Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Church

Publications and source records attributed to A Church.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Late recurrences of Sydenham's chorea are not associated with anti-basal ganglia antibodies.

Anti-basal ganglia antibodies (ABGA) have been associated with 100% of acute cases and 69% of persistent cases of Sydenham's chorea. We describe two cases of late recurrences of Sydenham's chorea with absence of ABGA. Both patients had several childhood episodes of Sydenham's chorea. MRI imaging of the basal ganglia and exhaustive investigations for other causes of chorea were normal or negative. The absence of ABGA may be evidence against an autoimmune pathology in late and some persistent recurrences. We suggest the likely pathophysiology to be dopamine hypersensitivity of chronically damaged basal ganglia neurones possibly following induction of an autoimmune antibody response in childhood.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Oral contraceptive induced chorea: another condition associated with anti-basal ganglia antibodies.

Use of oral contraceptives is a recognised but infrequent cause of chorea. This type of chorea has usually been considered a reactivation of Sydenham's chorea by an unknown mechanism. A patient developed a chorea triggered by the use of oral contraceptives with no definite evidence of previous Sydenham's chorea or recent streptoccocal infections. However, the patient had positive anti-basal ganglia antibodies, which supports an immunological basis for the pathophysiology of this chorea.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

DNA typing of the human MN and Ss blood group antigens in amniotic fluid and following massive transfusion.

Although red blood cell (RBC) antigen typing by agglutination is generally useful, several situations exist where this approach is difficult or impossible. For example, following a massive transfusion, a patient's residual RBCs are mixed with transfused normal donor RBCs. In this case, typing by hemagglutination primarily detects the antigens on the heterogeneous population of transfused RBCs. Agglutination testing is also of limited use for determining the phenotype of a fetus at risk for hemolytic disease of the newborn because fetal RBCs must be obtained by periumbilical blood sampling. Determining the genotype of an individual by analyzing genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood nucleated cells or amniocytes is an alternative approach for determining the RBC antigen type. In this report, the allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was used to identify the alleles at the MN and Ss loci that encode the corresponding antigens on glycophorin A (GPA) and glycophorin B (GPB), respectively. This method was used to type these alleles in peripheral blood samples obtained from normal individuals and from patients following massive transfusion. Of 23 peripheral blood specimens analyzed, all were correctly typed by this method. The allele specific polymerase chain reaction was also used to determine these alleles using amniotic fluid samples. Of 11 amniotic fluid specimens analyzed, 8 were correctly typed at both loci. Mistyping of three amniotic fluid specimens was explained by possible maternal blood contamination.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1980

Computerized information system for ICU patient management.

To solve the problem of data management, a digital computer was introduced in this ICU in 1977. Data are manually entered at the bedside alpha-numeric keyboards; two beds are directly connected to the computer. The system was especially designed to work in the 11-bed ICU; its functions are: (1) admission, discharge, and transfer data of patients; (2) management of doctors' and nurses' notes in a free text form; (3) management of the problem-oriented record; (4) management of physical and bio chemical variables, medical disorders, and fluid balance; and (5) diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. Since 1977, the authors have computerized over 2600 patients and now conclude: (1) data management and communication have improved, thus, allowing nurses more time for direct patient care; (2) teaching of the residents and nurses has been facilitated and minimizes disparities from their diverse experience; (3) it has contributed to the development of protocols for many of the procedures; and (4) it has led to a more systematic approach to patient care. The assistance of a professional computer programmer and continuous maintenance of the software are essential.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa presenting at birth with anonychia: a case report and review of H-JEB.

A 15-day-old Yemeni boy presented with anonychia and granulomatous nail beds and white patches in the mouth. Biopsy specimens from the nail beds were nondiagnostic. Shortly thereafter the child developed multiple tense bullae, a hoarse voice, and poor appetite. Hematoxylin and eosin staining along with monoclonal antibody studies of a skin biopsy specimen revealed subepidermal bullae through the lamina lucida and a marked decrease in laminin 5. A diagnosis of junctional epidermolysis bullosa Herlitz variant was made. His course was complicated by multiple nonhealing wounds, oral pharyngeal involvement, sepsis, anemia, and poor nutrition, leading to his eventual death. This report emphasizes the unusual presentation of Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa with anonychia as the initial finding and a relatively prolonged period before cutaneous blister formation, resulting in delay of diagnosis.

Biopsy, Needle↗