Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
 44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We isolated Pseudomonas paucimobilis SYK-6, which was able to degrade various dimeric lignin compounds (Y. Katayama, S. Nishikawa, M. Nakamura, K. Yano, M. Yamasaki, N. Morohoshi, and T. Haraguchi, Mokuzai Gakkaishi 33:77-79, 1987). This metabolic process is a distinct characteristic of this bacterium, which is equipped with an enzymatic modification system for various dimeric lignin compounds involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Cleavage of the beta-aryl ether linkage is essential in this process, because this linkage is the most abundant (approximately 50%) in lignin. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of the beta-etherase gene, which contains an open reading frame of 843 bp and which we call ligE. This gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme had the same kinetic properties as the P. paucimobilis SYK-6 enzyme.
J Bacteriol 1991 Dec
PMID:Cloning and sequencing of the gene for a Pseudomonas paucimobilis enzyme that cleaves beta-aryl ether. 174 51

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all primary care physicians assess the sexually transmitted disease/human immunodeficiency virus (STD/HIV) risk of all adolescent and adult patients. To determine whether factors amenable to change through continuing medical education are associated with frequent and thorough STD/HIV risk assessment, a telephone survey of primary care physicians in the Washington, DC metropolitan area was conducted (n = 961). Thirty-seven percent of physicians reported regularly asking new adult patients about their sexual practices; 60% asked new adolescent patients. STD/HIV risk questioning was associated with physicians' confidence in their ability to help prevent HIV, comfort with discussing patients' sexual practices, and perception of a large STD/HIV problem in their practice. These findings suggest that continuing medical education should target improvement in physicians' sexual practice questioning skills.
Am J Public Health 1991 Dec
PMID:Frequency and thoroughness of STD/HIV risk assessment by physicians in a high-risk metropolitan area. 174 64

Joining of the BCR and ABL genes is an essential feature of the group of human leukemias characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome and there is recent evidence that the human BCR-ABL fusion gene induces leukemia in experimental animals. Joining of these two genes is the result of cytogenetic translocation, usually the t(9;22)(q34;q11), but sometimes of more complex translocations involving one or more chromosomes in addition to chromosomes 9 and 22. The leukemic cells of some patients carry the BCR-ABL fusion gene but have an apparently normal karyotype. Recent studies show that these cells conceal complex chromosome rearrangements. Because the BCR-ABL fusion gene appears to be the result of cytogenetic rearrangement in all cases of these leukemias, the causes and mechanism of chromosome rearrangement will be relevant to the development of leukemia in man. We examine mechanisms of chromosome rearrangement and propose that both simple and complex chromosome translocations result from a single, though sometimes complex, interchange event.
Cancer Genet Cytogenet 1991 Dec
PMID:Complex chromosomal translocations in the Philadelphia chromosome leukemias. Serial translocations or a concerted genomic rearrangement? 175 91

Previous comparisons between the Reference and Definitive Methods for measuring serum cholesterol have demonstrated a small but persistent positive bias in the Reference Method, averaging about +1.6%. Here we describe the results of further investigations designed to better characterize the nature of this bias. Analysis of a well-characterized model serum sample (SRM 909) suggests that more than half of the difference in cholesterol values determined by the two methods is the result of small contributions from cholesterol precursor sterols and phytosterols, which are also measured for the Reference Method. An additional significant contribution may be from cholesterol oxidation products, particularly 7-hydroxycholesterol isomers, which are active in the Liebermann-Burchard reaction. The 7-hydroxycholesterol in SRM 909, most of which appeared to be already present in the serum rather than formed during saponification, may account for as much as 20% of the observed difference between the methods. Contributions from other possible sources, including impurities in the cholesterol standard and incomplete saponification of cholesteryl esters, are very small. Because the observed bias is both quite small and consistent among samples, the cholesterol Reference Method continues to meet all of the requirements generally expected for a dependable and effective Reference Method.
Clin Chem 1991 Dec
PMID:Factors influencing the accuracy of the national reference system total cholesterol reference method. 176 81

Recent changes in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases include recognition of penicillin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, identification of Chlamydia trachomatis as the leading cause of bacterial genital infection in the United States, and the realization that the urethritis syndrome is often associated with multiple pathogens. There is currently no monotherapy that eradicates all STD pathogens. The role of fluoroquinolones in the treatment of STDs is still evolving. The investigational agent, temafloxacin, has good activity against gonococci, nongonococcal organisms, and, unlike other quinolones, against Bacteroides fragilis and other anaerobes. Norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, and temafloxacin single-dose therapy have demonstrated clinical efficacy for gonococcal infections in non-comparative and comparative trials, including bacterial eradication of isolates resistant to other agents.
Am J Med 1991 Dec 30
PMID:Recent developments in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. 176 2

This study evaluates five cryptic plasmid-derived DNA probes in a 4-h slot-blot hybridization assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in cultures and clinical specimens. The probes, consisting of either the entire cloned 7.5 kbp cryptic plasmid pSE8 or one of four Hin dIII/Eco RI fragments measuring 710, 1055, 710, and 500 bp, respectively, were labelled with Photoprobe biotin. The probe was detected using a streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate followed by addition of BCIP and NBT. The sensitivity of the assay, using 25 ng of probe DNA, ranged from 50 pg (with the entire plasmid as probe) to 5 ng (with the 500 bp fragment as probe). A total of 103 reference strains of Chlamydia trachomatis and other bacteria were tested for reactivity with the probes. All 18 reference strains of C. trachomatis hybridized with the probes. None of the DNA from the heterologous organisms tested was found to hybridize with any of the probes. A total of 174 samples taken from patients visiting the STD clinic at the University Hospital, University of Seville were used in the study. The overall sensitivity of the assay, using the 710 bp biotinylated probe was 94.5% compared to culture while the specificity was 97.5%. Positive and negative predictive values were 96.5% and 97.5%, respectively. It appears that the plasmid-derived probes used in this study could serve as useful tools for the rapid and specific detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in cell cultures and clinical specimens.
Mol Cell Probes 1991 Dec
PMID:Evaluation of a DNA probe of plasmid origin for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in cultures and clinical specimens. 177 80

The Bureau of STD Control continues to combat NYC's epidemic of congenital syphilis. The demographic profile of this population has remained constant with only a clearer identification of previously reported risk factors: most notably poor prenatal care and substance abuse. There is a suggestion of a plateau having occurred in adult and congenital syphilis, possibly caused by saturation effect on the high-risk population. During the period 1989 through 1990, the rates for cocaine/crack use have remained relatively constant among mothers infected with syphilis. A recent study by the Division of Substance Abuse Services of New York State school-age children demonstrated a drop in cocaine use from 14% in 1983 to 6%. If a similar decline is seen in substance abuse in other age groups, the rate of congenital syphilis may diminish.
N Y State J Med 1991 Dec
PMID:Congenital syphilis in New York City: 1985-1990. 179 20

The cell-permeant heavy metal chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine(TPEN) was found to counteract phorbol ester-induced actin reorganization in PTK2 and Swiss 3T3 cells. By using fluorescence and the higher resolution technique of photoelectron microscopy to monitor actin patterns, 15-min pretreatment with 25-50 microM TPEN was found to dramatically reduce actin alterations resulting from subsequent phorbol ester treatment in PTK2 cells. Similar results were obtained with Swiss 3T3 cells using 50 microM TPEN for 1.5 h. Phorbol ester-induced actin alterations are thought to depend on activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast to the phorbol ester effect, the PKC-independent actin cytoskeletal disruption caused by staurosporine and cytochalasin B was unaffected by TPEN pretreatment. TPEN did not block phorbol ester-induced activation of PKC in Swiss 3T3 cells, as observed by the phosphorylation of the 80K PKC substrate protein (MARCKS protein). TPEN also did not inhibit partially purified PKC from Swiss 3T3 cells in an in vitro PKC-specific commercial assay. To establish that the effect of TPEN is the removal of metal ions and not some other nonspecific effect of TPEN, a series of transition metal ions was added at the end of the TPEN pretreatment. The results indicate that the transient but dramatic phorbol ester-induced reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in cultured cells depends on an interaction of PKC with a heavy metal, probably zinc.
Cell Regul 1991 Dec
PMID:Phorbol ester-induced actin cytoskeletal reorganization requires a heavy metal ion. 180 24

This article is a revision of a 1983 position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine with inclusion of the newest medical advances in research on adolescent sexuality; i.e., contraceptive compliance, promotion of behavior change, relationships of ethnicity and pregnancy, and male reproductive health. The issues for the 1990's will be sexually transmitted diseases' morbidity and mortality. Topics identified are sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy, care of the pregnant teen, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, the male adolescent, sexual abuse in adolescents, gay and lesbian youth, interventions, reproductive health care of adolescents with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and training of primary care physicians. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has focused attention on the reproductive behavior of males. Sexual activity varies by racial/ethnic group. Interventions to delay sexual initiation needs to be examined, although condom use has increased among 17-19 year olds from 21% to 58% in metropolitan areas. However condom use is lowest among the group of men at highest risk of STDs: those who had ever used drugs, those who had ever had sex with a prostitute, and those that had 5 or more partners/year. Male beliefs about contraception have been infrequently examined. There are misconceptions about heterosexual transmission of HIV. Better screening is needed for STD detection. Fathers are more involved in prenatal care and postnatal intervention programs. 7% of children have been subjected to nonvoluntary sexual intercourse between the ages of 18-21. ; i.e., 12.7% of white women, 9% of black women, 1.9% of white males, and 6.1% of black males. Risk factors for white women were living apart form parents at 16 years, poverty, physical and emotional limitations, parental alcohol and smoking and drug use. Sexual assault was associated with hitchhiking and alcohol and drug use in 1 study cited. Physicians need to be sensitive to this issue and probe for information. The sexual needs of those unsure of orientation or who a re homosexual or lesbian are gradually becoming recognized. Among 12th graders. 1% of males and 1% of females viewed themselves as mostly or completely homosexual or lesbian, and 10% were unsure. Psychological and medical problems are encountered. Interventions needed are reproductive and STd information, multiple approaches in a variety of settings, adolescent clinics, and outreach.
J Adolesc Health 1991 Dec
PMID:Society for Adolescent Medicine Position Paper on Reproductive Health Care for Adolescents. 183 15

In response to the risk of occupationally acquired infection with hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus, the State of Oklahoma enacted legislation which provided for a system of notification of emergency medical personnel who sustain risk exposures to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids. The system is based on the immediate report of the exposure to the STD/HIV Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1990, emergency response facilities reported 115 exposures to blood or other body fluids. There was a mean delay of 12 days between exposure and report to the STD/HIV Division. Only 10 (9%) of the exposed workers had been previously vaccinated against hepatitis B, and universal precautions were in use only 40% of the time. Forty-eight reports (41.7%) indicated exposures that did not pose a risk of disease transmission. These data indicate that emergency response facilities are in need of further education directed at the risk and prevention of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
J Okla State Med Assoc 1991 Dec
PMID:Occupational risk exposure reports among first responders in Oklahoma, January 1989-December 1990. 183 55


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