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Biomedical subjects

J D Green

Publications and source records attributed to J D Green.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Conformational studies of the interdomain linker peptides in the dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli.

Two peptides (PEP1, 26 residues, and PEP2, 22 residues) were synthesized with amino acid sequences identical to two of the long segments of polypeptide chain rich in alanine, proline, and charged amino acids that link the lipoyl domains together in the dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli. The circular dichroism and 400-MHz 1H NMR spectra of the peptides indicated that they lacked regular secondary structure. Even in the presence of 45% (v/v) hexafluoroisopropanol, they appeared to acquire a helical content of only 23-25%. However, 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed that the Ala-Pro peptide bonds were all (> 95%) in the trans configuration, compared with a value of 87% for the Ala-Pro bond in the model peptide AAPA, which is a recurrent sequence motif in PEP1 and PEP2. Likewise in peptides representing the N- and C-terminal halves of peptide PEP2, the Ala-Pro bonds were again all (> 95%)-trans, suggesting that peptide length is the essential determinant of the cis:trans ratio. Antisera were raised against peptides PEP2 and PEP3, the latter representing a third interdomain segment of polypeptide chain (Radford, S. E., Laue, E. D., Perham, R. N., Martin, S. R., and Appella, E. (1989a) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 767-775). Despite extensive sequence similarity among peptides PEP1, PEP2, and PEP3, only limited immunological cross-reactivity was observed, which suggests that the antigenic epitope(s) in the peptides are different and distinct. It is likely that these peptides are representative of a class of inter-domain linkers or spacers found in a wide variety of proteins and endowed with varying degrees of flexibility and stiffness to match their particular biological purpose.

Acetyltransferases

Middle fossa vestibular neurectomy in retrolabyrinthine neurectomy failures.

Retrolabyrinthine vestibular nerve section is an important treatment option in patients with refractory, incapacitating vertigo. However, an indistinct cleavage plane between the cochlear and vestibular portions of the eighth cranial nerve may result in incomplete sectioning of the superior and inferior vestibular nerve fibers. We describe 11 patients in whom middle fossa vestibular neurectomy was performed following failure of a retrolabyrinthine vestibular neurectomy. A successful postoperative outcome from this revision surgery was obtained in six of 11 patients on follow-up evaluation. Patients in whom infrared video electronystagmography showed persistent function of the inferior vestibular nerve following retrolabyrinthine vestibular nerve section had a better response to middle fossa vestibular neurectomy than those with no measurable residual vestibular function. Because it provides access to the vestibular nerves where there is separation from the cochlear nerves distal to the previous section, we feel that the middle fossa vestibular neurectomy is the procedure of choice in selected patients who fail retrolabyrinthine neurectomy.

Adult

Utilization of homologous proteins to evaluate the safety of recombinant human proteins--case study: recombinant human interferon-gamma (rhIFN-gamma).

Interferon-gamma is an immunomodulatory cytokine that has an extremely restricted host range of activities. RhIFN-gamma was one of the first species-specific recombinant proteins to be assessed in conventional safety models typically utilized for xenobiotics. Acute, subchronic and Segment I and II reproductive studies in rats revealed no evidence of toxicity at any of the doses tested; these results were not predictive of clinical toxicity, which is not unexpected since rodents are known to be pharmacologically nonresponsive to rhIFN-gamma. In contrast, 4- and 13-week multidose toxicity studies in cynomolgus monkeys with rhIFN- were predictive of many of the dose-limiting clinical toxicities. RhIFN- is active on non-human primate cells, though not at the same level as on human cells. In addition, qualitative similarities were observed between toxicity studies employing rhIFN-gamma in the cynomolgus monkey and recombinant murine interferon-gamma (rmuIFN-gamma) in the mouse. These results suggest that in situations where a high degree of species specificity is encountered, studies employing a recombinant protein in a homologous species may provide a useful test system for preclinical safety assessment. This information should be evaluated in conjunction with data from studies conducted with the human protein in pharmacologically responsive animal models when possible.

Animals

Binaural cochlear implants.

With the success of monaural cochlear implantation, patients frequently ask about having a second implant. We have performed binaural cochlear implants in 12 adult patients. Desire not to disrupt a functioning implant was the primary consideration in implanting the contralateral ear. Seven patients received a second 3M/House single-channel implant to upgrade to a magnetic external receiver. Four patients with a 3M/House device in one ear elected to place a Nucleus multichannel implant in the opposite ear. One patient with a poorly functioning Nucleus device elected to have a second Nucleus device. Four patients with a Nucleus and a 3M/House implant, one with binaural 3M/House implants, and one with binaural Nucleus implants were tested for auditory discrimination in order to quantify monaural versus binaural differences. The functional benefit of the second implant was mixed, but all patients showed some degree of objective improvement on one or more tests. Five of the six are regular users of both devices; the patient with binaural Nucleus implants wears only one. Despite the differing processing schemes, patients with a Nucleus device in one ear and a 3M/House device in the other ear are able to combine the two signals to advantage. We feel that cochlear implantation in the contralateral ear is an acceptable option in selected patients desiring an upgraded implant without placing a functioning implant at risk.

Aged

Isolation of plasma membrane vesicles, derived from transverse tubules, by selective homogenization of subcellular fractions of frog skeletal muscle in isotonic media.

A new technique for isolating fragmented plasma membranes from skeletal muscle has been developed that is based on gentle mechanical disruption of selected homogenate fractions. (Na+ + K+)-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATPase was used as an enzymatic marker for the plasma membrane, Ca2+-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATPase as a marker for sarcoplasmic reticulum, and succinate dehydrogenase for mitochondria. Cell segments in an amber low-speed (800 x g) pellet of a frog muscle homogenate were disrupted by repeated gentle shearing with a Polytron homogenizer. Sarcoplasmic reticulum was released into the low-speed supernatant, whereas most of the plasma membrane marker remained in a white, fluffy layer of the sediment, which contained sarcolemma and myofibrils. Additional gentle shearing of the white low-speed sediment extracted plasma membranes in a form that required centrifugation at 100,000 x g for pelleting. This pellet, the fragmented plasma membrane fraction, had a relatively high specific activity of (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase compared with the other fractions, but it had essentially no Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity and only a small percentage of the succinate dehydrogenase activity of the homogenate. Experimental evidence suggests that the fragmented plasma membrane fraction is derived from delicate transverse tubules rather than from the thicker, basement membrane-coated sarcolemmal sheath of muscle cells. Electron microscopy showed small vesicles lined bu a single thin membrane. Hydroxyproline, a characteristic constituent of collagen and basememt membrane, could not be detected in this fraction.

Adenosine Triphosphatases

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome with pneumopericardium.

A 55-year-old white male was found to have the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in 1971. Supposed total gastrectomy was performed at that time. When an esophageal ulcer was found, six years later, esophagoscopic biopsy revealed residual gastric mucosa. The patient was given cimetidine 300 mg qid because it was felt he could not tolerate further surgery. After eight months of cimetidine therapy, the patient was admitted to the hospital because of retrosternal pain. Pneumopericardium was discovered, and at autopsy a large penetrating gastrojejunal ulcer was demonstrated.

Biopsy

Yolk sac carcinoma.

Yolk sac carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm which has appeared under a variety of names. It has been reported not only in gonadal sites but also in the mediastinum, pineal body, and sacral areas. The typical histologic appearance of this tumor and the variety of locations are demonstrated by four case reports. A 57-year-old patient with an ovarian tumor is thought to be the oldest patient reported to date.

Child, Preschool