Understanding the latent structure of job performance ratings

This study quantified the effects of 5 factors postulated to influence performance ratings: the ratee's general level of performance, the ratee's performance on a specific dimension, the rater's idiosyncratic rating tendencies, the rater's organizational perspective, and random measurement error. Two large data sets, consisting of managers (n = 2,350 and n = 2,142) who received developmental ratings on 3 performance dimensions from 7 raters (2 bosses, 2 peers, 2 subordinates, and self) were used. Results indicated that idiosyncratic rater effects (62% and 53%) accounted for over half of the rating variance in both data sets. The combined effects of general and dimensional ratee performance (21% and 25%) were less than half the size of the idiosyncratic rater effects. Small perspective-related effects were found in boss and subordinate ratings but not in peer ratings. Average random error effects in the 2 data sets were 11% and 18%.

NF-κB and STAT1 control CXCL1 and CXCL2 gene transcription

Diabetes mellitus results from immune cell invasion into pancreatic islets of Langerhans, eventually leading to selective destruction of the insulin-producing β-cells. How this process is initiated is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the regulation of the CXCL1 and CXCL2 genes, which encode proteins that promote migration of CXCR2(+) cells, such as neutrophils, toward secreting tissue. Herein, we found that IL-1β markedly enhanced the expression of the CXCL1 and CXCL2 genes in rat islets and β-cell lines, which resulted in increased secretion of each of these proteins. CXCL1 and CXCL2 also stimulated the expression of specific integrin proteins on the surface of human neutrophils. Mutation of a consensus NF-κB genomic sequence present in both gene promoters reduced the ability of IL-1β to promote transcription. In addition, IL-1β induced binding of the p65 and p50 subunits of NF-κB to these consensus κB regulatory elements as well as to additional κB sites located near the core promoter regions of each gene. Additionally, serine-phosphorylated STAT1 bound to the promoters of the CXCL1 and CXCL2 genes. We further found that IL-1β induced specific posttranslational modifications to histone H3 in a time frame congruent with transcription factor binding and transcript accumulation. We conclude that IL-1β-mediated regulation of the CXCL1 and CXCL2 genes in pancreatic β-cells requires stimulus-induced changes in histone chemical modifications, recruitment of the NF-κB and STAT1 transcription factors to genomic regulatory sequences within the proximal gene promoters, and increases in phosphorylated forms of RNA polymerase II.

Regulation of iNOS gene transcription by IL-1β and IFN-γ requires a coactivator exchange mechanism

The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IFN-γ decrease functional islet β-cell mass in part through the increased expression of specific genes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Dysregulated iNOS protein accumulation leads to overproduction of nitric oxide, which induces DNA damage, impairs β-cell function, and ultimately diminishes cellular viability. However, the transcriptional mechanisms underlying cytokine-mediated expression of the iNOS gene are not completely understood. Herein, we demonstrated that individual mutations within the proximal and distal nuclear factor-κB sites impaired cytokine-mediated transcriptional activation. Surprisingly, mutating IFN-γ-activated site (GAS) elements in the iNOS gene promoter, which are classically responsive to IFN-γ, modulated transcriptional sensitivity to IL-1β. Transcriptional sensitivity to IL-1β was increased by generation of a consensus GAS element and decreased correspondingly with 1 or 2 nucleotide divergences from the consensus sequence. The nuclear factor-κB subunits p65 and p50 bound to the κB response elements in an IL-1β-dependent manner. IL-1β also promoted binding of serine-phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) (Ser727) but not tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT1 (Tyr701) to GAS elements. However, phosphorylation at Tyr701 was required for IFN-γ to potentiate the IL-1β response. Furthermore, coactivator p300 and coactivator arginine methyltransferase were recruited to the iNOS gene promoter with concomitant displacement of the coactivator CREB-binding protein in cells exposed to IL-1β. Moreover, these coordinated changes in factor recruitment were associated with alterations in acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation of histone proteins. We conclude that p65 and STAT1 cooperate to control iNOS gene transcription in response to proinflammatory cytokines by a coactivator exchange mechanism. This increase in transcription is also associated with signal-specific chromatin remodeling that leads to RNA polymerase II recruitment and phosphorylation.

Cultural competency and nursing care: an Australian perspective

AIMS

To propose a process that will facilitate cultural competence in Australian nursing practice.

BACKGROUND

Cultural diversity is a prominent feature of the Australian health system and is impacting significantly on nursing care quality. A fictitious, but typical clinical exemplar is profiled that identifies cultural insensitivity in care practices leading to poor quality outcomes for the health consumer and her family. Strategies are proposed that will reverse this practice and promote culturally competent nursing care and that locates overseas qualified nurses in this process.

CONCLUSION

This paper contributes to nursing care quality internationally by articulating strategies to achieve cultural competence in practice. Nurses must pay attention to interpersonal relationships and develop respect for the health consumer's value systems and ways of being, in order to protect their rights and avoid the tendency to stereotype individuals from particular cultures. The expertise of qualified nurses from different cultures can greatly assist this process.

An enhanced postnatal autoimmune profile in 24 week-old C57BL/6 mice developmentally exposed to TCDD

Developmental exposure of mice to the environmental contaminant and AhR agonist, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), causes persistent postnatal suppression of T cell-mediated immune responses. The extent to which prenatal TCDD may induce or exacerbate postnatal autoimmune disease remains unknown. In the present study, time-pregnant high affinity AhR C57BL/6 mice received a single oral administration of 0, 2.5, or 5 microg/kg TCDD on gestation day (gd) 12. Offspring of these mice (n=5/gender/treatment) were evaluated at 24 weeks-of-age and showed considerable immune dysregulation that was often gender-specific. Decreased thymic weight and percentages of CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes, and increased CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes, were present in the female but not male offspring. Males but not females showed decreased CD4(-)CD8(+) T cells, and increased Vbeta3(+) and Vbeta17a(+) T cells, in the spleen. Males but not females also showed increased percentages of bone marrow CD24(-)B220(+) B cell progenitors. Antibody titers to dsDNA, ssDNA and cardiolipin displayed increasing trends in both male and female mice, reaching significance for anti-dsDNA in both genders and for ssDNA in males at 5 microg/kg TCDD. Immunofluorescent staining of IgG and C3 deposition in kidney glomeruli increased in both genders of prenatal TCDD-exposed mice, suggestive of early stages of autoimmune glomerulonephritis. Collectively, these results show that exposure to TCDD during immune system development causes persistent humoral immune dysregulation as well as altered cell-mediated responses, and induces an adult profile of changes suggestive of increased risk for autoimmune disease.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in Apoe-/- mice heterozygous for the insulin receptor and the insulin receptor substrate-1

OBJECTIVE

Prediabetic states are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis, but the availability of mouse models to study connections between these diseases has been limited. The aim of this study was to test the selective role of impaired insulin receptor/insulin receptor substrate-1 signaling on atherogenesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To address the effects of impaired insulin signaling associated with hyperinsulinemia on atherosclerosis in the absence of obesity and hyperglycemia, we generated insulin receptor (Insr)/insulin receptor substrate-1 (Insr1) double heterozygous apolipoprotein (Apoe)-knockout mice (Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-)Apoe(-/-)) mice. Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-)Apoe(-/-) mice fed a Western diet for 15 weeks showed elevated levels of fasting insulin compared to Insr(+/+)Irs1(+/+)Apoe(-/-) mice. There were no significant differences in glucose, triglyceride, HDL, VLDL, cholesterol levels or free fatty acid in the plasma of Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-)Apoe(-/-) and Insr(+/+)Irs1(+/+)Apoe(-/-) mice. Atherosclerotic lesions were increased in male (brachiocephalic artery) and female (aortic tree) Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-)Apoe(-/-) compared to Insr(+/+)Irs1(+/+)Apoe(-/-) mice. Bone marrow transfer experiments demonstrated that nonhematopoietic cells have to be Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-) to accelerate atherosclerosis. Impaired insulin signaling resulted in decreased levels of vascular phospho-eNOS, attenuated endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and elevated VCAM-1 expression in aortas of Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-)Apoe(-/-) mice. In addition, phospho-ERK and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation were significantly elevated in aortas of Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-)Apoe(-/-) mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that defective insulin signaling is involved in accelerated atherosclerosis in Insr(+/-)Irs1(+/-)Apoe(-/-) mice by promoting vascular dysfunction and inflammation.

Regulation of the CCL2 gene in pancreatic β-cells by IL-1β and glucocorticoids: role of MKP-1

Release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from both resident and invading leukocytes within the pancreatic islets impacts the development of Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Synthesis and secretion of the chemokine CCL2 from pancreatic β-cells in response to pro-inflammatory signaling pathways influences immune cell recruitment into the pancreatic islets. Therefore, we investigated the positive and negative regulatory components controlling expression of the CCL2 gene using isolated rat islets and INS-1-derived β-cell lines. We discovered that activation of the CCL2 gene by IL-1β required the p65 subunit of NF-κB and was dependent on genomic response elements located in the -3.6 kb region of the proximal gene promoter. CCL2 gene transcription in response to IL-1β was blocked by pharmacological inhibition of the IKKβ and p38 MAPK pathways. The IL-1β-mediated increase in CCL2 secretion was also impaired by p38 MAPK inhibition and by glucocorticoids. Moreover, multiple synthetic glucocorticoids inhibited the IL-1β-stimulated induction of the CCL2 gene. Induction of the MAP Kinase Phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) gene by glucocorticoids or by adenoviral-mediated overexpression decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, which diminished CCL2 gene expression, promoter activity, and release of CCL2 protein. We conclude that glucocorticoid-mediated repression of IL-1β-induced CCL2 gene transcription and protein secretion occurs in part through the upregulation of the MKP-1 gene and subsequent deactivation of the p38 MAPK. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory actions observed with MKP-1 overexpression were obtained without suppressing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Thus, MKP-1 is a possible target for anti-inflammatory therapeutic intervention with preservation of β-cell function.

Hatchling sea turtles use surface waves to establish a magnetic compass direction

Hatchling sea turtles emerge from underground nests, crawl to the ocean, and swim away from the land. In shallow water near shore, hatchlings maintain offshore headings by swimming into oceanic waves; in deeper water, however, turtles appear to rely on different mechanisms to maintain their courses. To determine whether loggerhead hatchlings, Caretta caretta L., are able to transfer a course initiated on the basis of waves to a course maintained by a magnetic compass, we studied the orientation behaviour of turtles that had been exposed to waves for either 15 or 30 min before being tested in still water. Hatchlings that swam into waves for 15 min failed to continue swimming on similar courses when the waves were discontinued, but turtles that swam into waves for 30 min maintained similar mean headings after the waves stopped. Inverting the vertical component of the magnetic field during the test period reversed the direction of orientation of this latter group of turtles. Thus, hatchlings can transfer a heading induced by waves to a magnetic compass, and thereby continue to migrate away from land after contact with the coast is lost. Migratory orientation in turtles resembles that of birds in that both rely on multiple cues and an ability to transfer information between various cues and compasses at appropriate times during the journey.Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

The mitochondrial genome of the stramenopile alga Chrysodidymus synuroideus. Complete sequence, gene content and genome organization

This is the first report of a complete mitochondrial genome sequence from a photosynthetic member of the stramenopiles, the chrysophyte alga Chrysodidymus synuroideus. The circular-mapping mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 34 119 bp contains 58 densely packed genes (all without introns) and five unique open reading frames (ORFs). Protein genes code for components of respiratory chain complexes, ATP synthase and the mitoribosome, as well as one product of unknown function, encoded in many other protist mtDNAs (YMF16). In addition to small and large subunit ribosomal RNAs, 23 tRNAs are mtDNA-encoded, permitting translation of all codons present in protein-coding genes except ACN (Thr) and CGN (Arg). The missing tRNAs are assumed to be imported from the cytosol. Comparison of the C.SYNUROIDEUS: mtDNA with that of other stramenopiles allowed us to draw conclusions about mitochondrial genome organization, expression and evolution. First, we provide evidence that mitochondrial ORFs code for highly derived, unrecognizable versions of ribosomal or respiratory genes otherwise 'missing' in a particular mtDNA. Secondly, the observed constraints in mitochondrial genome rearrangements suggest operon-based, co-ordinated expression of genes functioning in common biological processes. Finally, stramenopile mtDNAs reveal an unexpectedly low variability in genome size and gene complement, testifying to substantial differences in the tempo of mtDNA evolution between major eukaryotic lineages.

Anti-(human immunodeficiency virus) activity of polyoxotungstates and their inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase

Heteropolyoxotungstates of the Keggin class containing different heteroatoms were tested for inhibition of two strains of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1); they exhibited varying antiviral activity. Compounds containing boron were inactive, only one of those containing phosphorus showed selective anti-viral activity, whereas all silicon-containing compounds exhibited significant anti-viral activity in C8166 cells infected with the IIIB strain. Their effectiveness was some 10-fold higher in JM cells with selectivity indices of about 2000. The silicotungstates were effective inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase, showing greater inhibition with RNA/DNA template primers than with DNA/DNA template.primer. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that they inhibit the enzyme by different mechanisms, as, of the four compounds examined, two competed with template.primer and two competed with deoxynucleoside triphosphate. Inhibition of DNA polymerase activity by these compounds was compared using polymerases from different sources, including human; although not necessarily most specific for HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, they did not inhibit all DNA polymerases to a similar degree.

Developmental exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alters postnatal T cell phenotypes and T cell function and exacerbates autoimmune lupus in 24-week-old SNF1 mice

BACKGROUND

Untreated, more than 95% of female SWR x NZB: F(1) (SNF(1)) mice spontaneously develop a fatal lupus-like glomerulonephritis by 8 months-of-age, while disease onset in males is much slower.

METHODS

: Timed-pregnant SNF(1) mice (10 per treatment) were exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on gestational day (GD) 12 by oral maternal gavage with 0, 40, or 80 microg/kg TCDD.

RESULTS

Offspring of the TCDD-exposed dams showed numerous alterations in T lineage cells at 24 weeks-of-age. Females but not males showed decreased CD4(+)8(+) and increased CD4(-)8(-) thymocytes. Females also showed increased autoreactive CD4(+)Vbeta17(a+) axillary and inguinal lymph node T cells. Concanavalin A-stimulated splenocytes from prenatal TCDD-treated mice produced decreased interleukin 17 (IL-17) in the females while males showed increased IL-2 and IFN-gamma, and diminished IL-4. Mitogen-stimulated pan-lymphoproliferative responses were significantly increased across sex by TCDD. Anti-IgG and anti-C3 immune complex deposition in kidneys was present in the males after TCDD, and visibly worsened in females.

CONCLUSIONS

Developmental TCDD exposure can permanently alter T lymphopoiesis in autoimmune-prone SNF1 mice. The alteration profile is beyond the classic immune suppression response, to also include exacerbation and induction of a lupuslike autoimmune disease.

Eating Frequency, Food Intake, and Weight: A Systematic Review of Human and Animal Experimental Studies

Eating frequently during the day, or "grazing," has been proposed to assist with managing food intake and weight. This systematic review assessed the effect of greater eating frequency (EF) on intake and anthropometrics in human and animal experimental studies. Studies were identified through the PubMed electronic database. To be included, studies needed to be conducted in controlled settings or use methods that carefully monitored food intake, and measure food intake or anthropometrics. Studies using human or animal models of disease states (i.e., conditions influencing glucose or lipid metabolism), aside from being overweight or obese, were not included. The 25 reviewed studies (15 human and 10 animal studies) contained varying study designs, EF manipulations (1-24 eating occasions per day), lengths of experimentation (230 min to 28 weeks), and sample sizes (3-56 participants/animals per condition). Studies were organized into four categories for reporting results: (1) human studies conducted in laboratory/metabolic ward settings; (2) human studies conducted in field settings; (3) animal studies with experimental periods <1 month; and (4) animal studies with experimental periods >1 month. Out of the 13 studies reporting on consumption, 8 (61.5%) found no significant effect of EF. Seventeen studies reported on anthropometrics, with 11 studies (64.7%) finding no significant effect of EF. Future, adequately powered, studies should examine if other factors (i.e., disease states, physical activity, energy balance and weight status, long-term increased EF) influence the relationship between increased EF and intake and/or anthropometrics.

A pyroelectric thermal imaging system for use in medical diagnosis

The value of infra-red thermography in a number of pathologies, notably rheumatology and vascular diseases, is becoming well established. However, the high cost of thermal scanners and the associated image processing computers has been a limitation to the widespread availability of this technique to the clinical community. This paper describes a relatively inexpensive thermographic system based on a pyroelectric vidicon scanner and a microcomputer. Software has been written with particular reference to the use of thermography in rheumatoid arthritis and vasospastic conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon.

Paclitaxel with or without trametinib or pazopanib in advanced wild-type BRAF melanoma (PACMEL): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Advanced melanoma treatments often rely on immunotherapy or targeting mutations, with few treatment options for wild-type BRAF (BRAF-wt) melanoma. However, the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is activated in most melanoma, including BRAF-wt. We assessed whether inhibiting this pathway by adding kinase inhibitors trametinib or pazopanib to paclitaxel chemotherapy improved outcomes in patients with advanced BRAF-wt melanoma in a phase II, randomised and open-label trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomised (1 : 1 : 1) to paclitaxel alone or with trametinib or pazopanib. Paclitaxel was given for a maximum of six cycles, while 2 mg trametinib and 800 mg pazopanib were administered orally once daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Participants and investigators were unblinded. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Key secondary end points included overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

Participants were randomised to paclitaxel alone (n = 38), paclitaxel and trametinib (n = 36), or paclitaxel and pazopanib (n = 37). Adding trametinib significantly improved 6-month PFS [time ratio (TR), 1.47; 90% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.01, P = 0.04] and ORR (42% versus 13%; P = 0.01) but had no effect on OS (P = 0.25). Adding pazopanib did not benefit 6-month PFS; (TR 1.36; 90% CI 0.96-1.93; P = 0.14), ORR, or OS. Toxicity increased in both combination arms.

CONCLUSION

In this phase II trial, adding trametinib to paclitaxel chemotherapy for BRAF-wt melanoma improved PFS and substantially increased ORR but did not impact OS.This study was registered with the EU Clinical Trials Register, EudraCT number 2011-002545-35, and with the ISRCTN registry, number 43327231.

Identification of functioning sweat pores and visualization of skin temperature patterns in X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia by whole body thermography

In this preliminary study, non-invasive infrared thermography has been used to visualize individual sweat pores and whole body skin temperature patterns in subjects with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XHED) and normal controls. The findings in eight obligate heterozygotes and four affected males were compared to six normal female controls and to six non-manifesting females at risk for carrier status. Sweat secretion from individual pores in circumscribed areas was imaged using a high spatial resolution SPRITE infrared detector system working in the 8-14 microns band. In seven out of eight obligate heterozygotes, skin areas devoid of active sweat glands were found on the face, the hands or the trunk. Tear front movement over the cornea was also visualized and abnormal patterns were identified in obligate heterozygotes. Whole body skin temperature patterns, obtained with an Agema 780 Medical Thermovision system, identified abnormal skin temperature distributions, including characteristic aberrant "cascade" back patterns, in obligate carriers. Two out of six "at risk" females had skin temperature patterns comparable with obligate heterozygotes and we have tentatively concluded that they are carriers. Thermal imaging may be used for the examination of "at risk" non-manifesting females in families with a single affected male. The results of this study suggest that the random X-inactivation in females with XHED, as well as producing relatively large skin areas with sweat pore aplasia, is also associated with abnormal temperature patterns that are consistent with altered peripheral vascular perfusion.

RADVAN: a randomised phase 2 trial of WBRT plus vandetanib for melanoma brain metastases - results and lessons learnt

BACKGROUND

Brain metastases occur in up to 75% of patients with advanced melanoma. Most are treated with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT), with limited effectiveness. Vandetanib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor and rearranged during transfection tyrosine kinases, is a potent radiosensitiser in xenograft models. We compared WBRT with WBRT plus vandetanib in the treatment of patients with melanoma brain metastases.

METHODS

In this double-blind, multi-centre, phase 2 trial patients with melanoma brain metastases were randomised to receive WBRT (30 Gy in 10 fractions) plus 3 weeks of concurrent vandetanib 100 mg once daily or placebo. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in brain (PFS brain). The main study was preceded by a safety run-in phase to confirm tolerability of the combination. A post-hoc analysis and literature review considered barriers to recruiting patients with melanoma brain metastases to clinical trials.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were recruited, six to the safety phase and 18 to the randomised phase. The study closed early due to poor recruitment. Median PFS brain was 3.3 months (90% confidence interval (CI): 1.6-5.6) in the vandetanib group and 2.5 months (90% CI: 0.2-4.8) in the placebo group (P=0.34). Median overall survival (OS) was 4.6 months (90% CI: 1.6-6.3) and 2.5 months (90% CI: 0.2-7.2), respectively (P=0.54). The most frequent adverse events were fatigue, alopecia, confusion and nausea. The most common barrier to study recruitment was availability of alternative treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of WBRT plus vandetanib was well tolerated. Compared with WBRT alone, there was no significant improvement in PFS brain or OS, although we are unable to provide a definitive result due to poor accrual. A review of barriers to trial accrual identified several factors that affect study recruitment in this difficult disease area.

Dual Erb B Inhibition in Oesophago-gastric Cancer (DEBIOC): A phase I dose escalating safety study and randomised dose expansion of AZD8931 in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine chemotherapy in patients with oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

AZD8931 has equipotent activity against epidermal growth factor receptor, erbB2, and erbB3. Primary objectives were to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of AZD8931 + chemotherapy, and subsequently assess safety/preliminary clinical activity in patients with operable oesophagogastric cancer (OGC).

METHODS

AZD8931 (20 mg, 40 mg or 60 mg bd) was given with Xelox (oxaliplatin + capecitabine) for eight 21-day cycles, continuously or with intermittent schedule (4 days on/3 off every week; 14 days on/7 off, per cycle) in a rolling-six design. Subsequently, patients with OGC were randomised 2:1 to AZD8931 + Xelox at RP2D or Xelox only for two cycles, followed by radical oesophagogastric surgery. Secondary outcomes were safety, complete resection (R0) rate, six-month progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival.

RESULTS

During escalation, four dose-limiting toxicities were observed among 24 patients: skin rash (1) and failure to deliver 100% of Xelox because of treatment-associated grade III-IV adverse events (AEs) (3: diarrhoea and vomiting; vomiting; fatigue). Serious adverse events (SAE) occurred in 15 of 24 (63%) patients. RP2D was 20-mg bd with the 4/3 schedule. In the expansion phase, 2 of 20 (10%) patients in the Xelox + AZD8931 group and 5/10 (50%) patients in the Xelox group had grade III-IV AEs. Six-month PFS was 85% (90% CI: 66%-94%) in Xelox + AZD8931 and 100% in Xelox alone. Seven deaths (35%) occurred with Xelox + AZD8931 and one (10%) with Xelox. R0 rate was 45% (9/20) with Xelox + AZD8931 and 90% (9/10) with Xelox-alone (P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Xelox + AZD8931 (20 mg bd 4/3 days) has an acceptable safety profile administered as neoadjuvant therapy in operable patients with OGC. (Trial registration: EudraCT 2011-003169-13, ISRCTN-68093791).

Monoclonal antibodies to DIPA: a novel binding partner of p120-catenin isoform 1

The coiled-coil domain-containing delta-interacting protein A (DIPA) is a transcription factor implicated in developmental regulation. DIPA is the first protein discovered to selectively interact with the p120-catenin (p120) isoform 1, an alternatively spliced form of p120 expressed preferentially in mesenchymal cells. Although a small fraction of p120 can be observed in the nucleus under certain circumstances, the vast majority of it associates with classical cadherins at adherens junctions. We observed for the first time that a discrete fraction of DIPA exists at cell-cell junctions, in addition to its predominantly nuclear localization. Thus, the p120-DIPA interaction may regulate cell signaling and/or transcriptional events, as has been described previously for β-catenin and the LEF/TCF transcription factor family. To facilitate further study of DIPA and to determine the physiological relevance of its interaction with p120, we have generated and characterized a panel of five DIPA-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that function in immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence assays.

Towards a characterisation of the wild legume bitter vetch (Lathyrus linifolius L. (Reichard) Bässler): heteromorphic seed germination, root nodule structure and N-fixing rhizobial symbionts

Lathyrus linifolius L. (Reichard) Bässler (Fabiaceae, bitter vetch) is a nitrogen (N) fixing species. A coloniser of low nutrient (N) soils, it supports biodiversity such as key moth and butterfly species, and its roots are known for their organoleptic and claimed therapeutic properties. Thus, the species has high potential for restoration, conservation, novel cropping and as a model species. The last because of its genetic synteny with important pulse crops. However, regeneration and functional attributes of L. linifolius remain to be characterised. Seeds of L. linifolius were characterised using physical, colorimetric and chemical data. Ultrastructural and functional characterisation of the N-fixing root nodules included immunolabelling with nifH protein antibodies (recognising the N-fixing enzyme, nitrogenase). Endosymbiotic bacteria were isolated from root nodules and characterised phylogenetically using 16S rRNA, nodA and nodD gene sequences. L. linifolius yielded heteromorphic seed of distinct colour classes: green and brown. Seed morphotypes had similar C:N ratios and were equally germinable (ca. 90%) after scarification at differing optimal temperatures (16 and 20 °C). Brown seeds were larger and comprised a larger proportion of the seed batch (69%). L. linifolius root nodules appeared indeterminate in structure, effective (capable of fixing atmospheric N) and having strains very similar to Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae. The findings and rhizobial isolates have potential application for ecological restoration and horticulture using native seeds. Also, the data and rhizobial resources have potential applications in comparative and functional studies with related and socio-economically important crops such as Pisum, Lens and Vicia.

Long-term treatment with insulin and retinoic acid increased glucose utilization in L6 muscle cells via glycogenesis

The skeletal muscle regulates glucose homeostasis. Here, the effects of vitamin A metabolites including retinoic acid (RA) alone, and in combination with insulin, on glucose utilization were investigated in rat L6 muscle cells during the differentiation process. L6 cells were treated with differentiation medium containing retinol, retinal, RA, and (or) insulin. The glucose levels and pH values in the medium were measured every 2 days. The expression levels of insulin signaling and glycogen synthesis proteins, as well as glycogen content were determined. Retinal and RA reduced the glucose content and pH levels in the medium of the L6 cells. RA acted synergistically with insulin to reduce glucose and pH levels in the medium. The RA- and insulin-mediated reduction of glucose in the medium only occurred when glucose levels were at or above 15 mmol/L. Insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt Thr308 was further enhanced by RA treatment through the activation of retinoic acid receptor. RA acted synergistically with insulin to phosphorylate glycogen synthase kinase 3β, and dephosphorylate glycogen synthase (GS), which was associated with increases in the protein and mRNA levels of GS. Increases in glycogen content were induced by insulin, and was further enhanced in the presence of RA. We conclude that activation of the RA signaling pathway enhanced insulin-induced glucose utilization in differentiating L6 cells through increases in glycogenesis.