1
|
Cahalin L, Garber C, Burr J, Caro F. Impact of a new and remote diagnosis of heart disease on exercise behavior in older adults. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwac056.289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background/Introduction
Exercise is an important factor in the primary and secondary prevention of heart disease. However, few data are available on predictors of exercise in older adults, especially the impact of a new and remote diagnosis of heart disease (NHDD and RHDD, respectively) on exercise behavior. It is possible that the motivational impact of a NHDD may be more powerful than a RHDD in promoting exercise in older persons.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of exercise in older adults using the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), a prospective, nationally representative household survey examining retirement and health among older persons in the United States that is repeated every two years. We hypothesized that older persons with a NHDD and RHDD will be more likely to exercise.
Methods
Data from respondents who were age 55 or older in 1998 were grouped using three waves of the HRS (1998, 2000, and 2002) which provided three distinct person-wave observations for each respondent, yielding 38,634 respondent person-wave observations (9,629 with RHDD and 1,689 with NHDD) with a mean age of 70±9 years (55% female). Logistic regression models were developed to examine the predictors of exercise while controlling for a variety of demographic and health related variables.
Results
A NHDD was the strongest positive predictor (odds ratio=1.195, p<0.01; 95% CI=1.054-1.355) while a RHDD was not a significant predictor of exercise in older adults (odds ratio=1.034, p=0.31; 95% CI=.969-1.105). No significant difference in demographic, co-morbid conditions, or perceived health was observed between older adults with a NHDD and RHDD.
Conclusions
A NHDD was a strong positive predictor of exercise in older adults. A RHDD was not a significant predictor of exercise, suggesting that the motivation impact of a heart disease diagnosis lessens over time and secondary prevention efforts such as cardiac rehabilitation continue to be of importance. Long-term programming for maintenance of exercise in older persons with a RHDD appears to be particularly important and requires further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Cahalin
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, United States of America
| | - C Garber
- Columbia University, New York, United States of America
| | - J Burr
- University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), Boston, United States of America
| | - F Caro
- University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston), Boston, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Molina-Molina M, Buendia I, Castillo D, Caro F, Valenzuela C, Selman M. Novedades diagnósticas y terapéuticas en fibrosis pulmonar progresiva. Arch Bronconeumol 2022; 58:418-424. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
|
3
|
Benavidez F, Rodriguez G, Riopedre A, Mata D, Benitez A, Peon C, Viola M, Blanco ES, Molina H, Garbarino C, Secco A, Caceres A, Sasaki P, Carballo G, Ingenito F, Fernandez M, Alberti L, Caro F, Paulin F, Delavega M. FRI0056 LUNG COMPROMISE SCREENING IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY RA. A MULTICENTRIC CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY. Ann Rheum Dis 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.1003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 0.4-1.3% of general population (1). It can affect lungs in different ways, with interstitial lung disease (ILD) as the most severe. Clinically evident ILD has been reported in 10-42% of patients, with a great impact in prognosis (2).Objectives:Toidentify the prevalence of lung involvement in early rheumatoid arthritis patients (ERA) without previous known lung disease and describe the association between high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), lung functional tests (LFT) and clinical findings.Methods:Cross sectional multicentric study. We included ERA patients (1 year or less since diagnose) consecutively. Patients with previous RA related lung disease or biologic/targeted synthetic Dmard treatment were excluded. HRCT, immunological tests (rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, ANA), LFT and clinical evaluation were performed.Results:We included 74 patients, 63 (85,1%) woman, mean (SD) of 47 (17,7) years. Thirty-seven patients (50%) were current or former smokers. Abnormal findings in HRCT were found in 62 patients (88,6%): ILD in 6 (8,6%), airway involvement in 40 (70%) and emphysema in 7 (10%). Ten patients (13,5%) had abnormal auscultation (2 sibilances, 2 roncus, and 6 crackles). Six patients (8,1%) had digital clubbing. Regarding immunological tests, 54/61 (88,5%) patients were positive for Anti CCP, and 53/61 (86,9%) were positive for FR. We compared features of patients with findings related to RA in HRCT (interstitial and/or airway) with those without them. We found no differences in the mean (SD) of DAS-28 [4,74 (1,38) vs 4,32 (1,39); p= 0,27]. The prevalence of anti- CCP was not higher in patients with abnormal HRCT [38/44 (86,3%) vs 16/17 (94,1%); p=0,39]. Patients with abnormal HRCT were older [median (IQR) 50,5 years (44,5-59,5) vs 43 years (32-51); p=0,008) and showed higher VSG values [mean (SD) 39,09 (24,03) vs 27,38 (17,6); p= 0,043]. Abnormal physical examination or dyspnea (class 2 mMRC or higher) was significantly associated with HRCT abnormalities [26 (50%) vs 3 (13,6%); p=0.003) and the presence of ILD on HRCT was significantly associated with crackles on the auscultation [4/68(6,25%) vs 2/6 (33,33%); p 0,023].Conclusion:This study shows a high prevalence of lung involvement in ERA patients of less 1 year from diagnosis. Also, we showed a significant association between HRCT and physical examination findings. This data highlights the importance of the clinical examination in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. More studies with bigger samples and longitudinal follow up are needed to confirm and complete our results.References:[1]Rooney BK, Silman AJ. Epidemiology of the rheumatic diseases. Curr Opin Rheumatol [Internet]. 1999 Mar [cited 2016 Jul 19];11(2):91–7. Available from:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10319210.[2]Antin-Ozerkis D, Evans J, Rubinowitz A, Homer RJ, Matthay RA. Pulmonary Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Clin Chest Med [Internet]. 2010;31(3):451–78. Available from:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ccm.2010.04.003.Disclosure of Interests:None declared
Collapse
|
4
|
Zheng W, Zhao W, Wu M, Song X, Caro F, Sun X, Gazzaniga F, Stefanetti G, Oh S, Mekalanos JJ, Kasper DL. Microbiota-targeted maternal antibodies protect neonates from enteric infection. Nature 2020; 577:543-548. [PMID: 31915378 PMCID: PMC7362890 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1898-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although maternal antibodies protect newborn babies from infection1,2, little is known about how protective antibodies are induced without prior pathogen exposure. Here we show that neonatal mice that lack the capacity to produce IgG are protected from infection with the enteric pathogen enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli by maternal natural IgG antibodies against the maternal microbiota when antibodies are delivered either across the placenta or through breast milk. By challenging pups that were fostered by either maternal antibody-sufficient or antibody-deficient dams, we found that IgG derived from breast milk was crucial for protection against mucosal disease induced by enterotoxigenic E. coli. IgG also provides protection against systemic infection by E. coli. Pups used the neonatal Fc receptor to transfer IgG from milk into serum. The maternal commensal microbiota can induce antibodies that recognize antigens expressed by enterotoxigenic E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae species. Induction of maternal antibodies against a commensal Pantoea species confers protection against enterotoxigenic E. coli in pups. This role of the microbiota in eliciting protective antibodies to a specific neonatal pathogen represents an important host defence mechanism against infection in neonates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zheng
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xinyang Song
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Florence Caro
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ximei Sun
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Giuseppe Stefanetti
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sungwhan Oh
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John J Mekalanos
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis L Kasper
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rojas J, Sanchez F, Caro F, Miguez J, Patrucco L, Funes J, Cristiano E. Brain volume loss and no evidence of disease activity over 3 years in multiple sclerosis patients under interferon beta 1a subcutaneous treatment. J Clin Neurosci 2019; 59:175-178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.10.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
6
|
Zhao W, Caro F, Robins W, Mekalanos JJ. Antagonism toward the intestinal microbiota and its effect on Vibrio cholerae virulence. Science 2018; 359:210-213. [PMID: 29326272 PMCID: PMC8010019 DOI: 10.1126/science.aap8775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a nanomachine that delivers toxic effector proteins into target cells, killing them. In mice, we found that the Vibrio cholerae T6SS attacks members of the host commensal microbiota in vivo, facilitating the pathogen's colonization of the gut. This microbial antagonistic interaction drives measurable changes in the pathogenicity of V. cholerae through enhanced intestinal colonization, expression of bacterial virulence genes, and activation of host innate immune genes. Because ablation of mouse commensals by this enteric pathogen correlated with more severe diarrheal symptoms, we conclude that antagonism toward the gut microbiota could improve the fitness of V. cholerae as a pathogen by elevating its transmission to new susceptible hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Florence Caro
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - William Robins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John J. Mekalanos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Corresponding Author:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ernst G, Dantas E, Sabatté J, Caro F, Salvado A, Grynblat P, Geffner J. Histidine-rich glycoprotein and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Med 2015; 109:1589-91. [PMID: 26525373 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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] [Received: 04/05/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is an enigmatic glycoprotein able to interact with a variety of ligands such as IgG, complement components, heparan sulfate, thrombospondin, fibrinogen and plasminogen. HRG is present at high concentrations in plasma and there is evidence indicating that it is able to modulate the course of biological processes such as angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, complement activation, coagulation and fibrinolysis. Because these processes are involved in the pathogeneses of lung fibrosis we here analyzed a possible link between HRG and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We found that plasma concentrations of HRG are significantly diminished in IPF patients compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between HRG plasma levels and forced vital capacity (FVC) values, suggesting that plasma concentration of HRG would be a useful indicator of disease activity in IPF. HRG has been described as a negative acute phase reactant able to accumulate at sites of tissue injury. Hence, we also measured the concentrations of HRG in BAL samples from IPF patients. We found that the concentrations of HRG in samples from IPF patients were significantly higher compared to controls, suggesting that the reduced concentration of HRG in plasma from IPF patients could be due, at least in part, to an enhanced uptake of this protein in the lung.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Ernst
- Hospital María Ferrer, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hospital Británico, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - E Dantas
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Sabatté
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F Caro
- Hospital María Ferrer, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A Salvado
- Hospital Británico, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - P Grynblat
- Hospital María Ferrer, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Geffner
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Caro F, Ahyong V, Betegon M, DeRisi JL. Genome-wide regulatory dynamics of translation in the Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood stages. eLife 2014; 3. [PMID: 25493618 PMCID: PMC4371882 DOI: 10.7554/elife.04106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [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: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of the transcriptome and proteome of Plasmodium
falciparum has been a tremendous resource for the understanding of the
molecular physiology of this parasite. However, the translational dynamics that link
steady-state mRNA with protein levels are not well understood. In this study, we
bridge this disconnect by measuring genome-wide translation using ribosome profiling,
through five stages of the P. falciparum blood phase developmental
cycle. Our findings show that transcription and translation are tightly coupled, with
overt translational control occurring for less than 10% of the transcriptome.
Translationally regulated genes are predominantly associated with merozoite egress
functions. We systematically define mRNA 5′ leader sequences, and 3′
UTRs, as well as antisense transcripts, along with ribosome occupancy for each, and
establish that accumulation of ribosomes on 5′ leaders is a common transcript
feature. This work represents the highest resolution and broadest portrait of gene
expression and translation to date for this medically important parasite. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04106.001 The genome of an organism includes all of the genes or information necessary to
build, maintain, and replicate that organism. However, cells with the same
genome—such as a skin cell and a liver cell from the same person—can
look and behave very differently depending on which of the genes in their genomes
they express, and to what extent. For a gene to be expressed, its DNA is ‘transcribed’ to make an RNA
molecule, which is then ‘translated’ to make a protein. Efforts to
measure the transcription and translation processes in diseased cells, or in the
microorganisms that cause infections, may lead to new treatments and preventative
medicines. Such work is currently ongoing in the global effort to treat and prevent
malaria. Malaria is both preventable and curable, yet over 600,000 people are estimated to die
from this disease each year. The disease is caused by a single-celled parasite called
Plasmodium. Mosquitoes carry the parasites in their salivary
glands, and when a mosquito bites a human, these parasites are injected into the
bloodstream with the mosquito's saliva. Plasmodium parasites then
travel to and infect the liver, before bursting out of this tissue into the
bloodstream. Here, the parasites infect red blood cells and undergo rounds of
replication during which the symptoms of the disease are manifested. It is also
during this bloodstream phase that parasites can develop into forms capable of
infecting another mosquito and continuing the transmission cycle. The genes, RNA molecules, and proteins of the Plasmodium falciparum
parasite—which causes the most serious cases of malaria in humans—have
been cataloged to better understand the biology of this parasite. However, the
processes that control how, and when, an RNA transcript is translated into a protein
are not well understood. Now Caro et al. have uncovered which RNA molecules are being translated, and by how
much, during Plasmodium development within the blood. The
transcription and translation of genes in this parasite were found to be tightly
linked processes; the expression of only a few genes was controlled more by the
translation process than by transcription. These translationally regulated genes were
found mainly to be those that encode proteins involved in the parasite's exit from
the red blood cells and spread throughout the bloodstream. Caro et al. discovered that genetic regulation of the malaria parasite resembles a
preset genetic program, rather than a system that responds to changes and external
signals. As such, these findings suggest that targeting such a genetic program within
Plasmodium and preventing its implementation could prove an
effective strategy to curb the spread of malaria. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04106.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence Caro
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Vida Ahyong
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Miguel Betegon
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Joseph L DeRisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Caro F, Miller MG, DeRisi JL. Plate-based transfection and culturing technique for genetic manipulation of Plasmodium falciparum. Malar J 2012; 11:22. [PMID: 22257490 PMCID: PMC3293776 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic manipulation of malaria parasites remains an inefficient, time-consuming and resource-intensive process. Presented here is a set of methods for 96-well plate-based transfection and culture that improve the efficiency of genetic manipulation of Plasmodium falciparum. Compared to standard protocols plate-based transfection requires 20-fold less DNA, transient transfection efficiency achieved is approximately seven-fold higher, whilst stable transfection success rate is above 90%. Furthermore the utility of this set of protocols to generate a knockout of the PfRH3 pseudogene, screened by whole-cell PCR, is demonstrated. The methods and tools presented here will facilitate genome-scale genetic manipulation of P. falciparum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence Caro
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
de la Portilla F, Rada R, Vega J, Segovia-González MM, Caro F, Cisneros N, Maldonado VH. Transanal rectocele repair using linear stapler and bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement material: short-term results of a prospective study. Dis Colon Rectum 2010; 53:88-92. [PMID: 20010357 DOI: 10.1007/dcr.0b013e3181baec51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to determine the short-term results of transanal rectocele repair with use of a linear stapler and Bioabsorbable Seamguard. METHODS Ten women (median age, 56.1 y) with obstructed defecation syndrome were enrolled in the study. The preoperative study consisted of a medical history, physical examination, anoscopy, endoanal ultrasound, and defecography. All patients completed a severity score and a visual analog scale for global quality of life, and provided the postoperative dates of complications. RESULTS Overall, the treatment significantly improved the obstructed defecation: the severity score improved from a median of 19.8 +/- 4.2 at baseline to 6.10 +/- 8.2 at one month (P < .005), 5.9 +/- 8.3 at 6 months (P < .005), and 6 +/- 8.3 at one year after the operation (P < .005). A significant improvement was observed in the visual analog scale, which improved from a median of 1.8 +/- 1.4 at baseline to 6 +/- 1.6 at one month (P < .005), 6.6 +/- 2.1 at 6 months (P < .004), and 7 +/- 2.5 at one year (P < .004). A significant improvement was also observed in various symptoms. Only 2 patients manifested urgent defecation. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that rectocele repair using a linear stapler and Seamguard is a safe, easy procedure, with a very low rate of complications and good immediate outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F de la Portilla
- Coloproctology Unit, Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital, Huelva, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Caro F, Bercovich N, Atorrasagasti C, Levin MJ, Vázquez MP. Trypanosoma cruzi: analysis of the complete PUF RNA-binding protein family. Exp Parasitol 2006; 113:112-24. [PMID: 16460732 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2005.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 08/31/2005] [Revised: 12/20/2005] [Accepted: 12/21/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The members of the PUF family of RNA-binding proteins regulate the fate of mRNAs by binding to their 3'UTR sequence elements in eukaryotes. In trypanosomes, for which gene expression is polycistronic and controlled almost exclusively by post-transcriptional processes, PUF proteins could play a crucial role. We report here the complete analysis of the PUF protein family of Trypanosoma cruzi composed of 10 members. In silico analysis predicts the existence of at least three major groups within the T. cruzi family, based on their putative binding specificity. Using yeast three hybrid assays, we tested some of these predictions for TcPUF1, TcPUF3, TcPUF5, and TcPUF8 as representatives of these groups. Data mining of the T. cruzi genome led us to describe putative binding targets for the TcPUFs of the most conserved group, TcPUF1 and TcPUF2. The targets include genes for mitochondrial proteins and protein kinases. Finally, immunolocalization experiments showed that TcPUF1 is localized in multiple discrete foci in the cytoplasm supporting its proposed function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence Caro
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas--INGEBI--CONICET, Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Caro F, Bercovich N, Atorrasagasti C, Levin MJ, Vázquez MP. Protein interactions within the TcZFP zinc finger family members of Trypanosoma cruzi: implications for their functions. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 333:1017-25. [PMID: 15964555 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 06/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The small zinc finger proteins tbZFP1 and tbZFP2 have been implicated in the control of Trypanosoma brucei differentiation to the procyclic form. Here, we report that the complete ZFP family in Trypanosoma cruzi is composed by four members, ZFP1A and B, and ZFP2A and B. ZFP1B is a paralog specific gene restricted to T. cruzi, while the ZFP2A and B paralogs diverged prior to the trypanosomatid lineage separation. Moreover, we demonstrate that TcZFP1 and TcZFP2 members interact with each other and that this interaction is mediated by a WW domain in TcZFP2. Also, TcZFP2B strongly homodimerizes by a glycine rich region absent in TcZFP2A. We propose a model to discuss the relevance of these protein-protein interactions in terms of the functions of these proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence Caro
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas-INGEBI-CONICET, Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
This study aimed to establish correlates of the dimensions of schizophrenia in the premorbid personality traits of patients. A sample of 112 patients of relatively recent illness onset who were admitted for a psychotic episode were assessed with a semistructured interview for schizophrenia. Positive and negative symptoms were evaluated with the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms at the time of hospital discharge; positive, negative, and disorganization scores were obtained from these scales. Premorbid personality was assessed blindly through a partially modified version of the Personality Assessment Schedule using interviews with the parents or a close relative. Schizoid traits were significantly associated with negative and positive dimensions. Sociopathic traits were related to the disorganization dimension. Trends toward significance were obtained between passive-dependent traits and the negative and disorganization dimensions, and between the schizotypal dimension and the positive dimension. Partial correlational analyses were used to control for the effect of the remaining personality dimensions on the above relationships. Schizoid premorbid traits were still significantly related to the negative dimension but to a lesser degree to the disorganization and positive dimensions. The association between sociopathic premorbid traits and the disorganization dimension remained significant. These results suggest the preexistence of a three-dimensional structure predisposing to psychoses within the premorbid personality; this structure is more evident in patients with short illness duration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Cuesta
- Psychiatric Unit, Virgen del Camino Hospital, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
A principal component analysis of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) scores has recently shown three factors. Only the Perseveration factor may measure the activity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenic patients. Liddle has hypothesized that a dysfunction in this area is specifically related to the negative syndrome and not to other schizophrenic syndromes (positive and disorganization). The factor analysis of the WCST was replicated with similar results in 38 schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients. In the total group, the correlation between the negative syndrome and the Perseveration factor did not reach significant levels. In the patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 30), the correlations did reach significant levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Cuesta
- Psychiatric Unit I, Virgin del Camino Hospital, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to test whether poor insight in patients with psychotic disorders is correlated with their performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. METHOD The subjects included 52 psychotic patients (35 of whom had schizophrenia) given diagnoses according to DSM-III-R criteria. Their scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (number of categories and perseverative responses) were compared with those on three items measuring poor insight: lack of feeling ill, lack of insight, and uncooperativeness. RESULTS None of the six correlations between scores on the two measures of the neuropsychological test and the three items measuring insight was significant. CONCLUSIONS In spite of its limitations, this study suggests that poor insight may not be associated with poor performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Cuesta
- Psychiatric Unit 1, Virgen del Camino Hospital, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
A study was conducted to survey the prescribing practices of neuroleptic doses in 100 consecutively hospitalized DSM-III-R schizophrenic patients. The relationship between doses and clinical and symptomatological variables was subsequently analyzed. Patients were evaluated through the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The peak mean dose in chlorpromazine equivalents was 1290 (range 250-7200). Haloperidol was the most commonly employed neuroleptic (67 patients). Neuroleptic doses were correlated with excitement, suspiciousness, hostility, uncooperativeness and poor impulse control. The neuroleptic doses administered in our hospital were similar to those found in other survey reports but higher than those recommended by the controlled dose-response studies. The correlation found between neuroleptic doses and symptoms of disruptive behavior suggests that we employed high-dose practices to treat the disruptive symptoms of schizophrenia. We concluded that it is useful to distinguish between the neuroleptic doses required to control the psychotic episode and those to treat the disruptive behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Peralta
- Psychiatric Unit, Virgen del Camino Hospital, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Caro F. Zur Frage der Teilbarkeit des Hausarztfixums 1). Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1911. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1130471] [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: 10/20/2022]
|