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Testosterone Treatment Fails To Accelerate Disease In A Transgenic Mouse Model Of Spinal And Bulbar Muscular Atrophy., Erica S Chevalier-Larsen, Diane E Merry

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Evidence from multiple animal models demonstrates that testosterone plays a crucial role in the progression of symptoms in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a condition that results in neurodegeneration and muscle atrophy in affected men. Mice bearing a transgene encoding a human androgen receptor (AR) that contains a stretch of 112 glutamines (expanded polyglutamine tract; AR112Q mice) reproduce several aspects of the human disease. We treated transgenic male AR112Q mice with testosterone for 6 months. Surprisingly, testosterone treatment of AR112Q males did not exacerbate the disease. Although transgenic AR112Q males exhibited functional deficits when compared with non-transgenics, long-term testosterone …

Mitochondrial Lysyl-Trna Synthetase Independent Import Of Trna Lysine Into Yeast Mitochondria., Naresh Babu V Sepuri, Madhavi Gorla, Michael P King

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases play a central role in protein synthesis by charging tRNAs with amino acids. Yeast mitochondrial lysyl tRNA synthetase (Msk1), in addition to the aminoacylation of mitochondrial tRNA, also functions as a chaperone to facilitate the import of cytosolic lysyl tRNA. In this report, we show that human mitochondrial Kars (lysyl tRNA synthetase) can complement the growth defect associated with the loss of yeast Msk1 and can additionally facilitate the in vitro import of tRNA into mitochondria. Surprisingly, the import of lysyl tRNA can occur independent of Msk1 in vivo. This suggests that an alternative mechanism is present …

Synergetic Effect Of Recoverin And Calmodulin On Regulation Of Rhodopsin Kinase., Ilya I Grigoriev, Ivan I Senin, Natalya K Tikhomirova, Konstantin E Komolov, Sergei E Permyakov, Evgeni Yu Zernii, Karl-Wilhelm Koch, Pavel P Philippov

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Phosphorylation of photoactivated rhodopsin by rhodopsin kinase (RK or GRK1), a first step of the phototransduction cascade turnoff, is under the control of Ca(2+)/recoverin. Here, we demonstrate that calmodulin, a ubiquitous Ca(2+)-sensor, can inhibit RK, though less effectively than recoverin does. We have utilized the surface plasmon resonance technology to map the calmodulin binding site in the RK molecule. Calmodulin does not interact with the recoverin-binding site within amino acid residues M1-S25 of the enzyme. Instead, the high affinity calmodulin binding site is localized within a stretch of amino acid residues V150-K175 in the N-terminal regulatory region of RK. Moreover, …

Role Of Myosin Light Chain Kinase In Binge Ethanol And Burn Injury-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction, Anita Zahs

Dissertations

Ethanol is a common factor in traumatic injury, including burn injury. Previous studies from our laboratory indicate that ethanol increases both pulmonary and gastrointestinal inflammation as well as susceptibility to infection in burn-injured mice; however, the mechanisms of these responses are not entirely known. Moreover, after burn injury, bacteria and their products leak out of the intestinal lumen and into the bloodstream. These bacteria can disperse throughout the body leading to pulmonary damage, acute lung injury, sepsis, and death. Ethanol in combination with burn injury has been shown to decrease intestinal barrier function greater than either insult alone. Long (210 …

Resveratrol + Ethanol Preconditioning And Neuroprotection, Nastaran Khodaie

Master's Theses

Our lab established that moderate ethanol preconditioning (MEP) for 6 days blocked the Aâ25-35 toxicity in cerebellar mixed cell cultures and It has been shown that MEP cause the up regulation of the pre-survival enzymes such as proxiredoxin2 (PRX2), which suggests MEP can activate the cell survival pathways against upcoming toxins.

This study was performed to verify the possible combinatory effect of ethanol and resveratrol against Aâ25-35 toxicity. Both ethanol and resveratrol sub-protective concentrations were detected against Aâ25-35 in cerebellar mixed cell cultures. The combination of sub-protective levels of ethanol and resveratrol showed the significantly reduction in number of Aâ25-35 …

The Impact Of Algal Community Succession, Taxonomic Composition And Biomass Accrual, On Denitrification Potential Of Stream Periphyton, Allison Daley

Master's Theses

We investigated the relationship between algal taxonomy, community succession and biomass accrual and denitrification potential (DNP) within stream periphyton. Field research was conducted in 6 DuPage County, II forest preserve streams with diverse physical and chemical characteristics and in an experiment in the artificial stream facility at Loyola University Chicago in which 2 sets of streams were amended with nutrients and compared to an unamended set of streams. Algal communities in the field study streams were sampled over 12 weeks late spring/summer and NMDS ordination plots identified 4 distinct communities. Correlations with algal community NMDS axis scores and the relative …

Signals From Intraventricular Depth Electrodes Can Control A Brain-Computer Interface, Jerry J. Shih, Dean J. Krusienski

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a device that enables severely disabled people to communicate and interact with their environments using their brain waves. Most research investigating BCI in humans have used scalp-recorded electroencephalography (EEG). We have recently demonstrated that signals from intracranial electrocorticography (ECoG) and stereotactic depth electrodes (SDE) in the hippocampus can be used to control a BCI P300 Speller paradigm. We report a case in which stereotactic depth electrodes positioned in the ventricle were able to obtain viable signals for a BCI. Our results demonstrate that event-related potentials from intraventricular electrodes can be used to reliably control the …

Heart Rate And Accelerometry During Singles Footbag Net Play, Christopher Michael Siebert

Dissertations and Theses

This investigation examined the heart rate responses and movement characteristics of experienced footbag net players during singles play. Footbag net is a net/court sport similar to volleyball, but it is played with a footbag (e.g., Hacky-Sack^TM) using only the feet. In singles footbag net, players are allowed either one or two kicks to propel the footbag over the net. Subjects were 15 males and 1 female, ranging in age from 18- 60 years, with a mean age of 33.6 years. Subjects played two games of singles footbag net using two different scoring systems: "sideout" scoring and "rally" scoring. …

Investigating The Role Of Α6 And Α4 Containing Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Nicotine And Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference Tests In Mice., Sarah Sanjakdar

Theses and Dissertations

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate both cholinergic and non-cholinergic synaptic transmission. Our research concerns α6 and α4 neuronal nicotinic subunits because they often co-assemble with the β2 subunit, which has abundant expression in the CNS and previous work has demonstrated that β2* nAChRs are involved in nicotine and cocaine reward. α6β2* and α4β2* nAChRs are highly expressed in midbrain, which is known to be critical for the incentive salience associated with natural and artificial (drug) reward. Our goal was to assess the role of α6β2* and α4β2* nAChRs in nicotine and cocaine reward using an unbiased conditioned place preference (CPP) …

Maternal Immune Dysregulation In The Pathogenesis Of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Interleukin-6 As A Central Mechanism And Therapeutic Target Of Flavonoids, Ellisa Carla Parker-Athill

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Activation of the maternal immune system and resultant maternal cytokine expression due to prenatal infection has been implicated as a significant contributor to the pathology of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Increased maternal interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression, observed clinically and in animal models of prenatal infection, and resultant activation of key signaling pathways, has been shown to be a biological indicator of pathology, and a central component of the pathological mechanism. In animal models of prenatal infection and clinically in pregnancy disorders hallmarked by immunological irregularities and increased IL-6 expression, inhibition of IL-6 has …

Effects Of G-Csf On Monocytes And Neurons: In Vitro And In Vivo Studies In A Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Amanda Renee Pennington

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

G-CSF is routinely used to treat neutropenia/leukopenia or to increase hematopoietic stem cell generation in bone marrow donors. G-CSF and its receptor, G-CSFR, are produced by various cell types both in the peripheral circulation and within brain. As a consequence, exogenous administration of G-CSF results in a broad spectrum of effects involving hematopoietic, immune and central nervous systems.

G-CSF administration in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has revealed both cognitive benefits and disease modifying effects: a) decreased Aβ plaque burden, b) increased microgliosis, c) increased neurogenesis and d) improved performance in radial arm water maze (RAWM). In clinical …

Sugar Consumption And Cognitive Aging In The Swedish Adoption/Twin Study Of Aging, Shyam Seetharaman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Consumption of foods high in sugar content has been linked with the development of metabolic abnormalities such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes, major sources of global health concerns. Although the detrimental consequences of high intake of sugar on abnormal metabolic processes are established, it is not known how this association affects (or accelerates) cognitive aging.

The current project was based on data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) to test the hypothesis that high refined sugar intake contributes to accelerated trajectories of cognitive decline assessed longitudinally. Trajectories of cognitive change were assessed as a function …

Behavioral And Immunological Phenotypes Of Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Human Secreted Amyloid Precursor Protein Alpha: Implications For Autism, Antoinette R. Bailey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Autism is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and focused interests. In addition to the cardinal behavioral characteristics observed for diagnosis, autistic individuals exhibit a number of comorbid conditions as well as a variety of aberrant immunological features. Recent studies report that plasma from autistic children contained elevated levels of secreted amyloid precursor protein alpha (sAPP-á), the á-secretase cleavage product of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) which is ubiquitously expressed in the brain, spleen, thymus and other organs. Interestingly, the sAPP-á fragment functions as a neurotrophic …

Evidence For A Non-Genomic Action Of Testosterone In Skeletal Muscle Which May Improve Athletic Performance: Implications For The Female Athlete, J R Dent, D K Fletcher, Michael Mcguigan

Research outputs 2012

This review will focus on the proposed second mode of testosterone action (now termed non-genomic) that appears to occur independently of the traditional transcriptional mechanism in mammalian skeletal muscle cells which may enhance skeletal muscle contractile properties. This mechanism of testosterone action differs from the traditional pathway, originating at the cell membrane, having a rapid onset of action, requiring second messengers to execute its effects and is insensitive to inhibitors of traditional androgen receptor action, transcription and protein synthesis. Importantly, unlike the traditional action of testosterone in skeletal muscle, this non-genomic pathway is shown to have a direct acute effect …

Profiling Plasma Peptides For The Identification Of Potential Ageing Biomarkers In Chinese Han Adults, Jiapeng Lu, Yuqing Huang, Youxin Wang, Yan Li, Youjun Zhang, Jingjing Wu, Feifei Zhao, Shijiao Meng, Xinwei Yu, Qingwei Ma, Manshu Song, Naibai Chang, Alan H. Bittles, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2012

Advancing age is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer, and shows significant inter-individual variability. To identify ageing-related biomarkers we performed a proteomic analysis on 1890 Chinese Han individuals, 1136 males and 754 females, aged 18 to 82 years, using weak cation exchange magnetic bead based MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. The study identified 44 peptides which varied in concentration in different age groups. In particular, apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA1) concentration gradually increased between 18 to 50 years of age, the levels of fibrinogen alpha (FGA) decreased over the same age span, while albumin (ALB) was significantly degraded in middle-aged individuals. In addition, …

Multiple Γ-Secretase Product Peptides Are Coordinately Increased In Concentration In The Cerebrospinal Fluid Of A Subpopulation Of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease Subjects, Saori Hata, Miyako Taniguchi, Yi Piao, Takeshi Ikeuchi, Anne Fagan, David Holtzman, Randall Bateman, Hamid Sohrabi, Ralph Martins, Sam Gandy, Katsuya Urakami, Toshiharu Suzuki

Research outputs 2012

Background: Alcadeinα (Alcα) is a neuronal membrane protein that colocalizes with the Alzheimer's amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). Successive cleavage of APP by β- and γ-secretases generates the aggregatable amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), while cleavage of APP or Alcα by α- and γ-secretases generates non-aggregatable p3 or p3-Alcα peptides. Aβ and p3-Alcα can be recovered from human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We have previously reported alternative processing of APP and Alcα in the CSF of some patients with sporadic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD (SAD). Results: Using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system that detects total p3-Alcα, we determined levels of …

Faculty Publications 2011, Lsu Health Sciences Center New Orleans

Historical Faculty Publications

This Faculty bibliography contains 812 publications.

Designing New Drugs To Treat Cardiac Arrhythmia, Yanping Ye

Dissertations and Theses

Heart failure resulting from different forms of cardiomyopathy is defined as the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's metabolic demands. It is a major disease burden worldwide and the statistics show that 50% of the people who have the heart failure will eventually die from sudden cardiac death (SCD) associated with an arrhythmia. The central cause of disability and SCD is because of ventricular arrhythmias. Genetic mutations and acquired modifications to RyR2, the calcium release channel from sarcoplasmic reticulum, can increase the pathologic SR Ca2+ leak during diastole, which leads to defects in SR …

Short-Term Plasticity At The Schaffer Collateral: A New Model With Implications For Hippocampal Processing, Andrew Hamilton Toland

Dissertations and Theses

A new mathematical model of short-term synaptic plasticity (STP) at the Schaffer collateral is introduced. Like other models of STP, the new model relates short-term synaptic plasticity to an interaction between facilitative and depressive dynamic influences. Unlike previous models, the new model successfully simulates facilitative and depressive dynamics within the framework of the synaptic vesicle cycle. The novelty of the model lies in the description of a competitive interaction between calcium-sensitive proteins for binding sites on the vesicle release machinery. By attributing specific molecular causes to observable presynaptic effects, the new model of STP can predict the effects of specific …

Cutaneous Anthrax Patients In Eastern Anatolia, Turkey: A Review Of 44 Adults Cases, Kemaletti̇n Özden, Zülal Özkurt, Serpi̇l Erol, Muhammet Hami̇dullah Uyanik, Mehmet Parlak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Anthrax is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by B. anthracis. It remains as an important issue in developing countries and it is a potential threat for the world because of its use as a biological weapon. In this study, we evaluated the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of 44 patients with cutaneous anthrax in our region. Materials and methods: The study included 44 cutaneous anthrax patients admitted to our hospital from the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey between 2005 and 2008. Results: Out of 44 cases, 24 (54.5%) were male and 20 (45.5%) female. The mean age was 41 ± …

Exogenous Egf And Bdnf Treatment Enhances Differentiation And Proliferation Of Cultured Taste Cells, Mehmet Hakan Özdener, Nancy Ellen Rawson

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on taste cell generation by utilizing a long-term rat taste cell culture that exhibits molecular and functional characteristics of mature taste cells. The role of neurotrophic factors in taste cell development is not well understood. Materials and methods: A long-term rat taste cell culture exhibiting molecular and functional characteristics of mature taste cells was used. The effects of 3 different concentrations of EGF and BDNF on taste cell differentiation and proliferation were examined at 3 different time points. Results: We showed the presence of BDNF, EGF …

Ovariectomy Decreases Biomechanical Quality Of Skin Via Oxidative Stress In Rat, Ülkü Çömelekoğlu, Serap Yalin, Ebru Balli, Mehmet Berköz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the effect of ovariectomy on the skin using biomechanical, biochemical, and histological techniques in the ovariectomized rat model. Ovariectomy causes significant changes in the physical characteristics of the skin. Materials and methods: Twenty female Wistar albino rats were divided into 2 groups, with each group consisting of 10 rats: the control group and the ovariectomized group. The ovariectomized group underwent bilateral ovariectomy via ventral incision and the control group underwent a sham operation. Skin biomechanics were measured 3 months following the ovariectomy with a tensile test using a biomaterial testing machine, and tensile strength, stress, strain, and toughness …

The Effect Of Soya Bean Meal On Tibial Articular Cartilage Growth In Mice After Suckling Period: A Histomorphometric And Biochemical Study, Simin Fazelipour, Seyed Babak Kiaei, Amir Hossein Eghtesad, Zahra Tootian

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To examine the effects of an oral supplement of soya bean meal on the histomorphometric alteration of tibia cartilage and the serum levels of calcium and alkaline phosphatase in 3-week-old female mice using a computer-assisted histomorphometric method. Materials and methods: Forty immature BALB/c female mice were selected and divided into 4 groups. They were fed for 3 months with 4 different regimens: a low-protein regimen without soya bean meal, 23% protein without soya bean meal, 20% of the total protein being provided by soya bean meal, and 40% of the total protein being provided by soya bean meal. After 3 …

Antinociceptive, Antiinflammatory, And Antioxidant Activities Of The Ethanol Extract Of Crataegus Orientalis Leaves*, Zeynep Bor, Rana Arslan, Nurcan Bektaş, Sevda Pirildar, Ali̇ Aslan Dönmez

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the in vitro antioxidant activity and to investigate the possible antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Crataegus orientalis leaves. The medicinal use of extracts prepared from the leaves, flowers, and fruits of Crataegus (hawthorn) dates back to ancient times. It has been proposed that its antioxidant constituents account for these beneficial therapeutic effects. Materials and methods: To evaluate these effects, the hot-plate, tail-immersion, writhing, and carrageenan-induced edema tests were used. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the extract was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and \beta-carotene-linoleic acid assay systems. In the tests that were used to determine …

A Comparative Investigation Of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (Amh) And Various Biochemical Parameters In Patients With Cryptorchidism, Oligospermia, Or Varicocele*, Turan Akdağ, Ali̇ Muhtar Ti̇fti̇k, Levent Sariyildiz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the serum AMH and various biochemical parameter levels in patients with cryptorchidism, oligospermia, or varicocele. Materials and methods: This study included 100 participants, divided into 5 groups: cryptorchidism (n = 20), varicocele (n = 20), oligospermia (n = 20), and 2 control groups [control 1, 8-12 years old (n = 20) and control 2, 18-24 years old (n= 20)]. Using the blood samples drawn from both patient and control groups, AMH, testosterone, FSH, LH, and prolactin parameters were investigated. Results: AMH values measured were found to be 73.04 ± 44.5 ng/mL and 84.81 ± 59.1 ng/mL in 20 …

The Effect Of Knk437, A Heat Shock Protein Inhibitor, On Angiogenesis Of Endothelial Cells, Emel Şahi̇n, Mehmet Şahi̇n, Saadet Gümüşlü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Hyperthermia is an effective therapy for cancer and tumor angiogenesis. However, the development of thermotolerance is an important problem. We aimed to investigate the effects of KNK437 and quercetin on angiogenesis and thermotolerance in endothelial cells (ECs). Materials and methods: ECs were grown in EGM-2 medium. ECs were preincubated with KNK437 or quercetin and then treated with single and fractionated hyperthermia. Tube formation assay on Matrigel Matrix was performed in these cells to investigate angiogenesis. Results: Tube formation was suppressed in cells that were treated with KNK437 and quercetin at 37 °C. Single hyperthermia (45 °C for 1 h) …

Biochemical And Structural Changes Of The Kidney In Mice Exposed To Phenol, Zahra Tootian, Ali Louei Monfared, Simin Fazelipour, Mohammad Taghi Shybani, Fatemeh Rouhollah, Farhang Sasani, Ebrahim Molaemi

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To investigate the histology and function of the kidney in mice exposed to different concentrations of phenol through the gavage method for 10 consecutive days. Materials and methods: Forty female BALB/c mice were selected and randomly divided into 1 control group and 3 experimental groups. The control group was administered distilled water through the gavage method, while the experimental groups received daily doses of 80, 180, and 320 mg/kg of phenol, respectively. After 10 days, blood samples were collected and the sera were analyzed biochemically. Renal tissue samples were also taken and histopathological changes of the kidneys were examined …

Effects Of Depression And Life Factors On Social Network Score In Elderly People In Çankaya, Ankara, Meti̇n Canbal, İrfan Şencan, Ayfer Şahi̇n, Şeyda Kunt, Umut Yücel Çavuş, Oğuz Teki̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Social interaction is an important factor in the physical and mental health of seniors. This study was performed in order to evaluate the effects of depression and life factors on the social networking scores of elderly people. Materials and methods: Tests for the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were given to 116 elderly people (>=60 years) in the Çankaya area of Ankara between March and May of 2010. The effects of life factors and GDS scores on LSNS scores were explored. Results: Among the study group, 46.5% of the individuals were male and …

Effect Of Prenatal Exposure To Cigarette Smoke On The Conduction Of Sensory Nerve Fibers In The Rat, Jumah Shakhanbeh

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: To investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) on the conduction of sensory nerve fibers in the adult rat offspring. Materials and methods: Pregnant rats were exposed to CS by inhalation during the gestation period. The saphenous nerve in the adult offspring was exposed in vivo, and the conduction parameters of the threshold, maximum strength of stimulation, conduction velocity, and amplitude of compound action potentials (CAPs) of A\alpha\beta-, A\delta-, and C-fibers were examined. Results: Prenatal exposure to CS induced significant reduction (P < 0.005) in the peak amplitude of CAPs of A\alpha\beta- and A\delta-fibers. The conduction velocity of A\alpha\beta-fibers and C-fibers was significantly (P < 0.025-0.05) increased after prenatal exposure to CS. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to CS attenuates the conduction of sensory nerve fibers in the rat saphenous nerve.

Serum Interleukin-8 Levels May Predict Relapse In Brucellosis, Nazlim Aktuğ Demi̇r, Onur Ural

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate whether cytokines are effective in predicting relapses among patients with acute brucellosis. Materials and methods: This trial was conducted in 42 patients who were being followed-up with diagnosis of acute brucellosis. Serum samples were obtained on days 0 and 45. In patients whose clinical symptoms recurred within a year of treatment and exhibited infectious parameters in compliance with brucellosis, a Rivanol standard tube agglutination (STA) test was performed and the diagnosis of relapse was based on brucella immunoglobulin M (IgM). Serum samples were evaluated for various parameters, namely tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-\alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-\gamma), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, …