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Biomedical subjects

L Hammond

Publications and source records attributed to L Hammond.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

IL-10 expression in thyroid glands: protective or harmful role against thyroid autoimmunity?

IL-10 is a cytokine which not only suppresses cellular immunity but also stimulates the humoral response. In certain animal models of autoimmunity, IL-10 exerts a protective effect against autodestruction. This study was to ascertain whether there could be a role for IL-10 in human autoimmune thyroid disease. Total RNA was extracted from snap-frozen thyroid blocks from surgical specimens. Five 'normal', five multinodular, six Graves and two Hashimoto thyroids (one euthyroid and one hypothyroid) were studied. Approximately 7 microg of total RNA from each gland were reverse transcribed with oligo-dT primers. Pre-plateau semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with specific IL-10 primers. PCR products were run on a 1-5% agarose gel, blotted onto a N-hybond nylon membrane, hybridized with a specific internal probe labelled with gamma-32P-ATP and autoradiographed. Statistical analysis of densitometric values showed significantly higher IL-10 levels in the autoimmune than in the non-autoimmune glands. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed that the IL-10 message was located within the infiltrating lymphomononuclear cells. Histological analysis revealed that the autoimmune thyroids with the highest IL-10 levels were characterized by relevant degrees of B and T cell infiltration and also exhibited the greatest percentage of spontaneous HLA class II expression on thyrocytes. IL-10 and neutralizing anti-IL-10 antibodies were not able to regulate in vitro spontaneous or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)/phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced HLA class II on thyrocytes. We conclude that in active autoimmune thyroiditis, in addition to the well documented production of Th1 cytokines, Th2-related lymphokines can be detected simultaneously. It can be envisaged that in this condition the role of IL-10 might be directed to the stimulation of B cell proliferation and antibody production rather than to the suppression of proinflammatory cytokine release.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of the water-soluble dolastatin 15 analog LU103793 in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and pharmacokinetic profile of the dolastatin 15 analog LU103793 when administered daily for 5 days every 3 weeks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six courses of LU103793 at doses of 0.5 to 3.0 mg/m2 were administered to 26 patients with advanced solid malignancies. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed on days 1 and 5 of course one. Pharmacokinetic variables were related to the principal toxicities. RESULTS: Neutropenia, peripheral edema, and liver function test abnormalities were dose-limiting at doses greater than 2.5 mg/m2 per day. Four of six patients developed DLT at 3.0 mg/m2 per day, whereas two of 12 patients treated at 2.5 mg/m2 per day developed DLT. Pharmacokinetic parameters were independent of dose and similar on days 1 and 5. Volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss) was 7.6 +/- 2.0 L/m2, clearance 0.49 +/- 0.18 L/h/m2, and elimination half-life (t1/2) 12.3 +/- 3.8 hours. Peak concentrations (Cmax) on day 1 related to mean percentage decrement in neutrophils (sigmoid maximum effect (Emax) model). Patients who experienced dose-limiting neutropenia had significantly higher Cmax values than patients who did not, whereas nonhematologic DLTs were more related to dose. CONCLUSION: The recommended dose for phase II evaluations of LU103793 daily for 5 days every 3 weeks is 2.5 mg/m2 per day. The lack of prohibitive cardiovascular effects and the generally acceptable toxicity profile support the rationale for performing disease-directed evaluations of LU103793 on the schedule evaluated in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of paclitaxel in combination with biricodar, a novel agent that reverses multidrug resistance conferred by overexpression of both MDR1 and MRP.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of administering biricodar (VX-710; Incel, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, Cambridge, MA), an agent that modulates multidrug resistance (MDR) conferred by overexpression of both the multidrug resistance gene product (MDR1) P-glycoprotein and the MDR-associated protein (MRP) in vitro, in combination with paclitaxel. The study also sought to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel that could be administered with biologically relevant concentrations of VX-710 and characterize the toxicologic and pharmacologic profiles of the VX-710/ paclitaxel regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with solid malignancies were initially treated with VX-710 as a 24-hour infusion at doses that ranged from 10 to 120 mg/m2 per hour. After a 2-day washout period, patients were re-treated with VX-710 on an identical dose schedule followed 8 hours later by paclitaxel as a 3-hour infusion at doses that ranged from 20 to 80 mg/m2. The pharmacokinetics of both VX-710 and paclitaxel were studied during treatment with VX-710 alone and VX-710 and paclitaxel. Thereafter, patients received VX-710 and paclitaxel every 3 weeks. RESULTS: VX-710 alone produced minimal toxicity. The toxicologic profile of the VX-710/paclitaxel regimen was similar to that reported with paclitaxel alone; neutropenia that was noncumulative was the principal dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). The MTD levels of VX-710/ paclitaxel were 120 mg/m2 per hour and 60 mg/m2, respectively, in heavily pretreated patients and 120/60 to 80 mg/m2 per hour in less heavily pretreated patients. At these dose levels, VX-710 steady-state plasma concentrations (Css) ranged from 2.68 to 4.89 microg/mL, which exceeded optimal VX-710 concentrations required for MDR reversal in vitro. The pharmacokinetics of VX-710 were dose independent and not influenced by paclitaxel. In contrast, VX-710 reduced paclitaxel clearance. At the two highest dose levels, which consisted of VX-710 120 mg/m2 per hour and paclitaxel 60 and 80 mg/m2, pertinent pharacokinetic determinants of paclitaxel effect were similar to those achieved with paclitaxel as a 3-hour infusion at doses of 135 and 175 mg/m2, respectively. CONCLUSION: VX-710 alone is associated with minimal toxicity. In combination with paclitaxel, biologically relevant VX-710 plasma concentrations are achieved and sustained for 24 hours, which simulates optimal pharmacologic conditions required for MDR reversal in vitro. The acceptable toxicity profile of the VX-710/ paclitaxel combination and the demonstration that optimal pharmacologic conditions for MDR reversal are achievable support a rationale for further trials of VX710/paclitaxel in patients with malignancies that are associated with de novo or acquired resistance to paclitaxel caused by overexpression of MDR1 and/or MRP.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1998

Myotomal slow muscle function of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during steady swimming.

Strain and activity patterns were determined during slow steady swimming (tailbeat frequency 1.5-2.5 Hz) at three locations on the body in the slow myotomal muscle of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss using sonomicrometry and electromyography. Strain was independent of tailbeat frequency over the range studied and increased significantly from +/-3.3 % l0 at 0.35BL to +/-6 % at 0.65BL, where l0 is muscle resting length and BL is total body length. Muscle activation occurred significantly later in the strain cycle at 0.35BL (phase shift 59 degrees) than at 0.65BL (30 degrees), and the duration of activity was significantly longer (211 degrees at 0.35BL and 181 degrees at 0.65BL). These results differ from those of previous studies. The results have been used to simulate in vivo activity in isolated muscle preparations using the work loop technique. Preparations from all three locations generated net positive power under in vivo conditions, but the negative power component increased from head to tail. Both kinematically, and in the way its muscle functions to generate hydrodynamic thrust, the rainbow trout appears to be intermediate between anguilliform swimmers such as the eel, which generate thrust along their entire body length, and carangiform fish (e.g. saithe Pollachius virens), which generate thrust primarily at the tail blade.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Alternative dosing schedules for irinotecan.

Most of the clinical experience with irinotecan (CPT-11 [Camptosar]) has been with either a weekly or an every-3-week schedule. Recent phase I trials have explored new routes and schedules of administration. One approach attempts to maximize dose frequency and intensity by giving irinotecan every 2 weeks. A phase I trial of this approach is now complete and has led to a phase II trial in patients with recurrent colorectal cancer. Data suggest that smaller doses of a topoisomerase I inhibitor administered repeatedly may result in greater antitumor activity than large doses administered intermittently. A phase I trial has been performed in adults in which irinotecan was administered daily for 5 consecutive days, followed by 2 days off, for 2 weeks out of 3. Similar trials are under way in children. Oral administration, another strategy that has undergone phase I testing, has several theoretical advantages:(1) The acidic pH of the stomach favors maintenance of irinotecan in the active lactone ring form. (2) Irinotecan is more rapidly and extensively converted to SN-38 by tissue carboxylesterases found in high concentrations in the gut and liver. (3) Low doses can be delivered over a protracted period. (4) The oral route enhances patient convenience. These alternative dosing schedules may facilitate integration of irinotecan into combination chemotherapy and combined-modality treatment regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prevention of rhinovirus infection in chimpanzees by soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is the cell surface receptor for the major class of human rhinoviruses, and tICAM453, a truncated, soluble form of ICAM-1, has been shown previously to be a potent in vitro inhibitor of rhinovirus. In this report, we have investigated the in vivo efficacy of tICAM453 for the prophylaxis of rhinovirus serotype 16 infection in the chimpanzee. Because chimpanzees do not show clinical symptoms of infection after rhinovirus challenge, infection was followed by measuring antirhinovirus serum antibody responses and detection of virus shedding. By both of these measures, intranasal application of tICAM453 was efficacious in preventing rhinovirus infection in chimpanzees subsequently challenged with infectious doses of virus. These results suggest that the use of soluble rhinovirus receptor to inhibit virus binding to host cells should be feasible in humans.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1994

Genomic organization and chromosomal localization of a novel human hepatic dihydrodiol dehydrogenase with high affinity bile acid binding.

We previously characterized and cloned a unique human hepatic dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DDH) that exhibits high affinity binding for bile acids (Stolz, A., Hammond, L., Lou, H., Takikawa, H., Ronk, M., and Shively, J. E. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 10448-10457). This hepatic dihydrodiol dehydrogenase demonstrates significant sequence homology with the cytosolic rat bile acid binder 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and other members of the monomeric oxidoreductase gene family. We now report the genomic organization and chromosomal localization of the human hepatic DDH in order to further define its physiological role and provide additional insight into the development of this gene family. The 15-kilobase human hepatic DDH gene was contained in an overlapping cosmid and lambda genomic clones and is composed of nine exons. A major transcriptional start site was determined to be 30 base pairs upstream from the ATG initiation methionine by both primer extension and S1 nuclease mapping studies. The human hepatic DDH gene was mapped by chromosomal in situ hybridization and analysis of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids to the tip of the short arm of chromosome 10 at p14. Strict conservation of the intron-exon junctions in the human hepatic DDH and two other members of the monomeric oxidoreductase gene family, aldose reductase and mouse major vas deferens protein suggests evolution from a common ancestral gene. Human hepatic DDH mRNA was identified in both human hepatoma Hep G2 and human lung carcinoma cell line NCI-H322 by RN'ase protection; thus, these cell lines will be useful in examining the regulation of the gene.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1993

Mosaic tetrasomy 8p.

We report on a patient with mosaic tetrasomy 8p [46,XX/47,XX+i(8p)]. The patient has 2 fused vertebrae, abnormal ribs, congenital heart defects, agenesis of corpus callosum, hypotonia, and delayed development. The patient's developmental delays are most marked in receptive and expressive language skills, with more moderate delays on cognitive, sensorimotor, and motor skill testing. These findings are similar to those of the 3 previously reported patients with mosaic i(8p).

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1993

cDNA cloning and expression of the human hepatic bile acid-binding protein. A member of the monomeric reductase gene family.

In human liver, we previously identified one isoform of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase activity that expresses high affinity bile acid binding (HBAB) with minimal 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD) activity for bile acids. This protein may assist in the rapid intracellular transport of bile acids from the sinusoidal to the canalicular pole of the cell. We now report the cDNA cloning and bacterial expression of this novel, multifunctional protein. A 1252-base pair HBAB cDNA was cloned from a HepG2 lambda GT11 library using a rat hepatic bile acid binder cDNA probe. Bacterial expressed recombinant HBAB oxidized racemic trans dihydrodiol benzene (0.455 mumol NADPH/mg/min) with minimal 3 alpha-HSD activity for bile acids (< 0.003 mumol NADPH/mg/min). Lithocholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid dissociation constants as determined by displacement of the fluorescent probe, bis-1-anilino-8 sulfonate, were higher than those previously reported for the native protein (1 microM versus 10 nM). Significant amino acid sequence homology was found with the human chlordecone reductase, bovine prostaglandin F synthetase, and rat hepatic-3 alpha-HSD suggesting, that HBAB is also a member of the recently identified, monomeric oxidoreductase gene family. Future studies will define the physiologic significance of this novel, multifunctional protein in bile acid transport and xenobiotic metabolism.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1992

The changing face of rural Catholic hospitals.

Socioeconomic trends and developments within the U.S. healthcare system have challenged rural hospitals' ability to maintain adequate operating margins and offer needed services. However, some hospitals have fared better in this negative environment than have others. To clarify factors that distinguish the most viable rural Catholic hospitals from the least viable, our study identified a group of 30 "consistently sound" hospitals and 30 "adversely affected" hospitals based on profit margins and six other financial measures. As a group, rural hospitals suffered from declining inpatient utilization, increasing levels of indigency, and adverse reimbursement. However, the consistently sound hospitals' margins increased to 11 percent form 1985 to 1989, whereas margins at adversely affected hospitals fell nearly 8 percentage points during the same period. Adversely affected hospitals were less likely to belong to a system and had significantly fewer average staffed beds than did the consistently sound facilities. Their communities had significantly lower per capita income, and they devoted a greater percentage of their resources to care for the poor. Adversely affected hospitals also reduced the scope of available services more drastically than did consistently sound hospitals during the period under study.

Catholicism↗
PubMed1991

Negative regulation of Scl-70/topoisomerase I by zinc and an endogenous macromolecule.

Scl-70/topoisomerase I (topo I), a target of autoantibodies in the human disorder scleroderma, may be linked to collagen overproduction. We report that physiologic concentrations of zinc (greater than or equal to 80 microM) potently inactivate human and rat topo I in the presence of a 125-fold molar excess of MgCl2. We also describe a highly acidic nuclear molecule which competitively inhibits topo I. 89kD complexes of topo I and inhibitor can be separated from active 70kD monomers by glycerol density gradient centrifugation. The complexes have a 20-fold higher Km for DNA than monomers. Dissociation by dilution results in a 50-fold increase in rat liver and a 47-fold increase in human fibroblast specific activity. Zinc inhibition is non-competitive, and independent of the endogenous inhibitor. Our studies suggest that the majority of topo I is normally maintained in an inactive state by physiologic inhibitors, and loss of negative regulation may have pathogenetic consequences.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Financial trends for urban Catholic hospitals.

To identify some of the reasons for the declining financial health of hospitals in large urban areas, staff from the Catholic Health Association's Department of Research and Information gathered data on such factors as average total profit margins, Medicare PPS margins, payer mix, and deductions from revenue between 1982 and 1989. In addition, the study tracked such indicators as occupancy, admissions, average payment period, and days in accounts receivable. Location and local community context were also studied. Based on the data, the study classified 28 of the 125 Catholic hospitals in large urban areas as "consistently sound," another 27 as "adversely affected," and 14 as "losing ground." The study compared these groups to one another, as well as to a group of nine Catholic hospitals from large urban areas that had closed by 1988. The study revealed that, despite differences in financial performance, consistently sound and adversely affected hospitals exhibited a number of similarities. Over the period covered, for example, the two groups had similar occupancy and received similar percentages of gross patient revenue from Medicare patients, third-party payers, and self-paying patients. Adversely affected hospitals contributed a significantly greater proportion of their resources to care for the poor. Consistently sound hospitals, on the other hand, had significantly fewer families below the poverty line, lower unemployment, and fewer nonwhite residents in their local communities.

Bed Occupancy↗