Blue Cross conversions: consumer efforts to protect the public's interests.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans↗
Biomedical subjects
C W Bell
Publications and source records attributed to C W Bell.
Sequences of the cDNAs encoding the heavy- and light-chain Fab region of an antibody to the phenylurea herbicide diuron.
The cDNAs from a hybridoma (mAb 481.1) specific for diuron, a widely used phenylurea herbicide, were cloned into the phage display vector pComb8. Antigen-binding clones were selected by panning on diuron-hapten-BSA conjugates. The nucleotide and deduced amino-acid sequences encoding the Fab regions of the light (kappa) and heavy (gamma) chains were determined. The light chain was from mouse kappa chain subgroup III and the heavy chain was a member of the mouse H chain subgroup III(d).
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Effect of low flow and high flow oxygen delivery on exercise tolerance and sensation of dyspnea. A study comparing the transtracheal catheter and nasal prongs.
HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that high flow transtracheal oxygen (HFTTO) will improve exercise tolerance as compared with low flow transtracheal oxygen (LFTTO) and that transtracheal oxygen (TTO) will increase exercise tolerance with less dyspnea as compared with nasal prongs (NP) at equivalent oxygen saturation (SaO2). PATIENT SELECTION: Ten subjects, six male and four female, who were already receiving TTO were recruited for the study. STUDY DESIGN: Each subject underwent a total of four modified progressive treadmill tests in a single-blind randomized fashion on two separate days. Two tests were performed with the patients receiving LFTTO and HFTTO while the other two were performed with low- and high-flow oxygen by NP. The flows were adjusted to provide equivalent oxygen saturations at rest for respective groups. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD exercise distance with HFTTO (1,134 +/- 631 ft) was 2.5 times greater than with LFTTO (446 +/- 328 ft; p < 0.006); and high-flow NP (HFNP [1207 +/- 763 ft]) was 2.38 times greater than with low-flow NP (LFNP[492 +/- 487 ft; p < 0.005]). There was no significant difference in exercise distance and dyspnea scores with HFTTO as compared with HFNP and LFTTO versus LFNP. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of high-flow oxygen via both transtracheal catheter and NP significantly increased exercise tolerance in our COPD patients when compared to low-flow oxygen. Transtracheal oxygen did not increase maximum exercise tolerance with less dyspnea as compared with oxygen via NP at equivalent SaO2.
Aged↗
Herpesvirus ICP18.5 and DNA-binding protein genes are conserved in equine herpesvirus-1.
The genome of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) contained three open reading frames (ORFs) in a 3.9 kbp BamHI-SmaI fragment at 0.38-0.41 map units in the long unique region. The most 5' ORF encoded the carboxy terminus of a protein with 45-55 percent amino acid homology to the DNA-binding proteins (ICP8-DBP) of four other alpha-herpesviruses. The middle ORF translated to a polypeptide of 775 residues with 43-55% homology to the ICP18.5 proteins. The most 3' ORF encoded the EHV-1 glycoprotein B (gB) gene. Three mRNAs of 4.3, 4.4-4.8, and 3.5-3.9 kb (corresponding to the three sequenced ORFs) were all transcribed from the same strand. The gene order of this group was conserved in all herpesviruses examined.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Expression of equine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein D by using a recombinant baculovirus.
Glycoprotein D (gD) of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) was expressed at the surface of insect cells infected by a recombinant baculovirus. EHV-1 gD was detected as multiple forms (56, 52, and 48 kDa) from 18 to 96 h postinfection. Laboratory animals inoculated with the recombinant EHV-1 gD developed neutralizing antibody responses against both EHV-1 and EHV-4.
Animals↗
Characterization of the glycoprotein D gene products of equine herpesvirus 1 using a prokaryotic cell expression vector.
The gene encoding equine herpesvirus 1 (equine abortion virus; EHV-1) glycoprotein D was engineered into the prokaryotic vector pEX, and expressed as a beta-galactosidase fusion product, which was recognized by pooled equine sera and anti-EHV-1 rabbit sera. Antibodies raised against the EHV-1 gD fusion product identified strong bands in infected cells at 66 and 68 K and at 138 K in purified virus, thus characterizing the several forms of this major envelope glycoprotein which is an important candidate for inclusion in subunit vaccines.
Animals↗
Sequence characteristics of a gene in equine herpesvirus 1 homologous to glycoprotein H of herpes simplex virus.
A gene in equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1, equine abortion virus) homologous to the glycoprotein H gene of herpes simplex virus (HSV) was identified and characterised by its nucleotide and derived amino acid sequence. The EHV-1 gH gene is located at 0.47-0.49 map units and contains an open reading frame capable of specifying a polypeptide of 848 amino acids, including N- and C-terminal hydrophobic domains consistent with signal and membrane anchor regions respectively, and 11 potential sites for N-glycosylation. Alignment of the amino acid sequence with those published for HSV gH, varicella zoster virus gpIII, Epstein Barr virus gp85 and human cytomegalovirus p86 shows similarity of the EHV gene with the 2 other alpha-herpesviruses over most of the polypeptide, but only the C-terminal half could be aligned for all 5 viruses. The identical positioning of 6 cysteine residues and a number of highly conserved amino acid motifs supports a common evolutionary origin of this gene and is consistent with its role as an essential glycoprotein of the herpesvirus family. An origin of replication is predicted to occur at approximately 300 nucleotides downstream of the EHV-1 gH coding region, on the basis of similarity to other herpesvirus origins.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Transcript analysis of the equine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein B gene homologue and its expression by a recombinant vaccinia virus.
Transcript mapping of the equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) glycoprotein B (gB) gene homologue by Northern blot, S1 nuclease and primer extension analyses indicated that two overlapping transcripts of 3.4 and 4.6 kb originated from the same strand and were transcribed from left to right between coordinates 0.40 and 0.43 of the EHV-1 genome. The 3.4 kb transcript encoded EHV-1 gB and the 5' RNA terminus was located approximately 30 bases downstream from a probable TATA element. The coding region of the gB gene homologue was reconstructed from two subclones using oligonucleotide mutagenesis and inserted into vaccinia virus by homologous recombination. Cells infected with the recombinant virus synthesized EHV-1 gB antigen, which was detectable in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface by immunofluorescence using an EHV-1 neutralizing horse serum and EHV-1 monoclonal antibodies. On Western blots, bands of 138K to 143K, 80K to 90K and 55K to 57K were identified in recombinant virus-infected cells, by both EHV-1 monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal horse serum. These were similar in Mr to bands identified by these sera in EHV-1-infected cells. Mice vaccinated with the recombinant virus produced antibodies which recognized proteins of the same Mr as EHV-1 gB, on Western blots, but did not have in vitro neutralizing activity.
Animals↗
Smell and taste function in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Effect of long-term oxygen via nasal cannulas.
It was hypothesized that subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receiving long-term oxygen via nasal cannulas have an impaired sense of smell and/or taste. To objectively evaluate the sense of smell and taste, this study used the University of Pennsylvania Identification Test (UPSIT), a 40-item "scratch-n-sniff" test and a 20-item taste test using the four basic taste sensations of sweet, salt, sour, and bitter. Twenty subjects (15 male, 5 female) with severe COPD receiving long-term oxygen therapy (group 1), and an equal number of age- and sex-matched subjects with COPD not receiving oxygen therapy (group 2), and a healthy control group (group 3) were studied. Twelve subjects (seven male, five female) from group 1 subsequently underwent transtracheal oxygen catheter installation. Mean +/- SD for the basic smell test was significantly greater in group 3 (35.35 +/- 3.58) as compared with group 1 (27.70 +/- 6.07) or group 2 (31.10 +/- 4.95) (p less than 0.005). The difference between group 1 and 2 was not significant (p = 0.066). However, when adjusted for pack years of smoking, there were no significant differences between the three groups. Mean +/- SD correct responses for the basic taste test were significantly greater in group 3 (15.75 +/- 1.81) as compared with group 2 (12.8 +/- 2.78) (p less than 0.005) and group 1 (14.00 +/- 2.33) (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference between group 1 and 2. The corrected data for taste, adjusted for years since quitting smoking, did not alter the basic differences between the groups. Mean smell and taste test scores were essentially unchanged in 12 subjects after six months of transtracheal oxygen therapy. Long-term oxygen use via nasal cannulas in this group of subjects with COPD did not appear to impair their sense of smell and taste. Smoking had a significant but variable effect on the sense of smell and taste.
Female↗
Unknown primary tumors: establishment of cell lines, identification of chromosomal abnormalities, and implications for a second type of tumor progression.
We describe the establishment of two human unknown primary tumor (UPT) cell lines and a comparison of their cytogenetic properties with two direct harvests from two tumor biopsy specimens. Histopathological analysis of all four tumor specimens revealed them to be undifferentiated adenocarcinomas of unknown origin. The chromosome numbers in these samples vary between 38 and 144. Consistent structural anomalies involving chromosome 1 were observed in all cases. These included a deletion of the short arm (4 of 4), duplication of 1q (3 of 4) and the presence of homogeneously staining region (2 of 4). Several additional chromosomal changes involving chromosomes 7, 8, and 9 were also observed, but these were less consistent and their importance is not yet clear. Abnormalities in chromosome 1 have generally been associated with advanced malignancy. The finding of consistent chromosome 1 changes in UPT supports our hypothesis that these are type 2 progressors in that benign or less malignant stages are not readily identified. In short, UPT are likely malignant soon after transformation occurs, and this is reflected in their rapid acquisition of the metastatic phenotype and abnormalities in chromosome 1. We are therefore characterizing a number of additional UPT cases to determine if chromosome 1 and other cytogenetic changes are consistently associated with this unique subgroup of tumors.
Animals↗
Identification and nucleotide sequence of a gene in equine herpesvirus 1 analogous to the herpes simplex virus gene encoding the major envelope glycoprotein gB.
A gene in equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1; equine abortion virus) equivalent to the gB glycoprotein gene of herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been identified by DNA hybridization and nucleotide sequencing. A 4.3 kbp EHV-1 PstI-ClaI sequence (0.40 to 0.43 map units) contained an open reading frame flanked by appropriate control elements and was capable of encoding a polypeptide of 980 amino acids. This had 50 to 60% identity over a 617 amino acid conserved region with the gB gene products of HSV and three other alphaherpesviruses, and 20 to 30% identity with those of human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. Analysis of the amino acid sequence predicts a long signal peptide, hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains and N-glycosylation sites, and has identified a probable internal proteolytic cleavage site. The EHV-1 gB open reading frame appears to be overlapped at its 5' end by 135 nucleotides of the 3' end of an upstream open reading frame the potential translation product of which has approximately 50% identity with HSV gene ICP 18.5 and VZV gene 30 products.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A familial translocation involving chromosomes 3 and 21: clinical findings and implications.
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21↗
Clonal stimulation or inhibition of human colon carcinomas and human renal carcinomas mediated by transforming growth factor-beta 1.
We examined various human carcinomas and cells populating a single human neoplasm to determine whether they exhibit a heterogeneous response to the effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta). Using recently established human colon carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma under defined in vitro conditions, we observed intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity and polarity of responses to TGF-beta (growth inhibition or stimulation) that did not correlate with the metastatic phenotype of the cancer cells as assessed in athymic nude mice. TGF-beta mediated both cytostatic and cytolytic effects against sensitive tumor cells, and these responses were not related to the effects of TGF-beta on the cell-cycle traverse. The human colon carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma, however, exhibited differences in the expression of TGF-beta receptors.
Animals↗
Establishment and characterization of five cell lines derived from human malignant gliomas.
We established and characterized five cell lines derived from human malignant gliomas (four glioblastomas multiforme and one highly anaplastic astrocytoma). All cell lines exhibited tumor cell morphology and growth kinetics, and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. Cytogenetic analysis revealed significant aneuploidy in all five cases as well as clonal chromosomal alterations unique to each cell line. No cell line was tumorigenic in athymic mice. Two of the cell lines were sensitive to carmustine (BCNU) in monolayer and soft-agar cultures. Electron microscopy showed marked variability between cell lines in the number and structure of intracytoplasmic organelles; SF-126 formed collagen fibers in vitro. Immunohistochemical analysis of the surgical specimens showed variable expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in malignant astrocytes; positive immunostaining for glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix was found predominantly in perivascular regions. In early-passage cultures, only cell line SF-295 expressed GFAP; at establishment, none of the cell lines expressed GFAF or glutamine synthetase. Fibronectin and laminin were expressed by all cell lines in early-passage culture, but expression of these glycoproteins at establishment was variable. Only SF-126 was positively identified by immunostains for procollagen III; this was also the only cell line in which DEAE-cellulose chromatography and SDS-PAGE demonstrated interstitial collagen synthesis. These well-characterized glioma-derived cell lines may now serve as useful tools with which to study the cell biology of gliomas. The synthesis of interstitial collagen by a glioma-derived cell line may suggest a derivation from vascular mesenchymal elements, either reactive or transformed, in the original heterogeneous malignant glioma, rather than from a glial precursor cell.
Adult↗
Analysis of the length of S-phase required to show sister chromatid differential staining.
In vitro studies of BrdU-dependent sister chromatid differential staining typically employ two cycles of BrdU incorporation. Experiments are described which determined the actual fraction of both S-phases that the rat embryonic fibroblasts (Rat-1) cells had to traverse in order to show distinctive differential staining. Following synchronization of cells by a combination of serum deprivation and hydroxyurea blockage, sister chromatid differential staining, labelling index, mitotic index, and per cent DNA replication are determined. Results indicate that only approximately 50% of the first S-phase is necessary in order to show distinctive differential staining. The importance of this finding to studies of cellular proliferation using BrdU incorporation is discussed.
Animals↗
Establishment and characterization of a cell line from a human gliosarcoma.
A human gliosarcoma culture was characterized from the time of inception to the time of establishment of the cell line (SF-539 BT). Immunohistochemical analysis of the original tumor showed 2 distinct regions of cells. The gliomatous regions were identified by immunostains for glial fibrillary acidic protein and the sarcomatous regions by immunostains for laminin, collagen type IV, procollagen type III, and fibronectin. In early-passage culture, both types of cells maintained their characteristic immunohistochemical profiles; however, after the fourth subcultivation in monolayer culture, no cells expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein could be identified. All cells had become morphologically uniform and expressed laminin, collagen type IV, procollagen type III, and fibronectin only. The immunostaining profile of clones grown in soft agar was similar to that of cells in monolayer culture. At establishment, SF-539 BT has a saturation density of 1.3 X 10(6) cells/25 sq cm, a doubling time of 32 h, and a plating efficiency of 22% in monolayer culture. The tumor cell line is resistant to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, has an abnormal karyotype, grows anchorage independently, and forms a tumor that most closely resembles a spindle cell sarcoma in athymic mice. Its ultrastructure in monolayer culture consists of large cells with an expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum and abundant multivesicular bodies; in athymic mice, extracellular collagen fiber formation is prominent. DEAE-cellulose chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cultures labeled with [3H] proline demonstrated interstitial collagen formation. We conclude that the cell line at establishment is a collagen-producing spindle cell sarcoma that resembles the sarcomatous regions of the original mixed tumor. Further cell separation and characterization studies are needed to determine the pathogenesis of mixed tumors such as gliosarcoma.
Animals↗
Cognitive functioning and survival among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
An earlier study by the authors had demonstrated neuropsychological impairment among 66 clinically stable patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and had found that the deficits were directly associated with the amount of oxygen available to body tissue. We were able to follow 62 of the patients for three years when retrospective analyses were performed to determine the relationship of the neuropsychological test scores with the patients' three-year survival status. Patients who survived had scored significantly (p less than 0.01) higher on the neuropsychological tests than those who had died. Individual analyses of variance indicated that the significant relationship between the neuropsychological tests and survival status was attributable primarily to the Benton Visual Motor Retention Test and the digit symbol subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The latter test had, in the earlier study, shown the strongest relationship with partial pressure of oxygen and with a pulmonary function test. These findings suggest that certain neuropsychological tests may reflect both the progress of COPD and three-year survival probability among the patients.
Carbon Dioxide↗
Structure of the dynein-1 outer arm in sea urchin sperm flagella. I. Analysis by separation of subunits.
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Adenosine Triphosphatases↗