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Biomedical subjects

J S Rogers

Publications and source records attributed to J S Rogers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pro-inflammatory cytokines and environmental stress cause p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by dual phosphorylation on tyrosine and threonine.

Protein kinases activated by dual phosphorylation on Tyr and Thr (MAP kinases) can be grouped into two major classes: ERK and JNK. The ERK group regulates multiple targets in response to growth factors via a Ras-dependent mechanism. In contrast, JNK activates the transcription factor c-Jun in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines and exposure of cells to several forms of environmental stress. Recently, a novel mammalian protein kinase (p38) that shares sequence similarity with mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases was identified. Here, we demonstrate that p38, like JNK, is activated by treatment of cells with pro-inflammatory cytokines and environmental stress. The mechanism of p38 activation is mediated by dual phosphorylation on Thr-180 and Tyr-182. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that p38 MAP kinase is present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of activated cells. Together, these data establish that p38 is a member of the mammalian MAP kinase group.

Animals

Allozyme evidence for crane systematics and polymorphisms within populations of Sandhill, Sarus, Siberian, and whooping cranes.

Electrophoretic analysis of proteins yielded evidence on the relationships of species of cranes and on genetic diversity within populations of some species. Diversity within the Greater Sandhill crane and a Florida population of the Florida Sandhill crane was similar to that of most other vertebrates, but diversity was low in the Mississippi Sandhill crane, in the Okefenokee population of the Florida Sandhill crane, and within the Siberian and Sarus cranes. Diversity was surprisingly high among whooping cranes, whose number dropped to less than 25 early in this century. Phylogenetic analysis, using both character state and distance algorithms, yielded highly concordant trees for the 15 species. The African crowned cranes (Balearica) were widely divergent from all other cranes. Species of Anthropoides, Bugeranus, and Grus clustered closely but sorted into two lineages: a Whooper Group consisted of the whooping, common, hooded, black-necked, white-naped, and red-crowned cranes of genus Grus; and a Sandhill Group included the Sandhill, Siberian, Sarus, and Brolga cranes of genus Grus, the wattled crane of genus Bugeranus, and the Demoiselle and blue cranes of genus Anthropoides.

Alleles

Hemophilia--an ancient disease with new problems and new solutions.

A bleeding disorder occurring in brothers was described by Talmudic rabbis in 500 A.D. Hemophilia A is now known to be due to a sex-linked deficiency of plasma factor VIII activity. The isolation of factor VIII from plasma in lyophilized concentrate has provided effective treatment and resulted in significant health and economic benefits for individuals with hemophilia. Treatment associated viral hepatitis and HIV infection have spurred the development of serologic screening of blood donors and viral inactivation techniques which have resulted in improved safety of plasma derived concentrate. Knowledge of the gene for factor VIII has led to development of recombinant factor VIII concentrate, and provides promise for gene replacement therapy in the future. The presence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in plasma products exposed many individuals with hemophilia to the risk of developing the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Their medical care now includes testing for HIV exposure, AIDS risk reduction counseling, monitoring of immune parameters with prophylactic anti-HIV therapy for immunocompromised individuals, and treatment of opportunistic infections in those developing AIDS.

Blood Transfusion

IL-2/LAK cell treatment for advanced cancers with emphasis on a novel administration.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a substance produced by activated blood cells called helper T-lymphocytes and has been shown to stimulate the body's immune system. IL-2 may cause certain tumors to regress when administered intravenously to laboratory animals and humans. Lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells are white blood cells that have been stimulated with IL-2 in vitro. LAK cells are capable of killing tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo, especially when given along with IL-2. Although this form of treatment has been found to be effective in patients with certain cancers who no longer benefit from standard forms of therapy, the anti-cancer effects of IL-2/LAK cell treatment are limited by the serious, life-threatening side effects of high-dose intravenous administration, and by the high cost. A treatment program with low-dose, intralymphatically-administered LAK/IL-2 in patients with advanced cancer is a promising alternative which circumvents these major problems and concerns, while maintaining high response rates.

Blood Component Transfusion

Intracranial granulocytic sarcoma in postpolycythemia myeloid metaplasia.

A 57-year-old man with a ten-year history of polycythemia vera had myeloid metaplasia, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and terminally, possible leukemic transformation with intracranial granulocytic sarcoma. Radiation therapy produced a partial and temporary beneficial response. Intracranial granulocytic sarcoma is typically associated with acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia and has not been previously associated with postpolycythemia myeloid metaplasia.

Brain Neoplasms

Heinz-body hemolytic anemia associated with phenazopyridine and sulfonamide.

A 27-year-old white woman developed Heinz-body hemolytic anemia following multiple courses of oral phenazopyridine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Her diagnosis was supported by the finding of bite cells on peripheral blood smear. The patient's rapid recovery and reversal of abnormal laboratory parameters were consistent with an acquired hemolytic disorder. This case should sensitize the clinician to the development of drug-induced oxidative hemolysis, its clinical features, and its reversibility. It is also important that the clinician recognize those drugs capable of causing this disorder and appreciate the methods available to establish the diagnosis.

Administration, Oral

Effects of dietary fish oil on serum lipids and blood coagulation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

The effects of a daily fish oil supplement rich in eicosapentaenoic acid were studied in 11 stable continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Serum lipids, platelet aggregation studies, and template bleeding times were determined before and after 4 weeks of fish oil treatment. The lipid studies were repeated approximately 20 weeks after stopping fish oil supplement. At the end of the treatment period, serum triglycerides (mean +/- SEM) decreased from 297 +/- 42 to 211 +/- 29 mg/dL (P less than .01), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol fell from 45 +/- 3 to 41 +/- 3 mg/dL (P less than .05), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol increased from 172 +/- 16 to 208 +/- 19 mg/dL (P less than .05). After discontinuing the fish oil supplement, the triglycerides increased to 278 +/- 39 mg/dL, which was no different than the value before fish oil treatment. No significant changes occurred in template bleeding time (TBT), platelet count, hematocrit, or platelet aggregation response. Clinically important uremic bleeding was not apparent. We conclude that in CAPD patients a fish oil supplement favorably effects hypertriglyceridemia and can be ingested without promoting uremic bleeding. The likely beneficial impact on atherogenesis resulting from the lowering of the triglycerides may, however, be counteracted by concomitant changes in HDL- and LDL-cholesterol.

Adolescent

Chemotherapy for breast cancer decreases plasma protein C and protein S.

An increased incidence of thromboembolic events has been described in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. The etiology of this enhanced thrombotic state has not been defined. We performed serial coagulation studies in 15 women during 1 monthly cycle of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for breast cancer; seven adjuvant and eight metastatic. Plasma protein C levels were measured by anticoagulant, amidolytic, and antigenic techniques. Antigen levels of both total and free plasma protein S were quantitated by immunoelectrophoresis. Plasma levels of protein C, an important vitamin K-dependent inhibitor of blood coagulation and a profibrinolytic agent, and protein S, a cofactor for protein C, decreased 1 and 2 weeks after initiation of chemotherapy compared with pretreatment values. Plasma levels of factor VII and fibrinogen also decreased. The changes in protein C and protein S may contribute to the enhanced thrombotic tendency described in this setting. Possible mechanisms for the decreases in plasma protein C, protein S, factor VII, and fibrinogen are discussed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

Promoting safety belt use among state employees: the effects of prompting and a stimulus-control intervention.

This study assessed the effects of dashboard stickers and signature sheets on safety belt use among occupants of state-owned vehicles in three Florida agencies. The stickers and signature sheets contained information regarding a regulation requiring safety belt use and a consequence of a 25% reduction in benefits for noncompliance if the driver were to become involved in an accident. Safety belt use significantly increased during the intervention phase in all three agencies and maintained variable but high levels for 5 months. In Agency 1 and Agency 2 (stickers plus signature sheets) safety belt use increased from averages of 10.8% and 9.4% during baseline to 57.4% and 47.0%, respectively, during intervention. In Agency 3 (stickers only) the rates of safety belt use averaged 9.7% during baseline and 38.0% during intervention. Some increases in private vehicle use were observed. A substantial reduction in workers' compensation claim costs was shown for the target agencies with some reductions also shown in the nontarget agencies.

Accidents, Occupational

The role of 13 cis-retinoic acid in the remission induction of a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

The addition of retinoic acid to human promyelocytic leukemia cells in culture results in their differentiation to mature myeloid forms with acquisition of the differentiated phenotype, i.e., the ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium. A heavily pretreated patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia and residual malignant cells in his marrow after multiple courses of chemotherapy was given 13-cis-retinoic acid upon demonstration of both morphologic and functional differentiation of his leukemic cells by transretinoic acid in vitro. The patient achieved a complete remission and was maintained on 13-cis-retinoic acid for 1 year, when the patient relapsed with a population of cells that were resistant to retinoic acid-induced differentiation.

Adult

Cranial invasion by basal cell carcinoma.

The direct spread of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) into the bones of the cranium takes a long period. In its early stages, it may not be detectable by radiography or computerized tomography, but can be visible as pitting during surgery. Invasion through the thickness of the calvarium due to extension of a BCC of the scalp, or involvement of the cribriform plate by spread from an intranasal lesion, is serious. Examples of cranial invasion by BCC are presented. The methods used in diagnosis and treatment are outlined.

Aged

Inclusion body myositis and chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

We report a case of inclusion body myositis and chronic immune thrombocytopenia with serum platelet antibodies and circulating immune complexes. Although immune mechanisms probably play an important role in the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis, a viral etiology cannot be excluded.

Antibodies

The value of sequential peritoneal profile in blunt abdominal trauma.

The performance of a laparotomy in hemodynamically stable patients with hemoperitoneum is based on the need to assess and control hemorrhage and to repair injuries assumed to be significant. This premise could be ignored in selected circumstances if injuries requiring intervention can be recognized early and with reasonable certainty. It is believed that a combination of traditional clinical parameters in conjunction with a modified and sequential lavage technique and a standard analysis of the effluent to include endotoxin, amylase, and corrected white blood cell determinations could increase the diagnostic accuracy in blunt abdominal trauma to permit safe observation of selected patients. Using this approach, 32 trauma victims with gross intraperitoneal blood were treated nonoperatively with no complications. In addition, four patients had gastrointestinal-pancreatic injuries detected in less than 12 hours despite negative clinical signs and red cell lavage counts.

Abdominal Injuries