effects were reported by one-quarter of users and were mostly psychological in nature. This retrospective survey indicated that use of herbal remedies was common in this population. Although often helpful in relieving symptoms, particularly in those with mild depression, there is a risk of adverse events and drug interaction

“Craving”: exploring the components of the desires for alcohol questionnaire (DAQ) and the relation to the severity of alcohol problems

Objective: the aims of this study were: 1) to explore the components of craving, as measured by the Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire (DAQ); and 2) to examine how craving may relate to the severity of alcohol problems. Method: 106 patients seeking treatment for an alcohol use disorder (AUD) completed the DAQ and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The overall sample was predominantly male (63%) with a mean age of 44 years. 61% of the participants were abstinent from alcohol at the time of the study. Principal components analysis was conducted on the DAQ for the overall, abstinent and currently drinking samples. Correlations were computed between the DAQ and AUDIT scores, and differences in craving between the abstinent and currently drinking samples were investigated. Results: components of craving, as measured by the DAQ, included the desire to drink, the ability to control drinking, positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. Drinkers displayed stronger cravings (Mdn=47.00, IQR=32.0 – 65.0) than those currently abstinent (Mdn=33.00, IQR=26.0 – 43.0; U=850.0, z=3.127, p&lt;.01, r=0.30). Intensity of craving increases with severity of an AUD in current drinkers (r=.739, p&lt;.001). Conclusions: due to the small sample size, the results of the study should be regarded as preliminary. The components of craving, as measured by the DAQ, support those previously identified in the literature. The study supports the notion that craving is positively associated with the severity of an alcohol use disorder<br/

Nuclear factor-κB and inhibitor of κB kinase pathways in oncogenic initiation and progression

Abundant data support a key role for the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in controlling the initiation and progression of human cancer. NF-κB and associated regulatory proteins such as IκB kinase (IKK) are activated downstream of many oncoproteins and there is much evidence for the activation of NF-κB-dependent target genes in a variety of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which the NF-κB pathway is activated in cancer and on the oncogenic functions controlled by activated NF-κB. Additionally, the effects of NF-κB activation in tumors relative to cancer therapy are also discussed

On the survivability and detectability of terrestrial meteorites on the moon

Materials blasted into space from the surface of early Earth may preserve a unique record of our planet's early surface environment. Armstrong et al. (2002) pointed out that such materials, in the form of terrestrial meteorites, may exist on the Moon and be of considerable astrobiological interest if biomarkers from early Earth are preserved within them. Here, we report results obtained via the AUTODYN hydrocode to calculate the peak pressures within terrestrial meteorites on the lunar surface to assess their likelihood of surviving the impact. Our results confirm the order-of-magnitude estimates of Armstrong et al. (2002) that substantial survivability is to be expected, especially in the case of relatively low velocity (ca. 2.5 km/s) or oblique (≤45°) impacts, or both. We outline possible mechanisms for locating such materials on the Moon and conclude that searching for them would be a scientifically valuable activity for future lunar exploration

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http://www.ester.ee/record=b5144942*es

Which antidepressants have demonstrated superior efficacy? A review of the evidence

A review of published evidence of superior efficacy of a particular antidepressant in major depressive disorder may assist clinicians in making considered treatment choices. To identify such candidates, an international group of experts met to assess published evidence (identified through searches in Medline and Embase databases and discussions with experts in the field) from randomized, controlled trials and meta-analyses comparing two antidepressants under conditions of fair comparison. Criteria were defined to judge the strength of evidence. Two pivotal studies in moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder that demonstrate superiority on the primary efficacy measure, or alternatively one pivotal study supported by consistent results from meta-analyses, was considered to constitute evidence for definite superiority. Three antidepressants met these criteria: clomipramine, venlafaxine, and escitalopram. Three antidepressants were found to have probable superiority: milnacipran, duloxetine, and mirtazapine. Only escitalopram was found to have definite superiority in the treatment of severe depression; probable superiority was identified for venlafaxine and possible superiority for milnacipran and clomipramine. This review of published data found evidence that only a very few antidepressants are shown to be more effective than other

Optical Spectra of SNR Candidates in NGC 300

We present moderate-resolution (<5A) long-slit optical spectra of 51 nebular objects in the nearby Sculptor Group galaxy NGC 300 obtained with the 2.3 meter Advanced Technology Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia. Adopting the criterion of [SII]/Ha>=0.4 to confirm supernova remnants (SNRs) from optical spectra, we find that of 28 objects previously proposed as SNRs from optical observations, 22 meet this criterion with six showing [SII]/Ha of less than 0.4. Of 27 objects suggested as SNRs from radio data, four are associated with the 28 previously proposed SNRs. Of these four, three (included in the 22 above) meet the criterion. In all, 22 of the 51 nebular objects meet the [SII]/Ha criterion as SNRs while the nature of the remaining 29 objects remains undetermined by these observations.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

TBK1 Limits mTORC1 by Promoting Phosphorylation of Raptor Ser877

While best known for its role in the innate immune system, the TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is now known to play a role in modulating cellular growth and autophagy. One of the major ways that TBK1 accomplishes this task is by modulating the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), a master regulator that when activated promotes cell growth and inhibits autophagy. However, whether TBK1 promotes or inhibits mTOR activity is highly cell type and context dependent. To further understand the mechanism whereby TBK1 regulates mTOR, we tested the hypothesis that TBK1 phosphorylates a key component of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), Raptor. Using kinase assays coupled with mass spectrometry, we mapped the position of the TBK1 dependent phosphorylation sites on Raptor in vitro. Among the sites identified in vitro, we found that TBK1 promotes Raptor Ser877 phosphorylation in cells both basally and in response to pathogen-associated molecules known to induce TBK1 activity. The levels of Raptor Ser877 phosphorylation were inversely correlated with the levels of mTOR activity. Expression of a mutant Raptor that could not be phosphorylated at Ser877 led to an increase in mTORC1 activity. We conclude that TBK1 limits mTORC1 activity by promoting Raptor Ser877 phosphorylation

IKKβ targeting reduces KRAS-induced lung cancer angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo: A potential anti-angiogenic therapeutic target

Objectives: The ability of tumor cells to drive angiogenesis is an important cancer hallmark that positively correlates with metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Therefore, targeting angiogenesis is a rational therapeutic approach and dissecting proangiogenic pathways is important, particularly for malignancies driven by oncogenic KRAS, which are widespread and lack effective targeted therapies. Based on published studies showing that oncogenic RAS promotes angiogenesis by upregulating the proangiogenic NF-κB target genes IL-8 and VEGF, that NF-κB activation by KRAS requires the IKKβ kinase, and that targeting IKKβ reduces KRAS-induced lung tumor growth in vivo, but has limited effects on cell growth in vitro, we hypothesized that IKKβ targeting would reduce lung tumor growth by inhibiting KRAS-induced angiogenesis. Materials and methods: To test this hypothesis, we targeted IKKβ in KRAS-mutant lung cancer cell lines either by siRNA-mediated transfection or by treatment with Compound A (CmpdA), a highly specific IKKβ inhibitor, and used in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate angiogenesis. Results and conclusions: Both pharmacological and siRNA-mediated IKKβ targeting in lung cells reduced expression and secretion of NF-κB-regulated proangiogenic factors IL-8 and VEGF. Moreover, conditioned media from IKKβ-targeted lung cells reduced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, invasion and tube formation in vitro. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated IKKβ inhibition reduced xenograft tumor growth and vascularity in vivo. Finally, IKKβ inhibition also affects endothelial cell function in a cancer-independent manner, as IKKβ inhibition reduced pathological retinal angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Taken together, these results provide a novel mechanistic understanding of how the IKKβ pathway affects human lung tumorigenesis, indicating that IKKβ promotes KRAS-induced angiogenesis both by cancer cell-intrinsic and cancer cell-independent mechanisms, which strongly suggests IKKβ inhibition as a promising antiangiogenic approach to be explored for KRAS-induced lung cancer therapy

Colonialism, postcolonialism and the liberal welfare state

This article addresses the colonial and racial origins of the welfare state with a particular emphasis on the liberal welfare state of the USA and UK. Both are understood in terms of the centrality of the commodified status of labour power expressing a logic of market relations. In contrast, we argue that with a proper understanding of the relations of capitalism and colonialism, the sale of labour power as a commodity already represents a movement away from the commodified form of labour represented by enslavement. European colonialism is integral to the development of welfare states and their forms of inclusion and exclusion which remain racialised through into the twenty-first century