Dynamic Roles of Signaling Pathways in Maintaining Pluripotency of Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Culturing of mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro was a major breakthrough in the field of stem cell biology. These models gained popularity very soon mainly due to their pluripotency. Evidently, the ESCs of mouse and human origin share typical phenotypic responses due to their pluripotent nature, such as self-renewal capacity and potency. The conserved network of core transcription factors regulates these responses. However, significantly different signaling pathways and upstream transcriptional networks regulate expression and activity of these core pluripotency factors in ESCs of both the species. In fact, ample evidence shows that a pathway, which maintains pluripotency in mouse ESCs, promotes differentiation in human ESCs. In this review, we discuss the role of canonical signaling pathways implicated in regulation of pluripotency and differentiation particularly in mouse and human ESCs. We believe that understanding these distinct and at times-opposite mechanisms-is critical for the progress in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Public health delivery in the information age: the role of informatics and technology

AIM

Public health systems have embraced health informatics and information technology as a potential transformational tool to improve real-time surveillance systems, communication, and sharing of information among various agencies. Global pandemic outbreaks like Zika and Ebola were quickly controlled due to electronic surveillance systems enabling efficient information access and exchange. However, there is the need for a more robust technology to enhance adequate epidemic forecasting, data sharing, and effective communication. The purpose of this review was to examine the use of informatics and information technology tools and its impact on public health delivery.

METHOD

Investigators searched six electronic databases. These were MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, COMPENDEX, Scopus, and Academic Search Premier from January 2000 to 31 March 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 60 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. These studies were organized into three areas as (1) definition of the term public health informatics; (2) type of public health surveillance systems and implications for public health; and (3) electronic surveillance systems functionality, capability, training, and challenges. Our analysis revealed that due to the growing expectations to provide real-time response and population-centered evidence-based public health in this information-driven age there has been a surge in informatics and information technology adoption. Education and training programs are now available to equip public health students and professionals with skills in public health informatics. However, obstacles including interoperability, data standardization, privacy, and technology transfer persist.

CONCLUSION

Re-engineering the delivery of public health is necessary to meet the demands of the 21st century and beyond. To meet this expectation, public health must invest in workforce development and capacity through education and training in informatics.

Sickness Absence and Precarious Employment: A Comparative Cross-National Study of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway

Background:

Precarious employment is a major social determinant of health and health inequalities with effects beyond the health of workers.

Objective:

To investigate the association between precarious employment and sickness absence in 4 Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

Methods:

Logistic regression analyses were conducted separately for each country on data from 4186 respondents aged 15–65 years in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden derived from the 2010 European Working Conditions Survey. Sickness absence was based on selfreports and defined as absence of seven or more day per year. Precarious employment was operationalized as a multidimensional construct of indicators. Analyses were also conducted separately for men and women.

Results:

The prevalence of sickness absence was lowest in Sweden (18%), and highest in Finland (28%). 3 precarious employment indicators were positively associated with sickness absence; the pattern being largely similar in the total sample. In the sex-disaggregated sample, 5 precarious employment indicators increased the likelihood of sickness absence; the pattern was heterogeneous, with women generally having significantly higher odds of sickness absence than men. "Low household income" and "sickness presenteeism" were strong predictors of sickness absence among both sexes in most of the 4 studied countries. Sickness absence varied between the Nordic countries in the sex-disaggregated analyses.

Conclusion:

Precarious employment indicators predicted sickness absence in the Nordic countries. Findings emphasize the need to prioritize informed and monitored collective bargaining for all workers, increase working time flexibility, and improving work conditions.

A 'Balanced' Life: Work-Life Balance and Sickness Absence in Four Nordic Countries

Background:

Little attention has been given to the relationship between work-life balance and sickness absence.

Objective:

To investigate the association between poor work-life balance and sickness absence in 4 Nordic welfare states.

Methods:

Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed on pooled cross-sectional data of workers aged 15–65 years from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway (n=4186) obtained from the 2010 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS). Poor work-life balance was defined based on the fit between working hours and family or social commitments outside work. Self-reported sickness absence was measured as absence for ≥7 days from work for health reasons.

Results:

Poor work-life balance was associated with elevated odds (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.80) of self-reported sickness absence and more health problems in the 4 Nordic countries, even after adjusting for several important confounding factors. Work-related characteristics, no determination over schedule (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.53), and job insecurity (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.02) increased the likelihood of sickness absence, and household characteristics-cohabitation status (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96) reduced this likelihood. The associations were non-significant when performed separately for women and men.

Conclusion:

Sickness absence is predicted by poor work-life balance. Implementation of measures that prevent employee difficulties in combining work and family life seems necessary

Nephrotoxicity in the elderly due to co-prescription of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Both angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to functional renal insufficiency. In an observational study we assessed the frequency of this adverse effect in patients aged over 75 years receiving these drugs in combination. In one year, out of 1500 patients whose records were screened, 12 were prescribed this combination. 2 developed acute renal failure, of whom one died and the other recovered after discontinuation of both drugs. 4 patients showed deterioration in renal function, which returned to normal after one of the drugs was stopped. Renal function remained stable in 6 patients: patients with deterioration in renal function were older and more likely to be on diuretics. This drug combination is commonly nephrotoxic in the elderly and should be avoided, especially in those taking diuretics.

Progressive heart block in active rheumatoid arthritis

A 68-year-old woman presented with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and severe extra-articular manifestations. During the course of her treatment, her electrocardiogram (ECG) transformed from normal sinus rhythm to left bundle branch block and finally to complete heart block (CHB). Investigations ruled out an ischaemic event. A permanent pacemaker was inserted due to the symptoms of heart failure and she made an uneventful recovery. CHB in RA is probably a marker of severity of the disease.

Diagnoses in discharge communications: how far are they reliable?

To discover whether general practitioners are correctly notified of a patient's final diagnosis following hospital discharge, an observational study was undertaken in a district general hospital. The final diagnosis was compared with the diagnosis documented in the discharge summary and the take-home prescription. Two hundred discharges were studied. Only 163 (81%) discharge summaries and 138 (69%) take-home prescriptions had the correct diagnosis; 24 (12%) take-home prescriptions did not have any diagnosis at all. In some cases the diagnosis differed between the discharge summaries and the take-home prescriptions. Only in 122 (61%) cases was the final diagnosis correctly documented in both instances. Communication regarding diagnosis in discharge letters is less than adequate. Every effort should be made to improve this.

Underutilization of antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation

Most patients with atrial fibrillation should be considered for antithrombotic therapy. In a retrospective survey we investigated practice in two hospitals. For patients at high risk, established guidelines recommend warfarin, or aspirin if anticoagulants are contraindicated; for those at medium risk, either may be used. Of 156 with atrial fibrillation (acute, chronic or paroxysmal), 119 were at high risk, mean age 79 years. According to the guidelines, 89 of these were suitable for anticoagulation but only 49 (55%) received warfarin; 27 received aspirin and 13 neither. Of 27 patients at medium risk (mean age 70 years), 6 were not prescribed any antithrombotic therapy. This survey indicates that guidelines on antithrombotic therapy are commonly disregarded and that, in particular, warfarin is underutilized in the group for whom it is most indicated.

Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in biological samples

The ascorbic acid (AA)-dehydroascorbic acid redox couple is an important component of many biological systems, and various physiological roles have been described for this vitamin. Simultaneous measurement of both AA and dehydroascorbate using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has proven difficult owing to detection problems. A simple, single-step HPLC assay for the simultaneous detection of both AA and dehydroascorbate was developed without the burden of derivatization of either compounds. This has proven to be a reliable technique and should be applicable to a wide variety of biological samples.

Simultaneous monitoring of voltammetric and ion-selective electrodes in mammalian brain

A new technique of simultaneously recording from ion-selective and voltammetric microelectrodes in vivo allows one to measure concomitant ionic and monoamine neurotransmitter fluxes in the extracellular fluid space of the brain. Examples are presented of the results obtained with various drug and stimulus applications. The time correlations of the ionic and neurotransmitter fluxes are especially useful in attempting to better understand the possible interactions of these chemical dynamics with neuronal functioning.

Cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular permeability in an inescapable shock (learned helplessness) animal model of depression

The effects of a purported animal model of depression (inescapable shock, IS) was tested on: (a) escape behavior, (b) regional brain levels of norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), and dopamine, and (c), the response of the cerebromicrovasculature to metabolic demand as mimicked by manipulation of arterial CO2 content (PaCO2). Multidisciplinary research has implicated central biogenic amines in the regulation of cerebromicrocirculation. IS treatment resulted in increased escape latency and lowered levels of NE and 5-HT in the locus coeruleus but not in terminal fields in distant regions. This treatment also did not alter cerebral blood flow or capillary permeability in distant regions when compared with control rats. Thus, the discrete changes in NE and 5-HT in locus coeruleus induced by IS treatment is not reflected in changes in cerebral blood flow and the effective permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

Catecholamine distribution patterns in rat thalamus

Detailed distribution patterns for norepinephrine and dopamine in rat thalamus were determined by liquid chromatographic assays. The norepinephrine distribution is in good accord with that suggested previously by neuroanatomical tracing techniques. Detailed anterior-posterior concentration profiles for norepinephrine are summarized. An unexpected finding was a strong animal variability in thalamic dopamine content. Thalami were distinguished as having either low, intermediate or extremely high dopamine concentrations.

Lateralization of norepinephrine in human thalamus

Norepinephrine has a strongly lateralized distribution in the human thalamus. In the pulvinar region the left hemisphere is rich in norepinephrine, whereas in the somatosensory input area the right hemisphere has a higher concentration of this catecholamine. Such naturally occurring left-right differences in concentration of a neurotransmitter represent a new aspect of hemispheric specialization.