Reveromycin A-Induced Apoptosis in Osteoclasts Is Not Accompanied by Necrosis.

Reveromycin A (RM-A), a small natural product isolated from Streptomyces bacteria, is a potential osteoporosis therapeutic in that it specifically induces apoptosis in osteoclasts but not osteoblasts. The purpose of the study presented here was to further elucidate the intracellular mechanisms of RM-A death effects in mature osteoclasts. A specific clone of RAW264.7 murine macrophages that was previously characterized for its ability to acquire an osteoclast nature on differentiation was differentiated in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL). Subsequent staining was performed for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase to confirm their osteoclast character. These osteoclasts were treated with ten micromolar RM-A for 2, 4, 6, 24, and 48 h at a pH of 5.5. Peak apoptosis induction occurred at 4-6 h as measured by caspase 3 activity. Lactate dehydrogenase release assay revealed no significant RM-A-induced necrosis. Western blot analysis of cytoplasmic extracts demonstrated activation of caspase 9 (2.3-fold at 2 h and 2.6-fold at 4 h, each P < 0.05) and no significant changes in Bcl-XL . In nuclear extracts, NFκB levels significantly increased on differentiation with RANKL but then remained constant through RM-A treatment. Over the extended time course studied, RM-A-induced apoptosis in osteoclasts was not accompanied by necrosis, suggesting that RM-A would likely have limited effects on immediate, neighboring bone cell types. This specific cell death profile is promising for potential clinical investigations of RM-A as a bone antiresorptive.

The relationship between an effort goal and self-regulatory efficacy beliefs for division I football players.

When training for sport, it can be argued that self-regulation-or how athletes attempt to learn new skills-is vital for success. However, self-regulation means little if athletes cannot apply it in the throes of adversity. Specifically, the confidence one has to use self-regulation skills (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy [SRE]) when faced with adverse conditions can contribute to positive or negative behavioral implications when examined in conjunction with an athlete's current goals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (a) determine if athletes who hold an effort goal when training for sport will have higher SRE scores; and (b) assess the relationship between effort goals and SRE, as the strength of one's effort goal increases. In phase 1, interviews with 11 Division I athletes were conducted to determine the most salient dissuading conditions athletes experience when training for sport. This process resulted in 27 factors that were implemented into a questionnaire for phase 2. During this latter phase, 402 Division I football players (Mage = 20.1 years, SD = 1.3 years) completed a 2-part goal statement along with an SRE questionnaire. The results indicated that athletes who held a criterion effort goal related to training (n = 362) had significantly higher SRE scores when compared with athletes who did not report having an effort goal F(27,401) = 1.89, p < 0.01. Additionally, as athletes' effort goal increased, stronger SRE beliefs resulted for all dissuading conditions, with all p values <0.05. Based on these results, practitioners are encouraged to facilitate goal setting sessions early and often with athletes as a way to combat the negative effects of low SRE beliefs.

Development of tailor-made inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) microparticle standards and characterization with a multi-technique approach.

The forensic analysis of inorganic gunshot residues (IGSR) involves analytical measurements from samples taken from skin and other substrates. The standard practice for IGSR analysis recommends the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to identify the gunshot residues using combined information of the particle's morphology and elemental composition. However, the current deficit on IGSR standard reference materials (SRM) limits the optimization of SEM-EDS for modern, lead-free ammunition and the development of emerging analytical techniques. This study aims to enhance existing capabilities by producing tailor-made microparticle suspensions that can be used for the quality control of GSR analysis, validation of existing and emerging methods, interlaboratory testing, and systematic transfer and persistence studies. To fill this gap, IGSR microparticle standards were developed by discharging various leaded and lead-free primers under controlled conditions and creating suspensions in an organic medium, then evaluated for homogeneity and stability of morphology and elemental composition. The IGSR microparticles suspensions were evaluated by three analytical techniques-SEM-EDS, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) -to characterize the elemental composition and particle morphology. The ICP-MS digestion method was validated for these novel IGSR microparticle suspensions, and figures of merit and ruggedness testing are reported. The standard demonstrated stability in its dry and suspension forms, providing versatility for use in multiple types of analytical methods and substrates. This research is anticipated to assist forensic and environmental scientists by providing IGSR standards that can strengthen research, expand access to new detection techniques, and enhance laboratories' cross-validation and quality assurance.

Sexual Assault Victimization Among Female Undergraduates During Study Abroad: A Single Campus Survey Study.

Almost all research on sexual assault victimization among undergraduate university students pertains to incidents that occur on domestic college and university campuses. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual assault victimization and related factors among undergraduates in the context of study-abroad programs. Two hundred eight female students (52% response rate) from a small university in the northeastern United States who had recently studied abroad responded to an online survey containing measures of sexual assault, posttraumatic stress responses (PSR), and alcohol consumption. Almost 19% of the respondents indicated one or more types of sexual assault victimization. Approximately 17% reported non-consensual sexual touching, 7% attempted rape, 4% rape, with 9% reporting attempted rape or rape. As in domestic studies, victimization in this sample was related positively to alcohol consumption and PSR. Use of force was the most frequently reported perpetrator tactic. In sum, the high rates of sexual assault victimization reported by this sample during study abroad replicate previous findings. This context requires further attention from sexual assault researchers, especially given the increasing numbers of university students engaging in study abroad, and from campus support personnel who may be unaware of the likelihood of assault in this context.