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Gulati S, Shah S, Kulkarni A, Desai A, Fu J, Zon R, Kumar V, Hsu CY, Hwang C, Doroshow DB, Akpan I, Girard J, Yu PP, McKay RR, Bakouny Z, Connors J, Shah DP, Warner JL, Rosovsky RPG, Grivas P. Thrombotic complications with SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cancer on high-risk therapies: Data from the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19). J Clin Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e18788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
e18788 Background: Patients (pts) with cancer have a high risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications, further enhanced by anti-cancer treatments, specifically hormonal therapies, targeted therapies (VEGF inhibitors, other TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We hypothesized that high-risk therapies would predispose pts with cancer and COVID-19 to higher risk of VTE complications. Methods: CCC19 is the largest international registry (NCT04354701) recording outcomes of pts with cancer and COVID-19. The registry was queried for hospitalized pts who developed VTE and received systemic cancer treatment in the year prior to COVID-19. Incidence of VTE was analyzed as the primary endpoint; 30-day any cause mortality & need for ICU admission at baseline were secondary endpoints in pts with and without VTE respectively. Pts were stratified by treatment type and time from last treatment dose: <2 wk, 2-4 wk, 1-3 months (mos), 3-12 mos. Results: As of February 9th 2021, 4217 hospitalized pts with complications data were present in the registry. 1867 (44%) pts had received systemic anti-cancer therapy within the year prior to COVID-19 and were analyzed. There were a total of 186 (10%) VTE events. Of these, VTE incidence was 141 (10.5%) in pts with solid tumors and 57 (9%) in pts with hematologic malignancies. Overall 30-day mortality was 20% and 22% in pts with and without VTE respectively, while direct admission to ICU at presentation was seen in 17% and 10% of pts with and without VTE, respectively. Treatment timing and drug exposures are below (Table). Receipt of systemic anti-cancer treatment within 3 mos vs 3-12 mos was associated with increased rate of VTE, OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.18-5.84, p=0.011 (univariate Fisher test). Conclusions: We describe the incidence of VTE events in pts with cancer and COVID-19 with recent systemic cancer therapy. ICI and VEGFi were associated with numerically higher rates of VTE; other examined drugs and drug classes were not. Timing of therapy appears to modify risk of VTE. Although retrospective, with possible selection and confounding biases, our analysis suggests that factors other than anti-cancer drug exposures may drive VTE events in this population.[Table: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuchi Gulati
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | | | | | - Aakash Desai
- University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | | | - Rebecca Zon
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | | | - Imo Akpan
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Rana R. McKay
- University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA
| | - Ziad Bakouny
- Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Dimpy P. Shah
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | | | | | - Petros Grivas
- University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA
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2
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D'Alessandro A, Akpan I, Thomas T, Reisz J, Cendali F, Gamboni F, Nemkov T, Thangaraju K, Katneni U, Tanaka K, Kahn S, Wei A, Valk J, Hudson K, Roh D, Moriconi C, Zimring J, Hod E, Spitalnik S, Buehler P, Francis R. Biological and Clinical Factors contributing to the Metabolic Heterogeneity of Hospitalized Patients with and without COVID-19. Res Sq 2021:rs.3.rs-480167. [PMID: 34013258 PMCID: PMC8132252 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-480167/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents an ongoing worldwide challenge. Exploratory studies evaluating the impact of COVID-19 infection on the plasma metabolome have been performed, often with small numbers of patients, and with or without relevant control data; however, determining the impact of biological and clinical variables remains critical to understanding potential markers of disease severity and progression. The present large study, including relevant controls, sought to understand independent and overlapping metabolic features of samples from acutely ill patients (n = 831), testing positive (n = 543) or negative (n = 288) for COVID-19. High-throughput metabolomics analyses were complemented with antigen and enzymatic activity assays on 831 plasma samples from acutely ill patients while in the emergency department, at admission, and during hospitalization. We then performed additional lipidomics analyses of the 60 subjects with the lowest and highest body mass index, either COVID-19 positive or negative. Omics data were correlated to detailed data on patient characteristics and clinical laboratory assays measuring coagulation, hematology and chemistry analytes. Significant changes in arginine/proline/citrulline, tryptophan/indole/kynurenine, fatty acid and acyl-carnitine metabolism emerged as highly relevant markers of disease severity, progression and prognosis as a function of biological and clinical variables in these patients. Further, machine learning models were trained by entering all metabolomics and clinical data from half of the COVID-19 patient cohort and then tested on the other half yielding ~ 78% prediction accuracy. Finally, the extensive amount of information accumulated in this large, prospective, observational study provides a foundation for follow-up mechanistic studies and data sharing opportunities, which will advance our understanding of the characteristics of the plasma metabolism in COVID-19 and other acute critical illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Imo Akpan
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | | | | | | | | | - Travis Nemkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jacob Valk
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Rossoff
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Imo Akpan
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leonidas C. Platanias
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Imo Akpan
- a Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine , Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Barbara Pro
- a Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine , Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Leonidas C Platanias
- a Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine , Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA.,b Department of Medicine , Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Chicago , IL , USA
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5
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Patel K, Maguire E, Chartier M, Akpan I, Rogal S. Integrating Care for Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. Fed Pract 2018; 35:S14-S23. [PMID: 30766391 PMCID: PMC6375404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mental health disorders are common among patients with chronic liver disease, and current literature supports the use of better screening and providing integrated or multidisciplinary care where possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krupa Patel
- is an Assistant Professor and is a Resident at University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. is a Gastroenterologist at Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas. is a Health Communications Researcher at the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research at Bedford VAMC in Massachusetts. is the Deputy Director and the National Infectious Diseases Officer and Ms. Maguire is Communications Lead at the Veterans Health Administration, Office of Specialty Care Services, HIV, Hepatitis, and Related Conditions Programs. Dr. Rogal is a Gastroenterologist, Transplant Hepatologist, and an Investigator at the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
| | - Elizabeth Maguire
- is an Assistant Professor and is a Resident at University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. is a Gastroenterologist at Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas. is a Health Communications Researcher at the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research at Bedford VAMC in Massachusetts. is the Deputy Director and the National Infectious Diseases Officer and Ms. Maguire is Communications Lead at the Veterans Health Administration, Office of Specialty Care Services, HIV, Hepatitis, and Related Conditions Programs. Dr. Rogal is a Gastroenterologist, Transplant Hepatologist, and an Investigator at the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
| | - Maggie Chartier
- is an Assistant Professor and is a Resident at University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. is a Gastroenterologist at Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas. is a Health Communications Researcher at the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research at Bedford VAMC in Massachusetts. is the Deputy Director and the National Infectious Diseases Officer and Ms. Maguire is Communications Lead at the Veterans Health Administration, Office of Specialty Care Services, HIV, Hepatitis, and Related Conditions Programs. Dr. Rogal is a Gastroenterologist, Transplant Hepatologist, and an Investigator at the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
| | - Imo Akpan
- is an Assistant Professor and is a Resident at University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. is a Gastroenterologist at Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas. is a Health Communications Researcher at the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research at Bedford VAMC in Massachusetts. is the Deputy Director and the National Infectious Diseases Officer and Ms. Maguire is Communications Lead at the Veterans Health Administration, Office of Specialty Care Services, HIV, Hepatitis, and Related Conditions Programs. Dr. Rogal is a Gastroenterologist, Transplant Hepatologist, and an Investigator at the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
| | - Shari Rogal
- is an Assistant Professor and is a Resident at University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. is a Gastroenterologist at Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas. is a Health Communications Researcher at the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research at Bedford VAMC in Massachusetts. is the Deputy Director and the National Infectious Diseases Officer and Ms. Maguire is Communications Lead at the Veterans Health Administration, Office of Specialty Care Services, HIV, Hepatitis, and Related Conditions Programs. Dr. Rogal is a Gastroenterologist, Transplant Hepatologist, and an Investigator at the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
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Rogal SS, Udawatta V, Akpan I, Moghe A, Chidi A, Shetty A, Szigethy E, Bielefeldt K, DiMartini A. Risk factors for hospitalizations among patients with cirrhosis: A prospective cohort study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187176. [PMID: 29149171 PMCID: PMC5693413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to assess unique baseline factors associated with subsequent hospitalizations in a cohort of outpatients with cirrhosis. A cohort of 193 patients with cirrhosis was recruited from an outpatient liver disease clinic at a single, tertiary medical center. Comorbidities, prescription medications, liver disease symptoms and severity, and psychiatric and pain symptoms were assessed at baseline using validated instruments. Inflammatory markers were measured using standardized Luminex assays. Subsequent hospitalizations and the primary admission diagnoses were collected via chart review. Multivariable models were used to evaluate which baseline factors were associated with time to hospitalization and number of hospitalizations. The cohort consisted of 193 outpatients, with an average age of 58±9 and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of 12±5. Over follow-up, 57 (30%) were admitted to the hospital. The factors associated with time to hospitalization included the severity of liver disease (HR/MELD point:1.10, 95% CI:1.04,1.16), ascites (HR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.58), baseline symptoms of depression (HR:2.34, 95% CI:1.28,4.25), sleep medications (HR:1.81, 95% CI:1.01, 3.22) and IL-6 (HR:1.43, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.84). Similarly the number admissions was significantly associated with MELD (IIR: 1.08, CI: 1.07,1.09), ascites (IIR: 4.15, CI:3.89, 4.43), depressive symptoms (IIR:1.54, CI:1.44,1.64), IL-6 (IIR:1.26, CI:1.23,1.30), sleep medications (IIR:2.74, CI:2.57, 2.93), and widespread pain (IIR: 1.61, CI: 1.50, 1.73). In conclusion, consistent with prior studies, MELD and ascites were associated with subsequent hospitalization. However, this study also identified other factors associated with hospitalization including inflammation, depressive symptoms, sleep medication use, and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shari S. Rogal
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Viyan Udawatta
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Imo Akpan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Akshata Moghe
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Alexis Chidi
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Amit Shetty
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Eva Szigethy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Klaus Bielefeldt
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Andrea DiMartini
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
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Abstract
Palm kernel is a cheap natural resource which is abundantly available in the tropics, parts of Asia and South and Central America. A culture medium was developed by incorporating fresh palm kernel extract for the detection of aflatoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxin positive isolates of Aspergilliexhibited a characteristic blue or blue green fluorescence of agar under long wave UV light against a pink background which was confirmed by thin layer chromatography. As compared to conventional desiccated coconut agar, the fluorescent nature of the medium, the intensity and diffusion of the hot water soluble fluorescent compounds of the fungus was unique on this medium. The optimal pH and temperature conditions of aflatoxin production were 7 and 30 ºC respectively. Additives (synthetic and natural) either had no effect or adversely affected the fluorescence of the medium. Aflatoxin detection was possible within 36h in palm kernel broth compared to 40 h in coconut broth. The optimal time of production of fluorescence was 44 h on palm kernel agar compared to 48 h on the conventional medium. Further tests with isolates from different sources showed that yellow pigmentation, fluorescence and aflatoxins were complementary thus obviating the need for UV light. It is thus possible to presumptively identify aflatoxin positive isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. O. Atanda
- Departmentof Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture. P.M.B 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - I. Akpan
- Departmentof Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - E. R. Rati
- Departmentof Food Microbiology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 013, India
| | - M. Ozoje
- Departmentof Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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Elechi I, Ifabiyi O, Ugbene K, Akpan I, Uzim J, Aisiri A, Adeusi O, Aiyenigba B. Assessment of uptake of intermittent preventive therapy for malaria in pregnancy following a health facility based training approach in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. Int J Infect Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.02.503] [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: 10/22/2022] Open
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Abstract
CONTEXT The persistent increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant strains of microorganisms has led to the development of more potent but also more expensive antibiotics. In most developing countries of the world these antibiotics are not readily affordable, thus making compliance difficult. This calls for research into alternative sources of antimicrobials. Dialium guineense is a shrub of the family Leguminosae. Its stem bark is used for the treatment of cough, toothache, and bronchitis. AIMS Despite the acclaimed efficacy of D guineense, there is no scientific evidence in its support. This work was carried out to assess the antimicrobial activity of D guineense in vitro against some clinical isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS D guineense stem bark was collected and 50 gm of air-dried and powdered stem bark of the plant was soaked for 72 hours in 1 l of each of the six solvents used in this study. Each mixture was refluxed, agitated at 200 rpm for 1 hour, filtered using Whatman No. 1 filter paper and, finally, freeze dried. The extracts were then tested for antimicrobial activity using the agar diffusion method. RESULTS The highest percentage yield of 23.2% was obtained with ethanol. Phytochemical screening showed that D guineense contains anthraquinone, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts revealed a broad spectrum of activity, with Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureusa showing the greatest zones of inhibition (18.0 mm). Only Candida albicans among the fungi tested was inhibited by the extract. The greatest zone of inhibition among the fractions was 16.0 mm. D guineense exhibited bactericidal activity at the 7th and 9th hours against Streptococcus pneumoniae and S. aureus 25923 while the 10th hour against S. typhi and C. albicans. The greatest activity was noted against S pneumoniae, where there was reduced viable cell count after 6 hours of exposure. CONCLUSION Stem bark extract of D guineense (Wild.) has the potential to be developed into an antimicrobial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Olajubu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria
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Kareem SO, Akpan I, Popoola TOS, Sanni LO. Activated charcoal-a potential material in glucoamylase recovery. Enzyme Res 2012; 2011:483943. [PMID: 22235364 PMCID: PMC3251798 DOI: 10.4061/2011/483943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 04/28/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential of activated charcoal in the purification of fungal glucoamylase was investigated. Various concentrations of activated charcoal (1–4% w/v) were used to concentrate crude glucoamylase from Rhizopus oligosporus at different temperature values (30–50°C). Effects of pH (3.0–6.0) and contact time (0–60 min) on enzyme purification were also monitored. Activated charcoal (3% w/v) gave a 16-fold purification in a single-step purification at 50°C for 20 min and pH 5.5. The result of SDS-PAGE analysis of purified glucoamylase showed two major protein bands with corresponding molecular weight of 36 kDa and 50 kDa. The method is inexpensive, rapid, and simple which could facilitate downstream processing of industrial enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O Kareem
- Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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Abstract
A preliminary investigation was conducted to screen for astrovirus in Lagos. Two hundred and fifteen (215) faecal samples collected from children under 5 years old with diarrhoea (161) and without diarrhoea (54) admitted at paediatric clinics in Lagos State were studied. The stool specimens were examined for the presence of human astrovirus antigen using a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA (Astrovirus RIDASCREEN(®) r-Biopharm, Germany) technique. Astrovirus was detected in 40.4 percent (65/161) of the diarrhoeal stools compared to 11.1 percent (6/54) of the control specimens. Astrovirus was found to infect younger children and about three quarter of the children infected was under 12 months of age. The prevalence of infection decreases with age group and was statistically significant (P = 0.0470). Although, prevalence of infection is more in males than females but this is not significant. This study shows that astrovirus is an important agent of acute gastroenteritis among children in Lagos state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ci Ayolabi
- Dept. of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Nigeria
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Akpan I, Banzon V, Ibanez V, Vaitkus K, DeSimone J, Lavelle D. Decitabine increases fetal hemoglobin in Papio anubis by increasing γ-globin gene transcription. Exp Hematol 2010; 38:989-993.e1. [PMID: 20713129 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2010.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2010] [Revised: 07/28/2010] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mechanism responsible for increased fetal hemoglobin levels following decitabine treatment remains controversial. These experiments were performed to evaluate the role of transcriptional vs. translational mechanisms in the ability of decitabine to increase fetal hemoglobin levels in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three normal, nonanemic baboons were treated with decitabine subcutaneously (0.5 mg/kg/d) for 10 days. The effect of decitabine on globin chain synthesis and globin messenger RNA levels was measured in pre- and posttreatment bone marrow aspirates by biosynthetic radiolabeling with [(3)H] leucine followed by separation of globin chains by high-performance liquid chromatography, and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The effect on DNA methylation of the ɛ- and γ-globin gene promoters was determined by bisulfite sequence analysis. RESULTS Decitabine treatment of normal, nonanemic baboons induced similar increases in the γ/γ+β chain synthetic ratio and the γ/total β-like globin RNA ratio and also increased expression of ɛ-globin transcripts. Increased expression of ɛ- and γ-globin was associated with decreased DNA methylation of the ɛ- and γ-globin gene promoters. CONCLUSIONS Decitabine increases fetal hemoglobin in vivo by transcriptional activation of the γ-globin gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imo Akpan
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Akpan I, Goncalves MD, Dhir R, Yin X, Pistilli EE, Bogdanovich S, Khurana TS, Ucran J, Lachey J, Ahima RS. The effects of a soluble activin type IIB receptor on obesity and insulin sensitivity. Int J Obes (Lond) 2009; 33:1265-73. [PMID: 19668253 PMCID: PMC2783781 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2009.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Myostatin, also known as Growth and Differentiation Factor 8, is a secreted protein that inhibits muscle growth. Disruption of myostatin signaling increases muscle mass and decreases glucose, but it is unclear whether these changes are related. We treated mice on chow and high-fat diets with a soluble activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB.Fc) which is a putative endogenous signaling receptor for myostatin and other ligands of the TGF-β superfamily. After 4 weeks, RAP-031 increased lean and muscle mass, grip strength, and contractile force. RAP-031 enhanced the ability of insulin to suppress glucose production under clamp conditions in high-fat fed mice, but did not significantly change insulin-mediated glucose disposal. The hepatic insulin sensitizing effect of RAP-031 treatment was associated with increased adiponectin levels. RAP-031 treatment for 10 weeks further increased muscle mass and drastically reduced fat content in mice on either chow or high-fat diet. RAP-031 suppressed hepatic glucose production and increased peripheral glucose uptake in chow fed mice. In contrast, RAP-031 suppressed glucose production with no apparent change in glucose disposal in high-fat diet mice. Our findings demonstrate that disruption of ActRIIB signaling is a viable pharmacological approach for treating obesity and diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Akpan
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Akpan I, Dhir R, Yin X, Lachey J, Goncalves M, Ahima RS. Myostatin blockade with a form of the ActRIIB receptor has potent anti‐obesity and insulin sensitizing actions. FASEB J 2009. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.990.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Imo Akpan
- Medicine‐EndocrinologyUniversity of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPA
| | - Ravindra Dhir
- Medicine‐EndocrinologyUniversity of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPA
| | - Xiaoyan Yin
- Medicine‐EndocrinologyUniversity of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPA
| | | | - Marcus Goncalves
- Medicine‐EndocrinologyUniversity of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPA
| | - Rexford S Ahima
- Medicine‐EndocrinologyUniversity of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPA
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Atanda O, Akpan I, Oluwafemi F. The potential of some spice essential oils in the control of A. parasiticus CFR 223 and aflatoxin production. Food Control 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2006.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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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Abstract
The anemia of inflammation is an acquired disorder affecting patients with a variety of medical conditions, and it is characterized by changes in iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis. Mounting evidence suggests that hepcidin antimicrobial peptide plays a primary role in the pathogenesis of the anemia of inflammation. To evaluate which features of this anemia can be attributed to hepcidin, we have generated mice carrying a tetracycline-regulated hepcidin transgene. Expression of the hepcidin transgene resulted in down-regulation of endogenous hepcidin mRNA. The transgenic mice developed a mild-to-moderate anemia associated with iron deficiency and iron-restricted erythropoiesis. Similar to the anemia of inflammation, iron accumulated in tissue macrophages, whereas a relative paucity of iron was found in the liver. Circulating erythrocytes in transgenic animals had normal survival rates, but transgenic animals had an impaired response to erythropoietin. Thus, hepcidin transgenic mice recapitulate each of the key features of anemia of inflammation in human patients and serve as a useful model of this prevalent disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy N Roy
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chiuldren's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
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Uwah A, Adedeji A, SalawuV O, Okunade A, Adebayo P, Akpan I. Assessment of knowledge, perceptions and acceptability of mandatory pre-medical tests for intending couples in churches in Abuja, Nigeria. Retrovirology 2006. [PMCID: PMC1716886 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-3-s1-p63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Roy CN, Custodio AO, de Graaf J, Schneider S, Akpan I, Montross LK, Sanchez M, Gaudino A, Hentze MW, Andrews NC, Muckenthaler MU. An Hfe-dependent pathway mediates hyposideremia in response to lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in mice. Nat Genet 2004; 36:481-5. [PMID: 15098034 DOI: 10.1038/ng1350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 12/03/2003] [Accepted: 03/19/2004] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation influences iron balance in the whole organism. A common clinical manifestation of these changes is anemia of chronic disease (ACD; also called anemia of inflammation). Inflammation reduces duodenal iron absorption and increases macrophage iron retention, resulting in low serum iron concentrations (hyposideremia). Despite the protection hyposideremia provides against proliferating microorganisms, this 'iron withholding' reduces the iron available to maturing red blood cells and eventually contributes to the development of anemia. Hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (Hamp) is a hepatic defensin-like peptide hormone that inhibits duodenal iron absorption and macrophage iron release. Hamp is part of the type II acute phase response and is thought to have a crucial regulatory role in sequestering iron in the context of ACD. Mice with deficiencies in the hemochromatosis gene product, Hfe, mounted a general inflammatory response after injection of lipopolysaccharide but lacked appropriate Hamp expression and did not develop hyposideremia. These data suggest a previously unidentified role for Hfe in innate immunity and ACD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy N Roy
- Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Abstract
A simple method based on precipitation with Calotropis procera latex was developed for the purification of crude enzyme from fermentation broth. C. procera latex (10(-2) dilution) clarified and concentrated the crude amylase of Aspergillus oryzae 4-fold with 97% recovery of the initial amylase activity in the filtrate in a single step operation. The latex was stable at pH < or = 4.5 and there was no significant difference (P < or = 0.05) in the purification potential of the latex at 4 and 28 degrees C. This method could prove useful to developing economies of the tropics where ambient temperature is around 28 degrees C.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O Kareem
- Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, P.M.B 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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