Delayed-onset cord1 progressive retinal atrophy in English Springer Spaniels genetically affected with the RPGRIP1 variant.

Objective: Cone-rod dystrophy (cord1) is a form of progressive retinal atrophy. It is linked to an RPGRIP1 genetic variant which is the third most common canine disease variant thus far. While the variant affects various breeds, it is highly prevalent in English Springer Spaniels (ESSs).

Retinal prolactin isoform PRLΔE1 sustains rod disease in inherited retinal degenerations.

PRLΔE1, a retina-specific isoform of prolactin, is expressed in multiple and diverse forms of canine inherited retinal degeneration (IRD). We find that while PRLΔE1 expression in rods is not associated with the initial phase of disease characterized by acute photoreceptor cell death, it is associated with the protracted phase of slow cell loss. Restoration of photoreceptors to a healthy state by gene-specific replacement therapy of individual IRDs successfully suppresses PRLΔE1 expression.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease associated with in salamanders.

Introduction: is one of the causes of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections in moray eels and salamanders. Although infection could be a threat to salamanders, little information is available regarding this pathogen and associated infection. This study aimed to provide fundamental information regarding and its infection in salamanders.

Molecular characterization of MAP9 in the photoreceptor sensory cilia as a modifier in canine -associated cone-rod dystrophy.

Photoreceptors possess a highly specialized primary cilium containing expanded ciliary membrane discs called the outer segment. The photoreceptor cilium is essential for the maintenance of the outer segment, and pathogenic variants in more than 50 cilia-related genes have been identified as causing non-syndromic inherited retinal diseases in patients. The retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator interacting protein 1 (RPGRIP1) is a structural protein localized to the photoreceptor cilium and biallelic variants have been associated with non-syndromic human inherited retinal diseases.

Extended functional rescue following AAV gene therapy in a canine model of LRIT3-congenital stationary night blindness.

Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a group of inherited retinal diseases in which either rod-to-ON-bipolar cell (ON-BC) signaling, or rod function is affected leading to impaired vision under low light conditions. One type of CSNB is associated with defects in genes (NYX, GRM6, TRPM1, GPR179, and LRIT3) involved in the mGluR6 signaling cascade at the ON-BC dendritic tips. We have previously characterized a canine model of LRIT3-CSNB and demonstrated short-term safety and efficacy of an ON-BC targeting AAV-LRIT3 (AAV-shGRM6-cLRIT3-WPRE) gene therapy.

Factors that influence the diagnoses of Asian Americans in mental health: an exploration.

Purpose: This 10-year review of Asian Americans focuses on factors that impede adequate psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion: Asian Americans are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, with a high prevalence of domestic violence, alcohol abuse, and significant distress. However, Asian Americans consistently underutilize mental health services because of stigma, misconceptions of Western treatment, and cultural interpretations of mental health problems.

Medication adherence: is it a hidden drug-related problem in hidden elderly?

Aim: The present study aimed to identify the health needs of the hidden elderly in Hong Kong, and to investigate the impacts of pharmacist and nursing interventions on medication management and well-being in hidden elderly.

Methods: Participants were recruited by social workers if they were aged 65 years or older; did not have normal social life and network; did not have family support; and were not linked to the existing network of community support. Pharmacists identified drug-related problems.

Recent development in the effects of statins on cardiovascular disease through Rac1 and NADPH oxidase.

Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA), are important lipid-lowering agents. After two decades of laboratory and clinical studies, their pleiotropic effects appear well-established. One of these effects is through the regulation of Rac1 and NADPH oxidases.

The Translational Research Working Group developmental pathways: introduction and overview.

The Translational Research Working Group (TRWG) was created as a national initiative to evaluate the current status of the National Cancer Institute's investment in translational research and envision its future in an inclusive, representative, and transparent manner. To clarify the challenges facing translational research and facilitate its deliberations, the TRWG conceptualized translational research as a set of developmental processes or pathways focused on various clinical goals. Drawing on the collective knowledge of the TRWG members, six pathways were derived, with two addressing the development of tools designed to characterize an individual's cancer-related health status (biospecimen-based and image-based assessment modalities) and four addressing the development of interventions intended to change cancer-related health status (drugs or biological agents, immune response modifiers, interventive devices, and life-style alterations).

Differential specificity in the glomerular response profiles for alicyclic, bicyclic, and heterocyclic odorants.

As part of our ongoing effort to relate stimulus to response in the olfactory system, we tested the hypothesis that the unique chemical structures and odors of various cyclic odorants would be associated with unique spatial response patterns in the glomerular layer of the rat olfactory bulb. To this end, rats were exposed to sets of odorants, including monocyclic hydrocarbons, bicyclic compounds, and various heterocyclic structures containing oxygen or nitrogen in the ring. Relative activity across the entire layer was assessed by mapping uptake of 2-deoxyglucose into anatomically standardized data matrices.

Reducing disparities in the burden of cancer: the role of patient navigators.

Many racial and ethnic minority patients with cancer face barriers related to access to health care and information. Patient navigators, say the authors, could help to overcome these barriers.

Potent farnesyltransferase inhibitor ABT-100 abrogates acute allograft rejection.

Background: Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) inhibit the function of Ras, a GTPase involved in carcinogenesis and T cell activation. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory properties of a rationally designed FTI, ABT-100.

Methods: The effects of ABT-100 on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and the expression of the T cell activation markers CD25 and CD69 were studied.

Incremental prognostic value of exercise single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) thallium 201 imaging in patients with ST-T abnormalities on their resting electrocardiograms.

Background: The incremental prognostic value of thallium 201 imaging in patients with nonspecific ST-T abnormalities on the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) may be different from those with a normal resting ECG.

Methods: Nine hundred thirty-nine consecutive patients with nonspecific ST-T abnormalities on their resting ECG who had undergone exercise 201 Tl imaging were followed for a median duration of 7.0 y (94% complete).

Immunomodulatory effects of docetaxel on human lymphocytes.

Docetaxel is an antineoplastic taxoid that interferes with microtubule polymerization dynamics and is used clinically to treat advanced cancers. Because microtubules play significant roles in T lymphocyte activation and function we characterized the in vitro immunomodulatory properties of docetaxel. Effects of docetaxel on lectin-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation were measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining.

Farnesyltransferase inhibition: a novel method of immunomodulation.

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are anticancer compounds that inhibit Ras GTPases. Since Ras GTPases play key roles in T cell activation and function, we hypothesized that FTIs have immunomodulatory properties and are potential antirejection agents. An investigation was performed on a potent FTI to evaluate this hypothesis in the in vitro setting.

Prognostic value of the Duke treadmill score in the elderly.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the Duke treadmill score works less well for risk stratification in patients age 75 years or above.

Background: Although the Duke treadmill score is generally effective for risk stratification, its prognostic value in the elderly may be limited because they have a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), more severe CAD and a lower exercise tolerance.

Methods: The study population consisted of 247 patients age 75 years or above, and the control population consisted of 2,304 patients below 75 years of age.