Publications by authors named "A C O'Brien"
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been frequently used to examine age-related deterioration of white matter microstructure and its relationship to cognitive decline. However, typical tensor-based analytical approaches are often difficult to interpret due to the challenge of decomposing and (mis)interpreting the impact of crossing fibers within a voxel. We hypothesized that a novel analytical approach capable of resolving fiber-specific changes within each voxel (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlioblastoma (GBM) is uniformly lethal due to profound treatment resistance. Altered cellular metabolism is a key mediator of GBM treatment resistance. Uptake of the essential sulfur-containing amino acid methionine is drastically elevated in GBMs compared to normal cells, however, it is not known how this methionine is utilized or whether it relates to GBM treatment resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFManagement of vulnerable amphibian populations requires a better understanding of the habitat factors that will make the greatest difference in their preservation. We set out to develop a predictive model of amphibian abundance based on habitat characteristics that may influence their survival and persistence. Our study system was the Sonoma County California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense; SCTS), an amphibian threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
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- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that leads to chronic pain and episodes called vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), and this study investigates how certain brain chemicals are altered in patients with SCD.
- Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, researchers measured levels of glutamate and glutamine (Glx) in the right posterior insula cortex of individuals with SCD and healthy controls, finding significantly higher Glx levels in SCD patients, along with notable correlations between Glx levels, VOC frequency, and pain sensitivity.
- These findings suggest that an imbalance in excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate in the insula may play a role in the pain experienced by SCD patients, highlighting the need for further
Article Synopsis
- The tumor suppressors p53 and ARF are crucial for controlling cell growth, and their loss is commonly linked to aggressive cancer forms.
- When both p53 and ARF are non-functional, it leads to increased cell proliferation through heightened type I interferon signaling and active STAT1.
- Research indicates that blocking JAK1, a kinase involved in this signaling pathway, can prevent the proliferation of tumors lacking p53 and ARF, presenting a potential treatment strategy for these aggressive cancers.