A tumour model for the study of islet cell differentiation.
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Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
Biomedical subjects
J Jensen
Publications and source records attributed to J Jensen.
The reference range for complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin human plasma: development of a new enzyme linked in immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitation of complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin.
Purified alpha 2-macroglobulin was complexed by reaction with methylamine and used to raise monoclonal murine antibodies. A four-step enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to determine the antibody-specificity of the produced monoclonal murine antibodies towards human native and complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin. Two monoclonal antibodies were selected, H11A11 (specific towards complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin) and 1CG4 (recognizes both forms of the molecule), and purified by affinity chromatography on protein G. The purified antibodies were used to develop a fast three-step ELISA for exact quantitation of complexed and total alpha 2-macroglobulin in human plasma. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) for measurement of complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin is 2.2-9.9%, whereas the inter-assay CV was determined to be 3.7-10.5% and the recovery of the assay is 93-108%. The assay for total alpha 2-macroglobulin has an intra-assay CV of 3.0-15.5%, an interassay CV of 5.1-21.2% and a recovery of 91-116%. Citrated plasma samples from 139 healthy blood donors were examined, resulting in a reference range for complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin of 13.5-31.1 mg 1(-1) with a median value of 21.7 mg 1(-1). The concentration of total alpha 2-macroglobulin was measured by the same assay using the monoclonal antibodies 1CG4. For total alpha 2-macroglobulin we determined the reference range to be 1.12-3.54 g 1(-1) with a median value of 2.14 g 1(-1). Based on these results the reference range for complexed alpha 2-macroglobulin as a percentage of total alpha 2-macroglobulin was calculated to be 0.8-1.9% with a median value of 1.0%.
Adult↗
Mucosal and disseminated candidiasis in gnotobiotic SCID mice.
The alimentary tracts of germ-free SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice were susceptible to colonization with Candida albicans. Large viable populations (10(6)-10(8) colony forming units g-1) of C. albicans, in pure culture, were present in all sections of the intestinal tract. Candida-colonized SCID mice, sacrificed at various time intervals over a 16 week study, manifested chronic superficial mucosal candidiasis of keratinized epithelial surfaces (tongue and stomach). Despite the continuous presence of large viable populations of C. albicans in their intestinal tract, only superficial mucosal candidiasis and no progressive disseminated candidiasis of endogenous origin was evident in these mice. Treatment with cyclophosphamide (100 mg kg-1, intraperitoneally) enhanced the susceptibility of SCID mice to mucosal (tongue and stomach) candidiasis. Gnotobiotic (C. albicans-colonized) SCID mice were also found to be as resistant as immunocompetent BALB/c mice to acute (intravenous challenge) renal candidiasis. Colonization of the alimentary tract with a bacterial flora appeared to enhance the resistance of SCID mice to disseminated candidiasis. This study demonstrates that innate immune mechanisms (phagocytic and/or NK cells), in the absence of functional T- and B-cells, play an important role in the resistance of SCID mice to mucosal and disseminated candidiasis of endogenous (intestinal tract) or acute (intravenous challenge) origin.
Animals↗
Resistance of SCID mice to Candida albicans administered intravenously or colonizing the gut: role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages.
SCID mice, which lack functional T and B cells, and their immunocompetent counterparts were treated with a monoclonal antibody to murine granulocytes (anti-Gr-1), silica, or carrageenan to assess the role of phagocytic cells (Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages) in resistance to candidiasis. SCID mice treated with anti-Gr-1 showed enhanced susceptibility to acute systemic candidiasis, disseminated candidiasis of endogenous origin, and orogastric candidiasis. Immunocompetent CB.17 and BALB/c mice treated with anti-Gr-1 showed enhanced susceptibility to acute systemic candidiasis but not to either orogastric or disseminated candidiasis of endogenous origin. Impairment of phagocytic cell functions with silica or carrageenan also enhanced the susceptibility of SCID mice to acute systemic candidiasis. These data in SCID and CB.17 mice support clinical studies in patients that point out the important role that granulocytes play in resistance to candidiasis. The resistance of granulocyte-depleted CB.17 mice to orogastric and disseminated candidiasis of endogenous origin also demonstrates that functional T and B cells play a role in controlling candidiasis.
Animals↗
Effects of testosterone replacement therapy in old hypogonadal males: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of testosterone administration to older hypogonadal males (bioavailable testosterone less than 70 ng/dL). DESIGN: Alternate-case controlled trial. SETTING: St. Louis University. PATIENTS: Eight males (mean age 77.6 +/- 2.3 years) who received testosterone and six males (mean age 76 +/- 2.3 years) who served as controls. Selected from alumni of the SHEP trial and attendees at the St. Louis University Impotence Clinic. INTERVENTIONS: Testosterone enanthate (200 mg/mL) was administered intramuscularly to the treatment group every 2 weeks for 3 months. MEASUREMENTS: Serum testosterone, bioavailable testosterone and estradiol, weight, % body fat, right hand muscle strength, balance, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, hematocrit, BUN, creatinine, albumin, calcium, PTH, 25(OH) vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D, osteocalcin, prostate-specific antigen, and fructosamine. RESULTS: Males who received testosterone had a significant increase in testosterone and bioavailable testosterone concentration, hematocrit, right hand muscle strength and osteocalcin concentration. They had a decrease in cholesterol (without a change in HDL-cholesterol) levels and decreased BUN/Creatinine ratios. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings support the need for long term studies of testosterone therapy in older hypogonadal males.
Aged↗
The effects of thiazide diuretics on calcium metabolism in the aged.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of long-term use of the thiazide diuretic chlorthalidone on serum bone-related biochemical variables in older persons. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison. SETTING: Community-dwelling subjects who had participated in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly (SHEP) program. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six Caucasians (36 male and 30 female), age range 70 to 89 years, of whom 23 were taking a thiazide diuretic. MEASUREMENTS: 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, calcitonin, and serum bioavailable testosterone. RESULTS: In both groups, there was a high prevalence of low 25 (OHD) levels (30%). Log 25OHD showed a significant inverse relationship to parathyroid hormone (r = .33, P < 0.05). Thiazide users had lower levels of osteocalcin (P < 0.05) and parathyroid hormone levels (P < 0.05) compared with non-thiazide users. Male thiazide users had decreased bioavailable testosterone levels compared with non-thiazide users (P < 0.05). Serum osteocalcin was significantly related to bioavailable testosterone in men not on thiazide (r = .43, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D is a common finding in older individuals with associated elevations in parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid hormone and testosterone concentration (in men) are correlated with serum osteocalcin, a measure of osteoblastic activity. Long-term thiazide use alters these relationships and produces a biochemical profile suggestive of decreased bone formation. Reduced bioavailable testosterone may also play a role in these biochemical changes.
Age Factors↗
A preliminary report of vitamin D and calcium metabolism in older African Americans.
OBJECTIVE: To determine normal serum bone-related biochemical variables in older African-Americans. DESIGN: A convenience sample of older African-Americans who had a health screening and blood testing for calciotropic hormones was compared with white Americans who were recruited at the end of the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) study and were not on a thiazide diuretic. SETTING: Community-dwelling African-Americans who participated in SHEP or who attended one of two mass health screenings. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two African-Americans aged 68-93 years and 43 white Americans aged 70-89 years. MEASUREMENTS: Twenty-five hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, and calcitonin. RESULTS: Serum 25OHD levels in 38% of the African-American men and 38% of African-American women were less than 8 ng/mL compared with 22% of Caucasian men and 40% of Caucasian women. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was above the normal range in 25% of men and 33% of women of African-American descent and 14% of Caucasian men and 30% of Caucasian women. Serum 25OHD was lower (P < 0.05) in individuals with a previous history of fracture. Serum albumin (P < 0.05), calcitonin (P < 0.05), and osteocalcin (P < 0.05), but not 25OHD, were lower in African-Americans (men and women) when compared with Caucasians (P < 0.05). Serum calcium corrected for albumin was higher in the African-Americans than in the Caucasians (P < 0.05). As previously reported in Caucasians, PTH was inversely related to log 25OHD in African-Americans. Serum osteocalcin was positively correlated to PTH in African-Americans, as previously reported in Caucasians. Log 25OHD correlated inversely with osteocalcin in African-Americans, but this was not seen in Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited sample, hypovitaminosis D (as assessed by 25OHD level) with secondary hyperparathyroidism occurred frequently in elderly African-Americans. Osteocalcin, a measure of osteoblast activity, correlated with 25OHD and parathyroid hormone. Osteocalcin serum levels were lower in African-Americans than Caucasians, but serum calcium corrected for albumin was higher in the former compared to the latter.
Aged↗
Enhancement of susceptibility of CB-17 mice to systemic candidiasis by poly(I . C)-induced interferon.
Poly(I . C) enhanced the susceptibility of CB-17 (BALB/c) mice to acute systemic candidiasis. Poly(I . C), supernatants from poly(I . C)-treated macrophages, or alpha and beta interferons suppressed macrophage candidacidal activity in vitro. Thus, poly(I . C)-induced interferons may enhance the susceptibility of CB-17 mice to candidiasis by suppressing macrophage candidacidal activity in an autocrine fashion.
Animals↗
Primary structures and effects on gastrointestinal motility of tachykinins from the rainbow trout.
Purification and structural characterization of tachykinins from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) intestine has demonstrated the presence of three different peptides related to the mammalian tachykinins: substance P, neurokinin A, and neuropeptide-gamma. The substance P- and the neurokinin A-related peptides present in the intestine are identical to the tachykinins previously isolated from the trout brain. The neuropeptide-gamma-related peptide (Ser-Ser-Ala-Asn-Pro-Gln-Ile-Thr-Arg-Lys-Arg-His-Lys-Ile-Asn-Ser-Phe- Val-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2), not previously identified in brain tissue, has the sequence of the neurokinin A-related tachykinin at its COOH-terminus. Both trout substance P and neurokinin A stimulated the motility of isolated trout intestinal muscle [pD2(-log of EC50) values 8.5 +/- 0.15 and 7.35 +/- 0.08, respectively] and the vascularly perfused trout stomach (pD2 values 9.63 +/- 0.23 and 8.18 +/- 0.23, respectively). Trout substance P was 14 times more potent than trout neurokinin A in the intestine and 28 times more potent in the stomach. The data suggest that receptors interacting with tachykinins in the trout gastrointestinal tract have a similar selectivity as the mammalian NK-1 receptor.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A study of hospital admissions over time, using longitudinal latent structure analysis.
The aim was to study patterns of utilization of non-psychiatric admissions over time and factors affecting the utilization. The study cohort includes all individuals born 1934-66, living in one of two Danish municipalities and admitted to a non-psychiatric department at least once in 1977 (n = 2,686). The hospitalizations of the cohort were followed during a 5-year period by means of the Danish National Patient Register. The data were analysed using a longitudinal latent class (LC) model and a longitudinal latent Markov (LM) model. The LC model suggests that among the cases in the cohort there were 4 variants of utilization patterns. The LM model adequately described the sample in only 3 variants or classes. These classes may be interpreted as a small group of "chronically ill" individuals (1.9% of the cohort), a major group of "healthy" individuals, with no, or only a single, random re-admission during the follow-up period (74.4% of the sample), and finally an intermediate group of "high utilizers" (23.7% of the sample). This "chronicity" variable was markedly associated with mental illness, multiple discharge diagnoses from non-psychiatric departments and total utilization of hospitalizations during the follow-up period. Conversely, gender, age and days in hospital per admission were without importance. The study implies that the analysis of patterns of hospital admissions over time can yield important insight into health service utilization and that longitudinal latent structure analyses are powerful statistical tools in this aspect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Religiosity, denomination, and mental health among young men and women.
The relations among religiosity, denomination, and mental health were studied. Comparisons of groups high, medium, and low in religiosity were made possible by extracting data from a large data set for three denominational groups and gender in a three-way analysis of variance design. There were significant main effects, with higher scores on three mental health measures for high religious groups, Mormons, and men. There were interactions resulting from highly religious Mormon women, but not highly religious Mormon men scoring higher. The three scores were self-esteem, emotional maturity, and nondepression.
Adult↗
The correlation of symptoms, occult blood tests, and neoplasms in patients referred for double-contrast barium enema.
One hundred and forty-nine patients (86 women) with a mean age of 64 years (52-74 years), referred for double-contrast barium enema (DCE), were invited to have fecal occult blood test and rectosigmoidoscopy (60 cm) (RSS) before the DCE. Carbon dioxide was used for inflation at RSS to enable the two examinations to be done at the same time. Eight adenomas < 1.0 cm in diameter, 11 adenomas > or = 1.0 cm in diameter, and 5 carcinomas were diagnosed in altogether 23 patients. There was no correlation between symptoms, diverticula, or neoplasm, but a positive rehydrated Hemoccult II test was correlated to the presence of neoplasms (cancer and adenoma > or = 1.0 cm in diameter), but Hemoccult is not suitable as selection basis for work-up of symptomatic subjects. To diagnose colorectal neoplasms, we have to accept a certain number of negative work-ups of the large bowel. If DCE is chosen for work-up of the large bowel, it has to be combined with rectosigmoidoscopy (60 cm).
Adenoma↗
Total condylar arthroplasty for gonarthrosis. A prospective 10-year study of 138 primary cases.
The results of 138 consecutive primary Insall-Burstein arthroplasties with an average observation period of 10 (9-11) years were assessed. Mean age at surgery was 71 (30-81) years. The patients were evaluated clinically, using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating scale, and radiographically, according to the radiolucency score of the Knee Society. At latest follow-up, the overall evaluation of the patients who completed the study was excellent or good in 86 percent, fair in 8 percent and poor in 6 percent. Residual functional pain was recorded in 12 percent of cases with prostheses in situ. An ability to walk more than 500 m was found in 62 percent. The median range of motion was 104 degrees. Arthrodesis was performed on 2 knees due to deep infection. There were 14 cases with substantial radiolucency around the prosthesis, but none of these patients had severe functional pain. The crude prosthetic survival rate was 98 percent. A correlation was found between the radiolucency score and both the total score and the intensity of the residual functional pain.
Adult↗
Mite infestation in a rat colony.
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Journal Article↗
HMOs outscore both PPOs, traditional indemnity plans in degree of customer satisfaction.
A higher percentage of participants in health maintenance organizations say they are satisfied with their health plans than are those who have traditional indemnity plans or are enrolled in preferred provider organizations. The results, derived from a new study of consumer satisfaction, also show that 85% of Americans who have health insurance coverage say they are satisfied with those plans.
Age Factors↗
Characterization of peptides related to neuropeptide tyrosine and peptide tyrosine-tyrosine from the brain and gastrointestinal tract of teleost fish.
Neuropeptide Y was isolated from the brain of the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua and its primary structure established as Tyr-Pro-Ile*-Lys-Pro-Glu*-Asn-Pro-Gly-Glu10-Asp-Ala-Pro-Ala-Asp*-G lu*-Leu*-Ala- Lys*-Tyr20-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu30-Ile-Thr -Arg-Gln-Arg-Tyr- CONH2. Residues denoted by an asterisk are different from the corresponding sequence of human neuropeptide Y. A structurally similar peptide was isolated from the brain of the trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Trout neuropeptide Y contains four substitutions (Ile3-->Val, Ala14-->Thr, Asp15-->Glu and Ser22-->Thr) compared with cod neuropeptide Y. A second peptide of the neuropeptide Y family was identified in the trout brain and this component was structurally similar to peptide tyrosine-tyrosine previously isolated from frog intestine (six amino acid substitutions) and identical to a peptide isolated from the pancreas of the closely related species, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Coho salmon). Peptide tyrosine-tyrosine, with the same primary structure as the brain peptide, was also isolated from an extract of the trout stomach. The data indicate that a peptide analogous to mammalian neuropeptide Y is present in the brain of teleost fish and a peptide analogous to mammalian peptide tyrosine-tyrosine is present in brain, gastrointestinal tissue and pancreas. We speculate, therefore, that the putative gene duplication that led to pancreatic polypeptide in the higher vertebrates took place after the time of divergence of fish and tetrapods.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Heterogeneity of pig kidney Na,K-ATPase as indicated by ADP- and ouabain-binding stoichiometry.
A centrifugation method has been used for determination of [14C]ADP and [3H]ouabain binding to Na,K-ATPase from pig kidney with high specific activity. In the presence of K+, the fit of the [14C]ADP binding data to a two-site model gives a component with high affinity which accounts for 12 +/- 2% of the total sites. The figure is significantly different from 50%, i.e., two components of equal size cannot be assumed. This contrasts with a ratio between the sites of 1:1 obtained by the rate dialysis technique. The discrepancy may be due to the fact that the centrifugation method enables bound ADP to be determined at lower concentrations of free ligand. [3H]Ouabain binding in the absence of Na+ is compatible with a straight line in a Scatchard plot if the isotope is purified shortly before use. An unspecific binding of ouabain can be neglected if the concentration of free ouabain is not too high. In the presence of Na+, the isotherms become upward concave. An analysis of the binding data gives a 19:81% division, although equilibrium is not quite attained. This is a maximum value because the lack in equilibrium will be most pronounced at the small values of free ouabain. Thus the ADP-binding studies are supported. The finding here is in some agreement with the semiquantitative immunoassay showing that pig kidney enzyme contains the isoenzymes alpha 1, alpha 2 and alpha 3 in a proportion of 84:12:4, respectively. Determination of ADP- and ouabain-binding site stoichiometry favours a theory with one substrate site per (alpha beta)2.
Adenosine Diphosphate↗
Consumers see mortality data as useful tool.
Consumers have become more sophisticated in making healthcare buying decisions, and a growing percentage now realize they've gained a new tool for judging the quality of hospitals--the mortality data that are disseminated by HCFA. While physicians and administrators don't see that information as valuable, more consumers say they plan to use it.
Consumer Behavior↗