This report compares the ability of individual members of the 14-3-3 protein family to inhibit particular protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms. We also show that two of these 14-3-3 isoforms (alpha and delta) specific to mammalian and avian brain are in vivo post-translationally modified forms of beta and zeta respectively. The presence of this modification enhances the activity of 14-3-3 as an inhibitor of protein kinase C nearly two fold. A method for analysing isoforms of 14-3-3 on acid-urea gels is also described. This permits the complete separation of all major isoforms and their unequivocal identification by a range of isoform specific antisera. The activity of recombinant 14-3-3 and isoforms renatured by a novel method after separation by reverse phase HPLC are compared. The effects of diacylglycerol and the phorbol ester, PMA (phorbol 1 2-myristate 13 acetate) on the inhibition suggest that one of the sites of interaction of 14-3-3 may be the cysteine-rich (C1) domain in PKC.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Signs and symptoms of patients with brain tumors presenting to the emergency department.

This retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the presenting signs and symptoms of patients with primary brain tumors diagnosed in the emergency department. There were 101 patients (65 males and 36 females) identified with a hospital discharge diagnosis of primary brain tumor who were admitted through the emergency department. The presenting symptoms included headache (56 patients), altered mental status (51 patients), ataxia (41 patients), nausea or vomiting (37 patients), weakness (27 patients), speech deficits (21 patients), and sensory abnormalities (18 patients). The presenting signs included motor weakness (37 patients), ataxia (37 patients), papilledema (28 patients), cranial nerve palsies (26 patients), visual deficits (20 patients), and speech deficits (12 patients). The average age was 42.8 years, with a range of 3 days to 88 years. The majority of tumors were malignant astrocytomas. Tumor location was cortical in 68 patients, subcortical in 9 patients, and brainstem or cerebellum in 24 patients. In conclusion, patients of all ages may present to the emergency department with a variety of symptoms resulting from a primary brain tumor. Headache and altered mental status were common in our series of patients, but symptoms will depend on the size, location, and type of tumor. A complete neurologic examination is essential, including evaluation for papilledema.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Health and the economic situation: address to the 74th Health Congress by the Minister of Health.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Health Services↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interviewing.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Australia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Therapeutic massage in older persons: research issues.

Growing recognition of the importance of holistic nursing interventions is resulting in a revival in the use of therapeutic massage. Massage contributes to health and healing through enhancement of relaxation, and is a safe, caring, and inexpensive intervention. Therapeutic massage research using older populations is reviewed for identification of its theoretical framework, design, outcome variables, sample, procedures, instruments, analyses and results. To establish a scientific basis for therapeutic massage in the future, it is critical that nurses include the following key elements in their research studies: clear definitions: procedures for massage that include type(s) of massage performed, part of body massaged, and length of time of massage; and analyses that control for the pre-massage level of the variable of interest. Research variables need to focus on concepts that have major health consequences such as agitation, immune status, and pain.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Homocysteine and coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Homocystinuria is a rare autosomal recessive disease complicated by early and aggressive occlusive arterial disease. This may be related to the grossly increased homocysteine concentrations seen in this disease. More recently, milder hyperhomocysteinemia has been proposed as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. SUMMARY: Many patients with homozygous homocystinuria develop severe premature atherosclerosis and thromboembolism, probably caused by abnormally high concentrations of homocysteine. Homocysteine undergoes metabolism either by remethylation or transsulfuration, and deficiency or dysfunction of any of the substances that regulate these reactions may lead to hyperhomocysteinemia. Homocysteine may have adverse effects on platelets, clotting factors, and endothelial cells. Studies have demonstrated significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels in patients with occlusive arterial disease than in controls. The causes are not clearly understood but may include deficiency of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid and heterozygosity for cystathionine synthase deficiency. Vitamin supplementation can lower plasma homocysteine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Whether measuring plasma homocysteine levels in patients with coronary artery disease should be routine and whether treating hyperhomocysteinemia in these patients may reduce the risk of coronary events remains to be determined.

Coronary Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Homocysteine: update on a new risk factor.

A high fasting plasma homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis. Vitamin therapy can lower homocysteine levels, but no benefit has yet been demonstrated; studies using clinical outcomes as endpoints are now in progress.

Arteriosclerosis↗