Communication roundtable.
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Communication↗
Biomedical subjects
D Young
Publications and source records attributed to D Young.
Preventing AIDS among black gay men and black gay and heterosexual male intravenous drug users.
The black population is disproportionately affected by acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Among those black people most at risk of becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus are black men who use intravenous drugs and black men who are gay. This article explores the complex cultural, economic, and social factors obstructing the reduction of the AIDS rate among these men. Implications and recommendations are made for developing effective AIDS prevention efforts by highlighting race-specific resources and supports for high-risk black men.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Hearing results from endolymphatic sac surgery.
This report examines the effect of the endolymphatic shunt on hearing. The study group was drawn from 101 shunt operations for intractable vertigo between 1983 and 1987. Thirty ears met criteria for diagnosis, level of preoperative hearing impairment, and length of follow-up. The control group consisted of 30 ears with symptoms severe enough to prompt recommendations for shunt surgery, but the patients either opted against surgery or improved. The results were analyzed using the 1985 AAO-HNS reporting criteria. When looking at worst postoperative (or worst scores after 2 years of follow-up in controls) compared to worst preoperative (or worst scores in the first 6 months of presentation in controls), we found no significant difference between the study group (average loss of 9 dB pure-tone average [PTA] and 16% speech discrimination [SD]) as compared to the control group (average loss of 3 dB PTA and 10% SD). However, when using the first and last audiograms for the control group, there was a statistically significant difference as compared to the worst preoperative and postoperative scores in the shunt group. Using the first and last scores, the control group had a better outcome (PTA improved 2 dB, SD score dropped 5%). There was no significant difference between groups for percentage of patients whose hearing improved, remained the same, or worsened. In conclusion, the endolymphatic shunt operation did not significantly effect the long-term hearing results.
Adolescent↗
Modulation of hematologic and immunologic effects of high dose chemotherapy by interleukin-2 in a murine tumor model.
To determine if intensive chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide (C), etoposide (E), and cisplatin (P) (CEP) may be usefully combined with recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2), we examined a murine tumor model designed to approximate a common clinical situation: macroscopic, drug-resistant cancer. Using C57BL/6 mice with extensive tumor burden 10 days after intravenous B16 melanoma cell injection, we observed (1) C, E, and P synergize to enhance survival but do not cure mice at the highest tolerable dose (C = 200 mg/kg, E = 60 mg/kg, and P = 3 mg/kg); (2) rhIL-2 at 3 x 10(5) U (subcutaneously) daily for 4 days administered 10-18 days after B16 injection significantly improves survival; (3) CEP plus rhIL-2 is more effective than CEP alone only when rhIL-2 is administered before CEP; (4) CEP suppresses IL-2-induced lymphokine-activated killer cell activity in the spleen; and (5) rhIL-2 protects mice incompletely from the immunologic and hematologic suppression of CEP. Our results suggest that intensive chemotherapy combined with rhIL-2 may be beneficial. The success of any such combination may be schedule dependent.
Animals↗
Diagnosing breast cancer: progress and problems.
Earlier diagnosis of breast cancer has raised new questions about appropriate treatment and reconstruction. Revised guidelines for mammography are also discussed.
Adult↗
Enhanced adenylate cyclase activity in neonatally dopamine lesioned rats is related to increased Gs-protein coupling.
It has previously been shown that neonatal selective lesions of the central dopamine system with 6-hydroxydopamine lead to increased basal and dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in striatum without any alterations of dopamine receptor binding characteristics. In the present study, it was shown that adenylate cyclase activity following G-protein stimulation by the GTP analogue 5-guanylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) was increased in striatal preparations from neonatally 6-hydroxy-dopamine-lesioned rats, compared with control animals. No difference was seen in forskolin-stimulated enzyme activity between the two groups. These results indicate that neonatal dopamine lesions induce a selective functional supersensitivity at the D1 receptor complex by enhancing the coupling efficiency of the Gs protein to adenylate cyclase, without alterating the catalytic activity of the enzyme.
Adenylyl Cyclases↗
The adenylyl cyclase-encoding gene from Saccharomyces kluyveri.
The gene encoding adenylyl cyclase (CYR) from Saccharomyces kluyveri has been cloned. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of this protein with the Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CYRs revealed homology between different structural and putative functional domains that suggest a high degree of conservation in the function and regulation of these proteins.
Adenylyl Cyclases↗
Cloning of cDNA for natural killer cell stimulatory factor, a heterodimeric cytokine with multiple biologic effects on T and natural killer cells.
Previously we have reported the purification and characterization of a novel cytokine from an EBV-transformed B cell line, RPMI 8866. This factor, termed natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF), possessed pleiotropic activities including the induction of IFN-gamma from PBL, enhancement of cytotoxicity by NK cells, and stimulation of the proliferation of PBL. Purified NKSF was found to be a disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein composed of 35-kDa and 40-kDa subunits (p35 and p40). We now report the molecular cloning of cDNA for both subunits of NKSF from RPMI 8866 cellular RNA. The cDNA sequences indicate that both genes are novel, and Southern blot analysis confirmed that both cDNA are of human genomic origin. [35S]Methionine labeling indicated that cos-1 cells transfected with either p35 or p40 cDNA produced unique protein species of appropriate size. Methionine labeling of cos-1 cells cotransfected with p35 plus p40 cDNA yielded a broad band migrating between 70 and 90 kDa on a nonreducing gel. Reduction of this high molecular weight material yielded bands correlating with p35 and p40 gene products. Only culture supernatant from cotransfected cos-1 cells had a high level of NKSF biologic activity. That the high molecular weight material was responsible for this activity was indicated by the observation that biologic activity in the culture supernatant migrated at 70 to 90 kDa in a nonreducing gel. Furthermore, anti-p40 serum was able to block the biologic activities of both recombinant and natural NKSF, which indicates that it is a component of the active protein. In contrast, no activity could be detected in the supernatants of cos-1 cells transfected with p40 or p35 cDNA alone. The spectrum of biologic activity produced by cotransfected cos-1 cells was the same as NKSF purified to homogeneity from the RPMI 8866 cell line. A synergistic augmentation of some of these responses was found by the addition of IL-2 or the co-stimulators PHA or phorbol diester. The synergistic stimulation by NKSF plus IL-2 of T and NK function supports the possibility that these cytokines might prove useful in cancer therapy.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Induction of interferon gamma production by natural killer cell stimulatory factor: characterization of the responder cells and synergy with other inducers.
We previously reported that natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF), a heterodimeric lymphokine purified from the conditioned medium of human B lymphoblastoid cell lines, induces interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production from resting peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and synergizes with interleukin 2 in this activity. In this study, we show that human NKSF induces IFN-gamma production from both resting and activated human PBL and from freshly isolated murine splenocytes. Human T and NK cells produce IFN-gamma in response to NKSF, but resting PBL require the presence of nonadherent human histocompatibility leukocyte antigens DR+ (HLA-DR+) accessory cells to respond to NKSF. The mechanism(s) by which NKSF induces IFN-gamma production results in accumulation of IFN-gamma mRNA, is insensitive to cyclosporin A, and synergizes with those mediated by phytohemagglutinin, phorbol diesters, anti-CD3 antibodies, and allogeneic antigens, but not by Ca2+ ionophores. The ability of NKSF to directly induce IFN-gamma production and to synergize with other physiological IFN-gamma inducers, joined with the previously described ability to enhance lymphocyte cytotoxicity and proliferation, indicates that this lymphokine is a powerful immunopotentiating agent.
Animals↗
Repair of shoulder luxation in a horse.
Shoulder luxation in a 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly was treated by closed reduction, using a calf jack to provide traction on the limb. Arthroscopic examination of the shoulder allowed removal of soft tissue and bony debris. After surgery, the filly was confined to a box stall for 6 months. Eight months after surgery, the filly was doing light work and was not lame. Muscular atrophy present before surgery had resolved. Use of a calf jack may allow reduction of shoulder luxation under field conditions.
Animals↗
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis shikimate pathway genes: evolutionary relationship between biosynthetic and catabolic 3-dehydroquinases.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis shikimate pathway genes designated aroB and aroQ encoding 3-dehydroquinate synthase and 3-dehydroquinase, respectively were isolated by molecular cloning and their nucleotide sequences determined. The deduced dehydroquinate synthase amino acid sequence from M. tuberculosis showed high similarity to those of equivalent enzymes from prokaryotes and filamentous fungi. Surprisingly, the deduced M. tuberculosis 3-dehydroquinase amino acid sequence showed no similarity to other characterised prokaryotic biosynthetic 3-dehydroquinases (bDHQases). A high degree of similarity was observed, however, to the fungal catabolic 3-dehydroquinases (cDHQases) which are active in the quinic acid utilisation pathway and are isozymes of the fungal bDHQases. This finding indicates a common ancestral origin for genes encoding the catabolic dehydroquinases of fungi and the biosynthetic dehydroquinases present in some prokaryotes. Deletion of genes encoding shikimate pathway enzymes represents a possible approach to generation of rationally attenuated strains of M. tuberculosis for use as live vaccines.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Functional enhancement of intrastriatal dopamine-containing grafts by the co-transplantation of sciatic nerve tissue in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats.
Peripheral nerve "bridges" demonstrate the ability to facilitate axonal growth and regenerate adult and fetal central nervous system tissue. The purpose of this study was to determine if co-grafted peripheral nerve tissue could enhance the ability of fetal dopamine (DA) cell transplants to reinnervate host striatum that had been denervated unilaterally. Male Fisher-344 rats were unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine to eliminate the nigrostriatal DA pathway. A total of 31 rats demonstrated a pattern of rotation indicative of a greater than 98% depletion in DA. Rats were kept as nongrafted controls (n = 6), grafted with sciatic nerve (PN) minces (n = 6), grafted with fetal ventral mesencephalon (VM; n = 10), or co-grafted with VM and PN minces (n = 9). All groups were then tested for changes in apomorphine-induced rotational behavior. The PN control group showed no significant differences in rotation when compared to pregrafting levels and to the lesioned nongrafted group. Both the VM-grafted group and the VM-PN co-grafted group showed significant (P less than 0.01, one-way ANOVA) decreases in rotations beginning at 1.5 weeks postgrafting. There was a progressive decrease in rotations up to 12 weeks, the last test point examined. Interestingly, the co-graft group revealed a significantly greater decrease in rotation (P less than 0.05) than the VM group beginning at 5 weeks and continuing out to the 12-week test point. Histological and immunocytochemical studies showed good survival of both PN and VM grafts. The augmented recovery could not be accounted for by increased DA cell survival or host brain DA reinnervation in the co-graft group. Taken together, these findings suggest that PN tissue enhances the ability of fetal VM grafts to reinnervate host brain.
Animals↗
Effect of sodium deprivation on cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats: influence of aging.
Sodium has been identified as a causal factor in the development of hypertension in experimental animal models as well as in clinical human subjects. Sodium is also known to play a role in modulating myocardial mass and its pattern of myosin isozyme distribution. In the rodent model, the accumulation of V3 myosin isozyme (MI), due to the modulating influence of sodium, has been shown to be associated with persistent cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. In this paper, we have examined the effect of the restriction of dietary sodium on blood pressure, ventricular weight and myosin isoforms in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the relationship of these parameters with age. In 10- to 11-week-old SHR, dietary sodium restriction for 14 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in ventricular mass associated with systolic shifting of myosin isoform from V3 type to V1 type with no change in systolic blood pressure level; dietary sodium restriction also showed a significant reduction in body weight. When the effect of dietary sodium restriction (for 8 weeks) was studied in relation to age (in 11-, 16- and 24-week-old rats) a significant shift in myosin isoform from the V3 to the V1 type was noted in the 11-week-old rats; a slight but significant shift was noted in 16-week-old rats, and no change in myosin isoform distribution was noted in the 24-week-old SHR. The alteration in myosin isoform and myocardial mass in the 11- and 16-week-old rats was independent of changes in systolic blood pressure. This study demonstrates that sodium plays an important role not only in modulating myocardial mass but also in changing the biochemical composition of the heart. This study also suggests that in genetic hypertension, the restriction of sodium at a very young age may fully prevent the development of hypertension and hypertrophy. However, the mechanism by which the sodium ion modulates myocardial mass and the expression of either V1 or V3 myosin genes is unknown; the question of how sodium affects the cardiac function also remains. Some evidence suggests that sympathetic outflow may play an important role, but further studies are needed to validate this.
Aging↗
Absorption and disposition of colloidal drug delivery systems. I. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of a cyclosporin emulsion.
The amount of cyclosporin A in an oil-in-water emulsion drug delivery system was determined by HPLC. The direct extraction and analysis of an intact emulsion were compared to the analysis of a cracked emulsion and an olive oil solution of the drug. The intra- and interday variability for the intact emulsion was less than 10% from 35 to 150 micrograms/ml, with recovery of 94%. Comparison of the assay results obtained with the emulsion and the olive oil solution gave a highly correlated regression line with a small intercept and a slope close to unity. Thus, the direct extraction and HPLC analysis of drugs in emulsions may be a viable approach to evaluate drug content.
Absorption↗
Expression of genetically engineered immunoconjugates of lymphotoxin and a chimeric anti-ganglioside GD2 antibody.
Human lymphotoxin was genetically conjugated to the constant region of a human gamma 1 immunoglobulin gene at the end of either the second (CH2-LT) or third (CH3-LT) constant region domain. The altered heavy chain constant regions were combined in a plasmid vector together with the variable regions of a mouse anti-ganglioside GD2 antibody 14.18 and the human kappa constant region. The resulting immunoconjugate constructs were expressed in transfected hybridoma cells and tested for both their antibody and lymphotoxin activities. The two constructs were assembled to varying degrees depending on whether the third heavy chain constant region was present. Both forms retained their ability to bind antigen and mediate ADCC but only CH3-LT was able to mediate the lysis of melanoma target cells in the presence of human complement. Lymphotoxin activity, as defined in a cytolytic assay with mouse fibroblasts, was found to increase significantly as a function of heavy chain assembly and to be equivalent to unconjugated lymphotoxin. Neither of the constructs were cytotoxic for antigen-bearing melanoma cells that are normally resistant to lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Such immunoconjugates may prove useful in targeting cytokines to the site of antigen-bearing cells in vivo. In this case, as a means of eliciting an inflammatory response at the site of a solid tumor.
Animals↗
Genetic and biochemical analysis of the adenylyl cyclase of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
The adenylyl cyclase gene, cyr1, of Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been cloned. We have begun an analysis of the function and regulation of adenylyl cyclase by disrupting this gene and by over-expressing all or parts of this gene in various strains. cyr1- strains are viable and contain no measurable cyclic AMP. They conjugate and sporulate under conditions that normally inhibit wild-type strains. Strains containing the cyr1 coding sequences transcribed from the strong adh1 promoter contain greatly elevated adenylyl cyclase activity, as measured in vitro, but only modestly elevated cAMP levels. Such strains conjugate and sporulate less frequently than wild-type cells upon nutrient limitation. Strains which carry the wild-type cyr1 gene but that also express high levels of the amino terminal domain of adenylyl cyclase behave much like cyr1-strains, suggesting that the amino terminal domain can bind a positive regulator. A protein that copurifies with the adenylyl cyclase of S. pombe cross-reacts to antiserum raised against the S. cerevisiae adenylyl cyclase-associated regulatory protein, CAP.
Adenylyl Cyclases↗
Failure of somatosensory-evoked-potential monitoring in sensorimotor neuropathy.
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Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease↗