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Biomedical subjects

T Jacob

Publications and source records attributed to T Jacob.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Legionella pneumophila inhibits superoxide generation in human monocytes via the down-modulation of alpha and beta protein kinase C isotypes.

Legionella pneumophila may subvert monocyte defenses by several mechanisms including the inhibition of phagosome-lysosome fusion or the impairment of oxidative metabolism. We have investigated the effect of L. pneumophila Knoxville 1, a virulent strain that does not inhibit phagosome-lysosome fusion, on the oxidative responsiveness of human monocytes. Infection of monocytes with L. pneumophila for 48 h resulted in marked inhibition of superoxide generation stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) but not by zymosan, a particulate agonist. Evidence is provided that L. pneumophila interfered with the transductional pathway (i.e., protein kinase C, PKC) leading to activation of the NADPH oxidase in monocytes. The phosphorylation of 34-, 48-, 62-, 68-, and 80-kDa proteins stimulated by PMA was markedly inhibited in infected monocytes. In addition, the expression of both alpha and beta PKC isotypes was partially inhibited in infected monocytes. Taken together, our data suggest that the down-modulation of PKC isotypes plays a role in the inhibition of PMA-stimulated superoxide generation.

Cells, Cultured↗

Inhaled nitric oxide in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Pulmonary hypertension is a major complication of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) is a selective pulmonary vasodilator because it produces vasodilatation of the pulmonary vasculature without systemic hypotension. In experimental and clinical studies, inhaled NO ameliorates pulmonary hypertension and improves gas exchange. The goal of the present study was to determine the extent to which infants with CDH respond to inhaled NO. Four newborn infants with CDH complicated by severe respiratory insufficiency and right-to-left shunting received inhaled NO. In three patients, postductal oxygenation improved in response to small concentrations of NO (5 to 10 ppm); two received NO after operative repair, and the third both before and after repair. However, tachyphylaxis developed in all cases within 1 to 6 days. A fourth patient received inhaled NO in an attempt at weaning from ECMO. He did not respond, remaining hypoxic despite 80 ppm NO, and continued to require ECMO. In the three patients who responded to inhaled NO, plasma nitrites and nitrates (stable oxidative end products of NO) accumulated over time, but not in the patient who did not respond. The accumulation of nitrite and nitrate in plasma may reflect alveolar-capillary NO absorption, and may identify patients who will respond to continued inhaled NO. Methemoglobin remained below 1.9% in all four babies. Selected infants with CDH may respond to NO, but the benefit may be temporary.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Exercise and the psychological state of institutionalized elderly: a review.

The present review examined the hypothesis that exercise facilitates psychological processes among institutionalized geriatric and psychogeriatric elderly persons. Studies of long-term psychogeriatric patients showed significant cognitive change following a period of moderate aerobic exercise. However, no lasting cognitive effect of long-term exercise was observed for those who became mentally or physically impaired in old age or who could not tolerate strenuous exercise. On the other hand, improvement in cognitive function was reported immediately following an exercise session among geriatric institutionalized patients. Neither long-term nor short-term exercise brought about changes in affect. Although most studies suffer serious methodological shortcomings, the common finding of improved cognitive function immediately following exercise suggests that physical activity does have some arousal effect on cognition in institutionalized elderly persons. More studies are needed to clarify the immediate versus long-term effect of exercise on psychological variables among institutionalized elderly as well as the relationship between physical fitness and cognitive change.

Aged↗

Nocardia fractions, NLD and NWSM, induce tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in human monocytes: role of protein kinase C.

Nocardia lysozyme digest (NLD) and Nocardia water-soluble mitogen (NWSM) are two fractions derived from Nocardia opaca. In this report, we demonstrated that both fractions elicited significant secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human monocytes. Supernatants from monocytes stimulated with NWSM and low concentrations of NLD displayed a cytotoxic activity against TNF-alpha-sensitive L929 cells, but supernatants from monocytes stimulated with high concentrations of NLD failed to lyse L929 cells. This latter phenomenon might be related to the secretion of an inactive form of TNF-alpha or the release of an inhibitor of TNF-alpha cytotoxic activity. Since it is well established that protein kinase C (PKC) plays a major role in the signaling of several monocyte activators, we investigated the putative role of PKC in cytokine synthesis induced by NLD and NWSM fractions. TNF-alpha secretion in response to both Nocardia fractions was inhibited by sphingosine, staurosporine and calphostin C, known PKC inhibitors, as well as by a PKC depletion procedure. In addition, NLD and NWSM induced a transient increase in [3H]phorbol dibutyrate binding, which assessed the activation of PKC. The data suggest the involvement of PKC in the signaling of NLD and NWSM fractions leading to the synthesis and the secretion of TNF-alpha by human monocytes.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

The impact of alcohol consumption on parent-child relationships in families of alcoholics.

The impact of alcohol consumption upon parent-child relationships was assessed longitudinally in eight father-son dyads. Univariate and bivariate time series analyses of daily reports for 85 days revealed a number of significant effects. Most importantly, results suggest that not all children are similarly affected by fathers' day-to-day drinking. The authors discuss potential explanations of how parental drinking affects parent-child relationships on a day-to-day basis.

Adolescent↗

Nuclear immunostaining of hepatitis C infected hepatocytes with monoclonal antibodies to C100-3 nonstructural protein. Comparison of immunogold silver staining with other immunohistochemical methods.

Immunohistochemical methods have been used to localize an HCV antigen on paraffin embedded liver tissue sections by means of monoclonal antibodies to C100-3 nonstructural protein. Peroxidase-antiperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase, biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase and immunogold silver staining methods showed a nuclear staining of the hepatocytes in cases of chronic hepatitis with positive HCV serology, alcoholic liver disease and hepatocarcinoma. No cross reactions were observed with viral hepatitis B and delta antigens. The strongest reaction without background staining was obtained with immunogold silver staining. Nuclear localization was compared to the cytoplasmic staining described in the literature.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Sequential analysis of marital interactions involving alcoholic, depressed, and nondistressed men.

This study was based on the investigators' earlier work on alcoholism and the family and involved a comprehensive assessment of sequential patterns associated with the marital interactions of alcoholic, depressed, and nondistressed men. A total of 131 couples were assessed in a laboratory-based discussion of personally relevant problems. Videotaped observations were conducted during drinking and nondrinking sessions and were subsequently coded according to the Marital Interaction Coding System. Depressed couples were most distinguishable in terms of unique antecedent-consequent patterns, whereas alcoholic and nondistressed control couples were similar to one another and different from depressed couples. Results are discussed in regard to the extant literature on interpersonal theories of depression and alcoholism and in regard to future research needs.

Adolescent↗

Anatomy of a second generation Tarasoff case.

Few medicolegal doctrines have spread so widely and wildly as the Tarasoff duty of professionals to protect potential victims of violence perpetrated by psychiatric patients. Post-Tarasoff decisions have not been limited to identifiable third parties in danger, but in some circumstances have been extended to the community at large. Lipari v. Sears, Roebuck and U.S. is the first of such court rulings to invoke the concept of strict liability for the violent acts of a patient who, in the case presented, randomly fired at club patrons, killing one and wounding many others. A detailed examination of this pivotal and troubling case will facilitate recognition of the inherent complexity associated with subjecting human problems to the legal process.

Adult↗

Parent-child interactions in families with alcoholic fathers.

Adolescent offspring (N = 121) of alcoholic, depressed, and nondistressed fathers were observed during problem-solving discussions with their fathers, mothers, and with both parents together. Assessments were conducted when parents were and were not drinking alcohol. Nondistressed father-child dyads differed from both clinical samples in showing higher rates of congeniality and problem solving, whereas the impact of alcohol consumption on father-child, mother-child, or triadic interactions was not related to diagnostic status of father. Results are discussed in terms of the nonspecific effects of parental disturbance on family relationships and reasons for the absence of alcoholism specific effects on parent-child interaction.

Adolescent↗

Experimental drinking procedures in the study of alcoholics and their families: a consideration of ethical issues.

In response to G. Koocher's (1991) expressed concerns regarding the use of experimental drinking procedures with alcoholic participants described in our earlier study (Jacob, Krahn, & Leonard, 1991), our discussion focuses on six major issues: risk-benefit analysis, safeguarding participants from harm, linking alcoholic participants with treatment, the use of monetary incentives, fostering the pathology of the alcoholic family, and relationships between alcoholism and adverse family effects. In presenting this material, we hope that readers will become more appreciative of the many implications that human use issues have for the science we pursue and for the welfare of the participants whom we wish to protect.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Temperament deviation and risk for alcoholism.

Sons of alcoholics and nonalcoholics drawn from a community sample were compared across multiple dimensions of temperament. Sons of alcoholics scored higher on only behavioral activity level. This trait score was found to be unrelated to family environment. The implications of these findings for clarifying alcoholism vulnerability are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Partial-hospital treatment of potentially violent patients, or who's afraid of Tatiana Tarasoff?

Partial hospitalization has taken on an increasingly important role in the treatment of violence-prone patients. In response to the 1976 Tarasoff decision in California and its progeny widening the scope in many jurisdictions of a therapist's duty to protect endangered third parties from the violent acts of such individuals, strategies relevant to the day hospital need to be formulated. Treaters can provide beneficial containment through the use of informed consent, the therapeutic contract, and reality-based work which involves the patient and significant others. Nevertheless, the partial-hospital team must not lose sight of the limits of such interventions and should consider inpatient care as a serious option.

California↗

Alcoholism and family interaction.

This chapter reviews the family interaction literature concerned with families of alcoholics. The development of this area is traced from early reports that focused on individual family members to more recent approaches concerned with the family as an interacting unit. Theories that suggest that family processes reinforce patterns of abusive drinking are examined in light of existing empirical evidence. The interpretation of findings is limited by an insufficient number of studies, a lack of replication, and a lack of systematic programs of research. Recently, more rigorously controlled experiments have demonstrated that the interactions of families of alcoholics can be differentiated from those of nondistressed and other distressed families. Suggested future directions include exploration of family interactions with respect to female alcoholics and offspring outcome.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Cognitive status of sons of alcoholic men.

Sons of community dwelling alcoholic, depressed, and normal men were administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. A generalized cognitive deficit was not found in the sons of alcoholics. The sons of alcoholics demonstrated greater ataxia than offspring in the two control groups and also performed more poorly on tests measuring visual scanning and attention, planning ability, and impulse control. These findings raise the possibility that an anterior cerebral dysfunction underlies the cognitive deficit observed in children of alcoholics.

Alcoholism↗

Specific cognitive impairment in sons of early onset alcoholics.

Cognitive and behavioral functioning in school-aged sons of early onset alcoholics, late onset alcoholics, normal social drinking fathers, and depressed fathers were compared on a battery of neuropsychological measures. Sons of early onset alcoholics performed more poorly than offspring of the normal fathers on tests measuring attention and verbal intellectual capacity, but were not significantly different from sons of late onset alcoholic fathers. Sons of normal and late onset alcoholics were not distinguishable from each other.

Adolescent↗