The Nixon revolution and the third world

In the dramatic events and the whirl of talk which has followed the Nixon economic measures, the developed countries have been preoccupied with the new situation created for them. The ultimate impact of this fundamental policy-change upon the poor two-thirds of the world has been virtually ignored

Live quantitative monitoring of mineral deposition in stem cells using tetracycline hydrochloride

The final stage of in vitro osteogenic differentiation is characterized by the production of mineral deposits containing calcium cations and inorganic phosphates, which populate the extracellular matrix surrounding the cell monolayer. Conventional histological techniques for the assessment of mineralization, such as Von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining, are end-point techniques requiring cell fixation. Moreover, in both cases staining quantitation requires dye extraction which irreversibly alters the ECM conformation and structure, therefore preventing the use of the sample for further analysis. In this study, the use of Tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) is proposed for the non-destructive staining, quantitation and imaging of mineralizing bone-like nodules in live cultures of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured under osteogenic conditions. Overnight administration of TC to living cells was shown not to alter the metabolic activity or the progression of cell differentiation. When applied to differentiating cultures, cell exposure to serial doses of TC was found to produce quantifiable fluorescence emission specifically in osteogenic cultures. Incubation with TC enabled fluorescence imaging of mineralised areas in live cultures and the combination with other fluorophores using appropriate filters. These results demonstrate that serial TC administration over the differentiation time course provides a qualitative and quantitative tool for the monitoring and evaluation of the differentiation process in live cells

A New Spin on Research Translation: The Boston Consensus Conference on Human Biomonitoring

BACKGROUND. Translating research to make it more understandable and effective (research translation) has been declared a priority in environmental health but does not always include communication to the public or residents of communities affected by environmental hazards. Their unique perspectives are also commonly missing from discussions about science and technology policy. The consensus conference process, developed in Denmark, offers a way to address this gap. OBJECTIVES. The Boston Consensus Conference on Human Biomonitoring, held in Boston, Massachusetts, in the fall of 2006, was designed to educate and elicit input from 15 Boston-area residents on the scientifically complex topic of human biomonitoring for environmental chemicals. This lay panel considered the many ethical, legal, and scientific issues surrounding biomonitoring and prepared a report expressing their views. DISCUSSION. The lay panel's findings provide a distinct and important voice on the expanding use of biomonitoring. In some cases, such as a call for opt-in reporting of biomonitoring results to study participants, they mirror recommendations raised elsewhere. Other conclusions have not been heard previously, including the recommendation that an individual's results should be statutorily exempted from the medical record unless permission is granted, and the opportunity to use biomonitoring data to stimulate green chemistry. CONCLUSION. The consensus conference model addresses both aspects of a broader conception of research translation: engaging the public in scientific questions, and bringing their unique perspectives to bear on public health research, practice, and policy. In this specific application, a lay panel's recommendations on biomonitoring surveillance, communication, and ethics have practical implications for the conduct of biomonitoring studies and surveillance programs.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R25 ES12084, P42ES007381