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Biomedical subjects

A Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to A Kelly.

299 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence that nerve growth factor plays a role in long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus.

An inbred strain of Wistar rat (GH), which is deficient in nerve growth factor (NGF), was used to assess the possible role of NGF in the generation of long-term potentiation in perforant path-granule cell synapses. The data show that NGF was significantly decreased in the dentate gyrus of GH rats, that this deficit was accompanied by an impairment in long-term potentiation (LTP) and that intraventricular injection of NGF substantially reversed this impairment. Analysis of depolarization-induced glutamate release in synaptosomes prepared from dentate gyrus of control rats revealed that NGF alone was without effect, but in combination with the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD), NGF induced a significant increase in release. This effect was occluded by prior induction of LTP, suggesting that the interaction between these agents may be required to enhance transmitter release which accompanies LTP in dentate gyrus. In contrast to the effect of NGF and ACPD on glutamate release in control rats, the combination of these agents had no effect on release in synaptosomes prepared from GH rats, which might be explained by the marked decrease in trk receptors in dentate gyrus of GH rats. It was concluded that the impaired ability of GH rats to sustain LTP is associated with a reduction in NGF concentration, a reduction in stimulated release of NGF and a decrease in trk receptors in dentate gyrus. It is proposed that these data indicate a role for NGF in the generation of long-term potentiation in perforant path-granule cell synapses.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sequences encoded in the class II region of the MHC related to the 'ABC' superfamily of transporters.

Class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) bind and present peptides derived from the degradation of intracellular, often cytoplasmic, proteins, whereas class II molecules usually present proteins from the extracellular environment. It is not known how peptides derived from cytoplasmic proteins cross a membrane before presentation at the cell surface. But certain mutations in the MHC can prevent presentation of antigens with class I molecules. In addition, mutations possibly in the MHC can affect presentation by class II molecules. Here we report the finding of a new gene in the MHC that might have a role in antigen presentation and which is related to the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) superfamily of transporters. This superfamily includes the human multidrug-resistance protein, and a series of transporters from bacteria and eukaryotic cells capable of transporting a range of substrates, including peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Women and smoking: issues and opportunities.

In March 2001, the U.S. Surgeon General released Women and Smoking, the second Surgeon General's report to focus on tobacco use among women, compelling the nation to make reducing tobacco use among women one of the highest priorities for women's health. Since 1980, 3 million women have died prematurely from smoking-related diseases and injuries. Lung cancer mortality rates among U.S. women have increased about 600% since 1950, and now lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women, having surpassed breast cancer in 1987. Although the report documents the devastating impact of the tobacco epidemic among women, a growing arsenal of science-based recommendations for implementing comprehensive tobacco control programs suggests that achieving the nation's ambitious Healthy People 2010 objectives, including cutting in half the rates of smoking among women and girls, is within our reach. While states continue to debate the use of tobacco settlement funds, it is important to note that when significant resources have been devoted to the implementation of evidence-based strategies, the results have been dramatic for the population overall and for women in particular. For example, in California, which has had a comprehensive tobacco control program for 11 years, smoking prevalence has declined throughout the 1990s at rates two or three times faster than in the rest of the country, and while lung cancer incidence rates increased by 13% among women in other parts of the United States, they decreased by 4.8% among women in California. These promising findings indicate that although tobacco-related diseases have become a women's health issue of epidemic proportions, we have the ability to reverse these trends.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spine duplication.

Spinal column duplication in association with other vertebral, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tract anomalies is reported in a female infant. An embryologic explanation is postulated, in which the combination of anomalies is attributed to a single embryologic insult occurring the latter half of the third week of gestation.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bone density changes during two years treatment with tibolone or conjugated estrogens and norgestrel, compared with untreated controls in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify and compare the effect of two different hormone replacement therapy regimens on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum alkaline phosphate levels against a group of no treatment control volunteers. METHODS: An open 104-week comparative study of 113 early postmenopausal women. Fifty volunteered for the no treatment arm; the remainder were randomized to tibolone (T) (n = 32) or conjugated estrogens plus sequential norgestrel (CEEP) (n = 31). BMD was measured at baseline and after 48 and 96 weeks by dual photon absorptiometry. RESULTS: Baseline BMD was lower in nontherapy controls and with women assigned to CEEP compared with the T group. Statistical significance was not reached. By 96 weeks, increased BMD was observed with both therapies at all sites, whereas controls had lost bone compared with baseline. Changes from baseline with both preparations were significantly different (p < 0.05) from changes in controls for all sites, except femoral neck where the change was significant only with CEEP (p < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase was significantly reduced in both treatment groups compared with controls (p < 0.05) at 48 and 96 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The significant increases in BMD with T and CEEP confirm both regimens are effective in preventing osteoporosis. Without treatment, BMD declines postmenopausally.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of stripping and laser excision on vocal fold mucosa in cats.

We compared the effects of stripping and laser excision on vocal fold mucosa in cats. Of particular interest were the comparative effects of each procedure on the mucosa's sensory structures. Mucosa was stripped from one vocal fold in three cats, lased in three additional cats, and histologically examined at 1-, 2-, and 3-week intervals postoperatively. Results indicate that both procedures produce unique and degenerative effects that are still apparent 3 weeks after operation; however, nervous elements in lased tissue samples appeared less disrupted than in stripped tissue. Unique effects on the composition of epithelial tissue also were noted for the two procedures. Implications for voice quality in human patients undergoing similar procedures are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of repeated stripping on vocal fold mucosa in cats.

Repeated stripping of the vocal folds in patients with recurrent vocal nodules may produce permanent, negative effects on voice quality. Hoarseness can be present with no evidence of structural or functional disease on indirect laryngoscopy. A common assumption is that scar tissue has formed, though the relationship between scarring and voice quality is not clear. In the study reported here, cats were subjected to four strippings of the left vocal fold at 6- to 8-week intervals. Tissues obtained were examined for changes in the composition of the mucosa and its nervous network. Alterations observed over the four strippings included 1) an increasing component of fibrous tissue and 2) apparent changes in both the number and structure of nervous elements. Implications of the findings for voice production, clinical management, and further research are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bone density profiles and osteoporosis incidence in Irish females.

1725 Irish females aged 15-70+ were included in this analysis to establish the group bone mineral density (BMD) profiles. Each subject was screened for 27 risk factors by questionnaire. Subjects were segregated into normal (N) and non-normal (NN) subgroups on the basis of the questionnaire. BMD of lumbar spine and hip were measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DEXA). A substantial difference in BMD at all sites was observed between subgroups even following adjustment for body mass index and years of exposure to oestrogen. In the subgroup designated as non-normal 42%, 54%, 72% and 69% of those studied had spinal BMD levels > 2SD below mean peak at 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70+ respectively. In comparison, similar age cohorts in the subgroup designated normal were 26%, 46%, 44% and 68% respectively. A marked difference was also observed in the younger age groups (15-34) where the percentage of individuals with spinal BMD levels > 2SD below mean peak was < 1.9% for N and 18.8% for NN. The results of this study suggest that the use of a questionnaire may be a valuable low cost screening tool in the younger groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

How much of a general practitioner's prescribing is outside his/her control?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse and quantify that portion of one General Practioner's prescribing that is outside his/her control. DESIGN: Detailed analysis of one General Practioner's General Medical Services prescribing over a three month period during 1996. SETTING: A Group Practice in Sligo, Ireland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number and cost of items outside the General Practitioner's control expressed as a percentage of his total General Medical Services prescribing. The source of these items, and whether they are newly prescribed items or not. RESULTS: 12.8% numerically and 23.8%, costwise, of items prescribed by one GMS General Practitioner were found to be outside his control. Of these items, psychiatric outpatient consultations and medical in-patient discharges account for 22.8% and 18.4% numerically, respectively, and 25.7% and 22.6% costwise, respectively of the total numbers of items and costs outside his control. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively small proportion of items of a General Practitioners prescribing accounting for a disproportionately large amount of the costs are outside his control.

Drug Costs↗