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Biomedical subjects

J Sherman

Publications and source records attributed to J Sherman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Interleukin 6 modulates c-sis gene expression in cultured human endothelial cells.

Human vascular endothelial cells secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-like polypeptides which may mediate some of the vascular effects in the inflammatory process. We have demonstrated that IL-6 caused a significant increase in the mRNA level of the c-sis gene (PDGF B chain) in cultured human endothelial cells. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta also increased c-sis mRNA transcripts after an extended incubation period and both cytokines acted synergistically with IL-6 in increasing c-sis expression. Tumor necrosis factor enhanced the accumulation of c-sis mRNA and interferon-gamma decreased its level. In the inflammatory process specific cytokines can modulate c-sis expression in human endothelial cells. Their subsequent production of PDGF-like polypeptides could stimulate cell migration and proliferation, and cause the release of vascular inflammatory mediators.

Cells, Cultured

Expression of a Wilms tumor gene in porcine kidney during compensatory renal growth.

Expression of the putative Wilms tumor gene (WT-1) was studied to investigate its role in renal growth. Compensatory renal growth was induced in 35-day-old Yorkshire-swine by unilateral nephrectomy. The contralateral kidney was removed 0.5 to 72 hours following the initial operation and analyzed for WT-1 gene expression by Northern analysis. Compensatory renal growth was detectable by wet weight measurements at 12 hours following contralateral nephrectomy. WT-1 gene expression was detectable in the contralateral kidney as early as 0.5 hours following unilateral nephrectomy. Expression of this gene was not detected in normal kidney from swine of this age group or from sham operated swine. In addition, we demonstrated the expression of this gene in newborn rat, pig and human kidneys, as well as human fetal kidney, indicating its role in nephrogenesis. These data suggest that expression of the WT-1 gene is involved in the regulatory mechanisms that control different types of renal growth.

Adaptation, Physiological

Cognitive performance in relatives of patients with probable Alzheimer disease: an age at onset effect?

Cognitive performance of 32 siblings and children of patients with probable Alzheimer disease was assessed longitudinally over an interval averaging 4 years. Mean scores were within normal limits for age on all measures at both test times. However, relatives of patients with early-onset dementia (less than or equal to 67 years) were more likely to show a decline in performance from the first to second testing than relatives of patients with late-onset dementia. Additional follow-up will be needed to determine the reliability of performance trajectories and to assess whether mild cognitive changes are related to future dementia. However, findings suggest that it may be important to consider family history of dementia in studies of normal cognitive aging.

Aged

Familial intracranial hypertension: report of a case and review of the literature.

A mother and daughter are presented who had intracranial hypertension 5 years apart. Possible contributing factors were the presence of obesity and occasional asthma in both. A review of the literature reveals three other families with intracranial hypertension occurring in successive generations (suggesting autosomal dominant transmission) and four families with intracranial hypertension occurring in siblings (suggesting autosomal recessive transmission). No reported cases of familial intracranial hypertension have revealed a contributing cause.

Adolescent

EEG and neuroimaging localization in partial epilepsy.

We have studied cortical localization provided by surface and sphenoidal electroencephalograms (EEGs) and that of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) in 58 patients with partial epilepsy. Each patient had EEG, MR and SPECT during a hospitalization period of 1-2 weeks. CT scans were obtained either during the same period or had been performed in the preceding year. EEG evaluation consisted of 3-5 days of continuous monitoring including video-telemetry and ambulatory recording as well as conventional EEGs with special electrode placements. Additionally 33 of 58 patients (55%) who were potential surgical candidates had sphenoidal recordings. All patients had an abnormal EEG which showed evidence of epileptic hyperexcitability. EEG abnormality was localized in 43 patients (74%). Neuroimaging studies were focally abnormal in 38 patients (66%); 12 CT (21%), 29 MR (50%) and 24 SPECT (41%). Thirty four of 43 patients with localized EEG had at least 1 focally abnormal neuroimaging study (79%), whereas 4 of 15 (27%) patients with non-localized EEG did so. Twenty-eight of 29 patients with focal MR (97%), 11 of 12 patients with focal CT (92%) and 20 of 24 patients with focal SPECT (83%) had a concordant focal EEG. EEG and neuroimaging localization agreed in all 15 patients in whom both MR and SPECT disclosed a concordant focal abnormality. This study demonstrates a significant (P less than 0.005) correlation between surface/sphenoid EEG and neuroimaging localization in partial epilepsy.

Adolescent

Staining plant cells with silver. I. The salt-nylon technique.

A technique is described for selectively silver staining nucleoli, active nucleolus organizers, nucleolar material attached to chromosomes, kinetochores, synaptonemal complexes, and chromosome cores in plant cells. The technique, called salt-nylon silver staining, involves spreading cells on glass slides, treating the cells with a solution of saline sodium citrate, and incubating the cells in a silver nitrate solution covered with nylon screen. Selected variables important for achieving reliable silver staining are considered.

Allium

The human tail.

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Animals

Central pigmentary sheen dystrophy.

Three members from two successive generations demonstrated a bilateral, symmetric pigmentary maculopathy consisting of a diffuse yellowish sheen of the posterior pole. The visual acuity was variable (20/25 to 10/400) and visual function tests indicated a localized disorder. Historic information suggests the disorder is slowly progressive. On the basis of mode of inheritance, fundus and angiographic appearance, and visual function testing this appears to be a newly described disorder.

Adult

The effects of fenfluramine (hydrochloride) on the behaviors of fifteen autistic children.

Fifteen autistic individuals were involved in an investigation using fenfluramine and placebo in a double-blind crossover design. Subjects were assessed using IQ tests, the Real Life Rating Scale (RLRS), the Adaptive Behavior Scale-School Edition (ABS-SE), and videotaped play data on 8 of 12 visits, including 2 follow-up visits. Serotonin level in platelet-poor plasma was assessed on all 12 visits. Serotonin levels decreased with the administration of fenfluramine, and increased with the reinstatement of placebo. Statistical tests revealed no significant differences on the IQ scores, the RLRS, or the ABS-SE for the drug versus the placebo conditions. Videotaped data favored the subjects while on placebo. Group and individual data were analyzed over time and indicated no significant improvements due to the drug. The implications of this research make it difficult to recommend fenfluramine as a treatment for autism.

Activities of Daily Living

Isospora belli infection: treatment with pyrimethamine.

Isosporiasis is an uncommon but important diarrheal disease of humans that, like cryptosporidiosis, is life-threatening in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Isospora belli infection responds rapidly to therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but patients with AIDS have a high rate of adverse reactions to this therapy. The cases of two patients with AIDS, sulfonamide allergy, and I. belli infection are reported. They were treated successfully with pyrimethamine alone, 75 mg/d, and recurrence was prevented with daily pyrimethamine therapy, 25 mg/d. In patients with AIDS with sulfonamide allergy or intolerance, pyrimethamine alone seems to be a reasonable alternative therapy for I. belli infection.

Adult

Optic pit, microphthalmos and orbital cyst.

An orbital cyst was discovered by ultrasonography behind the globe of the left eye in a five-year-old boy with a left esotropia. In addition, an optic pit was present in the optic nerve head of the same eye, which was microphthalmic relative to the right eye. Although orbital cyst has been reported in the literature, this case is of interest because of the presence of two congenital anomalies in the same eye - namely, optic pit and orbital cyst. These two conditions have never been previously reported as existing together in the same eye.

Child, Preschool

Presurgical prediction of postsurgical visual acuity in patients with media opacities.

Of the estimated 1 million patients each year in the United States who undergo surgery for media opacities, perhaps 5-10% fail to improve because of pre-existing, undiagnosed retinal and/or optic nerve disease. In this paper, the standard presurgical evaluation (case history, visual acuity, refraction, pupillary response testing, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, visual fields and color vision) and the supplementary presurgical evaluation (entoptic phenomena appreciation, ophthalmic ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography, laser interferometry, potential acuity meter, visual evoked potential, electroretinography, contrast sensitivity and hyperacuity measurements) are reviewed.

Cataract

Magnetic resonance planned thalamotomy followed by X-ray/CT-guided thalamotomy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the optimal neuroradiologic technique for visualizing the anterior and posterior commissure for defining the AC-PC line. CT is the optimal technique for electrode and probe guidance during stereotactic thalamotomy. Various possibilities of transferring or overlying MRI and CT are outlined which in some future might result in more refined methods of CT-MRI guidance for stereotactic surgery.

Humans