Developmental characterization of the gene for laminin alpha-chain in sea urchin embryos.

We describe the isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding a region of the carboxy terminal globular domain (G domain) of the alpha-1 chain of laminin from the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Sequence analysis indicates that the 1.3 kb cDNA (spLAM-alpha) encodes the complete G2 and G3 subdomains of sea urchin a-laminin.

Phylogenetic relations among percid fishes as inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequence data.

Hypotheses of relationship among genera of Percidae have been conflicting. Based on different phylogenetic premises, the evolution of small benthic forms in Percidae has been interpreted as resulting from either convergence or common ancestry. In order to assess various phylogenetic hypotheses of Percidae we collected complete sequences (1140 bp) of mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b for 21 species of percids.

Homotypic fusion of immature secretory granules during maturation in a cell-free assay.

The biogenesis of secretory granules embodies several morphological and biochemical changes. In particular, in neuroendocrine cells maturation of secretory granules is characterized by an increase in size which has been proposed to reflect homotypic fusion of immature secretory granules (ISGs). Here we describe an assay that provides the first biochemical evidence for such a fusion event and allows us to analyze its regulation.

Concentration-controlled zidovudine therapy.

Background: Heterogeneity in the response to antiretroviral therapy has been attributed to pharmacologic, immunologic, and virologic differences between patients. Currently available antiretroviral agents used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults are administered in standard fixed doses. The active moiety of nucleoside anti-HIV drugs is the intracellular anabolite.

Evaluation of one-to-one midwifery: women's responses to care.

Background: One-to-one midwifery was a demonstration project introduced into a London-based maternity service in 1993 to put into practice the new government policy for maternity services in England. Evaluation was integral to the development of the project.

Methods: The evaluation of women's responses was conducted between August 1994 and August 1995 based on a longitudinal, self-completion questionnaire, interviews, and focus groups.

L is for lytic granules: lysosomes that kill.

CTL are important cells in the immune system which are able to recognise and directly destroy virally infected, tumorigenic or foreign cells. The proteins which mediate this destruction are packaged into specialised secretory granules, termed lytic granules, which are secreted in response to target cell recognition. Curiously these specialised secretory granules also contain all the lysosomal hydrolases, and in CTL the lytic granules serve two separate functions: as a lysosome within the cell, and as a secretory granule when a target cell is recognised.

The use of clinical audit in evaluating maternity services reform: a critical reflection.

The clinical evaluation described here, using a casenote study, was part of a larger study evaluating the changes made to part of the maternity services in one NHS Trust, in response to the recommendations of Changing Childbirth (Department of Health 1993a). Results of the audit showed no evidence of a lowering of clinical standards within the study group and provided reassurance that a radical change in the model of care, with greatly enhanced continuity of career, an emphasis on community-based and midwifery-led care, and some reductions in labour interventions, could be implemented without compromising safety of care. The audit process raised a number of methodological problems which will need to be addressed in developing audit approaches which are able to reflect quality of care.

Bladder augmentation can be problematic with renal failure and transplantation.

Ten consecutive patients with failure of urinary bladder augmentation (UBA) performed either prior to or after reaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were studied. Seven patients developed increased hydroureteronephrosis, infectious complications, and advanced to ESRD after UBA. The mean time to development of ESRD in patients who had UBA performed with moderate chronic renal failure (CRF) was 1.

Development of serotonin-like immunoreactivity in the embryos and larvae of nudibranch mollusks with emphasis on the structure and possible function of the apical sensory organ.

This investigation provides a light and electron microscopic examination of the development of serotonin-like immunoreactivity and structure of the apical sensory organ (ASO) in embryos and/or larvae of four nudibranch species: Berghia verrucicornis, Phestilla sibogae, Melibe leonina, and Tritonia diomedea. Serotonin-like immunoreactivity is first expressed in somata, dendrites, and axons of a group of five distinct neurons within the ASO. These neurons extend axons into an apical neuropil, a structure that is situated centrally and immediately dorsal to the cerebral commissure.

Larval Shell Muscles in the Abalone Haliotis kamtschatkana.

I used light and electron microscopy to investigate shell-attached muscles in larvae of Haliotis kamtschatkana Jonas, 1845, because an early description of these muscles in H. tuberculata by Crofts (1937, 1955) has featured prominently in theories about gastropod evolution. Larval shell muscles in H.

Primary cerebral leiomyosarcoma.

A case of a rare primary cerebral leiomyosarcoma in an 8-year-old male is described. The patient presented with a new-onset seizure disorder and was found to have a rapidly expanding left parietal extra-axial lesion, documented by radiological imagings. The patient underwent surgical resection of the leiomyosarcoma, as well as adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of concentration-controlled oral zidovudine therapy.

Study Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and feasibility of concentration-controlled oral zidovudine therapy.

Design: Randomized, crossover, open-label study.

Setting: University-affiliated general clinical research center.

An anti-cytokine bioactivity assay for interferons-alpha, -beta and -omega.

Interferons-alpha and -beta (IFN-alpha and -beta) are cytokines that are widely known to induce potent anti-viral activity. However, it has become increasingly apparent that IFN-alpha and -beta exert a variety of other biological effects, including anti-tumour and immunomodulatory activities and are increasingly used clinically to treat a range of malignancies, myelodysplasias and autoimmune diseases, e.g.

The organization and delivery of palliative care services in India.

A study/lecture tour of India was undertaken by the authors during October and November 1995. The purpose of the visit was to provide a programme of education in palliative care and to gain a deeper understanding of the care of dying people in India. Seven centres were visited and the distance covered was approximately 4500 km.

Generation and ex vivo expansion of HTLV-1 specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes for adoptive immunotherapy.

CD8(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) have been proven, in multiple animal models, to be the most powerful antiviral and antitumor components of the immune system. We have developed a protocol to activate and expand tumor and virus peptide-specific CD8(+) T-lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of healthy, human trophic leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) seronegative human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201 individuals. A combination of density-based separation and culture conditions was employed to isolate dendritic cells (DCs), which are the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and T-lymphocytes.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of zidovudine. An update.

The battle against the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is now into its second decade, and substantial advancements have been made in our understanding of the complex life cycle of, and the immunopathology associated with, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, as well as of the drugs used to modify the course of disease. Zidovudine was the first agent approved for treatment of HIV disease, and since its widespread availability in 1987 the pharmacokinetic disposition and clinical effects of zidovudine have been extensively evaluated. This article reviews the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination characteristics of zidovudine, focusing on more recent information.

An antiproliferative bioassay for interleukin-4.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is currently being used for therapeutic intervention in a wide range of malignant diseases as an antitumour agent. Although bioassays have been developed that measure the proliferative capacity of IL-4, none measure the antiproliferative activity of this molecule. We have developed a simple, sensitive bioassay for human IL-4 based on the ability of this cytokine to inhibit the proliferation of the human lung carcinoma line, CCL-185, an easy to maintain, cytokine independent, cell line.

A sensitive human cell line based bioassay for megakaryocyte growth and development factor or thrombopoietin.

We have developed a simple, rapid, sensitive bioassay for megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) or thrombopoietin (TPO) based on its ability to stimulate the proliferation of the human megakaryoblastic cell line MO7e. The bioassay takes only 24 h, is reproducible and sensitive to less than 10 pg/ml of MGDF. It can be made specific for MGDF by including neutralizing antibodies specific for MGDF, and is suitable for detection of MGDF in both plasma and serum samples.

Change and power in midwifery.

Midwives are experiencing problems in playing their full part in the maternity services and the communities in which they practice. Mothers, babies, and families require greater care from these caregivers for healthier pregnancy and birth outcomes. Change to renew the power, skills, and knowledge of midwives is evident in many parts of the world.

Quantitative cell line based bioassays for human cytokines.

Research in cytokine biology is ever increasing and it is clear that cytokines are involved in a wide range of pathological and physiological processes. The validity of such research relies heavily on the appropriate measurement of levels of cytokines in various biological samples. Amongst the currently available methods for measuring cytokine levels, it is only the biological assay of samples that can directly provide estimates of biologically active cytokines present in test samples.