B.C.G. vaccination and tuberculosis.
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BCG Vaccine↗
Biomedical subjects
A Chandra
Publications and source records attributed to A Chandra.
Biochemical changes on prolonged stay at high altitudes.
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Alanine Transaminase↗
Quantitative analysis of flavonol glycosides in Ginkgo biloba: a comparison of two analytical methods.
A comparison of testing methods for constituents of Ginkgo biloba was performed as part of the process for determining which of the many available analytical methods was most appropriate for inclusion in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP). Three primary methods were reviewed: those adopted by the European Pharmacopoeia, the National Science Foundation-Institute for Nutraceutical Advancement (NSF-INA) and the United States Pharmacopeia. Methods were compared by evaluating sample preparation and hydrolysis, precision and methods of total flavonol glycoside calculation by two independent laboratories. The AHP adopted the method of NSF-INA for inclusion in the AHP monograph owing to observed superiority of this method in terms of precision, glycoside calculation, ease of sample preparation and chromatographic parameters.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
Serum cholesterol binding reserve percentage in diabetes mellitus.
Serum cholesterol binding reserve percentage (SCBR%) in patients with diabetes mellitus (22.17 +/- 13.40%) was significantly lower than in controls (40.93 +/- 8.69%) (p less than 0.001). SCBR% of controls did not vary with age (age range 20-80 years). SCBR% declined significantly with increasing duration of diabetes. It also decreased with macrovascular complications and was lowest in multiple/fatal complications further corroborating the value of SCBR% as a risk indicator of atherogenesis. The relationship of SCBR% with treatment was very striking. All adequately controlled patients had a significantly higher SCBR% than those who were poorly controlled regardless of treatment modality and those adequately controlled on insulin had the highest SCBR%, which was close to that of normal controls.
Adult↗
Emergency-department diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and ischemia: a cost analysis of two diagnostic protocols.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential cost savings of the emergency-department (ED) diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and other myocardial ischemia using a nine- hour ED evaluation protocol. METHODS: This one-year study of chest-pain evaluation unit (CPEU) patient charges was undertaken at two midwestern urban university hospital EDs. Included in the study were 447 patients presenting to the EDs with chest pain consistent with myocardial ischemia, nondiagnostic electrocardiograms (ECGs), and stable vital signs. Following initial ED evaluation, CPEU patients underwent nine hours of continuous ECG ST-segment monitoring with serum CK-MB levels determined at zero, three, six, and nine hours. Nonrandomized concurrent chest pain patients with routine ED evaluation and hospital admission without CPEU workup served as controls. At Center 1, patients with negative CPEU evaluations underwent immediate echocardiography (echo) and graded exercise testing (GXT) followed by ED release (CPEU;REL). At Center 2, CPEU patients were released from the ED for outpatient stress thallium testing (CPEU;REL). At Center 2, CPEU patients with positive workups as indicated by elevated CK-MB levels, ischemia by ST-segment monitoring, or positive echo/GXT/ stress thallium testing were admitted to the hospital for further testing. Control patients were admitted directly to the hospital to evaluate for AMI. Hospital charges for CPEU and control groups were compared. RESULTS: (Total charges in dollars, mean +/- SD, student's t-test): [table: see text] CONCLUSION: At both centers, hospital charges related to the acute evaluation of chest pain were significantly lower with this ED diagnostic protocol for AMI and myocardial ischemia.
Adult↗
Substance misuse and HIV/AIDS risks among delinquents: a prevention challenge.
In the United States, there is growing concern that adolescents are at increasing risk for HIV-1 infection due to recreational substance use and sexual activity. Self-report questionnaires from a sample of 224 incarcerated delinquents quantified associations between drug use, sex, and other behaviors which risk HIV-1 infection. High rates of substance use and HIV-risking behaviors were found. Significant correlations between levels of substance use and both behavioral and attitudinal barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention programming were observed. This evidence and other subgroup differences in denial of vulnerability and in practice of preventive behaviors indicate the need for different approaches to prevention. An integrated HIV/AIDS and substance misuse prevention program is discussed as a viable alternative to the usual knowledge-enhancing programs.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Histone-mediated transfer and expression of the HIV-1 tat gene in Jurkat cells.
We studied the gene transfer efficiency of lipofection reagents in comparison to DEAE-Dextran. DOTAP, Dosper, and Lipofectin have lower transfection efficiency; Lipofectamine has a 2.5-fold better efficiency compared with DEAE-Dextran. We report a novel and highly efficient DNA transfer system based on the DNA-binding proteins histone 3 and histone 4. We have transferred the HIV-1 tat gene and measured the transactivation of HIV-1 LTR by the transactivator protein, expressed in Jurkat cells. The HIV-1 LTR was linked to the CAT gene as a reporter. Compared to DEAE-Dextran-mediated transfection, histone-mediated transfection resulted in a sevenfold higher expression of the CAT gene. The maximum transfection efficiency mediated by histones is dependent on the relative concentration (DNA:histone ratio) and the incubation time. In a gel-retardation assay, an optimal complex formation was observed under the same conditions that allowed the highest transfection efficiency. This ability of histones to increase the delivery and transgenic expression of foreign DNA in eukaryotic cells is not simply due to the positive ionic character of the histone proteins. Polylysine, histone H1, and histone H2A were unable to mediate gene transfection in our system. Monoclonal antibodies that recognize antigenic determinant present on all five histone proteins (anti-histone, pan) were able to neutralize the transfection-enhancing potential of histone 3 and histone 4. However, anti-histone IgG enhanced the retardation of mobility of histone-DNA complexes. The results of this study allow us to conclude that histones H3 and H4 can catalyze gene transfer and gene expression in eukaryotic cells without any requirement for additional constituents. For this reason, we have termed the new gene-delivery system as histonefection.
Animals↗
Peritoneal macrophages from 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol-treated NMRI mice secrete transformation-specific low molecular weight proteins.
Analysis of protein secretion was performed for a macrophage-like cell line, which was established from the peritoneal cells of NMRI mice treated with 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol. The protein secretion pattern was investigated by computerized analysis of high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) and compared to that of control macrophages, intraperitoneally activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The transformed cells encode a number of low molecular weight proteins (10-20 kDa), which were not observed in control cells under identical experimental conditions. In conclusion the transformation of peritoneal macrophages by 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol leads to an upregulation of polypeptides, in particular of low molecular weight proteins. A high similarity between the induced low molecular weight protein secretion by macrophages of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol-treated and that of 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin-treated mice was found.
Animals↗
Antibody spectrum against the viral transactivator protein in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection and Kaposi's sarcoma.
We analyzed patterns of antibody response to recombinant transactivator protein (human Immunodeficiency virus type 1 [HIV-1] tat) in serum samples from HIV-1-negative subjects (n = 60), HIV-1-infected asymptomatic patients (n = 20), HIV-1-infected patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 25), and patients with Kaposi's sarcoma without HIV-1 infection. None of the healthy subjects possessed anti-tat immunoglobulin G (IgG) in their serum. All asymptomatic patients with HIV-1 infection were anti-tat IgG-positive. Epitope mapping revealed that these sera had anti-tat IgG to all the functional domains of tat protein. Histochemical studies on lymph nodes from five asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patients showed that, in all cases, tat-positive cells were present within the germinal center at the stage of follicular fragmentation containing immunoblasts and small lymphocytes. Of the 25 HIV-1-infected patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, 4 were anti-tat IgG-positive; however, the epitope analysis revealed that IgG to functional domains of tat protein--in particular to transactivating response element (TAR)-binding site--were absent. All patients with Kaposi's sarcoma without HIV-1 infection were anti-tat IgG-negative. Presence or absence of anti-tat IgG and a prevalence of different antibody profiles in different groups of patients indicated the pathophysiologic role of tat protein. Thus, a passive immunization with anti-tat IgG could be a useful strategy to influence the pathophysiologic state of the disease.
Antibodies, Viral↗
Use of infertility services in the United States: 1995.
CONTEXT: Both the demand for and the availability of infertility services in the United States increased during the 1980s and early 1990s. Understanding the factors that are related to service-seeking among women with current fertility problems would aid efforts to better provide services. METHODOLOGY: Data on U.S. women's use of infertility services were taken from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, a nationally representative survey of 10,847 women aged 15-44. For the 1,210 women who at the time of the interview reported having fertility problems, multivariate statistical modeling was used to identify the characteristics associated with their use of infertility services. RESULTS: Of the 6.7 million women with fertility problems in 1995, 42% had received some form of infertility services. The most common services ever received among these women were advice (60%) and diagnostic tests (50%), medical help to prevent miscarriage (44%) and drugs to induce ovulation (35%). The proportions of fertility-impaired women who had ever received infertility services were generally highest among those who were older, who had ever been married, who had graduated from college, who had a high income and who were non-Hispanic white. Multivariate analyses reveal that apparent differences by age and race or ethnicity in the unadjusted analysis disappear once the effects of women's marital status, income and private health insurance coverage are taken into account. CONCLUSION: Women who have ever used infertility services continue to represent a select group from among those with impaired fertility. Moreover, the vast majority of women with fertility problems who seek services receive noninvasive treatments that could be considered "low technology" interventions.
Adolescent↗
Expression and purification of recombinant HIV-1 tat protein using HIV-1-tat specific monoclonal antibodies.
We expressed tat protein from HIV-1 coding AA 1-67 (strain HIV-Bru) in the inducible vector pTrc 99A in E. coli. The tat coding region was cloned in the ATG site of the expression vector. A sequence coding for 15 AA was added at the 3'region as a molecular marker. After sonification, the tat protein was routinely detected in Western blots using the Mab developed by us. Following precipitation and centrifugation the resulting pellets were dissolved and purified by three different methods: 1. immunoaffinity-chromatography using Affi-gel HZ coupled with a Mab recognizing the N-terminal sequence of HIV-1-tat; 2. ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-52 cellulose, and 3. isoelectric focusing in free solution. The resulting protein extracts obtained from the three purification protocols were checked in ELISA with the antibody. The peak fraction from all the procedures showed tat activity. No cross reaction in the presence of sera from uninfected persons was observed. The results showed that the purification of tat protein using monoclonal antibodies leads to highly purified preparations.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Inhibition of tat-mediated HIV-1-LTR transactivation and virus replication by sulfhydryl compounds with chelating properties.
D-Penicillamine, a structural analog of cysteine, has the ability to chelate metal ions and reacts with cysteine. We have shown earlier that D-Penicillamin is a potential inhibitor of tat-mediated transactivation of HIV-1-LTR (14) and possesses anti-HIV-1 activity (23). Following this approach, we evaluated the anti-tat and anti-HIV-1 activity of several sulfhydryl compounds with chelating properties. The tested compounds: N-(2-Mercapto-propionyl)-glycin (MPG), 2,3-Dimercapto-propanol (DMP) and 2,3-Dimercapto-propane-sulfonic acid (DMPS) exhibited an inhibitory effect on the tat-mediated transactivation in Jurkat cells, as well as in U937 cells. The highest inhibitory response was shown by DMP leading to about 50% inhibition of transactivation in Jurkat cels and an 80% inhibition in U937 cells. On the contrary, DMPS (30 micrograms/ml) had no inhibitory effect in U937 cells, but did exhibit a 50% inhibition of transactivation in Jurkat cells at 30 micrograms/ml. The antiviral activity of DMP and DMPS was evaluated in H9 cells. In the concentration range which is effective for antiviral effect, both the compounds were highly cytotoxic. Mercapto-propionyl-glycin, although a weak inhibitor of transactivation, was able to inhibit synctia formation to more than 90% and inhibit the viral antigene expression to about 70%. The concentration of MPG needed to achieve this antiviral effect was very high, but it had no cytotoxicity at this concentration. We suggest that a search for compounds using this approach may be useful in developing potential inhibitors of tat-mediated transactivation.
Anti-HIV Agents↗
Beyond marital status: relationship type and duration and the risk of low birth weight.
CONTEXT: Unmarried women have higher rates of low birth weight than married women. However, assumptions that unmarried women are uniformly at a disadvantage may be unfounded. A woman's relationship characteristics may be more relevant for infant health than her formal marital status. METHODOLOGY: Data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth were used to analyze associations between relationship characteristics and low birth weight among U.S. women aged 15-44 with a recent singleton live birth. Unadjusted odds ratios were generated to indicate the crude effects of independent variables, including relationship type and relationship duration at the time of conception. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to assess the impact of relationship variables on the likelihood of low birth weight, taking into account the effects of other covariates. RESULTS: In multivariate models of all women and non-Hispanic black women, relationship type and duration were not associated with low birth weight. However, low birth weight was almost six times as likely among Hispanic women in nonmarital, noncohabiting relationships as among those who were married. Surprisingly, among non-Hispanic white women, low birth weight was less likely among those in nonmarital, noncohabiting relationships than among those who were married. Unexpected associations also were found among low birth weight, race and ethnicity, and relationship duration: Low birth weight was more likely among non-Hispanic white women in relationships of from five to 10 years in length than among those in relationships of longer than 10 years and less likely among Hispanic women in relationships of one year or less than among those in a relationship for more than 10 years. CONCLUSION: Although unmarried women in the United States have higher rates of low birth weight than married women, many unmarried women are at no greater risk of low birth weight than their married counterparts. The findings confirm the need to consider the characteristics of relationships when examining the association of mother's "union status" and birth outcomes.
Adolescent↗
Achalasia cardia: uncommon presentation.
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Esophageal Achalasia↗
Inhibition of histone-mediated gene transfer in eucaryotic cells by anti-histone IgG.
In our laboratory, the gene transfer efficiency of some lipofection reagents (lipofectine, lipofectamine, DOTAP and Dosper) and histones H3 and H4 was compared to that of DEAE-Dextran (64). The histones H3 and H4 were found to have the highest transfection efficiency of all the agents tested. In the present study we have analyzed other parameters important for gene delivery by the histones H3 and H4. We transferred the HIV-1 tat gene to Jurkat cells and measured the transactivation of HIV-1-LTR by the transactivator protein, expressed in Jurkat cells. The expression of CAT as a reporter gene hybridized to LTR was a direct measure of transactivation potential. In order to investigate whether the transfection was only due to the positive ionic character of the histones H3 and H4 we tested other histones (H1 and H2A) and polylysine in our system. Under our experimental conditions, neither polylysine, nor the histones H1 and H2A were able to promote gene transfer in Jurkat cells. The inability of these reagents to promote gene transfer was not dependent on DNA condensation; in EMSA (Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay) all these reagents exhibited a strong retardation of DNA. In the presence of anti-histone-IgG the transfection potential of histones H3 and H4 was diminished in a concentration - dependent manner. To investigate whether the histone antibodies inhibited the condensation of DNA by histones we carried out gel retardation assays (EMSA) in the absence and in the presence of histone antibodies. Anti-histone-IgG had no effect on the retardation of histone-DNA complexes; on the contrary, retardation was increased. This observation has led us to postulate two models for the possible mechanism by which the histones H3 and H4 catalyze gene transfer in eucaryotic cells.
Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase↗
Bone marrow involvement in a primary mediastinal extragonadal non-seminomatous germ cell tumour.
A case of primary mediastinal extragonadal germ cell tumour with involvement of bone marrow, a rare finding, is reported with a review of literature.
Aged↗
12-O-retinoylphorbol-13-acetate (RPA) behaves like a retinoid-derivative in binding to retinol-binding-protein: a correlation with its specific action as an incomplete tumor promoter?
12-O-retinoylphorbol-13-acetate (RPA), an incomplete tumor promoter of the phorbol ester type and protein kinase C (PKC) activator, consists of two characteristic structural elements: the phorbol body and the retinoyl ester chain. Therefore, possible binding of the incomplete tumor promoter RPA to the human transport protein retinol-binding-protein (RBP) has been examined by molecular modeling methods and experimental binding studies. The calculated prediction of binding properties was primarily based on a comparative geometrical approach. It was shown that the beta-ionone-ring of RPA was not altered within the binding pocket of RBP (molecular modeling) compared to retinoic acid (X-ray crystallographic data). The torsion angle C5'-C6'-C7'-C8', determining the conformation of the RBP-beta-ionone-ring relative to the isoprene tail, is rotated by 42 degrees for RPA compared to retinol and to retinoic acid, respectively. Combining all the results from force field calculations, MD simulations and geometrical comparisons, the conclusion could be drawn that RPA should be able to bind to RBP. This interaction should be less strong than that with its natural ligand retinol or with retinoic acid. This prediction was proven experimentally. RPA was able to compete with retinoic acid for binding at RBP in human plasma. The binding properties were investigated using 3H-labeled retinoic acid in homologous and heterologous competition studies in a one-dimensional native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system. An approximately 2000-fold weaker binding of RPA to RBP as compared to retinoic acid was determined experimentally, confirming the prediction of the molecular modeling approach. The characteristic behaviour of RPA as an incomplete promoter, due to possible binding to PKC and RBP, is discussed.
Actins↗
Tumorigenic potential and the molecular mechanism of the carcinogenic effect exerted by 2-nitroanisole.
The host-mediated in vitro/in vivo assay system was used to evaluate the tumorigenic potential of the aromatic nitro compound 2-nitroanisole (2-NA). After intraperitoneal administration of the compound, resident macrophages were recovered by peritoneal lavage from treated and untreated mice and cultured in soft agar. 2-NA was shown to be carcinogenic, and the tumorigenic potential was evaluated. Additionally, by establishment of a transformed peritoneal macrophage cell line, the underlying molecular mechanism of 2-NA's carcinogenic effect was studied.
Animals↗