Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Na/K-Atpase Beta1 Subunit Expression Is Required For Blastocyst Formation And Normal Assembly Of Trophectoderm Tight Junction-Associated Proteins., Pavneesh Madan, Keeley Rose, Andrew J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Na/K-ATPase plays an important role in mediating blastocyst formation. Despite the expression of multiple Na/K-ATPase alpha and beta isoforms during mouse preimplantation development, only the alpha1 and beta1 isoforms have been localized to the basolateral membrane regions of the trophectoderm. The aim of the present study was to selectively down-regulate the Na/K-ATPase beta1 subunit employing microinjection of mouse 1 cell zygotes with small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligos. Experiments comprised of non-injected controls and two groups microinjected with either Stealthtrade mark Na/K-ATPase beta1 subunit oligos or nonspecific Stealthtrade mark siRNA as control. Development to the 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-cell and …

Relevance To Self: A Brief Review And Framework Of Neural Systems Underlying Appraisal, Taylor W. Schmitz, Sterling C. Johnson

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

We argue that many similar findings observed in cognitive, affective, and social neuroimaging research may compose larger processes central to generating self-relevance. In support of this, recent findings from these research domains were reviewed to identify common systemic activation patterns. Superimposition of these patterns revealed evidence for large-scale supramodal processes, which are argued to mediate appraisal of self-relevant content irrespective of specific stimulus types (e.g. words, pictures) and task domains (e.g. induction of reward, fear, pain, etc.). Furthermore, we distinguish between two top-down sub-systems involved in appraisal of self-relevance, one that orients pre-attentive biasing information (e.g. anticipatory or mnemonic) to …

The Expression Of Ovine Placental Lactogen, Star And Progesterone-Associated Steroidogenic Enzymes In Placentae Of Overnourished Growing Adolescent Ewes., Richard G Lea, Peter Wooding, Ian Stewart, Lisa T Hannah, Stephen Morton, Karen Wallace, Raymond P Aitken, John S Milne, Timothy Regnault, Russell V Anthony, Jacqueline M Wallace

Paediatrics Publications

Overnourishing pregnant adolescent sheep promotes maternal growth but reduces placental mass, lamb birth weight and circulating progesterone. This study aimed to determine whether altered progesterone reflected transcript abundance for StAR (cholesterol transporter) and the steroidogenic enzymes (Cyp11A1, Hsd3b and Cyp17). Circulating and placental expression of ovine placental lactogen (oPL) was also investigated. Adolescent ewes with singleton pregnancies were fed high (H) or moderate (M) nutrient intake diets to restrict or support placental growth. Experiment 1: peripheral progesterone and oPL concentrations were measured in H (n=7) and M (n=6) animals across gestation (days 7-140). Experiment 2: progesterone was measured to mid- …

Perceptual Functions Of Perirhinal Cortex In Rats: Zero-Delay Object Recognition And Simultaneous Oddity Discriminations., Susan J Bartko, Boyer D Winters, Rosemary A Cowell, Lisa M Saksida, Timothy J Bussey

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

The perirhinal cortex (PRh) is widely accepted as having an important role in object recognition memory in humans and animals. Contrary to claims that PRh mediates declarative memory exclusively, previous evidence suggests that PRh has a role in the perceptual processing of complex objects. In the present study, we conducted an examination of the possible role of PRh in perceptual function in rats. We examined whether bilateral excitotoxic lesions of PRh or PPRh (perirhinal plus postrhinal cortices) in the rat would cause deficits in a zero-delay object-recognition task and a simultaneous oddity discrimination task. Both of these tasks measured spontaneous …

Oocyte Cytoplasmic Maturation: A Key Mediator Of Oocyte And Embryo Developmental Competence., A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Efforts have intensified to successfully mature and inseminate oocytes in vitro and then culture ensuing embryos to transferable stages from a large number of mammalian species. Success varies, but generally even for the most successful species it is only possible to obtain a maximum of a 40 to 50% development of zygotes to the blastocyst stage. Reduced oocyte developmental competence is suggested as a primary reason for the reduced potential of in vitro-produced embryos. The vast majority of in vitro-matured oocytes are meiotically competent; however, many do not attain an optimal oocyte diameter before insemination. Variations in oocyte in vitro …

Risks Of Herbal Remedies: More Of The Bad And The Ugly, Richard Philp

Data and Test Instruments

The widespread and increasing use of herbal remedies has increased the risk, and the documentation, of adverse effects. This paper describes some of these that have occurred since 2004. Cases are discussed in which herbal remedies (St. John’s wort, echinacea, grapefruit juice) have altered the metabolism of prescription drugs. Others have interfered with diagnostic laboratory tests (Chan Su, Dan Shen) or caused pseudoaldosteronism due to their (unidentified) content of glycyerrhizin. Aristolochia spp. have caused nephropathy. Hypersensitivity reactions (spice ginger and others), increased sensitivity to ultraviolet therapy (PUVA) (St. John’s wort) have been reported and the consumption of blue cohosh by …

Social Determinants Of Health And Disease Working Together, Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatry Presentations

No abstract provided.

Schizophrenia: General Findings And Current Status, Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatry Presentations

No abstract provided.

Catatonia Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatry Presentations

No abstract provided.

Activating Gene Expression In Mammalian Cells With Promoter-Targeted Duplex Rnas, Daniel Hardy

Data and Test Instruments

No abstract provided.

Erythropoietin Improves Skeletal Muscle Microcirculation And Tissue Bioenergetics In A Mouse Sepsis Model, Raymod Kao, Anargyros Xenocostas, Tao Rui, Weixiong Huang, James Rose, Claudio M. Martin

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Introduction The relationship between oxygen delivery and consumption in sepsis is impaired, suggesting a microcirculatory perfusion defect. Recombinant human erythropoietin ( rHuEPO) regulates erythropoiesis and also exerts complex actions promoting the maintenance of homeostasis of the organism under stress. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that rHuEPO could improve skeletal muscle capillary perfusion and tissue oxygenation in sepsis. Methods Septic mice in three experiments received rHu-EPO 400 U/kg subcutaneously 18 hours after cecal ligation and perforation ( CLP). The first experiment measured the acute effects of rHuEPO on hemodynamics, blood counts, and arterial lactate level. The …

Mouse Preimplantation Embryo Responses To Culture Medium Osmolarity Include Increased Expression Of Ccm2 And P38 Mapk Activation., Barry Fong, Patricia H Watson, Andrew J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms that confer an ability to respond positively to environmental osmolarity are fundamental to ensuring embryo survival during the preimplantation period. Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) occurs following exposure to hyperosmotic treatment. Recently, a novel scaffolding protein called Osmosensing Scaffold for MEKK3 (OSM) was linked to p38 MAPK activation in response to sorbitol-induced hypertonicity. The human ortholog of OSM is cerebral cavernous malformation 2 (CCM2). The present study was conducted to investigate whether CCM2 is expressed during mouse preimplantation development and to determine whether this scaffolding protein is associated with p38 MAPK activation following exposure of preimplantation …

Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Is Safe For High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Jawaid Younus, Richard Malthaner, Larry Stitt, Pauline Truong, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Rashid Dar, Anna Tomiak, Mark Vincent, Walter Kocha, Brian Dingle, Richard Inculet

Oncology Presentations

Post-operative radiation therapy (RT) (1) and post-operative chemoradiation (2) have been used for esophageal cancer patients deemed high risk for recurrence after esophagectomy.

Defining opitmal RT target volume after esophagectomy is difficult due to significant changes in patient anatomy and function.

Some radiationon cologists advocated the inclusion of the anastomotic site within the irradiation volume due to concerns for potential increased relapse risk, while others did not subscribe to this practice due to concerns for increased treatment related toxicity.

We have previously reported patient outcome benefit using extended volume RT In management with high risk esophageal cancer patients underwent esopagectomy(3). …

Uwomj Volume 76, No. 1, Western University

University of Western Ontario Medical Journal

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

Esophageal Cancer, Edward Yu

Oncology Publications

No abstract provided.

Social Support And Thriving Health: A New Approach To Understanding The Health Of Indigenous Canadians, Chantelle A.M. Richmond, Nancy A. Ross, Grace E. Egeland

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Objectives. We examined the importance of social support in promoting thriv- ing health among indigenous Canadians, a disadvantaged population.

Methods. We categorized the self-reported health status of 31 625 adult indig- enous Canadians as thriving (excellent, very good) or nonthriving (good, fair, poor). We measured social support with indices of positive interaction, emotional support, tangible support, and affection and intimacy. We used multivariable lo- gistic regression analyses to estimate odds of reporting thriving health, using social support as the key independent variable, and we controlled for educational attainment and labor force status.

Results. Compared with women reporting low levels of …

Learning From The Grandmothers: Incorporating Indigenous Principles Into Qualitative Research, Charlotte Loppie

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

In this article, the author describes the process she undertook to incorporate Indigenous principles into her doctoral research about the midlife health experiences of elder Aboriginal women in Nova Scotia, Canada. By employing qual- itative methods within the context of an Indigenous worldview, she gained knowledge of and developed competence in Aboriginal health research. The emergent partnership among Aboriginal community research facilitators, participating Mi’kmaq women, and the researcher provided many opportunities for the researcher to incorporate the paradigmatic and methodological traditions of Western science and Indigenous cultures. The application of these principles to this study might provide a useful example …

Forced Mobilization Accelerates Pathogenesis: Characterization Of A Preclinical Surgical Model Of Osteoarthritis, C Thomas G Appleton, David D Mcerlain, Vasek Pitelka, Neil Schwartz

Bone and Joint Institute

Preclinical osteoarthritis (OA) models are often employed in studies investigating disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOADs). In this study we present a comprehensive, longitudinal evaluation of OA pathogenesis in a rat model of OA, including histologic and biochemical analyses of articular cartilage degradation and assessment of subchondral bone sclerosis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent joint destabilization surgery by anterior cruciate ligament transection and partial medial meniscectomy. The contralateral joint was evaluated as a secondary treatment, and sham surgery was performed in a separate group of animals (controls). Furthermore, the effects of walking on a rotating cylinder (to force mobilization of the joint) on …

Anosognosia In Mild Cognitive Impairment: Relationship To Activation Of Cortical Midline Structures Involved In Self-Appraisal, Michele L. Ries, Britta M. Jabbar, Taylor W. Schmitz, Mehul A. Trivedi, Carey E. Gleason, Cynthia M. Carlsson, Howard A. Rowley, Sanjay Asthana, Sterling C. Johnson

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Awareness of cognitive dysfunction shown by individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition conferring risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), is variable. Anosognosia, or unawareness of loss of function, is beginning to be recognized as an important clinical symptom of MCI. However, little is known about the brain substrates underlying this symptom. We hypothesized that MCI participants' activation of cortical midline structures (CMS) during self-appraisal would covary with level of insight into cognitive difficulties (indexed by a discrepancy score between patient and informant ratings of cognitive decline in each MCI participant). To address this hypothesis, we first compared 16 MCI …

Role Of Mhc Antigens And Immunoregulation In Graft Survival In Autoimmunity, Bhagirath Singh

Microbiology & Immunology Publications

Using a syngeneic islet transplantation model system we have showed that in autoimmune type 1 diabetes transplanted islets are destroyed by the host immune system unless the transplanted islets lack class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Alternatively, immunomodulation of the host by induction of regulatory T cells prevented the destruction of autologous islet graft. We conclude that these approaches will allow successful transplantation of autologous islets derived from the host by stem cell or other technology without immunosuppression to reverse autoimmune type 1 diabetes.

Cholecystectomy Deferral In Patients With Endoscopic Sphincterotomy, Vivian Mcalister, Eric Davenport, Elizabeth Renouf

Surgery Publications

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is not required in up to 64% of patients who adopt a wait-and-see policy after endoscopic clearance of common bile duct stones. Although reports of retrospective cohort series have shown a higher mortality among patients who defer cholecystectomy, it is not known if this is due to the patients' premorbid health status or due to the deferral of cholecystectomy. Randomised clinical trials of prophylactic cholecystectomy versus wait-and-see have not had sufficient power to demonstrate differences in survival.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of cholecystectomy deferral (wait-and-see) versus elective (prophylactic) cholecystectomy in patients who have had …

For Dignity Or Money: Feminists On The Commodification Of Women’S Reproductive Labour, Carolyn Mcleod

Philosophy Publications

No abstract provided.

Atypical Antipsychotics And Cognitive Enhancement In Schizophrenia: The Current Status, Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatry Presentations

No abstract provided.

Cognition As An Outcome Measure In Schizophrenia, Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatry Presentations

No abstract provided.

Hormone Effects On Fmri And Cognitive Measures Of Encoding: Importance Of Hormone Preparation, C. E. Gleason, T. W. Schmitz, T. Hess, R. L. Koscik, M. A. Trivedi, M. L. Ries, C. M. Carlsson, M. A. Sager, S. Asthana, S. C. Johnson

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

We compared fMRI and cognitive data from nine hormone therapy (HT)-naive women with data from women exposed to either opposed conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) (n = 10) or opposed estradiol (n = 4). Exposure to either form of HT was associated with healthier fMRI response; however, CEE-exposed women exhibited poorer memory performance than either HT-naive or estradiol-exposed subjects. These preliminary findings emphasize the need to characterize differential neural effects of various HTs. ©2006AAN Enterprises, Inc.

Altered Placental And Fetal Expression Of Igfs And Igf-Binding Proteins Associated With Intrauterine Growth Restriction In Fetal Sheep During Early And Mid-Pregnancy., Barbra De Vrijer, Meredith L Davidsen, Randall B Wilkening, Russell V Anthony, Timothy Regnault

Paediatrics Publications

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are postulated to be altered in association with the development of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The present studies examined placental and fetal hepatic mRNA concentration of components of the IGF system at two time points (55 and 90 d gestational age, dGA; Term 147 dGA) in a hyperthermia (HT)-induced sheep model of placental insufficiency-IUGR. Maternal plasma insulin and IGF-I were constant at 55 and 90 dGA and were unaffected by treatment. Umbilical vein insulin concentrations tended to be reduced at 90 dGA following HT exposure. Caruncle IGF-I mRNA was increased at 90 dGA in HT …

Activation Of Brain Regions Vulnerable To Alzheimer's Disease: The Effect Of Mild Cognitive Impairment, S. C. Johnson, T. W. Schmitz, C. H. Moritz, M. E. Meyerand, H. A. Rowley, A. L. Alexander, K. W. Hansen, C. E. Gleason, C. M. Carlsson, M. L. Ries, S. Asthana, K. Chen, E. M. Reiman, G. E. Alexander

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

This study examined the functionality of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and posterior cingulate (PC) in mild cognitive impairment amnestic type (MCI), a syndrome that puts patients at greater risk for developing Alzheimer disease (AD). Functional MRI (fMRI) was used to identify regions normally active during encoding of novel items and recognition of previously learned items in a reference group of 77 healthy young and middle-aged adults. The pattern of activation in this group guided further comparisons between 14 MCI subjects and 14 age-matched controls. The MCI patients exhibited less activity in the PC during recognition of previously learned items, …

Probiotics: Therapeutic Potential For People With Spinal Cord Injury (Sci), Kingsley Anukam

Data and Test Instruments

The recent increased interest in probiotics “Live microorganism which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”, has not yet translated into specific products for hospitalized or spinal cord injured (SCI) patients in Canada. Europeans have more access to clinically proven products, such as Proviva, a Lactobacillus plantarum 299V containing milk drink which when given with oat fibres, has been shown to reduce infections in seriously ill surgical patients. For applications to SCI patients, several options could either be tested now or applied in the future. There are good data on the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotic …

Environmental Equity Is Child's Play: Mapping Public Provision Of Recreation Opportunities In Urban Neighbourhoods, Jason Gilliland, Martin Holmes, Jennifer D. Irwin, Patricia Tucker

Geography & Environment Publications

This paper examines the spatial distribution of recreational opportunities for children and youth in a mid-sized Canadian city (London, Ontario), in relation to the socioeconomic status of neighbourhoods and estimated local need for publicly provided recreation spaces. Public recreation facilities (N = 537) throughout the city were identified, mapped and analysed in a geographic information system. To explore potential socio-environmental inequities, neighbourhoods (N = 22) were characterized by socioeconomic and environmental variables, an index of neighbourhood social distress, a neighbourhood play space needs index, and measures of the prevalence and density of recreational opportunities. The results of the …

Structural Mri Discriminates Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment From Age-Matched Controls: A Combined Neuropsychological And Voxel Based Morphometry Study, Mehul A. Trivedi, Allison K. Wichmann, Britta M. Torgerson, Michael A. Ward, Taylor W. Schmitz, Michele L. Ries, Rebecca L. Koscik, Sanjay Asthana, Sterling C. Johnson

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Background: Several previous studies have reported that amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), is associated with greater atrophy in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG). Method: In the present study, we examined the cross-sectional accuracy (i.e., the sensitivity and specificity) of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in discriminating individuals with MCI (n = 15) from healthy age-matched controls (n = 15). In addition, we also sought to determine whether baseline GM volume predicted aMCI patients that converted to AD from those that did not approximately 2 years after the baseline visit. …