University of Alabama at Birmingham

About: University of Alabama at Birmingham is a education organization based out in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 38523 authors who have published 86775 publications receiving 3930642 citations. The organization is also known as: UAB & The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Photoreceptor loss in age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: Purpose The authors showed previously that parafoveal rods, but not cones, decrease during the course of adulthood in donor eyes that were screened to exclude the grossly visible macular drusen and pigmentary disturbances typical of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Because AMD begins in the parafovea, this selective loss of rods actually may be subclinical AMD not yet visible in the fundus. If so, AMD must have a predilection for rods over cones. The authors tested this hypothesis by determining the relative numbers of cones and rods in donor eyes with mid-to late-stage AMD and in age-matched controls. Methods Thirteen eyes (from seven donors) with grossly visible macular drusen and pigmentary disturbances were either wholemounted for photoreceptor counts or sectioned through the fovea for histopathology and carbonic anhydrase histochemistry to label red-green cones. Eyes were assigned to AMD or control groups on the basis of histopathology and clinical history. Results Five nonexudative AMD (NE-AMD) eyes from three donors showed sparing of foveal cones and loss of rods and cones in the parafovea. In two donors, rod loss exceeded cone loss at most parafoveal locations, and in one donor, rod density was normal and cone density was reduced. In eight exudative AMD (EX-AMD) eyes from five donors, photoreceptors surviving along the margins of and overlying disciform scars were largely cones. Conclusions Photoreceptors are lost in NE-AMD as well as in the more severe exudative form, consistent with functional and clinical studies. The authors propose that rods die in older eyes without evidence of overt retinal pigment epithelial disease. In persons susceptible to AMD, the retinal pigment epithelium becomes dysfunctional. Secondarily, rod loss continues and cones begin to degenerate. Eventually, only degenerate cones remain; ultimately, all photoreceptors may disappear.

Composition of the adult digestive tract bacterial microbiome based on seven mouth surfaces, tonsils, throat and stool samples

Abstract: Background: To understand the relationship between our bacterial microbiome and health, it is essential to define the microbiome in the absence of disease. The digestive tract includes diverse habitats and hosts the human body’s greatest bacterial density. We describe the bacterial community composition of ten digestive tract sites from more than 200 normal adults enrolled in the Human Microbiome Project, and metagenomically determined metabolic potentials of four representative sites. Results: The microbiota of these diverse habitats formed four groups based on similar community compositions: buccal mucosa, keratinized gingiva, hard palate; saliva, tongue, tonsils, throat; sub- and supra-gingival plaques; and stool. Phyla initially identified from environmental samples were detected throughout this population, primarily TM7, SR1, and Synergistetes. Genera with pathogenic members were well-represented among this disease-free cohort. Tooth-associated communities were distinct, but not entirely dissimilar, from other oral surfaces. The Porphyromonadaceae, Veillonellaceae and Lachnospiraceae families were common to all sites, but the distributions of their genera varied significantly. Most metabolic processes were distributed widely throughout the digestive tract microbiota, with variations in metagenomic abundance between body habitats. These included shifts in sugar transporter types between the supragingival plaque, other oral surfaces, and stool; hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide production were also differentially distributed. Conclusions: The microbiomes of ten digestive tract sites separated into four types based on composition. A core set of metabolic pathways was present across these diverse digestive tract habitats. These data provide a critical baseline for future studies investigating local and systemic diseases affecting human health.

Teriparatide or alendronate in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Abstract: Background Bisphosphonate therapy is the current standard of care for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Studies of anabolic therapy in patients who are receiving long-term glucocorticoids and are at high risk for fracture are lacking. Methods In an 18-month randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, we compared teriparatide with alendronate in 428 women and men with osteoporosis (ages, 22 to 89 years) who had received glucocorticoids for at least 3 months (prednisone equivalent, 5 mg daily or more). A total of 214 patients received 20 μg of teriparatide once daily, and 214 received 10 mg of alendronate once daily. The primary outcome was the change in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine. Secondary outcomes included changes in bone mineral density at the total hip and in markers of bone turnover, the time to changes in bone mineral density, the incidence of fractures, and safety. Results At the last measurement, the mean (±SE) bone mineral density at the lumbar spin...

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Anemic Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: Results of a Phase III Multicenter Clinical Trial

Abstract: Study Objective:To determine the effectiveness and safety of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo). Patients:Hemodialysis patients (333) with uncomplicated anemia (hematocrit < 0.30). ...