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Biomedical subjects

P Ray

Publications and source records attributed to P Ray.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Risk factors for delayed immunization among children in an HMO.

OBJECTIVES: Improving the timely delivery of childhood immunizations has become a national imperative. This study aimed to identify nonfinancial predictors of delayed immunization among patients with good financial access to preventive care. METHODS: This prospective cohort study used telephone interviews and a computerized immunization tracking system to evaluate 13-month-old children (n = 530) in a regional group-model health maintenance organization. RESULTS: More than one third of parents interviewed did not know when the next immunization was due. Thirteen percent were late for the measles-mumps-rubella immunization, recommended at 15 months of age, by 90 days or more. Independent predictors of delayed immunization included having a larger number of children (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, P < .01), not having a regular doctor (OR = 2.9, P < .05), not knowing when the shot was due (OR = 2.0, P < .01), and not worrying about the risks of shots (OR = 1.4, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Financial access alone does not guarantee timely childhood immunization. In managed care settings, which may cover increasing numbers of children under health care reform, interventions are needed to better inform parents of when immunizations are due.

California↗
PubMed1994

Plasmodium vivax: immune responses in a cross-section of the population in the Delhi area of India.

The immune status of the individuals living in the Delhi area of northern India where Plasmodium vivax is predominant is described. The majority of the individuals who were acutely infected with P. vivax had antibodies against crude blood-stage antigen and the recombinant antigen, PV9. In contrast, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the majority of these individuals did not show proliferation in the presence of either of these antigens. There was no correlation between antibody levels and T cell proliferation. Such an immune status of individuals living in endemic areas should be taken into account in the future in developing P. vivax malaria vaccines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Structural and functional characterization of the HPV16 E7 protein expressed in bacteria.

The E7 gene of the human papillomaviruses (HPV) encodes a 98-amino acid, multifunctional nuclear phosphoprotein with functional and structural similarities to adenovirus E1A and the papovavirus T antigens. E7 is a viral oncoprotein, which will cooperate with an activated ras oncogene to transform primary rodent cells, and can cooperate with the HPV E6 protein for the efficient immortalization of primary human keratinocytes. Due to the compelling epidemiological and experimental association between HPV infection and cervical cancer, we have undertaken a detailed study of the structure of the HPV16 E7 protein. The E7 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli as a native, unfused polypeptide, and soluble protein was purified by conventional chromatographic techniques. The purified protein was assessed for various biochemical and biophysical properties. Purified E7 binds the retinoblastoma protein avidly and specifically, and it can dissociate the E2F transcription factor when assayed in vitro. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that E7 reversibly binds Zn2+ and Cd2+, resulting in a substantial increase in the alpha-helical content of the metal-bound E7 consistent with the stabilization of a hydrophobic core in the COOH terminus of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

[CYFRA 21-1: a new marker of epidermoid cancer of the bronchi. Comparison with 3 other markers].

Cytokeratins are intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton that are expressed by bronchial epithelium and its neoplastic counterpart, lung cancer. A new immunoradiometric assay referred to as CYFRA 21-1 makes it possible to titrate in the serum a cytokeratin 19 fragment. This study deals with the sensitivity, specificity and applicability of this serum marker in squamous cell carcinoma. Sera from non malignant pulmonary diseases were taken as controls. In comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC T-A4) and neuron specific enolase (NSE), CYFRA 21-1 was the most accurate marker. The area under the CYFRA 21-1 ROC curve was significantly greater than those of CEA, SCC T-A4 and NSE. Using a 3.6 ng/ml threshold, as determined by the ROC curve, CYFRA 21-1 was significantly correlated with tumor mass.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1993

Botulinum toxin inhibits arachidonic acid release associated with acetylcholine release from PC12 cells.

The molecular mechanisms of depolarization-induced calcium-dependent acetylcholine (ACh) release and its inhibition by botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoTx) are not clear. We studied these mechanisms in an in vitro cholinergic neuronal pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line model. Cultured monolayer PC12 cells were differentiated by treatment with 50 ng/ml nerve growth factor (NGF) for 4 days to enhance cellular ACh synthesis and release. Stimulation of these cells with high K+ (80 mM) in the perfusion medium caused a marked increase (three to four times) in [3H]ACh release in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. K(+)-stimulated [3H]ACh release was totally inhibited by pretreatment of cells with BoTx (2 nM) for 2 h. High K+ also stimulated the release of arachidonic acid ([3H]AA) from the cell membrane, which was inhibited by BoTx (2 nM). Addition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors (quinacrine, 4-bromophenacyl bromide, manoalide) to the perfusion medium inhibited K(+)-stimulated [3H]ACh and [3H]AA release in a dose-dependent manner. Inclusion of exogenous AA, the PLA2 activator melittin, or PLA2 itself prevented the effect of BoTx. These results demonstrate that in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells, AA release is associated with ACh release, BoTx inhibits both processes, and increased AA can protect against BoTx.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed1993

In utero fetal muscle biopsy for the diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a female fetus "suddenly at risk".

DNA methods to diagnose Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are not always informative, and we have published previously the first instance of in utero muscle biopsy to assess dystrophin in a male fetus having the same "X" as an affected sib. We present here a female fetus with a de novo X,1 translocation with breakpoint at Xp21, detected on amniocentesis for advanced maternal age. The translocation breakpoint placed her at high risk for DMD. In utero muscle biopsy at 20 weeks of gestation produced a specimen positive for dystrophin immunofluorescence indicating a likely normal fetus. The pregnancy was continued, and at term the baby girl was found to have normal serum creatine kinase levels, and was therefore unaffected with DMD. Our experiences add de novo Xp21 translocation to the indications for in utero muscle biopsy for diagnosis of DMD.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

American Cancer Society--National Prostate Cancer Detection Project. Results from multiple examinations using transrectal ultrasound, digital rectal examination, and prostate specific antigen.

BACKGROUND: The American Cancer Society-National Prostate Cancer Detection Project is a prospective study of the feasibility of early prostate cancer detection by digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Two thousand nine hundred ninety-nine men not previously suspected of having prostate cancer have been entered on study in ten participating clinical centers. METHODS: The study protocol requires these men to undergo testing with the three detection methods under investigation on an annual basis for up to 5 years. Data currently are available on 1972 men who have completed protocol requirements for two sequential series of examinations. RESULTS: At the first visit, it was recommended that 16.5% of subjects undergo biopsy based on the TRUS and/or DRE findings. Seventy-three (3.7%) men were found to have cancer after the first series of examinations. When the 1899 men who did not have cancer were reexamined, in 11.4%, a biopsy was recommended, and an additional 33 (1.7%) cancers were detected. Cancer detection rates were higher in older men, and the sensitivity of TRUS was higher than that of DRE at both examinations. The positive predictive values (PPV) of TRUS and DRE varied significantly depending on the PSA level; PPV decreased at the second examination. Positive findings during the second examination were associated with elevated PSA levels during the earlier visit and rising PSA levels between examinations. Analyses of the 106 cancers detected currently showed a preponderance of early-stage cancer and low Gleason scores. CONCLUSIONS: It may be possible to increase the early detection of prostate cancer by periodic examination by a combination of detection modalities.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Renal cell carcinoma: the size variable.

Three hundred and thirty-seven renal cell carcinomas treated at University of Illinois Affiliated Hospitals were reviewed. There was an inverse correlation between tumor size and survival.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1993

Long-term effects of acute thrombolytic therapy on ventricular size and function.

To investigate the influence of thrombolytic therapy on the natural history of left ventricular size and regional function after myocardial infarction, 32 patients treated with acute thrombolytic therapy (treatment group) were studied by echocardiography on admission to the hospital and at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after myocardial infarction; they were compared with 40 patients who did not receive acute intervention (control group). The endocardial surface area index (cm2/m2) and the area of abnormal wall motion (cm2) were calculated from left ventricular dimensions and measurements of abnormal wall motion. Although no differences in the endocardial surface area index were noted over the year for the groups as a whole, a significant difference was noted in treated anterior infarctions with early functional infarct expansion compared with untreated infarct expansion (treatment group: 85.8 +/- 2.0 cm2/m2 [entry] to 77.4 +/- 2.7 cm2/m2 [1 week] to 69.9 +/- 4.2 cm2/m2 [3 months] to 67.2 +/- 6.4 cm2/m2 [1 year] versus control group: 84.0 +/- 6.4 cm2/m2 [entry] to 83.7 +/- 8.5 cm2/m2 [1 week] to 96.3 +/- 8.6 cm2/m2 [3 months] to 81.5 +/- 4.2 cm2/m2 [1 year]; p < 0.01). When early expansion was present, those receiving thrombolysis exhibited a consistent decrease in the initially enlarged endocardial surface area in contrast to control subjects, who demonstrated continued increases in endocardial surface area during the first 3 months. In all groups a decrease in the area of abnormal wall motion was observed during the year of follow-up. However, the magnitude and timing of the improvement was accelerated in the treatment group. Thus acute thrombolytic therapy alters the natural history of left ventricular size and function with a more rapid recovery of abnormal endocardial segments and reversal of functional infarct expansion.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1993

Safety of combined oligosaccharide conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b (HbOC) and whole cell diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis vaccine in infancy. The Kaiser Permanente Pediatric Vaccine Study Group.

The safety of the combined oligosaccharide conjugate Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) type b (HbOC) and whole cell diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis (DTP) vaccine (Tetramune, HbOC-DTP; Lederle) in infancy was evaluated in 6644 recipients of this vaccine and compared with 3914 recipients of separate injections of whole cell DTP and HbOC vaccines when given as a three dose regimen to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age in each group. Of the total number of infants in the study, a subset of 1435 were enrolled into the study and then randomly assigned to receive either the Hib-DPT combined vaccine or the separate components. This subset was used to assess local and systemic side effects which were evaluated utilizing telephone interviews 48 to 72 hours after vaccine. The remaining children in the study population were enrolled in a nonrandomized manner. For these children parents were offered the experimental Hib-DPT vaccine and refusers were given HbOC and DTP. Both of these groups of children as well as the randomized subset described above were used to assess rates of episodes of hospitalization, emergency room utilization and sudden infant death syndrome in HbOC-DTP recipients and children who received HbOC and DTP separately. Immunogenicity was evaluated in 123 children by collection of a single serum sample 30 days after the third dose of HbOC-DTP. The observed immunogenicity was comparable to that observed in other recent studies for HbOC and DTP component antigens. The profile of local and systemic side effects observed was virtually identical to that observed after DTP plus HbOC given separately.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Botulinum toxin A inhibits acetylcholine release from cultured neurons in vitro.

Clostridium botulinum type toxin A (BoTx) blocks stimulus-induced acetylcholine (ACh) release from presynaptic nerve terminals at peripheral neuromuscular junctions. However, the detailed mechanism of this effect remains elusive. One obstacle in solving this problem is the lack of a suitable in vitro homogenous cholinergic neuronal model system. We studied the clonal pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line to establish such a model. PC12 cells were differentiated in culture by treatment with 50 ng/ml nerve growth factor (NGF) for 4 days to enhance cellular ACh synthesis and release properties. Stimulation of these cells with high K+ (80 mM) in the perfusion medium markedly increased calcium-dependent [3H]ACh release compared to undifferentiated cells. Stimulated [3H]ACh release was totally inhibited by pretreatment of cells with 2 nM BoTx for 2 h. BoTx inhibition of [3H]ACh release was time- and concentration-dependent. A 50% inhibition was obtained after 2 h incubation with a low (0.02 nM) toxin concentration. The time required for 2 nM BoTx to cause a measurable inhibition (18%) of stimulated [3H]ACh release was 30 min. Botulinum toxin inhibition of stimulated ACh release was prevented by toxin antiserum and heat treatment, suggesting the specificity of the toxin effect. Our results show that by differentiation with NGF, PC12 cells can be shifted from an insensitive to a sensitive state with respect to BoTx inhibition of stimulated ACh release. This cell line, therefore, may serve as a valuable in vitro cholinergic model system to study the mechanism of action of BoTx.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1992

[Treatment of bronchial inflammation].

Inflammation is a general defence mechanism. It is constant in asthma where it is characterized by the presence of eosinophils in sputum and blood. Treatment of bronchial inflammation is one of the master pieces of therapeutic strategy and relies on inhaled corticosteroids in most cases. These drugs are remarkably effective and can be used for long periods with little or no side-effects, but compliance with treatment must be checked regularly. In all cases, even when corticosteroids are the mainstay of maintenance treatment, bronchodilators must be used simultaneously. The triggering factors must be taken into account and re-evaluated according to the course of the disease. In the short-term all efforts must concentrate on educating the patients and making sure that they comply with their treatment. In the mid-term new, more effective steroids with even less side-effects than the others can be tried. In the long-term anti-inflammatory agents might multiply and be prescribed in combinations for successful cure of a multifactorial syndrome.

Asthma↗
PubMed1992

Comparative behavioral epidemiology of gonococcal and chlamydial infections among patients attending a Baltimore, Maryland, sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Between April 1988 and May 1989, 400 males and 400 females attending a Baltimore, Maryland, sexually transmitted disease clinic were enrolled in a study evaluating and comparing behaviors associated with culture-proven gonococcal or chlamydial infection. The subjects were enrolled consecutively, and were all seen by the same clinician. Among participants of each sex, gonorrhea but not chlamydia was associated with increasing numbers of recent (the past 30 days) sexual partners. Compared with males with neither infection, factors independently associated with increased risk of gonorrhea included age less than 20 years (odds ratio (OR) = 1.93), the presence of genitourinary symptoms (OR = 8.07), and recent exposure to a new sexual partner (OR = 2.78); risk for chlamydial infection in males was associated with genitourinary symptoms (OR = 2.83) and was significantly reduced in those reporting multiple recent (OR = 0.19) or new (OR = 0.07) sexual partners. Among females, age less than 20 years was independently associated with gonococcal (OR = 1.86) and chlamydial (OR = 7.79) infections in comparison with females with neither infection. No other behavioral factors were associated with chlamydial infection for females in this study; however, having a regular sexual partner was associated with significantly elevated risk of gonorrhea (OR = 3.85), while the presence of genital tract symptoms was associated with diminished risk (OR = 0.29) for gonorrhea. These data suggest that there are differences in the behaviors associated with gonorrheal and chlamydial infections and that different strategies may be useful in efforts to control these infections.

Adolescent↗