Following pMCAO,

PROG treatment significantly (P<0.05) reduced ischemic lesion size and edema. Treatment with PROG significantly (P<0.05) decreased VEGF at 24 and 72 h but increased VEGF expression 14 days after injury. The treatment also increased BDNF, and attenuated apoptosis by increasing Akt phosphorylation Nec-1s in vitro compared with vehicle alone. The selective PI3K inhibitor wortmannin compromised PROG-induced neuroprotective effects and reduced the elevation of pAkt levels in the ischemic penumbra. Our findings lead us to suggest that the PI3K/Akt pathway can play a role in mediating the neuroprotective effects of PROG after stroke by altering the expression of trophic factors in the brain. (c) 2012 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights

reserved.”
“Background Back pain remains a challenge for primary care internationally. One model that has not been tested is stratification of the management according to the patient’s prognosis (low, medium, or high risk). We compared the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of stratified primary care (intervention) with non-stratified current best practice (control).

Methods 1573 adults (aged >= 18 years) with back pain (with or without radiculopathy) consultations at ten general practices in England responded to invitations to attend an assessment clinic. SU5402 in vitro Eligible participants were randomly assigned by use of computer-generated stratified blocks with a 2:1 ratio to intervention or control group. Primary outcome was the effect of treatment on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score at 12 months. In the economic evaluation, we focused on estimating incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and health-care costs related to back pain. Analysis was by

intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN37113406.

Findings 851 patients were assigned to the intervention (n=568) and control groups (n=283). Overall, adjusted mean changes in RMDQ scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 4 months (4.7 [SD 5.9] vs 3.0 [5.9], between-group difference 1.81 [95% CI 1.06-2.57]) and at 12 months (4.3 [6.4] vs 3.3 [6.2], 1.06 [0.25-1.86]), equating to Astemizole effect sizes of 0.32 (0.19-0.45) and 0.19 (0.04-0.33), respectively. At 12 months, stratified care was associated with a mean increase in generic health benefit (0.039 additional QALYs) and cost savings (240.01 pound vs 274.40) pound compared with the control group.

Interpretation The results show that a stratified approach, by use of prognostic screening with matched pathways, will have important implications for the future management of back pain in primary care.”
“The Fourth Asia Oceania Human Proteome Organisation Membrane Proteomics Initiative (AOHUPO MPI) Workshop took place on 22 June 2008 in Cairns, Australia, with approximately 90 attendees from academia and industry.