PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Greer

Publications and source records attributed to P Greer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Reduced cerebral blood flow response and compensation among patients with untreated hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether memory performance in hypertensive subjects induces diminished parietal and prefrontal blood flow activation relative to normotensive subjects but compensatory amygdala/hippocampal activation. METHODS: Thirty-seven untreated hypertensive subjects and 59 normotensive control subjects performed in two memory and one sensorimotor task while global and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was assessed with [15O]water and PET. Neuropsychological, carotid artery ultrasound, and MRI assessments were obtained. RESULTS: When they were engaged in memory tasks, increases of CBF in hypertensive subjects were less than in normotensive subjects in the posterior parietal area, as expected; blunted responses were also shown within the middle posterior arterial watershed and thalamus. Relative to all other participants, hypertensive subjects that performed relatively well on verbal memory showed an enhanced rCBF response in the right amygdala/hippocampus. Furthermore, hypertensive, but not normotensive, subjects showed task-induced rCBF in the amygdala/hippocampal area that was significantly correlated with task-induced prefrontal rCBF. No confounding influences were identified from carotid artery or MRI measures. CONCLUSIONS: Memory performance in hypertensive individuals is related to a blunted regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) response, particularly in parietal cortex. Potentially compensatory rCBF responses appear to occur in midbrain and correlate with prefrontal rCBF.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

Scope of the OSCE.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2000

Regional cerebral blood flow after recovery from bulimia nervosa.

When ill, women with bulimia nervosa (BN) show alterations of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). In this study we investigated rCBF in nine women in long-term recovery from BN (RBN, n=9), i.e. more than 1 year without bingeing/purging behavior, normal weight, stable food intake, and regular menses, and compared them with age-matched healthy control women (CW, n=13). Positron emission tomography (PET) was used for the assessment of rCBF. There were no significant differences in rCBF between groups. However, rCBF was significantly inversely related to length of recovery in RBN for the left and right prefrontal cortex (BA 10), right medial orbital frontal cortex (BA 11), left subgenual cingulate (BA 25), right anterior cingulate (BA 32), left sensory motor cortex (BA 1,2,3,4), left and right lateral temporal (BA 21), and left occipital cortex (BA 17), as well as left thalamus. This finding suggests that previously reported alterations in rCBF during the ill state of BN may be a state-related phenomenon that remits with recovery. It is also possible that reductions in rCBF occur in a later stage of recovery from BN.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Antimicrobial resistance profiling and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in human, poultry and porcine samples from the Cork region of Ireland.

Antimicrobial resistance (R) typing and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of a random collection of 84 Irish thermophilic Campylobacter isolates is described. The collection included human, veterinary (porcine) and poultry isolates cultured between 1996 and 1998 in the Cork region of Ireland. Biochemical and molecular methods were used to identify Campylobacter jejuni and Camp. coli. Many of these isolates were simultaneously resistant to several common antimicrobial agents. In particular, resistance to ampicillin, spectinomycin, sulphafurazole and tetracycline was common. A total of 74 DAF profiles was identified among the study collection, showing a high degree of diversity. Dendrogram analysis of the DNA patterns identified three main clusters at the 50% similarity level, which included two clusters of Camp. coli and a third containing a mixture of Camp. jejuni and Camp. coli.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1999

Disruption of coiled-coil domains in Fer protein-tyrosine kinase abolishes trimerization but not kinase activation.

The protein-tyrosine kinase Fer and the highly homologous proto-oncoprotein Fps/Fes are implicated in signaling from a variety of growth factor and cytokine receptors. Here we examine the molecular basis of Fer kinase activation with an emphasis on the role of oligomerization. We show that Fer forms trimers in vivo and that disruption of either the first or second coiled-coil domain abolishes oligomerization, suggesting a cooperative interaction between these two domains. Although Fps/Fes also forms homotypic oligomers, probably via homologous coiled-coil domains, no heterotypic interactions were observed between Fer and Fps/Fes. Incorporation of catalytically inactive Fer peptides into the oligomeric complex caused only mild reduction of wild type Fer kinase activity, suggesting that kinase-inactive Fer would not behave as a potent dominant negative. Although oligomerization of Fer can potentiate autophosphorylation in trans at three major phosphorylation sites, these residues can likely also be phosphorylated in cis. In contrast, the testis-specific FerT isomer does not oligomerize and is able to autophosphorylate in cis at two of the same three residues autophosphorylated in Fer. These results suggest that although oligomerization potentiates autophosphorylation in trans, this is apparently not necessary for Fer activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mutation of a highly conserved aspartate residue in subdomain IX abolishes Fer protein-tyrosine kinase activity.

Before the structure of cAMP-dependent protein kinase had been solved, sequence alignments had already suggested that several highly conserved peptide motifs described as kinase subdomains I through XI might play some functional role in catalysis. Crystal structures of several members of the protein kinase superfamily have suggested that the nearly invariant aspartate residue within subdomain IX contributes to the conformational stability of the catalytic loop by forming hydrogen bonds with backbone amides within subdomain VI. However, substitution of this aspartate with alanine or threonine in some protein kinases have indicated that these interactions are not essential for activity. In contrast, we show here that conversion of this aspartate to arginine abolished the catalytic activity of the Fer protein-tyrosine kinase when expressed either in mammalian cells or in bacteria. Structural modeling predicted that the catalytic loop of the FerD743R mutant was disrupted by van der Waal's repulsion between the side chains of the substituted arginine residue in subdomain IX and histidine-683 in subdomain VI. The FerD743R mutant model predicted a shift in the peptide backbone of the catalytic loop, and an outward rotation of histidine-683 and arginine-684 side chains. However, the position and orientation of the presumptive catalytic base, aspartate-685, was not substantially changed. The proposed model explains how substitutions of some, but not all residues could be tolerated at this nearly invariant aspartate in kinase subdomain IX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Reduced binding of [18F]altanserin to serotonin type 2A receptors in aging: persistence of effect after partial volume correction.

The serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitter system, which has a widespread distribution in the central nervous system, has been implicated in regulating mood and many human behaviors. There is evidence from postmortem human studies and limited information from prior in vivo studies to support a decline in 5-HT2A receptor density with aging. We examined nine elderly (ages 61-76) and nine young (ages 18-29) healthy individuals with positron emission tomography (PET) and [18F]altanserin, a ligand with high affinity for the 5-HT2A binding site. The PET data were corrected for differences in brain tissue volume between the young and elderly subjects using a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-based partial volume correction method. Highly significant and widespread cortical reductions in 5-HT2A specific binding were demonstrated in the elderly group relative to young controls. Regional losses averaged 61% before and 57% following correction for effects of cerebral atrophy. This finding, which is consistent with prior postmortem and in vivo studies, has both etiological and potential therapeutic implications for behavioral changes commonly observed in the elderly, including geriatric depression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Epidemic Legionnaires' disease two decades later: old sources, new diagnostic methods.

In July 1995 we investigated a pneumonia outbreak in a Pennsylvania town. We conducted epidemiological and molecular microbiological studies to determine the outbreak source and interrupt transmission of disease. Legionnaires' disease (LD) was quickly identified by urine antigen testing, and a newly developed immunohistochemical stain confirmed nosocomial transmission to a hospital inpatient. LD was confirmed in 22 patients. Case-patients were more likely than controls to have been within 1,000 feet of the hospital (matched odds ratio, 21.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.9-368) during the 2 weeks prior to illness. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp-1) was isolated from hospital cooling towers (CTs) and rooftop air samples but not from hospital potable water or community CTs. Hospital CT and air Lp-1 isolates matched all five patient isolates by monoclonal antibody, arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis subtyping. Strategies to prevent LD must include minimizing transmission from CTs.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Motif-dependent DNA analysis of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus collection.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major nosocomial pathogen in recent years. Once introduced into the hospital environment, MRSA can spread rapidly, and its subsequent treatment is often difficult as it may be simultaneously resistant to several antibiotics. A useful strategy both to identify the source of infection and to monitor specific infecting strains would be beneficial, facilitating the implementation of control and preventive measures. In this study, a typing strategy, based on the amplification of a conserved repeat-motif in the bacterial genome, was applied in a hospital setting to analyse an MRSA collection. Using a fluorescent-labelled oligonucleotide primer RW3A, which annealed to several dispersed short-repeat sequences occurring throughout the bacterial genome, DNA amplification fingerprint patterns were produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirty-nine MRSA isolates were successfully analysed using conventional agarose gel electrophoresis and GeneScan technology. The latter method provides a finer resolution, making use of capillary electrophoresis in an ABI Prism 310 genetic analyser. The fluorescent detection approach can facilitate the construction of a fingerprint database which can be accessed for comparison of any isolate. Quantitative analysis of all patterns divided the MRSA isolates into four different groups, based on their RW3A fingerprints. Most of the isolates (88%) were assigned to one of three main groups, while the remaining isolates (12%) comprised a fourth, miscellaneous group.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1997

Novel Eph-family receptor tyrosine kinase is widely expressed in the developing zebrafish nervous system.

In a search for novel tyrosine kinases involved in vertebrate development, we have isolated cDNAs corresponding to three distinct members of the Eph-family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Whole mount RNA in situ hybridization analysis showed all three genes were most abundantly expressed in the developing nervous system. zek1 (zebrafish Eph-like kinase1) encodes a 981 amino acid polypeptide closely related to the murine Sek1 and Bsk receptors. Cos-1 cells transfected with zek1 produce a 141 kilodalton tyrosine phosphorylated protein which is recognized by antibodies raised against two predicted Zek1 peptides. These antibodies also recognized a protein of the same apparent molecular weight in lysates from zebrafish embryos and adults. Widespread expression of zek1 in the developing brain and neural tube suggested a generalized function of the Zek1 receptor in neuronal cell ontogeny.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Investigation of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak in an Irish hospital: triplex PCR and DNA amplification fingerprinting.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming a problematic nosocomial pathogen. A continuing increase in numbers of isolates is reported from Irish hospitals each year. Preventing cross-infection and the further spread of endemic strains requires effective control measures. This necessitates the development of sensitive methods for both detection and genetic identification of MRSA isolates. In this study, 48 MRSA strains isolated in the Cork University Hospital were analysed between January and July 1995 using a one-tube triplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), wherein three genes, the methicillin-resistance gene (mecA), femA and the extracellular thermonuclease gene, nuc, were simultaneously amplified. Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were also tested and the assay was found to be MRSA specific. The genetic relationship among this collection of MRSA isolates was also investigated. A single primer, RW3A, derived from a well-characterized, repetitive sequence found in Mycoplasma pneumoniae produced discriminating DNA fragment arrays with all the study organisms. The patterns were reproducible, even after several passages of the isolates. Quantitative analysis of the patterns divided the collection into two main groups, DAF group I representing 48% of the collection and DAF group II a further 19%. The remaining strains showed unrelated patterns. To fully outline the distribution of MRSA in this area a larger study will be necessary. This paper outlines the applicability of both the identification and fingerprinting techniques to local strains.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1996

Interleukin-4 induces association of the c-fes proto-oncogene product with phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase.

We have previously demonstrated that interleukin-4 (IL-4) induces tyrosine phosphorylation of a protein closely related or identical to the c-fes proto-oncogene product (FES) and association of this protein with the IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4R alpha). IL-4 is known to induce association of phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3) kinase with the IL-4R alpha. Since FES contains the consensus motifs for PI3 kinase binding, we tested the possibility that FES may associate with PI3 kinase upon IL-4 stimulation. We demonstrate herein that IL-4 stimulation induced rapid association of FES or a related protein with PI3 kinase in mouse T-cell lines. We also show an association of human FES (hFES) with the src homology 2 (SH2) domain of PI3 kinase in a COS7 cell expression system. The in vitro PI3 kinase assay using COS7 cells suggested that hFES partly contributes to the association between the hIL-4R alpha and PI3 kinase. We have further identified the important region in the cytoplasmic domain of the hIL-4R alpha for association of tyrosine-phosphorylated hFES with the hIL-4R alpha and SH2 domain of PI3 kinase using a COS7 cell expression system. These results suggest that FES or a related protein/PI3 kinase pathway may play a role in the pleiotropic effects of IL-4.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Isolation and propagation of yolk-sac-derived endothelial cells from a hypervascular transgenic mouse expressing a gain-of-function fps/fes proto-oncogene.

We report on the isolation and propagation of endothelial cells from the mouse embryonic yolk sac, the earliest site of blood vessel development, and on the advantages of a hypervascular transgenic mouse source of these cells. These transgenic mice express multiple copies of an activated allele of the human fps/fes proto-oncogene and display hypervascularity progressing to multifocal hemangiomas. This phenotype suggested a role of the fps/fes proto-oncogene in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis and led us to investigate the growth characteristics of yolk-sac-derived endothelial cells from transgenic fps/fes embryos. We have established eight independent cell clones from a mixture of transgenic and control yolk sacs from Day 12 embryos. Southern blot hybridization analysis showed all eight clones to be derived from transgenic cells, suggesting a growth advantage of cells carrying the activated fps/fes gene. A cell line, Clone 166 (C166), established from one of these clones, was more fully characterized. C166 exhibits normal endothelial characteristics, such as rearrangement into tubelike structures when placed on Matrigel, expression of angiotensin converting enzyme, retention of cobblestone morphology at confluence, and the presence of cell surface receptors for acetylated low density lipoprotein. The cells constitutively express murine endothelial cell adhesion molecule VCAM-1 and the vascular addressin identified by antibody MECA-99. As expected, the cell line expresses high levels of the cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinase encoded by the fps/fes proto-oncogene. The clone we have described as well as other endothelial cell lines that we have established from the mouse embryonic yolk sac should prove useful for the study of endothelial cell differentiation and for the determination of the mechanisms underlying the establishment of organ-specific endothelial cell heterogeneity.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

The fps/fes tyrosine kinase is expressed in myeloid, vascular endothelial, epithelial, and neuronal cells and is localized in the trans-golgi network.

The fps/fes proto-oncogene encodes a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase that is thought to participate in signaling pathways involving members of the cytokine receptor superfamily, including those for erythropoietin, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, oncostatin M, ciliary neurotropic factor, and interleukins 3, 4, 6, and 11. Expression of fps/fes has been detected in hematopoietic cells, vascular endothelial cells, and cell types arising from all three germ layers during early development. Here, we describe fps/fes expression in developing and adult tissues from normal mice or from transgenic animals overexpressing wild-type or activated mutant fps/fes alleles. The highest levels of fps/fes expression were seen in angioblasts of early yolk sac blood islands, chondrocytes, vascular endothelial cells, neuronal cells, and several epithelial cell types, including those of the choroid plexus and the uterus. Fps/Fes protein was concentrated in the perinuclear region of cultured neuronal, myeloid, epithelial, and vascular endothelial cells, and a chimeric Fps/Fes-green fluorescence protein colocalized with gamma-adaptin, a marker for the trans-Golgi apparatus. These observations suggest the involvement of Fps/Fes in vesicle transport processes in cells with prominent secretory functions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Phosphorylation of a Fes-related protein in response to granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor.

Previous work has suggested that a 97-kDa protein (p97) is involved in the signal transduction pathway of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as well as interleukin 3, erythropoietin, and interleukin 2. We have examined the relationship of p97 to the protein tyrosine kinase Fes in the GM-CSF signal transduction pathway in erythroid and myeloid cell lines. GM-CSF stimulation of three different cell lines induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p97 as well as a number of other phosphotyrosylproteins. Although each cell line expressed the proto-oncogene product Fes, antisera specific for Fes did not recognize p97 in immunoblotting experiments. Furthermore, immunodepletion of Fes did not reduce the amount of p97 in GM-CSF-treated cells. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated that p97 and Fes have similar charge to mass ratios, and limited proteolytic mapping of p97 and Fes suggested that these proteins may be related but are not identical. Our studies demonstrate that p97 is not Fes but is probably a Fes-related protein.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1995

Genomic fingerprinting Acinetobacter baumannii: amplification of multiple inter-repetitive extragenic palindromic sequences.

Acinetobacter species are important nosocomial pathogens. A rapid and sensitive identification system, capable of providing strain identity at the genetic level, is required to identify outbreak strains and facilitate the early implementation of infection control procedures. Repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) elements, have been identified in numerous bacteria and these genomic sequences provide useful targets for DNA amplification. A method for amplifying inter-REP DNA sequences, REP-multiple arbitrary amplicon profiling (REP-MAAP), is described and applied to 29 Acinetobacter baumannii from clinical samples. Amplified polymorphic DNA patterns were demonstrated for all isolates and those displaying identical REP-MAAP patterns were considered identical at the genetic level. In the spring of 1993, 10 intensive care unit patients had endotracheal colonization with A. baumannii (five with REP-MAAP I and five with REP-MAAP II patterns). These findings suggested nosocomial transmission of organisms which was terminated by standard infection control measures. No further A. baumannii were detected until the winter of 1993 when isolates of different REP-MAAP groups emerged, suggesting that factors other than nosocomial transmission were implicated.

Acinetobacter↗