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Biomedical subjects

J J Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to J J Wilson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Chemotherapy with mitoxantrone plus prednisone or prednisone alone for symptomatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer: a Canadian randomized trial with palliative end points.

PURPOSE: To investigate the benefit of chemotherapy in patients with symptomatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer using relevant end points of palliation in a randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomized 161 hormone-refractory patients with pain to receive mitoxantrone plus prednisone or prednisone alone (10 mg daily). Nonresponding patients on prednisone could receive mitoxantrone subsequently. The primary end point was a palliative response defined as a 2-point decrease in pain as assessed by a 6-point pain scale completed by patients (or complete loss of pain if initially 1 +) without an increase in analgesic medication and maintained for two consecutive evaluations at least 3 weeks apart. Secondary end points were a decrease of > or = 50% in use of analgesic medication without an increase in pain, duration of response, and survival. Health-related quality of life was evaluated with a series of linear analog self-assessment scales (LASA and the Prostate Cancer-Specific Quality-of-Life Instrument [PROSQOLI]), the core questionnaire of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), and a disease-specific module. RESULTS: Palliative response was observed in 23 of 80 patients (29%; 95% confidence interval, 19% to 40%) who received mitoxantrone plus prednisone, and in 10 of 81 patients (12%; 95% confidence interval, 6% to 22%) who received prednisone alone (P = .01). An additional seven patients in each group reduced analgesic medication > or = 50% without an increase in pain. The duration of palliation was longer in patients who received chemotherapy (median, 43 and 18 weeks; P < .0001, log-rank). Eleven of 50 patients randomized to prednisone treatment responded after addition of mitoxantrone. There was no difference in overall survival. Treatment was well tolerated, except for five episodes of possible cardiac toxicity in 130 patients who received mitoxantrone. Most responding patients had an improvement in quality-of-life scales and a decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy with mitoxantrone and prednisone provides palliation for some patients with symptomatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of simple and complex hepatitis C virus quasispecies by heteroduplex gel shift analysis: correlation with nucleotide sequencing.

In infected humans, hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists as a quasispecies typically characterized by multiple nucleotide substitutions within the second envelope gene hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). In the current study, we used heteroduplex gel shift analysis (GSA) of HVR1 sequences amplified directly from patients' sera to define two patterns of HCV quasispecies: (i) simple quasispecies, which gave a mostly homogeneous gel shift profile with a single predominant band and (ii) complex quasispecies, which gave a gel shift profile with multiple bands. Recombinant HVR1 libraries were generated from two patients with complex HCV quasispecies (cases 1 and 2) and two patients with simple HCV quasispecies (cases 3 and 4), and 129 individual clones were analysed by either GSA, nucleotide sequencing or both techniques. In case 1 we identified a highly complex HCV quasispecies with 11 distinct HVR1 variants differing by 1-51 nucleotide changes. We found a general but not absolute correlation between GSA pattern and the number or position of nucleotide changes within HVR1. In case 2, the complex HCV quasispecies consisted of three distinct major variants; GSA of individual HVR1 clones allowed us to reconstruct the complex quasispecies pattern in vitro. In case 3, the simple quasispecies comprised 66% homogeneous clones and 33% unique minor variants differing by 1-3 nucleotides from the consensus sequence. In case 4, the simple quasispecies was 84% homogeneous, but six unique major shift variants were identified among 31 clones by GSA. In summary, HCV quasispecies can be characterized based on GSA profiles following direct PCR amplification of HVR1 sequences from patients' serum; the GSA profiles approximate the clonal population of HCV as determined by clonal analysis. GSA of HVR1 clones showed a strong correlation with nucleotide sequencing.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Bovine fast-twitch myosin light chain 1: cloning and mRNA amount in muscle of cattle treated with clenbuterol.

The cDNA clone encoding the fast-twitch isoform of myosin light chain 1 (MLC-1f) was isolated from bovine longissimus dorsi muscle and sequenced in M13 and pUC8. An 0.8-kb subclone, produced by digestion of the cDNA with EcoRI, contained the portion of the molecule common to MLC-1f and MLC-3f. The cDNA in pUC8 contained an additional 81 bp upstream of the EcoR I digestion site, which was unique to MLC-1f. The cDNA clone was used to measure MLC-1f mRNA in longissimus dorsi muscle of cattle chronically administered the beta-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol. Treatment with clenbuterol for 50 days increased succinic dehydrogenase negative (type IIB) and positive (types I and IIA) myofiber cross-sectional areas by 25%. After the 50-day treatment period, the amount of MLC-1f mRNA was 90% greater in longissimus dorsi muscle of treated animals than in the initial group. This effect was lost when clenbuterol treatment was withdrawn for a 78-day period, during which time muscle growth in the treated animals stopped completely. We conclude that we have cloned the bovine cDNA for MLC-1f, which has provided additional evidence that beta-adrenergic agonists increase myofibrillar gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Transmission of the hepatitis-C virus by tissue transplantation.

The hepatitis-C virus has been the most prevalent cause of chronic hepatitis in both blood and organ recipients. The introduction of a second-generation immunoassay for antibodies to the hepatitis-C virus (HCV 2.0) provided the opportunity to determine if the hepatitis-C virus can be transmitted through tissue transplantation. Banked sera from tissue donors that had previously been found to be non-reactive to the first-generation hepatitis-C virus antibody assay (HCV 1.0) and non-reactive for antibodies to hepatitis-B core antigen were retested with HCV 2.0. The sera from two donors were reactive; the transplant records of recipients of tissues from these donors were reviewed, and the surgeons or hospitals were contacted. The tissue recipients were tested with HCV 2.0, and positive sera were tested for hepatitis-C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Viral nucleic acids isolated from viremic donors and recipients were analyzed for identity by sequencing of the hepatitis-C virus envelope gene (E2) hypervariable region. There were twenty-one grafts, which had been treated with gamma radiation, from one donor; thirteen had been transplanted to twelve recipients. Serum samples from six of the recipients were tested; one was reactive. This patient had other risk factors for infection with the hepatitis-C virus, and sequence analysis demonstrated non-identity between the donor and recipient hepatitis-C virus isolates. Nine of twelve grafts from a second donor had been transplanted in nine recipients. Serum samples from five patients were tested with HCV 2.0; four were reactive. In three of the four patients, the sera were determined to be positive for the hepatitis-C virus by polymerase chain reaction. E2 sequence analyses of hepatitis-C virus RNA isolates from two of these recipients demonstrated sequence identity with the donor isolate. The results of the present report demonstrate that the hepatitis-C virus can be transmitted by bone, ligament, and tendon allografts. They also support the need for testing of all tissue donors for antibodies to the hepatitis-C virus before the tissue is released for transplantation. The results also suggest that seventeen kilo-gray of gamma radiation may inactivate the hepatitis-C virus in tissue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Lipogenic activity of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues from steers produced by different generations of angus sires.

Simmental and Hereford cows (n = 74) were inseminated with semen from purebred Angus bulls from the 1960s or with semen from purebred Angus bulls from the 1980s. The F1 calves provided the foundation for two investigations, one addressing growth and carcass characteristics, and another measuring the impact of sire generation on lipid metabolism and adiposity. Calves sired by the 1980s-type bulls had greater (P < .05) birth, weaning, and final live weights and carcass weights. They also had larger (P < .05) hip heights and hip widths at weaning and larger (P < .05) hip heights and lower (P < .05) body condition scores at slaughter. There were no differences (P > .05) in any measure of fatness between groups (adjusted fat thickness, kidney, pelvic, and heart fat, or marbling scores), but yield grade was higher numerically (P < .1) for the 1980s steers. The second aspect of this research addressed the influence of different generations of Angus sires on specific carcass traits and adipose tissue metabolism. A subset of six steers for each generation type (from Simmental cows) were selected and samples were collected at slaughter for measurements in vitro. For both generation types, intramuscular (i.m.) adipocytes had lesser (P < .05) cell volumes than subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue. Correspondingly. i.m. adipose tissue exhibited lower (P < .05) rates of 14C-labeled acetate incorporation into lipids as measured immediately after slaughter. Intramuscular and s.c. adipocytes from 1980s-type steers were smaller (P < .05) than those from the 1960s-types steers, with correspondingly more cells per gram of tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Evidence for preadipocyte proliferation during culture of subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissues from Angus and Wagyu crossbred steers.

The primary objective of this study was to provide evidence for preadipocyte proliferation during culture of adipose tissue explants; a secondary objective was to compare the lipogenic activity and cellularity of adipose tissues from American Wagyu crossbred steers. Subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) adipose tissues were obtained at slaughter from the 2nd to 6th lumbar region of the loin from Angus (n = 10) and Wagyu crossbred steers (n = 10) that had been fed for 552 d by typical Japanese production standards. Adipose tissue explants were incubated 36 h with [3H]thymidine in the absence and presence of aphidicolin (a specific inhibitor of genomic DNA replication). Adipocytes were liberated by collagenase treatment and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA was measured. Whereas there were no significant differences between adipose tissue depots, Wagyu s.c. and i.m. preadipocytes and stromal-vascular cells exhibited greater (P < .05) [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA than adipocytes from Angus steers. Intramuscular adipose tissue from both breeds exhibited lower (P < .05) rates of lipogenesis from acetate both before and after long-term (36-h) incubation than s.c. adipose tissue. Furthermore, i.m. adipocytes were smaller (P < .05) than s.c. adipocytes. The activities of fatty acid synthetase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were greater (P < .05) in Wagyu s.c. adipose tissue and less in Wagyu i.m. adipose tissue than in corresponding Angus tissues. There were no differences between breed types (P = .17) in rates of lipogenesis from acetate, either before or after explant culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1993

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA: comparison of one-stage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with nested-set PCR.

We evaluated a new hepatitis C virus RNA assay based on one-stage PCR followed by liquid hybridization with an oligonucleotide probe and compared it with nested-set PCR. The one-stage and nested-set PCR assays had identical sensitivities in analytical experiments and showed 100% concordance when clinical specimens were used. One-stage PCR may be less prone to contamination than nested-set PCR.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1992

Triacylglycerol biosynthesis in bovine liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue.

1. Adipose tissue from Angus and Brahman steers incubated with [1-14C]palmitate in the absence and presence of glucose exhibited a greater rate of lipid production than liver (P < 0.05). 2. Homogenates of adipose tissue used in the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase assay exhibited a greater glycerolipid specific activity (nmol lipid/mg protein/30 min) when compared to liver (P < 0.05). 3. The inverse was true for liver homogenates when calculated for tissue activity (nmol lipid/g tissue/30 min). 4. Lysophosphatidate was produced in greater (P < 0.05) amounts than all other glycerolipids in the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase assay. 5. The activity of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase in liver homogenates displayed greater rates than their respective adipose tissue homogenates. 6. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity was greater in adipose tissue homogenates compared to liver homogenates.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1990

Fibrinolytic therapy for idiopathic subclavian-axillary vein thrombosis.

We report our results in eight consecutive patients with idiopathic subclavian-axillary vein thrombosis treated at a community hospital with systemic streptokinase therapy. Seven of the eight patients were treated within 1 week of symptoms. All seven patients had partial or total recanalization documented by venography. One patient developed rethrombosis that did not respond to therapy with tPA and had mild persisting symptoms of postphlebitic syndrome. None of the other patients had symptoms of postphlebitic syndrome on follow-up up to 5 years' duration.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Acute and long-term lipogenic response to insulin and clenbuterol in bovine intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues.

The present study was conducted to determine whether insulin and clenbuterol affected either short-term (2-h) incubations or long-term (48-h) tissue cultures of i.m. and s.c. adipose tissue explants. Samples were taken from control steers and steers fed 7 mg.head-1.d-1 clenbuterol for 50 d, after which time the drug was withdrawn from the diet for 90 d prior to slaughter. Neither short-term incubations nor long-term explant cultures contained bovine serum albumin (BSA). Insulin (6.67 x 10(-9) M) had no effect (P greater than .05) on lipogenesis in s.c. and i.m. adipose tissue in 2-h tissue incubations of fresh adipose tissue. There was a substantial decrease in activity during the culture period, which was ameliorated somewhat in s.c. adipose tissue by the presence of insulin in the culture media. Clenbuterol exposure for 48 h in vitro decreased the production of lipids from acetate in both adipose tissue depots but had no effect in short-term adipose tissue incubations. Results from the present study confirm that omitting BSA from incubation media does not enhance the responsiveness of bovine s.c. adipose tissue or the less mature i.m. adipose tissue to insulin. Insulin may maintain greater cell viability in 48-h explant cultures.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1986

Association of embolic stroke in pregnancy with the lupus anticoagulant. A case report.

Recently the association of recurrent spontaneous abortions and intrauterine fetal death was linked to the lupus anticoagulant (LA). LA is an immunoglobulin directed against phospholipid, causing characteristic changes in coagulation tests, and is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. We treated a pregnant woman who presented with an embolic stroke and laboratory evidence of LA.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Subclavian-axillary vein thrombosis: successful treatment with streptokinase.

Proximal vein thrombosis has been associated with residual disability from the postphlebetic syndrome in patients receiving symptomatic therapy or heparin and sodium warfarin. This paper describes a man with painless swelling of the right arm secondary to subclavian-axillary vein thrombosis that was successfully treated with streptokinase and conventional anticoagulant therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

High frequency jet ventilation. A method for thoracic surgery.

High frequency jet ventilation for thoracic surgery offers some practical advantages over intermittent pressure ventilation using bronchial tubes. Satisfactory blood gases were obtained in 50 patients and good operating conditions were provided.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗
PubMed1984

High frequency jet ventilation.

A case is described where high frequency jet ventilation was used to avoid the cardiovascular depressant effects associated with conventional ventilation. Early weaning from inotropic and ventilatory support proved possible.

Blood Pressure↗