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Biomedical subjects

J Lim

Publications and source records attributed to J Lim.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 in human umbilical cord serum at delivery: relation to fetal weight.

Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) have been determined by radioimmunoassay in the maternal circulation (n = 91) and in the umbilical artery (n = 56) and vein (n = 90) of man. In both the umbilical artery and vein, the concentration of serum IGF-I showed an inverse correlation with birthweight (P less than 0.005 and P less than 0.001 respectively); the mean serum IGF-I levels in the small-for-gestational-age (SGA) group were significantly higher than those in average-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.001 respectively). However, maternal serum IGF-I showed no association with birthweight and there was no significant difference between the SGA and AGA groups. These observations imply that the production of IGF-I in the maternal and fetal compartments is independent and that there is unlikely to be transfer of IGF-I across the placenta. Serum IGFBP-1 levels in both maternal and umbilical cord blood (artery and vein) showed an inverse relation to birthweight (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.005 and P less than 0.001 respectively). Increased IGFBP-1 levels in the umbilical artery and vein were observed in the SGA group. These findings suggest that IGFBP-1 might inhibit the action of IGF-I in both the maternal and the fetal compartments and that the rise in IGFBP-1 could be a primary factor in retardation of fetal growth. Alternatively, circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-1 levels may only be a secondary reflection of local tissue events involved in fetal growth.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1991

Cetirizine vs placebo in chronic idiopathic urticaria--a double blind randomised cross-over study.

The efficacy of cetirizine dihydrochloride, a new H1-antagonist claimed to have minimal sedative property was evaluated in 28 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Cetirizine 10 mg and placebo were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial. Response was measured by patients with daily charts on itch and wheals. Response was also assessed by patients and investigators while on cetirizine and placebo on an analogue scale. The mean analogue score by the investigator while on cetirizine (64.6 mm) was better than while on placebo (47.0 mm) (p = 0.008). Reduction of itch with cetirizine was significantly greater than with placebo. The mean itch scores for placebo and cetirizine were 21.2 and 14.5 respectively (p = 0.01) showing a significant improvement of itch by cetirizine. The mean score for wheal response for placebo and cetirizine were 21.0 and 16.16 respectively (p = 0.07 NS) showing a reduction of wheal from cetirizine was greater than placebo but the difference was not statistically significant. The patients' mean visual analogue score for placebo was 38.4 and for cetirizine was 57.5 (p = 0.006). Cetirizine was significantly better in controlling symptoms of chronic urticaria than placebo. Five of the 28 (17.9%) patients reported mild drowsiness while taking cetirizine. Two patients reported drowsiness while on placebo. Tolerance was reported as good in 85%, moderate in 10% and bad in 5% according to patients' assessment, while tolerance was excellent and good in 80%, moderate in 15% of patients according to investigator's assessment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Fracture of humerus during armwrestling: report of 5 cases.

Five cases of fracture of the humerus, including two types were treated over a period of twelve months. Three of these were simple spiral fractures of the lower third of the shaft. The other two were fractures of the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Two of the spiral fractures were complicated by radial nerve paresis and delayed union, and were operatively treated. The remaining three fractures were treated conservatively. These fractures are the result of a number of factors giving rise to violent torsional forces or avulsion forces. All five patients recovered well with respective treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

High dose cytosine arabinoside in the initial treatment of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

In a study conducted at St Bartholomew's Hospital between 1972 and 1982, using moderately intensive therapy (OPAL/HEAV'D), a low blast count at presentation (less than 10 x 10(9) 1(-1)) and common ALL (C-ALL) phenotype correlated favourably with duration of remission. Fifty-four patients (age range 15-57, median 32) subsequently received a modification of the previous treatment programme which included high-dose ara-C 2 g m-2 b.d. for 6 days as cycle 3 (OPAL + HD ARA-C). CR was achieved in 36/54 (67%) patients, response correlating favourably with younger age (15-30 years vs 31-57 years, P = 0.02). Three patients died in CR. Overall, there was no difference in survival or remission duration between patients who received high dose ara-C and those in the control group. However, in contrast to the early results, there was a reversal in the relevance of the prognostic factors with a trend in favour of high blast count (greater than 10 x 10(9) 1(-1)) and T-cell phenotype in terms of remission duration. Moreover, comparison of duration of remission for the previously defined prognostic groups according to therapy suggests that the prognosis of patients with 'high risk' disease (T, B, null ALL or high blast count) is improved with more intensive therapy. In contrast, those with 'low risk' disease (C-ALL and low blast count) have a better prognosis with less intensive therapy. These observations confirm those of others and allow for individualization of therapy on the basis of pre-treatment variables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Frequency of three Hex A mutant alleles among Jewish and non-Jewish carriers identified in a Tay-Sachs screening program.

Mutations in the HEX A gene, encoding the alpha-subunit of beta-hexosaminidase A (Hex A), are the cause of Tay-Sachs disease as well as of juvenile, chronic, and adult GM2 gangliosidoses. We have examined the distribution of three mutations--a 4-nucleotide insertion in exon 11, a G----C transversion at a 5' splice site in intron 12, and a 269Gly----Ser amino acid substitution in exon 7--among individuals enzymatically diagnosed as carriers of Hex A deficiency. Mutation analysis included polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the relevant regions of genomic DNA, followed by allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization; another test for heterozygosity of the exon 11 insertion was based on the formation of heteroduplex PCR fragments of low electrophoretic mobility. The percentage distribution of the exon 11, intron 12, exon 7, and unidentified mutant alleles was 73:15:4:8 among 156 Jewish carriers of Hex A deficiency and 16:0:3:81 among 51 non-Jewish carriers. Regardless of the mutation, the ancestral origin of the Jewish carriers was primarily eastern and (somewhat less often) central Europe, whereas for the non-Jewish carriers it was western Europe. Because a twelfth of the Jewish carriers and four-fifths of the non-Jewish carriers of Hex A deficiency had mutant alleles other than the three common ones tested, enzyme-based tests cannot be replaced by DNA-based tests at the present time. However, DNA-based tests for two-carrier couples could identify those at risk for the chronic/adult GM2 gangliosidoses rather than for infantile Tay-Sachs disease.

Alleles↗
PubMed1989

Expression and characterization of recombinant TGF-beta 2 proteins produced in mammalian cells.

Recombinant DNA plasmids coding for transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) precursor and a hybrid TGF-beta 1(NH2)/beta 2(COOH) molecule consisting of the amino-terminal precursor portion of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) linked in phase to the carboxyl terminus of mature TGF-beta 2 were constructed and transfected into COS cells. Both plasmids directed the synthesis of active TGF-beta 2 which was secreted into the supernatants of transfected cells. The TGF-beta 2 was secreted in a latent form, as an acidification step was required to demonstrate optimal biological activity. Using site-specific anti-peptide antibodies, we show that precursor and mature forms of TGF-beta 2 are produced. A stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line expressing the hybrid TGF-beta 1(NH2)/beta 2(COOH) protein was isolated. This cell line secreted both precursor and mature forms of TGF-beta 1(NH2)/beta 2(COOH); acidification was required to demonstrate biological activity. Protein sequence analysis of recombinant TGF-beta 2 produced by this CHO clone demonstrated that correct proteolytic cleavage had occurred, suggesting that the processing signals contained within the TGF-beta 1 amino portion can function in producing mature TGF-beta 2. Receptor binding studies showed that TGF-beta 2 specifically bound predominantly to type III receptors on the surface of human palatal mesenchymal cells. The availability of active TGF-beta 2 should aid in determining its potential therapeutic use as a growth modulator.

Animals↗