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Biomedical subjects

L S Davis

Publications and source records attributed to L S Davis.

107 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Decay-accelerating factor functions as a signal transducing molecule for human T cells.

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) is a cell surface protein that protects cells from autologous C-mediated lysis. DAF is one of the first phosphatidylinositol-linked molecules to be described on human T cells. The current studies demonstrate that low levels of DAF are expressed on a majority of freshly isolated human T cells and that DAF expression rapidly increases after T cell activation by mitogens. Moreover, antibodies to DAF induce T cell proliferation when the cells are co-stimulated with phorbol esters. The induction of proliferation is facilitated when the antibodies to DAF cross-linked with a secondary antibody. T cell mitogenesis is largely dependent on the phosphatidylinositol-linked form of DAF, because removal of DAF by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C eliminates anti-DAF-induced T cell proliferation. These studies suggest that DAF on the surface of T cells may not only serve to afford protection from autologous C but may also function to transmit signals that induce T cell activation.

Adult↗

Comparative effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1 beta on mitogen-induced T cell activation.

The effect of rTNF-alpha on human T cell function was examined and compared with that of rIL-1 beta by assessing the ability of each cytokine to support mitogen-induced proliferation, IL-2 production, and IL-2R expression. TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta each enhanced DNA synthesis induced by PHA or immobilized mAb to the CD3 molecular complex. In addition, each cytokine increased the number of cells entering the G1 phase of the cell cycle and augmented IL-2R expression. The combination of optimal concentrations of these factors supported these responses to a greater extent than either cytokine alone, suggesting that T cell responsiveness is independently regulated by the action of at least two separate monocyte derived cytokines. Whereas TNF-alpha had little effect, IL-1 beta augmented IL-2 mRNA expression and IL-2 production by mitogen-stimulated cells. Furthermore, IL-1 beta enhanced proliferation with increasing length of culture. Whereas TNF-alpha also enhanced proliferation late in culture, it was less effective in this regard than IL-1 beta. Thus, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha augment mitogen-induced T cell proliferation by increasing the number of cells initially activated and by promoting subsequent cell cycle progression. They differ, however, in their capacity to promote IL-2 mRNA and IL-2 production and therefore ongoing T cell proliferation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Activation of human T4 cells by cross-linking class I MHC molecules.

These studies examined whether cross-linking class I MHC molecules results in functional or biochemical responses in human T4 cells. The initial studies demonstrated that cross-linking class I MHC molecules either by culturing highly purified T4 cells with immobilized mAb to class I MHC Ag or reacting the T4 cells with mAb to class I MHC Ag and then cross-linking the mAb with goat antimouse Ig (GaMIg) enhanced T4 cell proliferation induced by an immobilized mAb to CD3, OKT3. More-over, immobilized but not soluble mAb to class I MHC Ag enhanced T4 cell proliferation induced by the combination of two mAb to CD2, OKT11, and D66.2. Finally, T4 cells reacted with mAb to CD3 and class I MHC Ag proliferated in the presence of IL-2 when cross-linked with GaMIg more vigorously than T4 cells reacted with either mAb alone. Cross-linking class I MHC molecules was also found to stimulate T4 cells directly. T4 cells reacted with mAb to class I MHC Ag or beta 2 microglobulin and cross-linked with GaMIg proliferated vigorously in the presence of IL-2 or PMA. In addition, it was demonstrated that cross-linking class I MHC molecules by culturing T4 cells with immobilized mAb to class I MHC Ag induced T4 cell proliferation in the presence of IL-2. T4 cell proliferation in the presence of IL-2 and PMA could also be induced by reacting the cells with specific mAb to polymorphic determinants on class I MHC molecules and cross-linking with GaMIg. Cross-linking mAb to CD4 or CD11a did not have a similar functional effect on T4 cells. Finally it was demonstrated that adding GaMIg to T4 cells reacted with mAb to class I MHC Ag but not CD11a resulted in an increase in intracellular calcium concentration. The data demonstrate that cross-linking class I MHC molecules results in the generation of at least one activation signal, a rise in intracellular calcium concentration, and, thereby, stimulates human T4 cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Depressive symptoms and the glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test.

Patients with severe depression have been observed previously to have a reduced rate of glucose utilization accompanied by elevated serum insulin levels during the intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT) and a reduced metabolic responsiveness to exogenous insulin during the insulin tolerance test (ITT). These abnormalities were less obvious in patients with neurotic depression as compared to patients with severe endogenous or "psychotic" depression. To evaluate more fully the relationships of depressive symptomatology to these metabolic abnormalities, patients were rated by nursing staff on a short clinical rating scale (SCRS) and by a psychiatrist on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) at the time the metabolic measurements were made. Patients were given the GTT and the ITT once when they were off medication and symptomatic and then again 3 to 8 weeks later when symptoms had decreased following amitriptyline treatment. Fasting serum-free fatty acid levels (FFA) had a significant positive correlation to rating of anxiety. Fasting levels of glucose, insulin, and human growth hormone (HGH) did not significantly correlate to any of the ratings. A decreased rate of glucose utilization (k) correlated significantly with increased ratings of motor retardation, emotional withdrawal, and blunt affects, but not to other depressive symptoms. The responsiveness of FFA and HGH during the ITT was significantly less in patients with more severe symptomatology; responsiveness improved when those patients improved. Neither incorrelated to the ratings. These data suggest that within the sydrome of depression, increased FFA is realated to anxiety, decreased glucose utilization is related to motor retardation, emotional withdrawal, and blunt affect, and that decreased FFA and HGH responsiveness to insulin is a nonspecific correlate of the general depressive syndrome.

Anxiety↗

Granuloma annulare of the eyelid: a case report and review of the literature.

Granuloma annulare is a benign, relatively common dermatosis of childhood. Lesions typically occur on the extremities and resolve spontaneously over a period of several months to years. Localized facial involvement is rare. We report a case of granuloma annulare confined to the left eyelid. The literature on periocular granuloma annulare is reviewed. This diagnosis should be considered for any acquired papules of the periorbital area, especially if there is a history of antecedent trauma. Unnecessary surgical excision can then be avoided.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Knuckle pads: does knuckle cracking play an etiologic role?

Very little has been published on knuckle pads and the cosmetic and psychological effects they can have. In children, most knuckle pads are considered to be idiopathic; however, familial cases as well as those caused by trauma have been described. We report a 14-year-old African American girl with a 3-year history of slowly enlarging hyperkeratotic nodules over multiple finger joints and on the lateral aspects of several fingers. These lesions were initially confined to the patient's left hand but subsequently involved the right hand. The patient and her mother denied any unusual hobbies or sports in which the patient's fingers might be traumatized. The patient, however, was noted to crack her knuckles during her clinic visit. To the mother's surprise, the patient admitted to doing this quite frequently on a daily basis. A diagnosis of knuckle pads was made and confirmed histologically. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of knuckle pads with cracking of the knuckles as the possible etiology.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of teaching strategies for integrating information technology into clinical nursing education.

As health care becomes more information-intensive and diverse, there is a need to integrate information technology (IT) into clinical education. Little is known, however, about how to design instructional strategies for integrating information technology into clinical nursing education. This article outlines the instructional strategies used by faculty in five nursing programs who taught students to use a point-of-care information technology system. The article also reports students' computer acceptance and summarizes IT clinical teaching recommendations.

Adult↗

Influence of advertisement on women's attitudes toward mammography screening.

This project represents an effort to incorporate a feminist perspective into research on mammography screening. The purpose of this study was to assess women's attitudes toward four advertisements designed to encourage mammography screening. The goal was to create awareness about women's attitudes toward mammography advertisements in order to encourage the development of more effective and responsive motivational materials. The results indicated that each ad communicated different messages about the seriousness of breast cancer and the efficacy of mammography in detecting early breast cancer. Each ad also affected women differently regarding their feelings of control over breast cancer, their perceived loss of sex appeal resulting from a breast cancer diagnosis, and their general fear of breast cancer.

Adult↗