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Biomedical subjects

J Day

Publications and source records attributed to J Day.

143 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Spo0A activates and represses its own synthesis by binding at its dual promoters.

The Spo0A protein of Bacillus subtilis controls the onset of sporulation by regulating transcription of various genes in both positive and negative manners depending on the promoters affected. The expression of the spo0A gene occurs from two promoters (Pv,Ps), separated by 148 bp, and transcription switches from Pv to Ps early in the sporulation program. DNase I footprint analysis of the spo0A promoter region revealed three distinct sites of Spo0A binding: -4 to +19 relative to Pv, -17 to +1 relative to Ps, and a region between Pv and Ps. The Pv region and the region between the two promoters was sufficient for repression of Pv. Induction of Ps also required these regions which are upstream of -52 relative to Ps. Mutant Spo0A proteins containing asp----asn mutations at asp10 and asp56 were inactive in repression of the abrB promoter in vivo yet still retained DNA-binding activity. The results presented are consistent with a model in which the phosphorylated form of Spo0A acts directly at its promoters to achieve induction of Ps and repression of Pv. These effects at the spo0A promoter were independent of the presence of the major kinase, KinA.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Urinary excretion of albumin, alpha-1-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase in relation to smoking habits in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.

Smoking may be a risk factor for the development of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, the urinary excretion of albumin, alpha-1-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-BD glucosaminidase was studied in 24 young adult diabetic patients who smoked. None of these patients had urine samples positive for albumin as determined by the Albustix method (i.e., a urinary concentration of albumin of less than 0.5 g in 24 hr). Control groups were nonsmoking diabetic patients (matched for age and duration of diabetes) and nondiabetic subjects (smokers and nonsmokers). Expired breath carbon monoxide and the urinary nicotine metabolite cotinine were measured as objective markers of smoking load. No significant differences in concentrations of urinary proteins were found among any of the four groups. Therefore, smoking is not associated with the development of an increased urinary excretion of albumin within the "microalbuminuria" range. However, further studies are required to determine whether smoking is a risk factor for the progression of established microalbuminuria to Albustix positive proteinuria in diabetic patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biological variations associated with change in lifestyle among the pastoral and nomadic tribes of East Africa.

The values of a number of anthropometric, cardiovascular and biochemical variables have been compared between tribal and non-tribal Samburu. Significant differences between the two groups were found for ponderal index, supra-iliac and mid-calf skinfold thicknesses, pulse rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Similar analyses were performed on samples from tribal and non-tribal Maasai; here significant differences were found for ponderal index, height, biceps skinfold thickness, pulse rate and systolic blood pressure. No significant differences were found in serum cholesterol or serum triglyceride for either the Samburu or the Maasai. Greater variability of the skinfold measurements was found in the non-tribal Samburu than in the tribal group; this effect was less marked in the Maasai. A principal component analysis and three discriminant function analyses were performed on the Samburu data. These analyses showed that the most marked difference between the tribal and non-tribal groups was in their blood pressure levels, the non-tribal sample having significantly higher mean values than the tribal members. Possible causes for the observed differences between tribal and non-tribal groups are discussed, and the findings are contrasted with those of an earlier study, in which significant differences in cholesterol but not in blood pressure were found between samples of rural and urban Maasai. This leads to the tentative hypothesis that blood pressure is affected immediately by the change in environment, whereas the effect on cholesterol levels is a longer-term one.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of a sonic toothbrush for plaque removal by caregivers in a special needs population.

Oral hygiene and oral health are a major concern for long-term-care facility residents who are unable to care for themselves. In this six-week study, the efficacy of a sonic toothbrush (Sonicare) was compared with traditional manual brushing in a setting where hygiene care was provided by caregivers. Evaluations of plaque levels were made at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks according to the Silness and Löe index. The sonic brush was found to be significantly superior to the manual brush over the trial period (MANCOVA; p = 0.026). Plaque reduction at 6 weeks was found to be 38% with the sonic brush and 6% with the manual brush. The results indicate that the sonic brush may be an effective way to provide improved oral health to nursing home subjects when oral care is caregiver-provided.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Budesonide aqueous nasal spray and pressurized metered dose inhaler in the treatment of adult patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Budesonide, a topical corticosteroid used in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, can be administered to the nose as an aerosol via a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) or as a metered nasal pump spray. Studies have shown that about 64% (256 micrograms) of a nominal dose of 400 micrograms budesonide pMDI preparation is delivered to the patient compared with 100% of the nominal dose of the pump spray. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of budesonide delivered via a nasal pMDI twice daily (Rhinocort pMDI, at 400 micrograms/day) with an aqueous suspension of budesonide delivered via a metered nasal pump spray once daily (Rhinocort Aqua, at 256 micrograms/day or 400 micrograms/day). The multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in 318 patients (154 men, 164 women; aged 12-67 years) with ragweed-induced seasonal allergic rhinitis. A 1-week baseline period was followed by a 3-week treatment. Nasal symptoms were recorded by the patients, adverse events were noted, an overall evaluation of treatment efficacy was made, and urine cortisol and creatinine levels were measured. Substantial or total control of symptoms was achieved in 83.8% of patients treated with 256 micrograms of aqueous budesonide, 76.3% with 400 micrograms of aqueous budesonide, and 80.8% with 400 micrograms of budesonide pMDI; these were all significantly different (p < 0.001) compared with placebo (23.4% of patients). There were no significant differences in the 24-hour urine cortisol levels between the groups and there were few, infrequent adverse events, similar between the groups and resolved completely on discontinuation of treatment. It was concluded that budesonide, given once daily as 256 micrograms or 400 micrograms in an aqueous suspension or twice daily as 400 micrograms in a pMDI provides good alleviation of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis with no significant risk of suppression of urine cortisol.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immune responses to a recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gpl60 vaccine among adults with advanced HIV infection. Massachusetts gp160 Working Group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess immunogenicity of recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope vaccine (rgp160) in late HIV infection. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: HIV-infected volunteers (n = 142), with CD4+ T lymphocyte counts of <400/mm3, were enrolled in a dose-comparison, open-label trial with stratification by CD4+ cell count, randomization to a primary series at two dose levels, and a sub-group receiving interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) as an adjuvant. Subjects received booster doses of vaccine over a follow-up period of 18-28 months. RESULTS: At 6 and 12 months, 36% and 38% of participants, respectively, had new or augmented antibody titers (> or =4-fold increase) against one or more gpl60 epitopes (C1, V3, C41, 448C). Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to intradermal gpl60, initially not present in any participant, developed after immunization in 41%, with higher prevalence in participants receiving the lower dose of vaccine. Both antibody and skin test responses occurred in 20-25% of vaccine recipients. Virtually all antibody and skin test responses occurred in participants with initial CD4+ cell counts of >100 cells/mm3. IFN-gamma had no significant effect on immune response. Immunization was well tolerated. Trends in CD4+ cell count, clinical events, and laboratory findings correlated with baseline CD4+ T lymphocyte count stratum and not with immunization regimen. Opportunistic conditions occurred at expected rates. Viral load trends (p24 antigen in all participants and viral RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in a subset of 26 participants) did not correlate with immunization regimen. CONCLUSION: Immunization of patients with advanced HIV infection with rgpl60 resulted in new and augmented humoral and DTH responses, without unexpected significant adverse events or evident clinical benefits attributable to immunization.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Shaping up the depot.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improving the management of children's pain in A&E.

This paper describes a project that sought to improve the management of children's pain in an A&E department. Pain management is not always seen as a priority in A&E departments. The problems are highlighted through two case studies, and guidelines to improve practice were developed in collaboration with a specialist multidisciplinary team.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An audit of pain management in acute sickle cell crisis.

People undergoing sickle cell crisis can experience extreme pain that is not always managed effectively. This article describes an audit of pain management in sickle cell disease that was used to generate practice guidelines. A subsequent audit of pain management for this client group demonstrated improvements in the quality of care delivered.

Acute Disease↗