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Biomedical subjects

P Sterk

Publications and source records attributed to P Sterk.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

The EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database.

The EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/embl.html) constitutes Europe's primary nucleotide sequence resource. Main sources for DNA and RNA sequences are direct submissions from individual researchers, genome sequencing projects and patent applications. While automatic procedures allow incorporation of sequence data from large-scale genome sequencing centres and from the European Patent Office (EPO), the preferred submission tool for individual submitters is Webin (WWW). Through all stages, dataflow is monitored by EBI biologists communicating with the sequencing groups. In collaboration with DDBJ and GenBank the database is produced, maintained and distributed at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). Database releases are produced quarterly and are distributed on CD-ROM. Network services allow access to the most up-to-date data collection via Internet and World Wide Web interface. EBI's Sequence Retrieval System (SRS) is a Network Browser for Databanks in Molecular Biology, integrating and linking the main nucleotide and protein databases, plus many specialised databases. For sequence similarity searching a variety of tools (e.g. Blitz, Fasta, Blast etc) are available for external users to compare their own sequences against the most currently available data in the EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database and SWISS-PROT.

Amino Acid Sequence

The EMBL nucleotide sequence database.

The EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/embl. html ) constitutes Europe's primary nucleotide sequence resource. DNA and RNA sequences are directly submitted from researchers and genome sequencing groups and collected from the scientific literature and patent applications (Fig. 1). In collaboration with DDBJ and GenBank the database is produced, maintained and distributed at the European Bioinformatics Institute. Database releases are produced quarterly and are distributed on CD-ROM. EBI's network services allow access to the most up-to-date data collection via Internet and World Wide Web interface, providing database searching and sequence similarity facilities plus access to a large number of additional databases.

Base Sequence

[Bochdalek hernia in Adulthood: case report and overview].

A 34 year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with left-sided abdominal pain. Physical examination, chest and abdominal X-rays led to the diagnosis of a colonic obstruction. Colonic gastrografin study showed the splenic flexure herniated into the left hemithorax. Bochdalek hernia was diagnosed and emergency operation was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Adult

The EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database.

The EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database is a comprehensive database of DNA and RNA sequences directly submitted from researchers and genome sequencing groups and collected from the scientific literature and patent applications. In collaboration with DDBJ and GenBank the database is produced, maintained and distributed at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) and constitutes Europe's primary nucleotide sequence resource. Database releases are produced quarterly and are distributed on CD-ROM. EBI's network services allow access to the most up-to-date data collection via Internet and World Wide Web interface, providing database searching and sequence similarity facilities plus access to a large number of additional databases.

Academies and Institutes

[Secure anastomoses of the large intestine (especially with transanal drainage].

The results of colonic resections were investigated in 356 patients in a retrospective analysis. Special attention was directed to the effectiveness of a transrectal tube, leading to decompression of the anastomosis for the first five days. Under elective conditions, the overall complication-rate was 12.7%. In emergency cases, these complications were 51.5% (one third of these cases had a decompression-tube). The clinical relevant leakage-rate under elective conditions ranged to 1.7%. Postoperative mortality related to surgical complications turned out to be 1.5% under elective conditions. The emergency operations had a high mortality which ranged to approximately 15.2%. No patient with leakage of a colorectal anastomosis died when the transrectal decompression-tube was applied. Such a safety in anastomotic healing of colon and rectum anastomoses can otherwise only be achieved by using the protection of a diverting colostomy or ileostomy. The use of the transrectal decompression-tube also avoids stomal complications and the second operation. There is no indication for the decompression-tube in emergency operations with purulent or faecal peritonitis. In these cases a fundamentally different treatment is mandatory.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

Oral leukotriene inhibitor (MK-886) blocks allergen-induced airway responses.

To elucidate the role of leukotrienes (LT) in allergic asthma in humans the effect of MK-886, an LT biosynthesis inhibitor, was evaluated on antigen-induced early (EAR) and late (LAR) asthmatic reactions and bronchial responsiveness to histamine. Eight atopic men participated in a two-part, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. MK-886 was administered in two oral doses of 500 mg and 250 mg, 1 h before and 2 h after allergen inhalation, respectively. Biochemical effects of MK-886 were evaluated by the inhibition of urinary LTE4 excretion and calcium ionophore-stimulated LTB4 biosynthesis in whole blood ex vivo. MK-886 significantly inhibited the EAR by 58.4% (AUC0-3 h) and the LAR by 43.6% (AUC3-7 h) when compared with placebo (p < 0.01). There was no difference in PC20 histamine 30 h post allergen challenge between MK-886 and placebo (0.33 and 0.27 doubling doses, p > 0.1). MK-886 inhibited calcium ionophore-stimulated LTB4 production in whole blood (54.2 +/- 25.6%) for up to 6 h post allergen challenge. LTE4 excretion in urine was inhibited by 51.5% during the EAR by as much as 80% during the LAR. This indicates that LT play a role in allergen-induced asthmatic reactions in humans in vivo and that LT synthesis inhibitors such as MK-886 should be further explored for the treatment of asthma.

Administration, Oral

Expression pattern of a tobacco lipid transfer protein gene within the shoot apex.

A genomic clone coding for a putative lipid transfer protein was isolated from Nicotiana tabacum. The gene is expressed in all aerial organs of the tobacco plant, with expression being highest in the upper part of the plant and declining towards the base (i.e. with increasing age). In the shoot apex transcript levels are highest in the LI layer, lower in the underlying cell layers, and are again higher in the submeristem region. This pattern is markedly different from those previously described for genes expressed within the shoot apex.

Amino Acid Sequence

Cell-specific expression of the carrot EP2 lipid transfer protein gene.

A cDNA corresponding to a 10-kD protein, designated extracellular protein 2 (EP2), that is secreted by embryogenic cell cultures of carrot was obtained by expression screening. The derived protein sequence and antisera against heterologous plant lipid transfer proteins identified the EP2 protein as a lipid transfer protein. Protein gel blot analysis showed that the EP2 protein is present in cell walls and conditioned medium of cell cultures. RNA gel blot analysis revealed that the EP2 gene is expressed in embryogenic cell cultures, the shoot apex of seedlings, developing flowers, and maturing seeds. In situ hybridization showed expression of the EP2 gene in protoderm cells of somatic and zygotic embryos and transient expression in epidermis cells of leaf primordia and all flower organs. In the shoot apical meristem, expression is found in the tunica and lateral zone. In maturing seeds, the EP2 gene is expressed in the outer epidermis of the integument, the seed coat, and the pericarp epidermis, as well as transiently in between both mericarps. Based on the extracellular location of the EP2 protein and the expression pattern of the encoding gene, we propose a role for plant lipid transfer proteins in the transport of cutin monomers through the extracellular matrix to sites of cutin synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence

Airway responsiveness to histamine or methacholine: advances in measurement and interpretation.

A number of topical aspects of histamine or methacholine inhalation tests were discussed. First, the reporting of results as the dose delivered to the mouth by the method of aerosol generation and inhalation may allow better interpretation of results between laboratories. However, this requires investigation. Second, the histamine or methacholine dose-response curve differs in asthmatics with a moderate to severe increase in airway responsiveness from asthmatics with a mild increase in responsiveness or nonasthmatics. In the latter groups, the dose-response curve is positioned to the right and has a maximal response plateau. The disappearance of this limited maximal airway narrowing in asthmatics appears to be due to added abnormalities. Third, histamine or methacholine inhalation tests provide a sensitive and specific measure of the presence of variable airflow obstruction (asthma). They are useful to validate the diagnosis when symptoms are suggestive but spirometry is normal. The symptoms of asthma are not specific, and without objective confirmation the diagnosis is frequently misjudged even by the specialist. Finally, airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine or methacholine is not diagnostic of asthma when chronic airflow limitation is present; hyperresponsiveness to isocapnic hyperventilation may be more specific.

Asthma

Characterization of the non-specific lipid transfer protein EP2 from carrot (Daucus carota L.).

The extracellular protein EP2 was previously identified as non-specific lipid transfer protein based on its cDNA-derived amino acid sequence. Here, the purification of the EP2 protein from the medium of somatic embryo cultures is described. After two cycles of ion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography, a single silver-stained protein band with an apparent molecular mass of 10 kDa was observed on SDS-PAGE. This protein band was recognized by the antiserum raised against a EP2-beta-galactosidase fusion-protein. Employing a fluorescent phospholipid analog, it was shown that the purified EP2 protein is capable of binding phospholipids and is able to enhance their transfer between artificial membranes. Employing a gel permeation assay, it could be demonstrated that the EP2 protein is also capable of binding palmitic and oleic acid as well as oleyl-CoA. Because in plants these fatty acids are used as precursor molecules for cutin, these results are in support of the proposed role of the EP2 protein to transport cutin monomers from their site of synthesis through the cell wall of epidermal cells to sites of cutin polymerization.

Carrier Proteins