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Biomedical subjects

A C Brown

Publications and source records attributed to A C Brown.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Quantitative gene expression profiling implicates genes for susceptibility and resistance to alveolar bone loss.

Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases. There is a genetic component to susceptibility and resistance to this disease. Using a mouse model, we investigated the progression of alveolar bone loss by gene expression profiling of susceptible and resistant mouse strains (BALB/cByJ and A/J, respectively). We employed a novel and sensitive quantitative real-time PCR method to compare basal RNA transcription of a 48-gene set in the gingiva and the spleen and the subsequent changes in gene expression due to Porphyromonas gingivalis oral infection. Basal expression of interleukin-1 beta (Il1b) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnf) mRNA was higher in the gingiva of the susceptible BALB/cByJ mice than in the gingiva of resistant A/J mice. Gingival Il1b gene expression increased further and Stat6 gene expression was turned on after P. gingivalis infection in BALB/cByJ mice but not in A/J mice. The basal expression of interleukin-15 (Il15) in the gingiva and the basal expression of p-selectin (Selp) in the spleen were higher in the resistant A/J mice than in the susceptible BALB/cByJ mice. In the resistant A/J mice the expression of no genes detectably changed in the gingiva after infection. These results suggest a molecular phenotype in which discrete sets of differentially expressed genes are associated with genetically determined susceptibility (Il1b, Tnf, and Stat6) or resistance (Il15 and Selp) to alveolar bone loss, providing insight into the genetic etiology of this complex disease.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed2001

Allergic reactions to isosulfan blue during sentinel node biopsy--a common event.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection in the management of high-risk melanoma and other cancers, such as breast cancer, has recently increased in use. The procedure identifies an SLN by intradermal or intraparenchymal injection of an isosulfan blue dye, a radiocolloid, or both around the primary malignancy. METHODS: At the time of selective SLN mapping, 3 to 5 mL of isosulfan blue was injected either intradermally or intraparenchymally around the primary malignancy. From October 1997 to May 2000, 267 patients underwent intraoperative lymphatic mapping with the use of both isosulfan 1% blue dye and radiocolloid injection. Five cases with adverse reactions to isosulfan blue were reviewed. RESULTS: We report 2 cases of anaphylaxis and 3 cases of "blue hives" after injection with isosulfan blue of 267 patients who had intraoperative lymphatic mapping by the procedure described above. The 2 patients with anaphylaxis experienced cardiovascular collapse, erythema, perioral edema, urticaria, and uvular edema. The blue hives in 3 patients resolved and transformed to blue patches during the course of the procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of allergic reactions in our series was 2.0%. As physicians expand the role of SLN mapping, they should consider the use of histamine blockers as prophylaxis and have emergency treatment readily available to treat the life- threatening complication of anaphylactic reaction.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

An assessment of various household food security measures in Hawaiì has implications for national food security research and monitoring.

The Core Food Security Module (CFSM), the national food security monitoring tool, requires three affirmative responses to categorize households as food insecure. If this tool is unreliable or inaccurate, vulnerable segments of our population may be adversely affected. The objectives of the present study were to assess the credibility of applying the CFSM categorical measure to a population sample from Hawaiì and to assess the concurrent validity of the CFSM, the new face-valid measure and measures adapted from the Radimer/Cornell (RC) measure and Community Childhood Hunger Identification Project. The sample included 1469 respondents gathered through a statewide telephone sample and 144 food pantry recipients. Responses to the 18 CFSM questions were used to create all four measures. The credibility of the CFSM categorical measure was also assessed via comparisons with individual items and with the 1995 national modal CFSM response pattern. Categorical measures were compared across food security prevalence estimates and indices of income and vegetable intake and with the CFSM scale measure. Differences in the modal response pattern between samples affected CFSM categorization. Only 36% of households followed the Hawaiì modal response pattern, and categorization was not consistent with the content of key items. Although 85% of the households were classified as food secure by the CFSM, only 78% were classified as food secure with each of the other food security measures. Concurrent validity of all measures was confirmed. A reassessment of the national CFSM categorical measure appears warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The Hawaii Diet: ad libitum high carbohydrate, low fat multi-cultural diet for the reduction of chronic disease risk factors: obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the health effects of a high carbohydrate, low fat multi-cultural traditional diet, The Hawaii Diet, fed ad libitum to an adult population. METHODS: Twenty-two adults recruited from various cultural backgrounds in Hawaii were fed, without calorie or portion size restriction, the Hawaii Diet for 21 days. The Hawaii Diet, based on familiar traditional foods from different cultures, is high in complex carbohydrate (77% of calories), low in fat (12% of calories), and moderate in protein (11% of calories). Participants were encouraged to eat to satiety. RESULTS: There was a significant weight loss on The Hawaii Diet averaging 10.8 lbs (23.8 kg) (P < .0001). Blood pressure was decreased from an average of 136.0/82.7 mm Hg to 125.5/78.9 mm Hg yielding a significant decrease of 10.4 mm Hg for systolic (P < .01). Beginning diastolic levels were normal so decreases in these values were not significant. Average lipid values also decreased with total serum cholesterol being significantly reduced from 205.3 to 156.9 mg/dl (P < .0001); LDL from 125.9 to 94.9 mg/dl (P < .001); and HDL from 38.3 to 31.3 mg/dl (P < .0005). Triglycerides (238.7 to 152.2 mg/dl) and the Chol:HDL ratio (5.8 to 5.2) improved at marginally significant levels (P < .08). There was also a significant reduction in blood glucose levels from 112.2 to 91.5 mg/dL (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The Hawaii Diet consisting of high carbohydrate, low fat ethnic meals appears to have a beneficial influence on weight loss and in decreasing systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL, and blood glucose values. Marginal improvement occurred for triglyceride levels. There was also a significant drop in HDL levels, however, the Chol:HDL was ratio did not increase. Further studies of longer duration with a control group should be conducted to test the effectiveness of The Hawaii Diet in maintaining these health benefits over a longer period of time.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Facial frequency manipulation normalizes face discrimination in AD.

People with AD have deficient contrast sensitivity and impaired face discrimination. The authors presented photographs of unfamiliar faces of three different sizes to enhance the low, middle, or high facial frequency information (cycles per face). Patients with AD demonstrated normal discrimination of small faces only, indicating that impaired contrast sensitivity at low facial frequencies contributes to their poor face discrimination.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Behavioural and emotional difficulties in students attending schools for children and adolescents with severe intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: For several decades, researchers and clinicians have been aware of an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorder in children with intellectual disability. However, there are few research studies exploring this issue. METHODS: The parents of 123 children attending schools for children with 'severe learning difficulties' completed the Developmental Behaviour Checklist (DBC) in order to identify those children with clinically significant behavioural and emotional problems. Comparisons were made with norms for the DBC and a range of child variables were investigated as possible correlates of disorder. RESULTS: Some 50.4% of the children scored above the cut-off on the DBC for psychiatric disorder. The child's severity of physical disability was related most strongly to parental ratings of behavioural and emotional problems. There were also effects for the child's age and the absence of Down's syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms previous research findings of a high prevalence of behavioural and emotional difficulties amongst children with intellectual disability, and identifies a number of correlates of disorder which require further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Lupus erythematosus and nutrition: a review of the literature.

The purpose of this review was to search the scientific literature for dietary compounds that alleviate or exacerbate symptoms of lupus erythematosus (LE) in both animal and human models. A detailed literature review was undertaken to find articles showing a relationship between LE and nutrition by using MEDLINE/INDEX MEDICUS (1950-March 2000) for English-language articles, followed by cross-referencing. Aggravating substances appear to include excess calories, excess protein, high fat (especially saturated and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids), zinc, iron, and L-canavanine found in alfalfa tablets. Possible beneficial dietary compounds include vitamin E, vitamin A (beta-carotene), selenium, fish oils (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids), evening primrose oil, flaxseed, a plant herb (Tripterygium wilfordii), dehydroepiandrosterone, and calcium plus vitamin D (if taking corticosteroids). Some people with systemic LE placed on food allergy elimination diets reported improvement in their LE symptoms; however, this may be related to a decrease of other substances in the diet. Also, although no direct evidence was reported on the beneficial effects of either bromelain or a vegetarian diet (possibly allowing fish), it is suggested that they might be beneficial. Limitations to this research are that the findings are based on relatively few studies, many of which were without control groups or extrapolated from animal models. No large-scale studies have been performed with LE patients to substantiate the benefit, if any, of these individual dietary interventions, and if they were conducted, the remission and exacerbation pattern of LE may interfere with elucidating their effectiveness. Also, dietary changes should not be attempted without a physician's approval/monitoring.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Fragile self-esteem in children and its associations with perceived patterns of parent-child communication.

We examined the extent to which 11- to 12-year-old children's (N = 174) self-esteem (SE) stability and level related to their perceptions of various aspects of parent-child communication. Compared to children with stable SE, children with unstable SE reported that their fathers were more critical and psychologically controlling, and less likely to acknowledge their positive behaviors or to show their approval in value-affirming ways. Likewise, children with low SE reported that their fathers exhibited these qualities to a greater extent than did children with high SE. In addition, fathers of children with stable high SE were viewed as especially good at problem solving. Children's SE level related to perceptions of mothers' communication styles very similarly to how it did with fathers'; with respect to SE stability, however, relationships were generally less consistent and frequently absent. Discussion centered on the role of parent-child communication in promoting unstable SE.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Familial eosinophilic cellulitis, dysmorphic habitus, and mental retardation.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic cellulitis is a polymorphous, chronic disease characterized by eosinophil infiltration and granulomatous inflammation. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe the clinical, histologic, and immunohistologic findings in three family members who have had eosinophilic cellulitis since childhood associated with mental retardation and abnormal body habitus. METHODS: Family members were evaluated. Multiple skin biopsy specimens were obtained and examined after hematoxylin-and-eosin staining, by immunofluorescence and by electron microscopy. Blood specimens were analyzed by immunoassays for eosinophil granule proteins and eosinophil active cytokines. RESULTS: Three short-statured, mentally retarded family members with abnormal body habitus in at least two generations had recurrent eosinophilic cellulitis. Peripheral blood and bone marrow eosinophilia was present. Plasma eosinophil granule major basic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin levels were elevated with normal plasma eosinophil cationic protein levels. Eosinophil survival in culture was increased by patients' plasma and was blocked with monoclonal interleukin-5 antibody. The level of plasma interleukin-5 was elevated. Lesional skin biopsy specimens showed massive staining for three eosinophil granule proteins. Electron microscopy showed eosinophil disruption. CONCLUSION: Eosinophilic cellulitis, mental retardation, and abnormal body habitus were likely inherited as a dominant syndrome in this family in which eosinophil involvement was striking.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1998

Reading against the lines: resisting foreclosure in therapy discourse.

In this article, it is noted that poststructural ideas can be useful tools in fostering reflexivity and creativity for clinicians. By examining the process of meaning construction, clinicians can detach from repetitive interpretations of therapy discourse that lead to conversational closure. Four strategies for guiding a reading of family therapy interaction are presented: incitement to discourse, deconstruction, normativity, and the cultural grid of intelligibility. These strategies are used to describe examples of marital therapy discourse. By learning to read therapy as discourse, clinicians may critically examine how meaning is constructed and use that awareness to foster therapeutic conversations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Is routine drainage of pelvic anastomosis necessary?

The routine use of drains for pelvic anastomosis is controversial. This study was undertaken to determine whether drainage alters leak rate, aids in diagnosing a leak, and/or prevents the need for laparotomy when a leak occurs. Records of 156 consecutive patients who underwent elective resection and pelvic anastomosis for cancer from 1986 to 1994 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were stratified into two parent groups, I and II. One hundred and eleven Group I patients who routinely had Jackson-Pratt 10-mm drains inserted were subdivided into subgroup I-A (n = 24) with proximal intraoperative diversion and subgroup I-B (n = 87), without diversion. Forty-five Group II patients routinely did not have drains inserted. They were also subdivided, into II-A (n = 3) and II-B (n = 42), i.e., with and without simultaneous diversion, respectively. The overall leak rate was 5.1 per cent (8/156). Subgroups I-A and II-A had leak rates of 8.33 per cent (2/24) and 0 per cent (0/3), respectively. The leak rates were 4.6 per cent (4/87) in subgroup I-B and 4.8 per cent (2/42) in subgroup II-B, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). Also, no significant difference was noted when the overall leak rate for diverted cases was compared with nondiverted ones. Of the four leaks in I-B, three occurred after the drains were removed; two of these required laparotomy, drainage, and diversion. The fourth occurred with the drain in place, but failed to demonstrate feces or pus in the drainage fluid or prevent the need for laparotomy. The presence of a drain did not affect the leak rate (P > 0.10). Drain contents did not aid in diagnosing anastomotic dehiscence. Routine prophylactic use of Jackson-Pratt drains seems unjustified because leaks either occurred after the drains were removed or failed to prevent the need for laparotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Sweet's syndrome after splenic irradiation for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Sweet's syndrome is defined as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. Characteristic features are fever; peripheral neutrophilia; and painful cutaneous nodules and plaques on the face, neck, trunk, and limbs. Biopsy specimens of these lesions show a mature neutrophilic infiltrate of the dermis. Vasculitis is absent. Sweet's syndrome is associated with malignancy in approximately 20% of reported cases. The pathogenesis is unknown. The authors describe Sweet's syndrome in a 39-year-old man 5 weeks after splenic irradiation for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Treatment with parenteral corticosteroids resulted in dramatic improvement of the patient's condition. The authors discuss the diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome and the fact that it is thought to be cytokine-induced.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cadmium-binding proteins from a tunicate, Pyura stolonifera.

The determination of cadmium levels in tissues of the tunicate Pyura stolonifera collected from uncontaminated sites revealed highest concentrations in the liver. After keeping P. stolonifera under laboratory conditions in Cd-containing water for 15 days, cadmium accumulated most markedly in liver tissue. Liver tissue of Cd-exposed specimens was used for the isolation of Cd-binding proteins. Five Cd-binding proteins, which differ in their chromatographic properties, could be purified. At least four of these Cd-binding proteins are heat stable and cysteine-rich. The N-terminal sequence (Met-Asp-Pro-Cys-Asn-Cys-Ala-Glu...) of at least two of these peptides resembles fish (plaice) metallothionein. Unlike vertebrate metallothioneins, P. stolonifera Cd-binding proteins are not N-terminally blocked by acetylation of methionine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Dietary survey of Hopi Native American elementary students.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diets of 96 Hopi fifth- and sixth-grade students on the Hopi reservation in Arizona. DESIGN: Dietary food intakes were collected using a 3-day dietary record and were analyzed with a computer software program to obtain information on the intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, 10 vitamins, and six minerals. SETTING: The survey was conducted during the health class or homeroom period in the elementary schools located on the Hopi reservation in Arizona. SUBJECTS: The survey population consisted of 96 fifth- and sixth-grade Hopi elementary students attending the five schools on the Hopi reservation. MAIN OUTCOME: Before data collection we hypothesized the average diet of Hopi elementary students did not meet dietary recommendations (eg, Dietary Goals, Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), and/or National Cancer Institute recommendations). STATISTICS: The nutrient analyses and demographic data were analyzed for frequencies and percentages of responses. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated where appropriate. RESULTS: Results of the analysis revealed a mean daily dietary intake of 2,123 kcal consisting of 35% fat (84 g), 48% carbohydrate (261 g; 38% from sugar), and 17% protein (89 g), with 27 g saturated fat, 442 mg cholesterol, 11 g fiber, and 2,477 mg sodium. At least 97% or 100% of the RDA was met for all analyzed vitamins and minerals except for vitamin D (146 IU; 37% RDA), calcium (874 mg; 82% RDA), and zinc (12 mg; 94% RDA). CONCLUSIONS: Given the health problems relatively new to Native Americans, such as diabetes, obesity, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, fetal alcohol syndrome, and increasing rates of heart disease and cancer, dietary modification may benefit them in their adult life. Modifications to meet current recommended dietary goals would include reducing fat to below 30% of energy; cholesterol to less than 250 mg; sodium to lower levels but not below 500 mg/day; and decreasing refined sugars. Carbohydrates would be increased to at least 58% energy; fiber to 20 to 30 g; and vitamin D, calcium, and, possibly, zinc to RDA levels.

Adolescent↗