Daniel Pollack

Can your protein be sumoylated? A quick summary and important tips to study SUMO-modified proteins

A diverse set of SUMO target proteins has been identified. Therefore, there is a growing interest in studying sumoylation and SUMO interactions in cells. When the sumoylation of a protein or a SUMO interaction is suspected, a standard co-immunoprecipitation analysis using anti-SUMO and anti-target protein antibody is usually performed as a first step. However, the identification of endogenous sumoylated proteins is challenging because of the activity of isopeptidases, and often only a small fraction of a target protein is sumoylated at a given time. Here, we briefly summarize several important steps to ensure a successful co-immunoprecipitation analysis to detect possible sumoylation.

International Legal Note: Social work and violent clients: An international perspective

Social work is inherently an interdisciplinary profession, combining intellectual, environmental, policy and legal perspectives. This is particularly evident when social workers deal with tense situations which demand immediate diffusion. Sadly, evidence shows that incidents of violent and aggressive clients are serious concerns for social workers. Social workers must often deal with belligerent, agitated, uncooperative and violent clients (Newhill, 2003; Spencer and Munch, 2003) in a variety of settings – mental health, institutional and emergency (Bobes et al., 2009; Boz et al., 2006, Newhill, 2002).

CDK14 expression is down-regulated by cigarette smoke in vivo and in vitro

In this study, DNA arrays have been employed to monitor gene expression patterns in testis of mice exposed to tobacco smoke for 24 weeks and compared to control animals. The results of the analysis revealed significant changes in expression of several genes that may have a role in spermatogenesis. Cdk14 was chosen for further characterization because of a suggested role in the testis and in regulation of Wnt signaling. RT-PCR analysis confirmed down regulation of Cdk14 in mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). Cdk14 is expressed in all testicular cells; spermatogonia- and Sertoli-derived cell lines treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in vitro showed down-regulation of CDK14 mRNA and protein levels as well as down-regulation of β-catenin levels. CS-induced down-regulation of CDK14 mRNA and protein levels was also observed in several lung epithelium-derived cell lines including primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE), suggesting that the effect is not restricted to the testis. Similar to testicular cells, CS-induced down-regulation of CDK14 in lung cells correlated with decreased levels of β-catenin, a finding suggesting impaired Wnt signaling. In the lungs, CDK14 was localized to the alveolar and bronchial epithelium.

Prozac, Families and the Law: Implications for Social Work Practice

Prozac has been on the market for more than ten years and has become one of the most heavily utilized medications in the United States; approximately 17 million prescriptions have been written. Along with its popularity, there have been a multitude of legal cases citing the use of Prozac to explain a variety of behaviors. Social workers in clinical practice need to understand the legal implications of having clients who are taking the medication. Twenty-eight appellate court cases involving families and Prozac between 1991 and 1997 are reviewed and clinical practice implications are discussed.

International Legal Note: Child fatality review teams and the role of social workers An international perspective

We are living in dangerous and violent times, and our most precious resources, our children, are sometimes its victims. Disease, inadequate health care, violence, a faulty smoke alarm, an unlocked seat belt, a loaded gun, poison or medicine within easy reach, an unprotected electric outlet, a pack of matches: in rich countries and poor countries, all of these things can and have killed children (UNICEF, 2003). When these result in the death of a child, in a growing number of countries and jurisdictions the death is reviewed by a child fatality review team. The purpose is to perform a comprehensive review of child deaths in order to gain a better understanding of these deaths, and to use that knowledge to take preventative actions in similar situations.

Elder abuse and neglect cases reviewed by appellate courts

With increasing attention focused on abuse and neglect of the elderly in domestic and institutional settings, nearly every state has passed legislation to protect these vulnerable adults. While the legal system has become involved at the trial court level, the appellate courts have not yet been very active. Only ten reported cases in the United States during 1981–1993 were appealed to a higher court. This article documents these few cases and explores the reasons for their ultimate dispositions.

International Legal Note: Salaries of CEOs of international NGOs: Ensuring fair compensation while avoiding populist rage

We have all seen studies showing how the divergence between executive compensation and that of regular employees has grown dramatically. Does the international social work community need to look in the mirror? Do some NGOs have discrepancies between top and bottom salaries that are just as stark as those in the banking world? What kinds of perquisites are bestowed upon the top executives and department heads of some of the larger international NGOs? In the name of being ethically and fiscally responsible, is there a need to explore these remuneration packages or are they a private matter?

International Legal Note: Hate crimes and social work An international perspective

Few areas of social policy and law create more confusion and spark more heated debate than hate crimes. Those in favor of designating an offense a hate crime make no apologies for treating perpetrators of the same crime differently because one of the perpetrators commits the offense while speaking words or exhibiting behavior that is deemed particularly hateful from a societal perspective. These offensive remarks or actions may take the form of being associated with race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, depending on the law. When an offense is categorized as a hate crime, the law often provides for an enhanced penalty.

International legal note: Should social workers be mandated reporters of child maltreatment? An international legal perspective

[a]ny approach to child abuse must take into account the differing standards and expectations for parenting behaviour in the range of cultures around the world . . . Some researchers have suggested that views on child-rearing cut across cultures might diverge to such an extent that agreement on what practices are abusive or neglectful may be extremely difficult to reach . . . It appears that there is general agreement across many cultures that child abuse should not be allowed, and virtual unanimity in this respect where very harsh disciplinary practices and sexual abuse are concerned.

An introduction to treaties for international social workers

International disputes may emanate from any number of issues, including concerns involving territory, finance, trade, ethnicity, natural resources, or religion. International treaties serve as a mechanism to address these concerns. Throughout history, treaties and conventions have played an important role in international relations. Of course, the full contours of the numerous international treaties in force cannot be documented. In this brief article, and with the caveat that we can only speak in generalities, we 1) offer some fundamental principles of treaties, 2) identify some major treaties and conventions of interest to the international social work community, and 3) make some comments regarding how those treaties affect international social work professionals. Space constraints naturally preclude us from commenting more in depth.