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Biomedical subjects

J M Wright

Publications and source records attributed to J M Wright.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Molecular organization of 5S rDNA in fishes of the genus Brycon.

There are few reports on the genomic organization of 5S rDNA in fish species. To characterize the 5S rDNA nucleotide sequence and chromosomal localization in the Neotropical fishes of the genus Brycon, 5S rDNA copies from seven species were generated by PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the coding region (5S rRNA gene) and the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) were determined, revealing that the 5S rRNA genes were highly conserved, while the NTSs were widely variable among the species analyzed. Moreover, two classes of NTS were detected in each species, characterized by base substitutions and insertions-deletions. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), two 5S rDNA chromosome loci that could be related to the two 5S rDNA NTS classes were observed in at least one of the species studied. 5S rDNA sequencing and chromosomal localization permitted the characterization of Brycon spp. and suggest a higher similarity among some of them. The data obtained indicate that the 5S rDNA can be an useful genetic marker for species identification and evolutionary studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Choosing a first-line drug in the management of elevated blood pressure: what is the evidence? 3: Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors.

Elevated blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular illness and death. Efforts to reduce that risk have led to recommendations for a wide array of nondrug and drug therapies. Choosing the optimal first-line drug for hypertensive patients should address a hierarchy of treatment goals: decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, decrease in blood pressure and other surrogate markers, good tolerance, dosing convenience and low cost. This article examines the evidence for angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors as a class of first-line antihypertensive drugs in light of these treatment goals. Overall, the evidence does not support the use of ACE inhibitors as first-line drugs in the management of most patients with hypertension, although they have proven benefit as second-line drugs for the treatment of congestive heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction secondary to myocardial infarction.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed2000

Choosing a first-line drug in the management of elevated blood pressure: what is the evidence? 2: Beta-blockers.

Elevated blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular illness and death. Efforts to reduce that risk have led to recommendations for a wide array of nondrug and drug therapies. Choosing the optimal first-line drug for hypertensive patients should address a hierarchy of treatment goals: decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, decrease in blood pressure, good tolerance, dosing convenience and low cost. This article examines the evidence for beta-blockers as a class of first-line antihypertensive drugs in light of these treatment goals. The evidence indicates that beta-blockers are probably not as effective in reducing morbidity and mortality as low-dose thiazide diuretics and that there may be significant differences in effectiveness among various beta-blockers.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2000

Choosing a first-line drug in the management of elevated blood pressure: what is the evidence? 1: Thiazide diuretics.

Elevated blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular illness and death. Efforts to reduce that risk have led to recommendations for a wide array of nondrug and drug therapies. Choosing the optimal first-line drug for hypertensive patients should address a hierarchy of treatment goals: decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, decrease in blood pressure, lack of effect on patients' quality of life, dosing convenience and low cost. This article examines the evidence for thiazide diuretics as a class of first-line antihypertensive drugs in light of these treatment goals. The evidence indicates that low-dose thiazides are preferable to high-dose thiazides and that low-dose thiazides are better than or equivalent to other antihypertensive drugs for each of the goals of therapy.

Benzothiadiazines↗
PubMed2000

Protein-degrading enediynes: library screening of Bergman cycloaromatization products.

[structure: see text] A screening method based on Bergman cycloaromatization products was applied to a compact library of estrogenic-enediyne hybrids. An enediyne candidate identified from the screen was subsequently synthesized, and it induced temperature- and concentration-dependent degradation of human estrogen receptor alpha upon cycloaromatization.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed2000

Nucleotide sequence of cDNA clones coding for a brain-type fatty acid binding protein and its tissue-specific expression in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).

We have determined the nucleotide sequence for two cDNA clones coding for a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) from zebrafish (Danio rerio). Comparison of the sequence with GenBank entries revealed extensive amino acid identity between this zebrafish FABP and brain FABPs (B-FABP) from other species. The zebrafish B-FABP cDNA hybridized to single restriction fragments of total zebrafish genomic DNA digested with the restriction endonucleases BglII or EcoRI suggesting that a single copy of the B-FABP gene is present in the zebrafish genome. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the zebrafish B-FABP mRNA is approximately 850 nucleotides in length. In situ hybridization revealed that the B-FABP mRNA was expressed in the periventricular gray zone of the optic tectum of the adult zebrafish brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

cDNA sequence and tissue-specific expression of a basic liver-type fatty acid binding protein in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).

We have determined the nucleotide sequence for a cDNA clone derived from zebrafish (Danio rerio) that codes for a fatty acid binding protein (FABP). Amino acid sequence similarity of the zebrafish FABP was highest to FABPs isolated from the livers of catfish, chicken, salamander and iguana. The open-reading frame of the zebrafish FABP cDNA codes for a protein of 14.0 kDa with a calculated isoelectric point of 8.8. The zebrafish liver-type FABP (L-FABP) cDNA hybridized to single restriction fragments of total zebrafish genomic DNA digested with the restriction endonucleases HaeIII or EcoRI suggesting that a single copy of the L-FABP gene is present in the zebrafish genome. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the zebrafish L-FABP cDNA hybridized to a transcript of 700 nucleotides in total zebrafish RNA. In situ hybridization and emulsion autoradiography revealed that the L-FABP was expressed exclusively in the liver of the adult zebrafish. Based on amino acid sequence similarity, the isoelectric point and its tissue-specific pattern of expression, we conclude that this zebrafish FABP belongs to the basic liver-type FABPs only found, thus far, in non-mammalian vertebrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of GIRK2 in postnatal development of the weaver cerebellum.

We demonstrate that the homozygous weaver granule neurons cultured on a laminin substratum fail to express inwardly rectifying potassium currents, including a functional G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK)2 potassium channel. By contrast, both normal and weaver Purkinje cells express inwardly rectifying potassium currents, and normal granule cells exhibit inwardly rectifying potassium currents inducible with GTP-gamma-S. In protein extracts of the vermal postnatal day (P)5-9 weaver cerebellum, the GIRK2 protein could not be detected by Western analysis, although the GIRK2 protein was detectable in extracts of the normal vermis. Northern analysis indicated that during early postnatal cerebellar development, the GIRK2 mRNA is expressed at extremely low levels being detectable at P18-23 in the normal but not yet in the homozygous weaver cerebellum. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the GIRK2 mRNA was detected in both normal and weaver cerebella, but quantitative PCR confirmed that the weaver cerebellum expressed the GIRK2 gene at significantly lower levels as compared to the normal cerebellum (P = 0.01, paired t-test). Sequencing indicated that the weaver GIRK2 channel gene had the point mutation proposed to be responsible for the weaver phenotype. Rescue of both survival and neurite outgrowth of the cultured vermal weaver granule neurons by verapamil (Liesi and Wright, 1996; Liesi et al., 1999) induced expression of immunocytochemically detectable levels of the GIRK2 protein. Sequencing revealed that the GIRK2 mRNA of the rescued weaver granule neurons remained the mutated variant of the GIRK2 channel gene. Our results indicate that expression of the mutated GIRK2 protein and/or mRNA in the weaver granule neurons may be an indicator of rescue rather than death of the weaver granule neurons. That the weaver granule neurons expressed no functional GIRK2 receptors during a time period of neuronal death and migration failure suggests that the point mutation in the H5 membrane spanning region of the GIRK2 gene may associate with, but not be responsible for the weaver phenotype.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone coding for an intestinal-type fatty acid binding protein and its tissue-specific expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

We have cloned a cDNA from zebrafish (Danio rerio) that contains an open-reading frame of 132 amino acids coding for a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) of approximately 15 kDa. Multiple sequence alignment revealed extensive amino acid identity between this zebrafish FABP and intestinal-like FABPs (I-FABP) from other species. The zebrafish I-FABP cDNA hybridized to single restriction fragments of total zebrafish genomic DNA digested with the restriction endonucleases PstI Bg/II or EcoRI suggesting that a single copy of the I-FABP gene is present in the zebrafish genome. An oligonucleotide probe complementary to the zebrafish I-FABP mRNA hybridized to an mRNA of approximately 800 bases in Northern blot analysis. In situ hybridization revealed that the I-FABP mRNA was expressed exclusively in the intestine of the adult zebrafish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Nucleotide sequence of 5S rDNA and localization of the ribosomal RNA genes to metaphase chromosomes of the Tilapiine cichlid fish, Oreochromis niloticus.

In this study, we report the cloning and nucleotide sequence of PCR-generated 5S rDNA from the Tilapiine cichlid fish, Oreochromis niloticus. Two types of 5S rDNA were detected that differed by insertions and/or deletions and base substitutions within the non-transcribed spacer (NTS). Two 5S rDNA loci were observed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in metaphase spreads of tilapia chromosomes. FISH using an 18S rDNA probe and silver nitrate sequential staining of 5S-FISH slides showed three 18S rDNA loci that are not syntenic to the 5S rDNA loci.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Treatment of periodontal destruction associated with a cemental tear using minimally invasive surgery.

BACKGROUND: A patient presented with moderate probing depth, pain on occlusal contact, and a fistula on a mandibular bicuspid. The probing depth increased 2 mm over a 3-month period despite relief of the occlusal trauma and resolution of the fistula. A radiograph showed an apparent separation of the cementum in the area of the pocket. METHODS: The lesion was treated using a minimally invasive surgical approach to place a bone graft. RESULTS: The probing depth was reduced to 2 mm with less than 1 mm of increased recession. A histologic examination of the damaged calcified tissue confirmed that it was cementum. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing probing depth associated with a cemental tear seems to indicate that this phenomenon contributed to loss of attachment and bone. Removal of the detached cementum in combination with bone grafting using a minimally invasive surgical approach appears to have successfully corrected the periodontal destruction.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed2000

A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of moclobemide in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by prolonged and disabling fatigue and a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms including depressed and/or irritable mood. To date, no medical or psychotropic therapies have provided clear symptomatic benefit. METHOD: Ninety patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, diagnosed with our system that approximates CDC criteria, participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of 450 to 600 mg/day of moclobemide, a novel reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent (24/47) of patients receiving moclobemide improved compared with 33% (14/43) of patients receiving placebo (odds ratio = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.9 to 5.1). Drug response was best characterized symptomatically by an increase in the subjective sense of vigor and energy rather than a reduction in depressed mood. The effect of moclobemide on subjective energy was detectable within the first 2 weeks of treatment and increased across the course of the study. The greatest reduction in clinician-rated disability was in patients with concurrent immunologic dysfunction (mean difference in standardized units of improvement = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.6). CONCLUSION: Moclobemide produces some improvement in key symptoms experienced by patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. This effect is not dependent on the presence of concurrent psychological distress and is likely to be shared with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Surgical management of posterior shoulder instability in a ten-year-old boy: a case report and literature review.

Posterior shoulder instability is an uncommon clinical entity. It is even more rare in the pediatric population. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy who experienced recurrent posttraumatic posterior shoulder instability that eventually required surgical intervention. A review of the literature revealed no previous report of surgical management of nonobstetrical posttraumatic posterior glenohumeral instability in a skeletally immature individual.

Accidental Falls↗