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Biomedical subjects

J Ferguson

Publications and source records attributed to J Ferguson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Insertion and orientation of a synthetic peptide representing the C-terminus of the A1 domain of Shiga toxin into phospholipid membranes.

Shiga toxin is a bacterial protein composed of one A and five B subunits. Its A chain possesses a protease sensitive loop (Cys-242-Cys-261) that is cleaved to produce an enzymatically active A1 domain and an A2 fragment associated with its B subunit pentamer. The proposed mode of action of the toxin is linked to its retrograde transport to the ER lumen followed by the translocation of its catalytic A1 chain to the cytoplasmic side of the ER membrane. A signal sequence-like domain (residues 220-246) which constitutes the C-terminus of the A1 chain precedes a region within the protease sensitive loop (residues 247-258) that contains known and putative cleavage sites. Two peptides corresponding to this C-terminus (residues 220-246) were chemically synthesized to investigate if this signal sequence-like domain can interact with membranes. Such a property may provide a clue to the mechanism of translocation of the A1 domain across the ER membrane. The first peptide represented the native sequence, which includes a naturally occurring cysteine at position 242 and provided a thiol moiety for the attachment of a spinlabel. A second peptide was designed to contain a single tryptophan residue (Ile232Trp) located within the hydrophobic core of the sequence which served as an intrinsic fluorescence probe. The interactions of both peptides with lipid vesicles were analyzed by circular dichroism, fluorescence, and EPR spectroscopy. The peptides lack structure in aqueous buffers and adopted an alpha-helical geometry when bound to negatively charged lipid vesicles. The addition of lipid vesicles to a solution of the tryptophan-containing peptide results in a blue shift in the wavelength of its fluorescence maxima as well as an increase in fluorescence intensity at 335 nm, suggesting that the hydrophobic core of this A1 peptide relocated to a nonpolar environment. EPR measurements of a proxyl-labeled analog of the peptide (introduced at Cys-242) indicated a decreased mobility of a fraction of the proxyl probe in the presence of lipid vesicles. At pH 7, the membrane-bound probe was completely reduced by ascorbate trapped inside vesicles but only partially reduced by ascorbate added outside the vesicles, suggesting that the C-terminal region of the peptide traversed the membrane bilayer or relocated close to the surface of its inner lipid leaflet. Finally, the peptide was shown to insert into lipid vesicles, causing the release of calcein at a high peptide:lipid ratio. These results suggest that the C-terminal tail of the A1 chain may anchor this domain into the ER membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Pharmacodynamics of torsemide administered as an intravenous injection and as a continuous infusion to patients with congestive heart failure.

The natriuretic and diuretic effects of a 100-mg dose of torsemide administered as a continuous infusion of torsemide and as a single bolus were compared in a group of patients with stable mild-to-moderate congestive heart failure (CHF). Patients received in random order 100 mg of torsemide as an intravenous bolus and as a 75-mg infusion over 24 hours started simultaneously with a 25-mg loading bolus. Administration of torsemide to patients with CHF as a continuous infusion was an effective dosing regimen, resulting in 24-hour diuresis and natriuresis that was numerically but not statistically greater than that observed with bolus administration. The response with continuous infusion occurred with less torsemide in the urine, resulting in a significantly greater efficiency of torsemide with this regimen. The effectiveness of torsemide as a continuous infusion does not mean that this mode of administration should be used in all patients. The response to 100 mg of torsemide in patients with mild-to-moderate CHF is the same whether administered as an intravenous bolus, a continuous intravenous infusion, or by mouth. This is consistent with the high bioavailability demonstrated in previous studies. The mode of therapy used should be dictated by each individual patient's needs. This study shows that continuous infusion is a viable option for administration of torsemide, and dosing guidelines for use of such a strategy are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effects of rating parameters on assessment of neuroleptic-induced vacuous chewing movements.

Long-term administration of neuroleptics to rats produces a syndrome of vacuous chewing movements (VCMs). The validity of the VCM syndrome as a model for tardive dyskinesia (TD) in humans is unclear. This is due, in part, to inconsistencies between studies. Methods for rating VCMs have varied markedly and could account for the inconsistencies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of the different methods on VCM scores. The effects of habituation and length of rating sessions were examined in rats habituated for 2 min, 1 h, or several hours over 4 days, compared to unhabituated rats. Ratings with and without habituation were highly correlated, as were ratings from 2- and 5-min observation periods. Ratings from neuroleptic-treated rats in restraining tubes, however, were significantly correlated with unrestrained ratings only following several hours of habituation. Locomotor activity was not correlated with VCM scores. These results suggest that habituation to open cages is not an important factor in assessing VCMs. Use of restraining tubes, however, may alter scores. The lack of an habituation effect or of a relationship between activity and VCMs suggests that locomotor and oral behaviors are not necessarily in competition. Restraining rats to rate VCMs does not appear to be necessary and could alter the neurobiology of VCMs.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Myocardial infarction patients in the 1990s--their risk factors, stratification and survival in Canada: the Canadian Assessment of Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the in-hospital and postdischarge mortality of patients with an acute myocardial infarction in the 1990s. BACKGROUND: The widespread implementation of therapeutic interventions that modify the natural history of coronary artery disease has led to changes in the profile and survival of patients with an acute myocardial infarction. Although data exist for selected subsets of patients with an acute myocardial infarction, at this time there is little recent prospective information on all patients presenting with an acute myocardial infarction, particularly for survival after hospital discharge. METHODS: All patients < or = 75 years old presenting with an acute myocardial infarction between July 1, 1990 and June 30, 1992 at nine Canadian hospitals were prospectively evaluated and followed up for 1 year. From November 1991, patients of all ages were included. In two centers, recruitment continued until December 31, 1992. A total of 3,178 patients were recruited. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate of patients < or = 75 years old was 8.4%, and that at 1 year after hospital discharge was 5.3%. For patients of all ages recruited after November 1, 1991, the in-hospital mortality rate was 9.9% and 7.1% for 1 year after hospital discharge. For patients < or = 75 years old, age carried an independent in-hospital but no post discharge risk. Female patients had a twofold greater risk of dying in hospital. After hospital discharge, only 1.7% of patients < or = 75 years old and 1.9% of patients of all ages died of a presumed arrhythmic death. Premature ventricular contractions had no independent prognostic value. The relatively low in-hospital (5.3%) and postdischarge (6.1%) reinfarction rate may have contributed to improved survival. A greater reinfarction rate in patients >75 years old (17.4% vs. 9.6%, p < 0.001) may have contributed to their poorer outcome. CONCLUSIONS: One-year mortality after acute myocardial infarction continues to decrease, and changes in the prognostic value of traditional methods of risk stratification have occurred.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Hepatitis C virus: epidemiology and genotypes in the north east of England.

The epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was studied in an English teaching hospital over an 18 month period. A total of 104 HCV antibody positive patients were referred for further investigation. They were divided into those diagnosed through screening (blood donors and intravenous drug abusers) and those diagnosed for other reasons, and their mean ages, known risk factors for HCV transmission, genotypes, and liver biopsy histology were analysed. Screened patients were significantly younger than the others. No significant difference in age was found between genotypes. Most patients genotyped (69%) were genotype 1. Intravenous drug abusers had a higher proportion of subtype 1a, and patients who acquired HCV through blood transfusion had a higher proportion of subtype 1b. Liver biopsy specimens were scored using a histological activity index for liver inflammation and fibrosis. Patients with subtype 1b had significantly more severe liver disease than other genotypes when the histological activity index scores for fibrosis were analysed (p < 0.05). Liver disease worsened significantly with age according to all three histological activity index scores (portal activity: p < 0.01, acinar activity: p < 0.001, fibrosis: p < 0.0001). Liver disease worsened with increased duration of infection (p < 0.002), and patients who also abused alcohol presented at a significantly younger age (cirrhosis, p < 0.05, hepatocellular carcinoma, p < 0.02).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Clinically suspected scaphoid fracture: a comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and bone scintigraphy.

59 patients with clinical suspicion of scaphoid fracture, but negative radiographs at presentation and review, were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bone scintigraphy (BS). The diagnoses were compared with subsequent follow-up. There were four scaphoid fractures, 10 other fractures and three significant ligamentous injuries. All scaphoid fractures were identified by MRI and BS. MRI showed better interobserver agreement for scaphoid injury than BS and fewer false positive reports. Significant ligamentous injury and carpal instability diagnosed by MRI were not evident on scintigraphy. Using fast scanning protocols, the cost of MRI is comparable with that of BS. MRI should be considered as the appropriate second line investigation in these clinical circumstances.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Plasma exchange therapy for solar urticaria.

We report two cases of severe idiopathic solar urticaria treated with plasma exchange therapy. Previous treatment which included antihistamines and, in one patient, desensitization with psoralens and ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy produced only partial benefit. The effect of plasma exchange therapy was assessed using monochromator phototesting and intradermal injection of in vitro irradiated serum. One patient responded but relapsed within 2 weeks. We have failed to demonstrate a lasting benefit from plasma exchange therapy (PExT) in the treatment of two patients with idiopathic solar urticaria.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Loligomers: design of de novo peptide-based intracellular vehicles.

Defined branched peptides (loligomers) incorporating cytoplasmic translocation signals, nuclear localization sequences, and fluorescent probes were designed and synthesized to demonstrate the feasibility and simplicity of creating novel classes of intracellular vehicles. Loligomers containing all the above signals were rapidly internalized by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and accumulated in their nucleus. At 4 degrees C, the interaction of peptide constructs with CHO cells was limited to membrane association. Loligomers entered cells at higher temperatures by adsorptive endocytosis. Inhibitors of ATP synthesis affected cytoplasmic import only weakly but abolished nuclear uptake. The peptide signals guided both cytoplasmic and nuclear localization events. The properties exhibited by loligomers suggest a strategy for the facile design of "guided" classes of intracellular agents.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

The phototumorigenic potential of broad-band (270-350 nm) and narrow-band (311-313 nm) phototherapy sources cannot be predicted by their edematogenic potential in hairless mouse skin.

The new Philips TL01 narrow-band (311-313 nm) and conventional broad-band (e.g., Philips TL12; 270-350 nm) sources are effective for psoriasis phototherapy, for which treatment regimens are based on a predetermined minimal erythema dose. TL01 phototherapy treatment times are approximately half those with TL12 for psoriasis, whereas the cumulative exposure doses at clearing are similar. We compared the phototumorigenic potential of TL01 and TL12 radiation in mouse skin. Groups of albino Skh-1 hairless mice were exposed for 5 d/week at three dose levels. At each dose level, TL12 and TL01 doses were equally edematogenic. At each dose level, TL01 radiation was significantly more effective at producing first tumors of 1 mm in diameter and multiple tumors. At the lower two dose levels, TL01 radiation produced a significantly greater proportion of squamous cell carcinomas. This study demonstrates that TL01 radiation is more phototumorigenic than TL12 radiation at equally edematogenically weighted doses. This is in contrast with previous reports that edema production by polychromatic sources is predictive of their phototumorigenic effect in Skh-1 mice. The absolute cumulative TL12 dose needed to induce tumors was much less than that for TL01 radiation. The possibility of increased tumor risk with TL01 phototherapy should be considered but must be balanced against the high phototherapeutic efficacy of this source, short treatment times, and the low cumulative doses necessary for clearing of psoriasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Lack of photosensitising potential of tenidap, a novel anti-rheumatic agent.

1. The potential of orally administered tenidap sodium, a novel anti-rheumatic agent under investigation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, to cause phototoxic reactions was investigated. 2. Twenty-four healthy volunteers entered a randomised, double-blind study in which they received tenidap sodium 40 mg or 120 mg or placebo daily for 7 days. The minimal erythema dose was determined using wavelengths of 305-460 nm for 3 days prior to drug administration and on the last 3 days of dosing. Appropriate clinical and laboratory tests were performed before, during and after the dosing period. 3. Tenidap did not have a statistically significant effect on immediate or delayed photosensitivity. No drug-related side effects were reported and there were no clinically significant adverse findings from the laboratory tests. 4. At the dosage and duration of tenidap sodium used, a photosensitising potential has not been demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Narrow-band UVB (TL-01) phototherapy: an effective preventative treatment for the photodermatoses.

Twenty patients with photodermatoses [actinic prurigo (n = 6), hydroa vacciniforme (n = 4), idiopathic solar urticaria (n = 1), amiodarone-induced photosensitivity (n = 1) and a range of cutaneous porphyrias (n = 8)] were treated with a 'hardening' course of narrow-band ultraviolet B (TL-01) phototherapy in springtime. The response to phototherapy was monitored subjectively, by interviewing patients after the summer, and objectively by monochromator phototesting, before and after phototherapy. Fifteen patients reported that treatment was worthwhile. Monochromator phototesting after phototherapy revealed a fourfold increase in the minimal erythema dose in those with abnormal photosensitivity to ultraviolet A wavebands. Adverse effects included erythema (seven patients), pruritus (five) and provocation of the eruption (four). We now routinely consider narrow-band UVB phototherapy for problem photodermatoses.

Adolescent↗