Shifting from SOAP Notes to Consult Notes for Clinical Documentation by Pharmacy Students.

Clinical documentation is an important element of patient care that pharmacy students traditionally learn through subjective-objective-assessment-plan (SOAP) notes. In clinical practice, pharmacists often document more succinctly, both in length and time, using formats such as consult notes. The objective of this study was to assess consult note assignments for third-year pharmacy (P3) students.

Sphagnum mosses from 21 ombrotrophic bogs in the athabasca bituminous sands region show no significant atmospheric contamination of "heavy metals".

Sphagnum moss was collected from 21 ombrotrophic (rain-fed) peat bogs surrounding open pit mines and upgrading facilities of Athabasca bituminous sands in Alberta (AB). In comparison to contemporary Sphagnum moss from four bogs in rural locations of southern Germany (DE), the AB mosses yielded lower concentrations of Ag, Cd, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Tl, similar concentrations of Mo, but greater concentrations of Ba, Th, and V. Except for V, in comparison to the "cleanest", ancient peat samples ever tested from the northern hemisphere (ca.

Effects of weight loss and exercise on apelin serum concentrations and adipose tissue expression in human obesity.

Objective: Apelin is an adipokine which plays a role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and may contribute to the link between increased adipose tissue mass and obesity related metabolic diseases. Here we investigate the role of omental and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue apelin and its receptor APJ mRNA expression in human obesity and test the hypothesis that changes in circulating apelin are associated with reduced fat mass in three weight loss intervention studies.

Methods: Apelin serum concentration was measured in 740 individuals in a cross-sectional (n = 629) study including a subgroup (n = 161) for which omental and SC apelin mRNA expression has been analyzed and in three interventions: 12 weeks exercise (n = 60), 6 months calorie-restricted diet (n = 19), 12 months after bariatric surgery (n = 32).

Ultrasound-aided fixation of biodegradable implants in pediatric craniofacial surgery.

Purpose: Bioresorbable implant systems have been used for the rigid fixation of cranial and facial bones. A relatively recent advancement has been the fixation of these implants using an ultrasonic device. Published reports with such a device in pediatric craniofacial surgery have been limited.

Optimization of reporter cells for expression profiling in a microfluidic device.

The emergence of green fluorescence protein (GFP) technologies has enabled non-invasive monitoring of cell function and gene expression. GFP-based expression studies are typically performed in traditional single-dish or multi-well formats to monitor a small number of genes or conditions that do not lend well to scaling, high-throughput analysis, or single-cell measurements. We have recently developed a microfluidic device, the Living Cell Array (LCA), for monitoring GFP-based gene expression in a high-throughput manner.

Dynamic gene expression profiling using a microfabricated living cell array.

We describe the development of a microfluidic platform for continuous monitoring of gene expression in live cells. This optically transparent microfluidic device integrates high-throughput molecular stimulation with nondestructive monitoring of expression events in individual living cells, hence, a living cell array (LCA). Several concentrations of a soluble molecular stimulus are generated in an upstream microfluidic network and used to stimulate downstream reporter cells, each containing a green fluorescence reporter plasmid for a gene of interest.

Identification of two amino acids within the EIIIA (ED-A) segment of fibronectin constituting the epitope for two function-blocking monoclonal antibodies.

Alternative splicing of the fibronectin gene transcript gives rise to a group of adhesive glycoproteins showing restricted spatial and temporal expression during embryonic development, tumor growth, and tissue repair. Alternative splicing occurs in three segments termed EIIIB, EIIIA, and V. The EIIIA (or ED-A) segment of fibronectin is expressed prominently but transiently in healing wounds coincident with fibroblast expression of an activation marker, smooth muscle cell alpha-actin.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 entry into murine cell lines and lymphocytes from transgenic mice expressing a glycoprotein 120-binding mutant mouse CD4.

Human CD4, the receptor for the gp120 envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1, is the route for viral entry into CD4+ cells; other cellular factors may cooperate with CD4 to facilitate HIV-1 entry into human cells. Human CD4 expressed on murine cells does not readily mediate HIV-1 entry, which may reflect a functional incompatibility of human CD4 with murine cellular components. We postulated that a HIV-1 gp120-binding mutant murine CD4 (L3T4) possessing a minimal number of human amino acid residues could facilitate HIV-1 entry into rodent cells, unlike human CD4.

Cytokine and alloantibody networks in long term cardiac allografts in rat recipients treated with rapamycin.

Treatment with rapamycin (RPM) prevents accelerated rejection of (LEW x BN)F1 cardiac allografts in LEW rats presensitized with BN skin grafts. This study analyzed the influence of RPM on cytokine (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12) and alloantibody networks in this model. Accelerated (24-h) rejection was associated with strong expression of intragraft IL-2 and IL-12 (p40) mRNAs, which reached maximal levels 3 to 6 h post-transplantation.

CD4 mAb therapy modulates alloantibody production and intracardiac graft deposition in association with selective inhibition of Th1 lymphokines.

The accelerated (24 h) rejection of (LEWxBN)F1 cardiac allografts (Tx) in LEW rats sensitized with BN skin grafts, is abrogated with CD4 mAb (BWH-4) administration between skin (day -7) and heart (day 0) transplantation (Tx survival ca. 11 days, p < 0.0001).

Rapamycin treatment depresses intragraft expression of KC/MIP-2, granzyme B, and IFN-gamma in rat recipients of cardiac allografts.

Rapamycin (RPM) treatment prevents accelerated rejection of cardiac allografts in sensitized rats. The prominent feature of this brisk 24-h rejection, which includes a panoply of both cellular and humoral host immune responses, is a massive infiltration of rejecting grafts with neutrophils. In this study we tested the hypothesis that RPM-mediated therapeutic effects on accelerated rejection may be linked to decreased expression of protein encoded by gro/melanoma-growth stimulatory activity gene (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) genes, the operational rat homologues of the human intercrine-alpha cytokines with proinflammatory IL-8-like neutrophil activation/chemotactic properties.

Evidence for functional heterogeneity of rat CD4+ T cells in vivo. Differential expression of IL-2 and IL-4 mRNA in recipients of cardiac allografts.

The in vivo relevance of functional dichotomy of CD4+ Th clones was studied by analyzing the induction of mRNA encoding for Th1- (IL-2) and Th2- (IL-4) specific lymphokines in a model of accelerated (24 h) cardiac allograft (Tx) rejection in presensitized rats. The polymerase chain reaction-assisted screening of total cellular RNA from cardiac Tx of otherwise untreated sensitized recipients has revealed sequential lymphokine mRNA expression, with the peak of IL-2 mRNA (6-12 h) preceding that for IL-4 mRNA, which was maximal at the time of actual Tx loss (24 h). Both IL-2 and IL-4 transcripts could be readily detected by polymerase chain reaction analysis in the spleens during the course of accelerated rejection.

Interleukin 2 counteracts the inhibition of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by cholera toxin in vitro and in vivo.

Cholera toxin irreversibly activates a 43-kDa guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein by adenosine diphosphate ribosylation, resulting in activation of adenylate cyclase and increased intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Because increases in intracellular cAMP inhibit interleukin 2 (IL 2) expression and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation and function in vitro and in vivo, we hypothesized that IL 2 may counteract the inhibition of CTL by cholera toxin. Activated CTL treated with IL 2 were protected from the inhibitory effects of cholera toxin.

The molecular basis for the synergism between the CD3/alpha beta T cell receptor and the CD2 antigen-derived signals in promoting T-cell proliferation.

Northern blot analysis and a highly sensitive methodology for mRNA phenotyping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were used to explore the basis for the synergism between CD3/alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR) and the CD2 antigen-derived signals in promoting proliferation of T cells. Northern blotting of RNA isolated from highly purified normal human T cells revealed that crosslinking of anti-TCR-1 (a mAb directed at a framework determinant of the TCR) and OKT11 (a mAb directed at the SRBC-binding epitope of the CD2 antigen) induced the expression of the interleukin-2 gene and the gene for IL-2 receptor alpha, mRNA phenotyping by PCR revealed that crosslinkage of TCR with the CD2 antigen, and not independent crosslinking of TCR or the CD2 antigen, results in the induction of IL-2, IL-2 receptors alpha and beta, and IL-4-specific transcripts. Highly purified CD4+ T cells, as well as CD8+ T cells proliferated by crosslinking TCR with CD2 antigen.

Transcriptional modulation of human IL-6 gene expression by verapamil.

Calcium channel-blocking agents interfere with the initial increase of cytosolic calcium that follows mitogenic stimulation of T lymphocytes. In cultures of mitogen-stimulated PBMC, verapamil also blocked T cell accumulation of cytoplasmic IL-2-encoding mRNA. In sharp contrast, the addition of verapamil to PHA and PMA-stimulated PBMC augmented the mitogen-stimulated increases in nuclear transcription of IL-6-encoding mRNA, steady state levels of IL-6 encoding mRNA, and release of IL-6 bioactivity.

Physiologic signaling in normal human T-cells: mRNA phenotyping by northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Synergy between ionomycin and sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) was shown at the level of lymphokine gene transcription. Transcriptional activation of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and the protooncogene H-ras was accomplished by signaling highly purified normal human resting T-lymphocytes (T-cells) with diC8, a physiologic regulator of protein kinase C, and the calcium ionophore, ionomycin. Northern blot analysis of mRNA for early T-cell activation genes demonstrated the synergism between diC8 and ionomycin at the gene induction level.

Evidence that glucocorticosteroids block expression of the human interleukin-6 gene by accessory cells.

The mode of action of glucocorticosteroids as immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory agents is not fully understood. Glucocorticosteroids block synthesis of interleukin 1 by interfering with the transcription of the IL-1 beta gene. Glucocorticosteroids may also induce rapid degradation of IL-1 mRNA.

Similar effects of cyclosporine and verapamil on lymphokine, interleukin 2 receptor, and proto-oncogene expression.

Since calcium channel blocking agents and CsA exert an antiproliferative effect upon T cell mitogenesis, we have compared and characterized their immunosuppressive properties at the level of gene activation. Verapamil (greater than or equal to 30 microM), which blocks T cell mitogenesis and a rise in cytosolic calcium, was added to cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (5 micrograms/ml) and phorbol myristate acetate (5 ng/ml). Northern blot analysis was performed using cDNA probes for the p55 interleukin 2 receptor (Tac; IL-2R), interleukin 2 and c-myc at 20 hr of culture.

Linkage of cystic fibrosis locus and polymorphic DNA markers in 14 families.

Linkage relationships between the cystic fibrosis (CF) locus and three polymorphic DNA markers were examined in 14 families, five of which were of Hispanic origin. Tight linkage was found between the CF locus and MET (maximum lod score = 7.16 at theta = .

Chemical identification of a prostaglandin-induced T suppressor (PITS).

Prostaglandin E1 is known to block the activation and function of immunocompetent cells. Previous studies from this laboratory have established that one pathway where prostaglandin E1 acts involves the stimulation of a glass-wool adherent T-suppressor cell. Prostaglandin stimulates this suppressor cell to release a suppressor lymphokine(s), termed the prostaglandin-induced T cell-derived suppressor (PITS).

Enzyme therapy: II. Effect of covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol on biochemical parameters and immunological determinants of beta-glucosidase and alpha-galactosidase.

The covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to beta-glucosidase from sweet almonds and alpha-galactosidase from green coffee beans results in alterations of their catalytic properties and masking of specific determinant sites on the enzymes. Both enzymes have increased Km and decreased Vmax values against their respective p-nitrophenyl substrate analogs after PEG attachment. When PEG is attached to 30% of alpha-galactosidase epsilon-amino groups, 12% activity remains against ceramide trihexoside, while its ability to convert type B erythrocytes to type H specificity is lost.