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Biomedical subjects

S A Sullivan

Publications and source records attributed to S A Sullivan.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Expression of rod and cone visual pigments in goldfish and zebrafish: a rhodopsin-like gene is expressed in cones.

The primary purpose of the present study was to determine whether a rhodopsin-like gene, which has been postulated to represent the green cone pigment in several species, is in fact expressed in cone photoreceptors instead of rods. The expression patterns of rod opsin and blue and red cone opsins were also examined in both goldfish and zebrafish retinas using colorimetric in situ hybridization. The results demonstrate that the rhodopsin-like gene is expressed in green cones, as predicted. A subset of small cones that do not hybridize with these cRNA probes are tentatively identified as ultraviolet receptors. The results also demonstrate that opsin message in cones is restricted to the perinuclear region, whereas in rods, it is both perinuclear and adjacent to the ellipsoid.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Circulating CD34+ cells: an adverse prognostic factor in the myelodysplastic syndromes.

As part of an epidemiological survey of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in southern Tasmania, 62 MDS patients identified over a 2 year period were tested for the presence of CD34, the human progenitor cell antigen (HPCA), in their peripheral blood. The results were correlated with transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and patient survival, and CD34+ status was compared as a prognostic indicator with Bournemouth score, cytogenetics, and CFU-GM colony growth which were also assessed. Circulating CD34+ cells were found in 23 of the 62 MDS patients; 9 of the 23 patients with circulating CD34+ cells transformed to AML, as compared with none of the 39 CD34 negative patients (P less than 0.0001); and 11 of the 23 patients with circulating CD34+ cells were dead at the end of the 2 year period, as opposed to 6 of the 39 with no CD34+ cells (P less than 0.03). The Bournemouth score was also significantly associated with transformation to AML (P less than 0.0001) and poor survival (P less than 0.04). These were the only significant associations of the possible prognostic factors studied with either transformation or survival. In summary, the presence of circulating CD34+ cells was significantly associated with both progression to AML and poor survival and was found to be a better prognostic indicator than cytogenetics or CFU-GM colony growth.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Behaviors induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan in neonatal, preweaning, postweaning, and adult Sprague-Dawley rats.

The behaviors induced by the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) has been called the "5-HT (serotonin) syndrome." These behaviors and others identified in rat pups were observed following administration of 5-HTP (300 mg/kg, SC) on postnatal (PN) days 3, 14, and 28 and in adult rats. Certain 5-HT syndrome behaviors and other uniquely neonatal behaviors were present in PN3 pups treated with vehicle. 5-HTP-treated PN3 pups showed increased head-shakes, rollovers, vocalizations, and forepaw treading and decreased hindlimb abduction. No 5-HT syndrome or neonatal behaviors were present at PN14 or PN28 or in adults treated with vehicle. 5-HTP administered at PN14 stimulated circling, forepaw treading, and resting tremor; at PN28, stimulated head-shakes and resting tremor; and in adults produced only head-shakes. To determine if prior exposure to 5-HTP affected the sensitivity of 5-HT receptor subtypes, the 5-HT1A agonist (+/-)-8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and the 5-HT2/1C agonist (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) were administered to all rats as adults. 8-OH-DPAT (1 mg/kg, SC) produced flattened body posture unaffected by prior exposure to 5-HTP. Head-shakes induced by DOI (5mg/kg, IP) were decreased by prior exposure to 5-HTP at PN3 and adult, but increased by preexposure at PN28. Thus, serotonergic neural systems are implicated in some behaviors of neonates. The developmental patterns suggest changes in the sensitivity to these systems. Further, lasting changes in 5-HT2/1C receptor sensitivity occur due to exposure to 5-HTP.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1988

Introduction and expression of the bacterial PaeR7 restriction endonuclease gene in mouse cells containing the PaeR7 methylase.

To study the factors essential for a functional restriction system, the PaeR7 restriction-modification system has been introduced and expressed in murine cells. Transfer of this system was accomplished in two steps. First, cells containing sufficient PaeR7 methylase to completely methylate the mouse genome were constructed. In the second step, the mouse metallothionein promoter-regulated, endonuclease expression vector linked to the hygromycin B resistance selection marker was used to transfect the high methylase-expressing cells. Sixty percent of the clones isolated contained PaeR7 endonuclease enzymatic activity. Transfected cells expressing both methylase and endonuclease were incapable of blocking infection by DNA viruses, and possible explanations are discussed.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1987

Comparative survival of antibiotic-resistant and -sensitive fecal indicator bacteria in estuarine water.

The survival of antibiotic-resistant and -sensitive strains of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus equinus, and two environmental isolates, AP17 and AQ62, was examined in estuarine water. Each strain was rendered resistant to a combination of two antibiotics by serial passage in increasing concentrations of antibiotics. Cultures were incubated in filter-sterilized estuarine water for up to 7 days. Recovery was assessed by examining colony-forming ability on media with and without antibiotics. None of the antibiotic-resistant forms survived longer than its antibiotic-sensitive counterpart in estuarine water. Three of the resistant strains died off more rapidly than the antibiotic-sensitive wild type. Survival of the test bacteria in estuarine water was as follows: sensitive and resistant AQ62, resistant Escherichia coli less than sensitive Escherichia coli less than resistant AP17 less than resistant Enterococcus faecium less than sensitive AP17, sensitive and resistant S. equinus less than sensitive and resistant Enterococcus faecalis, sensitive Enterococcus faecium. The results supported the suggestion that fecal entercocci may serve as better indicators of fecal pollution than Escherichia coli in marine ecosystems. Moreover, the results indicated that the use of antibiotic-resistant mutants to follow the fate of bacteria in the environment is inappropriate without adequate studies to ensure that resistant and wild-type strains react similarly to environmental stressors.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1986

Nonhematopoietic cells selected for resistance to tumor necrosis factor produce tumor necrosis factor.

TNF-resistant lines of L cells can be derived from TNF-sensitive populations by repeated exposure to TNF, and these resistant L cells, in contrast to sensitive L cells and other types of cells, lack demonstrable cell surface receptors for TNF. We have now found that TNF-resistant L cells produce a factor that is cytotoxic for L cells and has the following distinguishing characteristics of mouse TNF: it is a protein of 43 kD, composed of 16 kD subunits, that competes with TNF for receptor binding, induces hemorrhagic necrosis of the TNF-sensitive mouse sarcoma Meth A, has synergistic cytotoxic action with interferon, and its activity is neutralized by antibody to TNF. The two conclusions of this study are that cells selected for TNF resistance spontaneously produce a molecule resembling macrophage TNF, and that cells of nonhematopoietic origin are capable of producing TNF.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

High affinity binding of 125I-labeled human tumor necrosis factor (LuKII) to specific cell surface receptors.

125I-labeled TNF(LuKII) (tumor necrosis factor) binds specifically to human and mouse cell lines sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of TNF, but not to cells made resistant to TNF. TNF-sensitive cells have cell surface receptors with a high affinity for TNF(LuKII). Mouse TNF competes with TNF(LuKII) for receptor binding. Scatchard analysis of the binding data yielded linear plots and suggests that TNF(LuKII) binds to homogeneous receptor sites. The number of TNF(LuKII) receptors on two TNF-sensitive cell lines is 200-300 per cell and the affinity constant of the receptor for TNF(LuKII) is approximately 1 X 10(-10) M.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Purification and characterization of a human tumor necrosis factor from the LuKII cell line.

A factor with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity produced by the LuKII human lymphoblastoid cell line [designated TNF(LuKII)] was purified sequentially by using controlled-pore glass, lentil lectin-Sepharose, and procion red agarose chromatography, yielding TNF with a specific activity of 1.5 X 10(7) units per mg of protein and an isoelectric point of approximately equal to 6.7. Purified TNF(LuKII) fractionated by NaDodSO4/PAGE under reducing as well as nonreducing conditions was found to contain seven protein bands of Mr 80,000, 70,000, 43,000, 25,000, 23,000, 21,000, and 19,000. The proteins of Mr 80,000 and 70,000 could not be dissociated into lower molecular weight components. Peptide mapping analysis and immunoblotting analysis revealed that the seven protein bands in the purified TNF(LuKII) preparations are related. After fractionation of TNF(LuKII) by NaDodSO4/PAGE under reducing conditions, TNF activity was recovered from the regions of Mr 70,000 and 19,000-25,000. Purified human TNF(LuKII) (i) produces hemorrhagic necrosis of Meth A mouse sarcoma in the standard in vivo mouse TNF assay; (ii) has the same pattern of reactivity as mouse TNF (cytotoxic/cytostatic/no effect) on a panel of human cancer cell lines; and (iii) has its anticellular effect potentiated by interferon, also a feature of mouse TNF.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma exchange for cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia.

Two patients with advanced lymphoma, chronic cold agglutinin disease refractory to conventional therapy and severe, progressive anemia were treated with exchange plasma transfusion. Both experienced significant reduction in titers. The first patient, in whom the procedure was done manually, died with widespread lymphoma without achieving apparent clinical benefit. The second patient was exchanged using the Aminco Celltrifuge, with improvement in in vitro compatibility tests and transfusion tolerance. The technical details of continuous-flow centrifugation exchange plasma transfusion are described.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring the intelligence of college students with learning disabilities: a comparison of results obtained on the WAIS-R and the KAIT.

This study compared results obtained on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and the Kaufman Adolescent Test and Adult Intelligence; these tests were individually administered to college students with and without learning disabilities. Participants were 30 students with learning disabilities and 30 students without learning disabilities between the ages of 18 and 30. Students were administered both IQ tests and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, used as a covariate measure. The results were analyzed through a repeated-measures analysis of variance. No significant differences were found between groups or between tests. A significant difference was found for both groups when Performance IQ and Fluid Scale scores were compared.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Developing condition-specific measures of functional status and well-being for children.

This paper describes the American Academy of Pediatrics' program to develop several condition-specific measures to assess the functional status and well-being of children with chronic conditions. The development of a measure for children between 5 and 12 years of age with asthma serves as a template for the development of measures for other conditions and is the focus of this paper. The processes followed in the drafting of content, refinement, and pilot testing of the measure are discussed in this paper. The domains addressed in the asthma measure include physical symptoms; the child's physical activity; the child's social activity; the family's social activity; the emotional impact on the child; the emotional impact on the family; and health care utilization. Each domain is represented by a subscale in the measure. Content for individual items within subscales was established by conducting focus groups with parents and physicians and by reviewing the literature. The measure was tested through an in-depth cognitive interview process and pilot tested by administering the measure to 95 parents of children with mild, moderate, and severe asthma. Five of the seven subscales had acceptable internal consistency reliability as measured by coefficient alpha. Construct validity was shown for some scales by significantly different scores for children with mildly versus moderately severe asthma.

Asthma↗