Decreased sensitivity to aspirin is associated with altered polyamine metabolism in human prostate cancer cells

Acknowledgments We thank NHS Grampian for financial support of this work.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Role of Spirituality and 12 Step Groups in Addressing Treatment Fear and Worry Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a multifarious problem. Because of uncertainty regarding appropriate clinical treatment, as well as the high potential for disfigurement and functional loss resulting in diminished quality of life (QOL), satisfactory patient participation in quality decision-making is critical. Previous research has consistently revealed that older adults frequently defer decisionmaking to their physician and make decisions more quickly than younger adults. Research also suggests that lay health beliefs, past experiences and various strategies of emotional regulation, based on perceptions of the quantity and quality of remaining time till death, may influence the decisionmaking process. This qualitative study sought to explore the treatment decision making experience of adults with newly diagnosed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including laryngeal, esophageal, and oral cancers (N=41). In depth interviews were conducted at the time of diagnosis and after treatment completion. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Participants cited negative changes in appearance, resources, or relationships as well as pain, suffering, and the development or exacerbations of other health concerns as the most feared or worrisome aspect of treatment. Additionally, spirituality and spiritual practices as learned through 12 step group programs assisted participants in alleviating these fears and worries and provided a framework for navigating treatment decisions and the overall lived cancer experience. Principles of 12 step programs such as life review and reconciliation may provide valuable and useful benefits to patients across the illness experience

GETTING TO THE OTHER SIDE: AN EXPLORATION OF THE HEAD AND NECK CANCER TREATMENT EXPERIENCE

Diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a multifarious problem. Late stage diagnosis, uncertainty regarding appropriate clinical treatment, as well as the high potential for disfigurement and functional loss resulting in diminished quality of life, contributes to anxiety, stress, fear, and uncertainty throughout the cancer treatment experience. This qualitative study sought to explore the cancer treatment experience of adults with newly diagnosed HNSCC, including laryngeal, esophageal, and oral cancers. Study participants were recruited from the University of Kentucky Ear Nose and Throat Clinic in Lexington KY. Participants agreed to be interviewed after receipt of their cancer diagnosis and again after completion of their cancer treatment. Socio-emotional Selectivity Theory, and Leventhal’s Self-Regulation Model provided the theoretical foundation for exploring the ongoing emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of the cancer experience while also recognizing the role of age and time perception. Forty-one patients completed two in depth semi- structured interviews. Transcripts were coded for key themes. Findings indicated that HNSCC in older patients is often preceded by lifelong alcohol, tobacco, and substance use. Despite frequent interaction with health and substance abuse treatment professionals, very few patients had prior knowledge of HNSCC risk or had been screened for these cancers. Experience with addiction treatment programs and perceptions of time seem to influence cancer treatment experience. The following themes were identified: (1) dynamic time perspectives including taking time, making time, junk time and time out; (2) recovery vs. cure from disease; (3) the role of reconciliation, hope, self-inventory, reflection, and spirituality in navigating the cancer experience; (4) the role of healing vs. cure; and (5) patient\u27s moving forward to a life after cancer. Findings from this investigation suggest that patients with a history of lifelong substance use could benefit from earlier detection and improved awareness and knowledge of HNSCC risk. Findings can be applied to improve access to cancer screening through addiction and cessation programs, reduce lags in diagnosis, improve prognosis and contribute to the development of clinical tools. Additionally, the intersection of advancing chronological age, comorbidity, and perception of time warrants further investigation

Upregulation of Polyamine Transport in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Funding: M.C. was funded by CONACyT, Mexico with the PhD scholarship 237771/411030. Acknowledgments: We would like to thank Mark Burns of Aminex Therapeutics for kindly providing the AMXT compounds and P.M. Woster from Medical University of South Carolina for DFMO and Gary Cameron for LC-MS analyes Author Contributions: M.C. and H.M.W. designed the study. M.C. performed the experiments, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. H.M.W. interpreted the data and revised the manuscript. Conceptualisation, Heather M Wallace; funding acquisition, Heather M Wallace; investigation, Misael Corral; methodology, Misael Corral and Heather M Wallace; resources, H.M.W.; supervision, H.M.W.; validation, M.C.; visualisation, M.C.; writing—original draft, M.C.; writing—review and editing, H.M.W.. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Understanding the Polyamine and mTOR Pathway Interaction in Breast Cancer Cell Growth

Funding: O.A. was funded by University of Aberdeen PhD Elphinstone Scholarship. Acknowledgments: We would like to thank P.M. Woster from Medical University of South Carolina for providing the DFMO used in this study and Gary Cameron from University of Aberdeen for help with LC-MS analyses.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Teaching Health Education Through the Development of Student Centered Video Assignment

The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which a student centered video assignment enhanced student learning about developing and teaching a health education plan designed to address a complex public health problem. The objectives of the assignment included (1) to explore a complex public health problem, (2) practice developing a corresponding health education plan, and (3) develop and fully execute a multimedia video to deliver high impact health education and or promotion to a diverse audience. The assignment referred to as the student centered video assignment was developed and piloted at Grand Valley State University and included students participating in a 200 level undergraduate introductory public health course. Students working in groups of 3, worked through the project in multiple phases with corresponding elements: problem identification, problem solving, plan development and the creation of the video, which included four primary elements: Dig Deeper, Think, Discuss, and Watch. Upon completion of the video, students were asked to voluntarily complete a 10-question survey about the benefits of learning through a video creation assignment. A total of 15 students completed the survey with the majority either strongly agreeing or agreeing that the video assignment enhanced learning. Survey results suggest that the assignment is beneficial and favored over other assignment types. Additionally, students reported that the project was beneficial in learning the concepts and competencies associated with public health education. Finally, students indicated that the creation of videos as a means to explore and apply course concepts was favored as an assignment format in future coursework. Instructor assessment of learning outcomes occurred through ongoing grading of and feedback on the project elements. The findings reveal that students enjoyed the opportunity to engage in real world problem solving, gained insight, perspective and scope through group discussion and collaboration, and felt that they learned new skills in created the video

Characterising the Response of Human Breast Cancer Cells to Polyamine Modulation

Funding: O.A. was funded by University of Aberdeen PhD Elphinstone Scholarship Acknowledgments: We would like to thank Patrick Woster of Medical University of South.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Repurposing of Idebenone as a potential anticancer agent

Funding. E.D. was funded by an internal research grant from the Polytechnic University of the Marche provided by MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research). Funding for FACS experiments was provided by grant code no. RO10014-13 from the Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology Research Programme, University of Aberdeen.Peer reviewedPostprin

Assessing Curriculum Planning for Humanities Inquiry: The Challenges and Opportunities of Poster Presentation

Authentic assessment has been promoted in teacher education as a means of addressing the challenge that pre-service teachers often face in translating theory into practice. In this article, we outline one approach to authentic assessment that utilises a poster format to present a humanities inquiry sequence. Drawing on a practice-based research project into inquiry learning, we explore the challenges and opportunities of this mode of assessment in meeting our curriculum aims. While we acknowledge limitations in this method, we conclude that posters provide a succinct and engaging means of organising, disseminating and assessing inquiry planning in humanities

A role for antizyme inhibitor in cell proliferation

Acknowledgments We thank Ewa Dahlberg and Lena Thiman for expert technical help with cell culturing and HPLC, respectively. The authors acknowledge financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology—SFRH/BD/46364/2008 (PhD fellowship to T. M. S.), the Gunnar Nilssons Cancer Foundation, the Mrs Berta Kamprad Foundation and the Per-Eric and Ulla Schyberg Foundation. Heather Wallace was supported by a visiting scholarship from Lund University. We are grateful for the generous supply of AzI antibody and pcDNA3.1-AzI from Dr. Senya Matsufuji and Dr. Yasuku Murakami (Tokyo, Japan), and Dr. Leif Andersson (Helsinki, Finland), respectively.Peer reviewedPublisher PD