Neither tetralin nor its alpha-tetralol metabolite formed a chromogen when reacted in vitro at hi... more Neither tetralin nor its alpha-tetralol metabolite formed a chromogen when reacted in vitro at high concentrations (100-500 mM) with bovine serum albumin, but alpha- tetralol formed a non-chromogenic protein adduct. The spinal cord, spinal ganglia, and sciatic nerves of 12-week-old C57Bl/6 male mice (~25 g) treated i.p. daily 5 days/ week with saline containing 10 percent acetone were indistinguishable at 14 and 35 days from tissue removed from animals comparably treated with 3 mmol/kg/d tetralin or 0.34 or 0.67 mmol/kg/d alpha-tetralol, the doses of the lat- ter two increasing 50 percent every two weeks up to 35 days. Animals showed dose- related drowsiness, acute respiratory distress, lethargy, and body weight changes, with greater acute toxicity in alpha-tetralol-treated animals. In sum, neither tetralin nor alpha-tetralol formed colored pigments with proteins nor did they trigger ax- onal neuropathy under the conditions studied. Supported by NIEHS grants ES10338 & ES11384 & the ...
In-vitro evidence of testicular stathmin reactivity to 1,2-diacetylbenzene Sabri M.I., Hashemi S.... more In-vitro evidence of testicular stathmin reactivity to 1,2-diacetylbenzene Sabri M.I., Hashemi S.B., Chohan S., Khalil S., Tshala-Katumbay D.D., Palmer V., Cranson A. , Pounds J.G. and Spencer P.S. , Hashemi S.B. = Hashemi SB= Hashemi SBS= Hashemi S= Hashemi Seyed= Hashemi Seyed B. = Hashemi S. Badiozaman= Hashemi Seyed Badiozaman Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR Protein-reactive 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB) is the putative active gamma-diketone metabolite of 1,2-diethylbenzene (1,2-DEB), a minor neurotoxic component of aromatic solvents including jet fuels. Rats treated with 1,2-DEB or 1,2-DAB develop blue discoloration of brain, greenish urine, altered brain stem auditory evoked potentials and sensorimotor axonal neuropathy. Proteomic studies have focused attention on 1,2-DAB-induced changes in stathmin, a cytosolic protein that binds to tubulin, regulates microtubule assembly/disassembly, and is req...
It was in September 1985 at the first colloquium on Lathyrus and lathyrism that researchers from ... more It was in September 1985 at the first colloquium on Lathyrus and lathyrism that researchers from many isolated disciplines came together to develop a coordinated effort with a sense of purpose and urgency. The transforming moment was the airing of a videotape that I had recorded in northern India in 1983 while working on lathyrism with Peter Spencer. This showed the tragic clinical effects of continued consumption of the grass pea in the form of walking difficulties, inappropriate leg movements, and frank limb paralysis. These images galvanized the Pau conferees -most of whom were plant scientists -into action to develop low-toxin strains of the grass pea as a useful dryland crop and to prevent lathyrism in future generations . This scientific cooperation was known as INILSEL, the International Network for the Improvement of Lathyrus sativus and the Eradication of Lathyrism. Third World Medical Research Foundation (TWMRF), which led INILSEL for many years, carried out interdisciplin...
worldwide that cannot access adequate healthcare. Even in the US, one of the world's wealthie... more worldwide that cannot access adequate healthcare. Even in the US, one of the world's wealthiest nations, there are vast swathes of the population – refugees, homeless people and others living in poverty – whose basic medical requirements are not readily met. For the Global Health Center at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), these underserved groups provide an opportunity for student education and community service. The interprofessional Community Health and Education Exchange (iCHEE) was established in 2008 to expose students from health professions early in their training to medically underserved clients, and promote client access to healthcare. This project's goal is to implement a culturally appropriate two-way exchange of information that educates students while identifying necessary medical interventions for vulnerable individuals before serious problems arise. WORKING TOGETHER The driving force behind this initiative is iCHEE's Director, Valerie Palmer, an ...
OBJECTIVE: To determine environmental factors associated with Nodding Syndrome (NS), a treatable ... more OBJECTIVE: To determine environmental factors associated with Nodding Syndrome (NS), a treatable but otherwise progressive form of epilepsy in east Africa. BACKGROUND: Uncontrollable head nodding, often food-associated, was first described in Tanzania in the 1960s, with reports from 1934 (Afr. Health Sci. 13: 176-82, 2013). Many develop generalized seizures. Large outbreaks of NS occurred in South Sudan (from 1991) and Uganda (from 1997), the latter affecting thousands of children. Common risk factors include population ..
Text Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvul... more Text Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvulus (OV), and lack of medicine and immunization, are common to populations affected by Nodding Syndrome (NS) in Uganda, South Sudan, and Tanzania, where records indicate cases as early as 1934 [1]. Children with NS are born normally and undergo unremarkable perinatal development before growth slows and the child becomes physically and mentally stunted coincident with periodic head nodding and convulsions triggered by sensory stimuli, such as food or cold. MRI reveals hippocampal pathology and gliosis in some, but cerebrospinal fluid is free of OV by polymerase chain reaction [2,3]. While NS is always associated with OV, the reverse is not true, which suggests additional etiologic factors, notably those associated with poor food quality. Sorghum, an imported red variety of which was statistically associated with NS in South Sudan [4], is prone to spoilage by Fusarium verticillioides; this ...
Nodding syndrome is an unknown neurological disorder affecting children in Northern Uganda, South... more Nodding syndrome is an unknown neurological disorder affecting children in Northern Uganda, South Sudan and Southern Tanzania. The patient in our case report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first with the syndrome that has been serially followed up for more than three months and the information obtained provides important clue to the possible risk factor to the syndrome. BJMMR, 6(8): 851-858, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.260 852 Case Presentation: A 13-year-old boy diagnosed in Atanga Health Centre III using World Health Organization (WHO) surveillance case definition as probable Nodding syndrome was referred to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital with pyomyositis of abdominal wall muscle and head nodding which was not responding to treatment. Serial anthropometry and laboratory investigations including, haematology, clinical chemistry, biochemistry and muscle biopsy were conducted in a period of 3 months and compared to the nodding episodes. Complete blood count showed leucocytosis with immature granulocytes and atypical lymphocytes mainly during the infective phase of the pyomyositis but returned to normal as a result of the surgical procedure, Incision, Drainage and Debridement (I, D & D) of pyomyositis of the anterior abdominal wall muscle combined with administration of antibiotics and analgesics. The liver enzymes were high throughout the period of admission in Gulu Hospital. The renal parameters and serum electrolytes were within normal ranges during the nodding free periods but it was deranged during the nodding episodes. Abdominal ultrasound scan showed a focal mass on the right internal and external oblique muscles of the abdominal wall. Histology of the muscle showed a non-specific inflammation of the abdominal muscles with mass necrosis of the muscle and thrombosed blood vessels. These findings highlight the concurrent existence of pyomyositis in a child with Nodding Syndrome but whose nodding episodes were pronounced during the periods with imbalanced electrolyte pattern and with high anion gap. In conclusion: Nodding syndrome is an unknown neurological disorder affecting children whose nodding episodes are probably related to the high Anion Gap metabolic acidosis.
Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvulus (O... more Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvulus (OV), and lack of medicine and immunization, are common to populations affected by Nodding Syndrome (NS) in Uganda, South Sudan, and Tanzania, where records indicate cases as early as 1934 . Children with NS are born normally and undergo unremarkable perinatal development before growth slows and the child becomes physically and mentally stunted coincident with periodic head nodding and convulsions triggered by sensory stimuli, such as food or cold. MRI reveals hippocampal pathology and gliosis in some, but cerebrospinal fluid is free of OV by polymerase chain reaction . While NS is always associated with OV, the reverse is not true, which suggests additional etiologic factors, notably those associated with poor food quality. Sorghum, an imported red variety of which was statistically associated with NS in South Sudan , is prone to spoilage by Fusarium verticillioides; this fungus elaborates fumonisin B1, which blocks sphingolipid synthesis and causes leukoencephalomalacia in horses and hippocampal lesions in laboratory species . Other common food molds include Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrusosum that elaborate ochratoxin A, a mitochondrial toxin with renal and neurotoxic potential . Ochratoxin and other mycotoxins generated by Aspergillus spp. (aflatoxin B1) and Fusarium spp.
Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 2014
The rapidly diversifying population of North America has disparate health needs that are addresse... more The rapidly diversifying population of North America has disparate health needs that are addressed by creative, community-based training of health professions students. The authors report five years (2008-2012) of experience implementing a novel interprofessional Community Health and Education Exchange (iCHEE) elective course for dental, medical, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, physician assistant, and public health students at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This pioneering interprofessional course was created by the OHSU Global Health Center and is offered in fall, winter, and spring quarters. Students interact with individual clients drawn from community centers supporting refugees, recent immigrants, and other underserved people. In addition to health concerns, clients are encouraged to share backgrounds and experiences with student teams. Clients receive guidance on nutrition, exercise, pharmaceuticals, and accessible health services. Student teams perform a noninvasiv...
Neither tetralin nor its alpha-tetralol metabolite formed a chromogen when reacted in vitro at hi... more Neither tetralin nor its alpha-tetralol metabolite formed a chromogen when reacted in vitro at high concentrations (100-500 mM) with bovine serum albumin, but alpha- tetralol formed a non-chromogenic protein adduct. The spinal cord, spinal ganglia, and sciatic nerves of 12-week-old C57Bl/6 male mice (~25 g) treated i.p. daily 5 days/ week with saline containing 10 percent acetone were indistinguishable at 14 and 35 days from tissue removed from animals comparably treated with 3 mmol/kg/d tetralin or 0.34 or 0.67 mmol/kg/d alpha-tetralol, the doses of the lat- ter two increasing 50 percent every two weeks up to 35 days. Animals showed dose- related drowsiness, acute respiratory distress, lethargy, and body weight changes, with greater acute toxicity in alpha-tetralol-treated animals. In sum, neither tetralin nor alpha-tetralol formed colored pigments with proteins nor did they trigger ax- onal neuropathy under the conditions studied. Supported by NIEHS grants ES10338 & ES11384 & the ...
In-vitro evidence of testicular stathmin reactivity to 1,2-diacetylbenzene Sabri M.I., Hashemi S.... more In-vitro evidence of testicular stathmin reactivity to 1,2-diacetylbenzene Sabri M.I., Hashemi S.B., Chohan S., Khalil S., Tshala-Katumbay D.D., Palmer V., Cranson A. , Pounds J.G. and Spencer P.S. , Hashemi S.B. = Hashemi SB= Hashemi SBS= Hashemi S= Hashemi Seyed= Hashemi Seyed B. = Hashemi S. Badiozaman= Hashemi Seyed Badiozaman Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR Protein-reactive 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB) is the putative active gamma-diketone metabolite of 1,2-diethylbenzene (1,2-DEB), a minor neurotoxic component of aromatic solvents including jet fuels. Rats treated with 1,2-DEB or 1,2-DAB develop blue discoloration of brain, greenish urine, altered brain stem auditory evoked potentials and sensorimotor axonal neuropathy. Proteomic studies have focused attention on 1,2-DAB-induced changes in stathmin, a cytosolic protein that binds to tubulin, regulates microtubule assembly/disassembly, and is req...
It was in September 1985 at the first colloquium on Lathyrus and lathyrism that researchers from ... more It was in September 1985 at the first colloquium on Lathyrus and lathyrism that researchers from many isolated disciplines came together to develop a coordinated effort with a sense of purpose and urgency. The transforming moment was the airing of a videotape that I had recorded in northern India in 1983 while working on lathyrism with Peter Spencer. This showed the tragic clinical effects of continued consumption of the grass pea in the form of walking difficulties, inappropriate leg movements, and frank limb paralysis. These images galvanized the Pau conferees -most of whom were plant scientists -into action to develop low-toxin strains of the grass pea as a useful dryland crop and to prevent lathyrism in future generations . This scientific cooperation was known as INILSEL, the International Network for the Improvement of Lathyrus sativus and the Eradication of Lathyrism. Third World Medical Research Foundation (TWMRF), which led INILSEL for many years, carried out interdisciplin...
worldwide that cannot access adequate healthcare. Even in the US, one of the world's wealthie... more worldwide that cannot access adequate healthcare. Even in the US, one of the world's wealthiest nations, there are vast swathes of the population – refugees, homeless people and others living in poverty – whose basic medical requirements are not readily met. For the Global Health Center at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), these underserved groups provide an opportunity for student education and community service. The interprofessional Community Health and Education Exchange (iCHEE) was established in 2008 to expose students from health professions early in their training to medically underserved clients, and promote client access to healthcare. This project's goal is to implement a culturally appropriate two-way exchange of information that educates students while identifying necessary medical interventions for vulnerable individuals before serious problems arise. WORKING TOGETHER The driving force behind this initiative is iCHEE's Director, Valerie Palmer, an ...
OBJECTIVE: To determine environmental factors associated with Nodding Syndrome (NS), a treatable ... more OBJECTIVE: To determine environmental factors associated with Nodding Syndrome (NS), a treatable but otherwise progressive form of epilepsy in east Africa. BACKGROUND: Uncontrollable head nodding, often food-associated, was first described in Tanzania in the 1960s, with reports from 1934 (Afr. Health Sci. 13: 176-82, 2013). Many develop generalized seizures. Large outbreaks of NS occurred in South Sudan (from 1991) and Uganda (from 1997), the latter affecting thousands of children. Common risk factors include population ..
Text Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvul... more Text Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvulus (OV), and lack of medicine and immunization, are common to populations affected by Nodding Syndrome (NS) in Uganda, South Sudan, and Tanzania, where records indicate cases as early as 1934 [1]. Children with NS are born normally and undergo unremarkable perinatal development before growth slows and the child becomes physically and mentally stunted coincident with periodic head nodding and convulsions triggered by sensory stimuli, such as food or cold. MRI reveals hippocampal pathology and gliosis in some, but cerebrospinal fluid is free of OV by polymerase chain reaction [2,3]. While NS is always associated with OV, the reverse is not true, which suggests additional etiologic factors, notably those associated with poor food quality. Sorghum, an imported red variety of which was statistically associated with NS in South Sudan [4], is prone to spoilage by Fusarium verticillioides; this ...
Nodding syndrome is an unknown neurological disorder affecting children in Northern Uganda, South... more Nodding syndrome is an unknown neurological disorder affecting children in Northern Uganda, South Sudan and Southern Tanzania. The patient in our case report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first with the syndrome that has been serially followed up for more than three months and the information obtained provides important clue to the possible risk factor to the syndrome. BJMMR, 6(8): 851-858, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.260 852 Case Presentation: A 13-year-old boy diagnosed in Atanga Health Centre III using World Health Organization (WHO) surveillance case definition as probable Nodding syndrome was referred to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital with pyomyositis of abdominal wall muscle and head nodding which was not responding to treatment. Serial anthropometry and laboratory investigations including, haematology, clinical chemistry, biochemistry and muscle biopsy were conducted in a period of 3 months and compared to the nodding episodes. Complete blood count showed leucocytosis with immature granulocytes and atypical lymphocytes mainly during the infective phase of the pyomyositis but returned to normal as a result of the surgical procedure, Incision, Drainage and Debridement (I, D & D) of pyomyositis of the anterior abdominal wall muscle combined with administration of antibiotics and analgesics. The liver enzymes were high throughout the period of admission in Gulu Hospital. The renal parameters and serum electrolytes were within normal ranges during the nodding free periods but it was deranged during the nodding episodes. Abdominal ultrasound scan showed a focal mass on the right internal and external oblique muscles of the abdominal wall. Histology of the muscle showed a non-specific inflammation of the abdominal muscles with mass necrosis of the muscle and thrombosed blood vessels. These findings highlight the concurrent existence of pyomyositis in a child with Nodding Syndrome but whose nodding episodes were pronounced during the periods with imbalanced electrolyte pattern and with high anion gap. In conclusion: Nodding syndrome is an unknown neurological disorder affecting children whose nodding episodes are probably related to the high Anion Gap metabolic acidosis.
Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvulus (O... more Internal displacement, severe food shortages, vermiform infection, notably Onchocerca volvulus (OV), and lack of medicine and immunization, are common to populations affected by Nodding Syndrome (NS) in Uganda, South Sudan, and Tanzania, where records indicate cases as early as 1934 . Children with NS are born normally and undergo unremarkable perinatal development before growth slows and the child becomes physically and mentally stunted coincident with periodic head nodding and convulsions triggered by sensory stimuli, such as food or cold. MRI reveals hippocampal pathology and gliosis in some, but cerebrospinal fluid is free of OV by polymerase chain reaction . While NS is always associated with OV, the reverse is not true, which suggests additional etiologic factors, notably those associated with poor food quality. Sorghum, an imported red variety of which was statistically associated with NS in South Sudan , is prone to spoilage by Fusarium verticillioides; this fungus elaborates fumonisin B1, which blocks sphingolipid synthesis and causes leukoencephalomalacia in horses and hippocampal lesions in laboratory species . Other common food molds include Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrusosum that elaborate ochratoxin A, a mitochondrial toxin with renal and neurotoxic potential . Ochratoxin and other mycotoxins generated by Aspergillus spp. (aflatoxin B1) and Fusarium spp.
Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 2014
The rapidly diversifying population of North America has disparate health needs that are addresse... more The rapidly diversifying population of North America has disparate health needs that are addressed by creative, community-based training of health professions students. The authors report five years (2008-2012) of experience implementing a novel interprofessional Community Health and Education Exchange (iCHEE) elective course for dental, medical, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, physician assistant, and public health students at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This pioneering interprofessional course was created by the OHSU Global Health Center and is offered in fall, winter, and spring quarters. Students interact with individual clients drawn from community centers supporting refugees, recent immigrants, and other underserved people. In addition to health concerns, clients are encouraged to share backgrounds and experiences with student teams. Clients receive guidance on nutrition, exercise, pharmaceuticals, and accessible health services. Student teams perform a noninvasiv...
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