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1.
J Lao Stud ; 3(1): 1-14, 2013 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23847746

ABSTRACT

In an effort to preserve traditional medicine knowledge and to uncover information about disease patterns and treatment in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), linguistic experts have scanned centuries-old medical palm leaf manuscripts for disease entries. A list of more than 7000 diseases has resulted, shedding valuable light onto the medical history and traditional medicine heritage of the people of Laos, as well as providing an index for faster research into specific diseases and their traditional treatments.

2.
Ecohealth ; 9(2): 195-204, 2012 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22492207

ABSTRACT

A burgeoning ring-billed gull population along Chicago's Lake Michigan beaches contributes to degraded water quality through fecal contamination. Egg oiling was conducted at Chicago's gull colonies to reduce production and the influx of hatch-year (HY) gulls using Chicago's beaches, with a second, long-term objective of eventually reducing adult gull numbers through attrition. We also investigated swim season water quality trends through the course of this work. From 2007 to 2009, 52, 80, and 81%, of nests at the two primary nest colonies had their eggs rendered inviable by corn oil application. Counts of HY and after hatch-year (AHY) gulls were analyzed during treatment years for 10 beaches. Water quality data were available from the Chicago Park District during our three treatment years and the prior year (baseline) for 19 beaches. HY counts declined at all 10 surveyed beaches from the initial year (52% nests with oiled eggs) to subsequent years with ~80% of nests oiled. Overall, HY gulls numbers on beaches decreased 86% from 2007 to 2009. Decreases in beach usage by AHY gulls were not detected. Compared to pretreatment, the number of beaches with improved water quality test rates increased each year through the course of the study. The frequency of water quality tests showing bacterial exceedances compared to 2006 declined at 18 of 19 beaches by 2009. Egg oiling resulted in fewer HY gulls using Chicago's beaches and was likely a beneficial factor for reduced frequencies of swim advisories and swim bans.


Subject(s)
Bathing Beaches , Charadriiformes , Eggs , Fresh Water , Public Health Practice , Water Pollutants/analysis , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Chicago , Corn Oil , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Feces
3.
Eur J Med Chem ; 47(1): 615-8, 2012 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22093760

ABSTRACT

1-Hydroxybisphosphonate derivatives of ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin have been synthesized using Cu(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The 1,2,3-triazol linked hydroxybisphosphonate derivative of ciprofloxacin exhibited antibacterial activity comparable to the parent antibiotic and all fluoroquinolone-bisphosphonates displayed osteotropic properties in a bone model.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Fluoroquinolones/chemical synthesis , Fluoroquinolones/pharmacology , Organophosphonates/chemistry , Adsorption , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism , Bacteria/drug effects , Bone and Bones/drug effects , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Durapatite/chemistry , Durapatite/metabolism , Fluoroquinolones/chemistry , Fluoroquinolones/metabolism , Nanostructures
4.
Mol Vis ; 17: 1577-87, 2011.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21738387

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of oxygen fluctuations on pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/PEDF ratios in a relevant rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: The expression of retinal PEDF mRNA and of VEGF and PEDF protein were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at different postnatal day ages for rat pups raised in room air (RA) or in a rat model mimicking ROP. Statistical outcomes were determined with factorial analyses of variance. Mean VEGF and PEDF protein levels were determined at different ages for rats in the ROP model and for RA-raised rats, and the ratio of VEGF/PEDF protein versus age was plotted. At postnatal day (P) 14, inner retinal plexus vascularization had extended to the ora serrata in pups raised in RA. In the ROP model, avascular retina persisted at P14 and intravitreous neovascularization developed at P18. Therefore, VEGF and PEDF expression was determined in the ROP model and in RA-raised rat pups at P14 and P18. RESULTS: Older age was associated with increased PEDF mRNA (p<0.001), PEDF protein (p=0.005), and VEGF protein (p=0.005), and VEGF protein (p<0.0001). Exposure to fluctuations of oxygen in the 50/10 oxygen-induced retinopathy model compared to RA was associated with increased PEDF mRNA (p=0.0185), PEDF protein (p<0.0001), or VEGF protein (p<0.0001). The VEGF/PEDF ratio favored angiogenic inhibition (<1.0) before but not on P14, when avascular retina persisted in the ROP model but not in RA. The VEGF/PEDF ratio favored angiogenesis (>1.0) at P14 and P 18 when intravitreous neovascularization occurred in the ROP model. CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression levels of VEGF and PEDF are associated with older postnatal day age or with exposure to fluctuations in oxygen in the 50/10 oxygen-induced retinopathy model compared to RA. PEDF protein more closely associates with avascular retinal features and neovascularization than does VEGF protein or the VEGF/PEDF in the ROP model. Although PEDF has been proposed as a potential treatment in ROP, interventional studies using PEDF in an ROP model to potentially reduce intravitreous neovascularization are required to determine timing, efficacy, and dose of PEDF.


Subject(s)
Eye Proteins/biosynthesis , Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism , Nerve Growth Factors/biosynthesis , Oxygen/pharmacology , Retina , Retinal Vessels/growth & development , Retinopathy of Prematurity , Serpins/biosynthesis , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/biosynthesis , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Disease Models, Animal , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Eye Proteins/genetics , Eye Proteins/pharmacology , Gene Expression , Humans , In Situ Hybridization , Infant, Newborn , Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology , Nerve Growth Factors/genetics , Nerve Growth Factors/pharmacology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Rats , Retina/drug effects , Retina/metabolism , Retina/pathology , Retinal Vessels/drug effects , Retinopathy of Prematurity/drug therapy , Retinopathy of Prematurity/metabolism , Retinopathy of Prematurity/pathology , Serpins/genetics , Serpins/pharmacology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics
5.
Am J Pathol ; 177(4): 2091-102, 2010 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20802176

ABSTRACT

Rac1, a subunit of NADPH oxidase, plays an important role in directed endothelial cell motility. We reported previously that Rac1 activation was necessary for choroidal endothelial cell migration across the retinal pigment epithelium, a critical step in the development of vision-threatening neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Here we explored the roles of Rac1 and NADPH oxidase activation in response to vascular endothelial growth factor treatment in vitro and in a model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization. We found that vascular endothelial growth factor induced the activation of Rac1 and of NADPH oxidase in cultured human choroidal endothelial cells. Further, vascular endothelial growth factor led to heightened generation of reactive oxygen species from cultured human choroidal endothelial cells, which was prevented by the NADPH oxidase inhibitors, apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium, or the antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine. In a model of laser-induced injury, inhibition of NADPH oxidase with apocynin significantly reduced reactive oxygen species levels as measured by dihydroethidium fluorescence and the volume of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization. Mice lacking functional p47phox, a subunit of NADPH oxidase, had reduced dihydroethidium fluorescence and choroidal neovascularization compared with wild-type controls. Taken together, these results indicate that vascular endothelial growth factor activates Rac1 upstream from NADPH oxidase in human choroidal endothelial cells and increases generation of reactive oxygen species, contributing to choroidal neovascularization. These steps may contributed to the pathology of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.


Subject(s)
Choroid/blood supply , Choroidal Neovascularization/metabolism , Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism , NADPH Oxidases/metabolism , Pigment Epithelium of Eye/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/pharmacology , Acetylcysteine/pharmacology , Adult , Animals , Blotting, Western , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Choroid/metabolism , Choroidal Neovascularization/drug therapy , Choroidal Neovascularization/etiology , Endothelium, Vascular/cytology , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Lasers/adverse effects , Macular Degeneration/etiology , Macular Degeneration/metabolism , Macular Degeneration/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , NADPH Oxidases/antagonists & inhibitors , Onium Compounds/pharmacology , Phosphoproteins/physiology , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacology , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/antagonists & inhibitors , rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/genetics , rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism
6.
Neuron ; 63(1): 27-39, 2009 Jul 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19607790

ABSTRACT

Examining the behavioral consequences of selective CNS neuronal activation is a powerful tool for elucidating mammalian brain function in health and disease. Newly developed genetic, pharmacological, and optical tools allow activation of neurons with exquisite spatiotemporal resolution; however, the inaccessibility to light of widely distributed neuronal populations and the invasiveness required for activation by light or infused ligands limit the utility of these methods. To overcome these barriers, we created transgenic mice expressing an evolved G protein-coupled receptor (hM3Dq) selectively activated by the pharmacologically inert, orally bioavailable drug clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Here, we expressed hM3Dq in forebrain principal neurons. Local field potential and single-neuron recordings revealed that peripheral administration of CNO activated hippocampal neurons selectively in hM3Dq-expressing mice. Behavioral correlates of neuronal activation included increased locomotion, stereotypy, and limbic seizures. These results demonstrate a powerful chemical-genetic tool for remotely controlling the activity of discrete populations of neurons in vivo.


Subject(s)
Evolution, Molecular , GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11/metabolism , Gene Expression/genetics , Neurons/physiology , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Brain/cytology , Brain/metabolism , Clozapine/analogs & derivatives , Clozapine/pharmacology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Doxycycline/pharmacology , Evoked Potentials/drug effects , Evoked Potentials/genetics , GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11/genetics , Hippocampus/cytology , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Locomotion/drug effects , Locomotion/genetics , Membrane Potentials/drug effects , Membrane Potentials/genetics , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Neurons/drug effects , Patch-Clamp Techniques/methods , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Stereotyped Behavior/drug effects , Stereotyped Behavior/physiology , Time Factors
7.
Arch Insect Biochem Physiol ; 70(4): 217-29, 2009 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19241458

ABSTRACT

Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) is a homodimeric brain peptide hormone that positively regulates the production of ecdysteroids by the prothoracic gland of Lepidoptera and probably other insects. PTTH was first purified from heads of adult domestic silkworms, Bombyx mori. Prothoracic glands of Bombyx and Manduca sexta undergo apoptosis well before the adult stage is reached, raising the recurring question of PTTH function at these later stages. Because Bombyx has been domesticated for thousands of years, the possibility exists that the presence of PTTH in adult animals is an accidental result of domestication for silk production. In contrast, Manduca has been raised in the laboratory for only five or six decades. The present study found that Manduca brains contain PTTH at all stages examined post-prothoracic gland apoptosis, i.e., pharate adult and adult life, and that PTTH-dependent changes in protein phosphorylation and protein synthesis were observed in several reproductive and reproduction-associated organs. The data indicate that PTTH indeed plays a role in non-steroidogenic tissues and suggest possible future avenues for determining which cellular processes are being so regulated.


Subject(s)
Ecdysteroids/biosynthesis , Insect Hormones/metabolism , Moths/physiology , Animals , Brain/metabolism , Larva/physiology , Pupa/physiology
8.
J Hered ; 99(6): 679-87, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18544554

ABSTRACT

Prolonged selective breeding of Hsd:ICR mice for high levels of voluntary wheel running has favored an unusual phenotype (mini-muscle [MM]), apparently caused by a single Mendelian recessive allele, in which hindlimb muscle mass is reduced by almost 50%. We recently described the creation and phenotypic characterization of a population suitable for mapping the genomic location of the MM gene. Specifically, we crossed females from a high-runner line fixed for the MM allele with male C57BL/6J. F1 males were then backcrossed to the MM parent females. Backcross (BC) mice exhibited a 50:50 ratio of normal to MM phenotypes. Here, we report on linkage mapping of MM in this BC population to a 2.6335-Mb interval on MMU11. This region harbors approximately 100 expressed or predicted genes, many of which have known roles in muscle development and/or function. Identification of the genetic variation that underlies MM could potentially be very important in understanding both normal muscle function and disregulation of muscle physiology leading to disease.


Subject(s)
Genes, Recessive , Muscle, Skeletal/anatomy & histology , Alleles , Animals , Chromosome Mapping , Crosses, Genetic , Female , Hindlimb/anatomy & histology , Hindlimb/physiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred ICR , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Mutation , Organ Size , Phenotype
9.
J Hazard Mater ; 153(3): 1185-92, 2008 May 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17997032

ABSTRACT

The present investigation describes the preparation and characterization of novel biodegradable nanoparticles based on complexation of poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gamma-PGA) with bivalent lead ion. The prepared nano-systems were stable in aqueous media at low pH, neutral and mild alkaline conditions. The particle size and the size of the complexes were identified by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. It was found that the size of the complexes depended on the pH and concentrations of gamma-PGA and lead ions. Particle sizes measured by TEM revealed that at low concentrations, nanosized particles were formed, however, at high concentrations of gamma-PGA and lead ions, the formation of large aggregates with a broad size distribution was promoted. The size of individual particles was in the range of 40-100 nm measured by TEM. The results from the DLS measurements showed that the low and high pH values in mixtures with high concentrations of gamma-PGA and Pb2+ ions favored the growth of large complexes. The gamma-PGA nanoparticles, composed of a biodegradable biomaterial with high flocculating and heavy metal binding activity, may be useful for various water treatment applications.


Subject(s)
Lead/chemistry , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Polyglutamic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods , Water Purification/methods , Flocculation , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Nephelometry and Turbidimetry , Particle Size , Polyglutamic Acid/chemistry
10.
Biomacromolecules ; 7(11): 3030-6, 2006 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17096528

ABSTRACT

The present investigation describes the synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable nanoparticles based on chitosan. Poly(ethylene glycol) dicarboxylic acid was used for intramolecular cross-linking of the chitosan linear chains. The condensation reaction of carboxylic groups and pendant amino groups of chitosan was performed by using water-soluble carbodiimide. The prepared nanosystems were stable in aqueous media. The structure of the products was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and the particle size was identified by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. It was found that biodegradable cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles experienced considerable swelling because of the length and flexibility of the cross-linking agent. The aqueous solutions or dispersions of nanoparticles were stable and clear or mildly opalescent systems depending on the ratio of cross-linking and molecular weight of chitosan, findings consistent with values of transmittance above 75%. Particle size measured by TEM varied in the range of 4-24 nm. In the swollen state, the average size of the individual particles measured by DLS was in the range of 50-120 nm depending on the molecular weight of chitosan and the ratio of cross-linking.


Subject(s)
Chitosan/chemistry , Nanoparticles , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Molecular Weight , Particle Size , Solubility
11.
Biomacromolecules ; 6(5): 2521-7, 2005.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16153088

ABSTRACT

The present investigation describes the synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable nanoparticles based on chitosan for biomedical applications. Natural di- and tricarboxylic acids were used for intramolecular cross-linking of the chitosan linear chains. The condensation reaction of carboxylic groups and pendant amino groups of chitosan was performed by using water-soluble carbodiimide. This method allows the formation of polycations, polyanions, and polyampholyte nanoparticles. The prepared nanosystems were stable in aqueous media at low pH, neutral, and mild alkaline conditions. The structure of products was determined by NMR spectroscopy, and the particle size was identified by laser light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. It was found that particle size depends on the pH, but at a given pH, it was independent of the ratio of cross-linking and the cross-linking agent. Particle size measured by TEM varied in the range 60-280 nm. In the swollen state, the average size of the particles measured by DLS was in the range 270-370 nm depending on the pH. The biodegradable cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles, as solutions or dispersions in aqueous media, might be useful for various biomedical applications.


Subject(s)
Chitosan/chemistry , Nanostructures/chemistry , Biocompatible Materials , Biodegradation, Environmental , Biotechnology/methods , Buffers , Carbodiimides/chemistry , Chitin/chemistry , Chitosan/chemical synthesis , Citric Acid/pharmacology , Cross-Linking Reagents/chemistry , Cross-Linking Reagents/pharmacology , Drug Carriers , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Light , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Malates/pharmacology , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Models, Chemical , Molecular Weight , Nanotechnology , Particle Size , Polyamines/chemistry , Polyelectrolytes , Polymers/chemistry , Scattering, Radiation , Tartrates/pharmacology
12.
J Forensic Sci ; 50(4): 873-6, 2005 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16078490

ABSTRACT

An ELISA method for the detection of salivary amylase in dried stains using a monoclonal anti-human salivary amylase antibody was developed. Studies demonstrated the assay to be sensitive down to 0.0002 Sigma units and showed a linear response between absorbance and salivary amylase activity between 0.002 and 0.2 units. The assay showed no cross reactivity with either commercially purchased human pancreatic or bacterial amylase. Sample studies utilizing swabs from several human body fluids showed that 100% of all saliva containing swabs (sixteen of sixteen) and 13% of non-saliva human body fluid swabs (eight of sixty-three) showed a net absorbance with the method. Of these eight non-saliva swabs yielding a net absorbance, none exceeded a salivary amylase activity of 0.003 units. In contrast, only three of the sixteen saliva-containing swabs (swabs produced from saliva diluted 1:5, 1:6, and 1:10, respectively) showed an activity below 0.2 units. Of these swabs, the 1:100 dilution showed the lowest activity (0.048). This value is still more than ten times that of the non-saliva containing swab with the highest activity.


Subject(s)
Amylases/isolation & purification , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Forensic Medicine , Saliva/enzymology , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Blood Chemical Analysis , Feces/enzymology , Female , Gastrointestinal Contents/enzymology , Humans , Male , Pancreas/enzymology , Semen/enzymology , Sweat/enzymology , Urine/chemistry , Vagina/enzymology , Vagina/metabolism
13.
J Forensic Sci ; 48(2): 348-57, 2003 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12664993

ABSTRACT

The performance of two commercial multiplex kits that together amplify the 13 core short tandem repeat (STR) loci currently in use by forensic laboratories and the U.S. national Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS) were evaluated. The typing systems examined were AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and AmpFlSTR COfiler (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Electrophoretic separation and detection of the fluorescent PCR products was achieved by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. The studies addressed the on-site validation of the instrument, the software, and each typing system. These studies included instrument sensitivity, resolution, precision, binning, peak height ratios, mixtures, stutter, and the amplification of non-probative and simulated forensic samples. Other additional developmental-type work is also reported herein, such as species specificity testing and amplification of environmentally insulted samples. Amplification conditions were found to be robust and the primer sets shown to be specific to human DNA. Stutter and peak height ratios fell within limits published by the manufacturer and other laboratories. The data demonstrate that the CE instrument can consistently resolve fragments differing in length by one base and that the +/-0.5 base bin used by the Genotyper software is acceptable for making accurate allele calls. Correct typing results were obtained from non-probative and simulated case samples, as well as samples exposed to outdoor environmental conditions. The results support the conclusion that DNA extracted from biological samples routinely encountered in the forensic laboratory can be reliably analyzed with AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and COfiler using CE.


Subject(s)
DNA/analysis , Forensic Medicine/instrumentation , Polymerase Chain Reaction/instrumentation , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Tandem Repeat Sequences , Alleles , Electrophoresis, Capillary/methods , Fluorescent Dyes , Humans , Sensitivity and Specificity
14.
J Med Chem ; 45(11): 2338-41, 2002 May 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12014972

ABSTRACT

Bisphosphonates conjugated to fluoroquinolone antibacterials through an intermediate carbon had better activity than conjugates lacking the carbon. Virtually all molar-based activity of these esterified bisphosphonate derivatives was identical to that of its parent. De-esterified free-acid forms retained good activity against most Gram-negative bacteria, but not against Gram-positives. A free-acid derivative remained bound to washed bone and completely inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth. The more potent parent, ciprofloxacin, failed to bind significantly, and bacterial growth occurred.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Bone and Bones/drug effects , Ciprofloxacin/chemistry , Diphosphonates/pharmacology , Enoxacin/chemistry , Norfloxacin/chemistry , Piperazines/pharmacology , Quinolones/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Infective Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Bone and Bones/microbiology , Diphosphonates/chemical synthesis , Diphosphonates/chemistry , Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification , Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , In Vitro Techniques , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Piperazines/chemical synthesis , Piperazines/chemistry , Quinolones/chemical synthesis , Quinolones/chemistry , Rats , Spectrometry, Fluorescence , Structure-Activity Relationship , Swine
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