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2. Papers in this week's Veterinary Record.
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VETERINARY medicine , *SHEEP diseases , *PROTEINS , *ANIMAL genetics , *PRIONS , *GENETICS , *SCRAPIE , *SHEEP ranches - Abstract
The article reports on developments related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. The knowledge of the associations between the prion protein genotype of sheep and their risk of clinical scrapie has been used to develop genotyping and breeding programs that aim to eradicate the disease. According to a questionnaire survey concerning parasite management, the sheep farmers use variety of strategies based on information from the farming press, agricultural merchants and veterinary surgeons.
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- 2006
3. Papers in this week's Veterinary Record.
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VETERINARY medicine , *LAMENESS in horses , *HORSE diseases , *SEA turtles , *PROTEINS , *DISEASES - Abstract
Focuses on studies about veterinary medicine in Great Britain as of August 7, 2004. Relationship between lameness and back problems in horses; Pathology of digestive tract lesions in stranded sea turtles; Variability of the prion protein gene in goats.
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- 2004
4. Papers in this week's Veterinary Record.
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VETERINARY medicine , *PROTEINS , *COPPER metabolism , *ACUTE phase proteins , *LEUCOCYTES - Abstract
Reports developments related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain as of June 2004. Examination of the role of PrP protein in copper metabolism; Production of the acute phase proteins; Analysis of the prevalence of canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency in Irish setters.
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- 2004
5. Improving pulse crops as a source of protein, starch and micronutrients.
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Robinson, G. H. J., Balk, J., and Domoney, C.
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GLUCANS ,LEGUMES ,EDIBLE plants ,PROTEINS ,MICRONUTRIENTS ,SUSTAINABILITY ,NUTRITIONAL value ,BIOFORTIFICATION - Abstract
Pulse crops have been known for a long time to have beneficial nutritional profiles for human diets but have been neglected in terms of cultivation, consumption and scientific research in many parts of the world. Broad dietary shifts will be required if anthropogenic climate change is to be mitigated in the future, and pulse crops should be an important component of this change by providing an environmentally sustainable source of protein, resistant starch and micronutrients. Further enhancement of the nutritional composition of pulse crops could benefit human health, helping to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies and reduce risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This paper reviews current knowledge regarding the nutritional content of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.), two major UK pulse crops, and discusses the potential for their genetic improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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6. Scientists identify Achilles heel of lung cancer protein.
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LUNG cancer ,LUNG tumors ,PROTEINS ,LUNG diseases ,DRUG resistance - Abstract
Scientists at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Central Laser Facility (CLF) have identified a potential target for more effective lung cancer treatments. Using advanced laser imaging techniques, the researchers obtained super-resolution images of a drug-resistant mutation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) protein, which is known to contribute to lung cancer. The study revealed structural details of the mutated protein and identified interfaces critical for tumor growth. The findings could inform future research and the development of new cancer therapies. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2024
7. Why breast milk matters.
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De Boer, Rachel, Gray, Denise, Harris, Gillian, Sahota, Pinki, Singhal, Atul, and Upton, Lucy
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INFANT formulas ,PROTEINS ,IMMUNOGLOBULINS ,BREAST milk ,GUT microbiome ,BREASTFEEDING ,OLIGOSACCHARIDES ,HEALTH promotion - Abstract
Midwives understand the benefits of breastfeeding, both for the infant and mother. However, the biochemical and physiological reasons for the superiority of breast milk are less widely known. This is, in part, because of the extraordinary complexity of breast milk's composition. Its key components include nucleotides, which benefit gut and immune development, human milk oligosaccharides, which promote an optimal gut biome, lipids in the milk fat globule membrane, which promote gut health and brain development, immunoglobulins, which modulate the infant's immune system, and an optimum protein content, which is high in the first 2 weeks after birth but decreases thereafter. A greater awareness and understanding of the mechanisms behind the benefits of breastfeeding could help midwives to have informed discussions with parents and potentially contribute to improving the UK's breastfeeding rates. Growing understanding of breast milk's unique composition may also help infant formula manufacturers drive innovation and improve the formulation of their products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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8. Discovery of “punch-through” or membrane electrical breakdown and electroporation.
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Coster, Hans Gerard L.
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CHARA corallina ,CELL membranes ,ELECTROPORATION ,PROTEINS ,BILAYER lipid membranes - Abstract
As part of a detailed study in Alex Hope’s laboratory of the V–I characteristics of the membrane of the giant cells of Chara corallina, it was discovered that at a well defined potential difference of around 500 mV (depending on the temperature), the cell membrane undergoes a reversible electrical breakdown. The author coined the word “punchthrough” to describe this electrical breakdown phenomenon. Detailed studies followed on the nature of this electrical breakdown phenomenon, in various cells, aimed at elucidating the physical mechanism(s) involved. The applications and the significance of the phenomenon that were subsequently developed in later years were not foreseen at that time. Electrical breakdown/electroporation is now a commonplace procedure and has entered into the mainstream biological vocabulary. Here we trace its humble beginnings to experiments carried out in Alex Hope’s laboratory and review briefly some of the aspects of this phenomenon and its applications that were developed much later by others as well as the author. The discovery of membrane electrical breakdown described below took whilst the author was his student of Alex Hope but whilst Alex was away on sabbatical leave in the UK. Because this occurred in his absence, Alex Hope elected to not put his name on the paper that described the discovery in 1965. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2009
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9. Adherence to UK dietary guidelines in school-aged children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort.
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Buckland, Genevieve, Northstone, Kate, Emmett, Pauline M., and Taylor, Caroline M.
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PROTEINS ,VEGETABLES ,CROSS-sectional method ,DIET ,MEDICAL protocols ,SOCIOECONOMIC factors ,FRUIT ,RESEARCH funding ,SCHOOLS ,BODY mass index ,SEAFOOD ,PARENTS ,LONGITUDINAL method - Abstract
Compliance to UK dietary recommendations was assessed in school-aged children from a population-based cohort: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). A Children's Eatwell Guide (C-EWG) score was developed to assess socio-demographic predictors of meeting dietary recommendations. ALSPAC children with plausible diet diary data at 7 years (n 5373), 10 years (n 4450) and 13 years (n 2223) were included in the study. Their dietary intakes (recorded between 1998 and 2006) were compared with dietary guidelines for total and saturated fats, free sugars, salt, fibre, protein, carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, non-oily and oily fish and red/processed meat. The C-EWG score (0–9 points) indicated the number of recommendations met at each age. Cross-sectional associations between socio-demographic characteristics and C-EWG scores were assessed using multivariable regression. The lowest adherence to guidelines at 7 years was for sugar (0·1 % meeting recommendations), followed by fibre (7·7 %), oily fish (9·5 %), saturated fat (9·7 %) and fruit and vegetables (15·2 %). Highest adherence was for limiting red/processed meat (67·3 %) and meeting carbohydrate recommendations (77·3 %). At 7 years, 12·1 % of participants failed to meet any of the nine recommendations, 26·9 % met one and 28·2 % met two. Similar patterns were seen at 10 and 13 years. A lower social class and maternal educational attainment and higher maternal BMI were associated with meeting fewer recommendations. Most school-aged children in this cohort did not meet UK dietary recommendations, particularly children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Additional public health initiatives are needed to improve the quality of UK children's diets, particularly targeting lower socio-economic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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10. The 2011 Joint Sino–U.K. Protein Symposium.
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Zengyi Chang and Neil Isaacs
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PROTEINS ,BIOLOGICAL societies ,BIOCHEMICAL research ,PROTEIN structure ,PROTEIN research ,CONFERENCES & conventions - Abstract
As part of the celebrations marking its Centenary, the Biochemical Society held a joint meeting in Shanghai with the Chinese Protein Society to commemorate the many long-standing collaborations between biochemists from the U.K. and China. Under the overall theme of structural biology of proteins, presentations covering both historical and current research were given by a number of leading biochemists from both countries. Papers based on these talks have been prepared for this issue of Biochemical Society Transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2011
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11. Mendelian randomization analysis of plasma levels of CD209 and MICB proteins and the risk of varicose veins of lower extremities.
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Shadrina, Alexandra S., Elgaeva, Elizaveta E., Stanaway, Ian B., Jarvik, Gail P., Namjou, Bahram, Wei, Wei-Qi, Glessner, Joe, Hakonarson, Hakon, Suri, Pradeep, and Tsepilov, Yakov A.
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VARICOSE veins ,GENOME-wide association studies ,BLOOD proteins ,PROTEINS ,STATISTICAL significance ,SELENOPROTEINS ,DIETARY proteins - Abstract
Varicose veins of lower extremities (VVs) are a highly prevalent condition, the pathogenesis of which is still not fully elucidated. Mendelian randomization (MR) can provide useful preliminary information on the traits that are potentially causally related to the disease. The aim of the present study is to replicate the effects of the plasma levels of MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence B (MICB) and cluster of differentiation 209 (CD209) proteins reported in a previous hypothesis-free MR study. We conducted MR analysis using a fixed effects inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis of Wald ratios method. For MICB and CD209, we used data from a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) for plasma protein levels (N = 3,301). For VVs, we used GWAS data obtained in the FinnGen project (N = 128,698), the eMERGE network (phase 3, N = 48,429), and the UK Biobank data available in the Gene ATLAS (N = 452,264). The data used in the study were obtained in individuals of European descent. The results for MICB did not pass criteria for statistical significance and replication. The results for CD209 passed all statistical significance thresholds, indicating that the genetically predicted increase in CD209 level is associated with increased risk of VVs (β
MR (SE) = 0.07 (0.01), OR (95% CI) = 1.08 (1.05–1.10), P-value = 5.9 ×10−11 in the meta-analysis of three cohorts). Our findings provide further support that CD209 can potentially be involved in VVs. In future studies, independent validation of our results using data from more powerful GWASs for CD209 measured by different methods would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2022
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12. Linking protein to phenotype with Mendelian Randomization detects 38 proteins with causal roles in human diseases and traits.
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Bretherick, Andrew D., Canela-Xandri, Oriol, Joshi, Peter K., Clark, David W., Rawlik, Konrad, Boutin, Thibaud S., Zeng, Yanni, Amador, Carmen, Navarro, Pau, Rudan, Igor, Wright, Alan F., Campbell, Harry, Vitart, Veronique, Hayward, Caroline, Wilson, James F., Tenesa, Albert, Ponting, Chris P., Baillie, J. Kenneth, and Haley, Chris
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PROTEIN-tyrosine phosphatase ,CARRIER proteins ,PROTEINS ,RANDOMIZED controlled trials ,PATHOLOGY - Abstract
To efficiently transform genetic associations into drug targets requires evidence that a particular gene, and its encoded protein, contribute causally to a disease. To achieve this, we employ a three-step proteome-by-phenome Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach. In step one, 154 protein quantitative trait loci (pQTLs) were identified and independently replicated. From these pQTLs, 64 replicated locally-acting variants were used as instrumental variables for proteome-by-phenome MR across 846 traits (step two). When its assumptions are met, proteome-by-phenome MR, is equivalent to simultaneously running many randomized controlled trials. Step 2 yielded 38 proteins that significantly predicted variation in traits and diseases in 509 instances. Step 3 revealed that amongst the 271 instances from GeneAtlas (UK Biobank), 77 showed little evidence of pleiotropy (HEIDI), and 92 evidence of colocalization (eCAVIAR). Results were wide ranging: including, for example, new evidence for a causal role of tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type substrate 1 (SHPS1; SIRPA) in schizophrenia, and a new finding that intestinal fatty acid binding protein (FABP2) abundance contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We also demonstrated confirmatory evidence for the causal role of four further proteins (FGF5, IL6R, LPL, LTA) in cardiovascular disease risk. Author summary: The targets of most medications prescribed today are proteins. For many common diseases our understanding of the underlying causes is often incomplete, and our ability to predict whether new drugs will be effective is remarkably poor. Attempts to use genetics to identify drug targets have an important limitation: standard study designs link disease risk to DNA but do not explain how the genotype leads to disease. In our study, we made robust statistical links between DNA variants and blood levels of 249 proteins, in two separate groups of Europeans. We then used this information to predict protein levels in large genetic studies. In many cases, this second step gives us evidence that high or low levels of a given protein play a role in causing a given disease. Among dozens of high-confidence links, we found new evidence for a causal role of a protein called SHPS1 in schizophrenia, and of another protein (FABP2) in heart disease. Our method takes advantage of information from large numbers of existing genetic studies to prioritize specific proteins as drug targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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13. Andrew Pollard: How the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine was made.
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Mahase, Elisabeth
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CORONAVIRUSES ,DRUG design ,GENETIC mutation ,PROTEINS ,PUBLISHING ,DRUG development ,ACQUISITION of data ,COVID-19 ,COVID-19 vaccines - Published
- 2021
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14. Types of fruits and vegetables used in commercial baby foods and their contribution to sugar content.
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Garcia, Ada Lizbeth, McLean, Kimberley, and Wright, Charlotte M.
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ADVERTISING ,APPLES ,BABY foods ,BANANAS ,CARBOHYDRATES ,CARROTS ,FAT content of food ,FOOD labeling ,FRUCTOSE ,FRUIT ,FRUIT juices ,PROBABILITY theory ,PROTEINS ,REGRESSION analysis ,SURVEYS ,SWEET potatoes ,TOMATOES ,MATHEMATICAL variables ,VEGETABLES ,DATA analysis software ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,DIETARY sucrose - Abstract
Fruits and vegetables (F&V) are often featured in names of commercial baby foods (CBFs). We aimed to survey all available CBFs in the UK market with F&V included in the food name in order to describe the amount and types of F&V used in CBF and their contribution to total sugar content. Food labels were used to identify F&V and total sugar content. Fruits were more common than vegetables in names of the 329 CBFs identified. The six most common F&V in the names were all relatively sweet: apple, banana, tomato, mango, carrot and sweet potato. The percentage of F&V in the foods ranged from a median of 94% for sweet‐spoonable to 13% for dry‐savoury products. Fruit content of sweet foods (n = 177) was higher than vegetable content of savoury foods (n = 152) with a median (IQR) of 64.0 g/100 g (33.0–100.0) vs. 46.0 g/100 g (33–56.7). Fruit juice was added to 18% of products. The proportion of F&V in CBF correlated significantly with sugar content for all the food types except dry‐savoury food (sweet‐spoonable r = 0.24, P = 0.006; savoury‐spoonable r = 0.65, P < 0.001; sweet‐dry r = 0.81, P < 0.001; savoury‐dry r = 0.51, P = 0.06) and explained up to two‐thirds of the variation in sugar content. The F&V content of CBFs mainly consists of fruits and relatively sweet vegetables which are unlikely to encourage preferences for bitter‐tasting vegetables or other non‐sweet foods. F&V contribute significantly to the total sugar content, particularly of savoury foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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15. Development of a methodology to assess the nutrient profile of popular UK meals.
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Benelam, B. and Stanner, S.
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NUTRITION ,DIET ,DIETARY fiber ,FAT content of food ,FRUIT ,INGESTION ,PROTEINS ,SODIUM ,VEGETABLES ,DIETARY sucrose - Abstract
In order to characterise the nutrient profile of popular meals and to identify ways to improve this, a methodology was developed to assess the profile of meals by developing meal-based nutritional criteria for macronutrients, fibre, salt and selected food groups and comparing this with recipe analysis of both homemade and partly pre-made dishes (those using products such as cook-in sauces and frozen meal components). Meals were compared with the criteria per portion and with front-of-pack labelling guidelines per 100 g. The results indicate that many popular UK meals, both homemade and partly pre-made, would benefit from changes to improve their nutritional profile. Generally, the dishes made with partly pre-made ingredients met criteria for total energy, total sugars and salt but often exceeded criteria for saturates and did not provide enough fibre or fruits and vegetables. Conversely, the comparable homemade dishes tended to meet the criteria for fibre and fruit and vegetables but were also more likely to exceed the criteria for saturates. A simple visual model, called the N utrition C ompass, for representing key results for each dish was developed. Relatively simple changes to dishes, such as adding extra vegetables and pulses, using wholegrains or potatoes with skins, using less salt or high salt ingredients and swapping higher fat dairy and meat ingredients for lower fat versions, could make significant improvements to the nutrient profile of many popular dishes. Such changes should be communicated to consumers, both by health professionals and by the food industry, in particular via recipes provided on pack or in other media for pre-prepared meal components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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16. Possible role of tocopherols in the modulation of host microRNA with potential antiviral activity in patients with hepatitis B virus-related persistent infection: a systematic review.
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Fiorino, S., Bacchi-Reggiani, L., Sabbatani, S., Grizzi, F., di Tommaso, L., Masetti, M., Fornelli, A., Bondi, A., de Biase, D., Visani, M., Cuppini, A., Jovine, E., and Pession, A.
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CIRRHOSIS of the liver ,THERAPEUTIC use of vitamin E ,RNA physiology ,HEPATOCELLULAR carcinoma ,ANTIGENS ,ANTIVIRAL agents ,GENOMES ,HEPATITIS B ,INFECTION ,MEDICAL needs assessment ,META-analysis ,NUTRITION ,PROTEINS ,PUBLIC health ,SERIAL publications ,T cells ,VIRUS diseases ,ACQUISITION of data ,CHRONIC hepatitis B ,DISEASE complications ,DIAGNOSIS ,DISEASE risk factors - Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a serious global health problem and persistent HBV infection is associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure. Recently, the study of the role of microRNA (miRNA) in the pathogenesis of HBV has gained considerable interest as well as new treatments against this pathogen have been approved. A few studies have investigated the antiviral activity of vitamin E (VE) in chronic HBV carriers. Herein, we review the possible role of tocopherols in the modulation of host miRNA with potential anti-HBV activity. A systematic research of the scientific literature was performed by searching the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases. The keywords used were ‘HBV therapy’, ‘HBV treatment’, ‘VE antiviral effects’, ‘tocopherol antiviral activity’, ‘miRNA antiviral activity’ and ‘VE microRNA’. Reports describing the role of miRNA in the regulation of HBV life cycle, in vitro and in vivo available studies reporting the effects of VE on miRNA expression profiles and epigenetic networks, and clinical trials reporting the use of VE in patients with HBV-related chronic hepatitis were identified and examined. Based on the clinical results obtained in VE-treated chronic HBV carriers, we provide a reliable hypothesis for the possible role of this vitamin in the modulation of host miRNA profiles perturbed by this viral pathogen and in the regulation of some cellular miRNA with a suggested potential anti-HBV activity. This approach may contribute to the improvement of our understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms involved in HBV infection and increase the possibility of its management and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
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- 2014
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17. Concentration of salivary protective proteins within the bound oral mucosal pellicle.
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Gibbins, HL, Proctor, GB, Yakubov, GE, Wilson, S, and Carpenter, GH
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THERAPEUTIC use of proteins ,SALIVA analysis ,ACADEMIC medical centers ,ANALYSIS of variance ,ENZYME-linked immunosorbent assay ,IMMUNOGLOBULINS ,RESEARCH funding ,STATISTICS ,T-test (Statistics) ,WESTERN immunoblotting ,DATA analysis - Abstract
Objectives To study which salivary proteins form the protective bound mucosal pellicle and to determine the role of transglutaminase in pellicle development. Materials and Methods Oral epithelial cells were collected and underwent washes of different strengths, followed by homogenisation. SDS- PAGE, western blotting, IgA ELISAs and amylase activity assays were completed on cell homogenates and compared to saliva samples to confirm which salivary proteins were bound to cell surfaces. Results Salivary mucins, MUC5B and MUC7, were strongly retained on the oral epithelial cell surface. Other bound proteins including cystatin S, carbonic anhydrase VI, secretory component and IgA could be washed off. IgA was present in concentrated levels in the bound mucosal pellicle compared to amounts in saliva. Amylase, one of the most abundant proteins present in saliva, showed minimal levels of binding. Transglutaminase 3 presence was confirmed, but proteins that it catalyses cross-links between, statherin and proline-rich proteins, showed minimal presence. Conclusion Some protective salivary proteins including mucins and IgA become concentrated on oral surfaces in the bound mucosal pellicle, through specific interactions. Concentration of mucins would contribute to lubrication to prevent abrasion damage to soft tissues, whilst increased IgA could create an 'immune reservoir' against mucosal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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18. Lymphoid tumours and breast cancer in ataxia telangiectasia; substantial protective effect of residual ATM kinase activity against childhood tumours.
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Reiman, A., Srinivasan, V., Barone, G., Last, J. I., Wootton, L. L., Davies, E. G., Verhagen, M. M., Willemsen, M. A., Weemaes, C. M., Byrd, P. J., Izatt, L., Easton, D. F., Thompson, D. J., and Taylor, A. M.
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ATAXIA telangiectasia ,LYMPHOMAS ,BREAST cancer ,CHROMOSOME abnormalities ,BREAST tumor prevention ,TUMOR prevention ,BRAIN tumors ,BREAST tumors ,COMPARATIVE studies ,IMMUNOBLOTTING ,RESEARCH methodology ,MEDICAL cooperation ,GENETIC mutation ,PROTEIN kinases ,PROTEINS ,RESEARCH ,RESEARCH funding ,TRANSFERASES ,TUMORS ,DNA-binding proteins ,EVALUATION research ,KAPLAN-Meier estimator ,CELL cycle proteins ,PREVENTION - Abstract
Background: Immunodeficiency in ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is less severe in patients expressing some mutant or normal ATM kinase activity. We, therefore, determined whether expression of residual ATM kinase activity also protected against tumour development in A-T.Methods: From a total of 296 consecutive genetically confirmed A-T patients from the British Isles and the Netherlands, we identified 66 patients who developed a malignant tumour; 47 lymphoid tumours and 19 non-lymphoid tumours were diagnosed. We determined their ATM mutations, and whether cells from these patients expressed any ATM with residual ATM kinase activity.Results: In childhood, total absence of ATM kinase activity was associated, almost exclusively, with development of lymphoid tumours. There was an overwhelming preponderance of tumours in patients <16 years without kinase activity compared with those with some residual activity, consistent with a substantial protective effect of residual ATM kinase activity against tumour development in childhood. In addition, the presence of eight breast cancers in A-T patients, a 30-fold increased risk, establishes breast cancer as part of the A-T phenotype.Conclusion: Overall, a spectrum of tumour types is associated with A-T, consistent with involvement of ATM in different mechanisms of tumour formation. Tumour type was influenced by ATM allelic heterogeneity, residual ATM kinase activity and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2011
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19. Study of telomere length and different markers of oxidative stress in patients with Parkinson's disease.
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WATFA, G., DRAGONAS, C., BROSCHE, T., DITTRICH, R., SIEBER, C., ALECU, C., BENETOS, ATHANASE, and NZIETCHUENG, R.
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AGE distribution ,BIOMARKERS ,BLOOD testing ,CHI-squared test ,CHROMOSOMES ,COMPUTER software ,STATISTICAL correlation ,DNA ,IMMUNOBLOTTING ,NUCLEOTIDE separation ,PARKINSON'S disease ,PROTEINS ,T-test (Statistics) ,DATA analysis ,OXIDATIVE stress ,CASE-control method - Abstract
Background: Many studies have shown that short telomere length (TL) is associated with high oxidative stress and various age-related diseases. Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related disease, and although its pathogenic mechanism is uncertain, oxidative stress is believed to be implicated in this pathology. The aim of this case-control study was to assess both TL and the different markers of oxidative stress in elderly patients with PD compared to age control subjects. Methods: 20 PD patients and 15 age-matched controls, >65 years were studied. TL was measured by Southern blotting from DNA samples extracted from white blood cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma levels of total glutathione and protein carbonyls were determined. Results: There was a trend for lower TL in PD patients: 6.06 ± 0.81 kb in PD versus 6.45± 0.73 kb in controls (p = 0.08). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of oxidative stress markers. In controls, age was the main determinant of telomere shortening (r = −0.547; p = 0.03) whereas, in PD patients, telomere shortening was mainly dependent on plasmatic concentrations of carbonyl proteins (r= −0.544; p=0.044). In PD patients, a negative association was observed between plasma carbonyl protein levels and SOD activity (r= − 0.622, p=0.004). Conclusions: In PD, TL is shorter in presence of high oxidative stress as measured by carbonyl protein levels. The absence of telomere attrition with age among patients with PD could reflect a telomere regulation by mechanisms other than age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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20. The nutritional significance of cheese in the UK diet.
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ASH, ANTHONY and WILBEY, ANDREW
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CHEESE ,SATURATED fatty acids ,CHOLESTEROL ,CARDIOVASCULAR diseases ,PROTEINS ,PUBLIC health - Abstract
Cheese currently suffers from an adverse nutritional image largely due to a perceived association between saturated fatty acid, cholesterol and the salt content of cheese with cardiovascular disease. However, cheese is also a rich source of essential nutrients such as proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals that play an integral part of a healthy diet. This review outlines the composition, structure and physiological characteristics of the nutritionally significant components of cheese, whilst presenting some of the controversies that surround the role of cheese in dietary guidelines and the potential cheese has to improve health in the UK population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
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21. Diet and glycosylated haemoglobin in the 1946 British birth cohort.
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Prynne, C. J., Mander, A., Wadsworth, M. E. J., and Stephen, A. M.
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GLYCOSYLATED hemoglobin ,DIABETES ,NUTRITION ,PROTEINS ,BODY weight - Abstract
Objectives:Raised glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA
1c ) concentration is a recognized risk factor for diabetes, the incidence of which is rising worldwide. The intake of certain foods has been related to HbA1c concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate whether nutrient intake, sourced by these foods, was predictive of raised glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c ) concentration in a British cohort.Subjects:The subjects were 495 men and 570 women who were members of the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, 1946 birth cohort.Diet was assessed from 5-day records in 1982, 1989 and 1999. HbA1c was measured in blood samples collected in 1999. Individuals in whom concentration of HbA1c was 6.3% were identified as being ‘at risk’ and their nutrient intake was compared with those whose concentration of HbA1c was within the normal range (6.2%).Results:Lower intakes of protein, carbohydrate, non-starch polysaccharide, iron, folate, vitamin B12 and a higher percentage energy from fat in 1989 were significantly predictive of high HbA1c status in 1999. In 1999, there were no nutrient intakes that were predictive of HbA1c status. Global tests of whether the intakes of energy, carbohydrate, sodium, iron, riboflavin and vitamin B12 at all three time points were related to HbA1c status in 1999, were significant.Conclusion:An increased intake of energy, carbohydrate, sodium, iron, riboflavin and vitamin B12 over 10 years was predictive of raised HbA1c status. Increased energy intake may have resulted in increase in body weight, which is a risk factor for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2009
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22. Death-associated protein 3 is overexpressed in human thyroid oncocytic tumours.
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Jacques, C., Fontaine, J-F., Franc, B., Mirebeau-Prunier, D., Triau, S., Savagner, F., and Malthiery, Y.
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TRANSCRIPTION factors ,TUMORS ,CYSTS (Pathology) ,ONCOLOGY ,PROTEINS ,REVERSE transcriptase polymerase chain reaction ,RESEARCH ,DNA ,THYROID gland tumors ,IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY ,RESEARCH methodology ,ADENOMA ,RNA ,MEDICAL cooperation ,EVALUATION research ,MITOCHONDRIA ,COMPARATIVE studies ,GENES ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,CYTOPLASM - Abstract
Background: The human death-associated protein 3 (hDAP3) is a GTP-binding constituent of the small subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome with a pro-apoptotic function.Methods: A search through publicly available microarray data sets showed 337 genes potentially coregulated with the DAP3 gene. The promoter sequences of these 337 genes and 70 out of 85 mitochondrial ribosome genes were analysed in silico with the DAP3 gene promoter sequence. The mitochondrial role of DAP3 was also investigated in the thyroid tumours presenting various mitochondrial contents.Results: The study revealed nine transcription factors presenting enriched motifs for these gene promoters, five of which are implicated in cellular growth (ELK1, ELK4, RUNX1, HOX11-CTF1, TAL1-ternary complex factor 3) and four in mitochondrial biogenesis (nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), GABPA, PPARG-RXRA and estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA)). An independent microarray data set showed the overexpression of ELK1, RUNX1 and ESRRA in the thyroid oncocytic tumours. Exploring the thyroid tumours, we found that DAP3 mRNA and protein expression is upregulated in tumours presenting a mitochondrial biogenesis compared with the normal tissue. ELK1 and ESRRA were also showed upregulated with DAP3.Conclusion: ELK1 and ESRRA may be considered as potential regulators of the DAP3 gene expression. DAP3 may participate in mitochondrial maintenance and play a role in the balance between mitochondrial homoeostasis and tumourigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2009
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23. Tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate oncogenes and susceptibility to ovarian cancer.
- Author
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Quaye, L., Song, H., Ramus, S. J., Gentry-Maharaj, A., Høgdall, E., DiCioccio, R. A., McGuire, V., Wu, A. H., Van Den Berg, D. J., Pike, M. C., Wozniak, E., Doherty, J. A., Rossing, M. A., Ness, R. B., Moysich, K. B., Høgdall, C., Blaakaer, J., Easton, D. F., Ponder, B. A. J., and Jacobs, I. J.
- Subjects
NUCLEOTIDES ,GENETIC polymorphisms ,OVARIAN cancer ,CARCINOGENESIS ,DISEASE susceptibility ,COMPARATIVE studies ,GENES ,RESEARCH methodology ,MEDICAL cooperation ,ONCOGENES ,OVARIAN tumors ,PHOSPHOTRANSFERASES ,PROTEINS ,RESEARCH ,RESEARCH funding ,TRANSFERASES ,EVALUATION research ,HAPLOTYPES ,SIGNAL peptides ,GENOTYPES - Abstract
Low-moderate risk alleles that are relatively common in the population may explain a significant proportion of the excess familial risk of ovarian cancer (OC) not attributed to highly penetrant genes. In this study, we evaluated the risks of OC associated with common germline variants in five oncogenes (BRAF, ERBB2, KRAS, NMI and PIK3CA) known to be involved in OC development. Thirty-four tagging SNPs in these genes were genotyped in approximately 1800 invasive OC cases and 3000 controls from population-based studies in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States. We found no evidence of disease association for SNPs in BRAF, KRAS, ERBB2 and PIK3CA when OC was considered as a single disease phenotype; but after stratification by histological subtype, we found borderline evidence of association for SNPs in KRAS and BRAF with mucinous OC and in ERBB2 and PIK3CA with endometrioid OC. For NMI, we identified a SNP (rs11683487) that was associated with a decreased risk of OC (unadjusted P(dominant)=0.004). We then genotyped rs11683487 in another 1097 cases and 1792 controls from an additional three case-control studies from the United States. The combined odds ratio was 0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-0.99) and remained statistically significant (P(dominant)=0.032). We also identified two haplotypes in ERBB2 associated with an increased OC risk (P(global)=0.034) and a haplotype in BRAF that had a protective effect (P(global)=0.005). In conclusion, these data provide borderline evidence of association for common allelic variation in the NMI with risk of epithelial OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. No evidence for association between tau gene haplotypic variants and susceptibility to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
- Author
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Sánchez-Juan, Pascual, Bishop, Matthew T., Green, Alison, Giannattasio, Claudia, Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro, Poleggi, Anna, Knight, Richard S. G., and van Duijn, Cornelia M.
- Subjects
GENETIC polymorphisms ,CREUTZFELDT-Jakob disease ,PROTEINS ,GENES - Abstract
Background: A polymorphism at codon 129 of the prion protein gene (PRNP) is the only wellknown genetic risk factor for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). However, there is increasing evidence that other loci outside the PRNP open reading frame might play a role in CJD aetiology as well. Methods: We studied tau protein gene (MAPT) haplotypic variations in a population of sporadic and variant CJD patients. We tested 6 MAPT haplotype tagging SNPs (htSNPs) in a Dutch population-based sample of sporadic CJD (sCJD) patients and a cognitively normal control group of similar age distribution. We genotyped the same polymorphisms in two other sample groups of sCJD cases from Italy and the UK. In addition, we compared MAPT haplotypes between sCJD and variant CJD (vCJD) patients. Results: Single locus and haplotype analyses did not detect any significant difference between sCJD cases and controls. When we compared MAPT haplotypes between sCJD and variant CJD (vCJD) patients, we found that two of them were represented differently (H1f: 8% in sCJD versus 2% in vCJD; H1j:1% in sCJD versus 7% in vCJD). However, these two haplotypes were rare in both groups of patients, and taking the small sample sizes into account, we cannot exclude that the differences are due to chance. None of the p-values remained statistically significant after applying a multiple testing correction. Conclusion: Our study shows no evidence for an association between MAPT gene variations and sCJD, and some weak evidence for an association to vCJD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. An unusual cause of raised CSF protein.
- Author
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Mohee, Kevin, Sekar, Vashisht, Williams, Stefan, and Goulding, Peter
- Subjects
CEREBROSPINAL fluid examination ,POLYRADICULOPATHY ,BLACK people ,CAUDA equina ,DIFFERENTIAL diagnosis ,PROTEINS ,DIAGNOSIS - Abstract
The article discusses case study of a 50-year-old West African man who was suffering from raised cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) disease. Medical examination of the patient showed relapsing/remitting chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). It is reported that CIDP occurs due to a multifocal inflammatory process which involves the spinal roots, plexuses and nerve trunks.
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. 5--THE CONSTITUTION OF THE EPICUTICLE OF WOOL.
- Author
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Lofts, P. F. and Truter, E. V.
- Subjects
FIBERS ,ELECTRON microscopy ,ANALYTICAL chemistry ,LIPIDS ,CARBOHYDRATES ,AMINO acids ,GLYCINE ,GLUTAMIC acid ,TEXTILE research - Abstract
Epicuticle, isolated from wool via the Allwörden reaction, was examined by electron microscopy and analysed chemically. It is proteinaceous; lipids and carbohydrates could not be detected. The component amino acids are: cystine, glycine, glutamic acid, serine, valine, alanine, lysine, α-amino-adipic acid, and threonine. A tentative model for the epicuticle is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1969
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Nanomedicines for the Delivery of Biologics.
- Author
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Wahlich, John, Desai, Arpan, Greco, Francesca, Hill, Kathryn, Jones, Arwyn T., Mrsny, Randall J., Pasut, Gianfranco, Perrie, Yvonne, Seib, F. Philipp, Seymour, Leonard W., and Uchegbu, Ijeoma F.
- Subjects
BIOLOGICALS ,INTRAVENOUS therapy ,VIRAL envelope proteins ,MACROMOLECULES - Abstract
A special symposium of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Nanomedicines Focus Group reviewed the current status of the use of nanomedicines for the delivery of biologics drugs. This meeting was particularly timely with the recent approval of the first siRNA-containing product Onpattro™ (patisiran), which is formulated as a lipid nanoparticle for intravenous infusion, and the increasing interest in the use of nanomedicines for the oral delivery of biologics. The challenges in delivering such molecules were discussed with specific emphasis on the delivery both across and into cells. The latest developments in Molecular Envelope Technology
® (Nanomerics Ltd, London, UK), liposomal drug delivery (both from an academic and industrial perspective), opportunities offered by the endocytic pathway, delivery using genetically engineered viral vectors (PsiOxus Technologies Ltd, Abingdon, UK), Transint™ technology (Applied Molecular Transport Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA), which has the potential to deliver a wide range of macromolecules, and AstraZeneca's initiatives in mRNA delivery were covered with a focus on their uses in difficult to treat diseases, including cancers. Preclinical data were presented for each of the technologies and where sufficiently advanced, plans for clinical studies as well as early clinical data. The meeting covered the work in progress in this exciting area and highlighted some key technologies to look out for in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Journal club.
- Author
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Crabtree, Gerald
- Subjects
CELL nuclei ,SOMATIC cells ,CELLULAR evolution ,BIOMOLECULES ,PROTEINS ,EMBRYOLOGY ,BIOLOGICAL evolution - Abstract
The article discusses the ability of an enucleated frog egg to reprogram the nucleus of a somatic cell to a pluripotent state. Three transcription factors are required to transform skin cell into a pluripotent cell namely "Oct4," "Sox2," and "Klf4." John Gurdon of Gurdon Institute in Cambridge, Great Britain chose to examine Oct4 and they discovered that the initiation of Oct4 expression involved unexpected proteins. The author mentions the ability of the egg to reset a nucleus into a pluripotent state lies in these unexpected proteins.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Antifungals: A helping hand.
- Author
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Owens, Joanna
- Subjects
HEAT shock proteins ,PROTEINS ,ANTIFUNGAL agents ,MOLECULAR chaperones ,CLINICAL trials - Abstract
The article reports on the importance of the protein from heat shock protein (Hsp) 90, a molecular chaperone, as an antifungal agent in Great Britain. Hsp90 is able to buffer the effects of genetic variation by enabling the cell to tolerate mutations. The mutations prevent the increase of toxic metabolites allowing it to resist fungal infection. In addition, the Hsp90 inhibitors are already being evaluated in clinical trials for cancer.
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Measurements of acute phase proteins in milk from mastitic cows.
- Subjects
ACUTE phase proteins ,MILK ,COWS ,PROTEINS ,VETERINARY medicine - Abstract
Assesses the potential diagnostic value of acute phase proteins in the milk of mastitic cows in Great Britain.
- Published
- 2004
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