Keele University

About: Keele University is a education organization based out in Newcastle-under-Lyme, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Stars. The organization has 11318 authors who have published 26323 publications receiving 894671 citations. The organization is also known as: Keele University.

Polymorphism at the Glutathione S -transferase GSTP1 Locus A New Marker for Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness and Asthma

Abstract: Most genetic studies of asthma have concentrated on genes on chromosomes 11q and 5q and their association with the key asthma-related phenotypes of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and atopy. Although asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, a critical component of which is oxidative stress, few data exist on genes involved in protecting against this insult. We describe an association study designed to examine whether allelic variation at the glutathione-S-transferase GSTP1 locus influences expression of the BHR and atopy phenotypes in asthma. The enzyme encoded by GSTP1 utilizes a variety of lipid and DNA products of oxidative stress, and polymorphic variants of this gene are associated with altered catalytic function of this enzyme. We found that the frequency of GSTP1 Val(105)/Val(105) was significantly lower in asthmatic than in control subjects. Indeed, the presence of this genotype conferred a sixfold lower risk of asthma than did GSTP1 Ile(105)/Ile(105). Remarkably, asthma risk in Val(105) homozygotes was further reduced (by ninefold) after correction for atopic indices, age, and gender. Trend analysis after stratification according to the degree of bronchial reactivity/obstruction showed that the frequency of GSTP1 Val(105)/Val(105) correlates with decreasing severity of airway dysfunction. Furthermore, subjects with GSTP1 Val(105)/Val(105) have four- and 10-fold lower risks, respectively, of exhibiting atopy defined by skin test positivity and IgE level. These data show that GSTP1 polymorphism is strongly associated with asthma and related phenotypes, and provide an alternative explanation for the linkage of chromosome 11q13 with BHR and atopy.

Human exposure to aluminium

Abstract: Human activities have circumvented the efficient geochemical cycling of aluminium within the lithosphere and therewith opened a door, which was previously only ajar, onto the biotic cycle to instigate and promote the accumulation of aluminium in biota and especially humans. Neither these relatively recent activities nor the entry of aluminium into the living cycle are showing any signs of abating and it is thus now imperative that we understand as fully as possible how humans are exposed to aluminium and the future consequences of a burgeoning exposure and body burden. The aluminium age is upon us and there is now an urgent need to understand how to live safely and effectively with aluminium.

Scalar properties in human timing: Conformity and violations

Abstract: Data from studies of timing in human participants were reviewed with respect to their conformity to the two scalar properties of timing: mean accuracy and the scalar property of variance. Results reviewed were taken from studies of temporal generalization, temporal bisection, discrimination methods, and "classical" timing tasks such as the reproduction, production, and verbal estimation of duration. Evidence for one or both scalar properties was found in many studies, including those using children and elderly participants, but systematic violations were sometimes noted. These violations occurred (a) when very short durations (< 100 ms) were timed, (b) in situations in which timing tasks varying in difficulty were compared, (c) when classical timing tasks were employed, and (d) in situations where highly practised observers exhibited unusual patterns of variance. A later section attempted to reconcile some of these violations with an underlying scalar-consistent timing mechanism.