University of Alabama at Birmingham

About: University of Alabama at Birmingham is a education organization based out in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 38523 authors who have published 86775 publications receiving 3930642 citations. The organization is also known as: UAB & The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Intracellular cyclic GMP receptor proteins

Abstract: Cyclic GMP is recognized as an important intracellular mediator of extracellular signals such as nitric oxide and natriuretic peptides. Cyclic GMP interacts with three types of intracellular receptor proteins: cGMP-dependent protein kinases, cGMP-regulated ion channels, and cGMP-regulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. This means that cGMP can alter cell function through protein phosphorylation or through mechanisms not directly related to protein phosphorylation. Cyclic GMP appears to regulate a number of intracellular processes, such as vascular smooth muscle relaxation and neutrophil activation, through these receptor proteins in the cell. It is also becoming clear that the localization of these cGMP receptor proteins in the cell is an important factor in the regulation of cell function by cGMP.

A bactericidal effect for human lactoferrin

Abstract: Streptococcus mutans and Vibrio cholerae, but not Escherichia coli, were killed by incubation with purified human apolactoferrin. Concentrations of lactoferrin below that necessary for total inhibition resulted in a marked reduction in viable colony-forming units. This bactericidal effect was contingent upon the metal-chelating properties of the lactoferrin molecule.

Aging of the human photoreceptor mosaic: evidence for selective vulnerability of rods in central retina.

Abstract: Purpose Because previous studies suggested degeneration and loss of photoreceptors in aged human retina, the spatial density of cones and rods subserving the central 43 degrees of vision as a function of age was determined. Methods Cones and rods were counted in 27 whole mounted retinas from donors aged 27 to 90 years with macroscopically normal fundi. Photoreceptor topography was analyzed with new graphic and statistical techniques. Results Changes in cone density throughout this age span showed no consistent relationship to age or retinal location, and the total number of foveal cones was remarkably stable. In contrast, rod density decreased by 30%, beginning inferior to the fovea in midlife and culminating in an annulus of deepest loss at 0.5 to 3 mm eccentricity by the ninth decade. Space vacated by dying rods was filled in by larger rod inner segments, resulting in a similar rod coverage at all ages. At the temporal equator, cone density declined by 23%, but rods were stable throughout adulthood. Conclusions The stability of both rod coverage and rhodopsin content despite decreasing cell number suggests plasticity of the adult rod system and that age-related declines in scotopic sensitivity may be due to postreceptoral factors. There is no evidence for the massive loss of foveal cones required to explain even modest decrements in acuity, consistent with evidence that visual deficits at high photopic levels may be largely due to optical factors. Why the rods of central retina, which share a common support system and light exposure with the neighboring cones, are preferentially vulnerable to aging remains to be determined.

Elective Stenting of the Extracranial Carotid Arteries

Abstract: Background Surgical endarterectomy has been shown to be superior to medical management in the management of severe carotid stenosis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Endarterectomy, although effective, does have limitations, and percutaneous techniques may offer an alternative method of treatment. Methods and Results The feasibility and safety of percutaneous carotid angioplasty and elective (primary) stenting was evaluated prospectively in a consecutive series of 107 patients. One hundred twenty-six carotid arteries with significant stenosis were treated. This series represented a high-risk subset that included patients with previous ipsilateral endarterectomy and severe medical comorbidity. Forty-five percent of the patients were referred by surgeons. Patients had independent neurological examinations before and after the procedure and follow-up cerebral angiography at 6 months. The mean (±SD) stenosis was reduced from 78±14% to 2±5%. There were 7 minor strokes, 2 major strokes, and 1 death...

Sequencing of 53,831 diverse genomes from the NHLBI TOPMed Program

Abstract: Summary paragraph The Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program seeks to elucidate the genetic architecture and disease biology of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders, with the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The initial phases of the program focus on whole genome sequencing of individuals with rich phenotypic data and diverse backgrounds. Here, we describe TOPMed goals and design as well as resources and early insights from the sequence data. The resources include a variant browser, a genotype imputation panel, and sharing of genomic and phenotypic data via dbGaP. In 53,581 TOPMed samples, >400 million single-nucleotide and insertion/deletion variants were detected by alignment with the reference genome. Additional novel variants are detectable through assembly of unmapped reads and customized analysis in highly variable loci. Among the >400 million variants detected, 97% have frequency