New Releases by Martin SHORT

A collection of poems by Martin Short

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an incurable neurological condition that affects close to 1 in 1000 Australians. Research into the complex aetiology and pathophysiology of MS is rapidly advancing. Many new treatments targeting the immune system are now available and can partially prevent damage caused by inflammation. However, all patients have a degree of axonal loss and neurodegeneration that can contribute to long-term disability. So far, no treatment has demonstrated an ability to directly protect the central nervous system (CNS) of MS patients from axonal injury or neurodegeneration. No treatment has shown to remyelinate or regenerate injured tissue in clinical trials. There is therefore a great demand for a therapy that can not only modulate the immune system but also protect the brain from axonal injury and facilitate repair processes. The aim of this thesis was to explore potential therapeutic approaches to neuroprotection and neuroregeneration in Multiple Sclerosis. Direct cell replacement was assessed using bone marrow derived cells in an animal model of Multiple Sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and amnion epithelial cells (AECs) to protect human neural stem cells from oxidative stress injury and to differentiate through the production of neurotrophic factors was examined in vitro. Finally, several cytoskeletal proteins important for axonal growth were characterised. Their relationship with the Nogo receptor and changes due to inflammation from EAE were investigated.The ability of bone marrow derived cells to directly replace and regenerate cells within the uninjured or inflamed brain and spinal cord was assessed in the first part of the thesis. Despite the use of a highly sensitive multi-colour flow cytometry, an insignificant number of the bone marrow derived cells transplanted into mice were able to transform into neural cells. These findings were confirmed using immunofluorescence microscopy and virtual slide imaging. Although more bone marrow derived cells migrated to the brain and spinal cord in mice with EAE than controls, they retained hematopoietic cell markers, hence confirming the lack of transformation.While bone marrow predominantly contains hematopoietic cells and their precursors, there are other cell types including MSCs that have been investigated as a possible novel therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. As well as modulating the immune system, these cells have potential for neuroprotection and regeneration. Rather than direct cell replacement, these cells possibly have their effect through the production of soluble factors. We have demonstrated that MSC express RNA for many neurotrophic factors and in particular produce IL-6, BDNF and HGF. The quantity of these factors was increased following exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF-[alpha]. In the second part of the thesis, a novel culture system in which neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from a patient with MS using induced pluripotent stem cell techniques was used to assess the ability of human MSC to protect against oxidative stress and enhance differentiation through the production of neurotrophic factors. NSCs exposed to MSC conditioned media for 5 weeks reduced the expression of GFAP expression and a low molecular weight component within the conditioned media ameliorated oxidative stress.Although bone marrow derived MSC have many attractive attributes for use as an immunomodulatory and neuroregenerative therapy in MS, the need for cell culture and expansion may limit its use. AECs are an alternative cell type obtained in large numbers from otherwise discarded placentas that has promise for use in inflammatory conditions including MS. The neuroprotective and regenerative potential in MS has not previously been examined. The ability of AECs to produce neurotrophic factors was investigated and compared with MSCs. AECs expressed fewer neurotrophic factors and did not produce IL-6, BDNF or HGF. AEC conditioned media still reduced GFAP expression in NSCs over 5 weeks of culture but appeared to increase oxidative stress and cell death. Similar to MSCs, the AEC conditioned media appeared to ameliorate the effect of an exogenous oxidative stress.While cell therapies have great potential in regenerative medicine, there are a number of other promising avenues of research. In the final part of the thesis, possible mechanisms underlying Nogo receptor mediated restriction in axonal growth have been explored. Two proteins downstream of the Nogo Receptor, CRMP-2 and cofilin were examined. Phosphorylated CRMP-2 correlated well with axonal loss in both the animal model of MS (EAE) and biopsy sections from an MS patient. Levels of phosphorylated cofilin were higher in mice lacking the Nogo receptor than the controls. Since cofilin phosphorylation is linked to axonal growth, if substantiated, these findings could potentially lead to novel and targeted therapies for regeneration in MS.This thesis has explored a range of different strategies that show promise for neuroprotection and regeneration in MS from direct cell replacement by bone marrow stem cells, the production of neurotrophic factors by MSCs and AECs, and modulation of the Nogo receptor via CRMP-2 and cofilin. Due to the great demand for neuroprotective and regenerative therapies these and other therapies are already being translated into early clinical trials. Although current immunomodulatory therapies can significantly reduce relapses and lesion load over time, a combination of immunomodulatory and neuroprotective/regenerative therapies may have a greater impact on reducing long-term disability and improve the quality of life for patients with MS.

“Short’s endearing memoir is, of course, funny, but it’s also a rare thing: the tale of a genuine human being who’s thrived on planet Hollywood.” — Washington Post In this engagingly witty, wise, and heartfelt memoir, Martin Short tells the tale of how a showbiz-obsessed kid from Canada transformed himself into one of Hollywood''s favorite funnymen, known to his famous peers as the "comedian''s comedian." Short takes the reader on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live, and from memorable roles in such movies as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride to Broadway stardom in Fame Becomes Me and the Tony-winning Little Me. He reveals how he created his most indelible comedic characters, among them the manic man-child Ed Grimley, the slimy corporate lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the bizarrely insensitive interviewer Jiminy Glick. Throughout, Short freely shares the spotlight with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, among them Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Eugene Levy, Catherine O''Hara, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman. But there is another side to Short''s life that he has long kept private. He lost his eldest brother and both parents by the time he turned twenty, and, more recently, he lost his wife of thirty years to cancer. In I Must Say, Short talks for the first time about the pain that these losses inflicted and the upbeat life philosophy that has kept him resilient and carried him through. In the grand tradition of comedy legends, Martin Short offers a show-business memoir densely populated with boldface names and rife with retellable tales: a hugely entertaining yet surprisingly moving self-portrait that will keep you laughing—and crying—from the first page to the last.

In this engagingly witty, wise, and heartfelt memoir, Martin Short tells the tale of how a showbiz- obsessed kid from Canada transformed himself into one of Hollywood''s favorite funnymen, known to his famous peers as the "comedian''s comedian." Short takes the reader on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live, and from memorable roles in such movies as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride to Broadway stardom in Fame Becomes Me and the Tony-winning Little Me. He reveals how he created his most indelible comedic characters, among them the manic man-child Ed Grimley, the slimy corporate lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the bizarrely insensitive interviewer Jiminy Glick. Throughout, Short freely shares the spotlight with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, among them Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Eugene Levy, Catherine O''Hara, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman. But there is another side to Short''s life that he has long kept private. He lost his eldest brother and both parents by the time he turned twenty, and, more recently, he lost his wife of thirty years to cancer. In I Must Say, Short talks for the first time about the pain that these losses inflicted and the upbeat life philosophy that has kept him resilient and carried him through. In the grand tradition of comedy legends, Martin Short offers a show-business memoir densely populated with boldface names and rife with retellable tales: a hugely entertaining yet surprisingly moving self-portrait that will keep you laughing—and crying—from the first page to the last.

Hva ligger egentlig bak organisert kriminalitet og hvordan oppsto mafiaen? I denne boken avslører kriminaletterforsker Martin Short hvordan mafiaen og andre kriminelle organisasjoner opprettholder sin posisjon gjennom blant annet utpressing og drap. Han har intervjuet noen av de mektigste mafialederne og informantene i virksomheten, samt snakket med sentrale krefter i både FBI og politiet.

Murder, violence and corruption are words synonymous with organised crime. Its long and bloody history influences all our lives whether we know it or not. But what lies behind these shadowy organisations? Where did they come from and how did their influence become so widespread? In this extraordinary book, leading crime investigator Martin Short reveals the shocking truth of how the Mafia and other criminal organisations maintain their strength through public demand, as well as extortion and murder. The Rise of the Mafia traces the roots of modern organised crime. Martin Short has met hundreds of people with first-hand knowledge and has interviewed some of the most powerful mob masters and informers in the business as well as speaking with key police and FBI officers.

When Reggie Kray shot Albert Donoghue from behind the bar, Albert learned that the Twins meant business. The hit was intended to avenge a loose remark, and also to test Albert''s loyalty to the underworld code of silence. It was a test that Albert passed admirably. And so he became Reggie''s right-hand man, his minder and chief executive. But when the Krays were arrested, they made one of their most dangerous mistakes. They told Albert to admit to a crime he had not committed--the killing of Frank Mitchell.Albert, who had become increasingly appalled by the violent turn the Twins'' business affairs had been taking, testified against them. His evidence landed the Krays 30 years, but Albert and his family were sentenced to a lifetime of watching their backs. In this explosive book, Albert Donoghue reveals the shocking events he witnessed--it is the inside story of the Krays from a radically different standpoint. It sensationally charts the rise of the country''s most notorious criminals, and their final descent into self-destruction. This is a book that will change the Kray myth forever.

''He takes a .45 out, he puts it to my head and says, "Don''t you call me aheat or I''ll blow your brains out." At that time I got a little diarrhoeand ...we left.'' Joey Cantalupo, Mafia Member In this extraordinary book,artin Short, leading crime investigator, reveals the shocking truth of howhe Mafia and other criminal organisations maintain their strength throughublic demand, as well as extortion and murder. MurderInc traces the roots ofodern organised crime. Martin Short has met hundreds of people withirst-hand knowledge and has interviewed some of the most powerful mobasters and informers in the business as well as speaking with key police andBI officers. Thrilling and sometimes terrifying in its conclusions,urderInc will rock you to the core.

Albert Donoghue was Reggie Kray''s right hand man, his minder and chief executive. He was deeply implicated in their criminal rackets, collecting protection money and acting as paymaster to the other members of the firm. But then the Kray''s made what was to be one of their most dangerous mistakes. They tried to get Donoghue to admit to the killing of Frank Mitchell. Albert, who had become increasingly appalled by the violent turn the Twin''s business affairs had been taking, testified against them. His evidence landed the Kray''s 30 years. In this book, Albert Donoghue reveals the shocking events he witnessed - it is the inside story of the Krays from a radically different standpoint. It charts the rise of the country''s most notorious criminals, and their final descent into self-destruction.

Love is wonderful. Until it happens to your only daughter. In this remake of the Spencer Tracy classic, George and Nina Banks are the parents of young soon-to-be-wed Annie. George is a nervous father unready to face the fact that his little girl is now a woman. The preparations for the extravagant wedding provide additional comic moments.

In the 1960s, Jimmy Evans was one of Britain''s leading safe-blowers, his own boss in an era when London''s underworld was dominated by gangs such as the Krays and Richardsons. But in 1964, Jimmy''s world fell apart. He discovered that his wife was having an affair with George Foreman, brother of the notorious gangland killer, Freddie Foreman. Jimmy shotgunned George at his front door, and Freddie embarked on a bloody 10-year vendetta of murder, assassination, and arson. Foreman exploited his corrupt relationship with two leading Scotland Yard detectives who were his handlers, protectors, and friends. This title reveals the crooked connections between London''s top cops, the gangland bosses, and the serial killer they should have locked away.

If you passed Ron Farebrother on the street, you would almost certainly not look at him twice. For Ron lives his life in the shadows, working undercover to keep our streets safe from the constant threat of violent crime. Ron''s profession is a lonely one—but one filled with danger and excitement. From the London unerworld to the US mafia, Ron rubs shoulders with the most violent criminals in the world. Now he reveals the amazing truth about his profession, and discloses facts that will make every criminal shudder.

As a professional police informer, Ron Farebrother is the first to reveal his undercover life in a book. His trade is treachery, but always, he says, for the public good. In the words of a Scotland Yard veteran, Ron is better than any undercover cop, worth a hundred phone-taps, a thousand public appeals. In this book he tells all his trade secrets.

Martin Short''s investigation of the jurors and the jury systems of England, Scotland and Wales delivers a devastating critique of a system that has generally been ignored by journalists and remains beyond the scrutiny of lawyers.

Culture critic Jiminy Glick gets tied up in a murder case at the Toronto Film Festival.