A Qualitative Study of Food Choice in Urban Coastal Esmeraldas, Ecuador.

Background: Constraints on food choice increase risk of malnutrition worldwide. Residents of secondary cities within low- and middle-income countries are a population of particular concern because they often face high rates of food insecurity and multiple nutritional burdens. Within this context, effective and equitable interventions to support healthy diets must be based on an understanding of the lived experience of individuals and their interactions with the food environment. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to describe considerations that drive household decision making around food choice in the city of Esmeraldas, Ecuador; to identify trade-offs between these considerations; and to understand how an evolving urban environment influences these trade-offs. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 mothers of young children to explore drivers in food choice throughout the purchase, preparation, and consumption chain. Interviews were transcribed and coded to identify key themes. Results: Personal preference, economic access (costs), convenience, and perceptions of food safety were key influencers of decision making related to food. In addition, concerns about personal safety in the urban environment limited physical access to food. This, combined with the need to travel long distances to obtain desirable foods, increased men's participation in food purchasing. Women's increasing engagement in the workforce also increased men's participation in food preparation. Conclusions: Policies to promote healthy food behavior in this context should focus on increasing access to health foods, such as affordable fresh produce, in convenient and physically safe locations. CurrDev Nutr 2023;x:xx.

Gut microbiome, enteric infections and child growth across a rural-urban gradient: protocol for the ECoMiD prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The functional consequences of the bacterial gut microbiome for child health are not well understood. Characteristics of the early child gut microbiome may influence the course of enteric infections, and enteric infections may change the composition of the gut microbiome, all of which may have long-term implications for child growth and development. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We are conducting a community-based birth cohort study to examine interactions between gut microbiome conditions and enteric infections, and how environmental conditions affect the development of the gut microbiome. We will follow 360 newborns from 3 sites along a rural-urban gradient in northern coastal Ecuador, characterising enteric infections and gut microbial communities in the children every 3 to 6 months over their first 2 years of life. We will use longitudinal regression models to assess the correlation between environmental conditions and gut microbiome diversity and presence of specific taxa, controlling for factors that are known to be associated with the gut microbiome, such as diet. From 6 to 12 months of age, we will collect weekly stool samples to compare microbiome conditions in diarrhoea stools versus stools from healthy children prior to, during and after acute enteric infections, using principal-coordinate analysis and other multivariate statistical methods. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approvals have been obtained from Emory University and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito institutional review boards. The findings will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed journals.

Food insecurity and malnutrition in vulnerable households with children under 5 years on the Ecuadorian coast: a post-earthquake analysis.

INTRODUCTION: A household's nutritional status and food security can be affected after a natural disaster, especially in families who live in risk situations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of food insecurity, inadequate dietary diversity and poor nutritional status of mothers and children under 5 years old from vulnerable families residing in the rural community of La Punta, after the earthquake in Ecuador on 16 April 2016. METHODS: Through a non-probabilistic sampling, 28 families were selected. The levels of food insecurity in households were determined by applying a food safety scale and household dietary diversity score. Moreover, Z-scores were used to evaluate the nutritional status of children, while body mass index was used in mothers. RESULTS: All households suffered food insecurity, with mild food insecurity being the most prevalent (51.9%), followed by severe food insecurity (33.3%). Although all households had high diversity scores, the products they most consumed have low nutritional value, such as rice, soft drinks and oils. There was a low consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Additionally, there was a high percentage of overweight and obese mothers (57.1%) and a high prevalence of chronic undernutrition (40.9%) and global undernutrition (13.6%) in children under 5 years old. CONCLUSION: The predominance of severe food insecurity occurred in overweight and obese mothers with inadequate dietary diversity. This probably happened because of a lack of access to food to adequately meet the nutritional needs of each member of the family. The results suggest that health promotion with actions aimed at food security is a priority within an integral action plan for natural disasters.

Metabolomics approach reveals disruption of metabolic pathways in the marine bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to a WWTP effluent extract.

Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharge a highly diverse range of organic contaminants in aquatic environments, including marine waters. The health of marine ecosystems could be threatened by contaminants release. Environmental metabolomics can be helpful to assess the effects of multi-contamination on marine organisms without any a priori information since it is able to provide meaningful information on the biochemical response of organisms to a stress. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of metabolomics to highlight key metabolites disrupted by a WWTP effluent extract exposure and then elucidate the biological effects of such exposure on Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Exposed male mussels showed numerous metabolites altered in response to WWTP effluent exposure. The highlighted metabolites belong mainly to amino acids metabolism (e.g. tyrosine, phenylalanine, leucine, proline, etc.), neurohormones (dopamine and a serotonin metabolite), purine and pyrimidine metabolism (e.g. adenosine, adenine, guanine, uracil etc.), citric acid cycle intermediates (e.g. malate, fumarate), and a component involved in oxidative stress defense (oxidized glutathione). Modulation of these metabolites could reflect the alteration of several biological processes such as energy metabolism, DNA and RNA synthesis, immune system, osmoregulation, byssus formation and reproduction, which may lead to a negative impact of organism fitness. Our study provided further insight into the effects of WWTP effluents on marine organisms.

Association of Household Food Insecurity with the Mental and Physical Health of Low-Income Urban Ecuadorian Women with Children.

Chronic physical and mental health conditions account for a rising proportion of morbidity, mortality, and disability in the Americas region. Household food insecurity (HFI) has been linked to chronic disease in US and Canadian women but it is uncertain if the same is true for low- and middle-income Latin American countries in epidemiologic transition. We conducted a survey to investigate the association of HFI with the physical and mental health of 794 women with children living in low-income Quito, Ecuador, neighborhoods. Data were collected on HFI and health indicators including self-reported health (SF-1), mental health (MHI-5), blood pressure, and self-reported mental and physical health complaints. Fasting blood glucose and lipids were measured in a subsample. The multivariate analyses revealed that HFI was associated with poorer self-rated health, low MHI-5 scores, and mental health complaints including stress, depression, and ethnospecific illnesses. It was also associated with chest tightness/discomfort/pain, dental disease, and gastrointestinal illness but not other conditions. The findings suggest that improving food security in low-income households may help reduce the burden of mental distress in women with children. The hypothesized link with diabetes and hypertension may become more apparent as Ecuador moves further along in the epidemiologic transition.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la crisis epiléptica única no provocada / Diagnosis and treatment of non-triggered single epileptic seizures

Las crisis epilépticas son una de las principales causas de consulta neurológica en el servicio de urgencias. Un episodio convulsivo representa un evento traumático para el paciente y la familia, con consecuencias médicas y sociales signifi cativas. Por su prevalencia e impacto, el abordaje inicial es de vital importancia. Si bien después de una primera crisis epiléptica la recurrencia temprana disminuye con el inicio de fármacos antiepilépticos, el pronóstico para el desarrollo de epilepsia y los desenlaces a largo plazo no se alteran por ninguna intervención temprana. El interrogatorio detallado basado en la semiología del episodio, los antecedentes del paciente y un estudio completo con electroencefalograma y neuroimagen permiten defi nir el riesgo de recurrencia de la crisis y el posible diagnóstico de epilepsia. Las anormalidades epilépticas, la presencia de lesiones cerebrales con potencial epileptógeno antiguas o nuevas, así como las crisis nocturnas, incrementan el riesgo de recurrencia. Los médicos deben evaluar a cada paciente de manera individual para determinar un tratamiento idóneo, explicando el riesgo de no tratar frente al riesgo existente con el inicio de fármacos antiepilépticos (AU)

Epileptic seizures are one of the main reasons for neurological visits in an emergency department. Convulsions represent a traumatic event for the patient and the family, with signifi cant medical and social consequences. Due to their prevalence and impact, the initial management is of vital importance. Although following the fi rst epileptic seizure, early recurrence diminishes after establishing treatment with antiepileptic drugs, the forecast for developing epilepsy and longterm outcomes are not altered by any early intervention. Detailed questioning based on the symptoms of the convulsions, the patient’s medical history and a full electroencephalogram and neuroimaging study make it possible to defi ne the risk of recurrence of the seizure and the possible diagnosis of epilepsy. Epileptic abnormalities, the presence of old or new potentially epileptogenic brain lesions, as well as nocturnal seizures, increase the risk of recurrence. Physicians must assess each patient on an individual basis to determine the most suitable treatment, and explain the risk of not being treated versus the risk that exists if treatment with antiepileptic drugs is established (AU)

Frecuencia de tinciones dentales en escolares de San Juan de la Costa, Chile, 2012 / Frequency of dental stains in schoolchildren of San Juan de la Costa, Chile, 2012

Introducción: las tinciones dentales son sustancias exógenas pigmentadas, que se distribuyen en forma de líneas o puntos paralelos al margen gingival. Se adhieren firmemente al esmalte cervical de la corona dental. Su prevalencia mundial oscila entre 6 y 19 por ciento. Se ha observado una asociación entre su presencia y una baja experiencia de caries. Objetivo: determinar frecuencia de tinciones dentales en escolares de 6 a 12 años de la comuna de San Juan de la Costa, Chile. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional entre abril y junio del año 2012, que midió la presencia y extensión de tinciones dentales en una muestra aleatoria de 267 niños de un universo de 1 243 estudiantes de 6 a 12 años de la comuna de San Juan de la Costa, Chile. Los participantes fueron examinados en las escuelas de la zona con ayuda de instrumental de examen estéril. Se registraron las variables edad, género, ascendencia Mapuche Huilliche, presencia de tinciones y caries a través del COPD; estas se analizaron con estadística descriptiva. Resultados: la frecuencia de tinciones dentales en escolares es 11,6 por ciento. Conclusión: la frecuencia de tinciones dentales en escolares de la comuna de San Juan de la Costa es similar a la registrada en la literatura mundial(AU)

Introduction: tooth stains are exogenous pigment substances distributed as parallel lines or points at the gingival margin. They firmly adhere to the cervical enamel of the dental crown. Their worldwide prevalence is between 6 and 19 por ciento. An association between their presence and low caries experience has been observed. Objective: to determine the frequency of tooth stains of 6 to 12 years old in the district of San Juan de la Costa, Chile. Methods: an observational study measuring the presence and extension of tooth stains was carried out between April and June of 2012 in the district of San Juan de la Costa, Chile. The research's randomized sample used was a group of 267 from a universe of 1 243 students from 6 to 12 years in the district of San Juan de la Costa, Chile. Participants were tested in schools in the area using sterile instrumentation. Variables were age, gender, ancestry Mapuche Huilliche (AMH), presence of stains and decay through the DMFT index. The result was analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: the frequency of tooth stains among schoolchildren is 11.6 percent. Conclusion: the frequency of tooth stains among schoolchildren is 11.6 percent, which is similar to the values figuring in the literature available worldwide(AU)

Repression of let-7 by transforming growth factor-ß1-induced Lin28 upregulates collagen expression in glomerular mesangial cells under diabetic conditions.

Accumulation of mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen type 1-α2 (Col1a2) and collagen type 4-α1 (Col4a1) is a key feature of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 plays important roles in ECM accumulation in DN, and evidence shows a mediatory role for microRNAs. In the present study, we found that microRNA let-7 family members (let-7b/c/d/g/i) were downregulated in TGF-ß-treated mouse mesangial cells (MMCs) along with upregulation of Col1a2 and Col4a1. Ectopic expression of let-7b in TGF-ß-treated MMCs attenuated Col1a2 and Col4a1 upregulation. Conversely, let-7b inhibitors increased Col1a2 and Col4a1 levels. Cotransfection of MMCs with mouse Col1a2 or Col4a1 3'-untranslated region luciferase constructs and let-7b inhibitors increased luciferase activity. However, constructs with let-7 target site mutations were unresponsive to TGF-ß. TGF-ß-induced 3'-untranslated region activity was attenuated by let-7b mimics, suggesting that Col1a2 and Col4a1 are direct targets of let-7b. In addition, Lin28b, a negative regulator of let-7 biogenesis, was upregulated in TGF-ß-treated MMCs. Luciferase assays showed that the Lin28b promoter containing the Smad-binding element (SBE) responded to TGF-ß, which was abolished in constructs without SBE. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed TGF-ß-induced enrichment of Smad2/3 at the Lin28b promoter, together suggesting that Lin28b is transcriptionally induced by TGF-ß through SBE. Furthermore, let-7b levels were decreased, whereas Lin28b, Col1a2, and Col4a1 levels were increased, in glomeruli of diabetic mice compared with nondiabetic control mice, demonstrating the in vivo relevance of this Lin28/let-7/collagen axis. These results identify Lin28 as a new TGF-ß target gene and suggest a novel role for the Lin28/let-7 pathway in controlling TGF-ß-induced collagen accumulation in DN.

Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) enhances expression of profibrotic genes through a novel signaling cascade and microRNAs in renal mesangial cells.

Increased expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in glomerular mesangial cells (MC) augments extracellular matrix accumulation and hypertrophy during the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN), a debilitating renal complication of diabetes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in the pathogenesis of DN by modulating the actions of TGF-ß1 to enhance the expression of profibrotic genes like collagen. In this study, we found a significant decrease in the expression of miR-130b in mouse MC treated with TGF-ß1. In parallel, there was a down-regulation in miR-130b host gene 2610318N02RIK (RIK), suggesting host gene-dependent expression of this miRNA. TGF-ß receptor 1 (TGF-ßR1) was identified as a target of miR-130b. Interestingly, the RIK promoter contains three NF-Y binding sites and was regulated by NF-YC. Furthermore, NF-YC expression was inhibited by TGF-ß1, suggesting that a signaling cascade, involving TGF-ß1-induced decreases in NF-YC, RIK, and miR-130b, may up-regulate TGF-ßR1 to augment expression of TGF-ß1 target fibrotic genes. miR-130b was down-regulated, whereas TGF-ßR1, as well as the profibrotic genes collagen type IV α 1 (Col4a1), Col12a1, CTGF, and PAI-1 were up-regulated not only in mouse MC treated with TGF-ß1 but also in the glomeruli of streptozotocin-injected diabetic mice, supporting in vivo relevance. Together, these results demonstrate a novel miRNA- and host gene-mediated amplifying cascade initiated by TGF-ß1 that results in the up-regulation of profibrotic factors, such as TGF-ßR1 and collagens associated with the progression of DN.

Desde la investigación biomédica a la clínica: avances del Centro Nacional Coordinador de Ensayos Clínicos

El Centro Nacional Coordinador de Ensayos Clínicos, encaminado a la eficacia en la evaluación clínica de los productos médico-farmacéuticos y biotecnológicos, así como de equipos cubanos, y atendiendo además a la importancia que tiene para todos los profesionales de la salud conocer los avances científicos-técnicos desarrollados desde su creación en 1991 hasta la actualidad, en busca de la eficacia y la seguridad de los productos que se evalúan bajo el cumplimiento estricto de las normas internacionales y las buenas prácticas clínicas, se realizó la presente revisión, donde se describe la incorporación de las tendencias mundiales más novedosas y su expansión a toda la red nacional. Se trabaja además en elevar el nivel científico-técnico de los profesionales, para lo cual se desarrollan diferentes modalidades de capacitación para todo la red nacional de los ensayos clínicos. Para la realización de este trabajo se consultaron fuentes relacionadas con el tema (AU)

The National Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials, aimed at the efficiency in the clinical evaluation of medical-pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, as well as Cuban equipments, and also taking into account the importance for all health professionals to know the scientific-technical advances developed since its creation in 1991 until today, in search of the efficiency and safety of the products that are evaluated under strict compliance with international standards and good clinical practice, the present review was conducted, in which it is described the incorporation of the latest global trends and their expansion into the national network. The center also works to raise the scientific and technical level of professionals, for which different training modalities are developed for all the national network of clinical trials. For the realization of this work sources related to the subject were consulted (AU)

FOG2 protein down-regulation by transforming growth factor-ß1-induced microRNA-200b/c leads to Akt kinase activation and glomerular mesangial hypertrophy related to diabetic nephropathy.

Glomerular hypertrophy is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. Akt kinase activated by transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß) plays an important role in glomerular mesangial hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms of Akt activation by TGF-ß are not fully understood. Recently, miR-200 and its target FOG2 were reported to regulate the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (the upstream activator of Akt) in insulin signaling. Here, we show that TGF-ß activates Akt in glomerular mesangial cells by inducing miR-200b and miR-200c, both of which target FOG2, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation. FOG2 expression was reduced in the glomeruli of diabetic mice as well as TGF-ß-treated mouse mesangial cells (MMC). FOG2 knockdown by siRNAs in MMC activated Akt and increased the protein content/cell ratio suggesting hypertrophy. A significant increase of miR-200b/c levels was detected in diabetic mouse glomeruli and TGF-ß-treated MMC. Transfection of MMC with miR-200b/c mimics significantly decreased the expression of FOG2. Conversely, miR-200b/c inhibitors attenuated TGF-ß-induced decrease in FOG2 expression. Furthermore, miR-200b/c mimics increased the protein content/cell ratio, whereas miR-200b/c inhibitors abrogated the TGF-ß-induced increase in protein content/cell. In addition, down-regulation of FOG2 by miR-200b/c could activate not only Akt but also ERK, which was also through PI3K activation. These data suggest a new mechanism for TGF-ß-induced Akt activation through FOG2 down-regulation by miR-200b/c, which can lead to glomerular mesangial hypertrophy in the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

MicroRNAs: potential mediators and biomarkers of diabetic complications.

The incidence of diabetes is escalating worldwide and, consequently, this has become a major health care problem. Moreover, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with significantly accelerated rates of microvascular complications, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, as well as macrovascular complications such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular and hypertensive diseases. Key factors have been implicated in leading to these complications, including hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, advanced glycation end products, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, and related increases in cellular oxidant stress (including mitochondrial) and endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the high incidence of diabetic complications, which often progress despite glycemic control, are still not fully understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that have elicited immense interest in recent years. They repress target gene expression via posttranscriptional mechanisms and have diverse cellular and biological functions. Herein, we discuss the role of miRNAs in the pathobiology of various diabetic complications, their involvement in oxidant stress, and also the potential use of differentially expressed miRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Análisis del efecto de las interacciones de tres variables de proceso para la producción de exopolisacáridos en la microalga Scenedesmus obliquus (UTEX 393) / Analysis of the effect of the interactions among three processing variables for the production of exopolysaccharides in the microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus (UTEX 393)

Microalgae are capable of producing biomolecules that have a wide variety of applications in agriculture, food industry, and medicine. In this study, three process variables are evaluated in order to determine its incidence on biomass and exopolysaccharides production. The effect of light intensity, agitation and carbon concentration on Scenedesmus obliquus (UTEX 393) growth and expolysaccaharides production is evaluated using 23 factorial design through the screening methodology. The simultaneous effect of level variation for three different experimental variables is examined in the present study in three levels for each parameter (Light intensity: 80, 130, 180 µE m-2 s-1, Agitation: 0, 600, 1200 rpm, carbon concentration 0, 2, 4% v/v Air-CO2). Specific growth rate and the exopolysaccharides concentration are the selected response variables. Results show that the optimal conditions for the two response variables correspond to the maximum levels of the three experimental variables (180 µE m-2 s-1, 4% air-CO2, and 1200 rpm), obtaining a specific growth rate of 0.64 d-1 and a exopolysaccharides concentration of 24.7 mg L-1. A significant interaction between the variables is observed, which has direct effects on cellular growth and exopolysaccharides production. The EPS production is facilitated by the turbulent flow (agitation maximum level), which is associated with a higher availability and better distribution of energy sources (light) and carbon dioxide. The validation of polynomials models verifies the relevance of the analysis performed.

Mechanisms of HGF/Met signaling to Brk and Sam68 in breast cancer progression.

Signal transduction pathways downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are often deregulated during oncogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. In particular, the peptide growth factor hormone, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and its specific receptor, Met tyrosine kinase, regulate cancer cell migration, thereby conferring an aggressive phenotype (Nakamura et al., J Clin Invest 106(12):1511-1519, 2000; Huh et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:4477-4482, 2004). Additionally, overexpression of Met is associated with enhanced invasiveness of breast cancer cells (Edakuni et al., Pathol Int 51(3):172-178, 2001; Jin et al., Cancer 79(4):749-760, 1997; Tuck et al., Am J Pathol 148(1):225-232, 1996). Here, we review the regulation of recently identified novel downstream mediators of HGF/Met signaling, Breast tumor kinase (Brk/PTK6), and Src-associated substrate during mitosis of 68 kDa (Sam68), and discuss their relevance to mechanisms of breast cancer progression.

Food aversions and cravings during early pregnancy: association with nausea and vomiting.

The prospective cohort study examined whether Ecuadorian women with early pregnancy nausea and vomiting (NVP) are more likely to develop food aversions and cravings, and if so, whether the specific foods identified as aversive or craved are the same as those predicted by the popular maternal-embryo protection hypothesis (MEPH). Consistent with MEPH predictions, women with NVP were more likely to report increased odor sensitivity and aversions for some predicted "toxic" foods and more likely to crave fruits. However, other hypothesis predictions were not supported. The relationship of food aversions and cravings with NVP appears more complicated than that explained by the MEPH.

Breast tumor kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 mediate Met receptor signaling to cell migration in breast cancer cells.

INTRODUCTION: Breast tumor kinase (Brk/protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6)) is a nonreceptor, soluble tyrosine kinase overexpressed in the majority of breast tumors. Previous work has placed Brk downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB) activation and upstream of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Herein we investigate the regulation of Brk kinase activity and cell migration in response to treatment of keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and T47D cells) with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and macrophage stimulating protein (MSP), peptide ligands for Met and Ron receptors, respectively. METHODS: In vitro kinase assays were performed to directly measure Brk kinase activity in response to MET and RON ligands. Transfection of Brk-targeted RNAi was used to knock down endogenous Brk or ERK5 in multiple cell lines. Kinase activities (downstream of MET signaling) were assayed by Western blotting using total and phospho-specific antibodies. Boyden chamber assays were used to measure cell migration in response to manipulation of Brk and downstream MET effectors. Rescue experiments were performed by knock down of endogenous Brk using RNAi (targeting the untranslated region (3'-UTR)) and transient transfection (re-expression) of either wild-type or kinase-inactive Brk. RESULTS: Brk gene silencing revealed that HGF, but not MSP, induced robust Brk-dependent cell migration. Brk and ERK5 copurified in HGF-induced protein complexes, and Brk/ERK5 complexes formed independently of Brk kinase activity. ERK5 was required for breast cancer cell but not keratinocyte cell migration, which became ERK1/2-dependent upon ERK5 knockdown. Notably, rescue experiments indicated that the kinase activity of Brk was not required for HGF-induced cell migration. Further, expression of either wild-type or kinase-inactive Brk in Brk-null MDA-MB-435 cells activated ERK5 and conferred increased HGF-induced cell migration. CONCLUSIONS: These results have identified Brk and ERK5 as important downstream effectors of Met signaling to cell migration. Targeting ERK5 kinase activity or inhibiting the formation of Brk/ERK5 complexes may provide an additional means of blocking cell migration associated with breast cancer progression to metastasis.

Contemporary trends in the acid-base status of two acid-sensitive streams in western Maryland.

Recovery of streamwater acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) resulting from declines in regional acid deposition was examined using contemporary (1990-2005) data from two long-term monitoring stations located on the Appalachian Plateau in western Maryland, U.S. Two computational methods were used to estimate daily, monthly, and annual fluxes and discharge-weighted concentrations of ANC, sulfate, nitrate, and base cations over the period of record, and two statistical methods were used to evaluate long-term trends in fluxes and concentrations. The methods used to estimate concentrations, as well as the statistical techniques, produced very similar results, underlining the robustness of the identified trends. We found clear evidence that streamwater sulfate concentrations have declined at an average rate of about 3 microeq L(-1) yr(-1) at the two sites due to a 34% reduction in wet atmospheric sulfur deposition. Trends in nitrate concentrations appear to be related to other watershed factors, especially forest disturbance. The best evidence of recovery is based on a doubling of ANC (from 21 to 42 microeq L(-1)) at the more acid-sensitive site over the 16-year period. A slowing, or possible reversal, in the sulfate, nitrate, and SBC trends is evident in our data and may portend a decline in the rate of--or end to--further recovery.

Analysis of trends in episodic acidification of streams in western Maryland.

In this study we report on changes in the magnitude and mechanisms of episodic acidification of a small acid-sensitive stream in western Maryland (U.S.) during the 1990s, a period in which wet sulfate deposition declined by 10-25% due to implementation of the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990. We observed a relatively minor trend in the magnitude of episodic acidification over this period, as measured bytransient changes in acid neutralizing capacity (deltaANC) and minimum values of ANC (ANC(min)) during 22 events sampled prior to and following CAAA implementation. Any relationship to changes in atmospheric deposition appears to be confounded by large hydroclimatological variability between the two sampling periods. Nonetheless, results obtained prior to implementation of the CAAA indicated that the mechanism of episodic acidification was mostly attributable to flushing of accumulated sulfate from the watershed, whereas results obtained post-CAAA indicated domination by base cation dilution. This shift in the mechanism of episodic acidification is qualitatively consistent with hydrochemical theory, as well as with empirical results from surface waters in other regions where dramatic declines in sulfate deposition have taken place.

A novel interaction [corrected] of nucleolin with Rad51.

Nucleolin associates with various DNA repair, recombination, and replication proteins, and possesses DNA helicase, strand annealing, and strand pairing activities. Examination of nuclear protein extracts from human somatic cells revealed that nucleolin and Rad51 co-immunoprecipitate. Furthermore, purified recombinant Rad51 associates with in vitro transcribed and translated nucleolin. Electroporation-mediated introduction of anti-nucleolin antibody resulted in a 10- to 20-fold reduction in intra-plasmid homologous recombination activity in human fibrosarcoma cells. Additionally, introduction of anti-nucleolin antibody sensitized cells to death induced by the topoisomerase II inhibitor, amsacrine. Introduction of anti-Rad51 antibody also reduced intra-plasmid homologous recombination activity and induced hypersensitivity to amsacrine-induced cell death. Co-introduction of anti-nucleolin and anti-Rad51 antibodies did not produce additive effects on homologous recombination or on cellular sensitivity to amsacrine. The association of the two proteins raises the intriguing possibility that nucleolin binding to Rad51 may function to regulate homologous recombinational repair of chromosomal DNA.

Is the nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy really feto-protective?

BACKGROUND: Health care providers and popular press articles frequently advise women that nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy (NVP) portends a favorable fetal outcome. AIM: To investigate the claim that NVP protects against adverse fetal outcomes and improves placental and fetal growth. METHODS: Data were collected on a prospective cohort of 849 Ecuadorian prenatal patients beginning in early gestation until postpartum. A questionnaire collected information on NVP and other maternal characteristics. Fetal outcomes and placental characteristics were examined using anthropometry and physical examination. Multivariate statistical methods controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS: Women with nausea only (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.22-0.94) or nausea with vomiting (AOR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.46-0.99) had significantly decreased miscarriage risk although the strength of the protection appeared less than that reported for other populations. NVP was not associated with low birth weight, preterm delivery, congenital anomaly, or other outcomes excepting slightly increased mean infant thigh skinfold (P = 0.024), mid-upper arm circumference (P = 0.049), and placental weight (P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The data did not support the common belief that NVP protects against multiple adverse outcomes. Placental weight was slightly increased in women with NVP but this difference was not reflected in higher birth weights or other types of fetal growth except of marginally increased limb fat.