Review of \u3cem\u3eMedicare Reform: Issues and Answers.\u3c/em\u3e Andrew J. Rettenmaier and Thomas R. Saving (Eds.). Reviewed by Deborah Schild Wilkinson, University of Michigan.

Book review for Andrew J. Rettenmaier and Thomas R. Saving (Eds.), Medicare Reform: Issues and Answers. Chicago, IL.: University of Chicago Press, 2000. $25.00 hardcover,$17.00 papercover

Review of \u3cem\u3eEngendering International Health: The Challenge of Equity.\u3c/em\u3e Gita Sen, Asha George and Piroska Osltin (Eds.). Reviewed by Deborah Schild Wilkinson.

Book review of Gita Sen, Asha George and Piroska Osltin (Eds.) Engendering International Health: The Challenge of Equity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2002 $24.95 papercover

The S. pombe translation initiation factor eIF4G is sumoylated and associates with the SUMO protease Ulp2

SUMO is a small post-translational modifier, that is attached to lysine residues in target proteins. It acts by altering proteinprotein interactions, protein localisation and protein activity. SUMO chains can also act as substrates for ubiquitination, resulting in proteasome-mediated degradation of the target protein. SUMO is removed from target proteins by one of a number of specific proteases. The processes of sumoylation and desumoylation have well documented roles in DNA metabolism and in the maintenance of chromatin structure. To further analyse the role of this modification, we have purified protein complexes containing the S. pombe SUMO protease, Ulp2. These complexes contain proteins required for ribosome biogenesis, RNA stability and protein synthesis. Here we have focussed on two translation initiation factors that we identified as co-purifying with Ulp2, eIF4G and eIF3h. We demonstrate that eIF4G, but not eIF3h, is sumoylated. This modification is increased under conditions that produce cytoplasmic stress granules. Consistent with this we observe partial co-localisation of eIF4G and SUMO in stressed cells. Using HeLa cells, we demonstrate that human eIF4GI is also sumoylated; in vitro studies indicate that human eIF4GI is modified on K1368 and K1588, that are located in the C-terminal eIF4A- and Mnk-binding sites respectively

Excess gestational weight gain : an exploration of midwives\u27 views and practice.

BackgroundExcess gestational weight gain (GWG) can affect the immediate and long term health outcomes of mother and infant. Understanding health providers\u27 views, attitudes and practices around GWG is crucial to assist in the development of practical, time efficient and cost effective ways of supporting health providers to promote healthy GWGs. This study aimed to explore midwives\u27 views, attitudes and approaches to the assessment, management and promotion of healthy GWG and to investigate their views on optimal interventions. MethodsMidwives working in antenatal care were recruited from one rural and one urban Australian maternity hospital employing purposive sampling strategies to assess a range of practice areas. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 experienced midwives using an interview guide and all interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. ResultsMidwives interviewed exhibited a range of views, attitudes and practices related to GWG. Three dominant themes emerged. Overall GWG was given low priority for midwives working in the antenatal care service in both hospitals. In addition, the midwives were deeply concerned for the physical and psychological health of pregnant women and worried about perceived negative impacts of discussion about weight and related interventions with women. Finally, the midwives saw themselves as central in providing lifestyle behaviour education to pregnant women and identified opportunities for support to promote healthy GWG. ConclusionsThe findings indicate that planning and implementation of healthy GWG interventions are likely to be challenging because the factors impacting on midwives\u27 engagement in the GWG arena are varied and complex. This study provides insights for guideline and intervention development for the promotion of healthy GWG. <br /

Investigating the mechanisms of methotrexate neurotoxicity in patients with childhood leukaemia and long-term survivors.

Background/Objectives Adverse neurological events are common (4-20%) during treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and include seizures, stroke like syndrome and leukoencephalopathy. In addition, chronic neurotoxicity is emerging as a worrying late effect of treatment with long-term survivors experiencing decreased executive function, processing speed and memory function. Survivors are also at increased risk of experiencing learning difficulties, social withdrawal issues and inattention hyperactivity disorders. Methotrexate, an anti-folate chemotherapy agent, is a mainstay of pediatric leukemia treatment regimens globally and is widely implicated as a cause of these neurological side effects. We hypothesise that methotrexate disrupts DNA methylation via effects on S-adenosyl methionine, a key metabolic component that has previously been described to regulate genes involved in myelination. Design/Methods Using both the oligodendrocytic-like cell line MO3.13 and glial cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) treated with methotrexate, we assayed for changes in DNA methylation and effects on gene expression using whole-genome methylation arrays and RNAseq, respectively. Genes with corresponding methylation and expression changes were selected for further studies of expression by real-time qPCR and assessment of protein levels. Results We identified DNA methylation and corresponding expression changes in genes involved in neurodevelopmental pathways and neurological disorders. Of particular interest was dose-dependent demethylation and increased gene expression of IRS1, a vital component of insulin signalling pathways that is highly expressed in neural tissue and implicated in regulating cognitive performance. We also detected altered DNA methylation within the PLP1 gene, which encodes the most prevalent protein component of myelin. We found that methotrexate treatment in iPSC-derived oligodendrocytes resulted in increased PLP1 methylation associated with a reduction in PLP1 transcript levels as well as PLP1 protein levels. Conclusions Our work provides insight as to the biological mechanisms behind methotrexate-induced neurological side effects for the first time and implicates altered insulin signalling and myelination pathways as a potential causative factor in neurotoxicity. Further work including the use of animal models is warranted for advancing these results towards informing clinical practice

Robotic and Information Technologies in UK Dairy Farming

This report is a summary of our research project findings

Supporting physiotherapy learners in practice settings: a mixed methods evaluation of experiences of physiotherapy educators.

Practice-based education is an essential component of pre-registration physiotherapy programs, and there is a need for a contemporary review of practice-based educational experiences. The aim of this study was to explore physiotherapy practice educators' experiences of supporting learners to inform considerations for future workforce development. This was a mixed methods sequential explanatory study based in the United Kingdom (UK). Phase one of the study utilized an online survey disseminated via the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) professional networks. Phase two consisted of three semi-structured focus group interviews with participants who expressed an interest via completion of the online survey. All were registered or associate CSP members who actively support practice-based education. A total of 208 participants completed the online survey and a sub-set of 15 participated in online focus groups. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Initial thematic analysis of qualitative data from both phases was undertaken by one researcher. Subsequent analyses were carried out independently by the remaining research team, and comparisons were made to agree on codes, categories, and themes. The practice educator is vital in developing the future workforce (30%,  = 61, strongly agree). Identified challenges included supervising more than one learner (34%,  = 67 not at all experienced) and using technology to provide alternative placement models (45%,  = 87 not at all experienced). Practice educators need accessible opportunities for professional development. Practice-based education should be embedded as an integral component of all staff roles. A team approach is essential to developing the future physiotherapy workforce