University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

About: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Pregnancy. The organization has 14634 authors who have published 19610 publications receiving 1041794 citations.

Adenosine receptors: therapeutic aspects for inflammatory and immune diseases

Abstract: Adenosine is a key endogenous molecule that regulates tissue function by activating four G-protein-coupled adenosine receptors: A1, A2A, A2B and A3. Cells of the immune system express these receptors and are responsive to the modulatory effects of adenosine in an inflammatory environment. Animal models of asthma, ischaemia, arthritis, sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease and wound healing have helped to elucidate the regulatory roles of the various adenosine receptors in dictating the development and progression of disease. This recent heightened awareness of the role of adenosine in the control of immune and inflammatory systems has generated excitement regarding the potential use of adenosine-receptor-based therapies in the treatment of infection, autoimmunity, ischaemia and degenerative diseases.

Therapeutic Effects of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors: Renaissance Half a Century after the Discovery of Allopurinol

Abstract: The prototypical xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor allopurinol, has been the cornerstone of the clinical management of gout and conditions associated with hyperuricemia for several decades. More recent data indicate that XO also plays an important role in various forms of ischemic and other types of tissue and vascular injuries, inflammatory diseases, and chronic heart failure. Allopurinol and its active metabolite oxypurinol showed considerable promise in the treatment of these conditions both in experimental animals and in small-scale human clinical trials. Although some of the beneficial effects of these compounds may be unrelated to the inhibition of the XO, the encouraging findings rekindled significant interest in the development of additional, novel series of XO inhibitors for various therapeutic indications. Here we present a critical overview of the effects of XO inhibitors in various pathophysiological conditions and also review the various emerging therapeutic strategies offered by this approach.

Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract: Objective To review and synthesize information concerning the pathogenesis ofage-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Review of the English-language literature. Results Five concepts relevant to the cell biology of AMD are as follows: (1)AMD involves aging changes plus additional pathological changes (ie, AMD isnot just an aging change); (2) in aging and AMD, oxidative stress causes retinalpigment epithelial (RPE) and, possibly, choriocapillaris injury; (3) in AMD(and perhaps in aging), RPE and, possibly, choriocapillaris injury resultsin a chronic inflammatory response within the Bruch membrane and the choroid;(4) in AMD, RPE and, possibly, choriocapillaris injury and inflammation leadto formation of an abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM), which causes altereddiffusion of nutrients to the retina and RPE, possibly precipitating furtherRPE and retinal damage; and (5) the abnormal ECM results in altered RPE-choriocapillarisbehavior leading ultimately to atrophy of the retina, RPE, and choriocapillarisand/or choroidal new vessel growth. In this sequence of events, both the environmentand multiple genes can alter a patient's susceptibility to AMD. Implicit inthis characterization of AMD pathogenesis is the concept that there is linearprogression from one stage of the disease to the next. This assumption maybe incorrect, and different biochemical pathways leading to geographic atrophyand/or choroidal new vessels may operate simultaneously. Conclusions Better knowledge of AMD cell biology will lead to better treatmentsfor AMD at all stages of the disease. Many unanswered questions regardingAMD pathogenesis remain. Multiple animal models and in vitro models of specificaspects of AMD are needed to make rapid progress in developing effective therapiesfor different stages of the disease.

Locoregional Relapse and Distant Metastasis in Conservatively Managed Triple Negative Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Abstract: Purpose To determine the prognostic significance of triple negative breast cancers with respect to locoregional relapse and distant metastasis in conservatively managed breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods A database of conservative managed (conservative surgery followed by radiation) patients, in whom all three markers (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2/neu) were available, was reviewed. Patients were classified as triple negative if they tested negative for all three markers. Of 482 patients with all three markers available, 117 were classified as triple negative. Results As of September 2005, with a median follow-up time of 7.9 years, of the 482 patients in the study, there have been 53 in-breast relapses, 10 nodal relapses, 77 distant relapses, and 69 deaths. At 5 years, the triple negative cohort had a poorer distant metastasis-free rate compared with the other subtypes (67% v 82%, respectively; P .002). Triple negative subtype was an independent predictor of distant metastasis (hazard ratio 2.14; 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.53; P .002) and cause-specific survival (hazard ratio 1.79; 95% CI, 1.03 to 3.22; P .047). There was no significant difference in local control between the triple negative and other subtypes (83% v 83%, respectively). Of 99 BRCA-tested patients in this cohort, 10 had deleterious mutations in BRCA1, and seven had mutations in BRCA2 .O f 10BRCA1 patients, eight were triple negative, whereas only one of seven BRCA2 patients was triple negative (P .001). Conclusion Patients classified as triple negative have a poor prognosis. However, there was no evidence that these patients are at higher risk for local relapse after conservative surgery and radiation. Patients with BRCA1 mutations develop predominantly triple negative tumors.