Inefficacy of pefloxacin in steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome.
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Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗
Biomedical subjects
A Sharma
Publications and source records attributed to A Sharma.
Public cost and access to primary care for hyperglycemic emergencies, Clark County, Nevada.
Diabetes mellitus accounts for 5.8% of the total health care costs of citizens of the United States. Hospitalization expenses produce 40.5% of these costs. We sought to determine the public expenditure and major precipitators of admissions for uninsured diabetic hyperglycemic emergencies at a large public hospital. Of 247 diabetic emergency admissions over a 30 month period 49% (n = 121) of these patients had no medical insurance. The uninsured patients were younger and had relatively mild disease in comparison to the insured patients. These patients identified a primary physician in only 6% of the cases and had a higher incidence of admissions associated with lack of medications. We conclude that public funds to provide access to primary care and enhancement of employer-sponsored health insurance programs may decrease the numbers and costs of hospitalizations due to hyperglycemic emergencies in uninsured patients with diabetes mellitus.
Adolescent↗
Expression of a functional rat salivary cystatin S polypeptide in Escherichia coli.
Cystatin S is a cysteine proteinase inhibitor that is transiently expressed during rat submandibular gland development and can be induced by isoproterenol in the adult. A cDNA for rat cystatin S which included the entire coding sequence of the secreted cystatin was cloned. A coding region of the cystatin gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into the pGEX-2T expression vector. The chimeric plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli, and protein expression was induced by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The expressed protein was purified from insoluble inclusion bodies after solubilization with urea and fast protein liquid chromatography on a MonoQ column. The purified recombinant cystatin reacted with antibodies to cystatin S purified from rat submandibular glands and showed an amino-terminal amino acid sequence identical to that of rat cystatin S. The recombinant protein exhibited papain inhibition activity comparable to natural cystatin. This was a successful expression and purification of a functionally and immunologically reactive recombinant cystatin from E. coli, an approach which will be used later towards generating recombinant variants to study the binding and functional domains of this cysteine protease inhibitor.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
DNA topoisomerases.
In the past year, the atomic structures of three fragments of type I DNA topoisomerases were elucidated. Together with the atomic structure of a fragment of bacterial gyrase, this wealth of structural information is helping to further our understanding of the mechanism of action of topoisomerases.
Animals↗
Outcome of pregnancy in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion following immunotherapy with allogeneic lymphocytes.
The efficacy of immunotherapy in the prevention of habitual abortion remains controversial. It has been suggested that the benefits are predominantly due to psychological factors. We have evaluated the success of pregnancy outcome following immunotherapy with allogeneic lymphocytes, in relation to the subsequent development of anti-paternal cytotoxic antibodies (APCA). It was observed that in women who developed an APCA titre of > or = 1:16, live births occurred in 16 out of 21 cases (76%), while only two out of seven (28%) women who failed to achieve an APCA titre of > or = 1:16 had successful pregnancies (P < 0.05). In eight women who had an APCA titre of 1:16 on initial screening, and were, therefore, excluded from the trial, successful pregnancy outcome was noted in 62.5% of cases. Although these results are based on a small sample and on an open, non-randomized trial, they show that the efficacy of immunotherapy is related to immune response to allogeneic lymphocytes, and is not simply a placebo effect. Measurement of APCA titre could serve as a marker for immunopotentiation.
Abortion, Habitual↗
Neurophysiologic bases of speech discrimination.
The mismatch negativity (MMN) is an automatic cortical evoked potential that signifies the brain's detection of acoustic change. In other words, the MMN reflects the neurophysiologic processes that underlie auditory discrimination. As such, the MMN provides an objective tool for evaluating central auditory mechanisms involved in speech perception. We are using the MMN to study the central auditory processes that encode acoustic changes important for speech perception in 1) normal-hearing adults and children, 2) individuals with impaired auditory systems (including persons with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, cochlear implants), and 3) an animal model. Specifically, we have demonstrated that the MMN provides information about the central processing of fine acoustic differences, the neuroanatomic pathways that encode acoustic change, central auditory processing in the presence of peripheral hearing deficits, and central auditory system plasticity. In addition, we have considered methodological challenges associated with measuring the MMN in individual subjects. Several methodological issues--including appropriate stimuli, stimulus presentation variables, the recording protocol and environment, and validation of the MMN in individuals--are discussed.
Child↗
Identification of linear antigenic sites on the Porphyromonas gingivalis 43-kDa fimbrillin subunit.
The fimbrillin of Porphyromonas gingivalis is thought to be an important virulence factor that mediates adherence to host surfaces. The linear immunogenic and antigenic structure of P. gingivalis fimbrillin was investigated with synthetic peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequence predicted from the cloned fimbrillin gene for P. gingivalis 2561. A series of continuous and overlapping peptides corresponding to the entire sequence of P. gingivalis fimbrillin was used to immunize Wistar rats. The resulting polyclonal antibodies were used to test the antigenicity of the 43-kDa fimbrillin protein by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. All the peptides elicited specific antibodies directed to the corresponding peptides but differed in their ability to elicit antisera that cross-reacted with either native or denatured fimbrillin. Antisera to various C-terminal one-third peptides were more reactive to the denatured monomeric form of fimbrillin by Western blot analysis. Antisera to peptide 99-110 was by far the most reactive against the native form of the oligomeric fimbrillin as well as the partially denatured oligomeric form of fimbrillin. The results indicate that amino acid residues 99-110 on the native fimbrillin protein are accessible to antibody binding and that the immunogen 99-110, when conjugated to thyroglobulin, is able to mimic an epitope on the 43-kDa fimbrillin.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Human leucocyte antigen typing in rheumatoid arthritis/polymyositis overlap syndrome.
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
Cutaneous metastases of lung cancer.
The reported incidence of skin metastases from lung cancer varies from 2.8-7.5%. In the present study 8.7% of patients had skin metastases, with head and neck being the most common sites, nodular lesions the most common, and adenocarcinoma the most frequent histology. Although most patients develop these lesions during the course of a known progressive disease, they may be the presenting manifestation of a primary tumour in the lung. The occurrence of skin lesions in lung cancer announces an ominous prognosis. The response to chemotherapy is poor, possibly due to poor blood supply to the skin; monitoring response to chemotherapy, however, is easier when such lesions are present.
Adenocarcinoma↗
The role of the insulin control element and RIPE3b1 activators in glucose-stimulated transcription of the insulin gene.
The most important regulator of insulin expression in islet beta-cells is glucose, which stimulates insulin gene transcription, protein synthesis, and secretion. Glucose-induced insulin gene transcription is regulated by cis-acting elements found within the 5'-flanking region of the insulin gene. We previously demonstrated that the insulin control element (ICE, -100 to -91) and RIPE3b1 (-115 to -107) elements mediated this response in the HIT T-15 beta-cell line. In this study, we examined more closely how these insulin gene control elements regulate glucose-induced transcription. RIPE3b1 element binding was shown to be induced by glucose in both mouse beta TC-6 and beta TC-3 cell lines, although higher glucose concentrations were necessary in the beta-cells (beta TC-6) that responded to physiological glucose concentrations. RIPE3b1 binding was also regulated in glucose-stimulated beta- cells by various effectors of this response. The RIPE3b1 or ICE elements were shown to independently direct glucose-stimulated expression from minimal heterologous promoter constructs. We conclude that the RIPE3b1 and ICE elements are the principal mediators of glucose-stimulated transcription of the insulin gene.
Animals↗
The reduction of insulin gene transcription in HIT-T15 beta cells chronically exposed to high glucose concentration is associated with the loss of RIPE3b1 and STF-1 transcription factor expression.
The most important regulator of insulin gene expression in pancreatic beta- cells is glucose, which affects gene transcription, mRNA translation, and secretion. Insulin gene transcription is both positively and negatively regulated by glucose. Recently, we have shown that the inhibition of insulin gene transcription caused by passaging HIT T-15 beta-cells, in the presence of high glucose, was due, in part, to reduced expression of a key regulator of insulin enhancer-mediated expression, somatostatin transcription factor-1 (STF-1). In this study, we have examined whether the activity of the other essential transcription regulators of insulin gene expression, the RIPE3b1 and insulin control element (ICE) activators, were also influenced in these HIT T-15 cells. The results show that the binding and trans-activation functions of the RIPE3b1 activator are reduced in parallel with the loss in STF-1 and insulin gene expression. In contrast, the regulatory properties of the ICE activator are unaffected. Our studies indicate that insulin gene transcription is inhibited by glucose through a mechanism involving reduced expression of both the RIPE3b1 and STF-1 activators in HIT T-15 cells but is independent of the ICE activator.
Animals↗
Hypocholesterolemic activity of nut shell extract of Semecarpus anacardium (Bhilawa) in cholesterol fed rabbits.
Administration of S. anacardium nut shell extract to cholesterol fed rabbits resulted in a significant reduction in serum cholesterol (-73.3%) and serum LDL-Chol. (-80%). The extract feeding also prevented the accumulation of cholesterol/triglycerides in liver, heart muscle and aorta and caused a regression of plaques (75.3-83.5%). These results indicate that S. anacardium is hypocholesterolemic in action and prevents cholesterol induced atheroma. Possible mechanism of action is discussed.
Animals↗
Synthesis of interleukin-1 beta in primary biliary cirrhosis: relationship to treatment with methotrexate or colchicine and disease progression.
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, progressive, cholestatic liver disease. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) may play a role in the pathogenesis of PBC by contributing to altered immune function and fibrosis. Colchicine or methotrexate has some beneficial effects in the treatment of PBC, and also affects interleukin-1 (IL-1). Therefore, we prospectively studied the synthesis of IL-1 beta by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 42 patients with PBC entered into a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy controlled trial of colchicine and methotrexate. PBMC obtained at entry, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were stimulated to produce IL-1 beta with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Staphylococcus epidermidis, recombinant IL-2, or mitochondrial antigen. Patients in the two treatment groups did not differ at entry in biochemical measures or liver histological stage. Over 24 months in both groups, serum bilirubin and histologic stage remained stable and alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly. For all patients, synthesis of IL-1 beta increased constitutively and in response to immune-mediated stimulants (PHA, IL-2, and mitochondrial antigen) but not the bacterial stimulants LPS or S epidermidis. Compared with levels of IL-1 beta at entry, PHA induced increases for patients treated with methotrexate (12, 18, and 24 months) or colchicine (18 and 24 months). At 24 months, IL-2-induced IL-1 beta synthesis was increased in patients treated with methotrexate, whereas S epidermidis-induced IL-1 beta was enhanced in colchicine-treated patients. Before treatment, IL-1 beta production did not relate to severity of disease except in response to S epidermidis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Shimla Hills, Himachal Pradesh, India.
We came across some cases clinically suggestive of intrauterine infection which were confirmed to be congenital cytomegalovirus infection. A clinical profile of these patients is presented. Intracranial calcification was not seen in any of these patients. Mental retardation was profound in all the patients and all had hepatomegaly. Uncommon findings encountered included hydrocephalus, patent ductus arteriosus and corneal opacities. Other clinical findings and investigation are also discussed.
Altitude↗
Condom promotion strategies: what we need to know?
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Mismatch negativity to speech stimuli in school-age children.
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Acoustic Stimulation↗
Induction of acrosome reaction in fresh and frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa by platelet activating factor.
In vitro capacitation has been induced in fresh and frozen spermatozoa of Karan Swiss (KS) and Karan Fries (KF) crossbred cattle by using a phospholipid-platelet activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine). The capacitation was monitored by examining acrosome reaction (AR) and motility at various levels of platelet activating factor (PAF) and at the end of each incubation time. On an average, with the increase in incubation time, there was a gradual decrease in motility and increase in acrosome reaction in both fresh as well as frozen spermatozoa. As PAF level increased, the motility of fresh sperms decreased and their acrosome reaction increased dramatically. However, in frozen-thawed semen, the motility remained almost the same and increase in AR of frozen spermatozoa was not pronounced. PAF level of about 100 microM was observed to be most optimum as at this level AR improved significantly without much loss of motility.
Acrosome↗
Exacerbation of groin hernias after laparoscopy.
The incidence of pneumoperitoneum-related complications of laparoscopy is quite low. The more common complications are due to improper placement of the needle during insufflation and those related to the cardiorespiratory system. We describe two cases who underwent prolonged laparoscopic surgery and presented postoperatively with hernia.
Aged↗