Interview of Barbara Millard, Ph.D.

An oral history of Dr. Barbara Millard, professor of English and former Dean of Arts and Sciences, La Salle University. The purpose of this interview is to gather information regarding her impact on La Salle University and her experience during her tenure at the University. This interview part of an oral history project for Dr. Barbara Allen’s’ History 650 Oral History course. Specifically, this interview deals with Dr. Millard’s views on sexism she experienced or witnessed, beginning in the 1970’s until today in 2007. The interview also seeks to explore her views on education, balance between work and life, and her career during her tenure

Modulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as a strategy to reduce vascular inflammation

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which initial vascular damage leads to extensive macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration. Although acutely glucocorticoids suppress inflammation, chronic glucocorticoid excess worsens atherosclerosis, possibly by exacerbating systemic cardiovascular risk factors. However, glucocorticoid action within the lesion may reduce neointimal proliferation and inflammation. Glucocorticoid levels within cells do not necessarily reflect circulating levels due to pre-receptor metabolism by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs). 11β-HSD2 converts active glucocorticoids into inert 11-keto forms. 11β-HSD1 catalyses the reverse reaction, regenerating active glucocorticoids. 11β-HSD2-deficiency/ inhibition causes hypertension, whereas deficiency/ inhibition of 11β-HSD1 generates a cardioprotective lipid profile and improves glycemic control. Importantly, 11β-HSD1-deficiency/ inhibition is atheroprotective, whereas 11β-HSD2-deficiency accelerates atherosclerosis. These effects are largely independent of systemic risk factors, reflecting modulation of glucocorticoid action and inflammation within the vasculature. Here, we consider whether evidence linking the 11β-HSDs to vascular inflammation suggests these isozymes are potential therapeutic targets in vascular injury and atherosclerosis

Distributions and familial studies of blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels in a total community--Tecumseh, Michigan

The medical examination of the population of a complete natural community, Tecumseh, Michigan, has provided a basis for investigation of factors possibly relating to predisposition to chronic disease.The following are reported: 1. 1. Parameters for distributions of blood pressure and cholesterol values for the entire population, including young children.2. 2. Correlations between parents and children within specific age groups and by age-sex adjusted scores; these are relatively low, but consistently positive, being considerably greater for cholesterol than for blood pressure. Thus, there was a distinct resemblance in values between parents and children but the force of similarity was essentially equal over the entire range of distributions of blood pressure and cholesterol. Children resembled mothers and fathers equally in regard to blood pressure, but had some tendency to be more like their mothers in their cholesterol values.3. 3. Correlations between siblings, while somewhat greater, were found to be within the same general range of magnitude as the parent-child comparisons.4. 4. Spouse comparisons, as noted by most other investigators, showed a lack of significant correlations for either variable when all couples are viewed in the aggregate. No gradient of increasing conformity between spouses was demonstrable for either blood pressure or cholesterol when viewed by length of marriage, a rough index of the number of years of a shared environment.5. 5. Comparisons with other studies were presented and types of possible genetic control and environmental interaction was discussed. The present findings are compatible with the concept of a multifactorial genetic and environmental interplay for both blood pressure and cholesterol.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32051/1/0000094.pd