“
“Expression of hTS (human thymidylate synthase), a key enzyme in thymidine biosynthesis, is regulated on the translational level through a feedback mechanism that is rarely found in eukaryotes. At low substrate concentrations, the ligand-free

enzyme binds to its own mRNA and stabilizes a hairpin structure that sequesters the start codon. When in complex with dUMP (2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate) and a THF (tetrahydrofolate) cofactor, the enzyme adopts a conformation that is unable to bind and repress expression of mRNA. Here, we have used a combination of X-ray crystallography, RNA mutagenesis and site-specific cross-linking studies to investigate the molecular recognition of TS mRNA by the hTS enzyme. The interacting mRNA region was narrowed to the start codon and immediately flanking sequences. In the hTS enzyme, a helix-loop-helix domain on the protein surface was identified as the putative RNA-binding site.”
“BACKGROUND STI571 AG-014699 concentration AND OBJECTIVES: Endothelial dysfunction is the first, although reversible, sign of atherosclerosis and is present in obese adolescents. The primary end point of this study was to investigate the influence of a multicomponent treatment on microvascular function. Additional objectives and end points were a reduced BMI SD score, improvements in body composition, exercise capacity, and cardiovascular risk factors, an increase in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs),

and a decrease in endothelial microparticles (EMPs). METHODS: We used a quasi-randomized study with 2 cohorts of obese adolescents: an intervention group (n = 33; 15.4 +/- 1.5 years, 24 girls and 9 boys) treated residentially with supervised diet and exercise and a usual care group (n = 28; 15.1 +/- 1.2 years, 22 girls and 6 boys), treated ambulantly. Changes

in body mass, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, microvascular endothelial function, and circulating EPCs and EMPs were evaluated after 5 months and at the end of the 10-month program. RESULTS: Residential intervention decreased BMI and body Ricolinostat inhibitor fat percentage, whereas it increased exercise capacity (P smaller than .001 after 5 and 10 months). Microvascular endothelial function also improved in the intervention group (P = .04 at 10 months; + 0.59 +/- 0.20 compared with + 0.01 +/- 0.12 arbitrary units). Furthermore, intervention produced a significant reduction in traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = .012 at 10 months). EPCs were increased after 5 months (P = .01), and EMPs decreased after 10 months (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: A treatment regimen consisting of supervised diet and exercise training was effective in improving multiple adolescent obesity-related end points.”
“Context: Focusing on mitochondrial function and thyroid tumorigenesis, we used an integrative approach to identify relevant biomarkers for borderline thyroid lesions.

The activity of HSP inhibitor Pt-ML/Pd(111) and Pt(111) is limited by OH removal, whereas the activity of Pt-ML/Pd/Pd3Fe(111) is limited

by the O-O bond scission, which places these two surfaces on the two sides of the volcano plot.”
“A new sandwich-type electrochemical immunoassay was developed for the detection of human IgG using doubly-encoded and magnetic redox-active nanoparticles as recognition elements on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode modified with anti-IgG on nanogold particles. The recognition elements were synthesized by coating magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles with Prussian blue nanoparticles and then covered with peroxidase-labeled anti-IgG antibodies (POx-anti-IgG) on Prussian blue nanoparticles. The immunoelectrode displays very good electrochemical properties

towards detection of IgG via using double-encoded magnetic redox-active nanoparticles as trace and hydrogen peroxide as enzyme substrate. Its limit of detection (10 pmol.L(-1)) is 10-fold better than that of using plain POx-anti-IgG secondary antibodies. The method was applied to the detection of IgG in serum samples, and an excellent correspondence with the reference values was found.”
“FAO and OECD data point at erosion as a main soil degradation factor in the global scale. Although the processes of erosion are considerably well recognized, their quantitative valuation remaining strongly variable between local conditions, still find more needs continuing and widening of research in various spatial and temporal scales. The goal of the research, presented in this article, was to recognize qualitative and quantitative soil loss mechanisms in result of a dispersed wash-out accompanying extreme rainfall events being Selleckchem Sapitinib the most potent occurrences of soil erosion, generating the most visible losses and costs. The research was performed in controlled conditions of soil humidity and rainfall for a set of ten soil kinds, representative for the

geographical area of Poland. Soil samples were placed in uniform model micro-plots (2 m x 1m in size) located with 10% slope inclination and kept in constant black fallow surface conditions, representing the most unfavourable conditions occurring in the real world, where extreme rainfall occurs on a fresh ploughed land causing extreme soil loss events. The approach simplified the estimation of soil susceptibility to erosion by neglecting the plant cover factor. The rainfall was simulated with a sprinkler designed in the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, performed in Institute of Agrophysics of Polish Academy of Sciences in Lublin. The results were split into two groups representing different physical phenomena: hydrology and superficial soil erosion.

“
“We analyze the consequences resulting from the asymmetric boundary conditions imposed by a nonuniform external magnetic field at the extremities of a planar Josephson tunnel junction and predict a number of testable signatures. When the junction length L is smaller than its Josephson penetration depth lambda(j), static analytical calculations lead to a Fresnel-like magnetic diffraction pattern, rather than a Fraunhofer-like one typical of a uniform field. Numerical simulations allow to

investigate intermediate length (L approximate to lambda(j)) and long (L > lambda(j)) junctions. We consider both uniform and delta-shaped bias distributions. We also speculate on the possibility of exploiting the unique static properties of this system for basic experiments and devices. (C) 2010 American Institute Ilomastat concentration of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3467790]“
“Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by immune cells and other cell types such as microglia throughout the brain. Higher levels of IL-6 in older adults have been cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with physical and cognitive impairment, as well as increased dementia risk. The association between IL-6 levels and structural and functional brain changes is less clear. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between IL-6 concentrations and cortical thinning

with aging. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging were analyzed for 121 older subjects (M = 69.3; SD = 7.3; range = 56.1-85.9 yrs) who were repeatedly tested over an

Selleckchem Ispinesib average period of 7.5 yrs, and who remained non-demented for the entire follow-up period. The Freesurfer longitudinal processing stream was utilized for image processing, and IL-6 measures were based on serum ELISA assays averaged across time points. Results showed that higher mean IL-6 concentrations were associated with accelerated annual rates of cortical thinning in the inferior temporal poles bilaterally. Additional pronounced regions of IL-6 -accelerated thinning included the transverse frontopolar gyri within the left hemisphere, and subcentral gyrus and sulcus within the right hemisphere. Our results Wnt inhibitor indicate that sustained high levels of the inflammatory biomarker IL-6 are associated with regionally increased rates of age-related cortical thinning. These data build on previous findings that link IL-6 to chronic disease and demonstrate one mechanism through which high levels of inflammation may have adverse effects on physical and cognitive function.”
“For validation purposes. characteristic parameters for quantitative detection were estimated according to the PN-EN ISO 16140. Additionally, a comparison between validated real time PCR method and traditional methods based on the isolation of this pathogen on differential agar media was conducted.

Liver MRI was performed before and 3 h after ingestion of 0.8, 0.4, and 0.2 g of CMC-001 on separate occasions. Liver-to-muscle signal intensity (SI) ratio from baseline to post-contrast and image quality was assessed. Adverse drug reactions/adverse events (ADRs/AEs) and clinico-laboratory tests were monitored.\n\nThe Pfizer Licensed Compound Library increase in liver-to-muscle SI ratio was significantly higher after 0.8 g (0.696) compared to 0.4 g (0.458) and 0.2 g (0.223) (in all pair-wise comparisons, P < 0.0001). The overall image quality was superior

after 0.8 g. ADRs/AEs were dose-related and predominantly of mild intensity.\n\nLiver MRI using 0.8 g CMC-001 has the highest efficacy and still acceptable ADRs and should therefore be preferred.”
“E-cadherin is involved in cell-cell adhesion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions. In cancers, loss or inactivation of E-cadherin is associated with epithelial cell proliferation and invasion. Here, we sought to determine, if risk associations for 18 breast cancer susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) differed by E-cadherin tumor tissue expression in the Polish Breast Cancer Study (PBCS), using data on 1,347 invasive breast VX-770 in vivo cancer cases and 2,366 controls. E-cadherin expression (low/high) was assessed using immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissue microarrays. Replication data on 2,006 cases and 6,714 controls from the Study

of Epidemiology and Risk Factors in Cancer Heredity was used to follow-up promising findings from PBCS. In PBCS, we found the rs11249433 SNP at the 1p11.2 locus to be more strongly associated with risk of E-cadherin low tumors (OR = 1.30, 95 % CI = 1.08-1.56) than with E-cadherin high tumors [OR = 1.06, 95 % CI = 0.95-1.18; case-only

p-heterogeneity (p-het) = 0.05]. Findings in PBCS for rs11249433 were replicated in SEARCH. Combined analyses of the two datasets for SNP rs11249433 revealed significant heterogeneity by E-cadherin expression (combined case-only p-het = 0.004). Further, among carriers of rs11249433, the highest risk was seen for E-cadherin low tumors that were ER-positive and of lobular histology. Our results in two independent data sets suggest that rs11249433, which is located between the NOTCH2 and FCGR1B genes within the 1p11.2 locus, is more strongly associated with risk of breast tumors selleck chemicals with low or absent E-cadherin expression, and suggest that evaluation of E-cadherin tumor tissue expression may be useful in clarifying breast cancer risk factor associations.”
“Background: Cancer cell adopts peculiar metabolic strategies aimed to sustain the continuous proliferation in an environment characterized by relevant fluctuations in oxygen and nutrient levels. Monocarboxylate transporters MCT1 and MCT4 can drive such adaptation permitting the transport across plasma membrane of different monocarboxylic acids involved in energy metabolism.

Pediatric patients who received a hepatic DCD allograft had similar survival to those who received a hepatic DBD allograft. The optimal recipient-related characteristics were age <50 y, International Normalized Ratio <2.0, albumin >3.5 gm/dL, and cold ischemia time <8 h; optimal donor-related characteristics included age <50 y and donor warm ischemia time <20 min.\n\nConclusions: By identifying VX-680 certain characteristics, the transplant clinician’s decision-making process can be assisted so that similar

survival outcomes after OLT can be achieved with the use of hepatic DCD allografts. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Children presenting with chronic cough are common to the primary care physicians, but data on the

etiology are scant.\n\nMethods: We evaluated 40 children (age range, 5 to 12 years) with chronic CAL-101 manufacturer cough (> 8 weeks duration) with no obvious cause who were referred by their primary care physicians. All patients underwent an extensive multispecialty workup that included pulmonary, GI, allergy, immunology, and otorhinolaryngology testing. Response to treatment was quantified pretreatment and 8 weeks after treatment by using a visual analog scale.\n\nResults: Positive diagnostic test results were noted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (27.5%), allergy (22.5%), asthma (12.5%), infection (5%), aspiration (2.5%), and multiple etiologies (20%). Appropriate treatment for these factors resulted in a significant improvement in cough.\n\nConclusion: JIB-04 chemical structure Reflux, allergy, and

asthma accounted for > 80% of the likely etiologic factors of chronic cough in children and responded to appropriate treatment. (CHEST 2009; 136:811-815)”
“Cardiac myocytes undergo apoptosis under conditions of high free fatty acid concentrations, including palmitate, which is implicated in lipotoxic cardiomyopathy. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to understand the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway in palmitate-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were exposed to palmitate for 12 h. The effect on the cell viability of H9c2 cells was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining. Levels of intracellular ROS were determined using a peroxide-sensitive fluorescent probe, 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Protein expression was measured by western blot analysis. Following treatment with palmitate for 12 h, H9c2 cells apoptosis was demonstrated as increased brightly condensed chromatin or unclear fragments by staining with Hoechst 33342, which was associated with increasing levels of active caspase-3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).

A total of 12 functional guilds were observed

in the samples. The cp-1 functional guilds were dominant in the greenhouse, whereas cp-3 functional guilds were dominant in the farmland. The soil nematode populations, trophic groups, Quisinostat and functional guilds reflected the differences between the greenhouse and the farmland land use systems. Although soil fertility parameters, except available P, in the greenhouse were higher (p smaller than 0.001), the biodiversity was lower than in the farmland (p smaller than 0.05). Nematode ecological indices, such as the Shannon index, modified maturity index, and enrichment index were sensitive for differentiating between the greenhouse and farmland ecosystems.”
“Re-excision rates after breast conserving surgery (BCS) of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) are high.

Preoperative breast MRI has the potential to reduce re-excision rates, but may lead to an increased rate of mastectomies. Hence, we assessed the influence of preoperative breast MRI on the re-excision rate and the rate of mastectomies. We performed a retrospective cohort study of a consecutive series of patients with ILC who presented in one of two dedicated tertiary cancer centers between 1993 and 2005. We assessed the initial type of surgery (BCS or mastectomy), the re-excision rate and the final type of surgery. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who received preoperative MRI (MR+ group) and those who did not (MR- group). In the MR- group, 27% of the patients underwent a re-excision after initial BCS. In the MR+ group, this rate was significantly Tipifarnib cell line lower at 9%. The odds ratio was 3.64 (95% CI: 1.30-10.20, P = 0.010). There was a trend towards a lower final mastectomy rate in the MR+ group compared to the MR- group (48 vs. 59%, P = 0.098). In conclusion, preoperative MRI in patients with Quizartinib inhibitor ILC can reduce re-excision rates without increasing the rate of mastectomies.”
“We evaluated the effects of 2 commonly available strategies (plant stanol ester drink and 10 mg simvastatin) on coronary heart disease (CHID) risk variables in participants

with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome patients are at increased risk to develop CHD, partly due to high triacylglycerol (TAG) and low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and a low-grade inflammatory profile. Effects of plant stanol esters on TAG concentrations in these participants are unknown. After a 3-wk run-in period in which individuals consumed placebo yogurt drinks and placebo capsules, participants were randomly divided into 4 groups: placebo (n = 9), simvastatin + placebo drink (n = 10), placebo + stanol drink (n = 9), and simvastatin + stanol drink (n = 8). After 9 wk, we evaluated the effects on serum lipids, low-grade inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction markers. In metabolic syndrome patients, stanol esters (2.

pneumoniae by serological analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a 277-base pair region of 16S rDNA gene of M. pneumoniae applied to throat swab specimens. Serological and/or PCR positive results diagnosed M. pneumoniae infection in 23 (30.7%) patients.”
“Two new diketopiperazine derivatives, bacillusamides A (1) and B (2), have been Isolated from the EtOAc extract of

the sea urchin-derived Bacillus sp along with the known cyclo(-L-pro-L-val-) (3), cyclo(-L-pro-L-tyr-) (4), cyclo(-L-pro-L-phe-) (5) These structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD0530.html Furthermore, the absolute configurations of the amino acid residues were determined using Marfey’s method Compound 1 displayed weak antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger”
“Actively respiring animal and plant tissues experience hypoxia because of mitochondrial O-2 consumption. Controlling oxygen balance is a critical issue that involves in mammals hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) mediated transcriptional regulation, cytochrome oxidase (COX) subunit adjustment and nitric oxide (NO) as a mediator in vasodilatation and oxygen homeostasis. In plants,

NO, mainly derived from nitrite, is also an important signalling molecule. We describe here a mechanism by which mitochondrial respiration is adjusted to prevent a tissue to reach anoxia. During pea seed germination, the internal atmosphere was strongly hypoxic due to very active mitochondrial respiration. There was no sign of fermentation, suggesting beta-catenin inhibitor a down-regulation of O-2 consumption near anoxia. Mitochondria were found to finely regulate their surrounding O-2 level through Napabucasin purchase a nitrite-dependent NO production, which was ascertained using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping of NO within membranes. At low O-2, nitrite is reduced into NO, likely at complex III, and in turn reversibly inhibits COX, provoking a rise to a higher steady state level

of oxygen. Since NO can be re-oxidized into nitrite chemically or by COX, a nitrite-NO pool is maintained, preventing mitochondrial anoxia. Such an evolutionarily conserved mechanism should have an important role for oxygen homeostasis in tissues undergoing hypoxia. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“HIF-1 alpha is a nuclear factor important in the transcription of genes controlling angiogenesis including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Both hypoxia and oxidative stress are known mechanisms for the induction of HIF-1 alpha. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) are mechanistically important in acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity in the mouse. MPT may occur as a result of oxidative stress and leads to a large increase in oxidative stress. We previously reported the induction of HIF-1 alpha in mice with APAP toxicity and have shown that VEGF is important in hepatocyte regeneration following APAP toxicity.

We identified earlier a Polycomb response element (PRE) in the mouse HoxD complex

that is functionally conserved in flies. We analyzed the molecular and genetic interactions of mouse PRE using Drosophila melanogaster and vertebrate cell culture as the model systems. We demonstrate that the repressive activity of this PRE depends on PcG/trxG www.selleckchem.com/HIF.html genes as well as the heterochromatin components. Our findings indicate that a wide range of factors interact with the HoxD PRE that can contribute to establishing the expression pattern of homeotic genes in the complex early during development and maintain that pattern at subsequent stages.”
“In the past decade, oxygen radicals have been associated with the development of depression. Osmanthus fragrans is a plant that is distributed in areas of China, Japan and Taiwan. Report show that Osmanthus fragrans flower extract (OFFE), which contains a high amount of total flavonoid and polyphenol, has a significant antioxidant effect, and even has a neuroprotective function. The present study investigated the effects of OFFE on maternally deprived rats (MDP) in early life. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), glutathione (GSH) measurements and forced swim test (FST) were conducted to estimate the effects of OFFE on the MDP rats. The data showed that OFFE caused a significant

dose-dependent increase in ORAC and GSH in the organs of the MDP rats, including the brain. At lower doses, the specific brain regions of MDP rats, such as the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, thalamus and cerebellum, also saw a significant increase click here in ORAC and GSH. In addition, the immobile time in the FST of OFFE treated MDP rats fell significantly at all treated this website doses. Moreover,

the results of lower dose treatment experiments showed a correlation between the antioxidant ability of OFFE and its antidepressant effects. The results indicate that OFFE can strengthen the ability to carry out antioxidation in MDP rats, and that the depression-like behavior of such rats can be decreased due to the antioxidant effect of OFFE. [Chien-Ya Hung, Yao-Hung Yang, Yu-Cheng Tsai, Min-Yuan Hung, Chih-Hung Lin. The Effects of Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract on Maternally Deprived Rats in Early Life. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):3173-3178]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 465″
“Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of femoral anteversion, as well as the relation of anteversion with physical examination and radiographic findings. Methods: Preoperative CT and MRI measurements of anteversion along with clinical examination were performed on 129 consecutive hips before hip arthroscopy for nonarthritic hip injuries. All anteversion measurements were performed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. The radiographic findings and physical examination findings were analyzed for statistically significant correlations.

chinensis, we collected samples from the galls and leaves of R. chinensis at sites in Mt. Jiri and Mt. Cheonma in Korea between May and December, 2011. Samples were extracted and analyzed gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-offlight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) to monitor metabolic changes. Multivariate analyses such as principle components analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis

(OPLS-DA) were used to find patterns in metabolite profile changes and the responsible substances for seasonal fluctuations. NVP-AUY922 LC-QTOF-MS analyses showed differences of metabolites in same organisms depending on seasons, locations, and biological interactions. Additional GC-MS analyses

identified approximately 28 metabolites including sugars, amino acids, and organic acids. Shikimic HSP990 acid and gallic acid appear to be the major compounds contributing to the seasonal variability in metabolic profiles of R. chinensis leaves and galls. In addition, we found that shikimic acid and gallic acid content in R. chinensis galls were the highest during wintertime.”
“Undergraduate theses and other capstone research projects are standard features of many science curricula, but participation has typically been limited to only the most advanced and highly motivated students. With the recent push to engage more undergraduates in research, some faculty are finding that their typical approach to working with thesis writers is less effective, given the wider diversity of students, or is inefficient, given the higher participation rates. fit these situations, a more formal process may be needed to ensure that all students are adequately supported and to establish consistency in how student writers are mentored and assessed. To address this need, we created BioTAP, the Biology Thesis Assessment Protocol,

a teaching and assessment tool. see more BioTAP includes a rubric that articulates departmental expectations for the thesis and a guide to the drafting-feedback-revision process that is modeled after the structure of professional scientific peer review In this article we (a) describe BioTAP’s parts and the rationale behind them, (b) present the results of a study of the rubric’s interrater reliability, (c) describe how the development of BioTAP helped us create a faculty learning community, and (d) suggest how other departments and institutions can adapt BioTAP to suit their needs.”
“PURPOSE: In an analysis of four case-control studies of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), we found that yearly frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy were associated with an increased risk for SUDEP. The prior analysis, however, did not evaluate AEDs and GTCS frequency concurrently.

Cases were offered free or subsidised cataract surgery. Cases and controls were re-interviewed

approximately one and six years later. At baseline across the two countries there were 455 cases and 443 controls. Fifty percent of cases attended for surgery. Response rates at six years were 47% for operated cases and 53% for controls. At baseline cases had poorer health AZD1390 PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor and vision related QoL, were less likely to undertake productive activities, more likely to receive assistance with activities and were poorer compared to controls (p smaller than 0.05). One year after surgery there were significant increases in HRQoL, participation and time spent in productive activities and per capita expenditure and reduction in assistance with activities so that the operated cases were similar to controls. These increases were still evident after six years with the exception that time spent on selleck products productive activities decreased among both cases and controls. Conclusion: Cataract causing visual loss is associated with reduced HRQoL and economic poverty among older adults in low-income countries. Cataract surgery improves the HRQoL of the individual and economy of the household. The findings of this study suggest these benefits are sustained in the long term.”
“Objective: To describe communication between pharmacy staff and patients at the counter in outpatient pharmacies.

Both content and communication style were investigated. Methods: Pharmaceutical encounters in three outpatient pharmacies in the Netherlands were video-recorded. Videos were analyzed based on an observation protocol for the following information: content of encounter, initiator of a theme and pharmacy staff’s communication style. Results: JNK-IN-8 solubility dmso In total, 119 encounters were recorded which concerned 42 first prescriptions, 16 first refill prescriptions and 61 follow-up refill prescriptions. During all encounters, discussion was mostly initiated by pharmacy staff (85%). In first prescription encounters topics most frequently discussed included instructions for

use (83%) and dosage instructions (95%). In first refill encounters, patient experiences such as adverse effects (44%) and beneficial effects (38%) were regularly discussed in contrast to follow-up refills (7% and 5%). Patients’ opinion on medication was hardly discussed. Conclusion: Pharmacy staff in outpatient pharmacies generally provide practical information, less frequently they discuss patients’ experiences and seldom discuss patients’ perceptions and preferences about prescribed medication. Practice implications: This study shows there is room for improvement, as communication is still not according to professional guidelines. To implement professional guidelines successfully, it is necessary to identify underlying reasons for not following the guidelines. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.