Lobectomy combined with volume reduction for patients with lung cancer and advanced emphysema

Methanol-induced conformational transitions of hen egg white lysozyme were investigated with a combined use of far- and near-UV CD and NMR spectroscopies, ANS binding and small-angle X-ray scattering. Addition of methanol induced no global change in the native conformation itself, but induced a transition from the native state to the denatured state which was highly cooperative, as shown by the coincidence of transition curves monitored by the far- and near-UV CD spectroscopy, by isodichroic points in the far- and near-UV CD spectra and by the concomitant disappearance of individual 1H NMR signals of the native state. The ANS binding experiments could detect no intermediate conformer similar to the molten globule state in the process of the methanol denaturation. However, at high concentration of methanol, e.g., 60% (v/v) methanol/water, a highly helical state (H) was realized. The H state had a helical content much higher than the native state, monitored by far-UV CD spectroscopy, and had no specific tertiary structure, monitored both by near-UV CD and NMR spectroscopy. The radius of gyration in the H state, 24.9 angstroms, was significantly larger than that in the native state (15.7 angstroms). The Kratky plot for the H state did not show a clear peak and was quite similar to that for the urea-denatured state, indicating a complete lack of globularity. Thus we conclude that the H state has a considerably expanded, flexible broken rod-like conformation which is clearly distinguishable from the "molten globule" state. The stability of both N and H states depends on pH and methanol concentration. Thus a phase diagram involving N and H was constructed.     

Combined hyperlipidemia in transgenic mice overexpressing human apolipoprotein Cl

We have generated transgenic mice over-expressing human apolipoprotein CI (apo CI) using the native gene joined to the downstream 154-bp liver-specific enhancer that we defined for apo E. Human apo CI (HuCI)-transgenic mice showed elevation of plasma triglycerides (mg/dl) compared to controls in both the fasted (211 +/- 81 vs 123 +/- 52, P = 0.0001) and fed (265 +/- 105 vs 146 +/- 68, P < 0.0001) states. Unlike the human apo CII (HuCII)- and apo CIII (HuCIII)-transgenic mouse models of hypertriglyceridemia, plasma cholesterol was disproportionately elevated (95 +/- 23 vs 73 +/- 23, P = 0.002, fasted and 90 +/- 24 vs 61 +/- 14, P < 0.0001, fed). Lipoprotein fractionation showed increased VLDL and IDL + LDL with an increased cholesterol/triglyceride ratio (0.114 vs 0.065, P = 0.02, in VLDL). The VLDL apo E/apo B ratio was decreased 3.4-fold (P = 0.05) and apo CII and apo CIII decreased in proportion to apo E. Triglyceride and apo B production rates were normal, but clearance rates of VLDL triglycerides and postlipolysis lipoprotein "remnants" were significantly slowed. Plasma apo B was significantly elevated. Unlike HuCII- and HuCIII-transgenic mice, VLDL from HuCI transgenic mice bound heparin-Sepharose, a model for cell-surface glycosaminoglycans, normally. In summary, apo CI overexpression is associated with decreased particulate uptake of apo B-containing lipoproteins, leading to increased levels of several potentially atherogenic species, including cholesterol-enriched VLDL, IDL, and LDL.     

Imported measles. A potential control problem

From Dec 23, 1978, through Jan 31, 1979, an outbreak of five laboratory-confirmed cases and four clinical cases of measles occurred in a Vietnamese refugee population living in a single housing complex in Albuquerque, NM. The index cases were in two refugee siblings in whom measles was incubating on arrival in the United States. Despite spread through three subsequent generations of disease transmission within the Vietnamese population, there was no additional spread into the general Albuquerque population. Responsible factors included the age distribution of susceptible persons, the social isolation of the refugee population, and the physical structure of the housing complex. There is a need to identify the problem of imported measles in "ethnic islands" in need of vaccination.     

RNA metabolism of the normal and the copper treated human endometrium

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) metabolism of the normal and copper-treated ( Cu-T200 IUD) human endometrium was investigated. The relative concentration of total, messenger, ribosomal and transfer RNA was measured in normal and Cu-treated endometrium using the technique of affinity chromatography in polysepharose. The transition from the proli ferative to the secretory endometrium in normal women was accompanied by significant increases (p less than .05) in total RNA, messenger RNA and in ribosomal RNA. The relative proportions of bound and free messenger RNA were also modified by endometrial maturation changing from 70% bound messenger RNA in the proliferative to 83% in the secretory phase. Cu-T200 Cu release appeared to particularly affect RNA metabolism in the secretory phase. During the proliferative phase only the concentration of transfer RNA and the proportion of bound to free messenger RNA were modified by the Cu-T200. The Cu-T200 induced significant decreases (p less than .01 and p less than .05) in all RNA parameters, with the exception of the RNA/deoxyribonucleic acid ratio.     

Levels of prostaglandins in the small intestine of rats during primary and secondary infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

The level of PGE is increased 10-fold in intestinal tissues during primary infection of the rat with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Peak levels (ca. 7,000 pg/cm) were assayed in the jejunal site of infection on day 7 of infection and similar levels were recorded in 'post-infection' (ileal) segments at this time. The level of PGE in 'post-infection' segments showed further increase to 12,000 pg/cm on day 10. The level of PGE also increased in 'pre-infection' (duodenal) but this was delayed by 4-5 days. The level of PGF also increased during primary infection (from about 100 to 950 pg/cm) but this occurred after expulsion. Increase in the level of PGE occurred earlier (at 3-4 days) during secondary challenge given 19 days after primary infection, but the PGE levels followed the primary response when challenge was given 10 weeks after primary infection. It is suggested that PGE plays a dual role in parasite immunity. (1) PGE may directly affect metabolism of the parasite. In this event it is also suggested that protective antibodies cause the release of PG. (2) Elevated levels of PGE act indirectly by affecting gastrointestinal function which alters the microenvironment at the site of infection. The duodenal migration of parasites may be due to this effect of PGE.     

The Canadian influenza decision, 1976

This paper explains the Canadian decision process following the isolation and identification of A/New Jersey/8/76 at Fort Dix, New Jersey in February 1976. The cause for concern was the emergence of a swine-like strain related to that which caused the 1918-19 pandemic, together with proved man-to-man transmission. This concern was reinforced since all new influenza A strains known to have infected the number of persons involved at Fort Dix have become strains of epidemic importance. The Fort Dix outbreak gave sufficient warning to allow implementation of a national vaccination program, to prevent and protect against influenza. In the past such an opportunity had not occurred, and vaccine use had, at best, constituted an intervention in the course of an outbreak. The National Advisory Committee on Immunizing Agents had all available information when it reached its decision to recommend vaccination with bivalent (A/Victoria and A/New Jersey) or with monovalent (A/New Jersey) vaccine for selective, high-risk groups. This was an independent, scientifically based decision.     

Adolescent development and family characteristics associated with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

Studied persons who had initially been referred to a psychiatric hospital during adolescence (between 1938 and 1950) and who had at some time received a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Those who received an adolescent diagnosis of schizophrenia were divided into poor and favorable adult-outcome groups. Cases with subsequent adult onset of schizophrenia were classified according to prior clinical history. Three adult onset groups with neurotic, acting-out, and manic-depressive components were indicated. Comparisons among groups suggested the existence of a purely schizophrenic group (relative absence of nonschizophrenic psychopathology) including both patients and families in the poor-outcome adolescent-onset cases. The group with acting out in adolescence and a schizophrenic diagnosis as adults was most distinct. Family comparisons indicated a more mixed clinical picture for this group with a combination of psychosis, mental deficiency, acting out, alcoholism, broken homes, and parental neglect. This pattern was not typical for the other groups. Different developmental patterns and family characteristics indicated within-sample differences that suggest more homogeneous subgroups beyond common prognostic discriminations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

NIH funding and biomedical publication output

An investigation of the relationship between NIH funding and biomedical publication output is reported for 229 major NIH supported institutions. A correlation of 0.95 was found between the amount of NIH funding and the number biomedical publications for 132 U.S. universities. For 52 hospitals a correlation of 0.89 was found. For all 229 institutions it was found that NIH provided 91% of the boimedical research support from major federal agencies, and more than half of the total extramural biomedical research support. There was no indication of either economies or diseconomies of scale in the number of publications produced by the institutions, which ranged from a few publications per year to over 700 per year.     

Althesin infusion for cardiac catheterisation

A trial of a continuous intravenous infusion of Althesin is described for sedation during cardiac catheterisation, both for children and adults. The conditions produced for the procedure were very satisfactory. The advantages and problems of its use are discussed. The technique justifies further trials.