Surgical revascularization versus thrombolysis for nonembolic lower extremity native artery occlusions: results of a prospective randomized trial. The STILE Investigators. Surgery versus Thrombolysis for Ischemia of the Lower Extremity.

Purpose: Early results of a prospective study that compared surgical revascularization and thrombolysis for lower extremity arterial and graft occlusions have been published. This report details the final results in patients who have native artery occlusions.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-seven patients who had lower extremity ischemia as a result of iliac-common femoral (IF; 69 patients) or superficial femoral-popliteal (FP; 168 patients) occlusion, and had symptomatically deteriorated within the past 6 months were randomized to catheter-directed thrombolysis (150 patients) or surgical revascularization (87 patients).

Results of a prospective, randomized trial of surgery versus thrombolysis for occluded lower extremity bypass grafts.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the treatment of patients with occluded lower extremity bypass grafts, comparing surgical revascularization with catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Materials And Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients (68% male and 32% female) with lower limb bypass graft occlusion (46 autogenous and 78 prosthetic) were prospectively randomized to surgery (n = 46) or intra-arterial catheter-directed thrombolysis (n = 78) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) 0.1 mg/kg/h modified to 0.

Genetic differences in tolerance and sensitization to the sedative/hypnotic effects of alcohol.

Initial sensitivity to alcohol and the development of alcohol tolerance were examined in rats of the selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) lines. All rats received two alcohol injections (3.0 g/kg b.

Large scale synthesis of recombinant human thyrotropin using methotrexate amplification: chromatographic, immunological, and biological characterization.

Studies of human TSH (hTSH) structure and function have been limited by difficulties in producing large quantities of recombinant hormone. We describe a system for the stable expression of high levels of recombinant human TSH (rec hTSH) using a mutant form of dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) as an amplifiable dominant selectable marker. A vector expressing both the hTSH alpha-subunit and the mutant dhfr was cotransfected with a hTSH beta-subunit expression vector into dhfr-deficient cells.

Increased expression of 72-kd type IV collagenase (MMP-2) in human aortic atherosclerotic lesions.

MMP-2, a secreted 72-kd metalloproteinase that specifically degrades type IV collagen as well as denatured collagens, has been implicated in smooth muscle cell migration. To evaluate the possible contribution of this enzyme to the formation and progression of the atherosclerotic lesion, the expression of MMP-2 was studied in human aortic tissue. MMP-2 was visualized in frozen sections of the aortic wall by an immunofluorescent technique with a polyclonal antibody.

The delta 2-opioid receptor antagonist naltriben selectively attenuates alcohol intake in rats bred for alcohol preference.

The relative importance of different opioid receptor types in mediating alcohol drinking behavior compared with the intake of other ingesta can be determined by characterizing the effects of selective opioid antagonists on the intake of various ingesta. Nonselective opioid receptor antagonists suppress the intake of many ingesta including alcohol, food, water, and sweets. Two distinct subtypes of delta-opioid receptors, delta 1 and delta 2, have recently been identified in rodent brain.

The delta opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole attenuates both alcohol and saccharin intake in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference.

This study demonstrates that the selective delta receptor antagonists ICI 174864 and naltrindole (NTI) attenuate alcohol intake in a dose-dependent manner, without altering water intake, in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference. ICI 174864 had a very limited duration of action, as evidenced by the fact that suppression of alcohol intake lasted for only an hour following ICI 174864 administration. NTI, when administered in a dose of 10 mg/kg, suppressed alcohol intake by 28%.

A component of the chloroplastic protein import apparatus is targeted to the outer envelope membrane via a novel pathway.

A chloroplastic outer envelope membrane protein of 75 kDa (OEP75) was identified previously as a component of the protein import machinery. Here we provide additional evidence that OEP75 is a component of protein import, present the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding this protein, briefly describe its developmental expression and tissue specificity, and characterize its insertion into the outer envelope membrane. OEP75 was synthesized as a higher molecular weight precursor (prOEP75) which bound to isolated chloroplasts in an in vitro import assay and subsequently was processed to the mature form (mOEP75).

Conformational transitions of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase studied by time-resolved EPR and quenched-flow kinetics.

We have used time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenched-flow kinetics in order to investigate the dynamics of Ca-ATPase conformational changes involved in Ca2+ pumping in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes at 2 degrees C. The Ca-ATPase was selectively labeled with an iodoacetamide spin label (IASL), which yields EPR spectra sensitive to enzyme conformational changes during ATP induced enzymatic cycling. The addition of ATP, AMPPCP, CrATP, or ADP decreased the rotational mobility of a fraction of the probes, indicating a distinct protein conformational state corresponding to this probe population, while Pi under conditions producing "backdoor" phosphorylation produced no spectral change.

Taxol inhibits neointimal smooth muscle cell accumulation after angioplasty in the rat.

Despite significant improvements in the primary success rate of the medical and surgical treatments for atherosclerotic disease, including angioplasty, bypass grafting, and endarterectomy, secondary failure due to late restenosis continues to occur in 30-50% of individuals. Restenosis and the later stages in atherosclerotic lesions are due to a complex series of fibroproliferative responses to vascular injury involving potent growth-regulatory molecules (such as platelet-derived growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor) and resulting in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, migration, and neointimal accumulation. We show here, based on experiments with both taxol and deuterium oxide, that microtubules are necessary for VSMCs to undergo the multiple transformations contributing to the development of the neointimal fibroproliferative lesion.

The use of human recombinant gonadotropin receptors to search for immunoglobulin G-mediated premature ovarian failure.

Anti-FSH receptor antibodies, detected using animal systems, have been reported in a few patients with premature ovarian failure (POF). However, assays based on animal receptors may be inappropriate for detecting inhibiting antibodies in humans. Accordingly, we tested for interfering antibodies in patients with POF using a recombinant system expressing human (h) FSH and LH receptors.

A potential novel mechanism for precocious puberty in juvenile hypothyroidism.

Some children with juvenile hypothyroidism exhibit unexplained precocious puberty. Interaction of TSH with the human FSH receptor (hFSH-R) is a possible pathophysiological mechanism for this syndrome that has not been explored due to the lack of hFSH-free TSH preparations and the scarcity of a suitable hFSH-R-based assay system. To devise an in vitro FSH bioassay suitable for exploring this mechanism, we expressed hFSH-R complementary DNA in COS-7 cells and stimulated them with recombinant hTSH (rec-hTSH).

Genetic factors in alcohol self-administration.

The realization that alcoholism is, in part, genetically determined has raised important questions regarding the nature of what is inherited when one inherits a predisposition toward high alcohol drinking. Rodent lines that have been selectively bred for high alcohol intake are excellent models of alcohol dependency. These animal models can be used to identify heritable biological characteristics that are associated with, and may be causally related to, high alcohol drinking and to investigate the efficacy of pharmacologic, environmental, and behavioral agents that have the potential to alter alcohol drinking behavior.

Receptor binding and signal transduction are dissociable functions requiring different sites on follicle-stimulating hormone.

Separate sites for glycoprotein hormone receptor binding and signal transduction have yet to be elucidated. In general, certain peptide regions are thought to be critical for receptor binding, whereas the oligosacharides are thought to be important for signal transduction. Using site-directed mutagenesis of FSH, we made selective amino acid substitutions and oligosaccharide alterations to try and identify specific sites mediating receptor binding distinct from signal transduction and vice versa.

Use of pattern electroretinography to differentiate acute optic neuritis from acute anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

The transient pattern electroretinogram (PERG) was recorded from 16 patients with acute optic neuritis and from 13 patients with acute non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). All patients were tested within 35 days from the the onset of visual symptoms and all had significant central visual field abnormalities in their affected eyes as quantified by automated perimetry. Analysis of the PERGs showed that the amplitude of the N95 peak was abnormally reduced for each eye affected with AION while it remained normal in optic neuritis.

Opioid involvement in alcohol drinking.

A large body of evidence indicates that the endogenous opioid system plays an important role in maintaining alcohol drinking behavior. Evidence is reviewed that indicates that the reinforcing properties of alcohol that lead to continued and repeated bouts of drinking may be due, in part, to alcohol-induced activation of the endogenous opioid system. Much of this evidence is pharmacologic in nature.

[Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity and trace element concentration in II and III trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women with diabetes].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA)--end product of lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (Cat) as well as selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentration in erythrocytes in 63 patients divided into the three groups: I--control group, II--normal pregnancy, III--pregnant type I diabetics. All parameters were investigated in hemolysate of erythrocytes. MDA concentration increased significantly in pregnant women when compared with control group, as well as in pregnant diabetics when compared with healthy pregnant women.

Increased biological activity due to basic isoforms in recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone produced in a human cell line.

FSH has four asparagine-linked oligosaccharides with variable sialic acid contents, so that FSH is not a single molecule, but a heterogeneous group of isoforms. These isoforms differ in their biological properties and their distribution changes in various physiological states, allowing the modulation of FSH activity. Recombinant human (h) FSH has been produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells and has an isoform profile similar to those of both pituitary FSH standard and purified urinary FSH.

Coronary artery disease: prediction with in vitro electron beam CT.

Purpose: To investigate the potential to predict coronary artery disease with electron beam computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: Fifty heart specimens were examined with electron beam CT and histomorphometric techniques to measure calcific deposits as a percentage of blockage.

Results: In group A specimens (from cadavers of patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease), calcific deposits were identified at electron beam CT in 41% (584 of 1,426) of all segments of coronary arteries; in group B specimens (with asymptomatic coronary artery disease), in 24% (369 of 1,535) of all segments; and in the normal control specimens, in 4% (47 of 1,337) of all segments; segments (group A vs control specimens, P < .

Coronary artery calcification: assessment with electron beam CT and histomorphometric correlation.

Purpose: To assess the reliability of electron beam computed tomography (CT) in the detection of calcific deposits in coronary arteries.

Materials And Methods: The authors quantitatively evaluated a total of 4,298 segments of coronary arteries with electron beam CT and histomorphometry.

Results: Regression analysis of the electron beam CT calcium score versus histomorphometric calcium area produced an r2 value of .

Site-directed mutagenesis defines the individual roles of the glycosylation sites on follicle-stimulating hormone.

To determine the specific role of each follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) oligosaccharide, we mutated Asn to Gln at each glycosylation site (alpha Gln52, alpha Gln78, alpha Gln52-78, beta Gln7, beta Gln24, and beta Gln7-24) to selectively inhibit oligosaccharide attachment. For wild-type and mutant FSH, we determined the binding affinity to homogenized rat Sertoli cells and the signal-transducing activity in cultured rat granulosa cells. The binding affinity of FSH lacking any one of the oligosaccharides was increased over wild-type FSH, while the signal-transducing activity of FSH lacking the oligosaccharide at alpha Asn52 (alpha Gln52 FSH) was markedly reduced, and that of FSH lacking either beta oligosaccharide (beta Gln7 and beta Gln24 FSH) was slightly reduced.

Rapid detection of parainfluenza virus type 3 RNA in respiratory specimens: use of reverse transcription-PCR-enzyme immunoassay.

Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3), an important lower respiratory tract pathogen in young children and immunocompromised individuals, may be underdiagnosed because of the insensitivity of available culturing systems and delay in identification of virus in cell culture. We developed a reverse transcription-PCR-enzyme immunoassay (RT-PCR-EIA) for PIV-3, using primers specific for a highly conserved region of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene. Testing of nasal washes spiked with PIV-3 or other respiratory viruses showed that this assay detected seven strains of PIV-3 but not other respiratory viruses.

Pre-steady-state charge translocation in NaK-ATPase from eel electric organ.

Time-resolved measurements of charge translocation and phosphorylation kinetics during the pre-steady state of the NaK-ATPase reaction cycle are presented. NaK-ATPase-containing microsomes prepared from the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus were adsorbed to planar lipid bilayers for investigation of charge translocation, while rapid acid quenching was used to study the concomitant enzymatic partial reactions involved in phosphoenzyme formation. To facilitate comparison of these data, conditions were standardized with respect to pH (6.