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Biomedical subjects

R Goodman

Publications and source records attributed to R Goodman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster salivary gland cells is altered following exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields: analysis of chromosome 3R.

The use of the transcription autoradiographic method permits identification of nascent RNA chains directly on identifiable regions of Drosophila salivary gland chromosomes. Changes in transcriptional activity at 13 defined regions of the right arm of chromosome 3 (3R) were observed following 20-min exposures of salivary glands to five different extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic (EM) fields. Changes in translational patterns were also induced by the ELF EM fields in exposed cells. Differences included an increase in over-all polypeptide synthesis as well as in the number of polypeptides resolved in cells exposed to EM fields.

Animals

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

We have investigated the role of recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (rIL-1 beta) and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rTNF-alpha) on PLA2 activity, protein synthesis and eicosanoid production in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Cellular PLA2 activity increased 4-fold and production of PGE2 increased 3-fold at 1-2 hrs in the presence of 10 units/ml rIL-1 beta. PLA2 activity increased 3-fold at 30 min and PGE2 production increased 2-fold with 5 x 10(-9) M rTNF-alpha. The data show that endothelial cells respond more rapidly to rIL-1 beta (2-6 hr) and rTNF-alpha (30 min) than do chondrocytes and synovial cells (6-16 hrs), suggesting endothelial cells may play a primary role in initiating the inflammatory response.

Animals

Reliability of clinical ratings by trainee child psychiatrists: a research note.

Trainee and senior psychiatrists separately rated the symptoms and signs of 14 consecutive referrals to a child psychiatric team. Inter-rater reliabilities ranged from 0.61 to 0.94 on four clinically relevant dimensions of psychopathology. Aggregating all items, trainees' ratings identified whether or not items were definitely present with greater than 95% accuracy, as judged by a senior psychiatrist's ratings and a review of the case notes. This pilot study suggests that trainees' ratings can be of acceptable reliability for research purposes.

Affective Symptoms

The use of progressive indicators as predictors of NCLEX-RN success and performance of BSN graduates.

Successful performance during the student's academic career contributes to his success on the NCLEX-RN. The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of success on the NCLEX preadmission and years 2, 3, and 4 variables in relation to NCLEX-RN scores. Data were obtained retrospectively from records of 408 baccalaureate nursing students. Preadmission variables were sex, age, race, and admission grade point average (GPA). Year 2 variables were numerical grades for the first two clinical nursing courses. Year 3 variables were numerical grades for clinical courses in mental health, adult health, and maternal child nursing. Year 4 variables were numerical grades in two senior clinical courses, percentile rank on NLN comprehensive exam, and graduate GPA. In NCLEX-RN scores, 67% of the variance was accounted for by admission GPA and race (33%), one 2nd year grade (an additional 14%), the 3rd year adult health grade (an additional 14%), the 3rd year adult health grade (an additional 11%), one 4th year theory grade, and the NLN comprehensive exam (an additional 9%). These results suggest that there are preadmission and sophomore year predictors of NCLEX-RN success which could be used to design early interventions for students performing poorly and at risk of failing the NCLEX-RN.

Achievement

Changes in levels of c-myc and histone H2B following exposure of cells to low-frequency sinusoidal electromagnetic fields: evidence for a window effect.

Human HL-60 cells were exposed for 20 min to an electromagnetic field at frequencies ranging from 15 to 150 Hz and at densities from 0.2 to 2.3 mT (2 to 23 gauss). Following each exposure, quantitative levels of c-myc and histone H2B transcripts were determined by dot-blot hybridization analyses and compared with unexposed control samples. The most pronounced increase in each transcript occurred after exposure at 45 Hz, with levels more than four times that found in unexposed controls.

Cell Line

Amplitude windows and transiently augmented transcription from exposure to electromagnetic fields.

The exposure of cells to relatively low-intensity, pulsed, low-frequency electromagnetic fields can result in a transient augmentation of mRNA synthesis. Under certain conditions of irradiation, the augmentation is a function of the strength of the electromagnetic field. A linear, multi-step, chemical-reaction model accounts for many of the principal features that are observed in both the time- and intensity-dependent variations of transcriptional effects. The crucial assumption in the model is that the direct effect of electromagnetic fields on exposed cells is an increase in the rate constant that characterizes one of the intermediate sequential reactions in the synthesis of mRNA.

Electromagnetic Fields

Combined alpha/beta-blockade versus beta 1-selective blockade in essential hypertension in black and white patients.

The purpose of this multicenter investigation was to determine the efficacy and safety of the alpha/beta-blocker labetalol versus the beta 1-selective beta-blocker atenolol in white and black patients with essential hypertension. Equal numbers of black and white patients were enlisted to form four treatment groups (white patients taking either labetalol or atenolol and black patients taking either labetalol or atenolol). Two hundred ninety-two patients (152 white and 140 black patients) with essential hypertension characterized by a standing diastolic blood pressure of 105 to 119 mm Hg (inclusive) were recruited for this trial. Patients were randomized to either labetalol (dosage titrated from 200 to 1600 mg/day) or atenolol (dosage titrated from 50 to 100 mg/day). The therapeutic goal was achievement of a standing diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or less or a fall of 15 mm Hg in diastolic pressure from baseline value at the end of the placebo run in period. At the end of the study there were no significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate changes in the supine position between the labetalol and atenolol groups. In contrast, labetalol produced greater reduction in both the standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-12/-13 mm Hg, respectively) compared with atenolol (-7/-9 mm Hg; p less than 0.05; p less than 0.005, respectively). The greatest decrease in blood pressure was observed in white patients receiving labetalol. In black patients the decrease in blood pressure was greater in those treated with labetalol compared with atenolol, particularly with respect to the systolic blood pressure. We conclude that the alpha 1-blocking property of labetalol provides an additional lowering of the blood pressure over that seen with beta 1-blockade alone, especially in the standing position, and this enhanced efficacy is not confined to one radical group.

Atenolol

Computer simulation in the design of local exhaust hoods for shielded metal arc welding.

Computer simulations were used to examine competing exhaust hood configurations for shielded metal arc welding. The welder's breathing zone concentration appears to be an inverse linear function of the computer-predicted hood capture efficiency. Hood aspect ratio, hood flow, and the welder's position relative to the hood all have a significant effect on the breathing zone concentration. The height of the hood above the welding surface showed no significant effect in reducing breathing zone concentration. Further examination of breathing zone concentration as a function of capture efficiency is needed before reliable design methods can be developed using this parameter.

Air Movements

Delayed visual maturation and autism.

Three boys are described with a mixed developmental disorder, which so far appears to have a relatively good prognosis. Each boy presented in early infancy with visual unresponsiveness, which spontaneously resolved. This delayed visual maturation was accompanied or followed by severe autistic impairment, general developmental delay, hypotonia and clumsiness. Subsequent progress has been unexpectedly favourable, with striking improvements in language, play, social interest and social competence. Widespread, patchy delay in brain maturation could possibly account for this combination of delayed visual maturation and autism, with a good prognosis.

Autistic Disorder

A direct role for c-fos in AP-1-dependent gene transcription.

Transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) is a protein fraction that contains c-fos, c-jun, and several other related proteins. Although this protein fraction can stimulate transcription in vitro, the relative contributions of c-fos and c-jun to the transcriptional effect of AP-1 are not clear. In order to approach this question, we have overexpressed both proteins using a baculovirus-mediated expression system and defined their DNA-binding and transcriptional enhancement activities in vitro. Gel mobility-shift and DNase 1 footprinting assays showed that c-jun protein specifically binds to DNA through an AP-1 binding site. Under the same conditions, no detectable binding of c-fos protein was observed. However, when the DNA binding assays were performed in the presence of both c-jun and c-fos, a marked increase in the affinity of c-jun for the AP-1 site was observed. An AP-1-dependent transcription assay was used to test the capability of both proteins to stimulate correctly initiated RNA synthesis in vitro. Under our conditions, c-jun protein was capable of stimulating specific RNA transcription in an AP-1 site-dependent manner. In contrast, c-fos protein showed no detectable transcriptional activation by itself. However, a transcription assay carried out in the presence of both c-fos and c-jun proteins showed that the c-fos/c-jun complex was more active as a transcriptional regulator than c-jun protein alone. These experimental results indicate that c-fos and c-jun proteins are required to reconstitute full AP-1-dependent transcriptional activation and directly demonstrate that c-fos is a regulator of gene expression.

Animals

Reliability of measurements of active and damaged joints in psoriatic arthritis.

Our aim was to test the reliability of clinical measurements in psoriatic arthritis. The study involved clinical assessments of inflammatory activity as well as damage in 10 patients with psoriatic arthritis seen at the psoriatic arthritis clinic. Five rheumatologists examined these patients according to a latin square design. For the clinical measurements of actively inflamed joints and damaged joints there was no significant observer effect. This suggests that these are reliable measurements. There was, however, significant observer effect in the radiologic assessment, and further refinement of the measurement is required.

Arthritis, Psoriatic

Exposure of human cells to low-frequency electromagnetic fields results in quantitative changes in transcripts.

The exposure of human cultured cells to electromagnetic signals with extremely low repetition rates resulted in an increased level of selected RNA transcripts. RNA with homology to beta-actin, histone H2B, and v-myc DNA was monitored by dot blot hybridization following 20 min exposures of HL60 cells to five different electromagnetic signals. The experiments used three asymmetric electromagnetic signals with different repetition rates, and two symmetric sinusoidal signals, delivered at 60 and 72 Hz. The degree of increase in homologous transcripts was dependent on the signal characteristics.

Actins

Genomic organization and deduced amino acid sequence of a putative sodium channel gene in Drosophila.

The deduced amino acid sequence of a Drosophila gene isolated with a vertebrate sodium channel complementary DNA probe revealed an organization virtually identical to the vertebrate sodium channel protein; four homologous domains containing all putative membrane-spanning regions are repeated in tandem with connecting linkers of various sizes. All areas of the protein presumed to be critical for channel function show high evolutionary conservation. These include those proposed to function in voltage-sensitive gating, inactivation, and ion selectivity. All 24 putative gating charges of the vertebrate protein are in identical positions in the Drosophila gene. Ten introns interrupt the coding regions of the four homology units; introns with positions conserved among homology units bracket a region hypothesized to be the selectivity filter for the channel. The Drosophila gene maps to the right arm of the second chromosome in region 60D-E. This position does not coincide with any known mutations that confer behavioral phenotypes, but is close to the seizure locus (60A-B), which has been hypothesized to code for a voltage-sensitive sodium channel.

Amino Acid Sequence