The combination of retinoic acid and estrogen can increase germ cells genes expression in mouse embryonic stem cells derived primordial germ cells

A B S T R A C T Generation of germ cells from embryonic stem cells in vitro could have great application for treating infertility. The temporal expression profile of several genes was expressed at different stages of germ cell development and examined in differentiation the mouse embryonic stem cells. Cells were treated in three groups of control, with 10−8M of all-trans retinoic acid and the combination of 10−9M of 17β-Estradiol and retinoic acid for 7, 12, 17 or 22 days. Quantitative RT-PCR and Immunofluorescent were used to investigate the possible inductive effects of estrogen on mouse embryonic stem cell-derived primordial germ cells. mRNA expression of Oct4 and Dazl were downregulated in embryonic stem cells by the retinoic acid group, whereas Mvh transcription was reduced by retinoic acid and estrogen group in these cells compared to the control group. But, retinoic acid with estrogen group-treated cells exhibited increased mRNA expression of Stra8, Fragilis, Sycp3, GDF9, and Stella compared to untreated controls. The expression of Stella and Mvh proteins were remarkably increased in cell colonies. This study shows that estrogen affects the expression of specific markers of primordial germ cells. Also, estrogen and retinoic acid speed up and increase the level of expression of specific markers. Keywords: Gene expression profiling Immunofluorescent Mouse embryonic stem cells Primordial germ cells RT PC

Research Article Presenting a Framework for Ranking Identification System in the Chain Store: Real Case Study of the Iran SHAHRVAND Department Store

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to specify and rank the appropriate automatic identifying goods system for a real case of a department store (Shahrvand department store). The ideas of the experts about the most appropriate identifying goods system in the department store are evaluated and collected by the brainstorming method, the three types of identification system which are specified by the brainstorming method are: RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification), Barcode and OCR (Optical Character Recognition). In order to ranking the achieved automatic identification systems and helping the management of the department store for decision making, the promethee (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations) method is selected which has the most conformity with this research between the all MCDM (Multi Criteria Decision Making) method. Therefore, by consideration of two approaches: "efficiency of identification systems" and "convenience of customer purchase" eight criteria are extracted for ranking the identification system. Finally, the RFID system is preferred to other automatic identifying good systems by the used method in the research

Educational supervision and the impact of workplace-based assessments: a survey of psychiatry trainees and their supervisors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Educational supervision (ES) is considered to be an essential component of basic specialist training in psychiatry in the UK. However, previous studies have indicated variation in its provision, and uncertainty about structure and content. Workplace-based assessments (WPBAs) were introduced in 2007 as part of major postgraduate medical training reform. Placing considerable time demands on trainees and supervisors alike, the extent to which WPBAs should utilise ES time has not been specified. As ES and WPBAs have discrete (although complementary) functions, there is the potential for this increased emphasis on assessment to displace other educational needs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All junior doctors and their educational supervisors in one UK psychiatry training scheme were surveyed both before and after the introduction of WPBAs. Frequency and duration of ES were established, and structure, content and process were ascertained. Opinions on usefulness and responsibility were sought. The usage of ES for WPBAs was also assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate of 70% showed general agreement between trainees and supervisors, but some significant discrepancies. Around 60% reported 1 hour of ES taking place weekly or 3 times per month. Most agreed that responsibility for ES should be shared equally between trainees and supervisors, and ES was largely seen as useful. Around 50% of trainees and supervisors used 25–50% of ES time for WPBAs, and this did not appear to affect the usefulness of ES or the range of issues covered.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>ES continues to be an important component of psychiatric training. However, using ES for WPBAs introduces the potential for tension between trainees' education and their assessment by emphasising certain training issues at the expense of others. The impact of reduced training time, WPBAs and uncertainties over ES structure and content should be monitored to ensure that its benefits are maximised by remaining tailored to individual trainees' needs.</p

The do's, don't and don't knows of supporting transition to more independent practice

Introduction: Transitions are traditionally viewed as challenging for clinicians. Throughout medical career pathways, clinicians need to successfully navigate successive transitions as they become progressively more independent practitioners. In these guidelines, we aim to synthesize the evidence from the literature to provide guidance for supporting clinicians in their development of independence, and highlight areas for further research. Methods: Drawing upon D3 method guidance, four key themes universal to medical career transitions and progressive independence were identified by all authors through discussion and consensus from our own experience and expertise: workplace learning, independence and responsibility, mentoring and coaching, and patient perspectives. A scoping review of the literature was conducted using Medline database searches in addition to the authors’ personal archives and reference snowballing searches. Results: 387 articles were identified and screened. 210 were excluded as not relevant to medical transitions (50 at title screen; 160 at abstract screen). 177 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility; a further 107 were rejected (97 did not include career transitions in their study design; 10 were review articles; the primary references of these were screened for inclusion). 70 articles were included of which 60 provided extractable data for the final qualitative synthesis. Across the four key themes, seven do’s, two don’ts and seven don’t knows were identified, and the strength of evidence was graded for each of these recommendations. Conclusion: The two strongest messages arising from current literature are first, transitions should not be viewed as one moment in time: career trajectories are a continuum with valuable opportunities for personal and professional development throughout. Second, learning needs to be embedded in practice and learners provided with authentic and meaningful learning opportunities. In this paper, we propose evidence-based guidelines aimed at facilitating such transitions through the fostering of progressive independence

The hidden curriculum and integrating cure- and care-based approaches to medicine

Although current literature about the “cure versus care” issue tends to promote a patient-centered approach, the disease-centered approach remains the prevailing model in practice. The perceived dichotomy between the two approaches has created a barrier that could make it difficult for medical students and physicians to integrate psychosocial aspects of patient care into the prevailing disease-based model. This article examines the influence of the formal and hidden curricula on the perception of these two approaches and finds that the hidden curriculum perpetuates the notion that “cure” and “care” based approaches are dichotomous despite significant changes in formal curricula that promote a more integrated approach. The authors argue that it is detrimental for clinicians to view the two approaches as oppositional rather than complementary and attempt to give recommendations on how the influence of the hidden curriculum can be reduced to get a both-cure-and-care-approach, rather than an either-cure-or-care-approach

Different interactions of Hsp90Hsp90 and Hsp90Hsp90 with different substrates

Background: The Hsp90 chaperone complex functions in assembly, folding and activation of numerous substrates. The two vertebrate homologues encoded by hsp90 and hsp90 genes are differentially expressed in embryonic and adult tissues and during stress, however, it is not known if they possess identical functional activities in chaperone complexes. This question was addressed by examining potential differences between the Hsp90 isoforms with respect to both co-chaperone and substrate interactions. Materials and Methods: Epitope-tagged proteins were expressed in mammalian cells or Xenopus oocytes and subjected to immunoprecipitation with an array of co-chaperones. Results: Both isoforms were shown to participate equally in multi-chaperone complexes and no significant difference in co-chaperone distribution was observed. The substrates Raf-1, HSF1, Cdc37 and Mek interacted with both Hsp90 and Hsp90, and the relative patterns of these interactions were not affected by heat shock. The substrates kinases c-Src, CKIIB, A-raf, and Erk interacted with both isoforms, however, significantly more Hsp90 was recovered after heat shock. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the Hsp90 and Hsp90 exhibit similar interactions with co-chaperones, but significantly different behaviors with respect to substrate interactions under stress conditions

Expression of hsp90α and hsp90β during Xenopus laevis embryonic development

Background: Members of the eukaryotic Hsp90 family function as important molecular chaperones in the assembly, folding and activation of cellular signaling in development. Two hsp90 genes, hsp90α and hsp90β, have been identified in fish and homeothermic vertebrates but not in poikilothermic vertebrates. In the present study, the expression of hsp90α and hsp90β genes in Xenopus laevis, which is phylogenetically positioned between zebrafish and mammals, has been addressed. Methods: Partial Xenopus hsp90α and hsp90β cDNA were identified and isolated using RT-PCR, and a full-length Xenopus hsp90β cDNA was isolated from an embryonic cDNA library. Northern-blot analysis was used to study the expression of hsp90α and hsp90β genes in total RNA of the embryos and in situ hybridization was used to compare the expression of these genes with that of hsp70 and MyoD genes in Xenopus embryogenesis. Results: Northern-blot analysis revealed that the hsp90β gene was strongly expressed constitutively at all stages of embryogenesis, but weakly induced following the heat shock. In contrast, the hsp90α gene was weakly expressed in embryos at control temperature, but strongly up-regulated following heat shock. In situ hybridization results showed that hsp90α gene was observed predominantly in cells of the developing somite. Microscopic sections showed that hsp90α and MyoD mRNA are expressed in similar regions in somite and this pattern was distinct from that of hsp70 and hsp90β. Conclusion: These data support the hypothesis that the presence of hsp90α and hsp90β genes is conserved among vertebrates, and these genes are differentially regulated in a tissue, stress, and development stage-specific manner

Effect of carbamazepine on homocysteine serum level in pregnant mice and fetal malformations outcome

Background and Objective: Carbamazepine during pregnancy can induce various malformations. Recent studies have showed an increase in homocysteine level due to Carbamazepine administration. This study was to evaluate the effect of Carbamazepine on homocysteine serum level in pregnant mice and fetal malformations outcome. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 BALB/c timed-pregnant mice were allocated into 2 experimental and 2 control groups. The experimental groups were received daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg (group I) or 60 mg/kg (group II) of Carbamazepine on gestational days 6 to 15. The control groups were received either - normal saline or Tween 20. Dams underwent Cesarean section on GD 18. External examinations were done and all data concerning malformations, weight and crown-rump of fetuses collected. Blood samples were collected from Dams' hearts prior to performing the Cesarean section. Homocysteine was measured using ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, ANOVA, Chi-Square and Tukey tests. Results: Significant increase in Homocysteine levels of dams’ serum compared to control groups was seen in both experimental groups I and II (10.56±1.31 and 11.11±1.64 µmol/L, respectively, P<0.05). The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those of the control groups (P<0.05). Various malformations such as limb defects, vertebral defects, facial deformity and severe malformations were observed in fetuses of both experimental groups. Conclusion: Serum elevation of homocysteine in Carbamazepine exposed pregnant mice may be a risk factor for induction of fetal malformations