Alpha-synuclein regulates nucleolar DNA double-strand break repair in melanoma.

Although an increased risk of the skin cancer melanoma in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) has been shown in multiple studies, the mechanisms involved are poorly understood, but increased expression of the PD-associated protein alpha-synuclein (αSyn) in melanoma cells may be important. Our previous work suggests that αSyn can facilitate DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, promoting genomic stability. We now show that αSyn is preferentially enriched within the nucleolus in the SK-MEL28 melanoma cell line, where it colocalizes with DNA damage markers and DSBs.

Determinants of maximal right ventricular function: role of septal shift.

Background: Right heart failure can occur after orthotopic heart transplantation and can complicate implantation of left ventricular assist devices. The functional codeterminants of right ventricular function are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of left ventricular preload and afterload, systemic pressure, and the contribution of the interventricular septum to right ventricular function.

Local relation between oxidative metabolism and perfusion in leg muscles of patients with heart failure studied by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy.

Background: We studied the local relation of muscle perfusion and metabolism in patients with severe chronic heart failure. Alterations of skeletal muscle blood flow and oxidative capacity contribute to exercise intolerance in these patients. The interdependence of both parameters has often been questioned.

Interrelationship of oxidative metabolism and local perfusion demonstrated by NMR in human skeletal muscle.

Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we have examined the relationship of high-energy phosphate metabolism and perfusion in human soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. With 31P-NMR spectroscopy, we monitored phosphocreatine (PCr) decay and recovery in eight normal volunteers and four heart failure patients performing ischemic plantar flexion. By using echo-planar imaging, perfusion was independently measured by a local [inversion-recovery (T1-flow)] and a regional technique (NMR-plethysmography).

Contralateral shoe-lift: effect on oxygen cost of walking with an immobilized knee.

Objective: Evaluate the effect of a contralateral shoe-lift on the oxygen cost of walking with an artificially immobilized knee.

Design: A prospective quantitative evaluation of oxygen cost of walking under varying conditions. Subjects walked (1) normally (N), (2) with one knee immobilized (1), (3) with one knee immobilized and with a one-half-inch shoe-lift applied to the contralateral shoe (I1/2"L), and (4) with one knee immobilized and with a one-inch shoe-lift (I1"L).