Adenosine attenuates C-terminal but not N-terminal proteolysis of cTnI during cardioplegic arrest.

Background: Specific site proteolysis and loss of troponin I (TnI) during myocardial ischemic events can contribute to myocardial dysfunction. Adenosine supplementation of cardioplegic solutions results in improved functional preservation of the heart. We investigated the effect of adenosine on N-terminal and C-terminal proteolysis of TnI in the heart.

Subcellular distribution of protein kinase C isozymes during cardioplegic arrest.

Background: On the basis of the hypothesis that cardioplegia-associated myocardial depression was due to activation of protein kinase C, we examined whether specific protein kinase C isozymes would translocate to a cellular fraction containing myofilaments.

Methods: Isolated rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer for 30 minutes and arrested with 4 degrees C St Thomas No. 2 cardioplegic solution for 0 to 120 minutes (n = 5 per group).

Prevalence of Personality Disorders among Cocaine and Heroin Addicts.

Using the MCMI-III, we studied rates of personality disorders among 443 inpatient drug abusers (i.e., 160 opiate addicts and 283 cocaine addicts).

Cutting edge: activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway mediates cytokine-induced hemopoietic suppression in aplastic anemia.

Myelosuppressive cytokines, in particular IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, play an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic aplastic anemia in humans. It is unknown whether these negative regulators of hemopoiesis suppress stem cells by activating a common signaling cascade or via distinct nonoverlapping pathways. In this study, we provide evidence that a common element in signaling for IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in human hemopoietic progenitors is the p38/MapKapK-2 signaling cascade.

The CrkL adapter protein is required for type I interferon-dependent gene transcription and activation of the small G-protein Rap1.

We sought to determine the functional role of the CrkL adapter protein and downstream pathways in interferon signaling. In experiments using CrkL(--) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we found that CrkL is required for IFN alpha-dependent gene transcription via GAS elements, apparently via the formation of DNA-binding complexes with Stat5. On the other hand, gene transcription via ISRE elements is intact in the absence of CrkL, indicating that the regulatory effects on gene transcription are mediated only via the formation of CrkL:Stat5 complexes.

Protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta ) is activated by type I interferons and mediates phosphorylation of Stat1 on serine 727.

It is well established that engagement of the Type I interferon (IFN) receptor results in activation of JAKs (Janus kinases), which in turn regulate tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT proteins. Subsequently, the IFN-dependent tyrosine-phosphorylated/activated STATs translocate to the nucleus to regulate gene transcription. In addition to tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphorylation of Stat1 on serine 727 is essential for induction of its transcriptional activity, but the IFNalpha-dependent serine kinase that regulates such phosphorylation remains unknown.

All-trans-retinoic acid induces tyrosine phosphorylation of the CrkL adapter in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Objective: All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) is a potent inducer of differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells in vitro and in vivo. It also exhibits synergistic effects with interferons on the induction of differentiation and growth inhibition in vitro. Recent studies showed that interferons engage a signaling pathway involving the CBL proto-oncogene and the CrkL adapter, which mediates interferon-induced growth inhibitory signals.

Impaired phagocyte oxidative capacity in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Bacterial infections that may be related to impaired phagocyte function often develop in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We examined the oxidative capacity of circulating phagocytes in 78 HIV+ patients and 31 control subjects by measuring chemiluminescence with a whole blood assay. Phagocytes were stimulated with zymosan opsonized with human complement (hC-OPZ) or immunoglobulin (hI-OPZ) with or without exogenous primers.

Legal blindness and employment in patients with juvenile-onset macular dystrophies or achromatopsia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gain information about the employment status of legally blind patients.

Methods: Fifty-two patients with one of four juvenile-onset macular dystrophies or achromatopsia responded to questions about their employment histories and their psychological well-being. Results from the questionnaire were analyzed using z-tests for differences in proportions or t-tests for differences in means.

Relative effects of age and compromised vision on driving performance.

The aim of this study was to determine the relative effects of age and compromised vision on driving-related skills and on-road accidents. A total of 107 subjects were tested. They represented four groups that varied in age and visual status, as follows: (1) a younger, normally sighted group; (2) an older, normally sighted group; (3) a younger, visually compromised group; and (4) an older, visually compromised group.

Level of processing in the perception of symmetrical forms viewed from different angles.

This study is concerned with the level of processing underlying the perception of symmetry about a vertical axis. Specifically, it asks whether the equality of the two sides of a symmetrical pattern must be present retinally or perceptually for the impression of symmetry to be realized. Sixty-four subjects were assigned to groups that viewed symmetrical and asymmetrical figures when the figures were in either a frontoparallel plane or one slanted by 65 deg from the line of sight.

Role of mediastinal staging of lung cancer.

The Lung Cancer Study Group (LCSG) assured objective surgical/pathologic staging of clinical trial patients by requiring histologic examination of lymph nodes from anatomically identified specific mediastinal locations. Therefore, within the larger population of heterogeneous patients with lung cancer, subsets of more homogeneous patients were identified. The addition of mediastinal exploration and removal of lymph nodes to the intraoperative procedure did not increase patient morbidity or mortality.

Use of an implant in repair of a fixed partial denture. A clinical report.

A repair technique for a fractured solder joint in a multiple-unit fixed partial denture has been presented. The advantages of this technique include (1) retention of part of an existing restoration; (2) provision of additional support to minimize future fracture; (3) removal of the implant crown for periodic evaluation and/or treatment; and (4) retention of a fixed partial denture where a removable prosthesis might otherwise be needed. The primary disadvantage of this technique is the time and expense associated with implant placement.

Differences in organization of psychological needs between inpatient and outpatient opiate addicts.

A total of 117 inpatients and 114 outpatient drug addicts were administered the Adjective Check List; protocols were subjected to a hierarchical cluster analysis. Results showed two basic clusters for inpatients and one large cluster in the outpatient sample, each different in personality need organization. At discharge, patients who moved from Clusters I or II (inpatient) to Cluster III (outpatient) continued with outpatient treatment.

Differences in psychological need hierarchies between black and white drug addicts.

A total of 109 Black and White heroin and cocaine addicts in treatment for drug abuse were compared on the Adjective Checklist (ACL). We found that the White addict had a significantly different pattern of needs than did the Black addict, characterized by more psychological dependence, distress, and maladjustment. Consistent with the MMPI literature in this area, the ACL provides an accurate evaluation of personality dimensions among drug addicts, and White addicts are more psychologically maladjusted than Black addicts.