Investigators relate experience with bovine somatotropin.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
M Moore
Publications and source records attributed to M Moore.
HIV and measures to control infection in general practice.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of HIV on procedures to control infection in general practices. DESIGN: A postal questionnaire survey. SETTING: General practices throughout Britain. SUBJECTS: 5359 General practitioners, 3429 (63.9%) of whom returned the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Response to questionnaire on knowledge about HIV and policies for controlling infection. RESULTS: Most doctors (2018) had started to wear gloves when taking blood. Almost half (1510) had not resheathed needles previously but a further 776 had adopted this policy because of HIV. Over half of the doctors did not know or were unsure about the risk of infection from needlestick injuries, and 1759 had no practice policy for controlling infection. CONCLUSIONS: Many doctors are uncertain about measures to control infection in general practice. More information and advice are needed to help doctors develop policies to protect patients and staff.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Synthesis and characterization of a ribavirin-3',5'-phosphate pentadecamer homoribopolymer bearing a 5'-amino tether group and a 3'-thymidine.
The synthesis of a pentadecamer of the 5'-phosphate of the antiviral nucleoside ribavirin (1'-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) has been achieved. This homoribopolymer is terminated at the 5'-position with an (6-aminohexyl)phosphate group to permit conjugation to a carrier and at the 3'-position by a thymidine-5'-phosphate. The synthesis was accomplished using the methyl phosphoramidite approach to oligoribonucleotides. The homoribopolymer was insensitive to ribonuclease A but was sensitive to ribonuclease T2 digestion.
Antiviral Agents↗
Telomere G-strand structure and function analyzed by chemical protection, base analogue substitution, and utilization by telomerase in vitro.
Eukaryotic telomeres have a 12-16 nucleotide long deoxyguanosine (dG) rich single-stranded overhang at their molecular termini. Some of the unique features of telomeres are probably attributable to a specialized structure formed by this overhang. In the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila, the dG-rich overhang is comprised of approximately two repeats of the sequence d(TTGGGG). Previous work has shown that the synthetic oligonucleotide d(TTGGGG)4 can form an unusual non-Watson-Crick base-paired structure (the "G-strand structure") containing G-G base pairs and syn-guanines. We have tested the susceptibility of various dGs in this structure to methylation by DMS. At 0-10 degrees C one dG residue is hypersensitive to methylation while others are particularly resistant. By systematically substituting deoxyinosine (dI) for dG in d(TTGGGG)4 we identify N2 groups of guanine essential for formation of the G-strand structure. We show that dI-substituted molecules that cannot form the G-strand structure nonetheless function as substrates for telomere repeat addition in vitro by the telomere lengthening enzyme, telomerase. The implications of these data are discussed.
Animals↗
A comparison of a controlled release (CR/ZOK) formulation of metoprolol, once daily, with conventional metoprolol tablets, twice daily, in mild to moderate hypertension.
In a randomized double-blind multicenter study in 100 hypertensive patients, the effect of once daily (od) dosing with a new controlled release (CR/ZOK) formulation of metoprolol was compared with that of twice daily (bid) dosing with metoprolol conventional tablets. Eligible patients had a resting seated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg and less than 110 mm Hg at the end of a 6-week open placebo run-in. The active treatment phase lasted 8 weeks. The starting dose was 100 mg od in the CR/ZOK group (N = 53) and 50 mg bid in the tablet group (N = 47). The dose was increased to 200 mg od and 100 mg bid, respectively, in nonresponders (DBP greater than 95 mm Hg) at the end of the first 4-week period. Approximately 40% of both groups received concomitant diuretic therapy throughout the study. The SBP, DBP and HR were reduced compared to baseline in both treatment groups after 4 and 8 weeks. After 4 weeks, 85% of the CR/ZOK group and 74% of the tablet group had DBP less than 95 mm Hg. After another 4 weeks, the corresponding figures were 93% and 93%. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups in the decrease in either SBP, DBP or HR, nor was there any difference in the percentage of responders. Both treatments were equally well tolerated. In conclusion, the antihypertensive effect of once daily dosing (100-200 mg) with the new CR/ZOK formulation of metoprolol is as effective as that of twice daily dosing (50-100 mg) with conventional metoprolol tablets.
Adult↗
Long-term estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women sustains vertebral bone mineral density.
The cross-sectional relationship between long-term estrogen use and vertebral (L2-4) bone mineral density (BMD) was determined in 65 postmenopausal white women between 55 and 75 years who were at least 10 years from their menopause. Long-term estrogen users began therapy within 5 years of menopause and continued for a duration of at least 10 years. The mean duration of use was 19.8 years. Controls used estrogen for less than 1 year. There was a significant difference (p less than 0.02) in mean spinal BMD between estrogen users (1.219 g/cm2) and controls (1.092 g/cm2). There was no significant difference in age, height, weight, or dietary calcium (Ca) intake between the two groups. The statistical difference in BMD was retained when (1) 23 estrogen users were paired with age-matched controls, (2) only women with a natural menopause or history of bilateral oophorectomy were included, and (3) only women with a natural menopause were compared. A spinal BMD below the estimated fracture threshold of 0.965 g/cm2 was found in 11 of 40 controls and only 2 of 25 estrogen users. Comparison of estrogen users with a natural menopause to those with bilateral oophorectomy revealed no significant difference in BMD. These data confirm the salutary effect of long-term estrogen use in the maintenance of vertebral bone mass in postmenopausal women.
Aged↗
Comparative bioavailability of two tablet formulations of fluphenazine dihydrochloride in drug-free psychiatric patients.
The comparative bioavailability of a new tablet formulation of fluphenazine dihydrochloride (5 mg) and a reference product (fluphenazine dihydrochloride, Prolixin, 5 mg) was assessed in drug-free psychiatric patients. Twenty-six patients were initially entered in the study, of whom 22 completed the protocol. Each patient received the test (T) and the reference formulation (R) in a balanced two-way crossover design. Plasma concentrations of fluphenazine were monitored over a period of 48 h after drug administration using a sensitive HPLC method. One patient did not show any measurable plasma concentration for one formulation at any sampling time and, therefore, bioavailability was assessed in the remaining 21 patients. All pharmacokinetic parameters showed wide intersubject variation. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax, and area under the curve up to the last measurable concentration (AUClast0), infinity (AUCinfinity0), or truncated areas (such as AUC16(0), AUC24(0) were compared by analyses of variance and found not to be significantly different in each case across the formulations. Except for AUC24(0), AUC32(0), and AUC48(0), ANOVA of all other parameters showed a high power (greater than 80%) to detect a 20% difference in the mean value of each bioequivalence parameter between T and R. The two formulations were found to be bioequivalent in that confidence intervals of the mean values of AUCinfinity0, AUClast0, truncated AUCs, or Cmax for T:R ratios were, in each case, well within the acceptable range of 100 +/- 20%.
Biological Availability↗
Cultured cell lines from human breast cancer biopsies and xenografts.
Eighty-five breast cancer specimens were processed as part of a program in tumor acquisition, propagation, and preservation for biotherapy. Nine long-term culture cell lines were developed. Four cell lines were from solid tumor metastases, two lines were from pleural fluid specimens, and three were from xenograft tumors grown in nude mice. Two of the xenograft-derived cell lines were from biopsies which produced tumor cell lines as well. Success in establishing cultures did not correlate with the viability of the biopsy received. Poor tumor cell attachment to culture plastic was the most common problem. For certain specimens, attachment and growth were enhanced on collagen and extracellular matrix substrates. Collagen was beneficial in the development of one cell line. The cell lines were characterized and each of the lines contained more nuclear DNA than found in normal cells. Four of five lines tested were tumorigenic in nude mice. Five of nine were clonogenic in soft agar. Each of the cell lines tested reacted with at least two anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies. Xenograft and biopsy-derived cell lines from the same tumor were similar in their characteristics. While breast cancers are indeed difficult to establish and propagate in culture, the use of xenografts and special substrates appears to be beneficial in the development of cell lines from some tumors.
Animals↗
Use of DNA purified in situ from cells embedded in agarose plugs for the molecular analysis of tk-/- mutants recovered in the L5178Y tk+/- 3.7.2C mutagen assay system.
We have reported that tk-/- mutants recovered in the mouse L5178Y tk+/- 3.7.2C mutagen assay have often lost the tk+ allele. Allele loss in the tk-/- mutants is documented on Southern blots as the absence of a 6.3-kb Nco I fragment seen in both tk+/+ and tk+/- cell DNAs. For the routine screening of large- and small-colony tk-/- mutants DNAs for the absence of this genomic fragment, we have found that cells can be lysed in agarose plugs, and DNA of cells embedded in plugs can be purified, restricted with Nco I, electrophoresed, and analyzed on Southern blots without significant band distortion or diffusional loss of tk- specific fragments in the 2-7-kb range. Purification and restriction analysis of DNA in agarose plugs, originally developed to allow pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of very large DNA fragments, represents a convenient alternative to conventional DNA purification methods, allowing quantitative recovery of DNA from small numbers of cells, eliminating centrifugation, phenol extraction, and ethanol precipitation steps, and requiring smaller quantities of reagents.
Alleles↗
Cultural differences in the perception of magazine alcohol advertisements by Israeli Jewish, Moslem, Druze and Christian high school students.
This article describes the Israeli part of an international comparative research project conducted simultaneously in 1988 also in Australia and in the U.S.A., in order to determine the attitudes of high school students from different nations and cultures toward alcohol advertising. The Israeli study used a set of 64 magazine alcohol advertisements from 10 countries and with the help of an open-ended questionnaire examined differences and similarities in the perception of Israeli and foreign advertisements by Jewish, Moslem, Druze and Christian teenagers. Each response was coded twice. The first code indicated the general tone of the response and the second code indicated its theme. The article presents selected general results and conclusions. The results have implications for designing alcohol abuse education messages and can aid alcohol advertisers interested in responsible advertising to find advertising standards suitable to each culture.
Adolescent↗
A fifteen-year study of alterations in semen quality occurring after vasectomy reversal.
Semen quality was evaluated in 256 men at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after vasectomy reversal. Total sperm counts were normal and averaged 91 X 10(6) sperm per ejaculate. The percentage of live sperm was decreased below normal to 36% and hypo-osmolarity values indicated only 41% of the sperm with normal membranes. Progressive motility and the total progressively motile sperm count were reduced and averaged 25% and 27 million, respectively. Approximately 50% of the patients had positive titers of sperm agglutinating and/or sperm immobilizing antibodies. Sperm morphology indicated tail and head shape defects with increases in both tapered and immature sperm. A fertility score combining several sperm parameters averaged only 37% of normal. All of these values remained constant with time after reversal except for progressive motility (increased), oval head shapes (increased), and tapered sperm (decreased). This study has demonstrated that characteristic defects occur in sperm (decreased). This study has demonstrated that characteristic defects occur in sperm motility, sperm membrane function and morphology, in addition to specimen fertility scores, after a vasectomy reversal and need to be taken into consideration when advising and treating these patients for subsequent fertility difficulties.
Cell Survival↗
Motility of the small intestine in preterm infants who later have necrotizing enterocolitis.
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Enteral Nutrition↗
X-ray studies of synthetic radiation-counting diamonds.
Synthetic diamonds with a nitrogen content less than 100 ppm may be used as radiation dosemeters in a conduction counting mode, and are especially useful in medical applications. Crystal imperfections, revealed by x-ray diffraction topography, were found to affect counting performance. The best quality diamond gave the highest photocurrent (500 nA at 50 V mm-1 and 2.75 Gy min-1). Diamonds containing dislocations had lower photocurrents but had the advantage of shorter settling times (seconds rather than minutes). Placing contacts on two opposite cube (100) faces gave a higher photocurrent than on a pair of octahedral (111) faces. Higher photocurrents were also achieved when the majority of dislocations were perpendicular rather than parallel, to the electric field. Some recommendations for selecting synthetic diamonds for dosemeters are given.
Carbon↗
Dynamics of HIV infection and AIDS in central African cities.
A detailed stochastic model of HIV infection and AIDS for large cities in central Africa is described, which reproduces past events in Kinshasa, Zaire and projects rapid future spread of the disease, consistent with recent findings for Nairobi, Kenya. Most of the parameters used describe the behaviour of individuals, and it is therefore possible to look at the effects of changes in such behaviour, and thus to test various strategies aimed at providing effective public health policies. The model demonstrates that, if the spread of infection is to be controlled, changes in the behaviour of the major risk groups are essential. With appropriate modifications, this model could be adapted for use elsewhere in Africa.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Reproducibility of food frequency measurements and inferences from a case-control study.
To investigate the relationship between the reproducibility of measurements of exposure from a frequency questionnaire and inferences from a case-control study, 229 patients were reinterviewed on the telephone an average of 6 weeks after the original interview. Several indices of agreement were computed. Information on smoking and use of alcohol and coffee was quite reproducible, as reflected by most measures of agreement, using grouped or continuous data. Frequency of meat, vegetable, and fruit intake had low reproducibility. For all variables, reproducibility was similar for cases and controls. Reproducibility of the exposure variables was a good predictor of the reproducibility of the relative odds (RO) obtained with the first and the repeat interviews. Lack of reliability of the exposure variable appeared to produce fluctuations in the ROs in either direction, even though the same degree of agreement was observed for cases and controls. This situation may partially explain discrepant findings between case-control studies of diet and chronic diseases.
Adult↗
Cerebral abnormalities in cocaine abusers: demonstration by SPECT perfusion brain scintigraphy. Work in progress.
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion brain scans with iodine-123 isopropyl iodoamphetamine (IMP) were obtained in 12 subjects who acknowledged using cocaine on a sporadic to a daily basis. The route of cocaine administration varied from nasal to intravenous. Concurrent abuse of other drugs was also reported. None of the patients were positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Brain scans demonstrated focal defects in 11 subjects, including seven who were asymptomatic, and no abnormality in one. Among the findings were scattered focal cortical deficits, which were seen in several patients and which ranged in severity from small and few to multiple and large, with a special predilection for the frontal and temporal lobes. No perfusion deficits were seen on I-123 SPECT images in five healthy volunteers. Focal alterations in cerebral perfusion are seen commonly in asymptomatic drug users, and these focal deficits are readily depicted by I-123 IMP SPECT.
Adult↗
Nutritional aspects and swallowing function of patients with Parkinson's disease.
Seven patients with Parkinson's disease and three patients with progressive supranuclear palsy underwent adrenal medullary transplant to the caudate nucleus for treatment of their neurologic disease. Preoperative nutritional assessment demonstrated that a significant number of the Parkinson's patients had mild to moderate nutritional depletion. Motility problems, manifest by dysphagia and delayed gastric emptying causing problems over a number of years, were probably responsible. Of the 10 patients studied, 6 were studied by videofluoroscopy. All patients had variable dysphagia of variable servility with or without aspiration. Etiologic factors included the basic underlying neurologic disease, delay in resumption of anti-parkinsonian medications, use of metoclopramide, and postoperative medical complications leading to a debilitated clinical state.
Adult↗
Issues in the evaluation of AIDS education programs. The case of California.
Health education is currently considered the most important factor in the prevention of HIV infection. Many AIDS education programs have started within the past several years, but few have undergone rigorous evaluation. This article presents findings from an outcome evaluation of the state of California AIDS Education and Prevention Program, the largest AIDS public education program in the country. The data suggest that the specific educational intervention programs suffered from many design defects which made it impossible to determine accurately the effectiveness of the programs. The programs did not use standard pre/post design, for example, or use standardized testing procedures. Moreover, only cognitive knowledge about AIDS transmission and prevention was stressed in the educational interventions and measures of effectiveness. The Education and Prevention Program must now move to promoting and measuring attitude and behavior change in addition to cognitive knowledge. The article concludes that AIDS education and prevention programs must place greater emphasis on conducting thorough evaluations, if the goals of attitude and behavior change are to be achieved.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗