HEX expression and localization in normal mammary gland and breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The homeobox gene HEX is expressed in several cell types during different phases of animal development. It encodes for a protein localized in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. During early mouse development, HEX is expressed in the primitive endoderm of blastocyst. Later, HEX is expressed in developing thyroid, liver, lung, as well as in haematopoietic progenitors and endothelial cells. Absence of nuclear expression has been observed during neoplastic transformation of the thyroid follicular cells. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the localization and the function of the protein HEX in normal and tumoral breast tissues and in breast cancer cell lines. METHODS: HEX expression and nuclear localization were investigated by immunohistochemistry in normal and cancerous breast tissue, as well as in breast cancer cell lines. HEX mRNA levels were evaluated by real-time PCR. Effects of HEX expression on Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) gene promoter activity was investigated by HeLa cell transfection. RESULTS: In normal breast HEX was detected both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. In both ductal and lobular breast carcinomas, a great reduction of nuclear HEX was observed. In several cells from normal breast tissue as well as in MCF-7 and T47D cell line, HEX was observed in the nucleolus. MCF-7 treatment with all-trans retinoic acid enhanced HEX expression and induced a diffuse nuclear localization. Enhanced HEX expression and diffuse nuclear localization were also obtained when MCF-7 cells were treated with inhibitors of histone deacetylases such as sodium butyrate and trichostatin A. With respect to normal non-lactating breast, the amount of nuclear HEX was greatly increased in lactating tissue. Transfection experiments demonstrated that HEX is able to up-regulate the activity of NIS promoter. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that localization of HEX is regulated in epithelial breast cells. Since modification of localization occurs during lactation and tumorigenesis, we suggest that HEX may play a role in differentiation of the epithelial breast cell

Physical activity for antenatal and postnatal depression in women attempting to quit smoking: randomised controlled trial

Background: Antenatal depression is associated with harmful consequences for both the mother and child. One intervention that might be effective is participation in regular physical activity although data on this question in pregnant smokers is currently lacking. Methods: Women were randomised to six-weekly sessions of smoking cessation behavioural-support, or to the same support plus 14 sessions combining treadmill exercise and physical activity consultations. Results: Among 784 participants (mean gestation 16-weeks), EPDS was significantly higher in the physical activity group versus usual care at end-of-pregnancy (mean group difference (95% confidence intervals (CIs)): 0.95 (0.08 to 1.83). There was no significant difference at six-months postpartum. Conclusion: A pragmatic intervention to increase physical activity in pregnant smokers did not prevent depression at end-of-pregnancy or at six-months postpartum. More effective physical activity interventions are needed in this population. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48600346. The trial was prospectively registered on 21/07/2008

Processamento auditivo em idosos: estudo da interação por meio de testes com estímulos verbais e não-verbais Auditory processing in elderly people: interaction study by means of verbal and nonverbal stimuli

Em função do processo de envelhecimento, surge a perda auditiva, conhecida como presbiacusia que, além da perda auditiva, é acompanhada por um declínio do funcionamento auditivo. OBJETIVO: caracterizar o aspecto da interação de sons verbais e não-verbais em idosos com e sem perda auditiva por meio dos testes de Localização Sonora em Cinco Direções, Fusão Binaural e do Teste Pediátrico de Inteligibilidade de Fala em escuta Monótica (Pediatric Sentence Identification - PSI-MCI), levando em conta cada procedimento e o grau da perda auditiva. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Estudo clínico com coorte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: 110 idosos, na faixa etária dos 60 a 85 anos com audição normal ou com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau até moderadamente-severo simétrica foram incluídos neste estudo. O comportamento auditivo comum a todos os testes selecionados foi denominado de interação. A análise foi feita por procedimento isolado e pelo grau da perda auditiva. RESULTADOS: Ocorreram mais indivíduos com inabilidade no teste de Fusão Binaural. Os procedimentos que apresentaram uma dependência estatisticamente significante com o grau da perda auditiva foram o teste de Localização Sonora e PSI-MCI (-10). CONCLUSÃO: Idosos apresentam dificuldade no processo de interação binaural quando a informação auditiva não está completa. O grau da perda auditiva interferiu principalmente no comportamentos auditivo de localização.<br>Presbyacusis is a hearing loss combined with functional auditory decline due to the aging process. AIM: The aim of this study is to characterize verbal and nonverbal sound interaction aspects in elderly individuals with and without hearing loss by means of Binaural Fusion Test, Sound Localization Test at five directions and Pediatric Sentence Identification (PSI), taking into consideration each procedure and hearing loss magnitude. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study with transversal cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A number of 110 elderly individuals, aged between 60 to 85 years, with normal hearing and with symmetric neurossensorial hearing loss up to moderately severe hearing impairment participated in this study. The common auditory behavior for all the selected tests was nominated as interaction. The analysis was performed by means of a single procedure and also based on audiometric magnitude. RESULTS: There were more individuals that failed the Binaural Fusion Test. The procedures that showed significant statistical dependency on the audiometric magnitude groups were Sound Localization Test, Temporal Lateralization Test and PSI-MCI (-10) Test. CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals present difficulty in the binaural interaction process when the auditory information is not complete. The magnitude of the hearing loss interfered specially in the localization auditory behavior

Implementation-effectiveness trial of an ecological intervention for physical activity in ethnically diverse low income senior centers

Abstract Background As the US population ages, there is an increasing need for evidence based, peer-led physical activity programs, particularly in ethnically diverse, low income senior centers where access is limited. Methods/design The Peer Empowerment Program 4 Physical Activity’ (PEP4PA) is a hybrid Type II implementation-effectiveness trial that is a peer-led physical activity (PA) intervention based on the ecological model of behavior change. The initial phase is a cluster randomized control trial randomized to either a peer-led PA intervention or usual center programming. After 18 months, the intervention sites are further randomized to continued support or no support for another 6 months. This study will be conducted at twelve senior centers in San Diego County in low income, diverse communities. In the intervention sites, 24 peer health coaches and 408 adults, aged 50 years and older, are invited to participate. Peer health coaches receive training and support and utilize a tablet computer for delivery and tracking. There are several levels of intervention. Individual components include pedometers, step goals, counseling, and feedback charts. Interpersonal components include group walks, group sharing and health tips, and monthly celebrations. Community components include review of PA resources, walkability audit, sustainability plan, and streetscape improvements. The primary outcome of interest is intensity and location of PA minutes per day, measured every 6 months by wrist and hip accelerometers and GPS devices. Secondary outcomes include blood pressure, physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. Implementation measures include appropriateness & acceptability (perceived and actual fit), adoption & penetration (reach), fidelity (quantity & quality of intervention delivered), acceptability (satisfaction), costs, and sustainability. Discussion Using a peer led implementation strategy to deliver a multi-level community based PA program can enhance program adoption, implementation, and sustainment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, USA ( NCT02405325 ). Date of registration, March 20, 2015. This website also contains all items from the World Health Organization Trial Registration Data Set