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Cancer is considered one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Although preventive strategies, early detection, and improved treatment options have been developed, novel targets and therapeutics are still needed. Since concluding that cancer is mediated by genetic and epigenetic alterations of the cell, many research groups are now focusing on other means of prevention and therapy via nutrition, epigenetic mechanisms, and non-coding RNAs which have been shown to control gene expression and have many different functions at the cellular level. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing in human cancer, the potential to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets of disease has increased tremendously and led to the identification of many non-coding RNAs that are dysregulated in various cancers. Gene expression and regulation is important in maintaining the homeostasis of normal tissues and cells. Not uncommonly, up- or down-regulation of particular genes are associated with cancer as a result of increased or decreased expression of transcriptional targets. This review focuses on the role of nutrition in cancer and the dysregulation of non-coding RNAs with particular emphasis on long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs in different cancer types.

Increased aerobic glycolysis and de novo lipid biosynthesis are common characteristics of invasive cancers. UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are phase II drug metabolizing enzymes that in normal cells possess the ability to glucuronidate these lipids and speed their excretion; however, de-regulation of these enzymes in cancer cells can lead to an accumulation of bioactive lipids, which further fuels cancer progression. We hypothesize that UGT2B isoform expression is down-regulated in cancer cells and that exogenous re-introduction of these enzymes will reduce lipid content, change the cellular phenotype, and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. In this study, steady-state mRNA levels of UGT isoforms from the 2B family were measured using qPCR in 4 breast cancer and 5 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Expression plasmids for UGT2B isoforms known to glucuronidate cellular lipids, UGT2B4, 2B7, and 2B15 were transfected into MCF-7 and Panc-1 cells, and the cytotoxic effects of these enzymes were analyzed using trypan blue exclusion, annexin V/PI staining, TUNEL assays, and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. There was a significant decrease in cell proliferation and a significant increase in the number of dead cells after transfection with each of the 3 UGT isoforms in both cell lines. Cellular lipids were also found to be significantly decreased after transfection. The results presented here support our hypothesis and emphasize the important role UGTs can play in cellular proliferation and lipid homeostasis. Evaluating the effect of UGT expression on the lipid levels in cancer cell lines can be relevant to understanding the complex regulation of cancer cells, identifying the roles of UGTs as “lipid-controllers” in cellular homeostasis, and illustrating their suitability as targets for future clinical therapy development.

Tamoxifen (Tam) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to inhibit breast tumor growth. Tam can be directly N-glucuronidated via the tertiary amine group or O-glucuronidated after cytochrome P450–mediated hydroxylation. In this study, the glucuronidation of Tam and its hydroxylated and/or chlorinated derivatives [4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHTam), toremifene (Tor), and 4-hydroxytoremifene (4OHTor)] was examined using recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) from the 1A subfamily and human hepatic microsomes. Recombinant UGT1A4 catalyzed the formation of N-glucuronides of Tam and its derivatives and was the most active UGT enzyme toward these compounds. Therefore, it was hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of UGT1A4 have the ability to significantly decrease the glucuronidation rates of Tam metabolites in the human liver. In vitro activity of 64 genotyped human liver microsomes was used to determine the association between the UGT1A4 promoter and coding region SNPs and the glucuronidation rates of Tam, 4OHTam, Tor, and 4OHTor. Significant decreases in enzymatic activity were observed in microsomes for individuals heterozygous for −163G/A and −217T/G. These alterations in glucuronidation may lead to prolonged circulating half-lives and may potentially modify the effectiveness of these drugs in the treatment of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE There is a dearth of empirical studies aimed at examining the impact of differential cultural adaptation of evidence-based clinical and prevention interventions. This prevention study consisted of a randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing the impact of 2 differentially culturally adapted versions of the evidence-based parenting intervention known as Parent Management Training, the Oregon Model (PMTOR). METHOD The sample consisted of 103 Latina/o immigrant families (190 individual parents). Each family was allocated to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) a culturally adapted PMTO (CA), (b) culturally adapted and enhanced PMTO (CE), and (c) a wait-list control. Measurements were implemented at baseline (T1), treatment completion (T2) and 6-month follow up (T3). RESULTS Multilevel growth modeling analyses indicated statistically significant improvements on parenting skills for fathers and mothers (main effect) at 6-month follow-up in both adapted interventions, when compared with the control condition. With regard to parent-reported child behaviors, child internalizing behaviors were significantly lower for both parents in the CE intervention (main effect), compared with control at 6-month follow-up. No main effect was found for child externalizing behaviors. However, a Parent × Condition effect was found indicating a significant reduction of child externalizing behaviors for CE fathers compared with CA and control fathers at posttest and 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Present findings indicate the value of differential cultural adaptation research designs and the importance of examining effects for both mothers and fathers, particularly when culturally focused and gender variables are considered for intervention design and implementation. (PsycINFO Database Record

Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are two catastrophic diseases affecting millions of people worldwide every year, and are considered to be pandemic by the World Health Organization. This study aims to compare the recent trends in TB and HIV in the United States and Sub-Saharan African Countries. Data (incidence, prevalence and death rates of HIV and TB) for the United States, Cameroon, Nigeria, and South Africa were collected from The Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), US Census Bureau and World Health Organization (WHO) databases and analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS v 9.1). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the variables of interest between the countries and across time. Results showed that percent rates of TB cases, TB deaths, HIV cases and HIV deaths were significantly different (P P P < 0.001) in the prevalence of TB and HIV between the United States and the Sub-Saharan African countries, as well as differences within the Sub-Saharan African countries from 1993 to 2006. More analysis needs to be carried out in order to determine the prevalence and incidence of HIV and TB among multiple variables like gender, race, sexual orientation and age to get a comprehensive picture of the trends of HIV and TB.

Tamoxifen (Tam) is classified as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and is used for treatment of patients with ER-positive breast cancer. However, it has been shown that Tam and its cytochrome P450-generated metabolite 4-hydroxy-Tam (4OH-Tam) also exhibit cytotoxic effects in ER-negative breast cancer cells. These observations suggest that Tam and 4OH-Tam can produce cytotoxicity via estrogen receptor (ER)-independent mechanism(s) of action. The molecular targets responsible for the ER-independent effects of Tam and its derivatives are poorly understood. Interestingly, similar to Tam and 4OH-Tam, cannabinoids have also been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in ER-negative breast cancer cells, and estrogen can regulate expression levels of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs). Therefore, this study investigated whether CBRs might serve as novel molecular targets for Tam and 4OH-Tam. We report that both compounds bind to CB1 and CB2Rs with moderate affinity (0.9-3 μM). Furthermore, Tam and 4OH-Tam exhibit inverse activity at CB1 and CB2Rs in membrane preparations, reducing basal G-protein activity. Tam and 4OH-Tam also act as CB1/CB2R-inverse agonists to regulate the downstream intracellular effector adenylyl cyclase in intact cells, producing concentration-dependent increases in intracellular cAMP. These results suggest that CBRs are molecular targets for Tam and 4OH-Tam and may contribute to the ER-independent cytotoxic effects reported for these drugs. Importantly, these findings also indicate that Tam and 4OH-Tam might be used as structural scaffolds for development of novel, efficacious, non-toxic cancer drugs acting via CB1 and/or CB2Rs.

Latinos constitute the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. However, the cultural adaptation and dissemination of evidence-based parenting interventions among Latino populations continues to be scarce despite extensive research that demonstrates the long-term positive effects of these interventions. The purpose of this article is threefold: (1) justify the importance of cultural adaptation research as a key strategy to disseminate efficacious interventions among Latinos, (2) describe the initial steps of a program of prevention research with Latino immigrants aimed at culturally adapting an evidence-based intervention informed by parent management training principles, and (3) discuss implications for advancing cultural adaptation prevention practice and research, based on the initial feasibility and cultural acceptability findings of the current investigation.

Despite the unique and challenging circumstances confronting Latino immigrant families, debate still exists as to the need to culturally adapt evidence-based interventions for dissemination with this population. Following the grounded theory approach, the current qualitative investigation utilized focus group interviews with 83 Latino immigrant parents to explore the relevance of culturally adapting an evidence-based parenting intervention to be disseminated within this population. Findings from this study indicate that Latino immigrant parents want to participate in a culturally adapted parenting intervention as long as it is culturally relevant, respectful, and responsive to their life experiences. Research results also suggest that the parenting skills participants seek to enhance are among those commonly targeted by evidence-based parenting interventions. This study contributes to the cultural adaptation/fidelity balance debate by highlighting the necessity of exploring ways to develop culturally adapted interventions characterized by high cultural relevance, as well as high fidelity to the core components that have established efficacy for evidence-based parenting interventions.

This study examined the association between ownership of high-risk (“vicious”) dogs and the presence of deviant behaviors in the owners as indicated by court convictions. We also explored whether two characteristics of dog ownership (abiding licensing laws and choice of breed) could be useful areas of inquiry when assessing risk status in settings where children are present. Our matched sample consisted of 355 owners of either licensed or cited dogs that represented high or low-risk breeds. Categories of criminal convictions examined were aggressive crimes, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, crimes involving children, firearm convictions, and major and minor traffic citations. Owners of cited high-risk (“vicious”) dogs had significantly more criminal convictions than owners of licensed low-risk dogs. Findings suggest that the ownership of a high-risk (“vicious”) dog can be a significant marker for general deviance and should be an element considered when assessing risk for child endangerment.

Determine the seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Ushuaia, Argentina, which is the southernmost city in the world.Serum samples were analyzed from 2,991 people, obtained between January 1995 and December 1996. The samples were processed using indirect hemagglutination and either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or indirect immunofluorescence.The general seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection was 6.8%. According to the residents' country of origin, prevalence was 41.1% among Bolivians, 5.0% among Argentines, and 0.9% among Chileans. The prevalence found in pregnant women was 5.9%; in compulsory examinations (such as for a job or for immigrants settling permanently in Argentina), it was 6.3%; and in examinations done based on clinical or epidemiological reasons to suspect infection with Chagas' disease, it was 30.8%.There is an alarming level of T. cruzi infection in this region, where the insect vector does not even exist. Given the risk of transmission congenitally and from blood transfusions, controls must be maintained on donated blood. In addition, follow-up of children of infected women should be strengthened so that these children receive early diagnosis and timely treatment of the infection.

Summary: The Adience-Abience and the Psychopathology Scales of the HABGT were applied under pretreatment and posttreatment conditions to 120 13-15-year-old male delinquents. Comparison with other personality variabes, prediction of recidivism, and analysis of mean scores on the two scales with the means of normal and disturbed children of comparable age were attempted. The delinquent group was more abient than normal children and was significantly higher in psychopthology than either normals or disturbed children. Significant correlations were obtained between Adience-Abience and Psychopathology and recidivism, although neither scale alone, nor both scales in combination, was high enough in prediction to warrant their use for individual predictive purposes. However, their utility in such programs as well as their construct validity were demonstrated.

The consequences of aging of the immune system include impaired T-lymphocyte responsiveness and aberrant immunoglobulin production. Although T cells from elderly individuals have a well-described defect in lymphoblastic transformation in response to some polyclonal mitogens, immunoglobulin abnormalities have lacked a clear in vitro model. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 13 young and 13 old healthy donors were cultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Old-donor-cell phytohemagglutinin (PHA), but not PWM, cultures had significantly lower lymphoblastic transformation compared with young donor cultures. IgG, IgA, and IgM production tended to be lower in old- versus young-donor PWM cell cultures. By contrast, despite lower lymphoblastic transformation in old-donor PHA cell cultures, immunoglobulin production was higher for old- versus young-donor cell cultures. No significant age differences were present in initial lymphocyte counts, percent B cells, T cells or monocytes, or helper/suppressor ratios to explain this enhancement in immunoglobulin production. PHA-stimulated mononuclear cell cultures in the aged demonstrate not only a defect in proliferation but also increased immunoglobulin production. This in vitro system may be useful to characterize further the pathogenesis of altered immunoglobulin production in the elderly.

Reliabilities and interrelationships of the Adience-Abience and the Psychopathology Scales of the HABGT were investigated in a population of 120 13-15 year-old mate delinquents over a 40-week period. The delinquent boys were assigned to three conditions: individual tutoring and counseling; group tutoring and counseling; controls (no treatment). Both scales were found to have high test-retest reliability over all conditions (rs ranged from .85 to .93). Interscorer reliability among three scorers was also found to be very high. As expected, treatment had a differential effect on psychopathology and on adience-abience: the former was modifiable while the latter was resistant to change. Also as predicted, the two scales had a significantly higher degree of commonality before treatment intervention than after such intervention, but the relationship remained stable for the control group. Implications for clinical and research use are discussed.