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Lai D, Ding J, Smith GW, Smith GD, Takayama S. Slow and steady cell shrinkage reduces osmotic stress in bovine and murine oocyte and zygote vitrification. Hum Reprod 2014; 30:37-45. [PMID: 25355589 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does the use of a new cryoprotectant agent (CPA) exchange protocol designed to minimize osmotic stress improve oocyte or zygote vitrification by reducing sublethal cryodamage? SUMMARY ANSWER The use of a new CPA exchange protocol made possible by automated microfluidics improved oocyte and zygote vitrification with superior morphology as indicated by a smoother cell surface, higher sphericity, higher cytoplasmic lipid retention, less cytoplasmic leakage and higher developmental competence compared with conventional methods. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The use of more 'steps' of CPA exposure during the vitrification protocol increases cryosurvival and development in the bovine model. However, such an attempt to eliminate osmotic stress is limited by the practicality of performing numerous precise pipetting steps in a short amount of time. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Murine meiotically competent germinal vesicle intact oocytes and zygotes were harvested from the antral follicles in ovaries and ampulla, respectively. Bovine ovaries were obtained from a local abattoir at random stages of the estrous cycle. A total of 110 murine oocytes, 802 murine zygotes and 52 bovine oocytes were used in this study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Microfluidic devices were fabricated using conventional photo- and soft-lithography. CPAs used were 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for equilibration solution and 15% EG, 15% DMSO and 0.5 M sucrose for vitrification solution. End-point analyses include mathematical modeling using Kedem-Katchalsky equations, morphometrics assessed by conventional and confocal microscopy, cytoplasmic lipid quantification by nile red staining, cytoplasmic leakage quantification by fluorescent dextran intercalation and developmental competence analysis by 96 h embryo culture and blastomere quantification. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The automated microfluidics protocol decreased the shrinkage rate of the oocyte and zygote by 13.8 times over its manual pipetting alternative. Oocytes and zygotes with a lower shrinkage rate during CPA exposure experienced less osmotic stress resulting in better morphology, higher cell quality and improved developmental competence. This microfluidic procedure resulted in murine zygotes with a significantly smoother cell surface (P < 0.001), more spherical cellular morphology (P < 0.001), increased cytoplasmic lipid retention in vitrified and warmed bovine oocytes (P < 0.01), decreased membrane perforations and cytoplasmic leakage in CPA-exposed murine zygotes (P < 0.05) and improved developmental competence of vitrified and warmed murine zygotes (P < 0.05) than CPA exposure using the current clinically used manual pipetting method. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION It is necessary to design the microfluidic device to be more user-friendly for widespread use. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The theory and approach of eliminating osmotic stress by decreasing shrinkage rate is complementary to the prevalent osmotic stress theory in cryobiology which focuses on a minimum cell volume at which the cells shrink. The auto-microfluidic protocol described here has immediate applications for improving animal and human oocyte, zygote and embryo cryopreservation. On a fundamental level, the clear demonstration that at the same minimum cell volume, cell shrinkage rate affects sublethal damage should be broadly useful for cryobiology. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This project was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the University of Michigan Reproductive Sciences Program. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - J Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1301 E. Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - G W Smith
- Department of Animal Science and Physiology, Michigan State University, 1230D Anthony Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - G D Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1301 E. Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - S Takayama
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Abstract
Many exoplanetary systems containing hot Jupiters are observed to have highly misaligned orbital axes relative to the stellar spin axes. Kozai-Lidov oscillations of orbital eccentricity and inclination induced by a binary companion, in conjunction with tidal dissipation, constitute a major channel for the production of hot Jupiters. We demonstrate that gravitational interaction between the planet and its oblate host star can lead to chaotic evolution of the stellar spin axis during Kozai cycles. As parameters such as the planet mass and stellar rotation period are varied, periodic islands can appear in an ocean of chaos, in a manner reminiscent of other dynamical systems. In the presence of tidal dissipation, the complex spin evolution can leave an imprint on the final spin-orbit misalignment angles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I Storch
- Center for Space Research, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Kassandra R Anderson
- Center for Space Research, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Dong Lai
- Center for Space Research, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Schneider BP, Li L, Shen F, Miller KD, Radovich M, O'Neill A, Gray RJ, Lane D, Flockhart DA, Jiang G, Wang Z, Lai D, Koller D, Pratt JH, Dang CT, Northfelt D, Perez EA, Shenkier T, Cobleigh M, Smith ML, Railey E, Partridge A, Gralow J, Sparano J, Davidson NE, Foroud T, Sledge GW. Genetic variant predicts bevacizumab-induced hypertension in ECOG-5103 and ECOG-2100. Br J Cancer 2014; 111:1241-8. [PMID: 25117820 PMCID: PMC4453857 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bevacizumab has broad anti-tumour activity, but substantial risk of hypertension. No reliable markers are available for predicting bevacizumab-induced hypertension. METHODS A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed in the phase III bevacizumab-based adjuvant breast cancer trial, ECOG-5103, to evaluate for an association between genotypes and hypertension. GWAS was conducted in those who had experienced systolic blood pressure (SBP) >160 mm Hg during therapy using binary analysis and a cumulative dose model for the total exposure of bevacizumab. Common toxicity criteria (CTC) grade 3-5 hypertension was also assessed. Candidate SNP validation was performed in the randomised phase III trial, ECOG-2100. RESULTS When using the phenotype of SBP>160 mm Hg, the most significant association in SV2C (rs6453204) approached and met genome-wide significance in the binary model (P=6.0 × 10(-8); OR=3.3) and in the cumulative dose model (P=4.7 × 10(-8); HR=2.2), respectively. Similar associations with rs6453204 were seen for CTC grade 3-5 hypertension but did not meet genome-wide significance. Validation study from ECOG-2100 demonstrated a statistically significant association between this SNP and grade 3/4 hypertension using the binary model (P-value=0.037; OR=2.4). CONCLUSIONS A genetic variant in SV2C predicted clinically relevant bevacizumab-induced hypertension in two independent, randomised phase III trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- B P Schneider
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - L Li
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - F Shen
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - K D Miller
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - M Radovich
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - A O'Neill
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - R J Gray
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - D Lane
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - D A Flockhart
- Indiana Institute for Personalized Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - G Jiang
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Z Wang
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - D Lai
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - D Koller
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - J H Pratt
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - C T Dang
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - D Northfelt
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85054, USA
| | - E A Perez
- Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - T Shenkier
- BCCA – Vancouver Cancer Center, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4E6, USA
| | - M Cobleigh
- Department of Internal Medicine , Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - M L Smith
- Research Advocacy Network, Plano, TX 75093, USA
| | - E Railey
- Research Advocacy Network, Plano, TX 75093, USA
| | - A Partridge
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - J Gralow
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - J Sparano
- Department of Oncology, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - N E Davidson
- Cancer Institute and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - T Foroud
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - G W Sledge
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Smith G, Lai D, Ding J, Smith G, Takayama S. Morphometric quantification of microfluidic-reduced osmotic stress in oocyte and zygote vitrification. Fertil Steril 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.07.568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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O'Leary C, Desbonnet L, Clarke N, Petit E, Tighe O, Lai D, Harvey R, Waddington JL, O'Tuathaigh C. Phenotypic effects of maternal immune activation and early postnatal milieu in mice mutant for the schizophrenia risk gene neuregulin-1. Neuroscience 2014; 277:294-305. [PMID: 24969132 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Risk of schizophrenia is likely to involve gene × environment (G × E) interactions. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a schizophrenia risk gene, hence any interaction with environmental adversity, such as maternal infection, may provide further insights into the basis of the disease. This study examined the individual and combined effects of prenatal immune activation with polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (Poly I:C) and disruption of the schizophrenia risk gene NRG1 on the expression of behavioral phenotypes related to schizophrenia. NRG1 heterozygous (NRG1 HET) mutant breeding pairs were time-mated. Pregnant dams received a single injection (5mg/kg i.p.) of Poly I:C or vehicle on gestation day 9 (GD9). Offspring were then cross-fostered to vehicle-treated or Poly I:C-treated dams. Expression of schizophrenia-related behavioral endophenotypes was assessed at adolescence and in adulthood. Combining NRG1 disruption and prenatal environmental insult (Poly I:C) caused developmental stage-specific deficits in social behavior, spatial working memory and prepulse inhibition (PPI). However, combining Poly I:C and cross-fostering produced a number of behavioral deficits in the open field, social behavior and PPI. This became more complex by combining NRG1 deletion with both Poly I:C exposure and cross-fostering, which had a robust effect on PPI. These findings suggest that concepts of G × E interaction in risk of schizophrenia should be elaborated to multiple interactions that involve individual genes interacting with diverse biological and psychosocial environmental factors over early life, to differentially influence particular domains of psychopathology, sometimes over specific stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- C O'Leary
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L Desbonnet
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - N Clarke
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - E Petit
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - O Tighe
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D Lai
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - R Harvey
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - J L Waddington
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C O'Tuathaigh
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Tong L, Ahn C, Symanski E, Lai D, Du XL. Effects of newly developed chemotherapy regimens, comorbidities, chemotherapy-related toxicities on the changing patterns of the leading causes of death in elderly patients with colorectal cancer. Ann Oncol 2014; 25:1234-42. [PMID: 24681607 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdu131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abundant evidences have shown that newly developed chemotherapy regimens improved 5-year survival rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients over the past two decades. However, their impact on risk of death from leading causes among elderly patients is still poorly understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 69 718 elderly CRC patients with their first primary tumors in 1992-2009, identified from the 12 areas of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database with their Medicare claims up to 2010. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess the effect of newly developed chemotherapy regimens, comorbidities, and chemotherapy related toxicities on cause-specific death and their temporal patterns among elderly CRC patients. RESULTS The leading causes of death among CRC patients were CRC, circulation disorders, and secondary cancers, which accounted for 51.4%, 25%, and 4.6% of all-cause death, respectively. Patients diagnosed in more recent diagnostic time periods were significantly less likely to die of CRC [period 2: 5-year hazard ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90-0.97; period 3: 0.86, 0.83-0.90], circulation disorders (period 2: 0.94, 0.88-1.00; period 3: 0.80, 0.75-0.87), and more likely to die of secondary cancer (period 3: 1.42, 1.20-1.68) compared with those diagnosed in period 1. Charlson comorbidities index and the selected pre-existing comorbidities were significantly associated with increased 5-year risk of death from all three leading causes. Both hematological and gastric toxicity were associated with reduced risk of death from CRC and circulation disorders. The association between diagnostic time period and risk reduction in death from CRC depended on chemotherapy treatment (P < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed that the chemotherapy-dependent significant risk reduction was seen in patients with stage II-III CRC, patients without comorbidities, and patients without toxicities (P < 0.0001 for all). CONCLUSION The newly developed chemotherapy regimens were associated with the decreased risk of mortality from CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tong
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston Department of Clinical Sciences
| | - C Ahn
- Department of Clinical Sciences Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - E Symanski
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
| | - D Lai
- Division of Biostatistics Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
| | - X L Du
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston Center for Health Services Research, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, USA
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Luo X, Dong Z, Chen Y, Yang L, Lai D. Enrichment of ovarian cancer stem-like cells is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition through an miRNA-activated AKT pathway. Cell Prolif 2014; 46:436-46. [PMID: 23869765 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evidence has indicated that ovarian epithelial cancer-type cells under serum-free culture conditions can form spheroid cells and exhibit characteristics expected of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). However, the mechanism by which differentiated ovarian cancer cells acquire stem-cell properties during CSC enrichment has needed to be elucidated. Recent studies have demonstrated that induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) can generate CSCs and be associated with tumour aggressiveness and metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ovarian epithelial cancer cell lines, SKOV3 and HO8920, were cultured for spheroid cells and adherent cells. CSC enrichment was investigated using MTT assay, flow cytometery and qRT-PCR and expression level of PI3K/AKT pathway components was analysed by western blotting. RESULTS Compared to adherent cells, the spheroid cells expressed mesenchymal markers highly and exhibited significantly more motility; we also observed increases in phosphate AKT1 levels in the spheroid cells. Moreover, transfection of miR-20a or miR-200c led to corresponding reduction in endogenous PTEN protein, while AKT1 and phosphate AKT1 levels were upregulated in miRNAs-transfected cells. Finally, PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002 reduced expressions of mesenchymal markers and stem-cell gene activity in spheroid cells, enhancing sensitivity of spheroid cells to paclitaxel treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that EMT contributed to enrichment of ovarian CSCs in vitro, making EMT targeting in epithelial ovarian cancer a novel therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Luo
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
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Dong Z, Yang L, Lai D. KLF5 strengthens drug resistance of ovarian cancer stem-like cells by regulating survivin expression. Cell Prolif 2014; 46:425-35. [PMID: 23869764 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ovarian cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which can form non-adherent sphere cells in a stem-cell selection culture system, exhibit stemness and drug resistance to chemotherapeutics, which are properties not observed in differentiated cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is involved in cell proliferation and mediates cell survival and tumourigenesis. Here, we investigated the role of KLF5 and its downstream target survivin, in strengthening drug resistance of ovarian CSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 was cultured under serum-free conditions and differentiating conditions to promote formation of sphere cells and differentiated cells, respectively. siRNA-KLF5 was used to knock down KLF5, and survivin expression vector was used to overexpress survivin. Cells were further analysed by qPCR, immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were performed to investigate the relationship between KLF5 and survivin expression. Drug resistance was examined by MTT and apoptosis assays. RESULTS KLF5 was highly expressed in the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 sphere cells, accompanied by elevated survivin expression. Silencing KLF5 by small interfering RNA in sphere cells down-regulated survivin expression, which also sensitized the sphere cells to apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs (cisplatin or paclitaxel). Furthermore, ChIP assay, survivin overexpression and EMSA results indicated that KLF5 controlled survivin expression by directly binding the surivin promoter in the cells. CONCLUSIONS The KLF5-mediated signalling pathway is a potential target for elimination of ovarian CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Dong
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China
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Zhou M, Yang S, Zhou Y, Qin N, He S, Lai D, Xie Z, Yuan J. Optimization of Preparing Poly(AM-DMDAAC)/MMT Superabsorbent Nanocomposite by Orthogonal Experiment. Polymer Korea 2014. [DOI: 10.7317/pk.2014.38.1.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Darcey J, Devlin H, Lai D, Walsh T, Southern H, Marjanovic E, Horner K. An observational study to assess the association between osteoporosis and periodontal disease. Br Dent J 2013; 215:617-621. [DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2013.1191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Zhang X, Lai D, Bao S, Hambly B, Gillies M. Triamcinolone Acetonide Inhibits p38MAPK Activation and Neuronal Apoptosis in Early Diabetic Retinopathy. Curr Mol Med 2013; 13:946-58. [DOI: 10.2174/1566524011313060007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratories often carry a penchant to resist change while in the pursuit of maintaining consistency in laboratory conditions. However, implementation of new technology is often critical to expand scientific discoveries and to improve upon prior successes to advance the field. Microfluidic platforms represent a technology that has the potential to revolutionize the fundamental processes of IVF. While the focus of microfluidic application in IVF has centered on embryo culture, the innovative platforms carry tremendous potential to improve other procedural steps and represents a possible paradigm shift in how we handle gametes and embryos. The following review will highlight application of various microfluidic platforms in IVF for use in maturation, manipulation, culture, cryopreservation and non-invasive quality assessment; pointing out new insights gained into functions of sperm, oocytes and embryos. Platform design and function will also be discussed, focusing on limitations, advancements and future refinements that can further aid in their clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Swain
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Musgrave H, Howe C, Green S, Lennox L, Elkin S, Wilson S, Mann B, Lai D. P286 Implementing a COPD Discharge Care Bundle: The Challenges and Facilitators Revealed: Abstract P286 Table 1. Thorax 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202678.378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Baker EH, Kumar N, Lai D, Sansom B, Nair A, Vlahos I. P176 COPD-Related Bronchiectasis; A Real Clinical Entity with Impact on Disease Course and Outcomes. Thorax 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202678.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Jiang X, Chen M, Gallipoli P, Lai D, Ringrose A, Turhan A, Eaves C, Holyoake T. 1009 Targeting Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Stem/progenitor Cells by Effective Inhibition of a Novel AHI-1-BCR-ABL-JAK2 Interaction Complex. Eur J Cancer 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(12)71627-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Holzer G, Hamilton G, Angelberger P, Lai D, Ubl P, Dudczak R, Dominkus M, Li S. Imaging of highly malignant osteosarcoma with iodine-123-vascular endothelial growth factor. Oncology 2012; 83:45-9. [PMID: 22722649 DOI: 10.1159/000338326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor, and its receptors have been shown to be overexpressed in various human carcinomas. In this study, we investigated the role of scanning with iodine-123 ((123)I)-labelled VEGF(165) in patients with highly malignant osteosarcoma. METHODS Two patients (a 15-year-old female and a 14-year-old male) with osteosarcoma were injected with 140 MBq [<130 pmol (<5 µg) VEGF(165) per patient] of (123)I-VEGF(165). Dynamic acquisition was initiated immediately after administration and carried out until 30 min after injection. Whole-body images were done in anterior and posterior views at various time points. All patients underwent single-photon emission tomography imaging. RESULTS (123)I-VEGF(165) scans were positive in these patients. Sequential images clearly showed increased (123)I-VEGF(165) activity in osteosarcoma lesions. The tumour lesions were still visualized in whole-body images and single-photon emission tomography examinations 2 h after injection. Intravenous injection of (123)I-VEGF(165) did not cause any side effects. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that (123)I-VEGF(165) receptor scintigraphy may be useful for the visualization of highly malignant osteosarcoma and/or metastasis and the angiogenic activity of the tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Holzer
- Department of Orthopaedics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Zhang J, Xiao Z, Lai D, Sun J, He C, Chu Z, Ye H, Chen S, Wang J. miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a induced by phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 promote the proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer. Br J Cancer 2012; 107:352-9. [PMID: 22677902 PMCID: PMC3394980 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) is an oncogene known to promote tumour metastasis, especially in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we demonstrate that the miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a expressions induced by PRL-3 are involved in the proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer. Methods: Microarray analysis and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions (qRT–PCR) were used to investigate the changes in miRNA expression due to the overexpression of PRL-3. Transwell chamber invasion assays, CCK-8 proliferation assays and RNA interference assays were used to explore the effects of PRL-3 on miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a expression in colon cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry and qRT–PCR were performed in colon cancer tissues to evaluate the expression of PRL-3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a. Results: Our study demonstrated that the overexpression of PRL-3 in colon cancer cells induced the expression of miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a by activating STAT3. Subsequently, these microRNAs contributed to the increased proliferation and invasiveness of the colon cancer cells. Positive correlations between PRL-3 and these microRNAs were also observed in matched primary colon cancer tissues and metastatic lesions. Conclusion: miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a induced by PRL-3 contribute to the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun-Yat-Sen University, 107 Yanjiang West Road, Guangzhou 510120, China
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69
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Farlow J, Lin H, Hetrick K, Ling H, Lai D, Sauerbeck L, Woo D, Langefeld C, Brown R, Pugh E, Doheny K, Liu Y, Foroud T, Broderick J. The Use of Linkage Data To Prioritize Results from Whole Exome Sequencing in Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (S53.001). Neurology 2012. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.78.1_meetingabstracts.s53.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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70
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Hopkinson NS, Englebretsen C, Cooley N, Kennie K, Lim M, Woodcock T, Laverty A, Wilson S, Elkin SL, Caneja C, Falzon C, Burgess H, Bell D, Lai D. P100 Designing and implementing a COPD discharge care bundle. Thorax 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-201054c.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Abstract
Zebrafish have proved to be a popular species for the modeling of human disease. In this context, there is a need to move beyond chemical-based mutagenesis and develop tools that target genes that are orthologous to those that are implicated in human heritable diseases. Targeting can take the form of creating mutations that are nonsense or mis-sense, or to mimic haploinsufficiency through the regulated expression of RNA effector molecules. In terms of the latter, we describe here the development and investigation of microRNA (miRNA)-based directed gene silencing methods in zebrafish. Unlike small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), miRNA-based methods offer temporal and spatial regulation of gene silencing. Proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the method in zebrafish embryos, which provide the foundation for developing disease models using miRNA-based gene-targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-C Lan
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Walsh J, Tighe O, Lai D, Harvey R, Karayiorgou M, Gogos J, Waddington J, O'Tuathaigh C. Disruption of thermal nociceptive behaviour in mice mutant for the schizophrenia-associated genes NRG1, COMT and DISC1. Brain Res 2010; 1348:114-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Revised: 06/06/2010] [Accepted: 06/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Duffy L, Cappas E, Lai D, Boucher AA, Karl T. Cognition in transmembrane domain neuregulin 1 mutant mice. Neuroscience 2010; 170:800-7. [PMID: 20678553 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Revised: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuregulin 1 (NRG1), which has been implicated in the development of schizophrenia, is expressed widely throughout the brain and influences key neurodevelopmental processes such as myelination and neuronal migration. The heterozygous transmembrane domain Nrg1 mutant mouse (Nrg1 TM HET) exhibits a neurobehavioural phenotype relevant for schizophrenia research, characterized by the development of locomotor hyperactivity, social withdrawal, increased sensitivity to environmental manipulation, and changes to the serotonergic system. As only limited data are available on the learning and memory performance of Nrg1 TM HET mice, we conducted a comprehensive examination of these mice and their wild type-like littermates in a variety of paradigms, including fear conditioning (FC), radial arm maze (RAM), Y maze, object exploration and passive avoidance (PA). Male neuregulin 1 hypomorphic mice displayed impairments in the novel object recognition and FC tasks, including reduced interest in the novel object and reduced FC to a context, but not a discrete cue. These cognitive deficits were task-specific, as no differences were seen between mutant and control mice in spatial learning (i.e. RAM and Y maze) for both working and reference memory measures, or in the PA paradigm. These findings indicate that neuregulin 1 plays a moderate role in cognition and present further behavioural validation of this genetic mouse model for the schizophrenia candidate gene neuregulin 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Duffy
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
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75
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Bi Y, Lai D, Yan H. Synthetic evaluation of the effect of health promotion: impact of a UNICEF project in 40 poor western counties of China. Public Health 2010; 124:376-91. [PMID: 20609869 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2010.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Revised: 02/07/2010] [Accepted: 03/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To synthetically evaluate the effects of a health promotion project launched by the Ministry of Health of China and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 40 poor western counties of China. STUDY DESIGN The two surveys were cross-sectional studies. Stratified multistage random sampling was used to recruit subjects. METHODS Data were collected through two surveys conducted in the 40 'UNICEF project counties' in 1999 and 2000. After categorizing the 27 evaluation indicators into four aspects, a hybrid of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution, and linear weighting were used to analyse the changes. The 40 counties were classified into three different levels according to differences in the synthetic indicator derived. Comparing the synthetic evaluation indicators of these two surveys, issues for implementation of the project were identified and discussed. RESULTS The values of the synthetic indicators were significantly higher in 2000 than in 1999 (P=0.02); this indicated that the projects were effective. Among the 40 counties, 11 counties were at a higher level in 2000, 10 counties were at a lower level, and others were in the middle level. Comparative analysis showed that 36% of village clinics were not licensed to practice medicine, nearly 50% of village clinics had no records of medicine purchases, nearly 20% of village clinics had no pressure cooker for disinfection, and 20% of pregnant women did not receive any prenatal care. CONCLUSIONS The health promotion projects in the 40 counties were effective. Health management, medical treatment conditions, maternal health and child health care have improved to some extent. However, much remains to be done to improve health care in these 40 poor counties. The findings of this study can help decision makers to improve the implementation of such improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Bi
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
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76
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O'Tuathaigh CMP, Harte M, O'Leary C, O'Sullivan GJ, Blau C, Lai D, Harvey RP, Tighe O, Fagan AJ, Kerskens C, Reynolds GP, Waddington JL. Schizophrenia-related endophenotypes in heterozygous neuregulin-1 'knockout' mice. Eur J Neurosci 2010; 31:349-58. [PMID: 20074216 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.07069.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) has been shown to play a role in glutamatergic neurotransmission and is a risk gene for schizophrenia, in which there is evidence for hypoglutamatergic function. Sensitivity to the behavioural effects of the psychotomimetic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists MK-801 and phencyclidine (PCP) was examined in mutant mice with heterozygous deletion of NRG1. Social behaviour (sociability, social novelty preference and dyadic interaction), together with exploratory activity, was assessed following acute or subchronic administration of MK-801 (0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg) or PCP (5 mg/kg). In untreated NRG1 mutants, levels of glutamate, N-acetylaspartate and GABA were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and regional brain volumes were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging at 7T. NRG1 mutants, particularly males, displayed decreased responsivity to the locomotor-activating effects of acute PCP. Subchronic MK-801 and PCP disrupted sociability and social novelty preference in mutants and wildtypes and reversed the increase in both exploratory activity and social dominance-related behaviours observed in vehicle-treated mutants. No phenotypic differences were demonstrated in N-acetylaspartate, glutamate or GABA levels. The total ventricular and olfactory bulb volume was decreased in mutants. These data indicate a subtle role for NRG1 in modulating several schizophrenia-relevant processes including the effects of psychotomimetic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M P O'Tuathaigh
- Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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78
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Lai D. Statistical analysis on spatial and temporal patterns of the Chinese elderly population. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2009; 28:53-64. [PMID: 18656104 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4943(98)00126-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/1998] [Revised: 08/31/1998] [Accepted: 09/04/1998] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
China contains over one-fifth of the world population. Over the past 20 years, the Chinese population has been ageing rapidly due to the dramatic family planning programs enforced by the Chinese government. These family planning programs have been implemented gradually during the last two decades and the programs implemented were varied from region to region. In this study, we statistically examined the spatial and temporal patterns of the processes of the Chinese elderly populations among the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities (P/A/M) from 1953 to 1994. The D-statistic was used in assessing the spatial autocorrelation for the proportions of the elderly population of the 30 (29) P/A/M in the Chinese mainland. The simple T-statistic was used in measuring the temporal changes since 1953. The spatial and temporal patterns were statistically significant according to the testing statistics. We also found that the proportions of the elderly population were highly correlated with the population densities of the P/A/M. We linked these statistical results with the changes in the socio-economic situations since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Lai
- International and Family Health Module, School of Public Health, RAS E519, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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79
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Abstract
e20691 Background:Febrile neutropenia (F/N) is a relatively common and serious side effect for oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. Due to varying dosages and frequency of cytotoxic agents administered to oncology patients, the incidence and grade of neutropenia varies. The purpose of this study was to establish the frequency of febrile neutropenia in different chemotherapy regimens. Methods: Data was collected on 343 patients who underwent chemotherapy over a 9 month period. Regimens that caused at least one episode of febrile neutropenia in patients within that period were assessed in the study. A list of the patients on identified chemotherapy regimens during the time period was generated by the pharmacy department. Data on patients who had febrile neutropenia was obtained from their clinical notes. Clinical data was then obtained on all those patients. This information was then used to compare the frequency of febrile neutropenia in the included chemotherapy regimens. Results: 343 patients were included in this study. Of those, 41 patients developed febrile neutropenia within the 9 month period (11%); there were 49 cases of febrile neutropenia (14%) in total as some patients had more than one episode. Conclusions: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a known potential side-effect from treatment with chemotherapy. This study highlights the rates of FN in patients treated within one centre. In patients being treated with specific chemotherapy regimens this study may guide the increased use of G-CSF and better outline the risk profile of such therapy to patients. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Chohan
- Beaumont Hospital Cancer Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D. Lai
- Beaumont Hospital Cancer Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M. McNamara
- Beaumont Hospital Cancer Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L. Grogan
- Beaumont Hospital Cancer Centre, Dublin, Ireland
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80
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Foroud T, Ichikawa S, Koller D, Lai D, Curry L, Xuei X, Edenberg HJ, Hui S, Peacock M, Econs MJ. Association studies of ALOX5 and bone mineral density in healthy adults. Osteoporos Int 2008; 19:637-43. [PMID: 17909879 PMCID: PMC2467476 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-007-0484-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2007] [Accepted: 08/24/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Animal studies suggest that arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (encoded by ALOX5) may be a genetic determinant of bone mineral density. We tested this hypothesis in a sample of healthy men and women and did not find consistent evidence for an association between variation in this gene and either lumbar spine or femoral neck BMD. INTRODUCTION Phenotypic variation in bone mineral density (BMD) among healthy adults is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. A recent mouse study implicated ALOX5, which encodes arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, as a contributing factor to areal BMD (aBMD). METHODS Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed throughout ALOX5 were genotyped in three healthy groups: 1,688 European American, premenopausal sisters, 512 African American premenopausal sisters and 715 European American brothers. Statistical analyses were performed in the three groups to test for association between these SNPs and femoral neck and lumbar spine aBMD. RESULTS Significant (p < or = 0.05) evidence of association was observed with three of the SNPs. However, despite the linkage disequilibrium between SNPs, adjacent SNPs did not provide statistical evidence of association in any of the three study groups. CONCLUSIONS These data do not provide consistent evidence of association between genomic variation in ALOX5 and clinical variability in aBMD in healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Foroud
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Health Information and Translational Sciences Building, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3002, USA.
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81
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Baring MG, Harding AK, Yuan YF, Li XD, Lai D. Modeling the Non-Thermal X-ray Tail Emission of Anomalous X-ray Pulsars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1063/1.2840459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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82
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Stapleton P, Lai D, Millar C, Wua E, Andres M, Love D. WITHDRAWN: Discovery of three related females who type XY at the amelogenin locus. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2007.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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83
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Munir M, Lai D, Ahmed A, Shankar K, Brewer A, Stupin I, Casscells S, Delgado R. Routine laboratory variables may be used to predict imminent hospitalization in Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) patients. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Munir M, Lai D, Ahmed A, Shankar K, Brewer A, Stupin I, Casscells S, Delgado R. WITHDRAWN: Routine laboratory variables may be used to predict imminent hospitalization in Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Patients. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.03.822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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85
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86
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Delclos GL, Arif AA, Aday L, Carson A, Lai D, Lusk C, Stock T, Symanski E, Whitehead LW, Benavides FG, Antó JM. Validation of an asthma questionnaire for use in healthcare workers. Occup Environ Med 2006; 63:173-9. [PMID: 16497858 PMCID: PMC2078145 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2005.021634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have described increased occurrence of asthma among healthcare workers, but to our knowledge there are no validated survey questionnaires with which to study this occupational group. AIMS To develop, validate, and refine a new survey instrument on asthma for use in epidemiological studies of healthcare workers. METHODS An initial draft questionnaire, designed by a multidisciplinary team, used previously validated questions where possible; the occupational exposure section was developed by updating health services specific chemical lists through hospital walk-through surveys and review of material safety data sheets. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted in 118 non-smoking subjects, who also underwent bronchial challenge testing, an interview with an industrial hygienist, and measurement of specific IgE antibodies to common aeroallergens. RESULTS The final version consisted of 43 main questions in four sections. Time to completion of the questionnaire ranged from 13 to 25 minutes. Test-retest reliability of asthma and allergy items ranged from 75% to 94%, and internal consistency for these items was excellent (Cronbach's alpha > or = 0.86). Against methacholine challenge, an eight item combination of asthma related symptoms had a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 70%; against a physician diagnosis of asthma, this same combination showed a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 98%. Agreement between self-reported exposures and industrial hygienist review was similar to previous studies and only moderate, indicating the need to incorporate more reliable methods of exposure assessment. Against the aerollergen panel, the best combinations of sensitivity and specificity were obtained for a history of allergies to dust, dust mite, and animals. CONCLUSIONS Initial evaluation of this new questionnaire indicates good validity and reliability, and further field testing and cross-validation in a larger healthcare worker population is in progress. The need for development of more reliable occupational exposure assessment methods that go beyond self-report is underscored.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Delclos
- The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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87
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Ichikawa S, Johnson ML, Koller DL, Lai D, Xuei X, Edenberg HJ, Hui SL, Foroud TM, Peacock M, Econs MJ. Polymorphisms in the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) gene do not affect bone mineral density in white men or women. Osteoporos Int 2006; 17:587-92. [PMID: 16432645 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-005-0018-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2005] [Accepted: 09/30/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Peak bone mineral density (BMD) achieved during adulthood is a major determinant of osteoporotic fracture in later life. Although environmental factors affect peak BMD, it is a highly heritable trait. Recently, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) was reported as a susceptibility gene for osteoporotic fractures and low BMD in Icelandic and Danish populations. METHODS To determine whether polymorphisms in the BMP2 gene contribute to BMD variation in our population of healthy American whites, we tested seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), four of which were associated with osteoporotic phenotypes in the previous study. BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine (L2-L4) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 411 men (age 18-61) and 1,291 pre-menopausal women (age 20-50). SNP genotypes/haplotypes were tested for population-based association with BMD using analysis of variance. RESULTS None of the polymorphisms tested reached statistical significance (all p values >0.05) for BMD at the femoral neck or lumbar spine in either gender. Two of the SNP haplotypes spanning the entire BMP2 gene were marginally associated with BMD in men (p values=0.019-0.043). However, these haplotypes would account for only a small, if any, portion of BMD variation and would not be significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that genetic variations in BMP2 do not substantially contribute to BMD variation in our population of healthy American whites.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ichikawa
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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89
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Shackelford LC, LeBlanc AD, Driscoll TB, Evans HJ, Rianon NJ, Smith SM, Spector E, Feeback DL, Lai D. Resistance exercise as a countermeasure to disuse-induced bone loss. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2004; 97:119-29. [PMID: 15220316 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00741.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During spaceflight, skeletal unloading results in loss of bone mineral density (BMD). This occurs primarily in the spine and lower body regions. This loss of skeletal mass could prove hazardous to astronauts on flights of long duration. In this study, intense resistance exercise was used to test whether a training regimen would prevent the loss of BMD that accompanies disuse. Nine subjects (5 men, 4 women) participated in a supine maximal resistance exercise training program during 17 wk of horizontal bed rest. These subjects were compared with 18 control subjects (13 men, 5 women) who followed the same bed rest protocol without exercise. Determination of treatment effect was based on measures of BMD, bone metabolism markers, and calcium balance obtained before, during, and after bed rest. Exercisers and controls had significantly (P < 0.05) different means, represented by the respective following percent changes: lumbar spine BMD, +3% vs. -1%; total hip BMD, +1% vs. -3%; calcaneus BMD, +1% vs. -9%; pelvis BMD, -0.5% vs. -3%; total body BMD, 0% vs. -1%; bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, +64% vs. 0%; alkaline phosphatase, +31% vs. +5%; osteocalcin, +43% vs. +10%; 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, +12% vs. -15%; parathyroid hormone intact molecule, +18% vs. -25%; and serum and ionized calcium, -1% vs. +1%. The difference in net calcium balance was also significant (+21 mg/day vs. -199 mg/day, exercise vs. control). The gastrocnemius and soleus muscle volumes decreased significantly in the exercise group, but the loss was significantly less than observed in the control group. The results indicate that resistance exercise had a positive treatment effect and thus might be useful as a countermeasure to prevent the deleterious skeletal changes associated with long-duration spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Shackelford
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess hearing in patients with essential tremor (ET) vs patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and normal controls. METHODS The authors assessed demographic and clinical information including use of hearing aids in 250 patients with ET, 127 patients with PD, and 127 normal controls. The authors administered the Nursing Home Hearing Handicap Index (NHHI), a validated measure of hearing disability. Regression techniques were used to adjust for factors such as age and sex. The authors assessed a complete audiologic evaluation in a subset of patients with ET. RESULTS Patients with ET had worse adjusted NHHI scores when compared to patients with PD (p < 0.001), controls (p < 0.001), and both (p < 0.001). A higher percentage of patients with ET also used hearing aids (p < 0.0001). In the ET group, hearing loss was associated with tremor severity (p = 0.02) and tended to be associated with older age (p = 0.06), male sex (p = 0.06), and the absence of dystonia (p = 0.18). Audiology testing was consistent with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Central processing was not disproportionally greater than peripheral loss. CONCLUSION Patients with ET have increased hearing disability compared to patients with PD and normal controls, which correlates with tremor severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- W G Ondo
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.
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91
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Brusselle-Dupend N, Lai D, Feaugas X, Guigon M, Clavel M. Mechanical behavior of a semicrystalline polymer before necking. Part II: Modeling of uniaxial behavior. POLYM ENG SCI 2004. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.10041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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92
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Abstract
This paper assesses whether the same factors are predictive of health service utilization among this ethnic group as is true of the general population of seniors. The data suggest that the health of Chinese elders is just as bad as other seniors, and their utilization is very similar. They have a strong preference for Western over Chinese medicine and for Western trained doctors over Chinese practitioners, and use services with Chinese staff, probably because of language. Similarly, the predictors of service use are strikingly similar to predictors revealed in utilization studies throughout the industrialized world. Ability to speak English, immigration history, and country of origin are unrelated to the use of these services. However, approximately half of Chinese seniors also engage in traditional Chinese care. Religious beliefs and a preference for traditional Chinese medicine are strongly predictive of the use of traditional care. It would appear that distinctive culture is related to the use of traditional care, but not the use of the western health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- N L Chappell
- Centre on Aging, Department of Sociology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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93
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Brusselle-Dupend N, Lai D, Feaugas X, Guigon M, Clavel M. Mechanical behavior of a semicrystalline polymer before necking. Part 1: Characterization of uniaxial behavior. POLYM ENG SCI 2004. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.10709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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94
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Lai D, Pestka S. A simple method for site-directed mutagenesis with double-stranded plasmid DNA. Methods Mol Biol 2003; 57:75-85. [PMID: 8849996 DOI: 10.1385/0-89603-332-5:75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- D Lai
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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Harvey RP, Lai D, Elliott D, Biben C, Solloway M, Prall O, Stennard F, Schindeler A, Groves N, Lavulo L, Hyun C, Yeoh T, Costa M, Furtado M, Kirk E. Homeodomain factor Nkx2-5 in heart development and disease. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 2003; 67:107-14. [PMID: 12858530 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2002.67.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R P Harvey
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst 2010, New South Wales, Australia
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Lai D, Ho WCG. Polarized x-ray emission from magnetized neutron stars: signature of strong-field vacuum polarization. Phys Rev Lett 2003; 91:071101. [PMID: 12935001 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.91.071101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In the atmospheric plasma of a strongly magnetized neutron star, vacuum polarization can induce a Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein type resonance across which an x-ray photon may (depending on its energy) convert from one mode into the other, with significant changes in opacities and polarizations. We show that this vacuum resonance effect gives rise to a unique energy-dependent polarization signature in the surface emission from neutron stars. The detection of polarized x rays from neutron stars can provide a direct probe of strong-field quantum electrodynamics and constrain the neutron star magnetic field and geometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lai
- Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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97
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Yu G, Tay B, Lau S, Prasad K, Pan L, Chai J, Lai D. Effects of N ion energy on titanium nitride films deposited by ion assisted filtered cathodic vacuum arc. Chem Phys Lett 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s0009-2614(03)00719-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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98
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Silver SR, Rinsky RA, Cooper SP, Hornung RW, Lai D. Effect of follow-up time on risk estimates: a longitudinal examination of the relative risks of leukemia and multiple myeloma in a rubber hydrochloride cohort. Am J Ind Med 2002; 42:481-9. [PMID: 12439871 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.10139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Choice of follow-up time for an occupational cohort can influence risk estimates. We examined the effects of follow-up time on relative risk estimates for leukemia and multiple myeloma in a cohort of 1,845 rubber hydrochloride workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS We generated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for yearly follow-ups, beginning each study in 1940 and increasing study end dates from 1950 through 1996. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling to explore the effects of follow-up time on the exposure-response relationship. RESULTS The SMR for leukemia rose to 13.55 in 1961 and fell nearly monotonically to 2.47 by 1996. Cox modeling suggested interaction between cumulative exposure and time since exposure. A longer time to peak risk was seen for multiple myeloma. CONCLUSIONS Because summary risk estimates change with follow-up time, exposure limits set using these estimates may not adequately protect workers. Consideration of appropriate follow-up time and use of more complex temporal models are critical to the risk assessment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Silver
- Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS R-44, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
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99
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LeBlanc AD, Driscol TB, Shackelford LC, Evans HJ, Rianon NJ, Smith SM, Feeback DL, Lai D. Alendronate as an effective countermeasure to disuse induced bone loss. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2002; 2:335-43. [PMID: 15758425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Microgravity, similar to disuse immobilization on earth, causes rapid bone loss. This loss is believed to be an adaptive response to the reduced musculoskeletal forces in space and occurs gradually enough that changes occurring during short duration space flight are not a concern. Bone loss, however, will be a major impediment for long duration missions if effective countermeasures are not developed and implemented. Bed rest is used to simulate the reduced mechanical forces in humans and was used to test the hypothesis that oral alendronate would reduce the effects of long duration (17 weeks) inactivity on bone. Eight male subjects were given daily oral doses of alendronate during 17 weeks of horizontal bed rest and compared with 13 male control subjects not given the drug. Efficacy was evaluated based on measurements of bone markers, calcium balance and bone density performed before, during and after the bed rest. The results show that oral alendronate attenuates most of the characteristic changes in bone that are associated with long duration bed rest and presumably space flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D LeBlanc
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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100
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Xu PY, Liang R, Jankovic J, Hunter C, Zeng YX, Ashizawa T, Lai D, Le WD. Association of homozygous 7048G7049 variant in the intron six of Nurr1 gene with Parkinson's disease. Neurology 2002; 58:881-4. [PMID: 11914402 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.58.6.881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether the Nurr1 gene, which is critical for the development and maintenance of nigral dopaminergic neurons, is a risk factor associated with PD. BACKGROUND The Nurrl gene is highly expressed in the dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Knockout of the gene results in agenesis of nigral dopaminergic neurons and heterozygous knockout mice increases 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity. METHODS This study included 105 patients with familial PD (fPD) and 120 patients with sporadic PD (sPD) and 221 age-matched healthy control subjects. The polymorphisms and mutations of the Nurr1 gene in patients with PD were initially examined by heteroduplex analysis and sequencing analysis from PCR-amplified Nurr1 gene fragments. A polymorphism in the BseRI restriction site was identified, and a relatively large-scale analysis then was conducted by three independent investigators who were blinded to the clinical status of the subjects. RESULTS A homozygous 7048G7049 polymorphism was found in intron 6 of the Nurr1 gene, which was significantly higher in fPD (10/105; 9.5%) and in sPD (5/120; 4.2%) compared with healthy control subjects (2/221; 0.9%). The mean age and the SD at onset of these homozygote patients with PD was 52 +/- 15 years for fPD and 46 +/- 7 years for sPD. The clinical features of these homozygote patients with PD did not differ from those of typical PD. CONCLUSIONS The homozygote polymorphism of 7048G7049 in intron 6 of the Nurr1 gene is associated with typical PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- P-Y Xu
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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