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Biomedical subjects

B Newman

Publications and source records attributed to B Newman.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Lipoprotein(a) in women twins: heritability and relationship to apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes.

Lp(a) is a unique lipoprotein consisting of an LDL-like particle and a characteristic protein, apo(a). Increased levels of Lp(a) constitute a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Variation in the size of the apo(a) protein is a phenotype controlled by the apo(a) gene on chromosome 6 and is related to Lp(a) plasma levels. Based on 169 MZ and 125 DZ adult female twin pairs, this study's purpose was to estimate the proportion of the variation in Lp(a) levels that is due to genetic influences and to determine the extent to which the apo(a) locus explains this heritability. Lp(a) levels were significantly more similar in MZ twins than in DZ twins: mean co-twin differences were 3.9 +/- 5.7 mg/dl and 16.0 +/- 19.9 mg/dl (P less than .001), respectively. Intraclass correlations were .94 in MZ twins and .32 in DZ twins, resulting in a heritability estimate of .94 (P less than .001). Heritability was then calculated using only co-twins with the same apo(a) phenotype: the heritability estimate decreased to .45 but was still highly significant (P less than .001). Therefore, on the basis of heritability analysis of women twins, Lp(a) levels are almost entirely genetically controlled. Variation at the apo(a) locus contributes to this heritability, although other genetic factors could be involved.

Adult↗

Expression and functional characterization of a soluble form of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) is a leukocyte adhesion molecule induced on human endothelium in vitro and in vivo by inflammatory stimuli. A truncated cDNA for VCAM1 was constructed, stably expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, and the secreted recombinant soluble form of VCAM1 (rsVCAM1) purified to homogeneity by immunoaffinity chromatography. Immobilized rsVCAM1 is a functional adhesion protein, and selectively binds only VLA4-expressing cells, including human B and T lymphocytes, NK cells, and certain lymphoblastoid cell lines. T cell subset analyses indicate preferential binding of CD8+ memory cells. rsVCAM1 should prove valuable for the further study of the role of VCAM1 during inflammatory and immune responses in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human monocytes bind to two cytokine-induced adhesive ligands on cultured human endothelial cells: endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) are adhesive proteins induced on endothelium by cytokines. We examined the contribution of these adhesive proteins to human peripheral blood monocyte adherence to endothelium using transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing these proteins and monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to ELAM-1, VCAM-1, or CD49d/CD29 (VLA-4), the leukocyte receptor for VCAM-1. Monocytes bound to CHO cells transfected with cDNA of ELAM-1 or VCAM-1. Binding to ELAM-1 was inhibited by MoAb to ELAM-1 and binding to VCAM-1 was inhibited by MoAb to VCAM-1 or the alpha-chain of very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4) (CD49d). Additive inhibition of adherence to unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelium (HUVE) was observed when monocytes were pretreated with both MoAb to CD49d and MoAb to CD18, the common beta-chain of the leukocyte beta 2 integrin receptors. Adherence of monocytes to HUVE stimulated by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not reduced by MoAbs to CD18, CD49d, or ELAM-1 when used singly, but combinations of these MoAbs produced significant inhibition. We conclude that multiple receptor-ligand systems are involved in monocyte adherence to endothelium.

Animals↗

Concordance for dyslipidemic hypertension in male twins.

Sixty cases of dyslipidemic hypertension were identified in the 1028 middle-aged, white, male twin participants in the first examination of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Twin Study (1969 to 1973). The prevalence of dyslipidemic hypertension was similar by zygosity but proband concordance was three times greater in monozygotic than dizygotic twins (0.44 [seven concordant and 18 discordant pairs] vs 0.14 [two concordant and 24 discordant pairs]), suggesting a genetic effect on the condition. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was the most common lipid abnormality in concordant pairs. Mortality from ischemic heart disease was significantly higher in individuals with dyslipidemic hypertension. Obesity and glucose intolerance were closely associated with the syndrome. Moreover, within the 18 discordant monozygotic twin pairs, the twins with dyslipidemic hypertension had gained significantly more weight as adults and were significantly heavier than their unaffected cotwins. Thus, although genetic factors may influence development of dyslipidemic hypertension, nongenetic, potentially modifiable aspects of obesity are also closely related to expression of this clinically important syndrome.

Adult↗

Effects of selective return on estimates of heritability for body mass index in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Twin Study.

In the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Twin Study, body mass index (BMI) was studied at military induction and at three subsequent examinations spanning five decades in a cohort of white, male World War II veterans. At military induction (1940s) and again at the first clinical examination of this study (1969-1973), there was close agreement of three commonly used estimates of heritability (range 0.72 to 0.80), and no evidence of a difference in total variance of BMI between the zygosities. However, at the last two examinations (1980s), the total variance in dizygotic (DZ) twins was significantly greater than that of monozygotic (MZ) twins (P less than 0.01) and these same heritability estimates varied widely. The among-pair estimate of heritability fell to unrealistic negative values, the within-pair estimate rose to values of 1.0 or greater, and the intraclass correlation coefficient estimate was slightly lower than in the entire cohort at baseline. The cause of the unequal zygosity total variance appears to have been nonparticipation at later examinations of MZ twins with extreme values of BMI, with no evidence of a similar selection process influencing DZ twins. This selection process biased the three estimates of heritability, making it difficult to determine which estimate is the most appropriate. Despite these biases, it remains clear that genetic factors contribute substantially to BMI in this population.

Adult↗

Prospective study of factors influencing the development of craving associated with smoking cessation.

There have been few prospective studies of craving following smoking cessation. This paper presents findings from a prospective examination of factors associated with craving over an 8-week treatment period. Two findings merit attention: (1) dependence, as measured by the Dependence Index (DI), was associated with craving at 48 h, 4 and 8 weeks post-cessation. The magnitude of the association between the DI and short-term craving was, at the least, comparable to that previously reported among several biochemical measures of smoke intake; (2) a measure of craving obtained 48 h after smoking cessation was associated with treatment outcome. Forty-three per cent of participants with low initial craving scores were abstinent at a 2-month follow-up compared to only 26% of those with high craving scores. The DI was also associated with participants' status at follow-up. This result is interesting because evidence that craving or other abstinence effects are prospectively associated with outcome has been lacking.

Adult↗

Imaging of the pediatric cardiovascular system.

Magnetic resonance imaging has become increasingly useful in the assessment of pediatric congenital heart disease. Spin-echo, gradient-echo, and cine techniques allow for both anatomic and functional cardiac assessment. MR imaging has proven most valuable in assessing complex heart disease and in visualizing areas that are sometimes poorly seen on echocardiographic studies. In particular, the anatomy of the aorta, central pulmonary arteries, and veins are usually well defined on MR imaging. Duplex and color Doppler sonography have become indispensable for evaluating the major vessels of the abdomen. The presence of clot, and quantity and quality of vascular flow as well as changes over time and response to therapy are readily assessed. Pulmonary sequestration is just one example of the burgeoning utility of duplex and color Doppler sonography in evaluating abdominal, mediastinal, and juxta-diaphragmatic masses. Sonography shows promise as a simple and accurate method for rapidly identifying the aberrant systemic blood supply in suspected cases of sequestered lung.

Abdomen↗

Influence of host genotype on progression to AIDS among HIV-infected men.

To evaluate whether host genotype influences disease progression among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), molecular techniques were used to determine genotypes at immune response loci for 114 HIV-1-infected homosexual/bisexual white men in the San Francisco Men's Health Study. Candidate genes evaluated were HLA-DQA1 and -DRB1, complement C4A and C4B, alpha- and beta-interferons, and the heavy chain of immunoglobulin gamma 1. Of the 114 men, 29 were asymptomatic, 21 were symptomatic men and AIDS patients (p = 0.02). Specifically, the HLA haplotype DRB1*0702-DQA1*0201 was associated with absence of symptoms (p = 0.003). Conversely, the frequency of the complement C4B-L allele was higher among patients with symptoms or with AIDS than among asymptomatic subjects (p = 0.02). These results suggest that genes in or near the major histocompatibility complex may influence the rate of disease progression among HIV-1-infected men.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Pancreatic ductal abnormalities in children.

From 1979 to 1990, 33 children required operative treatment for pancreatitis. Causes included ductal abnormalities (12 children), trauma (10 children), idiopathic (four children), gallstones (three children), drug-induced (three children), and tumor (one child). This study reviews the characteristics and outcome of the 12 children with ductal abnormalities. Symptoms were present up to 9 years or less before diagnosis, with two patients undergoing negative appendectomies. At diagnosis, amylase levels averaged 612 IU/L and lipase, 4761 IU/L. Preoperative studies included ultrasonography (11 children), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (nine children), and computerized tomography (six children). Intraoperative cholangiopancreatography was performed in nine patients and was essential in four to diagnosis their anomaly. Patients were categorized into those with a common channel (three children), ampullary stenosis (two children), ductal fusion error (one child), or combinations (six children). Operations included sphincteroplasty (seven patients), pancreaticobiliary separation (six patients), pancreatic duct enterostomy (three patients), and distal pancreatectomy (one patient). Three patients required more than one procedure to repair the combination anomalies. Symptoms resolved immediately in nine patients. Two patients had delayed resolution, with one patient requiring the addition of somatostatin. One patient was lost to follow-up. Recurrent or protracted pancreatitis, without obvious cause, requires expeditious endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or intraoperative cholangiopancreatography. Operative therapy should be tailored to ductal anatomy and will resolve symptoms in most children.

Abdomen↗

Radiographic manifestations of anomalies of the lung.

Congenital nonvascular anomalies of the lung can be subdivided into those affecting the bronchial tree and those affecting parenchymal abnormalities. Embryologic development of the lung is briefly reviewed to facilitate an understanding of developmental pulmonary anomalies. Clinical, radiographic, and therapeutic aspects of these anomalies are discussed.

Arteriovenous Malformations↗

ELFT: a gene that directs the expression of an ELAM-1 ligand.

The LECCAMs are a family of cell adhesion molecules implicated in certain inflammatory processes. ELAM-1, a LECCAM found on the surface of activated endothelial cells, can mediate adhesion of neutrophils, monocytes, and certain cell lines to endothelial cells in vitro. No ligand for any LECCAM has yet been fully characterized. Here we report the cloning of a cDNA, ELFT (ELAM-1 ligand fucosyltransferase), that can confer ELAM-1 binding activity when transfected into nonbinding cell lines. ELFT encodes a 46 kd protein that has alpha(1,3)fucosyltransferase activity, suggesting that a fucosylated carbohydrate structure is an essential component of the ELAM-1 ligand. Furthermore, ELFT is expressed specifically in cell types that bind to ELAM-1, suggesting that this enzyme is an important regulator of inflammatory events in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Linkage of early-onset familial breast cancer to chromosome 17q21.

Human breast cancer is usually caused by genetic alterations of somatic cells of the breast, but occasionally, susceptibility to the disease is inherited. Mapping the genes responsible for inherited breast cancer may also allow the identification of early lesions that are critical for the development of breast cancer in the general population. Chromosome 17q21 appears to be the locale of a gene for inherited susceptibility to breast cancer in families with early-onset disease. Genetic analysis yields a lod score (logarithm of the likelihood ratio for linkage) of 5.98 for linkage of breast cancer susceptibility to D17S74 in early-onset families and negative lod scores in families with late-onset disease. Likelihood ratios in favor of linkage heterogeneity among families ranged between 2000:1 and greater than 10(6):1 on the basis of multipoint analysis of four loci in the region.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mediates lymphocyte adherence to cytokine-activated cultured human endothelial cells.

The expression and function of a new cytokine-induced endothelial cell adhesion protein, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), was characterized in vitro by using a monoclonal antibody, MoAb 4B9, which recognizes a functional epitope on this protein. As determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled cells, VCAM-1 was minimally expressed on unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelium (HUVE), but was rapidly induced by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-alpha), rh interleukin-1, and lipopolysaccharide. In contrast to intercellular adhesion molecule-1, VCAM-1 was not induced on dermal fibroblasts or arterial smooth muscle cells after stimulation with rhTNF, or on keratinocytes after stimulation with rh interferon-gamma. MoAb 4B9 significantly inhibited the adherence of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and lymphocytic cell lines, but not neutrophils, to rhTNF-activated HUVE. The inhibitory effect of MoAb 4B9 on PBL adherence to HUVE was additive to that produced by the CD18 MoAb 60.3. These results show that VCAM-1 mediates a CD18-independent pathway of peripheral blood lymphocyte adherence to cytokine-stimulated HUVE. We propose that lymphocyte binding to VCAM-1, induced on endothelium by cytokines, may be an important component of lymphocyte emigration at sites of inflammation or immune reaction.

Animals↗

A blocking monoclonal antibody to endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM1).

ELAM1 is a leukocyte adhesion molecule induced on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by inflammatory cytokines. Balb/C mice were immunized with COS cells transiently expressing cell-surface ELAM1 after transfection with ELAM1 cDNA. After fusion, ELAM1-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were identified by selective adhesion to ELAM1-expressing, but not control, CHO cells, and to cytokine-treated but not untreated HUVECs. One Mab, designated BB11, binds to and immunoprecipitates ELAM1 expressed on HUVECs, COS and CHO cells. BB11 blocks the interaction of ELAM1 with human PMN, the human myelomonocytic cell line HL60, and the human colon carcinoma line HT29.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Primary alveolar capillary dysplasia.

We describe two neonates with a lethal form of pulmonary maldevelopment. Both infants had bilateral dysplastic immature lungs with poor capillary formation and lack of alveolar development. This rare entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a newborn infant with mild diffuse radiographic pulmonary abnormality and severe respiratory distress.

Capillaries↗