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Biomedical subjects

J Moore

Publications and source records attributed to J Moore.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Molecular diagnosis of infective endocarditis--a new Duke's criterion.

The molecular approach of PCR amplification of specific gene targets and universal loci for bacteria (16S rRNA) and fungi (18S, 28S and 5.8S rRNA) and subsequent sequencing was used to identify the possible causal microbial agent(s) in blood culture (47 patients) and heart valve material (30 patients) from patients with suspected infective endocarditis (IE). Culture and molecular results were analysed with respect to the patients' clinical background and the Duke Criteria. The findings demonstrated that: (i) all patients who were definite or possible cases were positive by PCR, even patients whose blood culture and valve material were culture-negative; and (ii) all patients who were rejected as having IE were also negative by PCR, with the exception of 1 patient who had bacteraemia from another source and 5 patients whose blood culture material was believed to contain an environmental contaminant. Direct molecular identification of the aetiological agents responsible for IE from blood culture material may enable specific treatment to commence at an earlier stage of the disease and hence reduce the need for valve replacement. Such a molecular approach may aid in the diagnosis of IE and should therefore be included as an additional major criterion in the Duke's classification scheme.

Bartonella↗

HIV infection in families of HIV-positive and 'at-risk' HIV-negative women.

Research of HIV infection within the family has focused upon sexual partners and vertical transmission. The scope of the problem of multiple infections and clustering of HIV among family members has, thus far, been less extensively explored. The objectives of this study are to investigate HIV infection in family members of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative high-risk women and to consider the impact of multiple HIV infections within the family. Baseline data were evaluated from a prospective observational cohort of 871 HIV-seropositive and 439 seronegative at-risk women who are participants in a longitudinal study of HIV in women at four sites in the USA (Montefiore, Bronx, NY; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Brown University, Providence, RI; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI). Women were asked if anyone close to them had HIV/AIDS or had died from HIV/AIDS. Responses which included HIV-positive family members were analyzed. In the seropositive cohort, 35% (307/871) of the women had a family member with HIV infection. Of these 307 women, 38% reported having a sibling, 24% a husband and 27% had more than one family member with HIV/AIDS. Forty-nine per cent of Latina women, 34% of black women, and 21% of white women reported having a family member with HIV/AIDS. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that Latina and black women were significantly more likely than white women to have a sibling, extended family member or more than one family member with HIV/AIDS. Compared to seropositive women, seronegative high-risk women enrolled in this study appear equally likely to have an HIV-infected family member. In this study of HIV-positive women and high-risk seronegative women, a third reported having multiple family members with HIV infection, most often in a sibling. The high prevalence of HIV within families, particularly in the families of Latina and black women, mandates attention in planning both prevention and care.

Black or African American↗

The effectiveness of CAHPS among women enrolling in Medicaid managed care.

The large-scale transition of public health insurance programs to managed care has shifted much of the responsibility for selecting appropriate coverage to beneficiaries--a role for which many have had little preparation. This study evaluates the impact of a CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study) health care report card in assisting newly enrolled Medicaid case heads in selecting a managed care plan. The major finding is that the CAHPS report card helped consumers make more informed decisions. Those who received the report cards found judging quality between plans easier, felt that they had significantly more information on which to make decisions, and recognized the importance of their decision more often than those receiving only standard enrollment packets.

Adult↗

Detection of mammaglobin mRNA in the plasma of breast cancer patients.

It has been suggested that mammaglobin may be a useful marker for breast cancer clinical research. Studies investigating the detection of mRNA by RT-PCR from circulating carcinoma cells in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients have shown that mammaglobin is a highly specific marker and correlates with several prognostic factors, such as lymph node involvement. We aimed to detect cell-free mammaglobin mRNA in the plasma of breast cancer patients and to investigate whether it can be used as a marker for diagnosis of breast cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibition prevents endothelial dysfunction after I/R injury.

Whereas inhibition of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) has been demonstrated to reduce myocardial infarct size in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury, the ability of NHE inhibition to preserve endothelial cell function has not been examined. This study examined whether NHE inhibition could preserve endothelial cell function after 90 min of regional ischemia and 180 min of reperfusion and compared this inhibition with ischemic preconditioning (IPC). In a canine model either IPC, produced by one 5-min coronary artery occlusion (1 x 5'), or the specific NHE-1 inhibitor eniporide (EMD-96785, 3.0 mg/kg) was administered 15 min before a 90-min coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Infarct size (IS) was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining and expressed as a percentage of the area-at-risk (IS/AAR). Endothelial cell function was assessed by measurement of coronary blood flow in response to intracoronary acetylcholine infusion at the end of reperfusion. Whereas neither control nor IPC-treated animals exhibited a significant reduction in IS/AAR or preservation of endothelial cell function, animals treated with the NHE inhibitor eniporide showed a marked reduction in IS/AAR and a significantly preserved endothelial cell function (P < 0.05). Thus NHE-1 inhibition is more efficacious than IPC at reducing IS/AAR and at preserving endothelial cell function in dogs.

Acetylcholine↗

Regulation of expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in adipose tissue: tissue-specific induction by cytokines.

Patients with glucocorticoid excess develop central obesity, yet in simple obesity, circulating glucocorticoid levels are normal. We have suggested that the increased activity and expression of the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) generating active cortisol from cortisone within adipose tissue may be crucial in the pathogenesis of obesity. In this study primary cultures of human hepatocytes and adipose stromal cells (ASC) were used as in vitro models to investigate the tissue-specific regulation of 11betaHSD1 expression and activity. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) caused a dose-dependent increase in 11betaHSD1 activity in primary cultures of both sc [1743.1 +/- 1015.4% (TNFalpha, 10 ng/ml); P < 0.05 vs. control (100%)] and omental [375.8 +/- 57.0% (TNFalpha, 10 ng/ml); P < 0.01 vs. control (100%)] ASC, but had no effect on activity in human hepatocytes [90.2 +/- 2.8% (TNFalpha, 10 ng/ml); P = NS vs. control (100%)]. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of 11betaHSD1 activity in sc [49.7 +/- 15.0% (IGF-I, 100 ng/ml]; P < 0.05 vs. control (100%)] and omental [71.6 +/- 7.5 (IGF-I, 100 ng/ml); P < 0.01 vs. control (100%)] stromal cells, but not in human hepatocytes [101.8 +/- 15.7% (IGF-I, 100 ng/ml); P = NS vs. control (100%)]. Leptin treatment did not alter 11betaHSD1 activity in human hepatocytes, but increased activity in omental ASC [135.8 +/- 14.1% (leptin, 100 ng/ml); P = 0.08 vs. control (100%)]. Treatment with interleukin-1beta induced 11betaHSD1 activity and expression in sc and omental ASC in a time- and dose-dependent manner. 15-Deoxy-12,14-PGJ2, the putative endogenous ligand of the orphan nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-gamma, significantly increased 11betaHSD1 activity in omental cells [179.7 +/- 29.6% (1 microM); P < 0.05 vs. control (100%)] and sc [185.3 +/- 12.6% (1 microM); P < 0.01 vs. control (100%)] ASC, and it is possible that expression of this ligand may ensure continued cortisol generation to permit adipocyte differentiation. Protease inhibitors used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection are known to cause a lipodystrophic syndrome and central obesity, but saquinavir, indinavir, and neflinavir caused a dose-dependent inhibition of 11betaHSD1 activity in primary cultures of human omental ASC. 11betaHSD1 expression is increased in human adipose tissue by TNFalpha, interleukin-1beta, leptin, and orphan nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-gamma agonists, but is inhibited by IGF-I. This autocrine and/or paracrine regulation is tissue specific and explains recent clinical data and animal studies evaluating cortisol metabolism in obesity. Tissue-specific 11betaHSD1 regulation offers the potential for selective enzyme inhibition within adipose tissue as a novel therapy for visceral obesity.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Ultraviolet light induces reactivation in a murine model of cutaneous herpes simplex virus-1 infection.

We have developed a model of cutaneous herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) reactivation in SKH-1 hairless mice which closely mimics the condition in humans. Sixty plaque-forming units of HSV-1 strain 17 syn+ were applied to a superficially abraded area on the lateral body wall. More than 85% of mice developed primary HSV-1 infection characterized by a zosteriform pattern of cutaneous vesiculation and ulceration. Approximately one-third of mice with primary skin lesions succumbed to neurologic disease and in the remaining mice cutaneous lesions healed completely. Subsequent exposure of healed areas to two minimal inflammatory doses of UV resulted in recrudescence of skin lesions in the irradiated areas in almost 60% of mice. Lesions appeared approximately 4 days after irradiation, persisted for 3-5 days and then resolved completely. Reactivation rarely resulted in death due to neurologic disease. Primary lesions had a histologic appearance typical of cutaneous HSV-1 infection with vesicles and focal epithelial necrosis accompanied by the formation of epithelial syncytial cells and the presence of herpetic intranuclear inclusion bodies. In primary lesions HSV-1 was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction and culture. In reactivated lesions epithelial syncytia and inclusion bodies were not seen; however, virus was demonstrable by polymerase chain reaction and culture. Exposure of the uninfected side to UV did not stimulate disease recurrence suggesting that local effects of UV rather than systemic immunosuppression were responsible for reactivation. Reactivation could also be obtained with two minimal inflammatory doses of UV from a UV-340 light source which emits light approximating the solar spectrum.

Animals↗

Biochemical and functional analysis of a conserved IGF-binding protein isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatoma cells.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) serum contains several IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) that specifically bind to IGFs. The structures of these fish IGFBPs have not been determined and their physiological functions are poorly defined. In this study, we identified a 30 kDa IGFBP present in rainbow trout serum and secreted by cultured trout hepatoma cells. This IGFBP binds to IGFs but not to insulin. This IGFBP was purified to homogeneity using a three-step procedure involving Phenyl-Sepharose chromatography, IGF-I affinity chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. Affinity cross-linking studies indicated that this IGFBP binds to IGF-I with a higher affinity than to IGF-II. N-terminal sequence analysis of the trout IGFBP suggests that it shares high sequence identity with that of human IGFBP-1 in the N-terminal region. When added to cultured fish and human cells, the trout IGFBP inhibited IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of the fish IGFBP was comparable to those of human IGFBP-1 and -4. These results indicate that the IGFBP molecule is structurally and functionally conserved in evolutionarily ancient vertebrate species such as bony fish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Perceived need for and use of mental health services by women living with or at risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence of and factors associated with perceived need for and use of mental health services and use of psychotherapeutic medications among women in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemiology Research Study (HERS). METHODS: We interviewed 871 HIV-seropositive and 439 demographically and behaviorally similar seronegative women at baseline regarding demographics, psychosocial measures, substance use, medical history, and use of health care services and medications. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of HIV-seropositive women and 35% of seronegative women (p = 0.33) reported needing mental health services in the prior six months. Women who were older, were white or Latina (compared with African American), had some college education, had less social support, and reported recent negative life events or had CES-D scores higher than 15 (suggesting depression) were more likely to report needing mental health services. Sixty-seven percent of seropositive and 65% of seronegative women who reported needing services (p = 0.69) reported obtaining services. Women who were white (compared with Latina or African American) and had more education, more social support, and health insurance were more likely to obtain services. Eighteen percent of seropositive and 13% of seronegative women (p = 0.006) reported current use of psychotherapeutic medications, especially antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Women who reported use of medications were more likely to report recent negative life events; were older, white, or Latina; had more education, less social support, CES-D scores higher than 15, and health insurance. CONCLUSION: Women both living with or at risk of HIV perceived a need for and used mental health services in association with negative life events, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. Need for and use of services differed by race/ethnicity, education, and availability of social support.

Adolescent↗

Metastatic breast cancer: understanding current management options.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review the standard treatment options for metastatic breast cancer, present recently approved chemotherapeutic and hormonal approaches, and describe novel biologic therapies, particularly the use of monoclonal antibodies. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, abstracts, and conference proceedings. DATA SYNTHESIS: Standard treatment options available to women with metastatic breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and palliative approaches. New chemotherapeutic approaches for the management of metastatic breast cancer include the recently approved agents paclitaxel, docetaxel, and capecitabine. New hormonal agents such as toremifene, letrozole, and exemestane also have been approved. Finally, an agent from a new class of agents--biologic response modifiers (BRMs)--now. Is available. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody (one class of BRMs), is a new and promising approach available to a subpopulation of women with metastatic breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Although standard treatment options for the management of metastatic breast cancer may prolong survival for some, they have not resulted in a cure for the majority of women. Recent advances in the understanding of cancer cellular biology have led to newer approaches such as monoclonal antibodies and other BRMs that may offer hope of extended survival and improved quality of life for certain women. This field is growing quickly, and new targets for breast cancer therapy are being studied. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses who become familiar with newer treatment options available for the management of metastatic breast cancer, including new chemotherapeutic and hormonal approaches and monoclonal antibody therapy, are better able to provide information and support for their patients. Clinicians must understand the criteria for patient selection for newer agents, particularly trastuzumab. In addition, recognizing adverse effects and knowing the management strategies for treatment-related toxicities help to ensure positive patient outcomes.

Antineoplastic Agents↗