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Biomedical subjects

J Blanton

Publications and source records attributed to J Blanton.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Experimental infection of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) with Eurasian bat lyssaviruses Aravan, Khujand, and Irkut virus.

Here we describe the results of experimental infections of captive big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) with three newly isolated bat lyssaviruses from Eurasia (Aravan, Khujand, and Irkut viruses). Infection of E. fuscus was moderate (total, 55-75%). There was no evidence of transmission to in-contact cage mates. Incubation periods for Irkut virus infection were significantly shorter (p < 0.05) than for either Aravan or Khujand virus infections. In turn, quantification of viral RNA by TaqMan PCR suggests that the dynamics of Irkut virus infection may differ from those of Aravan/Khujand virus infection. Although infectious virus and viral RNA were detected in the brain of every rabid animal, dissemination to non-neuronal tissues was limited. Levels of viral RNA in brain of Aravan/Khujand virus-infected bats was significantly correlated with the number of other tissues positive by TaqMan PCR (p < 0.05), whereas no such relationship was observed for Irkut virus infection (where viral RNA was consistently detected in all tissues other than kidney). Infectious virus was isolated sporadically from salivary glands, and both infectious virus and viral RNA were obtained from oral swabs. The detection of viral RNA in oral swabs suggests that viral shedding in saliva occurred <5 days before the onset of clinical disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Dose-dependent localization of TCDD in isolated centrilobular and periportal hepatocytes.

Dose-response relationships for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) suggest a differential sensitivity of liver cell types to the induction of cytochrome P450 gene expression, and that the induction of hepatic protein CYP1A2 causes sequestration of TCDD. In addition, immunolocalization of hepatic CYP1A1/1B1/1A2 proteins is not uniform after exposure to TCDD. The mechanism for the regio-specific induction of hepatic P450s by TCDD is unknown, but may involve the differential distribution of participants in the AhR-mediated pathway and/or regional P450 isozymes, as well as, non-uniform distribution/sequestration of TCDD. Therefore, this study examined the effects of TCDD in unfractionated, centrilobular and periportal hepatocytes isolated from female Sprague-Dawley rats acutely exposed (3 days) to a single oral dose of 0.01-10.0 microg [3H]TCDD/kg. A dose-dependent increase in concentration of TCDD was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1 mRNA expression and associated enzymes in all liver-cell populations. Centrilobular hepatocytes showed a 2.7- to 4.5-fold higher concentration of TCDD as compared to the periportal hepatocytes at doses up to 0.3 microg TCDD/kg. Centrilobular hepatocytes also exhibited an elevated MROD activity as compared to the periportal hepatocytes at doses up to 0.3 microg TCDD/kg. Furthermore, centrilobular hepatocytes showed an elevated concentration of induced CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 mRNA as compared to periportal hepatocytes within the 0.01- and 0.3-microg TCDD/kg-treatment groups. This is the first study to demonstrate that a dose-dependent difference in distribution of TCDD exists between centrilobular and periportal cells that might be related to regional differences in P450 induction.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Effects of tacrolimus on hyperlipidemia after successful renal transplantation: a Southeastern Organ Procurement Foundation multicenter clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus has been shown to have a less adverse effect on the lipid profiles of transplant patients when the drug is started as induction therapy. In order to determine the effect tacrolimus has on lipid profiles in stable cyclosporine-treated renal transplant patients with established hyperlipidemia, a randomized prospective study was undertaken by the Southeastern Organ Procurement Foundation. METHODS: Patients of the 13 transplant centers, with cholesterol of 240 mg/dl or greater, who were at least 1 year posttransplant with stable renal function, were randomly assigned to remain on cyclosporine (control) or converted to tacrolimus. Patients converted to tacrolimus were maintained at a level of 5-15 ng/ml, and control patients remained at their previous levels of cyclosporine. Concurrent immunosuppressants were not changed. Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, total high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein, and apoproteins A and B were monitored before conversion and at months 1, 3, and 6. Renal function and glucose control were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study (month 6). RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were enrolled; 12 patients failed to complete the study. None were removed as a result of acute rejection or graft failure. Fifty-three patients were available for analysis (27 in the tacrolimus group and 26 controls). Demographics were not different between groups. In patients converted to tacrolimus treatment, there was a -55 mg/dl (-16%) (P=0.0031) change in cholesterol, a -48 mg/dl (-25%) (P=0.0014) change in LDL cholesterol, and a -36 mg/dl (-23%) (P=0.034) change in apolipoprotein B. There was no change in renal function, glycemic control, or incidence of new onset diabetes mellitus in the tacrolimus group. CONCLUSION: Conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus can be safely done after successful transplantation. Introduction of tacrolimus to a stable renal patient does not effect renal function or glycemic control. Tacrolimus can lower cholesterol, LDL, and apolipoprotein B. Conversion to tacrolimus from cyclosporine should be considered in the treatment of posttransplant hyperlipidemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Drosophila alpha-catenin and E-cadherin bind to distinct regions of Drosophila Armadillo.

Adherens junctions are multiprotein complexes mediating cell-cell adhesion and communication. They are organized around a transmembrane cadherin, which binds a set of cytoplasmic proteins required for adhesion and to link the complex to the actin cytoskeleton. Three components of Drosophila adherens junctions, analogous to those in vertebrates, have been identified: Armadillo (homolog of beta-catenin), Drosophila E-cadherin (DE-cadherin), and alpha-catenin. We carried out the first analysis of the interactions between these proteins using in vitro binding assays, the yeast two-hybrid system, and in vivo assays. We identified a 76-amino acid region of Armadillo that is necessary and sufficient for binding alpha-catenin and found that the N-terminal 258 amino acids of alpha-catenin interact with Armadillo. A large region of Armadillo, spanning six central Armadillo repeats, is required for DE-cadherin binding, whereas only 41 amino acids of the DE-cadherin cytoplasmic tail are sufficient for Armadillo binding. Our data complement and extend results obtained in studies of vertebrate adherens junctions, providing a foundation for understanding how junctional proteins assemble and a basis for interpreting existing mutations and creating new ones.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Prehospital diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction: a north-south perspective. The Cincinnati Heart Project and the Nashville Prehospital TPA Trial.

Intravenous thrombolytic therapy improves left ventricular function and reduces mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In European and Middle Eastern trials, prehospital delivery of thrombolytic agents by physician-directed mobile intensive care units has been successful. This report describes two independently conceived and performed trials that used cellular telephone transmission of 12-lead ECGs to deliver recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) in the field to patients with AMI. In the Nashville Prehospital TPA Trial, 85 patients with chest pain were evaluated in the field for possible administration of r-tPA over a 6-month period. Three of 85 patients (3.5%) were found to be actual candidates for r-tPA treatment in the field. In phase II (dry-run phase) of the Cincinnati Heart Project, 374 patients were evaluated in the field with 14 documented cases of AMI (3.7%) before r-tPA was placed in ambulances for administration by paramedics. In phase III (active with r-TPA in ambulances), over a 1-year period 103 patients were evaluated with six (5.8%) documented cases of AMI. Three of five r-tPA field treatment decisions by emergency physicians using transmitted 12-lead ECGs were accurate (60%). When patients in phases II and III were combined, only 20 of 477 total patients (4.2%) were documented to have AMI. A decline in paramedic skills was noted because of the infrequent administration of the thrombolytic agent. Combining the Nashville and Cincinnati experiences, only 27 of 562 total patients with chest pain (4.8%) were candidates for prehospital thrombolysis. We conclude that few patients evaluated in the prehospital setting are actual candidates for thrombolytic therapy. Substantial allocation of financial and human resources for prehospital delivery of intravenous thrombolytic therapy does not appear warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Early identification of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

In conclusion, early identification of AMI requires the utilization of three main criteria: (1) History and physical examination; (2) 12-lead electrocardiography, and (3) serum protein markers of myocardial cell death. The history may indicate admission for AMI exclusion or unstable angina, although these data remain largely subjective. The physical examination provides few clues in subtle presentations of myocardial cell death, and instead identifies patients with left ventricular dysfunction, often with failure. The 12-lead ECG is an insensitive early indicator of AMI, often identifying 50% or fewer of these patients. Currently, thrombolytic therapy or invasive catheterization techniques such as PTCA are based on 12-lead depictions of acute injury patterns. Finally, serum markers of AMI, particularly myoglobin, CPK-MM isoforms, and new monoclonal antibody assays for CPK-MB may allow early identification of patients with AMI with nondiagnostic ECGs.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMed1978

How evaluation findings can be integrated into program decision making.

The paper describes difficulties in integrating the findings of research and evaluation studies back into the ongoing process of decision making. The paper suggests how to present information in such a way as to improve its intellectual understandability and to decrease affective resistances to the acceptance of new information. The paper also describes common blocks that are met in the attempt to implement recommendations and describes methods to overcome them.

Affect↗
PubMed1976

A study of paraprofessionals in mental health.

This article summarizes data gathered on 15 paraprofessional training programs sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Data on the backgrounds of trainees working as paraprofessionals are presented along with a breakdown of the kinds of tasks in which they are employed, as well as characteristics linked with ratings of success and retention in the programs. Trainees tended to be employed in a wide variety of tasks, often at rather sophisticated levels. Analysis of the tasks indicates that projects are fulfilling the NIMH New Careers goal of contributing to greater community impact in mental health. Results corroborate earlier findings that para professionals have been accepted both by professionals and clients.

Adolescent↗