Addition of chemotherapy to local definitive treatment has significantly increased the morbidity of treatment as well as the chance of initial tumor response and local control. A statistically significant improvement in survival was found for the simultaneous use of chemotherapy and local definitive treatment.

We previously isolated a cDNA clone encoding interferon consensus sequence-binding protein (ICSBP), a member of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) (10,15,40,42,69,74). Recent genomic footprinting studies show that ISREs are constitutively occupied in vivo (19,56). IFN treatment leads to induction of multiple ISRE binding activities that differ in sensitivity to protein synthesis inhibitors (47, 74). One such IFN-inducible binding activity, ISGF3, is formed in the nucleus after translocation of preexisting components from the cytoplasm (45, 46). Inducible factor binding has been reported following virus induction of the IFN-13 gene as well (40,41).A number of laboratories have isolated cDNAs coding for proteins that bind to the ISRE. PRDI-BF1, a factor that binds to the virus-inducible element of the IFN-P gene, has been cloned by Keller and Maniatis (41

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Spermatogenesis is a complex process reliant upon interactions between germ cells (GC) and supporting somatic cells. Testicular Sertoli cells (SC) support GCs during maturation through physical attachment, the provision of nutrients, and protection from immunological attack. This role is facilitated by an active cytoskeleton of parallel microtubule arrays that permit transport of nutrients to GCs, as well as translocation of spermatids through the seminiferous epithelium during maturation. It is well established that chemical perturbation of SC microtubule remodelling leads to premature GC exfoliation demonstrating that microtubule remodelling is an essential component of male fertility, yet the genes responsible for this process remain unknown. Using a random ENU mutagenesis approach, we have identified a novel mouse line displaying male-specific infertility, due to a point mutation in the highly conserved ATPase domain of the novel KATANIN p60-related microtubule severing protein Katanin p60 subunit A-like1 (KATNAL1). We demonstrate that Katnal1 is expressed in testicular Sertoli cells (SC) from 15.5 days post-coitum (dpc) and that, consistent with chemical disruption models, loss of function of KATNAL1 leads to male-specific infertility through disruption of SC microtubule dynamics and premature exfoliation of spermatids from the seminiferous epithelium. The identification of KATNAL1 as an essential regulator of male fertility provides a significant novel entry point into advancing our understanding of how SC microtubule dynamics promotes male fertility. Such information will have resonance both for future treatment of male fertility and the development of non-hormonal male contraceptives.

We report the development of a PCR-based assay for the detection of microsporidia in clinical specimens. A single primer pair complementary to conserved sequences of the small-subunit rRNA enabled amplification of DNA from the four major microsporidian pathogens of humans: Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon hellem, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Septata intestinalis. The extraction method allowed PCR amplification of E. bieneusi and S. intestinalis DNA from sodium hypochlorite-treated stool specimens. Differentiation of the microsporidian gastrointestinal pathogens E. bieneusi and S. intestinalis could be accomplished by restriction endonuclease digestion of PCR products using PstI and HaeIII.

These findings suggest social integration and work organization issues may be more important predictors of back and shoulder injuries in nursing assistants than reported resident characteristics as measured by the MDS.

This study compares the viewpoints of psychiatric hospital employees and patients as to situational and interactional factors that are related to patient assaults on staff. Sixty-nine patients from eight high-assault wards in two state psychiatric hospitals were interviewed to identify hospital practices and aspects of the physical environment that they believed to be related to assaultive behavior. One hundred thirty-seven nursing staff members on the same wards were surveyed. Patients and staff had many concerns in common, including restrictions on patient smoking and access to the outdoors, staff clinical skills and patients' being treated with respect, and the use of seclusion and restraint on the wards. Additionally, patients were concerned about rules not being explained. Staff believed that the single most important issue was an adequate number of personnel. A considerable portion of assaults may relate to circumstances that are amenable to intervention, and assaults may be reduced in severity or number by changes in hospital practices.