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Biomedical subjects

I Hayes

Publications and source records attributed to I Hayes.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Analysis of cellular adhesion by microarray expression profiling.

Microarrays of oligonucleotides or cDNAs can be used to establish the expression profiles of numerous genes in a single experiment. We have established a microarray platform to identify genes in a number of different pathological conditions, particularly those with an inflammation component. This platform utilised the output of an eosinophil sequencing project in which 1069 sequences were identified that were not represented in the public domain. An eosinophil model cell line, AML14.3D10, was used to investigate cell adhesion. The transcription profile of adhered and non-adhered AML 14.3D10 cells was shown to be both technically and biologically reproducible. A number of genes were found differentially expressed in the adhered vs. non-adhered populations. In the adhered population, the expression of these genes was restricted compared to brain, lung, kidney and especially bone marrow. However, the differentially regulated genes were not among those genes most restricted to eosinophils. We discuss the implications of transcription profiling on gene annotation and its potential utility for the identification of targets for drug intervention.

Base Sequence↗

Microarray analysis of eosinophils reveals a number of candidate survival and apoptosis genes.

The increase in eosinophils at the site of antigen challenge has been used as evidence to suggest that this cell type plays a role in the pathophysiology of asthma. Aberrant production of several different cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL)-5, has been shown to result in eosinophilia. IL-5 influences the development and maturation of eosinophils in a number of different ways. Of note is the ability of IL-5 to act as a survival factor for eosinophils specifically inhibiting apoptosis. The precise mechanism by which IL-5 exerts its effect remains obscure. We used microarray technologies to investigate the changes in the messenger RNA expression profile of eosinophils after treatment with IL-5. Using the Affymetrix Hu6800 chip, a total of 80 genes were observed to be regulated by 2-fold or greater. Many of the genes previously identified as regulated by IL-5 were regulated in our microarray experiments. Of the 73 genes found to be upregulated, many were shown to play a role in adhesion, migration, activation, or survival of eosinophils or hematopoietic cells, whereas the function of others was unknown. To facilitate the identification of genes that govern the apoptosis and survivability of eosinophils, we used an alternative cellular model, TF1.8 cells, whose survival was also dependent on IL-5. Comparison of these models identified four genes, Pim-1, DSP-5 (hVH3, B23), CD24, and SLP-76, whose regulation was similarly coordinated in both systems. Identification of Pim-1 and SLP-76 as regulated by IL-5 led us to suggest a direct role for these proteins in the IL-5 signaling pathway in eosinophils. The tissue distribution of these genes demonstrated that Pim-1 and SLP-76 were relatively restricted to the eosinophil compared with their expression in brain, bone marrow, kidney, liver, and lung. By contrast, DSP-5 and CD24 were confirmed as ubiquitous in their expression by microarray.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Differentiating embryonal stem cells are a rich source of haemopoietic gene products and suggest erythroid preconditioning of primitive haemopoietic stem cells.

The difficulties associated with studying molecular mechanisms important in hemopoietic stem cell (HSC) function such as the problems of purifying homogeneous stem cell populations, have prompted us to adapt the murine ES cell system as an in vitro model of HSC generation and function. We now report that careful analysis of the time course of HSC generation in differentiating ES cells allows them to be used as a source of known and novel hemopoietic gene products. We have generated a subtracted library using cDNA from ES cells collected just prior to and just following the emergence of HSCs. Analysis of this library shows it to be a rich source of known hemopoietic and hemopoietic related gene products with 44% of identifiable cDNAs falling into these camps. We have demonstrated the value of this system as a source of novel genes of relevance to HSC function by characterizing a novel membrane protein encoding cDNA that is preferentially expressed in primitive hemopoietic cells. Intriguingly, further analysis of the known components of the subtracted library is suggestive of erythroid preconditioning of the ES cell-derived HSC. We have used dot-blot and in situ analysis to indicate that this erythroid preconditioning is probably restricted to primitive but not definitive HSC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Epidemiological studies of large resistance plasmids in Haemophilus.

The distribution of large conjugative Haemophilus influenzae plasmids in the nasopharyngeal haemophili of a group of people and in a large collection of 541 H. influenzae type b (Hib) isolates was studied. A newly developed PCR-based assay was used to detect the plasmids. The target sequences were chosen from sequence analysis of part of p1056, a large multiresistance plasmid isolated from a clinical Hib isolate, 1056. Fifty-nine per cent of people were found to carry beta-lactamase-positive (beta-lac(+)), ampicillin-resistant (ampR) haemophili with detectable plasmid sequences. Of these, 83% were in Haemophilus parainfluenzae and 17% were in H. influenzae. In the collection of 541 Hib, antibiotic resistance [beta-lac(+)ampR, beta-lac(+)ampR plus tetracycline resistance (tetR) or tetR] was highly correlated with large plasmids. It was found that 2.3% of the isolates contained large cryptic plasmids (i.e. these isolates were susceptible to antibiotics). The distribution of plasmids between invasive and carried Hib did not differ significantly (25 of 245 and 23 of 276, respectively). Isolates with large plasmids occur at high frequency in the nasopharynx of the normal human population and consist of two populations in Hib, one associated with specific antibiotic resistance traits and the other cryptic. These plasmids do not appear to influence the invasiveness of Hib.

Adult↗

Managing Staphylococcus aureus catheter infection in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

A case of Staphylococcus aureus catheter infection in a patient on peritoneal dialysis is presented and discussed by nephrologists, a social worker, a nurse specializing in the care of peritoneal dialysis patients, and the patient involved. The focus of the multidisciplinary case discussion concerns the management of S aureus catheter infections, including catheter removal, psychosocial issues and the patient's response to the need for catheter removal, the risk factors and prevention of S aureus catheter infections in peritoneal dialysis patients, and exit site care practices.

Adult↗

Patient factors and the influence of nephrologists, social workers, and nurses on patient decisions to choose continuous peritoneal dialysis.

To determine which members of the health care team are viewed by ESRD patients as the most helpful in giving information and deciding on a dialysis modality, we surveyed 42 outpatients after they toured the dialysis facility. The tour included discussions with a social worker, PD and HD nurses, watching a videotape, and receipt of written materials. Nephrologists referred patients for tours. Multiple responses were accepted. Patients felt that social workers (70%) and nurses (71%) gave the most useful information. Fifty per cent of patients thought the nurse, 43% the social worker, 21% the nephrologist, and 21% family or friend most helpful in deciding on PD versus HD. Twenty-three patients chose PD, 16 chose in-center HD. Patients choosing PD were more likely to be white (20/29 versus 3/10, p less than 0.05) and employed (11/23 versus 3/16 choosing HD, p less than 0.10). Patients choosing PD were also better educated but this was not independent of race. No differences in gender, age, or the presence of diabetes were seen among those choosing PD versus HD. Social workers and nurses are more influential than nephrologists in helping patients select a dialysis modality. PD patient recruitment efforts should focus on social workers' and nurses' input.

Decision Making↗