PURPOSE Photoreceptor degenerative diseases are among the leading causes of vision loss. Although the causative genetic mutations are often known, mechanisms leading to photoreceptor degeneration remain poorly defined. We have previously demonstrated that the photoreceptor membrane-associated protein XAP-1 antigen is a product of the HSPA5 gene. In this study, we used systems genetic methods, s...

Porphyrins constitute a class of attractive materials for harvesting sunlight and promote chemical reactions following their natural activity the photosynthetic process in plants. In this work, we employ an in-silico design strategy to propose novel porphyrin-based as photocatalysts hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). More specifically, set meso-substituted porphyrins with donor-acceptor archite...

Objective(s) There are some reports in recent years indicating that renal ischemia - reperfusion (IR) induces deleterious changes in remote organs such as liver. The aim of this study was to investigate whether leukocytes have a role on the induction of oxidative stress in liver after renal IR. Materials and Methods Inbred mice in IR donor group were subjected to renal IR injury. In sham don...

Human fetal bone fragments implanted subcutaneously in immunodeficient (SCID) mice maintain active human hematopoiesis. In this study, we show that this human hematopoietic microenvironment supports the engraftment and differentiation of HLA-mismatched, CD34+ primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells isolated from fetal and adult human bone marrow (BM). The BM CD34+ cells were depleted of CD2, C...

CONTEXT Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is an inhibitor of tissue fibrosis. OBJECTIVE To study the association of CAV1 gene variation with kidney transplant outcome, using kidney transplantation as a model of accelerated fibrosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Candidate gene association and validation study. Genomic DNA from 785 white kidney transplant donors and their respective recipients (transplantat...

This study investigates a new phenomenon whereby individuals conceived by donor insemination are searching for and contacting their donor and/or 'donor siblings' (i.e. donor offspring conceived by the same donor who are their genetic half siblings). On-line questionnaires were completed by members of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR), a US-based registry that facilitates contact between donor co...

OBJECTIVE To study the decision to have a child alone, the experience of gamete donation, the issue of disclosure of the donor link to the child, conception-related health and sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers, children's socioemotional development, and mother-child relationships. DESIGN Qualitative study. SETTING Prior clients of a sperm bank. PARTICIPANT(S) Eleven single w...