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1.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol ; 12: 1002230, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36389147

ABSTRACT

Group A Streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes) is a Gram-positive human pathogen that employs several secreted and surface-bound virulence factors to manipulate its environment, allowing it to cause a variety of disease outcomes. One such virulence factor is Streptolysin S (SLS), a ribosomally-produced peptide toxin that undergoes extensive post-translational modifications. The activity of SLS has been studied for over 100 years owing to its rapid and potent ability to lyse red blood cells, and the toxin has been shown to play a major role in GAS virulence in vivo. We have previously demonstrated that SLS induces hemolysis by targeting the chloride-bicarbonate exchanger Band 3 in erythrocytes, indicating that SLS is capable of targeting host proteins to promote cell lysis. However, the possibility that SLS has additional protein targets in other cell types, such as keratinocytes, has not been explored. Here, we use bioinformatics analysis and chemical inhibition studies to demonstrate that SLS targets the electroneutral sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1 in keratinocytes during GAS infection. SLS induces NF-κB activation and host cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes, and these processes can be mitigated by treating keratinocytes with the sodium-bicarbonate cotransport inhibitor S0859. Furthermore, treating keratinocytes with SLS disrupts the ability of host cells to regulate their intracellular pH, and this can be monitored in real time using the pH-sensitive dye pHrodo Red AM in live imaging studies. These results demonstrate that SLS is a multifunctional bacterial toxin that GAS uses in numerous context-dependent ways to promote host cell cytotoxicity and increase disease severity. Studies to elucidate additional host targets of SLS have the potential to impact the development of therapeutics for severe GAS infections.


Subject(s)
Streptococcal Infections , Streptolysins , Humans , Streptolysins/toxicity , Streptolysins/metabolism , Sodium-Bicarbonate Symporters/metabolism , Streptococcal Infections/microbiology , Streptococcus pyogenes , Keratinocytes/metabolism , Inflammation
2.
Cureus ; 14(9): e29199, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36258949

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy is typically viewed as a time of emotional well-being for prospective mothers, but for some, this period can negatively impact mental health. However, the relationship between postpartum mental health and breastfeeding is not clearly understood. Considering that many health authorities recommend breastfeeding, clearly defining this relationship is important. This review aims to illustrate the effects that breastfeeding has on the mental health of postpartum mothers. An extensive computerized search was performed through databases of PubMed, CINAHL, and Medline. All studies conducted to determine the effects of breastfeeding on mental health were screened and included in this review. Search terms related to breastfeeding, postpartum, and mental health were used. This review on breastfeeding and postpartum depression (PPD) begins by discussing the correlation between lactation and the maternal stress response. Another component discussed is the duration of breastfeeding and its importance in limiting PPD symptoms. The review then shifts to focus more on the psychological aspects of breastfeeding, notably on changes to the sleep-wake cycle and mother-infant interactions. The final part of the review emphasizes the danger that early breastfeeding cessation imposes on a mother's mental health, portraying how prenatal and early-onset postpartum depression may lead to early breastfeeding cessation. This composite collection of studies clarifies the importance of breastfeeding in reducing the incidence and severity of maternal postpartum depression.

3.
J Org Chem ; 87(5): 3825-3833, 2022 03 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35188763

ABSTRACT

An intermolecular RhII-catalyzed, formal (4 + 3)-cycloaddition between vinyl ketenes and N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles for the construction of azepinone products is described. Employing vinyl ketenes as a 1,4-dipolar surrogate, instead of the more commonly used dienyl moieties, allows for the intermolecular and selective formation of azepinone products over a potential (3 + 2)-cycloadduct under mild reaction conditions allows for the generation of azepinone products in up to 98% yield.


Subject(s)
Rhodium , Catalysis , Cycloaddition Reaction , Triazoles
4.
ChemMedChem ; 17(4): e202100512, 2022 02 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34994084

ABSTRACT

Deregulation of dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) plays a significant role in developmental brain defects, early-onset neurodegeneration, neuronal cell loss, dementia, and several types of cancer. Herein, we report the discovery of three new classes of N-heterocyclic DYRK1A inhibitors based on the potent, yet toxic kinase inhibitors, harmine and harmol. An initial in vitro evaluation of the small molecule library assembled revealed that the core heterocyclic motifs benzofuranones, oxindoles, and pyrrolones, showed statistically significant DYRK1A inhibition. Further, the utilization of a low cost, high-throughput functional genomic in vivo model system to identify small molecule inhibitors that normalize DYRK1A overexpression phenotypes is described. This in vivo assay substantiated the in vitro results, and the resulting correspondence validates generated classes as architectural motifs that serve as potential DYRK1A inhibitors. Further expansion and analysis of these core compound structures will allow discovery of safe, more effective chemical inhibitors of DYRK1A to ameliorate phenotypes caused by DYRK1A overexpression.


Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Harmine/analogs & derivatives , Harmine/pharmacology , Heterocyclic Compounds/pharmacology , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drosophila , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Drug Design , Harmine/chemical synthesis , Harmine/chemistry , Heterocyclic Compounds/chemical synthesis , Heterocyclic Compounds/chemistry , Humans , Molecular Structure , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Structure-Activity Relationship , Dyrk Kinases
5.
Nat Commun ; 12(1): 437, 2021 01 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33469033

ABSTRACT

Seawater desalination plays a critical role in addressing the global water shortage challenge. Directional Solvent Extraction (DSE) is an emerging non-membrane desalination technology that features the ability to utilize very low temperature waste heat (as low as 40 °C). This is enabled by the subtly balanced solubility properties of directional solvents, which do not dissolve in water but can dissolve water and reject salt ions. However, the low water yield of the state-of-the-art directional solvent (decanoic acid) significantly limits its throughput and energy efficiency. In this paper, we demonstrate that by using ionic liquid as a new directional solvent, saline water can be desalinated with much higher production rate and thus significantly lower the energy and exergy consumptions. The ionic liquid identified suitable for DSE is [emim][Tf2N], which has a much (~10×) higher water yield than the currently used decanoic acid. Using molecular dynamics simulations with Gibbs free energy calculations, we reveal that water dissolving in [emim][Tf2N] is energetically favorable, but it takes significant energy for [emim][Tf2N] ions to dissolve in water. Our findings may significantly advance the DSE technology as a solution to the challenges in the global water-energy nexus.

6.
Org Lett ; 22(16): 6605-6609, 2020 08 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32806141

ABSTRACT

A Pd0-catalyzed formal (4 + 1)-cycloaddition approach to 2,3-disubstituted dihydroindoles is described. The diastereoselective formation of dihydroindoles that is highlighted by a carbene migratory insertion/reductive elimination sequence proceeding via a π-allyl PdII-species compliments existing methods of indoline assembly.

7.
Psychooncology ; 29(7): 1174-1184, 2020 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32364662

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Neurocognitive functioning (NCF), mood disturbances, physical functioning, and social support all share a relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, investigations into these relationships have not been conducted in persons with brain metastases (BM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-three newly diagnosed persons with BM were administered various cognitive batteries. Data were collected across a wide range of categories (ie, cognitive, demographic, disease/treatment, mood, social support, physical functioning). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment (FACT) scale was used to measure HRQOL. RESULTS: Mood and physical function correlated with lower HRQOL in every measured domain. Verbal learning and memory correlated with every FACT subscale except emotional quality of life. Social support also correlated with several HRQOL domains. Stepwise linear regression revealed that mood predicted general well-being and several FACT subscales, including physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. Social support and physical health were predictive of general well-being. Verbal learning and memory predicted cognitive well-being. CONCLUSION: HRQOL is a complex construct affected by numerous variables. In particular, mood, physical functioning, and learning and memory were important predictors of HRQOL, and clinicians are encouraged to obtain information in these areas during baseline assessments in persons with BM.


Subject(s)
Affect , Brain Neoplasms/psychology , Brain Neoplasms/secondary , Cognition/physiology , Quality of Life/psychology , Social Support , Adult , Emotions , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires
8.
Mol Vis ; 23: 572-578, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28848319

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Embryonic eyelid closure is a well-documented morphogenetic episode in mammalian eye development. Detection of eyelid closure defect in humans is a major challenge because eyelid closure and reopen occur entirely in utero. As a consequence, congenital eye defects that are associated with failure of embryonic eyelid closure remain unknown. To fill the gap, we developed a mouse model of defective eyelid closure. This preliminary work demonstrates that the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach can be used for the detection of extraocular muscle abnormalities in the mouse model. METHODS: Mice with either normal (Map3k1+/- ) or defective (Map3k1-/- ) embryonic eyelid closure were used in this study. Images of the extraocular muscles were obtained with a 9.4 T high resolution microimaging MRI system. The extraocular muscles were identified, segmented, and measured in each imaging slice using an in-house program. RESULTS: In agreement with histological findings, the imaging data show that mice with defective embryonic eyelid closure develop less extraocular muscle than normal mice. In addition, the size of the eyeballs was noticeably reduced in mice with defective embryonic eyelid closure. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that MRI can potentially be used for the study of extraocular muscle in the mouse model of the eye open-at-birth defect, despite the lack of specificity of muscle group provided by the current imaging resolution.


Subject(s)
Disease Models, Animal , Eye Abnormalities/diagnostic imaging , Eyelid Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Oculomotor Muscles/abnormalities , Animals , Female , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Oculomotor Muscles/diagnostic imaging
9.
Leuk Res ; 36(8): 982-9, 2012 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22524974

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated upregulation of c-myc, survivin, and cyclin D1 in CD34+ bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) of patients with trisomy 8 and monosomy 7 myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). "Knockdown" of cyclin D1 by RNA interference decreased trisomy 8 cell growth, suggesting that this might be a therapeutic target in MDS. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed preclinical studies using BMMNCs from patients with MDS and AML to examine the effects of the styryl sulfone ON 01910.Na on cyclin D1 accumulation, aneuploidy, and CD34+ blast percentage. We next treated twelve patients with higher risk MDS and two trisomy 8 AML patients with ON 01910.Na on a phase I clinical protocol (NCT00533416). RESULTS: ON 01910.Na inhibited cyclin D1 expression, and was selectively toxic to trisomy 8 cells in vitro. Flow cytometry studies demonstrated increased mature CD15+ myeloid cells and decreased CD34+ blasts. Three patients treated with ON 01910.Na on a clinical had decreased bone marrow blasts by ≥ 50%, and three patients had hematologic improvements, one of which was sustained for 33 months. Patients with hematologic responses to ON 01910.Na had decreased cyclin D1 expression in their CD34+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: The preclinical results and responses of patients on a clinical trial warrant further investigation of ON 01910.Na as a potential novel targeted therapy for higher risk MDS patients.


Subject(s)
Cyclin D1/antagonists & inhibitors , Glycine/analogs & derivatives , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy , Sulfones/therapeutic use , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Algorithms , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Bone Marrow Cells/drug effects , Bone Marrow Cells/pathology , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Glycine/administration & dosage , Glycine/adverse effects , Glycine/pharmacology , Glycine/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Molecular Targeted Therapy/adverse effects , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/genetics , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/pathology , Sulfones/administration & dosage , Sulfones/adverse effects , Sulfones/pharmacology , Trisomy/pathology , Tumor Cells, Cultured
10.
Cancer Treat Rev ; 38(6): 650-61, 2012 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22226940

ABSTRACT

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the biggest cancer killer in the United States and worldwide. In 2011, there are estimated to be 221,130 new cases of lung cancer in the United States. Over a million people will die of lung cancer worldwide this year alone. When possible, surgery to remove the tumor is the best treatment strategy for patients with NSCLC. However, even with adjuvant (postoperative) chemotherapy and radiation, more than 40% of patients will develop recurrences locally or systemically and ultimately succumb to their disease. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing superior approaches to treat patients who undergo surgery for NSCLC to eliminate residual disease that is likely responsible for these recurrences. Our group and others have been interested in using immunotherapy to augment the efficacy of current treatment strategies. Immunotherapy is very effective against minimal disease burden and small deposits of tumor cells that are accessible by the circulating immune cells. Therefore, this strategy may be ideally suited as an adjunct to surgery to seek and destroy microscopic tumor deposits that remain after surgery. This review describes the mechanistic underpinnings of immunotherapy and how it is currently being used to target residual disease and prevent postoperative recurrences after pulmonary resection in NSCLC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy , Immunotherapy , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Cancer Vaccines/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery , Clinical Trials as Topic , Combined Modality Therapy , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Neoplasm Staging
11.
Transfusion ; 52(3): 537-41, 2012 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21883270

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reports of Monosomy 7 in patients receiving granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) have raised concerns that this cytokine may promote genomic instability. However, there are no studies addressing whether repeated administration of G-CSF produces Monosomy 7 aneuploidy in healthy donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined Chromosomes 7 and 8 by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in CD34+ cells from 35 healthy hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) donors after G-CSF administration for 5 days and by spectral karyotyping analysis (SKY) in four individuals to assess chromosomal integrity. We also studied 38 granulocyte donors who received up to 42 doses of G-CSF and dexamethasone (Dex) using FISH for Chromosomes 7 and 8. RESULTS: We found no abnormalities in Chromosomes 7 and 8 in G-CSF-mobilized CD34+ cells when assessed by FISH or SKY, nor did we detect aneuploidy in G-CSF- and Dex-treated donors. CONCLUSION: G-CSF does not promote clinically detectable Monosomy 7 or Trisomy 8 aneuploidy in HSCT or granulocyte donors. These findings should be reassuring to healthy HSCT and granulocyte donors.


Subject(s)
Genomic Instability/drug effects , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/administration & dosage , Granulocytes/drug effects , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/methods , Hematopoietic Stem Cells/drug effects , Aneuploidy , Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7/drug effects , Dexamethasone/administration & dosage , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Granulocytes/physiology , Granulocytes/transplantation , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/adverse effects , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/standards , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Hematopoietic Stem Cells/physiology , Humans , Tissue Donors
12.
Blood ; 117(9): 2691-9, 2011 Mar 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21097671

ABSTRACT

Clinical observations and laboratory evidence link bone marrow failure in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to a T cell-mediated immune process that is responsive to immunosuppressive treatment (IST) in some patients. Previously, we showed that trisomy 8 MDS patients had clonally expanded CD8(+) T-cell populations that recognized aneuploid hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). Furthermore, microarray analyses showed that Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) gene was overexpressed by trisomy 8 hematopoietic progenitor (CD34(+)) cells compared with CD34(+) cells from healthy donors. Here, we show that WT1 mRNA expression is up-regulated in the bone marrow mononuclear cells of MDS patients with trisomy 8 relative to healthy controls and non-trisomy 8 MDS; WT1 protein levels were also significantly elevated. In addition, using a combination of physical and functional assays to detect the presence and reactivity of specific T cells, respectively, we demonstrate that IST-responsive MDS patients exhibit significant CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses directed against WT1. Finally, WT1-specific CD8(+) T cells were present within expanded T-cell receptor Vß subfamilies and inhibited hematopoiesis when added to autologous patient bone marrow cells in culture. Thus, our results suggest that WT1 is one of the antigens that triggers T cell-mediated myelosuppression in MDS.


Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Immunosuppression Therapy , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/immunology , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/therapy , WT1 Proteins/immunology , Bone Marrow Cells/immunology , Bone Marrow Cells/pathology , Case-Control Studies , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8/genetics , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8/immunology , Gene Expression Regulation , HLA-A Antigens/chemistry , HLA-A Antigens/immunology , HLA-A2 Antigen , Humans , Immunodominant Epitopes/immunology , Protein Structure, Quaternary , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology , Trisomy/genetics , Trisomy/immunology , WT1 Proteins/genetics , WT1 Proteins/metabolism
13.
Biol Blood Marrow Transplant ; 16(12): 1665-73, 2010 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20659573

ABSTRACT

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major risk factor for secondary malignancy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin and mucous membranes are especially frequent in this setting where aneuploidy and tetraploidy are associated with aggressive disease. The current study is directed at the mechanism of neoplasia in this setting. Unmanipulated keratinocytes from areas of oral GVHD in 9 patients showed tetraploidy in 10% to 46% of cells when examined by florescein in situ hybridization (FISH). Keratinocytes isolated from biopsy sites of GVHD but not from normal tissue showed even greater numbers of tetraploid cells (mean = 78%, range: 15%-85%; N = 9) after culture. To mimic the inflammatory process in GVHD, allogeneic HLA-mismatched lymphocytes were mixed with normal keratinocytes. After 2 weeks, substantial numbers of aneuploid and tetraploid cells were evident in cultures with lymphocytes and with purified CD8 but not CD4 cells. Telomere length was substantially decreased in the lymphocyte-treated sample. No mutations were present in the p53 gene, although haploinsufficiency for p53 due to the loss of chromosome 17 was common in cells exposed to lymphocytes. These findings suggest that in GVHD, inflammation and repeated cell division correlate with the development of karyotypic abnormalities.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations , Graft vs Host Disease/genetics , Graft vs Host Disease/immunology , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Keratinocytes/pathology , Adult , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology , Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 , Coculture Techniques , Female , Genes, p53 , Graft vs Host Disease/pathology , HLA Antigens/immunology , Humans , Keratinocytes/immunology , Leukemia/genetics , Leukemia/pathology , Leukemia/surgery , Lymphocytes/cytology , Lymphocytes/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Ploidies , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/immunology , Smith-Magenis Syndrome , Telomere/genetics , Young Adult
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