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Biocompatibility Of Te–As–Se Glass Fibers For Cell-Based Bio-Optic Infrared Sensors, Allison A. Wilhelm, Pierre Lucas, Diana L. Derosa, Mark R. Riley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The chemical stability and toxicity of Te–As–Se (TAS) infrared fibers are investigated. These fibers are used for biosensing applications that involve direct contact with live cultivated human cells. It is shown that TAS fibers exhibit a small oxidation layer after extended exposure to air. This layer is highly soluble in water and easily removed. However, the TAS glass itself is stable in water over several days. While oxidized fibers release arsenate ions, which result in toxic effects to the cells, fresh or washed fibers show no toxic effects. A good correlation is shown between surface etching and the disappearance of …

The Sep15 Protein Family: Roles In Disulfide Bond Formation And Quality Control In The Endoplasmic Reticulum, Vyacheslav M. Labunskyy, Dolph L. Hatfield, Vadim N. Gladyshev

Vadim Gladyshev Publications

Disulfide bonds play an important role in the structure and function of membrane and secretory proteins. The formation of disulfide bonds in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells is catalyzed by a complex network of thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases. Whereas a number of ER-resident oxidoreductases have been identified, the function of only a few of them is firmly established. Recently, a selenocysteine-containing oxidoreductase, Sep15, has been implicated in disulfide bond assisted protein folding, and a role in quality control for this selenoprotein has been proposed. This review summarizes up-to-date information on the Sep15 family proteins and highlights new insights into their …

Evolutionary Dynamics Of Eukaryotic Selenoproteomes: Large Selenoproteomes May Associate With Aquatic Life And Small With Terrestrial Life, Alexei Lobanov, Dmitri E. Fomenko, Yan Zhang, Aniruddha Sengupta

Vadim Gladyshev Publications

Background: Selenocysteine (Sec) is a selenium-containing amino acid that is co-translationally inserted into nascent polypeptides by recoding UGA codons. Selenoproteins occur in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, but the selenoprotein content of organisms (selenoproteome) is highly variable and some organisms do not utilize Sec at all.

Results: We analyzed the selenoproteomes of several model eukaryotes and detected 26 and 29 selenoprotein genes in the green algae Ostreococcus tauri and Ostreococcus lucimarinus, respectively, five in the social amoebae Dictyostelium discoideum, three in the fly Drosophila pseudoobscura, and 16 in the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana, including several new selenoproteins. Distinct …

Expression, Processing, And Glycosaminoglycan Binding Activity Of The Recombinant Human 315-Kda Hyaluronic Acid Receptor For Endocytosis (Hare), Ed Harris, Svetlana V. Kyosseva, Janet A. Weigel, Paul H. Weigel

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

The hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor for endocytosis (HARE; also designated stabilin-2 and FEEL-2) mediates systemic clearance of glycosaminoglycans from the circulatory and lymphatic systems via coated pit-mediated uptake. HARE is primarily found as two isoforms (315- and 190-kDa) in sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver, lymph node, and spleen. Here we characterize the ligand specificity and function of the large stably expressed 315-HARE isoform in Flp-In 293 cell lines. Like human spleen sinusoidal endothelial cells, Flp-In 293 cell lines transfected with a single cDNA encoding the full-length 315-HARE express both the 315-kDa and the proteolytically truncated 190-kDa isoforms in a …

Arabidopsis Thaliana Gh3.9 Influences Primary Root Growth, Sadaf Khan, Julie M. Stone

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Auxins regulate a complex signal transduction network to direct plant development. Auxin-responsive genes fit into three major classes: the so-called auxin/indole- 3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA), the GH3, and the small auxin-up RNA (SAUR) gene families. The 20-member Arabidopsis thaliana GH3 gene family has been subdivided into three groups. In vitro studies have shown that most Group II members function as IAA–amido synthetases to conjugate amino acids to the plant hormone auxin. Here we report the role of a previously uncharacterized GH3 gene family member, GH3.9, in root growth. Unlike most other Group II family members, …

A New Strategy For Assessing Selenoprotein Function: Sirna Knockdown/Knock-In Targeting The 3'-Utr, Min-Hyuk Yoo, Xue-Ming Xu, Anton A. Turanov, Bradley A. Carlson, Vadim N. Gladyshev, Dolph L. Hatfield

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Selenocysteine insertion into protein in mammalian cells requires RNA elements in the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of selenoprotein genes. The occurrence of these conserved sequences should make selenoproteins particularly amenable for knockdown/knock-in strategies to examine selenoprotein functions. Herein, we utilized the 3'-UTR of various selenoproteins to knock down their expression using siRNAs and then knock in expression using constructs containing mutations within the target region. Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TR1) knockdown in a mouse kidney cell line resulted in the cells growing about 10% more slowly, being more sensitive to UV radiation, and having increased apoptosis in response to UV than control …

Mechanistic Studies Of The Long Chain Acyl-Coa Synthetase Faa1p From Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Hong Li, Elaina M. Melton, Steven Quackenbush, Concetta C. Dirusso, Paul N. Black

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Long chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL; fatty acid CoA ligase: AMP forming; EC 6.2.1.3) catalyzes the formation of acyl-CoA through a process, which requires fatty acid, ATP and coenzymeA as substrates. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae the principal ACSL is Faa1p (encoded by the FAA1 gene). The preferred substrates for this enzyme are cis-monounsaturated long chain fatty acids. Our previous work has shown Faa1p is a principal component of a fatty acid transport/activation complex that also includes the fatty acid transport protein Fat1p. In the present work hexameric histidine tagged Faa1p was purified to homogeneity through a two-step process in the …

Evidence For A Pro-Oxidant Intermediate In The Assembly Of Cytochrome Oxidase, Oleh Khalimonchuk, Amanda Bird, Dennis R. Winge

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

The hydrogen peroxide sensitivity of cells lacking two proteins,

Sco1 and Cox11, important in the assembly of cytochrome

c oxidase (CcO), is shown to arise from the transient accumulation

of a pro-oxidant heme A-Cox1 stalled intermediate. The

peroxide sensitivity of these cells is abrogated by a reduction in

either Cox1 expression or hemeAformation but exacerbated by

either enhanced Cox1 expression or heme A production arising

from overexpression of COX15. Sco1 and Cox11 are implicated

in the formation of the Cu_A and Cu_B sites of CcO, respectively.

The respective wild-type genes suppress the peroxide sensitivities

of sco1∆ …

Coa1 Links The Mss51 Post-Translational Function To Cox1 Cofactor Insertion In Cytochrome C Oxidase Assembly, Fabien Pierrel, Megan L. Bestwick, Paul A. Cobine, Oleh Khalimonchuk, Julia A. Cricco, Dennis R. Winge

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

The assembly of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) in yeast mitochondria is shown to be dependent on a new assembly factor designated Coa1 that associates with the mitochondrial inner membrane. Translation of the mitochondrial-encoded subunits of CcO occurs normally in coa1Δ cells, but these subunits fail to accumulate. The respiratory defect in coa1Δ cells is suppressed by high-copy MSS51, MDJ1 and COX10. Mss51 functions in Cox1 translation and elongation, whereas Cox10 participates in the biosynthesis of heme a, a key cofactor of CcO. Respiration in coa1Δ and shy1Δ cells is enhanced when Mss51 and …

Genetic Microheterogeneity And Phenotypic Variation Of Helicobacter Pylori Arginase In Clinical Isolates, Justin Hovey, Emily Watson, Melanie Langford, Ellen Hildebrandt, Sangeetha Bathala, Jeffrey Bolland, Domenico Spadafora, George Mendz, David Mcgee

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Clinical isolates of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori display a high level of genetic macro- and microheterogeneity, featuring a panmictic, rather than clonal structure. The ability of H. pylori to survive the stomach acid is due, in part, to the arginase-urease enzyme system. Arginase (RocF) hydrolyzes L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea, and urease hydrolyzes urea to carbon dioxide and ammonium, which can neutralize acid.

Results: The degree of variation in arginase was explored at the DNA sequence, enzyme activity and protein expression levels. To this end, arginase activity was measured from 73 minimally-passaged clinical isolates and six laboratory-adapted strains …

Germ-Line Chimerism And Paternal Care In Marmosets (Callithrix Kuhlii), C. N. Ross, J. A. French, Guillermo Ortí

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The formation of viable genetic chimeras in mammals through the transfer of cells between siblings in utero is rare. Using microsatellite DNA markers, we show here that chimerism in marmoset (Callithrix kuhlii) twins is not limited to blood-derived hematopoietic tissues as was previously described. All somatic tissue types sampled were found to be chimeric. Notably, chimerism was demonstrated to be present in germ-line tissues, an event never before documented as naturally occurring in a primate. In fact, we found that chimeric marmosets often transmit sibling alleles acquired in utero to their own offspring. Thus, an individual that contributes …

Electrochemical Stimulation Of Microbial Perchlorate Reduction, J. Cameron Thrash, J. Ian Van Trump, Karrie A. Weber, Elisabeth Miller, Laurie A. Achenbach, John D. Coates

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

As part of our studies into the diversity of dissimilatory perchlorate reducing bacteria (DPRB) we investigated the reduction of perchlorate in the cathodic chamber of a bioelectrical reactor (BER). Our results demonstrated that washed cells of Dechloromonas and Azospira species readily reduced 90 mg L^-1 perchlorate in the BER with 2,6- anthraquinone disulfonate (AQDS) as a mediator. No perchlorate was reduced in the absence of cells or AQDS, or in an open-circuit control. Similar results were observed when a natural microbial community was inoculated into a fed-batch BER. After 70 days of operation, a novel DPRB, strain VDY, was …

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2007

Protostrongylid Parasites And Pneumonia In Captive And Wild Thinhorn Sheep (Ovis Dalli), Emily J. Jenkins, A. M. Veitch, Susan J. Kutz, T. K. Bollinger, J. M. Chirino-Trejo, B. T. Elkin, K. H. West, Eric P. Hoberg, L. Polley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We describe health significance of protostrongylid parasites (Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei and Protostrongylus stilesi) and other respiratory pathogens in more than 50 naturally infected Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) from the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories (1998–2002) as well as in three Stone’s sheep (O. d. stonei) experimentally infected with P. odocoilei (2000–2002). Histological lesions in the brain and distribution of P. odocoilei in the muscles of experimentally and naturally infected sheep were consistent with a previously hypothesized ‘‘central nervous system to muscle’’ pattern of migration for P. odocoilei. Dimensions of granulomas associated with eggs of …

Eastward Ho: Phylogeographical Perspectives On Colonization Of Hosts And Parasites Across The Beringian Nexus [Guest Editorial], Eric Waltari, Eric P. Hoberg, Enrique P. Lessa, Joseph A. Cook

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The response of Arctic organisms and their parasites to dramatic fluctuations in climate during the Pleistocene has direct implications for predicting the impact of current climate change in the North. An increasing number of phylogeographical studies in the Arctic have laid a framework for testing hypotheses concerning the impact of shifting environmental conditions on transcontinental movement. We review 35 phylogeographical studies of trans-Beringian terrestrial and freshwater taxa, both hosts and parasites, to identify generalized patterns regarding the number, direction and timing of trans-continental colonizations. We found that colonization across Beringia was primarily from Asia to North America, with many events …

Lupine Allergy: Not Simply Cross-Reactivity With Peanut Or Soy, Kim A. B. M. Peeters, Julie A. Nordlee, André H. Penninks, Lingyun Chen, Richard E. Goodman, Carla A. F. M. Bruijnzeel-Koomen, Sue L. Hefle, Steve L. Taylor, André C. Knulst

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Background: Reports of lupine allergy are increasing as its use in food products increases. Lupine allergy might be the consequence of cross-reactivity after sensitization to peanut or other legumes or de novo sensitization. Lupine allergens have not been completely characterized.

Objectives: We sought to identify allergens associated with lupine allergy, evaluate potential cross-reactivity with peanut, and determine eliciting doses (EDs) for lupine allergy by using double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges.

Methods: Six patients with a history of allergic reactions to lupine flour were evaluated by using skin prick tests, CAP tests, and double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges. Three of …

Antenatal Risk Factors, Cytokines And The Development Of Atopic Disease In Early Childhood, Esther K. Chung, Rachel L. Miller, Michael T. Wilson, Stephen J. Mcgeady, Jennifer F. Culhane

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Atopic diseases are complex entities influenced by an array of risk factors including genetic predisposition, environmental allergens, antenatal exposures, infections and psychosocial factors. One proposed mechanism by which these risk factors contribute to the development of atopic disease is through alterations in the production of T helper type 1 (Th1) and type 2 (Th2) cytokines. The objectives of this review are to discuss antenatal exposures that are associated with pediatric atopic diseases, to discuss the influence of the intrauterine environment on neonatal immune responses, to provide an overview of the Th1 and Th2 pathways and how they relate to atopic …

Chlorophacinone Baiting For Belding’S Ground Squirrels, Craig A. Ramey, George H. Matschke, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The efficacy of using 0.01% chlorophacinone on steam-rolled oat (SRO) groats applied in CA alfalfa by spot-baiting/hand baiting around burrow entrances (~11.5 g) to control free-ranging Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi) were compared in 6 randomly assigned square treatment units (TUs). Four TUs were given the rodenticide and 2 treated with placebo bait. Each TU was a 0.4 ha square surrounded by a similarly treated 5.5 ha square buffer zone. Baits were applied on May 13 and re-applied, on May 20 and May 22, after 7 days of un-forecasted cool wet weather greatly reduced their above ground activity. Pesticide (EPA …

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia. Genetics, Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestation And Management, Manfred Stuhrmann, El-Harith A. El-Harith

Saudi Medical Journal

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia HHT, Morbus Osler or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome OMIM 187300, is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by epistaxis, telangiectasia, multi-systemic vascular dysplasia and clinical presentation of wide variation. The pathogenesis involves dilated post-capillary venules or telangiectases in the mucus membrane of various organs as well as larger arteriovenous malformations. Genetic heterogeneity of HHT is confirmed; 2 disease loci, ACVRL1 and ENG genes, have been identified and characterized. The 2 major types of the disease, HHT1 and HHT2, are attributed to mutations in the ENG and ACVRL1 genes. ENG and ACVRL1 genes code for proteins, namely endoglin and activin-receptor-like kinase …

Effects Of Salmon Calcitonin On Fracture Healing In Ovariectomized Rats, Xiaolin Li, Xinle Luo, Nansheng Yu, Bingfang Zeng

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of salmon calcitonin on the healing process of osteoporotic fractures in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: We performed this study in The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China, during the period March 2002 to December 2004. We used 120 female adult Wistar rats in this experiment, among which 90 underwent ovariectomy (OVX) and the other 30 had sham-operation. All rats had their left tibias fractured 3 months later. The 90 OVX rats were randomly divided into 3 groups with 30 in each, while the 30 sham-operated rats served as control group. After the fracture …

Management Of Hypertensive Patients In Primary Health Care Setting, Auditing The Practice, Mohammed O. Al-Rukban, Abdurrahman M. Al-Sughair, Bader O. Al-Bader, Bader A. Al-Tolaihi

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To audit the medical care provided to hypertensive patients in a health care center in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and determine the efficient control of hypertension. METHODS: We carried out this cross-sectional study on all patients who visited the Health Care Specialty Center of King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, KSA for hypertension follow-up during the study period from October to December 2004. A representative sample of patients was allocated randomly using simple randomization method. All patient9s records were reviewed for proper recording in a designed form. RESULTS: Out of the 242 records we reviewed, 201 were included …

The Role Of Renin Blockers In The Prevention Of Diabetes, Abdullah H. Alkhenizan, Mohammed A. Alswes

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of renin blockers angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) in the prevention of diabetes. METHODS: We did a meta-analysis using the Cochrane group methodology of all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the role of renin blockers in which outcomes of new-onset diabetes was reported. This meta-analysis was conducted between April 2005-April 2006 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Thirteen trials including 91,388 individuals met the inclusion criteria. There was a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of new-onset diabetes in patients …

Male Infertility In Kuwait. Etiologic And Therapeutic Aspects, Laila R. Qadan, Adel A. Ahmed, Kusum A. Kapila, Nahida A. Hassan, Jan A. Kodaj, Shahed K. Pathan

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pathological patterns associated with male infertility in Kuwait and to characterize treatment outcome after varicocele repair using percutaneous varicocele embolization. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of 64 infertile men in Kuwait between 2001 and 2005. All patients included had proven non-obstructive azoospermia or oligospermia (sperm count <20 million/ml). All patients underwent ultrasonographic evaluation of the scrotum. Fine needle aspiration of the testes was performed on all azoospermic patients. RESULTS: A total of 24 (38%) patients were azoospermic while 40 (62%) were oligospermic. Sertoli- cell-only pattern was the most common cytopathology associated with primary testicular failure. Among the oligospermic patients, 50% had small to moderate varicocele. Spermatic vein embolization resulted in a significant rise in the mean sperm count from 10.6 ± 3.8 million/ml to 30.2 ± 6.8 million/ml (p<0.05) in 5 treated oligospermic patients, followed by spontaneous pregnancy in 2 couples. No effect was seen on azoospermic patients. CONCLUSION: From an etiological point of view, we believe that the high incidence of Sertoli cell-only-syndrome among nationals and residents of a country that underwent a major environmental insult strengthens the chances of an environmental role in the development of this syndrome. From a management point of view, in cultures where in vitro fertilization is either still not widely acceptable or is unaffordable, oligospermia with clinical or subclinical varicocele deserves a trial of a low risk, out patient procedure, namely, spermatic vein embolization that could improve fertility.

Effect Of Submersion Injury On Water Safety Practice After The Event In Children, Saudi Arabia, Omar M. Hijazi, Amr A. Shahin, Nasser A. Haidar, Muna F. Sarwi, Eman S. Musawa

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To bring to light issues surrounding water safety practices and the impact of such incidents on these practices in our community. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of all children <12 years of age presenting with submersion injury in the period between January 1999 through December 2004 noting the demographics and the pattern of water safety practices prior to and after event. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were included. The majority of incidents took place in swimming pools. Water safety practices were lacking in most cases as evidenced by the fact that 87% of the victims were not properly supervised at the time of the event. None of swimming pools met the required safety regulations. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge was virtually nonexistent. The event did not have a positive impact on the water safety practices of the affected families. CONCLUSION: Submersion injury is also prevalent in land locked areas. Water safety practices are deficient in our community. Submersion injury was not enough to have a consistent positive impact on water safety practices of the affected families. Much can be carried out to improve water safety and save lives.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Versus Lentigo Maligna Melanoma Among Iraqi Patients, Khalifa E. Sharquie, Sabeeh A. Al-Meshhadani, Adil A. Al-Nuaimy

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To report the different clinical aspects of malignant melanoma and their varieties in Iraqi patients. METHODS: We carried out this study in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from 1985-2005. Eighteen patients with malignant melanoma were enrolled in this work. The different clinical aspects and histopathological examination were determined. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 18 patients (15 females and 3 males) with a female to male ratio of 5:1. Their ages ranged from 12-75 years (mean ± SD, 43.72 ± 14.75 years) while the duration of the disease ranged between …

Pattern Of Rheumatic Heart Disease In Southern Yemen, Hussein K. Saleh

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of rheumatic heart disease in Aden city and surrounding areas by assessing its frequency distribution, severity and complications. METHODS: We conducted this research in a sole regional echocardiographic department for Southern Yemen governorates at a referral hospital located in Aden city, from January 1999 to December 2003. It was a retrospective study focused on echocardiographic findings in 805 patients affected by rheumatic heart disease. RESULTS: Out of 805 patients, 383 (47.6%) were male and 422 (52.4%) were female (age range, 4-70 years; mean age, 28.6 ± 14.5). Heart valve damage was distributed among patients as …

Sudden Onset Of Herpes Zoster Following Chemotherapy For Orbital Lymphoma In A Hiv Positive Patient, Afekhide E. Omoti, Caroline E. Omoti

Saudi Medical Journal

We report a 38-year-old HIV positive female, who developed an acute attack of herpes zoster HZ involving the mandibular, C2, C3, C4, T1, and T2 dermatomes, 9 days after the commencement of the first cycle of chemotherapy regimen for non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma NHL. She had developed NHL of the ovary approximately 6 months earlier, followed by metastasis to the left orbit resulting in proptosis of the left eye. A combination of a positive HIV status, lymphoma, and chemotherapy can predispose a patient to an attack of HZ involving many dermatomes.

Breast Fibroadenoma In Female Adolescents, Tugrul Tiryaki, Emrah Senel, Sema Hucumenoglu, Bahar C. Cakir, Ayse E. Kibar

Saudi Medical Journal

Palpable breast masses in pediatric patients are uncommon. Fibroadenoma which must be distinguished from malignant tumors is the most frequent breast tumor in adolescent girl. Fine needle aspiration FNA biopsy is highly specific in breast masses. The final cosmetic result is important when planning the surgical excision. Therefore it is mandatory to know preoperative cytology of the mass. Five girls who had undergone operation with breast masses between 1999-2004 were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age at presentation was 13 years. Each patient underwent FNA biopsy before excision. Aspiration cytology of the lump showed fibroadenoma confirmed by subsequent histopathology. The breast …

Accuracy Of Clinical Diagnosis Versus Echocardiography In Evaluating Heart Murmurs. How To Measure Accuracy?, Mustafa Afifi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Loss Of Body Weight And Changes Of Lipid Profile

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.