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Biomedical subjects

R Moser

Publications and source records attributed to R Moser.

136 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The clinical and parasitological presentation of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Uganda is unaffected by HIV-1 infection.

The relation between Plasmodium falciparum malaria and symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection was investigated in paediatric and adult patients in Kampala, Uganda, from 1987 to 1989. Both infections contributed largely to hospital morbidity. Of 1527 clinically suspicious in-patients, 61% were positive for HIV-1 infection. 52% of patients with positive HIV-1 serology fulfilled the World Health Organization clinical case definition for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Africa. No association could be found between HIV-1 infection and malaria either in paediatrics or in adults. P. falciparum parasitaemia was present in 18% of all patients and no differences in prevalence of malaria infection or in parasite density could be demonstrated between HIV-1 positive and HIV-1 negative patients. The comparison of clinical symptoms showed typical differences in AIDS-related morbidity but no difference in malaria-specific morbidity. Also, the response to malaria treatment was the same in HIV-1 positive and HIV-1 negative patients. P. falciparum malaria does not appear to act as an opportunistic agent in AIDS patients in Uganda.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of the synthetic gene of an artificial DDT-binding polypeptide in Escherichia coli.

This paper reports the expression of an artificial functional polypeptide in bacteria. The gene of a designed 24-residue DDT-binding polypeptide (DBP) was inserted between the BamHI and PstI cleavage sites of plasmid pUR291. The hybrid plasmid, pUR291-DBP, was cloned in Escherichia coli JM109. After induction by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside a fusion protein was expressed in which DBP was linked to the COOH-terminus of beta-galactosidase. DBP, which is stable to trypsin, was obtained by tryptic digestion of the fusion protein and subsequent fractionation of the tryptic peptides by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. Recombinant and chemically synthesized DBP showed identical chromatographic properties, amino acid composition, and chymotryptic digestion patterns. Both the beta-galactosidase-DBP fusion and isolated recombinant DBP bound DDT. The fusion protein was 25 times as potent as the designed 24-residue DBP in activating a cytochrome P-450 model system using equimolar catalytic amounts of the two proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A phase II trial of weekly high-dose folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil in combination with epirubicin as salvage chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer.

Twenty-five patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) who had failed from first-line chemotherapy entered into a phase II study employing weekly 5-fluorouracil (FU) 350 mg/m2, folinic acid (FA) 500 mg/m2, and epirubicin (EPI) 35 mg/m2, for a maximum of 18 cycles. Twenty-three patients were evaluable for response. One achieved a complete response and 7 showed a partial response, for an objective response rate of 35%; 7 (31%) patients achieved a stabilization of the disease, while 8 (35%) patients progressed under treatment. The median duration of response was 6 months and median survival amounted to 10.6 months. Side effects were in general mild with grade III leukopenia in 5 patients and grade IV leukopenia in 1 patient. Other toxicity included nausea and vomiting (88%), diarrhea (26%), stomatitis (40%) and alopecia (84%), but all of them mainly restricted to WHO grade I and II. Our results suggest that the combination of high-dose FA, FU, and EPI can be safely administered in the investigated schedule and represents an attractive alternative in the search for second-line therapies that combine effectiveness with acceptable toxicity in the treatment of refractory ABC.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparative chemical study of Maytenus ilicifolia mart. reiss and Maytenus robusta reiss (Celastraceae).

This work describes a comparative qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of Maytenus ilicifolia and Maytenus robusta (Celastraceae), extracts by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC), using external standards as the method of determination and thin layer chromatographic (TLC). The results show that both plants have a similar chromatographic profile. However, M. robusta exhibited about three times higher concentration of triterpene friedelin than M. ilicifolia.

Brazil↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Binding of interleukin-13 and interleukin-4 to the interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 receptor of human synovial fibroblasts.

Synovial fibroblasts expressed transcripts for IL-4R alpha, and IL-13R alpha 1 and IL-13R alpha 2. Using weighted nonlinear computer modeling of the data from equilibrium binding studies, a 2 bindings sites model fitted the data best. After occupation of the shared high affinity receptors by the non-signaling, double mutant IL-4(121)R-->D, 124Y-->D (RY-IL-4) the high affinity binding of IL-13 could be abolished. A 2 binding site model still could be fitted, however the improvement in fit over a onesite model was not statistically significant. Using affinity spectra, at least 2 binding sites are apparent. After treatment with RY-IL-4, some of the high affinity binding was abolished, however not completely. A correlation between the number of binding sites and the affinity is apparent, which seriously casts doubt on the classical evaluation of binding isotherms, where the parameters are assumed to be independent. In a previous study we suggested that the large number of IL-13R alpha 2 monomers are silent receptors, likely representing a decoy target for IL-13. The high affinity binding therefore most likely represents the binding to the heterodimer consisting of IL-4R alpha and IL-13R alpha 1 or IL-13R alpha 2. The low affinity binding may represent the IL-13R alpha 2.

Binding Sites↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Results of a national survey of physicians' knowledge and application of prevention capabilities.

We used the Comprehensive Prevention Knowledge and Applications Survey Instrument to study health promotion and disease prevention activities of a national sample of 777 family physicians. The study demonstrated active counseling in some areas, such as smoking cessation, but lesser efforts in other aspects, including counseling about smokeless tobacco cessation, seat belt use, sunlight exposure, prevention of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, and preconceptual counseling. Although respondents thought themselves prepared to counsel about prevention efforts, they reported limited success in changing patients' behavior. The physicians documented frequent application of many prevention techniques, and they noted much more frequent use of mammography than has been reported in prior studies. The survey results indicate the need for modification of medical education programs and for enhancement of ability to change behavior to reduce health risks.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Comprehensive Prevention Knowledge and Applications Survey Instrument: its validity and reliability.

Because the instruments used to measure current practices among primary care physicians in a broad range of prevention activities are limited, we developed a study to test a tool that would evaluate current prevention knowledge and applications, including items regarding activities to prevent AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The Comprehensive Prevention Knowledge and Applications Survey Instrument measures knowledge, counseling capabilities, and use of recommended applications in preventive medicine. We designed and tested a 74-item instrument. Four recognized experts in preventive medicine and public health determined its content validity. We then proceeded with reliability testing with a random sample of 315 family physicians and replicated it with an additional 432 physicians for stability reliability. Internal consistency reliability and stability reliability have both been demonstrated for this instrument.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of physicians' knowledge and application of AIDS prevention capabilities.

Currently, no effective immunization prevents AIDS and no curative treatment exists for the AIDS patient. However, sufficient knowledge of the pathophysiology of this disease exists to prevent its spread. Effective application of this capability requires that health care providers secure and apply this knowledge. This study reports the results of a national survey of family physicians' knowledge and application of AIDS prevention capabilities. The Comprehensive Prevention Knowledge Applications Survey Instrument was used for the survey. It revealed that, in contrast to other prevention activities, respondents (n = 765) reported low use of practices important in AIDS prevention. For example, only 18% routinely obtain sexual histories from patients seen regularly, and, of those obtaining these histories, fewer than 20% routinely obtain information regarding high-risk activities. Over 40% do not routinely ask about homosexual activities, and almost 60% omit questions about intravenous drug use, even though the patient has symptoms suggesting AIDS in both instances. Methods of enhancing application of available capabilities may focus on expanded education and intervention activities.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Late neutrophil infiltration of canine endothelial cell seeded Dacron grafts.

Neutrophil infiltration is known to affect the endothelial monolayer of seeded vascular grafts. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro system allowing the monitoring of neutrophil (PMN) adherence after graft implantation. Dacron prostheses were seeded with autologous canine microvascular cells from omental adipose tissue and implanted for 35 days. In vitro, mature monolayers of canine homologous venous endothelial cells (CHVENC) were exposed to heparinized whole blood samples taken at days one and four postoperatively, followed by weekly tests. PMNs adherent to the CHVENC were counted per culture area. Results showed the feasibility of PMN monitoring, and demonstrated a late PMN adhesion, reaching its maximum about 20 days after implantation and decreasing to normal values after five weeks. It is concluded that in vitro tests can be used for noninvasive studies of host plasma factors and leukocyte activation.

Animals↗