Effect of foot shape on the three-dimensional position of foot bones.

To eliminate some of the ambiguity in describing foot shape, we developed three-dimensional (3D), objective measures of foot type based on computerized tomography (CT) scans. Feet were classified via clinical examination as pes cavus (high arch), neutrally aligned (normal arch), asymptomatic pes planus (flat arch with no pain), or symptomatic pes planus (flat arch with pain). We enrolled 10 subjects of each foot type; if both feet were of the same foot type, then each foot was scanned (n=65 total).

The canine sympathetic neuropeptide galanin: a neurotransmitter in pancreas, a neuromodulator in liver.

Our laboratory has investigated the role of the neuropeptide galanin in the sympathetic neural control of both the canine endocrine pancreas and liver. Galanin mRNA and peptide were found in the neuronal cell bodies of the celiac ganglion, which projects fibers to both organs. Galanin fibers formed dense networks around the islets.

Lipid A activation of glomerular mesangial cells: mimicry of the bioactive lipid, phosphatidic acid.

Lipid A, the active component of bacterial endotoxin, stimulates multiple cell types, including glomerular mesangial cells (MC), and yet the molecular mechanisms of cell activation remain unclear. Lipid A, in its monosaccharyl form, structurally resembles the biologically active lipid phosphatidic acid (PA). Given this, it was postulated that lipid A activates cells by acting as a structural and functional mimetic of PA.

Bryostatin 1: a potential anti-leukemic agent for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Bryostatin 1 is a macrocyclic lactone which activates protein kinase C (PKC), and is able to induce maturation in cells from some cases of acute myelogenous leukemia. This paper reports that bryostatin inhibits the spontaneous in vitro proliferation of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia cells (CMMoL) in semi-solid medium at concentrations between 10(-8) and 10(-10) M. Growth inhibition was equivalent to or greater than that seen with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate.

Joint moment and muscle power output characteristics of below knee amputees during running: the influence of energy storing prosthetic feet.

Stance phase joint moments, muscle power outputs and mechanical energy characteristics were determined in five normal and five below knee amputee subjects running at 2.8 m s-1. The amputees were studied sequentially on three different prosthetic feet: the SACH foot (solid ankle cushion heel), and two energy storing feet, Seattle and Flex.

Acylation of monocyte and glomerular mesangial cell proteins. Myristyl acylation of the interleukin 1 precursors.

Acylation of cellular proteins with the fatty acids myristate or palmitate represents an important mechanism for the co- or posttranslational modification of proteins. Lipid A, the biologically active component of bacterial endotoxin, exerts a number of biochemical effects on responsive cell types. Evidence is presented that lipid A stimulates the synthesis and subsequent myristyl acylation of intracellular monocyte and glomerular mesangial cell proteins.