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Biomedical subjects

A Reynolds

Publications and source records attributed to A Reynolds.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Congenital myotonic dystrophy requiring prolonged endotracheal and noninvasive assisted ventilation: not a uniformly fatal condition.

In this report we present two infants with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) who were successfully weaned from prolonged ventilatory support using nasal continuous positive airway pressure (N-CPAP). The first infant received 127 days of endotracheal mechanical ventilation as part of 141 days of total ventilatory support, including N-CPAP; the second infant received 27 days of endotracheal mechanical ventilation as part of 84 days of total ventilatory support. Noninvasive N-CPAP facilitated weaning these two infants from ventilatory support, thereby minimizing the morbidity associated with prolonged intubation. The developmental outcomes of our two infants were comparable to infants not requiring prolonged endotracheal mechanical ventilation. We suggest that this noninvasive modality of ventilatory support may be advantageous in the management and beneficial to the outcome of infants with CMD who are respirator-dependent >30 days.

Adult↗

TRAF-4 expression in epithelial progenitor cells. Analysis in normal adult, fetal, and tumor tissues.

TRAF-4 was discovered because of its expression in breast cancers and is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family of putative signal-transducing proteins. In vitro binding assays demonstrated that TRAF-4 interacts with the cytosolic domain of the lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LT beta R) and weakly with the p75 nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) but not with TNFR1, TNFR2, Fas, or CD40. Immunofluorescence analysis of TRAF-4 in transfected cells demonstrated localization to cytosol but not nucleus. Immunohistochemical assays of normal human adult tissues revealed prominent cytosolic immunostaining in thymic epithelial cells and lymph node dendritic cells but not in lymphocytes or thymocytes, paralleling the reported patterns of LT beta R expression. The basal cell layer of most epithelia in the body was very strongly TRAF-4 immunopositive, including epidermis, nasopharynx, respiratory tract, salivary gland, and esophagus. Similar findings were obtained in 12- to 18-week human fetal tissue, indicating a highly restricted pattern of expression even during development in the mammary gland, epithelial cells of the terminal ducts were strongly TRAF-4 immunopositive whereas myoepithelial cells and most of the mammary epithelial cells lining the extralobular ducts were TRAF-4 immunonegative. Of 84 primary breast cancers evaluated, only 7 expressed TRAF-4. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions were uniformly TRAF-4 immunonegative (n = 21). In the prostate, the basal cells were strongly immunostained for TRAF-4, whereas the secretory epithelial cells were TRAF-4 negative. Basal cells in prostate hypertrophy (n = 6) and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN; n = 6) were strongly TRAF-4 positive, but none of the 32 primary and 16 metastatic prostate cancer specimens examined contained TRAF-4-positive malignant cells. Although also expressed in some types of mesenchymal cells, these findings suggest that TRAF-4 is a marker of normal epithelial stem cells, the expression of which often ceases on differentiation and malignant transformation.

Adult↗

The human homologue of yeast CRM1 is in a dynamic subcomplex with CAN/Nup214 and a novel nuclear pore component Nup88.

The oncogenic nucleoporin CAN/Nup214 is essential in vertebrate cells. Its depletion results in defective nuclear protein import, inhibition of messenger RNA export and cell cycle arrest. We recently found that CAN associates with proteins of 88 and 112 kDa, which we have now cloned and characterized. The 88 kDa protein is a novel nuclear pore complex (NPC) component, which we have named Nup88. Depletion of CAN from the NPC results in concomitant loss of Nup88, indicating that the localization of Nup88 to the NPC is dependent on CAN binding. The 112 kDa protein is the human homologue of yeast CRM1, a protein known to be required for maintenance of correct chromosome structure. This human CRM1 (hCRM1) localized to the NPC as well as to the nucleoplasm. Nuclear overexpression of the FG-repeat region of CAN, containing its hCRM1-interaction domain, resulted in depletion of hCRM1 from the NPC. In CAN-/- mouse embryos lacking CAN, hCRM1 remained in the nuclear envelope, suggesting that this protein can also bind to other repeat-containing nucleoporins. Lastly, hCRM1 shares a domain of significant homology with importin-beta, a cytoplasmic transport factor that interacts with nucleoporin repeat regions. We propose that hCRM1 is a soluble nuclear transport factor that interacts with the NPC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Capsulorhexis phymosis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the degree of capsulorhexis phymosis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and silicone lens implants. METHOD: Sixty-four patients were evaluated 1 day, 6 weeks and 6 months following phacoemulsification cataract extraction. The anterior capsular diameters were measured with the illuminated beam of the slit lamp at 45 degrees and 135 degrees and the surface area of the opening calculated. We have measured and compared the change in the capsulorhexis size for both lens types and assessed its statistical significance with a paired Student's t-test. RESULTS: A statistically significant contraction of the capsulorhexis was noted in all patients within the first 6 weeks (p < 0.001). Capsular contraction continued between 6 weeks and 6 months post-operatively but to a lesser extent (p < 0.05). The difference in the degree of phymosis between the first period (1 day to 6 weeks) and the second (6 weeks to 6 months) was statistically highly significant for all patients (p < 0.001). The capsular areas for the silicone lens implants were significantly smaller than for the PMMA implants at 6 weeks and 6 months. None of our patients had a clinically significant capsular contracture requiring Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. CONCLUSION: Anterior capsular contraction is commonly observed following capsulorhexis in phacoemulsification surgery. This study demonstrates that the maximum rate of contraction occurs in the first 6 weeks following surgery and is more pronounced with silicone lens implants.

Aged↗

Variation in astigmatism following the single-step, self-sealing clear corneal section for phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: A single-step, self-sealing, 3.2 mm clear corneal section is described and the incidence and variation of surgically induced astigmatism following phacoemulsification over a period of 3 months is determined. METHODS: Twenty-two patients who underwent uncomplicated 3.2 mm clear corneal phacoemulsification with foldable Allergan silicone intraocular lens implantation were autorefracted pre-operatively and on day 1, week 1, week 6 and at 3 months. The variation in induced astigmatism was analysed using the subtraction method and vector analysis. The change in direction of the cylindrical axis was examined. RESULTS: The induced astigmatism represented by the total vector on day 1 was 1.17 D and vector decomposition ratio, ATR:WTR (against-the-rule:with-the-rule), was 21.05:78.95. The total vector increased by 0.5 D in the first week and then stabilised. Vector decomposition showed an against-the-rule astigmatic drift so that by 3 months the ATR:WTR was 40.49:59.91. There was a tendency of the axis of the negative cylinder to swing towards the corneal section meridian on day 1 and to oscillate around that meridian at week 1 and week 6. By 3 months the direction reverted to that pre-operatively, in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: The single-step, self-sealing clear corneal section is mechanically stable and, though there is some variability in the measured astigmatism, there is an acceptable functional result throughout the post-operative period.

Aged↗

Demonstration of clomipramine and venlafaxine occupation at serotonin reuptake sites in man in vivo.

We describe the use of 11CRTI-55 and the Multiple Objects Coincidences Counter (MOCC) to detect in-vivo binding to peripheral serotonin reuptake sites (left chest comprising platelet and lung serotonin reuptake sites) in man. Displacement and preloading experiments with clomipramine and venlafaxine in two healthy volunteers demonstrated that 11CRTI-55 binding is decreased in a dose-dependent fashion by both these drugs which bind to the serotonin transporter. In addition parallel data from the total head curve (representing 11CRTI-55 binding to central serotonin and dopamine (DA) reuptake sites) suggest that prior blockade of the serotonin transporter may be a useful strategy to maximize radioactive counts in the head when measuring the DA transporter. The MOCC is likely to be useful to determine sequential indices of relative serotonin reuptake blockade in patients on treatment.

Adult↗

IL-12 enhances vaccine-induced immunity to schistosomes by augmenting both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against the parasite.

The production of Th1-type cytokines is associated with strong cell-mediated immunity, while Th2-type cytokines typically dominate humoral immune responses. In mice vaccinated a single time with attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni, the protection induced is associated with Th1 cytokine-dependent, cell-mediated immunity. In contrast, mice vaccinated multiple times display a more Th2-type dominant cytokine response and develop Ab-dependent resistance. We have previously shown that IL-12 enhances cell-mediated immunity in singly vaccinated mice. In the present study, we asked what effects administering IL-12 as an adjuvant would have on the development of a protective humoral response in multiply immunized animals. We found that multiply immunized/IL-12-treated mice displayed a marked increase in resistance to challenge infection, with some animals demonstrating complete protection. The IL-12-vaccinated mice developed strongly polarized Th1 responses but, importantly, also showed significant increases in parasite-specific Ab and, in particular, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG1 isotypes. Passive transfer demonstrated an enhanced ability of serum from these animals to protect naive recipients. In addition, animals vaccinated in the presence of IL-12 also developed macrophages with increased nitric oxide-dependent killing activity against the parasites. Together, these data demonstrate that IL-12, initially described as an adjuvant for cell-mediated immunity, may be used to simultaneously to promote both humoral and cell-mediated protective responses against infection.

Animals↗

Long-term survival of Molteno glaucoma drainage devices.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of the Molteno implant drainage device using survival analysis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 77 eyes of 71 patients that underwent Molteno implantation for intractable glaucoma unresponsive to conventional management from October 1984 to April 1990 at the University of Washington Eye Center and had at least 6 months of follow-up data. Success was defined as a postoperative intraocular pressure of 22 mmHg or lower with (qualified success) or without (complete success) glaucoma medications and no additional glaucoma surgery, phthisis, or loss of light perception. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 44 months (range, 6-107 months). Indications for Molteno implantation were aphakia/pseudophakia (n=24), neovascular glaucoma (n=20), uveitic glaucoma (n=12), failed trabeculectomy (n=9), traumatic glaucoma (n=8), and congenital glaucoma (n=4). The total success was 57% (23% complete; 34% qualified) at the last follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated a continuous and relatively linear attrition of success over at least 5 1/2 postoperative years. The uveitic glaucoma group had the highest success rate of 75%. Eyes with neovascular glaucoma failed significantly more frequently than those with uveitic glaucoma (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in outcome based on sex, race, single versus double plate, anterior chamber versus posterior chamber tube placement, or two-stage versus single-stage surgery. Younger age was associated with a significantly higher failure rate after controlling for glaucoma category (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Molteno implant drainage device offers a reasonable long- term outcome in eyes with intractable glaucomas. However, an ongoing rate of failure, not unlike that seen after other filtration surgery, is to be expected.

Adolescent↗

Pressure-reducing capability of the Therarest hospital replacement mattress.

Pressure readings over the sacral and trochanter areas were compared between a standard hospital mattress and a hospital replacement mattress with a healthy population (n = 23). There was a 28% reduction in sacral pressures and a 29% reduction in trochanter pressures. The mean sacral pressures for 10 subjects on the standard hospital mattress were greater than 32 mm Hg, whereas only one subject on the replacement mattress had a mean sacral pressure greater than 32 mm Hg. The mean trochanter pressures for 17 subjects on the standard hospital mattress were greater than 32 mm Hg, whereas only 12 subjects on the replacement mattress had mean trochanter pressures greater than 32 mm Hg. Further research is warranted to determine the validity of applying findings from research with healthy adults to persons considered to be at risk for pressure ulcer development. Research is also indicated to determine the effects of pressure-reducing variables in an at-risk population with different pressure-reducing products.

Adult↗

An assessment of intraocular pressure during fractionated peribulbar anaesthesia.

This study of 20 patients undergoing elective cataract surgery was performed to investigate the change in intraocular pressure that accompanies extraconal peribulbar anaesthesia. We have demonstrated that each injection during peribulbar anaesthesia causes a small rise in intraocular pressure. The routine use of conventional external ocular compression overcomes this pressure rise and safely provides a satisfactory and progressive reduction in intraocular pressure prior to surgery. Our findings suggest that the volumes of anaesthetic solutions used in fractional peribulbar anaesthesia, if used in conjunction with external compression devices, result in intraocular pressures acceptable for intraocular surgery.

Aged↗

Application of an equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) type-specific ELISA to the management of an outbreak of EHV1 abortion.

Sera from 33 Australian thoroughbred mares were tested during an outbreak of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) abortion with an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) for the presence of EHV1-specific antibodies. The ELISA used a recombinant EHV1 antigen derived from glycoprotein G (gG) and distinguished antibodies to EHV1 from those of the antigenically related and widespread herpesvirus EHV4. Sera were obtained from most of the mares on three occasions, three, 13 and 67 days after the first abortion. Mares which were negative in the ELISA were kept separate from mares which were positive. A second abortion occurred two days after the first and two more abortions and one perinatal death occurred later. Sera from these last three mares showed a significant increase in EHV1-specific antibody on day 13 indicating a recent infection with EHV1. Ten other mares did not have antibodies to EHV1 on day 13 but had seroconverted to EHV1 by day 67. Despite the EHV1 infection, these mares foaled normally, possibly because the infection had occurred either late in gestation or after foaling. Seven mares that remained negative in the ELISA throughout the testing period did not abort, and neither did 11 mares that were positive in the ELISA when they were first tested.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Spinal arachnoiditis ossificans. Observations on its investigation and treatment.

The histories of two patients with arachnoiditis ossificans leading to severe neurological impairment are presented. Analysis of these cases highlights the importance of three-dimensional (3 D) computed tomography (CT) scanning for the establishment of the diagnosis and in postoperative assessment of this rare disease, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is less useful. The neurological function in both cases improved following re-exploration operations in which the whole length of the dural sac covering the intradural ossific lesions was freed totally from external obstructions imposed by the covering laminae.

Aged↗

Patho-flow diagramming: a strategy for critical thinking and clinical decision making.

Developing and implementing alternative strategies to assist nursing students to gain critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills are paramount for today's nurse educator. Patho-flow diagramming is offered as a strategy that merges nursing process and pathophysiology with approaches used effectively in general education to develop thinking skills.

Aged↗