Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Mobilization potential”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Precise excision and transposition of piggyBac in pink bollworm embryos.

Transposable elements such as P, hobo, Hermes, mariner and Minos have been successfully harnessed as gene vectors to achieve the transformation of several dipteran species including Drosophila melanogaster, Ceratitis capitata and Aedes aegypti. Plasmid-based excision and transposition assays have been useful indicators of an element's ability to be mobilized in vivo and thus potentially serve as a transforming vector. We report that the transposable element piggyBac is capable of precise excision and transposition in the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), a worldwide pest of cultivated cotton. Combined with a suitable marker gene, the piggyBac element may serve as a vector for germline transformation in this and (potentially) other lepidopteran species.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Biophysical characterization of the interaction of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with endotoxins.

The interaction of bacterial endotoxins [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the 'endotoxic principle' lipid A], with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) from serum was investigated with a variety of physical techniques and biological assays. HDL exhibited an increase in the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature Tc and a rigidification of the acyl chains of the endotoxins as measured by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The functional groups of the endotoxins interacting with HDL are the phosphates and the diglucosamine backbone. The finding of phosphates as target groups is in accordance to measurements of the electrophoretic mobility showing that the zeta potential decreases from -50 to -60 mV to -20 mV at binding saturation. The importance of the sugar backbone as further target structure is in accordance with the remaining negative potential and competition experiments with polymyxin B (PMB) and phase transition data of the system PMB/dephosphorylated LPS. Furthermore, endotoxin binding to HDL influences the secondary structure of the latter manifesting in a change from a mixed alpha-helical/beta-sheet structure to a predominantly alpha-helical structure. The aggregate structure of the lipid A moiety of the endotoxins as determined by small-angle X-ray scattering shows a change of a unilamellar/inverted cubic into a multilamellar structure in the presence of HDL. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer data indicate an intercalation of pure HDL, and of [LPS]-[HDL] complexes into phospholipid liposomes. Furthermore, HDL may enhance the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein-induced intercalation of LPS into phospholipid liposomes. Parallel to these observations, the LPS-induced cytokine production of human mononuclear cells and the reactivity in the Limulus test are strongly reduced by the addition of HDL. These data allow to develop a model of the [endotoxin]/[HDL] interaction.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed2004

Adoptive immunotherapy with antigen-specific T cells in myeloma: a model of tumor-specific donor lymphocyte infusion.

Although partial remissions rates of up to 60% are obtained with conventional therapeutic regimens, multiple myeloma is essentially an incurable disease with a median survival of approximately 30 months. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) results in a high percentage of complete remissions (CRs), but it can be associated with significant treatment-related mortality. Recent clinical studies have shown that highly immunosuppressive, yet nonmyeloablative, doses of fludarabine-based chemotherapy can result in alloengraftment. However, even with a reduction in treatment-related mortality, success with allogeneic SCT is limited by the significant risk of relapse. The goal of the strategy described is to transfer tumor antigen-specific immunity induced in the stem cell donor to the allogeneic SCT recipient to reduce relapse. Donors are immunized with a well-defined vaccine, specific for the patient's tumor. The allogeneic SCT is performed with a conditioning regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, and the stem cell source is blood mobilized with filgrastim, which could potentially enhance the transfer of a larger number of tumor-specific T cells in the allograft, as compared to bone marrow. Donor immunization with myeloma idiotype protein in the setting of a nonmyeloablative SCT may represent a novel strategy for the treatment of myeloma.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Cubital tunnel syndrome: anterior transposition as a logical approach to complete nerve decompression.

In it's native position, deep to Osborne's ligament, within the retrocondylar groove of the elbow, the ulnar nerve courses with a significant lever distance posterior to the elbow axis of rotation. In this position, flexion of the elbow places longitudinal traction and local compression forces on the nerve. This biomechanical consideration, as well as variations in anatomy, may potentially contribute to a decrease in the nerve's microcirculation and partial pressure of oxygen, leading to cubital tunnel syndrome. Anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow for cubital tunnel syndrome will eliminate natural as well as pathological traction and compression forces; the procedure relieves the nerve of potential microcirculation compromise. Risks of mobilizing the nerve for transposition, however, include iatrogenic ischemia from segmental separation of the nerve from its mesentery-like extrinsic blood supply. Intrinsic interstitial "step-ladder" vessels within the substance of the ulnar nerve allow it to be separated from its extrinsic circulation safely, making anterior transposition a logical and reasonable choice for cubital tunnel syndrome requiring operative intervention.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMed2004

Electronic ground states of the V2O4+/0/- species from multireference correlation and density functional studies.

The molecular and electronic structures of the V2O4+/0/- species are examined by multireference averaged coupled-pair functional (MR-ACPF) and density functional B3LYP calculations. For all three species, new conformers have been found. Shallow potential energy curves imply high mobility of the oxygen atoms in the neutral and anionic species for which antiferromagnetic coupling of the weakly interacting 3dV electrons is found. Good agreement between the MR-ACPF and B3LYP results for the molecular structures and the relative energies of states with different spin multiplicity, as well as for the ionization energy and electron affinity, is observed. For the computation of the height of the transition barriers between different conformers elaborated MR-ACPF calculations are required.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

DNA-dependent divalent cation binding in the nucleosome core particle.

Sequence-specific binding of divalent cations to nucleosomal DNA can potentially influence nucleosome position and mobility, as well as modulate interactions with nuclear factors. We define the bonding and specificity of divalent cation interaction with nucleosomal DNA by characterizing Mn2+ binding in the x-ray structure of the nucleosome core particle at 1.9-A resolution. Manganese ions are found ligated with high occupancy in the major groove to 12 of 22 GG and GC base pair steps. The specific location and mode of metal binding is the consequence of unambiguous conformational differences between dinucleotide sites, owing to their sequence context and orientation in the nucleosome core.

Base Pairing↗
PubMed1997

Arachidonic acid drives mini-glucagon action in cardiac cells.

Recent studies have shown that glucagon is processed by cardiac cells into its COOH-terminal (19-29) fragment, mini-glucagon, and that this metabolite is an essential component of the contractile positive inotropic effect of glucagon (Sauvadet, A., Rohn, T., Pecker, F. and Pavoine, C. (1996) Circ. Res. 78, 102-109). We now show that mini-glucagon triggers arachidonic acid (AA) release from [3H]AA-loaded embryonic chick ventricular myocytes via the activation of a phospholipase A2 sensitive to submicromolar Ca2+ concentrations. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor, AACOCF3, prevented mini-glucagon-induced [45Ca2+] accumulation into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, but inhibitors of lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, or epoxygenase pathways were ineffective. AA applied exogenously, at 0. 3 microM, reproduced the effects of mini-glucagon on Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction. Thus AA: (i) caused [45Ca2+] accumulation into a sarcoplasmic reticulum compartment sensitive to caffeine; 2) potentiated caffeine-induced Ca2+ mobilization from cells loaded with Fura-2; 3) acted synergistically with glucagon or cAMP to increase both the amplitude of Ca2+ transients and contraction of electrically stimulated cells. AA action was dose-dependent and specific since it was mimicked by its non-hydrolyzable analog 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid but not reproduced by other lipids such as, arachidic acid, linolenic acid, cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, cis-4,7,10,13,16, 19-docosahexaenoic acid, or arachidonyl-CoA, even in the micromolar range. We conclude that AA drives mini-glucagon action in the heart and that the positive inotropic effect of glucagon on heart contraction relies on both second messengers, cAMP and AA.

5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid↗
PubMed2002

The S18 ribosomal protein is a putative substrate for Ca2+/calmodulin-activated protein kinase II.

The delta-isoform of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-activated protein kinase II (CaMK II) is abundantly expressed in vascular smooth muscle, but relatively little is known about its regulation or its potential cellular substrates. There are few, if any, known substrates of CaMK II that are physiologically relevant in vascular smooth muscle cells. Studies presented earlier (Mishra-Gorur, K., Singer, H. A., and Castellot, J. J., Jr. (2002) Am. J. Pathol., in press) by our laboratory show an inhibitory effect of heparin on CaMK II phosphorylation and activity. During these studies we observed the specific co-immunoprecipitation of a 20-kDa protein with CaMK II. Purification and sequence analysis indicate that this protein is the S18 protein of the 40 S ribosome. S18 was found to be abundantly phosphorylated in response to serum treatment, and this effect was strongly inhibited by heparin. In addition, KN-93, a specific CaMK II inhibitor, blocks S18 phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells; a concomitant 24% reduction in protein synthesis was observed. Taken together these data support the idea that S18 could be a novel substrate for CaMK II, thus providing a potential link between Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents and protein translation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Monte-Carlo-self consistent field method in the polyelectrolyte theory.

A new time saving numerical method for calculation of equilibrium potential and density distribution of mobile ions around the polyion in a polyelectrolyte system is proposed: the region around the polyion is being divided into two zones-internal and external; in the internal zone all the ions are accounted explicity with the aid of Monte-Carlo procedure; in the external zone the combined Monte-Carlo-self consistent field method proposed earlier is applied, an exchange of ions between regions is being implied. For 1:1 electrolyte the optimal choice of the boundary between the zones has been demonstrated. As an example of a more complicated system calculation for 2:2:1:1 electrolyte was carried out.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1997

Community development for health and identity politics.

Community development for health (CD4H) is defined as the mobilization of communities actually or potentially suffering from a health problem to eliminate its causes or alleviate its consequences. This paper links this with questions of social identity, focusing on issues of ethnicity and 'race', in health promotion. When combined with notions of ethnicity and 'race'. CD4H is frequently a reaction to inequalities which are communally experienced and believed to increase risk of ill-health for the group. This paper theorizes the link between communal experience and activity to promote health, by drawing on sociological theory linking structure and agency. It examines how discourses of belonging and exclusion are enacted in struggles for health. Via examples from the Caribbean and the UK, instances of 'identity politics' in CD4H are identified, viewed as the use of essentialist, binary notions of self and other in the attempt to gain an advantage over the other. It is argued that such instances should not be considered in isolation, but should be viewed as responses to experience, particularly, in the UK context, the experience of racism in the Health Service.

Community Health Planning↗
PubMed1998

Inactivation of gating currents of L-type calcium channels. Specific role of the alpha 2 delta subunit.

In studies of gating currents of rabbit cardiac Ca channels expressed as alpha 1C/beta 2a or alpha 1C/beta 2a/alpha 2 delta subunit combinations in tsA201 cells, we found that long-lasting depolarization shifted the distribution of mobile charge to very negative potentials. The phenomenon has been termed charge interconversion in native skeletal muscle (Brum, G., and E. Ríos. 1987. J. Physiol. (Camb.). 387:489-517) and cardiac Ca channels (Shirokov, R., R. Levis, N. Shirokova, and E. Ríos. 1992. J. Gen. Physiol. 99:863-895). Charge 1 (voltage of half-maximal transfer, V1/2 approximately 0 mV) gates noninactivated channels, while charge 2 (V1/2 approximately -90 mV) is generated in inactivated channels. In alpha 1C/beta 2a cells, the available charge 1 decreased upon inactivating depolarization with a time constant tau approximately 8, while the available charge 2 decreased upon recovery from inactivation (at -200 mV) with tau approximately 0.3 s. These processes therefore are much slower than charge movement, which takes <50 ms. This separation between the time scale of measurable charge movement and that of changes in their availability, which was even wider in the presence of alpha 2 delta, implies that charges 1 and 2 originate from separate channel modes. Because clear modal separation characterizes slow (C-type) inactivation of Na and K channels, this observation establishes the nature of voltage-dependent inactivation of L-type Ca channels as slow or C-type. The presence of the alpha 2 delta subunit did not change the V1/2 of charge 2, but sped up the reduction of charge 1 upon inactivation at 40 mV (to tau approximately 2 s), while slowing the reduction of charge 2 upon recovery (tau approximately 2 s). The observations were well simulated with a model that describes activation as continuous electrodiffusion (Levitt, D. 1989. Biophys. J. 55:489-498) and inactivation as discrete modal change. The effects of alpha 2 delta are reproduced assuming that the subunit lowers the free energy of the inactivated mode.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1989

Flexibility plot of proteins.

The flexibility plot of a protein lies on the observation that amino acid residues with the highest turn potential, i.e. located in highly mobile regions of protein surface, also possess the smallest volumes as well as the lowest hydrophobicities. The plot is generated by shifting a five residue window along the protein sequence and calculating the value of the hydrophobicity-volume product for consecutive quintuplets of amino acid residues. The concomitant occurrence of small volumes and low hydrophobicities results in very deep minima. A threshold value has also been introduced in order to discriminate significant minima. To substantiate the interpretation that the selected minima actually indicate very flexible segments of a protein (loops, turns, etc.), we have compared plots obtained for model proteins (lysozyme, myoglobin, ribonuclease, trypsin, thermolysin and T4 lysozyme) with X-ray thermal factors profiles available for the same proteins. When compared to thermal profiles, the majority of flexible segments evidenced by our plots have been found to be in agreement with regions characterized by high thermal factors. Results have also been discussed in the light of local organization possessed by examined proteins.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

The association of waterborne chloroform with intrauterine growth retardation.

The potential reproductive effects of long-term, low-dose exposure to chloroform have received little attention despite the known, acute toxicity of high exposures and the wide-spread occurrence of low concentrations in drinking water. We studied the association of waterborne chloroform with low birthweight (less than 2,500 gm), prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation), and intrauterine growth retardation (less than 5th percentile of weight for gestational age). Cases were not mutually exclusive, but each outcome was analyzed independently. Birth certificates from January 1, 1989, to June 30, 1990, were used to identify cases and randomly selected controls. All were live, singleton infants born to non-Hispanic, white women from Iowa towns with 1,000-5,000 inhabitants. Exposures to chloroform and other trihalomethanes were ecologic variables based on maternal residence and a 1987 municipal water survey. After adjustment for maternal age, parity, adequacy of prenatal care, marital status, education, and maternal smoking by multiple logistic regression, residence in municipalities where chloroform concentrations were greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/liter was associated with an increased risk for intrauterine growth retardation (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-2.9). The major limitations of this study involve the ascertainment and classification of exposures to trihalomethanes, including such issues as the imprecision of using aggregate municipal measures for classifying exposure at the level of the individual, the potential misclassification due to residential mobility, and the fluctuation of trihalomethane levels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of methylphenidate on cognitive function and gait in patients with Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.

Twenty-one patients with Parkinson's disease were studied before and 2 h after the administration of a single dose of 20 mg of methylphenidate. In response to methylphenidate, attention significantly improved, whereas memory and visual-spatial performance were unchanged. Gait speed, stride time variability, and Timed Up and Go times (demonstrated measures of fall risk) significantly improved. These findings suggest a new potential pharmacologic means of enhancing mobility and decreasing fall risk in Parkinson's disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Adrenoceptors, calcium, and vasoconstriction in normal and hypertensive humans.

The sympathetic nervous activity contributes to the pathophysiology of essential hypertension in an early phase and in younger patients mainly through increased beta-adrenoceptor-mediated functions and in a later phase and in older patients in whom beta-adrenoceptor-mediated functions are blunted, through increased alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated and calcium-influx-dependent vasoconstriction. Intracellular free calcium concentration is elevated in platelets of hypertensive patients and relates directly to the degree of their blood pressure, likely reflecting increased intracellular calcium concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells. A sympathetic factor is suggested further by the enhanced alpha 1-and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated and calcium influx-dependent, vasoconstriction both of which are normalized by antihypertensive treatment in parallel with a normalization of intracellular free calcium and of the increased adrenaline sensitivity of platelets. The higher sensitivity to adrenaline for thrombin-induced calcium increases in platelets of hypertensive patients indicates potentiation of calcium influx (and mobilization from intracellular stores) by adrenaline, a mechanism that is mediated by alpha 2-adrenoceptors. As this effect is more pronounced in younger patients, increased adenylate cyclase sensitivity may prevail in the early and alterations in calcium influx-dependent mechanisms in the later phase of essential hypertension. The transition into a hypertensive state with reduced-reflex cardiovascular counterregulation codetermines the antihypertensive effectiveness of calcium antagonists in these patients.

Arm↗
PubMed2004

Determinants of enrollment in a preventive HIV vaccine trial: hypothetical versus actual willingness and barriers to participation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare hypothetical and actual willingness to enroll in a preventive HIV vaccine trial and identify factors affecting enrollment. METHODS: Participants previously enrolled in an HIV vaccine preparedness study (VPS) in 8 US cities were invited to be screened for a phase 2 HIV vaccine trial. Demographic and risk characteristics of those enrolling, ineligible, and refusing enrollment were compared using the chi2 or Fisher exact test. Multivariable logistic models were used to identify independent predictors of refusal. RESULTS: Of 2531 high-risk HIV-uninfected former VPS participants contacted for the vaccine trial, 13% enrolled, 34% were ineligible, and 53% refused enrollment. Only 20% of those stating hypothetical willingness during the VPS actually enrolled in this vaccine trial. In multivariate analysis, refusal was higher among African Americans and lower in persons >40 years of age, those attending college, and those with > or =5 partners in the prior 6 months. All racial ethnic groups cited concerns about vaccine-induced seropositivity; African Americans also cited mistrust of government and safety concerns as barriers to enrollment. CONCLUSIONS: Steps can be taken to minimize potential social harms and to mobilize diverse communities to enroll in trials. Statements of hypothetical willingness to participate in future trials may overestimate true enrollment.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed2005

A mobile trauma database with charge capture.

BACKGROUND: Charge capture plays an important role in every surgical practice. We have developed and merged a custom mobile database (DB) system with our trauma registry (TRACS), to better understand our billing methods, revenue generators, and areas for improved revenue capture. METHODS: The mobile database runs on handheld devices using the Windows Compact Edition platform. The front end was written in C# and the back end is SQL. The mobile database operates as a thick client; it includes active and inactive patient lists, billing screens, hot pick lists, and Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code sets. Microsoft Information Internet Server provides secure data transaction services between the back ends stored on each device. Traditional, hand written billing information for three of five adult trauma surgeons was averaged over a 5-month period. Electronic billing information was then collected over a 3-month period using handheld devices and the subject software application. One surgeon used the software for all 3 months, and two surgeons used it for the latter 2 months of the electronic data collection period. This electronic billing information was combined with TRACS data to determine the clinical characteristics of the trauma patients who were and were not captured using the mobile database. RESULTS: Total charges increased by 135%, 148%, and 228% for each of the three trauma surgeons who used the mobile DB application. The majority of additional charges were for evaluation and management services. Patients who were captured and billed at the point of care using the mobile DB had higher Injury Severity Scores, were more likely to undergo an operative procedure, and had longer lengths of stay compared with those who were not captured. CONCLUSION: Total charges more than doubled using a mobile database to bill at the point of care. A subsequent comparison of TRACS data with billing information revealed a large amount of uncaptured patient revenue. Greater familiarity and broader use of mobile database technology holds the potential for even greater revenue capture.

Accounting↗
PubMed1992

Biphasic effect of Max on Myc cotransformation activity and dependence on amino- and carboxy-terminal Max functions.

In Ras cotransformation assays, Max exhibited a biphasic effect on Myc transformation activity. Cotransfection of low levels of Max expression plasmid stimulated Myc transformation activity, but cotransfection of high levels suppressed it. Mutations in the functionally undefined Max amino- and carboxy-terminal regions outside of the B/HLH/LZ motif partly separated these activities, suggesting various modes of Max regulation. We demonstrate that the Max protein is a nuclear protein in vivo and identify a carboxy-terminal region similar to nuclear localization signals whose integrity is necessary for efficient localization. Two mutants that delete amino- or carboxy-terminal consensus signals for casein kinase II (CKII) exhibited altered gel mobility and DNA-binding potential in vitro and showed modified transforming potential in the Ras cotransformation assay, suggesting that CKII or a CKII-related enzyme may regulate Max function in vivo. Our data suggest that both the ratio of Myc/Max hetero-oligomers to Max homo-oligomers and Max-specific regulation can contribute to determining the biological activity of Myc in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗