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Genetic Health And Eugenics Precedents: A Voice Of Caution, Larry I. Palmer

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Faculty Publications 2002, Lsu Health Sciences Center New Orleans

Historical Faculty Publications

This Faculty bibliography contains 876 publications.

Method For Inhibition Of Photocarcinogenesis Or Photoimmunosuppression Using Niacin, Elaine L. Jacobson, Helen L. Gensler

Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences Faculty Patents

The invention is directed to novel methods for the suppression of photocarcinogenesis and photoimmunosuppression in mice. The novel methods comprises the step of administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising niacin and a pharmaceutical carrier.

Topical Micronutrient Delivery System And Uses Of Thereof, Elaine L. Jacobson, Myron Jacobson, Jaber G. Qasem, Hyuntae Kim, Moonsun Kim

Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences Faculty Patents

The invention involves methods and compositions useful in delivering micronutrients to cells. By formulating the micronutrient in the form of an ester that is convertible to the active form of the micronutrient, one can combine it with a co-ester that inhibits esterases, so that the micronutrient can reach the targeted cells prior to degradation. Both methods and compositions are described.

Nuclear Transformation Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii To Allow For Studies On Circadian Expression Of The Β-Tubulin Gene, Mohammed Khan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Circadian rhythms are rhythms that are capable of free-running in constant conditions with a period of approximately 24 hours, that are able to compensate temperature effects on their periods, and that have the ability to entrain to daily light-dark and/or temperature cycle. In order to explore the circadian output pathway that regulates β-tubulin gene expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a nuclear transformation of the organism was performed with a β-tubulin promoter:reporter gene construct. To increase the efficiency of the selection, a cotransformation procedure was adapted with ble, an antibiotic resistance gene. To achieve maximum transformation efficiency, a cell wall-less mutant of …

Regulation Of Retinoic Acid Receptor Α By Protein Kinase C In B16 Mouse Melanoma Cells, Goran Boskovic, Dinakar Desai, Richard M. Niles

Biochemistry and Microbiology

We have previously found that retinoic acid stimulates the expression of protein kinase Cα (PKC) in B16 mouse melanoma cells. Because it has been reported that PKC can phosphorylate retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and alter its function, we determined whether changes in the level and/or activity of PKC could affect the expression or function of the RAR in B16 melanoma. Using in vivophosphorylation and band shift techniques, we could not demonstrate that altering PKC activity and/or protein level changed thein vivo phosphorylation of RARα. However activation of PKC resulted in increased RARα protein. Increased receptor protein correlated with …

Role Of Lipid Peroxidation And Antioxidant Enzymes In Omega 3 Fatty Acids Induced Suppression Of Breast Cancer Xenograft Growth In Mice, W. Elaine Hardman, Jesus Munoz Jr., Ivan L. Cameron

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Background:

Supplementing mice with high levels of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increases the n-3 PUFAs in cell membranes, increases the susceptibility of the cells for lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreases the growth rate of mammary and other tumors. However, the results of an earlier study indicated that a factor in addition to LPO was involved in the reduction in tumor growth in n-3 PUFAs fed mice. Athymic mice bearing MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma xenografts, were fed fish oil concentrate (FOC) or control diets, with and without supplemental Vitamin E (2000 IU /kg diet) and were sacrificed both before …

Composition And Method For The Prevention And Treatment Of Oxidative Damage In Ocular Tissues, Marjorie F. Lou, Nalini Raghavachari;, Fengyu Qiao

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Thioltransferase and derivatives thereof are provided. Methods of treating or preventing cataract formation comprosing administering thioltransferase or a derivative thereof are also provided. Thioltransferase or derivatives thereof are also useful for treating or preventing diseases resulting from or associated with oxidative stress. Human lens thioltransferase and a DNA sequence encoding the same are also provided.

Mangrove Response To Attack By A Root Boring Isopod: Root Repair Versus Architectural Modification, Robert Allen Brooks, Susan S. Bell

Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications

The nature of the plant-animal interaction between wood-boring isopods and the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle L. has been controversial, with discussion ranging from the damage caused by the isopod being detrimental to beneficial for the mangroves they attack. Initiation of lateral roots by the mangrove in response to isopod burrowing has been one of the most commonly cited examples as support for the concept of beneficial herbivory. In this study, the possibility of root repair as a response of Rhizophora to burrowing by Sphaeroma terebrans Bate was evaluated. Previously burrowed prop roots were tagged in the field and the fate …

Method For Enhancing Protective Cellular Responses To Genotoxic Stress In Skin, Elaine L. Jacobson, Myron Jacobson

Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences Faculty Patents

The present invention is directed to methods of using pro-NAD agents capable of enhancing the dermal and epidermal skin cell NAD content. These pro-NAD agents may be administered topically, orally, or parenterally to enhance DNA repair and other protective responses to DNA damage. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising pro-NAD agents that effectively elevate intracellular NAD content. Finally, the invention relates to the method of using the pro-NAD agents to treat disorders such as sunburn and other skin deterioration that results from DNA damage in skin cells.

Actiononaias Ligamentina As A Biomonitor In The Green River: An Unique Approach For Analysis Of Environmental Impacts, Robert Kirkland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Biomonitoring has become an important component in bioassessment programs. It is used to maintain high water quality standards, and determine contaminant levels and biological affects in areas that have been heavily disturbed. The objectives of this research were 1) to improve and apply certain modern biomonitoring techniques and 2) to locate possible contaminant sources affecting the flora and fauna of the Green River and of Mammoth Cave. Actinonaias ligamentina (Lamarck, 1819), a freshwater mussel, was used for interpretation of these impacts as well as refinement of biomonitoring techniques. The mussels were collected in the Lawler Bend region of the Green …

Medical, Social And Legal Implications Of Treating Nausea And Vomiting Of Pregnancy, Robert L. Brent

The Selected Works of Robert Brent

This article will deal with medical, social, and legal implications of treating nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Clinical problems occur when the symptoms become exaggerated and result in debilitation, dehydration, and hospitalization. The treatment of NVP in its early stages has the implication that it will prevent the more serious complications, including hospitalization. Therapeutic modalities discussed in this conference that have been used or are being tested are primarily symptomatic treatments (antihistamines, Bendectin (Merrell Dow; Cincinatti, Ohio), phenothiazines, hyponosis, accupressure, relaxation behavioral modification, audiogenic feedback training, newer medications, diet, and nutritional support). Bendectin is probably the most studied medication …

Bacteriological Effects Of Xylitol And Different Carbohydrate Containing Diets In Swiss Albino Rats Inoculated With Streptococcus Mutans Ccug 6519, Fahi̇nur Ertuğrul, Rengi̇n Eltem, Bora A. Ataman

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of the study was to investigate the bacteriological effects of different diets by Streptococcus mutans counts on 50 Swiss albino rats inoculated with Streptococcus mutans CCUG 6519 serotype c. A powdered form of standard basal diet meeting rats' nutritional needs was used in combination with diets containing different percentages of starch, sucrose and xylitol for 90 days. Dental plaque samples were collected at the end of the experiment and S. mutans and total bacterial counts were determined. S. mutans and total bacterial counts in plaque samples were the highest in the sucrose group and the differences were statistically …

Maternal Serum Vitamin D Levels In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy, İsmai̇l Pehli̇van, Şükrü Hatun, Meti̇n Aydoğan, Kadi̇r Babaoğlu, Gülcan Türker, Ayşe Sevi̇m Gökalp

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To measure serum vitamin D levels of pregnant women in the last trimester and to determine factors affecting serum levels. Methods: Seventy-eight pregnant women, 19-39 years old and having their third trimester between March and May 2000, were enrolled. Serum Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D_3 levels were measured in venous blood samples during the third trimester. Maternal age, education, socioeconomic status, number of gravida, nutrition, dressing habits and daily exposure time to sunlight were determined and their correlation with serum vitamin D levels were analyzed statistically. Results: The mean age of mothers was 26.1±5.1 years. The …

The Role Of Diet And Physical Activity For Ovarian Cancer Results From The Adventist Health Study, Fatemeh Kiani

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A few aspects of the epidemiology of ovarian cancer are well understood, such as the inverse relationship with parity and oral contraceptive (OC) use. The role of other factors such as the potential influence of diet or physical activity is far from being established. A few studies, however, have been able to identify dietary risk factors for ovarian cancer. In this dissertation, I have conducted two studies that investigate the relationship between dietary factors and physical activity and the three endpoints: 1) nonfatal ovarian cancer (1976-1982; time to diagnosis), 2) fatal ovarian cancer (1976-1988; time to death), and 3) total …

The Effect Of Lead Acetate On The Susceptibility Of C3heb/Fej Mice Infected With The Parasite Trypanosoma Cruzi, Savonna Warren

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Lead has been mined by man for centuries with evidence of its use dating back 6000 years. Chronic exposure to lead can result in encephalopathy, anemia, and nephropathy. Today, cases of lead poisoning are uncommon; however, lead continues to be incorporated into the body through subclinical exposures. These low dosages of lead have been shown to have a deleterious effect on the immune system. Experimental animals exposed to low levels of lead are unable to effectively respond to a number of bacterial and viral challenges. The present study focuses on the relationship between lead and parasitic infection. Parasitemia, mortality, serum …

Effects Of Antioxidant Supplementation With Vitamin E And Selenium On Cytokine Production In Mice Infected With Trypanosoma Cruzi, Dong Chen

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Dietary supplementation with the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium (Se) has been shown to be beneficial against the intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi during experimental Chagas' disease. Supplementation of mice with vitamin E and selenium at levels well above the recommended daily allowance for these two substances results in significantly decreased parasitemia levels and increased longevity. However, the mechanistic role of the antioxidants in this process is not well understood. It is known that vitamin E and selenium can reduce oxidative stress and improve host immune responses. In addition, the synthesis of many regulatory cytokines is known to be influenced by …

Characterization Of Seca-Sod Operon In Borrellia Burgdorferi., Tonya Lynn Nichols

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, has been characterized as a microaerophilic spirochete. O2 consumption and utilization potentially yield reactive oxygen intermediates, such as superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide. This study investigated the expression of the sod gene, which encodes the only, identified oxidative defense mechanism in B. burgdorferi. Using primer extension analysis and RT-PCR, it was found that sod and secA are organized as a single transcriptional unit under the control of σ70-like promoter upstream of the secA open reading frame. Generally, gene expression decreases with increased distance from the promoter; however, secA expression was observed …

Behavioral Changes In Adult C57bl/6j Mice Following Prenatal Exposure To Ethanol., Kevin Wade Nunley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) labels children with physical, mental and behavioral deficits exposed to alcohol in utero. Current research indicates that timing of alcohol exposure of the embryo/fetus is a critical determinant of the behavioral deficits associated with FAS. This study represents a model for binge drinking, in which C57BL mouse embryos were exposed to alcohol during 2 separate critical periods of brain development, gestational day (GD) 7 or 8. As adults, the offspring were tested to determine if loco-motor activity and emotional reaction to a novel environment had been affected. Significant differences due to treatment and sex were …

Effect Of Monounsaturated Fat Rich Almonds On Hemostatic And Inflammatory Factors In Healthy Adults, Kristianne M. Connell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: The frequent consumption of nuts is inversely associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Nuts are known to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein, E-selectin and interleukin-6 have been proposed to be newer risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, the influence of nuts such as almonds on markers of inflammation and hemostasis that influence cardiovascular disease risk is not currently known.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of almond consumption on markers of inflammation and hemostatic factors in healthy …

Age Related Changes In Contractile Sensitivity To Cyclic Gmp And Intracellular Calcium Compartmentalization In Ovine Arteries, Surya Margono Nauli

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The study examines the hypothesis that maturation changes the ability of cGMP to produce cerebral vasodilatation and alters the relative intracellular calcium pool sizes in ovine arteries. In ovine basilars taken from near-term fetal and young adult sheep, 8- pCPT-cGMP relaxed potassium- and serotonin-induced tone with pD2 values of 4.4±0.1 and 4.9±0.1 (fetal basilar) and 4.0±0.1 and 4.7±0.1 (adult basilar), respectively. In fura-2 loaded arteries, 8-pCPT-cGMP significantly lowered increases in cytosolic calcium concentration induced by serotonin but not potassium regardless of age. When calcium sensitivity was calculated in the same arteries as the slope of the relation between calcium concentration …

Studies On The Formation Of Dna-Cationic Lipid Composite Films And Dna Hybridization In The Composites, Murali Sastry, Vidya Ramakrishnan, Mrunalini Pattarkine, Krishna N. Ganesh

Faculty Works

The formation of composite films of double-stranded DNA and cationic lipid molecules (octadecylamine, ODA) and the hybridization of complementary single-stranded DNA molecules in such composite films are demonstrated. The immobilization of DNA is accomplished by simple immersion of a thermally evaporated ODA film in the DNA solution at close to physiological pH. The entrapment of the DNA molecules in the cationic lipid film is dominated by attractive electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged phosphate backbone of the DNA molecules and the protonated amine molecules in the thermally evaporated film and has been quantified using quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM). Fluorescence studies …

Cationic Surfactant Mediated Hybridization And Hydrophobization Of Dna Molecules At The Liquid/Liquid Interface And Their Phase Transfer, Murali Sastry, Ashavani Kumar, Mrunalini Pattarkine, Vidya Ramakrishnan, Krishna N. Ganesh

Faculty Works

Hybridization of complementary oligonucleotides mediated by a cationic surfactant at the water/hexane interface leads to hydrophobic, double-helical DNA which may be readily phase transferred to the organic phase and cast into thin films on solid substrates.

Perioperative Oral Supplement With Immunonutrients In Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients, Ni̇hal Zeki̇ye Erdem, İ. Hakan Kulaçoğlu, Mehtap Akci̇l Temel, Ahmet Çinar Yasti, Nuri̇ Aydin Kama, Nazan Bozkurt

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Significant benefits have been gained with pre or peri-operative nutritional support in surgical patients with malnutrition. Recent studies have also shown that some enteral formulas including certain nutrients like glutamine could provide more benefit than the standard formulas. In this prospective-randomized study, the effects of perioperative oral supplement with enteral formulas containing glutamine in comparison with a standard enteral formula in patients who were operated on for GI malignancies were examined. Thirty-two patients were divided into two groups: the study group was given oral supplement with an elemental diet (Alitraq®) for 7 days preoperatively and 10 days postoperatively as 30-35% …

Faculty Publications 2000, Lsu Health Sciences Center New Orleans

Historical Faculty Publications

This Faculty bibliography contains 824 publications.

Microbial Biofilms: From Ecology To Molecular Genetics, Mary Ellen Davey, George A. O'Toole

Dartmouth Scholarship

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms attached to surfaces or associated with interfaces. Despite the focus of modern microbiology research on pure culture, planktonic (free-swimming) bacteria, it is now widely recognized that most bacteria found in natural, clinical, and industrial settings persist in association with surfaces. Furthermore, these microbial communities are often composed of multiple species that interact with each other and their environment. The determination of biofilm architecture, particularly the spatial arrangement of microcolonies (clusters of cells) relative to one another, has profound implications for the function of these complex communities. Numerous new experimental approaches and methodologies have been …

Glucocorticoid Regulation Of Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-5 Gene Transcription In Human Osteoblasts, Xiaoying Wang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Glucocorticoids (GCs) inhibit bone formation in vivo and inhibit osteoblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro. These effects may be mediated by alterations in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. In the present study of normal human osteoblast-like (HOB) cells, we tested the hypothesis that dexamethasone (Dex) inhibits the expression of IGF binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5). Dex decreased IGFBP-5 mRNA levels to 54% of control after 4 hr. Dex did not modify the decay of IGFBP-5 mRNA in transcriptionally arrested osteoblast cells. Dex decreased IGFBP-5 hnRNA levels to 67% of control after 2 hr, and the activity of the human IGFBP- …

Hybridization Of Dna By Sequential Immobilization Of Oligonucleotides At The Air-Water Interface, Murali Sastry, Vidya Ramakrishnan, Mrunalini Pattarkine, Anand Gole, K. N. Ganesh

Faculty Works

The hybridization of DNA by sequential electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding immobilization of single-stranded complementary oligonucleotides at the air-water interface with cationic Langmuir monolayers is demonstrated. The complexation of the single-stranded DNA molecules with octadecylamine (ODA) Langmuir monolayers was followed in time by monitoring the pressure-area isotherms. A large (and slow) expansion of the ODA monolayer was observed during each stage of complexation in the following sequence: primary single-stranded DNA followed by complementary single-stranded DNA followed by the intercalator, ethidium bromide. Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of the ODA-DNA complex were formed on different substrates and characterized using quartz-crystal microgravimetry (QCM), Fourier transform infrared …

Vitamin A And Cancer, Richard M. Niles

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Vitamin A, its physiological metabolites and synthetic derivatives (retinoids) have been shown to have protective effects against the development of certain types of cancer. In addition, pharmacological amounts of retinoids have been used with some success in the treatment of a few human tumors. The chemoprevention effect of retinoids is most likely exerted at the tumor promotion phase of carcinogenesis. Retinoids block tumor promotion by either inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inducing differentiation, or a combination of these actions. Clinically, isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) significantly decreases the incidence of second primary tumors in patients with head and neck cancer and also reduces …

Effects Of Pycnogenol On Microsomal Cytochrome P450 Activity And Apoptosis, Huong Thu Huynh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Phytochemicals are naturally-occurring compounds found in plants, many of which are consumed as nutritional supplements by humans. Pycnogenol is a mixture of flavonoid compounds extracted from bark of pine trees (Pinus maritima) and is commercially available in several different pharmaceutical preparations as a free radical scavenger.

Since few scientific studies have documented the pharmacologic effects of pycnogenol, our objective was to characterize the biological activity of pycnogenol. One study looked at the effects of pycnogenol on the three pathways of NNK metabolism: NNK reduction, N-oxidation and a-hydroxylation. NNK is a lung carcinogen. Lung and liver microsomes from 6 mo and …