Publications by authors named "Allison Rodgers"
Background: Reproductive health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids pose a significant burden to people who menstruate, health care systems, and economies. Despite clinical guidelines for each condition, prolonged delays in diagnosis are commonplace, resulting in an increase to health care costs and risk of health complications. Symptom checker apps have the potential to significantly reduce time to diagnosis by providing users with health information and tools to better understand their symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRestricting the intake of protein or the branched-chain amino acid isoleucine promotes healthspan and extends lifespan in young or adult mice. However, their effects when initiated in aged animals are unknown. Here we investigate the consequences of consuming a diet with 67% reduction of all amino acids (low AA) or of isoleucine alone (low Ile), in male and female C57BL/6J.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute Respiratory Distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome of noncardiac pulmonary edema and inflammation leading to acute respiratory failure. We used the oleic acid infusion pig model of ARDS resembling human disease to explore cytokine changes in white blood cells (WBC) and plasma proteins, comparing baseline to ARDS values. Nineteen juvenile female swine were included in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The impact of genomic diagnosis on congenital malformations is limited by a lack of understanding of how genetic variants cause diseases and if this knowledge can lead to tailored treatments.
- - Researchers discovered harmful genetic mutations in a key regulator gene linked to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a severe developmental disorder affecting the diaphragm and lungs.
- - In mouse studies, restoring normal histone acetylation through treatment improved lung development and reduced CDH-related complications, suggesting potential therapeutic approaches for affected patients.
Purpose: To investigate the correlation between volume of carbon dioxide elimination (V̇CO) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO) with cardiac output (CO) in a swine pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model.
Methods: Respiratory and hemodynamic variables were collected from twenty-six mechanically ventilated juvenile pigs under general anesthesia before and after inducing ARDS, using oleic acid infusion.
Results: Prior to ARDS induction, mean (SD) CO, V̇CO, PETCO, and dead space to tidal volume ratio (V/V) were 4.
Article Synopsis
- Dietary protein plays a key role in healthy aging, with low-protein diets extending lifespan and improving healthspan in mice.
- A significant reduction in amino acids, either overall or specifically isoleucine, led to decreased body fat and better glucose tolerance without cutting calorie intake.
- Both dietary regimens also showed improvements in frailty and molecular markers of aging, suggesting potential benefits for healthy aging in older individuals.
Implantable nanogenerators (i-NG) provide power to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) by harvesting biomechanical energy locally eliminating the need for batteries. However, its long-term operation and biological influences on the heart have not been tested. Here, we evaluate a soft and flexible i-NG system engineered for long-term in vivo cardiac implantation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTranscostal Histotripsy Ablation in an In Vivo Acute Hepatic Porcine Model.
Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol
October 2021
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess if histotripsy could effectively create large-scale liver ablations in pigs without causing significant thermal damage to surrounding tissues.
- During the experiment, histotripsy was used on six female pigs, resulting in well-defined ablation zones with complete tissue necrosis and minimal off-target effects.
- The findings suggest that using longer treatment times to cool the body wall allowed for effective transcostal hepatic ablation without severe injuries, indicating the approach's feasibility and effectiveness in a porcine model.
Objective: Few studies have explored the shared effects of Parkinson's disease (PD) within patient/caregiver dyads. To fill this gap, we compared stress-health outcomes of patients with those of caregiving-partners, examined individual stress-health associations, and explored stress-health associations within dyads.
Method: A total of 18 PD patient/caregiving-partner dyads (N = 36) reported on disease-specific distress, anxiety, quality of life (QOL), and provided saliva samples for cortisol assessment.
Article Synopsis
- Protein-restricted (PR) diets have been shown to enhance health and lifespan across various species, but the specific elements responsible for these benefits, particularly branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), are being investigated.
- Recent research indicates that lowering dietary BCAAs—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—improves survival rates and metabolic health in specific mouse models when initiated in midlife, leading to a notable 30% increase in lifespan among male mice.
- The findings suggest that BCAA restriction could be a promising strategy for promoting healthy aging, emphasizing its potential as a practical intervention.
Article Synopsis
- A study on porcine liver models found that respiratory motion during histotripsy (a type of ultrasound treatment) leads to elongated ablation zones, which the researchers aimed to correct by using ellipsoid-shaped ablation prescriptions.
- Researchers tested both ellipsoid and spherical ablations in six female swine, finding that the ellipsoid plans produced zones closer to the intended size and shape, while both types were larger than expected after analysis.
- The results suggest that adjusting the shape of ablation zones can help improve their effectiveness by counteracting the impact of respiratory movement.
Article Synopsis
- The increasing incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is a growing concern due to an aging population, leading to significant economic and quality of life impacts.
- Researchers have developed a sophisticated method to quantitatively assess urinary dysfunction in mouse models by measuring bladder volume, detrusor wall thickness, urinary velocity, void volume, duration, and urethral diameter.
- Utilizing high-frequency ultrasound and specific catheter techniques, the study demonstrates a reliable way to evaluate disease progression and treatment efficacy, which could aid in the development of new therapies for BPH and LUTS.
Article Synopsis
- Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) combines the strengths of optical and ultrasound imaging for better visualization, particularly in diagnosing myocardial ischemia in mice.
- In a murine model, researchers established myocardial ischemia by ligating the left anterior descending artery, which resulted in a significant drop in blood oxygen saturation over time.
- The study found a strong correlation between changes in blood oxygen saturation and cardiac function metrics, suggesting PAI could be a valuable tool for real-time monitoring of heart conditions.
Objective: To identify Chlamydia trachomatis antigens associated with tubal factor infertility and acute infection.
Methods: A C trachomatis proteome array was used to compare antibody profiles among women with tubal factor infertility, normal fertility, and acute C trachomatis infection.
Results: Thirteen immunodominant antigens reacted with 50% or more sera from all women (n=73).
Risk factors for prolapse development in white, black, and Hispanic women.
Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg
March 2011
Objectives: : This study aimed to examine the risk factors for prevalence and incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in whites, Hispanics, and blacks.
Methods: : This is a secondary analysis of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Estrogen plus Progestin Clinical Trial (E + P). Of the original E + P trial population of 16,608, 12,667 women (78.
Objective: To identify Chlamydia trachomatis antigens that can be used to differentially diagnose tubal factor infertility in comparison with previously reported heat shock protein 60.
Design: In vitro study.
Setting: Academic medical center.
The predictive value of serum beta hCG level for fetal cardiac motion and pregnancy outcome after IVF was evaluated. The serum hCG level 12 days after ET is a useful predictor of subsequent presence of fetal cardiac activity and live birth and may assist clinicians in counseling patients regarding their IVF outcome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, including clinical intrauterine gestation rate and live birth rate, between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women were compared, and there were no differences. Hispanics were more likely to have a diagnosis of tubal factor infertility, whereas non-Hispanic white women were more likely to have endometriosis as their infertility diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe attachment of endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) to peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) with and without inhibition of N- and O-linked glycosylation, the viability of EECs and ESCs, and the expression of CD44 surface density were evaluated. Inhibition of CD44 N- and O-linked glycosylation by using tunicamycin and/or B-GalNAc statistically significantly inhibited endometrial cell attachment to peritoneal mesothelial cells, suggesting a role in establishment of early endometriotic lesions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlcohol consumption and risk of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast in a cohort of postmenopausal women.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev
August 2010
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated the relationship between adult alcohol consumption and the risk of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) among postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative.
- After monitoring 63,822 women with 489 DCIS cases over an average of 8 years, results showed no significant association between high alcohol intake (14+ servings per week) and DCIS risk compared to nondrinkers.
- The findings imply that alcohol might influence later stages of breast cancer development rather than being linked to the initial risk of DCIS.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock proteins (HSP) in patients with tubal factor infertility (TFI), infertility controls (IFC), and fertile controls (FC). HSPs assist organisms in surviving caustic environments such as heat.
Study Design: Twenty-one TFI, 15 IFC, and 29 FC patients were enrolled after laparoscopic tubal assessment.
Article Synopsis
- Several in vitro models have been created to mimic the intraperitoneal environment for studying endometriosis, including the use of chicken chorioallantoic membrane and human tissue models such as amniotic membrane and peritoneal explants.
- These models allow researchers to examine how endometrial cells attach to and invade peritoneal mesothelial cells, and assess the influence of cytokines on early lesion development.
- Two- and three-dimensional invasion chamber models are highlighted as tools to study cell interactions and explore potential new treatments for endometriosis.
Article Synopsis
- Artificial insemination with donor sperm has similar pregnancy rates to the general fertile population, with the woman's age being the key factor for success.
- Insemination should be timed after detecting the LH surge for optimal results; using fertility medications like clomiphene or letrozole is not effective for those with regular cycles.
- Intrauterine insemination is more effective than intracervical insemination, and extra inseminations don’t significantly boost pregnancy rates, while sperm processing techniques show no clear superiority.
Background: There are 11 reported cases of pregnancy in true hermaphrodites, but none with advanced genetic testing. All known fetuses have been male.
Case: A true hermaphrodite with a spontaneous pregnancy prenatally known to have a remaining portion of a right ovotestis, delivered a male neonate.
Background: Endometriosis is a common chronic disease that causes symptoms of pain and infertility. The pain syndrome can be quite incapacitating. The pain symptoms usually originate in the reproductive organs but can also involve the urinary or intestinal tracts if endometriosis implantation has occurred there.
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