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Biomedical subjects

K Conway

Publications and source records attributed to K Conway.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Attitudes to Papanicolaou smears.

Preventive health behavior has been defined as behavior aimed at the prevention or detection of disease in an asymptomatic state. When cervical cancer is discovered and treated in the premalignant stage, the cure rate is 95% or higher. The success of the screening program for cervical cancer depends at least partially on women's acceptance of and compliance with the service. Compliance is related to women's underlying motivation and attitudes to cervical cancer and health and illness in general. The following paper provides an overview of the literature and examines who participates in cervical screening, the participant's feelings about the test and the place of testing, who are unlikely to participate and the reasons for this noncompliance. It is hoped that this overview will indicate possible ways of improving women's acceptance of this screening, whilst identifying negative attitudes and experiences which impede participation.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1995

Ha-ras rare alleles in breast cancer susceptibility.

Over the last several years, evidence has accumulated to support the idea that rare Ha-ras polymorphisms are associated with inherited susceptibility to certain human cancers. A recent epidemiologic study conducted at our institution found a significant association specifically with breast cancer, although the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. We have proposed that rare Ha-ras alleles are markers of a genomic instability that predisposes to breast cancer. To address this hypothesis, we are investigating the relationship between the presence of rare alleles and another form of instability, gene amplification, and are developing new methodologies both to improve VNTR allele length detection and to characterize the internal repeat sequence variations of the various alleles. These studies should enable us to more clearly define the role of this region in cancer development by delineating VNTR structure and function and the mechanisms of rare allele generation. Ultimately, we hope to identify VNTR characteristics that will permit more accurate cancer risk assessment.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Miscarriage experience and the role of support systems: a pilot study.

A pilot study was carried out with 24 women with the main aim of examining retrospectively the experience of miscarriage to indicate issues worthy of further investigation. It was found that the psychological sequelae following miscarriage appear to be similar to the bereavement process. Whilst social support from partners, relatives and friends was helpful, subjects did not perceive that support from professionals and the wider community was always adequate.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1994

The effects of 4-aminopyridine in multiple sclerosis patients: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, concentration-controlled, crossover trial.

Because 4-aminopyridine (AP) improves residual deficits in some multiple sclerosis (MS) patients but has a narrow toxic-to-therapeutic margin, we compared the safety and efficacy of two target peak serum concentration ranges (low: 30 to 59 ng/ml and high: 60 to 100 ng/ml). We enrolled eight MS patients with temperature-sensitive visual and motor deficits in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial of short-term oral AP treatment. We randomized patients to a sequence of three treatments on three separate days: placebo, low serum concentration, and high serum concentration. We determined dosing to achieve the desired steady-state peak serum concentration ranges from a test dose and population pharmacokinetic parameters using bayesian estimation. Contrast sensitivity, standard neurologic examination, ratings of videotaped neurologic examinations, and quantitative strength assessment all improved with treatment, but flicker fusion frequency, visual evoked response latencies, and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores did not. All patients experienced side effects during the high-serum-concentration arm. A grand mal seizure occurred at a serum AP level of 104 ng/ml, and an acute confusional episode occurred at 114 ng/ml. AP treatment produced improvements in residual deficits in MS patients, but the occurrence of significant toxicity suggests that AP serum levels should be monitored and peak levels above 100 ng/ml should be avoided. Concentration-control methodology may be useful in testing putative treatments for other neurologic diseases.

4-Aminopyridine↗
PubMed1993

Systemic recombinant human interferon-beta treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: pilot study analysis and six-year follow-up.

A pilot study was undertaken to test the safety and establish the side effect profile of recombinant human interferon-beta 1b (Betaseron, Berlex Laboratories, Richmond, CA), in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). During the initial dose finding period (24 weeks), five groups of 6 patients each were treated by subcutaneous injection three times each week with either 0.8, 4, 8, or 16 million units (mU) of Betaseron or placebo (WHO Standard). Although some side effects were noted in all groups, a dose-related trend in reduction of exacerbation frequency and side-effect profile was noted. Patients given 16 mU had no exacerbations during the initial dosing period, but associated side effects led to dose reduction or dropout. An 8 mU dose was selected for further study after 24 weeks, and continuous dosing at 8 mU in 15 patients has now exceeded 6 years. Side effects abated over time. Neutralizing antibody developed in most patients, but titers were variable, fluctuated independently of clinical course, and tended to fall with prolonged treatment. A dose-dependent rise in neopterin levels was observed during the initial dosing period. This pilot study has demonstrated responsiveness to Betaseron, shown a stable safety profile over time, and established guidelines for a dosing regimen to evaluate and optimize further the efficacy of Betaseron in RRMS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Tumorigenic suppression of a human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line in the nude mouse skin graft assay.

The development of human squamous cell carcinomas has been associated with a number of genetic alterations involving chromosome 11, including cytogenetic and allelic deletions as well as amplification of genes in the 11q13 region. To determine the relevance of chromosome 11 in the formation of tumors of stratified squamous epithelial origin, we have introduced, via microcell fusion, a normal human chromosome 11 into the cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line A3886TGc2. The ability of chromosome 11 to modulate the tumorigenicity of A3886TGc2 was evaluated first by inoculating cells s.c. in nude mice. All hybrids remained tumorigenic but exhibited longer tumor latencies than the parent, a result previously observed by other laboratories. We then tested our epidermally derived hybrids in the more physiologically relevant environment of the nude mouse skin graft system. The tumorigenic phenotype of three of four chromosome 11 hybrids placed into nude mouse skin grafts was completely suppressed. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA from normal skin present at the suppressed graft sites failed to detect the introduced human cells. This information indicates that the normal skin is of mouse origin and suggests that the chromosome 11 microcell hybrids did not differentiate in vivo, but most likely failed to survive. We propose that external environmental factors present at the site of inoculation modulate the tumorigenic potential of these cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Senescence of nickel-transformed cells by an X chromosome: possible epigenetic control.

Transfer of a normal Chinese hamster X chromosome (carried in a mouse A9 donor cell line) to a nickel-transformed Chinese hamster cell line with an Xq chromosome deletion resulted in senescense of these previously immortal cells. At early passages of the A9/CX donor cells, the hamster X chromosome was highly active, inducing senescence in 100% of the colonies obtained after its transfer into the nickel-transformed cells. However, senescence was reduced to 50% when Chinese hamster X chromosomes were transferred from later passage A9 cells. Full senescing activity of the intact hamster X chromosome was restored by treatment of the donor mouse cells with 5-azacytidine, which induced demethylation of DNA. These results suggest that a senescence gene or genes, which may be located on the Chinese hamster X chromosome, can be regulated by DNA methylation, and that escape from senescence and possibly loss of tumor suppressor gene activity can occur by epigenetic mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Nonrandom chromosomal alterations in nickel-transformed Chinese hamster embryo cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether nickel-transformed Chinese hamster cells exhibit nonrandom chromosomal alterations involving heterochromatic regions, particularly the heterochromatic long arm (q) of the X-chromosome, since nickel was previously shown to induce acute chromosomal damage predominantly in heterochromatin. Early passage male or female Chinese hamster embryo cells were transformed to anchorage independence in soft agar following treatment with 10 micrograms/ml NiS, 1 mM NiCl2, or with 10 micrograms/ml 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA). Nickel treatment of Chinese hamster embryo cells resulted in a 2- to 3-fold higher frequency of male (7 of 13) as compared with female (2 of 12) anchorage independent cultures, whereas MCA treatment resulted in equal proportions of male and female anchorage independent cultures. A single soft agar (SA) clone from each of the nickel- or MCA-transformed cultures was karyotyped. Most of the transformed clones had modal chromosome numbers in the diploid range. Four of the 7 male nickel-transformed SA clones exhibited complete or partial deletions of Xq, while one male and one female nickel-transformed SA clone both had an X;5 translocation. In contrast, all of the MCA-transformed SA clones possessed at least one intact X-chromosome. Anchorage-dependent nickel-treated cultures all displayed normal X-chromosomes, suggesting that the Xq deletion was not merely associated with nickel treatment. Structural chromosome alterations were evident in all but one of the anchorage-independent SA clones. None of the anchorage-dependent nickel-treated cultures had rearrangements, although they were generally trisomic for a combination of chromosomes 3 or 3q, 5, and 8. Trisomy of chromosome 3 or 3q occurred in those clones which were tumorigenic in nude mice. Trisomy of chromosome 4 or 4p was a common change which occurred in four nickel-transformed SA clones and a single MCA-transformed SA clone.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Digoxin immunoassay with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies using time-resolved fluorometry.

We describe a nonisotopic heterogeneous competitive immunoassay of digoxin in serum using either Fab fragments of a polyclonal antibody or a high-affinity monoclonal antibody. In the assay, digoxin competes with immobilized digoxin (digoxin:thyroglobulin conjugate) for binding to a biotinylated immunoreactant (Fab or monoclonal). The amount of biotinylated moiety bound to the solid phase (white polystyrene microtiter wells), which is inversely related to the amount of digoxin in the sample, is then quantified by adding streptavidin labeled with the europium chelator 4,7-bis(chlorosulfophenyl)-1,10- phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid (BCPDA) in the presence of excess Eu3+. The fluorescent immunocomplex formed is measured directly on the dry solid phase by time-resolved fluorometry. The assay is simple to perform and its characteristics are similar to those of other currently used immunoassay techniques. The Fab fragments and the monoclonal antibody procedure performed equally well on the system. Our results suggest that monoclonal antibodies with high affinity for digoxin can be used for the routine determination of the drug in serum.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of cortisol in serum with a europium chelate as label.

A non-isotopic heterogeneous competitive immunoassay of serum cortisol is described. Cortisol present in the sample competes with immobilised cortisol (cortisol-thyroglobulin conjugate) for binding to a monoclonal anti-cortisol biotinylated antibody. The amount of antibody bound is measured on the dry solid-phase by time-resolved fluorometry after adding streptavidin labeled with the Eu3+ chelate 4,7-bis(chlorosulfophenyl)-1,10 phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid (BCPDA), in the presence of excess Eu3+. The assay is simple to perform, its characteristics are similar to those of radioimmunoassay techniques, and is suitable for routine clinical use.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

Structure-activity relationships among analogues of pemedolac, cis-1-ethyl-1,3,4,9-tetrahydro-4-(phenylmethyl)pyrano[3,4-b]indo le-1-a cetic acid, a potent analgesic agent.

The syntheses of analogues of pemedolac (cis-1-ethyl-1,3,4,9-tetrahydro-4-(phenylmethyl)pyrano[3,4-b]indol e-1-acetic acid), a potent analgesic, are described. They were tested for analgesic and antiinflammatory effects in vivo and for inhibition of prostaglandin production in vitro. Analysis of structure-activity relationships shows that analgesic activity in this series is associated with 1S-cis stereochemistry, the presence of a pi-system (allyl or benzyl) at position 4, and a log P value greater than 4.0.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of the localization of chromosome damage induced by calcium chromate and nickel compounds.

Chromosomal aberrations were studied in Chinese hamster ovary cells and in C3H10T1/2 cells following treatment with NiCl2, crystalline NiS, and CaCrO4. All three compounds caused an increase in chromosomal aberrations in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The chromosomal aberrations induced by NiCl2 and crystalline NiS occurred predominantly in heterochromatic regions of the chromosomes. Additionally, treatment of cells with crystalline NiS and to a smaller extent long-term treatment with NiCl2 caused a preferential effect on the condensation state of the heterochromatic long arm of the X-chromosome in hamster cells. In contrast, treatment of cells with CaCrO4 did not induce aberrations preferentially in heterochromatin. These results are interesting because nickel(II), which is thought to be the ultimate carcinogen of nickel compounds, binds poorly to DNA, is weakly mutagenic, but induces chromosome damage, probably because of its interaction with nuclear proteins in heterochromatin. Chromate binds to DNA, is mutagenic, and interacts with chromatin randomly.

Calcium Compounds↗
PubMed1987

Physicochemical characteristics and biological effects of nickel oxides.

Ten nickel oxides and nickel-copper oxides, which all contained NiO (bunsenite) as the predominant crystalline phase, were assayed as follows: in vitro dissolution tests in water and body fluids; in vitro phagocytosis tests in Chinese hamster ovary and C3H-10T1/2 cells; morphological transformation and cytotoxicity tests in cultured Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells; erythropoiesis stimulation assay by intrarenal administration to Fischer-344 rats; and scoring the renal histopathologic responses in rats killed 3 months post-injection. The test compounds differed substantially in their biological effects when tested in the various experimental systems. Based upon highly significant concordance of ranked results in the assays (P less than 0.001), six colligative biological attributes of the compounds were identified: (i) dissolution half-times in rat serum and renal cytosol; (ii) phagocytosis by C3H-10T1/2 cells; (iii) morphological transformation of SHE cells; (iv) erythropoiesis stimulation in rats; (v) induction of tubular hyperplasia in rat kidneys; and (vi) induction of arteriosclerosis in rat kidneys. Strong rank correlation (P less than 0.01) between results of the cell transformation and erythropoiesis stimulation assays is especially notable, since the compounds were tested by blind protocols in independent laboratories. The presence of high surface area and demonstrable Ni(III) were two physicochemical characteristics that were associated with the greatest biological effects of nickel oxides.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effect of magnesium on nickel-induced genotoxicity and cell transformation.

Raising the extracellular level of magnesium ions inhibited nickel-induced DNA strand breaks, DNA-protein crosslinks, sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations and cell transformation. Carcinogenic nickel ions preferentially damaged centromeres and other heterochromatic regions of Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosomes. Elevation of extracellular magnesium levels prevented the effects of nickel on heterochromatin and inhibited cell transformation, but did not substantially reduce the DNA damage induced by nickel in euchromatic regions. This study suggests that heterochromatic DNA damage may be important to the nickel-induced neoplastic transformation process.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Developmental changes in calmodulin-kinase II activity at brain synaptic junctions: alterations in holoenzyme composition.

Synaptic junctions (SJs) from rat forebrain were isolated at increasing postnatal ages and examined for endogenous protein kinase activities. Our studies focused on the postnatal maturation of the multifunctional protein kinase designated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase II). This kinase is comprised of a major 50-kilodalton (kDa) and a minor 60-kDa subunit. Experiments examined the developmental properties of CaM-kinase II associated with synaptic plasma membranes (SPMs) and synaptic junctions (SJs), as well as the holoenzyme purified from cytosolic extracts. Large developmental increases in CaM-kinase II activity of SJ fractions were observed between postnatal days 6 and 20; developmental changes were examined for a number of properties including (a) autophosphorylation, (b) endogenous substrate phosphorylation, (c) exogenous substrate phosphorylation, and (d) immunoreactivity. Results demonstrated that forebrain CaM-kinase II undergoes a striking age-dependent change in subunit composition. In early postnatal forebrain the 60-kDa subunit constitutes the major catalytic and immunoreactive subunit of the holoenzyme. The major peak of CaM-kinase II activity in SJ fractions occurred at approximately postnatal day 20, a time near the end of the most active period of in vivo synapse formation. Following this developmental age, CaM-kinase II continued to accumulate at SJs; however, its activity was not as highly activated by Ca2+ plus calmodulin.

Aging↗
PubMed1986

Antagonistic effect of magnesium chloride on the nickel chloride-induced inhibition of DNA replication in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The degree of inhibition of semiconservative DNA replication induced by nickel chloride (NiCl2) was analyzed by radiolabeled-thymidine incorporation alone or with cesium chloride (CsCl) density gradient centrifugation. The onset and duration of this Ni2+-induced inhibition was time- and concentration-dependent, but the degree of inhibition was not. A maximal reduction in the rate of DNA synthesis was observed within the first hour of treatment with 2.5 mM NiCl2, which was the highest noncytotoxic concentration utilized. After six hours, 500 microM and 1 mM as well as 2.5 mM NiCl2 all produced the same 50% to 60% reduction in [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA. The inhibitory effect of nickel ions on DNA synthesis was reversible. The rate of DNA synthesis following a 500 microM or 1 mM NiCl2 treatment began to increase after washout of nickel, but a six-hour exposure of cells to 2.5 mM NiCl2 produced a sustained 50% to 60% suppression of DNA synthetic activity for at least 36 hours. At all concentrations of NiCl2 used in this study, some inhibition of DNA synthesis persisted for at least 48 hours, but by 72 hours after treatment, the rate of [3H]-thymidine incorporation was actually 10% above the control. Examination of autoradiographic slides of cells treated with 2.5 mM NiCl2 for six hours demonstrated a 60% reduction of silver grains, but there was no preferential reduction in the quantity of grains in the nucleolus or any other region. Cesium chloride density gradient analysis of the replication of nucleolar DNA in cells treated with 2.5 mM nickel supported the autoradiographic findings. The inhibitory effect of NiCl2 on DNA replication was prevented by the addition of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) to cells maintained in a simple salts/glucose medium (SGM). This effect did not appear to be due to an antagonism of the cellular uptake of nickel by Mg2+, since the maximally effective dose of Mg2+ reduced 63Ni2+ uptake by no more than 25% while the inhibition of replication was completely reversed.

Animals↗