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Biomedical subjects

A Williams

Publications and source records attributed to A Williams.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Comparison between the cellobiose/mannitol and 51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetra-acetate absorption tests in the detection of coeliac disease.

1. The cellobiose/mannitol and 51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (51Cr-EDTA) absorption tests have been compared with respect to their ability to detect altered intestinal permeability in coeliac disease. 2. In patients with clinically proven coeliac disease, 13 out of 14 (93%) had abnormal urinary cellobiose/mannitol ratios, while only five out of 12 (42%) had abnormal urinary recoveries of 51Cr-EDTA. Thus, the cellobiose/mannitol absorption test is more sensitive in recognizing coeliac disease and this difference was significant (P less than 0.02). 3. Possible reasons for this difference in the sensitivity of the two absorption tests are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

In vivo production of a tissue-destructive protease by Legionella pneumophila in the lungs of experimentally infected guinea-pigs.

A tissue-destructive protease of Legionella pneumophila was assayed for in the lungs of experimentally infected guinea-pigs by ELISA. It was found in amounts equivalent to the known lethal dose of purified protease administered by the intranasal route. The identity of the protease was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. This is further evidence that Legionella pneumophila protease may play a major role in the pathogenesis of Legionnaires' disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Inactivation of human alpha-1-antitrypsin by a tissue-destructive protease of Legionella pneumophila.

Three extracellular proteases produced by Legionella pneumophila during growth in liquid medium were examined for their effects on human alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT). One of these proteases, tissue-destructive protease (TDP) destroyed completely the trypsin-inhibitory capacity of alpha-1-AT at protease: inhibitor molar ratios down to 0.002:1. After inactivation by TDP, the Mr of alpha-1-AT was reduced by 5000 in SDS-PAGE. This suggested that inactivation entailed only limited cleavage.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed1988

Expression of epithelial membrane and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine antigens in cervix uteri with particular reference to adenocarcinoma in situ.

The staining patterns obtained with antiepithelial membrane antigen (anti-EMA) and the monoclonal antibody to 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (AGF 4:48) in the uterine cervix in intraepithelial and invasive neoplasia were compared to determine a possible role in differential diagnosis of reactive and neoplastic conditions. Both early invasive and in situ adenocarcinoma stained equally intensely with both agents and both antibodies stained diffusely tubal metaplasia, endometrial lined glands, and even occasional areas of normal endocervical mucosa. It is concluded that these agents are unlikely to be of use in the routine histological differentiation of glandular and squamous cervical dysplasia or neoplasia, but immunostaining with anti-EMA may help differentiate between reactive and metaplastic changes in endocervical glands and adenocarcinoma in situ.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Down's syndrome lymphoid cell lines exhibit increased adhesion due to the over-expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1).

We have analysed homotypic adhesion induced by the phorbol ester TPA in EBV-immortalized Down's syndrome (trisomy 21) and normal lymphoblastoid cell lines. Our results show that the trisomy 21 cells aggregated more readily than normal cells. The aggregation of the two types of cell was blocked effectively by the addition of monoclonal antibodies to the alpha and beta chains (CD11a, CD18) of lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-), but not by monoclonal antibodies to LFA-3 and the alpha chain of p150,95 (CD11c). Since TPA did not increase the expression of CD18 on trisomy 21 cells, we conclude that the increased adhesiveness is the result of over-expression of CD18 as a result of gene dosage.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

The expression of CD18 is increased on Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) lymphoblastoid cells.

The monoclonal antibody (MAB) 60.3 reacts with the beta chain (CD18) of lymphocyte function associated antigen (LFA-1), encoded by a gene on chromosome 21. We have used 60.3 to measure the expression of CD18 on lymphoblastoid cell-lines derived from persons with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) by quantitative fluorescence flow cytometric analysis. This showed that CD18 expression is increased on Trisomy 21 compared with normal cells, whereas neither HLA-class I, nor transferrin receptor expression are significantly affected. Similar results were obtained with the CD18 MAB MHM 23, and with the CD11a MAB MHM 24 (LFA-1 alpha). These results suggest that the increase in CD18 expression by Trisomy 21 cells is due to gene dosage, and could influence the immune status of persons with Down syndrome.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

Effects of inhaled titanium dioxide dust on the lung and on the course of experimental Legionnaires' disease.

Guinea-pigs were exposed for 14 days to an aerosol of titanium dioxide (TiO2) dust to produce macrophage blockade. Groups of the animals were later infected by aerosol with Legionella pneumophila. Histological and ultrastructural studies showed that TiO2 dust alone was inert and non-fibrogenic and even at 6 weeks induced no pathological lesions in the lungs, apart from accumulation of macrophages in interalveolar septa. The macrophage blockade by TiO2 did not alter the animals' susceptibility to Legionnaires' disease nor increase mortality. The blockade was effective in the early stages of the infection and limited multiplication of L. pneumophila in the lungs. Later blood monocytes were recruited into the lungs, where they phagocytosed Legionellae, resulting in lung counts comparable to those of TiO2-free control animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Malaria prophylaxis: postal questionnaire survey of general practitioners in south east Wales.

Postal questionnaires were sent to 494 general practitioners in south east Wales asking about their experience and understanding of antimalarial prophylaxis; 293 were returned, giving a response rate of 59%. Forty eight (16%) of the respondents reported being consulted by immigrants returning home for advice about malaria prophylaxis, of whom 13 (27%) overestimated the time for which their protective immunity might last after leaving the malarious area. Two hundred and eighty respondents (96%) considered that they were responsible for advising travellers and 195 (67%) would always consult a publication before giving chemoprophylactic advice (magazines were particularly popular), but only 18 (6%) would always consult a specialist centre--the Ross Institute in eight cases (3%), a local centre in 39 (13%). Only about half of the doctors were aware of chloroquine resistance in Kenya and Thailand. Over half would withhold chloroquine in pregnancy, and many chose pyrimethamine alone or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine as suitable chemoprophylactic drugs, though neither is still recommended by the World Health Organisation. One hundred and ninety two respondents (66%) would give advice about protective measures other than chemoprophylaxis. More must be done to encourage general practitioners to contact specialist centres and to educate them in the use of antimalarial chemoprophylactic drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Neurological complications following liver transplantation.

17 (33%) of 52 patients who underwent 56 consecutive orthotopic liver transplants had serious neurological complications postoperatively. The commonest complication was fits, which occurred in 13 (25%) patients. 50% of patients had their onset of fits within the first week. In 3 patients the fits were associated with postoperative metabolic encephalopathy and fatal progressive neurological deterioration. In some patients the evidence implicating cyclosporin in the development of fits is strong. In others factors such as electrolyte disturbances, steroid treatment for graft rejection, and cerebral infarction may have contributed to the development of the fits. Phenytoin controlled the fits in 10 out of 13 patients. Other neurological complications included 1 case of central pontine myelinolysis, 1 of cerebral abscess, and 4 of non-encephalopathic psychosis.

Adolescent↗