Medical Specialties Commons^™

Requirement For The Betai And Betaiv Tubulin Isotypes In Mammalian Cilia., Heather C Jensen-Smith, Richard F Ludueña, Richard Hallworth

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

Nielsen et al., [2001: Curr Biol 11:529-533], based on studies in Drosophila, have proposed that beta tubulin in axonemal microtubules must contain a specific acidic seven amino acid sequence in its carboxyl terminus. In mammals, the two betaIV isotypes (betaIVa and betaIVb) contain that sequence. In order to test the application of this hypothesis to mammals, we have examined the expression of beta tubulin isotypes in four different ciliated tissues (trachea, ependyma, uterine tube, and testis) using isotype-specific antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence. We find that betaIV tubulin is present in all ciliated cell types examined, but so is betaI tubulin. …

Cell-Cycle Regulatory Proteins In Podocyte Cell In Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome Of Childhood., Tarak Srivastava, Robert E. Garola, J M. Whiting, Uri S. Alon

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The podocyte cell is believed to play an important role in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) of childhood. In adults with cellular and collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), the expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins such as p27, p57, and cyclin D is decreased and expression of cyclin A, Ki-67, and p21 is observed in podocyte cells suggestive of a dysregulated podocyte phenotype. We investigated for alterations in the expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors, p27, p57, p21, and cyclins D and A in the podocyte cell of children with INS.

METHODS: Forty-two kidney biopsies were investigated; 14 with minimal-change disease (MCD), …

Responsiveness Of Bovine Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes (Coc) To Porcine And Recombinant Human Fsh, And The Effect Of Coc Quality On Gonadotropin Receptor And Cx43 Marker Gene Mrnas During Maturation In Vitro., Michele D Calder, Anita N Caveney, Lawrence C Smith, Andrew J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Substantially less development to the blastocyst stage occurs in vitro than in vivo and this may be due to deficiencies in oocyte competence. Although a large proportion of bovine oocytes undergo spontaneous nuclear maturation, less is known about requirements for proper cytoplasmic maturation. Commonly, supraphysiological concentrations of FSH and LH are added to maturation media to improve cumulus expansion, fertilization and embryonic development. Therefore, various concentrations of porcine FSH (pFSH) and recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) were investigated for their effect on bovine cumulus expansion in vitro. Expression of FSHr, LHr and Cx43 mRNAs was determined in cumulus-oocyte complexes to determine …

Tacrolimus As A Liver Flush Solution To Ameliorate The Effects Of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Following Liver Transplantation., Shawn D. St Peter, David J. Post, Manuel I. Rodriguez-Davalos, David D. Douglas, Adyr A. Moss, David C. Mulligan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The goal of this report is to evaluate in a prospective randomized fashion the effect of flushing hepatic allografts with tacrolimus before transplantation. A prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial was performed. Twenty patients receiving orthotopic liver transplants from October 2000 to October 2001 were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (active) was administered tacrolimus, 20 ng/mL, plus Plasma-lyte A (Baxter Healthcare Corp, Deerfield, IL) liver flush solution; and group 2 (placebo) was administered only Plasma-lyte A. Ischemia/reperfusion injury was assessed in both groups after transplantation by means of serum laboratory values to assess hepatocellular damage, synthetic function, and ion transport capacity. …

Educating Adolescents About Puberty: What Are We Missing?, Hatim A. Omar, Darby H. Mcelderry, Rana M. Zakharia

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Adolescents undergo significant physical and cognitive changes during their pubertal development. These changes contribute to and impact their future development. Educating adolescents at an early age about their expected development decreases the possible anxiety associated with this period of life and also helps adolescents make better choices in regards to their sexuality. In order to assess the degree of education regarding pubertal development and sexuality, we conducted a survey of late adolescents (Median age 19 years) and parents of adolescents. A total of 409 adolescents (237 females, 172 males) and 124 parents completed the survey. 14.4% of teens (36.6% of …

Sex Education In The Schools: What Role Does It Play?, Darby H. Mcelderry, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Information regarding pubertal development, sex, pregnancy, and contraception should be provided to children and adolescents in an age-appropriate manner from parents, health care providers, and schools. This article reviews the medical literature on school sex education programs, adolescents' perception of these programs, and the role played by the media, parents, and health care professionals in sexual education of teens.

Parenting Adolescents, Sandra L. D'Angelo, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The period of adolescence is often thought to be one of intense stress and turmoil. Yet many parents and teens negotiate this developmental stage without extreme family conflict and without sacrificing close relationships. This review summarizes a portion of the literature on parent-adolescent relationships, focusing on monitoring and control of adolescent behavior and parenting style. Basic principles to emphasize when working with adolescents and parents are also included.

The Gamma-Subunit Of The Na-K-Atpase As A Potential Regulator Of Apical And Basolateral Na+-Pump Isozymes During Development Of Bovine Pre-Attachment Embryos., L C Barcroft, S E Gill, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Expression and activity of the Na-K-ATPase within the basolateral membrane domains of the trophectoderm epithelium provide the driving force for accumulation of Na(+) and Cl(-) across the nascent epithelium, mediating fluid movement into the forming blastocoel. Within the trophectoderm of the bovine blastocyst, multiple isozymes of the Na-K-ATPase are expressed. Immunolocalization has demonstrated that the alpha1-isozyme localizes within the basolateral membrane, whereas the alpha 3-isozyme localizes to the apical cell margins. Gene-specific RT-PCR and wholemount indirect immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to examine expression of the Na-K-ATPase gamma-subunit (a regulatory subunit of the Na-K-ATPase) throughout development of bovine …

Treatment With Soluble Interleukin-15ralpha Exacerbates Intracellular Parasitic Infection By Blocking The Development Of Memory Cd8+ T Cell Response, Imtiaz A. Khan, Magali Moretto, Xiao-Qing Wei, Martha Williams, Joseph D. Schwartzman, F Y. Liew

Dartmouth Scholarship

Interferon (IFN)-γ–producing CD8⁺ T cells are important for the successful resolution of the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii by preventing the reactivation or controlling a repeat infection. Previous reports from our laboratory have shown that exogenous interleukin (IL)-15 treatment augments the CD8⁺ T cell response against the parasite. However, the role of endogenous IL-15 in the proliferation of activated/memory CD8⁺ T cells during toxoplasma or any other infection is unknown. In this study, we treated T. gondii immune mice with soluble IL-15 receptor α (sIL-15Rα) to block the host endogenous IL-15. The treatment markedly reduced the ability …

Effectiveness Of Current Therapy Of Bacterial Vaginosis, Petya M Andreeva, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The study was conducted in order to evaluate effectiveness of the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) with different therapeutic regimes according to recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). During a one-year period (February 2000-February 2001) the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Center was visited by 482 women aged 14-51. The diagnosis of BV was established by standard methods: Amsel's clinical criteria and Gram stain of vaginal discharge. The first-line treatment was oral Metronidazole 2 g single dose. Second line was Metronidazole 500 mg twice daily orally for 7 days or oral Clindamycin 300 mg twice daily for seven days. BV …

Improved Continuation Rate Of Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate In Adolescent Mothers, Hatim A. Omar, Amy Fowler, Sandy D'Angelo

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Poor compliance and high discontinuation rates of Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) and other contraceptive methods are major factors in the continuing problem of adolescent pregnancy. In this study we attempted to determine if providing comprehensive health care for teen mothers and their babies would improve continuation rates of DMPA. Patients who started DMPA between 1/1/96 and 1/1/99 were included. Teen mothers and their babies received all their health care in this clinic, supported by State funding. Key elements regarding DMPA in this clinic were continuity of care, phone and mail reminders of appointments, free DMPA for patients without insurance, counseling at …

Circulating Testosterone And Prostate-Specific Antigen In Nipple Aspirate Fluid And Tissue Are Associated With Breast Cancer., Edward R Sauter, David S Tichansky, Inna Chervoneva, Eleftherios P Diamandis

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Preliminary evidence has associated testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with breast cancer. Our objective was to determine whether a) testosterone levels in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF), serum, or breast tissue are associated with breast cancer; b) testosterone levels in serum are associated with levels in NAF; c) PSA in NAF, serum, or breast tissue is associated with breast cancer; and d) serum PSA is associated with NAF PSA levels. We obtained 342 NAF specimens from 171 women by means of a modified breast pump. Additionally, we collected 201 blood samples from 99 women and 51 tissue samples from 41 subjects …

Reduction In The Incidence Of Type 2 Diabetes With Lifestyle Intervention Or Metformin., William C. Knowler, Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, Sarah E. Fowler, Richard F. Hamman, John M. Lachin, Elizabeth A. Walker, David M. Nathan, P. G. Watson, J. T. Mendoza, K. A. Smith, J. Caro, B. Goldstein, C. Lark, L. Menefee, L. Murphy, C. Pepe, J. M. Spandorfer

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 8 percent of adults in the United States. Some risk factors--elevated plasma glucose concentrations in the fasting state and after an oral glucose load, overweight, and a sedentary lifestyle--are potentially reversible. We hypothesized that modifying these factors with a lifestyle-intervention program or the administration of metformin would prevent or delay the development of diabetes.

METHODS: We randomly assigned 3234 nondiabetic persons with elevated fasting and post-load plasma glucose concentrations to placebo, metformin (850 mg twice daily), or a lifestyle-modification program with the goals of at least a 7 percent weight loss and at least …

Retrospective Analysis Of Youth Evaluated For Suicide Attempt Or Suicidal Ideation In An Emergency Room Setting, Julie Hagedorn, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and a major contributor to morbidity in this age group. The objective of this study was to look at the demographics, major stressors and factors leading to attempting suicide as well as the methods of attempted suicide in adolescents admitted to two hospitals in a medium size city. Medical records were reviewed of adolescents admitted to two area hospitals for attempted suicide between 7/1/97-12/31/99. Coroner's data on completed suicide were also reviewed. In the study period a total of 287 persons aged 21 years or under were admitted for attempted …

Nipple Aspirate Cytology And Pathologic Parameters Predict Residual Cancer And Nodal Involvement After Excisional Breast Biopsy., E R Sauter, H Ehya, A Mammen, G Klein

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

We previously demonstrated that abnormal nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) cytology predicted residual breast cancer (RC) and tumour size after excisional biopsy (EB), although normal NAF cytology did not exclude RC. Tumour size correlates with the risk of lymph node (LN) metastases. LN metastases provide prognostic information allowing medical and radiation oncologists to determine the need for adjuvant therapy. We hypothesized that pathologic factors known after EB, combined with NAF cytology, would predict with a high degree of accuracy the presence of RC and LN spread. NAF cytology and pathologic parameters: tumour distance from biopsy margins, multifocal and multicentric disease, sub-type …

Evaluation Of Cholera Vaccines Formulated With Toxin-Coregulated Pilin Peptide Plus Polymer Adjuvant In Mice, Jia-Yan Wu, William F. Wade, Ronald K. Taylor

Dartmouth Scholarship

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The low efficacy of currently available killed-whole-cell vaccines and the reactinogenicity coupled with potential reversion of live vaccines have thus far precluded widespread vaccination for the control of cholera. Recent studies on the molecular nature of the virulence components that contribute to V. cholerae pathogenesis have provided insights into possible approaches for the development of a defined subunit cholera vaccine. Genetic analysis has demonstrated that the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) is the major factor that contributes to colonization of the human intestine by V. cholerae. In …

Anti-Class Ii Monoclonal Antibody-Targeted Vibrio Cholerae Tcpa Pilin: Modulation Of Serologic Response, Epitope Specificity, And Isotype, Jia-Yan Wu, Ronald K. Taylor, William F. Wade

Dartmouth Scholarship

Toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) is a colonization factor required for cholera infection. It is not a strong immunogen when delivered in the context of whole cells, yet pilus subunits or TcpA derivative synthetic peptides induce protective responses. We examined the efficacy of immunizing mice with TCP conjugated to anti-class II monoclonal antibodies (MAb) with or without the addition of cholera toxin (CT) or anti-CD40 MAb to determine if the serologic response to TcpA could be manipulated. Anti-class II MAb-targeted TCP influenced the anti-TCP peptide serologic response with respect to titer and isotype. Responses to TcpA peptide 4 were induced with class …

Sensitivity Of Bovine Blastocyst Gene Expression Patterns To Culture Environments Assessed By Differential Display Rt-Pcr., D R Natale, P A De Sousa, M E Westhusin, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

The use of culture media to support the development of preimplantation embryos to the blastocyst stage is often associated with detrimental effects on normal development. These effects have been uncovered largely by investigating the phenotypic abnormalities displayed by fetuses and newborns derived from cultured preimplantation embryos. Research to understand the impact of culture on the embryonic developmental programme has focused on embryo metabolism, gene expression and genomic imprinting. We have used differential display RT-PCR to examine culture influences on global transcript pools in bovine embryos. Others have examined culture influences on candidate "marker genes" in cultured murine, ovine and bovine …

Cyclooxygenase-2 And Prostaglandin E(2)(Pge(2)) Receptor Messenger Rnas Are Affected By Bovine Oocyte Maturation Time And Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Quality, And Pge(2) Induces Moderate Expansion Of The Bovine Cumulus In Vitro., M D Calder, A N Caveney, M E Westhusin, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) receptor 2 (EP2) are necessary for rodent cumulus expansion in vivo. Prostaglandin E(2) receptor 3 (EP3) has been detected in bovine preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea. The current experiments examined the effect of PGE(2) on bovine cumulus expansion in vitro and expression of COX-2, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 mRNAs in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h time points during maturation in vitro. Concentrations of PGE(2) above 50 ng/ml resulted in moderate cumulus expansion of bovine COCs, but expansion did not occur in the absence of …

Amino Acid Concentrations In Fluids From The Bovine Oviduct And Uterus And In Ksom-Based Culture Media., Y M Elhassan, G Wu, A C Leanez, R J Tasca, A J Watson, M E Westhusin

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Amino acids in bovine oviductal and uterine fluids were measured and compared with those in modified simplex optimized medium (KSOM) supplemented with either fetal calf serum or Minimum Essential Medium amino acids in addition to bovine serum albumin, fetal calf serum or polyvinyl alcohol. Concentrations of cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, alanine, aspartate, glycine, glutamate, proline, beta-alanine, and citrulline were higher in oviductal fluids than in KSOM-based culture media. Nonessential and essential amino acids were present in ratios of 5:1 and 2:1 in oviductal and uterine fluids, respectively. Concentrations of alanine (3.7 mM), glycine (14.1 mM) and glutamate (5.5 mM) were high …

Expression Of Pthrp And Pthr (Pth/Pthrp-R) Mrnas And Polypeptides In Bovine Ovary And Stimulation Of Bovine Blastocyst Development In Vitro Following Pthrp Treatment During Oocyte Maturation., P H Watson, M E Westhusin, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) and its receptor have well-established roles in the development and regulation of many tissues, including bone and mammary gland. The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the distribution of mRNAs encoding parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related protein (PTHrP) and receptor (PTHR) in bovine ovary; (2) to characterize the distribution of PTHrP and PTHR polypeptides in bovine ovary; (3) to examine the influences of PTHrP (1-141) treatment during bovine oocyte maturation in vitro on blastocyst development. mRNAs encoding PTHrP and PTHR were detected by in situ hybridization methods in oocytes, and granulosa cells in all follicles …

The Effects Of Four Gymnastics Skills On Vertebral Column Hyperextension In Young Female Gymnasts, Tonia Mcclure Burke

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

There is very limited information available on the effects of gymnastics skills on spinal hyperextension. Eleven young female gymnasts between the ages of 11 and 15 participated in this study. The subjects height and weight were taken then they were screened for musculoskeletal injuries, normal abdominal and back extensor strength, normal hip flexor and hamstring flexibility, spondylolisthesis, and scoliosis. Hyperextension of the spinal column was measured during normal standing, hyperextending the spine in standing, and during four different gymnastics skills, using the Peak5 motion analysis system. Each subject performed five acceptable trials of four different gymnastics skill including a back …

Department Of Radiation Oncology And Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, The Intronic G13964c Variant In P53 Is Not A High-Risk Mutation In Familial Breast Cancer In Australia., Anna Marsh, Amanda B Spurdle, Bruce C Turner, Sian Fereday, Heather Thorne, Gulietta M Pupo, Graham J Mann, John L Hopper, Joseph F Sambrook, Georgia Chenevix-Trench

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for approximately 50% of breast cancer families with more than four affected cases, whereas exonic mutations in p53, PTEN, CHK2 and ATM may account for a very small proportion. It was recently reported that an intronic variant of p53--G13964C--occurred in three out of 42 (7.1%) 'hereditary' breast cancer patients, but not in any of 171 'sporadic' breast cancer control individuals (P = 0.0003). If this relatively frequent occurrence of G13964C in familial breast cancer and absence in control individuals were confirmed, then this would suggest that the G13964C variant plays a role in …

Mrnas Encoding Aquaporins Are Present During Murine Preimplantation Development., H Offenberg, L C Barcroft, A Caveney, D Viuff, P D Thomsen, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

The present study was conducted to investigate the mechanisms underlying fluid movement across the trophectoderm during blastocyst formation by determining whether aquaporins (AQPs) are expressed during early mammalian development. AQPs belong to a family of major intrinsic membrane proteins and function as molecular water channels that allow water to flow rapidly across plasma membranes in the direction of osmotic gradients. Ten different AQPs have been identified to date. Murine preimplantation stage embryos were flushed from the oviducts and uteri of superovulated CD1 mice. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods employing primer sets designed to amplify conserved sequences of AQPs (1-9) …

Recognition Of Left Atrial Aneurysm By Fetal Echocardiography., R R. Fountain-Dommer, H B. Wiles, C O. Shuler, S M. Bradley, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Children Of Alcoholics: An Update., D Z Lieberman

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

One of four children in the United States lives in a family in which the child is exposed to alcoholism. Children of alcoholics (COAs) are two to ten times more likely to develop alcoholism than non-COAs. This paper reviews studies that have attempted to identify risk factors that mediate the increased vulnerability and the protective factors that moderate the risk. Factors discussed include parental antisocial personality disorder, externalizing behavior, internalizing symptoms, differential response to the effects of alcohol, and positive and negative alcohol-related expectancies. The heterogeneous nature of COAs is emphasized, and some of the challenges related to treatment and …

Differential Involvement Of Na(+),K(+)-Atpase Isozymes In Preimplantation Development Of The Mouse., D J Macphee, D H Jones, K J Barr, D H Betts, A J Watson, G M Kidder

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Na(+),K(+)-ATPase plays an essential role in mammalian blastocoel formation (cavitation) by driving trans-epithelial sodium transport. Previously, the alpha1 and beta1 subunit isoforms of this enzyme were identified in preimplantation mouse embryos and were assumed to be responsible for this function. Here we show that mRNAs encoding an additional alpha subunit isoform (alpha3) and the remaining two beta subunit isoforms are also present in preimplantation embryos. Whereas alpha3 mRNA accumulates between the four-cell and the blastocyst stages and thus results from embryonic transcription, the same could not be demonstrated for beta2 and beta3 mRNAs. Immunoblot analyses confirmed that these subunits are …

Ubinuclein, A Novel Nuclear Protein Interacting With Cellular And Viral Transcription Factors., S Aho, M Buisson, T Pajunen, Y W Ryoo, J F Giot, H Gruffat, A Sergeant, Jouni Uitto

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

The major target tissues for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection are B lymphocytes and epithelial cells of the oropharyngeal zone. The product of the EBV BZLF1 early gene, EB1, a member of the basic leucine-zipper family of transcription factors, interacts with both viral and cellular promoters and transcription factors, modulating the reactivation of latent EBV infection. Here, we characterize a novel cellular protein interacting with the basic domains of EB1 and c-Jun, and competing of their binding to the AP1 consensus site. The transcript is present in a wide variety of human adult, fetal, and tumor tissues, and the protein is …

The Pl(A2) Polymorphism Of Integrin Beta(3) Enhances Outside-In Signaling And Adhesive Functions., K Vinod Vijayan, Pascal J. Goldschmidt-Clermont, Christine Roos, Paul F. Bray

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Genetic factors are believed to influence the development of arterial thromboses. Because integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) plays a crucial role in thrombus formation, we analyzed receptor adhesive properties using Chinese hamster ovary and human kidney embryonal 293 cells overexpressing the Pl(A1) or Pl(A2) polymorphic forms of alpha(IIb)beta(3). Soluble fibrinogen binding was no different between Pl(A1) and Pl(A2) cells, either in a resting state or when alpha(IIb)beta(3) was activated with anti-LIBS6. Pl(A1) and Pl(A2) cells bound equivalently to immobilized fibronectin. In contrast, significantly more Pl(A2) cells bound to immobilized fibrinogen in an alpha(IIb)beta(3)-dependent manner than did Pl(A1) cells. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton …

Impact Of Bovine Oocyte Maturation Media On Oocyte Transcript Levels, Blastocyst Development, Cell Number, And Apoptosis., A J Watson, P De Sousa, A Caveney, L C Barcroft, D Natale, J Urquhart, M E Westhusin

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

The objectives were 1) to investigate the effects of oocyte maturation in serum-free and amino acid-supplemented defined media on oocyte transcript levels, blastocyst cell number, and apoptosis; 2) to investigate the influence of oocyte maturation culture atmosphere on blastocyst development, total cell number, and apoptosis; and 3) to examine the influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) during oocyte maturation on blastocyst cell number and apoptosis. The results demonstrate that blastocysts derived from in vitro maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture protocols undergo apoptosis but that apoptotic levels are not greatly influenced by the oocyte maturation environment. Amino acid supplementation of oocyte …