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Biomedical subjects

Michael Caplan

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Caplan.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Oral probiotics prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that normalizing the intestinal flora by administration of prophylactic probiotics would provide a natural defense, thereby reducing both the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Neonates < or =1500 g birth weight were randomized to either receive a daily feeding supplementation with a probiotic mixture (Bifidobacteria infantis, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacteria bifidus; Solgar, Israel) of 10(9) colony forming units (CFU)/day or to not receive feed supplements. NEC was graded according to Bell's criteria. RESULTS: For 72 study and 73 control infants, respectively, birth weight (1152 +/- 262 g vs 1111 +/- 278 g), gestational age (30 +/- 3 weeks vs 29 +/- 4 weeks), and time to reach full feeds (14.6 +/- 8.7 days vs 17.5 +/- 13.6 days) were not different. The incidence of NEC was reduced in the study group (4% vs 16.4%; P=.03). NEC was less severe in the probiotic-supplemented infants (Bell's criteria 2.3 +/- 0.5 vs 1.3 +/- 0.5; P=.005). Three of 15 babies who developed NEC died, and all NEC-related deaths occurred in control infants. CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplementation reduced both the incidence and severity of NEC in our premature neonatal population.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

The COOH-terminal tail of the GAT-2 GABA transporter contains a novel motif that plays a role in basolateral targeting.

The ability of polarized epithelia to perform vectorial transport depends on the asymmetrical distribution of transmembrane proteins among their plasma membrane domains. The establishment and maintenance of these polar distributions relies on molecular signals embedded in the proteins themselves and the interpretation of these signals by cellular sorting machinery. Using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as an in vitro model of polarized epithelia, our laboratory has previously shown that the COOH-terminal cytoplasmic 22 amino acids of the GAT-2 isoform of the gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) transporter are necessary for its basolateral distribution. We demonstrate that the COOH-terminal tail of the transporter can function as an autonomous basolateral distribution signal, independently of the rest of the transporter. We find that the three-amino acid PDZ domain-interacting motif at the COOH-terminus of GAT-2 is not necessary for its basolateral distribution. Instead, the more proximal seven amino acids are necessary both for targeting and for steady-state distribution. Because this sequence resembles no other known basolateral sorting information, we conclude that these seven amino acids contain a novel basolateral targeting and distribution motif.

Amino Acid Motifs↗