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Vanikar AV, Kumar V, Mintz M, Chakraborty D. Seeking graduation in medical colleges outside India: Is it a 'win-win' or 'lose-lose' situation for the stakeholders and the nation? Natl Med J India 2021; 34:302-305. [PMID: 35593241 DOI: 10.25259/nmji_177_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The future of Indian students who return as 'foreign medical graduates' (FMG) after training in certain countries is often uncertain. We collected data from newspapers, government resources and agencies involved in handling this issue. We analysed the current status of medical education in India, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and some neighbouring countries. Of approximately 1.4 million (14 lakh) students taking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), about 5.8% get admission in medical colleges. There are about 554 medical colleges in India with 82 550 MBBS seats, 51.9% seats belong to the government quota. Parents who send their children to a foreign country to do medicine spend ₹1.5 million (15 lakh) tò4 million (40 lakh) against an estimated annual income of ₹1.2 million (12 lakh) and the child spends 4-6 years in a foreign country. Of 38 150 FMGs who took the examinations conducted by the National Board of Examinations from 2015 to 2018, 18.9% passed the FMG examination mandatory for registration to practise medicine in India. The National Medical Commission is trying to solve this issue by removing the age bar for entry to MBBS and recommending lowering of fees for MBBS in government quota. Seeking graduation in medical colleges outside India may not be advisable for those from the middle/ low-income group of India.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Vanikar
- Autonomous Board for Undergraduate Medical Education, Undergraduate Section National Medical Commission (NMC), Dwarka, Pocket 14, Sector 8, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - V Kumar
- Autonomous Board for Undergraduate Medical Education, Undergraduate Section National Medical Commission (NMC), Dwarka, Pocket 14, Sector 8, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - M Mintz
- Autonomous Board for Undergraduate Medical Education, Undergraduate Section National Medical Commission (NMC), Dwarka, Pocket 14, Sector 8, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - D Chakraborty
- Autonomous Board for Undergraduate Medical Education, Undergraduate Section National Medical Commission (NMC), Dwarka, Pocket 14, Sector 8, New Delhi 110077, India
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Raychaudhuri S, Yann CJ, Mintz M, Pincus L, Huang CY, Ai WZ. T-cell clonality in peripheral blood as a predictor of progression to systemic treatment in patients with stage IB mycosis fungoides (MF). J Clin Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e19538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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
e19538 Background: A major unmet clinical need in the care of early-stage MF patients is the identification of those with a high risk of failing skin directed therapy or progressing to advanced disease. Herein, we inquired if the identification of a clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement by PCR in peripheral blood could predict the clinical outcome, particularly the need for systemic treatment, in patients with stage IB MF. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with stage IB MF who underwent peripheral blood TCR clonality analysis by PCR. The primary outcome of the study was time from diagnosis to initiation of systemic treatment. Secondary outcomes were: (1) time to progression to advanced-stage disease (stages IIB-IV) and (2) overall survival. Patients were censored at time of last clinical follow up. Log rank test was used to compare the survival distributions of the two groups; p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: From May 2014 to October 2019, 56 consecutive stage IB pts with > 6 months follow up were included in this analysis. Peripheral blood TCR clonality status was available in 42 patients: 18 pts had a positive TCR clone and 24 did not. Median follow up time was 36 months (range 8.5 – 198 months). At 3 years, 39% of patients with peripheral clone had progressed to systemic treatment versus 8% of those without a peripheral clone (log rank test, p-value = 0.003). For the secondary outcomes, at 3 years 17% of patients with peripheral clone had progressed to advanced stage versus 4% of those without (log rank test, p-value = 0.10); 5% of patients with peripheral clone had died versus 0% of those without (log rank test, p-value = 0.03). Conclusions: Detection of a predominant TCR clone by PCR in the peripheral blood is an important prognostic marker in the initial workup of MF, as its presence is highly correlated with subsequent progression to systemic treatment and death. If this finding is validated, it can be used to risk stratify and individualize therapy for MF patients.[Table: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michelle Mintz
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Laura Pincus
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Chiung-Yu Huang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Weiyun Z. Ai
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
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Smalyuk VA, Tipton RE, Pino JE, Casey DT, Grim GP, Remington BA, Rowley DP, Weber SV, Barrios M, Benedetti LR, Bleuel DL, Bradley DK, Caggiano JA, Callahan DA, Cerjan CJ, Clark DS, Edgell DH, Edwards MJ, Frenje JA, Gatu-Johnson M, Glebov VY, Glenn S, Haan SW, Hamza A, Hatarik R, Hsing WW, Izumi N, Khan S, Kilkenny JD, Kline J, Knauer J, Landen OL, Ma T, McNaney JM, Mintz M, Moore A, Nikroo A, Pak A, Parham T, Petrasso R, Sayre DB, Schneider MB, Tommasini R, Town RP, Widmann K, Wilson DC, Yeamans CB. Measurements of an ablator-gas atomic mix in indirectly driven implosions at the National Ignition Facility. Phys Rev Lett 2014; 112:025002. [PMID: 24484021 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.112.025002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We present the first results from an experimental campaign to measure the atomic ablator-gas mix in the deceleration phase of gas-filled capsule implosions on the National Ignition Facility. Plastic capsules containing CD layers were filled with tritium gas; as the reactants are initially separated, DT fusion yield provides a direct measure of the atomic mix of ablator into the hot spot gas. Capsules were imploded with x rays generated in hohlraums with peak radiation temperatures of ∼294 eV. While the TT fusion reaction probes conditions in the central part (core) of the implosion hot spot, the DT reaction probes a mixed region on the outer part of the hot spot near the ablator-hot-spot interface. Experimental data were used to develop and validate the atomic-mix model used in two-dimensional simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A Smalyuk
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R E Tipton
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - J E Pino
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D T Casey
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - G P Grim
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - B A Remington
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D P Rowley
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S V Weber
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M Barrios
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - L R Benedetti
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D L Bleuel
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D K Bradley
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - J A Caggiano
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D A Callahan
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - C J Cerjan
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D S Clark
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D H Edgell
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - M J Edwards
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - J A Frenje
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - M Gatu-Johnson
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - V Y Glebov
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - S Glenn
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S W Haan
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Hamza
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R Hatarik
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - W W Hsing
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - N Izumi
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S Khan
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - J D Kilkenny
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - J Kline
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - J Knauer
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - O L Landen
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - T Ma
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - J M McNaney
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M Mintz
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Moore
- AWE Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR, United Kingdom
| | - A Nikroo
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - A Pak
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - T Parham
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R Petrasso
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - D B Sayre
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M B Schneider
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R Tommasini
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R P Town
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - K Widmann
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D C Wilson
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - C B Yeamans
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
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Prueckl R, Taub AH, Herreros I, Hogri R, Magal A, Bamford SA, Giovannucci A, Almog RO, Shacham-Diamand Y, Verschure PFMJ, Mintz M, Scharinger J, Silmon A, Guger C. Behavioral rehabilitation of the eye closure reflex in senescent rats using a real-time biosignal acquisition system. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2011; 2011:4211-4214. [PMID: 22255268 DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2011.6091045] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In this paper the replacement of a lost learning function of rats through a computer-based real-time recording and feedback system is shown. In an experiment two recording electrodes and one stimulation electrode were implanted in an anesthetized rat. During a classical-conditioning paradigm, which includes tone and airpuff stimulation, biosignals were recorded and the stimulation events detected. A computational model of the cerebellum acquired the association between the stimuli and gave feedback to the brain of the rat using deep brain stimulation in order to close the eyelid of the rat. The study shows that replacement of a lost brain function using a direct bidirectional interface to the brain is realizable and can inspire future research for brain rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Prueckl
- Guger Technologies OG, 8020 Graz, Austria.
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Abstract
This chapter provides a detailed description of a method used to study temporal changes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteome of fibroblast cells exposed to ER stress agents (tunicamycin and thapsigargin). Differential stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) is used in combination with crude ER fractionation, SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS to define altered protein expression in tunicamycin or thapsigargin treated cells versus untreated cells. Treated and untreated cells are harvested at different time points, mixed at a 1:1 ratio and processed for ER fractionation. Samples containing labeled and unlabeled proteins are separated by SDS-PAGE, bands are digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Proteins are identified using Bioworks software and the Swiss-Prot database, whereas ratios of protein expression between treated and untreated cells are quantified using ZoomQuant software. Data visualization is facilitated by GeneSpring software.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Formolo
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Kantor L, Pinchasi D, Mintz M, Hathout Y, Vanderver A, Elroy-Stein O. A point mutation in translation initiation factor 2B leads to a continuous hyper stress state in oligodendroglial-derived cells. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3783. [PMID: 19023445 PMCID: PMC2583043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 10/07/2008] [Accepted: 11/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mutations in eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) cause Childhood Ataxia with CNS Hypomyelination (CACH), also known as Vanishing White Matter disease (VWM). The disease is manifested by loss of brain myelin upon physiological stress. In a previous study, we showed that fibroblasts isolated from CACH/VWM patients are hypersensitive to pharmacologically-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Since brain cells from affected individuals are not available for research, we wished to assess the effect of eIF2B mutation on oligodendroglial-derived cells. Methodology/Principal Findings A rat oligodendroglial-derived cell line was used for a stable knock-down of eIF2B5 followed by stable expression of mutated eIF2B5(R195H) cDNA. In response to a pharmacological ER-stress agent, eIF2B5(R195H) expressing cells exhibited heightened ER-stress response demonstrated by hyper induction of ATF4, GADD34, Bip, PDIA1, PDIA3, PDIA4 and PDIA6 proteins. Moreover, even in the absence of a pharmacological stress agent, eIF2B5(R195H)-expressing cells exhibited high basal levels of ATF4, GADD34 and ER-associated Bip, PDIA1 and PDIA3. Significance The data provide evidence that oligodendroglial-derived cells expressing a mutated eIF2B constantly use their stress response mechanism as an adaptation mean in order to survive. The current study is the first to demonstrate the effects of eIF2B5 mutation on ER homeostasis in oligodendroglial-derived cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liraz Kantor
- Department of Cell Research & Immunology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalia Pinchasi
- Department of Cell Research & Immunology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Michelle Mintz
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington D. C., United States of America
| | - Yetrib Hathout
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington D. C., United States of America
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington D. C., United States of America
| | - Orna Elroy-Stein
- Department of Cell Research & Immunology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail:
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Vanderver A, Hathout Y, Maletkovic J, Gordon ES, Mintz M, Timmons M, Hoffman EP, Horzinski L, Niel F, Fogli A, Boespflug-Tanguy O, Schiffmann R. Sensitivity and specificity of decreased CSF asialotransferrin for eIF2B-related disorder. Neurology 2008; 70:2226-32. [PMID: 18519871 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000313857.54398.0e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This is a study estimating diagnostic accuracy of CSF asialotransferrin to transferrin ratio measurement in eIF2B related disorders by using clinical evaluation and EIF2B mutation analysis as the reference standard. eIF2B-related disorder is a relatively common leukodystrophy with broad phenotypic variation that is caused by mutations in any of the five EIF2B genes. There is a need for a simple and clinically valid screening tool for physicians evaluating patients with an unclassified leukodystrophy. METHODS CSF two-dimensional gel (2DG) electrophoresis analyses to measure asialotransferrin to transferrin ratios were performed in 60 subjects including 6 patients with documented EIF2B gene mutations, patients with other types of leukodystrophy, and patients with no leukodystrophy. RESULTS All six patients with mutation proven eIF2B-related disease showed low to nearly undetectable amounts of asialotransferrin in their CSF when compared to 54 unaffected controls by CSF 2DG analyses in this study. eIF2B-like patients, with clinically similar presentations but no mutations in EIF2B1-5, were distinguished from patients with mutations in EIF2B1-5 by this biomarker. Patients with mutations in EIF2B1-5 had asialotransferrin/transferrin ratio levels significantly different from the group as a whole (p < 0.001). Using 8% asialotransferrin/transferrin ratio as a cutoff, this biomarker has a 100% sensitivity (95% CI = 52-100%) and 94% specificity (95% CI = 84-99%). CONCLUSION Decreased asialotransferrin/transferrin ratio in the CSF of patients with eIF2B-related disorder is highly sensitive and specific. This rapid (<48 hours) and inexpensive diagnostic tool for eIF2B-related disorders has the potential to identify patients with likely eIF2B-related disorder for mutation analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vanderver
- Children's National Medical Center, Children's Research Institute, Center for Genetic Medicine, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
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Mintz M, Vanderver A, Brown KJ, Lin J, Wang Z, Kaneski C, Schiffmann R, Nagaraju K, Hoffman EP, Hathout Y. Time series proteome profiling to study endoplasmic reticulum stress response. J Proteome Res 2008; 7:2435-44. [PMID: 18435558 DOI: 10.1021/pr700842m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Time series profiling is a powerful approach for obtaining information on protein expression dynamics and prevailing biochemical pathways. To date, such information could only be obtained at the mRNA level using mature and highly parallel technologies such as microarray gene expression profiling. The generation of time series data at the protein level has lagged due to the lack of robust and highly reproducible methodologies. Using a combination of SILAC strategy, SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS, we demonstrate successful monitoring of expression levels of the same set of proteins across different time points within the ER compartment of human primary fibroblast cells when exposed to ER stress inducers tunicamycin and thapsigargin. Data visualization was facilitated using GeneSpring GX analysis platform that was designed to process Affymetrix microarray data. This software also facilitated the generation of important parameters such as data normalization, calculation of statistical values to extract significant changes in protein expression, and the cross comparison of data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Mintz
- Children's National Medical Center, Center for Genetic Medicine, Washington, D.C. 20010, USA
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Maletkovic J, Schiffmann R, Gorospe JR, Gordon ES, Mintz M, Hoffman EP, Alper G, Lynch DR, Singhal BS, Harding C, Amartino H, Brown CM, Chan A, Renaud D, Geraghty M, Jensen L, Senbil N, Kadom N, Nazarian J, Yuanjian Feng, Zuyi Wang, Hartka T, Morizono H, Vanderver A. Genetic and clinical heterogeneity in eIF2B-related disorder. J Child Neurol 2008; 23:205-15. [PMID: 18263758 DOI: 10.1177/0883073807308705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B)-related disorders are heritable white matter disorders with a variable clinical phenotype (including vanishing white matter disease and ovarioleukodystrophy) and an equally heterogeneous genotype. We report 9 novel mutations in the EIF2B genes in our subject population, increasing the number of known mutations to more than 120. Using homology modeling, we have analyzed the impact of novel mutations on the 5 subunits of the eIF2B protein. Although recurrent mutations have been found at CpG dinucleotides in the EIF2B genes, the high incidence of private or low frequency mutations increases the challenge of providing rapid genetic confirmation of this disorder, and limits the application of EIF2B screening in cases of undiagnosed leukodystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Maletkovic
- Children's National Medical Center, Children's Research Institute, Center for Genetic Medicine, Washington, DC 20010, USA
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Lancet JE, Nichols G, Assouline S, Ward M, Burton M, Mintz M, Rousseau C, Kalita A, Brabant PJ, Odenike O. A phase I study of MGCD0103 given as a twice weekly oral dose in patients with advanced leukemias or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). J Clin Oncol 2007. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.2516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
2516 Background: Small molecule inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) have emerged as novel anticancer agents. MGCD0103 is an oral isotype selective small molecule inhibitor of HDAC. Methods: Eligible patients had relapsed/refractory (RR) AML or MDS (or newly diagnosed disease in patients >60 yrs, ineligible for induction chemotherapy); RR ALL; RR CML. MGCD0103 was administered 2x/weekly for 3 weeks, with no recovery period between cycles. Patients with stable disease or better were eligible to continue therapy indefinitely. Results: Patients have been treated at 4 dose levels: 40, 53, 66 and 83 mg/m2/day, including 19 enrolled patients with the following demographics: M:F = 15:4, median age (range) = 75 (52–83), ECOG 0:1:2 = 5:12:2, diagnosis of RR MDS= 7, RR AML or RR ALL=8: untreated AML or MDS = 4. Cytogenetics (n=12): Diploid = 3, Complex = 4, Del 7 = 3, Del 12 = 1, Del Y = 1. Nineteen patients are evaluable for safety. A total of 38 cycles have been administered with a median of 2 per patient (range, 1–6); 13 patients have completed =2 cycles. One patient experienced grade 3 fatigue at 53 mg/m2 and 2 patients had grade 3 weakness/fatigue at 83 mg/m2 (exceeded the Maximum Tolerated Dose [MTD]) Non-dose-limiting toxicities included lower grade fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea. Plasma PK in 14 patients revealed t 1/2 of 7–12 hr, tmax 0.6- 1 hr, and a dose proportional average Cmax of 155 ng/mL at 40 mg/m2 and 225 ng/mL at 53 mg/m2. Significant inhibition of whole cell total HDAC activity within PBMC was observed in a majority of patients, at all dosing levels. Four patients have experienced stable disease. Conclusions: MGCD0103 has been well-tolerated in patients with advanced leukemias or MDS. MTD has been reached, and the recommended phase II 2x/week dose is being confirmed. At all dose levels, significant HDAC inhibition was observed. [Table: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
- J. E. Lancet
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - G. Nichols
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - S. Assouline
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - M. Ward
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - M. Burton
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - M. Mintz
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - C. Rousseau
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - A. Kalita
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - P. J. Brabant
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - O. Odenike
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; McGill University Hospital Center, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Pharmion Corporation, San Francisco, CA; MethylGene, Inc., Montreal, PQ, Canada; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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Daud A, Gump J, Neuger A, DeConti R, Bastine S, Mintz M, Hausheer F, Lush R, Sullivan D, Munster P. 293 POSTER Phase I trial of the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid with the topoisomerase I inhibitor, karenitecin in advanced melanoma. EJC Suppl 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(06)70298-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Nadif R, Mintz M, Marzec J, Jedlicka A, Kauffmann F, Kleeberger SR. IL18 and IL18R1 polymorphisms, lung CT and fibrosis: A longitudinal study in coal miners. Eur Respir J 2006; 28:1100-5. [PMID: 16971411 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00031506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that interleukin (IL)-18 plays a role in the development of inflammatory and fibrosing lung diseases. Associations of polymorphisms in the genes coding for IL-18 (IL18 /G-656T, C-607A, G-137C, T113G, C127T) and its receptor (IL18R1 /C-69T) with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) were studied in 200 miners who were examined in 1990, 1994 and 1999. Coal-dust exposure was assessed according to job history and ambient measures. The main health outcome was lung computed tomography (CT) score in 1990. Internal coherence was assessed by studying CT score in 1994, 4-yr change in CT score and CWP incidence and prevalence. CT score in 1990 was a good predictor of radiographic grade in 1999 and, therefore, an appropriate subclinical quantitative trait. The IL18 -137C allele was associated with lower CT score in 1990 and 1994 (1.24 versus 1.69 and 1.57 versus 2.46, respectively), slower progression of CT score between 1990 and 1994 and lower pneumoconiosis prevalence in 1999 relative to the G allele (0.33 versus 0.77 and 8.2 versus 19.6%, respectively). Smoking- or dust-adjustment, and stratification on IL18R1 genotype and adjustment for haplotype effects did not change the conclusions. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest a role for IL18 in reducing the development of this fibrosing lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nadif
- INSERM, Recherche en Epidémiologie et Biostatistique U780, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94807 Villejuif cédex, France.
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13
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Abstract
The open field provides abundant opportunities for a pair of rats to express social interactions. Rats demonstrate social proximity while exploring the open field and also during simultaneous occupancy of a home base (HB). The HB is defined as a place in the field for which rats show a long-term preference, both in terms of occupancy and as a starting and ending point of exploratory excursions. In the present study, the social proximity of pairs of rats treated with phencyclidine (PCP; 2 mg/kg) or saline (Sal), and rats treated with clozapine (CLZ; 1.3 mg/kg) alone or in combination with PCP (CLZ-PCP), was videotaped and analysed algorithmically. PCP was tested for its disruptive effects on social interactions, and CLZ was tested for its ability to reverse some forms of the disruptive effects of PCP. The results showed that PCP reduced the rate of pairs establishing a common HB and shortened social HB occupancy, but had no effect on episodes of social exploration in the field. These findings demonstrate that the antisocial effect of PCP cannot be generalized across the entire spectrum of behavioural states in the open field. CLZ further decreased rather than increased social HB occupancy. This effect was derived from the reduction in rate of pairs establishing a common HB.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Psychobiology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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14
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Mintz M. Scientific meetings of the American Institute for Psychoanalysis. The history of membership/certification in the American Psychoanalytic Association: old demons, new debates. Presenter: Arnold Richards. Discussant: Kenneth Winarick. Date: May 20, 2004. Am J Psychoanal 2005; 65:77-9. [PMID: 15754115 DOI: 10.1007/s11231-004-1819-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
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Mitchell SA, Brown KM, Henry MM, Mintz M, Catchpoole D, LaFleur B, Stephan DA. Inter-platform comparability of microarrays in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. BMC Genomics 2004; 5:71. [PMID: 15387886 PMCID: PMC522810 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-5-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 07/01/2004] [Accepted: 09/23/2004] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy and has been the poster-child for improved therapeutics in cancer, with life time disease-free survival (LTDFS) rates improving from <10% in 1970 to >80% today. There are numerous known genetic prognostic variables in ALL, which include T cell ALL, the hyperdiploid karyotype and the translocations: t(12;21)[TEL-AML1], t(4;11)[MLL-AF4], t(9;22)[BCR-ABL], and t(1;19)[E2A-PBX]. ALL has been studied at the molecular level through expression profiling resulting in un-validated expression correlates of these prognostic indices. To date, the great wealth of expression data, which has been generated in disparate institutions, representing an extremely large cohort of samples has not been combined to validate any of these analyses. The majority of this data has been generated on the Affymetrix platform, potentially making data integration and validation on independent sample sets a possibility. Unfortunately, because the array platform has been evolving over the past several years the arrays themselves have different probe sets, making direct comparisons difficult. To test the comparability between different array platforms, we have accumulated all Affymetrix ALL array data that is available in the public domain, as well as two sets of cDNA array data. In addition, we have supplemented this data pool by profiling additional diagnostic pediatric ALL samples in our lab. Lists of genes that are differentially expressed in the six major subclasses of ALL have previously been reported in the literature as possible predictors of the subclass. RESULTS We validated the predictability of these gene lists on all of the independent datasets accumulated from various labs and generated on various array platforms, by blindly distinguishing the prognostic genetic variables of ALL. Cross-generation array validation was used successfully with high sensitivity and high specificity of gene predictors for prognostic variables. We have also been able to validate the gene predictors with high accuracy using an independent dataset generated on cDNA arrays. CONCLUSION Interarray comparisons such as this one will further enhance the ability to integrate data from several generations of microarray experiments and will help to break down barriers to the assimilation of existing datasets into a comprehensive data pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Mitchell
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20010, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20037, USA
| | - Kevin M Brown
- Family Studies, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Michael M Henry
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20010, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20010, USA
| | - Michelle Mintz
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20010, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20037, USA
| | | | - Bonnie LaFleur
- Department of Preventative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
| | - Dietrich A Stephan
- Neurogenomics Program, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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16
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Peterson SN, Sung CK, Cline R, Desai BV, Snesrud EC, Luo P, Walling J, Li H, Mintz M, Tsegaye G, Burr PC, Do Y, Ahn S, Gilbert J, Fleischmann RD, Morrison DA. Identification of competence pheromone responsive genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae by use of DNA microarrays. Mol Microbiol 2003; 51:1051-70. [PMID: 14763980 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03907.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [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: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae is controlled in part by a quorum-sensing system mediated by a peptide pheromone called competence-stimulating peptide (CSP), which acts to coordinate transient activation of genes required for competence. To characterize the transcriptional response and regulatory events occurring when cells are exposed to competence pheromone, we constructed DNA microarrays and analysed the temporal expression profiles of 1817 among the 2129 unique predicted open reading frames present in the S. pneumoniae TIGR4 genome (84%). After CSP stimulation, responsive genes exhibited four temporally distinct expression profiles: early, late and delayed gene induction, and gene repression. At least eight early genes participate in competence regulation including comX, which encodes an alternative sigma factor. Late genes were dependent on ComX for CSP-induced expression, many playing important roles in transformation. Genes in the delayed class (third temporal wave) appear to be stress related. Genes repressed during the CSP response include ribosomal protein loci and other genes involved in protein synthesis. This study increased the number of identified CSP-responsive genes from approximately 40 to 188. Given the relatively large number of induced genes (6% of the genome), it was of interest to determine which genes provide functions essential to transformation. Many of the induced loci were subjected to gene disruption mutagenesis, allowing us to establish that among 124 CSP-inducible genes, 67 were individually dispensable for transformation, whereas 23 were required for transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott N Peterson
- The Pathogen Functional Genomics Resource Center, The Institute for Genomic Research, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
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17
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Nadif R, Jedlicka A, Mintz M, Bertrand JP, Kleeberger S, Kauffmann F. Effect of TNF and LTA polymorphisms on biological markers of response to oxidative stimuli in coal miners: a model of gene-environment interaction. Tumour necrosis factor and lymphotoxin alpha. J Med Genet 2003; 40:96-103. [PMID: 12566517 PMCID: PMC1735359 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.40.2.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interaction between genetic background and oxidative environmental stimuli in the pathogenesis of human lung disease has been largely unexplored. METHODS A prospective epidemiological study was undertaken in 253 coal miners. Intermediate quantitative phenotypes of response to oxidant exposure, including erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase activities, were studied. Oxidant exposures studied were smoking habits and cumulative dust exposure assessed by job history and ambient measures. Disease phenotypes included subclinical computed tomography score at the first survey and x ray profusion grades twice, five years apart, to assess established coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). Miners were genotyped for common functional polymorphisms in the gene for tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and lymphotoxin alpha (LTA), two proinflammatory cytokines that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases. RESULTS Regarding gene-environment interaction on intermediate phenotypes, results showed interaction of a promoter polymorphism at the -308 position in TNF with occupational exposure on erythrocyte GSH-Px activity with a significant association in those with high exposure (p=0.003), whereas no association was observed among those with low exposure (interaction p=0.06). Regarding gene intermediate phenotype interaction on clinical outcome, results showed an association of CWP prevalence with an NcoI polymorphism in LTA in those with low catalase activity (p=0.05), whereas no association was observed in those with high activity (interaction p=0.03). No other significant association was observed. CONCLUSION The results suggest that interactions of genetic background with environmental exposure and intermediate response phenotypes are important components in the pathogenesis of CWP.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nadif
- INSERM U 472-IFR69, Villejuif, France.
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19
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Abstract
Kindling of the amygdaloid complex in rats results in an enhanced emotionality frequently expressed by an elevated anxiety and defensive attitude toward other animals. Defensive attitude may have important consequences in social context and if tested in a large space it may eventually lead to social withdrawal. To test this hypothesis, rats were subjected to daily kindling sessions and their behavior was compared to implanted-sham and intact rats. Blood was collected after selected kindling trials for assessment of corticosterone response. Behavioral tests started 1 month after the last kindling trial and consisted of two open field sessions. A solitary rat was tested in the 1st session and pair of rats was tested simultaneously in the second session. Results showed that kindling changed the balance between exploration and occupation of a home base (HB) in the open field, in favor of higher preference of the home base occupancy. These results were apparent only during the social session leading to the conclusion that rats preferred to stay in the home base to maximize the proximity to a partner rat. This was supported by the observation that by increasing the occupancy of the HB, the kindled rats accomplished the longest concurrent presence with the partner rat in the common HB. We discuss the level of inter-rats aggression as a factor defining whether the anxious kindled rats will respond with increased or decreased social attraction in the open field test.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Haimovici
- Psychobiology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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20
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Abstract
Classical conditioning is thought to proceed through two successive stages: fast rate emotional conditioning followed by slower motor conditioning. To verify the involvement of the amygdala and the cerebellum in these two stages of learning, rats were subjected to paired tone-airpuff (CS-US) trials. Lick suppression to CS was used as an index of conditioned emotional response (emotional CRs) and head movement was used as an index of motor CRs. The results showed that the fast acquisition of emotional CRs was dependent on the integrity of the amygdala and the slow acquisition of motor CRs was dependent on the integrity of the cerebellar interpositus nucleus. Cerebellar lesions had no effect on the acquisition of the emotional CRs but prevented the extinction of the emotional CRs seen in intact rats after massive conditioning. These findings suggest that the amygdala and the cerebellum provide the neuronal substrates of the fast and slow conditioning systems, respectively, and that conditioning-related cerebellar output interacts with the amygdala-based emotional conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Psychobiology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, 69978, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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21
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Abstract
The two-factor theory postulates that classical conditioning proceeds through two stages, which support successive acquisition of emotional and motor responses. Emotional conditioning is thought to facilitate the subsequent acquisition of the motor response. This form of interaction between the two stages of learning can be investigated while considering the central role of the amygdala and the cerebellum in emotional and motor conditioning, respectively. Rats with bilateral lesions of the amygdala or the cerebellar interpositus or intact rats were subjected to a fear conditioning session followed by four eyeblink conditioning sessions. Another group of intact rats was subjected to eyeblink conditioning only. The CS in the fear conditioning session was a 73 dB tone, paired with a 100 dB noise-US. The same CS was paired with a periorbital electroshock-US during eyeblink conditioning. Results showed that fear preconditioning facilitated the subsequent eyeblink conditioning among the intact groups. Amygdaloid lesions abolished this facilitatory effect of fear conditioning. These findings demonstrate that amygdala-mediated emotional conditioning facilitates the subsequent acquisition of cerebellum-mediated motor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Neufeld
- Psychobiology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, 69978, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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22
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Abstract
We cared for a patient who ingested an unknown amount of acetaminophen with zopiclone and warfarin. The only liver function test that was abnormal was an increased international normalized ratio (INR), which remained elevated despite treatment with subcutaneous phytonadione and a prolonged infusion of N-acetylcysteine. An interaction between acetaminophen and warfarin may have decreased the hepatic metabolism of warfarin. The patient received numerous antibiotics that may have contributed to the increased INR. The prolonged elevation of INR also may have been due to infrequent administration of phytonadione.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Bates
- Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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23
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Mura A, Feldon J, Mintz M. The expression of the calcium binding protein calretinin in the rat striatum: effects of dopamine depletion and L-DOPA treatment. Exp Neurol 2000; 164:322-32. [PMID: 10915571 DOI: 10.1006/exnr.2000.7441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The activity of the striatum is regulated by glutamate and dopamine neurotransmission. Consequent to striatal dopamine depletion the corticostriatal excitatory input is increased, which in turn can raise intracellular calcium levels. We investigated changes in the neuronal expression of the calcium binding protein calretinin related to dopamine depletion and l-DOPA administration. Immunohistochemical methods were used to assess calretinin in the striatum of rats with unilateral lesions of the nigrostriatal system. In these animals we observed a loss of the patchy distribution of calretinin fibers. Moreover, after dopaminergic depletion we detected two new, not previously described, calretinin cell types, the presence of which could be related to morphological changes induced by loss of a dopaminergic input. We also found an increase in the number of calretinin-labeled cells in the striatum ipsilateral to the lesion compared to the contralateral striatum or to the striatum of normal rats. This increase was mostly evident at 3 weeks postlesion and tended to decrease toward normal levels at 6, 10, and 18 weeks postlesion. In unlesioned animals, l-DOPA administration did not induce changes in the expression of calretinin. In unilaterally lesioned animals, l-DOPA reversed the increase in the number of calretinin-positive cells induced by the lesion. However, chronic l-DOPA administration was less effective than acute l-DOPA in reversing the effect of the lesion. The present data suggests that striatal calretinin neurons are sensitive to dopamine depletion. Increased expression of calretinin in striatal cells may be consequent to enhanced striatal excitatory input.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mura
- Behavioral Neurobiology Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Schorenstrasse 16, Zurich, Schwerzenbach, CH-8603, Switzerland.
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24
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Abstract
HIV-1 infection in children and adolescents can cause progressive neurologic disease, affective brain growth, motor function, and neurodevelopment. In addition, myelopathies, neuropathies, myopathies, strokes, and psychiatric or behavioral manifestations can be a result of HIV-1 infection, OI, or toxicities of treatment interventions. CNS OI are important causes of morbidity and mortality, often mimicking the HIV-1 associated neurologic syndromes. Psychometric, clinical, neuroradiologic, and laboratory testing are valuable for diagnostic and treatment decisions. The cornerstone of treating HIV-1-associated neurologic disease is providing an effective regimen of antiretroviral drugs to reduce the viral burden. It is also necessary to provide rehabilitation, optimize nutrition, supply appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis against OI, minimize pain, and treat neurobehavioral or psychiatric complications. Efforts at preventing HIV-1 infection are important for diminishing and allaying the growth of this international pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Department of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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25
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Raskino C, Pearson DA, Baker CJ, Lifschitz MH, O'Donnell K, Mintz M, Nozyce M, Brouwers P, McKinney RE, Jimenez E, Englund JA. Neurologic, neurocognitive, and brain growth outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children receiving different nucleoside antiretroviral regimens. Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 152 Study Team. Pediatrics 1999; 104:e32. [PMID: 10469815 DOI: 10.1542/peds.104.3.e32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the impact of three different nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor regimens, zidovudine (ZDV) monotherapy, didanosine (ddI) monotherapy, and ZDV plus ddI combination therapy, on central nervous system (CNS) outcomes in symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. METHODS Serial neurologic examinations, neurocognitive tests, and brain growth assessments (head circumference measurements and head computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging studies) were performed in 831 infants and children who participated in a randomized double-blind clinical trial of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group study 152 conducted between 1991 and 1995 enrolled antiretroviral therapy-naive children. Subjects were stratified by age (3 to <30 months of age or 30 months to 18 years of age) and randomized in equal proportions to the three treatment groups. RESULTS Combination ZDV and ddI therapy was superior to either ZDV or ddI monotherapy for most of the CNS outcomes evaluated. Treatment differences were observed within both age strata. ZDV monotherapy showed a modest statistically significant improvement in cognitive performance compared with ddI monotherapy during the initial 24 weeks, but for subsequent protection against CNS deterioration no clear difference was observed between the two monotherapy arms. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy with ZDV and ddI was more effective than either of the two monotherapies against CNS manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus disease. The results of this study did not indicate a long-term beneficial effect for ZDV monotherapy compared with ddI monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Raskino
- Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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Mintz M, Gigi A, Shohami D, Myslobodsky MS. Effects of prenatal exposure to gamma rays on circling and activity behavior in prepubertal and postpubertal rats. Behav Brain Res 1999; 98:45-51. [PMID: 10210521 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-4328(98)00051-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The study departs from the finding that postural asymmetries in low-weight female neonates are greatly increased following prenatal lesions inflicted by gamma irradiation at day 15. Given that amphetamine-induced rotation in adult rats could be predicted by their infantile axial asymmetry we expected a greater tendency for circling in rats exposed at day 15. To examine this prediction, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a single dose of gamma radiation at 1.5 Gy with a dose-rate of 0.15 Gy/min. The dose was delivered on one of the embryonic days (E15, 17 or 19) throughout the whole body of pregnant dams. Sham prenatal exposure of controls consisted of placing pregnant rats in the same environment for 10 min. All rats were tested during the active part of the circadian cycle. At postnatal day 27 (P27) exposed pups did not differ in rates of either spontaneous or d-amphetamine-induced circling from the shams. At P57, in keeping with our prediction, E15 rats manifested enhanced rotation and higher net asymmetry. However, E17 also showed higher gyration tendency compared to their shams while exposed E19 rats did not differ from their shams. The role of intrinsic DAergic imbalance presumably sharpened by irradiation at E15 and of neocortical deficit inflicted at E15 and E17 are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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27
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Abstract
A traditional view holds the belief that the behavioral effects of l-dihydroxyphenilalanine (l-DOPA) in Parkinsonian patients are achieved through the action of the newly produced dopamine (DA) on striatal DA receptors. In contrast to this view, recent studies in the rat model of Parkinson's disease point to the substantia nigra pars reticulata as an important target for the behavioral effects of l-DOPA. In the present study, we tested the contribution of the substantia nigra vs. that of the striatum, in the expression of contralateral turning induced by l-DOPA in rats with unilateral dopaminergic depletion. Rats turned contralaterally to the lesion in response to either intrastriatal or systemic l-DOPA administration. Injections of lidocaine into the denervated striatum substantially decreased, and occasionally completely abolished, the contralateral turning after systemic l-DOPA. These findings indicate that activation of the DA depleted striatum is both sufficient and essential for the expression of behavioral response after systemic administration of l-DOPA. The contribution of the substantia nigra to this behavioral response seems to depend to a great extent on an active striatal outflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mura
- Behavioral Biology Laboratory, Institute of Toxicology, ETH, Schorenstrasse 16, CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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28
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Mintz M, Yovel G, Gigi A, Myslobodsky MS. Dissociation between startle and prepulse inhibition in rats exposed to gamma radiation at day 15 of embryogeny. Brain Res Bull 1998; 45:289-96. [PMID: 9510421 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(97)00373-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The role of prenatal trauma in disordered sensory gating was explored in albino rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain. Pregnant rats were exposed to 1.5 Gy (0.15 Gy/min) of the whole-body gamma radiation on days 15, 17, or 19 of gestation. Controls were sham-exposed during 10 min in the same conditions. Exposed and control offsprings were evaluated for the auditory startle response (ASR) and its gating by either the habituation process or by the preceding weak sensory stimulus in the prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) procedure. The tests were conducted when the animals reached 27 and 57 days of age. A noticeable hyperresponding and delayed habituation of startle were found in rats exposed at E15, with meager effects in rats exposed at E17 and E19. Maximal deficit was obtained on tests conducted on P57 but not on P27. However, in rats pretreated with amphetamine, dysfunctional startle was unmasked already on the P27 test. By contrast, PPI was insensitive to the damaging effect of prenatal irradiation at either period. This dissociation is reminiscent of one observed in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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29
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da Cunha A, Mintz M, Eiden LE, Sharer LR. A neuronal and neuroanatomical correlate of HIV-1 encephalopathy relative to HIV-1 encephalitis in HIV-1-infected children. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1997; 56:974-87. [PMID: 9291939 DOI: 10.1097/00005072-199709000-00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive central nervous system dysfunction analogous to the AIDS dementia complex (ADC) seen in adults (HIV-1-associated progressive encephalopathy or HIV-1 encephalopathy) commonly occurs in HIV-1-infected children. The cause appears to be directly or indirectly related to HIV-1, rather than to other opportunistic pathogens. The exact mechanism(s) by which the virus affects brain function is not known. To determine whether the virus might modify brain function via an alteration in cortical neurons, we examined peptide neurotransmitter expression in the frontal cortex of HIV-1-infected cases with clinical HIV-1 encephalopathy relative to pathologic HIV-1 encephalitis. In situ hybridization was used to determine the level of peptide neurotransmitter expression of somatostatin in the frontal cortex of cases with and without HIV-1 encephalopathy and/or HIV-1 encephalitis. A 2-fold higher number of preprosomatostatin mRNA-positive interneurons was present in layer IV of cases with HIV-1 encephalitis compared with cases without HIV-1 encephalitis. In cases with PE, this neuronal alteration was 4- to 5-fold higher than in cases without PE, and was present in subcortical white matter in addition to layer IV. In cases having both PE and HIV-1 encephalitis, and in cases with HIV-1 encephalitis alone, these neuronal alterations in layer IV and/or subcortical white matter related to disseminated microglial nodules, even when these potentially viral-infected cells were negative for HIV-1 p24 antigen, a marker of productive viral infection. An alteration in preprosomatostatin mRNA-expressing cells occurring with HIV-1 encephalitis may be at least one mechanism that contributes to HIV-1 encephalopathy. When compared with other cortical laminae, layer IV receives most of its synaptic input from the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus. Neurons in the subcortical white matter project to the thalamus. The thalamus has been shown to have high amounts of viral antigen and increased metabolic activity in patients with AIDS. An alteration in preprosomatostatin mRNA-expressing cells may play a role in HIV-1 encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A da Cunha
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gigi
- Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
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31
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Mintz M, Tardieu M, Hoyt L, McSherry G, Mendelson J, Oleske J. Levodopa therapy improves motor function in HIV-infected children with extrapyramidal syndromes. Neurology 1996; 47:1583-5. [PMID: 8960752 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.47.6.1583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Five children with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, aged 4 to 13 years, manifested extrapyramidal dysfunction characterized by rigidity/stiffness, ambulation difficulties/shuffling gait, dysarthria/drooling/swallowing dysfunction, hypomimetic/inexpressive facies, and bradykinesia. Levodopa therapy caused an initial improvement in all symptoms, and the effect was sustained in most patients. Levodopa is a useful adjunctive therapy in HIV-1-infected children with extrapyramidal syndromes, by enhancing motor function and improving their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden 08103, USA
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Schiffer RA, Sigal M, Mintz M. Delayed habituation of the skin-conductance orienting response correlates with impaired performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 1996; 65:107-12. [PMID: 9122284 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-1781(96)02845-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The skin-conductance orienting response (SCOR) in schizophrenia is often characterized by either nonresponding or delayed habituation to repeated nonsignal tones. These abnormalities are poorly related to other dimensions of schizophrenia. In the present study, we confirmed that about 50% of patients with chronic schizophrenia are SCOR nonresponders. Nonresponders, however, did not differ from responders on postmorbid psychiatric or pharmacological course, and we therefore could not confirm the hypothesis that course of illness follows a more marked pattern of increasing severity in nonresponders. Performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was particularly poor in a subgroup of responders who exhibited either delayed habituation and/or dishabituation of SCORs to tones applied after a short rest period. It is possible that pathology of the prefrontal cortex mediates the SCOR abnormalities that characterize schizophrenic patients who perform poorly on the WCST.
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Engelbrecht AH, Russell VA, Mintz M, Lamm MC, Kellaway L, Herberg LJ, Taljaard JJ. Kindled seizures do not affect adenosinergic inhibition of DA or ACh release in rat accumbens or PFC. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1996; 55:315-21. [PMID: 8951971 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-3057(96)00099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Epileptic seizures are thought to terminate largely as a result of the extracellular accumulation of the purinergic neuromodulator, adenosine, released by discharging neurons. However, the postictal surge in extracellular adenosine and its widespread inhibitory effects are limited in time to only a few minutes and cannot directly account for increased resistance to seizures and the complex behavioural and motivational effects that may persist for hours or days after a seizure. The present study examined whether kindled seizures might alter the sensitivity or efficacy of inhibitory presynaptic adenosine receptors, and thereby induce more enduring changes in downstream transmitter systems. Rats were kindled in the amygdala of the dominant cerebral hemisphere, contralateral to the preferred direction of rotation, and their brains were removed either 2 h or 28 days after completion of kindling. Inhibition of electrically stimulated release of dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) by the A1 adenosine-receptor agonist, R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) was then measured in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens. R-PIA (1.0 microM) inhibited [1H]DA release from PFC and nucleus accumbens tissue, and [14C]ACh release from nucleus accumbens tissue, but release was unaffected by prior kindling, regardless of the intervening interval. These results do not support suggestions that DA or ACh might mediate the effects of seizure-induced changes in purinergic inhibitory tone so as to cause long-term shifts in seizure threshold and postictal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Engelbrecht
- Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa
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Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-associated neurologic disease, known as "HIV-1-associated progressive encephalopathy" (PE), is a common concomitant in the progression towards AIDS. PE, characterized by a triad of symptoms including impaired brain growth, progressive motor dysfunction, and loss or plateau of developmental milestones, is believed to result from both direct and indirect effects of HIV-1 infection on the central nervous system (CNS). Consequent to the hallmark systemic immune deficiency of HIV infection, the CNS becomes susceptible to opportunistic infections which add further morbidity and mortality, and may contribute either directly or indirectly to neurologic symptoms which can often mimic PE. Static encephalopathies (SE) represent fixed, nonprogressive neurologic or neurodevelopmental deficits in HIV-infected children. SE may or may not be caused by HIV infection but are often associated with such identifiable insults as prematurity, in utero exposure to toxins or infectious agents, or head trauma. Additional neurological manifestations of HIV infection are seizures, cerebrovascular complications (i.e., stroke), myelopathies, neuromuscular syndromes, and CNS complications of opportunistic infections. Neurobehavioral aberrations have also been observed in pediatric HIV infection. In addition to the neuropathogenesis, theories regarding the timing and detection of the neurological problems associated with pediatric HIV infection are discussed along with a presentation of current treatment paradigms and their rationales. The importance of identifying the numerous environmental factors, including nutritional status, that may confound the ability to discriminate between a primary or secondary role of HIV infection in the various neurological problems of HIV infection is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE The presenting signs, treatment, and outcome of an epidural hematoma of the cauda equina in a child with severe hemophilia are reported for the first time. PATIENTS AND METHODS A 20-month-old boy with severe hemophilia A (factor VIII <0.01 U/ml) presented with a 12-day history of refusal to stand and constipation of 5-7 days duration. He had normal deep tendon reflexes with normal sensation and withdrawal to pinprick of his lower extremities bilaterally. He stood on his right leg, but had inversion of his left foot and refused to bear weight on his left leg. MRI revealed an epidural hematoma of the cauda equina and a distended bladder. Factor VIII replacement therapy and lumbosacral laminectomy with evacuation of the hematoma resulted in recovery of a normal gait, but bladder dysfunction persisted for 11 months. Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) was required until bladder function returned. RESULTS Complete neurologic recovery occurred 11 months after presentation CONCLUSION This case demonstrates the following points: (a) an epidural hematoma of the cauda equina in a child with severe hemophilia can present with neurologic findings that are as subtle as those seen in normal children; (b) CIC can be performed safely over an extended period without factor VIII replacement; and (c) complete recovery is possible, despite prolonged bladder dysfunction and a 12-day interval between the onset of symptoms and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Travis
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103, USA
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Somekh E, Abishai V, Hanani M, Gutman R, Mintz M. The clinical significance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation from stool of neonates. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1996; 150:108-9. [PMID: 8541995 DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.1996.02170260112021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E Somekh
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
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37
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Mintz M. Carnitine in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. J Child Neurol 1995; 10 Suppl 2:S40-4. [PMID: 8576568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing body of evidence that subgroups of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 possess carnitine deficiency. Secondary carnitine deficiencies in these individuals may result from nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal disturbances, renal losses, or shifts in metabolic pathways. However, tissue depletion precipitated by drug toxicities, particularly zidovudine, is a major etiology and concern. Carnitine deficiency may impact on energy and lipid metabolism, causing mitochondrial and immune dysfunction. There are convincing laboratory data showing the in vitro ameliorative effects of L-carnitine supplementation of zidovudine-induced myopathies and lymphocyte function. Studies measuring the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on clinical characteristics are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden 08103, USA
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Jaffer A, van der Spuy GD, Russell VA, Mintz M, Taljaard JJ. Activation of the subthalamic nucleus and pedunculopontine tegmentum: does it affect dopamine levels in the substantia nigra, nucleus accumbens and striatum? Neurodegeneration 1995; 4:139-45. [PMID: 7583677 DOI: 10.1006/neur.1995.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, of which the most prominent morphological feature is the progressive loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons. Increased glutamatergic transmission in the basal ganglia has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study investigated whether death of substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic neurons could be caused by the hyperactivity of afferent pathways resulting in the release of a toxic dose of excitatory amino acids in the SN. Twice-daily unilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for 21 days, using two different pulse frequencies and current strengths, significantly increased amphetamine-induced rotation, whereas sham stimulated rats showed significantly reduced rotation. Striatal and SN dopamine (DA) levels were unaffected when compared to naïve and sham stimulated rats. However, levels of the DA metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), were significantly higher in the ipsilateral anterior striata of rats that had been stimulated at high frequency (100 Hz) and low current (100 microA) as compared to sham treated animals. Stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmentum (PPT), using a single kainic acid injection, did not affect DA concentration in the ipsilateral striatum and nucleus accumbens when compared to sham-treated rats. DA levels in the contralateral striatum and nucleus accumbens of lesioned rats were significantly higher than ipsilateral levels. DOPAC/DA ratios were lower in the contralateral striatum and nucleus accumbens, suggesting decreased DA turnover. Glutamic acid decarboxylase activity was significantly higher in the ipsilateral than the contralateral SN. The physical manifestations of PD require a large reduction in caudate and putamen DA levels and no such depletion was measured in this study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jaffer
- Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa
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39
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Mintz M, Boland M, O'Hara MJ, Barros J, Hansen C, Denny TN, Scolpino A, Maha-Elkins M, Sandzhieva D, Esenova V. Pediatric HIV infection in Elista, Russia: interventional strategies. Am J Public Health 1995; 85:586-8. [PMID: 7702131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Mintz M, Hermesh H, Glicksohn J, Munitz H, Radwan M. First month of neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia: only partial normalization of the late positive components of visual ERP. Biol Psychiatry 1995; 37:402-9. [PMID: 7772649 DOI: 10.1016/0006-3223(94)00145-s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In a previous study we recorded visual event-related potentials (ERP) in drug-naive schizophrenics during passive-attention and active-attention tasks. Patients, compared to normal controls, had much lower late positive components (LPC) in both sessions, but nearly normal LPC increase from passive to active task. The present sample consisted of drug-naive and drug-free patients who were tested before and during the first month of neuroleptic treatment. Neuroleptics initiated gradual amelioration of psychiatric symptoms expressed by reduced Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores. Schizophrenics compared to controls showed a session-related increase in LPC amplitude, but this process of LPC recovery was too minor to fully normalize the low LPC amplitudes in patients. Furthermore, the treatment either did not improve or even reduce the LPC reaction to the active-attention task. These findings indicate that normalization of low LPC in schizophrenia might require a long period of treatment, and that patients' reduced LPC reactivity to the task might be contributed, rather than treated, by neuroleptics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
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41
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Abstract
The present study assessed the effects of kindling on striatal DA terminals. Kindled and control rats were tested for DA transporter density using [3H]GBR-12935 binding to striatal membranes and for amphetamine and KCl-induced [3H]DA release from striatal slices. Kindling decreased the maximal number of [3H]GBR-12935 binding sites in the dorsal striatum of rats sacrificed either 2 h or 4 weeks after the last seizure but had no effect on stimulated fractional [3H]DA release. These findings suggest a minor damage to DA terminals in the dorsal striatum. At the same postseizure time points, kindling augmented the hyperlocomotion associated with novel environment. Explanation of this effect requires in vivo measures of striatal DA functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Gordon
- Department of Psychology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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42
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Abstract
The effect of repeated amphetamine treatment on the involvement of the striatal DA transporters in rotation behavior was tested in rats. Repeated amphetamine treatment had no effect on [3H]DA uptake or [3H]GBR-12935 binding density. However, unlike the naive rats who rotated away from the striatum with a lower density of DA transporters, rats sensitized to amphetamine rotated toward the striatum with a lower density of DA transporters. These findings imply that repeated amphetamine augments the subcortical involvement in behavioral output.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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Mintz M. [Diagnostic and therapeutic value of laparoscopic needle biopsies of persistent para-uterine cysts: absence of recurrences and consecutive pregnancies. In view of ultrasonography-guided biopsies]. Contracept Fertil Sex 1994; 22:714-9. [PMID: 7820193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In the presence of a persistent para-uterine cyst, the actual tendency is to operate by laparotomy or most frequently by laparoscopic surgery. This leads to ablation of 20% of the so called "Functional cysts". A 30 years experience of laparoscopic puncture of 745 persistent para-uterine cysts, among which 321 were preserved and controlled, shows that 69% of them, of various origin or nature do not recur, whereas many pregnancies happen to come at short notice: 59% of 117 patients who wished to be pregnant had 73 known living children. Young, nulliparous or sterile patients, could at a first step, under strict conditions, get the benefit of a sonographic-guided diagnostic and therapeutic puncture, avoiding a useless endoscopy or ablation.
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Allin R, Mintz M, Russell V, Engelbrecht A, Lamm M, Daniels W, van der Spuy G, Jaffer A, Kellaway L, Taljaard J. Effect of amygdaloid kindling on rat striatal dopamine D1- and D2-receptors. Neurochem Res 1994; 19:827-31. [PMID: 7969752 DOI: 10.1007/bf00967451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The effect of kindling on dopaminergic (DA) neurotransmission was assessed by measuring dopamine D1- and D2-receptor binding in the dorsal and ventral striatum of rats either 2 hours (short-term) or 3-4 weeks (long-term) after the last kindled seizure. Kindling did not have any significant long-term effect on DA D2-receptor Kd or Bmax values in the dorsal or ventral striatum or on DA D1-receptor parameters in the dorsal striatum. The short-term effect of kindled seizures was to abolish the asymmetry in DA D2-receptor density observed in the dorsal striatum of control rats. DA D1-receptor density was also increased in the dorsal striatum contralateral to the kindled amygdala of short-term rats. The short-term effects support the notion that limbic seizures can modify the lateral imbalance of DA activity in the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Allin
- Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, R.S.A
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Abstract
We tested the relation between bilateral imbalance in striatal DA uptake and asymmetric rotation behavior. Rats were screened for either spontaneous or amphetamine-induced preferred direction of rotation and the presynaptic DA transporter in the ipsi- and contralateral striatum was characterized in vitro by measuring [3H]DA uptake or [3H]GBR-12935 binding. DA uptake was lower in the striatum contralateral to either the spontaneous or amphetamine-induced preferred direction of rotation. Similar imbalance in the density of the transporter was confirmed by the binding experiments. These results support the hypothesis that striatal imbalance in DA uptake produces asymmetric behavior during spontaneous rotation. Further studies are required to assess the involvement of DA transporter imbalance in amphetamine-induced behavioral asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Gordon
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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Mintz M, Lavond DG, Zhang AA, Yun Y, Thompson RF. Unilateral inferior olive NMDA lesion leads to unilateral deficit in acquisition and retention of eyelid classical conditioning. Behav Neural Biol 1994; 61:218-24. [PMID: 8067977 DOI: 10.1016/s0163-1047(05)80004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were trained for acquisition (N = 21) or retention (N = 10) of classical eyelid conditioning with unilateral or bilateral N-methyl-DL-aspartate chemical lesions of the rostromedial dorsal accessory inferior olive (rmDAO; multiple injections totaling 76 to 342 nmol). In all instances, subjects were unable to learn or retain conditioning on the side contralateral to the lesion. Learning rates were comparable for lesions outside of the rmDAO and sham operates. These findings demonstrate a specific unilateral deficit whereas in previous research the answer to this question was ambiguous since electrolytic lesions effectively cause bilateral olivary lesions. This research agrees with the concept that the inferior olive projects essential information about the unconditioned stimulus to a cerebellar locus of learning and memory for classical conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-2520
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Saito Y, Sharer LR, Epstein LG, Michaels J, Mintz M, Louder M, Golding K, Cvetkovich TA, Blumberg BM. Overexpression of nef as a marker for restricted HIV-1 infection of astrocytes in postmortem pediatric central nervous tissues. Neurology 1994; 44:474-81. [PMID: 8145918 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.44.3_part_1.474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [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: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In previous studies, using polymerase chain reaction amplification of HIV-1 genes directly from pathologic tissues of children who died with AIDS encephalopathy, we showed that the reading frame of the HIV-1 regulatory nef gene is open, suggesting that the nef protein was expressed. We now show, using immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization with nef-specific probes in postmortem pediatric CNS tissues, that nef mRNA and protein are present in up to 20% of astrocytes in tissue sections selected for extensive histopathology. By contrast, HIV-1 structural proteins such as gag and their coding mRNAs are present in multinucleated giant cells that harbor productive infection and are the hallmark of HIV-1 infection in the CNS. These findings are consistent with the nonproductive infection of glial cells observed in vitro, and imply that HIV-1 infection of astrocytes is restricted to early regulatory gene products, of which nef is the best target as it is expressed at high levels and is membrane-anchored. In developing central nervous tissues of children, restricted and latent HIV-1 infection of astrocytes may be extensive and contribute significantly to HIV-1 neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Saito
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642
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de Brux JA, Bergeron C, Mintz M. [History, technique, and results of puncture biopsies of para-uterine cysts]. Contracept Fertil Sex 1994; 22:99-100. [PMID: 8199649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J A de Brux
- Congrès Européen d'Endoscopie en Gynécologie, Club Européen Raoul Palmer, Clermont-Ferrand
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Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV-1)-associated neurologic disease occurs as the initial presenting clinical manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 3-7% of infected patients, but in up to 18% of children and adolescents (Janssen, 1992; Janssen et al., 1992; Scott et al., 1989; Mintz et al., 1989a; Epstein et al., 1986). The overall prevalence of dementia in adult AIDS patients is 7.3-11.3% (Janssen, 1992), but up to 30-60% of children with AIDS manifest an analogous progressive encephalopathy (Epstein et al., 1986; Belman et al., 1988; Mintz, 1992; The European Collaborative Study, 1990). As a result of both direct and indirect effects of HIV-1 infection of the central nervous system (CNS), a distinct clinical and pathologic picture has emerged of insidious and severe neurologic deterioration, termed "AIDS Dementia Complex" (ADC) in adults, and "HIV-1-associated Progressive Encephalopathy" (PE) in children (Working Group, 1991) (see Table 1). In the severe manifestations of this pariah, there is little dispute as to the necessity of CNS HIV-1 infection for precipitating the cascade of adverse neurologic symptoms, although the pathogenic mechanisms of neurologic dysfunction and destruction--whether a result of direct cellular infection of HIV, secondarily produced and upregulated cytotoxic cytokines, or co-infection with opportunistic pathogens--remains an area of active research (Epstein and Gendelman, 1993; Fiala et al., 1993; Wiley and Nelson, 1988; Saito et al., 1994; Koenig et al., 1986; Sharer, 1992). Furthermore, the existence of systemic immune deficiency renders the CNS susceptible to opportunistic infection (OI), particularly in adult patients, adding further to morbidity and mortality (Clifford and Campbell, 1992). With the introduction of antiretroviral nucleoside analogues, there have been reports of a decreasing incidence of ADC (Portegies et al., 1989; Day et al., 1992), and amelioration--at least temporarily--of PE in children (Pizzo et al., 1988; Mintz and Epstein, 1992; Brouwers et al., 1990; Mintz et al., 1990). This appends further evidence to the central precipitating role of CNS HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey 08103
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Abstract
Solcoseryl (S) has been shown to provide significant cytoprotection in a variety of models of cerebral hypoxia. In the present study, we quantified the epileptiform effects caused by kainic acid administered into the pontine reticular formation of rats and their response to S pretreatment. Compared to saline, the agent appeared to significantly reduce the mortality of rats in the course of status epilepticus. However, S-pretreated rats manifested an increased incidence of behavioral seizures. This untoward effect is attributed to the fact that S improves the functional potential of injured tissue and retards the period of metabolic exhaustion at a time when neuronal activity should be minimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mintz
- Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
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