Likelihood of attending bowel screening after a negative genetic test result: the possible influence of health professionals

This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which the reported likelihood of attending future bowel screening following negative genetic testing results for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) varies between the type of health professional providing care and the country of testing. The study subjects were 103 unaffected adults at risk for FAP who received negative results following predictive DNA testing. Our study indicates that the reported likelihood of attending bowel screening was higher in those given results by nongenetics physicians, rather than by genetics professionals; the reported likelihood of attending bowel screening under these circumstances was also higher in the UK than in Australia. Both of these results were affected by the perceived chances of developing FAP, and, in the case of the country of testing, by the perceived accuracy of the genetic test result and the perceived seriousness of the disease. How and what health professionals communicate with patients about genetic testing may explain the differences between type of health professional and country of testing and attitudes toward bowel screening. If this is the case, training in communication may change patients' perceptions and, in turn, their behavioral intentions and actions following a negative test result.     

Apoptotic pathways: involvement of lysosomal proteases

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is the major mechanism used by multicellular organisms to remove infected, excessive and potentially dangerous cells. Cysteine proteases from the caspase family play a crucial role in the process. However, there is increasing evidence that lysosomal proteases are also involved in apoptosis. In this review various lysosomal proteases and their potential contribution to propagation of apoptosis are discussed.     

alpha2-Adrenoceptors control the release of noradrenaline but not neuropeptide Y from perivascular nerve terminals

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and noradrenaline (NA) are co-transmitters at many sympathetic synapses, but it is not yet clear if their release is independently regulated. To address this question, we quantified the electrically evoked release of these co-transmitters from perivascular nerve terminals to the mesenteric circulation in control and drug-treated rats. 6-Hydroxydopamine reduced the tissue content and the electrically evoked release of ir-NPY and NA as well as the rise in perfusion pressure. A 0.001 mg/kg reserpine reduced the content of ir-NPY and NA, but did not modify their release nor altered the rise in perfusion pressure elicited by the electrical stimuli. However, 0.1mg/kg reserpine reduced both the content and release of NA but decreased only the content but not the release of ir-NPY; the rise in perfusion pressure was halved. Clonidine did not affect the release of ir-NPY while it lowered the outflow of NA, not altering the rise in perfusion pressure elicited by the electrical stimuli. Yohimbine, did not modify the release of ir-NPY but increased the NA outflow, it antagonized the clonidine effect. Therefore, presynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors modulate the release of NA but not NPY, implying separate regulatory mechanisms.     

Major proteins of bovine seminal plasma bind to the low-density lipoprotein fraction of hen's egg yolk

Over the past 60 years, egg yolk (EY) has been routinely used in both liquid semen extenders and those used to cryopreserve sperm. However, the mechanism by which EY protects sperm during liquid storage or from freezing damage is unknown. Bovine seminal plasma contains a family of proteins designated BSP-A1/-A2, BSP-A3, and BSP-30-kDa (collectively called BSP proteins). These proteins are secretory products of seminal vesicles that are acquired by sperm at ejaculation, modifying the sperm membrane by inducing cholesterol efflux. Because cholesterol efflux is time and concentration dependent, continuous exposure to seminal plasma (SP) that contains BSP proteins may be detrimental to the sperm membrane, which may adversely affect the ability of sperm to be preserved. In this article, we show that the BSP proteins bind to the low-density fraction (LDF), a lipoprotein component of the EY extender. The binding is rapid, specific, saturable, and stable even after freeze-thawing of semen. Furthermore, LDF has a very high capacity for BSP protein binding. The binding of BSP proteins to LDF may prevent their detrimental effect on sperm membrane, and this may be crucial for sperm storage. Thus, we propose that the sequestration of BSP proteins of SP by LDF may represent the major mechanism of sperm protection by EY.     

Technical-methodological report: a nomogram for peak leg power output in the vertical jump

Leg power is an important component in assessing both performance-related and health-related fitness. The Lewis equation and nomogram have been used for years to estimate leg power. A recent evaluation of the Lewis equation and further research led to the development of the Sayers equation. This equation provides an estimate of peak leg power, which has greater relevance than average power. Our purpose was to provide a simple and effective nomogram for calculating peak leg power output. The Sayers equation was transformed to an alignment nomogram and evaluated for facility of use and accuracy. The resultant alignment nomogram is easy to use and generates values for peak leg power in the vertical jump, which are well within the precision of the regression equation (r > 0.9999, CV < 0.2%). Interobserver error was less than 0.3% with a correlation of 0.9999. The Keir nomogram provides a simple and effective representation of the Sayers equation for use in both performance-related and health-related fitness assessments.