Digital Commons Network^™

Opportunities, Barriers, And Recommendations In Down Syndrome Research., James A. Hendrix, Angelika Amon, Leonard Abbeduto, Stamatis Agiovlasitis, Tarek Alsaied, Heather A. Anderson, Lisa J. Bain, Nicole Baumer, Anita Bhattacharyya, Dusan Bogunovic, Kelly N. Botteron, George Capone, Priya Chandan, Isabelle Chase, Brian Chicoine, Cécile Cieuta-Walti, Lara R. Deruisseau, Sophie Durand, Anna Esbensen, Juan Fortea, Sandra Giménez, Ann-Charlotte Granholm, Laura J. Hahn, Elizabeth Head, Hampus Hillerstrom, Lisa M. Jacola, Matthew P. Janicki, Joan M. Jasien, Angela R. Kamer, Raymond D. Kent, Bernard Khor, Jeanne B. Lawrence, Catherine Lemonnier, Amy Feldman Lewanda, William Mobley, Paul E. Moore, Linda Pollak Nelson, Nicolas M. Oreskovic, Ricardo S. Osorio, David Patterson, Sonja A. Rasmussen, Roger H. Reeves, Nancy Roizen, Stephanie Santoro, Stephanie L. Sherman, Nasreen Talib, Ignacio E. Tapia, Kyle M. Walsh, Steven F. Warren, A Nicole White, Guang William Wong, John S. Yi

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in medical care have increased life expectancy and improved the quality of life for people with Down syndrome (DS). These advances are the result of both pre-clinical and clinical research but much about DS is still poorly understood. In 2020, the NIH announced their plan to update their DS research plan and requested input from the scientific and advocacy community.

OBJECTIVE: The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the LuMind IDSC Foundation worked together with scientific and medical experts to develop recommendations for the NIH research plan.

METHODS: NDSS and LuMind IDSC assembled over 50 experts across …

Analysis Of Influenza A Genomes And Bacterial Microbiota In Upper Respiratory Tracts Of Influenza Patients, Somruthai Rattanaburi

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Seasonal influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract (URT) of humans and represent a major burden for public health. Furthermore, the URT is colonized by a diverse microbial community which is a key factor protective from pathogens and may directly or indirectly affect viral infection. Therefore, the first aim of this study focuses on influenza A genome characterization and mutation analysis based on NGS technology. The phylogenetic analysis based on the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the recommended vaccine (A/H1N1) strain might be less effective, whereas the recommended vaccine (A/H3N2) …

The Effectiveness Of Asiaticoside On Osteogenic Differentiation Ability In Aging Human Periodontal Ligament Cells In Vitro, Adisa Suthirathikul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Retaining teeth is essential for the quality of life of the aging population. However, aging has biological effects in periodontal ligament cells with significant changes in their proliferative rate and regenerative function. Asiaticoside, extracted from Centella asiatica, was found to have potential in osteogenic differentiation and mineralization in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of asiaticoside on the aging HPDLCs osteogenic differentiation and mineralization. Aging HPDLCs, retrieved from patients age 60 and above, were confirmed aging status using Senescence-Associated ß -Galactosidase assay. The cells were incubated with various concentrations of asiaticoside …

Stress Inoculation Training (Sit-Norcal), Part 1: The Development And Preliminary Evaluation Of A Psychological Performance Training Protocol, Sarah E Jackson, Matthew R Baity, Patrick R Thomas, Douglas Barba, Daniel Jacobson, Madeleine Goodkind, Diane Swick, A Sarah Ivey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Stress inoculation training (SIT) interventions have demonstrated promise within military contexts for human performance enhancement and psychological health applications. However, lack of manualized guidance on core content selection, delivery, and measurement processes has limited their use.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a comprehensive SIT intervention protocol to enhance the performance and health of military personnel engaged in special warfare and first-response activities.

Methods: Multidisciplinary teams of subject matter experts (n = 19) were consulted in protocol generation. The performance improvement/human performance technology (HPT) model was used in the selection, refinement, and measurement of …

Risk Factors For Gut Dysbiosis In Early Life, Kimberley Parkin, Claus T. Christophersen, Valerie Verhasselt, Matthew N. Cooper, David Martino

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Dysbiosis refers to a reduction in microbial diversity, combined with a loss of beneficial taxa, and an increase in pathogenic microorganisms. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota can have a substantial effect on the nervous and immune systems, contributing to the onset of several inflammatory diseases. Epidemiological studies provided insight in how changes in the living environment have contributed to an overall loss of diversity and key taxa in the gut microbiome, coinciding with increased reports of atopy and allergic diseases. The gut microbiome begins development at birth, with major transition periods occurring around the commencement of breastfeeding, and the introduction …

Estimating The Magnitude And Risk Associated With Heat Exposure Among Ghanaian Mining Workers, Victor Fannam Nunfam, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante, Eddie Van Etten, Kwasi Frimpong, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Many occupational settings located outdoors in direct sun, such as open cut mining, pose a health, safety, and productivity risk to workers because of their increased exposure to heat. This issue is exacerbated by climate change effects, the physical nature of the work, the requirement to work extended shifts and the need to wear protective clothing which restricts evaporative cooling. Though Ghana has a rapidly expanding mining sector with a large workforce, there appears to be no study that has assessed the magnitude and risk of heat exposure on mining workers and its potential impact on this workforce. Questionnaires and …

Pengaruh Cold Water Immersion Terhadap Laktat, Nyeri Otot, Fleksibilitas Dan Tingkat Stres Pasca Latihan Intensitas Sub Maksimal, Moh Nanang Himawan Kusuma, Muh. Syafei, Saryono Saryono, Wildan Qohhar

Jurnal Keolahragaan

Weight Training adalah metode latihan untuk meningkatkan kekuatan dan kinerja neuromuskular melalui proses hyperthropy, namun juga meningkatkan produksi Laktat, menyebabkan inflamasi otot, meng-gangu metabolisme tubuh sehingga menurunkan performa. Stimulus dingin pada Cold water Immersion dapat mengurangi laju metabolisme, menyerap suhu jaringan lokal, menurunkan kepekaan saraf dan mengu-rangi rasa nyeri sehingga menurunkan resiko terjadinya cidera musculoskeletal dan kelainan metabolisme. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh cold water Immersion 5°C (CWI5°C) terhadap Laktat pada darah, nyeri otot, fleksibilitas dan tingkat stress pasca latihan berbeban intensitas sub maksimal. Pre- dan Post-test dalam penelitian ini menggunakan kelompok kontrol dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Sebanyak 15 …

Questions Of Temporary Adaptation Of Weightlifters To Different Climatic And Geographical Conditions, Rashid Matkarimov

Eurasian Journal of Sport Science

Aim: to study the features of adaptive adjustment of the body of weightlifters in various geographical climate conditions and the influence of training factors, physiotherapeutic agents and adaptogens of plant origin on these processes. Method of research: Analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, questionnaires, instrumental method, pedagogical testing and observation, pedagogical experiment, statistical methods of results processing. Results: Training loads before and after the migration period of training are experimentally justified, and the most effective options are considered in combination with the use of plant-based adaptogens that contribute to the active course of adaptation processes and maintain a …

Body Composition In Elite Strongman Competitors, William J. Kraemer, Lydia K. Caldwell, Emily M. Post, William H. Dupont, Emily R. Martini, Nicholas A. Ratamess, Tunde K. Szivak, Jason P. Shurley, Matthew K. Beeler, Jeff S. Volek, Carl M. Maresh, Janice S. Todd, Bryant J. Walrod, Parker N. Hyde, Ciaran Fairman, Thomas M. Best

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Kraemer, WJ, Caldwell, LK, Post, EM, DuPont, WH, Martini, ER, Ratamess, NA, Szivak, TK, Shurley, JP, Beeler, MK, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Todd, JS, Walrod, BJ, Hyde, PN, Fairman, C, and Best, TM. Body composition in elite strongman competitors. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3326–3330, 2020—The purpose of this descriptive investigation was to characterize a group of elite strongman competitors to document the body composition of this unique population of strength athletes. Data were collected from eligible competitors as part of a health screening program conducted over 5 consecutive years. Imaging was acquired using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), providing total …

Chronic Pain Treatment Strategies In Parkinson’S Disease, Amber N. Edinoff, Niro Sathivadivel, Timothy Mcbride, Allyson Parker, Chikezie Okeagu, Alan David Kaye, Adam M. Kaye, Jessica S. Kaye, Rachel J. Kaye, Meeta M. Sheth, Omar Viswanath, Ivan Urits

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

Neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), have increased in prevalence and are expected to further increase in the coming decades. In this regard, PD affects around 3% of the population by age 65 and up to 5% of people over the age of 85. PD is a widely described, physically and mentally disabling neurodegenerative disorder. One symptom often poorly recognized and under-treated by health care providers despite being reported as the most common non-motor symptom is the finding of chronic pain. Compared to the general population of similar age, PD patients suffer from a significantly higher level and prevalence of …

The 2019 P-Mig Student Survey Report And Capturing The Undergraduate Perspective Of Physiology Programming, Jennifer Rogers, Jenny L. Mcfarland, Claudia I. Stanescu, Patrick L. Crosswhite, Anne R. Crecelius

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

The aim of the 2019 Student Survey was to inform the Physiology Majors Interest Group (PMIG) of characteristics of undergraduates enrolled in physiology courses or degree programs from across the United States, to be used as one input source for development of program-level guidelines. 1389 participants from seven universities completed the 2019 P-MIG Student Survey. 37% reported enrollment in a physiology/human physiology major; allied health related programs were the second most common (24%). 61% of respondents reported attending a community college, the majority of whom enrolled in one or more courses at a community college while in high school (44%). …

Spot The Difference: Comparing Results Of Analyses From Real Patient Data And Synthetic Derivatives, Randi E Foraker, Sean C Yu, Aditi Gupta, Andrew P Michelson, Jose A Pineda Soto, Ryan Colvin, Francis Loh, Marin H Kollef, Thomas Maddox, Bradley Evanoff, Hovav Dror, Noa Zamstein, Albert M Lai, Philip R O Payne

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Synthetic data may provide a solution to researchers who wish to generate and share data in support of precision healthcare. Recent advances in data synthesis enable the creation and analysis of synthetic derivatives as if they were the original data; this process has significant advantages over data deidentification.

OBJECTIVES: To assess a big-data platform with data-synthesizing capabilities (MDClone Ltd., Beer Sheva, Israel) for its ability to produce data that can be used for research purposes while obviating privacy and confidentiality concerns.

METHODS: We explored three use cases and tested the robustness of synthetic data by comparing the results of …

Association Between Social Media Exposure To Food And Beverages With Nutrient Intake Of Female Adolescents, Cholida Adiba, Siti Fatimah Pradigdo, Martha Irene Kartasurya

Kesmas

Communication technology development has influenced adolescent food choices and intakes. This study aimed to investigate the association between social media exposure to food and beverage content and nutrient intake among female adolescents. The study was conducted in a cross-sectional design. The targeted population was 104 female students aged 14–18 years old at 'XY' High School in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Eighty-one subjects were chosen by clustered random sampling. Data were collected by interviews using structured questionnaires and a 3x24-hour recall method. Data analyses were conducted by chi-square, Fisher exact tests, and logistic regression. The median and standard deviations of social-media, …

Role For Carbohydrate Response Element-Binding Protein (Chrebp) In High Glucose-Mediated Repression Of Long Noncoding Rna Tug1, Jianyin Long, Daniel L Galvan, Koki Mise, Yashpal S Kanwar, Li Li, Naravat Poungavrin, Paul A Overbeek, Benny H Chang, Farhad R Danesh

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play key roles in a variety of biological activities of the cell. However, less is known about how lncRNAs respond to environmental cues and what transcriptional mechanisms regulate their expression. Studies from our laboratory have shown that the lncRNA Tug1 (taurine upregulated gene 1) is crucial for the progression of diabetic kidney disease, a major microvascular complication of diabetes. Using a combination of proximity labeling with the engineered soybean ascorbate peroxidase (APEX2), ChIP-qPCR, biotin-labeled oligonucleotide pulldown, and classical promoter luciferase assays in kidney podocytes, we extend our initial observations in the current …

Quantifying The Impact Of Chronic Stress On Racial Disparities In Cardiovascular Disease, Nnadozie Emechebe

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Despite declining mortality in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), racial disparities between non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) and to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) persist. Although the prevalence of traditional risk factors of CVD such as hypertension, is higher in NHB compared to NHW, adjusting for this difference does not eliminate the disparity completely. This suggests other factors might explain the persisting disparities. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation is to quantify the impact of chronic stress in explaining the racial disparities in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This dissertation contains three studies that addressed the following Specific Aims: Specific aims: 1) To create and assess the …

Chronic Pain Treatment Strategies In Parkinson’S Disease, Amber Edinoff, Niro Sathivadivel, Timothy Mcbride, Allyson Parker, Chikezie Okeagu, Alan D. Kaye, Adam M. Kaye, Jessica S. Kaye, Rachel J. Kaye, Meeta M. Sheth, Omar Viswanath, Ivan Urits

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), have increased in prevalence and are expected to further increase in the coming decades. In this regard, PD affects around 3% of the population by age 65 and up to 5% of people over the age of 85. PD is a widely described, physically and mentally disabling neurodegenerative disorder. One symptom often poorly recognized and under-treated by health care providers despite being reported as the most common non-motor symptom is the finding of chronic pain. Compared to the general population of similar age, PD patients suffer from a significantly higher level and prevalence of …

Nano-Hydroxyapatite And Nano-Hydroxyapatite/Zinc Oxide Scaffold For Bone Tissue Engineering Application, Fatemeh Heidari, Reza Bazargan-Lari, Mehdi Razavi, Farahnaz Fahimipour, Daryoosh Vashaee, Lobat Tayebi

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

This research aims to evaluate the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and degradation behavior of scaffolds made of pure hydroxyapatite (HA) and HA‐modified by ZnO for bone tissue engineering applications. HA and ZnO were developed using sol‐gel and precipitation methods respectively. The scaffolds properties were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic absorption (AA), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The interaction of scaffold with cells was assessed using in vitro cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays. The obtained results indicate that the HA/ZnO scaffolds possess higher …

Characterization Of The 5′-Flanking Region Of The Human And Mouse Chac1 Genes, Yuki Nomura, Charity F. Sylvester, Lisa O. Nguyen, Mahmoud Kandeel, Yoko Hirata, Imran N. Mungrue, Kentaro Oh-Hashi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The Unfolded Protein Response pathway is a conserved signaling mechanism having important roles in cellular physiology and is perturbed accompanying disease. We previously identified the novel UPR target gene CHAC1, a direct target of ATF4, downstream of PERK-EIF2A and activated by the UPR pathway. CHAC1 enzyme directs catalysis of γ-linked glutamate bonds within specific molecular targets. CHAC1 is the first enzyme characterized that can catalyze intracellular glutathione degradation in eukaryotes, having implications for regulation of oxidative stress. DDIT3 (CHOP) is a terminal UPR transcription factor, regulated by ATF4 and an output promoting cell death signaling. Herein we examine the relationship …

Effect Of Predictability Of The Magnitude Of A Perturbation On Anticipatory And Compensatory Postural Adjustments, Tippawan Kaewmanee, Huaqing (Virginia) Liang, Alexander S. Aruin

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Balance maintenance in response to a perturbation could be affected by the predictability of the magnitude of the body disturbance. We investigated anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural adjustments in response to perturbations of predictable and unpredictable magnitudes. Twenty young adults received series of perturbations of small or large magnitudes the order of which was varied. Electromyographic activity of six leg and trunk muscles and displacements of the center-of-pressure (COP) were recorded. The muscle onset time, integrals of muscle activity, and COP displacements in the anterior–posterior direction were analyzed during the APA and CPA phases. The results indicated that when …

The Burden Of Unintentional Drowning: Global, Regional And National Estimates Of Mortality From The Global Burden Of Disease 2017 Study, Richard Charles Franklin, Amy E. Peden, Erin B. Hamilton, Catherine Bisignano, Chris D. Castle, Zachary V. Dingels, Simon I. Hay, Zichen Liu, Ali H. Mokdad, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

Background: Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related mortality globally. Unintentional drowning (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 codes W65-74 and ICD9 E910) is one of the 30 mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive causes of injury-related mortality in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. This study's objective is to describe unintentional drowning using GBD estimates from 1990 to 2017.
Methods: Unintentional drowning from GBD 2017 was estimated for cause-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs), age, sex, country, region, Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile, and trends from 1990 to 2017. GBD 2017 used standard GBD methods for estimating mortality …

Intestinal Microbiota – A Possible Contributor To Cardiovascular Diseases?, Roua Iorga, Ovidiu Gabriel Bratu, Nicolae Bacalbasa, Mihnea-Alexandru Gaman, Camelia Cristina Diaconu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The intestinal microbiota represents an interesting and emergent field of research, with already known implications in metabolic and immunological functions. Recently, there is increasing evidence that specific gut microbial populations are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Numerous completed and ongoing studies aim to evaluate the potential of intestinal microbiota assessment to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutic arsenal of cardiovascular diseases, considering dysbiosis as a cardiovascular risk factor. There is strong evidence for a correlation between intestinal flora imbalance and metabolic changes secondary to bacterial metabolites. In this minireview, we discuss recent data about the connections between intestinal microbiota and cardiovascular …

Advising Physiology Students: Perceptions From The Programs, Anne R. Crecelius, Patrick L. Crosswhite

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

Academic advising outcomes can be linked to both student success and retention. Yet relatively little is known specifically related to advising in physiology programs. Pro- fessional organizations dedicated to academic advising in general, and more specifically advising future health professional students exist, yet, whether current physiology programs utilize these resources remains unknown, as does a number of other demographic informa- tion about advising in physiology programs. Here we present data gathered from a sample of physiology educators to inform what current advising practices of physiology students are. Forty-five re- spondents from a variety of institutions and programs provided information on …

The Case For Coordinating Efforts To Establish Program Guidelines And Strengthen Physiology Undergraduate Degree Programs, Erica A. Wehrwein, Lisa C. Anderson, Anne R. Crecelius, Claudia I. Stanescu, James M. Poteracki, John R. Halliwill, Nancy M. Aguilar-Roca, Jennifer Rogers

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

Undergraduate degree programs named “Physiology” have existed for over 50 yr. The number of programs and enrolled students have been growing since ~2005 (5, 9). There are many thousands of students currently enrolled in physiology pro- grams across the United States and indeed across the world. Despite the long history and current popularity of the physiol- ogy major, there is no coordinated plan articulated for the design, administration, or assessment of degree programs in physiology at the undergraduate level.

Although several professional societies have invested in under- graduate physiology education in various ways, none has under- taken the task of …

Plasticity Of Muscle Synergies Through Fractionation And Merging During Development And Training Of Human Runners, Janet H. Zhang-Lea, Vincent C.K. Cheung, Ben M.F. Cheung, Zoe Y.S. Chan, Sophia C.W. Ha, Chao-Ying Chen, Roy T.H. Cheung

Human Physiology Faculty Scholarship

Complex motor commands for human locomotion are generated through the combination of motor modules representable as muscle synergies. Recent data have argued that muscle synergies are inborn or determined early in life, but development of the neuro-musculoskeletal system and acquisition of new skills may demand fine-tuning or reshaping of the early synergies. We seek to understand how locomotor synergies change during development and training by studying the synergies for running in preschoolers and diverse adults from sedentary subjects to elite marathoners, totaling 63 subjects assessed over 100 sessions. During development, synergies are fractionated into units with fewer muscles. As adults …

Ronald E. Mcnair Scholars Program Profiles And Abstracts 2020, Mcnair Scholars Program

McNair Symposium

This is the complete event program and provides presentation abstracts and biographies of McNair scholars and their mentors.

Therapeutic Potential Of A Ketogenic Diet In The Treatment Of Major Depressive Disorder, Jordan A. Murrin

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the second most common mental health condition and a leading cause of disability in the world. It is theorized that MDD develops from a combination of biological, psychological, and social stressors. The condition is typically treated using pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy. However, not all individuals with MDD have access to or choose to use these treatments, or may prefer to incorporate therapeutic lifestyle changes such as exercise, sleep, and healthy eating. Even with treatment, MDD can alter brain structure and function, leading to the development of comorbid mental health and chronic metabolic conditions like obesity, cardiovascular …

Multiomic Immune Clockworks Of Pregnancy, Laura S. Peterson, Ina A. Stelzer, Amy S. Tsai, Mohammad S. Ghaemi, Xiaoyuan Han, Kazuo Ando, Virginia D. Winn, Nadine R. Martinez, Kevin Contrepois, Mira N. Moufarrej, Stephen Quake, David A. Relman, Michael P. Snyder, Gary M. Shaw, David K. Stevenson, Ronald J. Wong, Petra Arck, Martin S. Angst, Nima Aghaeepour, Brice Gaudilliere

All Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty Articles

Preterm birth is the leading cause of mortality in children under the age of five worldwide. Despite major efforts, we still lack the ability to accurately predict and effectively prevent preterm birth. While multiple factors contribute to preterm labor, dysregulations of immunological adaptations required for the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy is at its pathophysiological core. Consequently, a precise understanding of these chronologically paced immune adaptations and of the biological pacemakers that synchronize the pregnancy “immune clock” is a critical first step towards identifying deviations that are hallmarks of peterm birth. Here, we will review key elements of the fetal, …

Factors That Impact Glycemic Control In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Kelsey Mcfarling

Theses and Graduate Projects

The incidence of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is increasing worldwide and is diagnosed disproportionately in adolescent populations. Additionally, studies show that adolescents with T1D experience worse glycemic control during this developmental period. Maintaining glycemic control in patients with T1D decreases the risk of developing future diabetic-related complications. Factors such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and medical comorbidities influence disparities in maintaining glycemic control in adolescents. The recognition of these factors on the management of T1D through an integrative team approach leads to increased glycemic control and decreased diabetic- related complications. This paper explores the effects of …

The Influence Of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation On Motor Function In Parkinson’S Disease, Lidio Lima De Albuquerque

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder and the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. PD is characterized by dopaminergic cell loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which leads to a reduction in dopamine in the striatum. These physiological mechanisms lead to a number of motor impairments such as bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability that severely limit the ability of individuals with PD to perform many essential daily living activities. Although current pharmacological, surgical, and physical exercise treatment approaches are valuable they are either only mildly effective, expensive, or associated with a variety of side effects. Therefore, …

Development Of An Endothelial Cell-Restricted Transgenic Reporter Rat: A Resource For Physiological Studies Of Vascular Biology, Mikhail Alexeyev, Aron M. Geurts, Naga S. Annamdevula, C. Michael Francis, Silas Josiah Leavesley, Thomas C. Rich, Mark S. Taylor, Mike T. Lin, Ron Balczon, Jennifer Michelle Knighten, Diego F. Alvarez, Troy Stevens

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Here, we report the generation of a Cre-recombinase (iCre) transgenic rat, where iCre is driven using a vascular endothelial-cadherin (CDH5) promoter. The CDH5 promoter was cloned from rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and demonstrated ~60% similarity to the murine counterpart. The cloned rat promoter was 2,508 bp, it extended 79 bp beyond the transcription start site, and it was 22,923 bp upstream of the translation start site. The novel promoter was cloned upstream of codon-optimized iCre and subcloned into a Sleeping Beauty transposon vector for transpositional transgenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. Transgenic founders were generated and selected for iCre expression. Crossing …