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Biomedical subjects

K Persson

Publications and source records attributed to K Persson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Associations of motor co-ordination and attention with motor-perceptual development in 3-year-old preterm and full-term children who needed neonatal intensive care.

BACKGROUND: Children who have needed neonatal intensive care (NIC) are considered to be at risk for deficits such as developmental co-ordination disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. By assessing motor-perceptual development, motor co-ordination and attention already at 3 years of age, it might be possible to identify such deficits earlier than they are today. AIM: To investigate the motor-perceptual development in a group of 202 NIC children but had no major impairments, to describe associations of deficits in co-ordination and attention with motor-perceptual delays, and to estimate the prevalence of NIC children with combined deficits together with a motor-perceptual delay. METHOD: Co-ordination and attention in children born very preterm (n = 57), moderately preterm (n = 75) and full-term (n = 70) were observed according to a model for Combined Assessment of Motor Performance and Behaviour while they were assessed using a developmental scale, Motor-Perceptual Development, 0-7 years, MPU. RESULTS: In two out of 14 MPU areas, a larger proportion of very preterm than of moderately preterm and full-term children had marked developmental delay. Overall, the proportion of NIC children having a motor-perceptual delay increased with increasing incoordination and especially increasing lack of attention. Twenty-one (11%) of the NIC children had different motor-perceptual delays combined with pronounced incoordination and pronounced lack of attention. CONCLUSION: Deficits in co-ordination and attention were associated with motor-perceptual delays in areas important for daily living and development of academic skills. Therefore, to find children at risk for developmental co-ordination disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, assessments of co-ordination and attention should be added to assessments of motor-perceptual development in 3-year-old NIC children.

Attention↗
PubMed2004

Quality of motor performance in preterm and full-term 3-year-old children.

BACKGROUND: A combined assessment of motor performance and behaviour (CAMPB) was introduced previously for use in a longitudinal study of children who needed neonatal intensive care (NIC) and were born very preterm (n = 68), moderately preterm (n = 81) and full-term (n = 77) and in a reference group of neonatally healthy full-term children (n = 72). Aim To follow up the quality of motor performance at 3 years of age in the above groups of children. METHOD: A detailed assessment of motor performance and an assessment of co-ordination were performed according to the CAMPB protocol. The results were compared between the different groups of children, and the relation between the two ways of assessing quality of motor performance was examined. RESULTS: The detailed assessment showed that the very preterm children had a significantly higher total score of deviations than any of the other gestational age groups of children. Also, some types of deviations were much more frequently observed in the very preterm children than in the other three groups. Some types of deviations were more often seen in children with pronounced incoordination than in children with no incoordination. The results from the two ways of assessing motor performance were strongly correlated. CONCLUSION: At 3 years of age, NIC children born very preterm have a lower quality of motor performance than NIC children born at a higher gestational age and healthy children born at term. The two ways of assessing quality of motor performance proved useful in identifying children with deviations indicating minor motor impairments.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2003

The effects of tropospheric ozone and elevated carbon dioxide on potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje) growth and yield.

An open-top chamber experiment with field grown potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje) was performed in the south-west of Sweden in 1998. The experiment was aimed to investigate individual and interactive impacts of elevated ozone (O(3)) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) on potato growth and yield. Treatments were ambient and elevated CO(2) with or without the addition of 20 nmol mol(-1) O(3). In addition, plants were grown in ambient air plots. Plants grown in elevated CO(2) and O(3) had a reduced tuber yield, compared to control, by 2% and 8%, respectively. These effects were, however, not statistically significant. Elevated CO(2) caused a significantly larger number of tubers of lower average size, while elevated O(3) induced significantly lower tuber dry matter content. The number of tuber initials (tubers <15 mm) found at harvest was significantly lower in elevated O(3). Visible O(3) leaf injury appeared earlier and the number of yellow leaves 89 days after emergence was significantly larger in elevated O(3). In elevated CO(2), haulm dry weight was significantly (15%) lower at harvest and the haulm/tuber ratio was significantly reduced. There were significant interactive effects of O(3) and CO(2) on the final number of leaves and on stem height. Plants in elevated CO(2) reached final stem height earlier than in the other treatments. In summary, it was concluded: (a) that anticipated future O(3) levels are likely to have a negative impact on potato growth, although tuber yield effects may be hard to demonstrate experimentally in this plant due to large variation; (b) that whether any possible beneficial effect of elevated CO(2) on the magnitude of tuber yield will be expressed, depend on the climatic conditions prevailing; and (c) that potato growth responses to CO(2) and O(3) are not simply additive.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed2002

Expression of nitric oxide synthase in bladder smooth muscle cells: regulation by cytokines and L-arginine.

PURPOSE: The expression and regulation of the different isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in bladder smooth muscle cells are controversial and to our knowledge have not yet been studied systematically. Therefore, the expression and regulation of NOS were studied in rat bladder smooth muscle cells after stimulation with cytokines, lipopolysaccharide and L-arginine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cell cultures were prepared from rat bladders. The expression of NOS mRNA was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and inducible NOS (iNOS) protein expression was studied by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Nitrite accumulation in the culture medium was determined by the Griess assay. The expression of iNOS was also studied immunohistochemically in whole bladder strips stimulated by cytokines. RESULTS: NOS mRNA expression was not detected in unstimulated cells. Stimulating bladder smooth muscle cells with a cytokine mixture of interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta induced iNOS mRNA and protein expression. The combination of interleukin-1beta plus tumor necrosis factor-alpha appeared to be crucial for iNOS induction in bladder smooth muscle cells. Exposing bladder smooth muscle cells to lipopolysaccharide did not induce iNOS. Adding L-arginine increased nitrite accumulation in cytokine mixture stimulated bladder smooth muscle cells, while iNOS positive cells were detected in the smooth muscle layer of cytokine mixture stimulated bladder strips. CONCLUSIONS: NOS was not detected in unstimulated bladder smooth muscle cells. However, bladder smooth muscle has the potential to express iNOS when exposed to cytokines known to be produced during urinary tract infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The neuropeptide PACAP contributes to the glucagon response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in mice.

The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide in the autonomic nerves innervating the pancreatic islets and previous studies have shown that it stimulates insulin and glucagon secretion. It is known that autonomic nerve activation contributes to the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia. In the present study, we evaluated whether PACAP is involved in this glucagon response by examining the glucagon response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in mice genetically deleted of the specific PACAP receptor, the PAC1 receptor. We found that insulin (1 U kg-1 ip) reduced circulating glucose to a hypoglycaemic level of approximately 2.5 mmol L-1 in PAC1R-/- mice and their wild-type counterparts with no difference between the groups. However, the glucagon response to this hypoglycaemia was markedly impaired in the PAC1R-/- mice. Thus, after 120 min, plasma glucagon was 437 +/- 79 ng L-1 in wild-type mice vs. only 140 +/- 36 ng L-1 in PAC1R-/- mice (P=0.004). In contrast, the glucagon response to intravenously administered arginine (0.25 g kg-1) was the same in the two groups of mice. We conclude that PACAP through activation of PAC1 receptors contribute to the glucagon response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Therefore, the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia is dependent not only on the classical neurotransmitters but also on the neuropeptide PACAP.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Motor performance and behaviour in preterm and full-term 3-year-old children.

AIM: To compare the motor performance and behaviour at 3 years of age of very preterm, moderately preterm and full-term children (n = 221), who needed neonatal intensive care (NIC), and of 72 neonatally healthy full-term children (reference group). METHOD: A model for combined assessment of motor performance and behaviour (CAMPB) was used. The children's performance was assessed on the basis of observations and documentation of categories of co-ordination, attention and social behaviour included in CAMPB. RESULTS: Significantly more very preterm children showed deviations in co-ordination than children in the other groups, and this difference was most evident in comparison with the reference group. No differences were found between the groups regarding attention and social behaviour during the assessment. CONCLUSION: Very preterm children differ from moderately preterm and full-term children in their motor performance at 3 years of age. By means of CAMPB, individual children with pronounced incoordination were identified in all groups, and some of them also showed pronounced lack of attention.

Attention↗
PubMed2002

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is detectable in human carotid artery plaques and is related to triglyceride levels and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA antibodies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (Il-1ra) and interleukin-1beta (Il-1beta) can be detected in human carotid artery tissue, and whether their presence is related to evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, risk factors for atherosclerosis, and clinical data. SETTING: Departments of Vascular Diseases and Surgical Pathophysiology, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. SUBJECTS: A total of 66 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (median age 74, range 53-89 years, 26 women). Il-1beta and Il-1ra were studied in carotid artery plaques and in Il-1ra in serum. RESULTS: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was detected in mononuclear cells in plaques from 37/66 (56%) patients. Patients with Il-1ra in plaques showed higher [2.04 (1.70-3.14) mmol x L(-1) vs. 1.69 (1.09-1.99) mmol x L(-1); P < 0.05] serum(s-)triglyceride(tg) levels, and a higher frequency of IgA seropositivity for C. pneumoniae (76% vs. 52%; P < 0.05) than those without. S-Il-1ra levels correlated with s-tg levels (r=0.38; P=0.047). There were no differences between patients with and without Il-1ra in plaques concerning s-Il-1ra, blood(b-)haemoglobin or leucocyte count, s-cholesterol, b-glucose, blood pressure, IgG seropositivity for C. pneumoniae, prevalence of neurological symptoms preceding operation, smoking, or diabetes mellitus. There were no differences in frequency of Il-1ra in plaques or in s-Il-1ra levels between patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic stenosis, between smokers and nonsmokers, or between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Il-1beta was not detected in plaques in the current study. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist can be detected in human atherosclerotic carotid artery plaques, and is related to s-triglyceride levels and IgA seropositivity for C. pneumoniae, but not to prevalence of neurological symptoms related to embolization.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Preschool children with developmental coordination disorder: a short-term follow-up of motor status at seven to eight years of age.

UNLABELLED: At a population-based screening of 5-6-y-old children, 37 children were identified as having definite or borderline motor difficulties consistent with developmental coordination disorder. When 7-8 y old they were re-examined to determine their current motor status and to compare it with that at the age of 5-6 y. The motor status was investigated from three perspectives: by a motor test, by the use of a self-perceived motor competence scale, and from the parents' descriptions. On a group level the children had not changed their motor status when 7-8 y old, according to the total scores in the Movement ABC motor test and the Perceived Motor Competence scale. On an individual level most children with definite motor difficulties remained in their category regarding motor difficulties at the follow-up, while most children with borderline motor difficulties did not. The parents' descriptions indicated an association between willingness to engage in physical activities and degree of motor difficulties. CONCLUSION: Over a period of 1.5 y most children with definite motor difficulties continued to have such difficulties. The parents' descriptions of their children's motor status and development were in agreement with the children's motor status as measured by a motor test, but were not in total accordance with the children's self-perceived competence.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection among women undergoing legal or illegal abortion in Maputo.

Our objectives were to compare the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in 103 women undergoing induced legal abortion (LA) and in 101 women with confirmed, recent illegal abortion (IA), in Maputo, Mozambique. For the purpose of this study, LA was considered the abortion provided in the Maputo Central Hospital with the approval of the Ministry of Health, and IA the one not provided through the approved facility, mentioned above. Women with IA were recruited in the outpatient gynaecology ward and women with LA in the emergency gynaecology ward in the Maputo Central Hospital, during the same time period. Serological tests for syphilis (rapid plasma reagin, ELISA-IgG and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption), gonorrhoea (indirect haemagglutination) and chlamydia (microimmunofluorescence) were carried out. Direct immunofluorescence for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigen was done on endocervical smears from all the women. The prevalence of syphilis seropositivity in IA women is twice that of LA women (odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-9.95), with 10.9% and 4.9%, respectively. Exposure to gonorrhoea in these 2 groups is similar (OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.63-2.20), with seroprevalence of 31.1% in the LA and 34.7% in the IA group. The high titres are also similar in both groups. Serology findings for C. trachomatis indicate prevalence of seropositivity of 40.6% in the LA and 44.4% in the IA group with no significant difference (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.64-2.13). In conclusion, STIs are highly prevalent in both IA and LA groups in Maputo. Urgent interventions are needed to reduce their prevalence and consequently their adverse consequences.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2002

Clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis in an elderly population are related to plasma neopterin, NGAL and endothelin-1, but not to Chlamydia pneumoniae serology.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory mediators secreted by leukocytes are implicated in atherogenesis. Chlamydia (C.) pneumoniae infection has been suggested as a trigger of this process. We investigated relationships between C. Pneumoniae serology, inflammatory mediators and symptomatic cardiovascular disease in old age. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study at baseline with a prospective 4 year follow-up, intraplatelet cyclic 3'-5'adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic 3'-5'guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), plasma neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR-1) plasma neopterin and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) were analysed together with IgG and IgA antibodies for C. Pneumoniae in an elderly reference population (n=140, median age 71 years, 71 females). Twenty-one subjects had clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease at baseline and another 21 were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease during follow-up. RESULTS: In age adjusted logistic regression, subjects with cardiovascular disease showed higher plasma levels of neopterin (p=0.02), NGAL (p=0.04), and ET-1 (p<0.01). If subjects with cardiovascular disease at baseline were excluded from the analysis, higher plasma neopterin (p=0.01) and lower serum HDL cholesterol (p=0.03) predicted cardiovascular disease during follow-up. The presence of IgG or IgA against C. pneumoniae was not associated with cardiovascular disease. Neither were there any associations between inflammatory or endothelial parameters and C. pneumoniae serology. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory mediators neopterin and NGAL and endothelial derived vasoconstrictive ET-1 were increased in elderly subjects with symptomatic cardiovascular disease. Increased plasma neopterin predicted cardiovascular disease during follow-up. No relationships were found between C. Pneumoniae serology and cardiovascular disease.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Crystal structure of the retaining galactosyltransferase LgtC from Neisseria meningitidis in complex with donor and acceptor sugar analogs.

Many bacterial pathogens express lipooligosaccharides that mimic human cell surface glycoconjugates, enabling them to attach to host receptors and to evade the immune response. In Neisseria meningitidis, the galactosyltransferase LgtC catalyzes a key step in the biosynthesis of lipooligosaccharide structure by transferring alpha-d-galactose from UDP-galactose to a terminal lactose. The product retains the configuration of the donor sugar glycosidic bond; LgtC is thus a retaining glycosyltranferase. We report the 2 A crystal structures of the complex of LgtC with manganese and UDP 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-galactose (a donor sugar analog) in the presence and absence of the acceptor sugar analog 4'-deoxylactose. The structures, together with results from site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic analysis, give valuable insights into the unique catalytic mechanism and, as the first structure of a glycosyltransferase in complex with both the donor and acceptor sugars, provide a starting point for inhibitor design.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Effects of diabetes on neurotransmission in rat vaginal smooth muscle.

The aim of this work was to characterize the effect of experimental diabetes on neurotransmission in rat vagina. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: non-diabetic controls (NDM, n=38) and diabetics (DM, n=38). DM was produced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Eight weeks later the animals were killed, the distal part of the vagina was removed, and smooth muscle strips were prepared for functional organ bath experiments and for measurement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. In DM preparations, the EC(50) value for noradrenaline (NA) was significantly increased (P<0.05) and the maximal contractile response decreased (P=0.001). In preparations precontracted with NA, the NO donor SNAP and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) caused concentration-dependent relaxations, which were significantly decreased (P<0.001) in the DM group. Electrical stimulation of nerves (EFS) caused frequency-dependent contractions, which were significantly lower in DM than in NDM strips (P<0.001). SNAP and CGRP concentration-dependently inhibited EFS evoked contractions in both NDM and DM preparations. The inhibition was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the DM group. In NDM preparations precontracted with NA, EFS evoked frequency-dependent relaxations; such relaxations were inhibited or reduced in DM. Treatment with the NOS inhibitor, L-NOARG 0.1 mM, abolished relaxations in all preparations or produced contraction in DM preparations. Calcium-dependent NOS activity was not significantly different in the DM and NDM groups. However, the DM animals showed a small but significant increase in calcium-independent NOS-activity (P<0.05). Diabetes interferes with adrenergic-, cholinergic- and NANC-neurotransmitter mechanisms in the smooth muscle of the rat vagina. The changes in the nitrergic neurotransmission are not due to reduction in NOS-activity, but seem to be due to interference with later steps in the L-arginine/NO/guanylate cyclase/cGMP system.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The effectiveness of routine health examinations at 2, 6, 9 and 12 months of age: experiences based on data from a Swedish county.

AIM: The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of health surveillance for infants during the first year of life in detecting severe health problems. Two central questions were addressed: (1) what health problems were detected by routine health examinations at the Child Health Centre at the 2-, 6- and 12-month check-ups by a physician and at the 9-month check-up by a nurse; and (2) to what extent did the health examinations contribute to early identification of children with following key abnormalities: congenital heart disease, congenital dislocation of the hip, abnormalities as registered at the habilitation centre and severe hearing impairments? MATERIAL AND INCLUSION CRITERIA: The study population included all children in Uppsala county, born January 1995 to October 1996, who had participated in at least one of the four health check-ups. There were 3107-3487 children in the respective check-ups. METHOD: Data from a county health register as well as child health records and information regarding referrals were analysed to categorize the health problems by type, severity and action taken. Data on children with key abnormalities were obtained from specialist units. RESULTS: The rate of suspected new health problems varied between 1.9% and 2.8% at the respective check-ups. Of the new problems detected by the physician, 21%-36% were false-positive, 34%-44% were minor and 10%-15% were moderate. Only two severe health problems were detected among all the children during the four check-ups. Of all key abnormalities, 20% were detected by way of child health surveillance during the first year of life. IMPLICATIONS: Severe health problems and key abnormalities in infants were detected only to a limited extent through routine health examinations at 2, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. The minor and moderate problems detected justify a health surveillance programme, but the organization and content of the programme could be reconsidered.

Child Health Services↗
PubMed2001

Perioperative hypothermia and postoperative opioid requirements.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hypothermia may alter the disposition of opioids. Because opioids are commonly used as analgesics in the postoperative period, it is of clinical interest to clarify whether perioperatively developed hypothermia affects postoperative opioid requirements. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients undergoing subtotal hysterectomy were prospectively randomized and either treated intraoperatively with forced air warming, or served as controls covered with conventional blankets without active warming. Both groups received postoperative patient-controlled analgesia with the opioid ketobemidone. Total analgesic requirements, demands, analgesic requirements over 6-h intervals and pain scores were measured for 48 h. Core temperature at the tympanic membrane and ambient room temperature were measured during the perioperative period. RESULTS: There were no postoperative differences in analgesic requirements or pain intensity between normothermic and hypothermic patients. Patients treated with warm air had an up to 1 degree C higher core temperature from 0.5 h after anaesthesia induction until almost 2 h postoperatively. The actively warmed patients also had a lower intraoperative blood loss than the hypothermic patients (186 +/- 27 mL vs. 308 +/- 47 mL; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In a clinical setting, opioid requirements do not seem to be affected by mild postoperative hypothermia after lower abdominal surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Escherichia coli-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase expression in the mouse bladder and kidney.

BACKGROUND: The host response to urinary tract infection includes the production of different inflammatory mediators. We investigated the cellular localization and time course of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) expression in the mouse bladder and kidney after bacterial infection. METHODS: Experimental urinary tract infection in mice was established by intravesical inoculation of a clinical uropathogen Escherichia coli (E. coli) AD 110. Urine was collected at 6-, 12-, 24-, and 72-hours postinstillation, and the nitrite concentration was determined. The induction of iNOS and COX-2 was studied by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Nitrite levels in the urine had increased threefold at 6 and 12 hours postbacterial instillation. Bladders from mice instilled with AD 110, but not with phosphate-buffered saline, showed a large number of iNOS-- and COX-2--expressing inflammatory cells. The inflammatory cell activation peaked at 6 and 12 hours postinstillation and had vanished by 72 hours. iNOS expression was detected in some urothelial cells after 24 and 72 hours, but COX-2 expression was not detected. In the kidney, infection activated an iNOS and COX-2 response, as shown by immunoreactivity in inflammatory cells at all time points. A strong epithelial iNOS response was observed in the renal pelvis at 12, 24, and 72 hours postinstillation, but COX-2 was not detected. Enhanced tissue expression of iNOS and COX-2 after bacterial instillation was also demonstrated by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: E. coli AD 110 induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 in the urinary tract. Inflammatory cells expressed both iNOS-and COX-2, but epithelial cells expressed only iNOS and with a later onset than in the inflammatory cells. This suggests that the epithelial iNOS response is not caused by direct bacterial activation, but more likely is by mediators involved in the inflammatory response.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Activation of the transcription factors nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1 in bladder smooth muscle exposed to outlet obstruction and mechanical stretching.

PURPOSE: Transcriptional control of bladder genes in response to outlet obstruction, growth factors and mechanical force is poorly understood. We analyzed the effects of bladder obstruction, mechanical stretching and platelet derived growth factor on the activation of the major growth controlling transcription factors nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Complete outlet obstruction was created in female rats by proximal urethral ligation and bladders were harvested 3, 6 and 24 hours later, respectively. Bladder cells were grown in culture and stimulated with 10 ng./ml. platelet derived growth factor or 10 cycles per minute of mechanical stretching for 0.5 to 4 hours. Nuclear proteins were high salt extracted and incubated with 32phosphorus double strand oligonucleotides containing a consensus binding sequence for activator protein-1 or nuclear factor-kappaB. The resulting DNA protein complexes were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Nuclear extract isolated from obstructed bladders showed intense activator protein-1 binding activity 3, 6 and 24 hours after obstruction as well as increased nuclear factor-kappaB binding activity after 6 and 24 hours. Binding activity was absent or minimal in sham operated rats. Cultured cells exposed to mechanical stretching for 2 and 4 hours showed increased activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB DNA binding compared with unstretched cells. Likewise stimulation with platelet derived growth factor caused a consistent increase in activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB binding activity. The binding of nuclear proteins was abolished by a 40-fold excess of an unlabeled specific oligonucleotide but not by excess irrelevant oligonucleotide. Thus, the assays were specific for the factors involved. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder obstruction and mechanical stretching cause the formation of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB DNA complexes, consistent with a role of these transcription factors in the control of hypertrophy associated gene activation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray study of pig liver dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase catalyzes the first and rate-limiting reaction in pyrimidine catabolism. The enzyme contains one FMN, one FAD and four Fe-S clusters per subunit of 1025 amino acids as prosthetic groups. It is also the major determinant of bioavailability and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil, a chemotherapeutic agent widely used in the treatment of solid tumors. Crystals of this enzyme diffracting to at least 2.5 A have been obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and belong to space group P2(1) (unit-cell parameters a = 82.0, b = 159.3, c = 163.6 A, beta = 96.1 degrees ), with two homodimers per asymmetric unit.

Animals↗