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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The age of diagnosis of sensorineural hearing impairment in children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors responsible for delays in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sensorineural hearing impairment (SNHI), and to assess the thoroughness of medical evaluation in these children. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: State-supported school for the deaf. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: 291 children with SNHI, the bast majority of whom are profoundly hearing impaired. Data were collected from the school's database, individual student records, and a parental questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) The age of diagnosis and treatment of SNHI; (2) actors leading to a delay in diagnosis; (3) current medical evaluations used to determine the etiology of SNHI; and (4) the level of parental satisfaction with the evaluation process. RESULTS: Many children with SNHI experience delays in diagnosis from the time of first suspicion of hearing loss. Children with a risk factor for SNHI are diagnosed no earlier than children without a risk factor. Caucasian children are diagnosed significantly earlier than either Black or Hispanic children, regardless of socioeconomic status. Inconsistent medical evaluation ensues following the diagnosis of SNHI, and parental satisfaction with this process is low. CONCLUSIONS: The average age of diagnosis of SNHI remains unacceptably high. There exists a need to enhance physician awareness of childhood deafness and to develop guidelines for the medical evaluation in cases of pediatric SNHI. Lastly, the importance of parental concern regarding a child's hearing or language development must be re-emphasized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Cellular and ionic mechanisms underlying erythromycin-induced long QT intervals and torsade de pointes.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to elucidate the cellular and ionic basts for erythromycin-induced long QT syndrome. BACKGROUND: Erythromycin is known to produce long QTU intervals on the electrocardiogram (ECG) and to be associated with the development of torsade de pointes (TdP). The mechanisms responsible for the adverse effects of this widely used antibiotic are not well defined. METHODS: The present study used microelectrode and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques to assess the effects of erythromycin on epicardial, endocardial and M cells in transmural strips, arterially perfused wedges and single myocytes isolated from the canine left ventricle. RESULTS: In isolated strips, erythromycin (10 to 100 micrograms/ml) produced a much more pronounced prolongation of the action potential duration (APD) in M cells than in endocardial and epicardial cells, resulting in the development of a large dispersion of repolarization across the ventricular wall at slow stimulation rates. Erythromycin (50 to 100 micrograms/ml) induced early after depolarizations (EADs) in cells in the M (20%) but not epicardial or endocardial regions in transmural strips of ventricular free wall. Erythromycin (100 micrograms/ml) also caused APD prolongation and a transmural dispersion of repolarization, but not EADs, in intact arterially perfused wedges of canine left ventricle. These changes were attended by the development of a long QT interval on the transmural ECG. A polymorphic ventricular tachycardia closely resembling TdP was readily and reproducibly induced after erythromycin but not before. Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, used to examine the effects of erythromycin on myocytes isolated from the M region, showed a potent effect of the drug to inhibit the rapidly activating component (IK(r)) but not the slowly activating component (IKs) of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK). The inward rectifier current (IK1) was unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate a preferential response of M cells to the class III actions of erythromycin, due principally to the effect of the drug to inhibit IK(r) in a population of cells largely devoid of IKs. Our findings indicate that erythromycin thus produces long QT intervals as well as a prominent dispersion of repolarization across the ventricular wall, setting the stage for induction of TdP-like tachyarrhythmias displaying characteristics typical of reentry.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

Biochemistry of cytosolic sulfotransferases involved in bioactivation.

Numerous studies have indicated that two classes of cytosolic STs are involved in the bioactivation of procarcinogens and drugs to reactive electrophiles, especially in rodent tissues. These two classes of STs are the hydroxysteroid STs, which are involved in the conjugation of hydroxymethyl PAHs, and the phenol STs involved in the sulfation of alkenylbenzenes and N-hydroxyarylamines. Purification studies of rat liver STs have clearly indicated that specific isoforms of hydroxysteroid and phenol STs are capable of sulfating procarcinogens in vitro. Rat liver STa and BAST I are structurally similar hydroxysteroid STs, which have been shown to sulfate and bioactive HMBA. Molecular cloning studies of the rat hydroxysteroid STs indicate that these enzymes are probably part of a family of closely related genes. The single human hydroxysteroid ST that has been characterized is very similar to the rat enzymes, but its role in the bioactivation of hydroxymethyl PAHs has not been established. Phenol STs have been demonstrated to have an important role in the bioactivation of alkenylbenzenes and N-hydroxyarylamines. Purification of rat phenol STs has identified several different forms, but only some appear to be involved in bioactivation of procarcinogens. Four isoforms (HAST I and II, AST III and IV) are apparently responsible for the majority of N-hydroxyarylamine sulfation. The relationship between these enzymes has not been established but they may represent similar enzymes. Different isoforms of rat phenol ST are also involved in the bioactivation of procarcinogens and drugs. However, the role of these phenol STs, PST-1, Mx-ST, and paracetamol ST, in carcinogenesis requires further study. In human tissues, only two phenol STs, P-PST and M-PST, have been identified. The role of these enzymes or unidentified STs in the sulfation of N-hydroxyarylamine procarcinogens has not yet been established. Initial reports of the molecular cloning and expression of the rat and human phenol ST genes will provide a valuable mechanism for the characterization of roles of the individual enzymes in bioactivation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Plant factors influencing enzyme retting of fiber and seed flax.

Retting, which is the microbial activity through which bast fibers are released from nonfiber tissues, is the limiting factor in flax processing. The objective of this work is to identify chemical and structural characteristics in a variety of fiber and seed flax types that influence enzyme retting in a recently developed method. Analyses of flax retted in a series of tests, including two enzyme rettings in some cases, indicated that lignin did not limit the separation of fibers from shive and showed that pectinases in enzyme-retting mixtures could ret fiber and seed flax. However, mature stems, such as that in flax produced for seed, had greater amounts of cutin and wax in the cleaned fiber product, suggesting that the cuticle could be a greater antiquality factor in seed versus fiber flax. With seed flax, the fraction of finer fibers produced during retting was significantly lower than with fiber flax. Results indicated that enzyme retting could be used to obtain flax fibers from seed flax stem residues and add value to this agricultural material.

Dietary Fiber↗
PubMed2003

The emergence of a C/EBPalpha mutation in the clonal evolution of MDS towards secondary AML.

Recently, mutations in the transcription factor CCAAT/ enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) have been described in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We performed a mutational analysis of the C/EBPalpha gene in the myelodysplastic syndromes and AML with antecedent MDS. No mutations were found in patients with refractory anemia (0/27), refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (0/7), refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB 0/16) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML 0/5). One out of 13 patients with RAEB-T/AML secondary to MDS showed a mutation in the C/EBPalpha gene. In this patient a 4 bp insertion disrupted codon 69 in one allele. This novel +1 frame shift is predicted to result in a truncated protein of 107 amino acids. However, the dominant protein translated was the C/EBPalpha isoform p30, which was previously shown to inhibit the DNA-binding and transactivation properties of C/EBPalpha p42. Interestingly this mutation could not be detected at diagnosis in the initial RAEB and RAEB-T stage. The mutation appeared at relapse after chemotherapy for RAEB-T. We conclude that the C/EBPalpha mutation was not essential for the initial blast accumulation. The emergence of a bast clone carrying a C/EBPalpha mutation at relapse indicates that this mutation may confer a growth advantage in a myeloid cell with an established differentiation block.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Phylogeography of maritime pine inferred with organelle markers having contrasted inheritance.

Range-wide variation of maritime pine was studied at maternally inherited and paternally inherited markers (mitochondrial DNA and chloroplast DNA). While chloroplast DNA exhibits the highest diversity, phylogeographic inferences from this marker are blurred by homoplasy and extensive pollen flow. In contrast, the only three mitochondrial haplotypes found provide a clear picture of nonoverlapping areas colonized from different refugia, with no single population having a mixed composition (GST = 1). Comparison of the genetic structure inferred from both organelle genomes allows the investigation of differential seed and pollen dispersal, pointing to pollen, but not seed, dispersal across the Strait of Gibraltar (from Morocco into Iberia). A comparison with already available genetic information, especially that of one of the maritime pine's most threatening insect pests, the bast scale Matsucoccus feytaudi, further completes the picture.

DNA Primers↗
PubMed2003

Taurine concentrations in animal feed ingredients; cooking influences taurine content.

The aim of this study was to determine the taurine content in a variety of animal feeds. There is very little information on the taurine content of ingredients used in home-prepared diets for dogs and cats, and foods fed to wild animals in captivity. This study reports the taurine content of both common and alternative feed ingredients, and compares taurine loss as a result of different methods of food preparation. Foods were selected based on their use in commercial and home-prepared diets. Animal muscle tissue, particularly marine, contained high taurine concentrations. Plant products contained either low or undetectable amounts of taurine. The amount of taurine that remained in a feed ingredient after cooking depended upon the method of food preparation. When an ingredient was constantly surrounded by water during the cooking process, such as in boiling or basting, more taurine was lost. Food preparation methods that minimized water loss, such as baking or frying, had higher rates of taurine retention.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Improved polygalacturonase production from Bacillus sp. MG-cp-2 under submerged (SmF) and solid state (SSF) fermentation.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of amino acids, vitamins and surfactants on polygalacturonase production from Bacillus sp. MG-cp-2 under submerged (SmF) and solid state fermentation (SSF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacillus sp. MG-cp-2 was isolated from the outer covering of the seeds of Celastrus paniculatus. Out of the various surfactants, amino acids and vitamins, Tween-60, DL-serine and folic acid maximally enhanced polygalacturonase production by 2.7-fold (240.0 U x ml(-1)), 4.0-fold (360.0 U x ml(-1)) and 3.8-fold (342.0 U x ml(-1)) respectively, under submerged fermentation (SmF). In solid state fermentation (SSF), Tween-80, pyridoxine and DL-ornithine monohydrochloride induced highest enzyme production up to 1.73-fold (6956.5 U x g(-1)), 5.3-fold (21224.4 U x g(-1)) and 5.74-fold (23076.9 U x g(-1)), respectively. CONCLUSION: Amino acids and their analogues, vitamins and surfactants effect significantly polygalacturonase production by Bacillus sp. MG-cp-2 when grown under submerged (SmF) and solid state fermentation (SSF) conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study provides useful information about regulation of polygalacturonase biosynthesis in Bacillus sp. MG-cp-2, which appears to be an interplay of nutritional and physical factors. Alkaline polygalacturonase from Bacillus sp. MG-cp-2 will be extremely useful in the treatment of alkaline pectic waste waters from vegetable and fruit processing industries and in degumming of bast fibres.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2006

A common mode of attraction of larvae and adults of insect predators to the sex pheromone of their prey (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae).

The attraction of several adult predators, genera Elatophilus, Hemerobius and Sympherobius, to the sex pheromones of pine bast scales, Matsucoccus Cockerell, has already been demonstrated. Here, the hypothesis that the larvae of these predators are similarly attracted to the host prey sex pheromone is tested. The response of predators was tested in field trials using pine tree arenas baited with the sex pheromones of M. josephi Bodenheimer & Harpaz, M. feytaudi Ducasse and M. matsumurae Kuwana. Experiments were conducted in Israel in stands of Pinus halepensis infested by M. josephi and in Portugal in stands of P. pinaster infested by M. feytaudi, respectively. The selectivity of larvae for the three sex pheromones was tested in Petri dish arenas in the laboratory. In the field, the larval stages exhibited similar modes of attraction to those of the conspecific adults: Elatophilus hebraicus Pericart in Aleppo pine forest, E. crassicornis Reuter and Hemerobius stigma Stephens in the maritime pine forests. Laboratory choice tests confirmed the kairomonal selectivity of larvae. Both forest and laboratory tests demonstrated the response of a coccinellid of the genus Rhyzobius to the sex pheromones of M. feytaudi and M. matsumurae. A unique chemical communication system among several taxa of predators of Matsucoccus spp. was highlighted that may be attributed to their coevolution on a geological time scale.

Animal Communication↗
PubMed2002

A novel mode of sensory transduction in archaea: binding protein-mediated chemotaxis towards osmoprotectants and amino acids.

Directly upstream of the Halobacterium salinarum transducer genes basT and htpIV we identified two open reading frames (orfs) with significant homologies to genes encoding binding proteins for amino acids and compatible solutes, respectively. Behavioral testing of deletion mutants indicates that halobacterial chemotaxis towards branched-chain amino acids as well as compatible osmolytes of the betaine family requires both a binding and a transducer protein. We therefore named the binding/transducer proteins BasB/BasT for branched-chain and sulfur-containing amino acids and CosB/CosT for compatible solutes. Our data support a signaling mechanism with the binding proteins functioning as lipid-anchored receptors interacting with the extracellular domain of their cognate transducers. Inspection of the halobacterial genome suggests that BasB and CosB exclusively mediate chemotaxis responses without any additional role in transport, which is in contrast to bacterial binding proteins, which are always part of ABC transport systems. The CosB/CosT system is the first instance of a chemotaxis signaling pathway for organic osmolytes in the living world and natural abundance 13C-NMR analysis of cytoplasmic extracts suggests that H.salinarum utilizes these solutes for osmotic adaptation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Why do we have a uvula?: literature review and a new theory.

From ancient times up to the present day many different functions and conditions have been attributed to the uvula, many speculative and some with a more scientific basis. The uvula has been shown to have the ability to produce and secrete large quantities of thin saliva. A common complication of surgery involving removal of the uvula is pharyngeal dryness. We have observed that on phonation and swallowing the uvula swings back and forth in the oropharynx. We present a review of the literature on the uvula and propose a theory that the uvula bastes the throat and thereby helps keep it moist and well lubricated.

Deglutition↗
PubMed1987

Refinements in split-thickness skin grafting technique.

Modifications for split-thickness grafting techniques are discussed, including the use of incontinuity, semipermeable, biologic dressings during harvesting, spiral basting sutures for graft attachment, and meshing to increase graft coverage.

Bandages↗
PubMed1994

Sterilization of the handengine. Is it a necessity?

BACKGROUND: The risk of interpatient infection through a dermabrasion handpiece is not known, nor is there a published standard of handpiece maintenance. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of transferring material through the handpiece and evaluate the methods used by dermatologists to disinfect and/or sterilize dermabrasion equipment. METHODS: Handengines run while immersed in fluorescein-dyed alcohol were observed for fluorescence. After dermabrasion of a fluorescein-basted pig's foot the instrument was inspected. A survey of handpiece disinfection/sterilization procedures was sent to 114 members of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. RESULTS: Although material can be transmitted to the motor/handpiece through the chuck and vice versa, contamination of the instrument did not occur in a dermabrasion simulation. 58.7% of respondents sterilize the chuck and only 38.1% sterilize the motor/handpiece. CONCLUSIONS: No absolute requirement to sterilize the handengine is warranted. It is prudent however to sterilize the chuck in a steam autoclave and gas sterilize the motor/handpiece to eliminate the rare possibility of cross-contamination.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1995

Purification and characterization of an extracellular pectate lyase from an Amycolata sp.

The extracellular pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2) of a nonsporulating Amycolata sp. was purified to homogeneity by anion- and cation-exchange chromatographies followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The enzyme cleaved polygalacturonate but not highly esterified pectin in a random endolytic transeliminative mechanism that led to the formation of a wide range of 4,5-unsaturated oligogalacturonates. As shown by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection, these unsaturated oligogalacturonates were further depolymerized by the enzyme to the unsaturated dimer and trimer as final products. The pectate lyase had a molecular weight of 31,000 determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a molecular mass of 30,000 Da determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. The isoelectric point of the protein was 10. Maximum activity occurred at pH 10.25. Calcium was essential for activity, and EDTA inactivated the enzyme under standard assay conditions. Interestingly, EDTA did not inhibit the ability of the enzyme to cleave the native pectin (protopectin) of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) fibers. The Km value with sodium polygalacturonate as the substrate was 0.019 g liter-1. The purified enzyme lost its activity after a 1-h incubation at 50 degrees C but was stabilized by calcium or polygalacturonate. The N-terminal sequence showed high similarity within a stretch of 13 amino acids to the N-terminal sequences of pectate lyases PLa and PLe from Erwinia chrysanthemi. The Amycolata sp. did not produce additional isozymes of pectate lyase but produced further activities of pectinesterase, xylanase, and carboxymethyl cellulase when grown in a medium with decorticated bast fibers from ramie as the sole carbon source.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1997

Identification and retting efficiencies of fungi isolated from dew-retted flax in the United States and europe.

Seven strains of filamentous fungi and one yeast were isolated from flax that was dew retted in the United States. These filamentous fungi were subcultured to purity and identified, and six appear not to have been reported earlier as isolates from dew-retted flax. Five of the purified U.S. strains, two fungi isolated from flax that was dew retted in Europe, and a laboratory culture of Aspergillus sojae were tested for their ability to ret flax stems. The monocultures were evaluated for the degree of retting, fiber strength, dry weight loss, and tactile response (i.e., feel of softness) as reflected in the retted fiber. Structural modifications of representative samples of the retted flax were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. All of the filamentous fungi were able to carry out some retting, whereas the isolated yeast could not. All organisms produced pectinases when they were cultivated in shake flasks on ball-milled flax as the sole carbon source. Some fungi also produced cellulases, mannanases, and xylanases. Rhizomucor pusillus and Fusarium lateritium were noteworthy as retting organisms by their high level of pectinase activity, ability to attack noncellulosic cell types without attacking cellulose, capacity to penetrate the cuticular surface of the stem, and efficient fiber release from the core. The results indicated that these organisms deserve further study as potential organisms for retting of bast fibers in industrial applications.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

More than 15 years of CA 125: what is known about the antigen, its structure and its function.

In 1997 CA 125 celebrated its 15th anniversary. Since the discovery of OC 125, an antibody that recognizes CA 125, by Bob Bast and his colleagues, considerable progress has been made toward the development of more sensitive and more precise assay systems. However, a great deal of mystery still remains about the CA 125 molecule and further enlightenment will probably not come until the gene for CA 125 is cloned and the complete open reading frame for the peptide core identified. In the meantime, we have learned some structural features of the CA 125 molecule as well as a little about its regulation and the requirements for its secretion or release from epithelial derived cells in cultures. The CA 125 molecule is almost certainly a glycoprotein with a predominance of O-linkages. It is heterogeneous with regard to both size and charge, most likely due to continuous deglycosylation of side chains during its life-span in bodily fluids. It exists as a very large complex (perhaps as much as 4 million daltons) under natural conditions. The core CA 125 subunit is in excess of 200,000 daltons and it retains the capacity to bind both OC 125 class antibodies and M 11 class antibodies. As a denatured purified subspecies the CA 125 molecule appears to autoproteolyse presumably due to an endogenous protease activity inherent to the molecule. Release or secretion of CA 125 appears directly linked to the epithelial growth factor receptor signal transduction pathway. Prior to its release from cultured cells, CA 125 is phosphorylated (at either/both serine and threonine) and dephosphorylated when released. To stimulate discussion on the regulation of CA 125 synthesis, its secretion and its structural configuration, we have presented a model of a theoretical CA 125 molecule. Perhaps it will provide a focus of attention until the CA 125 gene is cloned and the real molecule is described.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2001

Native Lygus spp. (Heteroptera: Miridae) damaging introduced Hibiscus cannabinus in Italy.

Kenaf, Hibiscus cannabinus L, an introduced tropical fiber crop, is attacked in central Italy by the native mirid bugs Lygus rugulipennis Poppius and L. pratensis (L.), thus establishing novel insect-plant associations. Feeding by Lygus bugs damages the apical meristem, with consequent development of secondary stems and leaf tattering. In a laboratory experiment, both species caused apical meristem damage on potted kenaf. In a field experiment with caged plots, the percentage of damaged plants was significantly higher in plots artificially infested with multiple releases of Lygus spp. compared with a single release and with the protected control without Lygus spp. In naturally infested control plots, the percentage of damaged plants was intermediate. Plant height decreased as a function of the number of damaged meristems. Mean plant height was significantly lower in the multiple-release treatment compared with the single-release treatment and the protected control. Dry biomass was significantly lower in the multiple-release plots compared with the protected control, and intermediate in the single-release plots. In a field experiment with three kenaf cultivars naturally infested by Lygus spp., plant height and stem diameter were significantly lower in damaged plants compared with healthy plants. Dry weights of plants, stems, and basts were also lower, depending on the cultivar, whereas the bast/core ratio was not affected. Stem lesions developed due to feeding or incisions made by ovipositing females. Lesions and eggs were significantly more abundant on plants with damaged apical meristems compared with healthy plants. Damage mechanisms by Lygus spp. and consequences of new crop introductions are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Irradiated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl Rapide) for placement of full-thickness skin grafts.

BACKGROUND: The "unsuture" technique originally reported with the use of fast-absorbing gut for the placement of full-thickness skin grafts has provided years of successful full-thickness graft placement without the need for suture removal. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to explore another option for successful graft placement and survival using irradiated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl Rapide, Ethicon Inc, Somerville, NJ, USA), with its longer tensile strength of 7 to 10 days. METHODS: Irradiated polyglactin 910 was used to suture the edges and place basting sutures in full-thickness skin grafts. RESULTS: In our experience, we have found that the use of irradiated polyglactin 910 for the placement of full-thickness skin grafts provides an alternative to the "unsuture" technique with fast-absorbing gut. It provides excellent graft survival, easy workability, low inflammation, and good long-term cosmesis, without the need for suture removal. CONCLUSION: Irradiated polyglactin 910 provides another option for the placement of full-thickness skin grafts without the need for suture removal.

Biocompatible Materials↗