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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Functional analysis of grafts from living donors. Implications for the treatment of older recipients.

OBJECTIVE: Living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) has established efficacy in children. In a larger recipient, LRLT requires the use of a small graft because of limits on the donor hepatectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The minimum graft weight required for successful transplantation has not been well established, although a characteristic pattern of graft dysfunction has been observed in our patients who receive small grafts. The authors present a clinicopathologic study of small liver grafts obtained from living donors. METHODS: Clinical and histologic data were reviewed for 25 patients receiving LRLT. In five older recipients (small group), the graft represented 50% or less of expected liver weight, whereas in 20 others (large group), the graft represented at least 60% of expected liver weight. A retrospective analysis of graft function was conducted by analyzing clinical parameters and histology. RESULTS: In the small group, 2 of 5 grafts (40%) were lost due to poor function, leading to one patient death (20% mortality), whereas in the large group, 2 of 20 grafts (10%) were lost due to arterial thrombosis without patient mortality. Early ischemic damage related to transplant was comparable with aspartate aminotransferase 203 +/- 23 (small group) and 290 +/- 120 (large group) at 24 hours (p = not significant). Early function was significantly decreased in the small group, with prothrombin time 18.2 +/- 2.2 seconds versus 14.8 +/- 1.6 seconds (large group) on day 3 (p = 0.034). All small group patients developed cholestasis with significantly increased total bilirubin levels at day 7 (16 +/- 5.2 mg% vs. 3.7 +/- 2.7 mg%; p = 0.021) and day 14 (12.0 +/- 7.4 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.7; p = 0.021) compared with the large group. Protocol biopsies in the small group revealed a diffuse ischemic pattern with cellular ballooning on day 7, which progressed to cholestasis in subsequent biopsies. Large group biopsies showed minimal ischemic changes. Three small group patients recovered with normal liver function by 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical recovery after a small-for-size transplant is characterized by significant functional impairment associated with paradoxical histologic changes typical of ischemia. These changes apparently are due to graft injury, which can only be the result of small graft size. These findings have significant implications for the extension of LRLT to adults.

Adolescent↗

Functional analysis of linker insertions and point mutations in the alpha-Amy2/54 GA-regulated promoter.

Functional analysis of a gibberellin-regulated wheat alpha-amylase promoter, alpha-Amy2/54, has indicated that three regions were essential for expression. By studying the ability of mutant promoters, containing a randomly inserted 22 bp excision linker, to direct expression in oat aleurone protoplasts we have refined the positions and extents of these three cis elements and also demonstrated the presence of two additional elements. By converting the linker insertions to either single base point mutations or deletions using the class IIS restriction endonuclease BsmI we have shown that nucleotides -119 and -109 within the GARE -121GTAACAGAGTCTGG-108 and nucleotide -152 within the proposed element -156GATTGACTTGACC-144 are essential for high level expression from this promoter.

Base Sequence↗

Phenotypic and functional analysis of lamina propria mononuclear cells from colonoscopic biopsy specimens in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Phenotypic and functional analysis was performed with lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) isolated from colonoscopic biopsies in 27 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The proportion of T lymphocytes displaying HLA-DR antigens, interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, and transferrin receptor was greater in active UC than in control diseases. When LPMCs were cultured with IL-2 or phytohemagglutinin for 72 h, there were no significant differences in the proportion of cells bearing these activation markers between active UC and controls. The proportion of CD56+ cells and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity was lower in LPMCs from active UC than in control cells, and depletion of CD56+ cells from control lamina propria cells essentially eliminated LAK cell activity. Mucosal T lymphocytes may be activated in vivo during active inflammation in UC, and lower levels of intestinal LAK cell activity may be related to the decrease of CD56+ cells under these conditions.

Adolescent↗

Phenotypic and functional analysis of the cellular response in regional lymphoid tissue during an acute virus infection.

A phenotypic and functional analysis has been made of the cellular response in regional lymphoid tissue of C57BL/6J mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Massive recruitment of nondividing cells occurred from 3 days after infection, with total numbers of CD8+ T lymphocytes, B220+ B cells, and Thy-1- B220- null cells being high from day 4 to day 6. In contrast, the peak counts for CD4+ T cells were recorded on day 4 and declined dramatically thereafter. Enhanced expression of IL-2R and Ly-24, both of which can be regarded as T cell activation markers, was found for both the CD4+ and the CD8+ subsets, being most prominent for the CD8+ T cells on day 6. Evidence of T cell proliferation was not recognized until days 5 and 6, coincident with enhanced responsiveness of the lymphocytes to rIL-2 and the development of virus-specific cytotoxic activity. Elimination of the CD4+ T cells by treatment of mice with mAb did not modify either the pathogenesis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or the expression of activation markers on the CD8+ T cells which are known to be the key effectors in this disease. Thus, the pattern of responsiveness for the CD8+ population is of recruitment to the lymph node, progressive increase in the expression of activation markers and enhanced sensitivity to rIL-2, with late proliferation and generation of cytotoxic activity. This model provides a system for the rigorous in vivo analysis of parameters influencing lymphocyte differentiation and activation in a virus infection.

Animals↗

Functional analysis of Histoplasma capsulatum-reactive T-cell hybridomas.

Activation of CD4+ T cells is a crucial step in the elimination of Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells from tissues. However, only a limited amount of information exists concerning the immunobiology of H. capsulatum-reactive T cells that are CD4+. To facilitate the analysis of the functional activities of this T-cell subpopulation, we developed a panel of 10 murine T-cell hybridomas from splenocytes of immune C57BL/6 mice. All hybridomas reacted with monoclonal anti-CD4+ antibody and released interleukin-2 after stimulation with histoplasmin. Within 3 weeks, the reactivity of hybridomas to histoplasmin declined dramatically, yet the cells responded vigorously to yeast-phase preparations that were enriched for cytosol, cell wall, or cell membrane. Of 10 hybridomas studied, only one recognized heterologous fungal antigens. Responsiveness to yeast-phase antigens was restricted by I-Ab. We mapped determinants in cytosol and cell wall or cell membrane by the technique of one-dimensional T-cell immunoblotting. The patterns of responses of hybridomas to cytosol were nearly uniform. All hybridomas responded to two immunodominant regions in cytosol with masses ranging from less than or equal to 18 to 26 kilodaltons (kDa) and 35 to 39 kDa. All hybridomas tested responded to determinants in the cell wall or cell membrane preparation with masses of 35 to 39 kDa. These hybridomas provide a useful tool for defining yeast-phase antigens that trigger T-cell activation.

Animals↗

Functional analysis of antigen-specific T lymphocytes by serial measurement of gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor specimens.

The cloning of cancer Ags recognized by T cells has provided potentially new tools to enhance immunity against metastatic cancer. The biological monitoring of effective immunization has, however, remained a dilemma. We describe here a sensitive molecular quantitation methodology that allows analysis of in vivo immune response to vaccination. Metastatic melanoma patients were immunized with a synthetically modified peptide epitope (209-2M) from the melanoma self-Ag gp100. Using serial gene expression analysis, we report functional evidence of vaccine-induced CTL reactivity in fresh cells obtained directly from the peripheral blood of postimmunized patients. Further, we demonstrate in vivo localization of vaccine-induced immune response within the tumor microenvironment. The results of these molecular assays provide direct evidence that peptide immunization in humans can result in tumor-specific CTL that localize to metastatic sites.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Functional analysis of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase amino acids involved in resistance to multiple nonnucleoside inhibitors.

Several novel, structurally distinct classes of specific human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) nonnucleoside inhibitors have been described recently. These include the pyridinone derivatives L-697,639, L-697,661, and L-696,229 as well as BI-RG-587 and the tetrahydroimidazo[4,5,1-j,k]-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-one and -thione compounds. Previous studies have implicated involvement of the RT amino acid residues at positions 103, 181, and 188 in the activity of the compounds. Accordingly, HIV-1 RT mutants containing a series of amino acid substitutions at these positions were constructed. The relative resistance of purified mutant enzymes to each of the inhibitors was assessed. This analysis established the functional equivalence of the three inhibitor classes and provided evidence for the interaction of the 103 site with the 181/188 region. Amino acid substitutions at these positions were also found to influence RT sensitivity to inhibition by phosphonoformate, thereby suggesting a close association between this pyrophosphate analog's binding site in RT and the binding site of the nonnucleoside inhibitors. In addition, aromatic stacking of the amino acid side groups at residues 181 and 188 was suggested to be required for inhibitor activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Discriminant function analysis to calculate a Crohn's activity group scale to predict future inactive or active disease.

A discriminant function analysis was performed on several demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data of 685 observations performed over 12 months on 137 patients with Crohn's disease. A Crohn's activity group scale (CAGS) was calculated. The CAGS has two advantages over the usual Crohn's disease activity index: it is objective, but more important is the fact that the values, when calculated longitudinally, have predictive value. Thus, calculation of CAGS is useful for counseling purposes and may also be useful in the design of future trials assessing therapy for Crohn's disease by allowing prerandomization stratification of patients with high or low probability of future recurrences of symptomatic disease activity.

Crohn Disease↗

Immunohistochemical and in vitro functional analysis of pineal-germinoma infiltrating lymphocytes: report of a case.

The present study describes the phenotypic and functional analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from a germinoma located in the pineal region. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were separated from the germinoma and cultured in medium containing IL-2 (1000 U/ml). An immunohistochemical analysis of frozen sections revealed that 90% of the germinoma-infiltrating lymphocytes were CD3-positive T cells expressing CD4, CD8, and HLA Class I and Class II antigens, but were negative for CD16, CD20, CD23, CD25 and CD14 antigens. After in vitro cultivation in the presence of high concentrations of IL-2, the lymphocytes proliferated for 2 weeks, showing marked DNA synthesis. In addition, the lymphocytes could lyse NK-resistant allogeneic target cells. These results provide evidence for a potential role of germinoma-infiltrating lymphocytes in vivo, and suggest that the lymphocytes may control the growth of autochthonous tumor cells by killing those that are not restricted to the major histocompatibility complex.

Adult↗

Functional analysis of Rrp7p, an essential yeast protein involved in pre-rRNA processing and ribosome assembly.

During the functional analysis of open reading frames (ORFs) identified during the sequencing of chromosome III of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the previously uncharacterized ORF YCL031C (now designated RRP7) was deleted. RRP7 is essential for cell viability, and a conditional null allele was therefore constructed, by placing its expression under the control of a regulated GAL promoter. Genetic depletion of Rrp7p inhibited the pre-rRNA processing steps that lead to the production of the 20S pre-rRNA, resulting in reduced synthesis of the 18S rRNA and a reduced ratio of 40S to 60S ribosomal subunits. A screen for multicopy suppressors of the lethality of the GAL::rrp7 allele isolated the two genes encoding a previously unidentified ribosomal protein (r-protein) that is highly homologous to the rat r-protein S27. When present in multiple copies, either gene can suppress the lethality of an RRP7 deletion mutation and can partially restore the ribosomal subunit ratio in Rrp7p-depleted cells. Deletion of both r-protein genes is lethal; deletion of either single gene has an effect on pre-rRNA processing similar to that of Rrp7p depletion. We believe that Rrp7p is required for correct assembly of rpS27 into the preribosomal particle, with the inhibition of pre-rRNA processing appearing as a consequence of this defect.

Alleles↗

[Morphological, ultrastructural, cytochemical and functional analysis of neutrophils deficient in myeloperoxidase].

Eighteen patients with established hereditary myeloperoxidase deficiency underwent morphological, ultrastructural, cytochemical and functional analysis in order to correlate the lack of peroxidase from phagocytes with other leucocyte activities. Cytochemical and ultrastructural findings only confirmed the peroxidase defect in neutrophil and monocyte population, whereas normal peroxidase activity was detected in eosinophil granulocytes ("Alius-Grignaschi anomaly"). Morphological analysis, as determined by both ligh and electron microscopy, showed in two patients with total MPO-deficiency a large number of neutrophils (50-60%) with nuclear abnormalities very similar to Pelger-Huet's heterozygous form (two lobed neutrophils having a typical pince-nez appearance and a nuclear chromatin coarser than that of normal PMNL). Other 2 cases displayed a 50-60% five-lobed neutrophils, as occur in congenital nuclear hypersegmentation of PMNL. These findings suggest that Alius-Grignaschi anomaly and Pelger-Huet syndrome can be found associated in the same individuals, since both these abnormalities have a genetic origin. Finally, since an impaired bactericidal and fungicidal activity was observed, no patients displayed particular susceptibility to persistent or severe infections, thus confirming the presence of MPO-independent enzymatic systems.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗

Isolation of a functional homolog of the cell cycle-specific NIMA protein kinase of Aspergillus nidulans and functional analysis of conserved residues.

To investigate the degree of conservation of the cell cycle-specific NIMA protein kinase of Aspergillus nidulans, and to help direct its functional analysis, we cloned a homolog (designated nim-1) from Neurospora crassa. Over the catalytic domain NIM-1 is 75% identical to NIMA, but overall the identity drops to 52%. nim-1 was able to functionally complement nimA5 in A. nidulans. Mutational analysis of potential activating phosphorylation sites found in NIMA, NIM-1, and related protein kinases was performed on NIMA. Mutation of threonine 199 (conserved in all NIMA-related kinases) inhibited NIMA beta-casein kinase activity and abolished its in vivo function. This site conforms to a minimal consensus phosphorylation site for NIMA (FXXT) and is analogous to the autophosphorylation site of cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinases. However, mutation of a unique cysteine residue found only in the catalytic site of NIMA and NIM-1 had no effect on NIMA kinase activity or function. Three temperature-sensitive alleles of nimA that cause arrest in G2 were sequenced and shown to generate three different amino acid substitutions. None of the mutations prevented accumulation of NIMA protein during G2 arrest, but all prevented the p34cdc2/cyclin B-dependent phosphorylation of NIMA normally seen during mitotic initiation even though p34cdc2/cyclin B H1 kinase activity was fully activated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional analysis of a herpes simplex virus type 1 promoter: identification of far-upstream regulatory sequences.

We have performed a functional analysis of DNA sequences upstream from the gene for IE mRNA3 of herpes simplex virus type 1. Nucleotide sequences involved in initiation and positive regulation of transcription have been defined by construction of specific deletions in vitro. Transcription was assayed in vivo by microinjection into Xenopus oocytes, or by introduction of plasmid DNA into tissue culture cells and measurement of transient expression. Three functional promoter elements have been defined: i) Sequences between -16 and -37 which are not essential for transcription but are required for accurate initiation. ii) Proximal promoter sequences which are sufficient for transcription initiation in the absence of upstream sequences. iii) Far-upstream promoter sequences (more than 108bp upstream) which increase transcription in oocytes, and contain positive regulatory sequences (-174 to -331) which respond strongly to a factor in the virus inoculum.

Animals↗

Structure-function analysis of tissue-type plasminogen activator by linker-insertion, point and deletion mutagenesis.

We undertook a structure--function analysis of human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) using linker-scanning and deletion mutagenesis. Synthetic oligonucleotide linkers were introduced into the tPA cDNA at pre-existing restriction enzyme sites. This generated a series of tPA variants which contained small primary sequence alterations consisting of point mutations, deletions or insertions. The majority of the linker-insertion variants demonstrate a significant reduction in amidolytic and fibrinolytic activity in comparison to wild-type tPA. The exceptions are the variants with linker-inserts placed at the BglII(115) and StyI(277) sites of the tPA cDNA (4SLEG5 and 57LEA58 respectively), which encode insertions at the boundaries of the finger domain. The variants with linker-inserts in the light chain (protease domain) of tPA are the lowest in enzymatic activity. Particularly sensitive to mutation are highly conserved amino acids. Heavy chain deletion variants were constructed from point mutants at the domain boundaries of tPA. Deletion of the kringle domains lowers the fibrinolytic activity to a greater extent than deletion of the finger or growth factor domains. We conclude that alterations in any domain of the tPA molecule, and particularly in the highly conserved residues within these domains, can affect fibrinolytic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional analysis of ARGRI and ARGRIII regulatory proteins involved in the regulation of arginine metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We present here a functional analysis of ARGRI and ARGRIII regulatory proteins which are involved together with ARGRII in specific regulation of arginine anabolic and catabolic pathways. Unlike ARGRII, ARGRI and ARGRIII have no transcriptional activation capacity. The first 60 amino acids of ARGRI (out of 177) are dispensable for its activity. The functional domain of the protein is located in the region of homology with MCM1 and SRF proteins. ARGRIII contains in its C-terminal portion a stretch of 17 aspartate residues which are indispensable for arginine regulation. Gene disruption of the ARGRIII gene impairs the growth of the mutant on rich medium, showing that ARGRIII has a pleiotropic role in the cell.

Arginase↗

The reliability of muscle function analysis using different methods of stimulation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to determine the reliability of nonvolitional muscle function analysis (MFA) by determining the day-to-day and within-day reliability of conventional electrical stimulation and a newer, magneto-electrical stimulation method, using standard laboratory methodology. METHODS: Ten healthy, human immunodeficiency virus-negative adult men volunteered as subjects. MFA consisted of measuring the maximal relaxation rate, for magneto-electrical stimulation at 1 Hz and conventional electrical stimulation at 20 Hz, and force-frequency ratios using conventional electrical stimulation at 10 Hz:20 Hz and 10 Hz:50 Hz. Within-day and day-to-day reliability were determined by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV) for all subjects. RESULTS: Maximal relaxation rate using magneto-electrical stimulation had a significantly lower CV compared with the other nonvolitional MFA methods (p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Maximal relaxation rate using magneto-electrical stimulation was more reliable and technically easier than the other muscle function parameters examined. However, the day-to-day CV of muscle function parameters is larger than traditional nutrition assessment techniques. Development within the field should strive to improve testing techniques so that the reliability of MFA will allow definition of a range of normal values against which an individual's value can be compared. Until this is available, the precision and reliability of MFA restrict its use to research and population studies.

Adult↗

Functional analysis and treatment of elopement.

Elopement is a dangerous behavior because children who run away may encounter life-threatening situations (e.g., traffic). We conducted functional analyses of the elopement of 3 children who had been diagnosed with developmental disabilities. The results identified a maintaining reinforcer for the elopement of 1 child, but the data were difficult to interpret for 2 of the children. Subsequent reinforcer assessments were used to help to clarify the reinforcers for elopement for these 2 children. Results of the functional analyses and reinforcer assessments then were used to develop successful treatments to reduce elopement. The findings are discussed in terms of (a) the application of functional analysis methodology to elopement, (b) the use of reinforcer assessments to identify potential reinforcers when standard functional analyses are undifferentiated, and (c) the utility of assessment-based treatments for elopement.

Behavior Therapy↗

Late regrowth of pituitary adenomas after irradiation and/or surgery. Hazard function analysis.

A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with pituitary adenomas treated at the Radiation Oncology Center, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, Missouri. Of 210 patients treated from April 1954 through December 1982, 70 were treated with radiotherapy alone (RT), 121 received immediate postoperative RT (2 to 6 weeks), and 19 received RT following surgical failure. The mean follow-up time from the date of diagnosis for those patients alive at the time of last follow-up was 13.0 years (range, 3.0 to 30.0 years). Actuarial progression-free survival was analyzed up to 30 years. The 10-, 20-, and 30-year progression-free survival was 80.5%, 73.5%, and 73.5% for those patients treated with irradiation alone and 92.8%, 71.2%, and 44.0% for those treated with immediate postoperative irradiation. The median time to first failure from initial diagnosis by original treatment was 3.8 years for surgery alone, 4.2 years for RT only, and 10.2 years for surgery plus postoperative RT. Analysis for risk of recurrence per 5-year interval was performed using a hazard function analysis. The risk of recurrence after radiotherapy alone was greatest during the first 5-year interval after treatment and decreased to zero by 20 years. However, the risk of recurrence after primary surgery and postoperative radiotherapy revealed an increasing risk for recurrence up to 30 years after treatment. The concept of "cure" for pituitary adenomas requires extended follow-up.

Actuarial Analysis↗