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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Targeting Dusps In Glioblastomas–Wielding A Double‐Edged Sword, Sheila Abraham, Swapna Asuthkar, William Lee, Srinivasulu Chigurupat, Andrew Tsung, Kiran Kiran Nov 2015

Targeting Dusps In Glioblastomas–Wielding A Double‐Edged Sword, Sheila Abraham, Swapna Asuthkar, William Lee, Srinivasulu Chigurupat, Andrew Tsung, Kiran Kiran

Sheila Prabhakar Abraham

Several dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) that play key roles in the direct or indirect inactivation of different MAP kinases (MAPKs) have been implicated in human cancers over the past decade. This has led to a growing interest in identifying DUSPs and their specific inhibitors for further testing and validation as therapeutic targets in human cancers. However, the lack of understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms and cross-talks between MAPK signaling pathways, combined with the fact that DUSPs can act as a double-edged sword in cancer progression, calls for a more careful and thorough investigation. Among the various types of brain cancer, …


"What Should Happen Before Asymptomatic Men Decide Whether Or Not To Have A Psa Test?"A Report On Three Community Juries, Chris Degeling, Lucie Rychetnik, Kristen Pickles, Rae Thomas, Jennifer Doust, Robert Gardiner, Paul Glasziou, Ainsley Newson, Stacy Carter Nov 2015

"What Should Happen Before Asymptomatic Men Decide Whether Or Not To Have A Psa Test?"A Report On Three Community Juries, Chris Degeling, Lucie Rychetnik, Kristen Pickles, Rae Thomas, Jennifer Doust, Robert Gardiner, Paul Glasziou, Ainsley Newson, Stacy Carter

Jenny Doust

OBJECTIVES: To elicit the views of well informed community members on the ethical obligations of general practitioners regarding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and what should be required before a man undergoes a PSA test. DESIGN AND SETTING: Three community juries held at the University of Sydney over 6 months in 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Forty participants from New South Wales, of diverse social and cultural backgrounds and with no experience of prostate cancer, recruited through public advertising: two juries of mixed gender and ages; one all-male jury of PSA screening age. RESULTS: In contrast to Royal Australian College of General Practitioners guidelines, …


"What Should Happen Before Asymptomatic Men Decide Whether Or Not To Have A Psa Test?"A Report On Three Community Juries, Chris Degeling, Lucie Rychetnik, Kristen Pickles, Rae Thomas, Jennifer Doust, Robert Gardiner, Paul Glasziou, Ainsley Newson, Stacy Carter Nov 2015

"What Should Happen Before Asymptomatic Men Decide Whether Or Not To Have A Psa Test?"A Report On Three Community Juries, Chris Degeling, Lucie Rychetnik, Kristen Pickles, Rae Thomas, Jennifer Doust, Robert Gardiner, Paul Glasziou, Ainsley Newson, Stacy Carter

Rae Thomas

OBJECTIVES: To elicit the views of well informed community members on the ethical obligations of general practitioners regarding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and what should be required before a man undergoes a PSA test. DESIGN AND SETTING: Three community juries held at the University of Sydney over 6 months in 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Forty participants from New South Wales, of diverse social and cultural backgrounds and with no experience of prostate cancer, recruited through public advertising: two juries of mixed gender and ages; one all-male jury of PSA screening age. RESULTS: In contrast to Royal Australian College of General Practitioners guidelines, …


Benefits And Barriers Of Cancer Practitioners Discussing Physical Activity With Their Cancer Patients, Justin Keogh, Alicia Olsen, Mike Climstein, Sally Sargeant, Lynette Jones Sep 2015

Benefits And Barriers Of Cancer Practitioners Discussing Physical Activity With Their Cancer Patients, Justin Keogh, Alicia Olsen, Mike Climstein, Sally Sargeant, Lynette Jones

Sally Sargeant

Our aim was to synthesise the existing empirical literature and theoretical perspectives on the physical activity (PA) promotion practices and determinants of cancer clinicians and health professionals. We conducted a narrative review of theory and evidence to develop practice recommendations for improving the promotion of PA to cancer patients. Surveyed health professionals were aware of many benefits of PA for their cancer patients, although only ~40 % promoted PA to selected cancer patients. Walking was the most commonly promoted form of PA, with this promoted to assist patients control their weight and cardiovascular health risk. Barriers to promotion of PA …


Predictors Of Depression In Prostate Cancer Patients: A Comparison Of Psychological Resilience Versus Pre-Existing Anxiety And Depression, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, Addie Wootten, David Christie Jul 2015

Predictors Of Depression In Prostate Cancer Patients: A Comparison Of Psychological Resilience Versus Pre-Existing Anxiety And Depression, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, Addie Wootten, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Background: Previous anxiety and depression can influence current anxiety and depression, and psychological resilience may be a buffer against current anxiety and depression. However, despite the relevance of these two sets of predictors of anxiety and depression, and their potential in treatment planning, no reports have been published on their role in post-diagnosis anxiety and depression among prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the roles of these predictors in a sample of men with prostate cancer. Method: Retrospective self-reports of anxiety and depression for how they were before receiving their diagnosis of PCa and at the …


Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy In High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Experience, E. Yu, P. Tai, J. Younus, R. Malthaner, P. Truong, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Ash, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, A. Tomiak, B. Dingle, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, W. Kocha, D. Fortin, R. Inculet Jul 2015

Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy In High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Experience, E. Yu, P. Tai, J. Younus, R. Malthaner, P. Truong, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Ash, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, A. Tomiak, B. Dingle, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, W. Kocha, D. Fortin, R. Inculet

Richard A. Malthaner

Background and purpose: Extended volume external beam radiation therapy (RT) following esophagectomy is controversial. This prospective study evaluates the feasibility of extended volume RT treatment in high-risk esophagectomy patients with cervical anastomosis receiving post–operative combined chemo-radiation therapy. Patients and methods: From 2001-2006, 15 patients with resected esophageal cancer were prospectively accrued to this pilot study, to evaluate the adverse effects of extended volume RT. Eligibility criteria were pathologically proven esophageal malignancy, T3-4, N0-1, disease amenable to surgical resection and esophagectomy with or without resection margin involvement. Patients with distant metastases (M1) and patients treated with previous RT were excluded. All …


Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy In High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Experience, E. Yu, P. Tai, J. Younus, R. Malthaner, P. Truong, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Ash, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, A. Tomiak, B. Dingle, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, W. Kocha, D. Fortin, R. Inculet Jul 2015

Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy In High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Experience, E. Yu, P. Tai, J. Younus, R. Malthaner, P. Truong, L. Stitt, G. Rodrigues, R. Ash, R. Dar, B. Yaremko, A. Tomiak, B. Dingle, M. Sanatani, M. Vincent, W. Kocha, D. Fortin, R. Inculet

Richard A. Malthaner

Background and purpose: Extended volume external beam radiation therapy (RT) following esophagectomy is controversial. This prospective study evaluates the feasibility of extended volume RT treatment in high-risk esophagectomy patients with cervical anastomosis receiving post–operative combined chemo-radiation therapy. Patients and methods: From 2001-2006, 15 patients with resected esophageal cancer were prospectively accrued to this pilot study, to evaluate the adverse effects of extended volume RT. Eligibility criteria were pathologically proven esophageal malignancy, T3-4, N0-1, disease amenable to surgical resection and esophagectomy with or without resection margin involvement. Patients with distant metastases (M1) and patients treated with previous RT were excluded. All …


The Link Between Value Motives, Value Success, And Well-Being Among People Diagnosed With Cancer, Lisbeth Lane, Joseph Ciarrochi, Danielle Fisher Jul 2015

The Link Between Value Motives, Value Success, And Well-Being Among People Diagnosed With Cancer, Lisbeth Lane, Joseph Ciarrochi, Danielle Fisher

joseph Ciarrochi

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between cancer patient¿s values and cancerrelated distress.Method: A total of 107 patients with cancer diagnoses completed an anonymousquestionnaire.Results: Less self-regulating motivation for health values was significantly related to poorerwell-being. Greater success at living one¿s values was significantly related to improved wellbeingand distress-related outcomes. Sex difference analysis suggested that success atfriendship values was linked to less cancer-related distress among women, but not men, whereassuccess at romantic relationship values was linked to less distress among men, but not women.Conclusion: The results have important implications for values focused interventions,highlighting the importance of facilitating success at valued living …


The Impact Of An Inpatient Hospital Admission On Patients’ Physical Functioning And Quality Of Life In The Oncology Setting, Andrew Murnane, Justin Keogh, Fiona Magat, Sonya Imbesi, Marie Coulombe, Sharni Patchell, Allan Abbott May 2015

The Impact Of An Inpatient Hospital Admission On Patients’ Physical Functioning And Quality Of Life In The Oncology Setting, Andrew Murnane, Justin Keogh, Fiona Magat, Sonya Imbesi, Marie Coulombe, Sharni Patchell, Allan Abbott

Allan D. Abbott

Objective: Cancer can affect an individual’s level of physical function and health related quality of life (HRQoL). Those requiring hospital admission may be at risk of further decline during hospitalisation. The aim of this study was to investigate physical functioning and HRQoL of cancer patients on admission and over the course of their hospital admission. Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken on the inpatient wards of a specialist oncology hospital. Assessment measures were taken bi-weekly until discharge from hospital or if they became too unwell to continue. Functional outcome measures included timed-up and go test (TUG), 30 second sit …


The Impact Of An Inpatient Hospital Admission On Patients’ Physical Functioning And Quality Of Life In The Oncology Setting, Andrew Murnane, Justin Keogh, Fiona Magat, Sonya Imbesi, Marie Coulombe, Sharni Patchell, Allan Abbott May 2015

The Impact Of An Inpatient Hospital Admission On Patients’ Physical Functioning And Quality Of Life In The Oncology Setting, Andrew Murnane, Justin Keogh, Fiona Magat, Sonya Imbesi, Marie Coulombe, Sharni Patchell, Allan Abbott

Justin Keogh

Objective: Cancer can affect an individual’s level of physical function and health related quality of life (HRQoL). Those requiring hospital admission may be at risk of further decline during hospitalisation. The aim of this study was to investigate physical functioning and HRQoL of cancer patients on admission and over the course of their hospital admission. Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken on the inpatient wards of a specialist oncology hospital. Assessment measures were taken bi-weekly until discharge from hospital or if they became too unwell to continue. Functional outcome measures included timed-up and go test (TUG), 30 second sit …


Deliberative Democracy And Cancer Screening Consent: A Randomised Control Trial Of The Effect Of A Community Jury On Men's Knowledge About And Intentions To Participate In Psa Screening, Rae Thomas, Paul Glasziou, Lucie Rychetnik, Geraldine Mackenzie, Robert A. Gardiner, Jenny A. Doust Apr 2015

Deliberative Democracy And Cancer Screening Consent: A Randomised Control Trial Of The Effect Of A Community Jury On Men's Knowledge About And Intentions To Participate In Psa Screening, Rae Thomas, Paul Glasziou, Lucie Rychetnik, Geraldine Mackenzie, Robert A. Gardiner, Jenny A. Doust

Rae Thomas

Objective Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is controversial. A community jury allows presentation of complex information and may clarify how participants view screening after being well-informed. We examined whether participating in a community jury had an effect on men's knowledge about and their intention to participate in PSA screening. Design Random allocation to either a 2-day community jury or a control group, with preassessment, postassessment and 3-month follow-up assessment. Setting Participants from the Gold Coast (Australia) recruited via radio, newspaper and community meetings. Participants Twenty-six men aged 50–70 years with no previous diagnosis of prostate cancer. Intervention The control group (n=14) …


Paradoxical Effects Of The Autophagy Inhibitor 3-Methyladenine On Docetaxel-Induced Toxicity In Pc-3 And Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, Rebecca Pickard, Briohny Spencer, Amelia Mcfarland, Nijole Bernaitis, Andrew Davey, Russ Chess-Williams, Catherine Mcdermott, Amanda Forbes, David Christie, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie Mar 2015

Paradoxical Effects Of The Autophagy Inhibitor 3-Methyladenine On Docetaxel-Induced Toxicity In Pc-3 And Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, Rebecca Pickard, Briohny Spencer, Amelia Mcfarland, Nijole Bernaitis, Andrew Davey, Russ Chess-Williams, Catherine Mcdermott, Amanda Forbes, David Christie, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie

Russ Chess-Williams

Survival time in patients with androgen-resistant prostate cancer. However, it provides only a modest increase in survival and is associated with significant toxicity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify potential adjunct therapies. Given the key role of autophagy in both tumour survival and chemoresistance, the impact of autophagy modulation on docetaxel toxicity was tested in vitro. PC-3 and LNCaP cells were pre-treated with the autophagy inhibitor 3- methyladenine (5 mM) and then exposed to various concentrations (0–100 μM) of docetaxel. Cytoxic effects of docetaxel were measured using resazurin reduction to resorufin, whilst autophagy and apoptosis was measured using …


Paradoxical Effects Of The Autophagy Inhibitor 3-Methyladenine On Docetaxel-Induced Toxicity In Pc-3 And Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, Rebecca Pickard, Briohny Spencer, Amelia Mcfarland, Nijole Bernaitis, Andrew Davey, Russ Chess-Williams, Catherine Mcdermott, Amanda Forbes, David Christie, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie Mar 2015

Paradoxical Effects Of The Autophagy Inhibitor 3-Methyladenine On Docetaxel-Induced Toxicity In Pc-3 And Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, Rebecca Pickard, Briohny Spencer, Amelia Mcfarland, Nijole Bernaitis, Andrew Davey, Russ Chess-Williams, Catherine Mcdermott, Amanda Forbes, David Christie, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie

Catherine M. McDermott

Survival time in patients with androgen-resistant prostate cancer. However, it provides only a modest increase in survival and is associated with significant toxicity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify potential adjunct therapies. Given the key role of autophagy in both tumour survival and chemoresistance, the impact of autophagy modulation on docetaxel toxicity was tested in vitro. PC-3 and LNCaP cells were pre-treated with the autophagy inhibitor 3- methyladenine (5 mM) and then exposed to various concentrations (0–100 μM) of docetaxel. Cytoxic effects of docetaxel were measured using resazurin reduction to resorufin, whilst autophagy and apoptosis was measured using …


Enhanced Urothelial Atp Release And Contraction Following Intravesical Treatment With The Cytotoxic Drug, Doxorubicin, Stanley Kang, Catherine Mcdermott, Stef Farr, R. Chess-Williams Mar 2015

Enhanced Urothelial Atp Release And Contraction Following Intravesical Treatment With The Cytotoxic Drug, Doxorubicin, Stanley Kang, Catherine Mcdermott, Stef Farr, R. Chess-Williams

Catherine M. McDermott

Intravesical administration of the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin is a common treatment for superficial carcinoma of the bladder, but it is associated with significant urological adverse effects. The aim of this study was to identify doxorubicin-induced changes in the local mechanisms involved in regulating bladder function. As a model of intravesical doxorubicin administration in patients, doxorubicin (1 mg/mL) was applied to the luminal surface of porcine bladders for 60 min. Following treatment, the release of urothelial/lamina propria mediators (acetylcholine (Ach), ATP and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and contractile responses of isolated tissue strips was investigated. Doxorubicin pretreatment did not affect contractile responses …


Induction Of Inflammatory Cytokines And Alteration Of Urothelial Atp, Acetylcholine And Prostaglandin E2 Release By Doxorubicin, Sung-Hung Kang, Russ Chess-Williams, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie, Catherine Mcdermott Mar 2015

Induction Of Inflammatory Cytokines And Alteration Of Urothelial Atp, Acetylcholine And Prostaglandin E2 Release By Doxorubicin, Sung-Hung Kang, Russ Chess-Williams, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie, Catherine Mcdermott

Catherine M. McDermott

Intravesical treatment with cytotoxic drugs such as doxorubicin is associated with local adverse effects in bladder cancer patients. Here we investigate the effects of doxorubicin on urothelial release of ATP, acetylcholine and prostaglandin E2, and production of inflammatory cytokines. Urothelial cells were treated with doxorubicin for 1 h at 37 °C. Immediately or 24 h following treatment the level of ATP, acetylcholine and prostaglandin E2 released under basal and stimulated conditions was measured and compared to release from vehicle treated control cultures. The presence of inflammatory cytokines, in culture medium was also assessed 24 h after doxorubicin pre-treatment. Immediately following …


Induction Of Inflammatory Cytokines And Alteration Of Urothelial Atp, Acetylcholine And Prostaglandin E2 Release By Doxorubicin, Sung-Hung Kang, Russ Chess-Williams, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie, Catherine Mcdermott Feb 2015

Induction Of Inflammatory Cytokines And Alteration Of Urothelial Atp, Acetylcholine And Prostaglandin E2 Release By Doxorubicin, Sung-Hung Kang, Russ Chess-Williams, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie, Catherine Mcdermott

Russ Chess-Williams

Intravesical treatment with cytotoxic drugs such as doxorubicin is associated with local adverse effects in bladder cancer patients. Here we investigate the effects of doxorubicin on urothelial release of ATP, acetylcholine and prostaglandin E2, and production of inflammatory cytokines. Urothelial cells were treated with doxorubicin for 1 h at 37 °C. Immediately or 24 h following treatment the level of ATP, acetylcholine and prostaglandin E2 released under basal and stimulated conditions was measured and compared to release from vehicle treated control cultures. The presence of inflammatory cytokines, in culture medium was also assessed 24 h after doxorubicin pre-treatment. Immediately following …


Preliminary Investigations Into Triazole Derived Androgen Receptor Antagonists, Jarrad Altimari, Birunthi Niranjan, Gail Risbridger, Stephanie Schweiker, Anna Lohning, Luke Henderson Feb 2015

Preliminary Investigations Into Triazole Derived Androgen Receptor Antagonists, Jarrad Altimari, Birunthi Niranjan, Gail Risbridger, Stephanie Schweiker, Anna Lohning, Luke Henderson

Anna Lohning

A range of 1,4-substituted-1,2,3-N-phenyltriazoles were synthesized and evaluated as non-steroidal androgen receptor (AR) antagonists. The motivation for this study was to replace the N-phenyl amide portion of small molecule antiandrogens with a 1,2,3-triazole and determine effects, if any, on biological activity. The synthetic methodology presented herein is robust, high yielding and extremely rapid. Using this methodology a series of 17 N-aryl triazoles were synthesized from commercially available starting materials in less than 3 h. After preliminary biological screening at 20 and 40 lM, the most promising three compounds were found to display IC50 values of 40–50 lM against androgen dependent …


Deliberative Democracy And Cancer Screening Consent: A Randomised Control Trial Of The Effect Of A Community Jury On Men's Knowledge About And Intentions To Participate In Psa Screening, Rae Thomas, Paul Glasziou, Lucie Rychetnik, Geraldine Mackenzie, Robert A. Gardiner, Jenny A. Doust Feb 2015

Deliberative Democracy And Cancer Screening Consent: A Randomised Control Trial Of The Effect Of A Community Jury On Men's Knowledge About And Intentions To Participate In Psa Screening, Rae Thomas, Paul Glasziou, Lucie Rychetnik, Geraldine Mackenzie, Robert A. Gardiner, Jenny A. Doust

Paul Glasziou

Objective Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is controversial. A community jury allows presentation of complex information and may clarify how participants view screening after being well-informed. We examined whether participating in a community jury had an effect on men's knowledge about and their intention to participate in PSA screening. Design Random allocation to either a 2-day community jury or a control group, with preassessment, postassessment and 3-month follow-up assessment. Setting Participants from the Gold Coast (Australia) recruited via radio, newspaper and community meetings. Participants Twenty-six men aged 50–70 years with no previous diagnosis of prostate cancer. Intervention The control group (n=14) …


Implantable Polymer/Metal Thin Film Structures For The Localized Treatment Of Cancer By Joule Heating, Nima Rahbar, Kwabena Kan-Dapaah, Christian Theriault, Wole Soboyejo Dec 2014

Implantable Polymer/Metal Thin Film Structures For The Localized Treatment Of Cancer By Joule Heating, Nima Rahbar, Kwabena Kan-Dapaah, Christian Theriault, Wole Soboyejo

Nima Rahbar

This paper presents an implantable polymer/metal alloy thin film structure for localized post-operative treatment of breast cancer. A combination of experiments and models is used to study the temperature changes due to Joule heating by patterned metallic thin films embedded in poly-dimethylsiloxane. The heat conduction within the device and the surrounding normal/cancerous breast tissue is modeled with three-dimensional finite element method (FEM). The FEM simulations are used to explore the potential effects of device geometry and Joule heating on the temperature distribution and lesion (thermal dose). The FEM model is validated using a gel model that mimics biological media. The …