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Biomedical subjects

J Darling

Publications and source records attributed to J Darling.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Physiologic response to a prescribed rating of perceived exertion on an elliptical fitness cross-trainer.

AIM: Perceived exertion during physical exercise is a major intrinsic factor for making decisions regarding intensity levels. The use of perceptual indices as a prescriptive guide of exercise intensity may be a valuable tool, should it be concomitant with physiological responses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiologic response during exercise on an elliptical fitness cross-trainer at a prescribed level of perceived exertion. METHODS: Twenty, recreational exercisers (8 males, 12 females) were habituated to the elliptical cross-trainer and then assessed for their peak oxygen utilization (VO(2)) and peak heart rate (HR) using an incremental protocol. The point of volitional fatigue during the maximal test was used to anchor a modified Borg Category Ratio (CR-10) scale. Following a rest period of 48-72 hours, a second exercise session was performed at a prescribed perceived exertion level of 6. The subjects were instructed to manipulate the resistance and striding cadence to maintain the prescribed perceived exertion level for 15 min, during which VO(2) and HR were analyzed. RESULTS: The results from this study demonstrated that at exercise steady state, which occurred 4 min after the start of the protocol, relative VO(2) averaged 75.2+/-12.9% and relative HR was 91+/-.01%. Oxygen utilization and HR values were found to be significantly higher than a corresponding relative RPE in 20 recreational exercises when exercising on an elliptical fitness cross-trainer. CONCLUSION: This response has implications when using RPE as a prescriptive means of intensity regulation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Identification of extensive genomic loss and gain by comparative genomic hybridisation in malignant astrocytoma in children and young adults.

Although astrocytomas are the most common central nervous system tumours in all age groups, there is substantial evidence that tumours arising in young patients (< 25 years of age) do not have the same genetic abnormalities that are characteristic of tumours in older patients. Furthermore, novel, consistent changes have not been identified in astrocytomas in children and young adults. We analysed 13 malignant astrocytomas from young patients using comparative genomic hybridisation. Regions of genomic imbalance were identified in 10 cases. The most common recurrent copy number aberrations were loss of 16p (54% of cases), 17p (38%), 19p (38%), and 22 (38%) and gain on 2q (38%), 12q (38%), 13 (38%), 4q (31%), 5q (31%), and 8q (31%). Seven regions of high copy number amplification were observed at 8q21-22 (three cases), 7q22-23 (two cases), and 1p21-22, 2q22, 12q13-pter, 12q15-21, and 13q11-14 (one case each). This study provides evidence of new characteristic chromosomal imbalances from which potential candidate genes involved in the development of malignant astrocytoma in children and young adults may be identified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Loss of expression of the DRR 1 gene at chromosomal segment 3p21.1 in renal cell carcinoma.

Consistent deletion of DNA sequences in chromosomal band 3p21 observed in a variety of human tumors suggests the presence of one or more tumor suppressor genes within this region. Previously, we reported on the construction of two distinct cosmid contigs and our identification of several new genes within 3p21.1. In our search for tumor suppressor genes from this region, we have cloned a gene that we have called DRR 1 (downregulated in renal cell carcinoma). The gene was first mapped to 3p21.1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Further analysis of yeast artificial chromosome clones in 3p14.2-p21.1 refined its localization. DRR 1 spans about 10 Kb of genomic DNA with a 3.5-Kb mature transcript. The putative protein encoded by this gene is 144 amino acids and includes a nuclear localization signal and a coiled domain. The gene showed loss of expression in eight of eight renal cell carcinoma cell lines, one of seven ovarian cancer cell lines, one of one cervical cancer cell line, one of one gastric cancer cell line, and one of one non-small-cell lung cancer cell line. Southern blot analysis did not show any altered bands, indicating that gross structural changes or deletions did not cause the loss of expression. This gene was also found to have reduced expression in 23 of 34 paired primary renal cell carcinomas. Mutational analysis detected three polymorphic sites within the gene, but no point mutations were identified in the 34 primary tumors. However, we did detect base substitutions in 4 of 12 cell lines that had undetectable expression of the gene. We also transfected the gene into DRR 1-negative cell lines and observed clear growth retardation. Our results suggest that loss of expression of the DRR 1 gene may play an important role in the development of renal cell carcinoma and possibly other tumors. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:1-10, 2000.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

alpha(4)beta(7) independent pathway for CD8(+) T cell-mediated intestinal immunity to rotavirus.

Rotavirus (RV), which replicates exclusively in cells of the small intestine, is the most important cause of severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Using a mouse model, we show that expression of the intestinal homing integrin alpha(4)ss(7) is not essential for CD8(+) T cells to migrate to the intestine or provide immunity to RV. Mice deficient in ss7 expression (ss7(-/-)) and unable to express alpha(4)ss(7) integrin were found to clear RV as quickly as wild-type (wt) animals. Depletion of CD8(+) T cells in ss7(-/-) animals prolonged viral shedding, and transfer of immune ss7(-/-) CD8(+) T cells into chronically infected Rag-2-deficient mice resolved RV infection as efficiently as wt CD8(+) T cells. Paradoxically, alpha(4)ss(7)(hi) memory CD8(+) T cells purified from wt mice that had been orally immunized cleared RV more efficiently than alpha(4)ss(7)(low) CD8(+) T cells. We explained this apparent contradiction by demonstrating that expression of alpha(4)ss(7) on effector CD8(+) T cells depends upon the site of initial antigen exposure: oral immunization generates RV-specific CD8(+) T cells primarily of an alpha(4)ss(7)(hi) phenotype, but subcutaneous immunization yields both alpha(4)ss(7)(hi) and alpha(4)ss(7)(low) immune CD8(+) T cells with anti-RV effector capabilities. Thus, alpha(4)ss(7) facilitates normal intestinal immune trafficking to the gut, but it is not required for effective CD8(+) T cell immunity.

Adoptive Transfer↗
PubMed1999

Allele-specific late replication and fragility of the most active common fragile site, FRA3B.

FRA3B at 3p14.2 is the most active of the common fragile sites in the human genome and is expressed when cells are exposed to the DNA replication inhibitor, aphidicolin. Several lines of evidence suggest that fragile sites are regions of late replication. To elucidate the relationship between the timing of replication across the FRA3B region and its corresponding fragility, we labeled cells with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and adopted an immunofluorescent procedure to visualize late replicating DNA (BrdU-substituted DNA) in metaphase chromosomes. We also chose 21 markers along the FRA3B region and analyzed the timing of replication using BrdU-labeled DNA from different stages of the cell cycle sorted by flow cytometry. Our results show that there are two distinct alleles that replicate at different stages in the cell cycle and that breaks/gaps preferentially occurred on the chromosome 3 with the late replication allele. These results provide direct evidence that allele-specific late replication is involved in the fragility of the most active common fragile site, FRA3B.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1998

Frequent homozygous deletions in the FRA3B region in tumor cell lines still leave the FHIT exons intact.

FRA3B at human chromosomal band 3p14.2 is the most active common fragile site in the human genome. The molecular mechanism of fragility at this region remains unknown but does not involve expansion of a trinucleotide or minisatellite repeat as has been observed for several of the cloned rare fragile sites. Deletions and rearrangements at FRA3B have been observed in a number of distinct tumors. The recently identified putative tumor suppressor gene FHIT spans FRA3B, and various groups have reported identifying deletions in this gene in different tumors. Using a high density of PCR amplifiable markers within FRA3B searching for deletions in the FRA3B region, we have analysed 21 tumor cell lines derived from renal cell, pancreatic, and ovarian carcinomas. We found a commonly deleted region in the renal cell and ovarian carcinoma cell lines located in the middle of an HPV16 viral integration site. Despite the presence of deletions in the FRA3B region in most of the cell lines, we did not detect alterations in FHIT exons in any of the cell lines examined. Thus, deletions of 3p14.2 in these carcinoma cell lines may simply reflect instability of the FRA3B region during tumor progression.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1997

DNA interstrand cross-linking and cytotoxicity induced by chloroethylnitrosoureas and cisplatin in human glioma cell lines which vary in cellular concentration of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase.

Fifteen human glioma cell lines were examined for their sensitivity to 1,3-bis(chloroethyl)-nitrosourea (BCNU, carmustine) and cis-dichlorodiamminoplatinum (cisplatin), the induction of DNA interstrand cross-linking (DNA-ISC) induced by the two agents and cellular O6-alkylguanine alkyltransferase (ATase) activity. Cell lines differed in their sensitivities to BCNU by up to 12-fold and to cisplatin by up to 21-fold. For both drugs, the extent of DNA-ISC was related to the drug sensitivity. There was a wide range of cellular ATase levels. Increasing ATase levels correlated with increased resistance to BCNU and with decreased formation of DNA-ISC following treatment with BCNU. In contrast, following treatment with cisplatin, there was no correlation between cellular ATase content and cytotoxicity or between ATase and DNA-ISC. Four sublines of varying ATase activity were prepared from one of the cell lines. These sublines showed a sensitivity to BCNU in inverse proportion to ATase activity, while sensitivity to cisplatin was more uniform. The experiments confirm the direct relationship between ATase concentration and sensitivity to BCNU in glioma cells. Although there was some correlation between cisplatin cytotoxicity and BCNU cytotoxicity, this was not mediated through ATase.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1991

A case of cerebellar medulloblastoma with a single chromosome abnormality.

In the few published karyotypes of human medulloblastoma, multiple chromosome abnormalities have usually been demonstrated. We report a case of medulloblastoma in which only a single structural alteration was observed, namely an unbalanced translocation between chromosomes 1 and 6 resulting in partial 1q trisomy and partial 6q mónosomy. This finding may help define genomic regions that are of importance in development of medulloblastoma.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Cytogenetic abnormalities in human ependymomas.

The karyotypes of 4 human ependymomas have been determined. In one ependymoma, translocations involving chromosomes 9, 17 and 22 were observed together with the loss of the normal chromosome 17. A second ependymoma had many chromosomal alterations that included a translocation between chromosomes 1 and 2 and re-arrangements involving chromosome 17. No major consistent alterations were detected in the remaining 2 cases. Our karyotypes do not resemble the few previously published karyotypes of ependymomas, but had features, such as the alterations involving chromosome 17, that were similar to those of other brain tumours in children.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of the human cell line TE671.

The cell line TE671 has been widely used as a model of human medulloblastoma. In the present study we have demonstrated that transfection of DNA from this cell line into NIH 3T3 cells reveals the presence of an activated N-ras gene. Using oligonucleotide probes we have shown that the N-ras gene is activated by a point mutation at the third base of codon 61 resulting in the substitution of histidine for glutamine in the p21 ras gene product. We noted that this relatively uncommon activating mutation is also present in the human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RD. Based on this finding and on the observation that several of the phenotypic characteristics of TE671, such as the presence of muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and the intermediate filament protein desmin, are suggestive of myoid origin we investigated the possible identity of these two cell lines. Cytogenetic analysis revealed the presence of marker chromosomes common to both TE671 and RD. DNA fingerprinting using both locus specific and multilocus core probes showed indistinguishable band patterns in the two cell lines. Taken together our data show that TE671 and RD are derivatives of the same cell line and we conclude that the properties of the TE671 line should be ascribed to rhabdomyosarcoma rather than medulloblastoma cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Airway responses to sulfate and sulfuric acid aerosols in asthmatics. An exposure-response relationship.

Epidemiologic studies support an association between elevated levels of sulfates and increased symptoms in asthmatics. To determine if these pollutants produce airway responses, 17 asthmatics inhaled the following sulfates: sodium bisulfate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bisulfate (NH4HSO4), or sulfuric acid (H2SO4) aerosols with an aerodynamic diameter of 0.80 micron at concentrations of 100 micrograms/m3, 450 micrograms/m3, and 1,000 micrograms/m3. A sodium chloride (NaCl) aerosol of similar characteristics, administered by double-blind randomization, served as a control. Subjects breathed these aerosols for a 16-minute period via a mouthpiece. Deposition studies showed 54 to 65% retention of the inhaled aerosols. At the 1,000 micrograms/m3 concentration, the Threshold Limit Value for occupational exposure, H2SO4 and NH4HSO4 inhalation produced significant reductions in specific airway conductance (SGaw) (p less than 0.05) and forced expiratory volume in one second (p less than 0.01) compared with NaCl or pre-exposure values. At the 450 micrograms/m3 concentration, only H2SO4 inhalation produced a significant reduction in SGaw (p less than 0.01). At 100 micrograms/m3, a level 3 to 5 times greater than peak urban levels, no significant change in airway function occurred after any sulfate exposure. These data indicate that asthmatics demonstrate bronchoconstriction after brief exposure to common acidic sulfate pollutants.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bone loss during long term space flight is prevented by the application of a short term impulsive mechanical stimulus

In long term space flight, the mechanical forces applied to the skeleton are substantially reduced and are altered in character. This reduced skeletal loading results in a reduction in bone mass. Exercise techniques currently used in space can maintain muscle mass but the mechanical stimulus provided by this exercise does not prevent bone loss. By applying an external impulsive load for a short period each day, which is intended to mimic the heel strike transient, to the lower limb of an astronaut during a long term space flight (5 months), this study tests the hypothesis that the bone cells can be activated by an appropriate external mechanical stimulus to maintain bone mass throughout prolonged periods of weightlessness. A mechanical loading device was developed to produce a loading of the os-calcis similar to that observed during the heel strike transient. The device is activated by the astronaut to provide a transient load to the heel of one leg whilst providing an equivalent exercising load to the other leg. During the EUROMIR95 mission on the MIR space station, an astronaut used this device for a short period daily throughout the duration of the mission. Pre- and post-flight measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) of the os-calcis and femoral neck of the astronaut were made to determine the efficacy of the device in preventing loss of bone mineral during the mission. On the os-calcis which received the mechanical stimulus, BMD was maintained throughout the period of the flight, while it was reduced by up to 7% on the os-calcis which received no stimulus. Post-flight, BMD in both the stimulated and non-stimulated os-calcis reduces, the extent of this reduction however is less in the stimulated os-calcis. For the femoral neck, the mechanical stimulation does not produce a positive effect.

Aerospace Medicine↗