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Biomedical subjects

E Sharp

Publications and source records attributed to E Sharp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Flocs through the looking glass.

The paper describes the investigation of how the make up of raw water influences the physical properties of flocculated suspensions. The work focuses on the properties of four characteristic organic fractions separated as a function of their hydrophobicity. Mesoscale data indicates that the hydrophobic fractions dominate the make up of the water and are the most easily removed. Microscale and nanoscale data reveals that the fulvic acid fraction (FAF) generates statistically smaller and more compact flocs than those formed by the other fractions and the hydrophilic fractions form the most internally open and dendritic structures. The FAF fraction was also seen to dominate the zeta potential response of the raw water.

Benzopyrans↗
PubMed1997

Construction of a high-affinity receptor site for dihydropyridine agonists and antagonists by single amino acid substitutions in a non-L-type Ca2+ channel.

The activity of L-type Ca2+ channels is increased by dihydropyridine (DHP) agonists and inhibited by DHP antagonists, which are widely used in the therapy of cardiovascular disease. These drugs bind to the pore-forming alpha1 subunits of L-type Ca2+ channels. To define the minimal requirements for DHP binding and action, we constructed a high-affinity DHP receptor site by substituting a total of nine amino acid residues from DHP-sensitive L-type alpha1 subunits into the S5 and S6 transmembrane segments of domain III and the S6 transmembrane segment of domain IV of the DHP-insensitive P/Q-type alpha1A subunit. The resulting chimeric alpha1A/DHPS subunit bound DHP antagonists with high affinity in radioligand binding assays and was inhibited by DHP antagonists with high affinity in voltage clamp experiments. Substitution of these nine amino acid residues yielded 86% of the binding energy of the L-type alpha1C subunit and 92% of the binding energy of the L-type alpha1S subunit for the high-affinity DHP antagonist PN200-110. The activity of chimeric Ca2+ channels containing alpha1A/DHPS was increased 3.5 +/- 0.7-fold by the DHP agonist (-)Bay K8644. The effect of this agonist was stereoselective as in L-type Ca2+ channels since (+) Bay K8644 inhibited the activity of alpha1A/DHPS. The results show conclusively that DHP agonists and antagonists bind to a single receptor site at which they have opposite effects on Ca2+ channel activity. This site contains essential components from both domains III and IV, consistent with a domain interface model for binding and allosteric modulation of Ca2+ channel activity by DHPs.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1996

Fine mapping of the autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa locus (RP12) on chromosome 1q; exclusion of the phosducin gene (PDC).

In a previous study on a large pedigree from a genetically isolated population in the Netherlands, we localized a gene for autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa with paraarteriolar preservation of the retinal pigment epithelium (PPRPE) on the long arm of chromosome 1. In this study, we present an integrated genetic map of the target region. The resulting genetic order of the markers was used to construct haplotypes and to screen for key-recombinants in the pedigree. The obligate RP12 region was reduced from 16 cM to 5 cM between the markers D1S533 and CACNL1A3. The CACNL1A3 and phosducin (PDC) genes were placed outside the candidate gene region, thereby excluding the involvement of these genes in retinitis pigmentosa with PPRPE. Our data result in the following order of the markers and genes in the region 1q31 --> q32.1: cen-D1S158-(D1S238-D1S422)/PDC- D1S533-RP12/(F13B-D1S413)-CACNL1A3-DIS4 77-D1S306-D1S53-tel.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Survival depends on effective partnerships with suppliers, management, and physicians.

Partnering in health care materiel management circles is a concept that has been discussed for years. We, as materiel managers, have never accomplished effective partnering; but I propose that if we are to have a professional future, we should learn to establish effective partnership arrangements with our various customers--externally and internally.

Commerce↗
PubMed1994

A teaching tool for patients receiving continuous i.v. infusion recombinant interleukin-2 therapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To present a tool developed to facilitate education of patients and families undergoing continuous i.v. therapy with interleukin-2 (IL-2). DATA SOURCES: Published articles, book chapters, authors' clinical experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: Topics covered in the teaching tool include development of IL-2, immune functioning, common side effects, side effect management, and when to contact healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONS: Well-received by patients, families, and healthcare providers who reviewed the material. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Use of a written patient education tool enables nurses to effectively teach patients with efficient use of nursing time.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1993

Case management of the hospitalized patient receiving interleukin-2.

Patients receiving intermediate-dose CI rIL-2 therapy require hospitalization for assessment and management of the potentially severe side effects, primarily those involved with cardiopulmonary and renal toxicities. Once the tolerable dose level has been identified for a particular patient, the severity of the side effects on subsequent cycles of therapy may decrease. During therapy, nursing management includes interventions to minimize distressing side effects such as fever, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, anorexia, and pruritus. Because the side effects of rIL-2 therapy are predictable, nurses can focus on early detection of these side effects and institute prompt interventions to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the symptoms. As oncology nurses prepare to care for hospitalized patients receiving rIL-2, a knowledge of the agent's side effect profile provides the foundation on which to base nursing practice.

Anorexia↗
PubMed1991

Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa: localization of a disease gene (RP6) to the short arm of chromosome 6.

DNA from members of an Irish pedigree presenting with late onset autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) have been typed with a series of genetic markers from chromosome 6p. Positive two-point lod scores have been obtained with five markers (D6S89: theta = 0.10, Z = 3.338; D6S109: theta = 0.10, Z = 3.932; D6S105: theta = 0.00, Z = 6.081; HLA-DRA: theta = 0.00, Z = 4.364; and RDS: theta = 0.00, Z = 5.376). In a series of overlapping multipoint analyses a lod score of 6.6 was obtained, maximizing at HLA-DRA and hence localizing the ADRP gene (RP5) segregating in this pedigree to 6p. These data provide direct evidence for an additional autosomal dominant RP locus and strongly implicate the human equivalent of the mouse retinal degeneration slow (rds) gene, peripherin-rds, as a candidate for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation and clinical relevance of patient immune responses to intravenous therapy with murine monoclonal antibodies conjugated to adriamycin.

A retrospective study was performed in order to examine the clinical relevance of human anti-murine antibodies (HAMA) to concurrent clinical events in 21 patients receiving intravenous therapy with cocktails of murine monoclonal antibodies conjugated to Adriamycin. In vivo tumor localization of the murine antibodies was also evaluated. Serum levels of HAMA, human-murine immune complexes (HMIC), and murine antibodies were measured using an automated fluorescence immunoassay. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on frozen sections of tumor biopsies from eight of the patients to examine the in vivo binding of the murine antibodies. The patients were divided into low, intermediate, and high antibody dose groups. The incidence of allergic symptoms (80%) and HAMA correlation (75%) were highest in the low dose group. Specific IgM HAMA was the most highly correlated with allergic reactions, being present in 61.5% of the allergic patients. Thirteen of the 21 patients studied (61.9%) developed allergic symptoms after one or more doses of the murine monoclonal antibody conjugates. The percentages of total antibody doses in the patients' sera at varying intervals post-infusion varied widely from patient to patient for any given time point and dose, suggesting complex factors in the distribution and clearance of the murine antibodies. All eight of the patients biopsied during or post-therapy exhibited tumor localization of the murine monoclonal antibodies. Six of the eight had concurrent HAMA in their sera. Thus, the presence of HAMA did not prevent in vivo localization of the murine antibodies in the target tumors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Linkage analysis of human chromosome 4: exclusion of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) and detection of new linkage groups.

As part of our ongoing linkage studies of degenerative retinal diseases, we tested seven DNA markers and two classical genetic markers from chromosome 4 in two extended families with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). Our goals were (1) to detect or exclude linkage of ADRP to markers spanning most of chromosome 4 and (2) to contribute useful new information regarding the linkage map of this chromosome. Our results exclude linkage of ADRP from more than 82% of chromosome 4. We detected four new linkage relationships: loose linkage of K082 (D4S10) and G1E5 (D4S21) at a distance of 21 cM; loose linkage of 4F2 (D4S18) and GC protein at a distance of 19 cM; tight linkage (i.e., no recombinants) between B3D (D4S44), B5A (D4S40), and the MNS blood group; and tight linkage between 4F2 and GDS5 (D4S23). These data, combined with previously reported data, exclude ADRP from approximately 35% of the human genome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

An improved method for the generation of human lymphokine activated killer cells.

In an effort to make interleukin-2/lymphokine-activated killer cell (IL-2/LAK) therapy safer for cancer patients, we examined the efficacy of using Fenwal PL732 bags as tissue culture flasks. These bags can be sterilly connected using tubing kits thus reducing the risk of contamination to the cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from normal donors or cancer patients undergoing IL-2/LAK cell therapy. Following Ficoll-Hypaque purification, these cells were incubated in the presence of IL-2 in either PL732 plastic bags or standard tissue culture flasks. Our results showed that LAK cells could be generated from either normal donors or cancer patients in the bags as well as in the flasks. Comparisons were made of the LAK cell populations obtained from the two sources and showed that each was similar in terms of morphology as determined by Wright stain differentials. The populations of cells were also similar in regard to cell surface phenotype as determined by flow cytometric analysis. In addition, recoveries from either tissue culture vessel as well as cell viability of the LAK cells were comparable. Finally, the LAK cells obtained from both sources were assessed for cytolytic activity against the tumor cell lines K562 and Daudi. These results showed that the cytolytic activity of the LAK cells against these target cells was the same whether the cells were obtained from the flasks or the bags.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1987

Glossal cysts in four infants.

Cysts at the base of the tongue causing stridor may be fatal if they are not recognised and treated. Digital palpation along the surface of the tongue to the epiglottis is a useful diagnostic method. An operative technique that might avoid the need for tracheostomy is described.

Cysts↗