Mapping, genomic organization and promoter analysis of the human prostate-specific membrane antigen gene.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a 100 kDa type II transmembrane protein with folate hydrolase and NAALAdase activity. PSMA is highly expressed in prostate cancer and the vasculature of most solid tumors, and is currently the target of a number of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. PSMA is also expressed in the brain, and is involved in conversion of the major neurotransmitter NAAG (N-acetyl-aspartyl glutamate) to NAA and free glutamate, the levels of which are disrupted in several neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

Stent dilation of superior vena cava and innominate vein obstructions permits transvenous pacing lead implantation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of stent dilation of venous obstructions/occlusions to permit transvenous pacing lead implantation. Innominate vein or superior vena cava (SVG) obstruction may preclude the implantation of transvenous pacing leads. Patients with d-transposition of the great arteries, after a Mustard or Senning procedure, and children with previously placed transvenous pacing leads are at higher risk for this vascular complication.

Eradicating acute hemolysis following transcatheter closure of ductus arteriosus by immediate deployment of a second device.

Two patients who underwent transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus, one with a Rashkind umbrella device and the other with a coil, suffered from acute hemolysis following the procedure. Hemolysis ceased after deployment of second device(s) within 48 hr without needing to retrieve the first devices in either patient. We conclude that immediate deployment of a second device(s) is an alternative to surgery when acute hemolysis occurs following transcatheter closure of ductus.

Effect of altering the daily herbage allowance to cows in mid lactation on the composition, ripening and functionality of low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese.

Milk was collected from three spring-calving herds, on different daily herbage allowances (DHA) of perennial rye-grass (16, 20 or 24 kg dry matter (DM)/cow for a 17 week period. On five occasions, at weekly intervals in the middle of the period, the three different milks were converted into low-moisture part-skim Mozzarella cheese. Increasing the DHA resulted in significant increases in the concentrations of protein in the cheesemilk (P < 0.

Intravascular stents in congenital heart disease: short- and long-term results from a large single-center experience.

Objectives: This report describes the results of the Food and Drug Administration's phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of intravascular stents at Texas Children's Hospital.

Background: Since the late 1980s, intravascular stent implantation for the treatment of arterial and venous stenoses in congenital heart disease has been highly successful.

Methods: Stents were placed in postoperative pulmonary artery (PA) stenoses, congenital PA stenoses or stenoses of systemic veins/venous anastomoses.

Impaired hyaloidal circulation function and uncoordinated ocular growth patterns in experimental retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To test the hypotheses that, in the newborn rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the hyaloidal circulation is functionally impaired and its development is not well coordinated with that of other ocular structures.

Methods: The functional response of the hyaloidal circulation to a carbogen inhalation challenge was noninvasively evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in day 12 rats raised under either variable oxygen conditions (experimental ROP, n = 8) or room air (control, n = 8). A similar MRI examination was performed in separate experiments using either day 18 newborn control rats (n = 3) or adult rats (n = 9).

Pharmacy benefit management, cost-effectiveness analysis and drug formulary decisions.

Pharmacy benefit management companies (PBMs) have evolved over the past decade in response to the increased demand for health care cost containment. Their activities include the implementation of drug formularies and the negotiation of rebates from manufacturers. Our analysis of this industry is based on interviews and materials provided by the top five ranked PBM companies which account for over 80% of beneficiaries covered within formulary plans.

Novel approach to transvenous pacemaker implantation in a post-fontan adolescent.

Postoperative bradycardia is not uncommon following the Fontan procedure in patients with a functional single ventricle. The surgical connections created with various Fontan modifications may complicate access to the atria for transvenous implantation of a permanent pacemaker. We describe approaches to overcoming problems with atrial access in an adolescent with complex congenital heart disease who required permanent transvenous atrial pacing for tachycardia-bradycardia after Fontan surgery.

A method providing bidirectional control of coil delivery in occlusions of patent ductus arteriosus with shallow ampulla and Pott's shunts.

A novel method using a snare and bioptome to provide bidirectional control of a Gianturco coil for occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus with a shallow ampulla and Pott's shunts is presented. This method greatly reduces the risk of coil embolization and optimizes coil position in difficult cases.

In addition to SEC11, a newly identified gene, SPC3, is essential for signal peptidase activity in the yeast endoplasmic reticulum.

Among the three characterized subunits comprising the signal peptidase complex of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sec11p, Spc1p, and Spc2p), only Sec11p is essential for cell growth, signal peptide cleavage, and signal peptidase-dependent protein degradation. Here we report the cloning of the SPC3 gene encoding the homolog to mammalian signal peptidase subunit SPC22/23. We find that Spc3p is also required for cell growth and signal peptidase activity within the yeast endoplasmic reticulum.

Mutations in the arginine-rich protein gene (ARP) in pancreatic cancer.

The ARP gene encodes a highly conserved arginine-rich protein from chromosomal band 3p21.1. At the cytogenetic level this region is frequently deleted in a variety of different solid tumors, although not in pancreatic cancer.

Aphidicolin-induced FRA3B breakpoints cluster in two distinct regions.

The common fragile site at chromosomal band 3p14.2 (FRA3B) is the most sensitive single site in the human genome to induced chromosomal lesions. This fragile site may predispose chromosome 3p to breakage that is commonly observed in lung, renal, and many other cancers.

Frequent breakpoints in the region surrounding FRA3B in sporadic renal cell carcinomas.

The constitutive fragile site at chromosomal band 3p14.2, FRA3B, is the most active common fragile site in the human genome. We have localized aphidicolin-induced breakpoints to two distinct clusters, separated by 200 Kb, in FRA3B (Paradee et al.

Endovascular stent implantation for severe recoarctation of the aorta: case report with angiographic and 18-month clinical follow-up.

A 45-year-old white male, 35-year status postrepair of coarctation of the aorta, presented with symptomatic recoarctation of the aorta. He was treated successfully by implantation of a single Palmaz stent. The pressure gradient was abolished with complete resolution of symptoms.

Single therapeutic catheterization to treat coexisting coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus.

A case of a pediatric patient found to have coexisting coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus who underwent balloon dilation of the coarctation and coil occlusion of the ductus in a single cardiac catheterization is presented. Review of the English literature revealed no previous reports of this combination of transcatheter interventions during a single catheterization procedure.

[The role of the stent in non-coronary cardiopathies].

Introduction: The stent has demonstrated to be a useful device in the prevention of postangioplasty coronary restenosis and it is expected to have a favourable effect as an alternative or complementary treatment of stenotic lesions in arteries or veins associated with congenital defects. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience in this setting.

Material And Methods: From February 1992 to March 1996, 28 stenting procedures were performed in 26 patients (mean age: 8.

Structurally related Spc1p and Spc2p of yeast signal peptidase complex are functionally distinct.

Two subunits of the mammalian signal peptidase complex, SPC12 and SPC25, share similar membrane topologies with the majority of each protein oriented toward the cytoplasm. Such similarities may suggest that these proteins perform redundant functions in signal peptidase activity. In the present study, we addressed this issue through analysis of the yeast homologs to SPC12 and SPC25, Spc1p and Spc2p.

Transcatheter closure of the patient ductus arteriosus in adults using the Gianturco coil.

Background And Hypothesis: Although results of surgical ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the pediatric age group are excellent, surgical management of the adult with a PDA may be more problematic. The PDA that presents in adulthood may be calcified and friable, rendering simple ligation via a thoracotomy difficult, inadequate, and hazardous. Patch closure of the ductus arteriosus from either the aortic or pulmonary artery orifice using cardiopulmonary bypass or transient aortic cross-clamping is necessary but increases surgical risk.