Heart failure between 1986 and 1994: temporal trends in drug-prescribing practices, hospital readmissions, and survival at an academic medical center.

Since 1987, publications in widely circulated medical journals have reported improved survival and lower hospital readmission rates when patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction are treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. We describe changes in ACE inhibitor use among patients hospitalized with heart failure between 1986 and 1993. Simultaneous trends in readmissions and survival rates are reported.

Systolic function, readmission rates, and survival among consecutively hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure.

We sought to describe the relation between left ventricular systolic function and rates of hospital readmission and survival among consecutively hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure. Medical records were reviewed for these patients at an academic medical center between Jan. 1, 1992, and Dec.

Topographical and functional investigation of Escherichia coli penicillin-binding protein 1b by alanine stretch scanning mutagenesis.

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are the targets of beta-lactam antibiotics. We have used a systematic five-alanine substitution method (called ASS [alanine stretch scanning] mutagenesis) to investigate the functional or structural role of various stretches of amino acids in the PBP1b of Escherichia coli. To probe the specific activity of each variant, the antibiotic discs assay was used with strain QCB1 (delta ponB) in the presence of cefaloridine, which totally inhibits the complementing action of PBP1a.

Alanine-stretch scanning mutagenesis: a simple and efficient method to probe protein structure and function.

We have developed a foolproof method to substitute a stretch of residues by alanines. After the introduction of aPstI site by IPCR, thus creating two alanine codons, additional codons are introduced at this site through the use of an 'alanine-stretch cartridge'. These cartridges comprise an antibiotic resistance gene flanked on both sides by alanine codons.

A new Object Request Broker architecture in implementing a medical picture retrieval system.

This paper describes the approach we used to implement the world wide web user interface of MediPict, a medical picture retrieval system. The best software architecture seemed to be the three-tier client/server architecture using Objects Request Brokers (ORB) which appears to have many benefits. Although CORBA appears to be the standard ORB, we found it more adequate to develop a different approach.

Modulation of protein synthesis by extracellular matrix: potential involvement of two nucleolar proteins, nucleolin and fibrillarin.

Fibroblasts cultivated in a collagen matrix exhibit a large decrease in the synthesis of most proteins, depending on transcriptional and posttranscriptional controls. We have previously shown that ribosomal RNA content and half-life were decreased in collagen lattice cultures. Here, we cultivated human dermal fibroblasts in monolayers and in lattices and studied by competitive RT-PCR analysis the expression of the nucleolar proteins nucleolin and fibrillarin, two key factors in ribosome processing and association.

Molecular genetics of rust resistance in poplars (Melampsora larici-populina Kleb/Populus sp.) by bulked segregant analysis in a 2 x 2 factorial mating design.

With random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, we have tagged a genomic region in Populus sp. involved in qualitative resistance to Melampsora larici-populina. Our approach was based on three steps: use of RAPD markers that can be quickly and efficiently researched: application of "bulked segregant analysis" technique on individuals of one interspecific family P.

Atypical spI interferon binds on porcine cells to a major component of type I interferon receptor.

The short porcine type I interferon (spI IFN), encoded by a gene physiologically expressed by the pig embryonic trophoblast during implantation, represents the first member of a novel family type I IFN. Binding and cross-linking experiments were carried out to characterize its cellular receptor. On porcine kidney cells, specific binding of 125I-spI IFN could be displaced significantly by spI IFN, rpIFN-alpha 1, and rhIFN-alpha 1, but not by rhIFN-alpha 2a or by rpIFN-gamma.

The asparagine to aspartic acid substitution at position 276 of TEM-35 and TEM-36 is involved in the beta-lactamase resistance to clavulanic acid.

TEM-35 (inhibitor resistant TEM (IRT)-4) and TEM-36 (IRT-7) clavulanic acid-resistant beta-lactamases have evolved from TEM-1 beta-lactamase by two substitutions: a methionine to a leucine or a valine at position 69 and an asparagine to an aspartic acid at position 276. The substitutions at position 69 have previously been shown to be responsible for the resistance to clavulanic acid, and they are the only mutations encountered in TEM-33 (IRT-5) and TEM-34 (IRT-6). However, the N276D substitution has never been found alone in inhibitor-resistant beta-lactamases, and its role in resistance to clavulanic acid was thus unclear.

Alcohol consumption among HIV-infected patients.

This prospective, cohort study analyzed the prevalence of alcoholism and patterns of alcohol intake over time in a cohort of HIV-infected patients, predominantly homosexual/bisexual men. One hundred eleven HIV-positive subjects were recruited from a comprehensive HIV clinic associated with a large Midwestern university hospital. Each participant completed the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) survey and a standardized quantity-frequency questionnaire on alcohol intake at enrollment.

[The sad picture of health: analysis of a billboard].

This article analyzes a billboard entitled "The Sad Picture of Health", displayed in the city of S o Paulo in May 1993. Based on various internal features and considering the surrounding social context, the billboard allows for two radically different interpretations. In the case of a such a "signed" billboard, such ambiguity implies a bad choice of the message intended to be conveyed by the sponsors.

Atypical porcine type I interferon. Biochemical and biological characterization of the recombinant protein expressed in insect cells.

A recombinant baculovirus was designed to express short porcine type I interferon (spI interferon), a novel and atypical type I interferon that was recently described as the product of a gene transcribed in pig trophoblast at the time of implantation in the uterus [Lefèvre, F. & Boulay, V.C.

A GTP-binding protein modulates a Ca2+ pump present in reticulocyte endocytic vesicles.

Rat reticulocytes were used to prepare endocytic vesicles to study calcium fluxes across the endosomal membrane. We used 45Ca2+, and found that endocytic vesicles from reticulocytes present a Ca(2+)-ATPase that pumps Ca2+ into the lumen of vesicles. This activity was sensitive to vanadate and the calmodulin antagonists: trifluoperazine and calmidazolium.

Prognostic significance of ST-segment depression on continuous electrocardiography in patients with acute ischemic neurologic events.

Patients with a history of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) are at significant risk of cardiac death. This study reports the prognostic significance of ST-segment depression and ventricular tachycardia on continuous electrocardiography in 48 consecutive patients hospitalized with an acute ischemic stroke or TIA. Thirty-one percent of patients had episodes of asymptomatic ST-segment depression and 6% had transient ventricular tachycardia on continuous electrocardiographic monitoring.

Changes in study design, gender issues, and other characteristics of clinical research published in three major medical journals from 1971 to 1991.

Objective: To examine trends in study design and other characteristics of original research published in JAMA, Lancet, and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) between 1971 and 1991.

Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study of original clinical research published in JAMA, Lancet, and NEJM during 1971, 1981, and 1991.

Measurements: Four hundred forty-four articles were independently reviewed by at least two investigators and classified according to study design and other preselected study characteristics.

Interferon response in pigs: molecular and biological aspects.

This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on porcine interferons (IFN). Three type I IFN subfamilies (IFN alpha, beta and omega) and one type II IFN (IFN gamma) have been identified in the porcine species. A list of the known porcine IFN genes and already produced recombinant proteins, as compiled from the literature, was included.

ST segment depression detected by continuous electrocardiography in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Background And Purpose: Forty percent of patients with a history of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) have concomitant coronary artery disease. ST segment depression, detected by continuous electrocardiography, is associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality in patients with known coronary artery disease. While electrocardiographic changes have been associated with acute stroke, the etiology and significance of these changes remain unclear.

Intra- and interspecific inheritance of some components of the resistance to leaf rust (Melampsora larici-populina Kleb.) in poplars.

Clonal variation for rust resistance was studied in a factorial mating design of Populus trichocarpa and P. deltoides with 17 intraspecific and 15 interspecific progenies. Susceptibility to Melampsora larici-populina was assessed both under natural conditions in the nursery and after leaf-disk inoculation with two pathogen races in a controlled environment.