Crosstalk between G-Quadruplexes and Dnmt3a-Mediated Methylation of the Oncogene Promoter.

The methylation of cytosines at CpG sites in DNA, carried out de novo by DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a, is a basic epigenetic modification involved in gene regulation and genome stability. Aberrant CpG methylation in gene promoters leads to oncogenesis. In oncogene promoters, CpG sites often colocalize with guanine-rich sequences capable of folding into G-quadruplexes (G4s).

Auditory Electrophysiological and Perceptual Measures in Student Musicians with High Sound Exposure.

This study aimed to determine (a) the influence of noise exposure background (NEB) on the peripheral and central auditory system functioning and (b) the influence of NEB on speech recognition in noise abilities in student musicians. Twenty non-musician students with self-reported low NEB and 18 student musicians with self-reported high NEB completed a battery of tests that consisted of physiological measures, including auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) at three different stimulus rates (11.3 Hz, 51.

Impact of G-Quadruplex Structures on Methylation of Model Substrates by DNA Methyltransferase Dnmt3a.

In mammals, de novo methylation of cytosines in DNA CpG sites is performed by DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a. Changes in the methylation status of CpG islands are critical for gene regulation and for the progression of some cancers. Recently, the potential involvement of DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) in methylation control has been found.

Comparison of Auditory, Language, Memory, and Attention Abilities in Children With and Without Listening Difficulties.

Objectives School-age children with and without parent-reported listening difficulties (LiD) were compared on auditory processing, language, memory, and attention abilities. The objective was to extend what is known so far in the literature about children with LiD by using multiple measures and selective novel measures across the above areas. Design Twenty-six children who were reported by their parents as having LiD and 26 age-matched typically developing children completed clinical tests of auditory processing and multiple measures of language, attention, and memory.

"Whatdunit?" Sentence Comprehension Abilities of Children With SLI: Sensitivity to Word Order in Canonical and Noncanonical Structures.

Purpose: With Aim 1, we compared the comprehension of and sensitivity to canonical and noncanonical word order structures in school-age children with specific language impairment (SLI) and same-age typically developing (TD) children. Aim 2 centered on the developmental improvement of sentence comprehension in the groups. With Aim 3, we compared the comprehension error patterns of the groups.

The impact of 6-thioguanine incorporation into DNA on the function of DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a.

The incorporation of chemotherapeutic agent 6-thioguanine (G) into DNA is a prerequisite for its cytotoxic action. This modification of DNA impedes the activity of enzymes involved in DNA repair and replication. Here, using hemimethylated DNA substrates we demonstrated that DNA methylation by Dnmt3a-CD is reduced if DNA is damaged by the incorporation of G into one or two CpG sites separated by nine base pairs.

Stroke mortality disparities in the population of the Appalachian Mountain region.

Objectives: Racial and rural-urban differences in stroke were previously reported in demographically and socioeconomically heterogeneous populations. However, it is not clear whether they exist in more homogeneous populations. Compared to the rest of the United States, the Appalachian region is highly rural and more homogeneous, with a predominantly White and socioeconomically disadvantaged population.

Measurement of segmental lumbar spine flexion and extension using ultrasound imaging.

Study Design: Clinical measurement, technical note.

Objectives: To describe a technique to measure interspinous process distance using ultrasound (US) imaging, to assess the reliability of the technique, and to compare the US imaging measurements to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in 3 different positions of the lumbar spine.

Background: Segmental spinal motion has been assessed using various imaging techniques, as well as surgically inserted pins.

Racial and rural-urban disparities in stroke mortality outside the Stroke Belt.

Objectives: Stroke disparities in relation to the Stroke Belt have been studied extensively, but little is known about stroke mortality disparities outside the Stroke Belt. We examined the hypothesis that racial and rural-urban stroke disparities exist outside the Stroke Belt.

Design, Setting, Participants: A county-based population study of stroke mortality in adults, aged -25 years, for a seven-year period (2000-2006) was conducted in the non-Stroke Belt states.

Increase in metabolic syndrome-related hospitalizations in relation to environmental sources of persistent organic pollutants.

Evidence from cell studies indicates that persistent organic pollutants (POP) can induce insulin resistance, an essential component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). We hypothesized that residential proximity to environmental sources of POP would be associated with the MetS in the population. The present study examined the association between residency in a zip code containing or abutting environmental sources of POP and MetS-related hospitalization rates.

Geospatial patterns of hospitalization rates for stroke with comorbid hypertension in relation to environmental sources of persistent organic pollutants: results from a 12-year population-based study.

Purpose: Recent evidence indicates that exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is emerging as an important risk factor for atherosclerosis-related diseases, including stroke. Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for stroke, and some studies suggest that exposure to POPs is also a risk factor for HTN. We hypothesized that POPs increase the environmental burden of stroke with comorbid HTN.

Increased hospitalizations for ischemic stroke with comorbid diabetes and residential proximity to sources of organic pollutants: a 12-year population-based study.

Background: Evidence is emerging that exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POP) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis-related diseases and for diabetes mellitus (DM). We hypothesized that residential proximity to sources of POP will be associated with an increase in hospitalization rates for ischemic stroke (IS) with comorbid DM (IS-DM).

Methods: We examined IS-DM hospitalization rates in the New York State (exclusive of New York City) during a 12-year period.

Residential proximity to environmental sources of persistent organic pollutants and first-time hospitalizations for myocardial infarction with comorbid diabetes mellitus: a 12-year population-based study.

Objectives: Environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been associated with an increased risk of both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and diabetes mellitus (DM). A study of first-time hospitalizations for AMI with DM as a comorbidity in populations presumed to be exposed or not exposed on the basis of residence near POPs sites was conducted to investigate whether exposure to POPs increases the environmental burden of disease.

Materials And Methods: We examined the association between residential proximity to environmental sources of POPs and hospitalization rates for first-time AMI with comorbid DM in 31,428 patients aged 25-74 years, using the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System data for a 12-year period (1993-2004).

Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants Increases Hospitalization Rates for Myocardial Infarction with Comorbid Hypertension.

Studies suggest that environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may be an emerging risk factor for ischemic heart disease, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, some studies indicate that exposure to POPs may also be a risk factor for hypertension, a well-established risk factor for AMI. To investigate effect of POPs on the environmental burden of cardiovascular disease, a study of AMI with comorbid hypertension in populations environmentally exposed to persistent organic pollutants, based on the zip code of residence, was conducted.

Whole-body vibration knowledge survey of U.S. occupational safety and health professionals.

Problem: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is an occupational issue of concern due to adverse health effects or simple discomfort and annoyance. Unlike in Europe, WBV is an emerging topic in the U.S.

Hospitalization rates for coronary heart disease in relation to residence near areas contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and other pollutants.

Exposure to environmental pollutants may contribute to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). We determined the ZIP codes containing or abutting each of the approximately 900 hazardous waste sites in New York and identified the major contaminants in each. Three categories of ZIP codes were then distinguished: those containing or abutting sites contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), those containing only other types of wastes ("other waste"), and those not containing any identified hazardous waste site ("clean").

Analysis of Immunomodulating Properties of Retinoids.

In this work analysis of immunomodulating properties of retinoids and carotinoids, mainly beta-carotene is presented. The main attention is concentrated on the latest investigations of the role of retinoid receptors in realization of retinoid influence on differentiation of hematopoietic elements and the apoptosis induction. The conclusion concerning the principal advantages of beta-carotene as immunomodulator comparing to other existing immunomodulating agents has been made.