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Biomedical subjects

Jennifer Russell

Publications and source records attributed to Jennifer Russell.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Hepatic iron metabolism gene expression profiles in HFE associated hereditary hemochromatosis.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with pathogenic mutations in HFE, hemojuvelin (HJV) and transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) have low levels of hepcidin, but little is known about the hepatic expression of these molecules in patients with physiological iron overload or HFE associated Hemochromatosis (HH). AIMS: To examine the hepatic mRNA expression of iron homeostasis genes in patients with HH, physiological iron overload and healthy controls. PATIENTS: Untreated C282Y homozygous HH patients (n=20) with elevated serum ferritin (SF) and patients with physiological iron overload (n=12) with positive hepatocellular iron staining and negative HFE mutation analysis were evaluated. The control cohort (n=10) had normal iron parameters, negative HFE mutation analysis and negative hepatocellular iron staining. METHODS: Hepcidin, HJV (hemojuvelin), TfR2 (transferrin receptor 2), HFE, IL6 (interleukin 6) and ferroportin mRNA expression patterns were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Physiological iron overload led to significantly upregulated hepcidin, HJV and ferroportin mRNA expression while TfR2 expression was not significantly different to controls. In contrast, HFE associated iron overload failed to induce hepcidin or HJV. TfR2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced when compared to controls. Ferroportin expression in HH was comparable to that found in physiological iron overload. Neither HFE nor IL6 expression was altered by variation in iron status. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that patients with HH, in contrast to those with physiological iron overload, have a weakened TfR2 sensing mechanism that leads to the lack of induction of hepcidin and HJV. The C282Y HFE mutation does not appear to impede the hepatocellular iron export function of ferroportin.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Gene transfer of prostaglandin synthase maintains patency of the newborn lamb arterial duct.

In congenital heart disease with left- or right-sided obstruction, prostaglandin E (PGE)1 or PGE2 is infused to maintain ductus arteriosus (DA) patency. We hypothesized that transfection of the DA with PGE synthase would lead to a greater production of PGE2 in situ and, hence, patency of the DA. The cDNA for human prostaglandin synthase was sequenced and ligated into a eukaryotic expression vector. The negative control was created by ligating the cDNA encoding the bacterial protein chloramphenicol acetyltransferase into the same plasmid. Transfection (600 microg DNA) was achieved in lambs within the first 24 h of life using the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome transfection method with a custom-made, basket-weave-perforated catheter. Echocardiography was performed to assess DA patency until the time of sacrifice. To confirm expression of the transgene, PGE2 concentration was measured in organ culture of the DA by immunoassay and by Western immunoblotting of homogenized DA tissue. Patency of the DA was demonstrated by color Doppler in all the lambs (7/7) in which the PGE synthase was delivered, whereas functional closure was seen in the control group (6/6). The PGE2 concentration in the culture medium of the explanted DA in the treatment group was 3-fold higher than that of the control groups. Western immunoblotting confirmed the presence of PGE synthase in the treatment group. Gene transfer of PGE synthase to the DA is feasible and will maintain patency for at least 1 wk.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Index of suspicion.

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Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed2004

Designing therapeutic strategies for patients with a dominant left ventricle, discordant ventriculo-arterial connections, and unobstructed flow of blood to the lungs.

The palliation of the cyanotic child with a dominant morphologically left ventricle, discordant ventriculo-arterial connections, and obstruction to the pulmonary outflow tract has continued to evolve and mature. The evolution began in the early days of surgical palliation with the Blalock-Taussig shunt, extended to construction of cavopulmonary shunts, if required, and then to the Fontan procedure and its subsequent modifications. This journey took nearly 30 years to complete. There is increasing clinical data to document the beneficial effects of this approach, with ever-improving outcomes. Some aspects of the history of the cavopulmonary shunt have been previously reviewed in this journal and elsewhere, as have analysis of outcomes for some groups of patients considered for surgical completion of the Fontan circulation. While there has been some ongoing interest in ventricular septation since the early success of Sakakibara et al., this approach has largely been abandoned. Considerably more challenges and debate resonate in the surgical algorithms defined for patients whose hearts are characterized by a dominant left ventricle, discordant ventriculo-arterial connections, and unobstructed flow of blood to the lungs. This latter group will be the focus of this review, as will the aetiology of the myocardial hypertrophy that is particularly frequent in this group of patients, its clinical recognition, indeed its anticipation, and the multiple surgical strategies designed to prevent or treat it. All these manoeuvres are considered to optimise suitability for, and outcome from, creation of the Fontan circulation.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Wellness in Tillery: a community-built program.

Occupational therapy faculty and students from East Carolina University, in collaboration with the residents of Tillery, North Carolina, participated in a community-built wellness program. Outcomes of the program indicated that a program with participant input results in enhanced perceived wellness, maintenance of meaningful activities, and improved self-reported quality of life. Program elements necessary for duplication of the program are discussed. Recommendations for similar programs include developing mutual trust and respect, utilizing activities that are meaningful to participants, working within the culture, and considering the participants' lifestyles when planning.

Black or African American↗