Matrix metalloproteinases-2,-3,-7,-9 and-10, but not MMP-11, are differentially expressed in normal, benign tumorigenic and malignant human keratinocyte cell lines

In order to investigate the correlations between constitutive proteinase expression and the degree of tumorigenicity of cancer cells we have studied a model system of three keratinocyte cell lines. RT-PCR studies showed that the cell lines express the genes of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, -7, -9, -10 and -11, indicating that they are able to synthesize the corresponding enzymes. Actual MMP synthesis was proven by zymography and Western blotting. In conditioned media gelatinolytic activities or immunoreactive forms of MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -10 and -11 were detected. The signal intensities showed that MMP secretion increases in the order HaCaT < A5 less than or equal to II-4RT, whereas only MMP-11 is secreted by all cell lines in equal amounts, Intracellularly, enhanced levels of one or both of the tumorigenic variants were only found for MMP-3 -9 and -10, suggesting special functions of these intracellular MMP pools for the tumorigenic cell lines. For MMP-11 exclusive expression in stromal fibroblasts of tumor tissues is widely accepted; however, our results and three other recent reports demonstrate that this concept is not generally valid. In conclusion, the three keratinocyte cell lines investigated here represent an excellent model for studying constitutive expression and secretion of MMPs in correlation to the degree of in vivo tumorigenicity

The Role of Emergency Room Social Worker: An Exploratory Study

Research suggests the defined role of emergency room social worker is unclear among other professionals working in the emergency room (Cowles & Lefcowitz, 1992). Changes to the healthcare system including a decrease in resources, combined roles of emergency department personnel, and delivery of mental health treatment in emergency rooms has necessitated further investigation of the role of emergency room social worker. Using a qualitative design, seven participants from two Midwestern hospitals were surveyed in regards to how they defined their role as a social worker, barriers to their role, and demographic information was collected including licensure and years worked as an emergency room social worker. Findings of this study suggest the emergency room social worker is a valuable member of the interdisciplinary team in the emergency room, fulfilling multiple roles for the well being of patients. Study results indicated emergency room social workers may be underutilized as educators of mental health topics both within the hospital and in the community setting. Additionally, the role of emergency room social worker as a cultural broker may also be underutilized within the emergency room setting. This study also indicated significant barriers to the role of emergency room social worker, including lack of community resources. These findings demonstrate the need for future research in various areas relating to the emergency room social worker such as researching the emergency room social worker as an educator and as a cultural liaison

The Role of Emergency Room Social Worker: An Exploratory Study

Research suggests the defined role of emergency room social worker is unclear among other professionals working in the emergency room (Cowles & Lefcowitz, 1992). Changes to the healthcare system including a decrease in resources, combined roles of emergency department personnel, and delivery of mental health treatment in emergency rooms has necessitated further investigation of the role of emergency room social worker. Using a qualitative design, seven participants from two Midwestern hospitals were surveyed in regards to how they defined their role as a social worker, barriers to their role, and demographic information was collected including licensure and years worked as an emergency room social worker. Findings of this study suggest the emergency room social worker is a valuable member of the interdisciplinary team in the emergency room, fulfilling multiple roles for the well being of patients. Study results indicated emergency room social workers may be underutilized as educators of mental health topics both within the hospital and in the community setting. Additionally, the role of emergency room social worker as a cultural broker may also be underutilized within the emergency room setting. This study also indicated significant barriers to the role of emergency room social worker, including lack of community resources. These findings demonstrate the need for future research in various areas relating to the emergency room social worker such as researching the emergency room social worker as an educator and as a cultural liaison

Examining Services for Victims of Forced Child Marriage in the Bay Area

Forced marriage is clearly defined as a “human rights abuse” by the U.S. Department of State and as a crime by California state statutes. However, the practice of forced marriage is not very well understood and is generally not considered to be an issue that exists in the United States. This lack of recognition creates barriers to identify and respond to victims of this abuse. Victims of forced child marriage remain an underserved and largely unidentified population in California and across the United States. The problem is further exacerbated when a victim is a minor forced into marriage. This research proposal will examine the need to take an in depth look at the role and response of domestic abuse shelters and local law enforcement agencies to victims of forced child marriage. Identifying gaps in service for victims of forced child marriage is imperative to better serve this population. Focused research could help law enforcement, domestic violence shelters, social workers, educators, and medical professionals to better understand this specialized area of domestic abuse and offer solutions to victims of forced child marriage

The specialized tomograph rotary table design in the T-Flex CAD system

Статья "Проектирование поворотного стола специализированного томографа в T-Fleх CAD" посвящена актуальной проблеме обеспечения правильного расположения объектов контроля в томографических комплексах. Представлен вариант конструкции поворотного стола, спроектированный в среде T-Fleх CAD.The article "Designing of the Rotary Table of the Specialized Tomograph in the T-Flex CAD system" is devoted to the urgent problem of the object correct arrangement control in a tomographic complex. The rotary table embodiment is designed with the T-Flex CAD system

Absence of Host Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 Prevents Cancer Invasion and Vascularization

Acquisition of invasive/metastatic potential through protease expression is an essential event in tumor progression. High levels of components of the plasminogen activation system, including urokinase, but paradoxically also its inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1), have been correlated with a poor prognosis for some cancers. We report here that deficient PAI1 expression in host mice prevented local invasion and tumor vascularization of transplanted malignant keratinocytes. When this PAI1 deficiency was circumvented by intravenous injection of a replication-defective adenoviral vector expressing human PAI1, invasion and associated angiogenesis were restored. This experimental evidence demonstrates that host-produced PAI is essential for cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis

The impact of Fairtrade on the quality of life of workers on wine estates in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Magister Economicae - MEconFairtrade is an international organisation aimed at creating empowerment, sustainable livelihoods and fair trading opportunities for small-scale producers and hired labourers in the Global South. The organisation Fairtrade International and its independent certification body FLO-CERT form part of the larger Fair Trade movement. As South Africa's wine industry is still characterized by oppression of its farm workers, the organisation urges for a profound transformation of the industry. Fairtrade's engagement in South Africa is unique as it emerged from an initiative of local producers seeking the certification in 2003. Since then, the number of Fairtrade grape and wine farms has steadily increased and expanded to other wine-producing countries. Thus, after more than ten years of Fairtrade operation in this industry, it is worthwhile evaluating the impact of this international initiative on local farm workers on wine estates. This study uses the capability approach as a theoretical platform from which to assess farm workers' quality of life. The investigation draws a comparison between conditions for workers on Fairtrade-certified farms and conditions for workers on non-certified wine estates. Quantitative research methods were used to gather relevant information. The findings prove the hypothesis of a positive impact of the Fairtrade intervention, but only in certain categories. Labourers on Fairtrade-certified farms were found to be better off concerning financial provision for retirement, contractual status and opportunities to participate in professional training and to join unions. The data furthermore supports the hypothesis that Fairtrade workers are more satisfied with their jobs on wine farms. For further research, longitudinal studies and participatory research approaches are recommended to obtain in depth-information about farm workers' views on Fairtrade

Angiogenic switch occurs late in squamous cell carcinomas of human skin

Angiogenesis is a crucial event in carcinogenesis and its onset has been associated with premalignant tumour stages. In order to elucidate the significance of angiogenesis in different stages of epithelial skin tumours, we analysed the vessel density in ten normal skin samples, 14 actinic keratosis (AK), 12 hypertrophic AKs, and in nine early- and 16 late-stage squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Mean vascular density was quantitated by counting the number of CD 31-immunostained blood vessels and by morphometric assessment of stained vessel area by computer-assisted image analysis. The results from both methods were well correlated. Mean vascular density was similar in normal dermis and in AK, and only slightly elevated in hypertrophic AKs and early SCC stages (tumour thickness < 2 mm). Only late-stage SCCs infiltrating the subcutis exhibited a significant increase in vascularization. Vessel density was independent of tumour localization, degree of proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, tumour vascularization was not correlated with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, a major angiogenic factor, as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The restriction of enhanced vascularization to increased tumour thickness may be a major reason for the rather low metastatic spread of cutaneous SCCs. © 2000 CancerResearch Campaig

Stromal cyclin D1 promotes heterotypic immune signaling and breast cancer growth

The cyclin D1 gene encodes the regulatory subunit of a holoenzyme that drives cell autonomous cell cycle progression and proliferation. Herein we show cyclin D1 abundance is increased >30-fold in the stromal fibroblasts of patients with invasive breast cancer, associated with poor outcome. Cyclin D1 transformed hTERT human fibroblast to a cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype. Stromal fibroblast expression of cyclin D1 (cyclin D1Stroma) in vivo, enhanced breast epithelial cancer tumor growth, restrained apoptosis, and increased autophagy. Cyclin D1Stroma had profound effects on the breast tumor microenvironment increasing the recruitment of F4/80+ and CD11b+ macrophages and increasing angiogenesis. Cyclin D1Stroma induced secretion of factors that promoted expansion of stem cells (breast stem-like cells, embryonic stem cells and bone marrow derived stem cells). Cyclin D1Stroma resulted in increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (CCL2, CCL7, CCL11, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL9, CXCL12), CSF (CSF1, GM-CSF1) and osteopontin (OPN) (30-fold). OPN was induced by cyclin D1 in fibroblasts, breast epithelial cells and in the murine transgenic mammary gland and OPN was sufficient to induce stem cell expansion. These results demonstrate that cyclin D1Stroma drives tumor microenvironment heterocellular signaling, promoting several key hallmarks of cancer