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Biomedical subjects

E Diamond

Publications and source records attributed to E Diamond.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

New insights into salivary lactate dehydrogenase of human subjects.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a ubiquitous enzyme that plays a significant role in the clinical diagnosis of pathologic processes. The purpose of the current study was to examine LDH activity and isoenzyme profile of whole saliva and to compare it with the LDH activity of salivary glands and plasma before and after exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). The range of LDH activity in whole saliva at rest was 360 to 430 U/L. The mean +/- SEM of LDH activity in parotid and submandibular/sublingual salivary secretions was 41.3 +/- 19.2 U/L and 77.5 +/- 30.4 U/L, respectively, which implied that 75% of the whole-saliva LDH originated from an extra-salivary gland source. The profile of salivary LDH isoenzymes was found to have an entirely different pattern from that found in plasma, similar to that found in oral epithelium, indicating that the major source of salivary LDH is probably the oral epithelium-shedding cells. Therefore, salivary LDH may be evaluated for possible oral mucosal pathologies in a manner similar to that used for evaluating other tissue pathologies--such as those in heart, muscle, or liver--that can be detected in plasma. Exposure of whole saliva to CS in vitro resulted in a 41% reduction in LDH activity. However, CS exposure had no effect on LDH activity in plasma. Whole saliva, in contrast to plasma, contains redox-active metal ions such as iron and copper that may enhance LDH loss of activity. Therefore we conclude that whole saliva in the presence of CS becomes a potent protein-modifying agent that can destroy some of its endogenous components.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Effect of cigarette smoke on salivary proteins and enzyme activities.

Exposure of human plasma in vitro to gas-phase cigarette smoke (CS) causes a marked modification of plasma proteins as measured by protein carbonyl assay. Aldehydes present in CS may cause this elevation of protein carbonyls by reacting with sulfhydryl groups of proteins. Saliva is the first body fluid to confront the inhaled CS. Thus, in vitro exposure of saliva to nine "puffs" of CS also showed a distinct increase in protein carbonyls. Ascorbate and desferrioxamine mesylate had little effect on protein carbonyl formation, while GSH and N-acetylcysteine considerably inhibited the accumulation of protein carbonyls due to CS exposure. Following the exposure to CS, the activities of several salivary enzymes-amylase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and acid phosphatase-were found to be significantly reduced (34, 57, and 77%, respectively). However, CS had no effect on the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Addition of 1 mM of GSH and N-acetylcysteine considerably protected LDH and amylase activities, suggesting that sulfhydryl groups are affected in LDH and amylase. On the other hand, addition of 1 mM ascorbate caused a further loss of LDH and amylase activities, which could be partially prevented by the addition of desferrioxamine mesylate, implicating metal-catalyzed oxidation processes. Finally, loss of acid phosphatase activity was completely unaffected by any of the above antioxidants. It is concluded that the loss of salivary enzyme activities may be due to various agents in the CS that affect the enzyme activities via different mechanisms.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1999

Tissue-specific p53 expression in the nervous system.

P53 is a transcription factor that has been found to be expressed in association with cell proliferation and apoptosis. Previously, bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) enzymatic expression was predominantly found in the testes of p53 promoter driven-CAT transgenic mice. In the current study, we extended this study to survey p53 expression across both the central and peripheral nervous systems of the same strain of transgenic mice as well as their parental strain. High levels of p53 promoter driven-CAT activity was observed in the cerebellum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, pons, thalamus and upper cerebral spine. Furthermore, we consistently found unexpectedly high levels of p53 promoter-driven CAT expression in the eyes. These observations were reinforced by p53 protein analysis using a p53 pan ELISA assay. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed and further defined p53 expression in several regions of the nervous system. Significantly, p53 promoter-driven CAT expression was visualized in the Ammon horn of the hippocampus, in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and in the cornea as well as in the retina of the eye. Furthermore, strong p53 protein expression was found in the cornea of the parental mouse strain. p53 ELISA demonstrated a profile of p53 protein concentration, which correlate well with the high p53 promoter-driven CAT activities observed in the cerebellum, hindbrain, hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, whole eyes as well as with the low CAT activities observed in the cortex and spinal cord. In both of these assays considerable p53 promoter activity and p53 protein levels were found in post-mitotic non-dividing cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Omega3 fatty acids may inhibit neuronal signal transduction pathways in a manner similar to that of lithium carbonate and valproate, 2 effective treatments for bipolar disorder. The present study was performed to examine whether omega3 fatty acids also exhibit mood-stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder. METHODS: A 4-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, comparing omega3 fatty acids (9.6 g/d) vs placebo (olive oil), in addition to usual treatment, in 30 patients with bipolar disorder. RESULTS: A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the cohort found that the omega3 fatty acid patient group had a significantly longer period of remission than the placebo group (P = .002; Mantel-Cox). In addition, for nearly every other outcome measure, the omega3 fatty acid group performed better than the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Omega3 fatty acids were well tolerated and improved the short-term course of illness in this preliminary study of patients with bipolar disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Interleukin-6 levels are not increased in women with postpartum thyroid dysfunction.

Postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD) is an autoimmune-mediated thyroid destructive process. Human interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine found to be increased in subacute thyroiditis, amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis, Graves' disease, and other thyroid destructive processes. We report serum IL-6 levels in PPTD in two independent studies. New York Study: In a previous prospective study we demonstrated that PPTD occurred in 25% (7/28) of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus. IL-6 determinations were made on the frozen serum samples of these 28 women during each trimester of their pregnancy and at 1.5, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum. IL-6 levels were found to be similar in women with PPTD compared with women without PPTD (mean 3.06+/-2.25 vs. 2.51+/-2.21 pg/mL; p = 0.15). No difference in IL-6 levels was found between the pre- and the postpartum periods (mean 2.67+/-1.82 vs. 3.04+/-2.44 pg/mL; p = 0.30) in all 28 women. Cardiff Study: Serum IL-6 levels were measured on frozen serum samples of 30 women with PPTD. IL-6 levels were below the detection limit (25 fmol/L or 0.65 pg/mL) in 94 (67%) of these samples. No significant difference in the mean serum IL-6 levels were found between any time points in the study. There was no correlation between serum IL-6 levels, thyroid peroxidase (TPO)- antibodies and serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels at any time point. IL-6 levels during pregnancy or postpartum were not found to be significantly different in women with PPTD compared with women without PPTD.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Jejunal mucosal function of the isolated bowel segment created by omentoenteropexy in dogs: a study by in situ luminal perfusion.

An isolated bowel segment (IBS) was created in dogs by omentoenteropexy, using staged procedures. (1) Omentoenteropexy was performed at the antimesenteric border of a 15-cm jejunal segment, which was exteriorized at both ends (IBSB). (2) After 6 weeks, once dual vascularization to the IBS had been established, its mesentery was divided (IBSA) or longitudinally split, thus achieving its elongation (IBSE). A control dog underwent a Thiry-Vella (T-V) loop procedure of an identical jejunal segment. Viability of the IBSB and IBSA was previously proven by the authors, through angiographic studies. In the present study, the absorption capability of IBS variants was assessed using in situ luminal perfusion, with a bicarbonate buffer containing glucose and labeled glycine. Jejunal transport rates of these solutes were calculated from the differences in their concentrations in the perfusion solution and in the effluent. Comparisons were made among the IBS variants and between them and the T-V loop. No significant difference in the absorption capability of glucose and glycine was noted between the various IBS variants. There was a marked reduction of glucose absorption and a moderate reduction of glycine absorption in all IBS variants. when compared with the fresh T-V loop, most probably because of disuse atrophy of the mucosa. In conclusion, absorption of glucose and glycine is preserved in the IBS, created by omentoenteropexy, both after its mesenteric division and following the IBS elongating procedure.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1994

Cholestatic pruritus: effect of phototherapy on pruritus and excretion of bile acids in urine.

Pruritus associated with hepatic cholestasis may cause significant morbidity and its correlation to retention of bile acids in skin is inconsistent. Available treatment modalities are only partially effective and can have several adverse effects. Phototherapy has recently been reported to improve cholestatic pruritus, but has not been evaluated previously in children, and its mechanism is still unclear. We report the outcome of multiple Daylite phototherapy treatments over two years in a seven-year-old child with chronic hepatic cholestasis that was resistant to other therapeutic modalities. Bile acid levels in urine were used as markers of effectiveness in parallel with clinical response. Night phototherapy alone increased the bile acids/creatinine ratio in urine from 1.54 +/- 0.04 mumol/mg at baseline to 2.07 +/- 0.29 mumol/mg. Continuous phototherapy combined with night diuresis raised the ratio further to 2.28 +/- 0.55 mumol/mg. Night diuresis alone had no effect. Continuous phototherapy combined with night diuresis raised the bile acids/creatinine ratio by 44% on the first day and by 61% on the second day, but declined to baseline on the third day of treatment. A marked clinical improvement was noted for one week following two days of phototherapy. This schedule has been repeatedly effective in improving pruritus for approximately one year and may be due to the ability of phototherapy to enhance excretion of bile acids and other possible pruritogens into urine.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1993

Salt and gastric cancer: a case-control study in Puerto Rico.

A total of 136 incident intestinal type gastric cancer cases and 151 age-comparable population controls were interviewed in Puerto Rico about their dietary habits with special emphasis on dietary salt consumption. All interviews were conducted at home using a quantitative dietary frequency instrument. The weekly intake of foods was estimated from the reported frequency of consumption and portion size according to a food model. The dietary salt exposure was estimated from the intake of nine selected food items which are highly salted food items commonly consumed in Puerto Rico. A strong (odds ratio [OR] = 3.34) and statistically significant (P < 0.001) unadjusted difference was found between cases and controls regarding dietary salt exposure. A statistically significant dose response for the index of salt exposure and gastric cancer was also found. The association remained positive and statistically significant after simultaneously adjusting for the confounding effects of sex, education and cigarette smoking.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Effects of hypothyroidism on jejunal mucosal function: study by in situ luminal perfusion in rats.

To assess the effects of hypothyroidism (HT) on small-intestinal function, HT was induced in rats (120-150 g) by methimazole in drinking water. After 6 wk of methimazole, intestinal absorption studies were performed in HT and in control (C) rats by in situ luminal perfusion of a 20-cm proximal jejunal loop with a bicarbonate buffer containing sodium, glucose or fructose, glycine or lysine, and phenol red as a nonabsorbable marker for determination of water fluxes. Mucosa from the perfused segment was taken for assay of disaccharidases and ATPases and for light and electron microscopy. Compared with C rats, HT rats had significantly lower jejunal transport rates of water (2.54 +/- 0.36 versus 5.02 +/- 0.7 microL/min/microgram mucosal protein, p < 0.03), sodium (37.1 +/- 10.3 versus 102.7 +/- 18.6 mumol/min/microgram protein, p < 0.05), and glucose (1.49 +/- 0.28 versus 5.17 +/- 0.82 mumol/min/microgram protein, p < 0.02). A reduction in glycine transport was also observed but did not attain statistical significance (p = 0.058). Fructose and lysine transport was unchanged. Mucosal sucrase and lactase activities were similar in both groups, but Na,K-ATPase was significantly lower in HT rats (1.17 +/- 0.3 versus 4.03 +/- 1.5 mumol inorganic phosphate/h/mg protein; p < 0.05), with a diminution of ouabain binding sites by 41.5%. Light microscopy of jejunal mucosa from HT rats did not differ from that from C rats; electron microscopy showed mild mitochondrial swelling in HT enterocytes. A group of HT rats were treated with L-thyroxine during 4 wk; these rats had absorption rates, mucosal enzyme activities, ouabain binding, and mucosal morphology not different from C rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A relationship between circulating natural glucocorticoids and the mechanical responses of the heart in atricial and precocial rodents.

1. A comparison was made of the mechanical performance of heart muscle from mouse, an atricial mammal, with corticosterone as glucocorticoid and spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus), a precocial mammal, with cortisol as glucocorticoid. 2. Force-frequency responses were negative in mouse and positive in spiny mouse. 3. During recovery, there was a gradual increase and an overshoot in the mouse, while in the spiny mouse there was an initial enhanced response, diminishing gradually with time. 4. High calcium concentration inhibited contractile tension in mouse heart, while it was positively inotropic in spiny mouse heart. Changes in the concentration of calcium did not change the patterns of force-frequency response. 5. Lowering the experimental temperature increased the time course and amplitude of the tension curve. However, various parameters exhibited different temperature sensitivity. 6. There was a significant difference in the levels of circulating cortisol between male and female spiny mice. 7. It is proposed that the differences in the mechanical responses of mouse and spiny mouse hearts may be explained in terms of the effects of the specific glucocorticoid hormone on the development of the sodium-calcium exchanger.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Homogeneity and heterogeneity in schizophrenia.

This study provides a description of replicated findings of limited heterogeneity in DSM-III schizophrenics. Based now on a sample of 145 schizophrenics, in 1984 and 182 in 1991 it is suggested that the diagnosis is primarily given to chronic patients with poor prognoses, in turn restricting the utility of a process-reactive conceptualization of schizophrenia.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Effect of zinc-deficient diet of varying duration on intestinal disaccharidase activity in the rat.

To determine whether zinc has a specific role on weight gain and intestinal disaccharidase activity, 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of seven groups (n = 6 each). These were a baseline control group (0) that was killed to analyze initial intestinal disaccharidase (sucrase and maltase) activity, a second group (A) fed a zinc-deficient diet for 1 week, a third group (B) pair-fed control for A, a fourth group (C) fed a zinc-deficient diet for 2 weeks, a fifth group (D) pair-fed control for C, a sixth group (E) fed a zinc-deficient diet for 3 weeks, and a seventh group (F) pair-fed control for E. All experimental groups received distilled deionized drinking water, whereas control groups received zinc-enriched (25 micrograms of zinc/ml) distilled deionized water. Water was given ad libitum. After killing, the mucosa of the proximal half of the small intestine was analyzed for protein and disaccharidase activity, and liver, kidney, and heart were analyzed for zinc concentration. Protein content and disaccharidase activity of the jejunal mucosa in the experiment and control groups did not differ significantly. However, animals on the zinc-deficient diet demonstrated mildly depressed growth rates that were proportional to the duration of the experiment, and significantly lower zinc concentration in the kidney in the experimental groups. The data indicate that administration of a zinc-deficient diet for up to 3 weeks did not result in significant changes in intestinal mucosa protein content or in disaccharidase activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Diminished corticosterone levels in nude mice implanted with MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 human breast tumor cells.

Corticosteroid levels were studied in the plasma of athymic mice implanted with human breast tumor cells, either from MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 cell lines. There was a highly significant decrease in plasma corticosterone levels in the mice implanted with these tumor cells. There was no significant effect on corticosterone of GW 39 colon cancer cells, LS 174T colon cancer cells, or Calu-3 lung cancer cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Non-polar extracts of serum from males contain covert radioimmunoassayable testosterone.

Non-polar extracts of sera from human males contain immunoreactive testosterone in a form that is released by mild alkaline hydrolysis. The non-polar derivative shows no immunoreactivity with testosterone antibody prior to hydrolysis. Hydrolyzed non-polar serum extracts from ten adult male volunteers contained 2.0 +/- 0.8 (SD) ng/mL of testosterone. Neither non-polar serum extracts of normal females nor a water blank substituted for non-polar extract of serum yields any immunoreactive testosterone after alkaline hydrolysis. Testosterone palmitate hydrolyzed alone or after addition to non-polar extract of serum yields the expected quantities of radioimmunoassayable testosterone. Previously described conjugates of testosterone are polar and are neither extractable by petroleum ether nor hydrolyzable by alkali. These observations suggest that fatty acid esters of testosterone may be present in serum of human males.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Screening for hypercholesterolemia in college students.

Two national panels have recommended similar, specific strategies for detecting hypercholesterolemia: selective screening for children aged 2 to 19, and mass screening for individuals aged 20 and over. It is, however, unclear how best to apply these recommendations to a college student population. In order to determine which strategy is more efficient, this study compared mass with selective screening of college students for hypercholesterolemia. In the mass screening strategy, all entering students were asked to have their cholesterol levels measured and to provide other coronary risk factor information. In the selective screening strategy, all sophomores with a family history of heart disease were asked to participate in a risk factor screening program. In this study, mass screening identified more hypercholesterolemic students with less effort per case found than did selective screening. We recommend that college health practitioners consider mass screening programs to identify students who could benefit from coronary risk reduction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Intrafamilial patterns reported by young type A versus type B males and their parents.

Retrospective reports regarding parent-child and parent-parent relations during the childrearing years were obtained from adult informants. Male undergraduates typed as As or Bs completed the Clarke Parent/Child Relations Questionnaire augmented with items of likely relevance to A/B. Parallel data were obtained from a subset of subjects' fathers and mothers. Type A and B groups were not different on numerous variables, including parental aggressiveness, vague or escalating standard-setting, or work orientedness. Type A sons were more inclined to view their fathers as attaching great importance to achievement, as setting hard-to-meet expectations, as being unimpressed with son's achievements, and as relating in a competitive way. Differences regarding sons' perceptions of mother were less marked. It is not yet clear to what extent these perceptions (particularly the sons' perceptions of their fathers) are accurate and may thus have played a role in the development of A/B differences, or instead represent a son's judgmental biases associated with his A/B status.

Achievement↗