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Biomedical subjects

A M Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to A M Thompson.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

An evaluation of the selection process of hospital information systems.

This research study evaluates the selection process of a Hospital Information System (HIS), focusing on the level of compromise required by healthcare professionals during said process and the level of satisfaction achieved with the system selected. How other variables, such as job title, length of experience in the healthcare, data processing, and information systems fields affect these measured levels are also evaluated. Results of this study indicate that a HIS is critical to the viability of a hospital's operation and the level of compromises made during the selection process have an impact upon the how satisfied the healthcare provider is with the HIS they select.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1990

p53 gene mRNA expression and chromosome 17p allele loss in breast cancer.

p53 messenger RNA expression was examined using a cDNA probe in 76 fresh primary breast tumour specimens, 15 of which came from patients treated with toxoxifen prior to surgery. A 2.8 kb mRNA for p53 was expressed in 43 of the 76 specimens. In 19 tumours the levels were similar to those seen in non-malignant (reduction mammoplasty) breast tissue, but in 24 tumours over-expression of mRNA for p53, approaching that seen in three breast cancer cell lines, was found. The cell lines MCF-7, T-47D and MDA-MB-231 expressed three p53 mRNA species of about 2.8 kb and a forth of 1.6 kb. Increased mRNA expression for p53 correlated (P less than 0.05) with loss of genetic material from the short arm of chromosome 17 as demonstrated by allele loss with the VNTR probe YNZ 22.1. There was also statistically significant correlation between increased p53 mRNA expression and low oestrogen receptor protein content in the tumours (P less than 0.05), but not with other clinical parameters. The findings support the view that p53 is involved in breast tumour biology, and suggest that its role may be complex.

Alleles↗
PubMed1990

Gene expression in oestrogen-dependent human breast cancer xenograft tumours.

Xenograft tumours from an oestrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 have been established and characterised in thymectomised, irradiated female CBA strain mice. There was evidence for selection in xenografts of a subpopulation of MCF-7 cells with an altered pattern of gene expression as measured by mRNA levels compared with the original cells in vitro. Tumorigenicity increased significantly on repeated animal passage but oestrogen dependence was retained. Following injection of the mice with oestrogen, mitosis was induced in the tumour cells with associated increases in thymidine uptake and percentage of cells in S-phase. In accord with these changes, c-myc and p53 expression were increased and TGF-beta was suppressed. Thereafter the expression of the c-myc and p53 genes fell whilst that of the TGF-beta gene was induced as the oestrogenic-stimulus declined. The oestrogen-regulated mRNA pS2 showed a biphasic response to oestrogen and levels declined as the serum oestrogen fell to undetectable levels. This xenograft system demonstrates that changes in transcription of oncogenes, growth factor and oestrogen-regulated genes can be detected in vivo in response to oestrogen. It thus provides an in vivo model for studies of the biochemical and molecular basis for therapeutic manipulation of hormone-sensitive human breast cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The need for consumer behavior analysis in health care coverage decisions.

Demographic analysis has been the primary form of analysis connected with health care coverage decisions. This paper reviews past demographic research and shows the need to use behavioral analyses for health care coverage policy decisions. A behavioral model based research study is presented and a case is made for integrated study into why consumers make health care coverage decisions.

Arkansas↗
PubMed1990

Evidence that p53 behaves as a tumour suppressor gene in sporadic breast tumours.

Using the polymerase chain reaction, we have amplified exons 5 and 6 of the human p53 gene from paired samples of tumour and blood DNA of 60 patients with sporadic breast tumours and from placental or tonsil DNA of 30 normal controls. The patients' DNAs were previously examined for loss of heterozygosity of markers distal to the p53 gene on chromosome 17p and tumour samples were assayed for p53 mRNA levels. Hydroxylamine modification of mismatched base pairs was used to identify mutations in the amplified product. We have directly sequenced many of the samples including all those with mutations and have identified the particular mutation in each case. Exons 5 and 6 code for amino acids 126 through to 224 and constitute approximately 25% of the total coding region of the gene. They encompass part of the SV40 binding region as well as 2 of 5 areas known to be highly conserved in evolution and mutations in this region have been shown to be associated with tumorigenicity. We have found mutations in 13% of the primary tumours (8/60), all of which show allele loss of markers in the 17p region. No mutations were found in exons 5 and 6 of 30 normal controls. Our results are the first to identify mutations in p53 in primary breast tumours. Since our analysis has so far been confined to only part of the coding region of the gene, it is likely that further studies will reveal a mutation frequency in excess of 13%.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Appraisal of breast reconstruction with the tissue expansion technique.

Our experience with 29 patients treated using the tissue expander technique at the Breast Unit, Longmore Hospital, Edinburgh, UK was evaluated. A morbidity rate of 19%, of minor complications only, was seen with expander insertion, tissue expansion and insertion of the permanent prosthesis. Twenty-two women completed questionnaires, two of whom had undergone bilateral reconstruction. In the opinion of the patients, the improved freedom of dress and improved naked appearance after reconstruction, compared with after mastectomy, more than compensated for the abnormal sensation over or around the reconstructed breast; 19 patients rated their clothed appearance as good as that before mastectomy. Twenty of these women were assessed by a four-person panel. A range of end results was noted; symmetry, cosmesis and size were generally better when wearing a brassiere. Lack of ptosis, surgical scars and firmness on the reconstructed side were the main reservations. Tissue expansion breast reconstruction is highly acceptable to patients and has satisfactory surgical results.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Risk to surgeons.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1988

Neural connections identified with PHA-L anterograde and HRP retrograde tract-tracing techniques.

This paper describes a method of identifying specific input and output elements of a two-neuron projection pathway. Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) anterograde tract-tracing was used in combination with the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to demonstrate connections between small groups of neurons in the brainstem auditory system. Specifically, the projection from cochlear nucleus to olivary neurons that project to the cochlea were demonstrated. The first neuron in this pathway (the cochlear nucleus neuron) was anterogradely labelled with PHA-L and could be traced via labelled axons and terminals to the second neuron (the olivocochlear neuron) whose soma was labelled with HRP after cochlear injection.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Brachial plexus anaesthesia for upper limb surgery: a review of eight years' experience.

1248 supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks and 665 axillary plexus blocks were administered to 1913 patients undergoing upper limb surgery. Plexus block alone was successful in 83.5%. In a further 11.4% of cases, adequate anaesthesia was obtained following augmentation by other regional or local techniques. This resulted in an overall success rate of 94.9% and general anaesthesia was required in only 5.1%. The two percutaneous approaches to the brachial plexus did not differ in their success-rates but clinically apparent pneumothorax occurred in 0.8% of supraclavicular blocks. Brachial plexus block anaesthesia is recommended as a safe and satisfactory alternative to general anaesthesia for upper limb surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Laboratory and clinical features of self-poisoning with salbutamol and terbutaline.

A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the sympathomimetic drugs salbutamol and terbutaline in the plasma of poisoned patients, using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection. Plasma concentrations of the drugs, measured in 8 poisoned patients, were well above the therapeutic range. The clinical and metabolic effects of overdose with these drugs were considerably less severe than those seen in patients with plasma theophylline concentrations elevated to the same degree.

Albuterol↗
PubMed1987

Efferent projections from posteroventral cochlear nucleus to lateral superior olive in guinea pig.

Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L), a kidney bean lectin used as an anterograde tracer, was iontophoretically injected into the posteroventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN) of guinea pigs. PHA-L-labeled fiber segments and their terminal specializations were observed within the ipsilateral lateral superior olive (LSO) thereby establishing the existence of an efferent neural pathway from PVCN to this nucleus. Furthermore, the pathway is topographically organized with dorsal regions of PVCN projecting to the medial limb and ventral regions projecting to the lateral limb of LSO.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Changes in cardiorespiratory function during gastric lavage for drug overdose.

Cardiorespiratory function in 42 patients admitted to the Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre, Edinburgh who underwent gastric lavage for self poisoning, was studied using an electrocardiograph and an ear oximeter. Mean pulse rate rose from 92 to 121 beats per min and the mean partial pressure of oxygen fell from 95 to 80 mmHg during lavage (P less than 0.001). These changes were significantly greater in conscious than unconscious patients, in smokers than in non-smokers and most marked in male smokers aged 45 or older. No sex or age differences were noted. Electrocardiograph changes were noted in 41% of patients, including potentially serious changes in 2 patients. The indications for gastric lavage should probably be reviewed particularly in conscious older patients who smoke and due consideration given to induced emesis and ingestion of activated charcoal as alternatives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Central venous catheterization and fatal air embolism.

Central venous catheterization is an established procedure in medical, surgical and anaesthetic practice. However, the procedure is not without hazard. One complication that may be life-threatening is air embolism. This article considers the causes of air embolism related to central venous catheterization, its treatment and methods of prevention.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗
PubMed1986

Olivocochlear neurons in the squirrel monkey brainstem.

Centrifugal projections from the brain to the cochlea have been well described in rodents and cats. In order to gain a better understanding of the general mammalian features of this efferent projection system--the olivocochlear (OC) system--we have begun to extend its description to other mammalian orders, particularly primates. This report describes the origin, cellular morphology, and cholinergic nature of OC neurons in squirrel monkey. Olivocochlear neurons were identified after cochlear injection and subsequent retrograde transport of one of the tracers, horseradish peroxidase, True Blue, or Diamidino Yellow. One series of sections was processed to demonstrate the tracer and an adjacent series was processed to demonstrate acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In some cases, a series of sections was immunohistochemically processed to identify the presence of choline acetyltransferase (CAT), the synthesizing enzyme for acetylcholine. Approximately 1,700-1,800 OC neurons were contained in five distinct regions surrounding the major nuclei of the superior olivary complex (SOC), namely: dorsal to medial superior olive (MSO); between MSO and lateral superior olive (LSO); lateral to LSO; medial to SOC; and in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VTB). These neurons were larger in the regions dorsal to MSO, lateral to LSO, and within VTB; they tended to be smaller in the regions between MSO and LSO and medial to SOC. Neuronal shapes varied among regions and included oval, elongate, round, and multipolar cells. In further support of their cholinergic nature as implied by AChE reactivity, OC neurons also stained positively for the cholinergic marker, CAT.

Acetylcholinesterase↗