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Biomedical subjects

J Lang

Publications and source records attributed to J Lang.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Transcriptional control signals in the genome of bovine papillomavirus type 1.

Papillomaviruses cause benign tumours in their natural hosts, which, in some cases, become foci for the appearance and spread of malignant carcinomas. It is therefore of considerable interest to analyse the strategy of gene expression of this group of viruses. Towards this end, we have used a generally applicable technique, in which we monitor the ability of DNA fragments to induce the expression of an inactive thymidine kinase (tk) gene, from which the promoter region has been deleted. Using this approach we now report for the first time the location of four transcriptional control sequences in the early region of the genome of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1). Two of the sequences with the characteristics of 'promoter' elements are located proximal to the putative 5' leaders of the early genes. The third sequence is located within the region coding for the main body of the early transcripts, and the fourth within the region spanning the 3' end of the early open reading frames and the 5' end of the late ones. The fourth sequence displays the characteristics of an 'enhancer' element; however, unlike previously described 'enhancers', it is located three to five kilobases (kb) away from the first two promoters and to the 3' side of the third element.

Animals↗

Inhibition of adenosine triphosphatase and carbonic anhydrase by contrast media.

In vitro inhibition of adenosine triphosphatase and carbonic anhydrase by several radiographic contrast media and other compounds was measured. The concentrations required for 50% inhibition were, in general, similar to those obtained for other enzymes. The effect of methylglucamine could not be determined for either enzyme because of interference with the assays.

Acetazolamide↗

Failure to induce hypersensitivity reactions to opaque contrast media analogs in guinea pigs.

In a further exploration of idiosyncratic reactions to injections of contrast media, a systematic study of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity in guinea pigs injected with contrast media analogs was performed. No evidence of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity could be ascertained to either contrast media analogs alone, or analogs bound to protein carriers. This does not represent conclusive evidence against the notion of antibody formation as a factor in the production of some adverse reactions, but makes such a pathogenesis less likely.

Acetrizoic Acid↗

Effect of gradual rise in plasma calcium concentration on the impairment of atrioventricular nodal conduction due to verapamil.

The possible reversal by calcium of the inhibitory action of verapamil on the atrioventricular (AV) node was investigated in anesthetized, atropinized dogs, with cardiac pacing. The His bundle potentials were recorded by endocavitory electrode and the AV node effective refractory period measured by the extrastimulus method. Calcium infusion was effective against the impairment of AV nodal conduction induced by verapamil, provided it remained moderate: the gradual rise in the plasma calcium concentration counteracted the effects of an infusion of verapamil on conduction time and effective refractory period in the AV node, as long as it did not exceed 5 mmol/L. However, beyond this level, calcium appeared less and less capable of reversing the effects of verapamil. Thus, the protective action of calcium had a bell-shaped dose-response curve, with the optimum at 5 mmol/L. This biphasic influence is consistent with the opposite opinions previously given concerning the antagonism between calcium and calcium blockers, depending on whether hypercalcemia brought into play was mild or major. In any case, the prominent role played by calcium in the slow inward current in the AV node accounts for the antagonism, observed in vivo, between calcium and verapamil. The pacemaker activity of the sinoatrial (SA) node was less influenced by both calcium blocker and calcium.

Animals↗

Carcinosarcoma arising from atypical endometriosis in a cesarean section scar.

Malignant change of endometriosis in a cesarean scar (CS) is rare. We report a case of carcinosarcoma arising from atypical endometriosis in a CS scar, which was successfully treated with complete excision of the lesion and repair of the abdominal wall defect with autologous skin-muscle flap graft. A 41-year-old woman presented with a recurrent endometriosis in a CS scar. Within 16 years it changed from benign to atypical endometriosis and finally to carcinosarcoma after three operations. Complete excision of the tumor was performed, with a big defect of abdominal wall successfully repaired by autologous pedicle skin-muscle graft. The diagnosis of carcinosarcoma arising from atypical endometriosis was confirmed histologically. The lesion recurred 6 months after the fourth operation. She died of disease 15 months after the fourth operation. This case demonstrated that long-standing recurrent scar endometriosis could undergo malignant changes and should be made aware. The primary treatment is complete surgical excision.

Abdominal Wall↗

Ultrasonographic detection of adrenal gland tumor and ureterolithiasis in a guinea pig.

A 5-year-old guinea pig was presented to the University of Berne Small Animal Radiology Department for an ultrasound examination of the abdomen to confirm a suspected diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. The patient had bilateral alopecia, was apathic and obese. Ultrasonographically, a tumor of the left adrenal gland, obstruction of the left ureter by an ureterolith, as well as hydronephrosis of the left kidney were detected. During surgery to relieve the ureteral obstruction the adrenal gland tumor was removed. The guinea pig died post-operatively due to blood loss. The left adrenal gland tumor was found histopathologically to be an adenoma and the right adrenal gland also had multiple small adenomas, but grossly appeared normal. The ureterolith was analyzed and found by x-ray diffraction to consist of calcium carbonate.

Adenoma↗

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging of a pyocephalus and a suspected brain abscess in a German Shepherd dog.

Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on an eight-year-old, neutered female German Shepherd dog with a history of acute depression, inappetence, and hyperthermia. A lesion in the cerebrum was suspected. Possible differential diagnoses were meningoencephalitis, neoplasia, and vascular lesion (infarction, bleeding). A ring enhancing lesion was found in the basal ganglia on the left side with edema of the surrounding brain tissue. A similar mass lesion was present in the right pterygoid musculature. With inversion recovery sequences an altered composition of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the left lateral ventricle could be detected. CSF analysis confirmed a pyocephalus, probably due to rupture of a brain abscess into the left lateral ventricle.

Animals↗

Endoscopic ultrasonography for the diagnosis of intrathoracic lesions in two dogs.

Endoscopic ultrasound was developed initially in humans to overcome limitations of conventional ultrasound in examining certain internal organs due to intervening bone or air-filled structures. Endoscopic ultrasound has been used most widely in investigation of the gastrointestinal tract in humans, but many intrathoracic applications as well as endoscopic ultrasound-guided techniques have recently been described. Mediastinal and pulmonary structures can be examined with endoscopic ultrasound since a high frequency ultrasound probe can be brought into close contact with the areas of interest via a transesophageal approach. The purpose of this report is to describe the application of endoscopic ultrasound as an aid in the diagnosis of intrathoracic disease in the dog. Two dogs, one with a history of prior esophageal foreign body extraction, the other with apathy, weakness and dyspnea were referred for further investigation. Both dogs had caudal intrathoracic soft tissue opacities diagnosed radiographically, but their origin and nature were difficult to determine. Conventional ultrasound was limiting in both dogs due to their location and superimposition of gas-filled structures. With endosonography lesions were characterized more completely. We have found endoscopic ultrasound to be an elegant diagnostic tool for the investigation of radiographically detected intrathoracic lesions in the dog whose origins are difficult to determine or do not lend themselves to investigation by conventional ultrasound. Endoscopic ultrasound provides valuable diagnostic information complementary to that provided radiographically which aids in therapeutic planning. Endoscopic ultrasound was also more sensitive for detecting mediastinal lymphadenomegaly than radiography in one of the dogs. An additional advantage of endoscopic ultrasound is the fact that US-guided tissue sampling can be performed during the examination.

Animals↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of articular process joint geometry and intervertebral disk degeneration in the caudal lumbar spine (L5-S1) of dogs with clinical signs of cauda equina compression.

The geometry of the lumbosacral region has been suspected to play a role in the development of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in the dog. In this study, 50 dogs (21 German Shepherd dogs and 29 dogs of other breeds) with clinical signs of cauda equina compression were studied by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The orientation of the articular process joints in the L5-S1 region and the angle difference between two adjacent motion segments were calculated. Intervertebral disc degeneration of the same region was identified and classified in four stages. A positive association between MR-imaging stage and articular process joint angle difference in the transverse plane was found in the two groups of animals. German Shepherd dogs and dogs of other breeds had different geometry of the lumbosacral region with different articular process joint angles in the transverse plane and statistically different stages of disc degeneration.

Animals↗

The relationship of upper extremity strength to throwing speed.

Cybex II Isokinetic Dynamometer (Lumex Corp. Ronkonkoma, NY) tests for the upper extremity strength of eight professional baseball players, together with radar gun measurements of their individual throwing speeds, were subjected to statistical analysis. Results of simple and multiple regression analysis showed a relationship between the strength of the elbow extension and wrist extension movements and throwing speed.

Arm↗

Cardiomyopathy in dystrophin-deficient hypertrophic feline muscular dystrophy.

A colony of cats affected with hypertrophic feline muscular dystrophy was used to study the occurrence of cardiomyopathy associated with dystrophin deficiency. Affected male and female cats, obligate carrier females, and unaffected healthy littermates were followed from 12 weeks of age into adulthood. Thoracic radiography, 2-D echocardiography, and 2-D-derived M-mode echocardiography were performed at 3-month intervals until 12 months of age and regularly thereafter. From 9 months of age, all affected cats had larger hearts than normal and carrier animals. Left ventricular wall thickness in systole and in diastole and interventricular septal thickness in systole were greater in affected cats 12 months and older when compared with normal or heterozygous animals (P < .05). The myocardium of affected cats was diffusely hypoechoic and thickened. Multiple hyperechoic foci were in the myocardium and papillary musculature. Shortening fraction was normal in all cats. Changes seen in carrier females included enlargement and hyperechogenicity of the papillary musculature after the age of 2 years. Gross and light microscopic examination revealed left ventricular wall thickening with multiple foci of mineralization in 2 of 5 hearts from dystrophin-deficient cats. Although approximately 10% of the normal dystrophin amount was present in the skeletal muscle, dystrophin could not be detected in the myocardium. Early onset concentric myocardial hypertrophy was present in all adult cats. Lesions were mainly localized in the myocardium of the left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum, papillary musculature, and the endocardium. Clinical signs of heart failure developed only infrequently in cats with hypertrophic feline muscular dystrophy.

Animals↗

Development of orphan vaccines: an industry perspective.

The development of vaccines against rare emerging infectious diseases is hampered by many disincentives. In the face of growing in-house expenditures associated with research and development projects in a complex legal and regulatory environment, most pharmaceutical companies prioritize their projects and streamline their product portfolio. Nevertheless, for humanitarian reasons, there is a need to develop niche vaccines for rare diseases not preventable or curable by other means. The U.S. Orphan Drug Act of 1983 and a similar proposal from the European Commission (currently under legislative approval) provide financial and practical incentives for the research and development of drugs to treat rare diseases. In addition, updated epidemiologic information from experts in the field of emerging diseases; increased disease awareness among health professionals, patients, and the general public; a list of priority vaccines; emergence of a dedicated organization with strong leadership; and the long-term pharmacoeconomic viability of orphan products will be key factors in overcoming the complexity of orphan status and the limited need for vaccine.

Drug Approval↗

A new stereotest.

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Child↗

Testing inconsistency.

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Depth Perception↗

Safety and immunogenicity of a new inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in concurrent administration with a typhoid fever vaccine or a typhoid fever + yellow fever vaccine.

Two clinical studies were conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of concomitant administration of a new inactivated hepatitis A (HA) vaccine and either a typhoid fever (Vi) vaccine or a combination of Vi and yellow fever (YF) vaccines. In study 1, 62 healthy adults received HA+Vi into the deltoid muscle on contralateral sides. In study 2, 59 healthy adults received HA and a combined Vi/YF vaccine into the contralateral deltoid muscles. Reactogenicity was evaluated for 14 days following vaccination. Blood samples (for antibody titration) were obtained prior to vaccination on days 0 and 28 in study 1 and prior to vaccination on day 0 and on days 14 and 28 in study 2. The overall rate of local reactions was 19% at the HA injection site and 75% at the Vi injection site in study 1; the rate of systemic reactions was 41%. In study 2, local reactions occurred at 27% and 78% of the HA and Vi/YF injection sites; the rate of systemic reactions was 42%. All reactions were transient. Twenty-eight days after vaccination, the seroconversion rate was 100% for HA antibodies and 90% for the Vi vaccine in study 1. Rates of seroconversion in study 2 were 100% for the HA vaccine, 92% for the Vi vaccine, and 100% for the YF vaccine. Although this study was not comparative, both tested combinations were safe and immunogenic, and their routine use for persons at risk, such as travelers, can be recommended.

Adolescent↗

[Cost of tetanus toxoid injection using a jet-injector (Imule) in collective immunization in Senegal: comparison with injection using a syringe and resterilizable needle].

Needle-less jet injectors were developed by the US army after World War II. Their principal use, however, has been in the administration of lyophilized vaccines from multidose vials to at-risk populations in developing countries. In 1983, a hepatitis B epidemic occurred among customers of a beauty clinic in California (USA) following the use of jet-injectors, demonstrating a clear risk of cross-contamination associated with this technique. As a result, the WHO and Unicef stopped recommending jet-injectors for collective immunizations in developing countries. To eliminate the risk of contamination, Pasteur Mérieux Sérums et Vaccins (now Aventis Pasteur) developed, in 1990, jet-injectors for use with single-use vaccine cartridges. These injectors were tested for tetanus toxoid, DTP, influenza, hepatitis A and typhoid Vi vaccination. The immunogenic reaction was as strong and the injection as well tolerated as for injections using a standard needle and syringe. The additional cost of the Imule technique was evaluated in a district-wide (127,000 inhabitants) tetanus toxoid immunization program at Velingara, Senegal in 1993. The total cost was estimated to be 1.51 FF (76 F CSA, 0.32 US dollars) for one dose of tetanus vaccine given by needle and syringe and 2.41 FF (121 F CSA, 0.56 US dollars) for one dose given by Imule. Thus, the additional cost of injection by ImuleTM was 0.90 FF (45 F CSA, 0.21 US dollars). The cost of cross infection in sub-Saharan Africa has been estimated to be 2.37 FF (118 F CSA, 0.55 US dollars) per injection if injection practices are not supervised. Therefore, the Imule technique may be considered to be cost-effective. However, the technique is still not completely reliable, as shown by the total breakdown of four jet injectors during this vaccination session. Lyophilized vaccines have also not been tested in the field. Vaccinators prefer Imule, training is easy and immunization can be carried out on a day-to-day basis with no vaccine wastage. Imule is not yet in mass production, which would reduce costs. In the face of the ever-increasing risk of cross-contamination during vaccination sessions in sub-Saharan Africa, the Imule technique deserves considerable attention.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗