Vitamin D Levels and SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Medically Underserved Populations in the Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study.

Background: Extant literature presents contradictory findings on the role of vitamin D on SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study included an examination of the relationship between vitamin D levels and SARS-CoV-2 infection among the Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study (MRCIS) cohort, a diverse population of medically underserved persons presenting at five Federally qualified health centers in the United States.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive analysis to explore the relationship between vitamin D levels and SARS-CoV-2 infection among medically underserved participants.

Correlations Between Relative Prevalence of Celiac Disease and Sociodemographic Variables in the United States.

Introduction: We evaluated the associations between celiac disease (CD) prevalence and regional sociodemographic variables in the United States.

Methods: The outcome was CD relative prevalence, defined as number of patients with CD among those in a Medicare registry per 3-digit ZIP code. Linear regression models assessed associations between relative prevalence of CD and sociodemographic variables.

The Use of Near-Infrared Light-Emitting Fluorescent Nanodiamond Particles to Detect Ebola Virus Glycoprotein: Technology Development and Proof of Principle.

Background: There is a dire need for rapid diagnostic tests of high sensitivity, efficiency, and point-of-test reporting capability to mitigate lethal viral epidemic outbreaks.

Purpose: To develop a new operating system within the lateral flow assay (LFA) format for Ebola virus (EBOV), based on fluorescent nanodiamond particles (FNDP) nitrogen vacancy (NV) emitting near-infrared (NIR) light. Specifically, we aimed to detail technical issues and the feasibility of mobilizing FNDP-NV on nitrocellulose membranes (NCM) and capturing them at test and control lines.

Statistical shape modelling provides a responsive measure of morphological change in knee osteoarthritis over 12 months.

Objectives: Responsive biomarkers are needed to assess the progression of OA and their lack has hampered previous clinical trials. Statistical shape modelling (SSM) from radiographic images identifies those at greatest risk of fast-progression or joint replacement, but its sensitivity to change has not previously been measured. This study evaluates the responsiveness of SSM in knee OA in a 12-month observational study.

Predicting OA progression to total hip replacement: can we do better than risk factors alone using active shape modelling as an imaging biomarker?

Objective: Previously, active shape modelling (ASM) of the proximal femur was shown to identify those individuals at highest risk of developing radiographic OA. Here we determine whether ASM predicts the need for total hip replacement (THR) independent of Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KLG) and other known risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 141 subjects consulting primary care with new hip pain was conducted.

Biomarkers in the age of omics: time for a systems biology approach.

Limitations to biomarker discovery are not only technical or bioinformatic but conceptual as well. In our attempt to offer a solution, we are highlighting three issues that we think are limiting progress in biomarkers discovery. First, the confusion stemming from the imposition of a pathology-type immunohistochemical marker (IHCM) concept on omics data without fully understanding the characteristics and limitations of IHCMs as applied in clinical pathology.

Increased uptake of [¹²³I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine, [¹⁸F]fluorodopamine, and [³H]norepinephrine in mouse pheochromocytoma cells and tumors after treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitors.

[¹³¹I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine ([¹³¹I]MIBG) is the most commonly used treatment for metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. It enters the chromaffin cells via the membrane norepinephrine transporter; however, its success has been modest. We studied the ability of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to enhance [¹²³I]MIBG uptake by tumors in a mouse metastatic pheochromocytoma model.

Mitochondrial gene profiling: translational perspectives.

The last decade has witnessed the development of multiple microarray platforms designed to study, in a comprehensive fashion, the expression and sequence of both mitochondrial and nuclear genes that encode mitochondrial proteins. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a number of severe medical conditions including cancer, metabolic diseases (i.e.

Characterization of an animal model of aggressive metastatic pheochromocytoma linked to a specific gene signature.

Pheochromocytomas are chromaffin cell-derived neuroendocrine tumors. There is presently no cure for metastatic pheochromocytoma and no reliable way to distinguish malignant from benign tumors before the development of metastases. In order to successfully manage pheochromocytoma, it is necessary to better understand the biological determinants of tumor behavior.

Common effects of lithium and valproate on mitochondrial functions: protection against methamphetamine-induced mitochondrial damage.

Accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of a variety of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Thus, enhancing mitochondrial function could potentially help ameliorate the impairments of neural plasticity and cellular resilience associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. A series of studies was undertaken to investigate the effects of mood stabilizers on mitochondrial function, and against mitochondrially mediated neurotoxicity.

Deficits in behavioral inhibition predict treatment engagement in prison inmates.

Many inmates do not respond favorably to standard treatments routinely offered in prison. Executive cognitive functioning and emotional regulation may play a key role in treatment responsivity. During intake into treatment, inmates (N = 224) were evaluated for executive functioning, emotional perception, stress reactivity (salivary cortisol), IQ, psychological and behavioral traits, prior drug use, child and family background, and criminal histories and institutional behavior.

Biomarkers in the development of novel disease-modifying therapies for osteoarthritis.

Identification and utilization of biomarkers is vitally important for the successful development of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs. Biochemical and imaging platforms hold great promise to deliver such biomarkers. Studies indicate a marked increase in biochemical products arising from the breakdown and biosynthesis of collagen, extracellular matrix and bone in osteoarthritis.

Mitochondrial localization of human recombinant adenovirus: from evolution to gene therapy.

Mitochondrial research has influenced concepts in anthropology, human physiology and pathophysiology. We present here direct evidence that human recombinant viruses can localize in mitochondria to disrupt their integrity. This finding, while opening new perspectives in viral gene therapy, may provide new insights into the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of viral diseases.

Adenoviral gene transfer in bovine adrenomedullary and murine pheochromocytoma cells: potential clinical and therapeutic relevance.

Recombinant adenoviruses (rAd) have been widely used as gene transfer vectors both in the laboratory and in human clinical trials. In the present study, we investigated the effects of adenoviral-mediated gene transfer in primary bovine adrenal chromaffin cells (BACC) and a murine pheochromocytoma cell line (MPC). Cells were infected with one of three nonreplicating E1/E3-deleted (E1(-)/E3(-)) rAd vectors: Ad.

Mitochondria as key components of the stress response.

The exquisitely orchestrated adaptive response to stressors that challenge the homeostasis of the cell and organism involves important changes in mitochondrial function. A complex signaling network enables mitochondria to sense internal milieu or environmental changes and to adjust their bioenergetic, thermogenic, oxidative and/or apoptotic responses accordingly, aiming at re-establishment of homeostasis. Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a key component in both acute and chronic allostatic states, although the extent of its role in the pathogenesis of such conditions remains controversial.

Third-generation human mitochondria-focused cDNA microarray and its bioinformatic tools for analysis of gene expression.

To facilitate profiling mitochondrial transcriptomes, we developed a third-generation human mitochondria-focused cDNA microarray (hMitChip3) and its bioinformatic tools. hMitChip3 consists of the 37 mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes, 1098 nuclear DNA-encoded and mitochondria-related genes, and 225 controls, each in triplicate. The bioinformatic tools included data analysis procedures and customized database for interpretation of results.

Sustained low-grade pro-inflammatory state in unmedicated, remitted women with major depressive disorder as evidenced by elevated serum levels of the acute phase proteins C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) shows increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk of unknown mechanism(s). MDD is more common in women than men; CAD diagnosis can be difficult in women. Elevations of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) predict increased CAD risk in populations; few data on these markers exist in MDD, particularly in remitted patients.

Animal models of pheochromocytoma including NIH initial experience.

Mouse models have been used to study the mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis of a wide variety of human cancer. A considerable number of mouse and rat models, used for the study of elementary tumorgenic mechanisms, were found to develop pheochromocytomas. Some of these models resemble hereditary syndrome-related pheochromocytoma in humans and some may serve as a new starting point for human pheochromocytoma research.

Intracrine modulation of gene expression by intracellular generation of active glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids (GC) by either up-regulating or down-regulating the expression of genes influence cellular processes in every tissue and organ of the body. The enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type-1 (11beta-HSD-1) confers bioactivity upon the inactive GC cortisone (E) and prednisone (P) by converting them to cortisol (F) and prednisolone (L), respectively. We sought to investigate whether gene expression modulation by GC is under the regulation of an intracrine mechanism that determines the intracellular concentration of active GC.

Depression and osteoporosis in men: association or casual link?

The longer life expectancy of women than that of men and, therefore, the longer exposure to fracture risk has, at least partially, led to neglect of osteoporosis in men. Recently, unipolar depression, which is 2 times more frequent in women than in men, has been linked to osteoporosis. However, it is quite possible that this diagnosis may escape detection in men because of a different behavioral phenotype between the genders.

Intramuscular administration of ACTH1-24 vs. 24-hour blood sampling in the assessment of adrenocortical function.

The standard intravenous short Synacthen test (SSST) has long been accepted as one of the most reliable diagnostic tests of adrenocortical insufficiency. Intramuscular (i.m.

L-Carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of complications associated with HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy.

L-Carnitine (LC) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) play major roles in cell energy and lipid metabolism. Supplementation with these nutrients, which are highly popular in USA, has been associated with favorable effects, including anti-oxidant action, neuro- and cardioprotection, immunomodulation, and cognitive enhancement. Patients with HIV infection and undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) often develop complications, such as polyneuropathy, skeletal myopathy, dyslipidemia and lipodystrophy, which have been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Monoamine oxidase-A is a major target gene for glucocorticoids in human skeletal muscle cells.

Skeletal myopathy is a common complication of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoid excess, yet its pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. There is accumulating evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are involved in this process. To explore the glucocorticoid-induced transcriptional adaptations that may affect mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle, we studied gene expression profiles in dexamethasone-treated primary human skeletal myocytes using a cDNA microarray, which contains 501 mitochondria-related genes.

Cardiac implications of increased arterial entry and reversible 24-h central and peripheral norepinephrine levels in melancholia.

The mortality of chronic heart failure (CHF) doubles either when CHF patients are depressed or when their plasma norepinephrine (NE) level exceeds those of controls by approximately 40%. We hypothesized that patients with major depression had centrally driven, sustained, stress-related, and treatment-reversible increases in plasma NE capable of increasing mortality in CHF patients with depression. We studied 23 controls and 22 medication-free patients with melancholic depression.