Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
 95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Although glucocorticoids have been universally implemented to stimulate fetal lung maturity, their effectiveness and side effects are still widely contested. In search of alternative drugs a double-blind study was conducted between June 1981 and June 1984 comparing betamethasone, a conventional corticoid, and ambroxol, a bromhexine metabolite for efficacy and tolerance in prenatal prevention of the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants and full-term neonates. The therapeutic efficacies of betamethasone and ambroxol for this indication proved to be comparable. Since the possible risks of corticoid therapy in abnormal pregnancies are repeatedly discussed in the literature and in daily clinical practice. 137 patients with EPH gestosis, placental insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and premature rupture of the membranes were selected from the original group of 308 patients. Only minor side effects (e.g. nausea) were present in a few of the 137 cases undergoing treatment with the 2 test substances. No side effects were observed in the neonates. The incidence of fetal RDS was comparable in both groups (2.9% with ambroxol, 2.2% with betamethasone). Transient and mild RDS cases were slightly more frequent in the ambroxol group than in the betamethasone group. To date, contraindications to ambroxol treatment in abnormal pregnancies are unknown and since generally the rate of potential side effects is considered to be lower in comparison with corticoid treatment, the use of ambroxol especially in abnormal pregnancies corresponding indication can be recommended.
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PMID:[Ambroxol versus betamethasone for the promotion of antepartum lung maturity in pathological pregnancies]. 240 30

Platelet activating factor (PAF) is a key proinflammatory mediator of septic shock and is metabolized by PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH). Low circulating levels of PAF-AH have been associated with the development of autodestructive excessive inflammatory responses such as post-injury multiple organ failure, and recombinant PAF-AH is being studied for the prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the potential role of PAF as an autocrine mediator of macrophage activation is unclear. We wanted to examine the role of PAF in the endotoxin- (LPS) induced macrophage response using PAF-AH. Rabbit alveolar macrophages were stimulated with LPS (10 ng/mL) with or without PAF-AH (0.1-10 microg/mL). Supernatants were collected to measure the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 8 (Il-8), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Cell monolayers were assessed for procoagulant activity (PCA). TNF mRNA production was determined by Northern blot and RNA stability was assessed. Evaluation of intracellular signaling pathways for LPS included western blots for phosphorylated p38 and ERK kinases and gel shift for nuclear factor-kappaB. There was a dose-response inhibition of TNF, PCA, Il-8, and PGE2 production following pretreatment with PAF-AH. Time course studies revealed effective inhibition of TNF production with administration of PAF-AH up to 2 h after LPS challenge. TNF mRNA production was inhibited, while mRNA stability was not affected. There was no effect on the phosphorylation of p38 or ERK 1 kinases; however, the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB was inhibited. Macrophage cytokine production in response to endotoxin is PAF dependent. This effect involves the inhibition of TNF gene transcription and concomitant inhibition of NF-kappaB.
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PMID:The macrophage response to endotoxin requires platelet activating factor. 1190 Mar 34

We report two patients with Beare-Stevenson syndrome. This syndrome presents craniosynostosis with or without clover-leaf skull, craniofacial anomalies, cutis gyrata, acanthosis nigricans, prominent umbilical stump, furrowed palms and soles, genital and anal anomalies. Both female newborn patients presented at birth with craniofacial anomalies, variable cutis gyrata in forehead and preauricular regions, prominent umbilical stump and anogenital anomalies. Furrowed palms and soles were also observed. The radiologic examination showed a cloverleaf-form craniosynostosis. Chromosomes were normal. They were born with respiratory distress and were connected to mechanical ventilation for ventilatory support. Both of them died in 50 days after birth due to secondary complications. The molecular analysis of these patients identified the mutation Tyr375Cys in the FGFR2 gene.
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PMID:Beare-Stevenson syndrome: Two South American patients with FGFR2 analysis. 1290 Sep

Leukemic peripheral blood involvement in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is uncommon. We describe 3 children with such manifestations and review the features of 9 pediatric and adult patients previously described in the literature. Leukemic involvement in ALCL may occur at the time of initial diagnosis or develop during the course of disease. It most often is associated with the small cell histologic features and the t(2;5)(p23;q35). Clinical features commonly include significant respiratory distress, diffuse lung infiltrates or pleural effusions, and hepatosplenomegaly. Most cases have an aberrant T-cell immunophenotype with frequent expression of myeloid antigens, most often CD11b or CD13. Ten of the 12 cases reviewed had a poor response to therapy or early relapse. Thus, while anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive ALCL and young patient age generally are associated with a favorable prognosis, leukemic involvement seems to identify a high-risk malignant neoplasm that requires more aggressive therapy, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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PMID:ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with leukemic peripheral blood involvement is a clinicopathologic entity with an unfavorable prognosis. Report of three cases and review of the literature. 1456 May 73

To characterize the tachykininergic effects in fire smoke (FS)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we designed a series of studies in rats. Initially, 20 min of FS inhalation induced a significant increase of substance P (SP) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at 1 h and persisted for 24 h after insult. Conversely, FS disrupted 51.4, 55.6, 46.3, and 43.0% enzymatic activity of neutral endopeptidase (NEP, a primary hydrolyzing enzyme for SP) 1, 6, 12, and 24 h after insult, respectively. Immunolabeling density of NEP in the airway epithelium largely disappeared 1 h after insult due to acute cell damage and shedding. These changes were also accompanied by extensive influx of albumin and granulocytes/lymphocytes in BALF. Furthermore, levels of BALF SP and tissue NEP activity dose dependently increased and decreased, respectively, following 0, low (10 min), and high (20 min) levels of FS inhalation. However, neither the time-course nor the dose-response study observed a significant change in the highest affinity neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) for SP. Finally, treatment (10 mg/kg im) with SR-140333B, an NK-1R antagonist, significantly prevented 20-min FS-induced hypoxemia and pulmonary edema 24 h after insult. Further examination indicated that SR-140333B (1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg im) fully abolished early (1 h) plasma extravasation following FS. Collectively, these findings suggest that a combination of sustained SP and NEP inactivity induces an exaggerated neurogenic inflammation mediated by NK-1R, which may lead to an uncontrolled influx of protein-rich edema fluid and cells into the alveoli as a consequence of increased vascular permeability.
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PMID:Substance P and neutral endopeptidase in development of acute respiratory distress syndrome following fire smoke inhalation. 1519 66

A 66-year-old man with history of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presented with B-symptoms and abdominal pain. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated an enlargement of the head and uncinate of pancreas and diffuse lymphadenopathy. The patient developed respiratory distress and expired. An autopsy of the pancreas revealed clusters of large, atypical cells, which morphologically and immunophenotypically were consistent with CD30 positive, ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of T-cell lineage and multifocal fat necrosis (panniculitis) in the peripancreatic adipose tissue. This is the first case of ALCL of the pancreas and panniculitis in a patient with history of AML.
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PMID:Anaplastic large cell lymphoma with involvement of the pancreas presenting as panniculitis in a patient with a history of acute myeloid leukemia--case report and review of the literature. 1719 61

Our previous studies demonstrated that a significant fraction of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in lung fluids from patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with anti-IL-8 autoantibodies (anti-IL-8:IL-8 immune complexes). Neutrophils have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ALI/ARDS, and moreover, it is well-established that apoptosis of neutrophils is delayed in patients with ALI/ARDS. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine the role of anti-IL-8:IL-8 immune complexes in modulating spontaneous apoptosis of normal human neutrophils. Apoptosis was assessed by evaluating morphological changes, measuring enzymatic activity of caspase-3, and determining the extent of DNA degradation. We found that samples containing anti-IL-8:IL-8 immune complexes but not samples from which these complexes were removed inhibited neutrophil apoptosis. Furthermore, the former samples or effectively anti-IL-8:IL-8 complexes induced an increase in the level of antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-X(L). In contrast, levels of proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak were decreased in the same conditions. Activity of both caspase-3 and caspase-9 was also suppressed by anti-IL-8:IL-8 complex-containing samples. Finally, we established that IgG receptor, FcgammaRIIa, mediates antiapoptotic activity of anti-IL-8:IL-8 complexes and that the key components of the FcgammaRIIa signaling pathway, Src, Syk, PI3 kinase, and ERK, may be involved in regulation of neutrophil apoptosis by the complexes. These studies demonstrate for the first time that anti-IL-8:IL-8 immune complexes have the ability to prolong neutrophil life.
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PMID:Anti-IL-8 autoantibody:IL-8 immune complexes suppress spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils. 1751 55

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a well-known entity, but there are no data on prognosis according to the age of the patient, especially in infants. A 2-month-old girl was admitted with a 2-week history of coughing, fever, and lymphadenopathy. Physical examination revealed mild respiratory distress, an erythematous macular rash on her trunk, massive cervical lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and very mild ascites. Chest radiograph showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusion, and a mediastinal mass. CBC count showed WBC: 172,000/microL (PMN 40%, lymphocytes 47%, monocytes 3%); hemoglobin concentration: 8.7 g/dL; platelets: 390,000/microL. Cervical lymph node biopsy revealed anaplastic lymphoma with positive staining to ALK 1 and TIA 1. Immunophenotypic analysis of peripheral and bone marrow lymphoid cells showed an aberrant T-cell immunophenotype, including expression of CD3, CD45R0+, CD43+, and CD30+. Cytogenetic analysis performed on blood and bone marrow samples demonstrated the translocation t(2;5) (p23;q35), and trisomy 47. After leucophoresis, the child received chemotherapy according to the ALCL-99-EICNHL protocol, and was started on corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, which resulted in marked improvement. After the second course, WBC decreased to 6000/microL without tumor lysis syndrome, but the child developed bacterial and fungal disseminated infections and died of septic shock with multiorgan failure. This report is of a rare case of infant anaplastic lymphoma and excellent response to treatment. Unfortunately, she did succumb to overwhelming infection. More reports of similar cases may determine the cause and prognosis of such children, helping to tailor therapy according to the age of the child and other prognostic factors, especially bone marrow involvement.
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PMID:Infant anaplastic lymphoma: case report and review of the literature. 1761 84

Our previous studies revealed that the presence in lung fluids of anti-IL-8 autoantibody:IL-8 immune complexes is an important prognostic indicator for the development and outcome of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Anti-IL-8:IL-8 complexes purified from lung edema fluids trigger chemotaxis of neutrophils, induce activation of these cells, and regulate their apoptosis, all via IgG receptor, FcgammaRIIa. Importantly, increased levels of FcgammaRIIa are present in lungs of patients with ARDS, where FcgammaRIIa is partially associated with anti-IL-8:IL-8 complexes. In the current study, we demonstrate the ability of anti-IL-8:IL-8 complexes to promote an inflammatory phenotype of human umbilical vein endothelial cells via interaction with FcgammaRIIa. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in the presence of the complexes become activated, as shown by increased phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and Akt, and augmented nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. Anti-IL-8:IL-8 complexes also up-regulate expression of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 on the cell surface. Furthermore, we detected increased levels of ICAM-1 on lung endothelial cells from mice in which lung injury was induced by generating immune complexes in alveolar spaces. On the other hand, ICAM-1 expression was unchanged in lungs of gamma chain-deficient mice, lacking receptors that interact with immune complexes. Moreover, in lung tissues from patients with ARDS, anti-IL-8:IL-8 complexes were associated with endothelial cells that expressed higher levels of ICAM-1. Our current findings implicate that anti-chemokine autoantibody:chemokine immune complexes, such as IL-8:IL-8 complexes, may contribute to pathogenesis of lung inflammation by inducing activation of endothelial cells through engagement of IgG receptors.
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PMID:Anti-chemokine autoantibody:chemokine immune complexes activate endothelial cells via IgG receptors. 1910 44

In an attempt to treat cancer patients with ERBB2 overexpressing tumors, we developed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based on the widely used humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) Trastuzumab (Herceptin). An optimized CAR vector containing CD28, 4-1BB, and CD3zeta signaling moieties was assembled in a gamma-retroviral vector and used to transduce autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from a patient with colon cancer metastatic to the lungs and liver, refractory to multiple standard treatments. The gene transfer efficiency into autologous T cells was 79% CAR(+) in CD3(+) cells and these cells demonstrated high-specific reactivity in in vitro coculture assays. Following completion of nonmyeloablative conditioning, the patient received 10(10) cells intravenously. Within 15 minutes after cell infusion the patient experienced respiratory distress, and displayed a dramatic pulmonary infiltrate on chest X-ray. She was intubated and despite intensive medical intervention the patient died 5 days after treatment. Serum samples after cell infusion showed marked increases in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10, consistent with a cytokine storm. We speculate that the large number of administered cells localized to the lung immediately following infusion and were triggered to release cytokine by the recognition of low levels of ERBB2 on lung epithelial cells.
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PMID:Case report of a serious adverse event following the administration of T cells transduced with a chimeric antigen receptor recognizing ERBB2. 2035 76


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