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Biomedical subjects

J Collins

Publications and source records attributed to J Collins.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

HIV-related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among high school students in the United States: results from a national survey.

The Secondary School Student Health Risk Survey measured the prevalence of sexual intercourse and illegal drug injection among a national probability sample of U.S. high school students and assessed their HIV-related knowledge and beliefs. Ninety-nine (81%) of the 122 selected schools and 8,098 (83%) of the eligible students participated. Nearly all high school students knew the major modes of HIV transmission. Three percent reported injecting illegal drugs, and 1% reported sharing needles used to inject drugs. In addition, 59% of students reported having sexual intercourse and, of students who reported having sexual intercourse, 40% reported having four or more sexual partners. HIV-related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among high school students suggest the need for school-based HIV education programs that help young people acquire the knowledge and skills to adopt and maintain behaviors that reduce risk of HIV infection and other related health problems.

Adolescent↗

A phasmid optimised for protein design projects: pMAMPF.

Protein design requires the rapid production of recombinant genes and active recombinant proteins, the latter in sufficient amounts for functional and physical studies. We present here the construction and application of a new phasmid vector system, using the fd phage origin, lambda pL promoter, ompA-leader sequence and pMB1 origin, which allows the preparation of secretable proteins in active form, mutagenesis and gene sequencing, without subcloning steps. The vector can be used in plasmid form in a stably transformed culture to induce product formation, or as a packaged single-stranded phasmid, which, via batch transduction in a growing culture, leads directly to recombinant protein formation. This latter method has the advantage that, during the short period required for phasmid amplification, little counterselection against clones with high rDNA-protein synthesis potential occurs. The total sequence of pMAMPF-1 and pMAMPF-3 can be assembled from known sequences of constituent fragments. Mutated regions were directly sequenced.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Intraperitoneal immunoconjugates.

Intracavitary instillation of radioantibodies has been proposed as therapy for anatomically confined malignant disease. To evaluate this therapeutic strategy, a monoclonal antibody reactive with human transferrin receptor (7D3) was evaluated for localization in a human malignant mesothelioma transplanted i.p. in athymic nude mice. This antibody was purified and labeled with 131I, 125I, or 111In. Radiolabeled antibody was administered i.p. or i.v. to tumor-bearing mice. Three h after injection, the percentage of injected dose/g (ID/g) of tumor was higher in free-floating ascites tumor cells (31.0%/g tumor cell pellet) after i.p. injection than after i.v. injection (12.0%). However, localization of radiolabel in i.p. solid tumors was similar (5.37% ID/g i.p. versus 4.73% of ID/g i.v.), and by 24 h both routes of administration produced similar localization of radiolabel in both free-floating ascites cells and solid tumors. In contrast, uptake of radiolabel into liver, kidney, and to a lesser extent bone and bone marrow, was less with i.p. than with i.v. administration. In clinical studies with 111In and 90Y antibodies administered i.p. to patients with ovarian cancer, confined biodistribution of the radioantibody was again seen, although interpatient variability of rate of egress of the radiolabel was documented. Therefore, both preclinical and clinical data indicate that i.p. therapy with immunoconjugates may be advantageous for cancer confined to the peritoneal cavity. This advantage stems primarily from reduced localization of isotope in organs of catabolism or toxicity (liver, kidney, bone, and bone marrow), rather than greatly increased levels of isotope in tumor. Unresolved problems include degree of antibody penetration into solid tumors, microdosimetry, and radioantibody effectiveness for tumor killing.

Animals↗

Patterns and extent of isotype-specificity in the murine H chain switch DNA rearrangement.

We have analyzed the configuration of the H chain locus of 41 hybridomas by Southern blot analysis. Each H chain switch region was determined to be germ line, rearranged, or deleted. Including 13 previously analyzed hybridomas, 60% of those with rearrangements on both alleles showed a correlation of the two alleles, i.e., both the expressed and the nonexpressed alleles have rearranged to the same H chain constant region gene segment. When the two H chain alleles did not rearrange to the same gene, they often rearranged to neighboring H chain genes. These results support a role for isotype-specific factors in H chain switch recombination. The action of these isotype-specific factors may be propagated to some extent along the chromosome, which would lead to rearrangements to neighboring genes.

Alleles↗

Cloning and characterization of major antigenic determinants of human cytomegalovirus Ad169 seen by the human immune system.

Starting from a cosmid library of HCMV Ad169-DNA random fragments of DNA were generated. Fragments about 200 to 600 bp in length were selected and cloned into open reading frame (ORF) expression vectors to create ORF-libraries that represent either the entire viral genome or defined subregions. About 120,000 clones were isolated and screened immunologically for the synthesis of fusion proteins consisting of an antigenic peptide encoded by the CMV sequence coupled to a truncated E. coli beta-galactosidase molecule. Anti-CMV sera raised in animals as well as human hyperimmune globulin were used for colony screening. Distinct sets of antigenic fusion proteins were recognized by different antisera. Ten of the clones giving strong reactions with human immune sera were mapped on the CMV genome and the sequences of the CMV inserts determined. Antibodies against fusion proteins were raised in mice or rabbits to identify the corresponding CMV proteins. Antigenic fusion proteins described here were recognized by most individual human CMV immune sera tested. They allow determination of the humoral immune response to defined determinants and may therefore be particularly useful in diagnosis and vaccine development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Health care of women in the workplace.

In discussing women's health at work, this article looks at why women have particular health needs, by highlighting some historical and social influences, describing the hazards encountered by three groups of women workers, and discussing some difficulties experienced by many working women, regardless of occupation. The final section addresses the role health and welfare professionals have to play in making the workplace a healthy and safe environment.

Female↗

Plasma and dialysate levels of pefloxacin and its metabolites in CAPD patients with peritonitis.

Six patients with acute peritonitis undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal failure received an 800 mg loading dose of pefloxacin mesylate orally followed by 400 mg twice daily orally for 10 or 21 days. Plasma and dialysate levels of both pefloxacin and its metabolites were measured. Plasma levels in excess of the MIC for all infective bacteria were achieved within 90 min and in dialysate within 4 h. No significant accumulation of pefloxacin or its metabolite norfloxacin was noted. However, both serum and dialysate levels of the metabolite pefloxacin N-oxide rose continuously during treatment. Plasma and dialysate levels of all three agents fell rapidly during the five days after treatment had stopped. No major side effects were observed, although two patients developed Achilles tendonitis.

Adult↗

Oral pefloxacin mesylate in the treatment of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis: an open non-comparative study.

Twenty-two (15 female and 7 male) patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) associated peritonitis were entered into an open non-comparative evaluation of oral pefloxacin mesylate. An initial loading dose of 800 mg was followed by 400 mg twice daily. Five patients were subsequently excluded or withdrawn. The mean age of the patients was 44 +/- 12.6 years. All three Gram-negative infections (Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Serratia liquefaciens) and all three culture negative infections were cured after 21 days treatment. In contrast one of four (25%) Staphylococcus aureus infections was cured, two persisted during treatment and one relapsed, after treatments of between 10 and 25 days. One of seven (14%) Staph. epidermidis infections was cured, three persisted and three relapsed after treatments of between nine and 25 days. Two of the five persistent isolates became resistant: all four relapsed isolates remained sensitive. Twelve of the 22 (55%) patients had 16 side effects, most commonly skin or musculo-skeletal. Three stopped pefloxacin because of them, though one had taken an excessive dose in error. Pefloxacin mesylate is not optimal treatment for Gram-positive coccal peritonitis in patients on CAPD, but its role in Gram-negative disease needs further evaluation.

Administration, Oral↗

An in vitro model to study aspects of the pathophysiology of murine rotavirus-induced diarrhoea.

An in vitro system is described and validated for studying transport of solutes and water in both uninfected and rotavirus-infected neonatal mouse intestine. Control intestine exhibited stable water absorption for periods of up to 40 min. Water absorption was temperature-dependent. Na-dependent, and enhanced by glucose-containing perfusion solutions. Theophylline induced net secretion of water by control intestinal tissue. Water transport by rotavirus-infected lower small intestine was significantly depressed as compared to control levels, and rotavirus-infected middle small intestine exhibited net secretion of water. Upper small intestine and colon from infected animals did not differ significantly from control tissues in their ability to transport water. Water secretion by infected middle small intestine was reversed to absorption by glucose-containing solutions.

Animals↗

X-ray microanalysis of rotavirus-infected mouse intestine: a new concept of diarrhoeal secretion.

Neonatal mice were infected at 7 days of age with rotavirus [epizootic diarrhea of infant mice (EDIM) virus] and killed at 24-h intervals postinfection (PI). Cytoplasmic concentrations of Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, and Ca intestinal epithelial cells from infected and age-matched control animals were measured by x-ray microanalysis. In villus tip cells, Ca concentration increased at 24-96 h PI; Na concentration increased at 24-72 h PI; Ca and Na concentrations were near normal by 168 h PI. K concentration decreased 24-72 h PI, and Cl concentration decreased 48-96 h PI. In crypt cells, changes were observed without a discernible pattern: at 96 h PI, Na, Mg, S, and Cl concentrations increased and K concentration decreased; at 120 h PI, the concentrations of all elements except Na and Ca increased. In villus base cells, the mean concentrations of all elements except Ca peaked at 48-72 h PI and at 120 h PI. Na and Cl concentrations increased dramatically in some cells from 48 h PI onward. All the above concentration values were obtained from freeze-dried specimens and expressed in millimoles per kilogram of dry weight. Conversion of a limited number of data, pertaining to villus base cells, from dry weight to wet weight was possible. This conversion revealed that villus base cells in infected animals were more hydrated than corresponding cells from control animals. Also, the Na and Cl concentrations in mmol/kg H2O were significantly higher in villus base cells from infected animals than in those from corresponding controls: 137 +/- 7 versus 38 +/- 4 (Na) and 121 +/- 5 versus 89 +/- 6 (Cl). Wet weight concentrations of other elements were either the same (Mg) or lower (P, S, and K) after infection with virus. From these studies, a new concept of the pathophysiology of rotavirus-induced diarrhoeal secretion is proposed: stimulation of villus base cells to rapid cell division is accompanied by transient accumulation of Na and Cl; excess NaCl is secreted into the lumen, which is the driving force for fluid loss.

Animals↗

Transport of water and electrolytes by rotavirus-infected mouse intestine: a time course study.

The movement of water and transport of Na+ and Cl- by mid-small intestine (M-SI) of rotavirus-infected neonatal mice was investigated by an in vitro perfusion technique. The concentrations of Na+, K+, and Cl- in the luminal contents of upper, middle, and lower small intestine and colon of infected mice were determined by flame photometry (Na+, K+) and an ion selective microelectrode (Cl-). In M-SI, maximal disturbance of water transport occurred at 72 h postinfection (PI): Infected tissue exhibited net water secretion. Water transport was also impaired at 144 h PI. Net secretion of Cl- occurred at 72 h PI, with some evidence of a second phase of reduced magnitude at 120-144 h PI. The magnitude and statistical significance of changes in Na+ transport were both less than those for Cl-, but the pattern of change was similar to that for Cl-. Luminal concentrations of Na+ were elevated between 48 and 144 h PI in the small intestine; this was particularly so in distal regions. Luminal Cl- concentration was maximally elevated to a considerable degree at 72 h PI and remained high at 96 h PI throughout the small intestine; thereafter, Cl- concentration returned to near normal. K+ concentration was unchanged in the small intestinal lumen; in the colon, however, K+ concentrations were depressed 72-168 h PI. In the light of previous data from this laboratory, the present data are interpreted as evidence for a secretory component in rotavirus-induced diarrhea.

Animals↗

Disaccharidase activities in small intestine of rotavirus-infected suckling mice: a histochemical study.

A histochemical study of the time course of the appearance and location of lactase and alpha-glucosidase (used to detect sucrase and maltase) activities was carried out on control and rotavirus-infected mice from 7 to 14 days old. The overall pattern of enzyme activity was in agreement with previous quantitative studies on the activities of these enzymes. No evidence was obtained to support the idea that lactase deficiency was the result of repopulation of villi (denuded of lactase-producing villus cells) with immature lactase-negative cells. Low lactase activity was more likely to reflect profound changes in metabolically crippled cells, and recovery of lactase activity with recovery of normal metabolic functions. The location of enzyme activity to brush border regions rather than the cytoplasm of villus enterocytes enhances the significance of previous quantitative studies on these enzymes. The timing and duration of diminished lactase activities were such that they were unlikely to cause the induction or perpetuation of diarrhea in murine rotavirus diarrhea. The appearance in infected animals of alpha-glucosidase 3 days earlier than normal indicates that, in addition to reversible changes seen with lactase, developmental changes were accelerated that affected both crypt and villus cells.

Animals↗