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Goleva E, Harris J, Martin R, Dakhama A, Alam R, Gelfand E, Leung D. Asthma Control And Disordered Microbial Communities In The Lower Airways Of Patients With Poorly Controlled Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Chen Z, Wang S, Bai C, Alam R, Katial R, Huang H. Il-4, But Not Il-2, Induces Th2 Cells To Resist The Il-27 Counterregulation By Downregulating Stat1 Phosphorylation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Guo L, Chen C, Gorska M, Alam R. Sprouty2 is a Novel Regulator of T cell Activation and Differentiation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Alam R, Munna G, Chowdhury MAI, Sarkar MSKA, Ahmed M, Rahman MT, Jesmin F, Toimoor MA. Feasibility study of rainwater harvesting system in Sylhet City. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2012; 184:573-80. [PMID: 21416213 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-1989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2010] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In rural areas in Bangladesh, groundwater is the principal source of water supply. This underground water is available in considerable amount in shallow aquifers. It is free from pathogenic microorganisms and hence water-borne diseases. In plain lands, other than hilly areas, water supply to 97% rural population comes from tube-wells, which is regarded to be a phenomenal achievement in preserving public health. Besides, a dependable water supply system all throughout the country is offset by two factors: (a) high salinity in surface plus groundwater in coastal areas; (b) want of suitable groundwater aquifers in hilly areas and the high cost of setting up tube-wells due to deep underground water table and stony layers. However, presence of arsenic in underground water now poses a serious threat to the success once made in water supply by setting up of manually operated tube-wells in the village areas-the achievement is now on the brink of total collapse. In about 61 districts out of 64, presence of arsenic exceeds a quantity of 0.05 mg/1, a permissible limit as per Bangladeshi water quality standard. Harvesting rainwater can be a pragmatic solution to this problem, which is common in many places in Sylhet especially in the hilly areas on the north eastern part of the city. This can be an alternative source of drinking water because of availability of rainwater from March to October. Heavy rain occurs from end of May till mid September, which is commonly known as the rainy season. This paper focuses on the possibility of harvesting rainwater in rural communities and thickly populated urban areas of Sylhet. It also demonstrates the scopes of harvesting rainwater using simple and low-cost technology. With setting up of a carefully planned rainwater storage tank, a family can have all of its drinking water from rain. Planned use of rainwater through rainwater harvesting in the roof catchments may fulfill the entire annual domestic water demand of a family in the rural areas of Bangladesh.
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Wilson C, Alam R, Latif S, Knighting K, Williamson S, Beaver K. Patient access to healthcare services and optimisation of self-management for ethnic minority populations living with diabetes: a systematic review. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2012; 20:1-19. [PMID: 21749529 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2011.01017.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A higher risk of diabetes mellitus in South Asian and Black African populations combined with lower reported access and self-management-related health outcomes informed the aims of this study. Our aims were to synthesise and evaluate evidence relating to patient self-management and access to healthcare services for ethnic minority groups living with diabetes. A comprehensive search strategy was developed capturing a full range of study types from 1995-2010, including relevant hand-searched literature pre-dating 1995. Systematic database searches of MEDLINE, Cochrane, DARE, HTA and NHSEED, the British Nursing Index, CAB abstracts, EMBASE, Global Health, Health Management Information Consortium and PsychInfo were conducted, yielding 21,288 abstracts. Following search strategy refinement and the application of review eligibility criteria; 11 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 18 qualitative studies and 18 quantitative studies were evaluated and principal results extracted. Results suggest that self-management practices are in need of targeted intervention in terms of patients' knowledge and understanding of their illness, inadequacy of information and language and communication difficulties arising from cultural differences. Access to health-care is similarly hindered by a lack of cultural sensitivity in service provision and under use of clinic-based interpreters and community-based services. Recommendations for practice and subsequent intervention primarily rest at the service level but key barriers at patient and provider levels are also identified.
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Alam R, Goplen N, Liang Q, Germinaro M, Karim Z. Differential Expression of MAPK Activators and Phosphatases in Acute, Chronic and Tolerant Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.12.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Wang S, Zhuang Y, Erekosima N, Katial R, Alam R, Huang H. Human IL-27 Suppresses Th2 Cell Differentiation Independent of IFN-γ and IL-10. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.12.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Karim Z, Goplen N, Gorska M, Alam R. Signaling Mechanism of Tolerance following Repetitive Stimulation with a Single Allergen and its Reversal by Stimulation with Multiple Allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.12.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Alam R, Gorska MM. Mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling and ERK1/2 bistability in asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2010; 41:149-59. [PMID: 21121982 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03658.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) integrate signals from numerous receptors and translate these signals into cell functions. MAPKs are critical for immune cell metabolism, migration, production of pro-inflammatory mediators, survival and differentiation. We provide a concise review of the involvement of MAPK in important cells of the immune system. Certain cell functions, e.g. production of pro-inflammatory mediators resolve quickly and may require a transient MAPK activation, other processes such as cell differentiation and long-term survival may require persistent MAPK signal. The persistent MAPK signal is frequently a consequence of positive feedback loops or double negative feedback loops which perpetuate the signal after removal of an external cell stimulus. This self-perpetuated activation of a signalling circuit is a manifestation of its bistability. Bistable systems can exist in 'on' and 'off' states and both states are stable. We have demonstrated the existence of self-perpetuated activation mechanism for ERK1/2 in bronchial epithelial cells. This sustained activation of ERK1/2 supports long-term survival of these cells and primes them for cytokine transcription. ERK1/2 bistability arises from repetitive stimulation of the cell. The repeated stimulation (e.g. repeated viral infection or repeated allergen exposure) seems to be a common theme in asthma and other chronic illnesses. We thus hypothesize that the self-perpetuated ERK1/2 signal plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.
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Yatsu F, Alam R, Alam S, Bui G. Brain Endothelial Cells, Atherosclerosis and Thromboembolism. Cerebrovasc Dis 2010. [DOI: 10.1159/000107832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Ostroukhova M, Liang Q, Goplen N, Alam R. Switching of Glucose Metabolism from Oxidative Phosphorylation to Aerobic Glycolysis (the Warburg Effect) in T-Cells from Patients with Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.12.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Alam R, Sturt J, Lall R, Winkley K. An updated meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of psychological interventions delivered by psychological specialists and generalist clinicians on glycaemic control and on psychological status. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2009; 75:25-36. [PMID: 19084368 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2008.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2008] [Revised: 08/11/2008] [Accepted: 08/30/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To update a meta-analysis and determine the effectiveness of psychological interventions on glycaemic control measured by HbA(1c) and psychological status in type 2 diabetes and to compare effects when interventions are delivered by generalist clinicians compared to psychological specialists. METHODS We used the original review protocol and searched the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Medline, Embase, PsychLIT, and Google Scholar from February 2003 (end of previous review) to March 2007. We extracted data on the participants, interventions, delivery methods, comparison groups and outcome measures. RESULTS 35 trials were reviewed and meta-analysis of 19 trials (n=1431), reporting HbA(1c) found a reduction in HbA(1c) by 0.54% (-0.32; 95% CI: -0.47 to -0.16). In nine trials (n=832) interventions were delivered by diabetes or general clinicians reducing HbA(1c) by 0.51% (-0.27; 95% CI: -0.50 to 0.04). In nine trials, interventions (n=561) were delivered by psychological specialists reducing HbA(1c) by 0.57% (-0.36; 95% CI: -0.61 to 0.12). Meta-analysis of 13 trials reporting psychological status found psychological status to be lower in the intervention groups -0.56 (95% CI: 1.00 to -0.13). Trial quality for the majority of studies remained poor. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that psychological and general clinicians are similarly effective in delivering psychological interventions, however, effect sizes for all clinicians have reduced since the earlier review. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Psychological training opportunities for generalist clinicians could lead to wider availability of effective psychological care.
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Gogate S, Liang Q, Hanifi A, Gorska M, Alam R. T cells from Allergic Asthmatic Patients are Inherently Resistant to nTreg and TGFβ-mediated Suppression: the Importance of the ERK1/2 of Signaling Pathway. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.12.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Wu DH, Shaffer AD, Thompson DM, Yang Z, Magnotta VA, Alam R, Suri J, Yuh WTC, Mayr NA. Iterative active deformational methodology for tumor delineation: Evaluation across radiation treatment stage and volume. J Magn Reson Imaging 2008; 28:1188-94. [PMID: 18972365 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.21500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To introduce, implement, and assess an iterative modification to the active deformational image segmentation method as applied to cervical cancer tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comparison by Jaccard similarity (JS) between this active deformational method and manual segmentation was performed on tumors of various sizes across preradiation, 3 weeks postradiation, and 6 weeks postradiation using a General Linear Mixed Model across 121 studies from 52 patients with Stage IIB-IV cervical cancers. RESULTS The deformable segmentation method produced promising levels of agreement including JS factors of 0.71+/-0.11 in the preradiation studies. The analysis illustrated a rate of improvement in JS with increasing tumor volume that differed between the preradiation and 6 weeks postradiation stage (P=0.0474). In the large preradiated tumors each additional cm3 of volume was associated with an increase or improvement in JS of 0.0008 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0003, 0.0014). In the smaller postradiation tumors, each additional cm3 of volume was associated with a more robust improvement in JS of 0.0046 (95% CI: 0.0009, 0.0082). CONCLUSION Agreement was strongly affected by tumor volume, and its performance was most impacted across volume in the later stages of radiation therapy. The deformation-based segmentation method appears to demonstrate utility for delineating cervical cancer tumors, particularly in the earliest stages of radiation treatment, where agreement is greatest.
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Alam R, Chowdhury MAI, Hasan GMJ, Karanjit B, Shrestha LR. Generation, storage, collection and transportation of municipal solid waste--a case study in the city of Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2008; 28:1088-97. [PMID: 17512184 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2006.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2006] [Revised: 10/21/2006] [Accepted: 12/22/2006] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Solid waste management (SWM) services have consistently failed to keep up with the vast amount of solid waste produced in urban areas. There is not currently an efficient system in place for the management, storage, collection, and transportation of solid waste. Kathmandu City, an important urban center of South Asia, is no exception. In Kathmandu Metropolitan City, solid waste generation is predicted to be 1091 m(3)/d (245 tons/day) and 1155 m(3)/d (260 tons/day) for the years 2005 and 2006, respectively. The majority (89%) of households in Kathmandu Metropolitan City are willing to segregate the organic and non-organic portions of their waste. Overall collection efficiency was 94% in 2003. An increase in waste collection occurred due to private sector involvement, the shutdown of the second transfer station near the airport due to local protest, a lack of funding to maintain trucks/equipment, a huge increase in plastic waste, and the willingness of people to separate their waste into separate bins. Despite a substantial increase in total expenditure, no additional investments were made to the existing development plan to introduce a modern disposal system due to insufficient funding. Due to the lack of a proper lining, raw solid waste from the existing dumping site comes in contact with river water directly, causing severe river contamination and deteriorating the quality of the water.
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Liang Q, Balzar S, Wenzel S, Gorska M, Alam R. Cell-specific Activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in Airway Biopsy Samples from Asthmatic patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.11.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Singhania N, Liang Q, Cool C, Tate R, Alam R. Diffuse Idiopathic Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia (DIPNECH) in a Patient with Cough and Dyspnea Resistant to Standard Therapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Alam R, Goplen N, Liang Q, Rozario S, Morimoto Y, Gorska M. Sensitization to Multiple Allergens Breaks Through Tolerance and Establishes Chronic Asthma That is Unresponsive to Anti-Cytokine Therapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.11.328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Goplen N, Stafford S, Liang Q, Gorska M, Rozario S, Alam R. A Phospho-site Screen Identifies Baseline Activation of PKR As a Survival-limiting Factor For Eosinophils. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.12.504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Vepachedu R, Singhania N, Gorska M, Alam R. Unc119, a Novel Src Kinase Activator, Enhances Myofibro blast Transformation of Human Lung Fibroblasts. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.12.576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Alam R, Liang Q, Goplen N, Liu W, Rozario S, Vepachedu R, Guo L, Gorska M. The Mechanism of Self-Perpetuated Activation of ERK1/2 in Airway Cells in the Absence of Allergen Exposure in a Mouse Model of Chronic Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.12.567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Blundell JE, Stubbs RJ, Golding C, Croden F, Alam R, Whybrow S, Le Noury J, Lawton CL. Resistance and susceptibility to weight gain: individual variability in response to a high-fat diet. Physiol Behav 2005; 86:614-22. [PMID: 16225895 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2005] [Accepted: 08/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An obesigenic environment is a potent force for promoting weight gain. However, not all people exposed to such an environment become obese; some remain lean. This means that some people are susceptible to weight gain (in a weight-promoting environment) and others are resistant. Identifying the characteristics of appetite control and food motivation in these two groups could throw light on the causes of weight gain and how this can be either treated or prevented. We have investigated the issue experimentally by identifying people who habitually consume a high-fat diet (greater than 43% fat energy). These individuals have been termed high-fat phenotypes. We have compared individuals, of the same age (mean=37 years old) and gender (male), who have gained weight (BMI=34) or who have remained lean (BMI=22). The susceptible individuals are characterised by a cluster of characteristics including a weak satiety response to fatty meals, a maintained preference for high-fat over low-energy foods in the post-ingestive satiety period, a strong hedonic attraction to palatable foods and to eating, and high scores on the TFEQ factors of Disinhibition and Hunger. The analysis of large databases suggests that this profile of factors contributes to an average daily positive energy balance from food of approximately 0.5 MJ. This profile of characteristics helps to define the symptomatology of a thrifty phenotype.
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Schäuble N, Reichwald K, Grassl W, Bechstein H, Müller HC, Scherag A, Geller F, Utting M, Siegfried W, Goldschmidt H, Blundell J, Lawton C, Alam R, Whybrow S, Stubbs J, Platzer M, Hebebrand J, Hinney A. Human galanin (GAL) and galanin 1 receptor (GALR1) variations are not involved in fat intake and early onset obesity. J Nutr 2005; 135:1387-92. [PMID: 15930442 DOI: 10.1093/jn/135.6.1387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide galanin (GAL) is involved in food intake and in fat ingestion. Presumably, these effects are conveyed via the galanin 1 receptor (GALR1). We screened the coding region of GAL (including 444 bp of its promoter region) and GALR1 for mutations using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and denaturing HPLC in up to 191 obese children and adolescents and 106 healthy underweight young adults (students). In GAL, we identified 3 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; silent: g.-419T-->C, g.-244G-->A; missense: g.47C-->T: Ala16Val) and one infrequent missense variation (c.253A-->G: Asn85Asp), and in GALR1 2 novel SNPs (silent: c.150C-->T, missense: c.793A-->T: Ile265Phe). To test for an association with obesity, we genotyped 7 SNPs (GAL: g.-244G-->A, g.47C-->T, rs7101947, rs1042577, rs3136540; GALR1: c.150C-->T, c.793A-->T) in up to 322 obese children and adolescents compared with up to 277 healthy underweight and normal weight young adults. Furthermore, we analyzed these SNPs with respect to potential effects on the percentage of energy consumed as fat in obese children and adolescents. Allele and genotype frequencies did not differ among the groups tested. In addition, we performed a pedigree transmission disequilibrium test (PDT) for one SNP (GAL: g.-244G-->A) in 610 (518 independent) obesity-trios (obese child or adolescent and both of its parents). However, the PDT for SNP GAL g.-244G-->A revealed no transmission disequilibrium. We conclude that the analyzed SNPs in GAL and GALR1 do not play a major role in early onset obesity or dietary fat intake in the obese children and adolescents of our study groups.
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Gorska M, Stafford S, Liang Q, Dharajiya N, Sur S, Gaestel M, Alam R. The lack of allergic inflammation in MK2-deficient mice is not due to the impairment of the immune response but is associated with aberrant endothelial function. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.12.495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Yasnowsky K, Schoen D, Vedanthan P, Alam R, Dreskin S, Harbeck R. Chronic urticaria sera increase basophil CD203c surface expression. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.12.725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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