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Biomedical subjects

D Dykes

Publications and source records attributed to D Dykes.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Ethnicity, gene flow, and population subdivision in Limón, Costa Rica.

In this paper we examine the effects of ethnicity on the gene flow between two groups living in Limón, Costa Rica. Our main interest is to determine if ethnicity has acted as a barrier to the exchange of genes, and if the groups have remained distinct genetically. We report the admixture estimates, F(st) values, and inbreeding coefficients of the two samples. The data consist of blood samples and surnames obtained from 375 individuals. The subjects' two surnames were analyzed to determine the ethnicity of their parents (individuals carry their father's and mother's first surnames). We used the formula of Crow and Mange ([1965] Eugen Q 12:199-203) to compute F(t), F(n), and F(r) with the surnames. Admixture estimates were computed for both groups using the computer program ADMIX.PAS kindly provided by Jeffrey Long. The estimates for the Hispanic-Limonense group are M1 = 0.5866 European, M2 = 0.3383 Amerindian, and M3 = 0.0751 African ancestry. For the Afro-Limonense group, the admixture estimates indicate M1 = 0.1047 European, M2 = 0.1357 Amerindian, and M3 = 0.7595 African ancestry. The F(st) values are F(st) = 0.00558 for the Hispanic group and F(st) = 0.05137 for the Afro-Limonense group. These F(st) values indicate that the Afro-Limonense group has experienced more genetic drift than has the other group, possibly as a result of its long history of isolation in Costa Rica. Indeed, when plotted along a scaled eigenvector R matrix of Caribbean gene frequencies, the two Limonense groups did not cluster with each other. Thus we conclude that the two ethnic groups have remained distinct breeding populations.

Adult↗

Screening for and identification of novel agents directed at renal cell carcinoma.

We were interested in identifying novel agents for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by screening for activities that model renal tumor biology. Searching for relative renal cell sensitivity and leukemia insensitivity among cytotoxicity profiles in the NCI Drug Screen database, we identified 16 potential agents with renal selectivity. We evaluated the agents in 10 RCC cell lines (of primary and metastatic origin) isolated from 5 patients. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) in these cell lines ranged from 0.019 +/- 0.013 to 11.4 +/- 0.55 microM and were comparable with values obtained with renal cell lines in the NCI Drug Screen panel. Because RCC are slowly growing tumors, we evaluated the compounds on rapidly (27% S phase) or slowly (6% S phase) growing cells. In contrast to doxorubicin, where cytotoxicity was restricted to rapidly proliferating cells, three compounds (NSC 280074, 281613, and 281817) were more cytotoxic in slowly proliferating cells. NSC 72151 and 268965 were equitoxic for both populations. NSC 94889, 638850, and 630938 were more cytotoxic in rapidly growing cells. In in vitro time exposure studies, four compounds, NSC 268965, 280074, 281613, and 281817, were maximally cytotoxic with as little as 3 h exposure time. From an analysis comparing the p53 genotype of the 60 cell lines of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Drug Screen with the cytotoxicity profiles for the 16 putative renal compounds, 13 compounds were classified as likely to be indifferent to p53 status. We also developed a panel specificity detection method for the NCI Drug Screen database to evaluate the prevalence of renal sensitive compounds. Of the 16 studied compounds, 14 were among those identified as renal sensitive by the statistical analysis. Lastly, we found reduced tumor growth in mice with established renal human tumor xenografts after treatment with two of the renal active compounds. These studies describe compounds with potential renal activity that are candidates for preclinical development for renal cell carcinoma.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

L-histidinol: preclinical therapeutic studies in combination with antitumor agents and pharmacokinetic studies in mice.

Therapeutic studies were conducted with L-histidinol, in combination with cyclophosphamide, bischloroethylnitrosourea, 5-fluorouracil, phenylalanine mustard, or cis-platinum(II)diammine dichloride, in several transplantable tumors in mice. These tumor types included murine L1210 P388 leukemias, M5076 sarcoma, mammary 16/C adenocarcinoma, human LOX melanoma, and colon HT-29 adenocarcinoma. Therapeutic benefits of adding L-histidinol to a regimen, compared to the regimen alone, were marginal. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated a rapid clearance of L-histidinol following a bolus dose (250 mg/kg i.p.), peak plasma concentration of 200 micrograms/ml (1.4 mM), and beta phase t1/2 of 12.6 min. Maximum tolerable plasma steady state concentrations with a 24-h infusion (2000 mg/kg/24 h) were no greater than 25 micrograms/ml (0.18 mM).

Animals↗

Feasibility of cellular microencapsulation technology for evaluation of anti-human immunodeficiency virus drugs in vivo.

We investigated the feasibility of micro-encapsulation technology for the evaluation of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs in vivo. The ability to place human cells in microcapsules with semipermeable membranes for implantation into test animals led to the development of this assay. The anti-HIV activity assay involves microencapsulating human T-lymphoblastoid cells sensitive to the cytopathic effects of HIV; the encapsulated cells are then implanted into athymic nude mice and recovered after drug treatment in vivo. A positive antiviral effect of the test substance is indicated by growth or survival of the virus-infected cells in the microcapsules. Several HIV-sensitive cell lines of T-lymphocyte, monocyte, and nonlymphocyte origin were examined for growth in microcapsules in vitro and in vivo. Light and electron microscopic analysis of the capsules and the human cells contained therein revealed the invasion of mouse immune cells and other adverse effects that could not be overcome by any of numerous technical modifications attempted. We conclude that cellular microencapsulation technology is not feasible for in vivo drug-testing protocols because of immunogenic reactions.

Animals↗

Enhanced melphalan cytotoxicity in human ovarian cancer in vitro and in tumor-bearing nude mice by buthionine sulfoximine depletion of glutathione.

The development of acquired resistance to alkylating agents frequently limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. While the resistance to alkylating agents is multifactorial, the association of drug resistance with elevations in glutathione (GSH) is of potential clinical relevance since there exist pharmacologic means to lower intracellular GSH levels. We have used in vitro and in vivo models of human ovarian cancer to demonstrate that selective inhibition of GSH synthesis with L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (L-BSO) leads to a lowering of GSH levels and an increase in cytotoxicity of the alkylating agent melphalan. In the human ovarian cancer cell line NIH:OVCAR-3, derived from a patient clinically refractory to alkylating agents, L-BSO resulted in a 3.6-fold enhancement of melphalan cytotoxicity. This cell line was also adapted for intraperitoneal growth in athymic nude mice. In this in vivo model, in which the mice die of massive ascites and intraabdominal carcinomatosis, L-BSO given orally in drinking water for 5 days decreased GSH levels in the tumor cells by 96% compared to a 79 and 86% reduction in GSH levels in the bone marrow and gastrointestinal mucosa respectively. Lowering of GSH levels with BSO was not accompanied by an increase in lethality for melphalan in non-tumored nude mice. However, in tumor-bearing nude mice, a single melphalan (5 mg/kg) treatment following GSH depletion with L-BSO was markedly superior to treatment with melphalan alone, producing a 72% increase in median survival time. Furthermore, L-BSO treatment of human bone marrow cells prior to melphalan exposure had little effect on melphalan toxicity as assessed in a CFUc-GM assay. These results suggest that treatment with the GSH synthesis inhibitor BSO may preferentially enhance the cytotoxic effects of alkylating agents against human ovarian cancer and overcome acquired resistance.

Animals↗

Proposal for the nomenclature of human plasminogen (PLG) polymorphism.

Since its discovery, human plasminogen (PLG) polymorphism has received widespread acceptance in population genetics and forensic haematology. Due to the large number of variant alleles described, a PLG reference typing and Plasminogen Symposium was held, at which a nomenclature proposal was inaugurated. The technology of comparing PLG variants was based on isoelectric focusing and subsequent detection by caseinolytic overlay and 'Western' blotting. Typing results permitted comparison of so far described variant designations and resulted in a new nomenclature proposal for PLG polymorphism. It is recommended that the two most common alleles found in all investigated races be called: PLG*A (previously also PLG*1) and PLG*B (previously also PLG*2), the known variants with acidic pI: PLG*A1 to *A3, intermediate variants: PLG*M1 to *M5, PLG*M5 being functionally inactive, and basic variants: PLG*B1 to *B3. For future classification of newly discovered variants, samples should be compared at any of the laboratories participating in the reference typing.

Collodion↗

Flavone acetic acid: a novel agent with preclinical antitumor activity against colon adenocarcinoma 38 in mice.

Flavone acetic acid, given on Days 2 and 9 at a dose of 267 mg/kg, inhibited tumor growth completely in 60%-80% of mice with early-stage Colon Adenocarcinoma 38. The therapeutic efficacy of the flavone against this tumor was retained when the sites of tumor implantation and drug administration were separated. Flavone acetic acid also caused regression of advanced (500-mg) Colon 38 tumors, with greatest efficacy observed following administration of high individual dose rather than high total dose. Unlike many previous potential anticancer agents, only modest activity was observed for this compound against either P388 or L1210 leukemia.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Gc subtypes identified by isoelectric focusing in baboons (Papio hamadryas).

Phenotyping for Gc variants by conventional electrophoresis in 835 Papio hamadryas baboons demonstrated a monomorphic population. Gc subtyping by polyacrylamide IEF gels, pH 4-6, on 394 of these baboons revealed the existence of two common alleles which we named Gc1Papio and Gc2Papio. Pedigree data confirmed the inheritance of a single locus, two allele system and the observed gene frequencies were 0.593 for Gc1Papio and 0.407 for Gc2Papio.

Alleles↗

The genetic variants of group-specific component (vitamin D-binding protein) possess different binding characteristics for immobilized Cibacron Blue 3-GA.

The elution profiles of several variants of the Gc protein have been studied after chromatography on immobilized Cibacron Blue 3-GA. The allele products belonging to the Gcl type were retarded and eluted with a Ve/Vo at 1.5, as previously reported for the Gcl-1 phenotype [Chapuis-Cellier, Gianazza & Arnaud (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 709, 353-357]. The allele products belonging to the Gc2 type were further retarded (Ve/Vo at 2.6), and both Gcl and Gc2 allele products were clearly separated in heterozygous individuals. This observation allows the isolation and purification of Gc variants in heterozygous individuals which carry the combination Gcl variant-Gc2, Gcl-Gc2 variant, or Gcl variant-Gc2 variant. In contrast, the corresponding holoproteins did not bind to the gel and were eluted in the void volume. This suggests that the interaction of Gc with immobilized Cibacron Blue 3-GA involves the binding site of the protein for 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and that the dye behaves as a 'pseudoligand' for the protein. In addition, our data suggest that the different elution profiles of the variants could reflect a different affinity of the gene products for the dye.

Alleles↗

Description of six new Gc variants.

Gc subtyping by isoelectric focusing and routine conventional electrophoresis demonstrated six new variants (mutants): Gc1C16, Gc1C23, Gc1C25, Gc2A12, Gc2A13, and Gc2C7. The variants were confirmed by the acknowledged Gc Reference Laboratories of Drs. J. Constans and H. Cleve. Gc1C16, Gc1C23, and Gc2A12 are tentative variants due to absence of family data to confirm their heritability.

Adult↗

The polymorphism of the vitamin D-binding protein (Gc); isoelectric focusing in 3 M urea as additional method for identification of genetic variants.

Since the last report numerous new DBP (Gc) variants have been observed; at present a total of 84 different mutants can be distinguished. Several of them have similar electrophoretic mobilities and/or isoelectric points of conventional isoelectric focusing (IEF). IEF in polyacrylamide gels in the presence of 3 M urea is a convenient and efficient method for the detection of hidden variation.

Carrier Proteins↗

Transferrin (Tf) subtyping on agarose: a new technique for isoelectric focusing.

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of the serum protein transferrin (Tf) on polyacrylamide gels has been found to be a useful tool in population genetics and forensic medicine. Three autosomal codominant alleles can be subtyped from the TfC allele, TfC1, TfC2, and TfC3. In this report the authors describe the use of agarose as an alternative technique for Tf subtyping. The method is faster, easier to perform and eliminates the use of toxic chemicals used with polyacrylamide gels. Results of subtyping for the three alleles Tfc1, Tfc2, and Tfc3 are described for a population of U.S. whites (n = 392) and U.S. blacks (n = 194).

Acrylic Resins↗

Properdin factor B (Bf) as an exclusion determinate in parentage testing.

Properdin factor B (Bf) was phenotyped on 519 paternity cases. Gene frequencies of BfF = 0.1870, BfF1 = 0.0105, BfS = 0.7985 and BfSO.7 = 0.0040 were observed in Minnesota Whites. Based on these values the exclusion probability is (p) = 0.1442. Bf accounted for 15% of the 88 observed exclusions. A technique is described for simultaneous electrophoresis of Bf and Gc on the same gel.

Complement Factor B↗

Frequency of twinning in two Costa Rican ethnic groups: an update.

Variation in the frequency of twinning among human populations has been presumed to reflect genetic differences. It has been commonly reported that populations of African ancestry have the highest, those of Asian ancestry the lowest, and those of European and Middle-Eastern ancestry intermediate frequencies of twinning. Populations from the Americas have been reported to have intermediate twinning frequencies, presumably reflecting their admixture. In this context, Madrigal (1994. Am J Hum Biol 6:215-218) reported virtually identical (and high) twinning frequencies in two Costa Rican ethnic groups, one of African, the other of Euro-Amerindian ancestry. These frequencies were interpreted in light of frequent inter-ethnic unions, and it was predicted that the two groups would not differ substantially in gene frequencies of several blood enzyme systems. This paper reports the gene frequencies of both groups for such systems. The samples differ significantly for systems that have clearly different frequencies in African and European populations. Given that the groups are actually different in gene frequencies and not homogenous as predicted earlier, the conclusion that twinning frequencies are similar as a result of a similar genetic make up can be questioned. The results challenge the assumption that if populations have similar twinning frequencies it is because they are genetically similar and argue for a stronger environmental component for twinning frequencies.

Costa Rica↗