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Biomedical subjects

B Sela

Publications and source records attributed to B Sela.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Plasma levels of amino acids in elderly long term care residents with oropharyngeal dysphagia: comparison of hand-oral with tube-enteral-fed patients.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia and eating difficulties are highly prevalent in long term care patients. Evaluation of their nutritional status is complicated by comorbidity, frailty and individual patterns of feeding. In previous studies we found vitamin deficiencies (folic acid B6 and B12) in orally fed elderly in early stages of oropharyngeal dysphagia despite satisfactory nutritional parameters (BMI, albumin and hemoglobin). The aim of this study is to evaluate the plasma amino acids levels in these hand-oral fed elderly patients with dysphagia. METHODS: Plasma amino acids were measured in 15 orally fed elderly patients in early functional outcome swallowing scale (FOSS), stage 2, and compared with those of 15 matched nasogastric-tube-fed counterparts. RESULTS: The plasma levels of all measured amino acids, ratio of essential to nonessential, levels of conditionally essential and the immune-enhancing amino acids were similar in both groups and within the normal range of our laboratory. The traditional nutritional parameters were also similar in both groups and within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of amino acids in elderly patients in early stage of FOSS are satisfactory, supporting the view that their protein intake is adequate. Further studies should concentrate on patients in advanced stages of FOSS.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

[On the relevance of protein kinase C to lithium therapy in bipolar disorder].

The discovery of lithium's efficacy as a mood-stabilizing agent revolutionized the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder and after 5 decades this drug continues to be the mainstay of treatment of this disorder. Valproate, which is dissimilar structurally to lithium, shares most of the effects of lithium at the level of protein kinase C (PKC). Both drugs reduce the activity of PKC, though via different mechanisms. In comparison to patients with major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, or healthy controls, PKC activity is significantly elevated in manic patients, suggesting that changes of PKC activity may be a central pathological trait of the illness. The precise physiological role of PKC activity in the regulation of mood is unclear. The enzyme modulates cellular responses via phosphorylation of numerous substrate proteins. Such substrates of PKC include cytoskeletal proteins, neurotransmitter and hormone receptors, G proteins, GAP-43, MARCKS etc. Further studies are required to clarify any causal role of CPK changes in bipolar-disorder.

Antimanic Agents↗
PubMed2003

[Monitoring heart failure with brain natriuretic peptide].

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), is a 32 amino acid containing cardiac hormone released from the ventricles due to increased filling pressure and left ventricle wall stretch. For over a decade since its discovery, information is mounting to suggest its superiority over the other natriureic peptide, ANP, as a reliable measure of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Measurement of BNP concentration in blood emerges as a sensitive and specific test for the identification of patients with congestive heart failure in the urgent-care setting. It is a potent, cost-effective addition to the diagnostic armamentarium and helps in the titration of following therapy and prognosis evaluation.

Atrial Natriuretic Factor↗
PubMed2003

[The identification of the immunodominant gliadin epitope].

Recent efforts have piri-pointed a relevant sequence on gliadin, that may act as the immunodominant epitope in celiac disease. Independent reports from several leading laboratories identify a 33 amino acid segment spanning through residues 57-89, and excessively rich in proline and glutamine, as the putative epitope. A glutamine residue in position 65 is the site of deamidation by transglutaminase, promoting its recognition by DQ2-HLA. In addition, another gluten protein, glutenin, may be relevant to the pathogenesis in celiac disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

[Survivin: anti-apoptosis protein and a prognostic marker for tumor progression and recurrence].

The recently discovered 16.5 kDa protein survivin was found to inhibit the two early apoptotic enzymes caspase-3 and caspase-7, thus preventing programmed cell death. Survivin may act simultaneously with the bel-2 family proteins, but has a different apoptosis inhibitory mechanism. Numerous reports have demonstrated the expression of survivin in various tumors such as neuroblastoma, melanoma, bladder carcinoma, breast and lung non-small cell tumors, esophegeal and colo-rectal carcinomas and leukemic cells. In contrast, this protein was not traced in adjacent normal tissues by either immunohistochemical staining or by PCR analysis of the expression of survivin mRNA. Importantly, there seems to be a positive correlation between survivin expression and tumor grading, as well as an indication of tumor recurrence after resection or chemotherapy. Potentially, this protein could add to the repertory of diagnostic and prognostic markers in monitoring oncologic patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2002

[New approaches to immune against hepatitis C virus].

Hepatitis C virus represents a global health problem as some 170 million individuals are infected worldwide. Studies on virus replication and pathogenesis are hampered by the lack of a reliable cell culture system. In addition, the high rate of mutations reflected in viral antigen variability complicates attempts to prepare an efficient vaccine against HCV. Recently some significant strides were made towards resolving some of the above-mentioned difficulties. The importance of several structural antigens i.e. HVR1 and CD81 was demonstrated with regard to the infection mechanism and as structures that may serve to immunize against the virus. A promising new approach of using recombinant DNA vaccines instead of protein vaccines is discussed.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed2001

Is blood homocysteine elevated in migraine?

OBJECTIVE: To determine total serum homocysteine levels in a large group of patients with migraine with and without aura. BACKGROUND: Hypercoagulable state is a known risk factor for stroke in the young. The existence of a hypercoagulable state has been postulated in migraine and homocysteinemia with young-onset stroke. To the best of our knowledge, blood homocysteine has not been studied in a significant number of patients with various forms of migraine. METHODS: Total serum homocysteine was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography in 78 patients with migraine and in 126 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients aged 18 to 65 years were studied: 22 with migraine with aura and 56 with migraine without aura. Only 1 man had significantly elevated blood homocysteine (38.6 micromol/L), while another had a borderline elevation (15.8 micromol/L) (reference value for both sexes in our laboratory is 4 to 14 micromol/L). Both patients suffered from migraine without aura. CONCLUSIONS: Blood homocysteine is not elevated in migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[The revolution of stem cells: bone marrow cells, neural cells and muscle cells are intercovertible].

For many years, the fate of adult cells has been assumed to be limited to their tissues of origin. Upon development cells become increasingly specialized to carry out particular functions. Recently, numerous studies have shown that some stem cells possess greater plasticity than previously envisioned. Thus, a few donor bone-marrow cells when transfused into immunodeficient mice, were recovered as glial cells in the host brain, or as cells expressing neuronal antigens. Alternatively, neural stem cells could differentiate into myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages upon transplantation into the hematopoietic system of irradiated hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Role of caspases in neural degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

Animal model of the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has implicated apoptotis in the neuronal degeneration evident in this disease. Mice showing ALS-like symptoms, as well as several human families with ALS, have a missense mutation in the gene coding for DOD-1. A defective enzyme enhances neuronal cell death by activating interleukin converting enzyme (ICE), an initia of apoptosis. The role of caspase-1 and caspase-3 in the apoptotic process is apparent and the use of the caspase inhibitor zVAD-fink demonstrated some promise in slowing neural death by apoptosis and prolonging life in mice with ALS-like symptoms. We discuss the possible mechanisms of caspase enzymes cascade activation and their central role in apoptosis and possibly in neural death.

Caspase 1↗
PubMed2000

[Treatment of phenylketonuria due to dihydropteridine reductase deficiency].

Most cases of hyper-phenylalaninemia are due to deficiency of phenyl-alanine hydroxylase that converts phenyl-alanine to tyrosine. This enzymic reaction is facilitated by the co-factor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). A defect in the latter substrate leads to increased phenyl-alanine in 1-2 cases per million live births. Such cases are characterized by a degenerative brain process, and pronounced neurologic symptoms that cannot be prevented by a low phenyl-alanine diet alone. In 3 male newborns a deficiency of dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) activity was diagnosed, the last of a sequence of 3 enzymes involved in the formation of BH4. Successful outcome of treatment, as well as the results of failure to diagnose and treat affected newborns, are described, with emphasis on the logistic problems involved in mass screening.

Antiparkinson Agents↗