Showing papers by "Catherine McDermott published in 2013"

Toxicity of industrially relevant chlorinated organic solvents in vitro.

Abstract: The cytotoxic effects of 4 industrially important chlorinated organic solvents, dichloromethane (DCM), 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and tetrachloroethylene (PERC) in vitro, we...

Paradoxical Role of 3-Methyladenine in Pyocyanin-Induced Toxicity in 1321N1 Astrocytoma and SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract: The role of autophagy in pyocyanin (PCN)-induced toxicity in the central nervous system (CNS) remains unclear, with only evidence from our group identifying it as a mechanism underlying toxicity in...

Benefits of intensive mode teaching to improve student performance

Abstract: Background: Intensive or block mode teaching is where course materials are delivered over a shorter period of time compared to standard courses, by means of compressed teaching formats. Cost and time saved with the intensive mode teaching are encouraging more universities to offer this type of learning. However, the high level of student satisfaction is the major factor driving the implementation of this teaching mode within tertiary education institutions. Yet, while student satisfaction is an important indicator of the benefit of this teaching mode, there is a scarcity of information regarding the educational benefit on student performance compared with traditional modes of delivery. Aims: This study aimed to investigate and compare student overall performance between traditional and intensive mode in an introductory pharmacology course for second year pharmacy students at Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. Methods: The introductory pharmacology course (2018PHM) is offered to second year pharmacy students in either traditional or intensive modes. The traditional mode is delivered in semester one over a period of 13 weeks, using 3 hours of lectures per week. The intensive mode is delivered during the summer semester over a period of 3 weeks, using 13 hours of lectures per week. Both modes are supported by an equivalent number of tutorials, workshops and laboratories. A retrospective qualitative and quantitative study was conducted to compare the educational benefit of both modes on student learning. Student satisfaction was obtained from the student evaluation of course (SEC) reports which detailed their preference and attitude towards the intensive course mode. Student performance was also compared as measured by overall course grade over a period of three years (2010 - 2012). Student demographic variables (age, sex and grade average point or GPA) were examined to determine if the groups were comparable on potential confounding factors. Ethical approval was granted by the Griffith University Human Ethics Committee (PHM/05/10/HREC). Results: The majority of students from the intensive teaching course indicated positive responses (> 4 on a 5 point likert scale) in the SEC reports. There was no significant difference between the age of students or the number of males and females in both teaching modes during the three years (p > 0.05). Students who enrolled in the intensive mode had a significantly lower mean GPA compared to their peers from the traditional course for all three study years (traditional vs intensive mean ᠓D: 2010 - 5.05 ᠰ.85 vs 4.05 ᠰ.50; 2011 - 4.90 ᠰ.93 vs 4.17 ᠰ.50; 2012 - 4.89 ᠰ.98 vs 4.25 ᠱ.0; p 0.05 for all years). Conclusion: Consistent with previous work, the results of this study confirm that intensive modes of delivery increase student preference towards the course. In addition, this study showed that students undertaking intensive mode classes had a significantly lower GPA than students in the traditional mode but performed as well as students in the traditional mode. This suggests that intensive mode teaching has the potential to improve student performance. Keywords: Intensive mode teaching, student performance, GPA.

Depressed contractile responses of the bladder detrusor muscle following luminal gemcitabine and combined chemohyperthermia treatment

Abstract: Hypothesis / aims of study Local hyperthermia in combination with chemotherapy as a treatment for superficial bladder cancer is currently undergoing Phase III trials. Temperatures between 40-44C exhibit a tumour cell killing effect, and enhance the cytotoxicity of commonly used chemotherapeutics [1]. Intravesical administration of cytotoxic therapies for the treatment of non-invasive bladder cancer often cause adverse urological side effects including increased urgency and frequency of urination, coupled with dysuria and haematuria. We have shown doxorubicin enhances neurogenic detrusor responses and ATP release which may explain the significant adverse effects observed with this agent [2]. Intravesical treatment with gemcitabine (GEM) is associated with fewer side effects. This study investigated the effects of intravesical gemcitabine treatment in combination with hyperthermia therapy on the normal responses of the bladder detrusor muscle and urothelium/lamina propria and release of ATP.

Low testosterone causes enhanced release of atp from urothelial cells in vitro

Abstract: Hypothesis / aims of study Overactive bladder is increasingly prevalent with age, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In men testosterone levels decrease by 1% per year after the age of 40 (1), with around 12% of men over this age showing androgen deficiency (2). There is evidence to suggest that low testosterone plays a role in bladder dysfunction (3) and it is possible that age-related alterations in bladder function are a consequence of reduced androgen levels and related to the pathophysiology of overactive bladder. The urothelium has been shown to play a critical role in bladder function, releasing a number of mediators including ATP, Ach and prostaglandins during bladder filling and stretch. These mediators act to excite or inhibit the afferent nerves, detrusor muscle and other suburothelial cells, including interstitial cells or myofibroblasts, although the precise effect of a decline in testosterone on these pathways is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of low testosterone and testosterone replacement on mediator release (ATP, Ach and PGE2) from urothelial cells in vitro.

Chloroacetaldehyde, and not acrolein, is the more uro-toxic metabolite of cyclophosphamide and isofosfamide in vitro

Abstract: Hypothesis / aims of study: Cyclophosphamide (CPO) and ifosfamide (IFO) are commonly used anticancer and immunosuppressive agents. A major limiting factor in the use of CPO and IFO is the resulting uro-toxicity thought to be caused, in part, by reactive oxygen species formation and resulting in ongoing bladder pain, urgency and dysuria. The uro-toxicity of these drugs has been largely attributed to the formation of the metabolite acrolein. However another toxic metabolite chloroacetaldehyde, has been implicated in the neuro-, cardioand nephro-toxicity of these drugs, but possible uro-toxicity has not been well investigated. These drugs and their metabolites are excreted in the urine and come into contact with the urothelium. The urinary concentration of acrolein or chloroacetaldehyde likely to occur in patients is 100nM or 10uM respectively (1-3). It is well known that the urothelium plays an important role in maintaining normal bladder function, releasing a number of mediators (eg. ATP and acetylcholine) that can influence sensory nerve sensitivity and detrusor muscle contraction. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the affects of the CPO and IFO metabolites acrolein and chloroacetaldehyde on human urothelial cell viability and function in vitro.