Showing papers by "University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey published in 1997"
TL;DR: The IIEF addresses the relevant domains of male sexual function, is psychometrically sound, and has been linguistically validated in 10 languages and demonstrates the sensitivity and specificity for detecting treatment-related changes in patients with erectile dysfunction.
5,028 citations
TL;DR: Bloodstream infections in the 1990s are notable for the increased importance of CNS as both contaminants and pathogens, the proportionate increase in fungi and decrease in anaerobes as pathogens,The emergence of Mycobacterium avium complex as an important cause of bacteremia in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection, and the reduction in mortality associated with infection.
Abstract: To assess changes since the mid-1970s, we reviewed 843 episodes of positive blood cultures in 707 patients with septicemia. The five most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus species. Although CNS were isolated most often, only 12.4% were clinically significant. Half of all episodes were nosocomial, and a quarter had no recognized source. Leading identifiable sources included intravenous catheters, the respiratory and genitourinary tracts, and intraabdominal foci. Septicemia-associated mortality was 17.5%. Patients who received appropriate antimicrobial therapy throughout the course of infection had the lowest mortality (13.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that age (relative risk [RR], 1.80), microorganism (RR, 2.27), source of infection (RR, 2.86), predisposing factors (RR, 1.98), blood pressure (RR, 2.29), body temperature (RR, 2.04), and therapy (RR, 2.72) independently influenced outcome. Bloodstream infections in the 1990s are notable for the increased importance of CNS as both contaminants and pathogens, the proportionate increase in fungi and decrease in anaerobes as pathogens, the emergence of Mycobacterium avium complex as an important cause of bacteremia in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection, and the reduction in mortality associated with infection.
1,182 citations
TL;DR: The Beck Depression Inventory for Primary Care (BDI-PC) was effective for differentiating medical inpatients who were and were not diagnosed with DSM-IV major depression disorders (MDD).
674 citations
TL;DR: Despite the fact that most smokers expressed a strong desire to stop smoking in 1988, the majority, especially the most dependent heavy smokers (>25 cigarettes/day), struggled unsuccessfully to achieve this goal.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To identify variables predictive of smoking cessation in a cohort of cigarette smokers followed for five years. DESIGN: Data analysed in this paper come from a cohort tracking telephone survey of 13415 cigarette smokers aged 25-64 years from 20 American and two Canadian communities who were interviewed in 1988 and re-interviewed in 1993 as part of the National Cancer Institute9s Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation. Predictors of smoking cessation evaluated in this study included measures of past and current smoking behaviour, past quit attempts, stated desire to quit smoking, and demographic characteristics. OUTCOME MEASURES: Smoking cessation was based on self report. A "quitter" was defined as a cohort member who, at the final annual contact in 1993, reported not smoking any cigarettes for the preceding six months or longer. Any smoker who reported having made a serious quit attempt between 1988 and 1993 was asked to indicate reasons that contributed to their decision to try to stop smoking. RESULTS: 67% of smokers reported making at least one serious attempt to stop smoking between 1988 and 1993 and, of these, 33% were classified as having quit smoking in 1993. The most common reasons given for quitting smoking were concern over health (91%), expense (60%), concern about exposing others to secondhand smoke (56%), and wanting to set a good example for others (55%). Statistically significant predictors of smoking cessation included male gender, older age, higher income, less frequent alcohol intake, lower levels of daily cigarette consumption, longer time to first cigarette in the morning, the use of premium cigarettes, initiation of smoking after age 20, history of past quit attempts, a strong desire to stop smoking, and the absence of other smokers in the household. Predictor variations with the largest relative risks for smoking cessation were those associated with nicotine dependence such as amount smoked daily and time to first cigarette in the morning. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that most smokers expressed a strong desire to stop smoking in 1988, the majority, especially the most dependent heavy smokers (>25 cigarettes/day), struggled unsuccessfully to achieve this goal.
594 citations
TL;DR: It is found that the mammalian transcriptional repressor Sin3 (mSin3) exists in a complex with histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2, and that the mSin3-containing complex includes polypeptides that tether the m Sin3 complex to core histone proteins.
583 citations
TL;DR: A synthesized review of generalized linear regression models for analysing ordered responses and the formulation of ordinal models, interpretation of model parameters, and their implications for epidemiological research are presented.
Abstract: Background Epidemiologists are often interested in estimating the risk of several related diseases as well as adverse outcomes, which have a natural ordering of severity or certainty. While most investigators choose to model several dichotomous outcomes (such as very low birthweight versus normal and moderately low birthweight versus normal), this approach does not fully utilize the available information. Several statistical models for ordinal responses have been proposed, but have been underutilized. In this paper, we describe statistical methods for modelling ordinal response data, and illustrate the fit of these models to a large database from a perinatal health programme. Methods Models considered here include (1) the cumulative logit model, (2) continuation-ratio model, (3) constrained and unconstrained partial proportional odds models, (4) adjacent-category logit model, (5) polytomous logistic model, and (6) stereotype logistic model. We illustrate and compare the fit of these models on a perinatal database, to study the impact of midline episiotomy procedure on perineal lacerations during labour and delivery. Finally, we provide a discussion on graphical methods for the assessment of model assumptions and model constraints, and conclude with a discussion on the choice of an ordinal model. The primary focus in this paper is the formulation of ordinal models, interpretation of model parameters, and their implications for epidemiological research. Conclusions This paper presents a synthesized review of generalized linear regression models for analysing ordered responses. We recommend that the analyst performs (i) goodness-of-fit tests and an analysis of residuals, (ii) sensitivity analysis by fitting and comparing different models, and (iii) by graphically examining the model assumptions.
519 citations
TL;DR: The toeprinting assay was used with mRNAs that initiate translation at CUG instead of AUG, cugGAU was not recognized better than cugGGU, contradicting the hypothesis that initiation at non‐AUG codons might be favored by A instead of G in position +5.
Abstract: A primer extension (toeprinting) assay was used to monitor selection by ribosomes of the first versus the second AUG codon as a function of introducing mutations on the 3′ side (positions +4, +5 and +6) of the first AUG codon. Six different flanking codons starting with G (GCG, GCU, GCC, GCA, GAU and GGA) strongly augmented selection of AUG#1 when compared with matched mRNAs that had A or C instead of G in position +4. Augmentation by G in position +4 failed only when it was combined with U in position +5, as in the sequence augGUA. In contrast with the usual enhancing effect of introducing G in position +4, most mutations in position +5 had no discernible effect, as shown with the series augANA (where N = C, A, G or U) and the series augCNA. AUG codon recognition was also unaffected by mutations in position +6, as shown by testing four mRNAs that had augCCN as the start site. Thus the primary sequence context that augments the recognition of AUG start codons does not appear generally to extend beyond G in position +4. When the toeprinting assay was used with mRNAs that initiate translation at CUG instead of AUG, cugGAU was not recognized better than cugGGU, contradicting the hypothesis that initiation at non‐AUG codons might be favored by A instead of G in position +5.
495 citations
TL;DR: The use of inspiratory and expiratory aids can prolong survival while significantly decreasing the pulmonary morbidity and hospitalization rates associated with conventional resort to tracheostomy IPPV.
486 citations
TL;DR: The psychometric properties of the Scale for Suicide Ideation--Current (SSI-C; Beck, Kovacs & Weissman, 1979, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 47, 343-352) and Scale for Suicidal Ideation-Worst (SISI-W;Beck, Brown, Steer, Dahlsgaard & Grisham, 1997, in press) were explored as discussed by the authors.
466 citations
TL;DR: The CRFB4 chain, which is designated as the IL‐10R2 or IL‐ 10Rβ chain, serves as an accessory chain essential for the activeIL‐10 receptor complex and to initiate IL‐8‐induced signal transduction events.
Abstract: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic cytokine which signals through a specific cell surface receptor complex. Only one chain, that for ligand binding (IL-10Ralpha or IL-10R1), was identified previously. We report here that, although human IL-10 binds to the human IL-10R1 chain expressed in hamster cells, it does not induce signal transduction. However, the co-expression of CRFB4, a transmembrane protein of previously unknown function belonging to the class II cytokine receptor family, together with the IL-10R1 chain renders hamster cells sensitive to IL-10. The IL-10:CRFB4 complex was detected by cross-linking to labeled IL-10. In addition, the IL-10R1 chain was able to be co-immunoprecipitated with anti-CRF antibody when peripheral blood mononuclear cells were treated with IL-10. These results demonstrate that the CRFB4 chain is part of the IL-10 receptor signaling complex. Thus, the CRFB4 chain, which we designate as the IL-10R2 or IL-10Rbeta chain, serves as an accessory chain essential for the active IL-10 receptor complex and to initiate IL-10-induced signal transduction events.
397 citations
TL;DR: Based on the observed results, it is hypothesized that decorin facilitates fibrillar slippage during deformation and thereby improves the tensile properties of collagen fibers.
TL;DR: To provide further information about the construct validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-II the inventory was administered to 210 psychiatric outpatients along with Derogatis' SCL-90-R and found it was more positively correlated with scores on the Depression subscale than with those on the Anxiety subscale.
Abstract: To provide further information about the construct validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-II the inventory was administered to 210 psychiatric outpatients along with Derogatis' SCL 90-R. As hypothesized, the Beck Depression Inventory-II was more positively correlated with scores on the Depression subscale (r = .89) than it was with scores on the Anxiety subscale of the SCL-90-R (r = .71).
TL;DR: DNA replication very likely proceeds in two phases: an initial phase of theta replication, initiated at one or more of the origins, followed by a rolling-circle mode of replication, which generates concatemers that are cleaved and packaged into infectious viral particles.
Abstract: The Herpesviridae comprise a large class of animal viruses of considerable public health importance. Of the Herpesviridae, replication of herpes simplex virustype-1 (HSV-1) has been the most extensively studied. The linear 152-kbp HSV-1 genome contains three origins of DNA replication and approximately 75 open-reading frames. Of these frames, seven encode proteins that are required for originspecific DNA replication. These proteins include a processive heterodimeric DNA polymerase, a single-strand DNA-binding protein, a heterotrimeric primosome with 5'-3' DNA helicase and primase activities, and an origin-binding protein with 3'-5' DNA helicase activity. HSV-1 also encodes a set of enzymes involved in nucleotide metabolism that are not required for viral replication in cultured cells. These enzymes include a deoxyuridine triphosphatase, a ribonucleotide reductase, a thymidine kinase, an alkaline endo-exonuclease, and a uracil-DNA glycosylase. Host enzymes, notably DNA polymerase alpha-primase, DNA ligase I, and topoisomerase II, are probably also required. Following circularization of the linear viral genome, DNA replication very likely proceeds in two phases: an initial phase of theta replication, initiated at one or more of the origins, followed by a rolling-circle mode of replication. The latter generates concatemers that are cleaved and packaged into infectious viral particles. The rolling-circle phase of HSV-1 DNA replication has been reconstituted in vitro by a complex containing several of the HSV-1 encoded DNA replication enzymes. Reconstitution of the theta phase has thus far eluded workers in the field and remains a challenge for the future.
TL;DR: The role of Brn-3c in auditory and vestibular system development was described in this paper, which showed that mice carrying a targeted deletion of the Brn3c gene are deaf and have impaired balance.
Abstract: The Brn-3 subfamily of POU–domain transcription factor genes consists of three highly homologous members—Brn-3a, Brn-3b, and Brn-3c—that are expressed in sensory neurons and in a small number of brainstem nuclei. This paper describes the role of Brn-3c in auditory and vestibular system development. In the inner ear, the Brn-3c protein is found only in auditory and vestibular hair cells, and the Brn-3a and Brn-3b proteins are found only in subsets of spiral and vestibular ganglion neurons. Mice carrying a targeted deletion of the Brn-3c gene are deaf and have impaired balance. These defects reflect a complete loss of auditory and vestibular hair cells during the late embryonic and early postnatal period and a secondary loss of spiral and vestibular ganglion neurons. Together with earlier work demonstrating a loss of trigeminal ganglion neurons and retinal ganglion cells in mice carrying targeted disruptions in the Brn-3a and Brn-3b genes, respectively, the Brn-3c phenotype reported here demonstrates that each of the Brn-3 genes plays distinctive roles in the somatosensory, visual, and auditory/vestibular systems.
TL;DR: A compendium of phenotypes that can be readily screened to identify pleiotropic phenotypes associated with primary or suppressor mutations is provided.
Abstract: A summary of previously defined phenotypes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is presented. The purpose of this review is to provide a compendium of phenotypes that can be readily screened to identify pleiotropic phenotypes associated with primary or suppressor mutations. Many of these phenotypes provide a convenient alternative to the primary phenotype for following a gene, or as a marker for cloning a gene by genetic complementation. In many cases a particular phenotype or set of phenotypes can suggest a function for the product of the mutated gene.
TL;DR: It is shown that human cells in which homocysteine metabolism is deregulated by a mutation in the cystathionine beta-synthase gene and/or by an antifolate drug, aminopterin, produce more homocy steine thiolactone, in addition to homocy Steine, than unaffected cells.
TL;DR: Investigation of neuronal apoptosis induced by the DNA-damaging agent camptothecin shows that it is suppressed by the G1/S blockers deferoxamine and mimosine, as well as by the CDK-inhibitors flavopiridol and olomoucine, and it is found that the cysteine aspartase family protease inhibitor zVAD-fmk inhibits apoptosis evoked by NGF-deprivation but not campt
Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that G1/S cell cycle blockers and inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) prevent the death of nerve growth factor (NGF)-deprived PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons, suggesting that proteins normally involved in the cell cycle may also serve to regulate neuronal apoptosis. Past findings additionally demonstrate that DNA-damaging agents, such as the DNA topoisomerase (topo-I) inhibitor camptothecin, also induce neuronal apoptosis. In the present study, we show that camptothecin-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells, sympathetic neurons, and cerebral cortical neurons is suppressed by the G1/S blockers deferoxamine and mimosine, as well as by the CDK-inhibitors flavopiridol and olomoucine. In each case, the IC50 values were similar to those reported for inhibition of death induced by NGF-deprivation. In contrast, other agents that arrest DNA synthesis, such as aphidicolin and N-acetylcysteine, failed to block death. This suggests that the inhibition of DNA synthesis per se is insufficient to provide protection from camptothecin. We find additionally that the cysteine aspartase family protease inhibitor zVAD-fmk inhibits apoptosis evoked by NGF-deprivation but not camptothecin treatment. Thus, despite their shared sensitivity to G1/S blockers and CDK inhibitors, the apoptotic pathways triggered by these two causes of death diverge at the level of the cysteine aspartase. In summary, neuronal apoptosis induced by the DNA-damaging agent camptothecin appears to involve signaling pathways that normally control the cell cycle. The consequent death signals of such deregulation, however, are different from those that result from trophic factor deprivation.
TL;DR: The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) as discussed by the authors was administered to 160 college students and displayed high internal consistency and construct validity.
Abstract: The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) was administered to 160 college students. It displayed high internal consistency and construct validity.
TL;DR: A review of placenta previa published between 1950 and 1996 on the basis of a comprehensive literature search with use of MEDLINE and by identifying studies cited in the references of published reports is presented in this article.
TL;DR: This work has shown that IL-6 has therapeutic potential in acute inflammation, and it is a potential target for cachexia, multiple myeloma, and osteoporosis.
TL;DR: A 2-item questionnaire was derived from 10 DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling that was significant in sensitivity and negative predictive value and significant in specificity and positive predictive value.
Abstract: A 2-item questionnaire was derived from 10 DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. Subjects were 362 men, 191 classified as pathological gamblers and 171 as nonproblem-gambling controls. The two items were significant in sensitivity and negative predictive value and significant in specificity and positive predictive value.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that independent of DNA replication, the TOP1 cleavable complex is ubiquitinated and destroyed in cells treated with antitumor drugs that block the religation step of the Topoisomerase I reaction.
TL;DR: The patterns of regulation and how sugar transport is affected by changes in diet, energy budgets, and environmental salinity as well as by intestinal resection, starvation, stress, and age are described.
Abstract: The recent surge in knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms of intestinal sugar transport has fueled an enormous interest in adaptive mechanisms regulating sugar transport. We first review several functional considerations that help us interpret the different patterns of adaptation for different nutrients. We then distinguish nonspecific adaptive mechanisms leading to parallel changes in transport of different nutrients from specific adaptive mechanisms only affecting the transport of a single nutrient. Nonspecific adaptive mechanisms include changes in mucosal surface area and in the ratio of transporting to nontransporting cells; specific mechanisms include changes in site density of transporters and in affinity constants. We also enumerate the patterns of regulation and describe how sugar transport is affected by changes in diet, energy budgets, and environmental salinity as well as by intestinal resection, starvation, stress, and age. We relate the various signals linking these stimuli to adaptive mechanisms and make predictions about the nature of these signals. Finally, we describe the significance of the interactions among sugar, fluid, and electrolyte transport mechanisms and of the paracellular pathway to transepithelial transport of sugars. We close by drawing attention to promising directions for future research.
TL;DR: The results document functional conservation of eukaryotic mRNA guanylyltransferases from yeast to mammals and indicate that the phosphorylated C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II couples capping to transcription elongation.
Abstract: 5′-Capping is an early mRNA modification that has important consequences for downstream events in gene expression. We have isolated mammalian cDNAs encoding capping enzyme. They contain the sequence motifs characteristic of the nucleotidyl transferase superfamily. The predicted mouse and human enzymes consist of 597 amino acids and are 95% identical. Mouse cDNA directed synthesis of a guanylylated 68-kDa polypeptide that also contained RNA 5′-triphosphatase activity and catalyzed formation of RNA 5′-terminal GpppG. A haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking mRNA guanylyltransferase was complemented for growth by the mouse cDNA. Conversion of Lys-294 in the KXDG-conserved motif eliminated both guanylylation and complementation, identifying it as the active site. The K294A mutant retained RNA 5′-triphosphatase activity, which was eliminated by N-terminal truncation. Full-length capping enzyme and an active C-terminal fragment bound to the elongating form and not to the initiating form of polymerase. The results document functional conservation of eukaryotic mRNA guanylyltransferases from yeast to mammals and indicate that the phosphorylated C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II couples capping to transcription elongation. These results also explain the selective capping of RNA polymerase II transcripts.
TL;DR: The data indicate that NO, superoxide, and peroxynitrite formation are elevated after reperfusion of the ischemic heart, suggesting that these inflammatory mediators may be involved in MI/R injury.
Abstract: In the present study, the contribution of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, and peroxynitrite to the inflammatory response induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, and the left main coronary artery was ligated for 20 min and reperfused for 5 h. MI/R induced severe arrhythmias, indicated by a significantly elevated arrhythmia score in the MI/R group compared with that in the sham control group. Creatine kinase activity in the left ventricular free wall of the MI/R group was significantly reduced by 38%. In contrast, myeloperoxidase activity in the left ventricular free wall of the MI/R group was increased by 140%. Similarly, superoxide and tissue NO levels in the ischemic region of the heurt were increased by 140 and 90%, respectively. Superoxide and NO values in the nonischemic regions were similar to the sham control group. Total NO synthase (NOS) activity was elevated by 212%; moreover, inducible NOS (iNOS) activity increased 6.7-fold in the ischemic vs. nonischemic regions. MI/R also induced both systemic and remote organ (lung) inflammatory responses. Circulating neutrophils and plasma NO levels were increased by 163 and 138%, respectively, in MI/R rats compared with sham control animals. NO levels and superoxide generation were increased by 90 and 176%, respectively, in the lung tissues. The expression of iNOS and peroxynitrite generation were demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining with polyclonal anti-iNOS and monoclonal anti-nitrotyrosine antibodies, respectively. Sections of both the ischemic area of the ventricular wall and the lung tissue of MI/R animals exhibited a marked immunoreactivity with anti-iNOS and anti-nitrotyrosine antibodies, indicating the presence of iNOS and nitrotyrosine. Our data indicate that NO, superoxide, and peroxynitrite formation are elevated after reperfusion of the ischemic heart, suggesting that these inflammatory mediators may be involved in MI/R injury.
TL;DR: The structure of OmpRc could be useful in helping to define the positioning of the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase in relation to transcriptional activators that are bound to DNA.
TL;DR: Ten recommendations lay a groundwork for IDPs to translate their expertise into leadership of AMPs, which offer the best potential for sustaining savings in antimicrobial costs.
Abstract: Controlling antimicrobial costs has preoccupied infectious diseases physicians (IDPs). IDPs have controlled antimicrobial costs by the use of eight strategies: education, formulary restriction, pharmacy justification, formulary substitution, computer surveillance, laboratory item cost listing, purchase plans, and multidisciplinary approaches. Most strategies had input from IDPs and resulted in cost savings (up to $500,000 annually), particularly during the initiation periods. Educational efforts were successful in reducing costs but needed continual intervention. Formulary restriction was the most straightforward cost-control mechanism. Restriction of target antimicrobials has given way to switch therapy between expensive and less costly agents or between parenteral and oral regimens. Switch therapy is facilitated through the use of innovative order forms and on-line computer interaction. Computer surveillance has a capacity for interactive controls. Purchase plans may give way to centralized pharmacy monitoring, a strategy that is attractive to managed care organizations. Multidisciplinary antimicrobial management programs (AMPs) offer the best potential for sustaining savings in antimicrobial costs. Ten recommendations lay a groundwork for IDPs to translate their expertise into leadership of AMPs.
TL;DR: A deficit of calcitriol occurs early in CRF, which in turn leads to a significant increase in PTH, and phosphorous restriction, together with calcium supplementation, ameliorated the HPT of patients with ERF.
TL;DR: Five categories of all-ceramic restorative systems relative to their processing techniques, strength and wear characteristics are discussed and results of published in vitro and short-term clinical studies are presented.
Abstract: To select the most appropriate type of all-ceramic system for clinical use, the clinician must be familiar with the differences between systems. This article discusses five categories of all-ceramic restorative systems relative to their processing techniques, strength and wear characteristics. The authors present and compare results of published in vitro studies and short-term clinical studies.
TL;DR: The incidence of tuberculosis among patients enrolled in the Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study was examined for a median observation period of approximately 4.5 years, and determinants of delayed-type hypersensitivity response and risk factors for tuberculosis reactivity were identified.
Abstract: Background: The resurgence of tuberculosis in the United States is largely linked to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Despite this link, the epidemiology of tuberculosis and prevent...