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Johnson MM, Garcia‐Menendez F. Uncertainty in Health Impact Assessments of Smoke From a Wildfire Event. Geohealth 2022; 6:e2021GH000526. [PMID: 35024532 PMCID: PMC8724531 DOI: 10.1029/2021gh000526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires cause elevated air pollution that can be detrimental to human health. However, health impact assessments associated with emissions from wildfire events are subject to uncertainty arising from different sources. Here, we quantify and compare major uncertainties in mortality and morbidity outcomes of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution estimated for a series of wildfires in the Southeastern U.S. We present an approach to compare uncertainty in estimated health impacts specifically due to two driving factors, wildfire-related smoke PM2.5 fields and variability in concentration-response parameters from epidemiologic studies of ambient and smoke PM2.5. This analysis, focused on the 2016 Southeastern wildfires, suggests that emissions from these fires had public health consequences in North Carolina. Using several methods based on publicly available monitor data and atmospheric models to represent wildfire-attributable PM2.5, we estimate impacts on several health outcomes and quantify associated uncertainty. Multiple concentration-response parameters derived from studies of ambient and wildfire-specific PM2.5 are used to assess health-related uncertainty. Results show large variability and uncertainty in wildfire impact estimates, with comparable uncertainties due to the smoke pollution fields and health response parameters for some outcomes, but substantially larger health-related uncertainty for several outcomes. Consideration of these uncertainties can support efforts to improve estimates of wildfire impacts and inform fire-related decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M. Johnson
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental EngineeringNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Fernando Garcia‐Menendez
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental EngineeringNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
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Johnson MM, Deardorff J, Parra K, Alkon A, Eskenazi B, Shirtcliff E. A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28715387 PMCID: PMC5612053 DOI: 10.3791/55393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a well validated and widely used social stressor that has been shown to induce a 2-4 fold increase in cortisol, the biological output produced by the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis in humans. While studies have explored how modifications to the TSST influence stress responsivity, few studies have created a modified TSST appropriate for vulnerable youth that elicits a significant cortisol stress response. Thus, the current study sought to modify or adjust the TSST in a culturally sensitive way for a vulnerable sample of 14 year-old adolescents. The present study took place within the context of a longitudinal birth cohort study of Mexican American families in California called the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS). The CHAMACOS sample was optimal to test the effectiveness of a modified culturally appropriate TSST, as it is comprised of Mexican American youth, who are often excluded from research. These youths also have experienced significant early life adversity. Example modifications included timed prompts, alternative math tasks, use of same-ethnicity peers as confederates, debriefing immediately after the conclusion of the TSST, and using an unknown youth examiner to administer the debrief. Saliva samples were collected at baseline (after a resting phase), and then again at 15, 30, and 45 min post-TSST onset to assess cortisol concentration. A pilot study of 50 participants (50% female) have been analyzed for cortisol reaction to the TSST. Results confirmed that this modified version of the TSST was successful at eliciting a significant cortisol reaction, with a wide range of variability likely due to individual differences. Goals for modifications and ethnicity considerations are discussed. This study provides the foundation for future research to utilize a modified TSST with vulnerable youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Johnson
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), Berkley School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley;
| | - Julianna Deardorff
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), Berkley School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Kimberly Parra
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), Berkley School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Abbey Alkon
- San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), Berkley School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
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Johnson MM, Mikolajewski A, Shirtcliff EA, Eckel LA, Taylor J. The association between affective psychopathic traits, time incarcerated, and cortisol response to psychosocial stress. Horm Behav 2015; 72:20-7. [PMID: 25921588 PMCID: PMC5429591 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that psychopathic personality traits are significantly predictive of blunted cortisol reactivity to a performance-based stressor task (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) in college students. However, the relationship between cortisol reactivity and psychopathy has not been explored in high risk samples such as incarcerated populations. Further, the role of imprisonment in relation to cortisol stress reactivity has not been previously explored, but could have practical and conceptual consequences in regard to rehabilitation and biological sensitivity to context, respectively. The current study tested the hypotheses that both psychopathic personality traits and amount of time incarcerated are related to cortisol blunting in response to stress among incarcerated young adults. A sample of 49 young adult male offenders was recruited to complete the TSST. Salivary hormone samples were taken just prior to and 20 min post-stressor, and participants were interviewed with the Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version. Variables quantifying the amount of time at the present facility prior to the date of testing and number of commitments in juvenile facilities were also collected. Correlational analyses indicated that only number of incarcerations was related to blunted cortisol. Hierarchical Linear Modeling revealed that time incarcerated and number of commitments were related to a blunted cortisol response among responders and declining cortisol reactivity among nonresponders, respectively. Controlling for time incarcerated, psychopathic traits were significantly related to cortisol decline in response to the stressor among nonresponders, but were not related to blunted cortisol among responders. Results of this project highlight the potential biological effects of prolonged and repeated incarcerations, and extend our understanding about the relationship between psychopathic traits and cortisol reactivity in an incarcerated sample.
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Dismukes AR, Johnson MM, Vitacco MJ, Iturri F, Shirtcliff EA. Coupling of the HPA and HPG axes in the context of early life adversity in incarcerated male adolescents. Dev Psychobiol 2014; 57:705-18. [PMID: 25213098 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The effects of early life adversity can be observed across the lifespan, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes could be mechanistic intermediaries underlying this phenomenon. The current study examined 50 adolescent males aged 12-18 in a maximum-security correctional and treatment setting. Saliva samples were collected five times a day for 2 days and assayed for cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA. Youth completed semi-structured life stress interviews and self-reports of child maltreatment to index adversity. When youth had higher testosterone levels, they had higher cortisol and DHEA levels, indicating positive "coupling" of the HPA-HPG axes. In addition, children experiencing greater life adversity had tighter coupling of the HPA-HPG axes. Additional analyses hint that coupling may be driven largely by HPG axis functioning. Results indicate that positive coupling of the HPA-HPG axis is observed within incarcerated adolescents, especially for those with the greatest life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Dismukes
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
| | - Megan M Johnson
- Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA
| | | | - Florencia Iturri
- Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
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Albuquerque L, Johnson MM, Schumann P, Rainey FA, da Costa MS. Description of two new thermophilic species of the genus Rubrobacter, Rubrobacter calidifluminis sp. nov. and Rubrobacter naiadicus sp. nov., and emended description of the genus Rubrobacter and the species Rubrobacter bracarensis. Syst Appl Microbiol 2014; 37:235-43. [PMID: 24780859 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2014.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Four isolates, designated, RG-1(T), RG-3(T), RG-6 and RG-8 with optimum growth temperatures around 60°C were recovered from a hot stream near Ribeira Grande on the Island of São Miguel in the Azores. These strains were strictly aerobic, catalase and oxidase positive. The organisms could be divided into two groups; one comprising strains RG-1(T) and RG-6, the other formed by strains RG-3(T) and RG-8, with distinctive phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Major fatty acids varied between the groups, but all contained iso-branched components such as iso-C16:0 10-methyl and iso-C17:0 10-methyl. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene shows the strains to cluster with species of the genus Rubrobacter, specifically with Rubrobacter xylanophilus to which they have pairwise sequence similarity in the range of 98.4-98.6%. The DNA-DNA hybridization result show that strains RG-1(T) and RG-3(T) share 72% reassociation. Strains RG-1(T) and RG-3(T) displayed extreme tolerance to desiccation when compared to other species of the genus. Based on genotypic, physiological and biochemical characteristics we describe two new species: Rubrobacter calidifluminis sp. nov., represented by strain RG-1(T) (=CECT 8308(T) =JCM 19154(T)) and Rubrobacter naiadicus sp. nov. represented by strain RG-3(T) (=CECT 8310(T)=JCM 19155(T)). The description of the species Rubrobacter bracarensis[16] is emended to correct the fatty acid composition of these organisms. The discovery of new fatty acids in these species requires emendation of the description of the genus Rubrobacter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Albuquerque
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Megan M Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Peter Schumann
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Fred A Rainey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Milton S da Costa
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal; Microbiology Unit, BIOCANT Biotechnological Park, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
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Johnson MM, Caron KM, Mikolajewski AJ, Shirtcliff EA, Eckel LA, Taylor J. Psychopathic Traits, Empathy, and Aggression are Differentially Related to Cortisol Awakening Response. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-014-9412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Johnson MM, Dismukes AR, Vitacco MJ, Breiman C, Fleury D, Shirtcliff EA. Psychopathy's influence on the coupling between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -gonadal axes among incarcerated adolescents. Dev Psychobiol 2013; 56:448-58. [PMID: 23852424 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Conduct disorder (CD) is a heterogeneous diagnosis, leading researchers to initiate studies focused on neurobiological mechanisms underlying this disorder. One specifier of CD currently considered for inclusion in the DSM-V is callous-unemotional (CU) traits, a key component of psychopathy. CU traits are thought to have neuroendocrine underpinnings, yet little is known about hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and -gonadal (HPG) hormones in the context of psychopathic traits. The current study sought to identify daily coupling patterns between HPA and HPG hormones in order to clarify distinct neurobiological underpinning associated with psychopathic/CU traits. Fifty incarcerated adolescent males who met criteria for CD were recruited and provided 10 saliva samples across 2 days. Participants completed the Psychopathy Checklist Youth Version (PCL:YV) and Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU) on a third day. Diurnal cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA functioning was modeled via hierarchical linear modeling. Psychopathy subscales from the measures administered were used as predictors of daily coupling patterns between these hormones. Results indicated all three hormones were tightly coupled. Further, higher PCL-YV interpersonal scores related to greater coupling between all three hormones, whereas higher ICU callousness scores related to greater uncoupling of testosterone with cortisol and DHEA. The current study is novel in its emphasis on testing the coupling of HPA and HPG hormones among incarcerated adolescent males. Results suggest that affective and interpersonal psychopathic traits are marked by unique HPA- and HPG coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306; University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA.
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Okech JEA, Astramovich RL, Johnson MM, Hoskins WJ, Rubel DJ. Doctoral Research Training of Counselor Education Faculty. Counselor Education and Supervision 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/j.1556-6978.2006.tb00018.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Abstract
The distinction between oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, important clinically, may be challenging, especially as the tissue sample size decreases. Ancillary studies can be helpful, although subject to interpretation and sample variability. The aim of this study was to examine the value of electron microscopy in differentiating between oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma on formalin fixed paraffin embedded needle core biopsies. Twenty renal needle core biopsies were evaluated. Despite formalin fixation and paraffin embedding, the classic ultrastructural features of these neoplasms were retained, revealing 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity by initial work-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- N B Johnson
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Pathology, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Freeman WD, Barrett KM, Biewend ML, Johnson MM, Divertie GD, Meschia JF. Predictors of poor neurologic outcome after induced mild hypothermia following cardiac arrest. Neurology 2009; 73:997-8; author reply 998. [PMID: 19770479 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3181af0c42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Gisel JJ, Brumble LM, Johnson MM. Bordetella bronchiseptica pneumonia in a kidney-pancreas transplant patient after exposure to recently vaccinated dogs. Transpl Infect Dis 2009; 12:73-6. [PMID: 19874567 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2009.00451.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bordetella bronchiseptica is an uncommon cause of respiratory infection in humans generally occurring in immunocompromised individuals exposed to infected animals. A 61-year-old female underwent a kidney-pancreas transplant 7 years before presentation. Postoperative immunosuppression was achieved with sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. The patient was doing well until she developed a small bowel obstruction secondary to adhesions. She underwent surgical adhesiolysis without complications. Two weeks postoperatively the patient developed pneumonia. She failed to respond to repeated courses of antibiotics, and thus, diagnostic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. BAL cultures grew B. bronchiseptica. Further investigation revealed that the patient's dogs had recently received a live-attenuated B. bronchiseptica intranasal vaccination. The patient recovered after 21 days of therapy with doxycycline based upon in vitro susceptibility testing. B. bronchiseptica is an uncommon but recognized human pathogen. It most commonly affects immunocompromised individuals. Here, we report a culture-proven case of B. bronchiseptica pneumonia in an immunocompromised host residing in a household with her dogs who had recently received live-attenuated, intranasal B. bronchiseptica vaccinations. As polymerase chain reaction testing was not performed comparing the isolated strain to the vaccination strain, the association is presumptive. This report expands the spectrum of immunocompromised hosts to include renal-pancreas transplant patients who have developed infection from B. bronchiseptica, while illustrating the risks associated with animal contacts and attenuated vaccines in the immunosuppressed population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Gisel
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA.
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Albarracin CT, Sigauke E, Whitman G, Yang WT, Resetkova E, Johnson MM, Nguyen CV, Sneige N. Atypical and columnar cell lesions in breast needle biopsies for indeterminate microcalcifications: predictors of higher risk findings requiring surgical excision. Cancer Res 2009. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs-3004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Abstract #3004
Background: Columnar cell lesions (CCL) are frequently identified in biopsies performed for calcifications. The primary objective of this study is to identify histologic features of CCL in directional vacuum-assisted needle biopsies (DVAB) that could predict a higher risk lesion requiring excision.
 Design: From June 2002 to January 2008, we retrieved the materials for 88 DVABs and their subsequent segmental resections. We excluded carcinomas, intraductal papillomas, fibroadenomas, adenosis, or radial scars. Using World Health Organization criteria, CCLs were classified as CCL with no atypia (CCL-NA), CCL with cytologic atypia (CCL-CA; flat epithelial atypia), or architectural atypia/atypical ductal hyperplasia (CCL-ADH) in the background of CCL. In cases with atypia, the involved terminal duct lobular units/ducts (TDLUs) were quantified. Atypical cases were separated two groups as follows: minimal ADH (≤2 TDLU and minimal cytologic atypia) and extensive ADH/borderline DCIS (≥3 TDLU and/or significant cytologic atypia bordering on DCIS).Radiographs were evaluated to assess amount of calcifications removed. Biopsy results were correlated with the subsequent surgical excision results.
 Results: Eight of 88 biopsies were excluded because of overdiagnosis or because the lesions were not associated with microcalcifications. The remaining 80 biopsies included 5 cases of CCL-NA, 4 pure CCL-CA, 20 mixed CCL-CA + ADH and 51 pure CCL-ADH. Microcalcifications were identified in association with the targeted lesions. There were no higher risk findings in any of the resection specimens with CCL-NA and pure CCL-CA. Ten of the atypical lesions showed carcinoma on excision (9 DCIS and 1 invasive cancer). Twenty-five percent (9/36) extensive ADH/borderline DCIS showed carcinoma on excision. In contrast, only 2.5% (1/39) of minimal ADH cases showed carcinoma on excision. Radiologic review revealed residual abnormality in this one case.
 Conclusion: In summary, the extent of lobular involvement by atypia (CCL-CA or CCL-ADH) correlated with the presence or absence of higher risk lesions upon subsequent excision. These results suggest that additional surgery may not be necessary for CCL-CA or CCL-ADH that is limited to ≤ 2 foci provided sampling of the microcalcifications is adequate.
Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 3004.
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Affiliation(s)
- CT Albarracin
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - E Sigauke
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - G Whitman
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - WT Yang
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - E Resetkova
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - MM Johnson
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - CV Nguyen
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - N Sneige
- 1 Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Quantitative Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Berry DA, Ueno NT, Johnson MM, Lei X, Smith DA, Caputo J, Yancey LJ, Bregni M, Demirer T. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell support versus standard-dose chemotherapy: meta-analysis of individual patient data from 6 randomized metastatic breast cancer trials. Cancer Res 2009. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs-6113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Abstract #6113
Background: The role of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for metastatic breast cancer has not been well defined. The statistical power of the available trials has limited precision for determining whether HDC has any benefit for this indication, or for any subset of patients.
 Methods: Individual patient data from the 6 known randomized trials were merged into a single database. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS): time from randomization to death. The secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Cox proportional hazards regression compared the effect of HDC vs standard-dose chemotherapy (SDC) on PFS and OS adjusted for age, trial and hormone receptor (HmR) status (positive if either estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PgR) receptor positive), and other variables. Among the subset analyses considered were by age, HmR status, number metastatic sites, and soft tissue metastases.
 Results: A total of 846 patients (433 HDC, 413 SDC) had median follow-up of 1.9 years. Median age was 47 years (range 23 to 65). Preliminary analyses show that after adjusting for age and trial, HDC significantly prolonged OS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.86; 95%CI 0.73-1.00; p=0.05) and PFS (HR 0.73; 95%CI 0.63-0.84; p<0.0001). Mean improvement (out to 8 yrs) was 4 months for both OS and PFS. Both age (p=0.023) and soft tissue disease (p=0.0025) had statistically significant interactions with treatment for OS, but neither remain significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons.
 Conclusions: HDC may have a modest benefit on OS that may be greater in patients younger than 50 years. However, we were not able to draw firm conclusions about age or other subset analyses.
 

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6113.
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Affiliation(s)
- DA Berry
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - NT Ueno
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - MM Johnson
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - X Lei
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - DA Smith
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - J Caputo
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - LJ Yancey
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - M Bregni
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
| | - T Demirer
- 1 MDACC-EBMT Meta-Analysis Group, Houston, TX
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Ellerhorst JA, Ekmekcioglu S, Johnson MK, Cooke CP, Johnson MM, Grimm EA. Regulation of iNOS by the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in human melanoma. Oncogene 2006; 25:3956-62. [PMID: 16474847 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Activating mutations of the genes for NRAS and BRAF, components of the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, are common findings in melanoma. Recent evidence in several nonmelanoma cell systems supports the regulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene by this pathway. On the basis of our data showing that melanoma iNOS expression predicts shortened patient survival, we formulated the hypothesis that activating mutations of NRAS or BRAF, which lead to constitutive activation of the p44/42 MAPK pathway, drive iNOS expression in human melanoma. In the present study, we have shown that inhibition of melanoma iNOS activity by S-methylisothiourea leads to decreased cell proliferation, confirming the importance of iNOS activity for melanoma cell growth. Regulation of melanoma iNOS expression by the p44/42 MAPK pathway was demonstrated by inhibition of the pathway by U0126, and by BRAF RNA interference. To explore this regulatory pathway in human tissue, 20 melanoma tumors were examined for NRAS and BRAF mutations, immunohistochemical evidence of ERK phosphorylation, and iNOS expression. A significant association was found among these three features. We conclude that in human melanoma, activating mutations of NRAS and BRAF drive constitutive iNOS expression and, implicitly, nitric oxide production, contributing to the poor survival of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Ellerhorst
- The Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA.
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McDermott PF, Bodeis SM, Aarestrup FM, Brown S, Traczewski M, Fedorka-Cray P, Wallace M, Critchley IA, Thornsberry C, Graff S, Flamm R, Beyer J, Shortridge D, Piddock LJ, Ricci V, Johnson MM, Jones RN, Reller B, Mirrett S, Aldrobi J, Rennie R, Brosnikoff C, Turnbull L, Stein G, Schooley S, Hanson RA, Walker RD. Development of a Standardized Susceptibility Test forCampylobacterwith Quality-Control Ranges for Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, and Meropenem. Microb Drug Resist 2004; 10:124-31. [PMID: 15256027 DOI: 10.1089/1076629041310064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A standardized agar dilution susceptibility testing method was developed for Campylobacter that consisted of testing on Mueller-Hinton medium supplemented with 5% defibrinated sheep blood in an atmosphere of 10% CO2, 5% O2, and 85% N2. Campylobacter jejuni ATCC 33560 was identified as a quality-control (QC) strain. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) QC ranges were determined for two incubation time/temperature combinations: 36 degrees C for 48 hr and 42 degrees C for 24 hr. Quality-control ranges were determined for ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, and meropenem. For all antimicrobial agents tested at both temperatures, 95-100% of the QC MIC results fell within recommended QC ranges. Twenty-one Campylobacter clinical isolates, encompassing five species of Campylobacter (C. jejuni, C. coli, C. jejuni, subsp. doylei, C. fetus, and C. lari) were tested in conjunction with the C. jejuni QC strain. While C. jejuni and C. coli could be reliably tested under both test conditions, growth of C. jejuni subsp. doylei, C. fetus, and C. lari isolates was inconsistent when incubated at 42 degrees C. Therefore, it is recommended that these species only be tested at 36 degrees C.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F McDermott
- Office of Research, Center for Veterinary Medicine, US Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
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16
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Abstract
AIM To determine whether an association exists between ciprofloxacin and faropenem resistance in bacteria including multiply drug-resistant isolates. METHODS The MICs were determined for 150 fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria, plus 20 nalidixic acid-resistant strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. RESULTS Faropenem was very active against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae, but 5/31 Staphylococcus aureus and 2/26 Bacteroides fragilis required > or =16 mg/L for inhibition. Of 30 multiply drug-resistant isolates with a phenotype suggestive of enhanced efflux, only for one strain (a Bacteroides fragilis) was the faropenem MIC higher than that associated with the other isolates of the same species. CONCLUSIONS Faropenem was in general as active as imipenem. There was no association between resistance to ciprofloxacin and faropenem or imipenem resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J V Piddock
- Antimicrobial Agents Research Group, Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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17
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Abstract
A method for measuring fluoroquinolone accumulation by Streptococcus pneumoniae was rigorously examined. The accumulation of ciprofloxacin, clinafloxacin, gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, sitafloxacin, and trovafloxacin in the presence and absence of either carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP) or reserpine was determined for two wild-type fluoroquinolone-susceptible capsulated S. pneumoniae strains (M3 and M4) and the noncapsulated strain R6. Two efflux mutants, R6N (which overexpresses PmrA) and a mutant of M4, M22 (no expression of PmrA), were also examined. Essentially, the fluoroquinolones fell into two groups. (i) One group consisting of ciprofloxacin, grepafloxacin, and norfloxacin accumulated to 72 to 92 ng/mg (dry weight) of cells in all strains. (ii) The remainder of the agents accumulated to 3 to 30 ng/mg (dry weight) of cells. With a decrease in hydrophobicity, there was a decrease in the concentration accumulated. With an increase in the molecular weight of the free form of each agent, there was also a decrease in the concentration accumulated. The strains differed in their responses to reserpine and CCCP. For the three fluoroquinolone-susceptible strains, only reserpine had a significant effect upon accumulation of moxifloxacin and clinafloxacin by M3 and showed no effect for the other agents and strains. For M3 and M4, CCCP enhanced the concentration of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin accumulated, whereas for R6, the effect was only statistically significant for ofloxacin. Efflux mutant M22 accumulated less ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and ofloxacin than M4 did. M22 accumulated more norfloxacin than M4 did. Reserpine and CCCP had variable effects as for the other strains. Differences in the accumulation of fluoroquinolones by R6 and R6N were highly dependent upon growth phase, and only for norfloxacin was there a significant difference between two strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J V Piddock
- Antimicrobial Agents Research Group, Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom B15 2TT.
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18
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Objectives were to develop new means to isolate useful numbers of primary progenitor cells and to quantitatively assay the stepwise maturation of erythroblasts. METHODS Approaches involved dosing mice with thiamphenicol (TAP) to yield staged cohorts of pro-erythroid cells; optimizing conditions for their EPO-dependent in vitro growth and survival; developing assays for CFU-E maturation; analyzing stage-specific transcript expression; and expressing a heterologous, erythroid-specific tag (EE372) in transgenic mice. RESULTS Per TAP-treated mouse, 3 x 10(7) highly EPO-responsive erythroid progenitor cells were generated that represented up to 30% of total splenocytes and showed strict dependence on EPO for survival, growth, and immediate response gene expression. In this developing cohort, a tightly programmed sequence of gene expression was observed, and maximal expression of c-kit, EPO receptor, and beta-globin transcripts occurred at 72, 96, and 120 hours post-TAP withdrawal, respectively. Also, the newly discovered erythroid-specific dual-specificity kinase, DYRK3, was revealed to be expressed at a late CFU-E stage. In vitro, these progenitor cells matured stepwise from high FALS Ter119- cells (24-hour culture) to high FALS Ter119+ cells (24-36 hours) to low FALS Ter119+ maturing erythroblasts (40-48 hours) and sharp differences in their morphologies were observed. Finally, a MACS-based procedure for the purification of erythroid progenitor cells from TAP-treated EE372 transgenic mice also was developed. CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive new system for isolating large numbers of primary murine erythroid progenitor cells and quantitatively monitoring their development is established that should serve well in investigations of endogenous and pharmacological regulators of red blood cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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19
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare patient characteristics and family perceptions of patient function at one urban and one rural memory disorders clinic. DESIGN Secondary, cross-sectional data analyses of an extant clinical database. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS First time visits (n = 956) at two memory disorders clinics. MEASUREMENTS Patient and family-member demographics and assessment results for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), activities of daily living (ADLs), the Memory Change and Personality Change components of the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale, and the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist. RESULTS In both clinics, patients and family members were more likely female. The typical urban clinic patient was significantly more likely to be living in a facility and more educated than the typical rural patient. Urban and rural patients did not show significant differences in age- and education-adjusted MMSE scores or raw ADL/IADL ratings, but the urban family members reported more memory problems, twice as many personality changes, more-frequent behavior problems, and more adverse reactions to problems. CONCLUSION Physicians who practice in both urban and rural areas can anticipate differences between patients, and their families, who seek a diagnosis of memory disorders. Our most important finding is that despite similarities in reported functional abilities, urban families appear to be more sensitive to and more distressed by patients' cognitive and behavioral symptoms than rural families. These differences may reflect different underlying needs, and should be explored in further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Wackerbarth
- Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506, USA
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20
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McFarland HI, Lobito AA, Johnson MM, Palardy GR, Yee CS, Jordan EK, Frank JA, Tresser N, Genain CP, Mueller JP, Matis LA, Lenardo MJ. Effective antigen-specific immunotherapy in the marmoset model of multiple sclerosis. J Immunol 2001; 166:2116-21. [PMID: 11160263 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.3.2116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mature T cells initially respond to Ag by activation and expansion, but high and repeated doses of Ag cause programmed cell death and can suppress T cell-mediated diseases in rodents. We evaluated repeated systemic Ag administration in a marmoset model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis that closely resembles the human disease multiple sclerosis. We found that treatment with MP4, a chimeric, recombinant polypeptide containing human myelin basic protein and human proteolipid protein epitopes, prevented clinical symptoms and did not exacerbate disease. CNS lesions were also reduced as assessed in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, specific Ag-directed therapy can be effective and nontoxic in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I McFarland
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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21
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Elam CL, Johnson MM, Wiggs JS, Messmer JM, Brown PI, Hinkley R. Diversity in medical school: perceptions of first-year students at four southeastern U.S. medical schools. Acad Med 2001; 76:60-65. [PMID: 11154198 DOI: 10.1097/00001888-200101000-00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess students' perceptions of the extent of diversity in their classes, the role of diversity in their first-year curriculum, and their predictions of the amount of diversity in their future patient populations. METHOD In 1998, students at four southeastern U.S. medical schools that had distinct demographics and differing institutional missions completed a questionnaire on diversity at the end of the first year. In the instrument, diversity was defined according to nine population characteristics: age, sex, race, ethnic background, physical disability, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and rural background (growing up in a community of less than 5,000). Responses were compared according to students' institution, sex, and race. RESULTS Questionnaires were returned by 349 of 474 students (74%). Students at the school with the most diverse first-year class placed the greatest value on the contributions of diversity to the learning environment. Women students placed more value on the inclusion of diversity issues in the curriculum than did men students, and they placed greater value on understanding diversity issues in their future medical practices than did men. Compared with Asian American, Hispanic, and white students, African American students were the least likely to think that the curriculum contained adequate information about diversity. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that perceptions of diversity were influenced by the students' own demographic characteristics and those of their medical school. The more diverse the class, the more comfortable the students were with diversity and the more they valued its contribution to their medical education.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Elam
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA
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22
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Abstract
Researchers have sought to understand the determinants of the use of in-home and community-based services in order to better serve the needs of older adults. One component frequently included in formal service utilization models is the role of individuals who exert an influence on the service use process. An analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with 115 older adults revealed the important facilitating role that physicians and religious leaders play in encouraging the use of these services. The sample, which included African-American and white adults age 65+ from rural and urban environments, described various ways in which these "facilitators" influence the use of formal services. These ways include: (1) supplying instrumental support either by "ordering" a particular program for or linking the elder with the program and (2) providing informational and affective support, including advising or recommending the use of a program, conveying necessary background on formal services, and legitimizing the use of formal services. Regardless of personal characteristics (such as ethnicity and residence), a majority of elders in the sample recognized the important role played by physicians, and clergy. The acknowledgement of the role played by these facilitators should be viewed as an opportunity for physicians and clergy to enhance the knowledge and appropriate use of needed formal services for elders. In addition, these findings have policy implications for the current provision of aging services.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Schoenberg
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0086, USA.
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23
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Hull AD, Pretorius DH, Lev-Toaff A, Budorick NE, Salerno CC, Johnson MM, James G, Nelson TR. Artifacts and the visualization of fetal distal extremities using three-dimensional ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2000; 16:341-344. [PMID: 11169310 DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00187.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To demonstrate that acoustic shadowing in 3D US may give rise to artifacts simulating limb defects and provide a solution to eliminate its occurrence. METHODS Twenty second trimester fetuses (gestational age 15-24 weeks) were scanned with three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) using a sagittal acquisition plane. Fetal tibia/fibula and radius/ulna pairs were assessed for completeness of imaging. A further 20 fetuses (gestational age 20-26 weeks) were scanned in both axial and sagittal planes and the results compared to verify clear visualization of both bones. RESULTS Shadowing from adjacent structures produced an apparent limb defect in 55% of the first 20 fetuses imaged only sagittally (18% of limb pairs). Acquiring data from more than one orientation avoided this artifact. CONCLUSIONS The 3D US is subject to the same artifacts as two-dimensional (2D US) in terms of acoustic shadowing, although their presentation may be different. Awareness of this fact is essential for correct interpretation of 3D US studies. Three-dimensional scanning protocols should be modified to ensure that fetal structures are adequately visualized by acquiring volume data in more than one acquisition orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Hull
- Departments of Reproductive Medicine and Radiology, University of California, San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92103 USA
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24
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Johnson AT, Scott WH, Lausted CG, Coyne KM, Sahota MS, Johnson MM. Effect of external dead volume on performance while wearing a respirator. AIHAJ 2000; 61:678-84. [PMID: 11071419 DOI: 10.1080/15298660008984577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Respirator dead volume accumulates exhaled carbon dioxide and returns it to the respiratory system during subsequent inhalations. Because inhaled carbon dioxide is known to be a powerful respiratory stimulant and psychoactive gas, respirator dead volume would be expected to influence performance times while respirators are worn during work. This experiment was performed at intense levels of treadmill walking (80-85% VO2max) to demonstrate maximum sensitivity to respiratory stress. Six dead volume conditions (representing a range of 280 to 1,160 mL) were imposed on the subjects. Results show linear decreases in performance times and breathing apparatus comfort with increasing dead volumes. For each 350 mL of external dead volume, a 19% decrease of performance time and an 18% decrease in breathing apparatus comfort can be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Johnson
- Biological Resources Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-5711, USA
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25
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Barham JB, Edens MB, Fonteh AN, Johnson MM, Easter L, Chilton FH. Addition of eicosapentaenoic acid to gamma-linolenic acid-supplemented diets prevents serum arachidonic acid accumulation in humans. J Nutr 2000; 130:1925-31. [PMID: 10917903 DOI: 10.1093/jn/130.8.1925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies reveal that supplementation of human diets with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) reduces the generation of lipid mediators of inflammation and attenuates clinical symptoms of chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, we have shown that supplementation with this same fatty acid also causes a marked increase in serum arachidonate (AA) levels, a potentially harmful side effect. The objective of this study was to design a supplementation strategy that maintained the capacity of GLA to reduce lipid mediators without causing elevations in serum AA levels. Initial in vitro studies utilizing HEP-G2 liver cells revealed that addition of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) blocked Delta-5-desaturase activity, the terminal enzymatic step in AA synthesis. To test the in vivo effects of a GLA and EPA combination in humans, adult volunteers consuming controlled diets supplemented these diets with 3.0 g/d of GLA and EPA. This supplementation strategy significantly increased serum levels of EPA, but did not increase AA levels. EPA and the elongation product of GLA, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) levels in neutrophil glycerolipids increased significantly during the 3-wk supplementation period. Neutrophils isolated from volunteers fed diets supplemented with GLA and EPA released similar quantities of AA, but synthesized significantly lower quantities of leukotrienes compared with their neutrophils before supplementation. This study revealed that a GLA and EPA supplement combination may be utilized to reduce the synthesis of proinflammatory AA metabolites, and importantly, not induce potentially harmful increases in serum AA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Barham
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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26
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Keeler SJ, Boettger CM, Haynes JG, Kuches KA, Johnson MM, Thureen DL, Keeler CL, Kitto SL. Acquired thermotolerance and expression of the HSP100/ClpB genes of lima bean. Plant Physiol 2000; 123:1121-32. [PMID: 10889261 PMCID: PMC59075 DOI: 10.1104/pp.123.3.1121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/1999] [Accepted: 03/14/2000] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Acquired thermotolerance (AT) is the ability of cells to survive a normally lethal temperature treatment as a consequence of pretreatment at an elevated but sublethal temperature. In yeast and cyanobacteria, the expression of the HSP100/ClpB protein is required for the AT response. To determine whether the HSP100/ClpB protein is associated with this response in lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), we have cloned an HSP100/ClpB homolog and assessed expression of the two gene copies under heat stress conditions, which induce AT. Transcription of the cytoplasmically localized HSP100/ClpB protein genes is stringently controlled by heat stress in both of the laboratory and field heat stress conditions. From a heat-induced cDNA library, we identified a clone of a putative chloroplast-targeted (cp) HSP100/ClpB protein gene sequence. The cp HSP100/ClpB protein genes are constitutively expressed, but transcript levels increase post-heat stress in laboratory heat stress experiments. In field conditions the genes for the cp HSP100/ClpB are constitutively expressed. Although we were unable to correlate differences in the timing of AT response with the expression or genetic structure of the HSP100/ClpB genes in heat-tolerant or -sensitive varieties of lima bean, we clearly demonstrate the association of expression of HSP100/ClpB proteins with heat response in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Keeler
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19717, USA.
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27
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Abstract
This study examines the influence of age and type of over-the-counter (OTC) medications on decision-making processes leading to the selection of OTC medications. Manipulating type of OTC medication served as a way of examining subjects' familiarity with the decision domain. Thirty-six younger and thirty-six older adults answered questions regarding their OTC medication purchases, and completed a decision task in which they searched four computerized displays of product label information in order to select an antacid, a cold medication, a laxative, and a pain reliever. In general, older adults were slower to review information, more likely to have used OTC medications, and more organized in their searches for information. Specific to pair relievers, older and younger adults demonstrated similar information use and time to decision, and older adults specifically tailored the organization of their information searches when choosing pain relievers. Clearly, older adults selectively use product information on OTC medication packages, given adequate time to process information. Manufacturers' efforts directed at improving information availability should benefit older adults' decision processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- Behavioral Science Department, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0086, USA.
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28
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Johnson AT, Scott WH, Lausted CG, Coyne KM, Sahota MS, Johnson MM, Yeni-Komshian G, Caretti DM. Communication using a telephone while wearing a respirator. AIHAJ 2000; 61:264-7. [PMID: 10782198 DOI: 10.1080/15298660008984535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Respirators have been found to degrade communication effectiveness when wearers speak face-to-face. However, little is known about communication effectiveness when using the telephone and wearing a respirator. Eleven pairs of subjects were asked to pronounce and identify words chosen from Modified Rhyme Test lists. Each word appeared on a computer screen in one room and the speaker said the word into the telephone. The listener in another room identified the word and typed it into a computer linked with the first. Subjects wore U.S. Army M40 full-facepiece air-purifying respirators with hoods. Three different speech diaphragm arrangements and two hood materials were tested. Results show that accuracy suffered by about 10% when respirators and hoods were worn compared with the control condition. Word identification speed was one-third to one-half of the control (no respirator or hood) condition depending on specific equipment worn.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Johnson
- Department of Biological Resources Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, USA
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29
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Ely EW, Hite RD, Baker AM, Johnson MM, Bowton DL, Haponik EF. Venous air embolism from central venous catheterization: a need for increased physician awareness. Crit Care Med 1999; 27:2113-7. [PMID: 10548191 DOI: 10.1097/00003246-199910000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report a series of patients with clinically diagnosed venous air embolism (VAE) and major sequelae as a complication of the use of central venous catheters (CVCs), to survey health care professionals' practices regarding CVCs, and to implement an educational intervention for optimizing approaches to CVC insertion and removal. SETTING Tertiary care, university-based 806-bed medical center. INTERVENTIONS We surveyed 140 physicians and 53 critical care nurses to appraise their awareness of the proper management and complications of CVCs. We then designed, delivered, and measured the effects of a multidisciplinary educational intervention given to 106 incoming house officers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Although most physicians (127, 91%) chose the Trendelenburg position for CVC insertion, only 42 physicians (30%) reported concern for VAE. On CVC removal, only 36 physicians (26%) cited concern for VAE. Some physicians (13, 9%) reported elevating the head of the bed during CVC removal, possibly increasing the risk of VAE. Awareness of VAE or its prevention did not correlate with the level of physician training, experience, or specialty. After the educational intervention, concern for and awareness of proper methods of prevention of VAE improved (p < .001). At 6-month follow-up, reported use of the Trendelenburg position continued, but concern cited for VAE had returned to baseline. CONCLUSIONS There is inadequate awareness of VAE as a complication of CVC use. Focused instruction can improve appreciation of this potentially fatal complication and knowledge of its prevention, but the effect declines rapidly. To achieve a more sustained improvement, a more intensive, hands-on, periodic educational program will likely be necessary, as well as reinforcement through enhanced supervision of CVC insertion and removal practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Ely
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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30
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Johnson MM, Vaughn B, Triggiani M, Swan DD, Fonteh AN, Chilton FH. Role of arachidonyl triglycerides within lipid bodies in eicosanoid formation by human polymorphonuclear cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1999; 21:253-8. [PMID: 10423409 DOI: 10.1165/ajrcmb.21.2.3489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the subcellular and glycerolipid localization of esterified arachidonic acid (AA) is a key factor in regulating its availability to lipases. The goal of the current study was to determine the potential of AA stored in triglycerides (TG) to serve as a substrate for lipases and 5-lipoxygenase during neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocytes, PMN) activation. PMN containing high concentrations of AA in TG were generated by culturing PMN in vitro with high concentrations of exogenous AA (eAA) for 12 h. Cellular AA increased 2- and 4-fold in PMNs incubated with 5 and 20 microM AA, respectively, and this increase was almost exclusively observed in neutral lipids (NL). Further analysis revealed that 88% of the AA in the NL fraction was associated with TG. Subsequent experiments were designed to determine whether this AA in TG could be mobilized and metabolized to eicosanoids during cell activation. TG pools of AA were increased as previously described and then PMN were stimulated with ionophore, A23187. In contrast to the 43-fold increase in TG AA after eAA loading (20 microM), free AA increased by only 1.9-fold after cell stimulation. Similarly, leukotriene (LT)B(4) production increased only 2-fold after loading TG with large quantities of AA. The magnitude of increase in free AA released and in LTB(4) formation was similar to the magnitude of increase in AA mass in phospholipase (PL), suggesting that PL, and not TG, served as the source of released AA and subsequent product generation. To confirm that AA in TG did not serve as a source for eicosanoid production, cellular pools of AA were differentially labeled with [(14)C]AA and [(3)H]AA, and the [(3)H]AA-to-[(14)C]AA ratio of LTB(4) and 20-hydroxyl LTB(4) produced during cell stimulation was measured. The [(3)H]AA/[(14)C]AA ratios of LTs were markedly different from the ratios in TG, thus providing further evidence that AA pools in TG are not a major source of AA for LT generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
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Bostrom AC, Brenner PS, Griffiths JL, Johnson MM, Volkman T, West CR. Impaired practice and the law in Michigan. Mich Nurse 1999; 72:12-6; quiz 17-9. [PMID: 12037817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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32
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Johnson MM, Hill SL, Piddock LJ. Effect of carbon dioxide on testing of susceptibilities of respiratory tract pathogens to macrolide and azalide antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1999; 43:1862-5. [PMID: 10428903 PMCID: PMC89381 DOI: 10.1128/aac.43.8.1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro activities of erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin against 178 clinical isolates from the lower respiratory tract of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were determined by an agar dilution method. The plates were incubated in air alone or in 5% carbon dioxide. The MICs measured in air alone were lower for most isolates than those measured in 5% carbon dioxide, illustrating the "pH effect" of incubation in carbon dioxide. Testing of isolates in 5% carbon dioxide on pH-adjusted medium (pH 8.4) resulted in MICs of one or two doubling dilutions lower than those obtained on agar with a neutral pH. A bioassay of the three agents incubated in air and in 5% carbon dioxide resulted in a significant loss of activity of all three agents in the carbon dioxide-enriched atmosphere. However, this loss-of-activity effect was significantly reduced when the bioassay medium was adjusted to pH 8.4 prior to incubation in 5% carbon dioxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- Antimicrobial Agents Research Group, Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Johnson AT, Scott WH, Lausted CG, Benjamin MB, Coyne KM, Sahota MS, Johnson MM. Effect of respirator inspiratory resistance level on constant load treadmill work performance. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1999; 60:474-9. [PMID: 10462780 DOI: 10.1080/00028899908984467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Respirator inspiratory resistance can affect performance times, especially when the experiment is optimized to elicit respiratory stress. Twelve subjects performed on a treadmill at constant speeds and grades chosen to result in performance times of 5-15 min. Six levels of inspiratory resistance were used, ranging from 0.78 to 7.64 cm H2O.sec/L. The results showed that performance times decrease linearly with resistance level, and no threshold resistance value is apparent. Inspiratory resistance also induces hypoventilation, with lower minute volumes and lower oxygen consumption values at higher resistances. These trends are also linear. From these results, there is no value for inspiratory resistance that can be given as a design goal. Other parameters such as weight and space may dictate filter resistance values, and these, in turn, will lead to determined performance degradations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Johnson
- University of Maryland, College Park 20742-5711, USA
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Abstract
Physician work satisfaction is related to several aspects of practice organization, including work group or colleagues, job content, work hours, and future opportunities. Practice location is an important determinant of practice organization and personal life satisfaction. This study compared the professional satisfaction of physicians in rural and urban settings to determine how practice setting, practice type, work hours, and interactions with colleagues influenced satisfaction. Surveys focusing on professional satisfaction were mailed to community-based, primary care physicians in Kentucky. Overall, physicians were satisfied with their practices, with physicians in larger communities being more satisfied than those from smaller communities. Professional satisfaction was associated with practice location, practice type, number of years since graduation from medical school, number of colleagues identified, and the quality of professional interactions with colleagues. The study concluded that collegial support for physicians is important in creating work environments that promote professional satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Ramsbottom-Lucier
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536, USA
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McFarland HI, Lobito AA, Johnson MM, Nyswaner JT, Frank JA, Palardy GR, Tresser N, Genain CP, Mueller JP, Matis LA, Lenardo MJ. Determinant spreading associated with demyelination in a nonhuman primate model of multiple sclerosis. J Immunol 1999; 162:2384-90. [PMID: 9973519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Definition of the immune process that causes demyelination in multiple sclerosis is essential to determine the feasibility of Ag-directed immunotherapy. Using the nonhuman primate, Callithrix jacchus jacchus (common marmoset), we show that immunization with myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein determinants results in clinical disease with significant demyelination. Demyelination was associated with spreading to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) determinants that generated anti-MOG serum Abs and Ig deposition in central nervous system white matter lesions. These data associate intermolecular "determinant spreading" with clinical autoimmune disease in primates and raise important issues for the pathogenesis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I McFarland
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Johnson MM, Ely EW, Chiles C, Bowton DL, Friemanas RI, Choplin RH, Haponik EF. Radiographic assessment of hyperinflation: correlation with objective chest radiographic measurements and mechanical ventilator parameters. Chest 1998; 113:1698-704. [PMID: 9631816 DOI: 10.1378/chest.113.6.1698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary barotrauma is a potentially fatal complication of positive pressure ventilation. We previously found that barotrauma occurred in patients with radiographic hyperinflation, but few objective data define the relationships among hyperinflation, objective chest radiograph (CXR) measurements, ventilator parameters, and development of barotrauma. OBJECTIVES We sought (1) to assess the relationships among hyperinflation, objective CXR findings, mechanical ventilator parameters, and development of barotrauma. (2) To compare radiographic hyperinflation, ventilator parameters, and incidence of barotrauma in a current group of ICU patients with historical control subjects. SETTING Medical and surgical ICU patients in a university hospital. DESIGN Prospective blinded observational study; comparison of current series with historical control subjects. METHODS One hundred two prospectively enrolled mechanically ventilated medical and surgical ICU patients each received portable supine CXRs that were reviewed independently by three radiologists who made objective measurements and subjectively determined the likelihood of hyperinflation. Ventilator parameters were recorded at the bedside at the time each CXR was obtained. CXR measurements and ventilator parameters were then related to the development of barotrauma during the course of ventilation and compared with findings of a prospective study at our institution 1 year earlier. RESULTS Radiographically recognizable hyperinflation occurred in 18 of 102 mechanically ventilated ICU patients (18%) and correlated with lung length (24.7 vs 19.8 cm; p<0.05) and the anterior rib number that intersects the hemidiaphragm (5.4 vs 4.7; p<0.05). Patients with hyperinflation were ventilated at higher tidal volume per kilogram (VT/kg) (11.0 vs 9.4; p=0.0081), but peak airway pressure, plateau pressure, and positive end-expiratory pressure were similar. There were significant decreases in VT (810 vs 739 mL; p=0.015) and VT/kg (11.0 vs 10.1 mL/kg; p<0.001) in these mechanically ventilated ICU patients in comparison to hospital control subjects evaluated during the previous year. Paralleling these changes was a decrease in the frequency of CXR hyperinflation (p=0.003) and the incidence of ventilator-associated barotrauma (6.5% vs 0.98%; p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS Ventilation at higher VT/kg is associated with a higher incidence of CXR hyperinflation. Radiographic hyperinflation is associated with lung length > or =24.7 cm and visualization of the sixth anterior rib. Patients with hyperinflation may be at greater risk for developing barotrauma or volutrauma. Ventilatory strategies utilizing lower volumes are associated with a lower incidence of such trauma in the current sample as compared with historical control subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Elam CL, Johnson MM. An analysis of admission committee voting patterns. Acad Med 1997; 72:S72-S75. [PMID: 9347745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C L Elam
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536-0084, USA
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Johnson MM, Swan DD, Surette ME, Stegner J, Chilton T, Fonteh AN, Chilton FH. Dietary supplementation with gamma-linolenic acid alters fatty acid content and eicosanoid production in healthy humans. J Nutr 1997; 127:1435-44. [PMID: 9237935 DOI: 10.1093/jn/127.8.1435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the in vivo metabolism of dietary gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), we supplemented the diets of 29 volunteers with GLA in doses of 1.5-6.0 g/d. Twenty-four subjects ate controlled eucaloric diets consisting of 25% fat; the remaining subjects maintained their typical Western diets. GLA and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) increased in serum lipids of subjects supplemented with 3.0 and 6.0 g/d; serum arachidonic acid increased in all subjects. GLA supplementation with 3.0 and 6.0 g/d also resulted in an enrichment of DGLA in neutrophil phospholipids but no change in GLA or AA levels. Before supplementation, DGLA was associated primarily with phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) of neutrophil glycerolipids, and DGLA increased significantly in PE and neutral lipids after GLA supplementation. Extending the supplementation to 12 wk did not consistently change the magnitude of increase in either serum or neutrophil lipids in subjects receiving 3.0 g/d. After GLA supplementation, A23187-stimulated neutrophils released significantly more DGLA, but AA release did not change. Neutrophils obtained from subjects after 3 wk of supplementation with 3.0 g/d GLA synthesized less leukotriene B4 (P < 0.05) and platelet-activating factor. Together, these data reveal that DGLA, the elongase product of GLA, but not AA accumulates in neutrophil glycerolipids after GLA supplementation. The increase in DGLA relative to AA within inflammatory cells such as the neutrophil may attenuate the biosynthesis of AA metabolites and may represent a mechanism by which dietary GLA exerts an anti-inflammatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1054, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE As the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (UKCM) employs a rolling admission policy, this study was designed to determine (1) whether the month during which applicants were considered by the UKCM admission committee was associated with admission status, (2) whether applicants considered early in the process differed in selected academic and noncognitive pre-admission characteristics in comparison with later applicants, and (3) what the importance of the month of the applicant's consideration was relative to other predictors of admission to UKCM. METHOD The application files and admission committee's minutes regarding 302 applicants who received interviews during the 1993-94 application cycle were examined. Data reviewed included each applicant's gender, age, geographic origin, undergraduate science and non-science grade-point averages, and Medical College Admission Test scores; the date of consideration by the committee; interviewers' ratings; the initial motion on the applicant; and the final admission status. RESULTS The findings indicate that the applicants considered earlier were significantly more likely to gain admission. However, upon assigning the applicants to three groups according to the month of consideration, no difference in academic qualifications was found. Regression analyses revealed that despite the effect of time of consideration, noncognitive characteristics related to UKCM's mission also predicted admission decisions. CONCLUSION This study provides useful information to admission committees reviewing the effect of a rolling admission policy, as well as to applicants and premedical advisors, who should be aware of the potential importance of submitting applications in a timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Elam
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536-0084, USA
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Elam CL, Johnson MM, Rosenbaum M. A comparison of specialty choices, residency training, and practice locations of early-decision and regular-admission graduates. Acad Med 1997; 72:140-143. [PMID: 9040256 DOI: 10.1097/00001888-199702000-00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Early-decision (ED) medical school applicants express a clear preference for attending a particular medical school. The present study assessed whether ED graduates would demonstrate similar geographic preferences in their choices of undergraduate institutions and selections of in-state residency sites and practice locations. METHOD The study was conducted at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Uniform academic and nonacademic criteria were used to evaluate the applications of ED and regular-admission students who matriculated from 1974-75 to 1984-85. The student variables assessed were class year, gender, age, county of residence, and undergraduate college, as well as undergraduate science and cumulative grade-point averages (GPAs) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores. Specialty choice and locations of residency programs were obtained from the medical school's commencement programs. Specialty types and practice locations were obtained from practicing physician records maintained by the alumni office. RESULTS Of the 1,243 matriculants, 193 (15.5%) gained admission to the school through the ED plan. The ED graduates were significantly more likely to have completed their undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky than at other public or private schools, in state or out of state, and had significantly higher GPAs and MCAT scores. As a group, the ED graduates were somewhat (though not significantly) more likely than the regular-admission graduates to remain in state for their residencies and practice in state. CONCLUSION The authors suggest that medical schools should work closely with their undergraduate admission offices to attract academically outstanding high school students. Such students are likely to stay in state for the eight-year span of their undergraduate and medical educations and may have a greater tendency to practice in state.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Elam
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536-0084, USA
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Elam CL, Lenhoff K, Johnson MM. Premedical course recommendations of premedical advisers, medical students, and medical school faculty. Acad Med 1997; 72:72-73. [PMID: 9008578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C L Elam
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, USA
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Abstract
To characterize selective uses of external memory aids, 42 younger and 38 older adults made decisions and then completed individual difference measures. Experimental manipulation of the availability of a memory aid allowed examination of the effects of having a memory aid available as opposed to the spontaneous use of that aid. Use of the memory aid resulted in longer decision times, more requests for information, and less rechecking of already viewed information. Younger and older adults with high abstraction scores and older adults with high vocabulary scores were more likely to use the aid. Patterns of use differed in that younger adults used the aid in the middle of their information gathering and older adults used the aid toward the end. Making a memory aid available for use during decision making affected decision-making processes of older adults; use of the aid was associated with greater crystallized and fluid intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. mmjohn01.ukcc.uky.edu
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Ely EW, Baker AM, Dunagan DP, Burke HL, Smith AC, Kelly PT, Johnson MM, Browder RW, Bowton DL, Haponik EF. Effect on the duration of mechanical ventilation of identifying patients capable of breathing spontaneously. N Engl J Med 1996; 335:1864-9. [PMID: 8948561 DOI: 10.1056/nejm199612193352502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 806] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prompt recognition of the reversal of respiratory failure may permit earlier discontinuation of mechanical ventilation, without harm to the patient. METHODS We conducted a randomized, controlled trial in 300 adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation in medical and coronary intensive care units. In the intervention group, patients underwent daily screening of respiratory function by physicians, respiratory therapists, and nurses to identify those possibly capable of breathing spontaneously; successful tests were followed by two-hour trials of spontaneous breathing in those who met the criteria. Physicians were notified when their patients successfully completed the trials of spontaneous breathing. The control subjects had daily screening but no other interventions. In both groups, all clinical decisions, including the decision to discontinue mechanical ventilation, were made by the attending physicians. RESULTS Although the 149 patients randomly assigned to the intervention group had more severe disease, they received mechanical ventilation for a median of 4.5 days, as compared with 6 days in the 151 patients in the control group (P=0.003). The median interval between the time a patient met the screening criteria and the discontinuation of mechanical ventilation was one day in the intervention group and three days in the control group (P<0.001). Complications -- removal of the breathing tube by the patient, reintubation, tracheostomy, and mechanical ventilation for more than 21 days -- occurred in 20 percent of the intervention group and 41 percent of the control group (P=0.001). The number of days of intensive care and hospital care was similar in the two groups. Total costs for the intensive care unit were lower in the intervention group (median, $15,740, vs. $20,890 in the controls, P=0.03); hospital costs were lower, though not significantly so (median, $26,229 and $29,048, respectively; P=0.3). CONCLUSIONS Daily screening of the respiratory function of adults receiving mechanical ventilation, followed by trials of spontaneous breathing in appropriate patients and notification of their physicians when the trials were successful, can reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and the cost of intensive care and is associated with fewer complications than usual care.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Ely
- Department of Internal Medicine, the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Ely EW, Johnson MM, Chiles C, Rushing JT, Bowton DL, Freimanis RI, Choplin RH, Haponik EF. Chest X-ray changes in air space disease are associated with parameters of mechanical ventilation in ICU patients. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1996; 154:1543-50. [PMID: 8912778 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.154.5.8912778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To assess relationships between parameters of mechanical ventilation (MV) and portable chest X-ray (CXR) measurements of lung length (LL) and severity of air space disease, a prospective, randomized, blinded comparison of 102 adults in a university hospital was performed. Each patient received two portable, supine CXRs on different MV breaths within 5 min of one another. Ventilator parameters were recorded. All 204 CXRs were randomly assorted and read independently by three radiologists. Air space disease was considered more severe with pressure support ventilation (PSV) breaths than with intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) breaths (p = 0.0003), and its extent correlated inversely with static compliance (p = 0.0001, r = -0.40). Among patients having CXRs on both IMV and PSV breaths, 15 of 67 (22%) had their overall degree of air space disease read differently by one category (mild, moderate, or severe). Increases in LL between the two CXRs were associated with increasing peak (p = 0.0038) or mean (p = 0.0065) airway pressure, tidal volume (VT) (p = 0.022), and VT per kilogram (p = 0.006). We conclude that lung volume changes during MV, typically not noted nor controlled for during portable chest radiography, may substantially alter the interpretation of air space disease and LL. Physicians monitoring intensive care unit (ICU) patients with daily CXRs should be aware of the variables influencing interpretation of portable CXRs of ICU patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Ely
- Department of Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Elam CL, Rosenbaum ME, Johnson MM. Geographic origin and its impact on practice location in Kentucky. J Ky Med Assoc 1996; 94:446-450. [PMID: 8908947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This study examined which medical students from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine are most likely to return to their geographic origins to practice medicine and the frequency with which this occurs. This study is based on statistical analysis of longitudinal data (1974-1985). The database includes 1243 matriculants for whom residency data were available. Follow-up data were available for 1093 physicians-in-practice. Results indicate that a significant percentage of matriculants return to their in-state district of origin to practice. Significant predictors of practice location included gender, undergraduate institution, and residence at admission. However, these factors explained only 8% of the variance in physician practice location. Expanding the model to include location of residency program and specialty choice contributed an additional 14% of the variance. Admissions officers seeking to improve the ratio of graduates practicing in rural areas should devise new measures to assess applicant's attraction to positive aspects of rural medical practice or small town life.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Elam
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Wilson
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536-0086, USA
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Johnson MM, Hislop TG, Kan L, Coldman AJ, Lai A. Compliance with the screening mammography program of British Columbia: will she return? Can J Public Health 1996; 87:176-80. [PMID: 8771920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with compliance in the Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia (SMPBC). METHOD Factors associated with rescreening within 18 months (annual compliers) and between 18 to 36 months later (late compliers) were identified in a cohort of SMPBC screenees using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS Fewer than half of women initially screened within the SMPBC were annual compliers, nearly 40% not returning by 3 years. In women age 50+ years, annual compliers tended to have no prior mammography, no prior breast pain, a physician referral to SMPBC, and a normal initial SMPBC mammogram. Late compliers also tended to have no prior mammography, a physician referral, and a normal initial SMPBC mammogram. CONCLUSIONS Several modifiable factors associated with compliance were identified: a physician referral to the program and possibly subsequent referral back to the program after workup for an abnormal mammogram.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- Research Advisory Council, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Chilton-Lopez, Surette ME, Swan DD, Fonteh AN, Johnson MM, Chilton FH. Metabolism of gammalinolenic acid in human neutrophils. The Journal of Immunology 1996. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.156.8.2941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Gammalinolenic acid (GLA), when provided as a dietary supplement, has been reported to improve clinical symptoms of several inflammatory disorders. The goal of the current study was to examine the metabolism of GLA and its relationship to arachidonic acid (AA) in the human neutrophil. Initial studies indicated that neutrophils provided GLA in vitro rapidly elongate it (by two carbons) to dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA). The bulk of this newly formed DGLA is incorporated into neutral lipids and specifically triacylglycerides. Neutrophils from volunteers supplemented with GLA as borage oil also had elevated quantities of DGLA but not GLA, when compared with neutrophils from volunteers not consuming the GLA supplement. To determine whether DGLA could be mobilized from cellular glycerolipids, neutrophils were stimulated with ionophore A23187 and fatty acid levels were determined. DGLA and AA were both released during stimulation, and the quantities of DGLA mobilized increased threefold after in vitro GLA supplementation. Exogenously provided DGLA was converted to one major metabolite during cell stimulation; this product migrated on reverse-phase HPLC with the 15-lipoxygenase product, 15-hydroxy-eicosa-trienoic acid (15-HETre). Both 15-HETre and DGLA (provided exogenously) inhibited the formation of leukotriene B4, (LTB4) and 20-hydroxy-leukotriene B4 (20-OH-LTB4). The IC50 for 15-HETre inhibition of both LTR, and 20-OH-LTB4 in A23187-stimulated neutrophils was 5 microM. This inhibition could be reversed by removing the compounds from the cells. Taken together, these data reveal that there are enzymes within the human neutrophil that metabolize GLA or its elongation product DGLA, and that the metabolism of GLA and AA may interact at a number of critical junctures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chilton-Lopez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - M E Surette
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - D D Swan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - A N Fonteh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - M M Johnson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - F H Chilton
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Surette ME, Swan DD, Fonteh AN, Johnson MM, Chilton FH. Metabolism of gammalinolenic acid in human neutrophils. J Immunol 1996; 156:2941-7. [PMID: 8609415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Gammalinolenic acid (GLA), when provided as a dietary supplement, has been reported to improve clinical symptoms of several inflammatory disorders. The goal of the current study was to examine the metabolism of GLA and its relationship to arachidonic acid (AA) in the human neutrophil. Initial studies indicated that neutrophils provided GLA in vitro rapidly elongate it (by two carbons) to dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA). The bulk of this newly formed DGLA is incorporated into neutral lipids and specifically triacylglycerides. Neutrophils from volunteers supplemented with GLA as borage oil also had elevated quantities of DGLA but not GLA, when compared with neutrophils from volunteers not consuming the GLA supplement. To determine whether DGLA could be mobilized from cellular glycerolipids, neutrophils were stimulated with ionophore A23187 and fatty acid levels were determined. DGLA and AA were both released during stimulation, and the quantities of DGLA mobilized increased threefold after in vitro GLA supplementation. Exogenously provided DGLA was converted to one major metabolite during cell stimulation; this product migrated on reverse-phase HPLC with the 15-lipoxygenase product, 15-hydroxy-eicosa-trienoic acid (15-HETre). Both 15-HETre and DGLA (provided exogenously) inhibited the formation of leukotriene B4, (LTB4) and 20-hydroxy-leukotriene B4 (20-OH-LTB4). The IC50 for 15-HETre inhibition of both LTR, and 20-OH-LTB4 in A23187-stimulated neutrophils was 5 microM. This inhibition could be reversed by removing the compounds from the cells. Taken together, these data reveal that there are enzymes within the human neutrophil that metabolize GLA or its elongation product DGLA, and that the metabolism of GLA and AA may interact at a number of critical junctures.
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Abstract
Thoracobiliary communications in the form of either pleurobiliary or bronchobiliary fistulas are reported complications of many diseases. A strong suspicion in the appropriate clinical setting is necessary to recognize this problem. Bilioptysis is the sine qua non of a bronchobiliary fistula. Diagnostic imaging studies are useful to identify the communication and to delineate its location. Although surgery is the optimal intervention, percutaneous drainage and intravenous antimicrobial therapy may offer the best therapeutic option in patients with metastatic cancer and limited physiologic reserve. We report a unique case of bronchobiliary fistula complicating a uterine leiomyosarcoma with hepatic metastases. Long-term palliation was achieved with percutaneous drainage and appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1054, USA
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