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Biomedical subjects

J P Flores

Publications and source records attributed to J P Flores.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Plotgardener App: a graphical interface for publication-ready genomic visualization.

SUMMARY: Plotgardener is an R package used for generating high-quality genomic visualizations. Despite its broad range of functions and versatility, its reliance on code presents a barrier for many potential users. To address this, we developed a macOS desktop application version of Plotgardener that enables users to create publication-ready genomic plots with no programming experience. The application employs a modular architecture comprising an Electron.js backend, a React frontend, and a Python parser that dynamically analyzes the Plotgardener package to ensure interface fields remain synchronized with package updates. By lowering the technical barrier to advanced genomic visualization, the Plotgardener desktop application broadens access to powerful visualization workflows for researchers and clinicians. AVAILABILITY: The current release of the Plotgardener App is an open source macOS desktop application built with Electron (Node.js), featuring a React frontend and a Python-based parser. The download link is available at https://phanstiellab.github.io/plotgardener/articles/guides/plotgardenerApp.html and on Zenodo (doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21684228). The source code is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/rishabhsvemuri/ThePlotgardenerApp.

Genomics↗

Elevated interleukin-6 levels in the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: ovarian immunohistochemical localization of interleukin-6 signal.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the production and immunolocalization of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. METHODS: The study group consisted of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (n = 9) from whom serum and ascites samples were obtained. The control samples used were serum (n = 10) and peritoneal (n = 16) and follicular fluids (n = 8) from healthy individuals. Follicular fluid (n = 40) and serial serum samples were also obtained from patients undergoing menotropin stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) before (n = 10) and after ovulation (n = 34). Interleukin-6 measurements were performed with a sensitive immunoassay and confirmed with a bioassay. Immunohistochemical localization of IL-6 was performed with a mouse monoclonal antibody in normal premenopausal (n = 5) and postmenopausal ovaries (n = 5), as well as with cells from stimulated follicular fluid aspirates (n = 3). RESULTS: We found significantly higher serum and ascites IL-6 levels in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (mean 18.8 +/- 1.1 and 810.8 +/- 60.7 pg/mL, respectively) compared with postovulatory serum and peritoneal fluid from normal controls (mean 4.4 +/- .69 and 44.7 +/- 7.5 pg/mL, respectively) (P < .001) or serum after menotropin stimulation (13.1 +/- 1.1 pg/mL) (P < .001). At the time of ovulation, follicular fluid IL-6 levels (normal controls, mean 9 +/- 2.1 pg/mL; menotropin stimulation, mean 10.1 +/- 4 pg/mL) were higher than in preovulatory serum (normal controls, mean 4.5 +/- .8 pg/mL; menotropin stimulation, mean 6.3 +/- 1.4 pg/mL) (P < .001). Immunohistochemical localization of IL-6 revealed intense staining in corpora lutea and theca cells from large antral follicles and luteinized granulosa cells in follicular aspirates after menotropin stimulation. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-6 levels are markedly elevated in the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome when compared with controls. The higher follicular fluid IL-6 levels seen suggest local secretion of this cytokine. Immunohistochemical correlation demonstrated IL-6 within ovarian theca cells. These findings suggest a local role for IL-6 both in normal and stimulated ovarian function. Whether IL-6 is directly responsible for the clinical manifestations of this syndrome is unclear. However, when produced in massive amounts, the pro-inflammatory effects of IL-6 may contribute to its pathogenesis and perhaps serve as a marker for the disease.

Adult↗

Involvement of the E2A basic helix-loop-helix protein in immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcriptional factor E2A has previously been shown to play a critical role in early B cell development, with E2A knockout mice and Id1 transgenic mice showing an arrest at the pro-B cell stage of development. More recent data suggest that E2A, through an interaction with the immunoglobulin heavy chain 3' enhancer, might also regulate later events in B cell development such as heavy chain class switching. The patterns of E2A protein expression in secondary lymphoid tissues support a role in later stages of B cell maturation. In particular, immunostaining reveals upregulation of E2A protein in cells of the dark zone of the germinal center, the site of immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching. To examine the role of E2A in class switching, the inhibitory HLH protein Id1 was expressed in B cell lines which normally undergo spontaneous and inducible switching from IgM to IgA. The forced expression of Id1 in these cell lines effectively blocked class switching. This Id1 blockade of class switching did not occur via downregulation of immunoglobulin heavy chain germline transcription or through inhibition of cell cycling. Furthermore, Id1 inhibited spontaneous and, to a lesser degree, cytokine inducible class switching. From these data, we conclude that E2A plays an important role in the class switching process.

Animals↗

Core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis of bone and soft-tissue lesions.

Although core needle biopsy (CNB) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedures are widely used for the diagnosis of epithelial neoplasms, these procedures have not gained popularity on patients suspected of having bone or soft-tissue neoplasms. This article describes the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience with CNB and FNA procedures in bone and soft tissue performed in over 800 patients.

Biopsy, Needle↗