Biomedical subjects
Roger Green
Publications and source records attributed to Roger Green.
Thrombospondin-4 1186G>C (A387P) is a sex-dependent risk factor for myocardial infarction: a large replication study with increased sample size from the same population.
BACKGROUND: Case-control studies have successfully identified many genetic associations for complex diseases but suffer from lack of reproducibility in the same population. Demonstrating weak genetic effect requires large sample sizes to minimize statistical bias. Based on a study examining 500 myocardial infarction (MI) patients and 500 controls from the genetically isolated Newfoundland population, we previously reported that thrombospondin-4 (THBS-4) 1186G>C variant associates with MI in women. To validate this sex-dependent association with the THBS-4 variant, we analyzed an additional 532 patients and 514 controls from the same population and the combined cohort consisting of 1032 patients and 1014 controls. METHODS: Genotyping of THBS-4 1186G>C was conducted using Taq Man 1186G>C (A3879P) (rs 1866389) genotyping technology on real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The genotype distributions of THBS-4 1186G>C in the validation and combined cohorts were similar with those in our initial study, which supports genetic homogeneity in the studied population. The association of the CC genotype with MI in women (odds ratio [OR], 2.96; P = .008) reported in our initial cohort failed to achieve statistical significance in our validation cohort (OR, 1.53; P = .307) but was confirmed in the combined cohort (OR, 2.14; P = .009). In contrast to the results from the initial cohort was a significant association of the CC genotype with later onset MI in the validation (OR, 2.37; P = .029) and combined cohorts (OR, 2.22; P = .011). Moreover, the larger studied population gave statistical power to associate the CC genotype with risk of MI in the total patient population (OR, 1.58; P = .023). CONCLUSION: Homozygosity for the THBS-4 1186C variant is a weak risk factor for MI especially in older women.
Achieving excellence in practice: a model for continuing education for nurse practitioners.
PURPOSE: To provide a continuing education (CE) model that will meet varied needs of nurse practitioners by incorporating the variable of years of experience in practice setting. DATA SOURCES: An empirical study conducted over a period of approximately 10 months, from Fall 2002 to Spring 2003 in one of the southeastern states. CONCLUSIONS: A model has been developed to plan and deliver CE education programs based on the changing CE needs of NPs as they gain experience and expertise. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Results of this study may be used to guide providers to develop and offer CE programs based on the CE needs of NPs related to length of time in clinical practice, general issues of practice, and specialty practice area needs.
Riding establishments and the Animal Welfare Bill.
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Identification of a novel gene (HSN2) causing hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type II through the Study of Canadian Genetic Isolates.
Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN) type II is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by impairment of pain, temperature, and touch sensation owing to reduction or absence of peripheral sensory neurons. We identified two large pedigrees segregating the disorder in an isolated population living in Newfoundland and performed a 5-cM genome scan. Linkage analysis identified a locus mapping to 12p13.33 with a maximum LOD score of 8.4. Haplotype sharing defined a candidate interval of 1.06 Mb containing all or part of seven annotated genes, sequencing of which failed to detect causative mutations. Comparative genomics revealed a conserved ORF corresponding to a novel gene in which we found three different truncating mutations among five families including patients from rural Quebec and Nova Scotia. This gene, termed "HSN2," consists of a single exon located within intron 8 of the PRKWNK1 gene and is transcribed from the same strand. The HSN2 protein may play a role in the development and/or maintenance of peripheral sensory neurons or their supporting Schwann cells.
Altered dietary iron intake is a strong modulator of renal DMT1 expression.
Divalent metal transporter1 (DMT1; also known as DCT1 or NRAMP2) is an important component of the cellular machinery responsible for dietary iron absorption in the duodenum. DMT1 is also highly expressed in the kidney where it has been suggested to play a role in urinary iron handling. In this study, we determined the effect on renal DMT1 expression of feeding an iron-restricted diet (50 mg/kg) or an iron-enriched diet (5 g/kg) for 4 wk and measured urinary and fecal iron excretion rates. Feeding the low-iron diet caused a reduction in serum iron concentration and fecal iron output rate with an increase in renal DMT1 expression. Feeding an iron-enriched diet had the converse effect. Therefore, DMT1 expression in the kidney is sensitive to dietary iron intake, and the level of expression is inversely related to the dietary iron content. Changes in DMT1 expression occurred intracellularly in the proximal tubule and in the apical membrane and subapical region of the distal convoluted tubule. Increased DMT1 expression was accompanied by a decrease in urinary iron excretion rate and vice versa when DMT1 expression was reduced. Together, these findings suggest that modulation of renal DMT1 expression may influence renal iron excretion rate.
Iron handling and gene expression of the divalent metal transporter, DMT1, in the kidney of the anemic Belgrade (b) rat.
BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that the rat kidney reabsorbs metabolically significant amounts of iron and that it expresses the divalent metal transporter 1, DMT1. The Belgrade (b) rat carries a mutation in DMT1 gene, which causes hypochromic, microcytic anemia due to impaired intestinal iron absorption and transport of iron out of the transferrin cycle endosome. In the duodenum of b/b rats, expression of DMT1 mRNA and protein is increased, suggesting a feedback regulation by iron stores. The aim of this study was to investigate iron handling and DMT1 expression in the kidneys of Belgrade rats. METHODS: Animals were maintained for 3 weeks on a synthetic diet containing 185 mg/kg iron (FeSO4), after which functional and molecular parameters were analyzed in male heterozygous (+/b) and homozygous (b/b) rats (N = 4 to 6 for each group). RESULTS: Serum iron concentration was significantly higher in b/b compared to +/b rats while urinary iron excretion rates were unchanged in b/b compared to +/b rats. Northern analysis using a rat DMT1 probe showed comparable mRNA levels between +/b and b/b animals. Western analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy performed using a polyclonal antibody against rat DMT1 showed that DMT1-specific immunoreactivity was almost absent in the kidneys of b/b rats compared to that seen in +/b animals. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the G185R mutation of DMT1 causes protein instability in the kidneys of b/b rats. Given that +/b and b/b rats excrete comparable amounts of iron, the lack of DMT1 protein is compensated by an alternative, yet to be identified, mechanism.
Renal effects of glibenclamide in cystic fibrosis mice.
In vitro studies have shown that glibenclamide sensitivity is conferred upon Kir 1.1 K(+) channels when they are co-expressed with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). In rats, glibenclamide acts as a K(+)-sparing diuretic by a mechanism that involves blockade of Kir 1.1 channels in the distal nephron. To test whether interaction between Kir 1.1 and CFTR is required to mediate the renal effects of glibenclamide (15 mg/kg), clearance experiments were performed comparing wild type (WT) and Cftr(tm2cam) Delta F508 cystic fibrosis (CF) mice. Glibenclamide treatment was associated with an equivalent diuresis in both WT and CF mice. Glibenclamide was K(+)-sparing in both genotypes with no significant change in urinary K(+) excretion observed. That glibenclamide was an effective K(+)-sparing diuretic in CF animals suggests that CFTR expression is not a requirement to mediate its renal actions in mice.