SciSearch Database Listings for 01/18/2002

Title: Leukotriene modifiers

Author(s): Kelly HW

Source: PEDIATRICS

v. 109(#1) pp. 170-171 JAN 2002

Abstract:

No abstract

Title: Behcet's disease: Endovascular management of a ruptured peripheral arterial aneurysm

Author(s): Kasirajan K, Marek JM, Langsfeld M

Source: JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY

v. 34(#6) pp. 1127-1129 DEC 2001

Abstract:

Traditionally, bypass grafts are at a high risk for thrombosis or anastomotic degeneration in patients with Behcet's disease. We report the successful deployment of a vein-covered stent across the neck of a ruptured peripheral arterial aneurysm, via a remote site access, with intermediate-term follow-up. Covered stents may represent an attractive alternative to open surgical bypass for the management of aneurysms in patients with Behcet's disease

Title: A polycystin-1, E-cadherin and beta-catenin complex is disrupted in polycystic kidney disease cells

Author(s): Roitbak T, Bacallao R, Ward C, Harris P, Woo D, Wandinger-Ness A

Source: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL

v. 12(SS) pp. 397A-398A NOV 2001

Abstract:

No abstract

Title: Genetic ablation of the t-SNARE SNAP-25 distinguishes mechanisms of neuroexocytosis

Author(s): Washbourne P, Thompson PM, Carta M, Costa ET, Mathews JR, Lopez-Bendito G, Molnar Z, Becher MW, Valenzuela CF, Partridge LD, Wilson MC

Source: NATURE NEUROSCIENCE

v. 5(#1) pp. 19-26 JAN 2002

Abstract:

Axon outgrowth during development and neurotransmitter release depends on exocytotic mechanisms, although what protein machinery is common to or differentiates these processes remains unclear. Here we show that the neural t-SNARE target-membrane-associated-soluble N-ethylmaleimide fusion protein attachment protein (SNAP) receptor) SNAP-25 is not required for nerve growth or stimulus-independent neurotransmitter release, but is essential for evoked synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions and central synapses. These results demonstrate that the development of neurotransmission requires the recruitment of a specialized SNARE core complex to meet the demands of regulated exocytosis

Title: Rab7 interacts with hVps34 and regulates late endosomal trafficking

Author(s): Stein MP, Feng Y, Wandinger-Ness A

Source: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL

v. 12(SS) pp. 249A-249A NOV 2001

Abstract:

No abstract

Title: Sexual function in women with and without urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse

Author(s): Rogers GR, Villarreal A, Kammerer-Doak D, Qualls C

Source: INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL AND PELVIC FLOOR            DYSFUNCTION

v. 12(#6) pp. 361-365 NOV 2001

Abstract:

The sexual function of women with and without urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse (UI/POP) was compared using a condition-specific validated questionnaire, the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ). Eighty-three women with UI/POP and 56 without agreed to participate. PISQ scores were significantly lower among women with UI/POP than in those without (P = 0.003). No differences in the stages of sexual excitement were noted between groups. The frequency of intercourse was less with UI/POP than without (P = 0.04). Women with UI/POP restricted sexual activity for fear of losing urine more frequently than did those without (P = 0.005). No differences were reported in patients' or partners' sexual satisfaction. This study found that women with UI/POP have poorer sexual functioning than those without, as measured by the PISQ, and report less frequent sexual activity. In addition, women with UI/POP are more likely to  restrict sexual activity for fear of incontinence, although they report similar levels of satisfaction with their sexual relationships as do women without UI/POP

Title: Interaction with BRCA2 suggests a role for filamin-1 (hsFLNa) in DNA damage response

Author(s):  Yuan Y, Shen ZY

Source: JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

v. 276(#51) pp. 48318-48324 DEC 21, 2001

Abstract:

The BRCA2 tumor suppressor plays significant roles in DNA damage response. The human actin binding protein filamin-1 (hsFLNa, also known as ABP-280) participates in orthogonal actin network, cellular stress responses, signal transduction, and cell migration. Through a yeast two-hybrid system, an in vitro binding assay, and in vivo co-immunoprecipitations, we identified an interaction between BRCA2 and hsFLNa. The hsFLNa binding domain of BRCA2 was mapped to an internal conserved region, and the BRCA2-interacting domain of  hsFLNa was mapped to its C terminus. Although hsFLNa is known for its cytoplasmic functions in cell migration and signal transduction, some hsFLNa resides in the nucleus, raising the possibility that it participates in DNA damage response through a nuclear interaction with BRCA2. Lack of hsFLNa renders a human melanoma cell line (M2) more sensitive to several genotoxic agents including gamma irradiation, bleomycin, and ultraviolet-c light. These results suggest that BRCA2/hsFLNa interaction may serve to connect cytoskeletal signal transduction to DNA damage response pathways

Title: US for detecting renal calculi with nonenhanced CT as a reference standard

Author(s): Fowler KAB, Kocken JA, Duchesne JH, Williamson MR

Source: RADIOLOGY

v. 222(#1) pp. 109-113 JAN 2002

Abstract:

PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity, and specificity of ultrasonography (US) for detecting parenchymal and renal pelvis calculi and to establish the accuracy of US for determining the size and number of calculi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 US and computed tomographic (CT)  examinations were compared retrospectively for the presence of renal calculi. The sensitivity of US was determined for individual calculi and at least one calculus per examination. Retrospective findings were compared with the original US interpretation. The sizes of calculi in longest axis were compared on US and CT images' and the US detection of calculi in the left and right kidneys was compared. The use of US for detecting the full extent of calculus burden was evaluated in patients with multiple calculi.

RESULTS: US depicted 24 of 101 calculi identified at CT, yielding a sensitivity of 24% and a specificity of 90%. There was no substantial difference for the detection of calculi in the right and left kidneys. The. sensitivity of US for any calculi in a patient was 44%, equal to that of the original US-interpretation. US enabled identification of 39% of patients with  multiple calculi and demonstrated all calculi in 17% of these patients. The mean size of calculi detected with US was 7.1 mm 1.2 (95% CI); 73% of calculi not visualized at US were less than 3.0 mm in size. Calculus size based on US and CT measurements was concordant in 79% of cases and differed by a mean of 1.5 mm 0.7.

CONCLUSION: US is of limited value for detecting renal calculi

Title: Anti-gravity effects in the Sachs theory of electrodynamics

Author(s): Anastasovski PK, Bearden TE, Ciubotariu C, Coffey WT, Crowell LB, Evans GJ, Evans MW, Flower R, Labounsky A, Lehnert B, Meszaros M, Molnar PR, Roy S, Vigier JP

Source: FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS LETTERS

v. 14(#6) pp. 601-605 DEC 2001

Abstract:

It is demonstrated to a first approximation that anti-gravity effects can occur in the most general theory of electromagnetism, developed by Sachs [1] from the irreducible representations of the Einstein group

Title: Dendritic cells: Immune regulators in health and disease

Author(s): Lipscomb MF, Masten BJ

Source: PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS

v. 82(#1) pp. 97-130 JAN 2002

Abstract:

Dendritic cells (DCs) are bone marrow-derived cells of both lymphoid and myeloid stem cell origin that populate all lymphoid organs including the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as nearly all nonlymphoid tissues and organs. Although DCs are a moderately diverse set of cells, they all have potent antigen-presenting capacity for stimulating naive, memory, and effector T cells. DCs are members of the innate immune system in that they can respond to dangers in the host environment by immediately generating protective cytokines. Most important, immature DCs respond to danger signals in the microenvironment by maturing, i.e., differentiating, and acquiring the capacity to direct the development of primary immune responses appropriate to the type of danger perceived. The powerful adjuvant activity that DCs possess in stimulating specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses has made them targets in vaccine development strategies for the prevention and treatment of infections, allograft reactions, allergic and autoimmune diseases, and cancer. This review addresses the origins and migration of DCs to their sites of activity, their basic biology as antigen-presenting cells, their roles in important human diseases and, finally, selected strategies being pursued to harness their potent antigen-stimulating activity

Title: Derivation of the B-(3) field and concomitant vacuum energy density from the Sachs theory of electrodynamics

Author(s): Anastasovski PK, Bearden TE, Ciubotariu C, Coffey WT, Crowell LB, Evans GJ, Evans MW, Flower R, Labounsky A, Lehnert B, Meszaros M, Molnar PR, Moscicki JK, Roy S, Vigier JP

Source: FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS LETTERS

v. 14(#6) pp. 589-593 DEC 2001

Abstract:

The archetypical and phaseless vacuum magnetic flux density of O(3) electrodynamics, the B-(3) field, is derived from the irreducible representation of the Einstein group and is shown to be accompanied by a vacuum energy density which depends directly on the square. of the scalar curvature R of curved spacetime. The B-(3) field and the vacuum energy density  are obtained respectively from the non-Abelian part of the field tensor F-mu nu and the non-Abelian part of the metrical field equation. Both of these terms are given by Sachs [5]

Title: Development of the Sachs theory of electrodynamics

Author(s): Anastasovski PK, Bearden TE, Ciubotariu C, Coffey WT, Crowell LB, Evans J, Evans MW, Flower R, Labounsky A, Lehnert B, Meszaros M, Molnar PR, Roy S, Vigier JP

Source: FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS LETTERS

v. 14(#6) pp. 595-600 DEC 2001

Abstract:

The most general form of electro dynamics has been derived by Sachs [1] from the irreducible representations of the Einstein group. In this paper the Sachs theory is developed as a gauge theory with a vacuum four-current i(j)(mu). The B Cyclic Theorem O(3) electrodynamics is derived from a consideration of four-vectors appearing in the Sachs theory, and electromagnetic helicity, expressed in terms of the B-(3) field of O(3) electrodynamics, is derived from the more general Sachs theory

Title: Discriminators between hantavirus-infected and -uninfected persons enrolled in a trial of intravenous ribavirin for presumptive hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Author(s): Chapman LE, Ellis BA, Koster FT, Sotir M, Ksiazek TG, Mertz GJ, Rollin PE, Baum KF, Pavia AT, Christenson JC, Rubin PJ, Jolson HM, Behrman RE, Khan AS, Bell LJW, Simpson GL, Hawk J, Holman RC, Peters CJ

Source: CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES

v. 34(#3) pp. 293-304 FEB 1, 2002

Abstract:

To provide a potentially therapeutic intervention and to collect clinical and laboratory data during an outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), 140 patients from the United States with suspected HPS were enrolled for investigational intravenous ribavirin treatment. HPS was subsequently laboratory confirmed in 30 persons and not confirmed in 105 persons with adequate specimens. Patients with HPS were significantly more likely than were hantavirus-negative patients to report myalgias from onset of symptoms through hospitalization, nausea at outpatient presentation, and diarrhea and nausea at the time of hospitalization; they were significantly less likely to report respiratory symptoms early in the illness. The groups did not differ with regard to time from the onset of illness to the point at which they sought care; time from onset, hospitalization, or enrollment to death was  significantly shorter for patients with HPS. At the time of hospitalization, patients with HPS more commonly had myelocytes, metamyelocytes, or promyelocytes on a peripheral blood smear, and significantly more of them had thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, and hypocapnia. Patterns of clinical symptoms, the pace of clinical evolution, and specific clinical laboratory parameters discriminated between these 2 groups

Title: Expression of the granzyme B inhibitor, protease inhibitor 9, by tumor cells in patients with non-Hodgkin and Hodgkinlymphoma: a novel protective mechanism for tumor cells to   circumvent the immune system?

Author(s): Bladergroen BA, Meijer CJLM, ten Berge RL, Hack CE, Muris JJF, Dukers DF, Chott A, Kazama Y, Oudejans JJ, van Berkum O, Kummer JA

Source: BLOOD

v. 99(#1) pp. 232-237 JAN 1, 2002

Abstract:

In tumor cells, the serine protease granzyme B is the primary mediator of apoptosis induced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)/natural killer (NK) cells. The human intracellular serpin proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI9) is the only known human protein able to inhibit the proteolytic activity of granzyme B. When present in the cytoplasm of T lymphocytes, PI9 is thought to protect CTLs against apoptosis induced by their own misdirected granzyme B. Based on the speculation that tumors may also express PI9 to escape CTL/NK cell  surveillance, immunohistochemical studies on the expression of PI9 in various lymphomas were performed. Ninety-two cases of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), 76 cases of B-cell NHL, and 57 cases of Hodgkin lymphomas were stained with a PI9-specific monoclonal antibody. In T-cell NHL, highest PI9 expression was found in the extranodal T-cell NHL. In nearly 90% of enteropathy-type T-cell NHLs and 80% of NK/T-cell, nasal-type lymphomas, the majority of the tumor cells expressed PI9. In nodal T-anaplastic large cell lymphomas and peripheral T-cell lymphomas (not otherwise specified), PI9 expression occurred less frequently. In B-cell NHL, PI9 expression was associated with high-grade  malignancy; 43% of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas showed PI9(+) tumor cells. Finally, PI9 expression was also found in 10% of Hodgkin lymphomas. This is the first report describing the expression of the granzyme B inhibitor PI9 in human neoplastic cells in vivo. Expression of this inhibitor is yet another mechanism used by tumor cells to escape their elimination by cytotoxic lymphocytes

Title: Copolymer 1 reduces relapse rate and improves disability in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Results of a phase III multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Author(s): Johnson KP, Brooks BR, Cohen JA, Ford CC, Goldstein J, Lisak RP,          Myers LW, Panitch HS, Rose JW, Schiffer RB, Vollmer T, Weiner LP, Wolinsky JS

Source: NEUROLOGY

v. 57(#12/S5) pp. S16-S24 DEC 2001

Abstract:

We studied copolymer 1 (Copaxone) in a multicenter (11-university) phase III trial of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Two hundred fifty-one patients were randomized to receive copolymer I (n = 125) or placebo (n = 126) at a dosage of 20 mg by daily subcutaneous injection for 2 years. The primary end point was a difference in the MS relapse rate. The final 2-year relapse rate was 1.19 +/- 0.13 for patients receiving copolymer 1 and 1.68 +/- 0.13 for those receiving placebo, a 29% reduction in favor of copolymer 1 (p = 0.007) (annualized rates = 0.59 for copolymer 1 and 0.84 for placebo). Trends in the proportion of relapse-free patients and median time to first relapse favored copolymer 1. Disability was measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), using a two-neurologist (examining and treating) protocol. When the proportion of patients who improved, were unchanged, or worsened by greater than or equal to1 EDSS step from baseline to conclusion (2 years) was evaluated, significantly more patients receiving  copolymer 1 were found to have improved and more receiving placebo worsened (p = 0.037). Patient withdrawals were 19 (15.2%) from the copolymer 1 group and 17 (13.5%) from the placebo group at approximately the same intervals. The treatment was well tolerated. The most common adverse experience was an injection-site reaction. Rarely, a transient self-limited systemic reaction followed the injection in 15.2% of those receiving copolymer 1 and 3.2% of those receiving placebo, This reaction was characterized by flushing or chest  tightness with palpitations, anxiety, or dyspnea and commonly lasted for 30 seconds to 30 minutes. This rigorous study confirmed the findings of a previous pilot trial and demonstrated that copolymer 1 treatment can significantly and beneficially alter the course of relapsing-remitting MS in a well-tolerated fashion