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Biomedical subjects

J Gross

Publications and source records attributed to J Gross.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Basic symptoms in schizophrenia and alcoholism. A methodological comparative study].

The results of a study on the subjective basic symptoms associated with schizophrenia and drug abuse (especially alcoholism) are presented. A total of 242 psychiatric inpatients (74 with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and drug consumption, 81 schizophrenics, and 87 alcoholics) were included. The three groups did not differ with regard to the general score of subjective basic symptoms measured by the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (Frankfurter Beschwerde-Fragebogen, FBF). Further analyses showed that the FBF statements are only partly typical for schizophrenia; another part is connected with alcoholism. Two new scales ("FBF-S" and "FBF-A") were created from the schizophrenia-typical items and the alcoholism-typical items, respectively. In "FBF-S" schizophrenics (with and without alcoholism) had higher scores than patients suffering from alcoholism alone; in "FBF-A" alcoholics (with and without schizophrenia) reached higher scores than schizophrenic patients. Consistent correlations with independent parameters of psychosis and alcoholism confirm the validity of "FBF-S" and "FBF-A". It is concluded that the FBF's capacity to discriminate different diagnoses can be improved and that the model of basic disturbances must be re-evaluated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Comparison and frequency of ventricular arrhythmias after defibrillator implantation by thoracotomy versus nonthoracotomy approaches.

Postoperative exacerbation of ventricular arrhythmias has been reported in some patients treated with thoracotomy implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). This phenomenon, which may be related to epicardial patch electrodes, may be less frequent after nonthoracotomy ICD implantation. In this nonrandomized study, postoperative arrhythmias in thoracotomy approaches (n = 52) were compared with those in nonthoracotomy approaches (n = 59). Preoperatively, all patients were clinically stable receiving an antiarrhythmic regimen chosen by serial drug testing. Nine of 52 patients in the thoracotomy group developed sustained ventricular tachycardia postoperatively while receiving the same antiarrhythmic regimen chosen preoperatively, and 1 patient eventually died. Two additional patients developed frequent and prolonged episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia requiring changes in the antiarrhythmic regimen. In the nonthoracotomy group, only 3 of 59 patients developed sustained ventricular tachycardia and 1 developed frequent nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Thus, only 4 of 59 patients in the nonthoracotomy group developed clinically significant ventricular arrhythmia during the postoperative period compared with 11 of 52 patients in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.05). Surgical mortality was 6% in the thoracotomy group, and 0% in the nonthoracotomy group. In the remaining clinically stable patients, a marked (sevenfold) increase in asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias was noted in 15 of 39 patients in the thoracotomy group, and in 3 of 55 patients in the nonthoracotomy group (p < 0.05). Thus, postoperative exacerbation of ventricular arrhythmia, sometimes noted with thoracotomy approaches, is very rare with nonthoracotomy approaches.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of defibrillator therapy and other therapeutic modalities for sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation associated with coronary artery disease.

Outcomes of 282 patients referred to the arrhythmia service at Montefiore Medical Center for sustained ventricular tachycardia (n = 214) or ventricular fibrillation (n = 68) associated with coronary artery disease were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent serial drug trials by electrophysiologic testing and Holter monitoring. Sixty-eight patients who did not respond to drug therapy were treated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD group), and 214 patients were treated with other methods guided by electrophysiologic testing and Holter monitoring (non-ICD group). The non-ICD group included 49 patients who responded to drug therapy as judged by electrophysiologic testing, as well as patients who did not respond and were not treated with defibrillator therapy for various reasons. Ten patients died in the hospital (2 patients in the ICD group, 8 in the non-ICD group). Actuarial survival rates free of total cardiac death at 1, 2, and 3 years were, respectively, 94%, 87%, and 85% in the ICD group, and 82%, 78%, and 73% in the non-ICD group (p = NS). Survival rates free of total death at 1, 2, and 3 years were 90%, 82%, and 76% in the ICD group, and 82%, 76%, and 70% in the non-ICD group, respectively (p = NS). Survival rates free of total cardiac and total deaths of 49 patients treated with an effective regimen determined by electrophysiologic testing were not significantly different from those of the ICD group. This retrospective study suggests that outcomes of patients treated with ICDs may not be dramatically different from those of patients treated with other methods guided primarily by electrophysiologic testing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Organization of the human serotonin transporter gene.

The gene encoding the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) has been isolated and characterized. The human 5-HTT gene is composed of 14 exons spanning approximately 31 kb. The sequence of all exons including adjacent intronic sequences and a tandem repeat DNA polymorphism (VNTR) has been determined and deposited in the EMBL/GenBank data base with the accession numbers X76753 to X76762. The characterization of 5-HTT gene will aid to advance molecular pharmacologic studies of 5-HT uptake regulation and facilitate investigations of its role in psychiatric disorders.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Biochemical diagnosis in prenatal uropathy.

Thirty-two fetuses, six with prune-belly syndrome, seven with renal cyst, 19 with obstructive uropathy, underwent intrauterine fluid aspiration during weeks 15-37 of gestation. Fluid samples were analysed for Na, K, creatinine, urea, alpha 1-, and beta 2-microglobulin. Aspirate concentrations of sodium below 130 mmol/L and creatinine above 115 mumol/L indicate an active kidney and exclude a renal cyst. However, aspirates from fetal cysts or fetuses with obstructive uropathy showed analyte concentrations for sodium, potassium, creatinine, and urea corresponding to extracellular fluid (ECF). In conclusion fluid aspirates of fetuses with ultrasonographically detectable cystic cavities in the abdomen should be examined for sodium and creatinine to assess remaining renal function for planning of obstetric management.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1994

The production of a monoclonal T3-antiidiotypic antibody (T3-MAAB) that mimics the effects of T3 on 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in chick embryo heart cells.

The Ig fraction of rabbit anti-T3 antibody was injected into the spleens of BALB/c mice. Four days later, the lymphocytes were recovered from their spleens and were fused with cells of the 653 myeloma cell line. Screening of the hybrid colonies was carried out in a T3 RIA system. Positive colonies were those whose supernatant displaced 125I-labeled T3 from its antibody. The positive cultures were recloned and one was injected ip into mice. The crude IgG fraction of the ascites fluid was affinity purified on an affigel-10 column containing a covalently bound rabbit anti-T3-IgG. In order to eliminate possible endogenous T3 contamination during the affinity purification, the column was stripped with a 40% solution of acetonitrile in 0.2 M acetic acid, neutralized, and then the purification proceeded as described. The affinity purified antibody was an IgG2a isotype. This monoclonal antibody (T3-MAAB) displaced labeled T3 from its antibody in an RIA system. It also mimicked T3 in the stimulation of [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) uptake in cultured chick embryo heart cells. After 6 h exposure, the dose-response curve of 2-DOG uptake to T3-MAAB was shifted to the left by at least one order of magnitude when compared to the dose-response curve obtained with T3. After 24 h exposure, T3 had the expected additional stimulatory effect that was dependent on neosynthesis of proteins, while T3-MAAB did not. Also at 24 h exposure, T3-MAAB did not stimulate the incorporation of labeled leucine and uridine into the heart cells while T3 at an equivalent concentration did. The MAAB activity could be abolished by boiling, while boiling did not affect the activity of an equivalent concentration of T3, thus excluding a T3 contamination-mediated effect. We conclude, therefore, that (a) a monoclonal hybridoma producing an antibody that mimics T3 was established; (b) this antibody competed with labeled T3 for anti-T3 antibody and, like T3, stimulated sugar uptake into cultured chick embryo heart cells; and (c) this antibody, unlike T3, did not stimulate the neosynthesis of proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Direct sequencing of the reserpine-sensitive vesicular monamine transporter complementary DNA in unipolar depression and manic depressive illness.

The reserpine model and the reduced monoamine hypothesis of the depressive symptom spectrum suggest that the reserpine-sensitive brain vesicular monoamine transporter (VMT) is a candidate for susceptibility to affective disorder. VMT nonselectively accumulates cytoplasmic biogenic monoamine neurotransmitters into the storage vesicles of presynaptic neurons and blood platelets. Complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesized from platelet VMT mRNA was analyzed in 17 patients meeting DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for major depressive or bipolar disorder and in four healthy controls, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequencing. PCR sequencing of the protein coding region failed to reveal changes in the deduced amino acid sequence of the platelet/brain VMT (approximately 36,000 base pairs sequence screened). The results indicate that alterations in the primary structure of the VMT are not generally involved in the pathogenesis of unipolar depression and manic depressive illness.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Intensive vascular training in stage IIb of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The additive effects of intravenous prostaglandin E1 or intravenous pentoxifylline during training.

In a randomized open study, the combination of either prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or pentoxifylline with controlled vascular training was compared with vascular training alone in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease in stage IIb. Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to treatment either of intensive vascular training alone (n = 15) or in combination with either i.v. pentoxifylline (200 mg over 2 hours BID, n = 15) or PGE1 (40 micrograms over 2 hours BID, n = 14). The basic therapy was a well-defined routine for vascular training, which was identical for all groups. The duration of therapy was 4 weeks. In all three test groups, there was a significant increase in the walking distance. There was a 119% increase in symptom-free walking distance in the exercise-only group. In comparison with exercise alone, the additional administration of pentoxifylline produced no greater effect; the increase was 105%. In contrast, administration of PGE1 combined with exercise achieved a remarkable improvement of 604%. Between-group comparison revealed the significant superiority of treatment with PGE1 (P < .05). During the 1-year follow-up, there was a reduction in the walking performance in all groups, albeit of variable extent. In the exercise-only and the pentoxifylline groups, the maintained increase in walking distance was only 30% compared with baseline values before the beginning of therapy. In the PGE1 group, on the other hand, the maintained improvement was 149%. Nine of 14 patients were still in stage IIa of peripheral arterial occlusive disease 1 year after PGE1 therapy.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1994

The 1992 APON Delphi study to establish research priorities for pediatric oncology nursing. Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses.

The Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APON) recently sponsored a two-wave Delphi study to identify the most important research priorities for pediatric oncology nursing. Seventy-five research priorities were rated for importance by 227 APON members. The majority of these members were inpatient or ambulatory care nurses who had been in pediatric oncology more than 25 months. The top 10 research priorities were primarily about nursing procedures and psychosocial care needs of patients and families. The top priority was to "measure the quality of life and late effects of treatment in long-term survivors of childhood cancer." Study findings will be used to encourage researchers to conduct research on these priorities and to encourage funding organizations to support research related to these priorities.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Effects of a restricted work-site smoking policy on employees who smoke.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the biological and subjective consequences observed in individual smokers after implementation of a workplace smoking-restriction policy. METHODS: Employees were evaluated for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after their workplace became smoke-free (n = 34). A comparison group of smokers whose work-site smoking was unrestricted served as controls (n = 33). Daily exposure to tobacco constituents and withdrawal effects were measured. RESULTS: Smokers at the restricted site had verified smoking reduction (mean = four cigarettes per day) and significantly reduced nicotine and carbon monoxide during the work shift. There were increases in ratings of some common withdrawal symptoms (cravings/urges, concentration difficulties, increased eating, depression). No evidence of compensatory smoking during nonwork hours was found. Overall tobacco exposure, as measured in saliva cotinine, showed a nonsignificant 15% decline. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace smoking restriction markedly altered smoking patterns (i.e., reduced daytime smoking) and reduced cotinine levels to an amount consistent with cigarette reduction. Thus, work-site smoking restriction may promote meaningful, albeit limited, reductions in tobacco exposure and consequent health risks.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Noninvasive studies of macro- and microcirculation in follow-up of femoropopliteal bypass operation in IIb peripheral arterial occlusive disease].

In 42 patients with POAD in stage IIb the blood-flow in the common femoral artery and in the superficial femoral artery was measured before, 10 days after, 3 and 12 months after femoro-popliteal bypass surgery. Blood-flow was detected noninvasively using a multichannel ultrasound computer system (MAVISR). Simultaneously Doppler pressure, skin temperature and tcPO2-values were measured. Thereafter the patients had to undergo treadmill tests (painfree and maximal walking distance). Compared to healthy volunteers preoperative blood-flow was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in the common femoral artery and in the superficial femoral artery. Postoperatively the blood-flow increased significantly (p < 0.001) in patients with an open bypass. This increase could still be demonstrated up to one year after bypass surgery. Surprisingly, a significant (p < 0.01) postoperative rise in blood-flow was also observed in the non-operated leg. Doppler pressure, tcPO2-values (calf) in the operated leg and walking distance increased significantly (p < 0.001). The MAVISR as a noninvasive procedure allows to check the further development of the bypass-function independently of subjective influences, because quantitative changes in blood-flow are documented.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Influence of left ventricular function on survival and mode of death after implantable defibrillator therapy (Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Montefiore Medical Center experience).

To determine the influence of left ventricular (LV) function on survival and mode of death in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), sudden death, surgical mortality, total arrhythmia-related death, total cardiac death and total death were retrospectively evaluated in 377 consecutive patients. The outcomes were also compared between patients with an LV ejection fraction > or = 30% (214 patients, group 1) and < 30% (148 patients, group 2). Surgical mortality was 3.9% (1.8% in group 1, 7% in group 2). During the follow-up of 25 +/- 20 months, actuarial survival rates of all patients at 3 years were 96% for sudden deaths, 81% for total cardiac deaths and 74% for total mortality. When the 2 groups were compared, survival rates of groups 1 and 2 at 3 years, respectively, were 99 and 90% for sudden death (p < 0.05), 97 and 84% for sudden death and surgical mortality (p < 0.01), 94 and 80% for the total arrhythmia-related death (p < 0.001), 88 and 68% for total cardiac death (p < 0.0001), and 81 and 62% for total mortality (p < 0.002). In group 2, 73% of total cardiac deaths within 1 year were causally related to the arrhythmia. Thus, in patients with an ICD, sudden death rates were very low. However, total cardiac death and total death rates were relatively higher. The outcomes of patients with an ICD were strongly influenced by the degree of LV dysfunction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1993

Extensive sequence divergence between the human and rat brain vesicular monoamine transporter: possible molecular basis for species differences in the susceptibility to MPP+.

A cDNA encoding the human brain vesicular monoamine transporter (VMT) was isolated and sequenced using PCR. The cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding a hydrophobic polypeptide of 514 amino acids with twelve membrane spanning segments, a calculated molecular weight of 55,709 Da, and an estimated isoelectrical point of 5.62. A structurally identical transporter is expressed in human platelets. Two intraplasmatic consensus phosphorylation sites of cAMP-dependent protein kinase recognition and two potential protein kinase C phosphorylation sites may be central to the regulation of the VMT. Although the human brain VMT is 90.7% homologous to the rat protein, an extensive sequence divergence occurs in the large luminal loop located between the first two transmembrane domains. This loop displays a remarkably reduced homology of 64.0% with several deletions and insertions, although four putative glycosylation sites are conserved. Since functional vesicular monoamine transport suppresses MPP+ toxicity and sequence divergence in the large luminal loop of the VMT expressed in rat brain and adrenal medulla may play a role in differential neurotoxic effects of MPP+, our findings indicate one possible molecular basis for the substantial species differences in the susceptibility to MPP+ demonstrated among humans, non-human primates, and rodents. They are also likely to facilitate molecular pharmacologic and genetic investigations of the human VMT in neurodegenerative disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Early postnatal hypoxia induces long-term changes in the dopaminergic system in rats.

A rat model of a mild, chronic, early postnatal hypoxia, characterized by long-term consequences in the behavioural outcome, was used to study long-term consequences in the dopaminergic system. Exposure of newborn rats to an early postnatal hypoxia (hypobaric hypoxia, 11 kPa pO2 in the inspiratory air, 2nd-10th day of life, 10 hours daily) brings about the following lasting neurochemical changes: an increased stimulated dopamine release rate from striatum slices by about 30%, an increased low affinity, high capacity dopamine uptake into striatum synaptosomes by about 100%. The critical period to produce an increased release rate of dopamine was estimated as day 2-6 postnatally. There are no long-term changes in the concentration of dopamine and its metabolites and in the tyrosine hydroxylase activity in consequences of this early postnatal hypoxia. Treatment of newborn animals with L-DOPA (10-50 micrograms/g body weight) previous to hypoxia normalizes the DA release rate.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Long-term effects of postnatal hypoxia and flunarizine on the dopaminergic system.

Long-term changes of learning behavior and of the striatal dopaminergic system were observed in a rat model of early postnatal hypoxia. Striatal dopamine (DA) concentration, K(+)-stimulated DA release from slices, and DA uptake into crude synaptosomal preparations (S1 fractions) were used as markers of the striatal DAergic system. Active avoidance learning was tested as behavioral criterion. Cyclodextrin and flunarizine were found to produce long-term effects on the DAergic system in control animals. While cyclodextrin normalized hypoxia-induced effects in DA release, flunarizine prevented those in DA uptake and improved avoidance learning.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1993

Effect of the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system on dopamine outflow from rat striatal synaptosomes.

The effect of the oxygen radical generating system, hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (Hx/XOD), on the spontaneous and potassium-stimulated outflow of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) from rat striatal synaptosomes was studied. The efficacy of some radical scavengers was also tested. DA outflow was measured by incubation of [3H]-DA prelabeled synaptosomes (P2) in Krebs-Ringer buffer, containing either normal or depolarizing K+ concentrations. The reactions were terminated by filtration of the synaptosomes through Sartorius filters. Hx/XOD increased the spontaneous DA outflow in a dose and time dependent manner. The reduction found in synaptosomal DA content could be explained by disturbances of DA uptake or reuptake. The K+ stimulated outflow was not altered by the lower doses of Hx/XOD, whereas, when very high doses of Hx/XOD were used, the K+ stimulated DA outflow was decreased. High doses of Hx/XOD may deplete the synaptosomal DA releasable pool, leaving little DA available for extra-stimulated outflow by high concentrations of K+. The K(+)-stimulated outflow of DA is a less sensitive process against radical attack than the spontaneous release of DA. A protective action of catalase, but no effect of superoxide dismutase was demonstrated in these experiments.

Animals↗