PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Stals

Publications and source records attributed to H Stals.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Gastro-protective treatment in patients using NSAIDs. Development of appropriateness criteria by a multidisciplinary expert panel.

OBJECTIVE: To refine the appropriate indications for gastro-protective treatment in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS: Using the RAND Appropriateness Method, a multidisciplinary expert panel was asked to rate the appropriateness of gastro-protection for 4608 different cases. Logistic regression was used to construct a decision framework to identify patients for whom gastro-protective medication should be considered. RESULTS: Complete consensus existed on the appropriate use of gastro-protection in patients with a history of (un)complicated peptic ulcer. For other patients. agreement was found for 39% over 1536 cases. Logistic regression demonstrated strong consistency of the panel ratings (Hosmer Lemeshow coefficient 0.92), allowing the development of a comprehensive decision support model. CONCLUSIONS: Using the RAND Appropriateness Method, we were able to develop a clear and internally consistent decision framework for the appropriate use of gastro-protection in patients taking NSAIDs. The validity of this model should be tested in further studies and practice.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

A plant-specific cyclin-dependent kinase is involved in the control of G2/M progression in plants.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control the key transitions in the eukaryotic cell cycle. All the CDKs known to control G(2)/M progression in yeast and animals are distinguished by the characteristic PSTAIRE motif in their cyclin-binding domain and are closely related. Higher plants contain in addition a number of more divergent non-PSTAIRE CDKs with still obscure functions. We show that a plant-specific type of non-PSTAIRE CDKs is involved in the control of the G(2)/M progression. In synchronized tobacco BY-2 cells, the corresponding protein, accumulated in a cell cycle-regulated fashion, peaking at the G(2)/M transition. The associated histone H1 kinase activity reached a maximum in mitosis and required a yet unidentified subunit to be fully active. Down-regulation of the associated kinase activity in transgenic tobacco plants using a dominant-negative mutation delayed G(2)/M transition. These results provide the first evidence that non-PSTAIRE CDKs are involved in the control of the G(2)/M progression in plants.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

When plant cells decide to divide.

Progression through the cell cycle is central to cell proliferation and fundamental to the growth and development of all multicellular organisms, including higher plants. The periodic activation of complexes containing cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases mediates the temporal regulation of the cell-cycle transitions. Here, we highlight recent advances in the molecular controls of the cell cycle in plant cells, with special emphasis on how hormonal signals can modulate the regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases.

Cell Cycle↗

Regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases in Arabidopsis thaliana.

In plants, different families of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins have been identified, indicating that also in plants the progression through the cell cycle is regulated by CDKs. In all eukaryotes, CDKs exert their activity through well-controlled phosphorylations of specific substrates on serine/threonine residues. Such post-translational modifications are universal mechanisms in signal transduction pathways. They allow the organism to differentiate, regulate growth and/or adapt to environmental changes, the latter being crucial for plants because of their sedentary life-style. This adaptation might explain the occurrence of a special CDK type with plant-specific features. This review focuses on the involvement of plant CDKs in different phases of the cell cycle in Arabidopsis thaliana and outlines their regulation by binding to other proteins, and by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.

Arabidopsis↗

Plant CDC2 is not only targeted to the pre-prophase band, but also co-localizes with the spindle, phragmoplast, and chromosomes.

A polyclonal antiserum against the p34cdc2 homologue of Arabidopsis thaliana, CDC2aAt, was used in parallel with a polyclonal antiserum against the PSTAIRE motif to study the subcellular localization of CDC2 during the cell cycle of isolated root tip cells of Medicago sativa. During interphase, CDC2 was located in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic localization persisted during the complete cell cycle, whereas the nuclear signal disappeared at nuclear envelope breakdown. At the beginning of anaphase, the anti-CDC2aAt antibody transiently co-localized with condensed chromosomes. The chromosomal co-localization disappeared as anaphase continued and remained excluded from the separated chromosomes until cytokinesis, when CDC2 re-located to the newly forming nuclei. We also observed a co-localization of CDC2 with three microtubular structures, the pre-prophase band, the spindle, and the phragmoplast.

Arabidopsis↗

Contact allergy to allyl glycidyl ether present as an impurity in 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, a fixing additive in silicone and polyurethane resins.

We present a 43-year-old man who worked in the plastics industry and who suffered from an occupational dermatitis on the hands and forearms. He was found to be allergic to an epoxy silane compound that was contaminated with allyl glycidyl ether, a reactive epoxy diluent. HPLC analysis and patch testing indicated that this impurity was probably the only sensitizer. Moreover, the gloves used provided absolutely no protection, as the inner side also generated strong positive reactions.

Adult↗

Acanthosis nigricans caused by nicotinic acid: case report and review of the literature.

Drug-induced acanthosis nigricans has been reported in the literature. We present a patient with familial combined hyperlipidemia who developed nicotinic-acid-induced acanthosis nigricans. The literature on the cutaneous side effects of nicotinic acid as well as on the medications that can cause acanthosis nigricans is reviewed. Some hypotheses on the pathogenesis of nicotinic-acid-induced acanthosis are presented.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗

[Comment on the contribution by L. Weber: Yersinia exanthema].

Lutz Weber has described Yersinia exanthema, a distinctive dermatological disorder characterized by three or all of the following signs: 1. A typical erythema-multiforme-like eruption, particularly on the neck, shoulders, and arms, 2. Erythema nodosum, 3. Conjunctivitis, particularly on the nasal side of the conjunctiva, 4. Arthralgia. The case presented here concerns a patient who satisfied all of the criteria for Yersinia exanthema and in whom no infection could be demonstrated.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

The appropriate management of symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in primary care: a systematic analysis of expert opinion.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the appropriate indications for endoscopy and short-term anti-secretory treatment in patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). METHODS: The RAND Appropriateness Method (RAM) was used to systematically investigate the opinions of an expert panel (6 gastroenterologists and 6 general practitioners) on the appropriateness of either endoscopy or short-term medication for 768 different patient scenarios (cases). Each case was defined by the unique combination of diagnostic characteristics considered to be relevant in treatment choice. Panel members firstly individually rated the appropriateness of all indications using a 9-point scale (9 = extremely appropriate, 1 = extremely inappropriate). Subsequently, the panel discussed the results and re-rated some of the indications. Based on the median score and agreement figures, the individual ratings were converted to panel statements (appropriate, inappropriate, and uncertain) for each of the indications. Logistic regression was used to study the relationship between diagnostic characteristics and panel outcomes. RESULTS: Disagreement was seen in only 18% of cases. Statistical analysis revealed consistent patterns that determined the panel judgements. The most pronounced patterns and regression results were used to indicate situations in which either medication or referral was considered appropriate by the panel. CONCLUSION: The RAND panel method proved to be useful in the systematic analysis of expert opinion on the appropriate management of symptomatic GORD. Nevertheless, as the recommendations still reflect the subjective opinion of the panel members, their validity and usefulness for daily practice should be the subject of further investigations.

Consensus↗