Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Platelet-derived growth factor induces collagenase 3 transcription in osteoblasts through the activator protein 1 complex.

Abstract: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB is a mitogen that stimulates bone resorption and increases collagenase 3 transcription in osteoblasts, although the mechanisms involved are as yet unknown. We examined the effect of PDGF BB on collagenase 3 transcription in cultures of osteoblasts from fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). PDGF BB increased the activity of collagenase 3 promoter fragments transiently transfected into Ob cells. Deletion analysis of the collagenase promoter revealed three regions that impaired the induction of collagenase 3 by PDGF BB. A construct spanning base pair −53 to +28 collagenase 3 sequences, in relation to the start site of transcription +1, was fully responsive to PDGF BB and was studied in detail. Targeted mutations of an AP-1 site in this fragment decreased basal collagenase promoter activity and the responsiveness to PDGF BB, whereas mutations of Stat3 and Ets binding sites did not alter the response to PDGF. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, using nuclear extracts from control and treated cells, revealed AP-1 nuclear protein complexes that were enhanced in extracts from PDGF BB–treated Ob cells. Supershift assays revealed that antibodies to c-Fos, Fos B, Fra-2, c-Jun, Jun B, and Jun D shifted the binding of nuclear extracts from cells treated with PDGF BB to AP-1 sequences. In conclusion, PDGF BB induces collagenase 3 transcription in osteoblasts by regulating nuclear proteins interacting with AP-1 sequences. J. Cell. Physiol. 184:326–333, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Microwave Instruments: Green Machines for Green Chemistry?

Abstract: In this column, the authors discuss the ease of using microwave ovens for various activities in the undergraduate chemistry laboratory and suggest a few models of microwave systems for readers to consider.

Parathyroid hormone increases mac25/insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-related protein-1 expression in cultured osteoblasts.

Abstract: PTH induces the synthesis of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and regulates the expression of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) in osteoblast cultures. IGFBP-related protein-1 (IGFBP-RP-1), the product of the mac25 gene, binds IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin. We tested the actions of PTH on the expression of mac25/IGFBP-RP-1 in cultures of osteoblast-enriched cells from 22-day-old fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). PTH at 0.1-10 nM for 6-48 h increased mac25/IGFBP-RP-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in Ob cells, an effect not altered by cycloheximide. PGE2 increased mac25/IGFBP-RP-1 mRNA levels, but indomethacin did not modify basal or PTH-stimulated mac25/IGFBP-RP-1 expression. The decay of mac25/IGFBP-RP-1 mRNA in transcriptionally arrested Ob cells was not modified by PTH, and PTH increased the rate of IGFBP-RP-1 transcription. GH, insulin, bone morphogenetic protein-2, fibroblast growth factor-2, platelet-derived growth factor BB, IGF-I, and IGF-II did not modify mac25/IGFBP-RP-1 expression, whereas transforming growth factor-beta1 was modestly stimulatory. In conclusion, PTH stimulates mac25/IGFBP-RP-1 transcription in osteoblasts, an effect that could be relevant to the actions of PTH in bone.

Effects of ethanol intoxication and gender on blood coagulation.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ethanol intoxication is a common contributor to traumatic injury. It is unknown whether ethanol consumption contributes to the coagulation differences seen between men and women after trauma. Our aim was to examine the combined effect of ethanol intoxication and gender on coagulation. METHODS: Fifty-eight healthy subjects participated and chose to enter into a control group (CG; n = 20; 10 men and 10 women) or drinking group (DG; n = 38; 20 men and 18 women). Venous blood samples for thrombelastography, plasminogen activator inhibitor, thrombin-antithrombin complex, and tissue plasminogen activator were drawn at the beginning of the study. Subjects then interacted in a social atmosphere for at least 2 hours, eating and consuming alcoholic (DG) or nonalcoholic (CG) beverages. After 2 hours, blood alcohol level was determined and blood was drawn for a second set of coagulation studies. RESULTS: Demographics were similar between groups except for age (36.7 years CG vs. 29.9 years DG; p = 0.009). All baseline thrombelastography measurements were similar between the CG and DG. Blood alcohol levels in the DG were similar between genders at the end of study. At the end of study, a decreased rate of fibrin formation, decreased clot strength, and a decreased rate of fibrin cross-linking was seen in men but not in women. Fibrinolysis was inhibited in drinkers compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of commonly ingested quantities of alcohol correlated with the development of a hypocoagulable state in men but had no effect on coagulation status in women. This phenomenon may contribute to differences in post-trauma coagulation status previously noted between genders. Language: en

Assisting older adults to communicate their postoperative pain.

Abstract: An intervention assisting older adults to communicate their pain was tested in a posttest-only experiment. Thirty-eight preoperative older adults were randomly assigned to a communication group watching a videotape about communicating and managing postoperative pain or a comparison group watching a videotape about managing postoperative pain only. Pain was measured on Postoperative Days 1 and 2, and 1 and 7 days after hospital discharge by a data collector blind to the condition. The communication group reported greater pain relief and less pain interference on Postoperative Day 1. The comparison group reported greater pain relief on Postoperative Day 2 after attaining a pain interference level similar to the pain communication group. The pain communication intervention had modest effects for reducing pain interference with activities on Postoperative Day 1. Greater pain relief might be achieved when older adults and their health care providers are more knowledgeable about both pain communication and pain...