PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Ostrowski

Publications and source records attributed to J Ostrowski.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Idarubicin and cyclophosphamide--an active oral chemotherapy regimen for advanced breast cancer.

UNLABELLED: Between October 1993 and September 1994, 33 women with metastatic breast cancer aged between 29 and 74 years with a median age of 58 were entered into a study of oral chemotherapy from three UK centres. Patients by definition had metastatic disease and were fit and well with performance status 0 or 1 in 23 cases, 2 in seven cases and 3 in two cases (one missing). Five patients had received prior adjuvant CMF chemotherapy, nine first line non-anthracycline containing chemotherapy for relapse, eight patients second line non-anthracycline containing chemotherapy and all patients had had hormone therapy either as adjuvant or for relapsed disease. Adjuvant radiotherapy had been given to 17 and palliative radiotherapy to 12 patients. In nine patients there was one site of disease at start of therapy, in 10 two sites, in 11 three sites and in three patients four or more sites. The regimen comprised oral idarubicin 15 mg/m2 on day 1, 10 mg/m2 on days 2 and 3 and oral cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m2 (maximum 400 mg) on days 1, 2 and 3. Treatment was continued until disease progression or toxicity. RESULTS: Overall 25% of 32 evaluable patients responded objectively including one complete response; 50% of patients had stable disease and 25% of patients progression. Among patients who had had no prior chemotherapy the objective response rate was 37.5%; 45% of patients had symptomatic improvement. The most common severe toxicity was granulocytopenia WHO grade 3 or more in 69.7% of patients. Thrombocytopenia grade 3 or 4 was seen in four patients. Six patients had documented infections and all but four patients had alopecia. All patients complained of mild or moderate fatigue. Nausea and vomiting occurred in 75% of patients but only four individuals had grade 3 toxicity. Two patients stopped therapy after myocardial infarction and one after impaired cardiac function was noted. The median time to progression was 2.7 months (1-11.5 months) and median survival time 8.8 months (1-13+ months). CONCLUSION: The combination chemotherapy is active in heavily treated patients with manageable toxicity but there are problems in heavily pre-treated patients. There was good compliance in taking medication and at the doses chosen the drugs appear to be suitable for younger fitter patients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Increased activity of MAP, p70S6 and p90rs kinases is associated with AP-1 activation in spontaneous liver tumours, but not in adjacent tissue in mice.

Growth factor-responsive protein kinases regulate expression of genes involved in cell cycle control, cell proliferation and differentiation. To better understand the role of these kinases in the abnormal proliferation of malignant cells, we examined basal and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-inducible mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p70S6k and p90rsk activities in spontaneous hepatocellular neoplasms (adenomas and carcinomas) from CBA-T6 mice and in L1 sarcoma tumours implanted in livers of BALB/c mice. In spontaneous and implanted hepatic tumours, basal cytoplasmic and nuclear MAPK, p70S6k and p90rsk activities were significantly higher compared to the activities found in the part of the liver uninvolved by the tumour. Interestingly, the activities of these enzymes in the uninvolved tissue of the livers harbouring the tumour were higher compared to the livers from control mice. Basal kinase activities correlated with tumour morphology; they were lower in adenomas than in carcinomas and sarcomas. In contrast to basal activities, EGF-triggered kinase responses in normal livers and hepatic tumours were indistinguishable. Activating protein-1 (AP-1) DNA-binding activity was detected in tumours but not in the adjacent tissues. Constitutively activated kinases and AP-1 transcription factor found in hepatic malignancies are reminiscent of cells activated by EGF, suggesting that EGF and its intracellular effectors play a role in these malignancies.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In search of immunogenic Helicobacter pylori proteins by screening of expression library.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of Helicobacter pylori infection may help to control related gastritis, peptic ulcer and cancer. Of the possible preventive measures, immunization was successfully employed in various animal studies. However, no immunization protocol has been accepted for humans. A better characterization of the immune response against the pathogen may be required before a human vaccine is developed. AIM: To identify bacterial proteins which induce an immune response in infected humans or H. pylori-immunized rabbits. METHODS: An expression library of H. pylori genes was screened with sera from infected humans and from immunized rabbits. Positive clones were partially sequenced and identified on the basis of a homology search of a H. pylori genome database. Encoded proteins were expressed directly from positive clones and analyzed by SDS-PAGE/Western blot techniques. RESULTS: 114 positive clones were isolated: 79 by screening with human sera and 35 by screening with rabbit sera. Western blot analysis demonstrated that selected clones encoded one or more strongly immunoreactive proteins. 64 clones selected with human sera had no counterparts among clones from screening with rabbit serum. 13 of these clones encoded a total of 21 unknown H. pylori proteins. 17 clones selected with rabbit sera were not immunostained with human sera. They represent 2 various regions of the H. pylori genome which encoded 3 bacterial proteins of unknown function. CONCLUSIONS: Screening of H. pylori expression library identified immunogenic proteins - potential vaccine antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Regulated interaction of protein kinase Cdelta with the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K protein.

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) K protein recruits a diversity of molecular partners that are involved in signal transduction, transcription, RNA processing, and translation. K protein is phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro by inducible kinase(s) and contains several potential sites for protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation. In this study we show that K protein is phosphorylated in vitro by PKCdelta and by other PKCs. Deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that Ser302 is a major K protein site phosphorylated by PKCdelta in vitro. This residue is located in the middle of a short amino acid fragment that divides the two clusters of SH3-binding domains. Mutation of Ser302 decreased the level of phosphorylation of exogenously expressed K protein in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-treated COS cells, suggesting that Ser302 is also a site for PKC-mediated phosphorylation in vivo. In vitro, PKCdelta binds K protein via the highly interactive KI domain, an interaction that is blocked by poly(C) RNA. Mutation of Ser302 did not alter the K protein-PKCdelta interaction in vitro, suggesting that phosphorylation of this residue alone is not sufficient to alter this interaction. Instead, binding of PKCdelta to K protein in vitro and in vivo was greatly increased by K protein phosphorylation on tyrosine residues. The ability of PKCdelta to bind and phosphorylate K protein may serve not only to alter the activity of K protein itself, but K protein may also bridge PKCdelta to other K protein molecular partners and thus facilitate molecular cross-talk. The regulated nature of the PKCdelta-K protein interaction may serve to meet cellular needs at sites of active transcription, RNA processing and translation in response to changing extracellular environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Ischemia-induced modifications of protein components of rat brain postsynaptic densities.

Considering that postsynaptic densities (PSD) are a functionally active zone involved in excitatory synaptic transmission we evaluated the influence of global, postdecapitative cerebral ischemia of 15 min duration on characteristic protein constituents of PSD in rats. Ischemia induced changes in the assembly and function of calcium, calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), calpains and a novel, 85 kDa/RING3 kinase but to different extents. CaMKII is translocated toward the PSD very rapidly and extensively after the first seconds of ischemia. Concomitantly, the total phosphorylating potency of this kinase with endogenous, as well as exogenous, substrates was elevated but to a lower extent than suggested by the increased protein content. Of the two brain-specific isoforms of calpain (mu and m), only recently recognized in PSD, the proteolytically activated, 76 kDa subunit of mu-calpain was significantly down-regulated after 15 min of brain ischemia. However, this effect is coupled with the decline of fodrin, the only calpain substrate that has been demonstrated to be a calpain target in vivo. Together, these findings may suggest that calpains, primarily activated by calcium in ischemic PSD, are subsequently degraded. A new observation is the relatively high phosphorylating activity of a novel, 85 kDa/RING3 kinase in the PSD which independently of other kinase systems, was greatly enhanced after ischemia. These data provide evidence that the signal transduction processes could be rapidly altered by short-term (15 min) brain ischemia due to changes in the assembly and function of PSD connected proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Retinoic acid receptor antagonist BMS453 inhibits the growth of normal and malignant breast cells without activating RAR-dependent gene expression.

To elucidate the role of RAR-dependent gene transcription in inhibiting breast cell growth, we have investigated the ability of retinoids to suppress growth of normal, immortal, and malignant breast cells. We compared the ability of all trans retinoic acid (atRA) to activate retinoid receptors in normal, immortal, and malignant breast cells, with its ability to inhibit the growth of these cells. Our studies demonstrate that normal breast cells are more sensitive to the growth inhibitory effect of atRA than are immortal nonmalignant breast cells and breast cancer cells. atRA activated RAR-dependent gene transcription in both atRA-sensitive and -resistant breast cells as determined by transfection of a RARE-containing reporter gene. These results demonstrate that activation of RAR-dependent gene transcription by atRA is not sufficient to inhibit growth in atRA-resistant breast cancer cells. To determine whether activation of RAR-dependent gene transcription by atRA is necessary for growth inhibition, we tested the growth suppressive effect of a retinoid (BMS453) which binds RAR receptors and transrepresses AP-1 but does not activate RAR-dependent gene expression. This retinoid inhibited the growth of normal breast cells (HMEC and 184) and T47D breast cancer cells. Breast cancer cells which were resistant to atRA, were also resistant to BMS453. Normal human breast cells were most sensitive to the anti-proliferative effects of BMS453. These results indicate that in some breast cells RAR-dependent transactivation is not necessary for retinoids to inhibit growth. Instead, retinoids may suppress growth by inhibiting transcription factors such as AP-1 through transcription factor crosstalk.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1999

VacA genotyping directly from gastric biopsy specimens and estimation of mixed Helicobacter pylori infections in patients with duodenal ulcer and gastritis.

BACKGROUND: The vacA genotypes and the cagA gene status were investigated in 80 Helicobacter pylori-infected patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) and 49 with gastritis only. METHODS: Lysates of gastric biopsy specimens were used directly for polymerase chain reaction-based detection. RESULTS: The ml subtype was found in 36% and 31% and the m2 in 36% and 46% of specimens from patients with DU and gastritis, respectively (P > 0.05). In 15% of samples the midregion remained unclassified. The prevalence rate of s1 subtypes was higher in cases of DU (69%) than in gastritis (43%) (P < 0.0001); the opposite correlation was observed for s2. The cagA gene was detected in 80% of patients with DU and in 52% of those with gastritis (P < 0.0001). Infections with multiple H. pylori strains exceeded 50% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that vacA s1 genotype and cagA+ status are associated with higher DU prevalence and that mixed H. pylori infections are very common in our geographic region.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1999

A national audit of the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases within the United Kingdom.

In order to audit United Kingdom laboratory diagnostic and reference services including novel molecular methods for tuberculosis, a questionnaire was sent to laboratories submitting specimens to the PHLS Mycobacterium Reference Unit (MRU) and regional centres and to the Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory (SMRL) in 1996-7. Nationally, 67.2% of laboratories responded. Most UK laboratories were fully or conditionally CPA accredited and take part in the NEQAS proficiency scheme. On average only 3.3% of primary samples submitted for mycobacterial diagnosis in 1995 produced a mycobacterial culture from approximately half as many patients (that is, a mean of 1488 specimens producing 49 isolates from 23 patients). Potentially over 380,000 specimens are processed for mycobacteria in the UK each year. The majority of laboratories use 4% NaOH +/- NALC for specimen decontamination. Culture on solid media was used by most laboratories and 62.9% also use liquid media. Most laboratories incubated cultures for eight weeks. Few laboratories use molecular diagnostic methods. Laboratories were most likely to use molecular methods for diagnosing tuberculous meningitis and for specimens from immunocompromised patients, although usage was strongly influenced by cost. Within England and Wales 43.9% (47/107) and 56% (61/109) of laboratories wanted a rapid service for rifampicin resistance detection in M tuberculosis from immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, respectively. In regard to a tuberculous meningitis service, 80.5% (43/112) and 84.3% (102/121) of laboratories wanted this service for immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, respectively. The quality of reference services was rated as "very good"/"good" by 85.6% of respondents nationally. Rapid molecular amplification diagnostic services were established at the PHLS MRU for rifampicin drug resistance detection nationally and for tuberculous meningitis at the MRU.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1998

Stimulation of p85/RING3 kinase in multiple organs after systemic administration of mitogens into mice.

Using an autophosphorylation membrane assay, we examined activation of kinases in different organs after intraperitoneal injections of mitogens and cytokines into mice. In the multiple organs examined administration of either epidermal growth factor (EGF), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) activated a number of kinases. Most notably among those was a kinase of approximately 85 kDa (p85) that was activated by EGF, PMA and IL-1beta in the lung, kidney, brain, liver and heart. The size and properties of this enzyme are indistinguishable from the RING3 kinase that has a very high activity in leukocytes of patients with leukemia. In animals treated with PMA, antibodies against RING3 kinase immunoprecipitated PMA-responsive p85 activity from the lung and brain suggesting that p85 and RING3 kinases are the same enzymes. Activation of p85/RING3 kinase by growth factors in multiple organs might reflect involvement of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of leukemias and other proliferative diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Serine 232 and methionine 272 define the ligand binding pocket in retinoic acid receptor subtypes.

The transcriptional response mediated by retinoic acid involves a complex series of events beginning with ligand recognition by a nuclear receptor. To dissect the amino acid contacts important for receptor-specific ligand recognition, a series of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mutants were constructed. Transcriptional studies revealed that serine 232 (Ser232) in RARalpha and methionine 272 (Met272) in RARgamma are critical residues for the recognition of their respective receptor-selective analogs. The identification of these key amino acids in the ligand binding pocket is confirmed by the reported crystal structure of RARgamma. Interestingly, the serine at position 232 in RARalpha gives an explanation for the observed differences in the affinity of the naturally occurring ligand, all-trans-retinoic acid (t-RA), in this receptor compared with that for the other receptors, since hydrogen bonding would not be permitted between the hydroxyl of serine and the hydrophobic linker of t-RA. Using this model, a molecular mechanism for the transcriptional antagonism of a synthetic analog is suggested that involves an alteration in the structure of the receptor protein in the region around the AF2 domain in helix 12.

HeLa Cells↗
PubMed1998

Effects of inner hair cell loss on inferior colliculus evoked potential thresholds, amplitudes and forward masking functions in chinchillas.

The effects of outer hair cell (OHC) loss on evoked potential (EVP) thresholds, amplitudes and forward masking (FWM) functions have been fairly well characterized. In contrast, the effects of inner hair cell (IHC) losses are largely unknown, primarily due to the difficulty of producing selective IHC lesions. Recent studies have shown that IHCs of the chinchilla are preferentially damaged by the anticancer drug, carboplatin. In this study, we administered a single 100 mg/kg dose of carboplatin to four chinchillas, to examine the effects of IHC lesions on EVPs measured from the inferior colliculus (IC-EVPs). Thresholds and amplitude functions were measured for 0.25-16 kHz tone bursts, and FWM functions were measured at 1, 2 and 4 kHz, using masker probe intervals of 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ms, before and 1-2 months after carboplatin treatment. Histology revealed IHC lesions ranging from approximately 15 to 90%, with virtually no loss of OHCs. Surprisingly, even massive IHC lesions were not associated with elevations of IC-EVP thresholds. IC-EVP amplitudes at suprathreshold levels were sometimes depressed, sometimes enhanced, and in some cases unchanged. IHC lesions increased susceptibility to FWM, particularly at intermediate (10-20 ms) masker-probe intervals, without significantly changing the overall time course of FWM. The results provide new perspectives on the contribution of IHCs to FWM, and on the ability of the central auditory system to adapt to a significant reduction of neural input from the cochlea.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1998

Increased constitutive activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase and renaturable 85 kDa kinase in human-colorectal cancer.

Protein kinases play a key role in intracellular signalling, participating at multiple levels along the transduction cascades that trigger mitogenic response. Because protein kinases are involved in mitogenic pathways, they are likely to play a role in the abnormal proliferation of malignant cells. In this study we compared activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and several renaturable kinases in homogenates of 30 surgically resected colorectal cancers and their adjacent normal tissues. Using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and membrane autophosphorylation assay on homogenates obtained from normal colon mucosa and adenocarcinoma, we identified at least four renaturable kinases (50, 55, 85, 200 kDa). Compared with adjacent tissue, in most of the cancer samples only the 85-kDa kinase exhibited a higher level of autophosphorylation activity than those in normal matched tissue (P < 0.001). Moreover, the 85-kDa kinase from nearly all cancer homogenates showed faster electrophoretic mobility than the 85-kDa kinase from normal tissue homogenates. Interestingly, the 50-kDa kinase had significantly lower autophosphorylation activity in cancer tissues than those of normal tissue (P< 0.05). To assess p42-p44 MAP kinase activity, proteins were immunoprecipitated from adjacent colon mucosa and adenocarcinoma with anti-extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) 1/2 antibodies, and MAP kinase activity was measured using MBP as a substrate. These studies revealed that MAP kinase activity in colorectal cancer was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that in adjacent mucosa. Thus, the constitutive activity of MAP kinase and autophosphorylation activity of 85-kDa kinase are increased, whereas the autophosphorylation activity of another kinase, 50 kDa, is decreased in colorectal adenocarcinoma. However, although signal transduction pathways are markedly altered in this cancer, neither p42/p44 MAP kinase activity nor 85-kDa autokinase activity could be correlated with the established prognostic indicators.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Randomized comparison of 1-hour topical method vs. amoxycillin plus omeprazole for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer patients.

BACKGROUND: A novel 1-h topical method eradicated Helicobacter pylori in 96% of dyspeptic patients. The eradication rate of amoxycillin/omeprazole therapy varies from 0 to 93%. AIM: To compare both methods in patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer. METHODS: Eighty patients (59 males, 21 females; median age 43 years) were randomized into two therapeutic groups. The first group (group A) was treated with a 6-week course of ranitidine 300 mg/day, then omeprazole 20 mg b.d. with pronase 36000 units/day for 2 days, followed by 1-h topical therapy with a solution of bismuth, metronidazole, amoxycillin and pronase. The second group (group B) consisted of patients treated with omeprazole 20 mg b.d. and amoxycillin 2 g/day for 2 weeks, followed by a 4-week course of ranitidine 300 mg/day. Eradication of H. pylori was assessed by urease test, histology, a polymerase chain reaction and a 13C-urea breath test, all of which were performed 4 weeks after discontinuation of the antibacterial treatment. RESULTS: Eradication rates in groups A and B were 2.5% and 35% in an intention-to-treat analysis, respectively. Side-effects were encountered in 40.5% and 12.5% of subjects in groups A and B, respectively. Treatment tolerance was rated as poor by 54% of patients in group A and 2.5% of patients in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment regimens, the 1-h topical method and amoxycillin with omeprazole, have low eradication rates in patients with duodenal ulcer. In addition, the topical treatment is characterized by a high rate of side-effects and poor tolerance. Based on the results of our study, neither method can be recommended for eradication of H. pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Diverse molecular interactions of the hnRNP K protein.

The hnRNP K protein is a versatile molecule that interacts with RNA, DNA, the proto-oncoprotein VaV, Src-like tyrosine and inducible serine/threonine kinases, the transcription factor TBP and a number of zinc-finger transcriptional repressors. The interaction of K protein with some of its protein partners is modulated by nucleic acids and K protein can alter the in vivo and in vitro rate of transcription. K protein can simultaneously engage several proteins and may facilitate molecular cross-talk. Taken together these diverse interactions suggest that K protein may act as a nucleic acid-regulated docking platform.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Zik1, a transcriptional repressor that interacts with the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle K protein.

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (hnRNP) K protein is comprised of multiple modular domains that serve to engage a diverse group of molecular partners including DNA, RNA, the product of the proto-oncogene vav, and tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases. To identify additional K protein molecular partners and to further understand its function, we used a fragment of K protein as a bait in the yeast two-hybrid screen. The deduced primary structure of one of the positive clones revealed a novel zinc finger protein, hereby denoted as Zik1. In addition to the nine contiguous zinc fingers in the C terminus, Zik1 contains a KRAB-A domain thought to be involved in transcriptional repression. Zik1 and K protein bound in vitro and co-immunoprecipitated from cell extracts indicating that in vivo their interaction is direct. Expression of Gal4 DNA-binding domain-Zik1 fusion protein repressed a gene promoter bearing Gal4-binding elements, indicating that from cognate DNA elements Zik1 is a transcriptional repressor. The known diverse nature of K protein molecular interactions and now the identification of a K protein partner that is a transcriptional repressor lends support to the notion that K protein is a remarkably versatile molecule that may be acting as a docking platform to facilitate communication among molecules involved in signal transduction and gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗