National Jewish Health

About: National Jewish Health is a healthcare organization based out in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Asthma & T cell. The organization has 883 authors who have published 833 publications receiving 79201 citations. The organization is also known as: National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

A Novel Upstream Activator in the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signal Transduction Pathway

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of a novel upstream activator in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway. Growth factor receptor-mediated signals initiated at the plasma membrane must traverse the cytoplasm and converge in the nucleus to alter gene expression and commit a cell to mitogenesis. One mechanism by which these regulatory signals are relayed is via the activation of a network of Ser/Thr protein kinases. Within this network, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are rapidly activated by both tyrosine kinase-encoded growth factor receptor, that is, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, and pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi-coupled receptor, that is, thrombin receptor. While the rapid activation of MAPKs by EGF/Tyr kinase receptors is a Ras-dependent process, thrombin/Gi mediated MAPK activation appears to occur via Ras-independent pathway(s). MAPKs or their immediate upstream regulators (MEKs, for MAP kinase/Erk kinase kinases) may behave as the convergence points for diverse receptor-initiated signal events. Homologs of the vertebrate MAPK network function in the yeast mating/pheromone-induced signaling pathway. Similarly, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein kinases STE11 and STE7 act upstream of putative MAPK homologs FUS3 and KSS1.

miRNA Quantification Method Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction in Conjunction with C q Method.

Abstract: MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that function to regulate gene expression. In general, miRNAs are posttranscriptional regulators that imperfectly bind to the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of target mRNAs bearing complementary sequences, and target more than half of all protein-coding genes in the human genome. The dysregulation of miRNA expression and activity has been linked with numerous diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and diabetes. To better understand the relationship between miRNAs and human disease, a variety of techniques have been used to measure and validate miRNA expression in many cells, tissues, body fluids, and organs. For many years, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has been the gold standard for measuring relative gene expression, and is now also widely used to assess miRNA abundance. In this chapter, we describe a quick protocol for miRNA extraction, reverse transcription, qPCR, and data analysis.

Nocturnal Asthma: Therapeutic Considerations

Abstract: Nocturnal asthma is an important part of asthma and must be considered in regard to therapy. The majority of patients with asthma have nocturnal worsening in lung function. The aetiology of this process is multifactorial and interactive. There are many naturally occurring circadian rhythms, which for the normal individual have only a minor effect on lung function. However, in the asthmatic patient, these day to night alterations in circadian rhythm produce increased airway inflammation and worsening of asthma. Therapy should be approached from 2 viewpoints. First, there are indirect interventions which can improve nocturnal asthma. These include treatment of sleep apnoea, if it exists in an asthma patient, high-gastroesophageal reflux and rhinosinusitis, as well as inspiratory muscle training. The second treatment option focuses on direct pharmacological approaches using the new concept of chronotherapy. That is, instead of viewing a patient as being in homeostasis and administering medication in equally divided doses, treatment should be focused on delivering higher doses of medication at the time of day when the disease process is at its most severe.