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Biomedical subjects

E Stevenson

Publications and source records attributed to E Stevenson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Milk composition and lactation of beta-casein-deficient mice.

beta-Casein is a major protein component of milk and, in conjunction with the other caseins, it is assembled into micelles. The casein micelles determine many of the physical characteristics of milk, which are important for stability during storage and for milk-processing properties. There is evidence that suggests that beta-casein may also possess other, nonnutritional functions. To address the function of beta-casein, the mouse beta-casein gene was disrupted by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. Homozygous beta-casein mutant mice are viable and fertile; females can lactate and successfully rear young. beta-Casein was expressed at a reduced level in heterozygotes and was completely absent from the milk of homozygous mutant mice. Despite the deficiency of beta-casein, casein micelles were assembled in heterozygous and homozygous mutants, albeit with reduced diameters. The absence of beta-casein expression was reflected in a reduced total protein concentration in milk, although this was partially compensated for by an increased concentration of other proteins. The growth of pups feeding on the milk of homozygous mutants was reduced relative to those feeding on the milk of wild-type mice. Various genetic manipulations of caseins have been proposed for the qualitative improvement of cow's milk composition. The results presented here demonstrate that beta-casein has no essential function and that the casein micelle is remarkably tolerant of changes in composition.

Animals

Surveillance for sexually transmissible diseases in Victoria, 1983 to 1992.

Surveillance systems have been developed in Victoria to determine trends in sexually transmissible diseases (STDs). Notifications to the Health Department (including laboratory notification since May 1990) have been supplemented by data about strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis processed by the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit, enhanced laboratory surveillance of syphilis, and data on genital herpes and genital warts from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. During the period under review the incidence of gonorrhoea declined, rapidly at first, and then more slowly. For women, this trend has continued, while gonorrhoea acquired abroad by men has become relatively more important. Since 1988, gonorrhoea in homosexual men has increased, and rectal isolates have increased concurrently, raising concerns about HIV risk behaviour. Cases of syphilis are likely to be ascertained through STD, antenatal and refugee screening, rather than because of symptoms or contact tracing. Chlamydia is a the most common notifiable STD, despite underreporting and underdiagnosis. In 1991, 832 cases were notified, increasing to 1377 in 1992. In 1992, of the 73 cases (65 per cent of notifications) where the doctor identified a risk, 15 per cent was attributed to homosexual contact, and 27.4 per cent to heterosexual exposure. Limitations in the data include inadequate standard case definitions for many STDs, changes in the statutory requirement for notifications in 1990, underreporting, changes in diagnostic and screening patterns, and lack of detailed demographic data. Education of general practitioners is needed to improve diagnosis and notification of chlamydia.

Adult

Reassessment of lead exposure in New Jersey using GIS technology.

In order to prevent children's exposure to lead, a variety of sources must be controlled. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (NJDEPE) is using its Geographic Information System to identify areas within Newark, East Orange, and Irvington, New Jersey, where there may be greater environmental exposure to lead. Sensitive populations are identified through the U.S. Bureau of the Census information. Blood screening data provided by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) provide reported patterns of elevated blood lead in the study area. Comparisons of these spatial patterns will assist the NJDEPE in its soil sampling activities and lead exposure research, will provide information for public education, and will provide valuable information on sections of the study area where further screening and public education may be needed.

Air Pollutants

Advocacy. Necessary to achieve cancer control goals.

As resources become increasingly scarce, oncology professionals and consumers of oncology services are increasingly engaging in advocacy efforts to achieve goals in cancer control. Effective advocacy includes both legislative and direct educational efforts.

Aged

Patient education: history, development, and current directions of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.

With their unique perspectives in the identification, design, promotion, and evaluation of cancer patient education programs and services, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society have the abilities to meet a wide variety of cancer patient education needs. With federal support and connections to national organizations and the comprehensive and clinical cancer center networks, the National Cancer Institute has access to nationwide experts in medical care and the resources to develop, design, and promote quality, state-of-the-art education programs. The American Cancer Society, with its strong volunteer community base, can pull together local expertise and collaborate with local organizations to meet the special needs of local population groups. In addition, the American Cancer Society volunteer committees have the flexibility to individualize programming and resources to answer specific patient/family education problems. As the number of people affected by cancer continues to raise, and as organizations realize the need to maximize their resources with collaborative efforts, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society are challenged to focus their energies on the patient education initiatives that build upon and combine their unique strengths.

American Cancer Society

Agitated depression, alprazolam, and panic anxiety.

Three patients with agitated depression showed rapid and persistent response to alprazolam. At least two of the patients had prior panic disorder. Several lines of evidence suggest that agitated depression may sometimes be caused by unremitting panic anxiety.

Adult

The carnitine-independent oxidation of palmitate plus malate by moth flight-muscle mitochondria.

Mitochondria isolated from the flight muscle of the southern armyworm moth, Prodenia eridania, can oxidize palmitate+malate very rapidly. Added carnitine had no effect on the rate of oxidation of palmitate+malate by flight-muscle mitochondria from two species of moths, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase could not be detected in Prodenia by direct assay. Palmitoylcarnitine was not oxidized by moth mitochondria, but when added in low concentrations it reversibly suppressed the oxidation of palmitate. The evidence indicates that carnitine is not involved in fatty acid degradation by moth flight muscle. Added thiols, including CoA, also suppressed palmitate+malate oxidation. An ATP-dependent fatty acyl-CoA synthetase is present in moth mitochondria.

Animals