An Overview of Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

Typically affecting males ranging from 20 to 24 years of age, Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is a disorder that is characterized by an acute loss of central vision. Although a heritable disease, LHON does not follow the patterns of classical Mendelian genetics. In fact, one of the most striking characteristics of LHON is that the disease is virtually always inherited maternally. Unlike most genetic disorders that result from a mutation in genomic DNA, LHON is caused by a mutation in the genetic information of mitochondria (mtDNA). Currently there is no treatment for LHON. Despite this, pharmaceutical interventions and contemporary treatment methods, such as gene therapy, are beginning to show promise

Gene Expression Profiling in an Alzheimer\u27s Disease Mouse Model

Explaining precisely how Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—the world’s most common form of dementia—materializes in the human brain has proven to be one of the most elusive ends in modern medicine. Progressive memory loss, neurodegeneration, and the presence of abnormal protein aggregates of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) characterize this disease. Genome sequencing provides researchers with the ability to better identify disease-related changes in gene expression, some of which may play a role in the initiation and progression toward the AD-like state. Intimate interactions between tissues have been observed in many diseases, particularly between the brain and blood. This analysis seeks to employ RNA sequencing techniques in the brain in order to identify potential drivers, molecular passengers, and significant contributors to AD, while overlaying this data with that of the blood to identify candidate genes to be used as disease biomarkers

Development of a hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor system for the continuous production of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid

A hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor system for the continuous production of 2,5-diketo-gluconic acid (2,5-DKG) was constructed and demonstrated. Additionally, key control parameters affecting the production of 2,5-DKG were identified. Pantoea citrea, which possesses three membrane bound enzymes that convert D-glucose into 2,5-DKG, was contained within the extracapillary space of the reactor. The system was designed to provide direct oxygenation to the biomass in the reactor, while liquid nutrients were provided through the intracapillary space. Experiments in which biomass concentration within the reactor and substrate throughput rate were varied identified key operating parameters that control product titre and the volumetric production rate of the system Under the operating conditions used in the experiments, 2,5-DKG concentrations as high as 13 g/L were observed and maintained for 37 hours. Yields as high as 0.54 g 2,5-DKG/g glucose consumed were seen and a maximum volumetric productivity (based upon intracapillary volume) of 3.9 g/L/hr was achieved

Analysis of Differential mRNA and miRNA Expression in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model

Research has shown that changes in gene expression play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Our project will evaluate genome-wide RNA expression patterns from brain and blood in an AD mouse model. This analysis will provide insight regarding the mechanisms of AD pathology as well as determine a possible diagnostic tool utilizing RNA expression patterns found in the blood as biomarkers for AD

Radio Observations of the Region around the Pulsar Wind Nebula HESS J1303-631 with ATCA

Radio observations of the region surrounding PSR J1301-6305 at 5.5 GHz and 7.5 GHz were conducted with ATCA on September 5th, 2013. They were dedicated to the search of the radio counterpart of the evolved pulsar wind nebula HESS J1303-631, detected in X-rays and GeV-TeV gamma-rays. The collected data do not reveal any significant extended emission associated with PSR J1301-6305. In addition, archival 1.384 GHz and 2.368 GHz data do not show any evidence for a radio counterpart of HESS J1303-631. Archival 1.384 GHz observations reveal a detection of an extended structure centred at an angular distance of 190 from the pulsar. This extended structure might be a Supernova remnant (SNR) and a potential birth place of PSR J1301-6305. The implications of the lack of radio counterpart of HESS J1303-631 on the understanding of the nature of the PWN are discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in A&

Lipid Profile and Admission/Discharge Locations as Predictors of 60 Day Readmission in Adults 65 or Older with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Reducing 30 and 60 day hospital readmissions is critical to our healthcare systems. Older folks with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) account for a disproportionate amount of readmissions. Through recognizing factors that correlate to readmissions, patients at risk may be identified. Objective: To conduct a retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMR) to determine if there is an association between the lipid profile and admission and discharge locations of hospitalized older adults and whether they were rehospitalized 60-days post discharge. Methods: EMRs were reviewed of 86 randomly selected consenting participants who were admitted to a community hospital and were age \u3e 65 and older with T2DM. Results: Patients readmitted within 60 days of their incidental hospitalization had no statistically significant difference in their demographics, the location they were admitted to, or with the components of their lipid profile. There did exist a statistically significant difference in the locations patients were discharged to. Conclusion: Readmitted patients and non-readmitted patients did not differ on their demographics, admission location, or with the components of their lipid profile. Among those non-readmitted, it was more likely that they would be discharged to a skilled nursing facility then back to the community

Significant Up-regulation of Mir-17 in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model

Previous work by our group has demonstrated a correlation between AD pathology and changes in epigenetic markers, including cytosine methylation of gene promoter regions. Several genes determined to have AD-related changes in methylation code for miRNA, which is known to regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. Research suggests that miRNA play a key role in AD development by alteration of gene products and transcription factors, particularly in that of amyloid-ß (Aß) production and apoptosis of postmitotic neurons. This analysis shows a significant up-regulation of demonstrated epigenetically modified miR-17 in the hippocampi of transgenic AD mice when compared to that of non-AD mice. MiR-17 belongs to the polycistronic cluster miR-17-92 and is believed to be involved in normal neuronal cell proliferation and ultimately the regulation of Beclin-1, which has been shown to modulate amyloid beta accumulation in mice

Passive exercise provides a simultaneous and postexercise executive function benefit

Introduction: Passive exercise involves limb movement via an external force and is an intervention providing an immediate postexercise executive function (EF) benefit. It is, however, unknown whether EF is improved simultaneous with passive exercise—a salient question given the advent of passive (and active) exercise workstations designed to enhance productivity and wellbeing for individuals engaged in sedentary occupations. Methods: Here, participants (N = 23) completed separate 20-min conditions involving active (i.e., via volitional muscle activation) and passive (i.e., via mechanically driven cycle ergometer) cycle ergometry and a non-exercise control condition. EF was assessed prior to (i.e., preintervention), simultaneous with, and immediately after (post-intervention) each condition via the antipointing task. Antipointing involves a goal-directed limb movement mirror-symmetrical to a target and is an ideal tool for the current investigation given that the task is mediated via EF inhibitory control networks that show response-dependent changes following a single bout of exercise. Results and discussion: Results showed that passive exercise produced a simultaneous and post-intervention reduction in antipointing reaction time (RT), whereas active exercise selectively produced a post-intervention—but not simultaneous—RT reduction. Thus, passive and active exercise elicited a postexercise EF benefit; however, only passive exercise produced a simultaneous benefit. That passive—but not active—exercise produced a simultaneous benefit may reflect that the intervention provides the necessary physiological or psychological changes to elicit improved EF efficiency without the associated dual-task cost(s) of volitional muscle activity

Blurring the boundaries of the Mackintosh room

In this paper we describe a prototype interactive systemsupporting a shared synchronous experience for physical,World Wide Web and virtual reality visitors to anexhibition devoted to the designer and architect C.R.Mackintosh. The system provides awareness betweenvisitors that spans multiple media while also providinglocation- and device-sensitive content to each visitor