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Biomedical subjects

L Gentry

Publications and source records attributed to L Gentry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Decimating duplicates.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗
PubMed1996

Gamma radiation-sterilized, triple-lumen catheters coated with a low concentration of chlorhexidine were not efficacious at preventing catheter infections in intensive care unit patients.

In a randomized, double-blind trial, gamma radiation-sterilized, chlorhexidine-coated triple-lumen catheters were compared with uncoated control catheters for their ability to prevent catheter infection in 254 intensive care unit patients. The chlorhexidine coating was not efficacious, and a rabbit model demonstrated that reduction of chlorhexidine activity by gamma radiation sterilization was the likely explanation for the failure.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed1995

Monitoring of allograft recipients for the development of HLA-specific antibodies: elimination of OKT3 as a complicating factor.

In this report we demonstrate that the use of immunoabsorbent beads to remove the OKT3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) from the sera of transplant recipients is necessary in order to avoid the false positive reactivity in panel reactive antibody (PRA) assay. We have shown that the presence of OKT3 MoAb in patient's sera can give a positive reactivity in PRA, which may be interpreted as antibody development. Rabbit antimouse immunoglobulin covalently linked to sepharose can effectively remove the OKT3 MoAb from patients sera, but has no effect on anti-HLA antibodies. The absorbance of OKT3 MoAb, therefore, is necessary to obtain accurate results in respect to humoral rejection, which may lead to mismanagement of patients.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1994

Thrombospondin binds and activates the small and large forms of latent transforming growth factor-beta in a chemically defined system.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent growth regulatory protein normally secreted by cells in a latent form. Primary regulation of TGF-beta activity occurs through factors which control the processing of the latent to the biologically active molecule. Thrombospondin (TSP), a platelet alpha-granule and extracellular matrix protein, forms specific complexes with active TGF-beta in platelet releasate and activates endogenous latent TGF-beta secreted by endothelial cells via a cell- and protease-independent mechanism. In order to better understand TSP-mediated activation of cell-secreted latent TGF-beta, we examined the consequences of interactions of the large (platelet-derived) and small (recombinant) forms of latent TGF-beta with TSP in a chemically defined system. Data from these studies show that interactions between TSP and both forms of latent TGF-beta result in the generation of biologically active TGF-beta as assayed by the ability of NRK-49F cells to form colonies in soft agar, by the ability to compete for binding to TGF-beta receptors on endothelial cells, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay selective for the active form of TGF-beta. Activation of latent TGF-beta by TSP stripped of associated TGF-beta activity (sTSP) is time- and concentration-dependent, but temperature-independent. The mechanism whereby sTSP activates latent TGF-beta appears to involve the direct binding of sTSP to the latent molecule as shown by gel permeation chromatography. In addition, a polyclonal antibody specific for the amino-terminal region of the latency-associated peptide (amino acids 81-94) inhibits sTSP-mediated activation of latent TGF-beta in both the chemically defined system and in endothelial cell conditioned medium. These data and the observation that similar concentrations of sTSP activate latent TGF-beta in both the chemically defined system and in the endothelial cell system indicate that there is a common mechanism by which TSP activates the small, large, and endothelial cell-derived latent TGF-beta complexes. The ability of TSP to convert latent TGF-beta to biologically active TGF-beta suggests that TSP is a major regulatory factor in the control of TGF-beta activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Inhibition and promotion of differentiated-like phenotype of a human lung carcinoma in athymic mice by natural and recombinant forms of transforming growth factor-beta.

Both structurally related forms of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta types I and II) are potent inhibitors of tumor cell growth in vitro and can also modulate the differentiation of some cells in culture. In this study, we describe the effects of natural and recombinant TGF-betas on the growth and differentiation of a xenograft of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 in male athymic BALB/c mice. Subcutaneous, peritumoral injection of both forms of TGF-beta inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the growth of established human lung tumors. Histologically, tumors inhibited by TGF-beta appeared more differentiated, as judged by reduced mitotic activity and a predominance of highly specialized mucus-secreting goblet-like cell types. These findings suggest that TGF-betas can be useful in the development of novel, perhaps less cytotoxic, cancer therapeutic strategies.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of systemic fungal infections with liposomal amphotericin B.

Forty-six patients with systemic fungal infections were treated with liposomal amphotericin B. Twenty-one patients had disseminated candidiasis, 19 had aspergillosis, and the rest had a variety of other fungal infections. Forty patients failed to respond to conventional amphotericin B therapy, and 6 patients were given liposomal amphotericin B because conventional amphotericin B caused severe side effects. Twenty-four patients had a complete response, and 22 patients failed to respond. No short- or long-term toxic reactions were observed. The acute side effects such as fever, chills, and potassium loss were infrequent and milder than those commonly observed with conventional amphotericin B. No chronic renal, hematologic, or central nervous system side effects were observed. Liposomal amphotericin B therapy was effective and less toxic than conventional amphotericin B therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Bone-derived and recombinant transforming growth factor beta's are potent inhibitors of tumor cell growth.

Two naturally occurring chrondogenesis inducing peptides have been purified to homogeneity from demineralized bovine bone. Cartilage-inducing factors A and B are the bone-derived equivalents of transforming growth factor-beta types I and II. Both peptides exhibit identical biological activities in chondrogenesis assays and stimulate anchorage independent cell growth. In this study we show that both bone-derived factors are potent (ng/ml) inhibitors of both DNA synthesis and the anchorage independent growth of a variety of human and non-human tumor cells. Unique in this study is also a comparison of the activities of these polypeptide growth factors with recombinant transforming growth factor type I expressed in mammalian cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Pseudoaneurysm of the extracranial vertebral artery. Case report.

The unusual association of a giant extracranial vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm, intracranial aneurysms, and extracranial carotid occlusion in a woman with neurofibromatosis is presented. Pain as a result of expansion of the mass in the soft tissue of the neck led to her seeking evaluation. Herniation of the mass intraspinally between the occiput and C-1 resulted in myelopathy. Following balloon occlusion of the vertebral artery, the mass and associated symptoms resolved without the need for direct resection. The salient features of these unusually associated problems are discussed.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed1986

Phosphorylation of pp60v-src by the TPA receptor kinase (protein kinase C).

Incubation of pp60v-src with the purified 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA) receptor kinase (protein kinase C) resulted in an increase in the phosphorylation of pp60v-src. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping showed that three major phosphoserine containing peptides were labeled which were localized within the amino terminal 18,000 Da of the src protein. Based on comparative tryptic mapping, one of these major phosphopeptides was identical to the peptide labeled on pp60v-src immunoprecipitated from cells labeled with [32P]orthophosphate and treated with TPA. These data suggest that a direct interaction takes place between protein kinase C and pp60v-src.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Cefadroxil compared with cefaclor in the treatment of streptococcal pneumonia in adults.

103 young male Black African gold-miners with pneumococcal pneumonia confirmed by culture or serology were randomly assigned to receive the long acting oral cephalosporin cefadroxil 1 g every 12 hours or cefaclor 500 mg every 8 hours for 10 days. Clinical cures were obtained in 94% of the group who received cefadroxil and in 94% of the cefaclor group. Similarly, the causative organism S. pneumoniae was eradicated in 98% and 96% of patients who received cefadroxil and cefaclor, respectively. Minimal side effects occurred in both groups, although 1 patient withdrew from therapy with cefaclor because of severe diarrhoea. Thus, cefadroxil and cefaclor both displayed effective antimicrobial activity with low toxicity in the treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

"Floating" MMPI profiles revisited.

Attempted to replicate and update the characteristics of a sample of hospitalized psychiatric patients who produced "floating" MMPI profiles (N = 69). While the demographic data were somewhat different, the historical information, types of psychopathology and symptoms observed, and response to treatment were markedly similar. If diagnosed using DSM-III, approximately 30% of the patients would be classified as borderline character disorder, while another 20% would be classified as major depressive disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Utility of MMPI indices of schizophrenia with adolescents.

Assessed the utility of empirically derived MMPI criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia with a sample of hospitalized adolescent patients (N = 89). The criterion diagnosis was established through the use of a standardized structured interview and a diagnostic system for schizophrenia based on the use of discriminant function analysis. Results were quite disappointing because only 23% of the sample obtained an MMPI profile that fit the above criteria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Primary structures of two low molecular weight proteinase inhibitors from potatoes.

The amino acid sequences of two low molecular weight proteinase inhibitors from Russet Burbank potatoes have been determined. One of these, a chymotrypsin inhibitor, is a peptide of 52 amino acid residues, while the second inhibitor, which is specific for trypsin, contains 51 amino acid residues. These peptides are highly homologous, differing at only nine positions. At position 38, the chymotrypsin inhibitor possesses leucine and the trypsin inhibitor an arginine. This difference probably represents the P1 sites, which are consistent with the respective specificities of the two inhibitors. The inhibitors are also homologous with potato inhibitor II and with an inhibitor previously isolated from eggplants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗