Respiratory syncytial virus PREVENT Study questions.
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Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
Biomedical subjects
D Kessler
Publications and source records attributed to D Kessler.
Employee injuries and convenience store robberies in selected metropolitan areas.
The number of robberies and robbery-related injuries to employees in convenience stores (C-stores) during 1992 or 1993 were estimated for selected metropolitan areas around Miami and Tampa, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Detroit, Michigan; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Arlington, Chesterfield, and Henrico counties, Virginia. Of the 1835 C-store robberies that occurred during 1992 or 1993 in all selected areas (excluding Atlanta and Chicago), there were 12 homicides of C-store employees; 219 nonfatal injuries of C-store employees; 1071 robberies in which there were no injuries but a weapon was used, displayed, or implied toward a C-store employee; and 132 robberies in which there was no injury and no weapon used, but an employee was struck, pushed, or shoved. Corresponding figures for the 238 robberies that occurred in Chicago during January to June 1993, and for which victim employment status was unknown (customer or employee) were three homicides, 53 nonfatal injuries, 120 attacks in which a weapon was used but there was no injury, and 57 attacks in which a person was struck, pushed, or shoved but there was no injury. The proportion of robberies that resulted in a homicide or injury to an employee varied among selected areas from .03 to .25. The proportion of homicides and injuries to an employee was. 14 or higher for target areas in Baltimore (.24), Detroit (.25), and Virginia (.14); the proportion to an employee or customer was .24 in Chicago. The conclusions from these data are that the risk of employee injury in C-store robberies was high in selected metropolitan areas. This underscores the need for effective robbery prevention programs to reduce injury. In addition, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of prevention programs in the C-store industry and the application of these programs to other retail industries.
Commerce↗
Meandering instability of a spiral interface in the free boundary limit.
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Journal Article↗
Determination of cystic fibrosis carrier frequency for Zuni native Americans of New Mexico.
The Zuni native Americans of the Southwest have an incidence of cystic fibrosis of approximately one in 333 or seven and one-half times that found for Caucasians. Earlier studies indicated that dF508 was not among the cystic fibrosis mutations causing this disease. Through a collaborative study the R1162X mutation was found on 12 out of 12 cystic fibrosis chromosomes from six Zuni patients. Because of the relative high incidence of cystic fibrosis, we undertook a study to determine the carrier frequency of the R1162X mutation among randomly sampled individuals. We found the carrier frequency in the general population for the R1162X to be 6.7%, a very significant number when compared with the carrier frequency for all cystic fibrosis mutations in the Caucasian population of approximately 4%.
Adult↗
A functional homologue of goosecoid in Drosophila.
We have cloned a Drosophila homologue (D-gsc) of the vertebrate homeobox gene goosecoid (gsc). In the Gsc proteins, the pressure for conservation has been imposed on the homeodomain, the functional domain of the protein: sequence homology is limited to the homeodomain (78% identity) and to a short stretch of 7 aminoacids also found in other homeoproteins such as Engrailed. Despite this weak homology, D-gsc is able to mimic gsc function in a Xenopus assay, as shown by its ability to rescue the axis development of a UV-irradiated embryo. Moreover, our data suggest that the position of insect and vertebrate gsc homologues within a regulatory network has also been conserved: D-gsc expression is controlled by decapentaplegic, orthodenticle, sloppy-paired and tailless whose homologues control gsc expression (for BMP4 and Otx-2), or are expressed at the right time and the right place (for XFKH1/Pintallavis and Tlx) to be interacting with gsc during vertebrate development. However, the pattern of D-gsc expression in ectodermal cells of the nervous system and foregut cannot easily be reconciled with that of vertebrate gsc mesodermal expression, suggesting that its precise developmental function might have diverged. Still, this comparison of domains of expression and functions among Gsc proteins could shed light on a common origin of gut formation and/or on basic cellular processes. The identification of gsc target genes and/or other genes involved in similar developmental processes will allow the definition of the precise phylogenetic relationship among Gsc proteins.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Microscopic disease in normal-appearing white matter on conventional MR images in patients with multiple sclerosis: assessment with magnetization-transfer measurements.
PURPOSE: To assess for the presence of microscopic abnormalities in otherwise normal-appearing white matter on T2-weighted images in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by using magnetization-transfer (MT) measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with MS and nine healthy control subjects underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a 1.5-T system. MT ratios (MTRs) were measured in 16 areas of normal-appearing white matter identified on conventional T2-weighted images in patients with MS. MTRs in the same white-matter locations in control subjects were determined. The two groups were compared. RESULTS: The mean whole-brain MTR of normal-appearing white matter in patients was 40.13% +/- 1.37 (standard deviation; range, 36.31%-42.09%); in control subjects, 42.93% +/- 0.95 (range, 41.62%-44.50%). The difference was statistically significant (P < or = .001). Except for the internal capsules, the difference in mean MTRs in each sublocation of the brain between patients and control subjects was statistically significant (P < or = .05). CONCLUSION: MT measurements are more sensitive than conventional MR imaging in the detection of abnormalities beyond the resolution of T2-weighted imaging.
Adult↗
Issues in protocol design for cochlear implant clinical trials in children: the Clarion Pediatric Study.
Clinical trials of the Clarion multichannel cochlear implant in postlingually deaf adults have been ongoing since 1991, and clinical investigation of the device in children is projected to begin in the first quarter of 1995. The purpose of this paper is to present some of the issues encountered in developing research protocols for clinical trials of cochlear implants in the pediatric population, with special reference to the protocol that will be employed in the Clarion pediatric investigation.
Child↗
Consonant perception by users of Nucleus and Clarion multichannel cochlear implants.
A study was carried out to compare the consonant perceptions of five Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant users, five Clarion-CIS users, and four Clarion-CA users. All subjects were administered the Iowa Medical Consonant Recognition Test in the auditory-only condition. The groups averaged approximately 1 year of implant use at the time of testing, and the average age at implantation was 47 years for the Nucleus users, 60 years for the Clarion-CIS users, and 56 years for the Clarion-CA users. The percent-corrected scores for all three devices were variable and ranged from 34% to 84%, with each group averaging about 50% correct consonant recognition. Consonant feature information transmission was calculated for five features: manner of articulation, nasality, place of articulation, duration, and voicing. The highest information transmission in the Nucleus group was for the features of duration (71%), nasality (60%), and voicing (57%), which agrees with previous studies. The Clarion-CIS group had the highest information transmission for duration, place of articulation, manner of articulation, and nasality (50%, 29%, 28%, and 27%). The Clarion-CA group had the highest information transmission for the features voicing, place of articulation, and duration (41%, 40%, and 37%). This study indicates that the Clarion device may carry some acoustic information related to place of articulation, a feature that has not been found to be encoded well by other multichannel cochlear implants.
Adult↗
Complete detection of mutations in cystic fibrosis patients of Native American origin.
An increased incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) has been reported in some populations of Native Americans of the Southwest such as the Pueblo, which is a genetic isolate. As the most common mutation found in Caucasians (delta F508) was absent and only one chromosome carried the G542X mutation, we decided to analyze the entire coding sequence of the CFTR gene in eight Pueblo CF patients. We have identified four different mutations: G542X, R1162X, 3849+10kbC-->T, and D648V that account for these 16 haplotypes. The R1162X was found on 11 chromosomes. Using intragenic microsatellites, we have compared the haplotypes of those chromosomes to those of Italian origin where the R1162X mutation was initially reported. These haplotypes turned out to be identical, suggesting a common origin and an admixture with Italian or Spanish settlers, followed by typical founder effect. In contrast the 3849+10kbC-->T mutation, which was found on three chromosomes, is associated with different haplotypes than those on chromosomes carrying the same mutation in Caucasians. A novel mutation, D648V, observed on one chromosome has not been found outside the Pueblo population.
Base Sequence↗
Transmission of human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type II by transfusion of HTLV-I-screened blood products.
Blood donors have been screened for antibodies to human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type I since December 1988. Screening for HTLV-II has been simultaneously done because of cross-reactivity between antibodies to the two viruses. Currently, < 1 in 10,000 US blood donors is positive for HTLV-I or -II. Lookback studies led to the identification of 6 HTLV-II-infected patients. Three received transfusions before introduction of HTLV-I screening tests, while the other 3 received blood components that tested negative for HTLV-I. The HTLV-II subtypes of each of 4 donor/recipient pairs, as determined by DNA amplification using polymerase chain reaction, were identical, supporting the view that transfusions were the source of infection. In conclusion, currently licensed blood donor screening tests for HTLV-I lack sensitivity for HTLV-II, and transfusion of blood from HTLV-II-infected donors that test negative on HTLV-I screening tests may result in infection.
Adult↗
Boundary-induced drift of spirals in excitable media.
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Journal Article↗
Donor notification and counseling. Management of blood donors with positive test results.
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Biomarkers↗
Incidence, management, and outcome of femoral shaft fracture: a statewide population-based analysis of 2805 adult patients in a rural state.
UNLABELLED: Early surgical management of femoral shaft fracture (FSF) is considered the standard but patients are still treated nonsurgically. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of management of FSF in a large population based data base. METHODS: Data were obtained from a statewide hospital discharge data base for 1989-1992. Adults having a FSF were stratified by ISS (ISS < 15 vs. ISS > or = 15) and management (nonsurgical, surgery within 1 day, surgery at 2-4 days, or surgery at > 4 days). Mortality rates and mean length of hospital stay were compared among groups. RESULTS: 2805 patients had FSFs: 69% were managed surgically and 31% nonsurgically. Mortality was higher for nonsurgical therapy in both ISS groups. In the surgically treated groups, length of hospitalization increased as delay to surgery increased. In patients with an ISS > or = 15, repair at 2-4 days was associated with the lowest mortality and shortest hospitalization, while a trend to higher mortality and longer hospitalization was noted with repair within 1 day. CONCLUSION: 31% of patients were treated nonsurgically with higher associated mortality. These results support "early" surgical fixation, which can shorten hospital stay without increasing mortality regardless of overall injury severity. The trend toward higher mortality in severely injured patients operated on within 1 day of admission suggests that this group warrants further study and individualized management.
Adolescent↗
Cloning and characterization of the altA alpha-tubulin gene of Physarum.
A cDNA clone derived from the altA locus, encoding one of several alpha-tubulins in Physarum, was sequenced and used to determine the developmental and cell cycle expression patterns of its corresponding gene. The predicted amino acid sequence of the altA gene product, alpha 1A-tubulin, is 92% identical to the other known Physarum alpha-tubulins, alpha 1B and alpha 2B, which are products of two tightly linked genes at the altB locus. The nucleotide sequence of the altA coding region is 82% identical to the two altB genes. Expression of the altA gene was found in all three cell types examined - amoeba, flagellate and plasmodium - but at substantially different levels in each. The peak level of altA message detected in flagellates was 14-fold higher than in amoebae, while the peak level in plasmodia was 5-fold lower than in amoebae. The expression pattern of altA and the predicted amino acid sequence of the alpha-tubulin it encodes suggest that alpha 1A is the substrate for post-translational acetylation, giving rise to the alpha 3-tubulin isoform found specifically in amoebae and flagellates. Northern blot analysis of plasmodial RNA samples from specific times in the cell cycle showed that the level of altA message varies over the cell cycle in a pattern similar to transcripts from other tubulin genes, with a peak at mitosis and little or no message detected during most of interphase.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Ultrastructure and pyruvate formate-lyase radical quenching property of the multienzymic AdhE protein of Escherichia coli.
The AdhE protein of Escherichia coli is a homopolymer of 96-kDa subunits harboring three Fe(2+)-dependent catalytic functions: acetaldehyde-CoA dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and pyruvate formatelyase (PFL) deactivase. By negative staining electron microscopy, we determined a helical assembly of 20-60 subunits into rods of 45-120 nm in length. The subunit packing is widened along the helix axis when Fe2+ and NAD are present. Chymotrypsin dissects the AdhE polypeptide between Phe762 and Ser763, thereby retaining the alcohol dehydrogenase activity on the NH2-terminal core, but destroying all other activities. PFL deactivation, i.e. quenching of the glycyl radical in PFL by the AdhE protein, was examined with respect to cofactor involvements (Fe2+, NAD, and CoA). This process is coupled to NAD reduction and requires the intact CoA sulfhydryl group. Pyruvate and NADH are inhibitors that affect the steady-state level of the radical form of PFL in a reconstituted interconversion cycle. Studies of cell cultures found that PFL deactivation in situ is initiated at redox potentials of greater than or equal to +100 mV. Our results provide insights into the structure/function organization of the AdhE multienzyme and give a rationale for how its PFL radical quenching activity may be suppressed in situ to enable effective glucose fermentation.
Acetyltransferases↗
Prescription for change: an interview with FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler.
Dr David A. Kessler took over as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration in December 1990. Since then, he has initiated many changes to improve the structure and efficiency of the agency. In this interview, he describes some of the problems and challenges associated with the process of reviewing and approving new drugs.
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