Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major limitation of successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) has been tested extensively in small cohorts of patients with chronic GVHD. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 71 patients with severe chronic GVHD treated with ECP. Response rate was 61% (n ‫؍‬ 43), and 14 patients had complete responses (CRs). The best responses were observed in skin, liver, oral mucosa, and eye. Factors affecting outcomes were assessed in the less heavily pretreated subgroup (n ‫؍‬ 63). Thrombocytopenia was associated with a lower response rate (P ‫؍‬ .04), and there was a trend toward a higher response rate in de novo chronic GVHD. At 6 months, a total of 27 (

In this study we measured the learning outcomes resulting from using molecular visualization software in lecture and in the teaching laboratory of a large introductory-level undergraduate biology majors' course. The study was initially carried out in the Fall semester of 1999; the results of this study were used to devise an expanded laboratory component that was evaluated in a second study carried out in the Fall of 2000. In both studies, students (n ‫؍‬ 175 and 161) attended two 50-min lectures that used molecular visualization software to explain protein structure and function and the gene-protein connection. Students also used this software during one 3-h laboratory session as a tool for exploring these topics. Students completed open-ended pre-and post-surveys that involved a related but unfamiliar task. Survey responses were scored for correctness, as well as by the type(s) of explanations used in the response. We found the following eight types of responses that students employed to explain protein structure and function: genetics, protein structure, chemical interactions, amino acid sequence, purpose/teleology, extrinsic factors, miscellaneous, and none. In both studies, the frequencies of correct answers, as well as the frequencies of each response type, showed significant changes as a result of lecture and/or lab. The effects of lecture were highly similar in both studies. The changes in the expanded lab resulted in significant changes in outcome. Overall, the curriculum effectively communicated several core concepts in protein biochemistry and expanded the conceptual "toolkit" that students applied to problems of protein structure and function. Lecture increased students' understanding of the role of amino acid sequence, whereas lab tended to increase their understanding of three-dimensional structure and the gene-protein connection. Our results demonstrate that exposure to molecular visualization, even for a relatively brief time, can improve students' understanding of protein structure and function. In addition, we demonstrate the differing and largely non-overlapping effects of lecture and lab, suggesting that effective use of molecular visualization should involve both types of activities.Keywords: Evaluation, molecular visualization, protein structure.Communicating an understanding of protein structurefunction relationships and the connection between gene and protein is a major component of virtually all biology courses at the high school and introductory college levels. A minimal understanding of these ideas includes the following core concepts.(1) Proteins are the major component of living cells and perform the vast majority of tasks required for life.(2) Most genes act by producing protein products with specific cellular functions.(3) The function of a protein is determined by its shape, as well as its potential for interaction with other molecules.(4) The shape of a protein, in turn, is determined by the sequence of amino acids that make up its chemical structure.(5) Genetic mutations often l...

Objective: To investigate the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on certain walking parameters in patients with hemiplegia. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory at MossRehab. Participants: A total of 1150 records of patients with stroke who were referred to the Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory between 2000 and 2008 for an evaluation of their walking. Of this group, 217 patients wore braces at the time of the gait evaluation and were selected for a more in-depth review. Among these patients, 42 records were selected because of the existence of available data from temporal spatial analysis meeting 2 conditions: walking with bare feet and walking with an AFO during the same visit. Methods and Main Outcome Measurements: Under both conditions, temporal spatial parameters of gait, including self-selected velocity, cadence, stance time, swing time, double support time, step length, and width of the base of support, were assessed by the use of an electronic gait mat (Gait Mat II, EQ Inc.) originally designed in the Moss Rehabilitation Engineering Center. Results: Walking velocity, cadence, percent stance, double support, and step length significantly increased, whereas affected side percent swing and width of the base of support decreased when patients used an AFO. Symmetries of stance time (P ϭ .0001) and step length (P ϭ .002) improved as well when patients used an AFO compared with walking barefoot. Conclusion: In this sample of patients with stroke, the use of an AFO improved the symmetry of several of the temporal spatial parameters of gait, and consequently, the gait pattern of these hemiparetic patients was enhanced.

Sphingolipid-gated Ca2+ signaling is mediated through Ca(2+)-permeable channels. In this report, we characterize the properties of the channel in a human endothelial cell line (EA.hy926). Ca2+ release from intracellular stores is not antagonized by nifedipine, omega conotoxin G-VIa, or heparin. To further characterize the molecular properties of the channel, we developed a novel assay to directly measure efflux of Ca2+ from intracellular stores of permeabilized Xenopus oocytes. Following size fractionation by sucrose gradient, poly(A)+ RNA from EA.hy926 cells is microinjected into oocytes of Xenopus laevis. We find that the mRNA encoding Ca2+ release activity is approximately 1.5-2.0 kilobases in length. The sphingolipid-gated Ca(2+)-permeable channel is thus likely to be a novel Ca(2+)-permeable channel distinct from other characterized intracellular Ca2+ channels such as the ryanodyne receptor and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. The method described here provides a new approach to further characterizing this channel and other intracellular Ca2+ channels.