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J Collinge

Publications and source records attributed to J Collinge.

133 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The effect of varying protein quality and energy intake on the nitrogen metabolism of parenterally fed very low birthweight (less than 1600 g) infants.

Net nitrogen retention (NNR) and rates of whole-body protein turnover (Q), synthesis, and breakdown (B) were measured in 24 intravenously fed premature infants, birthweight less than 1600 g, at the end of the first week of life. Four regimes were used: Amigenglucose +/- Intralipid; Vamin-glucose +/- Intralipid. Mean protein intake was 2.7 g/kg/day. Mean energy intakes were 68 to 98 kcal/kg/day. Vamin was a better protein source (p less than 0.01), evidence by a higher NNR; 72 +/- 2%, cf. 56 +/- 4% at high-energy intakes. The high-energy intake also improved (p less than 0.01) protein retention (NNR); 64 cf. 50%. Infants receiving 2.9 g of Vamin (394 mg N)/ kg/day and 85 kcal/kg/day of nonprotein intake retained nitrogen at intrauterine rates (282 +/- 7 mg/kg/day). Diet had no effect on Q, synthesis, or B. However, the protein source had a significant effect (p less than 0.01) on the fraction of N-flux coming from protein breakdown (B/Q); 71.7% for Vamin, cf. 77.1% for Amigen. Similarly, energy intake had a significant effect (p less than 0.01) on the fraction N-flux utilized for protein synthesis (S/Q); 91.3% high energy cf. 87.0% low energy. These results suggest that an increased energy intake improved N-retention by enhancing amino acid reutilization for protein synthesis, whereas a higher quality protein improved N-retention by limiting protein breakdown..3% high energy cf. 87.0% low energy. These results suggest that an increased energy intake improved N-retention by enhancing amino acid reutilization for protein synthesis, whereas a higher quality protein improved N-retention by limiting protein breakdown..3% high energy cf. 87.0% low energy. These results suggest that an increased energy intake improved N-retention by enhancing amino acid reutilization for protein synthesis, whereas a higher quality protein improved N-retention by limiting protein breakdown.

Diet↗

Unaltered susceptibility to BSE in transgenic mice expressing human prion protein.

Prion diseases are transmissible neurodegenerative conditions of humans and animals. Prions consist principally of a post-translationally modified form of prion protein (PrP), PrP(Sc), which is partly protease resistant. Transmission of prion diseases between species is limited by a 'species barrier' determined in part by the degree of sequence homology between host PrP and inoculated PrP(Sc) (ref.3) and by prion strain type. The epidemic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom and other countries has led to concerns that transmission to humans may occur by dietary exposure. BSE appears to be caused by a single strain, distinct from those of natural or experimental scrapie, which is also seen in the new prion diseases of cats and ruminants that have presumably arisen from dietary BSE exposure. Here we show that transgenic mice expressing human PrP in addition to mouse PrP can generate human PrP(Sc) and 'human' prions. These mice therefore provide a model to study experimentally the species barrier limiting BSE transmission to humans. Incubation periods to BSE in transgenic mice are not shortened by expression of human PrP, and only mouse PrP(Sc) is produced in response to such challenge.

Animals↗

Prion diseases in humans and their relevance to other neurodegenerative diseases.

Molecular genetics has led to considerable advances in our understanding of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The identification of pathogenic mutations in the prion protein gene has enabled a molecular reclassification of the familial forms of these diseases, which may now be referred to as inherited prion diseases. Prion diseases of both humans and animals are associated with deposition of an abnormal isoform of a host-encoded protein, the prion protein (PrP). Human prion diseases have inherited, sporadic and acquired forms. A considerable body of evidence now supports the idea that the transmissible agent in these diseases may be an abnormal isoform of the prion protein. The identification of pathogenic mutations in the PrP gene has enabled the identification of cases of inherited prion disease that would not have been recognised using existing clinical and pathological diagnostic criteria. Since marked clinical and neuropathological overlap between the different neurodegenerative disorders is well recognised, PrP gene analysis is of increasing importance in differential diagnosis. Frontal lobe dementia of non-Alzheimer type and Pick's disease share a number of important clinical and pathological features with prion diseases, and could be considered as candidate prion diseases. However, we have not been able to demonstrate either PrP mutations or the presence of the disease-associated isoform of prion protein in several well-characterised families with these disorders.

Humans↗