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1.
Cancers (Basel) ; 15(6)2023 Mar 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36980606

ABSTRACT

Defective DNA mismatch repair is one pathogenic pathway to colorectal cancer. It is characterised by microsatellite instability which provides a molecular biomarker for its detection. Clinical guidelines for universal testing of this biomarker are not met due to resource limitations; thus, there is interest in developing novel methods for its detection. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is an analytical tool able to interrogate the molecular vibrations of a sample to provide a unique biochemical fingerprint. The resulting datasets are complex and high-dimensional, making them an ideal candidate for deep learning, though this may be limited by small sample sizes. This study investigates the potential of using RS to distinguish between normal, microsatellite stable (MSS) and microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) adenocarcinoma in human colorectal samples and whether deep learning provides any benefit to this end over traditional machine learning models. A 1D convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed to discriminate between healthy, MSI-H and MSS in human tissue and compared to a principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) and a support vector machine (SVM) model. A nested cross-validation strategy was used to train 30 samples, 10 from each group, with a total of 1490 Raman spectra. The CNN achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 45% compared to PCA-LDA, which achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 51%, respectively. These are competitive with existing guidelines, despite the low sample size, speaking to the molecular discriminative power of RS combined with deep learning. A number of biochemical antecedents responsible for this discrimination are also explored, with Raman peaks associated with nucleic acids and collagen being implicated.

2.
Diagnostics (Basel) ; 12(6)2022 Jun 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35741300

ABSTRACT

Raman Spectroscopy has long been anticipated to augment clinical decision making, such as classifying oncological samples. Unfortunately, the complexity of Raman data has thus far inhibited their routine use in clinical settings. Traditional machine learning models have been used to help exploit this information, but recent advances in deep learning have the potential to improve the field. However, there are a number of potential pitfalls with both traditional and deep learning models. We conduct a literature review to ascertain the recent machine learning methods used to classify cancers using Raman spectral data. We find that while deep learning models are popular, and ostensibly outperform traditional learning models, there are many methodological considerations which may be leading to an over-estimation of performance; primarily, small sample sizes which compound sub-optimal choices regarding sampling and validation strategies. Amongst several recommendations is a call to collate large benchmark Raman datasets, similar to those that have helped transform digital pathology, which researchers can use to develop and refine deep learning models.

3.
Biotechnol Bioeng ; 118(11): 4278-4289, 2021 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34289076

ABSTRACT

Whole-cell biosensors hold potential in a variety of industrial, medical, and environmental applications. These biosensors can be constructed through the repurposing of bacterial sensing mechanisms, including the common two-component system (TCS). Here we report on the construction of a range of novel biosensors that are sensitive to acetoacetate, a molecule that plays a number of roles in human health and biology. These biosensors are based on the AtoSC TCS. An ordinary differential equation model to describe the action of the AtoSC TCS was developed and sensitivity analysis of this model used to help inform biosensor design. The final collection of biosensors constructed displayed a range of switching behaviours at physiologically relevant acetoacetate concentrations and can operate in several Escherichia coli host strains. It is envisaged that these biosensor strains will offer an alternative to currently available commercial strip tests and, in future, may be adopted for more complex in vivo or industrial monitoring applications.


Subject(s)
Acetoacetates/metabolism , Biosensing Techniques , Escherichia coli Proteins , Escherichia coli , Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial , Acetoacetates/analysis , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics , Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Operon
4.
Nat Med ; 26(10): 1593-1601, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32895569

ABSTRACT

Intestinal failure, following extensive anatomical or functional loss of small intestine, has debilitating long-term consequences for children1. The priority of patient care is to increase the length of functional intestine, particularly the jejunum, to promote nutritional independence2. Here we construct autologous jejunal mucosal grafts using biomaterials from pediatric patients and show that patient-derived organoids can be expanded efficiently in vitro. In parallel, we generate decellularized human intestinal matrix with intact nanotopography, which forms biological scaffolds. Proteomic and Raman spectroscopy analyses reveal highly analogous biochemical profiles of human small intestine and colon scaffolds, indicating that they can be used interchangeably as platforms for intestinal engineering. Indeed, seeding of jejunal organoids onto either type of scaffold reliably reconstructs grafts that exhibit several aspects of physiological jejunal function and that survive to form luminal structures after transplantation into the kidney capsule or subcutaneous pockets of mice for up to 2 weeks. Our findings provide proof-of-concept data for engineering patient-specific jejunal grafts for children with intestinal failure, ultimately aiding in the restoration of nutritional autonomy.


Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases/pathology , Intestinal Mucosa/transplantation , Jejunum/transplantation , Organoids/pathology , Precision Medicine/methods , Primary Cell Culture/methods , Tissue Engineering/methods , Animals , Cell Differentiation , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Child , Enterocytes/pathology , Enterocytes/physiology , Enterocytes/transplantation , Extracellular Matrix/pathology , Female , HEK293 Cells , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells , Humans , Intestinal Diseases/congenital , Intestinal Diseases/therapy , Intestinal Mucosa/cytology , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Jejunum/cytology , Jejunum/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred NOD , Mice, SCID , Mice, Transgenic , Proof of Concept Study , Swine , Tissue Scaffolds
5.
Analyst ; 145(4): 1499-1510, 2020 Feb 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31894759

ABSTRACT

Incomplete removal of paraffin and organic contaminants from tissues processed for diagnostic histology has been a profound barrier to the introduction of Raman spectroscopic techniques into clinical practice. We report a route to rapid and complete paraffin removal from a range of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues using super mirror stainless steel slides. The method is equally effective on a range of human and animal tissues, performs equally well with archived and new samples and is compatible with standard pathology lab procedures. We describe a general enhancement of the Raman scatter and enhanced staining with antibodies used in immunohistochemistry for clinical diagnosis. We conclude that these novel slide substrates have the power to improve diagnosis through anatomical pathology by facilitating the simultaneous combination of improved, more sensitive immunohistochemical staining and simplified, more reliable Raman spectroscopic imaging, analysis and signal processing.


Subject(s)
Paraffin Embedding , Paraffin/isolation & purification , Pathology/methods , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Humans , Time Factors
6.
ACS Synth Biol ; 8(12): 2620-2628, 2019 12 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31657907

ABSTRACT

Caenorhabditis elegans has become a key model organism within biology. In particular, the transparent gut, rapid growing time, and ability to create a defined gut microbiota make it an ideal candidate organism for understanding and engineering the host microbiota. Here we present the development of an experimental model that can be used to characterize whole-cell bacterial biosensors in vivo. A dual-plasmid sensor system responding to isopropyl ß-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside was developed and fully characterized in vitro. Subsequently, we show that the sensor was capable of detecting and reporting on changes in the intestinal environment of C. elegans after introducing an exogenous inducer into the environment. The protocols presented here may be used to aid the rational design of engineered bacterial circuits, primarily for diagnostic applications. In addition, the model system may serve to reduce the use of current animal models and aid in the exploration of complex questions within general nematode and host-microbe biology.


Subject(s)
Bacteria/genetics , Biosensing Techniques , Caenorhabditis elegans/microbiology , Genetic Engineering , Intestines/microbiology , Animals , Colony Count, Microbial , Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Isopropyl Thiogalactoside/metabolism , Plasmids/genetics
7.
J Biophotonics ; 11(2)2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28700142

ABSTRACT

For several decades, a multitude of studies have documented the ability of Raman spectroscopy (RS) to differentiate between tissue types and identify pathological changes to tissues in a range of diseases. Furthermore, spectroscopists have illustrated that the technique is capable of detecting disease-specific alterations to tissue before morphological changes become apparent to the pathologist. This study draws comparisons between the information that is obtainable using RS alongside immunohistochemistry (IHC), since histological examination is the current GOLD standard for diagnosing a wide range of diseases. Here, Raman spectral maps were generated using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded colonic tissue sections from healthy patients and spectral signatures from principal components analysis (PCA) were compared with several IHC markers to confirm the validity of their localizations. PCA loadings identified a number of signatures that could be assigned to muscle, DNA and mucin glycoproteins and their distributions were confirmed with antibodies raised against anti-Desmin, anti-Ki67 and anti-MUC2, respectively. The comparison confirms that there is excellent correlation between RS and the IHC markers used, demonstrating that the technique is capable of detecting compositional changes in tissue in a label-free manner, eliminating the need for antibodies.


Subject(s)
Antigens/analysis , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Colon/cytology , Formaldehyde , Humans , Paraffin Embedding , Tissue Fixation
8.
J Raman Spectrosc ; 48(1): 119-125, 2017 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28163358

ABSTRACT

Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a powerful technique that permits the non-destructive chemical analysis of cells and tissues without the need for expensive and complex sample preparation. To date, samples have been routinely mounted onto calcium fluoride (CaF2) as this material possesses the desired mechanical and optical properties for analysis, but CaF2 is both expensive and brittle and this prevents the technique from being routinely adopted. Furthermore, Raman scattering is a weak phenomenon and CaF2 provides no means of increasing signal. For RS to be widely adopted, particularly in the clinical field, it is crucial that spectroscopists identify an alternative, low-cost substrate capable of providing high spectral signal to noise ratios with good spatial resolution. Results show that these desired properties are attainable when using mirrored stainless steel as a Raman substrate. When compared with CaF2, data show that stainless steel has a low background signal and provides an average signal increase of 1.43 times during tissue analysis and 1.64 times when analyzing cells. This result is attributed to a double-pass of the laser beam through the sample where the photons from the source laser and the forward scattered Raman signal are backreflected and retroreflected from the mirrored steel surface and focused towards collection optics. The spatial resolution on stainless steel is at least comparable to that on CaF2 and it is not compromised by the reflection of the laser. Steel is a fraction of the cost of CaF2 and the reflection and focusing of photons improve signal to noise ratios permitting more rapid mapping. The low cost of steel coupled with its Raman signal increasing properties and robust durability indicates that steel is an ideal substrate for biological and clinical RS as it possesses key advantages over routinely used CaF2. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

9.
PLoS One ; 11(3): e0151861, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26986850

ABSTRACT

G proteins are an important family of signalling molecules controlled by guanine nucleotide exchange and GTPase activity in what is commonly called an 'activation/inactivation cycle'. The molecular mechanism by which guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) catalyse the activation of monomeric G proteins is well-established, however the complete reversibility of this mechanism is often overlooked. Here, we use a theoretical approach to prove that GEFs are unable to positively control G protein systems at steady-state in the absence of GTPase activity. Instead, positive regulation of G proteins must be seen as a product of the competition between guanine nucleotide exchange and GTPase activity--emphasising a central role for GTPase activity beyond merely signal termination. We conclude that a more accurate description of the regulation of G proteins via these processes is as a 'balance/imbalance' mechanism. This result has implications for the understanding of intracellular signalling processes, and for experimental strategies that rely on modulating G protein systems.


Subject(s)
GTP Phosphohydrolases/physiology , GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/physiology , Animals , GTP Phosphohydrolases/metabolism , GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology , Humans , Kinetics , Models, Biological , Transcriptional Activation/physiology
11.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 108(9): 1508-15, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23835436

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 plus electrolytes (PEG 3350+E) is an established treatment for constipation and has been proposed as a treatment option for constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of PEG 3350+E vs. placebo in adult patients with IBS-C. METHODS: Following a 14-day run-in period without study medication, patients with confirmed IBS-C were randomized to receive PEG 3350+E (N=68) or placebo (N=71) for 28 days. The primary endpoint was the mean number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per day in the last treatment week. RESULTS: In both groups, mean weekly number of SBMs (±s.d.) increased from run-in. The difference between the groups in week 4 (PEG 3350+E, 4.40±2.581; placebo, 3.11±1.937) was statistically significant (95% confidence interval: 1.17, 1.95; P<0.0001). Although mean severity score for abdominal discomfort/pain was significantly reduced compared with run-in with PEG 3350+E, there was no difference vs. placebo. Spontaneous complete bowel movements, responder rates, stool consistency, and severity of straining also showed superior improvement in the PEG 3350+E group over placebo in week 4. The most common drug related treatment-emergent adverse events were abdominal pain (PEG 3350+E, 4.5%; placebo, 0%) and diarrhoea (PEG 3350+E, 4.5%; placebo, 4.3%). CONCLUSIONS: In IBS-C, PEG 3350+E was superior to placebo for relief of constipation, and although a statistically significant improvement in abdominal discomfort/pain was observed compared with baseline, there was no associated improvement compared with placebo. PEG 3350+E is a well-established and effective treatment that should be considered suitable for use in IBS-C.


Subject(s)
Abdominal Pain/drug therapy , Constipation/drug therapy , Electrolytes/therapeutic use , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/drug therapy , Polyethylene Glycols/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Constipation/complications , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/complications , Male , Middle Aged , Treatment Outcome
12.
Biochem Soc Trans ; 38(5): 1314-8, 2010 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20863305

ABSTRACT

Mizoribine induces the differentiation of promyelocytes by an unknown mechanism that relies on compromised guanine nucleotide synthesis. I have found that mizoribine also perturbs adenosine nucleotide levels in HL-60 promyelocytes, particularly ATP. To reconcile these observations with the known actions of mizoribine I have adapted an existing model of human purine metabolism composed as an S-system familiar from Biochemical Systems Theory. Mizoribine's actions were then simulated and compared with experimental data.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Guanine Nucleotides/metabolism , Ribonucleosides/pharmacology , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Guanosine Triphosphate/pharmacology , HL-60 Cells , Humans , Signal Transduction/genetics
13.
Int J Clin Pract ; 64(7): 944-55, 2010 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20584228

ABSTRACT

It is unclear how polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxatives compare with other classes of laxative in terms of efficacy. To assess efficacy of PEG vs. placebo and active comparators in adults with non-organic constipation. Text Word searches were carried out on MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials and Google Scholar databases covering the period January 1970 to October 2009. Search terms were (constipation) AND (randomised OR randomized) AND (PEG OR polyethylene OR macrogol OR movicol OR idrolax OR miralax OR transipeg OR forlax OR colyte OR golytely OR isocolan OR nulytely) NOT colonoscopy. Only published randomised controlled trials, with a parallel-group or cross-over design, comparing oral PEG with placebo or a comparator laxative in adults with a history of non-organic constipation, were included. The frequency of defaecation in each arm, on completion of the protocol-defined treatment duration was extracted. All pooled analyses were based on random effect models. Of the 20 qualifying studies, 10 were vs. placebo, seven were vs. lactulose, and four were vs. other agents. One study compared PEG, placebo and lactulose. PEG treatment resulted in a highly significant increase in defaecations/week over placebo (all studies: additional 1.98 stools/week; p = 0.0003, high-quality studies: additional 2.34 stools/week; p = 0.0001) and over lactulose (all studies: additional 1 stool/week; p = 0.0017, high-quality studies: additional 1.65 stools/week; p = 0.021). This meta analysis is the only quantitative statistical analysis to have been published in the field. PEG was found to be a more effective laxative than lactulose in adult patients with constipation.


Subject(s)
Constipation/drug therapy , Laxatives/therapeutic use , Polyethylene Glycols/therapeutic use , Adult , Defecation/drug effects , Electrolytes/therapeutic use , Humans , Osmolar Concentration , Treatment Outcome
14.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther ; 31(9): 938-49, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20180788

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Comparison of quality of life (QoL) across disease areas requires the use of appropriate tools. Although many studies have investigated QoL in constipation, most used disease-specific tools that are inappropriate for cross-comparisons. AIMS: To identify studies of QoL in constipation and to compare these results with other chronic conditions. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search identified studies in constipation that used a generic QoL tool. Results were statistically pooled where possible and compared with published results using the same tools in other chronic conditions. RESULTS: A total of 13 qualifying studies were identified, 10 in adults and three in children. Results from eight studies using the SF-36/12 tools were pooled; the remaining five were narratively reported. Mental and physical components of QoL scores were consistently impaired in both adult and child populations, with the greatest impact being seen in secondary care studies. Mental health effects predominated over physical domains. The magnitude of impact was comparable with that seen in patients with allergies, musculoskeletal conditions and inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of constipation on QoL is significant and comparable with other common chronic conditions. Improving management may prove to be an effective way of improving QoL for a substantial number of patients.


Subject(s)
Constipation/complications , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Constipation/epidemiology , Constipation/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Quality of Life/psychology , Young Adult
15.
Dev Biol ; 317(1): 36-45, 2008 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18367160

ABSTRACT

Localisation of Protein Kinase A (PKA) by A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs) is known to coordinate localised signalling complexes that target cAMP-mediated signalling to specific cellular sub-domains. The cAMP PKA signalling pathway is implicated in both meiotic arrest and meiotic resumption, thus spatio-temporal changes in PKA localisation during development may determine the oocytes response to changes in cAMP. In this study we aim to establish whether changes in PKA localisation occur during oocyte and early embryo development. Using fluorescently-labelled PKA constructs we show that in meiotically incompetent oocytes PKA is distributed throughout the cytoplasm and shows no punctuate localisation. As meiotic competence is acquired, PKA associates with mitochondria. Immature germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes show an aggregation of PKA around the GV and PKA remains co-localised with mitochondria throughout oocyte maturation. After fertilisation, the punctuate, mitochondrial distribution was lost, such that by the 2-cell stage there was no evidence of PKA localisation. RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed two candidate AKAPs that are known to be targeted to mitochondria, AKAP1 and D-AKAP2. In summary these data show a dynamic regulation of PKA localisation during oocyte and early embryo development.


Subject(s)
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/analysis , Oocytes/metabolism , A Kinase Anchor Proteins/analysis , A Kinase Anchor Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Embryo, Mammalian/enzymology , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Female , Fertilization , Meiosis , Mice , Mitochondria/chemistry , Oocytes/cytology , Oocytes/enzymology , Pregnancy
16.
Curr Med Res Opin ; 24(2): 481-8, 2008 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18179734

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A new 2 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution containing ascorbic acid (Asc) and electrolytes (Moviprep) has been developed for bowel cleansing. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy, safety and acceptability of PEG + Asc versus sodium picosulphate + magnesium citrate in patients scheduled to undergo colonoscopy. DESIGN AND METHODS: This single blind, parallel group pilot study included 65 adult male and female patients. A blinded assessment of cleansing was made for each bowel segment by the colonoscopist and the scores determined an overall grading of bowel cleansing. Patients completed a questionnaire on the acceptability of the preparation. RESULTS: Successful bowel preparation was reported in 84.4% of patients who received PEG + Asc and 72.7% of patients who received sodium picosulphate + magnesium citrate (treatment difference +11.6, 95% CI -11.2, +34.5; p = 0.367). Patients were more likely to have a higher overall quality of bowel cleansing with PEG + Asc (p = 0.018), with specifically better cleansing in the ascending colon (p = 0.024) and caecum (p = 0.003) compared with patients who received sodium picosulphate + magnesium citrate. The adverse event profile of the two treatments was similar, with headache and gastrointestinal effects being the most commonly reported. Some patient acceptability results favoured sodium picosulphate + magnesium citrate for those patients who had experience of previous bowel preparation, but were similar for those patients who had not had a previous bowel preparation. CONCLUSIONS: PEG + Asc provided effective bowel cleansing, which was equivalent to that of sodium picosulphate + magnesium citrate in terms of grading cleansing as overall success or failure. In the proximal colon (ascending colon and caecum) PEG + Asc provided significantly better cleansing to that achieved with sodium picosulphate + magnesium citrate.


Subject(s)
Cathartics/pharmacology , Citric Acid/pharmacology , Colonoscopy , Organometallic Compounds/pharmacology , Picolines/pharmacology , Polyethylene Glycols/pharmacology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ascorbic Acid/pharmacology , Citrates , Colon/drug effects , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Therapeutic Irrigation
17.
J Vasc Surg ; 46(4): 687-93, 2007 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17903648

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are caused by inflammatory processes in the wall of the aorta resulting in degradation of structural proteins. This inflammatory process is mediated, in part, by cytokines, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a predominantly anti-inflammatory cytokine. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene that affects transcription has been associated with AAA in a small study. The aim of this study was to determine whether this polymorphism is associated with AAA and also examine its effect on the growth of small AAA. METHODS AND RESULTS: A case control study was performed. A total of 389 patients with AAA and 404 healthy controls were recruited. IL-10-1082 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based methods. In the case of patients with small AAA (<5.5 cm), serial size measurements were recorded to determine mean growth rate. There was a statistically significant difference both in allele and genotype frequencies between the case and control groups with the IL-10-1082 'A' allele being more common in the AAA group (P = .006). In the AAA group, genotype frequencies were as follows: GG 84, GA 201, and AA 104. In the control group, the genotype frequencies were GG 118, GA 205, and AA 81. The odds ratio for the 'A' allele as a risk factor for AAA was 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.09 to 2.07). Regression modeling revealed that the IL-10-1082 genotype was, however, not independently associated with AAA if age, tobacco use, hypertension, and history of coronary or peripheral artery disease was taken into account. There was a trend towards lower plasma IL-10 level in IL-10 AA carriers, but the IL-10 'A' allele did not have any discernible effect on the growth of small AAA. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the IL-10-1082 'A' allele is associated with AAA, although this association is likely to be secondary to an association between IL-10-1082 genotype and other markers of cardiovascular disease rather than AAA per se.


Subject(s)
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/genetics , Gene Frequency , Interleukin-10/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alleles , Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Genotype , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Promoter Regions, Genetic
18.
Arch Dis Child ; 92(11): 996-1000, 2007 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17626140

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 plus electrolytes (PEG+E) for the treatment of chronic constipation in children. DESIGN: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial, with two 2-week treatment periods separated by a 2-week placebo washout. SETTING: Six UK paediatric departments. PARTICIPANTS: 51 children (29 girls, 22 boys) aged 24 months to 11 years with chronic constipation (lasting > or =3 months), defined as < or =2 complete bowel movements per week and one of the following: pain on defaecation on 25% of days; > or =25% of bowel movements with straining; > or =25% of bowel movements with hard/lumpy stools. 47 children completed the double blind treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of complete defaecations per week (primary efficacy variable), total number of complete and incomplete defaecations per week, pain on defaecation, straining on defaecation, faecal incontinence, stool consistency, global assessment of treatment, adverse events and physical examination. RESULTS: The mean number of complete defaecations per week was significantly higher for children on PEG+E than on placebo (3.12 (SD 2.05) v 1.45 (SD 1.20), respectively; p<0.001). Further significant differences in favour of PEG+E were observed for total number of defaecations per week (p = 0.003), pain on defaecation (p = 0.041), straining on defaecation (p<0.001), stool consistency (p<0.001) and percentage of hard stools (p = 0.001). Treatment related adverse events (all mild or moderate) occurred in similar numbers of children on PEG+E (41%) and placebo during treatment (45%). CONCLUSIONS: PEG+E is significantly more effective than placebo, and appears to be safe and well tolerated in the treatment of chronic constipation in children.


Subject(s)
Cathartics/therapeutic use , Constipation/drug therapy , Electrolytes/therapeutic use , Polyethylene Glycols/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Treatment Outcome
19.
J Vasc Surg ; 45(3): 574-80, 2007 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17321344

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cytokines are inflammatory mediators implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis. The cytokine expression profile of the AAA is poorly defined and has focused on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, at the expense of chemokines and growth factors. This study aims to investigate the cytokine expression profile of the established AAA wall. METHODS: Cytokine protein expression was measured in homogenized human aortic tissue (10 AAAs and 9 nonaneurysmal controls) using a 42-cytokine antibody-based protein array. Data were quantified using densitometric analysis and statistically analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A significant difference in cytokine expression between AAA and control samples was found in 15 of 42 cytokines. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated within the AAA compared with the control: interleukin (IL)-6 (P = .001), IL-1alpha (P = .001), IL-1beta (P < .001), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (P = .002), TNF-beta (P = .002), and oncostatin M (P = .007). The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was also upregulated (P = .002). Members of the chemokine family were also highly expressed within AAA samples: IL-8 (P = .001), epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide-78 (ENA-78; P = .006), growth related oncogene (GRO; P < .001), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (P = .003), MCP-2 (P < .001), and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES; P = .001). Of the growth factors examined, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF; P = .003) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF; P = .004) were significantly higher in the AAA. CONCLUSIONS: The established AAA is characterized by a distinct cytokine profile consisting of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and specific growth factors. This suggests that these cytokines may contribute to pathologic changes within the established, preruptured aneurysm.


Subject(s)
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism , Chemokines/biosynthesis , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Protein Array Analysis , Chemokines, CC/biosynthesis , Chemokines, CXC/biosynthesis , Cytokines/biosynthesis , Humans , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/biosynthesis , Up-Regulation
20.
Biochim Biophys Acta ; 1761(12): 1429-42, 2006 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17071135

ABSTRACT

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases [PtdIns4P5Ks] synthesise the majority of cellular phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] and phospholipase D1 (PLD1) synthesises large amounts of phosphatidic acid (PtdOH). The activities of PtdIns4P5Ks and PLDs are thought to be coupled during cell signalling in order to support large simultaneous increases in both PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdOH, since PtdOH activates PtdIns4P5Ks and PLD1 requires PtdIns(4,5)P(2) as a cofactor. However, little is known about the control of such a system. Membrane recruitment of ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs) activates both PtdIns4P5Ks and PLDs, but it is not known if each enzyme is controlled in series by different Arfs or in parallel by a single form. We show through pull-down and vesicle sedimentation interaction assays that PtdIns4P5K activation may be facilitated by Arf-enhanced membrane association. However PtdIns4P5Ks discriminate poorly between near homogeneously myristoylated Arf1 and Arf6 although examples of all three known active isoforms (mouse alpha>beta, gamma) respond to these G-proteins. Conversely PLD1 genuinely prefers Arf1 and so the two lipid metabolising enzymes are differentially controlled. We propose that isoform selective Arf/PLD interaction and not Arf/PtdIns4P5K will be the critical trigger in the formation of distinct, optimal triples of Arf/PLDs/PtdIns4P5Ks and be the principle regulator of any coupled increases in the signalling lipids PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdOH.


Subject(s)
ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1/metabolism , ADP-Ribosylation Factors/metabolism , Phospholipase D/metabolism , Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)/metabolism , ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1/chemistry , ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1/genetics , ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 , ADP-Ribosylation Factors/chemistry , ADP-Ribosylation Factors/genetics , Animals , Base Sequence , Cell-Free System , DNA Primers/genetics , Enzyme Activation , Guanosine Triphosphate/metabolism , HL-60 Cells , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Kinetics , Membrane Lipids/metabolism , Mice , Models, Biological , Myristic Acids/chemistry , Phospholipase D/genetics , Phospholipids/metabolism , Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/chemistry , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Signal Transduction
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