Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Morris

Publications and source records attributed to E Morris.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Muscle-specific transcription factors in fibroblasts expressing the alpha-striated tropomyosin 3' untranslated region.

The alpha-striated tropomyosin 3' untranslated region (TM UTR) promotes differentiation of fibroblasts into cells resembling skeletal muscle. To investigate the mechanism of this observation, RNA harvested from transfected primary fibroblasts was used for semiquantitative RT-PCR with primers specific for muscle transcription factors, showing that myoD and myogenin transcripts are detected in these cells, but that differentiation after TM UTR expression is independent of a detectable increase in these transcripts. Double immunofluorescent staining with antibodies to myoD family members and to titin confirms that muscle differentiation in TM UTR-transfected fibroblasts is independent of production of any transcription factor in this family. In contrast, the muscle transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2 (mef-2) is strongly expressed after transfection of fibroblasts with the TM UTR. The increase in mef-2 protein is due to an increase in the steady-state level of its mRNA, as shown by Northern analysis. The expression of p21 ordinarily observed in skeletal myogenesis before the expression of muscle-specific proteins is not seen in fibroblasts induced to differentiate by the TM UTR. These results demonstrate that post-transcriptional regulation of myoD family members is seen in fibroblasts, and that the TM UTR induces muscle differentiation independent of the myoD transcription factors and without expressing proteins characteristic of terminal withdrawal from the cell cycle. Finally, an increase in the steady-state level of mef-2 transcripts appears in the proximal pathway of myogenic activation in response to expression of the TM UTR. These results imply that fibroblasts can utilize an additional differentiation route upon TM UTR expression resulting in mature muscle other than that requiring myoD family members.

3' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed1999

Analgesic efficacy of a combination of hydrocodone with ibuprofen in postoperative pain.

Two randomized, double-blind, parallel-group single-dose 2 x 2 factorial analgesic studies compared a single-dose or a 2-tablet dose of a combination of 7.5 mg hydrocodone bitartrate with 200 mg ibuprofen with each constituent alone and with a placebo in women with moderate or severe postoperative pain from abdominal or gynecologic surgery. A nurse-observer recorded patient reports of pain intensity and pain relief periodically for 8 hours. In both studies, the combination was significantly superior to placebo for sum of the pain intensity differences (SPID), total pain relief (TOTPAR), peak pain intensity difference (PID) and pain relief, global evaluation, and time to remedication. The combination was likewise significantly superior to both hydrocodone and ibuprofen for most of these summary measures of analgesia. In a factorial analysis, both the hydrocodone and ibuprofen effects were significant for most summary measures of analgesia, whereas results of the interaction contrast were consistent with the concept that the analgesic effect of the combination represents the additive analgesia of its 2 constituents.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Ceramide increases steroid hormone production in MA-10 Leydig cells.

Ceramide is known to have major roles in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recent studies also have shown that ceramide affects steroid production by JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells, acutely dispersed rat Leydig cells, and ovarian granulosa cells, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Because ceramide induces apoptosis in many different cell types, we hypothesized that ceramide might affect steroidogenesis and/or induce apoptosis in MA-10 murine Leydig cells. To test this, MA-10 cells were incubated with either the water soluble C2-ceramide, (N-acetyl-sphingosine, 0.01-10 cm); bacterial sphingomyelinase (1-100 mU/ml); or C2-dihydroceramide (N-acetyl-sphinganine, 0.1-10 microM). The data show that N-acetyl-sphingosine significantly increased basal (0.87 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.09 ng/mg cell protein, P < 0.01) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated progesterone (P) synthesis (204 +/- 12 vs. 120 +/- 5 ng/mg cell protein, P < 0.001); as did sphingomyelinase (basal P = 0.83 +/- 0.1 ng/mg cell protein, P < 0.01; hCG stimulated P = 173 +/- 7 ng/mg cell protein, P < 0.001). C2-dihydroceramide also increased basal P synthesis but was less effective than ceramide on a molar basis. Neither sphingomyelinase (100 mU/ml) nor ceramide (10 microM) had any effect on cAMP production or human chorionic gonadotropin binding; and neither induced any signs of apoptosis (FragEL DNA fragmentation assay and electron microscopy). Cells incubated with anti-Fas (300 ng/ml) demonstrated DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation, and frequent apoptotic bodies, but had no change in P synthesis. These data show that ceramide significantly increases MA-10 Leydig cell P synthesis but does not induce apoptosis. The mechanism by which ceramide increases steroid hormone synthesis remains unknown but does not appear to be linked to the induction of apoptosis in MA-10 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Quality of life in Turner syndrome is related to chromosomal constitution: implications for genetic counselling and management.

Issues of self-appraisal, friendships and academic attainments are uniquely salient for all adolescents. For girls with Turner syndrome, social problems and learning difficulties often become more serious at this time, yet may be unacknowledged by those responsible for paediatric care because their focus is on growth and sexual maturation. Data on the social and educational adjustment of 110 45,X (monosomic) females aged between 6 and 25 years is presented. Detailed information on the patients' precise karyotype was used to demonstrate systematic differences in adjustment between those whose single X chromosome was maternally derived and those in whom it was paternal. Implications for educational support and parental guidance are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Genetic and morphological characterization of Cladobotryum species causing cobweb disease of mushrooms.

Cladobotryum dendroides (= Dactylium dendroides) has hitherto been regarded as the major causal agent of cobweb disease of the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Nucleotide sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of four Cladobotryum/Hypomyces species reported to be associated with cobweb disease, however, indicate that the most common pathogen is now C. mycophilum. This cobweb pathogen varies somewhat in conidial septation from published descriptions of C. mycophilum and lacks the distinctive colony odor. ITS sequencing revealed minor nucleotide variation which split isolates of the pathogen into three subgroups, two comprising isolates that were sensitive to methylbenzimidazole carbamate (MBC) fungicides and one comprising MBC-resistant isolates. The MBC-resistant isolates, which were only obtained from Ireland and Great Britain, clustered together strongly in randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR analysis, suggesting that they may be clonal. The MBC-sensitive isolates were more diverse. A RAPD fragment of 800 to 900 bp, containing a microsatellite and found in the MBC-resistant isolates, also indicated their clonal nature; the microsatellites of these isolates contained the same number of GA repeats. Smaller, polymorphic microsatellites, similarly comprising GA repeats, in the MBC-sensitive isolates in general correlated with their geographic origin.

Agaricus↗
PubMed1999

Psychological defense styles in women who report childhood sexual abuse: a controlled community study.

OBJECTIVE: The psychological defense styles of women who reported childhood sexual abuse were assessed and compared to those of women without childhood sexual abuse. METHOD: Subjects in a random community sample (N = 354) of New Zealand women were interviewed and completed two relevant questionnaires, the Defense Style Questionnaire and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. RESULTS: Women reporting childhood sexual abuse showed more immature defense styles, and those who experienced the most severe childhood sexual abuse showed the most immature styles. Dissociation, however, as measured on the Dissociative Experiences Scale, was not linked to childhood sexual abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting childhood sexual abuse was associated with more immature coping styles, although not dissociation, in this community sample of women. Coping styles are likely to be a major mechanism through which childhood sexual abuse increases rates of later psychological problems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Cognitive coping styles of women sexually abused in childhood: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate cognitive coping strategies used by a nonclinical sample of women with a history of childhood sexual abuse, to examine whether cognitive appraisals affected their current coping strategies and psychological well-being. METHOD: Qualitative research methods were used to enable the sample to convey their own ideas about factors and meanings they attributed to their experience of child sexual abuse. The sample of 40 was drawn from one of two stratified sub samples randomly selected from electoral rolls for interview in 1989 and re-interviewed in 1995. One sub sample had reported childhood sexual abuse and the other had reported none. Inductive content analysis and coding of themes were carried out using appropriate software and supplemented by quantitative interview data. RESULTS: Six main coping strategies were identified and then assessed to determine their mediating influence on psychiatric disorder, self-esteem and self reported difficulties experienced as adults. Overall, abuse characteristics did not predict outcome but women who "deliberately suppressed" the abuse incidents were more likely to have low self-esteem and women who "reframed" were significantly less likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Some cognitive coping strategies employed after experiencing child sexual abuse impinge on later psychological well-being or subsequent relationships with other people. One of the more challenging findings to come out of the study was that women who "reframed" the sexual abuse event were more likely to have favorable mental health outcomes but were also more likely to report that their own child had been sexually abused.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

HLA antigens in lyophilised corneal lenticules.

PURPOSE: To investigate the presence of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) in organ cultured corneas, in lyophilised epikeratophakia lenticules prepared by dry state lathing, and in lenticules subjected to prolonged rehydration in Balanced Salt Solution (BSS). METHODS: Twelve lenticules and 3 organ cultured corneas were studied for the presence of HLA-ABC (class I), and HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP (class II), antigens using the immunoperoxidase technique. RESULTS: HLA-ABC antigens were detected in all lenticules. HLA-DR antigen was also detected in low concentrations in 6 out of 12 lenticules. HLA-DQ and -DP antigens were generally absent. Incubation in BSS for 24 and 48 hours did not change the expression of antigens. CONCLUSIONS: HLA-class I, and to some degree HLA-class II antigens, are present in the stroma of both organ cultured corneas, and in lyophilised lenticules. Incubation in BSS for up to 48 hours did not reduce the expression of antigens.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Corneal endothelial specular microscopy following deep lamellar keratoplasty with lyophilised tissue.

PURPOSE: To assess the corneal endothelial cell density following deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLK) carried out by air dissection and with the transplantation of lyophilised tissue. METHOD: Contact endothelial specular microscopy was carried out on a series of patients who had undergone DLK with a minimum of 1 year post-operative follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty eyes of 18 patients were examined at follow-up times ranging from 1 to 8 years post-operatively (mean 3 years). Indications for surgery were: keratoconus (n = 12), herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis (n = 1), herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) keratitis (n = 1), lipid keratopathy (n = 2), lattice dystrophy (n = 1) and corneal scarring (n = 3). Overall, mean post-operative cell density was 2417 cells/mm2 (range 928-3656 cells/mm2). In eyes with pathological conditions not likely to have affected the endothelial cell density, such as keratoconus or lattice degeneration, the mean cell density was 2837 cells/mm2 (range 1030-3656 cells/mm2). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing DLK for conditions such as keratoconus the post-operative cell density was at a normal level in the majority of cases. Cell loss through this surgical intervention thus appears generally to be small. The prospect for long-term survival of these grafts is good.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy facilitated by hydrodissection.

Hydrodissection has been used in the past in open cholecystectomy to facilitate dissection in difficult cases. Injection of 50 mL of saline, with a laparoscopic cyst aspiration needle during laparoscopic cholecystectomy between the gallbladder and the liver, causes an edematous area 1-1.5 cm thick between the gallbladder and the liver. This allows dissection to be carried out prograde and retrograde with less bleeding and a much smaller chance of gallbladder perforation and the escape of stones. One hundred and thirty-three laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) utilizing hydrodissection were compared to 48 historical controls (HC), comparing blood loss, stone spillage, and dissection time. Blood loss was on average less than 5 mL in the LC group and 56 mL in the HC. One case of minor biliary spillage occurred in the LC group and 11 gallbladder perforations in the HC group. Time taken for the dissection was 6.4 minutes for LC and 16 minutes for HC. Laparoscopic hydrodissection was accompanied by less bleeding, fewer incidents of gallbladder damage and stone spilling, and a much faster dissection time. It can also be performed prograde, which is helpful in liver cirrhosis.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗
PubMed1998

Myosin crossbridge configurations in equilibrium states of vertebrate skeletal muscle. Heads swing axially or turn upside-down between resting and rigor.

The positions and orientations of the myosin heads in relaxed, active, rigor and S1-labelled fish muscle are being determined by analysis both of electron micrographs and of low-angle X-ray diffraction patterns. The X-ray analysis of resting muscle makes use of the head shape defined from the study of S1 crystals, with variable head configurational parameters being used on each of the three different 3-fold symmetric 14.3 nm-spaced 'crowns' of myosin heads within the 42.9 nm axial repeat of the myosin filaments. Diffraction patterns were stripped using CCP13 fibre diffraction software. Searches and optimisation were carried out using simulated annealing and local refinement procedures to give a 'best fit' relaxed structure with a crystallographic R-factor of about 4%. It had heads oriented all the same way up (i.e. with similar rotations around their own long axes) on the myosin filament, but with a small range of axial tilts. Head configuration in rigor fish muscle is being determined by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy of normal rigor muscle and of skinned muscle soaked with extrinsic myosin S1. Computed 3-D reconstructions of acto-S1 using X-ray amplitudes and phases from electron microscopy are informative and help to analyse the X-ray diffraction data that extend axially to about 1 nm resolution. An ambiguity is the axial direction of the observed resting myosin head array relative to the known polarity of the actin filaments. One polarity would give little axial displacement (2-3 nm) between opposite ends of the resting and rigor heads, and in this case the heads would need to rotate around their own long axes by about 115 degrees to make a rigor attachment. The other (preferred) filament polarity would provide considerable axial swinging (14-15 nm) between the two states. We are attempting to define the absolute polarity of the resting muscle myosin head array using electron microscopy and image processing either of cryo-sections or of replicas from shadowed, freeze-fractured, rapidly frozen fish muscle fibres.

Actins↗
PubMed1997

Liquid chromatographic assay of dityrosine in human cerebrospinal fluid.

A micro-scale method for separation and measurement of dityrosine in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is described utilizing liquid-liquid extraction and ion-paired, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection. A mobile phase containing 1-heptanesulfonic acid linearly increased in methanol from 0 to 100% over 30 min allows the resolution of dityrosine from other fluorescent compounds with excitation at 285 nm and emission at 410 nm. As little as 0.15 ml CSF sample can be utilized with a detection limit of 60 pg dityrosine on the column. This method facilitates the use of CSF dityrosine as a measure of free radical mediated protein damage in the central nervous system.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1997

Patterns of mammographically detected calcifications after breast-conserving therapy associated with tumor recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Some authors have suggested that mammographically evident calcifications that would be considered benign in other situations can be due to carcinoma in women who have undergone breast conservation. This study was undertaken to determine if the pattern of calcifications associated with recurrent tumors detected mammographically differs from that observed in carcinomas developing de novo. METHODS: Mammograms of 22 cases of local tumor recurrence were retrospectively reviewed, and calcifications associated with recurrence were characterized according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification. RESULTS: Tumors were usually associated with > or = 10 calcifications (77%; 17 of 22 cases). Recurrences commonly contained very suspicious patterns of calcifications with linear forms present in 15 cases (68%) and pleomorphic calcifications present in 17 cases (77%). The distribution of calcifications was usually clustered (73%; 16 of 22 cases) or segmental (18%; 4 of 22 cases). Recurrences were usually obviously malignant (BI-RADS Category 5), and were characterized as such in 77% of cases. The remainder were indeterminate, requiring biopsy (BI-RADS Category 4). Recurrent tumors containing calcifications always contained some suspicious forms. Less worrisome types of calcifications were sometimes observed, including punctate calcifications in 36% and coarse calcifications in 14% of cases, but were always associated with more malignant patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Local tumor recurrences, when associated with mammographically evident calcifications, usually have a pattern highly suspicious for malignancy, although indeterminate forms can be the only calcifications present. Characteristically benign patterns of calcifications are not observed in recurrent tumors unless they are associated with more suspicious calcifications. Therefore, women without more worrisome patterns need not undergo biopsy because of the presence of these nonworrisome calcifications.

Breast Diseases↗