Studying the Effects of p120 and Kaiso-Mediated Gene Regulation on Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal-Transition

Downregulation of E-cadherin is a frequent event in epithelial cancers and it correlates with weakened cell-cell adhesion and the induction of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It is postulated that E-cadherin downregulation liberates the catenin p120 and allows p120's translocation to the nucleus where it interacts with and functionally regulates the novel BTB/POZ transcription factor, Kaiso. Kaiso mediates transcriptional repression of various tumourigenesis-associated genes via methylated CpG dinucleotides or a sequence-specific Kaiso binding site (KBS). The Kaiso/p120 interaction has been detected in E-cadherin expressing cells of various origins, but is seldom detected in N-cadherin expressing cells or cells that have undergone EMT. We hypothesize that p120 and Kaiso play a role in EMT by modulating the expression of EMT-associated genes. We demonstrated that TGF-β-induced EMT occurs in a dose- and time-dependent manner in NMuMG cells but not in FHL-124 cells. In both cells lines, the Kaiso/p120 interaction occurred irrelevant of EMT induction by TGF-β. In NMuMG cells, the expression of p120 increased with EMT induction, while the expression of Kaiso remained unchanged. Finally, misexpression of Kaiso and p120 in mammary epithelial cells affected TGF-β-mediated EMT induction by delaying the upregulation of the positive mesenchymal markers, N-cadherin and α-SMA.ThesisMaster of Science (MSc

Hippocampal injury and learning deficits following non-convulsive status epilepticus in periadolescent rats

The effects of non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) on the developing brain remain largely elusive. Here we investigated potential hippocampal injury and learning deficits following one or two episodes of NCSE in periadolescent rats. Non-convulsive status epilepticus was induced with subconvulsive doses of intrahippocampal kainic acid (KA) under continuous EEG monitoring in postnatal day 43 (P43) rats. The RKA group (repeated KA) received intrahippocampal KA at P43 and P44, the SKA group (single KA injection) received KA at P43 and an intrahippocampal saline injection at P44. Controls were sham-treated with saline. The modified two-way active avoidance (MAAV) test was conducted between P45 and P52 to assess learning of context-cued and tone-signaled electrical foot-shock avoidance. Histological analyses were performed at P52 to assess hippocampal neuronal densities, as well as potential reactive astrocytosis and synaptic dysfunction with GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and synaptophysin (Syp) staining, respectively. Kainic acid injections resulted in electroclinical seizures characterized by behavioral arrest, oromotor automatisms and salivation, without tonic-clonic activity. Compared to controls, both the SKA and RKA groups had lower rates of tone-signaled shock avoidance (p 0.05), but the RKA group had learning deficits (p 0.05). We show that hippocampal NCSE in periadolescent rats results in a seizure burden-dependent hippocampal injury accompanied by cognitive deficits. Our data suggest that the diagnosis and treatment of NCSE should be prompt. © 2021 Elsevier Inc

Global access to management of primary hyperoxaluria: A survey on behalf of OxalEurope, G&K Working Group of the ERA and ESPN

\ua9 2025 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.Background Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a rare disorder with significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Given the rarity, global inequities in diagnostics and treatment are expected. Recently introduced RNA interference therapeutics (RNAi) have dramatically changed the outcome for PH patients, potentially disproportionately affecting low-resource regions. Understanding these disparities is crucial for implementing measures to ensure equitable healthcare access for PH patients worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the current global health situation for PH patients upon the introduction of targeted therapeutics. Methods An international cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among healthcare providers involved in PH care. Responses were gathered between March 2023 and April 2024 and distributed by e-mail via various international nephrology networks. Meta-analysis (mixed random effects model with inverse-variance weighting) was used to analyze data and adjust for subgroup differences. Results We gathered 136 responses from 57 countries, representing all World Bank regions. Overall access to genetic analysis diagnostics was 82% (confidence interval 77%-91%) and to urinary oxalate measurement 97% (93%-100%). Significant differences (P <. 05) between low- and high-income countries were found for most diagnostics including genetic testing, plasma oxalate, plasma and urinary glycolate. Conservative therapies (e.g. pyridoxine and alkalinizing agents) were highly available globally (98% and 95%), but significant differences in access to peritoneal dialysis, and kidney and liver transplantation were reported (P <. 05). Access to the RNAi therapeutic lumasiran was limited to high- and middle-income countries, with 53% (40%-66%) of all countries having access (78% high-income versus 56% middle-income). Even in high-income countries, RNAi was not always accessible. Conclusions We found global disparities in access to optimal management of PH patients, disproportionately affecting low-income countries, but even existing between high-income countries. These results may provide support for initiatives to improve the outcome of PH patients worldwide in an era of new targeted therapeutic treatments

Personalized therapy for mycophenolate:Consensus report by the international association of therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical toxicology

When mycophenolic acid (MPA) was originally marketed for immunosuppressive therapy, fixed doses were recommended by the manufacturer. Awareness of the potential for a more personalized dosing has led to development of methods to estimate MPA area under the curve based on the measurement of drug concentrations in only a few samples. This approach is feasible in the clinical routine and has proven successful in terms of correlation with outcome. However, the search for superior correlates has continued, and numerous studies in search of biomarkers that could better predict the perfect dosage for the individual patient have been published. As it was considered timely for an updated and comprehensive presentation of consensus on the status for personalized treatment with MPA, this report was prepared following an initiative from members of the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology (IATDMCT). Topics included are the criteria for analytics, methods to estimate exposure including pharmacometrics, the potential influence of pharmacogenetics, development of biomarkers, and the practical aspects of implementation of target concentration intervention. For selected topics with sufficient evidence, such as the application of limited sampling strategies for MPA area under the curve, graded recommendations on target ranges are presented. To provide a comprehensive review, this report also includes updates on the status of potential biomarkers including those which may be promising but with a low level of evidence. In view of the fact that there are very few new immunosuppressive drugs under development for the transplant field, it is likely that MPA will continue to be prescribed on a large scale in the upcoming years. Discontinuation of therapy due to adverse effects is relatively common, increasing the risk for late rejections, which may contribute to graft loss. Therefore, the continued search for innovative methods to better personalize MPA dosage is warranted.</p

The Clinical Pattern of Primary Hyperoxaluria in Pediatric at Queen Rania Abdulla Children Hospital

No Abstract

Utility of autonomic testing for the efficient diagnosis and effective pharmacological management of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension

A 62-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of syncope, collapse and fluctuating blood pressure (BP). His medications included midodrine (10 mg, three times per day) and fludrocortisone (0.1 mg, two times per day), but neither treatment afforded symptomatic relief. Autonomic testing was performed. Head-up tilt table testing revealed a supine BP of 112/68 mm Hg (heart rate, 74 beats per minute (bpm)) after 6 min, which dropped to 76/60 mm Hg (83 bpm) within 2 min of 80° head-up tilt. Findings from a heart rate with deep breathing test and a Valsalva test were consistent with autonomic dysfunction. The patient was diagnosed with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and treated with droxidopa (100 mg, two times per day; titrated to 100 mg, one time per day). After initiating treatment with droxidopa, the patient no longer reported losing consciousness on standing and experienced improvement in activities of daily living. These improvements were maintained through 1 year of follow-up.</jats:p

The impact of CYP3A5 and MDR1 polymorphisms on tacrolimus dosage requirements and trough concentrations in pediatric renal transplant recipients

Previous international studies demonstrated significant heterogeneity in the tacrolimus (TAC) dose required to attain target blood concentrations, attributed to both genetic and ethnic factors. While the majority of previous reports on adult recipients of renal, heart and liver transplants have shown a significant effect of CYP3A5FNx013 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on TAC pharmacokinetics (PKs), the impact of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and SNPs remains controversial. Yet, similar data of TAC in pediatric populations, in whom the intra- and inter-subject variations are likely to be even greater, is currently limited. We aimed to examine the influence of various CYP3A5 and MDR1 genotypes on TAC dose requirements and PKs in the Jordanian pediatric renal transplant population. Thirty-eight patients were genotyped for CYP3A5FNx011 and FNx013 and MDR1 C3435T. Dose-adjusted trough concentrations (C 0 /D) and daily doses (D) were compared among different CYP3A5 and MDR1 genotypes in the early and maintenance phases post-transplant. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences in D, C 0 or C 0 /D among the genotypes of CYP3A5 or MDR1 polymorphisms in either the early or the maintenance phase after transplantation, whereas after combining the C 0 /D levels of MDR1 C allele expressers, noticeably lower TAC levels were observed as compared with the TT genotype. However, the difference became not significant beyond 3 months. Based on a pharmacogenetic evaluation, the independent impact of CYP3A5 SNPs on TAC PKs was not evident, demonstrating the need for further large-scale studies