University of Saint Mary

About: University of Saint Mary is a education organization based out in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 2276 authors who have published 2399 publications receiving 58990 citations. The organization is also known as: University of St. Mary & University of St Mary.

Synucleinopathy-associated pathogenesis in Parkinson's disease and the potential for brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Abstract: The lack of disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is in part due to an incomplete understanding of the disease’s etiology. Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) has become a point of focus in PD due to its connection to both familial and idiopathic cases—specifically its localization to Lewy bodies (LBs), a pathological hallmark of PD. Within this review, we will present a comprehensive overview of the data linking synuclein-associated Lewy pathology with intracellular dysfunction. We first present the alterations in neuronal proteins and transcriptome associated with LBs in postmortem human PD tissue. We next compare these findings to those associated with LB-like inclusions initiated by in vitro exposure to α-syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) and highlight the profound and relatively unique reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in this model. Finally, we discuss the multitude of ways in which BDNF offers the potential to exert disease-modifying effects on the basal ganglia. What remains unknown is the potential for BDNF to mitigate inclusion-associated dysfunction within the context of synucleinopathy. Collectively, this review reiterates the merit of using the PFF model as a tool to understand the physiological changes associated with LBs, while highlighting the neuroprotective potential of harnessing endogenous BDNF.

Trauma associated with three- and four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles: is the four-wheeler an unrecognized health hazard?

Abstract: All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents cause 7000 injuries and 20 deaths per month. In this prospective multicenter study comparing three- and four-wheelers, data were obtained on all ATV accident victims treated at 33 participating institutions in 13 Western Michigan counties from July-November, 1986 (N = 143) and on 51 accidents from the preceding 18 months. Of these 194 accidents, 29 per cent involved four-wheelers. In this 78 per cent male population (mean age 21), 23 per cent required hospitalization. One half of these victims sustained a fracture or dislocation and 14 per cent needed surgery. Thirteen per cent had serious neurologic injury. Average hospital bills were $294 for outpatients and $7669 for inpatients. Two thirds of the patients had some disability. Three fatalities were recorded. Analysis of the data showed the following: (1) the three-wheeled ATV design is significantly more unstable than that of the four-wheeler (P less than .001); (2) though more stable, the four-wheeled ATV was still associated with frequent accidents as severe as those involving three-wheelers; (3) riders under age 16 were more likely to be using their ATV improperly (P greater than .05) and had more severe injuries with a higher hospitalization rate, and (4) these ATV riders had inadequate training and protective gear. Lastly, recommendations are made that ATVs need their design flaws corrected for safer use, and that mandatory minimum age requirements, rider education, and helmet use should reduce injuries.

Implanted-Port-Catheter-Related Sepsis Caused by Acidovorax avenae and Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract: Acidovorax avenae is a gram-negative rod in the family Comamonadaceae and a phytopathogen found in the environment. Human infections caused by members of the Comamonadaceae are extremely rare. We report a case of implanted-port-catheter-related sepsis caused by Acidovorax avenae and methicillin (meticillin)-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA).