High-energy diffraction dissociation of KL0 into exclusive final states.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
W Lee
Publications and source records attributed to W Lee.
Purified transcription factor AP-1 interacts with TPA-inducible enhancer elements.
The enhancer-binding protein AP-1 has been purified to greater than 95% homogeneity from HeLa cells by sequence-specific DNA affinity chromatography and identified as a 47 kd polypeptide. Purified AP-1 activates transcription in vitro of the wild-type human metallothionein IIA (hMT IIA) gene but not mutant hMT IIA promoters lacking AP-1 recognition sites. DNAase I protection analysis indicates that genetically defined enhancer elements in hMT IIA, SV40, and the human collagenase gene contain high-affinity AP-1-binding sites, each with a conserved recognition motif, TGACTCA. These three genes are transcriptionally induced by treatment of cells with the tumor promoter TPA. Here we demonstrate that multiple synthetic copies of the consensus AP-1-binding site can act as TPA-inducible enhancers in various plasmid constructs after transfection into HeLa cells. These findings suggest that AP-1 is a transcription factor that functions by interacting with a specific enhancer element, and that its activities may be modulated by treatment of cells with TPA, known to stimulate protein kinase C.
Base Sequence↗
Urinary diagnostic indices in preeclampsia-associated oliguria: correlation with invasive hemodynamic monitoring.
Seven oliguric women with preeclampsia were identified among patients admitted for obstetric care at Jefferson Davis or Hermann Hospitals in Houston, Texas. Urinary diagnostic indices (including urine-to-plasma ratios of creatinine, urea nitrogen, and osmolality) were generally consistent with a prerenal etiology for the observed oliguria. Conversely, invasive hemodynamic monitoring revealed a volume replete state in five of seven preeclamptic women studied. All patients were observed to have markedly elevated urinary sodium concentrations. The transient oliguria observed in these patients spontaneously resolved without diuretic or hyperosmolar agents. We conclude that oliguria is a poor index of volume status in preeclamptic women. Urinary diagnostic indices may also be misleading if used to guide fluid management in these patients. Finally, the clinical significance and therapeutic alternatives relating to preeclampsia-associated oliguria are discussed.
Adult↗
Gardnerella vaginalis chorioamnionitis: a report of two cases and a review of the pathogenic role of G. vaginalis in obstetrics.
Two patients with chorioamnionitis due to Gardnerella vaginalis are described. Institution of tocolytic therapy for preterm labor is associated with maternal complications of septic hypotension and pulmonary edema in one patient. Diagnostic modalities, specifically culturing techniques, are discussed, as well as suspected pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Adult↗
Four outbreaks of nosocomial systemic candidiasis.
Candida albicans has recently been described as a cause of nosocomial infection. This paper reports four further outbreaks occurring over a 12-month period in England. There were 13 systemic cases and 6 deaths. The outbreaks were defined by morphotyping and the new technique of immunoblot fingerprinting. Control of the outbreaks was produced by the implementation of strict cross-infection control policies without recourse to systemic chemoprophylaxis.
Adolescent↗
Spontaneous release of interleukin 1 from human blood monocytes reflects bone formation in idiopathic osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a state of reduced skeletal mass characterized by various rates of bone remodeling. Multiple locally elaborated factors have been identified that appear to influence the cellular events in bone remodeling. The possible role(s) of these factors in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is unknown. One such factor, interleukin 1 (IL-1), is of particular interest, as this protein is known to stimulate bone resorption and perhaps formation. Consequently, we have measured the spontaneous secretion of IL-1 activity by cultured peripheral blood monocytes obtained from 22 osteoporotic patients and 14 age-matched control subjects. Monocytes from osteoporotic patients produced more IL-1 than did monocytes from control subjects. When patients were grouped according to monocyte-produced IL-1 activity, dynamic parameters of bone formation, as judged by quantitative histomorphometric analysis of iliac crest bone biopsies and by circulating levels of bone 4-carboxyglutamic acid protein (BGP)--a marker of bone formation--were higher in subjects with elevated IL-1 activity; whereas, indices of bone resorption and static indices of bone formation were similar in subjects with either high or normal IL-1 activity. IL-1 activity released by peripheral blood monocytes appears to reflect bone formation rate in osteoporotic patients and may be of pathogenetic significance in a subset of individuals with osteoporosis.
Adult↗
Pyelonephritis and sepsis due to Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
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Adult↗
A simple method to estimate the rib hump in scoliosis.
A simple device to measure the rib hump deformity in scoliosis is described. The importance of defining the plane of measurement rigidly was stressed. The visible rib humps from 30 scoliotic patients were measured in the form of plotted curves by a group of paramedical and medical staffs. Highly reproducible results were obtained. The expected difference between two curves measured on a random patient by a single investigator was .116 cm, and the expected difference between the curves made by two random investigators on the same patient was .167 cm. This instrument is useful in charting the progress of the rib hump deformity in daily clinical practice.
Equipment Design↗
Ethylene oxide sensitivity in hemodialysis patients.
Sera from 138 patients who had experienced hypersensitivity-type reactions while on hemodialysis (reactors) were examined retrospectively by the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for specific IgE antibody to ethylene oxide (ETO). Seventy-eight hemodialysis patients without a history of reaction were also evaluated as controls. Elevated serum RAST values (greater than 2.0) were more common in reactors (63%) than in controls (11%, p less than 0.001). In a second study, RAST assays were performed using human serum albumin conjugated to ETO (HSA-ETO) as antigen and also using a concentrate of fluid used to rinse ETO-sterilized dialyzers ("dialyzer extract") as antigen. The RAST ratios obtained with HSA-ETO were similar to those obtained using the dialyzer extract (rank order correlation coefficient = 0.829, p less than 0.001). In a third study, RAST inhibition was demonstrated both by HSA-ETO and dialyzer extract. Our results, extending previously published reports, suggest that hypersensitivity to ETO might play an important role in hemodialysis-associated hypersensitivity-type reactions.
Antigens↗
Definition of regions in human c-myc that are involved in transformation and nuclear localization.
To study the relationship between the primary structure of the c-myc protein and some of its functional properties, we made in-frame insertion and deletion mutants of the normal human c-myc coding domain that was expressed from a retroviral promoter-enhancer. We assessed the effects of these mutations on the ability of c-myc protein to cotransform normal rat embryo cells with a mutant ras gene, induce foci in a Rat-1-derived cell line (Rat-1a), and localize in nuclei. Using the cotransformation assay, we found two regions of the protein (amino acids 105 to 143 and 321 to 439) where integrity was critical: one region (amino acids 1 to 104) that tolerated insertion and small deletion mutations, but not large deletions, and another region (amino acids 144) to 320) that was largely dispensable. Comparison with regions that were important for transformation of Rat-1a cells revealed that some are essential for both activities, but others are important for only one or the other, suggesting that the two assays require different properties of the c-myc protein. Deletion of each of three regions of the c-myc protein (amino acids 106 to 143, 320 to 368, and 370 to 412) resulted in partial cytoplasmic localization, as determined by immunofluorescence or immunoprecipitation following subcellular fractionation. Some abnormally located proteins retained transforming activity; most proteins lacking transforming activity appeared to be normally located.
Animals↗
Indirect blood pressure monitoring in the postpartum patient.
Direct intra-arterial blood pressure (BP) measurements were compared with simultaneous standard cuff sphygmomanometry and automated inflatable cuff manometry in 12 postpartum patients. An adjustable arterial damping device was used to correct overestimations of systolic values due to distorted pressure waveforms. No significant differences in diastolic pressure with and without arterial damping were noted between noninvasive techniques and direct intra-arterial values. The systolic readings obtained with the standard cuff were significantly lower than the intra-arterial values with or without the arterial damping device (P less than .001 in both cases). However, mean systolic BP by automated cuff did not differ significantly from intra-arterial readings in the presence of the damping device (P = .10, not significant). We recommend indirect BP monitoring by automated cuff manometry in nonobese critically ill patients requiring frequent BP readings, and arterial catheter in situations requiring frequent arterial blood samples or oxygenation assessment.
Blood Pressure Determination↗
Effects of hydraulic resistance circuit training on physical fitness components of potential relevance to +Gz tolerance.
Recent studies carried out in the United States and Sweden have demonstrated that strength training can improve +Gz acceleration tolerance. Based on these findings, the Canadian Forces have introduced a training program for aircrew of high performance aircraft. This report describes the changes in physical fitness components considered relevant to +Gz tolerance after 12 weeks of training with this program. Prior to beginning training, 45 military personnel were tested, but only 20 completed a minimum of 24 training sessions. The following variables were measured in these 20 subjects before and after training: maximal strength of several large muscle groups during isokinetic contractions, maximal aerobic power and an endurance fitness index, maximal anaerobic power, anthropometric characteristics, and maximal expiratory pressure generated during exhalation. Training involved hydraulic resistance circuit training 2-4 times/week. The circuit consisted of 3 consecutive sets at each of 8 stations using Hydra-Gym equipment. The exercise:rest ratio was 20:40 s for the initial 4 training weeks and was then changed to 30:50. After training the changes in anthropometric measurements suggested that lean body mass was increased. Small, but significant, increases were also measured in muscle strength during bench press, biceps curls, squats, knee extension, and knee flexion. Neither maximal anaerobic power (i.e. muscular endurance) nor maximal expiratory pressure were changed after the training. Indices of endurance fitness were also increased in the present study. The relatively small increases in strength are probably due to the design of the exercise:rest ratio which resulted in improved strength and aerobic fitness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Fingerprinting Candida albicans.
A new method of typing Candida albicans based on immunoblotting is described. Isolates were disrupted by a mixture of enzymic pretreatment with alpha-mannosidase followed by sonication. They were then stained using a modified ELISA system by a rabbit hyperimmune serum raised against a single isolate, C. albicans NCTC 3153. The 190 isolates examined from the London Hospital produced 16 different types. Type 1 accounted for 43% of the isolates and was the commonest type outside the intensive care unit. Type 2 caused an outbreak of systemic candidosis on the intensive care unit. The technique was much more sensitive than the serotyping and morphotyping methods and lacked the phenotypic variability of the biotyping procedure previously used to define the outbreak. The gel-to-gel variation precludes its use in large scale epidemiological work. Its value lies in identification of outbreaks so that they can be controlled by the introduction of measures to prevent cross-infection.
Animals↗
Comparison of low- and high-volume irrigation-aspiration systems for extracapsular cataract extraction.
A low-volume irrigation-aspiration system with a 1-mm tip (0.3-mm aspiration port) has been developed for extracapsular cataract extraction. This autoclavable system uses approximately 36% less irrigating fluid during the irrigation and aspiration of cortical material when compared to currently available models. The time required for cortical aspiration is also shortened by 33%. After three years of clinical experience with the low-volume system at the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, where almost all extracapsular cataract surgery is now performed with the new system, there have been no adverse effects and subsequent capsulotomy has rarely been necessary.
Aged↗
Effect of diclofenac sodium on the arachidonic acid cascade.
The anti-inflammatory activity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is primarily attributed to inhibition of distinct steps in the arachidonic acid cascade, particularly, the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. Diclofenac sodium, a compound of this class of drugs, appears to have a dual effect since it also regulates the lipoxygenase pathway. Study of appropriate cell systems (leukocytes and whole blood in rats) demonstrates that diclofenac's potent inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase activity causes a sharp reduction in the formation of prostaglandin, prostacyclin, and thromboxane products, all key mediators of inflammation. Recent work discloses that at higher concentrations, diclofenac sodium also reduces the formation of products of the lipoxygenase pathway (5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, leukotrienes). The mechanism by which this evolves, however, appears to be unrelated to direct inhibition of lipoxygenase. Instead, by enhancing its reincorporation into triglycerides, diclofenac sodium reduces the intracellular level of free arachidonic acid.
6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
The role of nasointestinal intubation in elective colonic surgery.
One hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients undergoing elective colonic resections were treated prospectively and randomly with either a long intestinal (Cantor) tube preoperatively, a nasogastric tube placed intraoperatively, or no gastrointestinal tube at all. Patients were evaluated for length of hospital stay, duration of postoperative ileus, adequacy of intraoperative intestinal decompression, gastric dilatation, and operative complications. No significant difference could be seen in the tubed or no-tube group.
Adult↗
Squamous and trophoblastic cells in the maternal pulmonary circulation identified by invasive hemodynamic monitoring during the peripartum period.
The antemortem diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism has traditionally relied on the identification of amniotic fluid debris in the maternal circulation by central venous or pulmonary arterial catheterization. Pulmonary artery blood specimens from 14 term pregnant women with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension suggest that squamous or trophoblastic cells may be normally present in the maternal pulmonary circulation during the peripartum period and that their presence is not pathognomonic of clinically significant amniotic fluid embolism.
Amniotic Fluid↗
Evaluation by computerized axial tomography of eclamptic women with seizures refractory to magnesium sulfate therapy.
Over a 1-year period, seven eclamptic patients with repetitive seizures while receiving therapeutic levels of intravenous magnesium sulfate were evaluated by computerized axial tomography. In five patients brain abnormalities were identified, which included diffuse cerebral edema (one), cerebral venous thrombosis (two), and low density white matter (two). Clinical management of eclamptic women on the basis of structural central nervous system abnormalities documented by computerized tomography appears to warrant further investigation.
Adolescent↗