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Oncolog, Volume 49, Number 06, June 2004, Kate O'Suilleabhain, Katie Prout Matias, Jack Roth Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• Despite Initial Setbacks, Researchers Are Focusing on Antiangiogenic Therapy More Than Ever
• Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Response to Antiangiogenesis Agents
• "Smart Bombs": Targeted Therapies Home in on Increasingly Well-Defined Targets
• House Call: Understanding Angiogenesis
• DiaLog: Gene Therapy for Cancer: Safety First, by Jack Roth, MD, Chair, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Bone Formation Using Platelet-Rich Plasma + Allograft: An Experimental Study In Sheep, Edgar Grageda

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Recently Platelet-Rich Plasma has been proven to be an effective regeneration adjunct when combined with autogenous bone in the reconstruction of mandibular defects. However, little is known about the effect of PRP when combined with a bone allograft in the maxillary sinus.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the ability of PRP to enhance bone regeneration in the maxillary sinus of sheep when combined with DFDBA + CCFDBA. Ten sheep were selected for bilateral sinus augmentation DFDBA + CCFDBA + PRP (test) and DFDBA + CCFDBA (control). Five were sacrificed at 3 months and the other five …

The Anti-Proliferation Effects Of Lycopene On Breast Cancer Cells, Tixieanna Dissmore

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: The incidence and deaths from breast cancer represent the most cause of all cancer deaths among women. Lycopene, the carotenoid in tomatoes has been associated with decreasing risk of prostate, breast, and digestive tract cancers. Various mechanisms of lycopene action have been proposed, including antioxidant activity and pro-differentiation activities. Identifying changes in the expression of proteins modified by lycopene can provide information to study the modulating effects of lycopene carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis development.

Objective: The objective was to study the anti-proliferative effects of lycopene on MCF- 7 human breast cancer cells and to identify changes in protein expression patterns. …

Diabetes: The Interrelationship Between Vascular, Nervous Systems And Avandia, Salameh Bweir

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Diabetes Mellitus has been linked to vascular and neurological impairments. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between vascular endothelial dysfunction, autonomic and somatic nervous systems impairment in diabetic patients. These studies also evaluated the effects of rosiglitazone (Avandia) on the vascular, autonomic, and somatic nervous systems.

Fourteen diabetic subjects and fourteen control subjects (age matched) participated in three series of experiments. Using Whitney volume plesythmography to assess post occlusion blood flow in the subject’s forearm did assessment of vascular endothelial function. Evaluating skin blood flow, orthostatic tolerance, heart rate, and thermal responses under thermal and postural …

Evaluation Of Frequency Of Isolation And Trends In Antibiotic Resistance Among Campylobacter Isolates Over 11 Year Period, N G. Ibrahim, Afia Zafar, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective:
To analyze frequency of isolation and trends in antibiotic resistance among Campylobacter isolates over 11 year period in Microbiology Laboratory, Aga Khan University from the year 1992-2002.
Methods:
Total 52,777 stool specimens were processed during the study period. Enteric pathogens isolated from 8,483 stool samples were further analyzed for frequency of isolation and antimicrobial resistance. Statistical Analysis was done by using descriptive statistics of SPSS version 10. Values were expressed as percentages, mean and rates.
Results:
Campylobacter species were third in frequency of isolation with an isolation rate of 24.8%. C. jejuni was the predominant pathogen followed by C.coli. …

Methods To Impair Hematologic Cancer Progenitor Cells And Compounds Related Thereto, Craig Jordan

Internal Medicine Faculty Patents

Primitive or progenitor hematologic cancer cells have been implicated in the early stages and development of leukemia and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). Interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain (IL-3Rα or CD123) is strongly expressed on progenitor hematologic cancer cells, but is virtually undetectable on normal bone marrow cells. The present invention provides methods of impairing progenitor hematologic cancer (e.g., leukemia and lymphomic) cells by selectively targeting cells expressing CD123. These methods are useful in the detection and treatment of leukemias and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Also provided are compounds useful …

The Cell Surface Receptor Slam Controls T Cell And Macrophage Functions, Ninghai Wang, Abhay Satoskar, William Faubion, Susumu Okamoto, Stefan Feske, Charles A. Gullo Phd, Kareem Clarke, Miriam Rodriguez Sosa, Arlene H. Sharpe, Cox Terhorst

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM), a glycoprotein expressed on activated lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells, has been shown to be a coregulator of antigen-driven T cell responses and is one of the two receptors for measles virus. Here we show that T cell receptor–induced interleukin (IL)-4 secretion by SLAM−/− CD4+ cells is down-regulated, whereas interferon γ production by CD4+ T cells is only slightly up-regulated. Although SLAM controls production of IL-12, tumor necrosis factor, and nitric oxide in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by macrophages, SLAM does not regulate phagocytosis and responses to peptidoglycan or CpG. Thus, SLAM acts as a coreceptor …

Deletion Of The Na/K-Atpase Alpha1-Subunit Gene (Atp1a1) Does Not Prevent Cavitation Of The Preimplantation Mouse Embryo., L C Barcroft, A E Moseley, J B Lingrel, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Increases in Na/K-ATPase activity occur concurrently with the onset of cavitation and are associated with increases in Na(+)-pump subunit mRNA and protein expression. We have hypothesized that the alpha1-isozyme of the Na/K-ATPase is required to mediate blastocyst formation. We have tested this hypothesis by characterizing preimplantation development in mice with a targeted disruption of the Na/K-ATPase alpha1-subunit (Atp1a1) using embryos acquired from matings between Atp1a1 heterozygous mice. Mouse embryos homozygous for a null mutation in the Na/K-ATPase alpha1-subunit gene are able to undergo compaction and cavitation. These findings demonstrate that trophectoderm transport mechanisms are maintained in the absence of the …

Differences In Peripheral Noradrenergic Function Among Actively Drinking And Abstinent Alcohol-Dependent Individuals., Ashwin A. Patkar, Charles A. Marsden, Prakash C. Naik, David A. Kendall, Raman Gopalakrishnan, Michael J. Vergare, Stephen P. Weinstein

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

We examined whether excessive alcohol consumption was related to changes in plasma levels of noradrenaline (NA) and whether these changes recover following abstinence. We also explored whether there were differences in NA levels between Type I and Type II alcoholics and controls during active drinking and abstinence. Plasma concentrations of NA were determined in (1) 27 Caucasian men with alcohol dependence who were regularly drinking (active drinkers) within 24 hours of hospitalization, (2) 29 Caucasian alcohol-dependent men who were in remission (abstinent for a minimum of three months), and (3) 28 race- and gender-matched healthy controls. NA concentrations were significantly …

Oncolog, Volume 49, Number 05, May 2004, David Galloway, Dawn Chalaire, Emil J. Freireich Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• Experts Recommend Treating Cancer Pain in the Context of Other Symptoms
• Protocols: Studies Examine Treatment for Cancer-Related Pain
• Participation of Elderly Patients in Clinical Trials: Looking Beyond Age
• House Call: From Cancer Research to Clinical Practice
• DiaLog: The Next 20 Years: The Changing Face of Cancer Treatment, by Emil J. Freireich, MD, Director, Adult Leukemia Research Program

Age-Related Hearing Loss And Its Association With Reactive Oxygen Species And Mitochondrial Dna Damage, Michael D. Seidman, Nadir Ahmad, Dipa Joshi, Jake Seidman, Sujatha Thawani, Wayne S. Quirk

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Age-related hearing loss, known as presbyacusis, is characterized by the progressive deterioration of auditory sensitivity associated with the aging process and is the leading cause of adult auditory deficiency in the USA. Presbyacusis is described as a progressive, bilateral, high-frequency hearing loss that is manifested on audiometric assessment by a moderately sloping pure tone audiogram. Approximately 23% of the population between 65 and 75 years of age, and 40% of the population older than 75 years of age are affected by this condition. It was estimated in 1980 that 11% of the population was 76 years or older and this …

Neurology In The 21st Century: Contemporary State Of Diagnostics And Therapeutics, Saad Shafqat, Mohammad Wasay

Department of Medicine

Although neurological disease has been recognized since antiquity, neurology as a systematic clinical discipline is less than 130 years old. Neurological practice has traditionally been constrained by the complexity of the human nervous system, which has been slow to yield its secrets. Over the last three decades, however, clinical neurology has been transformed in terms of both diagnostics and therapeutics and now marches in lockstep with the cutting edge of medicine. Efficacious treatments are now available for the majority of neurological diseases, including epilepsy, migraine, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and ischemic stroke. This neurological revolution has been enabled …

P38 Mapk Signaling During Murine Preimplantation Development., David R Natale, Andrew J M Paliga, Frank Beier, S J A D'Souza, Andrew J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways mediate some important cellular processes and are likely to also regulate preimplantation development. The role of p38 MAP kinase signaling during murine preimplantation development was investigated in the present study. p38 MAPK, p38-regulated or -activated kinase (PRAK; MK5), map kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2), and heat shock protein 25 (hsp25) mRNAs and proteins were detected throughout preimplantation development. Two-cell stage embryos cultured in the presence of SB220025 and SB203580 (specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK alpha/beta), progressed to the eight-cell stage with the same frequency as controls; however, treated embryos halted their development at the 8- …

Chemical And Biological Warfare Preparing To Meet The Threat, S Sophie, S U. Haq, M R. Khan

Department of Anaesthesia

No abstract provided.

Digest Of The Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine (Summer 2004), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Digest

The Summer 2004 issue of the Digest of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine includes the following articles:

• Opening Remarks
• PCOM Updates
• Leaving a Legacy of Strength
• Alumni Association News
• Physician Helps the Needy – Wherever They Are
• Cover Story: Primary Care and Psychology: Perfect Together
• He’s Got Heart
• Class Notes
• In Memoriam
• My Turn
• Andrew Taylor Still Legacy Society
• PCOM Events

Oncolog, Volume 49, Number 03, March 2004, Beth Notzon, Katie Prout Matias

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• Translational Research Speeds the Journey from Lab Results to Clinical Outcomes
• New Tests Could One Day Predict Response to Chemotherapy and Presence of Metastatic Disease in Patients with Breast Cancer
• House Call: Mind-Body Approaches for Patients with Cancer

Relationship Between Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphisms And Platelet Serotonin Transporter Sites Among African-American Cocaine-Dependent Individuals And Healthy Volunteers., Ashwin A. Patkar, Wade H. Berrettini, Paolo Mannelli, Raman Gopalakrishnan, Margret R. Hoehe, Louai Bilal, Stephen Weinstein, Michael J. Vergare

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

Alterations in the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) have been implicated in a variety of psychiatric disorders including cocaine dependence. A polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) appears to influence the expression of 5-HTT in human cell lines. We investigated whether 5-HTTLPR variants were related to differences in measures of platelet 5-HTT sites in cocaine-dependent patients and healthy volunteers (controls). Polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping of a 44 base pair insertion/deletion polymorphism in 5-HTTLPR was performed in 138 cocaine-dependent African-American subjects and 60 African-American controls. This yielded a short (S) and a long (L) allele. Platelet 5-HTT sites …

Impacts Of Sara And Agr In Staphylococcus Aureus Strain Newman On Fibronectin-Binding Protein A Gene Expression And Fibronectin Adherence Capacity In Vitro And In Experimental Infective Endocarditis, Yan-Qiong Xiong, Arnold S. Bayer, Michael R. Yeaman, Willem Van Wamel, Adhar C. Manna, Ambrose L. Cheung

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigated the impacts of sarA and agr on fnbA expression and fibronectin-binding capacity in Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in experimental endocarditis. Although sarA up-regulated and agr down-regulated both fnbA expression and fibronectin binding in vitro and in vivo, fnbA expression was positively regulated in the absence of both global regulators. Thus, additional regulatory loci contribute to fnbA regulation and fibronectin-binding capacities in S. aureus.

All-1/Mll1, A Homologue Of Drosophila Trithorax, Modifies Chromatin And Is Directly Involved In Infant Acute Leukaemia., E Canaani, T Nakamura, T Rozovskaia, S T Smith, T Mori, C M Croce, Alexander Mazo

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Rearrangements of the ALL-1/MLL1 gene underlie the majority of infant acute leukaemias, as well as of therapy-related leukaemias developing in cancer patients treated with inhibitors of topoisomerase II, such as VP16 and doxorubicin. The rearrangements fuse ALL-1 to any of >50 partner genes or to itself. Here, we describe the unique features of ALL-1-associated leukaemias, and recent progress in understanding molecular mechanisms involved in the activity of the ALL-1 protein and of its Drosophila homologue TRITHORAX.

Phylogenetic Analyses Of Texas Isolates Indicate An Evolving Subtype Of The Clade B Feline Immunodeficiency Viruses, Eric A. Weaver, Ellen W. Collisson, Margaret Slater, Guan Zhu

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Rigorous phylogenetic analyses were used to compare the nucleotide sequences of feline immunodeficiency virus strains isolated from Texas and throughout the world. The envelope V3-V4 sequences and capsid gene of the Texas isolates formed a cluster between subtypes B and E. Statistical comparisons with other published sequences confirmed that the Texas group is a unique cluster, possibly a new subtype, arising from subtype B.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was initially isolated in 1987 from a cat in California with severe immunodeficiency and has been recognized as a common worldwide feline pathogen (11, 14, 19, 20, 33). FIV-infected cats exhibit a …

Oncolog, Volume 49, Number 02, February 2004, Sunni Hosemann, Aurelio Matamoros

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Encouraging Compliance Today and Looking to the Future
• Despite Its Drawbacks, Mammography Is Still Recommended
• Communication Is Essential When Guiding Patients through the Maze of Genetic Breast Cancer Screening
• House Call: Cancer Epidemiology, Step-by-Step
• DiaLog: On Being a Volunteer, by Anderson Network volunteer

Botulinum Toxin And Other New Approaches To Migraine Therapy, Avi Ashkenazi, Stephen Silberstein

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

The number of migraine treatments and our understanding of migraine pathophysiology are both increasing. Newer treatments are focusing on migraine prevention. Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a potent neurotoxin that has been used primarily for diseases associated with increased muscle activity. Recently the toxin was found to have antinociceptive effects that are probably independent of its muscle-relaxant action. Recent clinical trials support the efficacy of BTX type-A (and possibly also type-B) in the treatment of migraine. The anticonvulsant topiramate was recently shown to be effective for migraine prevention. With the low doses used for this indication, cognitive side effects are less …

Bcma Is Essential For The Survival Of Long-Lived Bone Marrow Plasma Cells, Brian P. O'Connor, Vanitha S. Raman, Loren D. Erickson, W. James Cook, Lehn K. Weaver, Cory Ahonen, Ling-Li Lin, George Mantchev, Richard J. Bram, Randolph J. Noelle

Dartmouth Scholarship

Long-lived humoral immunity is manifested by the ability of bone marrow plasma cells (PCs) to survive for extended periods of time. Recent studies have underscored the importance of BLyS and APRIL as factors that can support the survival of B lineage lymphocytes. We show that BLyS can sustain PC survival in vitro, and this survival can be further enhanced by inter- leukin 6. Selective up-regulation of Mcl-1 in PCs by BLyS suggests that this 􏰀-apoptotic gene product may play an important role in PC survival. Blockade of BLyS, via transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor–immunoglobulin treatment, inhibited PC survival in …

Serine-Threonine Kinases And Transcription Factors Active In Signal Transduction Are Detected At High Levels Of Phosphorylation During Mitosis In Preimplantation Embryos And Trophoblast Stem Cells, Jian Liu, Elizabeth E. Puscheck, Fangfei Wang, Anna Trostinskaia, Dusan Barisic, Gordon Maniere, Dana Wygle, W Zhong, Edmond Hhm Rings, Daniel A. Rappolee

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Publications

Serine-threonine kinases and transcription factors play important roles in the G1-S phase progression of the cell cycle. Assays that use quantitative fluorescence by immunocytochemical means, or that measure band strength during Western blot analysis, may have confused interpretations if the intention is to measure G1-S phase commitment of a small subpopulation of phosphorylated proteins, when a larger conversion of the same population of proteins can occur during late G2 and M phases. In mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSC), a human placental cell line (HTR), and/or mouse preimplantation embryos, 8/19 ser- ine-threonine and tyrosine kinases, 3/8 transcription factors, and 8/14 phospho …

Antimicrobial And Spermicidal Activity Of Hydrogen Peroxide And Nonoxynol-9 Based Gel Preparations, Paul E. Grimmett

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Eighty gel formulations were prepared using five buffer systems (0.01M citrate, 0.02M citrate, 0.01M tartrate, 0.02M tartrate, and 0.01M citrate/0.01M tartrate), four hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations (0%, 0.3%, 0.9%, and 1.2%), and four nonoxynol-9 (N-9) concentrations (0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%). The eighty gel formulations were then tested for physio-chemical properties (viscosity and pH), antimicrobial effectiveness (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Assay) against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae, and finally, spermicidal effectiveness (Sander Cramer Assay). The gel formulation that contained the best combination of physio-chemical, antimicrobial, and spermicidal properties was a 0.01M citrate buffered hydrogel, which contained 0.9% H2O2 and …

Hk-2 Cells As A Human Model Of Glucuronide Transport, Eliza E. Robertson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Glucuronidation is primarily a pathway of detoxification in most species, but many glucuronide conjugates are associated with toxicity. Numerous drugs are excreted in the urine as glucuronide conjugates. Being organic anions, it is likely that glucuronides are secreted into the urine by organic anion transporters found in renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs). Some drugs that are metabolized by glucuronidation have been shown to cause renal toxicity, yet little is known about the renal handling of glucuronide conjugates. It is hypothesized that glucuronides are transported into renal PTCs by an organic anion transporter (OAT) on the basolateral membrane of the cell. …

The Genetic And Molecular Characterization Of The Polycystic Kidney Disease-Causing Mouse Gene Bicc1, Sarah J. Price

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common hereditary diseases and is characterized by progressive cyst formation, substantial renal enlargement, and frequently, progression to end-stage renal disease. One way to learn more about the etiology of this disease is to study mouse models that imitate the human situation. The juvenile congenital polycystic kidney disease (jcpk) gene on mouse Chromosome 10 has been found to cause a severe, early onset form of PKD when inherited in an autosomal recessive manner (Flaherty et al., 1995). Previous genetic studies mapped the jcpk locus to a 1 cM region on mouse Chromosome …

Renal Basolateral Transport Of Glucuronides And Other Organic Anions In Rat In Vitro Models, Sarah L. Miles

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Glucuronidation is a common Phase II biotransformation reaction that increases the hydrophilicity, and thus elimination, of toxins, xenobiotics, and endogenous compounds. Previous studies suggest that the kidney can secrete glucuronide conjugates, but the renal transport mechanisms for glucuronide secretion have not been determined. Based on the chemical nature of glucuronide metabolites, it is hypothesized that organic anion transporter (OAT) proteins along the basolateral membrane of the renal proximal tubule promote renal accumulation of glucuronide conjugates. The purpose of this study was to develop a rat renal proximal tubule model which demonstrates OAT activity and by which the contribution of OAT …

Meta-Analysis, Spatial, And Temporal Models To Analyze The Possible Association Between Childhood Leukemia In Proximity To Nuclear Facilities, Peter Baker

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to gain a better understanding of the possible association between childhood leukemia and nuclear facilities by conducting a meta-analysis and by the use of spatial and temporal models with respect to Pickering Nuclear Generator (PNG) in Ontario, Canada. The meta-analysis was conducted to combine and statistically analyze the many studies of childhood leukemia in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. Our focus was on studies that calculated SMRs or SIRs for individual nuclear sites. Due to variability between studies in defining age and geographic zones, eight separate analyses were performed based on age and zone …

Department Of Radiology-Annual Executive Summary Report-July 1, 2003 To June 30, 2004, Vijay M. Rao, M.D.

Department of Radiology Administrative Documents and Reports

85 page Department of Radiology Annual Executive Summary Report, July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.