Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 14 of 14
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Targeted Mutation Of Mouse Skeletal Muscle Sodium Channel Produces Myotonia And Potassium-Sensitive Weakness, Lawrence Hayward, Joanna Kim, Ming-Yang Lee, Hongru Zhou, Ji Kim, Kumudini Misra, Mohammad Salajegheh, Fen-Fen Wu, Shinji Matsuda, Valerie Reid, Didier Cros, Eric Hoffman, Jean-Marc Renaud, Stephen Cannon, Robert Brown
Targeted Mutation Of Mouse Skeletal Muscle Sodium Channel Produces Myotonia And Potassium-Sensitive Weakness, Lawrence Hayward, Joanna Kim, Ming-Yang Lee, Hongru Zhou, Ji Kim, Kumudini Misra, Mohammad Salajegheh, Fen-Fen Wu, Shinji Matsuda, Valerie Reid, Didier Cros, Eric Hoffman, Jean-Marc Renaud, Stephen Cannon, Robert Brown
Dr Robert Brown
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperKPP) produces myotonia and attacks of muscle weakness triggered by rest after exercise or by K+ ingestion. We introduced a missense substitution corresponding to a human familial HyperKPP mutation (Met1592Val) into the mouse gene encoding the skeletal muscle voltage-gated Na+ channel NaV1.4. Mice heterozygous for this mutation exhibited prominent myotonia at rest and muscle fiber-type switching to a more oxidative phenotype compared with controls. Isolated mutant extensor digitorum longus muscles were abnormally sensitive to the Na+/K+ pump inhibitor ouabain and exhibited age-dependent changes, including delayed relaxation and altered generation of tetanic force. Moreover, rapid and sustained weakness …
Decreased Metallation And Activity In Subsets Of Mutant Superoxide Dismutases Associated With Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lawrence Hayward, Jorge Rodriguez, Ji Kim, Ashutosh Tiwari, Joy Goto, Diane Cabelli, Joan Valentine, Robert Brown
Decreased Metallation And Activity In Subsets Of Mutant Superoxide Dismutases Associated With Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lawrence Hayward, Jorge Rodriguez, Ji Kim, Ashutosh Tiwari, Joy Goto, Diane Cabelli, Joan Valentine, Robert Brown
Dr Robert Brown
Over 90 different mutations in the gene encoding copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause approximately 2% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases by an unknown mechanism. We engineered 14 different human ALS-related SOD1 mutants and obtained high yields of biologically metallated proteins from an Sf21 insect cell expression system. Both the wild type and mutant "as isolated" SOD1 variants were deficient in copper and were heterogeneous by native gel electrophoresis. By contrast, although three mutant SOD1s with substitutions near the metal binding sites (H46R, G85R, and D124V) were severely deficient in both copper and zinc ions, zinc deficiency was not a …
Dendritic Cells In Hepatitis C Infection: Can They (Help) Win The Battle, Angela Dolganiuc, Gyongyi Szabo
Dendritic Cells In Hepatitis C Infection: Can They (Help) Win The Battle, Angela Dolganiuc, Gyongyi Szabo
Gyongyi Szabo
Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a public health problem; it establishes a chronic course in ~85% of infected patients and increases their risk for developing liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and significant extrahepatic manifestations. The mechanisms of HCV persistence remain elusive and are largely related to inefficient clearance of the virus by the host immune system. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most efficient inducers of immune responses; they are capable of triggering productive immunity and maintaining the state of tolerance to self- and non-self antigens. During the past decade, multiple research groups have focused on DCs, in hopes of …
Hypoxia And Hypoxia Inducible Factors: Diverse Roles In Liver Diseases, Bharath Nath, Gyongyi Szabo
Hypoxia And Hypoxia Inducible Factors: Diverse Roles In Liver Diseases, Bharath Nath, Gyongyi Szabo
Gyongyi Szabo
Hypoxia has been shown to have a role in the pathogenesis of several forms of liver disease. The hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) are a family of evolutionarily conserved transcriptional regulators that affect a homeostatic response to low oxygen tension and have been identified as key mediators of angiogenesis, inflammation, and metabolism. In this review we summarize the evidence for a role of HIFs across a range of hepatic pathophysiology. We describe regulation of the HIFs and review investigations that demonstrate a role for HIFs in the development of liver fibrosis, activation of innate immune pathways, hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as …
Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein Defect Links Impaired Antiviral Response And Liver Injury In Steatohepatitis In Mice, Timea Csak, Angela Dolganiuc, Karen Kodys, Bharath Nath, Jan Petrasek, Shashi Bala, Dora Lippai, Gyongyi Szabo
Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein Defect Links Impaired Antiviral Response And Liver Injury In Steatohepatitis In Mice, Timea Csak, Angela Dolganiuc, Karen Kodys, Bharath Nath, Jan Petrasek, Shashi Bala, Dora Lippai, Gyongyi Szabo
Gyongyi Szabo
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a pathogenic feature of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH complicates hepatotropic viral disease. The mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) is the adapter of helicase receptors involved in sensing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). We hypothesized that impaired MAVS function may contribute to insufficient antiviral response and liver damage in steatohepatitis. We identified reduced MAVS protein levels and increased MAVS association with the proteasome subunit alpha type 7 (PSMA7) in livers from mice given a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Decreased association of MAVS with mitochondria and increased cytosolic cytochrome c indicated mitochondrial damage in steatohepatitis. In vivo administration of the synthetic dsRNA …
An Essential Role For Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 In Alcoholic Liver Injury: Regulation Of Proinflammatory Cytokines And Hepatic Steatosis In Mice, Pranoti Mandrekar, Aditya Ambade, Arlene Lim, Gyongyi Szabo, Donna Catalano
An Essential Role For Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 In Alcoholic Liver Injury: Regulation Of Proinflammatory Cytokines And Hepatic Steatosis In Mice, Pranoti Mandrekar, Aditya Ambade, Arlene Lim, Gyongyi Szabo, Donna Catalano
Gyongyi Szabo
The importance of chemokines in alcoholic liver injury has been implicated. The role of the chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), elevated in patients with alcoholic liver disease is not yet understood. Here, we evaluated the pathophysiological significance of MCP-1 and its receptor, chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2), in alcoholic liver injury. The Leiber-DeCarli diet containing alcohol or isocaloric control diets were fed to wild-type (WT) and MCP-1-deficient knockout (KO) mice for 6 weeks. In vivo and in vitro assays were performed to study the role of MCP-1 in alcoholic liver injury. MCP-1 was increased in Kupffer cells (KCs) as …
Advanced Molecular Biologic Techniques In Toxicologic Disease, Jeanine Ward, Gyongyi Szabo, David Mcmanus, Edward Boyer
Advanced Molecular Biologic Techniques In Toxicologic Disease, Jeanine Ward, Gyongyi Szabo, David Mcmanus, Edward Boyer
Gyongyi Szabo
The advancement of molecular biologic techniques and their capabilities to answer questions pertaining to mechanisms of pathophysiologic events have greatly expanded over the past few years. In particular, these opportunities have provided researchers and clinicians alike the framework from with which to answer clinical questions not amenable for elucidation using previous, more antiquated methods. Utilizing extremely small molecules, namely microRNA, DNA, protein, and nanoparticles, we discuss the background and utility of these approaches to the progressive, practicing physician. Finally, we consider the application of these tools employed as future bedside point of care tests, aiding in the ultimate goal of …
Novel Developmental Biology-Based Protocol Of Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation To Morphologically Sound And Functional Yet Immature Hepatocytes, Terence Bukong, Tracie Lo, Gyongyi Szabo, Angela Dolganiuc
Novel Developmental Biology-Based Protocol Of Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation To Morphologically Sound And Functional Yet Immature Hepatocytes, Terence Bukong, Tracie Lo, Gyongyi Szabo, Angela Dolganiuc
Gyongyi Szabo
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver diseases are common in the United States and often require liver transplantation; however, donated organs are limited and thus alternative sources for liver cells are in high demand. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) can provide a continuous and readily available source of liver cells. ESC differentiation to liver cells is yet to be fully understood and comprehensive differentiation protocols are yet to be defined. Here, we aimed to achieve human (h)ESC differentiation into mature hepatocytes using defined recombinant differentiation factors and metabolites. METHODS: Embryonic stem cell H1 line was sub-cultured on feeder layer. We induced hESCs into endodermal differentiation …
Immune Responses In Cystic Fibrosis: Are They Intrinsically Defective?, Dmitry Ratner, Christian Mueller
Immune Responses In Cystic Fibrosis: Are They Intrinsically Defective?, Dmitry Ratner, Christian Mueller
Christian Mueller
Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common lethal single-gene disorder affecting Northern Europeans and North Americans, is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Cftr is a chloride channel and a regulator of other ion channels, and many aspects of the CF phenotype are directly related to ion channel abnormalities attributable to CFTR mutation. Lung disease is the most common limitation to the quantity and quality of life for patients with CF. One aspect that continues to be enigmatic is the observed alterations in innate and adaptive immune responses to certain pathogens. Altered responses to Pseudomonas …
A Dna Vaccine Prime Followed By A Liposome-Encapsulated Protein Boost Confers Enhanced Mucosal Immune Responses And Protection, Kejian Yang, Barbara Whalen, Rebecca S Tirabassi, Liisa Selin, Tatyana Levchenko, Vladimir Torchilin, Edward Kislauskis, Dennis Guberski
A Dna Vaccine Prime Followed By A Liposome-Encapsulated Protein Boost Confers Enhanced Mucosal Immune Responses And Protection, Kejian Yang, Barbara Whalen, Rebecca S Tirabassi, Liisa Selin, Tatyana Levchenko, Vladimir Torchilin, Edward Kislauskis, Dennis Guberski
Vladimir Torchilin
A variety of DNA vaccine prime and recombinant viral boost immunization strategies have been developed to enhance immune responses in humans, but inherent limitations to these strategies exist. There is still an overwhelming need to develop safe and effective approaches that raise broad humoral and T cell-mediated immune responses systemically and on mucosal surfaces. We have developed a novel mucosal immunization regimen that precludes the use of viral vectors yet induces potent T cell responses. Using hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg), we observed that vaccination of BALB/c mice with an i.m. HBsAg-DNA vaccine prime followed by an intranasal boost with …
Long-Stay Patients In State Psychiatric Hospitals At The End Of The 20th Century, William Fisher, Paul Barreira, Jeffrey Geller, Andrew White, Alisa Lincoln, Marylou Sudders
Long-Stay Patients In State Psychiatric Hospitals At The End Of The 20th Century, William Fisher, Paul Barreira, Jeffrey Geller, Andrew White, Alisa Lincoln, Marylou Sudders
Alisa Lincoln
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristics of long-stay patients in contemporary state psychiatric hospitals and to identify factors representing possible barriers to alternative placements for these patients. METHODS: All patients in inpatient units of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health who had been hospitalized for at least three years as of April 1, 1999, were assessed by their treatment teams with a standardized data collection instrument. Domains assessed included medical problems, need for nursing care, psychiatric diagnosis, and history of problematic behaviors. RESULTS: The 330 individuals identified as long-stay patients had an array of medical …
A Dna Vaccine Prime Followed By A Liposome-Encapsulated Protein Boost Confers Enhanced Mucosal Immune Responses And Protection, Kejian Yang, Barbara Whalen, Rebecca S Tirabassi, Liisa Selin, Tatyana Levchenko, Vladimir Torchilin, Edward Kislauskis, Dennis Guberski
A Dna Vaccine Prime Followed By A Liposome-Encapsulated Protein Boost Confers Enhanced Mucosal Immune Responses And Protection, Kejian Yang, Barbara Whalen, Rebecca S Tirabassi, Liisa Selin, Tatyana Levchenko, Vladimir Torchilin, Edward Kislauskis, Dennis Guberski
Tatyana Levchenko
A variety of DNA vaccine prime and recombinant viral boost immunization strategies have been developed to enhance immune responses in humans, but inherent limitations to these strategies exist. There is still an overwhelming need to develop safe and effective approaches that raise broad humoral and T cell-mediated immune responses systemically and on mucosal surfaces. We have developed a novel mucosal immunization regimen that precludes the use of viral vectors yet induces potent T cell responses. Using hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg), we observed that vaccination of BALB/c mice with an i.m. HBsAg-DNA vaccine prime followed by an intranasal boost with …
A Zebrafish Unc-45-Related Gene Expressed During Muscle Development, Letitiah Etheridge, Philip Diiorio, Charles Sagerstrom
A Zebrafish Unc-45-Related Gene Expressed During Muscle Development, Letitiah Etheridge, Philip Diiorio, Charles Sagerstrom
Philip J diIorio Jr
We report the isolation and expression pattern of zebrafish unc45r, a gene related to Caenorhabditis elegans unc-45. UNC-45 is a muscle-specific protein thought to interact with myosin and promote the assembly of muscle thick filaments during C. elegans development. Zebrafish Unc45r shares sequence features with C. elegans UNC-45, including three tetratricopeptide repeats and a CRO1/She4p homology domain. unc45r is expressed in mesoderm adjacent to the dorsal midline during late gastrula stages and is coexpressed with muscle specific genes in somitic mesoderm during development of trunk skeletal muscle. unc45r is also expressed in cranial skeletal muscle as well as in cardiac …
Patterns And Predictors Of Mammography Utilization Among Breast Cancer Survivors, Chyke Doubeni, Terry Field, Marianne Yood, Sharon Rolnick, Charles Quessenberry, Hassan Fouayzi, Jerry Gurwitz, Feifei Wei
Patterns And Predictors Of Mammography Utilization Among Breast Cancer Survivors, Chyke Doubeni, Terry Field, Marianne Yood, Sharon Rolnick, Charles Quessenberry, Hassan Fouayzi, Jerry Gurwitz, Feifei Wei
Chyke A. Doubeni
BACKGROUND: Improvements in cancer detection and treatment have resulted in increasing numbers of breast cancer survivors. Information regarding the use of mammography by breast cancer survivors is limited. METHODS: The use of surveillance mammography was examined over a 5-year period in a retrospective cohort of women age>or=55 years who were diagnosed with incident primary breast cancer (1996-1997) while enrolled in 1 of 4 geographically diverse integrated health systems. RESULTS: Of the 797 women included in the study, 80% (n=636) underwent mammograms during the first year after treatment for breast cancer. The percentage of women having mammograms during each yearly …