Protein-interaction modules that organize nuclear function: FF domains of CA150 bind the phosphoCTD of RNA polymerase II.

An approach for purifying nuclear proteins that bind directly to the hyperphosphorylated C-terminal repeat domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II was developed and used to identify one human phosphoCTD-associating protein as CA150. CA150 is a nuclear factor implicated in transcription elongation. Because the hyperphosphorylated CTD is a feature of actively transcribing RNA polymerase II (Pol II), phosphoCTD (PCTD) binding places CA150 in a location appropriate for performing a role in transcription elongation-related events.

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression in FNA samples from thyroid neoplasms.

Background: Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the most sensitive method for the detection of thyroid carcinoma, it cannot provide a definitive diagnosis of malignancy in 60% of the patients operated on for suspicious lesions. Recently, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has been found to be a diagnostic marker of malignancy. We therefore sought to determine whether hTERT gene expression could serve as an adjunct to FNA in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

No association between the alpha-2 macroglobulin I1000V polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease.

Recent reports have suggested that variability in the alpha2-macroglobulin gene is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Here we have both tested a common polymorphism in the gene (I1000V) for association with the disease in a four-site case control study design, and tested the locus for linkage in a large series of sibpairs afflicted with late onset disease. Our results fail to show an association between this polymorphism and disease.

Effect of cold shock on lipid A biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. Induction At 12 degrees C of an acyltransferase specific for palmitoleoyl-acyl carrier protein.

Palmitoleate is not present in lipid A isolated from Escherichia coli grown at 30 degrees C or higher, but it comprises approximately 11% of the fatty acyl chains of lipid A in cells grown at 12 degrees C. The appearance of palmitoleate at 12 degrees C is accompanied by a decline in laurate from approximately 18% to approximately 5.5%.

The variable penetrance and spectrum of manifestations of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Background: Some experts maintain that (1) > 90% of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) are first seen with hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) so that routine screening for other features is unnecessary and (2) MEN1 has > or = 94% penetrance by age 50 years.

Methods: We constructed a regional registry of patients with or at risk for MEN1 and examined phenotypic profiles in 34 patients. MEN1 was defined as (1) endocrinopathy of 2 of the 3 principal related tissues (parathyroid, gastrointestinal endocrine, pituitary) or (2) 1 such feature plus a first-degree relative with MEN1.

Prognostic markers in pheochromocytoma.

Clinical and histopathological features do not reliably distinguish between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. Additional markers that might be useful prognostic indicators in the pathological assessment of these tumors are sought. Immunohistochemical expression of MIB-1, Bcl-2, cathepsin B, cathepsin D, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), c-met, and type IV collagenase were studied on formalin-fixed tissue from 33 nonconsecutive cases of pheochromocytoma, selected on the basis of reliable long-term follow-up, to determine associations with malignancy.

Marked elevation of serum interleukin-6 in patients with cholangiocarcinoma: validation of utility as a clinical marker.

Objective: To determine if the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was elevated in patients with hepatic malignancies or correlated with radiologic tumor burden.

Summary Background Data: High serum levels of IL-6 signify an adverse prognosis in many patients with cancer. IL-6 is a growth factor for bile duct epithelium.

Concise parathyroidectomy: the impact of preoperative SPECT 99mTc sestamibi scanning and intraoperative quick parathormone assay.

Background: Results of initial operation for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism are generally excellent, yet today there is pressure to improve outcome and resource utilization.

Methods: We designed a prospective longitudinal cohort study comparing two approaches to concise parathyroidectomy. Strategy A was defined as the palpation method for selective unilateral exploration.

Parathyroid hyperplasia, thymic carcinoid and pituitary adenoma detected with technetium-99m-MIBI in MEN type I.

We report a case of a 57-yr-old woman with history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I). A 99mTc-sestamibi scan demonstrated a hyperplastic parathyroid gland, a large anterior mediastinal mass and a pituitary adenoma during a study done to evaluate recurrent hyperparathyroidism. The importance of this case is that much of the nonparathyroid pathology in patients with MEN I syndrome may be detected with this one study.

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst masquerading clinically and radiologically as a phaeochromocytoma.

Bronchogenic cysts are relatively rare congenital anomalies that represent malformations of the embryonic foregut and are morphologically expressed as maldevelopments of the respiratory system. Anatomically, they can be positioned at any location along the central axis of the respiratory system, but are more commonly discovered in the thorax. Infradiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts are rare and retroperitoneal ones distinctly unusual.

Thyroid carcinoma found at parathyroidectomy: association with primary, secondary, and tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Frequent reports of an association between primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and well differentiated thyroid carcinoma, compared with the few reports of associated secondary HPT and thyroid carcinoma, may have implications for different etiologic relationships between the conditions.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent surgery for HPT between 1975 and 1996 in a single institution. The prevalence of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma diagnosed at the time of parathyroidectomy (PTX) was compared for patients with primary, secondary, or tertiary HPT.

Parathyroid adenomas: accurate detection and localization with Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability to detect and localize parathyroid adenomas with technetium-99m sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven adult patients underwent Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT. Early (15-30 minutes after injection) and delayed (2-4 hours after injection) images were acquired.

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and cell growth following inactivation of the kdtA gene in Escherichia coli.

The enzyme 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase is encoded by the kdtA gene in Escherichia coli. The enzyme is a single polypeptide that catalyzes the transfer of two Kdo residues to a tetraacyldisaccharide-1,4'-bisphosphate precursor of lipid A, designated lipid IVA (Belunis, C.J.

Identification of the rpmF-plsX-fabH genes of Rhodobacter capsulatus.

The rpmF-plsX-fabH gene cluster of Rhodobacter capsulatus homologous to that of Escherichia coli was identified. rpmF encodes ribosomal protein L32, plsX plays an undefined role in membrane lipid synthesis, and fabH encodes beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III. The R.

Success of unilateral neck exploration for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Unilateral neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPTH) is controversial because of concern about missed multiglandular disease.

Methods: In patients with sporadic PHPTH our approach has been arbitrarily to surgically explore the right neck first unless preoperative or intraoperative evidence suggests left-sided parathyroid pathologic condition. When an adenoma is identified and a normal ipsilateral gland is confirmed on histologic examination, the contralateral side is not explored.

Educational implications of nurses' brain dominance, learning styles, and attitudes toward computerization.

Nurses have been described as exhibiting computer anxiety as hospitals become automated. Suggestions have been made to provide inservice education to decrease computer anxiety before systems installation. This study examined nurses' brain dominance profiles, learning styles, and attitudes toward computers.

Prospective study of aggressive resection of metastatic pancreatic endocrine tumors.

Background: Because metastatic pancreatic endocrine tumors (MPET) have a poor prognosis, 17 patients with potentially resectable MPET were prospectively studied to define the efficacy of aggressive resection.

Methods: Patients underwent resection when the full extent of MPET was deemed operable after imaging studies were obtained. Two patients underwent three reoperations for recurrent tumor.

Management of patients with persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism.

The surgical management of patients with persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism is reviewed. The several factors allowing the surgeon to formulate a correct working diagnosis and to successfully remove all abnormal parathyroid tissue are individually discussed and recent results of re-operative parathyroid surgery are presented. In particular, direct surgical exploration based on aggressive pre-operative localization studies, the use of intra-operative ultrasound to facilitate intra-operative dissection, cryopreservation of excised parathyroid tissue with potential for delayed autograft to avoid permanent hypoparathyroidism, and the use of intra-operative monitoring of urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in patients with parathyroid hyperplasia in whom the surgeon is uncertain whether all abnormal parathyroid tissue has been removed, each contribute to a high rate of successful management (greater than 95%) for patients with the difficult problem of persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism.

Decreased IL-6 secretion by fibroblasts following repeated doses of TNF alpha or IL-1 alpha: post-transcriptional gene regulation.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) are pluripotent cytokines mediating the host response to sepsis, injury, and cancer. Animals can be protected from the lethal effects of TNF alpha by repeated administration of sublethal doses, but the mechanism of this effect is not known. Human foreskin fibroblasts (FS4 cells), which rapidly elaborate interleukin-6 (IL-6) when stimulated with TNF alpha or IL-1 alpha, were grown in culture as confluent monolayers and their secretion of IL-6 was quantitated using the murine B9-hybridoma bioassay against an external reference of human recombinant IL-6 (Genetics Institute).