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Biomedical subjects

A James

Publications and source records attributed to A James.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

A genome-wide search for quantitative trait loci underlying asthma.

Asthma now affects one child in seven in the United Kingdom. Most cases (95%) of childhood asthma are associated with atopy, the immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated familial syndrome of allergic asthma, eczema and rhinitis. Segregation analysis has consistently suggested the presence of major genes influencing atopy and IgE levels, with the expectation that these genes may be identified by positional cloning or the examination of candidate genes. Here we report the results of a genome-wide search for linkage to one qualitative and four quantitative traits associated with allergic (atopic) asthma. We have identified six potential linkages (P<0.001), five of which are to quantitative traits. Monte Carlo simulations show that 1.6 false-positive linkages at this level of significance would be expected from the data. One linkage, to chromosome 11q13, has been established previously. Three of the new loci show evidence of linkage to a second panel of families, in which maternal effects and pleiotropy of linked phenotypes are seen. The results demonstrate the extent and the complexity of the genetic predisposition to asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Borderline personality disorder: study in adolescence.

The study of the presentation, symptomatology and family characteristics of an exclusively adolescent sample of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) was undertaken. Twenty-four cases of borderline personality disorder, 20 females, 4 males, identified using chart review and meeting the criteria of the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB) and DSM III-R, were matched with psychiatric controls. Adolescents with borderline personality disorder were found to have high rates of affective symptomatology with Axis I diagnosis of major depressive disorder MDD (DSM-III-R), and high rates of interpersonal psychopathology, i.e., manipulation, devaluation, and a pervasive sense of boredom. The latter seem to be characteristic as for adults with borderline personality disorder. The families were particularly angry and volatile.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Variability of airway structure and inflammation in normal subjects and in cases of nonfatal and fatal asthma.

The quantitative assessment of airway inflammation in patients with apparently similar clinical severity of asthma has yielded variable results. The aim of this study was to assess the variability of inflammatory cell counts and airway structure in large and small airways from subjects with and without asthma, and to calculate the number of cases required to detect significant differences between disease groups. Three serial transverse sections, 20 microns apart, were examined from cartilaginous and membranous bronchioles. Airway dimensions measured were the areas and perimeters defined by the luminal surface of the airway epithelium, basement membrane, outer border of airway smooth muscle, and surrounding border of the airway adventitia. Airway wall components measured were the areas of airway smooth muscle, mucous glands and cartilage. The numbers (per mm of basement membrane) of lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and plasma cells were counted using haematoxylin and eosin staining and mast cells were counted in sections stained with Toluidine blue. Measurements were repeated by two or three observers. The coefficient of variation (CV) was used to assess intraairway, intraobserver and interobserver variability. For airway dimensions the mean (+/- SD) CV within airways was 3.8% +/- 2.1%, within observers was 3.7% +/- 1.8% and between observers, 3.4% +/- 1.8%. For airway wall components, the CV within airways was 10.7% +/- 4.6%, and between observers was 8.8% +/- 2.2%. For cell counts, the CV within airways was 20.8% +/- 12.5%, within observers was 8.3% +/- 3.7% and between observers, 9.6% +/- 4.6%. There were no significant differences in variability between cases with and without asthma. Intra-airway variability was higher (p < 0.05) in membranous airways (5.6% +/- 1.7%) than in large cartilaginous airways (2.3% +/- 1.1%). We estimate that between 5 and 15 cases in each group would be required to detect differences of 50-100% between groups, depending on the parameter being compared. These findings suggest that airway structure and inflammatory cell numbers are uniform throughout the bronchial tree in normal and asthmatic cases, and that small samples of large or small airways are likely to be representative when comparing cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Functional interactions between areas V1 and V2 in the monkey.

The role of feedback connections from area V2 to V1 was studied by reversible inactivation. When V2 was inactivated the responses of some V1 neurons to stimulation of the surround region were increased while responses to center stimulation were unchanged or decreased. Latencies to small flashing stimuli were also compared in areas V1 and V2. The distributions in the two areas overlap largely, with a 10 ms shift between the two. Neurons of V1 and V2 that are driven by the magnocellular layers of the LGN are activated 20 ms earlier than neurons of the parvocellular stream.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A dynamical model of the distributed interaction of intracellular signals.

The behaviour of cells is coordinated by a large array of different types of intracellular protein kinases, protein phosphatases and second messenger molecules. Current experimental evidence suggests that these kinases, phosphatases and other messengers form a vast complicated interconnected signalling network inside the cell. A generic model of this signalling network is presented which is specifically designed to examine the global properties that can be expected from a model based on the available knowledge of these molecular interactions. Different protein types are represented as nodes in a network that interact via a connection matrix. During interactions, idealised kinases and phosphatases activate and deactivate other protein types by altering the level of phosphorylation of their regulatory sites. The occupancy of regulatory sites on protein kinases and phosphatases in turn determines their activity. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out on ensembles of networks. Steady states and periodic behaviour are observed in these networks. We discuss the potential of this type of model for understanding cell behaviour.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Airway structure and inflammatory cells in fatal attacks of asthma.

Fatal attacks of asthma usually occur against a background of chronic persistent symptoms, presumably due to chronic airway inflammation and changes in airway wall structure. Death from asthma is usually attributed to excessive airway narrowing due to a combination of muscle spasm and mucous plugging. To test the hypothesis that airway wall structure and/or the inflammatory cell profile are related to the duration of a fatal attack of asthma, inflammatory cell profiles and airway structure were examined in cases of fatal asthma and related to the duration of the fatal attack. In transverse sections of large and small airways from subjects dying from asthma, the numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphomononuclear cells were counted. The amount of smooth muscle shortening, the areas of airway wall, smooth muscle, mucous gland and cartilage were measured. Cell counts, airway dimensions and muscle shortening were compared in cases dying within 2 h of the fatal attack (short duration) and those dying more than 5 h after the onset of the fatal attack (long duration). In cases with fatal attacks of short duration, the numbers of neutrophils and the mucous gland area were increased and the numbers of eosinophils were reduced compared to cases with fatal attacks of long duration. Lymphocyte numbers, airway wall thickness, the areas of smooth muscle and cartilage and the amount of smooth muscle shortening were similar in the two groups. These findings suggest fatal attacks of asthma may be triggered by an inflammatory stimulus and suggest that increased production of mucous may contribute to sudden death in such cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Public perceptions of childhood criminality.

This paper begins with the Jamie Bulger murder in Britain in late 1993 and sets out to examine the sociological contexts of the waves of shock and reaction that were manifested in the public perceptions of this event. Traditional conceptions of the child through modernity and their social and moral implications for generating a particular view of innocence and dependency are considered as providing the baseline from which childhood today appears to drift. Public reaction is analysed in terms of mass media content, against a general ignorance of the actual child's point of view. The paper concludes with the broader idea that images of childhood have become closely aligned with expectations of social integration and any fracture of one subsequently threatens the other.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Detection of a recessive major gene for high IgE levels acting independently of specific response to allergens.

The genetic control of the total IgE, the immunoglobulins E involved in allergy, remains still unclear. Although high IgE levels were found to be determined by a recessive major gene in several studies, other modes of inheritance were also reported. Moreover, at least two different genetic mechanisms controlling the IgE regulation have been suggested: one involved in the specific IgE response and the other one in the nonspecific response. To better understand the genetic mechanisms controlling IgE variation, we performed segregation analysis of IgE levels by ignoring or taking into account the specific response to allergens (SRA). Analyses were conducted using the class D regressive model, in a sample of 234 Australian nuclear families randomly selected during the winter months, when IgE levels are the lowest (basal). SRA, when included as a covariate in the model, was defined by one of the three following criteria: (1) raised specific IgE level for one or more allergens, (2) positive skin test for one or more allergens, and (3) at least one of the (1) or (2) criteria. When the presence of SRA is ignored, the familial transmission of total IgE level is compatible with the segregation of a recessive major gene and residual familial correlations. When the presence of SRA is accounted for in the analysis, whether defined by criteria (1), (2), or (3), there is still evidence for a recessive major gene controlling IgE levels but residual familial correlations are no longer significant. In addition, no interaction between this major gene and SRA is shown here. Our results suggest that this gene, which accounts for 28% of the variation of the trait, may be involved in the control of basal IgE production, independently of specific response to allergens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Maximum and medium security: the interface.

This paper examines transfer delays for patients moving between medium and maximum security hospitals. Delays appear to be getting shorter and Special Hospitals in particular respond very quickly to requests for admission. Recommendations are made for further improvements in transfer procedures. The authors argue that with closer working relationships between clinicians in Special Hospitals and Regional Secure Units, and the new proactive approach to transfers, the system will become increasingly flexible and responsive. Consequent improvements in the quality of care in Special Hospitals are anticipated, making the arguments for closing them, in turn, less convincing.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Office abortion services for women: private physician providers.

Research suggests that private physician providers of office abortions and the women who seek their services are not included in nationwide surveys of abortion statistics. This study describes the demographic characteristics of private physicians and the prevalence of abortions performed in their offices in Los Angeles County, California, a state in which office abortions are prohibited by law. Factors that influence physicians' decisions to provide the service, as well as the age and ethnicity of the office abortion recipients, are examined. Of 1,004 California Medical Association members who practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Los Angeles County during 1990, 49% returned anonymous, confidential surveys. Seventy percent of physicians had performed at least one abortion in California, and 29% were currently providing this service in their offices. Physician gender, age, ethnicity, and religion were associated with performing abortions. The average abortion patient was not young and ethnic, but White, middle-class, and in her mid- to late twenties. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Abortion, Legal↗