University of Iowa

About: University of Iowa is a education organization based out in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 49229 authors who have published 109171 publications receiving 5021465 citations. The organization is also known as: UI & The University of Iowa.

Immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides containing the CpG motif are effective as immune adjuvants in tumor antigen immunization

Abstract: Recent advances in our understanding of the immune response are allowing for the logical design of new approaches to cancer immunization. One area of interest is the development of new immune adjuvants. Immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides containing the CpG motif (CpG ODN) can induce production of a wide variety of cytokines and activate B cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, and NK cells. Using the 38C13 B cell lymphoma model, we assessed whether CpG ODN can function as immune adjuvants in tumor antigen immunization. The idiotype served as the tumor antigen. Select CpG ODN were as effective as complete Freund’s adjuvant at inducing an antigen-specific antibody response but were associated with less toxicity. These CpG ODN induced a higher titer of antigen-specific IgG2a than did complete Freund’s adjuvant, suggesting an enhanced TH1 response. Mice immunized with CpG ODN as an adjuvant were protected from tumor challenge to a degree similar to that seen in mice immunized with complete Freund’s adjuvant. We conclude that CpG ODN are effective as immune adjuvants and are attractive as part of a tumor immunization strategy.

A consensus guide to capturing the ability to inhibit actions and impulsive behaviors in the stop-signal task

Abstract: Response inhibition is essential for navigating everyday life. Its derailment is considered integral to numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders, and more generally, to a wide range of behavioral and health problems. Response-inhibition efficiency furthermore correlates with treatment outcome in some of these conditions. The stop-signal task is an essential tool to determine how quickly response inhibition is implemented. Despite its apparent simplicity, there are many features (ranging from task design to data analysis) that vary across studies in ways that can easily compromise the validity of the obtained results. Our goal is to facilitate a more accurate use of the stop-signal task. To this end, we provide 12 easy-to-implement consensus recommendations and point out the problems that can arise when they are not followed. Furthermore, we provide user-friendly open-source resources intended to inform statistical-power considerations, facilitate the correct implementation of the task, and assist in proper data analysis.

Generalized anxiety disorder.

Abstract: Generalized anxiety disorder is a relatively new clinical entity and current understanding of this syndrome lacks a solid research base. However, useful generalizations can be derived from earlier studies of anxiety neurosis and other previously defined anxiety syndromes. Most persons with GAD are seen by primary care physicians, but recognizing these patients may be difficult. In the primary care setting they often present with physical complaints suggesting a specific organ system disease. Depression and substance abuse may be presenting problems in patients with primary GAD. Primary care physicians are usually able to provide appropriate care for generalized anxiety disorder patients. By keeping in mind the cognitive, behavioral, affective, and physiologic aspects of the syndrome, they can appropriately address the specific therapeutic needs of individual patients. The nature of the doctor-patient relationship in primary care favors the development of therapeutic trust that is important for effective management of GAD. Drug therapy is a useful adjunct in the treatment of many patients with GAD. However, the use of drugs as the sole therapeutic modality is seldom appropriate.

Green Evolution and Dynamic Adaptations Revealed by Genomes of the Marine Picoeukaryotes Micromonas

Abstract: Picoeukaryotes are a taxonomically diverse group of organisms less than 2 micrometers in diameter. Photosynthetic marine picoeukaryotes in the genus Micromonas thrive in ecosystems ranging from tropical to polar and could serve as sentinel organisms for biogeochemical fluxes of modern oceans during climate change. These broadly distributed primary producers belong to an anciently diverged sister clade to land plants. Although Micromonas isolates have high 18S ribosomal RNA gene identity, we found that genomes from two isolates shared only 90% of their predicted genes. Their independent evolutionary paths were emphasized by distinct riboswitch arrangements as well as the discovery of intronic repeat elements in one isolate, and in metagenomic data, but not in other genomes. Divergence appears to have been facilitated by selection and acquisition processes that actively shape the repertoire of genes that are mutually exclusive between the two isolates differently than the core genes. Analyses of the Micromonas genomes offer valuable insights into ecological differentiation and the dynamic nature of early plant evolution.