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

The role of the Suppressor of Hairy-wing insulator protein in chromatin organization and expression of transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACT Chromatin insulators are required for proper temporal and spatial expression of genes in metazoans. Insulators are thought to play an important role in the regulation of gene expression through the formation of higher-order chromatin structures. One of the best characterized insulators is the Drosophila gypsy insulator, which is located in the gypsy retrovirus. Several proteins are required for gypsy insulator function, including Su(Hw), Mod(mdg4), and CP190. In addition to the gypsy insulator, these proteins are located throughout the genome at sites which are thought to correspond to endogenous insulators. Analysis of the distribution of insulator proteins across a region of chromosome 2R in Drosophila polytene chromosomes shows that Su(Hw) is found in three structures differentially associated with insulator proteins: bands, interbands and domains of coexpressed genes. Bands are formed by condensation of chromatin within genes containing one or more Su(Hw) binding sites, while Su(Hw) sites in interbands appear to form structures normally associated with open chromatin. Bands characterized by the lack of CP190 and BEAF-32 insulator proteins are formed by clusters of coexpressed genes, and these bands correlate with the distribution of specific chromatin marks. Conservation of the band interband pattern, as well as the distribution of insulator proteins in nurse cells, suggests that this organization may represent the basic organization of interphasic chromosomes. We also show that, in addition to the gypsy insulator, sequence analysis predicts the presence of Su(Hw) binding sites within a number of transposable elements. Su(Hw) binds to predicted sites within gtwin and jockey, which possesses enhancer-blocking activity. Su(Hw) affects the tissue-specific expression of transposable elements, although this effect is unrelated to the presence of Su(Hw) binding sites within the element or control of the elements via the piRNA pathway. Additionally, the effect of Su(Hw) on transposable element expression often differs from that of Mod(mdg4). Taken together, these results suggest that insulator proteins associate specifically with, and may help to define, various levels of chromatin organization on polytene chromosomes. Also, gypsy insulator proteins may influence the expression of transposable elements in a way that does not depend on Su(Hw) binding sites within the elements themselves

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

Augmented Reality: Exploring Its Potential for Extension

Augmented reality (AR) is quickly becoming commonplace in our daily lives and in many information-sharing fields. This article addresses how Extension is exploring its application and utility for our consumers. In the article, I provide a clear definition of AR and an explanation of how it differs from virtual reality, followed by examples of AR applications within and external to Extension. I describe the origin of, development process for, and lessons learned from an eXtension Foundation–funded AR project in the hope of offering a roadmap to others. Additionally, I present findings from a statewide survey of Extension professionals about AR\u27s strengths, weaknesses, and potential

The effects of mutations and viruses on yield and quality of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam

Twelve virus-tested mericlones were derived from virus-infected \u27Beauregard\u27 clones to compare relative effects of viruses and mutations on yield and quality. Virus-tested refers to plants derived from meristem-tips that have been assayed three times with virus sensitive indicator plants Ipomoea aquatic and I. sestosa. The clones represent various selections from 10 production areas in Louisiana, two clones from the foundation seed program at Louisiana State University AgCenter Sweetpotato Research Station, and the industry standard virus-tested B-63 mericlone. Two yield plantings were made in the years 1998 and 1999. Overall, in three of four planting dates, virus-tested mericlones had significant yield increases of 92% to 505% for U.S.#1 over their respective virus-infected clones. Yield increases in three of four plantings ranged from 9% to 1000% for U.S.#1 grade for virus-tested mericlones when compared to their virus-infected clone counterparts. The majority of the tests showed virus-tested mericlones had a higher root and vine weight than virus-infected clones. Virus-tested roots had a significantly redder skin, while virus-infected roots had darker hued flesh and cortex. This has not been previously reported. Comparisons within virus-tested clones did not show any yield differences or differences in color, suggesting clonal variation has a minor affect on general agronomic traits of \u27Beauregard\u27 sweetpotato. Ten decamer primers were used in RAPD analysis of the virus-tested mericlones and virus-infected clones. No polymorphisms were found among 29 DNA markers assessed. In summation, data suggests that \u27Beauregard\u27 has a relatively stable genome and that variation among clones is mostly a function of virus infection

An Investigation of Time Management and Organization in Head Start Families

Parents are often advised to increase the amount of time spent with their preschool-age children because of the beneficial outcomes associated with positive parent-child interactions, and numerous programs exist to encourage and support this type of parent involvement. However, there is a paucity of information about whether and how parents manage and organize their time in a manner that facilitates parents’ interactions with children. Increasing home-based parent involvement is a federal mandate and central tenet of the Head Start program for low-income parents. One of the ways in which a local Head Start program encourages parent involvement is to offer weekly educational activities to families designed to be completed at home by parents and their children. The purpose of this study was to examine how a group of Head Start managed and organized their time in a manner that facilitated completion of these activities and the way in which other aspects of the home environment affected these efforts. Parents in this study (N =22) were diverse in terms of ethnicity, parenting status (grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers), employment status, marital status, and education. The constant-comparison method was used to analyze comments obtained during focus groups. Parents primarily discussed time management and organization in two ways: techniques and tools that helped them manage and organize time and the obstacles they faced in doing so. Parents also discussed alteration of the physical environment conducive to completing the activity, the benefit of social support, and the ways in which they acquired and maintained their child’s engagement in the activity. Knowledge about such time management strategies may be utilized by programs hoping to increase home-based parental involvement. This study contributes to the current dearth of information that exists about low-income family time management and organization

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