Regulation of fragile sites expression in budding yeast by MEC1, RRM3 and hydroxyurea.

Fragile sites are specific loci within the genome that exhibit increased tendencies for chromosome breakage. They are conserved among mammals and are also found in lower eukaryotes including yeast and fly. Many conditions, including mutations and exogenous factors, contribute to fragile site expression, but the nature of interaction among them remains elusive.

Impact of polymorphisms of the genes encoding angiotensin II-forming enzymes on the progression of IgA nephropathy.

Background/aims: Angiotensin II has been shown to play an important role in various renal diseases. Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system have been reported to be related to the clinical outcomes in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). We investigated the association of polymorphisms of the genes encoding major angiotensin II-forming enzymes with the development and progression of IgAN among Korean patients.

Pathogenic and immunogenic responses in turkeys following in ovo exposure to avian metapneumovirus subtype C.

Commercial turkey eggs, free of antibodies to avian metapneumovirus subtype C (aMPV/C), were inoculated with aMPV/C at embryonation day (ED) 24. There was no detectable effect of virus inoculation on the hatchability of eggs. At 4 days post inoculation (DPI) (the day of hatch (ED 28)) and 9 DPI (5 days after hatch), virus replication was detected by quantitative RT-PCR in the turbinate, trachea and lung but not in the thymus or spleen.

Protection against avian metapneumovirus subtype C in turkeys immunized via the respiratory tract with inactivated virus.

Avian metapneumovirus subtype C (aMPV/C) causes a severe upper respiratory tract (URT) infection in turkeys. Turkeys were inoculated oculonasally with inactivated aMPV/C adjuvanted with synthetic double-stranded RNA polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (Poly IC). Immunized turkeys had elevated numbers of mucosal IgA+ cells in the URT and increased levels of virus-specific IgG and IgA in the lachrymal fluid and IgG in the serum.

Ethnic coefficients for glomerular filtration rate estimation by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equations in the Korean population.

Race and ethnicity are influential in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We aimed to find the Korean coefficients for the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equations and to obtain novel proper estimation equations. Reference GFR was measured by systemic inulin clearance.

Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment is higher in men. The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Olmsted County, MN, using in-person evaluations and published criteria.

Methods: We evaluated an age- and sex-stratified random sample of Olmsted County residents who were 70-89 years old on October 1, 2004, using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, a neurologic evaluation, and neuropsychological testing to assess 4 cognitive domains: memory, executive function, language, and visuospatial skills. Information for each participant was reviewed by an adjudication panel and a diagnosis of normal cognition, MCI, or dementia was made using published criteria.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and reduced odds of MCI: the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

Mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, PUFA) have been associated with a reduced risk of dementia. The association of these fatty acids with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not fully established. The objective of the study was to investigate the cross-sectional association of dietary fatty acids with MCI in a population-based sample.

Vegetables, unsaturated fats, moderate alcohol intake, and mild cognitive impairment.

Background/aims: To investigate associations of the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) components and the MeDi score with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: Participants (aged 70-89 years) were clinically evaluated to assess MCI and dementia, and completed a 128-item food frequency questionnaire.

Results: 163 of 1,233 nondemented persons had MCI.

Establishment of normative data for the amount of breast tissue present in healthy children up to two years of age.

Objective: To establish a set of normal values for breast size in children up to two years of age, and to assess the effects of gender, gestational age, and type of feeding and growth parameters on breast size.

Design: Prospective cohort study over 20 months

Setting: The Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, neonatal nursery and Community Pediatrics Clinic.

Participants: Well term infants and children through two years of age.

Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells confer renal protection in a murine chronic renal failure model.

Endothelial cell damage and impaired angiogenesis substantially contribute to the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF). The effect of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) treatment on the progression of CRF is yet to be determined. We performed 5/6 nephrectomy to induce CRF in C57BL/6 mice.

Glycyrrhetinic acid-modified chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles for liver-targeted delivery.

A liver-targeted drug delivery carrier, composed of chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol)-glycyrrhetinic acid (CTS/PEG-GA) nanoparticles, was prepared by an ionic gelation process, in which glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) acted as the targeting ligand. The formation and characterization of these nanoparticles were confirmed by FT-IR, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements. The biodistribution of the nanoparticles was assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and the cellular uptake was evaluated using human hepatic carcinoma cells (QGY-7703 cells).

Incidence and outcomes of contrast-induced nephropathy after computed tomography in patients with CKD: a quality improvement report.

Background: Although there has been considerable investigation of the general characteristics of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), it has not been studied adequately in a computed tomography (CT) population. We assessed the incidence and outcomes of CIN after contrast-enhanced CT in patients with chronic kidney disease pretreated with saline and N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Design: Quality improvement report.

Metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment in older persons: a population-based study.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more strongly associated with cognitive impairment in the presence of inflammation. This suggests that the association of MetS with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may vary with the etiology and the subtype of MCI. This study investigated the association between MetS with or without inflammation and MCI [amnestic (a-MCI) and nonamnestic (na-MCI)].

Genetic interactions between the donor and the recipient for susceptibility to acute rejection in kidney transplantation: polymorphisms of CCR5.

Background: Acute rejection (AR) contributes to the development of chronic allograft nephropathy that is the major cause of graft failure. We analyzed the 59029G>A polymorphism and an internal 32 bp deletion (CCR5 32) of CCR chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) Delta and tried to prove the hypothesis that genetic interactions between the donor and the recipient influence the development of AR.

Methods: We detected genetic polymorphisms by the TaqMan(R) method and by sizing PCR amplicons (n = 486).

Association of prior stroke with cognitive function and cognitive impairment: a population-based study.

Background: Defining the nature of the contribution of stroke to cognitive impairment remains challenging.

Objective: To describe associations between stroke history, APOE genotype, and subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: We randomly selected residents from Olmsted County, Minnesota, aged 70 to 89 years on October 1, 2004, and invited eligible subjects without documented dementia to participate.

Influence of plasma exchange on the disposition of the fourth generation cephalosporin cefepime.

Cefepime, a fourth generation cephalosporin, is widely used in hematology and oncology patients. These patients may require plasma exchange (PE) for indications such as chemotherapy- or cancer-induced thromobotic thrombocytopenic purpura to name a few. To date, no pharmacokinetic evaluation has been conducted assessing cefepime's disposition during PE.

Coronary heart disease is associated with non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

The progression of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) to Alzheimer's disease and hypothesized progression of non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (na-MCI) to non-degenerative or vascular dementias suggest etiologic differences. We examined the association between coronary heart disease (CHD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes in a population-based cohort. Participants (n=1969; aged 70-89 years) were evaluated using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, a neurological examination, and neuropsychological testing for diagnoses of normal cognition, MCI, or dementia.

Addition of thiazolidinedione or exenatide to oral agents in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.

Background: The introduction of several new therapeutic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus has led to significant challenges for providers in deciding which agent to select during the disease course.

Objective: To provide a relative comparison of the efficacy and safety of adding thiazolidinediones (TZDs) or exenatide to oral agents for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus by performing meta-analyses of relevant published studies.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, MEDLINE, CINHAL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE (inception to March 2008 for all databases), and abstracts presented at the 2006 and 2007 American Diabetes Association conferences to identify all relevant publications.

Age and apoE associations with complex pathologic features in Alzheimer's disease.

The risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is influenced by both age and ApoE status. The present study addresses the associations of age and ApoE status on complex pathologic features in AD (n=81) including coexistent cerebrovascular disease (CVD), argyrophilic grain disease (AGD), and Lewy body disease (LBD). The frequency of coexistent cerebrovascular disease increased with increasing age.

Age, family history, and memory and future risk for cognitive impairment.

Purpose: To provide a clinical tool for calculating a patient's future risk for developing cognitive impairment based on age, family history, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) retention.

Participants: 1,019 cognitively normal persons followed for an average of 5 years; 159 participants were eventually diagnosed with cognitive impairment.

Results: Risk of developing cognitive impairment increases with age and family history, but decreases with better memory performance.

Genetic variations in soluble epoxide hydrolase and graft function in kidney transplantation.

Background: Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors that contribute renal protective actions. The aim of this study was to identify the association between genetic variations in soluble epoxide hydrolase (EPHX2, EET-metabolizing enzyme) and kidney allograft dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: Data from 204 kidney transplant donor-recipient pairs were examined for polymorphisms of exon 8 (R287Q, rs751141 G/A) and 3' untranslated region (3' UTR, rs1042032 A/G) of the EPHX2 gene and correlated with clinical data.

Phosphorylation of the axial element protein Hop1 by Mec1/Tel1 ensures meiotic interhomolog recombination.

An essential feature of meiosis is interhomolog recombination whereby a significant fraction of the programmed meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) is repaired using an intact homologous non-sister chromatid rather than a sister. Involvement of Mec1 and Tel1, the budding yeast homologs of the mammalian ATR and ATM kinases, in meiotic interhomlog bias has been implicated, but the mechanism remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that Mec1 and Tel1 promote meiotic interhomolog recombination by targeting the axial element protein Hop1.

In vitro activity of cefepime, imipenem, tigecycline, and gentamicin, alone and in combination, against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

Study Objective: To evaluate the activity of cefepime, imipenem, tigecycline, and gentamicin, alone and in combination, against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

Design: In vitro susceptibility and time-kill analysis.

Setting: University-affiliated research laboratory.

The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging: design and sampling, participation, baseline measures and sample characteristics.

Background: The objective of this study was to establish a prospective population-based cohort to investigate the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Methods: The Olmsted County, Minn., population, aged 70-89 years on October 1, 2004, was enumerated using the Rochester Epidemiology Project.

Left ventricular endocardial pacing: a transarterial approach.

Introduction: We tested the feasibility of a new technique of direct left ventricular endocardial lead placement across the aortic valve in a chronic (six month) pig model. The potential for aortic valve damage, systemic embolization, and pacing lead maturation and function within the left ventricle are unknown.

Methods: Ten minipigs were successfully implanted with a transaortic left ventricular lead (Medtronic CapSureFix, Minneapolis, MN, USA) placed in the left ventricular apex via the carotid artery.