Publications by authors named "Jamila Gittens"
Article Synopsis
- - CDD is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder linked to mutations in the CDKL5 gene, leading to symptoms like epilepsy, muscle weakness, and developmental delays.
- - Researchers created a gene therapy vector, AAV9.Syn.hCDKL5, to deliver the CDKL5 gene to the brain, using a specific promoter to enhance gene expression.
- - Studies in mice showed that injecting the vector directly into the cerebrospinal fluid improved distribution and resulted in biological activity, with successful functional improvements observed at higher doses.
Article Synopsis
- Children with brain tumors face the highest mortality rates among pediatric cancers, with particularly poor outcomes for aggressive types like H3K27M diffuse midline glioma.
- Recent molecular studies have identified recurrent driver mutations in these tumors, but challenges in obtaining tissues for research persist.
- A comprehensive protocol for collecting postmortem brain tumor specimens has been developed, successfully yielding xenograft models and insights into tumor behavior, highlighting the critical role of these donations in advancing research and treatment options.
Vamorolone, a dissociative steroidal compound, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in glioma cells and increases activity and survival in a murine model of cortical tumor.
Oncotarget
February 2017
Article Synopsis
- Corticosteroids like dexamethasone are commonly used in neuro-oncology for their anti-inflammatory effects, but many patients suffer from negative side effects.
- This study explored vamorolone, a new steroid alternative, in a mouse model to see if it could reduce harmful side effects while maintaining anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Results showed that vamorolone effectively reduced pro-inflammatory signals like dexamethasone, but had a better safety profile, improving activity and survival in mice compared to those treated with dexamethasone.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical tissue bonding (CTB) on adhesion strength, fluid permeability, and cell viability across a cartilaginous graft-host interface in an in vitro autologous chondral transplant (ACT) model. Chitosan-based cross-linkers; Chitosan-Rose Bengal [Chi-RB (Ch-ABC)], Chitosan-Genipin [Chi-GP (Ch-ABC)], and Chitosan-Rose Bengal-Genipin [Chi-RB-GP (Ch-ABC)] were applied to bovine immature cartilage explants after pre-treatment with surface degrading enzyme, Chondroitinase-ABC (Ch-ABC). Adhesion strength, fluid permeability and cell viability were assessed via mechanical push-out shear testing, fluid transport and live/dead cell staining, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSurface damage to articular cartilage is recognized as the initial underlying process causing the loss of mechanical function in early-stage osteoarthritis. In this study, we developed structure-modifying treatments to potentially prevent, stabilize or reverse the loss in mechanical function. Various polymers (chondroitin sulfate, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium hyaluronate) and photoinitiators (riboflavin, irgacure 2959) were applied to the surface of collagenase-degraded cartilage and crosslinked in situ using UV light irradiation.
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