Quintuplet pregnancy after clomiphene with successful outcome.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
J Arnold
Publications and source records attributed to J Arnold.
Thermogenic, hormonal, and metabolic effects of a TPN mixture. Influence of glucose and amino acids.
The thermogenic, hormonal, and metabolic effects of intravenous nutrition were examined by administering a complete total parenteral nutrition (TPN) mixture to 11 subjects, and the relative contributions of the glucose and amino acid components of the mixture were evaluated by administering these nutrients separately (n = 7 and n = 6, respectively). The complete TPN mixture caused a 22.9% rise in resting energy expenditure (REE), which significantly exceeded that associated with glucose (10.4% P < 0.02). The rise in REE produced by the amino acids (11.5%) did not differ significantly from that associated with administration of the TPN or glucose. The rise in REE associated with the TPN was almost exactly equal to the sum of the rises associated with the separate components of the mixture (22.9% and 22.0%, respectively), indicating that glucose and amino acids contributed equally to the thermogenic effect of the TPN mixture. In contrast, although the amino acid component of the TPN mixture was associated with small but significant reductions in plasma free fatty acid and glycerol concentration and with small increases in plasma insulin concentration, the effects of the complete TPN mixture were significantly greater and attributable to the glucose component.
Adult↗
Insulin-induced activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.
The pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex undergoes reversible phosphorylation catalyzed by a PDH kinase (inactivating) and a PDH phosphatase (activating). In skeletal muscle, a decreased proportion of active PDH (PDHa) complex limits glucose oxidation in insulin-deficient states. The time-course for reactivation of the PDH complex by insulin in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats is important to understanding the potential mode of the action of insulin in regulating glucose metabolism. A single injection of insulin (1 U/kg) completely reversed the effects of alloxan-diabetes on PDHa activity within 1 hour. The normalization of the effects of diabetes on PDHa activity by insulin was maintained for a minimum of 6 hours. The increase in PDHa activity occurred before an insulin-induced decrease in plasma free fatty acids levels, demonstrating a dissociation between the antilipolytic effects of insulin and its ability to activate the PDH complex. PDH kinase activity was not normalized to control values following a single injection of insulin. Therefore, acute (1 to 6 hours) insulin-mediated activation of the PDH complex does not result from a decrease in PDH kinase activity. However, longer-term insulin therapy (1 U/kg body weight; twice daily) restored both PDHa and PDH kinase activities. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of the PDH complex immediately following insulin administration is not mediated by a decreased PDH kinase activity. However, with daily insulin therapy in diabetes, activation of the PDH complex results from decreased PDH kinase activity.
Animals↗
Effects of estrogen deprivation on human benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Sex steroids are thought to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Since recent studies in animal models and in men have shown that estrogens might be causally linked to the onset and maintenance of BPH, we examined the effect of 1-methyl-androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (Atamestane), a newly developed aromatase inhibitor, in men with BPH. In an open multicenter study 49 men (mean age 70.1 years, range 55 to 84) with obstructive BPH were treated with atamestane (3 x 200 mg/day) for 3 months. Of the 49 patients 44 completed the treatment period; the other patients discontinued the study for reasons unrelated to treatment. With treatment BPH-related symptoms such as daytime voiding frequency, nycturia, peak flow and residual urine improved considerably; however, these parameters did not reach statistical significance. The mean prostatic volume decreased significantly from 74.2 +/- 31.7 to 64.0 +/- 31 ml (mean +/- SD). Serum estrogen levels decreased markedly during treatment. In addition intraprostatic estrogen concentration decreased with treatment as compared to estrogen levels in hyperplastic prostates from untreated patients. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study: first, estrogens appear to have an important supportive role in established BPH, and second, estrogen deprivation improved BPH-related symptoms and reduced significantly prostatic volume.
Aged↗
Increased whole body protein breakdown predominates over increased whole body protein synthesis in multiple organ failure.
1. Whole body protein turnover was measured using a primed-constant infusion of L-[1-13C]leucine with measurement of breath 13CO2 production and plasma 13C alpha-ketoisocaproate enrichment. Ten fasting patients, requiring mechanical ventilation and suffering from multiple organ failure, and six healthy control subjects were studied. 2. Protein breakdown and leucine removal from the plasma for protein synthesis were significantly higher in the patients than in the control subjects (P < 0.01). In addition, leucine oxidation was almost 75% higher in the patients than in the healthy control subjects (P < 0.05). 3. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and growth hormone were not different between the two groups, but those of glucagon (not significant), noradrenaline (P < 0.05) and cortisol (P < 0.01) were almost two- and three-fold higher in the patients than in the control subjects. 4. Mean energy expenditure, measured by indirect calorimetry, was 30% higher in the patients than in the healthy control subjects (P < 0.01). 5. Combining the data from both groups of subjects and using multiple regression analysis, cortisol was found to be the most significant predictor of (i) protein breakdown (48% of variance explained), (ii) leucine oxidation (69%) and (iii) hourly energy expenditure (54%). 6. The present investigation using [13C]leucine tracer methods demonstrated, in patients with multiple organ failure, that whole body protein breakdown and synthesis increased concomitantly and were twice as high as rates measured in healthy control subjects. Of the hormones measured in the present study, cortisol appears to have the most significant effect on whole body protein turnover.
Adult↗
PCAP: probe choice and analysis package--a set of programs to aid in choosing synthetic oligomers for contig mapping.
In the program, PCAP, we provide a methodology for choosing synthetic oligonucleotide probes to be used in contig mapping experiments. The package serves the purpose of presenting a series of short oligonucleotides (8-12mers) that are chosen based on constraints with respect to frequency of occurrence within a particular genome and the G+C content of the oligonucleotides. The four programs contained within the package: (i) convert GenBank files to a format useable by the package; (ii) calculate trinucleotide and tetranucleotide frequencies in available sequence data on a particular species; (iii) present the user with upper and lower bounds on the frequencies of hybridization sites for oligonucleotide probes of length 8-12, (iv) allow the user to place constraints on site frequency and G+C content and provides a list of short probe sequences that fit these criteria. These sequences can then be synthetically produced and used in hybridization experiments to carry out contig mapping.
Base Sequence↗
ODS: ordering DNA sequences--a physical mapping algorithm based on simulated annealing.
In the program ODS we provide a methodology for quickly ordering random clones into a physical map. The process of ordering individual clones with respect to their position along a chromosome is based on the similarity of binary signatures assigned to each clone. This binary signature is obtained by hybridizing each clone to a panel of oligonucleotide probes. By using the fact that the amount of overlap between any two clones is reflected in the similarity of their binary signatures, it is possible to reconstruct a chromosome by minimizing the sum of linking distances between an ordered sequence of clones. Unlike other programs for physical mapping, ODS is very general in the types of data that can be utilized for chromosome reconstruction. Any trait that can be scored in a presence--absence manner, such as hybridized synthetic oligonucleotides, restriction endonuclease recognition sites or single copy landmarks, can be used for analysis. Furthermore, the computational requirements for the construction of large physical maps can be measured in a matter of hours on work-stations such as the VAX2000.
Algorithms↗
Short-term outcome of mechanically ventilated infants weighing more than 2499 g at birth: a population based study.
Very little data exist describing the neonatal outcome of infants of birthweight 2500 g or more who require mechanical ventilation. Our aim was to collect population-based data on such infants in New South Wales (NSW), and to monitor their neonatal morbidity, mortality to 1 year of age and the associated risk factors. The study group (NICUS infants) comprised all 341 infants weighing > 2499 g who were admitted to the seven neonatal intensive care units in New South Wales and mechanically ventilated for 4 h or more between 1 January and 31 December, 1987. Two groups of infants emerged: those who were preterm and mostly had hyaline membrane disease, and term and post-term infants for whom the most common problem was 'perinatal asphyxia'. The most important factors associated with dying were a birthweight of over 3499 g (OR = 2.6; CI 1.03-6.6) and a 1 min Apgar score < 4 (OR = 4.8; CI 1.4-16.9). Study group mothers were significantly more likely than all NSW mothers to have had a spontaneous abortion in the previous pregnancy (P < 0.01), a pre-existing medical condition or an obstetric complication in this pregnancy, or a Caesarean section for this delivery (P < 0.001). This is the first population-based study of high-risk neonates without congenital anomalies to clearly document the worsening prognosis associated with a birthweight over 3499 g. Further research should be directed towards identifying prenatal and perinatal factors which might minimize the morbidity and mortality in this group of babies.
Apgar Score↗
Successful use of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt to control severe refractory oesophageal variceal haemorrhage in a poor risk patient.
This report describes a 44 year old man with a severe gastrointestinal haemorrhage from oesophageal varices. Bleeding could not be controlled with conservative therapy and sclerotherapy. He was successfully treated with a radiologically guided transjugular intrahepatic stent shunt at a time when his condition was too poor to attempt an open surgical procedure.
Adult↗
Plasma NE concentrations do not accurately reflect sympathetic nervous system activity in human sepsis.
Plasma norepinephrine concentrations ([NE]) when raised in patients with sepsis are thought to indicate increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). However, increased SNS activity may occur without a concomitant rise in plasma [NE]. Measurement of NE kinetics (clearance and spillover) is a more accurate and direct assessment of SNS activity. In the present study plasma [NE] and NE kinetics were measured in six patients with intra-abdominal sepsis (septic) using tritiated NE infused to achieve a plateau plasma concentration. The measurements were repeated in the same patients after they had recovered (nonseptic). NE clearance and spillover were both significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the septic compared with the nonseptic state. However, there was no statistically significant difference in plasma [NE] between the two conditions. Plasma [NE] indicates no alteration in SNS activity during the septic state, whereas NE kinetics indicate increased activity of the SNS during sepsis. The results suggest that plasma [NE] is a poor indicator of SNS activity during septic illness.
Adult↗
Cigarette-smoking affects platelets and endothelium in chronic hemodialysis patients.
Previous work has shown that cigarette-smoking affects platelets and endothelium in men and women without renal failure. The present study compared 10 male habitual smokers receiving maintenance hemodialysis for chronic renal failure with 11 healthy male habitual smokers before and after controlled cigarette-smoking after a 12-hour period of abstinence. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was not significantly different in the two groups of men before smoking. The platelet aggregate ratio was lower and the plasma concentration of platelet factor 4 was higher in the dialysis patients than in the healthy men (p < 0.05). Mean or median values before and after cigarette smoking by the dialysis patients were 42 and 62 chart units for collagen-induced platelet aggregation, 0.88 and 0.77 for the platelet aggregate ratio, 6.2 and 8.5 ng/ml for the plasma concentration of platelet factor 4, 0.8 and 1.7 per counting chamber for the endothelial cell count and 4 and 37 ng/ml for the plasma nicotine concentration (each p < 0.01). None of the changes which occurred in the dialysis patients was statistically significantly different from those in the healthy men. We conclude that cigarette-smoking has similar effects on platelets and endothelium in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis and in healthy controls.
Adult↗
Certificate of Need revisited.
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Acute Disease↗
Design of an object-oriented database for reverse genetics.
We present the design of an object-oriented database system for reverse genetics applications. Such a database will encapsulate not only the data in the genetic and physical maps, but also the methods used to create the maps as well as methods to link them to other databases, such as GenBank, PIR, and MedLine. The purpose of this database is to provide the fungal genetics community with an electronic tool for identifying the biochemical function of any DNA fragment in the database--electronic reverse genetics. Such a tool for reverse genetics will enable researchers to identify the biochemical functions associated with genes encoding proteins in fungal development pathways, purine metabolism, the heat shock response, and molecular chromosome mechanics and evolution. Our initial goal is to apply the database for the genome mapping of the filamentous fungi, Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa, at the University of Georgia and the University of Leeds in England.
Aspergillus nidulans↗
Interferon-gamma overcomes the glucocorticoid-mediated and the interleukin-4-mediated inhibition of interleukin-1 beta synthesis in human monocytes.
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been implicated in the tissue destruction of rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that is widely treated with glucocorticoids. In this study we investigated the effect of the T cell product interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the glucocorticoid-mediated and on the IL-4-mediated inhibition of IL-1 beta mRNA and IL-1 beta protein synthesis in highly purified human monocytes. Both dexamethasone and IL-4 dose-dependently inhibited IL-1 beta mRNA and IL-1 beta protein synthesis after stimulation with LPS (300 ng/ml); maximal inhibition of 80-90% was achieved. IFN-gamma (1-100 U/ml) did not influence IL-1 beta mRNA and IL-1 beta protein levels in unstimulated cells, but potentiated the LPS-induced synthesis of IL-1 beta mRNA and IL-1 beta protein. After a preincubation time of 1 h, 100 U/ml of IFN-gamma increased the LPS-induced IL-1 beta production by about 20-40%. When human monocytes were preincubated for 1 h with IFN-gamma (100 U/ml) prior to the addition of dexamethasone (10(-6) M) and prior to the stimulation with LPS, the dexamethasone-mediated inhibition of IL-1 beta mRNA and IL-1 beta protein synthesis was totally neutralized by IFN-gamma. In addition, IFN-gamma totally overcame the negative effect of IL-4 (100 pM) on IL-1 beta protein synthesis. A preincubation period of at least 1 h with IFN-gamma was necessary for the neutralization of the dexamethasone effect. If IFN-gamma was given at the same time or after dexamethasone, only a weak effect was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Blotting, Northern↗
Why first-year family practice residents choose their residency programs.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study identifies some of the factors that influenced program selection by first-year family practice residents. METHODS: In a national survey, 660 new first-year residents from 159 family practice programs responded to a questionnaire that asked them to cite the most important factors in choosing their program and rejecting other programs. RESULTS: The most important factors in selecting a program were location, reputation, faculty, and residents. The most important factors in deciding against other programs were location, reputation, residents, and curriculum. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that recruiters of first-year family practice residents need to address these factors in their recruiting efforts.
Adult↗
Retinal vessel circulation patterns visualized from a sequence of computer-aligned angiograms.
PURPOSE: To present a computer method that can be used to combine the images from a sequence of fluorescein angiograms of the retinal microcirculation so that a composite image can be generated and a color image illustrating circulation at all points in the vascular network can be computed. This should enable more accurate comparison of retinal vascular occlusions that occur during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. METHODS: Photographic negatives of the macular region from two angiographic sequences, one taken before surgery and the other taken just before the end of bypass, were digitized, background shade corrected, and registered. Composite images were generated as minimum projection images and the filling images generated from parameters of a smooth curve fit to the filling data at every point. RESULTS: The composite images showed a filling pattern that more accurately reflected the maximum fluorescence at every point than any single image. The images generated from the filling data provide a new way to visualize and quantify changes in the retinal circulation. CONCLUSIONS: The technique demonstrates that problems arising from selection of a single frame from a filling sequence can be overcome by combining images. The technique used to generate the color-coded filling image should prove useful for any image sequence in which differential filling is of interest.
Blood Flow Velocity↗
The application of Markov chain analysis to oligonucleotide frequency prediction and physical mapping of Drosophila melanogaster.
Here we compare several methods for predicting oligonucleotide frequencies in 691 kb of Drosophila melanogaster DNA. As in previous work on Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a relatively simple equation based on tetranucleotide frequencies can be used in predicting frequencies of higher order oligonucleotides. For example, the mean of observed/expected abundances of 4,096 hexamers was 1.07 with a sample standard deviation of .55. This simple predictor arises by considering each base on the sense strand of D. melanogaster to depend only on the three bases 5' to it (a 3rd order Markov chain) and is more accurate than the random predictor. This equation is useful in predicting restriction enzyme fragment sizes, selecting restriction enzymes that cut preferentially in coding vs noncoding regions, and in selecting probes to fingerprint clones in contig mapping. Once again, this equation well predicts the occurrence of higher order oligonucleotides, supporting our hypothesis that this predictor holds in evolutionarily diverse organisms. When ranked from highest to lowest abundance, the observed frequencies of oligomers of a given length are closely tracked by the predicted abundances of a 3rd order Markov chain. Through use of the dependence of oligomer frequencies on base composition, we report a list of oligomers that will be useful for the completion of a cosmid physical map of D. melanogaster. Presently, the library is such that it will be possible to construct large contigs using only 30 oligonucleotide probes to fingerprint cosmids.
Animals↗
The role of interleukin 6 in megakaryocyte formation, megakaryocyte development and platelet production.
Megakaryocytopoiesis is the cellular amplification and differentiation of precursors into immature megakaryocytes, and the cytoplasmic maturation of these megakaryocytes, a process terminating in the release of platelets into the circulation. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) stimulates megakaryocytopoiesis in the bone marrow, increasing platelet numbers in the circulation. IL-6 alone is poorly active on the growth of stem cell populations, but acts in synergy with stem cell factor (c-kit ligand) to expand the committed myeloid progenitor compartments but not the megakaryocyte progenitors. IL-6 has a direct action on megakaryocyte progenitors but only in synergy with low doses of interleukin 3 (IL-3), increasing the number of immature megakaryocytes and enhancing the processes of development into mature megakaryocytes. IL-6 is about 10 times more active on megakaryocytes than on megakaryocyte progenitors in cell culture. It is active alone and will stimulate increases in cell size and DNA content. IL-6 does not appear to stimulate the process of platelet release. IL-6 is found in bone marrow, in both macrophage subsets and megakaryocytes, indicating that it may be an important physiological regulator of both paracrinal (microenvironmental) and autocrinal mechanisms controlling megakaryocyte development in bone marrow.
Animals↗