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Biomedical subjects

C Larsson

Publications and source records attributed to C Larsson.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Subarachnoid blood on CT and memory dysfunctions in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Ninety patients with a previous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) were given a set of memory tests comprising immediate free recall of words (indexing long-term memory, LTM, and short-term memory, STM), final free recall of words (indexing LTM), final cued recall of words (indexing LTM), and a digit span test (indexing working memory, WM). Patients with a large amount of blood on CT, carried out within 72 h of the bleed, showed LTM as well as STM dysfunction, whereas patients with a small amount of subarachnoid blood evidenced only STM dysfunction. Patients with the ruptured aneurysm located on the anterior cerebral artery, however, constituted an exception with dysfunction of both LTM and STM together with intact WM, independent of the amount of subarachnoid blood. Also, patients with internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery aneurysms and large volume SAH displayed LTM dysfunction, but differed concerning STM, the former showing intact STM and the latter showing STM dysfunction. Thus, it appears, that the combined information from factors such as the amount of subarachnoid blood and the location of the ruptured aneurysm is of vital importance for explaining the different patterns of memory dysfunctions after SAH.

Adult↗

Normal structural dopamine type 2 receptor gene in prolactin-secreting and other pituitary tumors.

Dopamine, acting via its specific receptor (DRD2) in the anterior pituitary, tonically inhibits pituitary prolactin secretion and lactotroph proliferation. In addition, dopamine agonist therapy for pituitary prolactinomas results in reduction of prolactin secretion and tumor regression. These observations lead to the speculation that functional dopamine uncoupling may release lactotrophs from the inhibitory effects of dopamine and contribute to the development of prolactin (PRL)-secreting pituitary tumors. We hypothesized that such an uncoupling may occur by inactivating mutation(s) of the DRD2. To test our hypothesis, we examined 79 pituitary tumors, mostly prolactinomas and mixed GH/PRL-secreting, for mutations in the coding exons of the DRD2 gene. We used the polymerase chain reaction and analyzed the fragments for migration abnormalities on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, complemented by direct DNA sequencing. No mutations were demonstrated, and all migration abnormalities detected by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were due to polymorphisms within the DRD2 gene. In addition, allelic losses in the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 region in 11q13 could not be demonstrated in all five informative prolactinomas. We conclude that mutations in the DRD2 gene do not occur in PRL or GH/PRL-secreting pituitary tumors and that allelic loss of 11q13 is uncommon in prolactinomas.

Base Sequence↗

Resistance to fluoroquinolones in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The fluoroquinolone sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae was studied by determinations of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin in consecutive clinical isolates. In P. aeruginosa, resistance or reduced susceptibility (MIC > or = 8 mg/l for norfloxacin and > or = 2 mg/l for ciprofloxacin) was found in 17% (9/54) of the isolates. Reduced susceptibility (MIC > or = 2 mg/l for norfloxacin) was found in 12% (10/84) of K. pneumoniae isolates. P. aeruginosa strains isolated in 1991 had reduced susceptibility to both norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin significantly more often than isolates from 1984-85 (p = 0.02). 10/84 K. pneumoniae strains from 1991 had reduced susceptibility to norfloxacin, compared with 1/34 from 1984-85. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.11).

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Family screening in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1).

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder predisposing to development of neoplastic lesions in the parathyroid glands, the neuro-endocrine pancreas-duodenum and the anterior pituitary. The genetic defect was mapped to the centromeric region of the long arm of chromosome 11, based on studies of somatic deletions in MEN 1-associated tumours and linkage analysis in affected families. Combined family and tumour analyses have shown that tumourigenesis in MEN 1 involves loss of the wild type chromosome, indicating that the putative MEN 1 gene is a tumour suppressor gene. Based on results from linkage analysis in more than 40 MEN 1 families, presymptomatic testing for MEN 1 using DNA polymorphisms can now be performed with high accuracy. Hence, biochemical screening programmes can focus on individuals at risk, in order to identify early signs of tumour development.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11↗

Genetic aspects of multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 2.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1 is an autosomal, dominantly inherited predisposition to develop neoplastic lesions of the parathyroid glands, the neuroendocrine pancreas-duodenum, and the anterior pituitary. The genetic defect was mapped to the centromeric part of the long arm of chromosome 11 based on studies of somatic deletions in MEN-1-associated tumors and linkage analysis in families in whom the disease is segregated. Combined family and tumor analysis has shown that tumorigenesis in MEN-1 involves loss of the wild-type chromosome, indicating that the putative MEN-1 gene is a tumor suppressor gene. Similar deletions are also seen in a proportion of sporadic parathyroid and pancreatic tumors, suggesting that tumorigenesis involves related mechanisms in both sporadic and familial cases. Based on results from linkage analysis in more than 40 MEN-1 families, predictive testing for MEN-1 using DNA polymorphisms can now be performed with high accuracy. Hence, biochemical screening programs can focus on individuals at risk to identify early signs of tumor development. MEN-2, an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome of variable expressivity, has previously been localized to chromosome 10q11.2 by positional cloning tactics. The RET protooncogene mapping to the MEN2 susceptibility locus has recently emerged as a candidate gene for MEN-2A. RET, a transmembrane receptor protein, has a large glycosylated extracellular domain containing clustered cysteine residues and calcium-binding motifs, a single hydrophobic transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain with tyrosine kinase catalytic activity. Several germline missense mutations in a codon specifying one of these highly conserved cysteine residues have been detected in patients affected with MEN-2A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗

Localization and identification of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 disease gene.

The familial and genetic nature of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) syndrome was first pointed out by Wermer in 1954, who suggested that an autosomal dominant gene with high penetrance controls the trait. The clinical picture is variable, depending mainly on which glands are involved and whether the tumors hypersecrete symptom-causing hormones. The most frequent endocrinopathies are hyperparathyroidism, pancreatic-duodenal, and pituitary tumors. Other tumors are also seen more frequently than in the general population, e.g., adrenocortical and thyroid tumors, carcinoids, lipomas, and pinealomas.

Chromosome Mapping↗

BMX, a novel nonreceptor tyrosine kinase gene of the BTK/ITK/TEC/TXK family located in chromosome Xp22.2.

The Bmx sequence was identified and cloned during our search for novel tyrosine kinase genes expressed in human bone marrow cells. Bmx cDNA comprises a long open reading frame of 675 amino acids, containing one SH3, one SH2 and one tyrosine kinase domain, which are about 70% identical with Btk, Itk and Tec and somewhat less with Txk tyrosine kinase sequences. The amino terminal sequences of these four tyrosine kinases are about 40% identical and each contains a so-called pleckstrin homology domain. The 2.7 kb Bmx mRNA was expressed in endothelial cells and several human tissues by Northern blotting and an 80 kD Bmx polypeptide was detected in human endothelial cells. Immunoprecipitates of COS cells transfected with a Bmx expression vector and NIH3T3 cells expressing a Bmx retrovirus contained a tyrosyl phosphorylated Bmx polypeptide of similar molecular weight. The BMX gene was located in chromosomal band Xp22.2 between the DXS197 and DXS207 loci. Interestingly, chromosome X also contains the closest relative of BMX, the BTK gene, implicated in X-linked agammaglobulinemia. The BMX gene thus encodes a novel nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, which may play a role in the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Predisposition for breast cancer in carriers of constitutional translocation 11q;22q.

A translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 11 and 22, t(11;22)(q23;q11), is the most frequent constitutional reciprocal translocation in man. This chromosome abnormality has not previously been reported to be associated with an increased risk for neoplasia. The observation of one patient with a constitutional translocation t(11q;22q) and breast cancer prompted us to study the relationship between these two conditions. The incidence of breast cancer was determined in carriers of t(11q;22q). The karyotypes were determined by QFQ-banding, and the breakpoints were then further characterized by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Eight families with a total of 22 balanced carriers were found. In five of these families there was one case of breast cancer each. In another family a case of an unknown malignancy was reported in one member. No other malignancies were found among these patients. The number of breast cancer cases was significantly higher than expected among the translocation carriers (P < .001). The chromosomal breakpoints showed the same localization with the markers used, in the seven families studied. The association of constitutional translocation t(11q;22q) and breast cancer identifies a subset of patients with a highly increased risk for breast cancer who would benefit from counseling and screening. It also suggests the involvement of genes on 11q and/or 22q, in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Tetrasomy 15q: two marker chromosomes with no detectable alpha-satellite DNA.

Two patients with specific and similar phenotypes were both found to have an unusual marker chromosome present in 70%-80% of their lymphocytes at routine cytogenetic examination. The marker chromosomes were isolated by flow sorting and were amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR. These libraries and a cosmid probe located at 15q26 were used to characterize the marker chromosomes by FISH. Both marker chromosomes were found to consist of duplicated chromosome material from the distal part of chromosome 15q and were identified as inv dup(15) (qter-->q23::q23-->qter) and inv dup(15) (qter-->q24::q24-->qter), respectively. Hence, the markers did not include any known centromere region, and no alpha-satellite DNA could be detected at the site of the primary constriction. Tetrasomy 15q may be a new syndrome, associated with a specific type of marker chromosome. In addition, further analyses of this type of marker chromosome might give new insight into the structure and function of the mammalian centromere.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Muscarinic receptor-stimulated expression of c-fos in neuroblastoma cells.

The intracellular signal cascade transducing muscarinic-receptor-stimulation to gene expression was investigated in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Naive and ethanol-exposed SH-SU5Y cells were stimulated with carbachol (CCh) and inositol 1,4-5-trisphosphate (IP3), 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), and c-fos mRNA levels were analyzed using a radioreceptor assay (IP3) thin-layer chromatography (DAG) and Northern blot (c-fos mRNA). Application of the muscarinic agonist CCh induced a rapid increase in (IP3), peaking within seconds after the CCh-addition. There was also an accumulation of DAG reaching maximum after 5 min of receptor-stimulation. Stimulation with CCh also induced expression of the immediate-early gene c-fos in these cells. These events were mediated via muscarinic M1 receptors and the inhibitory effects of H7, staurosporin, and RO31-7549 on the c-fos expression indicated that it was mediated via protein kinase C. Acute exposure to 100 mM ethanol inhibited the formation of IP3 and the expression of c-fos. These effects were due to an increase in the EC50 of CCh for the events. Exposure to 100 mM ethanol for 4 days caused a potentiation of these two events. The EC50 was unaffected but the maximal response was increased. These data indicate that this signal transduction system is inhibited by acute exposure to 100 mM ethanol, an effect that is compensated for after exposure to ethanol for 4 days.

Carbachol↗

Loss of heterozygosity in familial breast carcinomas.

Three loci have been implicated in the etiology of familial breast cancer; the BRCA1 locus on 17q, the p53 gene on 17p, and the androgen receptor gene on the X chromosome. However, it has been estimated that in approximately 50% of all breast cancer families the predisposing genetic defect is not linked to any of these three loci. In an attempt to identify chromosomal regions harboring putative breast cancer genes we performed allelotyping in 82 familial breast carcinomas. Polymorphic markers representing 45 different loci were analyzed and the most frequently involved chromosomal arms were 8p, 16q, 17p, 17q, and 19p.

Adult↗

Age-related reduction of human growth hormone-binding sites in the human brain.

Previous studies have shown that alterations in various neuroendocrine functions occur with increasing age. We here report a study of growth hormone (GH)-binding sites in different areas of post-mortem human brains collected from individual males and females of different age. The results indicate that there exists a significant negative correlation between the density of GH-binding sites and increasing age. This phenomenon was observed in both sexes in brain areas such as choroid plexus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, pituitary and putamen but not in e.g. thalamus. In all tissues (except for choroid plexus), the GH binding was significantly higher in those originating from females than those from males. This discrepancy was found likely to be associated with the affinity of GH to lactogenic rather than to somatogenic sites as no pronounced sex difference in binding was observed in the presence of excessive amounts of human prolactin. Data also indicate that the putative GH receptors in the various brain regions differ with regard to binding constants and to the estimated molecular size of the hormone-binding units. The loss of GH receptors in brain of elderly people may have consequences in several physiological courses. The decrease in GH binding at hypothalamic and pituitary levels may be of importance for the mechanisms behind the release or secretion of the hormone.

Adult↗

Deletions on chromosome 16 in primary familial breast carcinomas are associated with development of distant metastases.

Genetic alterations that occur in human breast cancers are believed to be of importance for initiation as well as progression of the disease. In order to find a genetic alteration that may be used as a prognostic marker, 82 familial breast carcinomas were analyzed for loss of constitutional heterozygosity at polymorphic loci on all chromosomes. Frequently occurring allele losses were compared to estrogen receptor expression, lymph node metastases, tumor size at the time of operation, and distant metastases at the time of follow-up 2-15 years later. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on the long arm of chromosome 16 in the tumor at the time of operation was significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with the occurrence of distant metastases 1-13 years after the operation. In addition, LOH at 16q was not correlated with estrogen receptor status, lymph node positivity, or tumor size, nor was the occurrence of distant metastases correlated with any of these parameters. The results suggest the existence of a tumor suppressor gene on 16q that facilitates hematogenic spread of breast cancer and that LOH at this locus is an independent prognostic marker in breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Desensitization of acetylcholine induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells following repetitive acetylcholine stimulations.

In this study, the desensitization of acetylcholine-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [I(1,4,5)P3] formation, upon short-time prestimulations, was investigated in cultures of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Four repeated stimulations for 10 seconds with 10 microM acetylcholine were necessary to induce a desensitization of the I(1,4,5)P3 formation. The desensitization was observed 4 hours after the initiation of repetitive stimulations. The same effect was obtained by a single prestimulation with 1 mM acetylcholine. Preincubation of the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) markedly down-regulated the acetylcholine-induced I(1,4,5)P3 formation. However, the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors H7 and staurosporine did not influence the desensitization induced by four repeated stimulations with 20 microM acetylcholine. These results indicate that the signal transduction can be desensitized following repeated stimulations with sub-maximal concentrations of receptor agonist and although activation of PKC can induce the same down-regulation, PKC is most likely not involved in the desensitization induced by repetitive acetylcholine-stimulations.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Assignment of the human FAU gene to a subregion of chromosome 11q13.

The FAU gene is the cellular homologue of the fox sequence in the Finkel-Biskis-Reilly murine sarcoma virus (FBR-MuSV). FAU (for FBR-MuSV associated ubiquitously expressed gene) encodes the ribosomal protein S30 fused to a ubiquitin-like protein. A cosmid clone containing the human FAU gene was used for fluorescence in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes. The obtained localization to 11q13 was confirmed by hybridization against a panel of somatic cell hybrids containing different parts of chromosome 11 on a hamster background. FAU was then further mapped, both on a panel of radiation-reduced somatic cell hybrids designed to carry different parts of the 11q13 region and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. This fine mapping assigned FAU close to the skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase gene (PYGM), in a region that contains several oncogenes as well as the putative tumor suppressor genes MEN1 and ST3.

Animals↗

Loss of heterozygosity in malignant gliomas involves at least three distinct regions on chromosome 10.

A panel of glial tumors consisting of 11 low grade gliomas, 9 anaplastic gliomas, and 29 glioblastomas were analyzed for loss of heterozygosity by examining at least one locus for each chromosome. The frequency of allele loss was highest among the glioblastomas, suggesting that genetic alterations accumulate during glial tumor development. The most common genetic alteration detected involved allele losses of chromosome 10 loci; these losses were observed in all glioblastomas and in three of the anaplastic gliomas. In order to delineate which chromosome 10 region or regions were deleted in association with glial tumor development, a deletion mapping analysis was performed, and this revealed the partial loss of chromosome 10 in eight glioblastomas and two of the anaplastic gliomas. Among these cases, three distinct regions of chromosome 10 were indicated as being targeted for deletion: one telomeric region on 10p and both telomeric and centromeric locations on 10q. These data suggest the existence of multiple chromosome 10 tumor suppressor gene loci whose inactivation is involved in the malignant progression of glioma.

Adolescent↗

Four separate regions on chromosome 17 show loss of heterozygosity in familial breast carcinomas.

Two genes predisposing females to autosomal dominant breast cancer are located on chromosome 17. Mutations in the p53-gene on the short arm have been shown to predispose females to early onset breast cancer in families with the rare Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Another locus on 17q (BRCA1), was found to be linked to the disease in a subset of families with breast cancer. In order to determine the involvement of tumour suppressor genes at these loci in tumour development, we studied allele losses for markers on chromosome 17 in 78 familial breast carcinomas. The analysis used six polymorphic DNA markers, three on each arm. We found support for at least four separate regions displaying allele losses on chromosome 17: the p53-region, the distal part of 17p, the BRCA1 region and the distal part of 17q. The frequency of allele losses on distal 17p (16%) is low in these familial tumours compared with the previously reported incidence in sporadic tumours (> 50%), whereas the frequency of losses at the p53 locus and on 17q was similar to sporadic tumours (5%-40%). These data suggest that several regions on chromosomal 17 can harbour tumour suppressor genes involved in tumour development of familial breast cancer.

Alleles↗