Oxalate, Glycolate and Selenium in Neonatal Nutrition. High
Resolution Analytical Chemical Methods for the Clinical Study of
Premature Infants
Peter Uden, Ph.D., Chemistry, UMass
Gary Rockwell, M.D., Newborn Medicine and Pediatrics, Baystate
Nigel Metcalfe, Graduate Student, Chemistry, UMass
The long-term goal of this clinical research is to improve the prognosis
of premature infants by increasing our understanding of kidney stone
formation, a problem that occurs in up to 64 percent of premature
infants and is associated with persistent defects in kidney function
that can be life-threatening. The disorder is characterized by high
levels of two biochemicals, oxalate and glycolate, in the infant's
urine. The researchers will study the levels of these biochemicals
in infants' urine to determine how well the infants can metabolize
these biochemicals. The information will be valuable in offering
new treatments for pre-term infants.
Effective Date - September 1, 1999
Early Signaling Events in the Apoptotic Response of Detached Mammary
Epithelial Cells
Joseph Jerry, Ph.D., Veterinary & Animal Sciences, UMass
Chistopher Otis, M.D., Surgical Pathology, Baystate
Lisa Minter, Graduate Student, Veterinary & Animal Sciences
Loss of anchorage-dependant growth is a hallmark of malignant transformation,
as cells lose their ability to monitor and respond to signals from
their extracellular surroundings. Under conditions causing detachment,
normal mammary epithelial cells will initiate a cell death program
that precludes growth of these cells in an inappropriate environment.
The aim of this study is to show that, under adherent conditions,
survival signals from the extracellular matrix (ECM), as transduced
by integrin receptors through phosphorylated pp125FAK, suppress
a p53-medicated apoptotic pathway. It is expected that under non-adherent
conditions, loss of integrin-transduced survival signals from the
EMC would inactivate pp125FAK, via its dephosphorylation, allowing
depression of the p53-mediated cell death response.
Effective Date - September 1, 1999
Extramural Funding:
DPH Mass (12/99 – 4/01) - $58,193
U S Army Medical Research (9/00- 9/02) - $76,750
PHS/NIH (9/00- 9/02) - $232,500
PHS/NIH (6/01- 5/03) - $225,777
Exercise-induced Skeletal Muscle Damage and Repair in Mice: The
Heat Shock Response
S.P. Scordilis, Ph.D., UMass MCB Program, Biology, Smith College
Luis Moral, M.D., Director of Neuropathology, Baystate
Clayton Wagner, M.D., New England Orthopedic Surgeons, & Baystate
Heather Thompson, Graduate Student, Molecular & Cellular Biology,
UMass
This study's goal is to enhance the understanding of the mouse skeletal
muscle stress response to exercise-induced muscle damage through
the use of two different exercise modalities. It also describes
the post-exercise translational and transcriptional regulation of
the heat shock response to exercise.
Effective Date - September1, 1999
Effects of Light on the Dorsal Raphe Serotonin System
Katherine Fite, Ph.D., Psychology, UMass
Warren Foote, M.D., Director of Medical Research, Baystate
Skirmantas Janusonis, Graduate Student, Neuroscience & Behavior,
UMass
This study considers the therapeutic effects of light on a region
of the brainstem that produces a neurotransmitter, serotonin, which
has been implicated in a variety of clinical disorders that involve
depression and mood changes. Results of this study could bring new
understanding to the cause of seasons effective disorder, (SAD),
in which people become depressed during times of year when there
is only limited daylight. Specifically, researchers are interested
in learning about the function of a newly discovered pathway from
the retina to the brainstem and how this optic pathway can influence
the activity of serotonin-producing neurons.
Effective Date - September 1, 1999
Extramural Funding:
NSF (12/1000) - $400,000
The Role of a Specific Gene in Childhood Tumors
Lawrence Schwartz, Ph.D., Biology, UMass
Stephen Naber, M.D., Pathology, Baystate
Christos Valavanis, Post-doctoral, Biology, UMass
This study focuses on the role of the 44a gene. Preliminary data
suggests that this gene may play a role in the potential of certain
childhood tumors to spread. The goals of this project are to understand
how the 44a gene product is distributed in normal tissues, malignant
tissues, and where 44a's location lies in the human genome.
Effective Date - September 1, 1999
Extramural Funding:
NIH (9/99) - $1,169,616
Autoantibody Diversity and Pathogenicity in Autoimmune Disorders
Richard Goldsby, Ph.D., Biology, Amherst College
Chester Andrzejewski, Ph.D., M.D., Bone Marrow & Transplant
Unit, Baystate
The goals of this study are to investigate the pathogenic potentials
of autoantibodies directed against red blood cells (RBC) and the
cells producing them. The results of this investigation should bring
further insight into the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases
and facilitate their diagnosis and clinical management.
Effective Date - January 1, 1999
Development of Computer Vision Techniques in Stroke Treatment
Edward Riseman, Ph.D., Computer Science, UMass
Gary Whitten, Ph.D., Computer Science, UMass
Donald Geman, Ph.D., Mathematics and Statistics
Joseph Horowitz, Ph.D., Mathematics and Statistics
Richard Hicks, M.D., Radiology, Baystate Medical Center
Benjamin Stein, Graduate Student, Mathematics and Statistics, UMass
Dimitri Lisin, Graduate Student, Computer Science, UMass
The goal of this study is to use computer imaging technology to
help determine the effectiveness of treatments for high blood pressure.
More specifically, the study looks at how computers can "look"
at images, define abnormal brain areas, and relate it to a patient's
condition.
Effective January 1, 1999
Publications:
Horowitz, J., and Stein, B., (2001). A Statistical Approach to the
Segmentation of MR Imagery and Volume Estimation of Stroke Lesions.
Proc. Interface 2001 Conf., Costa Mesa CA, 14-16 June 2001, on CD-ROM.
Riseman, E., Stein, B., Lisin, D., Horowitz, J., and Whitten, G.,
(2001). Statistical and deformable model approaches to the segmentation
of MR imagery and volume estimation of stroke. Proc. MICCAI2001:
Fourth Internat'l. Conf. Med. Image Computing and Computer-Assisted
Intervention. Utrech, The Netherlands, 14-17 Oct. 2001, 829-836.
Presentations:
Horowitz, Joseph. Statistical approaches to interpretation of MR
images of the brain: segmentation and volume estimation. Plenary
speaker at New England Statistics Symposium 15, April 28, 2001.
Horowitz, Joseph. Mathematics and Statistics in the Interpretation
of MRI in Treatment of Strokes. Long Island University Biology Seminar,
Oct. 23, 2000.
Stein, Ben. Statistical approaches to interpretation of MR images
of the brain: segmentation and volume estimation. Interface Conference,
June, 2001.
Whitten, Gary. Methods for segmenting magnetic resonance imagery
(MRI) of ischemic stroke patents in lesion and background, with
the goal of estimating lesion volumes. Fourth International Conference
on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention -
MICCAI 2001, Utrecht, The Netherlands, October, 2001.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Generation Through Nuclear Reprogramming
Samuel Black, Ph.D., Veterinary and Animal Sciences, UMass
Rafael Fissore, D.V.M., Ph.D., Veterinary & Animal Sciences,
UMass
James Robl, Ph.D., Veterinary & Animal Sciences, UMass
Chester Andrzejewski, Ph.D., M.D., Bone Marrow & Transplant
Unit, Baystate
The goal of this project is to generate hematopoietic stem cells
by reprogramming of adult cells from non-lymphoid tissues. Potential
clinical benefits include production of autologous hematopoietic
stem cells for therapeutic transplantation, correction of genetic
defects in stem cells and development of stem cells with novel properties.
Effective Date - January 17, 1999
The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Cell Death in Lymphocytes and
Neutrophils
Barbara Osborne, Ph.D., Veterinary and Animal Sciences, UMass
Eric Granowitz, M.D., Infectious Disease, Baystate
Bishy Ganguly, Graduate Student, Molecular & Cellular Biology,
UMass
This project explores how hyperbaric oxygen helps persistent wounds
to heal. Scientists know that persistent wounds can heal when the
patient is placed in a hyperbaric chamber and exposed to oxygen,
but it is unclear why this treatment works. One problem with persistent,
or chronic wounds, is inflammation caused by a build-up of white
blood cells, which fight infection. These investigators theorize
that hyperbaric oxygen may trigger the death of some white blood
cells, removing the source of inflammation.
Effective Date - January 17, 1999
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