ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0775-4975
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1016/S1472-6483(10)60431-2
Abstract: Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) blocks the Wnt signalling pathway by competitively binding Wnt ligands (frizzled receptors). This pathway is important during development and oncogenesis. It is, however, complex with a large number of interacting proteins, isoforms and receptors. The Wnt signalling pathway has a role in human placental development and implantation, particularly in the trophoblast. Humans and macaque monkeys exhibit a similar remodelling of the decidual spiral arteries. The expression of sFRP4 in human and macaque placentas at different gestational ages have been examined with immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. This study demonstrates that sFRP4 is expressed predominantly in the villous syncytiotrophoblast and the invasive intermediate cytotrophoblast, and in the amnion. These observational studies suggest that sFRP4 has a role in placental development and implantation, and may be an important factor in the development of the decidual fibrinoid zone, and in trophoblast apoptosis and a band of apoptosis in the underlying decidua deep into the trophoblast.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-09-2009
Abstract: Within the human placenta, the cytotrophoblast consists of a proliferative pool of progenitor cells which differentiate to replenish the overlying continuous, multi-nucleated syncytiotrophoblast, which forms the barrier between the maternal and fetal tissues. Disruption to trophoblast differentiation and function may result in impaired fetal development and preecl sia. Caspase-14 expression is limited to barrier forming tissues. It promotes keratinocyte differentiation by cleaving profilaggrin to stabilise keratin intermediate filaments, and indirectly providing hydration and UV protection. However its role in the trophoblast remains unexplored. Using RNA Interference the reaction of control and differentiating trophoblastic BeWo cells to suppressed caspase-14 was examined for genes pertaining to hormonal, cell cycle and cytoskeletal pathways. Transcription of hCG, KLF4 and cytokeratin-18 were increased following caspase-14 suppression suggesting a role for caspase-14 in inhibiting their pathways. Furthermore, hCG, KLF4 and cytokeratin-18 protein levels were disrupted. Since expression of these molecules is normally increased with trophoblast differentiation, our results imply that caspase-14 inhibits trophoblast differentiation. This is the first functional study of this unusual member of the caspase family in the trophoblast, where it has a different function than in the epidermis. This knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of trophoblast differentiation may instruct future therapies of trophoblast disease.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-04-2018
DOI: 10.1002/ASE.1787
Abstract: The development of new technologies and ensuing pedagogical research has led many tertiary institutions to integrate and adopt online learning strategies. The authors of this study have incorporated online learning strategies into existing educational practices of a second year anatomy course, resulting in half of the course content delivered via face-to-face lectures, and half delivered online via tailored video vignettes, with accompanying worksheets and activities. The effect of the content delivery mode on student learning was analyzed by tailoring questions to content presented either face-to-face or online. Four practical tests were conducted across the semester with each consisting of four questions. Within each test, two questions were based on content delivered face-to-face, and two questions were based on content delivered online. Examination multiple choice questions were similarly ided and assessed. Findings indicate that student learning is consistent regardless of the mode of content delivery. However, student viewing habits had a significant impact on learning, with students who viewed videos multiple times achieving higher marks than those less engaged with the online content. Student comments also indicated that content delivery mode was not an influence on learning. Therefore student engagement, rather than the mode of content delivery, is a determinant of student learning and performance in human anatomy. Anat Sci Educ. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-09-2015
DOI: 10.1002/ASE.1564
Abstract: Benefits of collaborative testing have been identified in many disciplines. This study sought to determine whether collaborative practical tests encouraged active learning of anatomy. A gross anatomy course included a collaborative component in four practical tests. Two hundred and seven students initially completed the test as in iduals and then worked as a team to complete the same test again immediately afterwards. The relationship between mean in idual, team, and difference (between team and in idual) test scores to overall performance on the final examination (representing overall learning in the course) was examined using regression analysis. The overall mark in the course increased by 9% with a decreased failure rate. There was a strong relationship between in idual score and final examination mark (P < 0.001) but no relationship for team score (P = 0.095). A longitudinal analysis showed that the test difference scores increased after Test 1 which may be indicative of social loafing and this was confirmed by a significant negative relationship between difference score on Test 4 (indicating a weaker student) and final examination mark (P < 0.001). It appeared that for this cohort, there was little peer-to-peer learning occurring during the collaborative testing and that weaker students gained the benefit from team marks without significant active learning taking place. This negative outcome may be due to insufficient encouragement of the active learning strategies that were expected to occur during the collaborative testing process. An improved understanding of the efficacy of collaborative assessment could be achieved through the inclusion of questionnaire based data to allow a better interpretation of learning outcomes. Anat Sci Educ 9: 231-237. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1016/S1472-6483(10)60871-1
Abstract: The human placenta is responsible for the exchange of nutrients, gas and wastes through the trophoblast maternal-fetal barrier, which is formed by the fusion of villous cytotrophoblasts to form the continuous multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast separating the maternal and fetal circulations. Caspase-14 is a seemingly non-apoptotic caspase involved in keratinocyte differentiation and cornification. It is proposed that caspase-14 has a conserved role in cellular differentiation and a role in differentiation and fusion in the trophoblast. The human choriocarcinoma BeWo cell line was treated with staurosporine and forskolin to induce apoptosis and differentiation respectively. Staurosporine initiated apoptosis within 3 h of treatment, while apoptosis was completed following 6 h treatment. Caspase-14 gene and protein expression was unchanged throughout this process. During BeWo differentiation, caspase-14 mRNA was elevated after 48 h forskolin treatment, while its protein was increased after 24 h. Therefore, caspase-14 is up-regulated during trophoblast differentiation, as represented by the BeWo cell line. Moreover, caspase-14 may interact with other signalling molecules to facilitate differentiation. This new data confirms the potential for the BeWo cell line in the functional dissection of this unusual caspase and its prospective role in trophoblast differentiation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-01-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S00424-010-0919-9
Abstract: Skeletal muscle atrophy occurs in many chronic diseases and disuse conditions. Its severity reduces patient recovery, independence and quality of life. The discovery of two muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases, MAFbx/atrogin-1 and Muscle RING Finger-1 (MuRF1), promoted an expectation of these molecules as targets for therapeutic development. While numerous studies have determined the conditions in which MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA levels are regulated, few studies have investigated their functional role in skeletal muscle. Recently, studies identifying new target substrates for MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1, outside of their response to the initiation of muscle atrophy, suggest that there is more to these proteins than previously appreciated. This review will highlight our present knowledge of MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in skeletal muscle atrophy, the impact of potential therapeutics and their known regulators and substrates. Finally, we will comment on new approaches that may expand our knowledge of these two molecules in their control of skeletal muscle function.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2011
No related grants have been discovered for Lloyd White.