A comparative analysis of primary care nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
S Pan
Publications and source records attributed to S Pan.
Evolution of the T cell receptor beta repertoire from synovial fluid T cells of patients with juvenile onset rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of T cell clonal expansion and the proportion of T cells that persist over time in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with juvenile onset rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS: We collected SF samples from each of 3 patients with JRA at 2 to 3 year intervals. To measure expression across the entire spectrum of Vbeta families in each of 7 fluids examined, we synthesized and amplified dscDNA from all 24 Vbeta families with a single reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The proportion of clonally expanded T cells and persistent T cells is low and variable among patients. CONCLUSION: The data are supportive of disease models not centered on T cells but centered on the changing nature of the disease over time.
Age of Onset↗
Primary linitis plastica carcinoma of the colon: a case report.
Primary linitis plastica carcinoma of the colon is rare. Most lesions are located on the left side of the colon and these tumors often involve the lymph nodes, peritoneum, and ovaries. We report a case of primary linitis plastica of the sigmoid colon in a 32-year-old Chinese woman who presented with a 7-month history of constipation and associated abdominal pain and tenesmus. Colonoscopy and barium-enema studies showed a stricture at the sigmoid colon. The patient underwent radical surgical resection and received adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy. She died 12 months after the initial diagnosis. The poor prognosis seen with this tumor is due largely to a delay in diagnosis. With increasing familiarity with this tumor, it is hoped that earlier diagnosis and curative surgery will be possible, leading to improvement in survival.
Adult↗
[Preparation of leucine-methyl glutamate-glutamic acid copolymers].
The method for preparing leucine-methyl glutamate-glutamic acid copolymer was studied. In the first place benzyl glutamate and methyl glutamate were synthesized respectively. Then N-carboxy anhydrides (NCA) of leucine, benzyl glutamate or methyl glutamate were prepared in a closed container by phosgene-toluene solution method. After copolymerization the copolymers were debenzylated and demethylated by anhydrous hydrogen bromide. The free carboxyl group mole content in side chains of the copolymer was controlled by various standing periods following bubbling HBr. Analysis of infrared spectrogram and ultraviolet asorbance of copolymers indicated that this procedure resulted in the loss of almost all benzyl groups and some methyl groups.
Glutamic Acid↗
[Establishment of hybridoma technique and study on fusion conditions of hybridoma cells].
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Animals↗
The NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase locus in human colon carcinoma HCT 116 cells resistant to mitomycin C.
Previously, we reported an association of mitomycin C resistance and a deficiency of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) in HCT 116-R30A cells, a subline derived from mitomycin C-sensitive HCT 116 cells. In HCT 116 cells, we found two mRNAs coding full-length cDNAs of NQO1 differing at codon 139, one with arginine (wild type), and one with tryptophan. Only the tryptophan 139 form of mRNA was detected in HCT 116-R30A cells. In addition, an exon 4 deleted mRNA of NQO1, a product of alternative splicing, was detected in both cell lines. Analysis by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that NQO1 mRNA coding full-length cDNAs in HCT 116-R30A cells was 15% of that present in HCT 116 cells. A Mr 26,000 protein, representing the exon 4 deleted mRNA, was not detected by polyclonal anti-NQO1 in HCT 116 sublines. Recombinant plasmids of exon 4 deleted cDNA generated a Mr 26,000 protein without enzymatic activity in Escherichia coli but not in Cos7 cells. The function of exon 4 deleted mRNA is yet unknown. The rates of decay of all NQO1 mRNAs in HCT 116 and HCT 116-R30A cells were similar. DNA sequences of the promoter regions of the NQO1 gene (-837 bp) from both cell lines did not differ from each other or from the same region of the human liver NQO1 gene. Sequences of cis elements in the 837-bp region and mRNA stability could not account for the low expression of full-length mRNA in HCT 116-R30A cells. Southern blot analysis showed the size and the intensity of the NQO1 gene in the two cell lines to be similar. This result was confirmed by semiquantitative PCR analysis of a 450-bp fragment in the NQO1 gene containing codon 139 and the exon 4 region. Digestion of this PCR-amplified fragment by restriction enzyme MspI revealed that HCT 116 cells have two heterozygous NQO1 alleles, a wild-type and a tryptophan 139 form. The functional wild-type NQO1 allele was not detected in HCT 116-R30A cells. Sensitive and resistant cell lines each contained one normal and one abnormal chromosome 16. Loss of the wild-type NQO1 allele in HCT 116-R30A cells did not result from a loss of chromosome 16 or copies of the NQO1 gene. Alteration of factor(s) such as trans-acting factors and DNA methylation may be involved in the down-regulation of NQO1 in the mitomycin C-resistant HCT 116-R30A cells.
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
Near-infrared spectroscopic measurement of physiological glucose levels in variable matrices of protein and triglycerides.
Selective calibration models are generated for glucose over the 1-20 nM concentration range by use of partial least-squares regression analysis of near-infrared spectra from 5000 to 4000 cm-1. Two spectral data sets are used to simulate triglyceride and protein variations in clinical samples. Triacetin is used in one data set to simulate variations in triglyceride levels, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) is used in the second data set to simulate variations in blood protein levels. Although these matrix components possess strong absorption bands that overlap and overshadow the absorption bands of glucose, successful calibration models can be generated with no evidence of prediction bias caused by the different levels of the matrix components. Furthermore, the benefits of using digital Fourier filtering as a preprocessing step are evaluated in terms of calibration performance. The resulting calibration models provide standard errors of prediction of 0.5 and 0.2 mM in triacetin and BSA matrices, respectively. Accurate glucose predictions are demonstrated from spectra that correspond to protein concentrations not present in the calibration data set. Lastly, digital Fourier filtering alone is shown to have only limited ability to isolate glucose signals from those of BSA and triacetin due to similarities in the widths of the absorption bands of the three species.
Animals↗
Sequence analysis of MHC class II Eb cDNAs from H2r and H2p haplotypes.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Gastric metaplasia of regenerating duodenal mucosa and deformity of duodenal bulb: a correlative study.
The correlation between the presence and degree of gastric metaplasia of regenerating duodenal mucosa and the deformity of duodenal bulb was studied. Based on the endoscopically morphological patterns of bulb, the duodenal ulcers were divided into three types: type I, with a normal-shaped bulb; type II, with mildly deformed bulb; and type III, with a markedly deformed bulb. A total of 159 patients with active duodenal ulcers were scheduled to be treated with H2-receptor antagonists. Of these patients, 124 proved to have a healed duodenal ulcer 4 weeks after initial treatment upon follow-up endoscopic examinations. Two biopsies were taken from the centre of the ulcer scar when the ulcer was found to be healed for light microscopic study. Histologically, the degree of gastric metaplasia was divided into three grades: grades 0, 1 and 2. The results show that a healed duodenal ulcer with a normal-shaped bulb is not frequently accompanied by gastric metaplasia. However, a healed ulcer with a markedly deformed bulb has a high incidence and degree of gastric metaplasia, which may be easily colonized by Helicobacter pylori and thus develop an environment of easy recurrence. Therefore, a cycle of healing and recurrence may exist in patients with a duodenal ulcer and a markedly deformed bulb. Eradication of H. pylori may be the best way to break this cycle.
Adult↗
Predicting the degree of rurality of physician assistant practice location.
This study used a block multiple regression analysis to examine the impacts of different factors on the degree of rurality of physician assistants' (PAs') practice location and compared the power of each block of factors in predicting rurality. Differences in the models for PAs in primary care specialties and for PAs as a whole were also explored. The findings suggest that policies should provide support to PA students in primary care specialties and to rural-oriented PA education/training programs. Efforts to facilitate PA recruitment and retention should include, among other things, increasing practice responsibility/autonomy, broadening acceptance of PA prescriptive authority, and providing equitable reimbursement for nonphysician care of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Career Choice↗
Analysis of T cell receptor gamma transcripts in right and left knee synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE: To establish the extent of clonal expansion of T cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta + T cells in synovial fluid (SF), and the sharing of the clones between affected knee joints from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We quantified, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the level of expression from each of the 4 V gamma gene families. We resolved PCR products on denaturing polyacrylamide gels to measure the proportion of mRNA transcripts contributed by clonally expanded gamma delta T cells. We subcloned and sequenced 509 cDNA clones derived from 8 SF and one peripheral blood sample from 2 patients with RA and one patient with juvenile onset RA to fully characterize the populations of T cell receptor gamma mRNA sequences. RESULTS: We found in each patient disproportionate expression of a subpopulation of T cell receptor gamma mRNA transcripts. Some of these transcripts are expressed by T cells found in both joints. CONCLUSION: Synovial TCR gamma delta + T cells are oligoclonal and some of these T cell clones are common to SF of both joints. The finding of identical T cell sequences from SF of both affected joints from each patient points to a role for gamma delta + T cells in disease progression.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Reconstitution of the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor. Functional interaction among alpha 1, beta, gamma and alpha 2 delta subunits.
The L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel purified from skeletal muscle by virtue of its dihydropyridine (DHP) binding activity, is composed of alpha 1, alpha 2 delta, beta and gamma subunits. The alpha 1 subunit has the ability to function alone as a Ca2+ channel and a receptor for DHP and other Ca2+ channel antagonists. In this study, the non-alpha 1 components coexpressed with alpha 1 in COS cells were investigated for their effects on DHP binding and suppression of an anomalous allosteric regulation of the phenylalkylamine (-)D600 in complexes lacking one or more subunits. (-)D600 increased DHP binding to membranes of COS cells expressing alpha 1 beta while it did not affect DHP binding to skeletal muscle membranes. Coexpression of gamma or alpha 2 delta with alpha 1 beta partially suppressed this effect. Coexpression of all the subunits completely eliminated the stimulatory effect of (-)D600, while at the same time increasing the affinity of the complex for DHP to that stabilized in partial complexes by the phenylalkylamine. These results demonstrate that all of the components that co-purify are required for the formation of a functional DHP receptor having the properties of the native skeletal muscle DHP receptor.
Animals↗
[Advances in the study on human chorionic gonadotropin based birth-control vaccines].
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Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human↗
[Hemodynamic effects of prostaglandin E1 in patients with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension].
Investigations were performed to determine whether prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) would get a favorable change in pulmonary hymodynamics in patients with congenital heart disease and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Thirty-seven patients were studied. PGE1 was infused into the pulmonary artery with 100-200 ng/kg.min. PGE1 caused a significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure and in pulmonary resistance in low-resistance group (TPRO < or = 600 kPa.s/L) (P < 0.05). But PGE1 resulted in systemic hypotention in high-resistance group for the same dose (TPRO > 600 kPa.s/L). This study shows that PGE1 is an effective vasodilator. The doses and the effects of PGE1 are dependent on the degree of pulmonary vascular disease.
Adolescent↗
[Electrophoretic determination of aqueous and serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the diagnosis of retinoblastoma].
OBJECTIVE: Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) or isoenzymes containing gamma-enolase are considered valuable in the diagnosis of tumors of neuroectodermal origin. METHOD: We used rapid electrophoretic method on cellulose acetate plate to determine the patterns of enolase isoenzymes in the 21 aqueous humor and 23 serum specimens from 23 patients with retinoblastoma (Rb) and 21 aqueous and 25 serum specimens from 25 control cases to evaluate NSE in the diagnosis of RB. The assay allowed assessment of all three major isoenzymes (alpha alpha, alpha gamma, and gamma gamma), and NSE relative activity and its percentage in the total relative activity of the three enolase isoenzymes were assessed by means of a fluorometer. RESULTS: Aqueous from all patients with Rb contained alpha alpha, alpha gamma, and gamma gamma isoenzymes and presented strong positive, the positive rate of NSE being 100% and its relative activity accounting for 45 +/- 9% of the total relative activity of the 3 enolase isoenzymes; no enolase was detectable in the control aqueous with cataract, glaucoma and Coats's diseases (4 cases), but in two patients with traumatic hyphema alpha alpha band, while the sera faint alpha gamma and gamma gamma presented in the aqueous. The control serum contained only an alpha alpha band, while the sera from patients with RB contained alpha alpha, alpha gamma and gamma gamma bands in 18 of 23 specimens, the positive rate being 78.2%, and only alpha alpha bands in the rest 5 specimens (21.8%). In the patients with Rb, the NSE relative activity and its percentage in the total relative activity of the 3 isoenzymes in serum (36 +/- 9%) were significantly lower than that in aqueous. CONCLUSION: The amounts of NSE significantly in both serum and aqueous from patients with Rb, and the immunoelectrophoretic assay for determination of enolase patterns is valuable in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Rb. In addition, the method is rapid, simple and requires only a little among (< 5 microliters) of sample.
Aqueous Humor↗
[Study of pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration].
OBJECTIVES: To explore the pathogenesis of age-related macular degenerastion (AMD) for its early prevention and treatment. METHODS: The enzymes of red blood cells, levels of serum mineral elements and antiretinal antibodies were determined in AMD and controls. Electronic microscopy, immunohistochemical survey of the AMD patient subretinal neovascular membrane were performed. The light exposure of animal experiment was also made. RESULTS: The levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as serum zinc were decreased in AMD patients, the ratio of copper and zinc was increase. The retinal antibody reaction was higher than that of controls, and the subretinal neovascular membrane showed inflammatory granulomatous appearance. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to age, AMD may be related to light damage, change in human defense system and chronic inflammatory process.
Age Factors↗
Molecular determinants of cardiac Ca2+ channel pharmacology. Subunit requirement for the high affinity and allosteric regulation of dihydropyridine binding.
Cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels are multisubunit complexes composed of alpha 1C, alpha 2 delta, and beta 2 subunits. We tested the roles of these subunits in forming a functional complex by characterizing the effects of subunit composition on dihydropyridine binding, its allosteric regulation, and the ability of dihydropyridines to inhibit channel activity. Transfection of COS.M6 cells with cardiac alpha 1C-a (alpha 1) led to the appearance of dihydropyridine ([3H]PN200-110) binding which was increased by coexpression of cardiac beta 2a (beta), alpha 2 delta a (alpha 2), and the skeletal muscle gamma. Maximum binding was achieved when cells expressed alpha 1, beta, and alpha 2. Cells transfected with alpha 1 and beta had a binding affinity that was 5-10-fold lower than that observed in cardiac membranes. Coexpression of alpha 2 normalized this affinity. (-)-D600 and diltiazem both partially inhibited PN200-100 binding to cardiac microsomes, but stimulated binding in cells transfected with alpha 1 and beta. Again, coexpression of alpha 2 normalized this allosteric regulation. Therefore coexpression of alpha 1 beta and alpha 2 completely reconstituted high affinity dihydropyridine binding and its allosteric regulation as observed in cardiac membranes. Skeletal muscle gamma was not required for this reconstitution. Expression in Xenopus oocytes demonstrated that coexpression of alpha 2 with alpha 1 beta increased the potency and maximum extent of block of Ca2+ channel currents by nisoldipine, a dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel antagonist. Our results demonstrate that alpha 2 subunits are essential components of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel and predict a minimum subunit composition of alpha 1C beta 2 alpha 2 delta for this channel.
Allosteric Regulation↗
Isolation and characterization of the arginase-encoding gene (arg) from Coccidioides immitis.
The arginase (ARG)-encoding gene (arg) of Coccidioides immitis, a human fungal pathogen, was cloned and sequenced. Both the genomic and cDNA sequences are provided. The transcription start point and poly(A) sites were confirmed. The arg gene, which was located on chromosome II of C. immitis by Southern hybridization, is a single-copy gene with two introns and a 966-bp ORF which translates a 322-aa protein of 35.1 kDa. The deduced ARG protein showed 44% identity and 68% similarity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARG.
Amino Acid Sequence↗