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Asimow NG, Turner AJ, Cohen RC. Sustained Reductions of Bay Area CO 2 Emissions 2018-2022. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:6586-6594. [PMID: 38572839 PMCID: PMC11025126 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Cities represent a significant and growing portion of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Quantifying urban emissions and trends over time is needed to evaluate the efficacy of policy targeting emission reductions as well as to understand more fundamental questions about the urban biosphere. A number of approaches have been proposed to measure, report, and verify (MRV) changes in urban CO2 emissions. Here we show that a modest capital cost, spatially dense network of sensors, the Berkeley Environmental Air Quality and CO2 Network (BEACO2N), in combination with Bayesian inversions, result in a synthesis of measured CO2 concentrations and meteorology to yield an improved estimate of CO2 emissions and provide a cost-effective and accurate assessment of CO2 emissions trends over time. We describe nearly 5 years of continuous CO2 observations (2018-2022) in a midsized urban region (the San Francisco Bay Area). These observed concentrations constrain a Bayesian inversion that indicates the interannual trend in urban CO2 emissions in the region has been a modest decrease at a rate of 1.8 ± 0.3%/year. We interpret this decrease as primarily due to passenger vehicle electrification, reducing on-road emissions at a rate of 2.6 ± 0.7%/year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi G. Asimow
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Science, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alexander J. Turner
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Science, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ronald C. Cohen
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Science, University
of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- College
of Chemistry, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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2
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He TL, Boyd RJ, Varon DJ, Turner AJ. Increased methane emissions from oil and gas following the Soviet Union's collapse. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314600121. [PMID: 38470920 PMCID: PMC10963001 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314600121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Global atmospheric methane concentrations rose by 10 to 15 ppb/y in the 1980s before abruptly slowing to 2 to 8 ppb/y in the early 1990s. This period in the 1990s is known as the "methane slowdown" and has been attributed in part to the collapse of the former Soviet Union (USSR) in December 1991, which may have decreased the methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Here, we develop a methane plume detection system based on probabilistic deep learning and human-labeled training data. We use this method to detect methane plumes from Landsat 5 satellite observations over Turkmenistan from 1986 to 2011. We focus on Turkmenistan because economic data suggest it could account for half of the decline in oil and gas emissions from the former USSR. We find an increase in both the frequency of methane plume detections and the magnitude of methane emissions following the collapse of the USSR. We estimate a national loss rate from oil and gas infrastructure in Turkmenistan of more than 10% at times, which suggests the socioeconomic turmoil led to a lack of oversight and widespread infrastructure failure in the oil and gas sector. Our finding of increased oil and gas methane emissions from Turkmenistan following the USSR's collapse casts doubt on the long-standing hypothesis regarding the methane slowdown, begging the question: "what drove the 1992 methane slowdown?"
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Long He
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Ryan J. Boyd
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Daniel J. Varon
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Alexander J. Turner
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
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3
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Turner AJ, Wilks CR. Vale J Trevor Faragher 1929-2022. Aust Vet J 2023; 101:78-79. [PMID: 36724900 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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4
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Kim J, Turner AJ, Fitzmaurice HL, Delaria ER, Newman C, Wooldridge PJ, Cohen RC. Observing Annual Trends in Vehicular CO 2 Emissions. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:3925-3931. [PMID: 35324199 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Transportation emissions are the largest individual sector of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As such, reducing transportation-related emissions is a primary element of every policy plan to reduce GHG emissions. The Berkeley Environmental Air-quality and CO2 Observation Network (BEACO2N) was designed and deployed with the goal of tracking changes in urban CO2 emissions with high spatial (∼1 km) and temporal (∼1 hr) resolutions while allowing the identification of trends in individual emission sectors. Here, we describe an approach to inferring vehicular CO2 emissions with sufficient precision to constrain annual trends. Measurements from 26 individual BEACO2N sites are combined and synthesized within the framework of a Gaussian plume model. After removing signals from biogenic emissions, we are able to report normalized annual emissions for 2018-2020. A reduction of 7.6 ± 3.5% in vehicular CO2 emissions is inferred for the San Francisco Bay Area over this 2 year period. This result overlaps with, but is slightly larger than, estimates from the 2017 version of the California Air Resources Board EMFAC emissions model, which predicts a 4.7% decrease over these 2 years. This demonstrates the feasibility of independently and rapidly verifying policy-driven reductions in GHG emissions from transportation with atmospheric observations in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsol Kim
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Alexander J Turner
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Helen L Fitzmaurice
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Erin R Delaria
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Catherine Newman
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Paul J Wooldridge
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Ronald C Cohen
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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5
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Laughner JL, Neu JL, Schimel D, Wennberg PO, Barsanti K, Bowman KW, Chatterjee A, Croes BE, Fitzmaurice HL, Henze DK, Kim J, Kort EA, Liu Z, Miyazaki K, Turner AJ, Anenberg S, Avise J, Cao H, Crisp D, de Gouw J, Eldering A, Fyfe JC, Goldberg DL, Gurney KR, Hasheminassab S, Hopkins F, Ivey CE, Jones DBA, Liu J, Lovenduski NS, Martin RV, McKinley GA, Ott L, Poulter B, Ru M, Sander SP, Swart N, Yung YL, Zeng ZC. Societal shifts due to COVID-19 reveal large-scale complexities and feedbacks between atmospheric chemistry and climate change. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2109481118. [PMID: 34753820 PMCID: PMC8609622 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109481118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 global pandemic and associated government lockdowns dramatically altered human activity, providing a window into how changes in individual behavior, enacted en masse, impact atmospheric composition. The resulting reductions in anthropogenic activity represent an unprecedented event that yields a glimpse into a future where emissions to the atmosphere are reduced. Furthermore, the abrupt reduction in emissions during the lockdown periods led to clearly observable changes in atmospheric composition, which provide direct insight into feedbacks between the Earth system and human activity. While air pollutants and greenhouse gases share many common anthropogenic sources, there is a sharp difference in the response of their atmospheric concentrations to COVID-19 emissions changes, due in large part to their different lifetimes. Here, we discuss several key takeaways from modeling and observational studies. First, despite dramatic declines in mobility and associated vehicular emissions, the atmospheric growth rates of greenhouse gases were not slowed, in part due to decreased ocean uptake of CO2 and a likely increase in CH4 lifetime from reduced NO x emissions. Second, the response of O3 to decreased NO x emissions showed significant spatial and temporal variability, due to differing chemical regimes around the world. Finally, the overall response of atmospheric composition to emissions changes is heavily modulated by factors including carbon-cycle feedbacks to CH4 and CO2, background pollutant levels, the timing and location of emissions changes, and climate feedbacks on air quality, such as wildfires and the ozone climate penalty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L Laughner
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125;
| | - Jessica L Neu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109;
| | - David Schimel
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109;
| | - Paul O Wennberg
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125;
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125
| | - Kelley Barsanti
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
- Center for Environmental Research and Technology, Riverside, CA 92507
| | - Kevin W Bowman
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - Abhishek Chatterjee
- Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research, Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046
- Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771
| | - Bart E Croes
- Energy Research and Development Division, California Energy Commission, Sacramento, CA 95814
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Helen L Fitzmaurice
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Daven K Henze
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Jinsol Kim
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Eric A Kort
- Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Zhu Liu
- Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kazuyuki Miyazaki
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - Alexander J Turner
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Susan Anenberg
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052
| | - Jeremy Avise
- Modeling and Meteorology Branch, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento, CA 95814
| | - Hansen Cao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - David Crisp
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - Joost de Gouw
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Annmarie Eldering
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - John C Fyfe
- Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2 Canada
| | - Daniel L Goldberg
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052
| | - Kevin R Gurney
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
| | - Sina Hasheminassab
- Science and Technology Advancement Division, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar, CA, 91765
| | - Francesca Hopkins
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Cesunica E Ivey
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
- Center for Environmental Research and Technology, Riverside, CA 92507
| | - Dylan B A Jones
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1 Canada
| | - Junjie Liu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - Nicole S Lovenduski
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Randall V Martin
- McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Galen A McKinley
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964
| | - Lesley Ott
- Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771
| | - Benjamin Poulter
- Biospheric Sciences Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771
| | - Muye Ru
- The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27707
| | - Stanley P Sander
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - Neil Swart
- Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2 Canada
| | - Yuk L Yung
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - Zhao-Cheng Zeng
- Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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6
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Turner AJ, Tribe A, Caple IW. Keith Leslie Hughes
AO. Aust Vet J 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.13113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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7
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Gensheimer J, Turner AJ, Shekhar A, Wenzel A, Keutsch FN, Chen J. What Are the Different Measures of Mobility Telling Us About Surface Transportation CO 2 Emissions During the COVID-19 Pandemic? J Geophys Res Atmos 2021; 126:e2021JD034664. [PMID: 34150431 PMCID: PMC8206752 DOI: 10.1029/2021jd034664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread reductions in mobility and induced observable changes in atmospheric emissions. Recent work has employed novel mobility data sets as a proxy for trace gas emissions from traffic by scaling CO2 emissions linearly with those near-real-time mobility data. Yet, there has been little work evaluating these emission numbers. Here, we systematically compare these mobility data sets to traffic data from local governments in seven diverse urban and national/state regions to characterize the magnitude of errors that result from using the mobility data. We observe differences in excess of 60% between these mobility data sets and local traffic data. We could not find a general functional relationship between the mobility data and traffic flow over all the regions and observe higher deviations from using such general relationships than the original data. Finally, we give an overview of the potential errors that come from estimating CO2 emissions using (mobility or traffic) activity data. Future work should be cautious while using these mobility metrics for emission estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Gensheimer
- Environmental Sensing and ModelingTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
| | - Alexander J. Turner
- Department of Atmospheric SciencesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Ankit Shekhar
- Department of Environmental Systems ScienceETH ZurichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Adrian Wenzel
- Environmental Sensing and ModelingTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
| | - Frank N. Keutsch
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyHarvard UniversityCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Jia Chen
- Environmental Sensing and ModelingTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
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8
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Turner AJ, Gleeson LJ. William Albert Snowdon 1927–2019. Aust Vet J 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Nalivaeva NN, Zhuravin IA, Turner AJ. Neprilysin expression and functions in development, ageing and disease. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 192:111363. [PMID: 32987038 PMCID: PMC7519013 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neprilysin (NEP) participates in development and functions of most body organs It is an important brain neuropeptidase which cleaves amyloid β (Aβ) peptide NEP dysregulation leads to development of various diseases of old age Regulation of NEP expression and activity is an important therapeutic target
Neprilysin (NEP) is an integral membrane-bound metallopeptidase with a wide spectrum of substrates and physiological functions. It plays an important role in proteolytic processes in the kidney, cardiovascular regulation, immune response, cell proliferation, foetal development etc. It is an important neuropeptidase and amyloid-degrading enzyme which makes NEP a therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, it plays a preventive role in development of cancer, obesity and type-2 diabetes. Recently a role of NEP in COVID-19 pathogenesis has also been suggested. Despite intensive research into NEP structure and functions in different organisms, changes in its expression and regulation during brain development and ageing, especially in age-related pathologies, is still not fully understood. This prevents development of pharmacological treatments from various diseases in which NEP is implicated although recently a dual-acting drug sacubitril-valsartan (LCZ696) combining a NEP inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker has been approved for treatment of heart failure. Also, various natural compounds capable of upregulating NEP expression, including green tea (EGCG), have been proposed as a preventive medicine in prostate cancer and AD. This review summarizes the existing literature and our own research on the expression and activity of NEP in normal brain development, ageing and under pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Nalivaeva
- I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
| | - I A Zhuravin
- I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A J Turner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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10
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Turner AJ. Peter Wallace Daniels (1949–2019). Aust Vet J 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.13013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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11
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Turner AJ, Beveridge I, Lightowlers M, Donald AD, Stewart DJ. Michael Desmond Rickard (1941–2019). Aust Vet J 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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12
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Turner AJ, Christie BA, Craven JA, Rubira RJ, Sykes WE. John William McDonald 1939-2019. Aust Vet J 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Abstract
Atmospheric methane plays a major role in controlling climate, yet contemporary methane trends (1982-2017) have defied explanation with numerous, often conflicting, hypotheses proposed in the literature. Specifically, atmospheric observations of methane from 1982 to 2017 have exhibited periods of both increasing concentrations (from 1982 to 2000 and from 2007 to 2017) and stabilization (from 2000 to 2007). Explanations for the increases and stabilization have invoked changes in tropical wetlands, livestock, fossil fuels, biomass burning, and the methane sink. Contradictions in these hypotheses arise because our current observational network cannot unambiguously link recent methane variations to specific sources. This raises some fundamental questions: (i) What do we know about sources, sinks, and underlying processes driving observed trends in atmospheric methane? (ii) How will global methane respond to changes in anthropogenic emissions? And (iii), What future observations could help resolve changes in the methane budget? To address these questions, we discuss potential drivers of atmospheric methane abundances over the last four decades in light of various observational constraints as well as process-based knowledge. While uncertainties in the methane budget exist, they should not detract from the potential of methane emissions mitigation strategies. We show that net-zero cost emission reductions can lead to a declining atmospheric burden, but can take three decades to stabilize. Moving forward, we make recommendations for observations to better constrain contemporary trends in atmospheric methane and to provide mitigation support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Turner
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
| | - Christian Frankenberg
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91226;
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
| | - Eric A Kort
- Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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14
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Basu B, Krebs MG, Sundar R, Wilson RH, Spicer J, Jones R, Brada M, Talbot DC, Steele N, Ingles Garces AH, Brugger W, Harrington EA, Evans J, Hall E, Tovey H, de Oliveira FM, Carreira S, Swales K, Ruddle R, Raynaud FI, Purchase B, Dawes JC, Parmar M, Turner AJ, Tunariu N, Banerjee S, de Bono JS, Banerji U. Vistusertib (dual m-TORC1/2 inhibitor) in combination with paclitaxel in patients with high-grade serous ovarian and squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. Ann Oncol 2018; 29:1918-1925. [PMID: 30016392 PMCID: PMC6158767 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have previously shown that raised p-S6K levels correlate with resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. We hypothesised that inhibiting p-S6K signalling with the dual m-TORC1/2 inhibitor in patients receiving weekly paclitaxel could improve outcomes in such patients. Patients and methods In dose escalation, weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) was given 6/7 weeks in combination with two intermittent schedules of vistusertib (dosing starting on the day of paclitaxel): schedule A, vistusertib dosed bd for 3 consecutive days per week (3/7 days) and schedule B, vistusertib dosed bd for 2 consecutive days per week (2/7 days). After establishing a recommended phase II dose (RP2D), expansion cohorts in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) were explored in 25 and 40 patients, respectively. Results The dose-escalation arms comprised 22 patients with advanced solid tumours. The dose-limiting toxicities were fatigue and mucositis in schedule A and rash in schedule B. On the basis of toxicity and pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluations, the RP2D was established as 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel with 50 mg vistusertib bd 3/7 days for 6/7 weeks. In the HGSOC expansion, RECIST and GCIG CA125 response rates were 13/25 (52%) and 16/25 (64%), respectively, with median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 5.8 months (95% CI: 3.28-18.54). The RP2D was not well tolerated in the SqNSCLC expansion, but toxicities were manageable after the daily vistusertib dose was reduced to 25 mg bd for the following 23 patients. The RECIST response rate in this group was 8/23 (35%), and the mPFS was 5.8 months (95% CI: 2.76-21.25). Discussion In this phase I trial, we report a highly active and well-tolerated combination of vistusertib, administered as an intermittent schedule with weekly paclitaxel, in patients with HGSOC and SqNSCLC. Clinical trial registration ClinicialTrials.gov identifier: CNCT02193633.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Basu
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge
| | - M G Krebs
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester
| | - R Sundar
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK; Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - R H Wilson
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast and Belfast City Hospital, Belfast
| | - J Spicer
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London
| | - R Jones
- Cardiff University and Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff
| | - M Brada
- University of Liverpool and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral
| | - D C Talbot
- Department of Oncology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford
| | - N Steele
- University of Glasgow and Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow
| | - A H Ingles Garces
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK
| | - W Brugger
- Oncology, IMED Biotech Unit AstraZeneca, Cambridge
| | | | - J Evans
- University of Glasgow and Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow
| | - E Hall
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - H Tovey
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - F M de Oliveira
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - S Carreira
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - K Swales
- Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - R Ruddle
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK; Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - F I Raynaud
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK; Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - B Purchase
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK
| | - J C Dawes
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK
| | - M Parmar
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK
| | - A J Turner
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK
| | - N Tunariu
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK
| | - S Banerjee
- Department of Gynae-Oncology, The Royal Marsden, London, UK
| | - J S de Bono
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK; Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London
| | - U Banerji
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK; Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London; Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
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Davison NJ, Thompson AJ, Turner AJ, Longworth L, McElhone K, Griffiths CEM, Payne K. Generating EQ-5D-3L Utility Scores from the Dermatology Life Quality Index: A Mapping Study in Patients with Psoriasis. Value Health 2018; 21:1010-1018. [PMID: 30098665 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop an algorithm to predict the three-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) utility scores from the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in psoriasis. METHODS This mapping study used data from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register-a pharmacovigilance register comprising patients with moderate to severe psoriasis on systemic therapies. Conceptual overlap between the EQ-5D-3L and DLQI was assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients and exploratory factor analysis. Six regression methods to predict the EQ-5D-3L index (direct mapping) and two regression methods to predict EQ-5D-3L domain responses (response mapping) were tested. Random effects models were explored to account for repeated observations from the same individual. Estimated and actual EQ-5D-3L utility scores were compared using 10-fold cross-validation (in-sample) to evaluate predictive performance. Final models were selected using root mean squared error, mean absolute error, and mean error. RESULTS The data set comprised 22,085 observations for which DLQI and EQ-5D-3L were recorded on the same day. A moderate correlation was found between the measures (r = -0.47). Exploratory factor analysis showed that two EQ-5D-3L domains (pain/discomfort and depression/anxiety) were associated with all six DLQI domains. The best-performing model used ordinary least squares with DLQI items, age, and sex as explanatory variables (with squared, cubic, and interaction terms). A tool was produced to allow users to map their data to the EQ-5D-3L, and includes algorithms that require fewer variables (e.g., total DLQI scores). CONCLUSIONS This study produced mapping algorithms that can generate EQ-5D-3L utility scores from DLQI data for economic evaluations of health interventions for patients with psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall J Davison
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander J Turner
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Kathleen McElhone
- The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Christopher E M Griffiths
- The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Katherine Payne
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Maasakkers JD, Jacob DJ, Sulprizio MP, Turner AJ, Weitz M, Wirth T, Hight C, DeFigueiredo M, Desai M, Schmeltz R, Hockstad L, Bloom AA, Bowman KW, Jeong S, Fischer ML. Gridded National Inventory of U.S. Methane Emissions. Environ Sci Technol 2016; 50:13123-13133. [PMID: 27934278 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b02878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We present a gridded inventory of US anthropogenic methane emissions with 0.1° × 0.1° spatial resolution, monthly temporal resolution, and detailed scale-dependent error characterization. The inventory is designed to be consistent with the 2016 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (GHGI) for 2012. The EPA inventory is available only as national totals for different source types. We use a wide range of databases at the state, county, local, and point source level to disaggregate the inventory and allocate the spatial and temporal distribution of emissions for individual source types. Results show large differences with the EDGAR v4.2 global gridded inventory commonly used as a priori estimate in inversions of atmospheric methane observations. We derive grid-dependent error statistics for individual source types from comparison with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) regional inventory for Northeast Texas. These error statistics are independently verified by comparison with the California Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement (CALGEM) grid-resolved emission inventory. Our gridded, time-resolved inventory provides an improved basis for inversion of atmospheric methane observations to estimate US methane emissions and interpret the results in terms of the underlying processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joannes D Maasakkers
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Daniel J Jacob
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Melissa P Sulprizio
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Alexander J Turner
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Melissa Weitz
- Climate Change Division, Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Tom Wirth
- Climate Change Division, Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Cate Hight
- Climate Change Division, Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Mark DeFigueiredo
- Climate Change Division, Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Mausami Desai
- Climate Change Division, Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Rachel Schmeltz
- Climate Change Division, Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Leif Hockstad
- Climate Change Division, Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Anthony A Bloom
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Kevin W Bowman
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Seongeun Jeong
- Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Marc L Fischer
- Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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Kochkina EG, Plesneva SA, Zhuravin IA, Turner AJ, Nalivaeva NN. [The effect of hypoxia on cholinesterase activity in rat sensorimotor cortex]. Zh Evol Biokhim Fiziol 2015; 51:95-102. [PMID: 26027382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the dynamics of changes in postnatal ontogenesis of the activity of soluble and membrane-bound forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in sensorimotor cortex of rats as well as the pattern of their changes after prenatal hypoxia (E14, 7% O2, 3 h) or acute hypoxia in adult animals (4 months, 7% O2, 3 h). In normally developing rats the activity of the membrane-bound AChE form in the sensorimotor cortex gradually increased up to the end of the first month after birth and remained at this high level during all further postnatal ontogenesis, while the activity of the soluble form of AChE reached its maximum on the 10th day after birth and decreased significantly by the end of the first month. In animals exposed to prenatal hypoxia the activity both of the soluble and membrane bound forms of AChE during the first two weeks after birth was 20-25% lower, as compared to controls but increased by the end of the first month and even exceeded the control values remaining increased up to old age (1.5 years). The activity of both BChE forms in rat sensorimotor cortex at all stages of postnatal ontogenesis was significantly lower than of AChE, although the dynamics of their changes was similar to that of AChE. Prenatal hypoxia led to a decrease in the activity of the membrane-bound form of BChE, as compared to controls, practically at all developmental stages studied, but was higher at the end of the first month after birth. At the same time, the activity of the soluble form of BChE was decreased only on the 20th day of development, as compared to the control, but increased from the end of the first month of life onwards. Acute hypoxia in adult rats also led to a decrease in the activity of both forms of AChE and BChE in the sensorimotor cortex but the dynamics of these changes was different for each enzyme. Thus, insufficient oxygen supply to the nervous tissue at different stages of ontogenesis has a significant effect on the activity and ratio of various forms of cholinesterases exhibiting either growth factor or signaling properties. This may lead to changes in brain development and formation of behavioural reactions, including learning and memory, and also increase the risk of development of the sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease (AD)--one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases of advanced age. This study expands our knowledge of the properties of brain cholinesterases under normal and pathological conditions and may be useful for developing new approaches towards prevention and treatment of AD.
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Saif MA, Borrill R, Bigger BW, Lee H, Logan A, Poulton K, Hughes S, Turner AJ, Bonney DK, Wynn RF. In vivo T-cell depletion using alemtuzumab in family and unrelated donor transplantation for pediatric non-malignant disease achieves engraftment with low incidence of graft vs. host disease. Pediatr Transplant 2015; 19:211-8. [PMID: 25546609 DOI: 10.1111/petr.12416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In vivo T-cell depletion, using alemtuzumab therapy prior to SCT, can reduce the incidence of GVHD. This treatment has a potential to delay immune reconstitution resulting in increased morbidity due to viral illnesses. We retrospectively analyzed data on all pediatric patients with non-malignant disorders who received alemtuzumab-based conditioning regimens in our center over the last 10 yr (n = 91). Our data show an OS of 91.2%. The incidence of acute (grade 2-4) GVHD was 18.7% and that of chronic GVHD 5.5%. Viremia due to adenovirus, EBV and CMV was seen in 19.8%, 64.8% and 39.6% patients, respectively, with only two deaths attributed to viral infection (adenovirus). Chimerism level at three month was predictive of graft outcome. Nine patients, who had graft failure after first SCT, were salvaged with a second SCT using RIC and same donor (if available). Based on these results, we conclude that the use of in vivo T-cell depletion is safe, achieves good chimerism and does not lead to increased morbidity and mortality due to viral infections. It is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Saif
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
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Patel VB, Clarke NE, Wang Z, Putko B, Parajuli N, Lo J, Turner AJ, Oudit GY. Angiotensin II Induced Proteolytic Cleavage of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 Is Mediated Via the Tnf-Alpha Converting Enzyme (TACE/ADAM-17): A Positive Feedback Mechanism in the Renin Angiotensin System. Can J Cardiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2013.07.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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20
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Neelov IM, Janaszewska A, Klajnert B, Bryszewska M, Makova NZ, Hicks D, Pearson HA, Vlasov GP, Ilyash MY, Vasilev DS, Dubrovskaya NM, Tumanova NL, Zhuravin IA, Turner AJ, Nalivaeva NN. Molecular properties of lysine dendrimers and their interactions with Aβ-peptides and neuronal cells. Curr Med Chem 2013; 20:134-143. [PMID: 23033946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Prevention of amyloidosis by chemical compounds is a potential therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's, prion and other neurodegenerative diseases. Regularly branched dendrimers and less regular hyperbranched polymers have been suggested as promising inhibitors of amyloid aggregation. As demonstrated in our previous studies, some widely used dendrimers (PAMAM, PPI) could not only inhibit amyloid aggregation in solution but also dissolve mature fibrils. In this study we have performed computer simulation of polylysine dendrimers of 3rd and 5th generations (D3 and D5) and analysed the effect of these dendrimers and some hyperbranched polymers on a lysine base (HpbK) on aggregation of amyloid peptide in solution. The effects of dendrimers on cell viability and their protective action against Aβ-induced cytotoxicity and alteration of K+channels was also analysed using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, using fluorescence microscopy, we analysed uptake of FITC-conjugated D3 by SH-SY5Y cells and its distribution in the brain after intraventricular injections to rats. Our results demonstrated that dendrimers D3 and D5 inhibited amyloid aggregation in solution while HpbK enhanced amyloid aggregation. Cell viability and patch-clamp studies have shown that D3 can protect cells against Aβ-induced cytotoxicity and K+channel modulation. In contrast, HpbK had no protective effect against Aβ. Fluorescence microscopy studies demonstrated that FITC-D3 accumulates in the vacuolar compartments of the cells and can be detected in various brain structures and populations of cells after injections to the brain. As such, polylysine dendrimers D3 and D5 can be proposed as compounds for developing antiamyloidogenic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- I M Neelov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, FIN00014, A.I.Virtasen Aukio 1, Helsinki, Finland
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Turner AJ, Gogoberidze G, Chapman SC. Nonaxisymmetric anisotropy of solar wind turbulence as a direct test for models of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. Phys Rev Lett 2012; 108:085001. [PMID: 22463536 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.085001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Single point spacecraft observations of the turbulent solar wind flow exhibit a characteristic nonaxisymmetric anisotropy that depends sensitively on the perpendicular power spectral exponent. We use this nonaxisymmetric anisotropy as a function of wave vector direction to test models of MHD turbulence. Using Ulysses magnetic field observations in the fast, quiet polar solar wind we find that the Goldreich-Sridhar model of MHD turbulence is not consistent with the observed anisotropy, whereas the observations are well reproduced by the "slab+2D" model. The Goldreich-Sridhar model alone cannot account for the observations unless an additional component is also present.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Turner
- Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
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Turner AJ, Gogoberidze G, Chapman SC, Hnat B, Müller WC. Nonaxisymmetric anisotropy of solar wind turbulence. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 107:095002. [PMID: 21929247 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.095002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A key prediction of turbulence theories is frame-invariance, and in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, axisymmetry of fluctuations with respect to the background magnetic field. Paradoxically the power in fluctuations in the turbulent solar wind are observed to be ordered with respect to the bulk macroscopic flow as well as the background magnetic field. Here, nonaxisymmetry across the inertial and dissipation ranges is quantified using in situ observations from Cluster. The observed inertial range nonaxisymmetry is reproduced by a "fly through" sampling of a direct numerical simulation of MHD turbulence. Furthermore, fly through sampling of a linear superposition of transverse waves with axisymmetric fluctuations generates the trend in nonaxisymmetry with power spectral exponent. The observed nonaxisymmetric anisotropy may thus simply arise as a sampling effect related to Taylor's hypothesis and is not related to the plasma dynamics itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Turner
- Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
The first permanent European settlers of Australia arrived in 1788 to establish a penal colony at Sydney, New South Wales (NSW). As the colony grew and wool production increased, more free settlers and emancipists developed farming in inland Australia. During the 1840s veterinarians commenced arriving in small numbers but they were not closely associated with the development and execution of disease control programs, which was left to lay inspectors of stock. The arrival of William Tyson Kendall and coordinated action with Graham Mitchell led to the establishment of a private veterinary college following the passage of veterinary surgeons legislation in Victoria. From this time, veterinarians came to be appointed to positions formerly occupied by lay inspectors and the veterinary profession was able to take up the role of planning and executing government-led disease control programs. From a colony relying on wool for export to the UK, technical advancements in meat freezing and pasture improvement widened the range and increased the quantity of exported products. Before the advent of veterinary advances, sheep scab was eradicated, a vaccine was developed for anthrax and glanders infection of horses was prevented entry to Australia. Graduates from the Melbourne Veterinary College spread across Australia and in this period a conservative quarantine policy was developed following inaction to control an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and the escape of rabbits to form a plague across the continent. Coordinated control of CBPP had to await the next century and advancement of technology increased our understanding of bacteriology and immunity of infectious diseases. Veterinary services were provided to the militia sent by the colonies to the Boer Wars in South Africa 1987-1901 and the veterinarians from Victoria were led by an Australian trained veterinarian.
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Saif MA, Bonney DK, Bigger B, Forsythe L, Williams N, Page J, Babiker ZO, Guiver M, Turner AJ, Hughes S, Wynn RF. Chronic norovirus infection in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: a cause of prolonged intestinal failure requiring intensive nutritional support. Pediatr Transplant 2011; 15:505-9. [PMID: 21504523 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2011.01500.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Norovirus infection is a major cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis. In immunocompetent individuals the illness caused by norovirus is mostly self limiting. Excretion of norovirus has been reported to be prolonged in the immunocompromised including adult HSCT recipients. We report a case series of 13 children who received HSCT and required prolonged parenteral and enteral nutrition due to severe gut dysfunction accompanying protracted norovirus excretion that was monitored by RT-PCR. The median duration of viral excretion was 150 days (range 60-380) and the eventual clearance of norovirus from feces was closely associated with donor T cell recovery in the peripheral blood. There was no disease manifestation beyond the gut but the severity and length of norovirus associated illness suggests that HSCT should be delayed where possible in patients excreting the virus prior to conditioning therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Saif
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK.
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Hearn SM, Healey JR, McDonald MA, Turner AJ, Wong JLG, Stewart GB. The repeatability of vegetation classification and mapping. J Environ Manage 2011; 92:1174-1184. [PMID: 21232843 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Revised: 10/31/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The mapping of habitats as defined by plant communities is a common component of the planning and monitoring of conservation management. However, there are major concerns about the subjectivity and risk of observer bias in most commonly used plant community mapping protocols. This study provides the first test of the consistency of habitat maps based on the mapping units defined by the National Vegetation Classification (NVC), the most widely used classification of plant communities used for habitat mapping on conservation sites in the UK. Seven surveyors mapped the same upland site within five weeks in summer 2008 and the spatial correspondence of the resulting maps was assessed. The NVC is a hierarchical classification and pair-wise spatial agreement between maps decreased with lower levels of sub-classification. The average area of agreement between maps was 77.6% at the habitat level, 34.2% at the community level and 18.5% at the sub-community level. Spatial disparity in the location of mapped boundaries between vegetation types only made a small contribution to overall differences; the majority of variation between maps was due to discrepancies in classification, with vegetation types containing similar species composition most often confused. Factors relating to surveyor effort (cost, time taken and length of route) were not able to explain the substantial differences between maps. However, the methods used to assign areas to vegetation type did seem to have an effect, with surveyors who relied primarily on their own experience having the highest levels of mean agreement with other maps. The study raises serious concerns with current practice of using the NVC for site description and monitoring/surveillance. Since this is just a single case study, we recommend that further work is carried out with the aim of determining the degree and source of variation between surveyors and how consistency can be increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Hearn
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
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Whyteside AR, Hinsley EE, Lambert LA, McDermott PJ, Turner AJ. ECE-1 influences prostate cancer cell invasion via ET-1-mediated FAK phosphorylation and ET-1-independent mechanisms. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2011; 88:850-4. [PMID: 20725143 DOI: 10.1139/y10-054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Plasma concentrations of the mitogenic peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) are significantly elevated in men with metastatic prostate cancer (PC). ET-1 also contributes to the transition of hormonally regulated androgen-dependent PC to androgen-independent disease. ET-1 is generated from big-ET-1 by endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE-1). ECE-1 is present in PC cell lines and primary tissue and is elevated in primary malignant stromal cells compared with benign. siRNA or shRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous ECE-1 in either the epithelial or stromal compartment significantly reduced PC cell (PC-3) invasion and migration. The re-addition of ET-1 only partially recovered the effect, suggesting ET-1-dependent and -independent functions for ECE-1 in pPC. The ET-1-independent effect of ECE-1 on PC invasion may be due to modulation of downstream signalling events. Addition of an ECE-1 specific inhibitor to PC-3 cells reduced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a signalling molecule known to play a role in PC. siRNA-mediated knockdown of ECE-1 resulted in a significant reduction in FAK phosphorylation. Accordingly, transient ECE-1 overexpression in PNT1-a cells increased FAK phosphorylation. In conclusion, ECE-1 influences PC cell invasion via both ET-1-mediated FAK phosphorylation and ET-1 independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Whyteside
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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Searle E, Patel H, Vilar FJ, Gharib M, Turner AJ, Batra G, Wynn RF. Inflammatory BCG adenitis associated with immune reconstitution following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant in infancy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 54:166-9. [PMID: 19606456 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We describe four cases of a localized, granulomatous reaction to BCG including ipsilateral painful, suppurative lymphadenopathy associated with donor immune reconstitution following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant performed in infancy and preceded by uneventful, routine BCG immunisation. The management of the inflammatory disease in these cases with surgery, antimycobacterial chemotherapy and steroids, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Searle
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
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Dubrovskaia NM, Nalivaeva NN, Plesneva SA, Feponova AA, Turner AJ, Zhuravin IA. [Changes in the activity of amyloid-degrading metallopeptidases leads to disruption of memory in rats]. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova 2009; 59:630-638. [PMID: 19947540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In old male Wistar rats (older than 12 months), or adult males (3-4 months) subjected to prenatal hypoxia (7% 02, 3 h, E14), a disruption of short-term memory was observed. The prenatal hypoxia also led to a decrease in the brain cortex expression of metallopeptidases neprilysin (NEP) and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE-1) which regulate some neuropeptides and are the main beta-amyloid-degrading enzymes. Moreover, a significant decrease (by 2.7 times) in NEP activity in the sensorimotor cortex of old and adult rats subjected to prenatal hypoxia (by 1.7 times) was observed. To confirm possible involvement of these enzymes in memory, the analysis of the effect of microinjections of phosphoramidon (an inhibitor of NEP and ECE-1), and thiorphan (an inhibitor of NEP) into the rat sensorimotor cortex was carried out. In a two-level radial maze test, a disruption of short-term memory was observed 60 and 120 min after i.c. injection ofphosphoramidon (5.9 microg/microl) and 30 and 60 min after i.c. injection of thiorphan (2.5 microg/microl). The involvement of NEP and ECE-1 in short-term memory suggests that a decrease in the level of expression and activity of metallopeptidases involved in metabolism of beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) and other neuropeptides is one of the main factors in disruption of cognitive functions after prenatal hypoxia or in the process of ageing.
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Hamming I, van Goor H, Turner AJ, Rushworth CA, Michaud AA, Corvol P, Navis G. Differential regulation of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 during ACE inhibition and dietary sodium restriction in healthy rats. Exp Physiol 2008; 93:631-8. [PMID: 18192334 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2007.041855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is thought to counterbalance ACE by breakdown of angiotensin (Ang) II and formation of Ang(1-7). Both enzymes are highly expressed in the kidney, but reports on their regulation differ. To enhance our understanding of the regulation of renal ACE and ACE2, we investigated renal ACE and ACE2 expression during conditions of physiological (low-sodium diet) and pharmacological changes (ACE inhibition) in activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Healthy rats were treated with vehicle or lisinopril with either a control or a low-sodium diet, and renal ACE2, ACE and plasma angiotensins were studied. During vehicle treatment, low sodium reduced renal ACE mRNA and activity without affecting ACE2 mRNA or activity and plasma Ang(1-7) and Ang II balance. Lisinopril significantly reduced renal ACE activity without affecting renal ACE2 activity. During ACE inhibition, low sodium reduced both ACE and ACE2 mRNA without affecting ACE2 activity or further reducing ACE activity. Measurements of renal neprilysin activity revealed no significant differences between any of the treatment groups. Plasma Ang(1-7) and Ang II balance is positively shifted towards the beneficial vasopeptide Ang(1-7) by the ACE inhibitor lisinopril, especially during a low sodium intake. In conclusion, modulation of the RAAS, by low sodium intake or ACE inhibition, does not affect renal ACE2 despite major variations in renal ACE. Thus, ACE and ACE2 are differentially regulated by low sodium and ACE inhibition. Therefore, we propose that the beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors are predominantly mediated by modulation of ACE and not ACE2. Whether this also applies to renal disease conditions should be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hamming
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Hamming I, Cooper ME, Haagmans BL, Hooper NM, Korstanje R, Osterhaus ADME, Timens W, Turner AJ, Navis G, van Goor H. The emerging role of ACE2 in physiology and disease. J Pathol 2007; 212:1-11. [PMID: 17464936 PMCID: PMC7167724 DOI: 10.1002/path.2162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 324] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) is a key regulator of systemic blood pressure and renal function and a key player in renal and cardiovascular disease. However, its (patho)physiological roles and its architecture are more complex than initially anticipated. Novel RAAS components that may add to our understanding have been discovered in recent years. In particular, the human homologue of ACE (ACE2) has added a higher level of complexity to the RAAS. In a short period of time, ACE2 has been cloned, purified, knocked‐out, knocked‐in; inhibitors have been developed; its 3D structure determined; and new functions have been identified. ACE2 is now implicated in cardiovascular and renal (patho)physiology, diabetes, pregnancy, lung disease and, remarkably, ACE2 serves as a receptor for SARS and NL63 coronaviruses. This review covers available information on the genetic, structural and functional properties of ACE2. Its role in a variety of (patho)physiological conditions and therapeutic options of modulation are discussed. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hamming
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Thomas S, Klapper PE, Mutton KJ, Turner AJ, Tullo AB, Zambrano I, Carley F, Taylor A. Lack of vision, loss of sight: consequences of mandatory HTLV screening in corneal transplantation. Transpl Infect Dis 2007; 9:171-2. [PMID: 17462007 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2007.00225.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Dubrovskaya NM, Nalivaeva NN, Turner AJ, Zhuravin IA. Effects of an inhibitor of alpha-secretase, which metabolizes the amyloid peptide precursor, on memory formation in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 36:911-3. [PMID: 17024329 DOI: 10.1007/s11055-006-0106-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2005] [Accepted: 05/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Intracortical administration of 10(-4) M batimastat, a specific inhibitor of alpha-secretase (a metalloproteinase which cleaves the amyloid peptide precursor), decreased the number of correct runs in a single-level eight-arm maze to 92.78 +/- 1.03% compared with baseline (p < 0.01) within 60 min. However, injection of batimastat into the cerebral cortex of animals during the early postnatal period (days 5 and 7 of life) led to impaired orientation in the simple single-level maze when these adults reached adulthood (90.92 +/- 2.21% correct runs, p < 0.001) as compared with controls. The data obtained here provide evidence for the important role of alpha-secretase in memory processes. The possible role of alpha-secretase in memory processes and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Dubrovskaya
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Abstract
Proteolytic enzymes constitute around 2% of the human genome and are involved in many stages of cell development from fertilization to death (apoptosis). The identification of many novel proteases from genome-sequencing programs has suggested them as potential new therapeutic targets. In addition, several well-characterized metallopeptidases were recently shown to possess new biological roles in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. As a result of these studies, metabolism of the neurotoxic and inflammatory amyloid peptide (Abeta) is considered as a physiologically relevant process with several metallopeptidases being suggested for the role of amyloid-degrading enzymes. These include the neprilysin (NEP) family of metalloproteinases (including its homologue endothelin-converting enzyme), insulin-degrading enzyme, angiotensin-converting enzyme, plasmin, and, possibly, some other enzymes. NEP also has a role in metabolism of sensory and inflammatory neuropeptides such as tachykinins and neurokinins. The existence of natural enzymatic mechanisms for removal of amyloid peptides has extended the therapeutic avenues in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neurodegeneration. The proteolytic events underlying AD are highly compartmentalized in the cell and formation of amyloid peptide from its precursor molecule APP (amyloid precursor protein) takes place both within intracellular compartments and in the plasma membrane, especially in lipid raft domains. Degradation of amyloid peptide by metallopeptidases can also be both intra- and extracellular depending on the activity of membrane-bound enzymes and their soluble partners. Soluble forms of proteases can be secreted or released from the cell surface through the activity of "sheddases"-another group of proteolytic enzymes involved in key cellular regulatory functions. The activity of proteases involved in amyloid metabolism depends on numerous factors (e.g., genetic, environmental, age), and some conditions (e.g., hypoxia and ischemia) shift the balance of amyloid metabolism toward accumulation of higher concentrations of Abeta. In this regard, regulation of the activity of amyloid-degrading enzymes should be considered as a viable strategy in neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Turner
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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Turner AJ, Nalivaeva NN. Proteinase dysbalance in pathology: the neprilysin (NEP) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) families. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 2006; 52:40-8. [PMID: 17543197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2005] [Accepted: 04/15/2005] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Proteolytic enzymes constitute some 2% of the human genome and provide important therapeutic targets in many diseases. The identification of many novel proteases from genome sequencing programmes provides both qualitative and quantitative challenges to target identification and validation. Some approaches to dealing with these questions and addressing functional correlates of proteolytic activity at the level of molecular cell biology are provided in this review focusing on two spheres of interest: neurodegeneration and cardiovascular regulation. The role and regulation of the neprilysin (NEP) family of metalloproteinases is highlighted in particular in the context of proteolytic events underlying the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. The second exemplar involves the newly appreciated complexity of the renin-angiotensin system as a regulator of the cardiovascular system. The application of functional genomics approaches to the discovery of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a counterbalance to the well known hypertensive target ACE will be highlighted and their differential cellular targeting and enzymology addressed. Finally, the serendipitous discovery of ACE2 as the SARS virus receptor illustrates the surprises always in store from nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Turner
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
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Dabernig J, Shilov B, Schumacher O, Turner AJ, Stirn N, Dabernig W, Lenz C, Schaff J. [The deepithelialized cross-finger flap: a good method for covering large dorsal finger defects]. Unfallchirurg 2006; 109:647-51. [PMID: 16874482 DOI: 10.1007/s00113-006-1087-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injuries to the dorsum of the finger are common. Combination with exposure of important deeper structures needs reconstruction with a flap. The deepithelialized cross-finger flap is a good possibility for covering large dorsal finger defects. PATIENTS AND METHODS From March 2003 to October 2003 six patients (two female, four male) underwent this procedure. RESULTS Neither flap loss nor infection was observed. All defects were covered adequately, and no donor site problems occurred. One week after flap division, the function of the involved finger joints had the same range of motion as the contralateral finger joints. CONCLUSION The deepithelialized cross-finger flap is a good and safe method for defect cover in large dorsal finger defects. The good postoperative range of motion supports the indication for this two-step reconstruction procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dabernig
- Abteilung für Hand-, Mikro- und Plastische Chirurgie, Amper-Kliniken AG, Klinikum Dachau.
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Brant LJ, Hurrelle M, Balogun MA, Klapper P, Ahmad F, Boxall E, Hale A, Hollyoak V, Ibrahim IB, Irving W, Meigh R, Mutton KJ, Patel BC, Paver WK, Pugh S, Taylor C, Turner AJ, Ramsay ME. Sentinel laboratory surveillance of hepatitis C antibody testing in England: understanding the epidemiology of HCV infection. Epidemiol Infect 2006; 135:417-26. [PMID: 16836798 PMCID: PMC2870581 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268806006832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes sentinel laboratory surveillance of hepatitis C antibody testing in England. Demographic and test result data were supplemented by follow-up questionnaires sent to the requesting clinician. Between October 2002 and September 2003 almost 75000 anti-HCV tests were performed in eight sentinel centres. More males were tested than females and over half of those tested were aged 25-44 years. Overall 5.7% (3333/58144, range 2.8-7.7%) individuals tested positive. Follow-up questionnaire data showed that 82% (1043/1277) of the positives had injecting drug use reported as the main risk exposure. The majority of negative individuals were undergoing routine screening as recommended for specific patient groups. Most individuals were asymptomatic. Antibody prevalence was estimated to be 34% in current injecting drug users and 42% in former injectors. Comparing positives to routine national surveillance suggests that only 53% (1782/3333) of diagnosed cases were reported. Sentinel laboratory data can provide valuable supplementary data to national surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Brant
- Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, Colindale, London, UK.
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Dubrovskaia NM, Nalivaeva NN, Turner AJ, Zhuravin IA. [Effect of an inhibitor of alpha-secretase metabolizing amyloid precursor protein on memory in rats]. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova 2005; 55:725-8. [PMID: 16396478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Intracortical administration of 10(-4) M batimastat, a specific inhibitor of one of metalloproteinases metabolizing amyloid precursor protein, namely alpha-secretase, to adult rats resulted in a decrease in the number of correct runs in a one-level 8-arm maze down to 92.78 +/- 1.03% of the control values (p < 0.01) already 60 min after an injection. The effect of a single injection of the inhibitor to adult rats did not have a prolonged character. However, injections of batimastat into the cortex of brain hemispheres of rats during early postnatal ontogenesis (5th and 7th days after birth) resulted in considerable deterioration of 8-arm maze orientation of these animals at adult age (90.92 +/- 2.21% of correct runs, p < 0.001) compared to control animals. The findings suggest an important role of alpha-secretase in memorization. A possible role of alpha-secretase in memory and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is discussed.
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Abstract
Presently, predicting cup size after reduction mammaplasty is largely based on experience. Regnault and Daniel (1984) proposed a formula for estimating the appropriate weight of reduction to achieve a desired cup size. To validate their method, we studied 75 consecutive patients undergoing bilateral breast reduction mammaplasty. Patients were measured pre-operatively and 6 weeks post-operatively using two techniques to determine bra size. Actual weight of breast tissue excised was compared to the predicted values using the Regnault and Daniel formula for each measuring technique (Methods A and B). A modified formula (Method C) was developed to increase the accuracy. The results obtained using Methods A and B were compared with those of Method C. A paired sample t test showed no significant difference between actual and predicted weight of reduction for using Method A or C. Method B systematically underestimated the weight of tissue to be removed. The mean estimate for Method B was 730 g, a difference of -45 g (CI: -81.7 to -8.9; p = 0.015). For Method A, the mean was 765.5 g, a difference of 9.4 g (CI: -68.1 to 49.3; p = 0.75). This compared to Method C where the mean predicted weight of tissue to be removed was 770.4 g, a difference of -4.5 g (95% CI: -42.4 to 33.4; p = 0.81). The implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Turner
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
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Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is the first human homologue of ACE to be described. ACE2 is a type I integral membrane protein which functions as a carboxypeptidase, cleaving a single hydrophobic/basic residue from the C-terminus of its substrates. ACE2 efficiently hydrolyses the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II to angiotensin (1–7). It is a consequence of this action that ACE2 participates in the renin-angiotensin system. However, ACE2 also hydrolyses dynorphin A (1–13), apelin-13 and des-Arg9 bradykinin. The role of ACE2 in these peptide systems has yet to be revealed. A physiological role for ACE2 has been implicated in hypertension, cardiac function, heart function and diabetes, and as a receptor of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. This paper reviews the biochemistry of ACE2 and discusses key findings such as the elucidation of crystal structures for ACE2 and testicular ACE and the development of ACE2 inhibitors that have now provided a basis for future research on this enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Warner
- School of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
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Dawson LA, Maitland NJ, Turner AJ, Usmani BA. Stromal-epithelial interactions influence prostate cancer cell invasion by altering the balance of metallopeptidase expression. Br J Cancer 2004; 90:1577-82. [PMID: 15083188 PMCID: PMC2409712 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Perturbations of stromal–epithelial interactions in the developing tumour can contribute to cancer invasion and metastasis. The structurally related metallopeptidases endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) contribute sequentially to the synthesis and inactivation of ET-1, a mitogenic peptide that has been shown to affect tumour behaviour. This study has investigated the interaction between metastatic tumour epithelial cells, which lack NEP, and stromal cells, which we have shown to express ECE-1 (stromal–epithelial interactions), using Matrigel invasion chambers. The epithelial cell lines utilised in this study include androgen-sensitive LNCaP, androgen-independent PC-3, Du145 and recently established PNT-1a, PNT2-C2 and P4E6 prostate cell lines. Specific inhibition of endogenous ECE-1 activity in stromal cells reduced PC-3 and Du145 invasion by 70 and 50%, respectively. Addition of recombinant NEP to inactivate endogenous mitogenic peptides resulted in 50 and 20% reductions in invasion in PC-3 and Du145 cells, respectively. Neutral endopeptidase effects were reversed in the presence of thiorphan, a specific NEP inhibitor. Supplementation of defined media with bradykinin and ET-1 significantly increased PC-3 invasion by 40 and 50%, respectively. Du145 cell invasion increased by approximately 100% on adding ET-1. These studies implicate the metallopeptidases NEP and ECE-1 as mediators of prostate cancer invasion via a stromal/epithelial interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Dawson
- Proteolysis Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - N J Maitland
- YCR Cancer Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of York YO10 5YW, UK
| | - A J Turner
- Proteolysis Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - B A Usmani
- Proteolysis Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Proteolysis Research Group, School of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. E-mail:
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Flynn DM, Turner AJ, Flynn JT, Snowdon WA. OBITUARY. Aust Vet J 2004. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2004.tb12654.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Abstract
Neprilysin [or neutral endopeptidase (NEP)] and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) are zinc metallopeptidases involved in the extracellular metabolism of biologically active peptides. Recent genomic advances have led to the identification of novel homologues of each of these ectoenzymes and new physiological and pathological roles are emerging for them. The structures of each of these peptidases have recently been solved providing insight into their distinct catalytic sites. In addition to its originally identified role in neuropeptide metabolism in the nervous system, NEP is implicated in regulation of the cardiovascular system and is protective in prostate and certain other cancers. Hence the cellular concentration of NEP is critical to tissue homoeostasis. Most recently, NEP has been shown to exert neuroprotective actions, principally through its ability to catabolize the neurotoxic Alzheimer's amyloid peptide. The only known homologue of ACE, termed ACE2, is critical to cardiovascular function, but its physiological substrates and precise metabolic roles remain to be elucidated. Other members of these growing metallopeptidase families await further characterization and possible exploitation as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Turner
- Proteolysis Research Group, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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Abstract
In the nonamyloidogenic processing pathway the Alzheimer s amyloid precursor protein (APP) is proteolytically cleaved by alpha-secretase. As this cleavage occurs at the Lys16-Leu17 bond within the amyloid beta domain, it prevents deposition of intact amyloidogenic peptide. In addition, the large ectodomain (sAPP(alpha)) released by the action of alpha-secretase has several neuroprotective properties. Studies with a range of hydroxamic acid-based compounds, such as batimastat, indicate that alpha-secretase is a zinc metalloproteinase, and members of the adamalysin family of proteins, TACE, ADAM10 and ADAM9, all fulfil some of the criteria required of alpha-secretase. APP is constitutively cleaved by alpha-secretase in most cell lines. However, on stimulation with muscarinic agonists or activators of protein kinase C, such as phorbol esters, the alpha-secretase cleavage of APP is up-regulated. The constitutive alpha-secretase activity is primarily at the cell surface, while the regulated activity is predominantly located within the Golgi. The beneficial action of cholinesterase inhibitors may in part be due to activation of muscarinic receptors, resulting in an up-regulation of alpha-secretase. Other agents can also increase the nonamyloidogenic cleavage of APP including estrogen, testosterone, various neurotransmitters and growth factors. As the alpha-secretase cleavage of APP both precludes the deposition of the amyloid beta peptide and releases the neuroprotective sAPP(alpha), pharmacological up-regulation of alpha-secretase may provide alternative therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Hooper
- Proteolysis Research Group, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, UK.
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Parkin ET, Turner AJ, Hooper NM. Differential effects of glycosphingolipids on the detergent-insolubility of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane dipeptidase. Biochem J 2001; 358:209-16. [PMID: 11485569 PMCID: PMC1222049 DOI: 10.1042/0264-6021:3580209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The insolubility of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins in certain detergents appears to be an intrinsic property of their association with sphingolipids and cholesterol in lipid rafts. We show that the GPI-anchored protein membrane dipeptidase is localized in detergent-insoluble lipid rafts isolated from porcine kidney microvillar membranes, and that these rafts, which lack caveolin, are enriched not only in sphingomyelin and cholesterol, but also in the glycosphingolipid lactosylceramide (LacCer). Dipeptidase purified from porcine kidney was reconstituted into artificial liposomes in order to investigate the relationship between glycosphingolipids and GPI-anchored protein detergent-insolubility. Dipeptidase was insoluble in liposomes containing extremely low concentrations of LacCer. In contrast, identical concentrations of glucosylceramide or galactosylceramide failed to promote significant detergent-insolubility. Cholesterol was shown to enhance the detergent-insoluble effect of LacCer. GC-MS analysis revealed dramatic differences between the fatty acyl compositions of LacCer and those of the other glycosphingolipids. However, despite these differences, we show that the unusually marked effect of LacCer to promote the detergent-insolubility of dipeptidase cannot be singularly attributed to the fatty acyl composition of this glycosphingolipid molecule. Instead, we suggest that the ability of LacCer to confer detergent-insolubility on this GPI-anchored protein is dependent on the structure of the lipid molecule in its entirety, and that this glycosphingolipid may have an important role to play in the stabilization of lipid rafts, particularly the caveolin-free glycosphingolipid signalling domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Parkin
- School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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Kearns AM, Turner AJ, Taylor CE, George PW, Freeman R, Gennery AR. LightCycler-based quantitative PCR for rapid detection of human herpesvirus 6 DNA in clinical material. J Clin Microbiol 2001; 39:3020-1. [PMID: 11499395 PMCID: PMC88288 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.8.3020-3021.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Alfalah M, Parkin ET, Jacob R, Sturrock ED, Mentele R, Turner AJ, Hooper NM, Naim HY. A point mutation in the juxtamembrane stalk of human angiotensin I-converting enzyme invokes the action of a distinct secretase. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:21105-9. [PMID: 11274151 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m100339200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is one of a number of integral membrane proteins that is proteolytically shed from the cell surface by a zinc metallosecretase. Mutagenesis of Asn(631) to Gln in the juxtamembrane stalk region of ACE resulted in more efficient secretion of the mutant protein (ACE(NQ)) as determined by pulse-chase analysis. In contrast to the wild-type ACE, the cleavage of ACE(NQ) was not blocked by the metallosecretase inhibitor batimastat but by the serine protease inhibitor, 1,3-dichloroisocoumarin. Incubation of the cells at 15 degrees C revealed that ACE(NQ) was cleaved in the endoplasmic reticulum, and mass spectrometric analysis of the secreted form of the protein indicated that it had been cleaved at the Asn(635)-Ser(636) bond, three residues N-terminal to the normal secretase cleavage site at Arg(638)-Ser(639). These data clearly show that a point mutation in the juxtamembrane region of an integral membrane protein can invoke the action of a mechanistically and spatially distinct secretase. In light of this observation, previous data on the effect of mutations in the juxtamembrane stalk of shed proteins being accommodated by a single secretase having a relaxed specificity need to be re-evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Alfalah
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, D-30559 Hannover, Germany
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