1
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Viering B, Balogh H, Cox CF, Kirpekar OK, Akers AL, Federico VA, Valenzano GZ, Stempel R, Pickett HL, Lundin PM, Blackledge MS, Miller HB. Loratadine Combats Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Modulating Virulence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Biofilm Genes. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:232-250. [PMID: 38153409 PMCID: PMC10788911 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has evolved to become resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. New antibiotics are costly to develop and deploy, and they have a limited effective lifespan. Antibiotic adjuvants are molecules that potentiate existing antibiotics through nontoxic mechanisms. We previously reported that loratadine, the active ingredient in Claritin, potentiates multiple cell-wall active antibiotics in vitro and disrupts biofilm formation through a hypothesized inhibition of the master regulatory kinase Stk1. Loratadine and oxacillin combined repressed the expression of key antibiotic resistance genes in the bla and mec operons. We hypothesized that additional genes involved in antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and other cellular pathways would be modulated when looking transcriptome-wide. To test this, we used RNA-seq to quantify transcript levels and found significant effects in gene expression, including genes controlling virulence, antibiotic resistance, metabolism, transcription (core RNA polymerase subunits and sigma factors), and translation (a plethora of genes encoding ribosomal proteins and elongation factor Tu). We further demonstrated the impacts of these transcriptional effects by investigating loratadine treatment on intracellular ATP levels, persister formation, and biofilm formation and morphology. Loratadine minimized biofilm formation in vitro and enhanced the survival of infected Caenorhabditis elegans. These pleiotropic effects and their demonstrated outcomes on MRSA virulence and survival phenotypes position loratadine as an attractive anti-infective against MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna
L. Viering
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Halie Balogh
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Chloe F. Cox
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Owee K. Kirpekar
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - A. Luke Akers
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Victoria A. Federico
- Department
of Biology, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Gabriel Z. Valenzano
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Robin Stempel
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Hannah L. Pickett
- Department
of Biology, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Pamela M. Lundin
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Meghan S. Blackledge
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Heather B. Miller
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
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2
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Viering B, Cunningham T, King A, Blackledge MS, Miller HB. Brominated Carbazole with Antibiotic Adjuvant Activity Displays Pleiotropic Effects in MRSA's Transcriptome. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:1239-1248. [PMID: 35467845 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major threat to human health, as the US mortality rate outweighs those from HIV, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis combined. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections acquired during hospital stays have increased. Antibiotic adjuvants are a key strategy to combat these bacteria. We have evaluated several small molecule antibiotic adjuvants that have strong potentiation with β-lactam antibiotics and are likely inhibiting a master regulatory kinase, Stk1. Here, we investigated how the lead adjuvant (compound 8) exerts its effects in a more comprehensive manner. We hypothesized that the expression levels of key resistance genes would decrease once cotreated with oxacillin and the adjuvant. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses would reveal biochemical pathways enriched in differentially expressed genes. RNA-seq analysis showed 176 and 233 genes significantly up- and downregulated, respectively, in response to cotreatment. Gene ontology categories and biochemical pathways that were significantly enriched with downregulated genes involved carbohydrate utilization, such as the citrate cycle and the phosphotransferase system. One of the most populated pathways was S. aureus infection. Results from an interaction network constructed with affected gene products supported the hypothesis that Stk1 is a target of compound 8. This study revealed a dramatic impact of our lead adjuvant on the transcriptome that is consistent with a pleiotropic effect due to Stk1 inhibition. These results point to this antibiotic adjuvant having potential broad therapeutic use in combatting MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Viering
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Taylor Cunningham
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Ashley King
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Meghan S. Blackledge
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Heather B. Miller
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
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3
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Berndsen R, Cunningham T, Kaelin L, Callender M, Boldog WD, Viering B, King A, Labban N, Pollock JA, Miller HB, Blackledge MS. Identification and Evaluation of Brominated Carbazoles as a Novel Antibiotic Adjuvant Scaffold in MRSA. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:483-491. [PMID: 35295086 PMCID: PMC8919279 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Antibiotic-resistant
infections are a pressing global concern,
causing millions of deaths each year. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of nosocomial
infections in healthcare settings and is increasingly responsible
for community-acquired infections that are often more difficult to
treat. Antibiotic adjuvants are small molecules that potentiate antibiotics
through nontoxic mechanisms and show excellent promise as novel therapeutics.
Screening of low-molecular-weight compounds was employed to identify
novel antibiotic adjuvant scaffolds for further elaboration. Brominated
carbazoles emerged from this screening as lead compounds for further
evaluation. Lead carbazoles were able to potentiate several β-lactam
antibiotics in three medically relevant strains of MRSA. Gene expression
studies determined that these carbazoles were dampening the transcription
of key genes that modulate β-lactam resistance in MRSA. The
lead brominated carbazoles represent novel scaffolds for elaboration
as antibiotic adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Berndsen
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Taylor Cunningham
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Lauren Kaelin
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Makayla Callender
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia 23173, United States
| | - W. Dexter Boldog
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Brianna Viering
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Ashley King
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Najwa Labban
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia 23173, United States
| | - Julie A. Pollock
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia 23173, United States
| | - Heather B. Miller
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Meghan S. Blackledge
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
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4
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Bowen KL, Hagan AK, Miller HB. Rust ( Puccinia emaculata) Management and Impact on Biomass Yield in Switchgrass. Plant Dis 2022; 106:390-394. [PMID: 34491090 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-02-21-0271-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rust, putatively caused by Puccinia emaculata, is a widespread and potentially damaging disease of switchgrass, a crop produced as feedstock for livestock and bioenergy. Azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, and myclobutanil were applied at 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-week intervals for 12 to 14 weeks to the vegetatively propagated switchgrass cultivar Cloud Nine to assess fungicide selection and application interval for the control of rust as well as the impact of this disease on switchgrass biomass yield. Although rust severity significantly differed among study years, azoxystrobin and myclobutanil were often equally and more effective than chlorothalonil at controlling rust, with superior disease control coming at shorter application intervals compared with extended application intervals. Year, product, application interval, and product × interval significantly impacted dry biomass yield, which was greatest in 2016 and lowest in 2014. Dry biomass yield protection was significantly better with azoxystrobin and myclobutanil applications than with chlorothalonil or no fungicide. Linear regression models with the final disease rating, as well as with the area under disease progress curve in each year, were significant, but coefficients of determination were low to moderate (0.21 < R2 < 0.60), indicating that rust response and subsequent disease impact on dry biomass yield were impacted by other factors. From our models, an estimated 3 to 5% biomass decline was calculated for each 10% increment in rust-related leaf necrosis observed at the final September rating date. With rust-related leaf necrosis ≥80% by 1 September in each of 4 study years, biomass yield may be reduced by 24 to 40% if rust problems are not managed in switchgrass crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Bowen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, AL 36849
| | - A K Hagan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, AL 36849
| | - H B Miller
- Brewton Agricultural Research Unit, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Brewton, AL 36426
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5
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Miller HB, Srougi MC. Growth mindset interventions improve academic performance but not mindset in biochemistry. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2021; 49:748-757. [PMID: 34263983 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that students' self-beliefs about altering their academic abilities can directly influence long-term achievement. These self-beliefs or mindsets can either be fixed (unchangeable) or growth oriented. Students with growth mindsets believe their academic abilities can change, which leads to higher grades and academic persistence in contrast to students with fixed mindsets. However, less is known about how these attributes affect student learning, particularly in college level biochemistry courses. In this study, we utilized metacognitive interventions to promote growth mindset among third and fourth year undergraduate students enrolled in a one semester Biochemistry survey course. Using a mixed-methods study design, we evaluated student mindset, attitudes toward learning, and academic performance over four semesters. Our results suggest that although students' mindsets did not change as a result of growth mindset interventions, their positive perceptions about learning versus performance did increase. Furthermore, students receiving growth mindset interventions significantly outperformed students who did not receive interventions on the final cumulative exam that assessed critical thinking skills. These results suggest that these types of metacognitive interventions can be an effective tool to improve student academic performance in a biochemistry course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather B Miller
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina, USA
| | - Melissa C Srougi
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences and the Biotechnology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Hulver MJ, Trautman JP, Goodwin AP, Roszczenko SK, Fogarty KH, Miller HB. Human Tat-specific factor 1 binds the HIV-1 genome and selectively transports HIV-1 RNAs. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:1759-1772. [PMID: 32016635 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05267-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) propagation requires many human cofactors. Multiple groups have demonstrated that Tat-specific factor 1 (Tat-SF1) is an HIV-1 dependency factor. Depletion of this protein lowers HIV-1 infectivity, however, it does not affect the overall levels of viral RNA. Rather, Tat-SF1 regulates the relative levels of each RNA size class. This would be consistent with roles in splicing, transport, and/or stability of viral RNAs. We hypothesized that if Tat-SF1 plays any of these roles, then we should detect binding of the protein to the RNA genome. Furthermore, knocking down Tat-SF1 should result in altered RNA stability and/or localization in human cells. Fragments of the HIV-1 genome were used as RNA probes in electrophoretic mobility shift assays and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy experiments. Our results show that Tat-SF1 can form a complex with TAR RNA in vitro, independent of Tat. This factor interacts with at least one additional location in the 5' end of the HIV-1 genome. Tat seems to enhance the formation of this complex. To analyze HIV-1 RNA localization, HeLa cells with Tat-SF1 knocked down were also transfected with a proviral clone. RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions was purified, followed by RT-qPCR analysis. Tat-SF1 likely binds the HIV-1 RNA genome at TAR and potentially other locations and selectively transports HIV-1 RNAs, facilitating the unspliced RNA's nuclear export while retaining singly spliced RNAs in the nucleus. This is a novel role for this HIV-1 dependency factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly J Hulver
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Julia P Trautman
- Department of Biology, High Point University, High Point, NC, 27268, USA
| | | | | | - Keir H Fogarty
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, NC, 27268, USA
| | - Heather B Miller
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, NC, 27268, USA.
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7
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Lau AF, Walchak RC, Miller HB, Slechta ES, Kamboj K, Riebe K, Robertson AE, Gilbreath JJ, Mitchell KF, Wallace MA, Bryson AL, Balada-Llasat JM, Bulman A, Buchan BW, Burnham CAD, Butler-Wu S, Desai U, Doern CD, Hanson KE, Henderson CM, Kostrzewa M, Ledeboer NA, Maier T, Pancholi P, Schuetz AN, Shi G, Wengenack NL, Zhang SX, Zelazny AM, Frank KM. Multicenter Study Demonstrates Standardization Requirements for Mold Identification by MALDI-TOF MS. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2098. [PMID: 31616388 PMCID: PMC6764242 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Rapid and accurate mold identification is critical for guiding therapy for mold infections. MALDI-TOF MS has been widely adopted for bacterial and yeast identification; however, few clinical laboratories have applied this technology for routine mold identification due to limited database availability and lack of standardized processes. Here, we evaluated the versatility of the NIH Mold Database in a multicenter evaluation. Methods The NIH Mold Database was evaluated by eight US academic centers using a solid media extraction method and a challenge set of 80 clinical mold isolates. Multiple instrument parameters important for spectra optimization were evaluated, leading to the development of two specialized acquisition programs (NIH method and the Alternate-B method). Results A wide range in performance (33–77%) was initially observed across the eight centers when routine spectral acquisition parameters were applied. Use of the NIH or the Alternate-B specialized acquisition programs, which are different than those used routinely for bacterial and yeast spectral acquisition (MBT_AutoX), in combination with optimized instrument maintenance, improved performance, illustrating that acquisition parameters may be one of the key limiting variable in achieving successful performance. Conclusion Successful mold identification using the NIH Database for MALDI-TOF MS on Biotyper systems was demonstrated across multiple institutions for the first time following identification of critical program parameters combined with instrument optimization. This significantly advances our potential to implement MALDI-TOF MS for mold identification across many institutions. Because instrument variability is inevitable, development of an instrument performance standard specific for mold spectral acquisition is suggested to improve reproducibility across instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna F Lau
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Robert C Walchak
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Heather B Miller
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - E Susan Slechta
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Kamal Kamboj
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Katherine Riebe
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Amy E Robertson
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Weill Cornell Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jeremy J Gilbreath
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kaitlin F Mitchell
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Meghan A Wallace
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Alexandra L Bryson
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Joan-Miquel Balada-Llasat
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Amanda Bulman
- Bruker Daltonics, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Blake W Buchan
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Carey-Ann D Burnham
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Susan Butler-Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Uma Desai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Christopher D Doern
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Kimberly E Hanson
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Department of Pathology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Christina M Henderson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Nathan A Ledeboer
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Thomas Maier
- Bruker Daltonics, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Preeti Pancholi
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Audrey N Schuetz
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Weill Cornell Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gongyi Shi
- Bruker Daltonics, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Nancy L Wengenack
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Sean X Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Adrian M Zelazny
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Karen M Frank
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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8
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Cutrona N, Gillard K, Ulrich R, Seemann M, Miller HB, Blackledge MS. From Antihistamine to Anti-infective: Loratadine Inhibition of Regulatory PASTA Kinases in Staphylococci Reduces Biofilm Formation and Potentiates β-Lactam Antibiotics and Vancomycin in Resistant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:1397-1410. [PMID: 31132246 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus are important human pathogens responsible for two-thirds of all postsurgical infections of indwelling medical devices. Staphylococci form robust biofilms that provide a reservoir for chronic infection, and antibiotic-resistant isolates are increasingly common in both healthcare and community settings. Novel treatments that can simultaneously inhibit biofilm formation and antibiotic-resistance pathways are urgently needed to combat the increasing rates of antibiotic-resistant infections. Herein we report that loratadine, an FDA-approved antihistamine, significantly inhibits biofilm formation in both S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Furthermore, loratadine potentiates β-lactam antibiotics in methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus and potentiates both β-lactam antibiotics and vancomycin in vancomycin-resistant strains of S. aureus. Additionally, we elucidate loratadine's mechanism of action as a novel inhibitor of the regulatory PASTA kinases Stk and Stk1 in S. epidermidis and S. aureus, respectively. Finally, we describe how Stk1 inhibition affects the expression of genes involved in both biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in S. epidermidis and S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Cutrona
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Kyra Gillard
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Rebecca Ulrich
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Mikaela Seemann
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Heather B. Miller
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Meghan S. Blackledge
- Department of Chemistry, High Point University, One University Parkway, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
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9
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Nelson CA, Park CK, Gates RJ, Arreguin ME, Salsa TM, Miller HB, Manga MM. Clinical and Economic Impact of an Integrated Care Team Model on Targeted, High-Risk Medicare Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Clin Diabetes 2018; 36:313-318. [PMID: 30363966 PMCID: PMC6187953 DOI: 10.2337/cd17-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
IN BRIEF "Quality Improvement Success Stories" are published by the American Diabetes Association in collaboration with the American College of Physicians, Inc., and the National Diabetes Education Program. This series is intended to highlight best practices and strategies from programs and clinics that have successfully improved the quality of care for people with diabetes or related conditions. Each article in the series is reviewed and follows a standard format developed by the editors of Clinical Diabetes. The following article describes a referral-based program for managing high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes in California.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Monica M. Manga
- Kaweah Delta Health Care District, Visalia, CA
- Kaweah Delta Medical Foundation, Visalia, CA
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10
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Simner PJ, Miller HB, Breitwieser FP, Pinilla Monsalve G, Pardo CA, Salzberg SL, Sears CL, Thomas DL, Eberhart CG, Carroll KC. Development and Optimization of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Methods for Cerebrospinal Fluid Diagnostics. J Clin Microbiol 2018; 56:e00472-18. [PMID: 29976594 PMCID: PMC6113476 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00472-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [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] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop and optimize different processing, extraction, amplification, and sequencing methods for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. We applied mNGS to 10 CSF samples with known standard-of-care testing (SoC) results (8 positive and 2 negative). Each sample was subjected to nine different methods by varying the sample processing protocols (supernatant, pellet, neat CSF), sample pretreatment (with or without bead beating), and the requirement of nucleic acid amplification steps using DNA sequencing (DNASeq) (with or without whole-genome amplification [WGA]) and RNA sequencing (RNASeq) methods. Negative extraction controls (NECs) were used for each method variation (4/CSF sample). Host depletion (HD) was performed on a subset of samples. We correctly determined the pathogen in 7 of 8 positive samples by mNGS compared to SoC. The two negative samples were correctly interpreted as negative. The processing protocol applied to neat CSF specimens was found to be the most successful technique for all pathogen types. While bead beating introduced bias, we found it increased the detection yield of certain organism groups. WGA prior to DNASeq was beneficial for defining pathogens at the positive threshold, and a combined DNA and RNA approach yielded results with a higher confidence when detected by both methods. HD was required for detection of a low-level-positive enterovirus sample. We demonstrate that NECs are required for interpretation of these complex results and that it is important to understand the common contaminants introduced during mNGS. Optimizing mNGS requires the use of a combination of techniques to achieve the most sensitive, agnostic approach that nonetheless may be less sensitive than SoC tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia J Simner
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Heather B Miller
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Florian P Breitwieser
- Center for Computational Biology, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Carlos A Pardo
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven L Salzberg
- Center for Computational Biology, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, and Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cynthia L Sears
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David L Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charles G Eberhart
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Karen C Carroll
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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11
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Gillard K, Miller HB, Blackledge MS. Tricyclic amine antidepressants suppress β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) by repressing mRNA levels of key resistance genes. Chem Biol Drug Des 2018; 92:1822-1829. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyra Gillard
- Department of Chemistry; High Point University; High Point North Carolina
| | - Heather B. Miller
- Department of Chemistry; High Point University; High Point North Carolina
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12
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Abstract
With the introduction and marketing of sildenafil, national attention has focused on sexual dysfunction in men. However, strides are being made to focus more effort on evaluation and treatment of female sexual disorder (FSD) since a 1999 national survey reported prevalence rates as high as 43% in women. Evaluation and assessment of FSD requires a comprehensive history and physical examination. Understanding of FSD requires knowledge and understanding of sexual anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Nonpharmacologic treatment may include sex therapy or relationship counseling. Pharmacologic treatment of FSD has focused mainly on hormonal therapies, including estrogen and testosterone, with the majority of studies being done in postmenopausal and hysterectomized women. However, recent studies indicate a more prudent and careful use of hormonal therapies. Research is also moving toward evaluation of bupropion and sildenafil as options for women who suffer from FSD. Available evidence for treatment alternatives is scant and in some cases inconclusive.
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Farley KA, Malespin C, Mahaffy P, Grotzinger JP, Vasconcelos PM, Milliken RE, Malin M, Edgett KS, Pavlov AA, Hurowitz JA, Grant JA, Miller HB, Arvidson R, Beegle L, Calef F, Conrad PG, Dietrich WE, Eigenbrode J, Gellert R, Gupta S, Hamilton V, Hassler DM, Lewis KW, McLennan SM, Ming D, Navarro-González R, Schwenzer SP, Steele A, Stolper EM, Sumner DY, Vaniman D, Vasavada A, Williford K, Wimmer-Schweingruber RF. In situ radiometric and exposure age dating of the martian surface. Science 2013; 343:1247166. [PMID: 24324273 DOI: 10.1126/science.1247166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
We determined radiogenic and cosmogenic noble gases in a mudstone on the floor of Gale Crater. A K-Ar age of 4.21 ± 0.35 billion years represents a mixture of detrital and authigenic components and confirms the expected antiquity of rocks comprising the crater rim. Cosmic-ray-produced (3)He, (21)Ne, and (36)Ar yield concordant surface exposure ages of 78 ± 30 million years. Surface exposure occurred mainly in the present geomorphic setting rather than during primary erosion and transport. Our observations are consistent with mudstone deposition shortly after the Gale impact or possibly in a later event of rapid erosion and deposition. The mudstone remained buried until recent exposure by wind-driven scarp retreat. Sedimentary rocks exposed by this mechanism may thus offer the best potential for organic biomarker preservation against destruction by cosmic radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Farley
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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14
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Srougi MC, Miller HB, Witherow DS, Carson S. Assessment of a novel group-centered testing schema in an upper-level undergraduate molecular biotechnology course. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2013; 41:232-41. [PMID: 23868378 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2013] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Providing students with assignments that focus on critical thinking is an important part of their scientific and intellectual development. However, as class sizes increase, so does the grading burden, prohibiting many faculty from incorporating critical thinking assignments in the classroom. In an effort to continue to provide our students with meaningful critical thinking exercises, we implemented a novel group-centered, problem-based testing scheme. We wanted to assess how performing critical thinking problem sets as group work compares to performing the sets as individual work, in terms of student attitudes and learning outcomes. During two semesters of our recombinant DNA course, students had the same lecture material and similar assessments. In the Fall semester, student learning was assessed by two collaborative take-home exams, followed immediately by individual, closed-book in-class exams on the same content, as well as a final cumulative exam. Student teams on the take-home exams were instructor-assigned, and each team turned in one collaborative exam. In the Spring semester, the control group of students were required to turn in their own individual take-home exams, followed by the in-class exams and final cumulative exam. For the majority of students, learning outcomes were met, regardless of whether they worked in teams. In addition, collaborative learning was favorably received by students and grading was reduced for instructors. These data suggest that group-centered, problem-based learning is a useful model for achievement of student learning outcomes in courses where it would be infeasible to provide feedback on individual critical thinking assignments due to grading volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa C Srougi
- Biotechnology Program and the Department of Plant Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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15
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Miller HB, Gose RB, Nagata MT, Sciulli RH, Whelen AC. Pacific region influenza surveillance for oseltamivir resistance. J Clin Virol 2012; 54:73-5. [PMID: 22296793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Revised: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hawaii and the United States-affiliated Pacific islands (USAPI) host over 8 million travelers annually, most of whom originate in Asia, Australia, and the Americas where prevalence of oseltamivir resistance in 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) has been reported to be 2.5-3.5%. OBJECTIVE To survey a collection of samples from Hawaii and the USAPI that had tested positive for the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus by RTI-PCR to assess whether antiviral resistance emerged in these island communities during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN We examined RNA extracted from Hawaiian and USAPI cases for the neuraminidase H275Y mutation associated with oseltamivir resistance by pyrosequencing. RESULTS Two hundred and sixty-three (263) 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) positive specimens were tested and 263/263 (100%) were shown to lack the mutation most commonly associated with oseltamivir resistance. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence of oseltamivir resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 virus during the 2009 pandemic in the Pacific islands despite considerable travel exposure. Geographic isolation, the lack of a "second wave" of pandemic influenza, judicious antiviral use, aggressive vaccination, and below average tourism due to the global economic crisis may have been contributing factors. Continued surveillance and vigilance is necessary to monitor unpredictable influenza activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather B Miller
- State Laboratories Division, Hawaii Department of Health, Pearl City, HI 96782, USA
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16
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Miller HB, Witherow DS, Carson S. Student learning outcomes and attitudes when biotechnology lab partners are of different academic levels. CBE Life Sci Educ 2012; 11:323-32. [PMID: 22949428 PMCID: PMC3433304 DOI: 10.1187/cbe.11-10-0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 04/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The North Carolina State University Biotechnology Program offers laboratory-intensive courses to both undergraduate and graduate students. In "Manipulation and Expression of Recombinant DNA," students are separated into undergraduate and graduate sections for the laboratory, but not the lecture, component. Evidence has shown that students prefer pairing with someone of the same academic level. However, retention of main ideas in peer learning environments has been shown to be greater when partners have dissimilar abilities. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that there will be enhanced student learning when lab partners are of different academic levels. We found that learning outcomes were met by both levels of student, regardless of pairing. Average undergraduate grades on every assessment method increased when undergraduates were paired with graduate students. Many of the average graduate student grades also increased modestly when graduate students were paired with undergraduates. Attitudes toward working with partners dramatically shifted toward favoring working with students of different academic levels. This work suggests that offering dual-level courses in which different-level partnerships are created does not inhibit learning by students of different academic levels. This format is useful for institutions that wish to offer "boutique" courses in which student enrollment may be low, but specialized equipment and faculty expertise are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather B. Miller
- *Biotechnology Program and Department of Plant Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - D. Scott Witherow
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606
| | - Susan Carson
- *Biotechnology Program and Department of Plant Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
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Miller HB, Robinson TJ, Gordân R, Hartemink AJ, Garcia-Blanco MA. Identification of Tat-SF1 cellular targets by exon array analysis reveals dual roles in transcription and splicing. RNA 2011; 17:665-674. [PMID: 21282347 PMCID: PMC3062177 DOI: 10.1261/rna.2462011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Tat specific factor 1 (Tat-SF1) interacts with components of both the transcription and splicing machineries and has been classified as a transcription-splicing factor. Although its function as an HIV-1 dependency factor has been investigated, relatively little is known about the cellular functions of Tat-SF1. To identify target genes of Tat-SF1, we utilized a combination of RNAi and exon-specific microarrays. These arrays, which survey genome-wide changes in transcript and individual exon levels, revealed 450 genes with transcript level changes upon Tat-SF1 depletion. Strikingly, 98% of these target genes were down-regulated upon depletion, indicating that Tat-SF1 generally activates gene expression. We also identified 89 genes that showed differential exon level changes after Tat-SF1 depletion. The 89 genes showed evidence of many different types of alternative exon use consistent with the regulation of transcription initiation sites and RNA processing. Minimal overlap between genes with transcript-level and exon-level changes suggests that Tat-SF1 does not functionally couple transcription and splicing. Biological processes significantly enriched with transcript- and exon-level targets include the cell cycle and nucleic acid metabolism; the insulin signaling pathway was enriched with Tat-SF1 transcript-level targets but not exon-level targets. Additionally, a hexamer, ATGCCG, was over-represented in the promoter region of genes showing changes in transcription initiation upon Tat-SF1 depletion. This may represent a novel motif that Tat-SF1 recognizes during transcription. Together, these findings suggest that Tat-SF1 functions independently in transcription and splicing of cellular genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather B Miller
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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18
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Ghosh AK, Leshchenko-Yashchuk S, Anderson DD, Baldridge A, Noetzel M, Miller HB, Tie Y, Wang YF, Koh Y, Weber IT, Mitsuya H. Design of HIV-1 protease inhibitors with pyrrolidinones and oxazolidinones as novel P1'-ligands to enhance backbone-binding interactions with protease: synthesis, biological evaluation, and protein-ligand X-ray studies. J Med Chem 2009; 52:3902-14. [PMID: 19473017 PMCID: PMC2745609 DOI: 10.1021/jm900303m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors are described. In an effort to enhance interactions with protease backbone atoms, we have incorporated stereochemically defined methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and methyl oxazolidinone as the P1'-ligands. These ligands are designed to interact with Gly-27' carbonyl and Arg-8 side chain in the S1'-subsite of the HIV protease. We have investigated the potential of these ligands in combination with our previously developed bis-tetrahydrofuran (bis-THF) and cyclopentanyltetrahydrofuran (Cp-THF) as the P2-ligands. Inhibitor 19b with a (R)-aminomethyl-2-pyrrolidinone and a Cp-THF was shown to be the most potent compound. This inhibitor maintained near full potency against multi-PI-resistant clinical HIV-1 variants. A high resolution protein-ligand X-ray crystal structure of 19b-bound HIV-1 protease revealed that the P1'-pyrrolidinone heterocycle and the P2-Cp-ligand are involved in several critical interactions with the backbone atoms in the S1' and S2 subsites of HIV-1 protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun K Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
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19
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Miller HB, Saunders KO, Tomaras GD, Garcia-Blanco MA. Tat-SF1 is not required for Tat transactivation but does regulate the relative levels of unspliced and spliced HIV-1 RNAs. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5710. [PMID: 19479034 PMCID: PMC2682658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/21/2009] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background HIV-1 relies on several host proteins for productive viral transcription. HIV-1 Tat-specific factor 1 (Tat-SF1) is among these cofactors that were identified by in vitro reconstituted transcription reactions with immunodepleted nuclear extracts. At the onset of this work, the prevailing hypothesis was that Tat-SF1 was a required cofactor for the viral regulatory protein, Tat; however, this had not previously been formally tested in vivo. Methodology/Principal Findings To directly address the involvement of Tat-SF1 in HIV-1 gene expression, we depleted Tat-SF1 in HeLa cells by conventional expression of shRNAs and in T- Rex -293 cells containing tetracycline-inducible shRNAs targeting Tat-SF1. We achieved efficient depletion of Tat-SF1 and demonstrated that this did not affect cell viability. HIV-1 infectivity decreased in Tat-SF1-depleted cells, but only when multiple rounds of infection occurred. Neither Tat-dependent nor basal transcription from the HIV-1 LTR was affected by Tat-SF1 depletion, suggesting that the decrease in infectivity was due to a deficiency at a later step in the viral lifecycle. Finally, Tat-SF1 depletion resulted in an increase in the ratio of unspliced to spliced viral transcripts. Conclusions/Significance Tat-SF1 is not required for regulating HIV-1 transcription, but is required for maintaining the ratios of different classes of HIV-1 transcripts. These new findings highlight a novel, post-transcriptional role for Tat-SF1 in the HIV-1 life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather B. Miller
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for RNA Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kevin O. Saunders
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Georgia D. Tomaras
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for RNA Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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Ghosh AK, Gemma S, Takayama J, Baldridge A, Leshchenko-Yashchuk S, Miller HB, Wang YF, Kovalevsky AY, Koh Y, Weber IT, Mitsuya H. Potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors incorporating meso-bicyclic urethanes as P2-ligands: structure-based design, synthesis, biological evaluation and protein-ligand X-ray studies. Org Biomol Chem 2008; 6:3703-13. [PMID: 18843400 DOI: 10.1039/b809178a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we designed a series of novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors incorporating a stereochemically defined bicyclic fused cyclopentyl (Cp-THF) urethane as the high affinity P2-ligand. Inhibitor with this P2-ligand has shown very impressive potency against multi-drug-resistant clinical isolates. Based upon the -bound HIV-1 protease X-ray structure, we have now designed and synthesized a number of meso-bicyclic ligands which can conceivably interact similarly to the Cp-THF ligand. The design of meso-ligands is quite attractive as they do not contain any stereocenters. Inhibitors incorporating urethanes of bicyclic-1,3-dioxolane and bicyclic-1,4-dioxane have shown potent enzyme inhibitory and antiviral activities. Inhibitor (K(i) = 0.11 nM; IC(50) = 3.8 nM) displayed very potent antiviral activity in this series. While inhibitor showed comparable enzyme inhibitory activity (K(i) = 0.18 nM) its antiviral activity (IC(50) = 170 nM) was significantly weaker than inhibitor . Inhibitor maintained an antiviral potency against a series of multi-drug resistant clinical isolates comparable to amprenavir. A protein-ligand X-ray structure of -bound HIV-1 protease revealed a number of key hydrogen bonding interactions at the S2-subsite. We have created an active model of inhibitor based upon this X-ray structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun K Ghosh
- Departments of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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22
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Seth P, Miller HB, Lasda EL, Pearson JL, Garcia-Blanco MA. Identification of an intronic splicing enhancer essential for the inclusion of FGFR2 exon IIIc. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:10058-67. [PMID: 18256031 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m800087200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The ligand specificity of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is determined by the alternative splicing of exons 8 (IIIb) or 9 (IIIc). Exon IIIb is included in epithelial cells, whereas exon IIIc is included in mesenchymal cells. Although a number of cis elements and trans factors have been identified that play a role in exon IIIb inclusion in epithelium, little is known about the activation of exon IIIc in mesenchyme. We report here the identification of a splicing enhancer required for IIIc inclusion. This 24-nucleotide (nt) downstream intronic splicing enhancer (DISE) is located within intron 9 immediately downstream of exon IIIc. DISE was able to activate the inclusion of heterologous exons rat FGFR2 IIIb and human beta-globin exon 2 in cell lines from different tissues and species and also in HeLa cell nuclear extracts in vitro. DISE was capable of replacing the intronic activator sequence 1 (IAS1), a known IIIb splicing enhancer and vice versa. This fact, together with the requirement for DISE to be close to the 5'-splice site and the ability of DISE to promote binding of U1 snRNP, suggested that IAS1 and DISE belong to the same class of cis-acting elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puneet Seth
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and Center for RNA Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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23
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Ghosh AK, Kumaragurubaran N, Hong L, Kulkarni S, Xu X, Miller HB, Reddy DS, Weerasena V, Turner R, Chang W, Koelsch G, Tang J. Potent memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) inhibitors: design, synthesis, protein-ligand X-ray structure, and in vivo evaluation. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2008; 18:1031-6. [PMID: 18180160 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2007] [Revised: 12/06/2007] [Accepted: 12/11/2007] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Structure-based design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of peptidomimetic beta-secretase inhibitors incorporating hydroxyethylamine isosteres are described. We have identified inhibitor 24 which has shown exceedingly potent activity in memapsin 2 enzyme inhibitory (K(i) 1.8 nM) and cellular (IC(50)=1 nM in Chinese hamster ovary cells) assays. Inhibitor 24 has also shown very impressive in vivo properties (up to 65% reduction of plasma A beta) in transgenic mice. The X-ray structure of protein-ligand complex of memapsin 2 revealed critical interactions in the memapsin 2 active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun K Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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24
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether the academic affiliation and obstetric volume of the delivering hospital has an impact on clinical and economic outcomes. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data for all births in the State of Maryland during 1996. Acute hospital discharge data were obtained from the publicly available Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database. Institutions were classified as community hospitals, community teaching hospitals, and academic medical centers. Principal outcome variables included cesarean birth and complication rates, total hospital charges, and length of stay. RESULTS A total of 63,143 cases were identified for analysis. The cesarean delivery rate was lower among academic medical centers, compared with community teaching hospitals and community hospitals (18.4% compared with 24.3% and 21.2%, respectively). After adjustment for patient case-mix, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for cesarean birth was 0.66 at academic medical centers and 1.23 at community teaching hospitals compared with community hospitals (P <.01). Rates of episiotomy and serious complications were lower at academic medical centers compared with community hospitals. Adjusted total hospital charges were lower and length of stay was shorter for community hospitals compared with academic medical centers ($2937 compared with $3564 and 2.2 days compared with 2.5 days, respectively). CONCLUSION Hospital academic affiliation was an important predictor of clinical outcomes. Better clinical outcomes were found primarily among patients at academic medical centers, although these institutions demonstrated moderately higher resource utilization, compared with community hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A Garcia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Abstract
Examined the comparability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in a sample of brain-injured patients. There were 53 patients (36 males, 17 females; M age = 27.25, SD = 11.45), the majority of whom had suffered a closed-head injury. The MMPI-2 and MMPI items were administered in the context of an extensive neuropsychological examination. Results revealed a lack of congruence between the MMPI and MMPI-2 when the entire profile was compared using profile analysis. Analyses of code types found congruence to be high for single point elevations but modest for 2-point code types. The degree of congruence appears related to the nature of analysis, and for clinical purposes, code-type interpretation may be most relevant. These results provide some support for the congruence of the MMPI and MMPI-2 for brain-injured patients, but particular caution should be exercised in the interpretation of 2-point code types.
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Affiliation(s)
- H B Miller
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Geller E, Halpern P, Chernilas J, Niv D, Miller HB. Cardiorespiratory effects of antagonism of diazepam sedation with flumazenil in patients with cardiac disease. Anesth Analg 1991; 72:207-11. [PMID: 1985505 DOI: 10.1213/00000539-199102000-00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The specific benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil is currently under intense study. Despite much clinical experience, no detailed invasive hemodynamic studies of its use in cardiac patients have been published. In the present study, hemodynamic and respiratory variables were measured in 10 cardiac patients undergoing catheterization of the right and left sides of the heart, before and after sedation with intravenous diazepam, and after reversal of sedation with flumazenil. A sleep dose of diazepam (12.2 +/- 5.1 mg, mean +/- SD) caused only slight decreases in mean arterial pressure (103 +/- 12 to 98 +/- 14 mm Hg; P less than 0.05), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (13.2 +/- 6.3 to 11.7 +/- 6.6 mm Hg; P less than 0.05), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (20.8 +/- 7.5 to 17.3 +/- 10.0 mm Hg; P less than 0.05), with no significant changes in respiratory gas homeostasis. Intravenous flumazenil (0.22 +/- 0.07 mg) resulted in spontaneous awakening and return to full orientation, yet caused no significant alteration in either hemodynamic or respiratory variables measured. Reversal of diazepam-induced sedation by flumazenil in cardiac patients appears safe and effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Geller
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Ichilov Hospital, Israel
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Abstract
The relationship between neuropsychological deficit and emotional disturbance was examined in a sample of 124 patients who sustained work-related head injuries. Most injuries met criteria for minor head injury. Since all patients were receiving compensation, the relationship between emotional disturbance and neuro-behavioral deficit does not appear to be related to compensation or litigation factors. There was a positive relationship between degree of neurobehavioral and emotional abnormality. This was not due to the interval between injury and examination, and did not appear to be related to duration of unconsciousness or amnesia, or to the presence of skull fracture or posttraumatic seizures. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research and to their implications regarding posttraumatic emotional adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Bornstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University, Columbus
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28
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Abstract
Patterns of emotional adjustment based on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were examined in a group of 124 patients who had suffered head injuries, reported postconcussional symptoms, and were receiving compensation. Cluster analytical procedures were used to identify subgroups. The sample was divided into two equivalent groups for purposes of crossvalidation. The results of the analyses in the two samples yielded similar patterns. Within each subgroup, the groups differed on the level and pattern of emotional disturbance. Approximately 65% of the sample had normal profiles or only mild elevations on the "neurotic" scales. The largest subgroup had mild elevations. After the exclusion of invalid profiles, a small proportion had severe disturbances. The injury-related neurological characteristics of these groups are similar. These findings are discussed in terms of the previous literature on the effects of compensation on posttraumatic personality adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Bornstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University, Columbus
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Miller HB. Concerning silicosis. Cal West Med 1937; 46:202-203. [PMID: 18744002 PMCID: PMC1760518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
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