University of Memphis

About: University of Memphis is a education organization based out in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 7710 authors who have published 20082 publications receiving 611618 citations. The organization is also known as: U of M.

Filaggrin loss-of-function mutations are associated with food allergy in childhood and adolescence

Abstract: Background Filaggrin is an epidermal protein that has a role in skin barrier function. Filaggrin loss-of-function (FLG-LOF) mutations are a significant risk factor for eczema and atopy, but their association with food allergy (FA) is less clear. Objective We explored the longitudinal relationship between 3 common FLG-LOF mutations and FA using the Isle of Wight birth cohort. Methods FA diagnosis was based on recognized allergic reactions within 4 hours after exposure to known food allergens. Food allergen sensitization (FAS) was identified by using skin prick tests conducted between 1 and 18 years of age to a range of food allergens. Three FLG mutations were genotyped in 1150 (79%) of 1456 children. The temporal relationships between FA, FAS, and eczema in children with FLG mutations were explored by using path analysis with total, direct, and indirect effect models. Results There was a significant total effect of FLG-LOF mutations on the risk of FA in later childhood at the ages of 10 (odds ratio, 31.46; 95% CI, 2.86 to >100) and 18 (odds ratio, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.55-11.61) years. Path analysis showed that there was no direct effect of FLG-LOF mutations on FA at any age; however, an indirect effect was found on FA at all ages through eczema and FAS in the earlier years. Conclusion FLG-LOF mutations are associated with FA in older children through eczema and FAS during early childhood. Our results highlight a biologically plausible pathway, which suggests that skin barrier function is important in the development and persistence of FA.

Estimating the beginning of the waterpipe epidemic in Syria

Abstract: Waterpipe smoking is becoming a global public health problem, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). We try in this study, which is a cross sectional survey among a representative sample of waterpipe smokers in cafes/restaurants in Aleppo-Syria, to assess the time period for the beginning of this new smoking hype. We recruited 268 waterpipe smokers (161 men, 107 women; mean age ± standard deviation (SD) 30.1 ± 10.2, response rate 95.3%). Participants were divided into 4 birth cohorts (≤ 1960, 1961–1970, 1971–1980, >1980) and year of initiation of waterpipe smoking and daily cigarette smoking were plotted according to these birth cohorts. Data indicate that unlike initiation of cigarette smoking, which shows a clear age-related pattern, the nineties was the starting point for most of waterpipe smoking implicating this time period for the beginning of the waterpipe epidemic in Syria. The introduction of new flavored and aromatic waterpipe tobacco (Maassel), and the proliferation of satellite and electronic media during the nineties may have helped spread the new hype all over the Arab World.

Acid-Sensing Ion Channel-1a in the Amygdala, a Novel Therapeutic Target in Depression-Related Behavior

Abstract: No animal models replicate the complexity of human depression. However, a number of behavioral tests in rodents are sensitive to antidepressants and may thus tap important underlying biological factors. Such models may also offer the best opportunity to discover novel treatments. Here, we used several of these models to test the hypothesis that the acid-sensing ion channel-1a (ASIC1a) might be targeted to reduce depression. Genetically disrupting ASIC1a in mice produced antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test, the tail suspension test, and following unpredictable mild stress. Pharmacologically inhibiting ASIC1a also had antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test. The effects of ASIC1a disruption in the forced swim test were independent of and additive to those of several commonly used antidepressants. Furthermore, ASIC1a disruption interfered with an important biochemical marker of depression, the ability of stress to reduce BDNF in the hippocampus. Restoring ASIC1a to the amygdala of ASIC1a−/− mice with a viral vector reversed the forced swim test effects, suggesting that the amygdala is a key site of ASIC1a action in depression-related behavior. These data are consistent with clinical studies emphasizing the importance of the amygdala in mood regulation, and suggest that ASIC1a antagonists may effectively combat depression.

Translations of the International Outcome inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA).

Abstract: (2002). Translations of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA): Traducciones del Inventario Internacional de Resultados para Auxiliares Auditivos (IOI-HA) International Journal of Audiology: Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 3-26.