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.

Withdrawal of digoxin from patients with chronic heart failure treated with angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors.

Abstract: Background. Although digoxin is effective in the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure who are receiving diuretic agents, it is not clear whether the drug has a role when patients are receiving angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, as is often the case in current practice. Methods. We studied 178 patients with New York Heart Association class II or III heart failure and left ventricular ejection fractions of 35 percent or less in normal sinus rhythm who were clinically stable while receiving digoxin, diuretics, and an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (captopril or enalapril). The patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion either to continue receiving digoxin (85 patients) or to be switched to placebo (93 patients) for 12 weeks

GABAergic mechanisms in epilepsy.

Abstract: gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex, maintains the inhibitory tone that counterbalances neuronal excitation. When this balance is perturbed, seizures may ensue. GABA is formed within GABAergic axon terminals and released into the synapse, where it acts at one of two types of receptor: GABAA, which controls chloride entry into the cell, and GABAB, which increases potassium conductance, decreases calcium entry, and inhibits the presynaptic release of other transmitters. GABAA-receptor binding influences the early portion of the GABA-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potential, whereas GABAB binding influences the late portion. GABA is rapidly removed by uptake into both glia and presynaptic nerve terminals and then catabolized by GABA transaminase. Experimental and clinical study evidence indicates that GABA has an important role in the mechanism and treatment of epilepsy: (a) Abnormalities of GABAergic function have been observed in genetic and acquired animal models of epilepsy; (b) Reductions of GABA-mediated inhibition, activity of glutamate decarboxylase, binding to GABAA and benzodiazepine sites, GABA in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue, and GABA detected during microdialysis studies have been reported in studies of human epileptic brain tissue; (c) GABA agonists suppress seizures, and GABA antagonists produce seizures; (d) Drugs that inhibit GABA synthesis cause seizures; and (e) Benzodiazepines and barbiturates work by enhancing GABA-mediated inhibition. Finally, drugs that increase synaptic GABA are potent anticonvulsants. Two recently developed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), vigabatrin (VGB) and tiagabine (TGB), are examples of such agents. However, their mechanisms of action are quite different (VGB is an irreversible suicide inhibitor of GABA transaminase, whereas TGB blocks GABA reuptake into neurons and glia), which may account for observed differences in drug side-effect profile.

Considering context, place and culture: the National Latino and Asian American Study

Abstract: This paper provides a rationale for, and overview of, procedures used to develop the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). The NLAAS is nationally representative community household survey that estimates the prevalence of mental disorders and rates of mental health service utilization by Latinos and Asian Americans in the US. The central aims of the NLAAS are to: 1) describe the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the rates of mental health services use for Latino and Asian American populations using nationwide representative samples of Latinos and Asian Americans, 2) assess the associations among social position, environmental context, and psychosocial factors with the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and utilization rates of mental health services, and 3) compare the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and utilization of mental health services of Latinos and Asian Americans with national representative samples of non-Latino whites (from the National Comorbidity Study-Replication) (NCS-R) and African Americans (from the National Survey of American Life) (NSAL). This paper presents new concepts and methods utilized in the development of the NLAAS to capture and investigate ethnic, cultural and environmental considerations that are often ignored in mental health research.

Roles for Nkx3.1 in prostate development and cancer

Abstract: The prostate gland is of paramount importance for human disease due to the increasing incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma in aging men. Prostate carcinoma now represents the second leading cause of cancer death in American men (Coffey 1992; Landis et al. 1998). Nonetheless, little is known about the molecular factors that contribute to the onset or progression of prostate cancer. A primary impediment for identifying relevant molecular factors has been the paucity of information regarding the mechanisms of normal prostate growth and differentiation. Few regulatory genes are known to be expressed specifically during prostate development or to be required for prostate function. The prostate is a ductal gland situated at the base of the bladder that contributes secretory proteins to the seminal fluid. At maturity, the prostate is comprised of tall columnar epithelium surrounded by smooth muscle stroma (Cunha et al. 1987; Cunha 1994). Signaling interactions between epithelium and mesenchyme are required for normal prostate growth and differentiation while deranged interactions may contribute to the inappropriate reactivation of cellular proliferation that occurs during aging (McNeal 1978; Hayward et al. 1996). During embryogenesis, inductive signals from the urogenital sinus mesenchyme induce the adjacent epithelium to form prostatic buds (Cunha et al. 1987; Cunha 1994). Postnatally, reciprocal interactions between epithelium and stroma (mesenchyme) are also required for ductal morphogenesis and prostate maturation (Donjacour and Cunha 1988). At all stages of prostate development as well as maturity, these tissue interactions require functional androgen receptors, initially in the mesenchyme and subsequently in the epithelium (Cunha et al. 1987; Cunha 1994). Although it is known that reciprocal signaling interactions are responsible for prostate formation and function, the relevant molecular factors are largely undefined. Among the few regulatory genes known to be expressed in the prostate, the NKX3.1 homeobox gene is of particular interest because it maps to the minimal region of human chromosome 8p21 (He et al. 1997; Voeller et al. 1997) that undergoes loss of heterozygosity in 60%–80% of prostate tumors (Bergerheim et al. 1991; Bova et al. 1993; Trapman et al. 1994; Cher et al. 1996; Vocke et al. 1996). In this study we investigate the expression and function of murine Nkx3.1 (Bieberich et al. 1996; Sciavolino et al. 1997) in the developing and mature prostate. We show that Nkx3.1 expression during embryogenesis appears to demarcate prospective prostate epithelium prior to prostate formation and continues to mark prostate epithelium during neonatal development, as well as in tissue recombinants. Furthermore, Nkx3.1 is required for prostate function, as null mutants generated by gene targeting display defects in ductal morphogenesis and secretory protein production. Finally, Nkx3.1 regulates prostate epithelial proliferation, as its loss results in epithelial hyperplasia and dysplasia that increases in severity with age, modeling a preneoplastic condition. Taken together, our results link the regulatory actions of Nkx3.1 in normal prostate development and function with its potential role in prostate carcinogenesis.

Bruxism physiology and pathology: an overview for clinicians*

Abstract: Awake bruxism is defined as the awareness of jaw clenching. Its prevalence is reported to be 20% among the adult population. Awake bruxism is mainly associated with nervous tic and reactions to stress. The physiology and pathology of awake bruxism is unknown, although stress and anxiety are considered to be risk factors. During sleep, awareness of tooth grinding (as noted by sleep partner or family members) is reported by 8% of the population. Sleep bruxism is a behaviour that was recently classified as a 'sleep-related movement disorder'. There is limited evidence to support the role of occlusal factors in the aetiology of sleep bruxism. Recent publications suggest that sleep bruxism is secondary to sleep-related micro-arousals (defined by a rise in autonomic cardiac and respiratory activity that tends to be repeated 8-14 times per hour of sleep). The putative roles of hereditary (genetic) factors and of upper airway resistance in the genesis of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity and of sleep bruxism are under investigation. Moreover, rhythmic masticatory muscle activity in sleep bruxism peaks in the minutes before rapid eye movement sleep, which suggests that some mechanism related to sleep stage transitions exerts an influence on the motor neurons that facilitate the onset of sleep bruxism. Finally, it remains to be clarified when bruxism, as a behaviour found in an otherwise healthy population, becomes a disorder, i.e. associated with consequences (e.g. tooth damage, pain and social/marital conflict) requires intervention by a clinician.