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Biomedical subjects

J M Symonds

Publications and source records attributed to J M Symonds.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Calreticulin affects beta-catenin-associated pathways.

Calreticulin, a Ca(2+) storage protein and chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum, also modulates cell adhesiveness. Overexpression of calreticulin correlates with (i) increased cell adhesiveness, (ii) increased expression of N-cadherin and vinculin, and (iii) decreased protein phosphorylation on tyrosine. Among proteins that are dephosphorylated in cells that overexpress calreticulin is beta-catenin, a structural component of cadherin-dependent adhesion complexes, a member of the armadillo family of proteins and a part of the Wnt signaling pathway. We postulate that the changes in cell adhesiveness may be due to calreticulin-mediated effects on a signaling pathway from the endoplasmic reticulum, which impinges on the Wnt signaling pathway via the cadherin/catenin protein system and involves changes in the activity of protein-tyrosine kinases and/or phosphatases.

Animals↗

Cadherins: crucial regulators of structure and function in reproductive tissues.

Cadherins are cell surface proteins that are directly involved in a wide variety of processes such as cell adhesion, cell sorting, cell survival, morphogenesis, formation of intercellular junctions, maintenance of tissue integrity and tumourigenesis. This review discusses the multiple functions of cadherins in reproductive tissues. Furthermore, the role of the intracellular signalling protein beta-catenin in regulating cadherin function is reviewed. Finally, the findings that cadherin concentrations in reproductive tissues are responsive to steroid hormones is discussed. The modulation of cadherin expression by hormones is in agreement with the hypothesis that these proteins are dynamically involved in the maintenance of structure and function in reproductive tissues.

Animals↗

Pyomyositis: an unusual infection due to staphylococcus aureus.

Pyomyositis is a primary pyogenic infection of skeletal muscle, leading to the formation of intramuscular abscesses. Although common in tropical climates, it is infrequent in temperate zones. We report a patient who developed the condition without travelling to tropical areas.

Climate↗

Staphylococcal meningitis following Synchromed intrathecal pump implant: a case report.

Staphylococcal meningitis associated with implantation of an intrathecal drug pump for spasticity was successfully treated by intrathecal vancomycin delivered by the same pump. This produced high CSF antibiotic levels, and the pump and catheter system did not have to be removed. We are unable to identify a similar case reported in the literature to date.

Adolescent↗

A clinical investigation of pivmecillinam. A novel beta-lactam antibiotic in the treatment of urinary tract infections.

Pivmecillinam (FL 1039) is the pivaloyloxymethyl ester of mecillinam (FL 1060) which has considerable in vitro activity against Enterobacteriaceae. 38 hospital inpatients who had proven urinary tract infections were treated with 400 mg pivmecillinam four times daily for 5-7 days. The MIC of mecillinam to the infecting organisms was determined as were the serum and urinary concentrations of the antibiotic. The patients were followed up for 4-6 weeks after the end of treatment. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Of the 35 patients who were adequately followed up, 29 (83%) were classified as cured and there were 6 failures. Reported side effects were of a minor nature.

Administration, Oral↗