Structural analysis of the proximal region of the microtubule-associated protein 1B promoter.

Microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) is a major cytoskeletal protein expressed early during development of the nervous system. Previous analysis of the MAP1B gene has identified two alternative promoters that can independently regulate neuron-specific expression of MAP1B. To further characterize the MAP1B promoters, we performed DNase I hypersensitivity assays in vivo over a range of 8.

Antisense strategies in neurobiology.

The use of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, targeted to the transcripts encoding biologically active proteins in the nervous system, provides a novel and highly selective means to further our understanding of the function of these proteins. Recent studies of these agents also suggest the possibility of their being used therapeutically for a variety of diseases involving neuronal tissue. In this paper we review studies showing the in vitro and in vivo effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides as they relate to neurobiological functions.

Size of the catalytically active unit of rat hepatic carboxylester lipase in the presence and absence of bile salt.

Carboxylester lipase (CEL) catalyzes the hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters, retinyl esters, and triacylglycerols. CEL monomer has a MW of approximately 70000. Hydrolysis of these esters is stimulated by millimolar trihydroxy bile salts such as cholate, that also induce aggregation.

Arthroscopic microdiscectomy: comparison of preoperative and postoperative imaging studies.

Forty-three patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniations underwent paralumbar arthroscopic disc extraction by a uniportal or biportal approach and postoperative imaging studies. Thirty-one patients were subjected to immediate postoperative computed tomography (CT) at the operative site. The other 12 underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI at varying times postoperatively.

Correlations between coronary flow reserve measured with a Doppler guide wire and treadmill exercise testing.

We compared exercise test results to a physiologic depiction of stenosis severity, coronary flow reserve (CFR), measured with a Doppler guide wire in 35 patients with single-vessel coronary disease. Group 1 (n = 21) had abnormal CFR, and group 2 (n = 14) had normal CFR. In group 1, 14 of 21 had ST-segment depression versus 3 of 14 in group 2 (p < 0.

Injuries in the sport of luge. Epidemiology and analysis.

We undertook this study to determine the types and frequency of injuries sustained in the sport of luge. Before this study, no data were available in the medical literature on luge injuries. We performed a retrospective analysis between the years 1985 and 1992 using data obtained from the athlete injury and illness report forms at the US Training Center Sports Medicine Clinic in Lake Placid, New York.

Potential effect of cytokines on transgene expression in primary fibroblasts implanted into the rat brain.

Fibroblasts genetically modified with retroviral vectors fail to demonstrate long-term transgene expression upon implantation into the body. Although the mechanisms behind this phenomenon have not been elucidated, one likely cause is the response of the host to the graft. For example, genetically modified fibroblasts grafted into the brain are surrounded by activated microglia and astrocytes.

An assessment of the usefulness of the Duke criteria for diagnosing active infective endocarditis.

We evaluated the usefulness of the Duke criteria for diagnosing cases of active infective endocarditis (IE). Patients were identified prospectively over a 3-year period at 54 hospitals in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Three of us independently reviewed abstracted hospital records and classified 410 patients as definite, probable, or possible cases of IE or as probable noncases.

Hemoptysis as the presenting symptom in bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an uncommon but increasingly recognized pulmonary entity that usually presents with symptoms of dyspnea, cough, and fever. The medical literature describes rare cases of hemoptysis in BOOP, with very small quantities of blood expectorated. We describe two cases of BOOP, one idiopathic and one in association with rheumatoid arthritis, in which large-quantity hemoptysis was the primary presenting symptom.

Molecular cloning of the cDNA for rat hepatic, bile salt-dependent cholesteryl ester/retinyl ester hydrolase demonstrates identity with pancreatic carboxylester lipase.

Rat liver homogenates contain a neutral lipid ester hydrolase that requires millimolar concentrations of bile salts for maximal activity in catalyzing the hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters and retinyl esters in vitro. Previous studies have demonstrated that this hepatic hydrolase resembles rat pancreatic carboxylester lipase because it reacts with a specific pancreatic carboxylester lipase antibody and the eight N-terminal amino acids of the hepatic protein are identical to those of the pancreatic enzyme. Nonetheless, the exact molecular relationship between the hepatic and pancreatic enzymes is unclear.

Efficacy of lorazepam and haloperidol for rapid tranquilization in a psychiatric emergency room setting.

The efficacy of a benzodiazepine was compared with that of a neuroleptic for the rapid tranquilization of patients presenting at a psychiatric emergency room service. Thirty-seven highly agitated patients exhibiting psychotic symptoms were randomly assigned to receive either 2 mg lorazepam or 5 mg haloperidol as needed every 30 min for 4 h. Administration route was either intramuscular injection or oral concentrate.

Iliopsoas myositis mimicking appendicitis: MRI diagnosis.

Myositis of the truncal muscles can closely mimic acute appendicitis. Myositis is the early stage of muscular infection. It is characterized by diffuse muscular pain and swelling without a distinct mass.

Cigarette smoking and lung cancer trends. A light at the end of the tunnel?

Objective: To update the epidemic curves for lung cancer in the United States by gender in relation to the temporal trends in adult current cigarette smoking prevalence.

Methods: The design of the study was ecologic, based on population figures. Available data on the prevalence of current cigarette smoking from 1920 to 1990 were plotted in conjunction with age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rates from 1930 to 1992 for each sex.

Infectious complications of hepatic cryosurgery.

Hepatic cryosurgery is a novel procedure for patients with metastatic liver disease. To date, no reviews of the infectious complications of this procedure have been published. One hundred and fifty patients underwent 158 hepatic cryosurgical procedures at Allegheny General Hospital (Pittsburgh) from November 1987 through July 1995.

Single-layer continuous suture for gastrojejunostomy.

A variety of techniques are available for the construction of a gastrojejunostomy. Little information is available regarding the influence of anastomotic technique on functional outcome, particularly delayed gastric emptying and other postgastrectomy syndromes. Twenty-seven cases were reviewed in which single-layer continuous suture was used for gastrojejunostomy.

Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in newly differentiated neurons from a human cell line (hNT).

Previous studies have demonstrated that the synergistic interaction of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and a number of co-activator molecules (dopamine, TPA, IBMX/forskolin) can induce the novel expression of the catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in non-TH-expressing neurons. To date, TH gene induction has been achieved only in cultures of primary brain neurons. In the present study, we investigated whether TH expression could similarly be induced in a cell line derived from human teratocarcinoma cells.

5-Azacytidine and BDNF enhance the maturation of neurons derived from EGF-generated neural stem cells.

EGF-generated neural stem cells can form astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes upon differentiation; however, the proportion of cells that actually form neurons is very small. In the present study, we have studied the effect that 5-azacytidine (5AzaC), a demethylation agent, and brain-derived growth factor (BDNF) have on the differentiation and maturation of neurons originating from EGF-generated neural stem cells. Stem cells were maintained under a variety of culture conditions using combinations of 5AzaC and BDNF either alone or together.

Localization of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels in A6 cells by atomic force microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used for high-resolution imaging of the apical distribution of epithelial Na+ channels in A6 renal epithelial cells. A6 cells grown on coverslips were labeled with antibodies generated against an amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel complex purified from bovine renal medulla that had been conjugated to 8-nm colloidal gold particles before preparation for AFM. AFM revealed that there was a marked increase in the height of the microvilli in cells labeled with the anti-epithelial Na+ channel antibodies compared with unlabeled cells or cells labeled with rabbit nonimmune immunoglobulin G conjugated to colloidal gold particles.

Arthroscopic discectomy of the lumbar spine.

Although open laminotomy remains an acceptable and, at times, necessary method of treatment for herniated intervertebral discs, spinal stenosis, and various intracanal spinal disorders, arthroscopic disc surgery is emerging as an alternative method of treatment for contained and nonmigrated sequestered herniated discs. Successful performance of arthroscopic disc surgery requires technical skill and a learning curve. Prudent patient selection, adherence to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and avoidance of entry into the spinal canal when possible will reduce the incidence of perineural and intraneural fibrosis and will ensure a satisfactory outcome.

Impact of a standardized patient intervention to teach breast and abdominal examination skills to third-year medical students at two institutions.

Background: This study examined whether a single intervention with standardized patients (SPs) as a supplement to traditional teaching during the surgery clerkship would enhance the breast and abdominal examination skills of third-year medical students.

Methods: During the academic year 1994-1995, 153 students from two institutions were assigned to control or experimental groups. At institution A, all students underwent pretests and posttests with SPs; at institution B, no pretest was conducted.

The heart as a self-regulating system: integration of homeodynamic mechanisms.

In the past the study of mechanical and electrical properties of the heart has been disjointed with minimal overlap and unification. The fact remains that these features are tightly coupled and central to the functioning heart. The maintenance of adequate cardiac output relies upon the highly integrated autoregulatory mechanisms and modulation of cardiac myocyte function.

A prospective study of the effects of high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation on sexual function in the first year after transplant.

Patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) may experience a variety of abnormalities of psychological and physical function including sexual dysfunction. However, no study has prospectively evaluated whether there is an association between sexual dysfunction and BMT. In a previous study in which we analyzed the sexual function of 30 patients immediately before transplant, we found that nearly half of all patients had sexual dysfunction using the Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning for males and females.