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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Processes involved in the repair of injured airway epithelia.

Recent studies have uncovered many aspects of the repair processes that follow airway epithelial injury. Although the repair process has common elements among various epithelia, such as the ones lining the airways, skin, and gut, there are differences based on their diverse functions. Whenever possible, similarities are pointed out that could help researchers further investigate their application to airway epithelia, although it would be beyond the scope of this review to cover the processes that may occur during the repair of all types of epithelia. In general, five major steps are involved in the recovery of airway epithelia from injury: 1) epithelial cells migrate to cover denuded areas within minutes, and certain proteins, such as the trefoil factor family proteins, are crucial to this process; 2) epithelial cells start to proliferate in order to replace injured cells and to differentiate to establish squamous or mucous cell metaplasia; 3) because more epithelial cells are present after proliferation, some of the cells must be discarded to restore the epithelium to the original condition; 4) once the cell numbers have been reduced to those found in unexposed individuals, the normal proportions of cell types are restored; 5) finally, studies from exposures of rats to ozone show that epithelial cells can adapt and develop a memory of the chronic exposure to which they were exposed. This adaptation allows the epithelium to respond quickly, thus minimizing further injury. Although the molecular mechanisms involved in these major steps of the recovery process are largely unknown, disruption of these steps clearly causes the permanent changes observed in diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cancer; therefore, extensive research of these mechanisms may provide ideas for novel therapies.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Vertebrate somitogenesis: a novel paradigm for animal segmentation?

In vertebrates, the primary segmented tissue of the body axis is the paraxial mesoderm, which lies bilaterally to the axial organs, neural tube and notochord. The segmental pattern of the paraxial mesoderm is established during embryogenesis through the production of the somites which are transient embryonic segments giving rise to the vertebrae, the skeletal muscles and the dorsal dermis. Somitogenesis can be subdivided into three major phases (see Fig. 1). First a growth phase during which new paraxial mesoderm cells are produced by a growth zone (epiblast and blastopore margin or primitive streak and later on tail bud) and become organized as two rods of mesenchymal tissue,forming the presomitic mesoderm. Second a patterning phase occuring in the PSM, during which the segmental pattern is established at the molecular level. Third, the somitic boundaries are formed during the morphological segmentation phase. In all vertebrates, all cells of the paraxial mesoderm, during their maturation in the PSM, go successively through these three phases, which are tightly regulated at the spatio-temporal level. The first phase of paraxial mesoderm production falls out of the scope of this review, as it essentially pertains to the gastrulation process. Here, I essentially discuss the segmental patterning phase in vertebrates. Recent data suggest that establishment of the segmental pattern relies on a clock and wavefront mechanism which has been conserved in vertebrates. Furthermore, conservation of this system could extend to invertebrates, suggesting that the clock and wavefront is an ancestral mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Modulation of viral infections by cytokines.

The survival of a host challenged by viral infection depends on many factors. Some are specific, such as antiviral T-cell and B-cell responses. Others are nonspecific, such as intrinsic cellular resistance, macrophage activation, and activation of humoral protective mechanisms (e.g., complement, coagulation, etc.). Cytokines are important mediators and regulators of both types of host response. Furthermore, orchestration of specific humoral and cellular immune responses requires the participation of many cytokines. Details of the complex and overlapping roles that cytokines play in specific immune responses is beyond the scope of this review. Instead, this review will focus on the nonspecific antiviral effects of cytokines.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Post-remission therapy of acute myelocytic leukemia in adults: curability breeds controversy.

The curability of acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) in adults relies upon two treatment strategies. The first is induction therapy to effectively reduce the patient's leukemia burden and allow for recovery of normal hematopoiesis. Once this is achieved and the patient enters a complete remission, further potentially curative post-remission therapy can be administered. Induction therapy has not changed significantly over the past two decades, relying primarily on conventional-dose cytarabine and an anthracycline combination. Post-remission therapy, on the other hand, has changed with the introduction of more intensive and aggressive cytoreductive treatment as well as utilization of myeloablative regimens followed by either allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The scope of this review is to evaluate the different curative post-remission treatment approaches for adult patients with AML. Discussions will focus on younger patients (less than 65 years) with responsive disease who enter a complete remission and then have post-remission therapy options available to them. Often, decisions concerning post-remission therapies are based solely on age and the availability of compatible donors; however, since understanding of the biology of leukemia has expanded and treatment strategies have improved, our ability to recommend particular treatment approaches has also evolved. We are now in a position to recommend therapeutic options based on disease and host characteristics.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Hypoxia, HIF1alpha and estrogen receptor].

The estrogen receptor plays an important role in the development of hormone-dependent breast cancer. Experimental and clinical studies showed that hypoxia was involved in tumor progression and in the resistance to anticancer agents. The scope of this review is to summarize recent observations on these two signaling pathways and to show their importance and possible interaction in the development of hormone-dependent breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2003

Novel paradigm on the effect of estrogen on bone.

According to prevailing unitary model of involutional osteoporosis, female postmenopausal bone loss can be divided into two separate phases: the accelerated, transient phase, which is most distinct over the subsequent decade after the menopause and accounts for 20-30% of the cancellous bone loss and 5-10% of the cortical bone loss (type I osteoporosis), and the following gradual, continuous bone loss (type II osteoporosis). Estrogen deficiency is currently quite unanimously accepted as the primary cause of type I osteoporosis, as well as also a major determinant of type II osteoporosis, and quite plausibly, the quest to uncover the origin of type I (and II) osteoporosis has focused on the estrogen withdrawal-related skeletal changes at and around the menopause. However, given that the cyclical secretion of estrogen begins normally in early adolescence and continues over the entire fertile period (excluding the potential periods of pregnancy) until the eventual cessation of female reproductive capability, one could argue that this menopause-oriented approach is limited in scope. In this review, some classic findings of the pubertal effects of estrogen on female bones are presented, findings that were paramount to Fuller Albright when he first described the disease called postmenopausal osteoporosis in 1940, but studies/findings that have failed to attract the attention they deserve. When these findings are incorporated with the primary function of the axial skeleton and long bones, the locomotion, an alternative, novel explanation for the function of estrogen and accordingly, the origin of the accelerated phase of postmenopausal bone loss, is proposed: estrogen packs mechanically excess bone/mineral into the female skeleton at puberty, a bone stock that later serves as the origin of the type I postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

[Pharmacologic prevention of cardiovascular diseases--2005].

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Western countries, and that is true for Hungary as well, and so will be the case in developing countries in 2025. Cardiovascular diseases kill more than 950000 people only in the USA. 50% of cardiovascular mortality is due to ischemic heart disease, stroke is responsible for 20%. The annual cost of the treatment of cardiovascular illnesses takes more than 330 billion dollars. All these data underline the importance of these illnesses. The aim of cardiovascular prevention is to reduce the incidence of first or recurrent events due to ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke or peripheral artery disease, especially early deaths and disability. In the following article the medical aspects of cardiovascular prevention are summarized. Lifestyle changes and special treatment of particular risk factors are out of scope of this review.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2006

[Xenobiotic-metabolizing polymorphic enzymes. An opportunity for individualized drug treatment].

Interindividual variability in drug responses can complicate patient management. This variability is partly due to genetic factors that affect pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior Pharmacogenetics is a discipline focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying drug responses. Its overriding goal is to optimize drug treatments, in terms of both their efficacy and their safety. Polymorphisms of genes that encode drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporter molecules and receptors have a well-documented impact on the distribution and effects of many medications. This review examines the scope of pharmacogenetics, the molecular bases of interindividual variations in drug responses, and the methods used to assess the individual risk of drug failure or toxicity. Pharmacogenetic approaches have already entered the clinical arena, resulting in significant improvements in patient management. Clinical validation of new pharmacogenetic tests and the development of new efficient genotyping technologies should rapidly lead to patient-tailored therapy.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed1990

Colicins: prokaryotic killer-pores.

Colicins are plasmid-encoded protein antibiotics which kill bacteria closely related to the producing strain (generally Escherichia coli). The study of the function of colicins has revealed many features which reflect common targeting and translocation mechanisms with bacteriophages and toxins. Like many toxins, colicins are composed of structural domains specialized in one of the different steps of the activity, targeting, translocation and killing. The major group comprises those colicins which permeabilize the cytoplasmic membrane, thereby destroying the cell's membrane potential. These colicins form well-defined voltage-gated ion channels in artificial membranes. The scope of this review is to describe some of the more recent findings concerning the structure and mode of action of pore-forming colicins with a special attention to models of membrane insertion and pore structure based on the recently determined three-dimensional structure of the pore-forming domain of colicin A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Malaria: advice to travellers.

Malaria continues to be a major international public health problem but many Australians who travel overseas are ill-informed of the risk of infection and have inadequate protection against this potentially fatal disease. Management is complicated by the resurgence of malaria in areas that have previously had satisfactory control programmes, and the emergence of resistance to chloroquine and other drugs. This article focuses on prevention of malaria in travellers. The more important issue of malaria control for populations residing in endemic areas is beyond the scope of this review.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

An assessment of a postgraduate examination of competence in general practice: Part 1--Reliability.

The 1987 part one examination of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners was subjected to an evaluation. The format of the examination and the scope of the review is described. This paper describes the assessment of the reliability of components of the examination. Simulations showed acceptable reliability, however the reliability of the written paper was less satisfactory. The ways in which such reliability may be enhanced are described.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1989

The ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway: specificity of recognition of the proteolytic substrates.

Degradation of intracellular proteins via the ubiquitin system involves several steps. Initially, ubiquitin is covalently linked to the protein substrate in an ATP-dependent reaction. Following ubiquitin conjugation, the protein is selectively degraded with the release of free and reutilizable ubiquitin. Ubiquitin modification of a variety of protein targets within the cell appears to be important in a number of basic cellular functions. For example, modification of core nucleosomal histones may regulate gene expression at the level of chromatin structure. Ubiquitin attachment to cell surface proteins can play a role in the processes of cell-cell interaction and adhesion. Conjugation of ubiquitin to other, yet to be identified protein(s), is probably involved in the progression of cells from one stage to another in the cell cycle. Despite the considerable progress that has been made in elucidating the mode of action and roles of the ubiquitin pathway major problems remain unsolved. One problem of central importance is the issue of what determines the specificity of the ubiquitin ligation system for commitment of certain proteins to degradation. While a free alpha-amino group is one structural feature of the substrate recognized by the ligation system, it is certainly not the only one, and possibly not the predominant recognition marker. The scope of this review is to discuss recent developments in our understanding of the specificity and selection of substrates for conjugation and subsequent degradation via the ubiquitin system.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Physical training in insulin-resistant states.

It is the scope of this review to summarize animal experimentation carried out to investigate the effects of changes in habitual physical activity on glucose tolerance. Various studies in normal rats and in obese Zucker rats have demonstrated that physical training of mild intensity can partially revert or prevent the development of insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and skeletal muscle insulin insensitivity. The molecular basis for these phenomena remains to be elucidated. Nevertheless, these observations strongly suggest the possibility to use physical exercise programmes in order to improve glucose tolerance in patients with maturity-onset type diabetes mellitus, especially if associated with obesity.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Enzymatic activity of the nuclear matrix].

The scope of the review is to illustrate the great diversity of enzymatic activities bound to the nuclear matrix. These data are usually summarized in terms of replication, transcription, DNA repair, etc. Such an approach is understandable; however, the great diversity of enzymes is thereby obscured. The review presents the data on enzymatic activities according to the International Enzyme Classification (EC) with the main emphasis on the enzymological aspects of the phenomena described. The enzymes represent almost all classes of enzymes discovered in the nuclear matrix: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, isomerases and ligases. The presence of ligases is supposed. Nuclear matrix enzymes form functional systems which provide the replication, transcription and regulation of gene expression, DNA repair, transduction of signals by the secondary messengers, antiviral defence, maintenance and modification of the nuclear matrix structure and recombination.

DNA Repair↗

PubMed1994

[Mental suffering IN patients with parkinsonism].

Comprehensive treatment of patients with parkinson's disease demands that not only motoric dysfunctions but also psychosocial aspects have to be considered. The scope of this review is to cover not only the frequent dementia and depressive states associated with this disease, but also the drug-induced behavioral abnormalities, insomnia, conflicts with those providing care and implications for professional activities. The fundamental pathophysiological and psychopathological mechanisms are explained and illustrated by examples.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Role of phosphate retention in the progression of renal failure.

Dietary phosphorus restriction can prevent the progression of renal failure in subtotally nephrectomized rats or in rats with nephrotoxic serum nephritis, independent of protein and caloric intake. Conversely, diets high in phosphorus content result in a more rapid deterioration of renal function. The results are less compelling in indicating that phosphorus restriction can slow the progression of renal failure in the clinical setting. The toxicity of phosphate appears to be related to induction of calcium phosphate precipitation, resulting in tubulointerstitial disease. Most studies of prevention of renal calcification have addressed a single pathway in the development of nephrocalcinosis. These include inhibitors of calcium phosphate precipitation, calcium channel blockers, or an inhibitor of PTH secretion. All of these studies have shown a beneficial effect in preserving renal function. It is possible that a combination of these agents, started early in the course of CRF, may have an additive effect in preventing the progression to ESRD. The discussion of other factors associated with progression of renal failure is beyond the scope of this review. It is obvious that dietary protein restriction, treatment of systemic and intraglomerular hypertension and lipid abnormalities, and prevention of iron overload, all play roles in the preservation of renal function in CRF.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Poisonous snakebite in Utah.

A retrospective study was done of poisonous snakebite in Utah to determine the current epidemiology and scope of treatment, reviewing emergency department logs and other sources statewide for a 69-month period. Of 61 cases of poisonous snakebite identified, 13 occurred in snake hobbyists or venom laboratory personnel and were considered nonaccidental, and 48 were inflicted by native noncaptive snakes. These bites were considered accidental, and all were presumed to be from rattlesnakes. Nearly three fourths of the victims were male, ranging in age from 2 to 56 years (mean, 22 years). Most accidental bites occurred in areas of high human populations, during the summer months, in the afternoon or evening hours, and during recreational activities. Of the 48 bites, 11 (23%) were provoked. Two thirds of bites were on the upper extremities, and a third were on the lower extremities. More than half of the victims had no first-aid treatment recorded. Of those who did receive first aid, many were subjected to possibly harmful treatments, including tourniquets and ice application. The median time to a hospital was 68 minutes, with a range of 15 to 440 minutes. Swelling and discoloration were the most common signs and pain and paresthesia the most common symptoms. Half the bites resulted in minimal or no envenomation, 17 (35%) produced moderate envenomation, and 6 (12%) severe envenomation. Most patients with moderate or severe envenomation received antivenin, but the dosages given were usually less than recommended dosages. Five patients received surgical treatment based on clinical findings. One child died in a snake-handling incident. Long-term morbidity was unknown due to lack of follow-up. The Utah Poison Control Center was poorly utilized as a reporting and informational resource.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Exercise with or without dietary restriction and obesity treatment.

If short term weight loss is the main treatment objective, it is clear that exercise does not give any success. Dietary restriction can potentially induce much faster rates of weight loss. Adding exercise and especially weight training, to a diet-induced weight loss programme induces small improvements in the change in FFM/FM and possible RMR after a relatively long period. Exercise treatment alone is an option for longterm treatment with relatively small changes in body weight and body composition. Especially in obese subjects energy intake and expenditure compensation does not occur. Although it is not the scope of this review exercise seems to be the ideal option for successful maintenance of a reduced body weight.

Body Composition↗