Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Microemulsions As Precursors To Solid Nanoparticles, Russell John Mumper, Michael Jay

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

The preparation of novel microemulsions to be used as precursors for solid nanoparticles is described. The microemulsion precursors consist of either alcohol-in-fluorocarbon microemulsions, liquid hydrocarbon-in-fluorocarbon microemulsions, or liquid hydrocarbon-in-water microemulsions. The formed solid nanoparticles have diameters below 200 nanometers and can be made to entrap various materials including drugs, magnets, and sensors. The solid nanoparticles can be made to target different cells in the body by the inclusion of a cell-specific targeting ligand. Methods of preparing the novel microemulsion precursors and methods to cure solid nanoparticles are provided.

Oxpat/Pat-1 Is A Ppar-Induced Lipid Droplet Protein That Promotes Fatty Acid Utilization, Nathan E. Wolins, Benjamin K. Quaynor, James R. Skinner, Anatoly Tzekov, Michelle A. Croce, Matthew C. Gropler, Vijayalakshmi Varma, Aiwei Yao-Borengasser, Neda Rasouli, Philip A. Kern, Brian N. Finck, Perry E. Bickel

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

Lipid droplet proteins of the PAT (perilipin, adipophilin, and TIP47) family regulate cellular neutral lipid stores. We have studied a new member of this family, PAT-1, and found that it is expressed in highly oxidative tissues. We refer to this protein as "OXPAT." Physiologic lipid loading of mouse liver by fasting enriches OXPAT in the lipid droplet tissue fraction. OXPAT resides on lipid droplets with the PAT protein adipophilin in primary cardiomyocytes. Ectopic expression of OXPAT promotes fatty acid-induced triacylglycerol accumulation, long-chain fatty acid oxidation, and mRNAs associated with oxidative metabolism. Consistent with these observations, OXPAT is induced in mouse …

The Lipogenic Enzymes Dgat1, Fas, And Lpl In Adipose Tissue: Effects Of Obesity, Insulin Resistance, And Tzd Treatment, Gouri Ranganathan, Resat Unal, Irina D. Pokrovskaya, Aiwei Yao-Borengasser, Bounleut Phanavanh, Beata Lecka-Czernik, Neda Rasouli, Philip A. Kern

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

Acyl-coenzyme A:diacylglycerol transferase (DGAT), fatty acid synthetase (FAS), and LPL are three enzymes important in adipose tissue triglyceride accumulation. To study the relationship of DGAT1, FAS, and LPL with insulin, we examined adipose mRNA expression of these genes in subjects with a wide range of insulin sensitivity (S_I). DGAT1 and FAS (but not LPL) expression were strongly correlated with S_I. In addition, the expression of DGAT1 and FAS (but not LPL) were higher in normal glucose-tolerant subjects compared with subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (P < 0.005). To study the effects of insulin sensitizers, subjects with IGT were treated with pioglitazone or metformin for 10 weeks, and lipogenic enzymes were measured in adipose tissue. After pioglitazone treatment, DGAT1 expression was increased by 33 ± 10% (P < 0.05) and FAS expression increased by 63 ± 8% (P < 0.05); however, LPL expression was not altered. DGAT1, FAS, and LPL mRNA expression were not significantly changed after metformin treatment. The treatment of mice with rosiglitazone also resulted in an increase in adipose expression of DGAT1 by 2- to 3-fold, as did the treatment of 3T3 F442A adipocytes in vitro with thiazolidinediones. These data support a more global concept suggesting that adipose lipid storage functions to prevent peripheral lipotoxicity.

The Role Of Mapks In B Cell Receptor-Induced Down-Regulation Of Egr-1 In Immature B Lymphoma Cells, Jiyuan Ke, Murali Gururajan, Anupam Kumar, Alan Simmons, Lilia Turcios, Ralph Lakshman Chelvarajan, David M. Cohen, David L. Wiest, John G. Monroe, Subbarao Bondada

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Cross-linking of the B cell receptor (BCR) on the immature B lymphoma cell line BKS-2 induces growth inhibition and apoptosis accompanied by rapid down-regulation of the immediate-early gene egr-1. In these lymphoma cells, egr-1 is expressed constitutively and has a prosurvival role, as Egr-1-specific antisense oligonucleotides or expression of a dominant-negative inhibitor of Egr-1 also prevented the growth of BKS-2 cells. Moreover, enhancement of Egr-1 protein with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or an egr-1 expression vector rescued BKS-2 cells from BCR signal-induced growth inhibition. Nuclear run-on and mRNA stability assays indicated that BCR-derived signals act at the transcriptional level to …

Navigating Adolescence With A Chronic Health Condition: A Perspective On The Psychological Effects Of Hair-An Syndrome On Adolescent Girls, Kimberly K. Mcclanahan, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

HAIR-AN syndrome is a subphenotype of polycystic ovary syndrome and is characterized by acne, obesity, hirsutism, and acanthosis nigricans. It usually manifests in early adolescence, a time of significant developmental change in females across physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains. We contend that adolescent development for females is difficult, even in the best of circumstances, and having a chronic health condition, like HAIR-AN syndrome, will likely impact the afflicted individual's development and psychological well-being. While many researchers have discussed the long-term health effects of HAIR-AN and similar disorders, little has been written about the potential psychological sequelae of HAIR-AN on …

A Missense Mutation In Pmel17 Is Associated With The Silver Coat Color In The Horse, Emma Brunberg, Leif Andersson, Gus Cothran, Kaj Sandberg, Sofia Mikko, Gabriella Lindgren

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The Silver coat color, also called Silver dapple, in the horse is characterized by dilution of the black pigment in the hair. This phenotype shows an autosomal dominant inheritance. The effect of the mutation is most visible in the long hairs of the mane and tail, which are diluted to a mixture of white and gray hairs. Herein we describe the identification of the responsible gene and a missense mutation associated with the Silver phenotype.

RESULTS: Segregation data on the Silver locus (Z) were obtained within one half-sib family that consisted of a heterozygous Silver colored stallion with 34 …

Aluminum Bioavailability From The Approved Food Additive Leavening Agent Acidic Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Incorporated Into A Baked Good, Is Lower Than From Water, Robert A. Yokel, Rebecca L. Florence

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

There are estimates of oral aluminum (Al) bioavailability from drinking water, but little information on Al bioavailability from foods. Foods contribute ∼95% and drinking water 1–2% of the typical human's daily Al intake. The objectives were to estimate oral Al bioavailability from a representative food containing the food additive acidic sodium aluminum phosphate (acidic SALP), a leavening agent in baked goods. Rats were acclimated to a special diet that resulted in no stomach contents 14 h after its withdrawal. They were trained to rapidly consume a biscuit containing 1.5% acidic SALP. Oral Al bioavailability was then determined from a biscuit …

Stress, Coping, Social Support, And Prostate Cancer Risk Among Older African American And Caucasian Men, Ann L. Coker, Maureen Sanderson, Gary L. Ellison, Mary Kay Fadden

CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles

Objectives: While psychosocial stress and high effort coping have been associated with reduced immune function, no epidemiologic study has addressed psychological stress and risk of prostate cancer. The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the association between stress, coping, social support, and risk of prostate cancer among older men (age 65–79 years). Design: Population-based case-control study in South Carolina.

Participants: Cases were 400 incident, histologically confirmed prostate cancer cases identified through the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry between 1999 and 2001 (70.6% response rate). Controls were 385 men identified through the 1999 Health Care Financing Administration Medicare beneficiary file …

Lipin Expression Is Attenuated In Adipose Tissue Of Insulin-Resistant Human Subjects And Increases With Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Γ Activation, Aiwei Yao-Borengasser, Neda Rasouli, Vijayalakshmi Varma, Lesliie M. Miles, Bounleut Phanavanh, Tasha Starks, Jack Phan, Horace J. Spencer Iii, Robert E. Mcgehee Jr., Karen Reue, Philip A. Kern

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

Lipin-α and -β are the alternatively spliced gene products of the Lpin1 gene, whose product lipin is required for adipocyte differentiation. Lipin deficiency causes lipodystrophy, fatty liver, and insulin resistance in mice, whereas adipose tissue lipin overexpression results in increased adiposity but improved insulin sensitivity. To assess lipin expression and its relation to insulin resistance in humans, we examined lipin-α and -β mRNA levels in subjects with normal or impaired glucose tolerance. We found higher expression levels of both lipin isoforms in lean, insulin-sensitive subjects. When compared with normal glucose-tolerant subjects, individuals with impaired glucose tolerance were more insulin resistant, …

Victims Struck Out By Logging, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Tractors/Logging

To prevent injuries while felling trees:

• Loggers should attend the Kentucky Master Logger program for training and education regarding Occupational Safety and Health Administration logging standards and safety procedures.
• A “pre-job safety plan” should be developed for each job site and the plan should be reviewed prior to each day on the site.
• Proper notching and directional felling techniques should be utilized when felling trees.
• Develop a felling plan for each tree prior to felling that includes escape route, dead or hanging branches, vines, and nearby trees.

Comparative Analysis Of Vertebrate Eif2ak2 (Pkr) Genes And Assignment Of The Equine Gene To Eca15q24-Q25 And The Bovine Gene To Bta11q12-Q15, Andrey A. Perelygin, Teri L. Lear, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Margo A Brinton

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The structures of the canine, rabbit, bovine and equine EIF2AK2 genes were determined. Each of these genes has a 5' non-coding exon as well as 15 coding exons. All of the canine, bovine and equine EIF2AK2 introns have consensus donor and acceptor splice sites. In the equine EIF2AK2 gene, a unique single nucleotide polymorphism that encoded a Tyr329Cys substitution was detected. Regulatory elements predicted in the promoter region were conserved in ungulates, primates, rodents, Afrotheria (elephant) and Insectifora (shrew). Western clawed frog and fugu EIF2AK2 gene sequences were detected in the USCS Genome Browser and compared to those of other …

Amputation Injuries Due To Forklifts, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent injuries from forklifts while working:

• Before you operate a forklift, make sure that you are trained and certified.
• Remember if you are on a sit-down type forklift, and it starts to over-turn, lean in the opposite direction, stay with the forklift; don’t jump.
• When operating a forklift on site, slow the truck and sound the horn at cross aisles, exits, and other employee traverse points.
• Before dismounting, set the parking brake, lower the forks or lifting carriage, and neutralize controls.

Design And Implementation Of The Domestic Violence Services In Rural Clinics Intervention, Ann L. Coker, Paige H. Smith, Vicki C. Flerx, Daniel J. Whitaker, Mary Kay Fadden, Melinda Williams

CRVAW Faculty Book Chapters

No abstract provided.

From Healing The Whole Person: An Argument For Therapeutic Touch As A Complement To Traditional Medical Practice, Marlene B. Huff, Kimberly K. Mcclanahan, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The growing popularity and use of therapeutic touch (TT) is an issue that has generated controversy and concern within the medical community. While anecdotal and traditional scientific evidence suggest that TT would be an advantageous addition for clinics and hospitals to include in their armamentarium of complementary interventions within the realm of traditional medicine, TT has not become widely available in the U.S. One reason for the lack of availability may be the dearth of conclusive scientific support for TT's efficacy and, therefore, its inclusion in clinic and hospital treatment planning would give it the appearance of legitimate practice, which …

Pregnant Teenager Involvement In Sexual Activity And The Social Context, Maria José Carvalho Sant'anna, Júlia Kerr Catunda, Kepler Alencar Mendes Carvalho, Verônica Coates, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Pregnancy during adolescence represents a challenge to society as a whole. Its incidence is increasing and brings about social and medical consequences to both the teen mothers and their children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pregnant teenager involvement in sexual activity and the social context. The group studied comprised 152 pregnant teenagers attending the Department of Pediatrics, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo (SCSP) General Hospital. All information was analyzed. The age at first intercourse was 14.2 years and the average period between first intercourse and pregnancy was 1.4 years. Most pregnancies (75%) were neither planned nor wanted, …

Chain-Modified Pyridino-N Substituted Nicotine Compounds For Use In The Treatment Of Cns Pathologies, Peter A. Crooks, Linda Dwoshin, Rui Xu, Joshua T. Ayers

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

Compounds for treating abuse of nicotinic receptor agonists, addiction to psychostimulant drugs, addiction to opiates, addiction to alcohol, addiction to tobacco products, addiction to nicotine, schizophrenia and related diseases, depression and related conditions, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and colitis. The compounds competitively inhibit central nervous system acting nicotinic receptor agonists and act at the putative α3β2* and α4β2 neuronal nicotinic receptors in the central nervous system.

Murine Monoclonal Anti-Idiotype Antibody 3h1 Sequences For Human Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Malaya Chatterjee, Heinz Köhler, Sunil K. Chatterjee, Kenneth A. Foon

Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics Faculty Patents

This invention provides compositions derived from the sequences encoding the variable light and/or variable heavy regions of monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody 3H1 and methods for using these compositions.

Long Acting, Reversible Veterinary Sedative And Analgesic And Method Of Use, Thomas Tobin

Veterinary Science Faculty Patents

A veterinary composition comprising a guanidine derivative, e.g., guanabenz or guanabenz acetate is provided which produces a rapid acting and long lasting sedative and analgesic effect in a subject animal that is selectively reversible. The use of guanabenz in the horse provides for a safe, effective, long lasting and rapidly reversible sedative and analgesic which can be used on the standing animal. Methods of use of the compositions of the invention are also provided.

Robley Dunglison, 1798-1869: The Preeminent Medical Author Of Mid-Nineteenth-Century America, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Correlation Between Number Of Retrieved Oocytes And Pregnancy Rate After In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Infection, Tanya Timeva, Tanya Milachich, Irena Antonova, Tanya Arabaji, Atanas Shterev, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The implementation of safe and maximally effective ovarian stimulation is a major aim for in vitro fertilization (IVF) teams. The goal of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is to supply enough oocytes with normal maturation to insure the consequent biological procedures. A variety of different stimulation protocols have been suggested and an individual selection of the correct stimulation protocol is mandatory. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the correlation between number of retrieved oocytes and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) after IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures. We reviewed 1017 cycles in a total of 975 patients. The …

Camptothecin Intermediates And Prodrugs And Methods Of Preparation Thereof, Thomas G. Burke, Dennis P. Curran, Wu Du

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

The present invention relates to novel intermediates and prodrugs of camptothecin and related analogs.

Highly Lipophilic Camptothecin Intermediates And Prodrugs And Methods Of Preparation Thereof, Thomas G. Burke, Dennis P. Curran, Wu Du

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Patents

The present invention relates to novel, highly lipophilic silatecan intermediates and prodrugs of DB-67 and other silatecans.

Dissociation Of Automatic And Strategic Lexical-Semantics: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence For Differing Roles Of Multiple Frontotemporal Regions, Brian T. Gold, David A. Balota, Sara J. Jones, David K. Powell, Charles D. Smith, Anders H. Andersen

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Behavioral research has demonstrated three major components of the lexical-semantic processing system: automatic activation of semantic representations, strategic retrieval of semantic representations, and inhibition of competitors. However, these component processes are inherently conflated in explicit lexical-semantic decision tasks typically used in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research. Here, we combine the logic of behavioral priming studies and the neurophysiological phenomenon of fMRI priming to dissociate the neural bases of automatic and strategic lexical-semantic processes across a series of three studies. A single lexical decision task was used in all studies, with stimulus onset asynchrony or linguistic relationship between prime and …

Protection Against Ischemia And Reperfusion Injury, Peter R. Oeltgen, Paul D. Bishop, Mark S. Kindy, Juan A. Sanchez

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Faculty Patents

A compound and method for using the compound to reduce injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion of mammalian organs such as the heart. The compound, either Deltorphin A and/or Dermorphin H, may be administered as part of a preconditioning strategy which reduces the extent of injury and improves organ function following cessation and restoration of blood flow. The compound may be used in preparation for planned ischemia or in a prophylactic manner in anticipation of further ischemic events.

Biomolecular Study Of The Correlation Between Papillomatosis Of The Vulvar Vestibule In Adolescents And Human Papillomavirus, Geni Beznos, Verônica Coates, Jose Focchi, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The main goal of this study was to investigate, through a biomolecular study, the correlation between papillomatosis of the vulvar vestibule and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, as well as to establish the necessity of treatment. A total of 44 female adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age were selected through a prospective study with a confirmed diagnosis of papillomatosis of the vulvar vestibule. Vulvar biopsies were obtained for the histological and biomolecular detection of HPV DNA through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty (45%) adolescents were virgins (group A), the other 24 (55%) were sexually active. The virgin adolescents (group …

A Pilot Study: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Sensation Seeking, And Pubertal Changes, Catherine A. Martin, Greg Guenthner, Christopher Bingcang, W. Jackson Smith, Thomas E. Curry, Hatim A. Omar, Mary Kay Rayens, Tom H. Kelly

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

This study was designed to examine the relationship of pubertal changes and sensation seeking (SS) in adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Patients with current or past histories of uncomplicated stimulant medication use for ADHD between the ages of 11 and 15 (13 ± 1.5) were recruited from a Child Psychiatry and a General Pediatric Clinic. SS was measured using the SS Scale for Children. Pubertal development was measured using Tanner staging, free testosterone, and DHEAS. Subjects and their parent were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC). SS total score was correlated with Tanner stage, free …

Depression, Sensation Seeking, And Maternal Smoking As Predictors Of Adolescent Cigarette Smoking, Judy Van De Venne, Kay Bradford, Catherine A. Martin, Megan Cox, Hatim A. Omar

Family Sciences Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine maternal and adolescent depression, maternal and teen sensation seeking, and maternal smoking, and their associations with adolescent smoking. Data were collected from a sample of 47 male and 66 female adolescents (ages 11-18 years) and their mothers from three different health clinics. The findings indicated that maternal sensation seeking was linked indirectly with adolescent smoking through teen sensation seeking, both of which were significantly associated with teen smoking (β = 0.29, p < 0.001 and β = 0.32, p < 0.001, respectively). Teen depression was associated positively with teen smoking (β = 0.24, p < 0.01) when controlling for sensation seeking behaviors. Maternal smoking was also directly linked to adolescent smoking (β = 0.20, p < 0.05). These findings underscore a potentially important role of sensation seeking in the origins of adolescent smoking, and clarify pathways of influence with regard to maternal attitudes and behaviors in subsequent teenage nicotine use.

Nucleic Acids Encoding Sarcocystis Neurona Antigen And Uses Thereof, Daniel K. Howe

Veterinary Science Faculty Patents

The present invention provides novel isolated nucleic acids encoding antigenic proteins derived from Sarcocystis neurona, or unique fragments thereof. In particular, the invention provides novel isolated nucleic acids encoding membrane-associated polypeptides SnSAG2, SnSAG3, and SnSAG4. Also provided are purified antigenic polypeptide fragments encoded by the novel nucleic acid sequences set forth herein that encode for SnSAG2, SnSAG3, and SnSAG4. Also provided are isolated nucleic acids capable of selectively hybridizing with the nucleic acid from Sarcocystis neurona. The invention also provides vectors comprising the nucleic acids of the invention encoding an antigenic protein derived from Sarcocystis neurona or …

Selective Parp-1 Targeting For Designing Chemo/Radio Sensitizing Agents, Marcos Oliveira

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a central signaling enzyme in a cell nucleus. PARP-1 is a target for the development of radio and chemo sensitizing agents in cancer treatment as well as providing protection from stroke. An SH3 domain and an SH3 ligand domain have now been discovered on the PARP-1 protein. These domains are involved in PARP-1 activation. This discovery makes possible the use of bioinformatics tools for the design of new drugs and strategies for drug target selection, specifically targeting the PARP-1 enzyme.

Adverse Impact Of A History Of Violence For Women With Breast, Cervical, Endometrial, Or Overian Cancer, Susan C. Modesitt, Alisa C. Gambrell, Hope M. Cottrill, Lon R. Hays, Robert J. Walker, Brent J. Shelton, Carol E. Jordan, James E. Ferguson

Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women Publications

The experience of physical and sexual violence (victimization) is common among U.S. women and is associated with adverse health consequences. The study objectives were to estimate the prevalence of victimization in women with cancer and to examine associations with demographics, cancer screening, and cancer stage.

METHODS:

From 2004 to 2005, 101 women with breast, cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancer were interviewed to collect demographics, cancer screening history, health care access/use, and violence history. Chisquare and Fisher exact tests were used test risk-factor associations. A multinomial logistic regression model was used for multivariable analysis.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of a history of …