Publications by authors named "Scott A Brown"
Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on tubulointerstitial fibrosis as a key feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats, exploring how varying durations of ischemia influence kidney damage models in domesticated cats.
- Young adult cats underwent 90 minutes of induced ischemia in one kidney, followed by nephrectomy at different time intervals to assess renal functionality and histological changes.
- Results showed that both ischemic groups experienced significant declines in kidney function, higher injury scores, and increased fibrosis compared to the control group, indicating severe impairment after renal ischemia.
Article Synopsis
- Sialidosis is a glycoprotein storage disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme NEU1, leading to the buildup of sialylated proteins in various tissues and a range of systemic and neurological symptoms.
- Research involving Neu1 mice, which model the severe form of the disease, showed that treatment with AAV-mediated gene therapy restored NEU1 activity, improved tissue conditions, and eliminated lysosomal vacuolization.
- The findings suggest that this gene therapy approach could be an effective treatment for sialidosis and potentially other diseases linked to low NEU1 levels.
Article Synopsis
- Oncogenes can be targeted with small molecules, but the loss of tumor suppressor genes like SMARCB1 poses unique challenges in cancer treatment.
- Cancer Dependency Map Project utilized CRISPR screening with SMARCB1-mutant cell lines, revealing that DCAF5 is critical for these cancer cells' survival.
- DCAF5 helps regulate SWI/SNF complexes and its depletion allows for the reaccumulation of these complexes, potentially reversing the cancer state, suggesting that targeting similar quality-control factors could offer new therapeutic options.
Article Synopsis
- - Sialidosis is a rare genetic disorder caused by a lack of the enzyme NEU1, leading to harmful buildup of certain proteins in the body, and currently has no available treatments.
- - Researchers tested a gene therapy approach using AAV vectors in a mouse model, successfully restoring NEU1 activity and preventing disease symptoms like tissue damage and generalized fibrosis.
- - The results suggest that this gene therapy could be a potential treatment for sialidosis and might also help adult patients with similar conditions linked to low NEU1 expression.
Cationic alkaline-earth complexes attract interest for their enhanced Lewis acidity and reactivity compared with their neutral counterparts. Synthetic protocols to these complexes generally utilize expensive specialized reagents in reactions generating multiple by-products. We have studied a simple ligand transfer approach to these complexes using (NacNac)MgR and ER (NacNac = β-diketiminate anion; E = group 13 element; R = aryl/amido anion) which demonstrates high atom economy, opening up the ability to target these species in a more sustainable manner.
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- The study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using a remnant kidney model involving surgical procedures to reduce kidney mass.
- Out of 32 purpose-bred cats, acute kidney function worsened significantly post-surgery, with a notable percentage euthanized due to severe kidney failure symptoms.
- In the chronic phase, 25 cats were monitored, with survival closely linked to the severity of acute kidney injury, mirroring the clinical progress seen in naturally occurring CKD in felines.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluates operando ATR-IR spectroscopy methods to analyze organoaluminate electrolytes for use in Mg batteries.
- Using the "all-phenyl complex" in THF as a model, two spectroelectrochemical configurations are compared: one with a Pt gauze electrode and another with a thin Pt film on an ATR crystal.
- The results show significant variations in ATR-IR responses due to the electrode arrangements, highlighting the advantages and challenges of each configuration.
Article Synopsis
- The magnesium electrolyte, [MgCl][AlPh], is created through a ligand exchange reaction between AlCl and MgPh, making it a more environmentally friendly method.
- Using NMR and vibrational spectroscopy shows that this method results in a simpler ionic structure compared to the traditional process involving PhMgCl and AlCl.
- Tests on the electrochemical performance reveal that this new approach produces stable electrolytes, confirming its effectiveness.
Article Synopsis
- 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) is used to treat pediatric leukemia and lymphoma, but genetic variations in the NUDT15 gene can lead to severe side effects like myelosuppression.* -
- Patients with certain NUDT15 variants have higher levels of a toxic compound in their blood, which is linked to increased risk of myelosuppression during treatment with 6-MP.* -
- A study found that lower NUDT15 protein levels are strongly associated with adverse effects of 6-MP, highlighting the importance of genetic testing for tailored treatment strategies.*
Background: The role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is incompletely understood.
Objective: To characterize components of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in cats with CKD.
Animals: Eleven cats with naturally occurring CKD (CKD group) and 8 healthy control cats.
Article Synopsis
- Infection and vaccination lead to the creation of antibodies against various influenza virus subtypes, but most antibodies target variable epitopes rather than conserved ones.
- The study reveals that producing broadly reactive antibodies against flu can increase autoimmune responses in both humans and mice, worsening autoimmune diseases.
- The findings suggest that mechanisms that promote self-tolerance are crucial in limiting these broadly reactive antibodies, which can contribute to disease when inflammation or autoimmune risks are present.
Article Synopsis
- - Arylmethyl anions allow for different binding interactions with alkali metals, which vary from σ-bonding to π-bonding depending on the metal and structure of the molecule; π-bonding tends to increase as one moves down group 1 of the periodic table.
- - The review discusses the structures of various diarylmethyl anions and their interactions with alkali metals, along with new synthesis methods that minimize competing interactions using specific donor molecules.
- - The study demonstrates how introducing nitrogen into the aromatic ring affects the distribution of negative charge, with different binding modes observed for lithium, sodium, and potassium complexes, highlighting unique charge relocation behaviors.
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes diverse outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to respiratory distress and death. A major unresolved question is whether prior immunity to endemic, human common cold coronaviruses (hCCCoVs) impacts susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or immunity following infection and vaccination. Therefore, we analyzed samples from the same individuals before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAAV-mediated gene therapy for galactosialidosis: A long-term safety and efficacy study.
Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev
December 2021
Article Synopsis
- AAV-mediated gene therapy shows potential for treating lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), but some rare subtypes have not seen much progress.
- A preclinical study using a murine model for galactosialidosis demonstrated that injecting a specific AAV vector into one-month-old mice led to significant therapeutic effects, including improved organ function.
- The treated mice exhibited normal health and no adverse effects for up to a year, suggesting that this gene therapy method could be a viable option for addressing galactosialidosis, which currently has no cure.
Article Synopsis
- Technology can enhance independence for people with support needs, including older autistic adults.
- Previous research has focused mainly on children with autism, leaving a gap in understanding technology use for older adults.
- The article discusses the daily experiences of autistic adults over 50, identifying their technology use, support needs, and barriers, leading to recommendations for developers and service providers.
Article Synopsis
- T follicular helper (T) cells play an essential role in supporting B cell function and the immune response, with transcription factors like BCL6 driving their development.
- This study uncovers the importance of the CDP-ethanolamine pathway and specific enzymes (ETNK1, PCYT2, SELENOI) for promoting T cell differentiation by regulating the expression of the CXCR5 protein, critical for T cell response.
- The research shows that lipid metabolism, particularly through the synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), is vital in maintaining CXCR5's presence on T cells and ensuring effective humoral immunity, indicating a link between metabolic processes and immune cell signaling.
Nucleobase and nucleoside analogs (NNA) are widely used as anti-viral and anti-cancer agents, and NNA phosphorylation is essential for the activity of this class of drugs. Recently, diphosphatase NUDT15 was linked to thiopurine metabolism with NUDT15 polymorphism associated with drug toxicity in patients. Profiling NNA drugs, we identify acyclovir (ACV) and ganciclovir (GCV) as two new NNAs metabolized by NUDT15.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae are a major clinical concern worldwide. We characterized NDM-positive pathogens isolated from patients and assessed the dissemination patterns of the genes in a hospital setting.
Methods: Eleven NDM-positive Enterobacteriaceae (three , six and two ) were isolated from nine patients over a 1 year period.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to analyze gene expression linked to inflammation and fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats using RNA sequencing.
- It involved comparing kidney tissue samples from 6 cats with induced CKD and 9 healthy controls, focusing on changes in gene activity post ischemia.
- Results indicated significant upregulation of specific genes related to collagen binding, metalloproteinase activity, and extracellular matrix in the affected kidneys, suggesting potential biomarkers for kidney injury.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines how effective telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, is compared to enalapril in reducing proteinuria in dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease.
- A total of 39 dogs were monitored over 120 days, with results showing that telmisartan significantly reduced protein levels in urine compared to enalapril.
- The findings suggest that telmisartan could be a better initial treatment for managing renal proteinuria in dogs.
Article Synopsis
- Spp. infection poses a significant global health threat, impacting over 2 million individuals annually, with many more at risk, and involves complex immune responses where Th1 (IFN-γ) provides protection while Th2 (IL-4) leads to susceptibility.
- Researchers neutralized IL-4 in infected BALB/c mice to better understand its role, finding that while this approach offers protection against infection, it also significantly reduces IFN-γ production by T cells.
- The study highlights the critical role of IL-4 in both enhancing anti-viral immune responses and promoting the pathology of cutaneous leishmaniasis by influencing Th1 and Th2 responses, suggesting that further research is warranted in this area.
Article Synopsis
- The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine considers multiple factors in student applications, including GPA, GRE scores, and grades from prerequisite courses.
- An independent review of subjective information (FileScore) contributes to an overall Admission Score (AdmScore), which is thought to predict students' first-year class rank (CREY1).
- A study of three classes from 2015 to 2017 suggests that not all components of the AdmScore are necessary to effectively predict the academic success of veterinary students in their first year.
Background: Increased gene transcription of hypoxia-induced mediators of fibrosis in renal tissue has been identified in experimentally induced, ischemic chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Objective: To characterize hypoxia-induced profibrotic pathways in naturally occurring CKD in cats.
Animals: Twelve client-owned cats with CKD and 8 healthy control cats.