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Familial Clustering Of Habitual Constipation: A Prospective Study In Children From West Virginia, Yoram Elitsur, Jenna Dolan Dec 2012

Familial Clustering Of Habitual Constipation: A Prospective Study In Children From West Virginia, Yoram Elitsur, Jenna Dolan

Yoram Elitsur

Objective: To investigate familial clustering of habitual constipation in pediatric patients who attended our medical facilities. Patients and Methods: Children with the diagnosis of functional, habitual constipation or patients without constipation and their respective family members were prospectively recruited to our study. Constipation was established in all participants using a standard questionnaire (Rome criteria). Results: A total of 112 children and their families participated in the study, of which 37 were probands families (test) and 75 children and their respective family members constituted the control group. A total of 310 family members completed the questionnaire. No significant differences were found …


Fluticasone And Food Allergen Elimination Reverse Sub-Epithelial Fibrosis In Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Samer Abu-Sultaneh, Paul Durst, Virginia Maynard, Yoram Elitsur Dec 2012

Fluticasone And Food Allergen Elimination Reverse Sub-Epithelial Fibrosis In Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Samer Abu-Sultaneh, Paul Durst, Virginia Maynard, Yoram Elitsur

Yoram Elitsur

Background Symptoms of vomiting and dysphagia in children with eosinophilic esophagitis may be related to the development of mucosal fibrosis. Aim Our aims were to (1) investigate esophageal fibrosis in children with EoE compared to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and normal individuals, and (2) to assess the degree of mucosal fibrosis in patients with EoE before and after medical treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis of esophageal biopsies from patients with EoE, GERD, and normal mucosa was performed. Demographic data, clinical information, eosinophil number, and sub-epithelial fibrosis was compared among the groups. A similar comparison was performed in EoE patients, …


First-In-Class Small Molecule Inhibitors Of The Single-Strand Dna Cytosine Deaminase Apobec3g, Ming Li, Shivender Shandilya, Michael Carpenter, Anurag Rathore, William Brown, Angela Perkins, Daniel Harki, Jonathan Solberg, Derek Hook, Krishan Pandey, Michael Parniak, Jeffrey Johnson, Nevan Krogan, Mohan Somasundaran, Akbar Ali, Celia Schiffer, Reuben Harris Sep 2012

First-In-Class Small Molecule Inhibitors Of The Single-Strand Dna Cytosine Deaminase Apobec3g, Ming Li, Shivender Shandilya, Michael Carpenter, Anurag Rathore, William Brown, Angela Perkins, Daniel Harki, Jonathan Solberg, Derek Hook, Krishan Pandey, Michael Parniak, Jeffrey Johnson, Nevan Krogan, Mohan Somasundaran, Akbar Ali, Celia Schiffer, Reuben Harris

Celia A. Schiffer

APOBEC3G is a single-stranded DNA cytosine deaminase that comprises part of the innate immune response to viruses and transposons. Although APOBEC3G is the prototype for understanding the larger mammalian polynucleotide deaminase family, no specific chemical inhibitors exist to modulate its activity. High-throughput screening identified 34 compounds that inhibit APOBEC3G catalytic activity. Twenty of 34 small molecules contained catechol moieties, which are known to be sulfhydryl reactive following oxidation to the orthoquinone. Located proximal to the active site, C321 was identified as the binding site for the inhibitors by a combination of mutational screening, structural analysis, and mass spectrometry. Bulkier substitutions …


Long-Term Correction Of Very Long-Chain Acyl-Coa Dehydrogenase Deficiency In Mice Using Aav9 Gene Therapy, Allison Keeler, Thomas Conlon, Glenn Walter, Huadong Zeng, Scott Shaffer, Fu Dungtao, Kirsten Erger, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Sep 2012

Long-Term Correction Of Very Long-Chain Acyl-Coa Dehydrogenase Deficiency In Mice Using Aav9 Gene Therapy, Allison Keeler, Thomas Conlon, Glenn Walter, Huadong Zeng, Scott Shaffer, Fu Dungtao, Kirsten Erger, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Very long-chain acyl-coA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) is the rate-limiting step in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. VLCAD-deficient mice and patients clinical symptoms stem from not only an energy deficiency but also long-chain metabolite accumulations. VLCAD-deficient mice were treated systemically with 1 x 10(12) vector genomes of recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9)-VLCAD. Biochemical correction was observed in vector-treated mice beginning 2 weeks postinjection, as characterized by a significant drop in long-chain fatty acyl accumulates in whole blood after an overnight fast. Changes persisted through the termination point around 20 weeks postinjection. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) revealed normalization of …


Non-Helicobacter Pylori Related Duodenal Ulcer Disease In Children, Yoram Elitsur, Zandra Lawrence Sep 2012

Non-Helicobacter Pylori Related Duodenal Ulcer Disease In Children, Yoram Elitsur, Zandra Lawrence

Yoram Elitsur

Background. In spite of the worldwide distribution of Helicobacter pylori infection, recent data have reported an increased rate of non-H. pylori, non-NSAIDs-duodenal ulcer disease in adults. The estimated rate of these ulcers in children is unknown. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of non-H. pylori, non-NSAIDs-peptic ulcer disease in our pediatric patients who undergo upper endoscopic procedures. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 622 upper endoscopic reports was performed. Reports that documented mucosal ulcerations were included in our study. The demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histological data were retrieved. The H. pylori-negative, duodenal/gastric ulcer-positive patients were compared with H. pylori-positive, duodenal/gastric ulcer-positive …


Gene Transfer In The Lung Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus, Alisha Gruntman, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte, Guangping Gao Aug 2012

Gene Transfer In The Lung Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus, Alisha Gruntman, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte, Guangping Gao

Christian Mueller

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a small replication-deficient DNA virus belonging to the Parvovirinae family. It has a single-stranded ∼4.7-kb genome. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) is created by replacing the viral rep and cap genes with the transgene of interest along with promoter and polyadenylation sequences. The short viral inverted terminal repeats must remain intact for replication and packaging in production, as well as vector genome processing and persistence in the transduction process. The AAV capsid (serotype) determines the tissue tropism of the rAAV vector. In this unit we will discuss serotype selection for lung targeting along with the factors effecting efficient …


Functional Characterization Of A Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus 5-Pseudotyped Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Vector, Jeffrey Sirninger, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, Qiushi Tang, Hungwen Yue, Carol Detrisac, Thomas Ferkol, William Guggino, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Functional Characterization Of A Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus 5-Pseudotyped Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Vector, Jeffrey Sirninger, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, Qiushi Tang, Hungwen Yue, Carol Detrisac, Thomas Ferkol, William Guggino, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Despite extensive experience with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) 2 vectors in the lung, gene expression has been low in the context of cystic fibrosis (CF) gene therapy, where the large size of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) coding sequence has prompted the use of compact endogenous promoter elements. We evaluated the possibility that gene expression from recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) could be improved by using alternate AAV capsid serotypes that target different cell-surface receptors (i.e., rAAV5) and/or using stronger promoters. The relative activities of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) promoter, the CMV enhancer/beta-actin (CB) promoter combination, …


Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Deficiency Exacerbates Islet Cell Dysfunction After Beta-Cell Injury, Michael Stalvey, Christian Mueller, Desmond Schatz, Clive Wasserfall, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Douglas Theriaque, Terence Flotte, Mark Atkinson Mar 2012

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Deficiency Exacerbates Islet Cell Dysfunction After Beta-Cell Injury, Michael Stalvey, Christian Mueller, Desmond Schatz, Clive Wasserfall, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Douglas Theriaque, Terence Flotte, Mark Atkinson

Christian Mueller

The cause of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) remains unknown, but cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations contribute directly to multiple aspects of the cystic fibrosis phenotype. We hypothesized that susceptibility to islet dysfunction in cystic fibrosis is determined by the lack of functional CFTR. To address this, glycemia was assessed in CFTR null (CFTR(-/-)), C57BL/6J, and FVB/NJ mice after streptozotocin (STZ)-induced beta-cell injury. Fasting blood glucose levels were similar among age-matched non-STZ-administered animals, but they were significantly higher in CFTR(-/-) mice 4 weeks after STZ administration (288.4 +/- 97.4, 168.4 +/- 35.9, and 188.0 +/- 42.3 mg/dl for CFTR(-/-), …


Enhanced Ige Allergic Response To Aspergillus Fumigatus In Cftr-/- Mice, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, John-David Herlihy, Clive Wasserfall, Sarah Chesrown, Harry Nick, Mark Atkinson, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Enhanced Ige Allergic Response To Aspergillus Fumigatus In Cftr-/- Mice, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, John-David Herlihy, Clive Wasserfall, Sarah Chesrown, Harry Nick, Mark Atkinson, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

To gain insight into aberrant cytokine regulation in cystic fibrosis (CF), we compared the phenotypic manifestations of allergen challenge in gut-corrected CFTR-deficient mice with background-matched C57Bl6 (B6) mice. Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) antigen was used to mimic allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a peculiar hyper-IgE syndrome with a high prevalence in CF patients. CFTR-/-, C57BL/6 and FVB/NJ mice were sensitized with Af antigen by serial intraperitoneal injections. Control mice were mock sensitized with PBS. Challenges were performed by inhalation of Af antigen aerosol. After Af antigen challenge, histologic analysis showed goblet cell hyperplasia and lymphocytic infiltration in both strains. However, total serum IgE …


Cystic Fibrosis, Michael Stalvey, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Cystic Fibrosis, Michael Stalvey, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Citation: Stalvey, M., Mueller, C., and Flotte, T. “Cystic Fibrosis”, in Domino FJ, ed., The 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2011. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 19th Edition, p. 340-341, 2010. A preview of this chapter is available via Google Books.


Cftr Mutations Impart Elevated Immune Reactivity In A Murine Model Of Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes, Michael Stalvey, Todd Brusko, Christian Mueller, Clive Wasserfall, Desmond Schatz, Mark Atkinson, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Cftr Mutations Impart Elevated Immune Reactivity In A Murine Model Of Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes, Michael Stalvey, Todd Brusko, Christian Mueller, Clive Wasserfall, Desmond Schatz, Mark Atkinson, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Increased life expectancy in cystic fibrosis (CF) is accompanied by an increasing incidence of CF related diabetes (CFRD). Altered immune reactivity occurs in CF, which we hypothesize, is exacerbated by hyperglycemia. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator deficient (CFTR-/-) mice were rendered hyperglycemic by streptozotocin (STZ) to test this hypothesis. CFTR-/-, C57BL/6J, and FVB/NJ mice received either STZ or lactated ringers (LR) (n=5-10). Four weeks later, splenocytes were harvested, mitogen stimulated, and analyzed for cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) along with stimulation indices (SI). SI of STZ-treated CFTR-/- were elevated compared to LR-treated mice, although both were greater than C57BL/6J …


The Pros And Cons Of Immunomodulatory Il-10 Gene Therapy With Recombinant Aav In A Cftr-/- -Dependent Allergy Mouse Model, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, A. Martino, Qiushi Tang, M. Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

The Pros And Cons Of Immunomodulatory Il-10 Gene Therapy With Recombinant Aav In A Cftr-/- -Dependent Allergy Mouse Model, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, A. Martino, Qiushi Tang, M. Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have decreased levels of lung epithelial interleukin (IL)-10 and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-4, IL-8 and IL-6). This has also been documented in Cftr (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)-deficient mice (Cftr 489X(-/-), FABP-hCFTR(+/+)). Our laboratory has recently characterized a peculiar hyper-IgE phenotype in these mice, in response to Aspergillus fumigatus crude protein extract (Af-cpe). Thus, we hypothesized that sustained systemic circulating IL-10 levels achieved through skeletal muscle transduction with recombinant adeno-associated vectors expressing IL-10 (rAAV1-IL-10) would serve to downregulate Th1 and Th2 cytokine production. This in turn would dampen the allergic response …


Apparently Nonspecific Enzyme Elevations After Portal Vein Delivery Of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 2 Vector In Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Chimpanzees, Terence Flotte, Jason Goetzmann, James Caridi, Joseph Paolillo, Thomas Conlon, Mark Potter, Christian Mueller, Barry Bryne Mar 2012

Apparently Nonspecific Enzyme Elevations After Portal Vein Delivery Of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 2 Vector In Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Chimpanzees, Terence Flotte, Jason Goetzmann, James Caridi, Joseph Paolillo, Thomas Conlon, Mark Potter, Christian Mueller, Barry Bryne

Christian Mueller

Hepatic gene transfer is envisioned as a substitute for protein replacement therapies, many of which are derived from blood products. Thus, the target populations may have a high prevalence of blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV). We sought to determine whether the safety of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) would be altered by preexisting HCV infection. Doses of approximately 1 x 10(13) vector genomes of an rAAV2-chimpanzee alpha(1)-antitrypsin (rAAV2-cAAT) vector were injected into the portal vein of each of three HCV genome-positive (HCV+) chimpanzees and three HCV-negative (HCV-) controls. Acute safety studies were performed up to 90 …


Clinical Gene Therapy Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Clinical Gene Therapy Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors possess a number of properties that may make them suitable for clinical gene therapy, including being based upon a virus for which there is no known pathology and a natural propensity to persist in human cells. Wild-type adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are now known to be very diverse and ubiquitous in humans and nonhuman primates, which adds to the degree of confidence one may place in the natural history of AAV, namely that it has never been associated with any human tumors or other acute pathology, other than sporadic reports of having been isolated from spontaneously …


Partial Correction Of The Cftr-Dependent Abpa Mouse Model With Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Transfer Of Truncated Cftr Gene, Christian Mueller, Daniel Torrez, Sofia Braag, Ashley Martino, Tracy Clarke, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Partial Correction Of The Cftr-Dependent Abpa Mouse Model With Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Transfer Of Truncated Cftr Gene, Christian Mueller, Daniel Torrez, Sofia Braag, Ashley Martino, Tracy Clarke, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Recently, we have developed a model of airway inflammation in a CFTR knockout mouse utilizing Aspergillus fumigatus crude protein extract (Af-cpe) to mimic allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) 1, an unusual IgE-mediated hypersensitivity syndrome seen in up to 15% of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and rarely elsewhere. We hypothesized that replacement of CFTR via targeted gene delivery to airway epithelium would correct aberrant epithelial cytokine signaling and ameliorate the ABPA phenotype in CFTR-deficient (CFTR 489X - /-, FABP-hCFTR + / +) mice. CFTR knockout mice underwent intra-tracheal (IT) delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (rAAV5Delta-264CFTR) or rAAV5-GFP at 2.58 x …


N-Glycosylation Augmentation Of The Cystic Fibrosis Epithelium Improves Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Clearance, Ashley Martino, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, Pedro Cruz, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Shouguang Jin, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

N-Glycosylation Augmentation Of The Cystic Fibrosis Epithelium Improves Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Clearance, Ashley Martino, Christian Mueller, Sofia Braag, Pedro Cruz, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Shouguang Jin, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Chronic lung colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is anticipated in cystic fibrosis (CF). Abnormal terminal glycosylation has been implicated as a candidate for this condition. We previously reported a down-regulation of mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (MPI) for core N-glycan production in the CFTR-defective human cell line (IB3). We found a 40% decrease in N-glycosylation of IB3 cells compared with CFTR-corrected human cell line (S9), along with a threefold-lower surface attachment of P. aeruginosa strain, PAO1. There was a twofold increase in intracellular bacteria in S9 cells compared with IB3 cells. After a 4-hour clearance period, intracellular bacteria in IB3 cells increased twofold. Comparatively, …


In Vivo Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin By Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Expressing Sirna, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Travis Cossette, Alexandra Golant, Qiushi Tang, Stuart Beattie, Mark Brantly, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Keith Blomenkamp, Jeffrey Teckman, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

In Vivo Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin By Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Expressing Sirna, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Travis Cossette, Alexandra Golant, Qiushi Tang, Stuart Beattie, Mark Brantly, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Keith Blomenkamp, Jeffrey Teckman, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is one of the most common genetic diseases in North America, with a carrier frequency of approximately 4% in the US population. Homozygosity for the most common mutation (Glu342Lys, PI(*)Z) leads to the synthesis of a mutant protein, which accumulates and polymerizes within hepatocytes rather than being efficiently secreted. This lack of secretion causes severe serum deficiency predisposing to chronic lung disease. Twelve to fifteen percent of patients with PI(*)ZZ also develop liver disease, which can be severe, even in infancy. This is thought to be due to toxic effects of the accumulated mutant Z-AAT within …


The Promise Of Gene Therapy For The Treatment Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

The Promise Of Gene Therapy For The Treatment Of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Pedro Cruz, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

In the last 13 years, three gene therapy trials for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency have been conducted. The first trial delivered plasmid encoding the alpha-1 antitrypsin cDNA to the nasal epithelium using cationic liposomes. The last two trials delivered recombinant adeno-associated vectors encoding the alpha-1 antitrypsin cDNA by intramuscular injection. In this review, the progress of ongoing clinical trials and new gene therapy technologies is discussed.


In Vitro And In Vivo Functional Characterization Of Gutless Recombinant Sv40-Derived Cftr Vectors, Christian Mueller, M. Strayer, Jeffrey Sirninger, Sofia Braag, Francisco Branco, Jean-Pierre Louboutin, Terence Flotte, David Strayer Mar 2012

In Vitro And In Vivo Functional Characterization Of Gutless Recombinant Sv40-Derived Cftr Vectors, Christian Mueller, M. Strayer, Jeffrey Sirninger, Sofia Braag, Francisco Branco, Jean-Pierre Louboutin, Terence Flotte, David Strayer

Christian Mueller

In cystic fibrosis (CF), respiratory failure caused by progressive airway obstruction and tissue damage is primarily a result of the aberrant inflammatory responses to lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Despite considerable improvement in patient survival, conventional therapies are mainly supportive. Recent progress toward gene therapy for CF has been encouraging; however, several factors such as immune response and transduced cell turnover remain as potential limitations to CF gene therapy. As alternative gene therapy vectors for CF, we examined the feasibility of using recombinant SV40-derived vectors (rSV40s), which may circumvent some of these obstacles. To accommodate the large cystic fibrosis transmembrane …


Dual Reporter Comparative Indexing Of Raav Pseudotyped Vectors In Chimpanzee Airway, Terence Flotte, Anne Fischer, Jason Goetzmann, Christian Mueller, Liudmila Cebotaru, Ziying Yan, Lilli Wang, James Wilson, William Guggino, John Engelhardt Mar 2012

Dual Reporter Comparative Indexing Of Raav Pseudotyped Vectors In Chimpanzee Airway, Terence Flotte, Anne Fischer, Jason Goetzmann, Christian Mueller, Liudmila Cebotaru, Ziying Yan, Lilli Wang, James Wilson, William Guggino, John Engelhardt

Christian Mueller

Selecting the most efficient recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) serotype for airway gene therapy has been difficult due to cross-specific differences in tropism and immune response between humans and animal models. Chimpanzees--the closest surviving genetic relative of humans--provide a valuable opportunity to select the most effective serotypes for clinical trials in humans. However, designing informative experiments using this protected species is challenging due to limited availability and experimental regulations. We have developed a method using Renilla luciferase (RL) and firefly luciferase (FL) reporters to directly index the relative transduction and immune response of two promising rAAV serotypes following lung coinfection. Analysis …


Gene Therapy For Cystic Fibrosis, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Gene Therapy For Cystic Fibrosis, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that lead to defective ion transport in the conducting pulmonary airways and exocrine glands. Through a process that is not fully understood, CFTR defects predispose affected patients to chronic endobronchial infections with organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Following the discovery of the CFTR gene in 1989, CF became one of the primary targets for gene therapy research. Early enthusiasm surrounded the new field of gene therapy during most of the 1990s and it led academics and clinicians on …


Recombinant Aav Serotype And Capsid Mutant Comparison For Pulmonary Gene Transfer Of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Using Invasive And Noninvasive Delivery, Rejean Liqun Wang, Thomas Mclaughlin, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Kevin Foust, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Ashley Martino, Pedro Cruz, Scott Loiler, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte Mar 2012

Recombinant Aav Serotype And Capsid Mutant Comparison For Pulmonary Gene Transfer Of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Using Invasive And Noninvasive Delivery, Rejean Liqun Wang, Thomas Mclaughlin, Travis Cossette, Qiushi Tang, Kevin Foust, Martha Campbell-Thompson, Ashley Martino, Pedro Cruz, Scott Loiler, Christian Mueller, Terence Flotte

Christian Mueller

Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors have been widely used in pulmonary gene therapy research. In this study, we evaluated the transduction and expression efficiencies of several AAV serotypes and AAV2 capsid mutants with specific pulmonary targeting ligands in the mouse lung. The noninvasive intranasal delivery was compared with the traditional intratracheal lung delivery. The rAAV8 was the most efficient serotype at expressing alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) in the lung among all the tested serotypes and mutants. A dose of 1 x 10(10) vg of rAAV8-CB-AAT transduced a high percentage of cells in the lung when delivered intratrachealy. The serum and the broncho-alveolar …


Early Course Of Nicotine Dependence In Adolescent Smokers, Chyke Doubeni, George Reed, Joseph Difranza Jan 2012

Early Course Of Nicotine Dependence In Adolescent Smokers, Chyke Doubeni, George Reed, Joseph Difranza

Chyke A. Doubeni

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to characterize the early course of nicotine dependence. METHODS: Data were collected from 1246 sixth-graders in a 4-year (2002-2006) prospective study using 11 individual interviews. Subjects were monitored for 10 symptoms of dependence by using the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist. The bidirectional prospective relationship between the intensity of dependence (number of symptoms) and smoking frequency was examined by using cross-lagged analyses. RESULTS: Of the 370 subjects who had inhaled from a cigarette, 62% smoked at least once per month, 53% experienced dependence symptoms, and 40% experienced escalation to daily smoking. Smoking frequency predicted the number of …