Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Klein

Publications and source records attributed to J Klein.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

Shared class II MHC polymorphisms between humans and chimpanzees.

To gain an insight into the evolution of the major histocompatibility complex alleles, three DRB and one DRA genes were isolated from chimpanzee cDNA libraries. The nucleotide sequences of the chimpanzee DRB (ChLA-DRB) genes were then compared with those of the available HLA-DRB alleles by constructing unrooted phylogenetic trees. All three ChLA-DRB genes were found to be more closely related to certain HLA-DRB alleles than unrelated HLA-DRB alleles are to each other. Since available evidence does not support the convergent evolution of MHC alleles, this result is consistent with the idea that closely related ChLA-DRB and HLA-DRB alleles are derived from common ancestral alleles, the existence of which predates the divergence of human and chimpanzee lineages. The predicted amino acid sequences of mature ChLA-DRA and HLA-DRA molecules differ by only one amino acid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Does the rest electrocardiogram after myocardial infarction determine the predictive value of exercise-induced ST depression? A 2 year follow-up study in a veteran population.

The failure of exercise-induced ST segment depression to consistently predict prognosis in patients after myocardial infarction could be a result of population differences and the rest electrocardiogram (ECG). These hypotheses were tested by studying 198 veterans who survived a myocardial infarction, underwent a submaximal predischarge treadmill exercise test and were followed up for cardiac events for 2 years. During the 2 years, 29 deaths, 19 reinfarctions and 28 revascularization procedures were documented. The prevalence of death or reinfarction was two times higher in patients who had exercise-induced ST depression than in patients who did not. However, in the 55 patients without Q waves, the risk increased to 11 times for an abnormal ST response. These findings suggest that exercise-induced ST depression only predicts high risk in patients after myocardial infarction whose ECG at rest does not exhibit Q waves and that differences in the prevalence of rest ECG patterns are the most likely explanation for the failure of agreement among prior studies.

Electrocardiography↗

Linkage map of mouse chromosome 17: localization of 27 new DNA markers.

Chromosome 17 of the laboratory variant of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.), MMU17, has been studied extensively, largely because of its involvement in the control of immune response and embryonic as well as male germ cell differentiation. A detailed linkage map of this chromosome is therefore a highly desired goal. As the first step toward achieving this goal, we have isolated, using a LINE 1 repetitive sequence as a probe, 52 anonymous DNA clones from MMU17. Twenty-seven repetitive sequence-free probes isolated from these clones displayed restriction fragment length variation among common inbred strains and could be mapped with the help of recombinant inbred strains, congenic strains, F2 segregants, or intra-t recombinants. Together with markers identified previously, the new markers can be used to construct a map of MMU17 that contains 125 DNA loci. The markers are distributed over a length of approximately 71 cM, which probably represents the entire length of MMU17. Most of the markers reside in the proximal portion of the chromosome, which contains the t and H-2 complexes; this chromosomal region is now fairly well mapped. The distal region of MMU17, on the other hand, is populated by only a few, rather imprecisely mapped markers. Molecular maps are available for most of the H-2 complex and for parts of the t complex.

Animals↗

Relationship between the pharmacokinetics and the analgesic and respiratory pharmacodynamics of epidural sufentanil.

To establish the relationships between epidural sufentanil analgesia and respiratory effects and to determine the pharmacokinetics of the drug, 22 adult patients undergoing thoracotomy were put into a randomized, double-blind study and received either 30, 50, or 75 micrograms per dose in 20 ml normal saline solution. Repeated doses were given on request for the 24-hour study period. There was a weak but significant nonlinear correlation between length of effective analgesia and the cumulative dose of the drug (r = 0.26, p less than 0.001). In 12 of 22 patients, the maximal length of effective analgesia was reached before the last dose and the effect tended to taper off thereafter. The mean maximal length of effective analgesia was 4.69 +/- 0.32 hours (mean +/- SEM), whereas the length of effective analgesia with the last dose was only 3.34 +/- 0.46 hours (p less than 0.0005). There was a significant correlation between the peak serum concentrations of sufentanil during the dose interval and the length of effective analgesia (r = 0.44, p less than 0.0001). Area under the concentration-time curve was proportional to the size of the epidural dose, and with all three doses tested there was a gradual accumulation of sufentanil in the serum. Mean time-to-peak concentration (tmax) increased with repeated doses (p less than 0.05). Mean serum concentration of sufentanil during periods of slow respiratory rate (0.47 +/- 0.05 ng/ml) was significantly higher than during episodes without adverse respiratory effects (0.37 +/- 0.05 ng/ml, p less than 0.05). The above data suggest that an important part of the analgesic and adverse effects of sufentanil are mediated centrally, after this opioid is absorbed systemically.

Analgesics↗

Cellular and eicosanoid composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in endotoxin protection against pulmonary oxygen toxicity.

Endotoxin protects against pulmonary oxygen toxicity in rats, and both prostaglandins and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are implicated as playing an important role in this protective action. In this study, a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) technique was used to analyze cellular and eicosanoid composition of the lavage fluid of endotoxin-protected oxygen-exposed rats. The BAL fluid of the endotoxin-protected oxygen-exposed rats contained the highest number of PMN, while the BAL fluid of the nonprotected oxygen-exposed rats contained the highest number of macrophages. Thus, morbidity due to pulmonary oxygen toxicity was correlated with the number of macrophages but not with the number of PMN present in the BAL fluid. Leukotriene B4, thromboxane B2, and prostaglandin E2 levels were significantly higher in the lavage fluid of nonprotected oxygen-exposed rats compared to the levels in the lavage fluid of air-exposed rats. Eicosanoid levels in the BAL fluid of endotoxin-protected oxygen-exposed rats did not differ significantly from the levels found in air-exposed control rats. These findings suggest that endotoxin protects against hyperoxia-induced changes in eicosanoid metabolism.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Multiple activation pathways of benzene leading to products with varying genotoxic characteristics.

Benzene and 13 potential metabolites were investigated for genotoxicity in Salmonella typhimurium and V79 Chinese hamster cells. In the presence of NADPH-fortified hepatic postmitochondrial fraction (S9 mix), benzene reverted his- S. typhimurium strains. The effect was strongest in strain TA1535. Among the potential metabolites, only the trans-1,2-dihydrodiol, in the presence of S9 mix, and the diol epoxides, in the presence and absence of S9 mix, proved mutagenic in this strain. The anti-diol epoxide was more potent than the syn-diastereomer. Both enantiomers of the anti-diastereomer showed similar activities. S9 mix did not appreciably affect the mutagenicity of the anti-diol epoxide. However, detoxification was observed when purified rat liver dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.20) was used at concentrations comparable to that present in the liver. The (1S)-anti-diol epoxide was a much better substrate than the (1R)-enantiomer, as was true also for (1S)-versus (1R)-trans-1,2-dihydrodiol. The anti-diol epoxide reverted all six strains of S. typhimurium used and induced all four genotoxic effects studied in V79 cells (sister chromatid exchange greater than acquisition of 6-thioguanine resistance, acquisition of ouabain resistance, micronuclei). However, other potential benzene metabolites showed genotoxic effects in V79 cells, as well: sister chromatid exchange was induced by the syn-diol epoxide, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, hydroquinone, catechol, and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene. Elevated frequencies of micronucleated cells were observed after treatment with hydroquinone, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, catechol, phenol, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, and quinone. Mutations to 6-thioguanine resistance were induced by quinone, hydroquinone, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, catechol, and the trans-1,2-dihydrodiol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

The effects of mannitol diuresis on digoxin and phenobarbital handling by the kidney: implications for tubular reabsorption and secretion of the cardiac glycoside.

The effect of mannitol diuresis on the renal clearance of digoxin and phenobarbital was studied in dogs. Mannitol diuresis significantly increased the clearance of digoxin and the ratio digoxin: inulin clearances (from 0.7 +/- 0.2 to 1.1 +/- 0.25). The increase in phenobarbital: inulin clearance ratio was significantly higher than the increase in the digoxin: inulin clearance ratio (4.9 fold vs 1.66 fold) (p less than 0.005). Mannitol diuresis did not significantly affect inulin clearance, nor digoxin protein binding during the experimental period while there was a significant increase in PAH clearance. Significant correlations were found between urine flow rate and digoxin renal clearance or digoxin: inulin clearance ratio. The increase in the ratio drug: inulin clearance with diuresis correlated inversely with the initial ratio; animals with more predominant net reabsorption had a higher increase in ratio. These studies suggest that the mannitol-induced increase in digoxin clearance stems from a combination of increased renal blood flow enhancing digoxin secretion, and increased urine flow rate inhibiting its reabsorption. We conclude that urine flow rate and renal blood flow are important determinants of the renal clearance of digoxin, independent of GFR. Any study assessing the effect of pathophysiological states or drug interactions on digoxin renal clearance must control for these factors.

Animals↗

[Health consciousness and oral hygiene of the aged in homes and hostels].

Two hundred inhabitants of rest- and nursing homes--on an average age of 81 years--have been interrogated into their laymen's knowledges of dentistry, their habitual dental hygienics, and their opinion about dental treatment. The majority of these senior probands did not realize any connection between an insufficient dental hygiene and the origin of both caries and periodontal disease. They considered the oral hygiene being a matter of bodycare, not of medical prevention. The actual status of the teeth and the evaluation of the present dentures distinctly indicate that dental care to the old people needs to be greatly improved.

Aged↗

The MHC trans-species hypothesis: in the discussion period.

Rather than attempting to summarize what I might have said in my presentation at the symposium honoring Professor Avrion Mitchison and thus merely expounding on data that have in the meantime been published elsewhere, here I will answer some of the criticisms that have been meted out at the trans-species hypothesis in the discussion period. I fancy that Av will savour this spiced-up birthday present more than he would its conventional version.

Animals↗

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the measurement of deferoxamine in body fluids.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method for the analysis of deferoxamine (DFO) in 100 microliters of serum or plasma is described. The procedure involves the addition of the internal standard ciprofloxacin to the sample, followed by ultrafiltration to remove protein. The ultrafiltrate is then directly injected into the chromatography system. Separation is achieved using a reverse-phase mu Bondapak C18 column and a ternary solvent system (sodium phosphate:acetonitrile:methanol) running at 2.0 ml/min. Assay time is 10 min, and chromatograms show no interference from coadministered drugs during this period of time. Coefficients of variation were found to be less than 5%, and analytical recovery of DFO was 85%. Validation experiments in an experimental dog model and in patients with iron overload demonstrate that the method is appropriate for studying the pharmacokinetics of DFO in thalassemic patients receiving drug for the treatment of chronic iron overload.

Adolescent↗