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Factors Critical (factor + critical)
Selected AbstractsGenetic engineering of mouse embryonic stem cells by Nurr1 enhances differentiation and maturation into dopaminergic neuronsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 10 2002Sangmi Chung Abstract Nurr1 is a transcription factor critical for the development of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons. This study modified mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to constitutively express Nurr1 under the elongation factor-1, promoter. The Nurr1-expression in ES cells lead to up-regulation of all DA neuronal markers tested, resulting in about a 4- to 5-fold increase in the proportion of DA neurons. In contrast, other neuronal and glial markers were not significantly changed by Nurr1 expression. It was also observed that there was an additional 4-fold increase in the number of DA neurons in Nurr1-expressing clones following treatment with Shh, FGF8 and ascorbic acid. Several lines of evidence suggest that these neurons may represent midbrain DA neuronal phenotypes; firstly, they coexpress midbrain DA markers such as aromatic l -amino acid decarboxylase, calretinin, and dopamine transporter, in addition to tyrosine hydroxylase and secondly, they do not coexpress other neurotransmitters such as GABA or serotonin. Finally, consistent with an increased number of DA neurons, the Nurr1 transduction enhanced the ability of these neurons to produce and release DA in response to membrane depolarization. This study demonstrates an efficient genetic manipulation of ES cells that facilitates differentiation to midbrain DA neurons, and it will serve as a framework of genetic engineering of ES cells by key transcription factor to regulate their cell fate. [source] Recent evidence on the development and maintenance of constructive staff,family relationships in the care of older people , a report on a systematic review updateINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 2 2010Emily Haesler BN PgradDipAdvNsg Abstract Aim, This paper is an update to a systematic review that presents the best available evidence on the factors that are most effective in promoting constructive staff,family relationships in the care of older people in the institutional healthcare setting. Methods, Systematic review. Results, The updated review supports findings from the earlier review. Additional evidence points to the importance of monitoring care, family involvement in decision-making, staff upholding the uniqueness of the older person, trust, the involvement of the multidisciplinary care team and family dynamics as factors underpinning effective staff,family relationships. Conclusion, A number of factors critical to the development and maintenance of positive staff,family relationships in the institutional setting have been identified. The delivery of quality care is predicated on staff having an understanding of these factors. [source] OASIS® wound matrix versus Hyaloskin® in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds of mixed arterial/venous aetiologyINTERNATIONAL WOUND JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007Marco Romanelli Abstract Mixed arterial/venous (A/V) ulcers are difficult to treat and slow to heal likely as a result of deficiencies in molecular and cellular elements in the wound bed. Recently, biomaterials have been developed that replace extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and growth factors critical to the normal healing process. In this study, the effects of OASIS® and Hyaloskin® were evaluated to compare the effectiveness of these two ECM-based products in their ability to achieve complete wound healing of mixed A/V ulcers. After 16 weeks of treatment, patients in each group were evaluated on four criteria: complete wound healing, time to dressing change, pain and comfort. Complete wound closure was achieved in 82·6% of OASIS® -treated ulcers compared with 46·2% of Hyaloskin® -treated ulcers (P < 0·001). Statistically significant differences favouring the OASIS® treatment group were also reported for time to dressing change (P < 0·05), pain (P < 0·05) and patient comfort (P < 0·01). Overall, OASIS® was superior to Hyaloskin® for the treatment of patients with mixed A/V ulcers, a population in which standard treatment options largely consist of moist wound dressings and compression therapy is typically not an option. OASIS® is a useful and well-tolerated treatment for mixed A/V ulcers that has the potential to improve quality of life and reduce costs associated with standard of care. [source] Communication and decision-making about seeking inherited cancer risk information: findings from female survivor-relative focus groupsPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Suzanne Mellon Abstract Dramatic advances in cancer genetics and identification of germline mutations in cancer genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 have led to new options in genetic risk assessment for families with histories of breast and ovarian cancer. However, little research has been carried out with individuals and their families regarding how cancer risk information is communicated within families and factors that may affect individuals and family members making informed decisions about their health. This study explored participants' knowledge of cancer risk, their perceptions and concerns regarding inherited cancer risk information, family communication patterns, and factors that may affect their decision to learn about inherited cancer risk in their families. Nine focus groups of family dyads were conducted (N=39) consisting of breast or ovarian cancer patients and close female relatives. All transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative software. Key findings showed diversity in how families communicated and made decisions about their health, persistent worry for their families, lack of knowledge about inherited cancer, vigilance in watching their health, and barriers present in communicating about genetic risk. Results from this study support inclusion of family members in addressing inherited cancer risk information and contextual family factors critical to consider in potentially high risk families. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Tropical rainforest canopies and climate changeAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2007NIGEL E. STORK Abstract There is less certainty about the impact of climate change on tropical rainforests than on temperate forests because of the comparative lack of background data and because few large scale experiments have been, and are being, carried out in tropical rainforests. Many of the factors critical to the future of tropical rainforests concern canopies, the key processes that take place there, and the roles and interactions of canopy biodiversity. In particular there are almost no data on how forest canopies and processes are changing with increased carbon dioxide levels. The implications of elevated carbon dioxide, climatic stress and related changes in water-use efficiency, nutrient availability and other such changes are discussed particularly with references to Australia's tropical rainforests. [source] | |||||||||||||