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Biomedical subjects

A Stone

Publications and source records attributed to A Stone.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Hyperhomocysteinemia following a methionine load in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and macrovascular disease.

In the setting of an outpatient diabetic clinic, we determined whether macrovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (elevated plasma homocysteine [H(e)] concentrations) following a methionine load. Methionine-load tests were performed in 18 healthy controls, 11 diabetics without vascular disease (five insulin-dependent [IDDM] and six non-insulin-dependent [NIDDM]); and 17 diabetics with vascular disease (five IDDM and 12 NIDDM). All subjects were male, and there was no significant difference in mean age among the three groups. We measured plasma H(e) concentrations before and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours after an oral methionine load. Hyperhomocysteinemia (peak plasma H(e) concentration > control mean +/- 2 SD) occurred with significantly greater frequency (seven of 18, 39%) in patients with NIDDM as compared with age-matched controls (7%), being more common in those with macrovascular disease (five of 12, 41%). The area under the curve (AUC) over 24 hours, reflecting the total period of exposure to H(e), was also elevated with greater frequency in patients with NIDDM and macrovascular disease (33%) as compared with controls (0%). We conclude that hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with macrovascular disease in a significant proportion of patients with NIDDM. Further investigation of this association may determine whether hyperhomocysteinemia contributes to the increased frequency and accelerated clinical course of vascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Dysregulation of autocrine TGF-beta isoform production and ligand responses in human tumour-derived and Ha-ras-transfected keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

This study examined the autocrine production of TGF-beta 1, -beta 2 and -beta 3 in culture supernatants from tumour-derived (H series, n = 7; BICR series, n = 5), Ha-ras-transfected (n = 4) and normal (n = 2) human keratinocytes using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Detection limits were 39.0 pg ml-1 for TGF-beta 1, 78.0 pg ml-1 for TGF-beta 2 and 1.9 ng ml-1 for TGF-beta 3. Tumour-derived oral keratinocytes predominantly produced less TGF-beta 1 than normal oral epithelial cells; the expression of endogenous TGF-beta 2 was variable. In keratinocytes containing mutant Ha-ras, TGF-beta 1 production was enhanced and TGF-beta 2 was undetectable. TGF-beta 3 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) but the protein was not detected in conditioned media, most probably because of the low detection limits of the ELISA for this isoform. Neutralisation experiments indicated that the latent TGF-beta peptide was secreted in keratinocyte conditioned medium. Seven tumour-derived keratinocyte cell lines (H series) and fibroblasts separated from normal (n = 1) and tumour-derived (n = 2) keratinocyte cultures were examined for their response to exogenous TGF-beta 1, -beta 2 and -beta 3. Six of seven tumour-derived keratinocyte cell lines were inhibited by TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 (-beta 1 > -beta 2); one cell line was refractory to both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2. Keratinocytes were inhibited (4 of 7), stimulated (1 of 7) or failed to respond (2 of 7) to TGF-beta 3, TGF-beta 1, -beta 2 and -beta 3 stimulated both normal and tumour-associated fibroblasts, but the tumour-associated fibroblasts showed less response to the ligands than their normal counterparts following prolonged treatment with each isoform. The results demonstrate variable autocrine production of TGF-beta isoforms by malignant keratinocytes, with loss of TGF-beta 1 generally associated with the tumour-derived phenotype and modification of endogenous isoform production dependent on the genetic background of the tumour cells. Further, the variable response of the tumour-derived keratinocytes and contiguous fibroblasts to the TGF-beta isoforms suggests that dysregulation of TGF-beta autocrine and paracrine networks are common characteristics of squamous epithelial malignancy.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1996

A professional practice model: two key components.

Professional practice models provide decentralized approaches to nursing practice. The components of such a model should include a primary nursing delivery system, decentralized decision making, salary compensation, self-scheduling and quality circles. This article describes two of the key components of the model--salaried compensation and self-scheduling--on a unit in one agency.

Decision Making, Organizational↗
PubMed1996

Ring chromosome 22 and mood disorders.

The case of a 21-year-old man with severe developmental disabilities, ring chromosome 22 and rapid-cycling bipolar illness is presented. This is the first reported occurrence of mood disorder in a person with ring chromosome 22. Previously published case reports describing behavioural problems associated with this chromosome disorder suggest that severe hyperactivity is typical and that affected individuals may have an excited mood state. These symptoms are consistent with atypical bipolar disorder and raise the possibility that ring chromosome 22 increases the risk for atypical bipolar disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Predictors of survival with Alzheimer's disease: a community-based study.

Factors associated with reduced survival were investigated in elderly people diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in those free of dementia at diagnosis. The study population comprised 155 people free of dementia and 222 with AD; all were aged 75 years and over and were part of a two-stage prevalence study of dementia during 1988 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. An increased risk of death was found for those with a history of heavy alcohol use, lower cognitive function, a history of heart failure and those in institutional care, these factors acting in the same manner for persons free of dementia and those with AD. For the non-demented group a greater risk of death was found with increasing age and for those with a history of cancer. A greater risk of death was found for males with AD compared to females with the risk increasing over time. The longer survival of women over men may explain the sex differences found in the prevalence of AD without accompanying differences in incidence.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

Effects of energy intake on type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor levels in glomeruli of lupus-prone B/W mice.

Calorie restriction (CR) and/or reduced energy intake ameliorates the progression of autoimmune renal disease in (NZB x NZW)F1 (B/W) female mice and increases life span. Like other forms of glomerulonephritis, the lupus-like kidney disease observed in these animals is frequently accompanied by glomerular deposition of fibrin and increased accumulation of mesangial matrix. Because alterations in plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) expression or function may be involved in both fibrin deposition and accumulation of extracellular matrix, we have studied the effects of CR on the expression of PAI-1 in kidneys from female B/W mice fed either ad libitum or on a 40% CR diet. By immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting, we found that the glomerular levels of PAI-1 antigen were highest in older ad lib fed animals with more advanced glomerular disease. Increased levels of PAI-1 protein were paralleled by increased levels of PAI-1 mRNA in total RNA extracted from renal cortex and in diseased glomeruli as detected by in situ hybridization. CR diminished the accumulation of PAI-1 protein and reduced the expression of PAI-1 mRNA. Thus, glomeruli from animals fed ad lib showed much greater deposition of PAI-1 protein, increased expression of PAI-1 mRNA, and more severe histological abnormalities than animals on a CR diet. The differences between CR and ad lib animals were more pronounced in animals studied at 9 to 10 months versus those at 3 to 4 months of age. These observations indicate that the ameliorating effects of CR include diminished PAI-1 gene expression and decreased localization of PAI-1 in glomeruli.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Molecular genetic analyses of the Tyrolean Ice Man.

An approximately 5000-year-old mummified human body was recently found in the Tyrolean Alps. The DNA from tissue samples of this Late Neolithic individual, the so-called "Ice Man," has been extracted and analyzed. The number of DNA molecules surviving in the tissue was on the order of 10 genome equivalents per gram of tissue, which meant the only multi-copy sequences could be analyzed. The degradation of the DNA made the enzymatic amplification of mitochondrial DNA fragments of more than 100 to 200 base pairs difficult. One DNA sequence of a hypervariable segment of the mitochondrial control region was determined independently in two different laboratories from internal samples of the body. This sequence showed that the mitochondrial type of the Ice Man fits into the genetic variation of contemporary Europeans and that it was most closely related to mitochondrial types determined from central and northern European populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of chelate treatments on kidney, bone and brain lead levels of lead-intoxicated mice.

The effects of chelating agent treatment with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), Na2CaEDTA, Na2ZnEDTA, and Na3ZnDTPA on the organ lead levels of lead-loaded mice have been determined. At 1 mmol/kg/day i.p., all caused reductions in the lead levels of the kidney after four injections, but only Na2CaEDTA produced a significant reduction in brain lead. All chelating agents caused significant reductions in kidney and brain lead levels when administered at a daily dose of 1 mmol/kg/day for eight days, but only DMSA reduced the bone lead level. In animals given 50 mg Pb/kg or 100 mg Pb/kg, the administration of Na2CaEDTA or DMSA at 1 mmol/kg/day x 8 produced significant reductions in kidney, bone and brain lead levels, but DMSA produced greater reductions of bone lead in both groups and of kidney lead in the group given 100 mg Pb/kg. An examination of published data describing the effect of chelating agent treatment on brain lead levels indicates that DMSA produces a reduction in brain lead levels under all conditions examined to date.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

TGF-beta receptor regulation mediates the response to exogenous ligand but is independent of the degree of cellular differentiation in human oral keratinocytes.

This study examined the expression of TGF-beta cell-surface receptors, the response to exogenous TGF-beta 1 and the autocrine production of TGF-beta in normal and squamous cell carcinoma-derived human oral keratinocytes with variable degrees of cellular differentiation. TGF-beta receptor expression, the response to exogenous ligand and the autocrine production of TGF-beta appeared unrelated to cellular differentiation. Cells expressed variable proportions of type-I, -II and -III TGF-beta receptors. The expression of type-III receptors correlated inversely with the expression of type-I receptors, but there was no relationship between type-II and either type-I or type-III TGF-beta receptors. Normal cells and the majority (7 of 8) of tumour-derived keratinocytes were inhibited by exogenous TGF-beta 1 and the degree of inhibition correlated with the expression of type-I, but not type-II or type-III, TGF-beta receptors. One tumour-derived cell line was refractory to exogenous TGF-beta 1 although it expressed all 3 receptor types. Endogenous TGF-beta was produced by both normal and tumour-derived keratinocytes and correlated inversely to the expression of type-I, but not type-II, TGF-beta receptors. Further, cells that produced more autocrine TGF-beta had a diminished response to exogenous TGF-beta 1. The data indicate a complex interaction between the expression of TGF-beta cell-surface receptors, endogenous ligand production and the cellular response to exogenous TGF-beta 1.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha characteristics of human oral carcinoma cell lines.

This study examined the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) cell-surface receptors, the response to exogenous ligand and the autocrine production of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in normal and carcinoma-derived human oral keratinocytes. One of eight malignant cell lines overexpressed EGF receptors, while the remainder expressed receptor numbers similar to normal cells. Exogenous EGF stimulated incorporation of tritiated thymidine in a dose-dependent manner. In keratinocytes expressing normal numbers of EGF receptors, the cellular response to exogenous EGF correlated positively with total EGF receptor number. SCC-derived keratinocytes produced more TGF-alpha than normal cells. There was no statistical correlation between the autocrine production of TGF-alpha, EGF cell-surface receptor expression and cellular response to exogenous EGF. While the growth-stimulatory effects of exogenous TGF-alpha were inhibited by the addition of a neutralising antibody, the presence of this antibody in conditioned medium failed to produce a similar decrease in growth. The results indicate that overexpression of EGF receptors is not an invariable characteristic of human oral squamous carcinoma-derived cell lines. Further, the contribution of TGF-alpha to the growth of normal and carcinoma-derived human oral keratinocytes in vitro may be less significant than previously documented.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Salmonella poona infection and surveillance in a neonatal nursery.

BACKGROUND: This article reports the first known outbreak of Salmonella poona infection in a neonatal unit. Three babies had stool cultures positive for the organism. At the same time, S. poona was the cause of a nationwide food-borne outbreak associated with contaminated canteloupe. To minimize the neonatal outbreak, surveys were performed and control measures were instituted. METHODS: Epidemiologic surveillance included the culture of rectal swabs collected from 48 employees, 18 babies, and four family members of the babies. Control measures used included the placement in cohorts and isolation of infected babies, strict adherence to universal precautions, and the restriction of visitation in the nursery. RESULTS: A total of three babies and one employee in the surveillance were found to have Salmonella sp. An additional two hospitalized adult patients had S. poona. Of all the people included in the surveillance, only the three babies were found to have S. poona. The hospital employee had S. enteritidis. CONCLUSIONS: Timely culture results, rapid cohort placement of infected babies, and strict adherence to universal precautions led to the successful eradication of the organism.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Mobilization of lead in mice by administration of monoalkyl esters of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid.

The following six monoalkyl esters of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were synthesized and evaluated for relative activities in mobilizing lead from kidneys and brains of lead-bearing mice: n-propyl (Mn-PDMS), i-propyl (Mi-PDMS), n-butyl (Mn-BDMS), i-butyl (Mi-BDMS), n-amyl (Mn-ADMS) and i-amyl meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinate (Mi-ADMS). DMSA was used as a positive control. When each was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) as a single dose of 2.0 mmol/kg, DMSA lowered the kidney lead concentration 52%, while the monoesters effected reductions of 54-75%. Mn-ADMS was toxic at this dose. DMSA lowered the brain lead level 20% when given as a single dose, while the monoesters conferred reductions of 64-87%. When given as 5 daily i.p. injections at 0.5 mmol/kg, DMSA reduced the kidney lead concentration 45%, while the monoesters caused reductions of 56-73%. DMSA lowered the brain lead concentration 35% on the 5-day treatment regimen, while the monoesters evoked reductions of 59-75%. Mi-ADMS was equally effective when given orally or i.p. The i.p. LD50 value of this analog in mice is 3.0 mmol/kg, a value which lies between the reported LD50 doses of DMSA (16.0 mmol/kg) and dimercaprol (1.1 mmol/kg). It is suggested that the ability of these monoesters to cross cell membranes may account for their superiority to DMSA in mobilizing brain lead in this animal model.

Animals↗