Childhood cancer--advances.
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Antineoplastic Agents↗
Biomedical subjects
R Stevens
Publications and source records attributed to R Stevens.
The relationship of cocaine use to syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus infections among inner city parturient women.
To study the relationship of cocaine use to syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus infections a blinded urine and serum survey was performed among parturient women at an inner city hospital. Discarded urine samples of 1206 parturient women were saved and given code numbers that were also assigned to data sheets containing nonidentifying information, including prenatal care status and syphilis serologic results. In the latter part of the study blood remaining after syphilis serologic tests were performed (n = 480) were tested for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. Overall 12.9% of urine samples had cocaine derivatives, 1.4% opiates, 1.5% marijuana, 0.0% benzodiazepine, and 0.3% methadone. The prevalence of positive rapid plasma reagin tests was 18.7% among patients with positive urine toxicologic tests for cocaine and 2.41% for patients with negative urine tests (odds ratio = 9.3, 95% confidence interval 5.2 to 16.5, p less than 0.001). Fluorescent treponemal antibodies were also significantly more frequent among patients with positive urine samples. Four of 53 (7.6%) patients with positive urine toxicologic screens were human immunodeficiency virus antibody positive compared with six of 427 (1.4%) women with negative screens (odds ratio = 5.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.4 to 21.5, p = 0.019). Cocaine patients with positive cocaine screens and with syphilis or human immunodeficiency virus had prenatal care in 6 of 21 (28.6%) and 0 of 4 (0%) cases, respectively, while patients with negative cocaine screens and syphilis or human immunodeficiency virus had prenatal care in 13 of 18 (72.2%) and 5 of 6 (83.3%) cases, respectively (p = 0.010 and p = 0.048). Cocaine use appears to be associated with both the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis and the failure of infected individuals to utilize prenatal services.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
The protein kinase encoded in the short unique region of pseudorabies virus: description of the gene and identification of its product in virions and in infected cells.
We have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequence of a gene, pk, that lies immediately upstream from the gene encoding glycoprotein X in the short unique region of the alphaherpesvirus, pseudorabies virus (PRV). The gene has the potential to encode a protein of 334 amino acids, and is related to gene US3 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which has been shown to encode a protein kinase. The predicted amino acid sequence encoded by the PRV pk gene is homologous to the corresponding sequence encoded by the HSV-1 US3 gene in the C-terminal catalytic domain, but diverges markedly in the N-terminal domain. As with HSV-1, the mRNA for the pk gene appears to be 3' coterminal with that for the glycoprotein downstream. An antiserum was raised against a protein generated from the fusion of part of the PRV pk catalytic domain with Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. This specifically reacted with a previously described physically homogeneous protein kinase, PRV-PK, isolated from hamster fibroblasts lytically infected with PRV. Although the majority of the PRV-PK is found in the cytoplasm, some was also detected in purified PRV virions by using the same antibody; a similar distribution was found for the HSV-1 protein kinase, using an antiserum raised against the corresponding HSV-1 fusion protein. When presented with heatinactivated virions, purified PRV-PK (in common with certain cellular protein kinases also present in the virion) was able to phosphorylate in vitro the major virion phosphoprotein phosphorylated in vivo.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Demonstration of Bacteroides intermedius in periapical tissue using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy.
The presence of bacteria in periapical lesions of teeth with necrotic pulp has been demonstrated by microbiological sampling of periapical lesions during endodontic surgery. The purpose of this study was to confirm the presence of Bacteroides intermedius in a periapical granuloma using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Histologic sections of a periapical granuloma were incubated with a rabbit antiserum to B. intermedius. After incubation with secondary antibody (fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG), an intense fluorescent staining was observed in areas of the tissue sections. Control tissue sections that were incubated without the antibody remained unstained. The results obtained with the indirect immunofluorescence technique supported our cultural findings that microorganisms, e.g. B. intermedius, were present in the tissue of the periapical granuloma.
Adult↗
Detection and quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry.
A flow cytometric assay has been developed to detect and quantitate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from HIV-seropositive patients. Peripheral blood was obtained from patients attending an acquired immune deficiency syndrome clinic, and mononuclear cells were separated by centrifugation onto Ficoll-Hypaque. The cell layer at the interface was removed, washed in phosphate-buffered saline without Ca2+ and Mg2+, and fixed with 90% methanol, and intracellular HIV antigens were detected by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies to HIV antigens as the primary antibody and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G F(ab')2 antibody as the secondary antibody. DNA content was determined by propidium diiodide staining after RNase treatment. These fluorochrome-treated cells were analyzed for two-color fluorescence by flow cytometry. The results showed that HIV-infected cells in peripheral blood that have been treated with monoclonal antibodies to the p24 or nef antigens of HIV can be detected and quantitated by flow cytometry. The percentage of p24 antigen-positive mononuclear cells had a significant correlation (P = 0.0001) with the clinical status of the patient, i.e., those with a high percentage of p24 antigen-positive cells had a poorer prognosis than those with a lower percentage of p24 antigen-positive mononuclear cells. In addition, for those in Centers for Disease Control groups III and IV, there was an inverse correlation between the percentage of p24 antigen-positive mononuclear cells and the number of T4 cells. However, cell-associated antigen detection by flow cytometry did not correlate with detection of antigen in sera of HIV-seropositive patients by the standard antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This lack of correlation was probably due to the presence of immune complexes in the sera of HIV-seropositive patients. These results suggest that flow cytometry can be used as a rapid, sensitive, and quantitative assay system for the determination of the antigen status of HIV-seropositive patients and that it may be more useful as an indicator of disease progression than the currently used antigen detection methods.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Slow waves actively propagate at submucosal surface of circular layer in canine colon.
Colonic slow waves originate from pacemaker cells along the submucosal surface of the circular layer in the dog proximal colon. These events propagate in a nonregenerative manner into the bulk of the circular layer. Conduction velocities consistent with an active mechanism for slow-wave propagation in the longitudinal and circumferential axes of the colon have been reported. Experiments were performed using intracellular recording techniques on canine colonic muscles to determine the regenerative pathway for slow-wave propagation. In a thin band of muscle adjacent to the submucosal border of the circular layer, slow-wave amplitude was independent of distance from a pacing source, and events propagated at a rate of approximately 17 mm/s in the long axis of the circular fibers and 6 mm/s in the transverse axis of the circular fibers. These findings suggest that slow waves propagate in a regenerative manner in this region. Slow waves decayed as they conducted through regions from which the pacemaker cells had been removed with space constants of a few millimeters. Thus the integrity of the thin pacemaker region along submucosal surface is critical for propagation of slow waves and the organization of motility into segmental contractions.
Animals↗
A continuing education model for community health nursing practice.
Although community health nursing standards of practice state that the baccalaureate degree (BSN) is the entry level for practice, the reality is that over 60% of the work-force has less than a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, BSN programs have been criticized for not putting sufficient emphasis on content areas critical for effective entry-level practice. This article presents a continuing education model that could guide agencies in developing programs to correct these deficits, incorporating both initial orientation, ongoing staff development, and formal advanced preparation. The educational background of the nurse determines the clinical activities and degree of supervision required for practice. The non-BSN entering practice should take an intensive course in basic skills identified as essential for practice in the community health setting. Work or professional assignments dictate additional staff development needs. Formal academic preparation at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels is encouraged. Description of the content, course format, and evaluation information regarding the North Carolina course for preparing non-BSN RN's for entry-level community health practice is presented.
Community Health Nursing↗
Mother-to-infant transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1: association with prematurity or low anti-gp120.
In a prospective study of pregnant women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Brooklyn, New York, USA, 16 (29%) of 55 evaluable infants were infected with HIV-1. 9 infants had paediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, 6 had less severe clinical manifestations of HIV-1 infection, and 1 was symptom-free but was seropositive for HIV-1 beyond 15 months of age. The 10 infants born at 37 weeks of gestation or earlier were at higher risk of HIV-1 infection than infants born at 38 weeks of gestation or later (60% vs 22%) but the median age at appearance of disease was approximately 5 months in both groups. The HIV-1 transmission rate was not associated with predelivery levels of maternal T cells, anti-p24, or neutralising antibodies but it was higher, among full-term infants, for those with mothers in the lowest third of the distribution of anti-gp120 levels (53%). On immunoblot, transmitting mothers lacked a gp120 band but not other bands. Protection was not associated with antibody to recombinant peptides from the hypervariable region of the major neutralising gp120 epitope, and the anti-gp120 endpoint dilution titre was similar in transmitting and non-transmitting mothers. Mothers of uninfected full-term infants appear to confer immunological protection against HIV-1 infection of their offspring by way of a high-affinity antibody to a gp120 epitope, whose specificity has importance for vaccine development and possibly perinatal immunotherapy.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Evaluation of jaundice in general practice.
Though there are many causes of jaundice, the GP's role is to differentiate that which is secondary to obstruction from that which is caused by viral hepatitis. Useful laboratory tests for both have changed in recent years and the diagnosis and treatment of extrahepatic obstruction has been revolutionised by endoscopic techniques.
Cholangiography↗
Estradiol benzoate potentiates the effects of body-restraint in suppressing food intake and reducing body weight.
Food intakes and body weights were recorded daily over a 15 day period for groups of ovariectomized rats. During days 6-10 rats were injected with estradiol benzoate at one of four concentrations, 0, 0.625 micrograms, 1.25 micrograms, and half the animals in each group were stressed by being restrained in small Plexiglas chambers for 30 min per day. During the treatment period there was a dose response inhibitory effect of estradiol benzoate on intake and body weight that was greater in confined than in unrestrained animals especially at the intermediate dose of estradiol. In the posttreatment period the effect of restraint on intake persisted whereas the hormone effect did not, but the effects of estradiol were apparent on body weight in both confined and unconfined rats. This synergistic relationship between small doses of estrogen and stress in producing anorexic effects provides an animal model of anorexia nervosa; a possible neuroendocrine mechanism that could explain the effect is discussed.
Animals↗
Suppression of experimental tractional retinal detachment by low-dose radiation therapy.
We used a standardized model of traction retinal detachment (TRD) created by cellular membranes in the rabbit to test the effects of low-dose radiation therapy in suppressing TRD. The vitreous and lens were removed from pigmented rabbits, and homologous conjunctival fibroblasts were grown in cell culture. After resolution of postoperative inflammation, 50,000 fibroblasts in 0.1 mL of culture fluid were injected into the vitreous cavity. Ten eyes were maintained as controls. Nineteen eyes received 6 Gy (600 rad) of x-ray irradiation one to three hours after cellular injection. Eyes were monitored weekly for three weeks with indirect ophthalmoscopy. Seven (70%) of ten control eyes developed TRD at one week; no additional TRDs were noted at weeks 2 and 3. Significantly smaller numbers of irradiated eyes developed TRD: at week 1, two (11%) of 19; at week 2, five (28%) of 18; and at week 3, five (29%) of 17.
Animals↗
Transformation of human cells by a polyomavirus containing complementing JCV and RFV genomes.
Molecularly cloned viral DNA from late RFV (L-RFV) and early JCV (E-JCV) were transfected into human fetal brain (HFB) cells and complementation was demonstrated. A new infectious virus (E-JCV/L-RFV) was produced. Infection resulted in partial transformation of HFB and human embryonic kidney cells. No transformation was observed with EL-JCV or wtJCV. The transformants contained T-antigen and had a lifespan similar to SV40-transformed human cells but failed to express some phenotypes of transformation. All transformants contained E-JCV viral DNA, usually both integrated and episomal. Although no L-RFV DNA was present in the transformants, L-RFV appears to play a role in the initiation of transformation.
BK Virus↗
The effect of surgical ablation of Brunner's glands on the proximal duodenal mucosa.
Neither macroscopic nor microscopic lesions were observed in the gastrointestinal mucosa following the surgical removal of Brunner's glands. This observation leaves some doubt concerning the traditional view that Brunner's glands function primarily in the protection of the proximal duodenal mucosa from acid-pepsin entering from the stomach.
Animals↗
Introduction to 'the superannuation tax threat'.
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Australia↗
Pseudomonas corneoscleritis.
We evaluated three cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneoscleritis, one associated with the use of contaminated eyedrops; another in an elderly, debilitated patient; and the third in a patient who had previously undergone penetrating keratoplasty. In the first two cases, control of the infection was achieved by intensive antibiotic therapy alone. The third case required evisceration of the eye following spontaneous perforation at the site of scleral involvement. Histopathologic findings showed persistence of the organism in the sclera despite intensive antibiotic therapy for six days.
Aged↗
The influence of cyproheptadine on immobilization and oestradiol benzoate induced anorexia in ovariectomized rats.
Repeated bodily immobilization significantly reduced the food intake of ovariectomized rats. Additionally, immobilization and oestradiol benzoate were found to produce additive effects in depressing feeding. To determine whether serotonergic mechanisms are involved in the stress- and oestrogen-induced anorexia, the 5-HT antagonist cyproheptadine was given to ovariectomized rats that were immobilized and treated with oestradiol benzoate. Cyproheptadine had no effect on the anorexia produced by oestradiol. The food intake of immobilized rats treated with cyproheptadine was similar to control values, suggesting 5-HT involvement in the stress-induced anorexia. However, cyproheptadine had no ameliorating effects on the changes in body weight following immobilization treatment. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to a possible neuroendocrine basis for anorexia.
Animals↗
Effects of cardiotoxin D from Naja naja siamensis snake venom upon murine splenic lymphocytes.
Cardiotoxin D from Naja naja siamensis is cytotoxic to T-lymphocytes above 150 femtomoles/10(6) cells. Equivalent lysis of macrophages or B-lymphocytes requires at least 1000 times more toxin. Reduction and carboxamidomethylation of cardiotoxin D does not effect T cell lysis. At higher toxin concentrations, 50% T-cell lysis occurs within 10 min. Splenocytes cultured with mitogens are up to five times more susceptible to toxin than unstimulated cells. Cardiotoxin D may directly disrupt the plasma membrane, since lysis is unaltered at 4 degrees C.
Animals↗
Late coding region sequences required for competition by SV40 defectives.
SV40 defectives containing the complete early coding region (E-SV40) or the complete late region (L-SV40) were separately transfected into green monkey cells. They were analyzed for their ability to compete with wtSV40 (introduced by infection) or to undergo replication in the presence of constitutively produced SV40 T-antigen. L-SV40 competed very strongly. It appeared rapidly in infected cells, overgrowing wt genomes by at least 10:1. In addition, it slowed the growth of wt virus and reduced its ability to kill cells. L-SV40 DNA, as expected, replicated continuously in Cosl cells. E-SV40 genomes were poor competitors. They appeared slowly and by themselves did not overgrow wtSV40. When transfected into Cosl cells, E-SV40 genomes replicated efficiently for the first few days and disappeared within a week. Deletion or insertion mutations were introduced into a molecular clone of L-SV40, within the Vp1 gene or the Vp2 gene. All mutants were unable to form infectious virus in two different assays. The mutants were then assayed for competition against wtSV40 and for replication in Cosl cells. The Vp1 mutants competed very poorly with wt genomes and were rapidly lost from coinfected cells. These mutants, like E-SV40, replicated for only a few days in Cosl cells. In contrast, the Vp2 mutant competed with wtSV40 nearly as well as L-SV40. It also replicated continuously rather than transiently in Cosl cells. Next, we determined whether L-SV40 could effectively compete with other evolved SV40 defectives, not containing the late region but containing up to nine SV40 origin regions. We have shown that within five serial passages, L-SV40 became the predominant viral DNA species and the other defectives were lost. Although the Vp1 mutants and E-SV40 were weak competitors, they were shown to recombine with wtSV40 genomes to generate new L-SV40 genomes which again became the predominant species of viral DNA. These results demonstrate that L-SV40 is a potent competitor and that the Vp1 gene or a part of Vp1 plays an important role in this extraordinary competition. We suggest that the Vp1 gene functions to allow L-SV40 genomes to persist rather than generating a product which directly interferes with wtSV40 replication.
Animals↗