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Biomedical subjects

J Chapman

Publications and source records attributed to J Chapman.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Efficient retroviral-mediated gene transfer into primary culture of murine and human hepatocytes: expression of the LDL receptor.

The ex vivo approach to hepatic gene therapy involves several steps, which include the isolation and culture of hepatocytes, followed by their transduction with a retrovirus. Subsequently, autologous hepatocytes are transplanted. The number of hepatocytes that can be transduced by retroviruses bearing the therapeutic gene is one of the limiting steps that can impair the success of this strategy. We presently describe an experimental approach that leads to improved transduction efficiency in mouse and human hepatocytes in vitro. By using a recombinant retrovirus bearing the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene, we show that addition of growth factors to the cells, namely human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), allows marked increase in the transduction efficiency in mouse (up to 80%) and human (40%) hepatocytes. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is due to mutation in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene and results in a deficiency in LDL receptors. Transduction of the human LDL receptor cDNA under the transcriptional control of the L-type pyruvate kinase promoter-activator into mouse hepatocytes led to an elevated tissue-specific expression of the human protein. These results suggest that the ex vivo approach remains a promising alternative for hepatic gene therapy.

Animals↗

Foregut duplication cyst: a report of a case.

During the early embryonal stage of foregut development, malformations may be encountered. Foregut duplications are considered to be due to abnormal cannulization of the gastrointestinal tract and may be communicating or non-communicating cystic or tubular. They are lined by mucosal membrane. The case herein records the first instance of a foregut duplication cyst that contained both gastric and bronchial mucosa. The patient was a 35-year-old female complaining of epigastric pain and nausea for the past several months. Physical examination revealed no abnormal findings, but an upper gastrointestinal X-ray series demonstrated an irregularity of the greater curvature of the stomach. On CT scan, a left upper quadrant mass was noted. At laparotomy, a soft, retroperitoneal mass was seen between the stomach and the left adrenal gland, measuring 5.5 x 2.5 x 2 cm. It was excised and sent for histopathology. Pathology showed the mass to be of a cystic nature, containing both gastric and bronchial mucosa. After surgery the patient made an uneventful recovery.

Adult↗

The life attitudes schedule: a scale to assess adolescent life-enhancing and life-threatening behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure suicidal and other risk-taking behaviors, the Life Attitudes Schedule (LAS), and to test a theoretical model that postulates a single domain of behaviors to which all life-threatening and life-enhancing behaviors belong. The LAS was developed and piloted on 1539 high school students and young adults. The schedule measures four different content categories: death related, health related, injury related, and self-related. Each content category includes an equal number of items designed to assess actions, thoughts, and feelings. Consistent with the theoretical model, the LAS includes positive (life-enhancing) and negative (life-threatening) behaviors. In this paper we present psychometric information for the LAS. The results are interpreted as providing support for a broad, bipolar conceptualization of suicidal and other risk-taking behavior that encompasses life-threatening and life-enhancing behaviors.

Adolescent↗