The Standards of Practice for Health Promotion in Higher Education: Critical Wording, Content, and Significance to the Field.

The Standards of Practice for Health Promotion in Higher Education (Standards of Practice), is a guiding document for the field of Health Promotion. This article, written by Standards of Practice revision authors, highlights important wording, content, and structure within the current edition of the document. By understanding the importance and rationale of these elements, readers will understand how the Standards of Practice illustrates current and future trends in the field.

Structural, chemical, and electrical parameters of Au/MoS2/n-GaAs metal/2D/3D hybrid heterojunction.

In this study, Au/MoS2/n-GaAs heterojunction is fabricated with single MoS2 layer and its structural, chemical and electrical parameters are investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and measurement of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics at room temperature. XRD and XPS analysis results confirm the formation of MoS2 layer on the n-GaAs surface. The electrical properties of the Au/MoS2/n-GaAs heterojunction are compared with those of the Au/n-GaAs Schottky junction. Interestingly, the heterojunction possesses a higher barrier height, lower leakage current and higher rectification ratio, in comparison with the Schottky junction. The shunt resistance (RSh) and series resistance (RS) are also assessed for both the junctions. Moreover, the ideality factor (n), barrier height (Φb) and series resistance (RS) are evaluated using Norde, Cheung's and surface potential (ΨS-V) plots and the results are well-matched. Furthermore, the current transport mechanism is analyzed based on the forward bias I-V data. Lastly, the Poole-Frenkel emission conduction mechanism is employed to control the reverse bias I-V behavior of both Au/n-GaAs Schottky junction and Au/MoS2/n-GaAs heterojunction. The results demonstrate that the Au/MoS2/n-GaAs heterojunction fabricated using a simple technique is suitable for high-quality electronic and optoelectronic device applications.

microRNAs: Epigenetic players in cancer and aging.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small non-coding RNA molecules that play important regulatory roles in numerous biological processes, cellular pathways and networks. They do so by targeting specific mRNAs, directly degrading them and/or preventing their translation into proteins. The impaired function of miRNAs results in aberrant gene expression that promotes abnormal cell growth and differentiation. miRNAs, located at fragile sites or cancer associated regions of the genome, act as either tumor suppressor or tumor promoters. miRNAs also play significant role in aging and in various diseases. Despite the fact that profiling of miRNA expression is considered an important tool for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, such analysis has not yet been adopted in routine clinical care practices.  Here, we highlight advances and challenges in research on cancer and aging in relation to miRNAs.

Preparing and Publishing a Scientific Manuscript.

Publishing original research in a peer-reviewed and indexed journal is an important milestone for a scientist or a clinician. It is an important parameter to assess academic achievements. However, technical and language barriers may prevent many enthusiasts from ever publishing. This review highlights the important preparatory steps for creating a good manuscript and the most widely used IMRaD (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion) method for writing a good manuscript. It also provides a brief overview of the submission and review process of a manuscript for publishing in a biomedical journal.

Contribution of allelic variability in prostate specific antigen (PSA) & androgen receptor (AR) genes to serum PSA levels in men with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Wide variability in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels exists in malignant conditions of the prostate. PSA is expressed in normal range in 20 to 25 per cent of prostate cancer cases even in presence of high grade Gleason score. This study was aimed to assess the influence of genetic variants exhibited by PSA and androgen receptor (AR) genes towards the variable expression of PSA in prostate cancer. METHODS: Pre-treatment serum PSA levels from 101 prostate cancer cases were retrieved from medical record. PSA genotype analysis in promoter region and AR gene microsatellite Cytosine/Adenine/Guanine (CAG) repeat analysis in exon 1 region was performed using DNA sequencing and fragment analysis techniques. RESULTS: A total of seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PSA promoter region were noted. Only two SNPs viz., 158G/A (P<0.001) in the proximal promoter region and -3845G/A (P<0.001) in enhancer region showed significant association with serum PSA levels. The carriers of homozygous GG genotype (P<0.001) at both of these polymorphic sites showed higher expression of PSA whereas homozygous AA genotype (P<0.001) carriers demonstrated lower PSA levels. The combination effect of PSA genotypes along with stratified AR CAG repeats lengths (long, intermediate and short) was also studied. The homozygous GG genotype along with AR long CAG repeats and homozygous AA genotype along with AR short CAG repeats at position -3845 and -158 showed strong interaction and thus influenced serum PSA levels. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The genetic variants exhibited by PSA gene at positions -3845G/A and -158G/A may be accountable towards wide variability of serum PSA levels in prostate cancer. Also the preferential binding of G and A alleles at these polymorphic sites along with AR long and short CAG repeats may contribute towards PSA expression.

Comparison of the efficacy of chlorhexidine varnish and chip in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the benefits of sub gingival chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish and biodegradable CHX chip application used as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) as combined therapy and also to compare the effect of combined therapy with SRP alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with at least three sites with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of 5-8 mm were considered. Following baseline evaluation, all three sites were subjected for SRP. After completing SRP, each site was randomly subjected for CHX varnish, CHX chip application and the 3(rd) site was left without any medication as a control. Clinical parameters such as sulcus bleeding index, plaque index, bleeding on probing (BOP), PPD, and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 month and 3 months post-operatively. RESULTS: All three groups presented with an improvement in clinical parameters compared to baseline. The mean reduction in PPD was 2.4 mm in SRP sites, 2.5 mm in SRP + CHX varnish sites and 2.8 mm in SRP + CHX chip sites. The mean gain in CAL was 2.4 mm in SRP sites, 2.3 mm in SRP + CHX varnish sites and 2.8 mm SRP + CHX chip sites. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that application of CHX varnish and placement of CHX chip as an adjunct to SRP produced a clinically significant reduction in the PPD, BOP and a gain in CAL at 30(th) day and 90(th) day from baseline when compared to SRP alone. The results though were not statistically significant.

Evaluation of relative efficacy of ß-tricalcium phosphate with and without type I resorbable collagen membrane in periodontal infrabony defects: a clinical and radiographic study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare clinically and radiographically, the regenerative potential of a ß-tricalcium phosphate bone graft, Cerasorb(®) with and without a bioresorbable type I collagen membrane, BioMend Extend™, in treating periodontal infrabony osseous defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 sites from 10 patients showing bilateral infrabony defects were selected and selected sites were randomly divided into experimental site A (Cerasorb(®)) and experimental site B (Cerasorb(®) and BioMend Extend™) by using split mouth design. The clinical parameters like plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and gingival recession were recorded at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 9 months. Radiographic evaluation (Linear CADIA) at 6 and 9 months; and intrasurgical measurements at baseline and 9 months were carried out to evaluate the defect fill, change in alveolar crest height and defect resolution. RESULTS: Significant reduction in all clinical parameters was observed in both the groups. On comparison no statistical significance was observed between the two groups. Radiographically, in site A there was significant defect fill of 78.4 and 97.2% at 6 and 9 months respectively. Whereas in site B reduction was 78.4 and 97.2% at 6 and 9 months respectively. After surgical re-entry, there was significant defect fill of 89.2 and 74% in both groups. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Individually both the graft and membrane have shown promising results in the management of periodontal intrabony defects. But the added benefit by combining Cerasorb(®) with BioMend Extend™ was not observed statistically in both clinical radiographic findings.

Modified semilunar coronally advanced flap: A case series.

Dentists traditionally think of periodontal treatment as a means of saving the teeth while leaving the patient with an esthetic problem. The goal of gingival esthetics is to maintain normal healthy gingival appearance around teeth that must be restored. Gingival recession represents a significant concern for patients and a therapeutic problem for the clinician. Root coverage is the goal of periodontal plastic surgery when treating gingival recessions in the esthetic zone. Correction of mucogingival recession deformities with a variety of periodontal plastic surgical procedures have been described each demonstrating a variable degree of success. This case report presents to you the treatment outcomes and predictability of modified semilunar coronally advanced flap (Kamran Haghighat) techniques described for the treatment of recession defects on single and multiple adjacent teeth, respectively.

Comparative evaluation of oxygen saturation levels using pulse oxymeter during nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Monitoring is the global method of observation and data recording in relation to body organ and system function that afford constant information to ensure continuous evalutation of the patient's physical condition. Basic monitoring provides essential information for assessing the vital signs, both circulatory and respiratory, and fundamentally comprises the control of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) and rhythm. Pulse oxymetry is used to record HR and oxygen saturation. The objective of the study was to assess and compare hemodynamic changes by monitoring oxygen saturation level changes during periodontal surgical and nonsurgical therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 30 chronic periodontitis patients. Patients were divided into two groups; Group A consisted of 15 patients undergoing surgical periodontal therapy, Group B consisted of 15 patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal therapy. The hemodynamic changes were evaluated by monitoring HR and oxygen saturation level using pulse oxymeter (SaO2). HR and SaO2 were monitored continuously and registered pre-operatively, i.e. 10 minutes before the procedure, intra-operatively and postoperatively, i.e. 10 minutes after the procedure. One-way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) was performed for data analysis. RESULTS: Both the groups showed a slight fall in oxygen saturation levels intraoperatively, but within the normal range. More decrease in oxygen saturation levels was observed in nonsurgical periodontal therapy as compared to surgical periodontal therapy at intraoperative levels. The differences in the values were statistically significant. There was no statistical difference seen in the postoperative and preoperative values. CONCLUSION: Most of the hemodynamic changes induced during the periodontal therapy were within normal limits, taking into consideration the anxiety and stress produced by the surgical intervention. The hemodynamic change was more in nonsurgical as compared to surgical periodontal therapy.

A study to assess and compare the peripheral blood neutrophil chemotaxis in smokers and non smokers with healthy periodontium, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontitis is the inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth resulting in attachment loss and bone loss. There are certain environmental factors such as smoking that can modify the host response to plaque organisms; hence can account for the aggressive progression of the disease. Smokers show a decreased expression of clinical inflammation even in the presence of abundant plaque accumulation. Neutrophils are the predominant host defense cells which protect the periodontal tissues from plaque organisms, deficiencies of neutrophil function, such as chemotaxis and phagocytosis, often result in increased susceptibility to periodontitis. Smoking can induce alteration in the neutrophil function; therefore, it is of importance to know the changes caused by smoking on neutrophil chemotaxis. This study will provide an essential basis for evaluating the role of nicotine in pathogenesis of periodontal disease by assessing the neutrophil activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 smokers and 60 non smokers were examined for this study. Both the groups included 20 subjects with gingivitis, periodontitis, and healthy periodontium. The periodontal status of the study subjects were assessed by gingival index, Russels periodontal index, sulcus bleeding index, and clinical attachment level. The blood sample was taken from each individual for the chemotactic analysis using agarose method. RESULTS: In this study, there was a significant decrease in the neutrophil chemotaxis in smokers with gingivitis, periodontitis, and healthy periodontium, compared to non smokers with similar findings. CONCLUSION: Delayed neutrophil chemotaxis was found in smokers compared to non smokers with same periodontal status.

A pilot study on the use of serum glyoxalase as a supplemental biomarker to predict malignant cases of the prostate in the PSA range of 4-20 ng/ml.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) though most commonly used for diagnosis of prostate cancer lacks specificity. This study was aimed at exploring the use of serum glyoxalase as a supplemental biomarker to differentiate between malignant vs non-malignant diseases of the prostate in patients with PSA in the range of 4-20 ng/ml. METHODS: Serum glyoxalase and PSA were measured in 92 men (30 control, 31 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 31 cases of adenocarcinoma of prostate). Of the latter group, 11 cases of prostate cancer in the PSA range of 4-20 ng/ml were included for studying the diagnostic utility of combination of both serum PSA and glyoxalase. RESULTS: In prostate cancer cases with PSA in the range of 4-20 ng/ml, the glyoxalase was found to be 233.3 ± 98.6 µmol/min while for the non-malignant group it was 103.1 ± 19.7 µmol/min. A cut-off of 19.2 ng/ml PSA showed sensitivity of 9 per cent, specificity of 96.7 per cent, positive predictive value (PPV) of 50 per cent and negative predictive value (NPV) of 75 per cent. A serum glyoxalase cut-off of 141 µmol/min showed sensitivity of 81.8 per cent, specificity of 100 per cent, PPV of 100 per cent and NPV of 93.9 per cent. Further, ROC analysis showed a significant difference in the area under curve (AUC) for glyoxalase as compared to serum PSA (0.92 vs 0.57; P<0.001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Serum glyoxalase appears to be predictive of prostate cancer in the PSA range of 4-20 ng/ml. Studies with larger number of participants would be required to confirm this finding.

Genetic variants in the distal enhancer region of the PSA gene and their implication in the occurrence of advanced prostate cancer.

The identification of men predisposed to advanced prostate cancer is important as it influences diagnostic and treatment modalities. In this study, we examined variants in the prostate specific antigen (PSA) gene and their possible association with the risk of prostate cancer, the occurrence of advanced disease, and serum PSA levels. Three functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the enhancer region of the PSA gene, -5429T/G, -5412T/C and -4643A/G, were genotyped in 84 prostate cancer cases and 109 controls using the SNaPshotTM multiplex technique. Prostate cancer patients were divided into two groups: those with localized (n=37) and advanced (n=36) disease. Between these two groups, two SNPs, -5429T/G and -5412T/C, were found to have statistically significant differences in PSA genotype frequencies. The heterozygous genotype in the PSA gene conferred an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer. After age-adjustment, the estimated OR and 95% CI for -5429T/G and -5412T/C was 3.59 (1.16-11.09; P<0.02), and 3.26 (1.04-10.22; P<0.02), respectively, whereas for -4643A/G, the OR was 2.46 (0.86-7.04; P<0.08). The haplotype -5429G/-5412C/-4643G with 11% frequency conferred a 3.5-fold increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (95% CI = 1.02-11.76; P<0.051). Genotype distribution between the controls and prostate cancer cases did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Genotype-based serum PSA levels for each SNP were also observed to be similar (P>0.05). Heterozygosity observed in the PSA gene enhancer region contributes substantially to the occurrence of advanced prostate cancer. The identification of men at risk for advanced disease by PSA genotype may aid in determining the most effective therapeutic strategy, with the aim of improving the quality of life of patients.

Association between bleeding, blood transfusion, and costs among patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding and blood transfusion are associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS); however, the economic consequences of these complications are not well defined. We sought to determine the relationship between bleeding, blood transfusion, and measures of costs among patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS. METHODS: We analyzed data from the economic substudy of the GUSTO IIb trial (n = 1235) to determine the relationship between bleeding; transfusion; and hospital costs, physician costs, total costs, and length of stay. Linear regression models were developed to determine the cost implications of each bleeding and transfusion event. RESULTS: Of the patients in the economic substudy of GUSTO IIb, 36.8% (n = 455) experienced a bleeding event. As bleeding severity increased, there was a stepwise increase in length of stay (no bleeding 5.4 days, mild bleeding 6.9 days, moderate bleeding 15.0 days, severe bleeding 16.4 days; P < .01) and unadjusted total costs (no bleeding $14,282, mild $21,674, moderate $45,798, severe $66,564; P < .01). After adjustment for baseline differences among patients, each moderate or severe bleeding event increased costs by $3770 and each transfusion event increased costs by $2080. Further modeling demonstrated that the increase in costs was driven by increases in length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding and transfusion are associated with increased resource use among patients with NSTE ACS. These data suggest that strategies that reduce both ischemia and the risk for bleeding have the potential to produce important reductions in the costs of care for patients with NSTE ACS.

Upregulation of survivin in G2/M cells and inhibition of caspase 9 activity enhances resistance in staurosporine-induced apoptosis.

Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) gene family, plays an important role in both the regulation of cell cycle and the inhibition of apoptosis, and is frequently overexpressed in many tumor types. In neuroblastomas, the expression of survivin correlates with a more aggressive and histologically unfavorable disease. Survivin is predominantly a cytoplasmic protein that is expressed in a cell cycle-dependent manner, increasing in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle followed by a rapid decline in the G1 phase. Recently, the role of survivin in resistance to chemotherapy has become an area of intensive investigation. In this study, we demonstrate a phase-specific resistance due to survivin in staurosporine (STS)-induced apoptosis in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. G2/M-arrested cultures show an upregulation of survivin expression and are more resistant, whereas G1-phase cells that show decreased levels of survivin are more sensitive to apoptosis. Localization studies revealed differences in the distribution of survivin in two synchronized populations, with G1 cells having weakly positive staining confined to the nucleus, in contrast to G2/M cells that depicted a more uniform and intense expression of survivin throughout the cell. In our experimental system, STS induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial-caspase 9-mediated pathway. Retention of survivin in G1 cells by inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway or inhibition of caspase 9 protected the cells against apoptosis. Our data suggest that survivin exerts its antiapoptotic effect by inhibiting caspase 9 activity, an important event in STS-mediated apoptosis. In context with cell cycle-dependent responses to chemotherapy, the data from this study suggest the possibility of exploiting the survivin pathway for inducing apoptosis in tumor cells.

The human PIM-1 gene product is a protein serine kinase.

The human PIM-1 gene, a homologue of murine retroviral insertion site mpim-1, is overexpressed in a subset of hematolymphoid malignancies. Deduced amino acid sequence of PIM-1 complementary DNA predicts it to be a protein kinase. In vitro transcription coupled translation of the putative 313-amino acid open reading frame yields a Mr 34,000 protein; an immune complex kinase assay of the wild-type PIM-1 and not a site-directed mutant, in which the invariant Lys67 has been changed to Arg, demonstrates autophosphorylating activity on serine residues. Thus, PIM-1 is a protein serine kinase with a possible role in neoplastic transformation.