Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to B Wilson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Synergistic neurotoxic effects of combined treatments with cytokines in murine primary mixed neuron/glia cultures.

Activation of brain glial cells with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the HIV-1 coat protein gp120, or beta-amyloid-derived peptides, stimulates the expression of several cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6. and nitric oxide (NO) which have been proposed as causes of neurodegeneration in the brain. In the present study, the neurotoxic effects of several cytokines, alone or in various combinations, and the correlations of the release of lactate dehydrogenase, the loss of neurons, and the secretion of NO in brain neuronal cell injury were investigated in murine primary mixed neuronal/glial cell cultures. A specific combination of cytokines, i.e., IL-1 (1 ng/ml)+ TNFalpha (10 ng/ml)/interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) (200 u/ml), induced a dramatic neuronal cell injury in the neuron/glia cultures, and its cytotoxic profile was very similar to that seen with the LPS/IFNgamma-induced neuron injury. This indicates that among the many toxic immune mediators secreted in response to LPS, IL-1 and TNFalpha can mimic LPS as the triggering signals and primary mediators for glia-mediated neuron injury in the presence of IFNgamma. This study provides new insights about the cytotoxic mechanism(s) for cytokine-mediated neuron injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Magnetic resonance assessment of inversion ankle injuries in children.

A cohort of ten children with X-ray negative inversion ankle injuries were studied using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The images obtained were scored on six pathological criteria. Despite all ten having normal plain radiographs, 50 per cent were found to have direct evidence of growth plate injury. Seventy per cent of the cohort had periosteal elevation including all those with evidence of growth plate injury. This study supports previous work which suggested that children with 'X-ray' negative acute inversion ankle injuries who exhibited the clinical signs of injury to their lower fibular growth plate most probably have an undisplaced Salter-Harris Type 1 fracture of this structure, despite normal radiographs.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMed1997

A single dose of kainic acid elevates the levels of enkephalins and activator protein-1 transcription factors in the hippocampus for up to 1 year.

Neuronal plasticity plays a very important role in brain adaptations to environmental stimuli, disease, and aging processes. The kainic acid model of temporal lobe epilepsy was used to study the long-term anatomical and biochemical changes in the hippocampus after seizures. Using Northern blot analysis, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot analysis, we have found a long-term elevation of the proconvulsive opioid peptide, enkephalin, in the rat hippocampus. We have also demonstrated that an activator protein-1 transcription factor, the 35-kDa fos-related antigen, can be induced and elevated for at least 1 year after kainate treatment. This study demonstrated that a single systemic injection of kainate produces almost permanent increases in the enkephalin and an activator protein-1 transcription factor, the 35-kDa fos-related antigen, in the rat hippocampus, and it is likely that these two events are closely associated with the molecular mechanisms of induction of long-lasting enhanced seizure susceptibility in the kainate-induced seizure model. The long-term expression of the proenkephalin mRNA and its peptides in the kainate-treated rat hippocampus also suggests an important role in the recurrent seizures of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Dextromethorphan blocks opioid peptide gene expression in the rat hippocampus induced by kainic acid.

We have previously shown that dextromethorphan (DM) antagonizes kainic acid (KA)-induced neurotoxicity. Accumulating evidence indicates that the induction of seizure activity causes profound alterations in the levels of hippocampal opioid peptide mRNA. The present study was performed to further explore the effect of DM on KA-induced seizures as measured by hippocampal opioid peptide mRNA levels. Both Northern blot and in situ hybridization methods were used to examine the proenkephalin (PENK) and prodynorphin (PDYN) mRNA levels in the rat hippocampus. The robust seizure activity induced by KA correlated with a significant increase in hippocampal opioid peptide mRNA levels. Pretreatment of rats with DM decreased hippocampal PENK and PDYN mRNA levels and seizure activity induced by KA. Hippocampal PDYN mRNA levels fell quickly but PENK mRNA levels fell rather slowly, indicating that the PENK and PDYN mRNAs are differentially regulated. Our results demonstrate that DM modulates opioid peptide gene expression induced by KA, and that DM protects against KA-induced seizures.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire: validation and reliability in postal research.

The Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire has been proposed as an interview-administered, multi-dimensional measure of chronic pain severity in selected populations with chronic pain in the United States of America. It has not previously been tested in the United Kingdom, in self-completion form or in an unselected general population. We undertook a postal survey to assess its reliability, validity and acceptability in these circumstances, using a general practice population in Scotland, with a practice population of 11202 patients. A random sample of 400 patients aged over 18 was drawn, stratified for age, gender and receipt or non-receipt of regular prescriptions for pain-relieving medication. The dimensions and sub-scales of the Chronic Pain Grade were compared with the SF-36 general health questionnaire and questions relating to duration of any pain and attempts to seek treatment for this. The methodological approach proposed by Streiner and Norman (1989) was used to assess validity and reliability. A response rate of 76% was achieved. Cronbach's alpha was > 0.9 and item-total correlations were all high, indicating good internal consistency and reliability. Validity was confirmed by psychometric testing, including confirmatory factor analysis. Good correlations with comparable dimensions of the SF-36 general health questionnaire confirmed convergent validity. Construct validity was confirmed by testing scores against duration of pain and treatment sought for pain. We concluded that the Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire is a useful, reliable and valid measure of severity of chronic pain. It translates well into UK English and is acceptable in general population postal research.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1997

What should be the focus of emotion regulation in children? A nonlinear dynamic mathematical model of children's peer interaction in groups.

This paper questions the assumption that children's social and emotional competence be placed within the developing child, rather than in the interaction of the child with the range of peer social ecologies in which the children might function. This paper presents a new nonstatistical mathematical approach to modeling children's peer social interaction in small groups using nonlinear difference equations in which both an uninfluenced and an influenced regulatory set point of positive minus negative interaction can be separately estimated. Using this model and the estimation procedure, it is possible to estimate what a focal child and the group initially brings to the group interaction and also how these regulatory set points are influenced by the interaction to determine two influenced regulatory set points. Six-person mainstreamed and specialized groups were established involving three types of unacquainted preschool boys: children with and without developmental delays and a language disordered but intellectually normally functioning group, using a methodology that ensured appropriate matching of child and family characteristics. For each 2-week play group, the social interactions of each child were observed during a designated free play period. Handicapped children were observed in either a specialized or mainstreamed setting. The application made of this modeling process in this paper is generating theory to attempt to understand influence processes. Parameters are introduced that reflect uninfluenced target child and group set points, emotional inertia, and influence functions.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1997

Transfusion- and community-acquired cytomegalovirus infection in children with malignant disease: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The use of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-"safe" blood has been recommended for CMV seronegative patients with newly diagnosed malignant disease for whom bone marrow transplantation is a future option. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To evaluate this policy, 76 CMV-seronegative children with lymphoreticular malignancies or solid tumors were randomly assigned to receive either blood components that were not screened for CMV antibody or CMV-seronegative red cell (RBC) and platelet units. Subjects were followed for evidence of CMV infection by the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and virus isolation. Follow-up continued long after the blood transfusions to determine the risk of community-acquired CMV infection. RESULTS: No cases of transfusion-acquired CMV infection were documented. The prevalence of CMV IgG and IgM antibody in blood donors was 40.5 and 0.9 percent, respectively. Patients assigned to receive standard blood components and CMV-negative components were given a median (range) of 7 (1-30) and 9 (1-38) RBC units and 11 (0-123) and 14 (0-71) platelet units, respectively. The risk of transfusion-acquired CMV infection is estimated to be less than 1 in 698 donor exposures. Two patients developed asymptomatic community-acquired CMV infection, for an incidence of 1.7 percent per patient-year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The risk of transfusion-acquired CMV infection in this population is low, largely because of the patients' low level of exposure to seropositive blood and the use of relatively white cell-reduced components for purposes other than CMV prevention. Such children at this center therefore continue to receive standard blood components. Strategies to prevent CMV seroconversion in these children should include parental education to minimize the risk of community-acquired infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Playing fair?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Effects of hyperoxia and caffeine on the expression of fragile site at Xq27.3.

To enhance the cytogenetic expression of the fragile X chromosome, we studied the effects of hyperoxia and caffeine on the induction of fragile Xq27.3. A lymphoblastoid cell line (GM 06912) derived from a fragile X male proband was cultured in RPMI 1640 containing 16% dialyzed fetal calf serum. The cells were synchronously subjected to one of 3 different atmospheric oxygen tensions (21%, 21.3 kPa, normoxic; 40%, 40.5 kPa, hyperoxic; or 60%, 60.8 kPa, hyperoxic) during the last 24 hours of the 72 hour culture, immediately after the addition of 2'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (FUdR) at 25 ng/ml. To study the enhancing effect of caffeine, with or without hyperoxia, a second set of cultures was additionally subjected to caffeine (2.5 mM) during the last 6 hours of the culture. When the fragility of hyperoxic cells (38.1 kPa dissolved oxygen) was compared to that of normoxic control cells (13.3 kPa dissolved oxygen), the difference was significant (P < 0.05). These data suggest that there is a mean increase in the fragile Xq27.3 expressivity as the dissolved oxygen tension increases. Additionally, we observed that caffeine, with or without hyperoxia, significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed the expression of the fragile X site in this lymphoblastoid cell line.

Caffeine↗
PubMed1996

Purified moniliformin does not affect the force or rate of contraction of isolated guinea pig atria.

Chronic exposure to moniliformin results in the development of myocardial hypertrophy and degeneration. The cause of this hypertrophy is unknown. However, moniliformin-induced hypoxia or altered function of cardiac pyruvate dehydrogenase, rather than direct cardiostimulation have been proposed as potential mechanisms. Isolated guinea pig atria were used in a cumulative concentration-response model to evaluate the direct effect of moniliformin on the rate and force of atrial contraction. Moniliformin did not affect the rate or force of atrial contraction. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that moniliformin does not have a cardiostimulatory effect. Therefore cardiac stimulation. e.g. stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors, is unlikely to be the cause of the myocardial hypertrophy observed in poultry chronically intoxicated with moniliformin.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cystadenoma of spermatic cord resembling ovarian serous epithelial tumour of low malignant potential: immunohistochemical study suggesting Müllerian differentiation.

A cystic lesion of the spermatic cord resembling an ovarian serous epithelial tumour of low malignant potential or borderline malignancy is reported. Immunohistochemical staining and electronmicroscopic examination suggested epithelial rather than mesothelial differentiation of the cyst lining cells. There was strong positive immunohistochemical staining of cyst lining cells for CA 125, providing evidence for Müllerian differentiation. A flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content revealed a diploid profile.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Long-term consistency in speech/language profiles: I. Developmental and academic outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the 7-year developmental and academic outcome of speech/language-impaired and control children selected from a community sample. METHOD: Speech/language and psychiatric measures were administered to the children at ages 5 and 12.5 years. Using children's age 5 speech/language test results, a cluster analysis was performed to ascertain whether specific linguistic subgroups would emerge. The long-term consistency of these subgroups was explored. The association between time 1 speech/language clusters and linguistic, cognitive and academic measures at time 2 were examined. RESULTS: Four groups were identified in the cluster analysis: high overall, poor articulation, poor comprehension, and low overall. Children with pervasive language problems continued to perform poorly on linguistic, cognitive, and academic measures, while those with comprehension problems fared slightly better but still had more difficulties than those with normal language. The poor articulation cluster had few articulation errors at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Empirically supported speech/language classifications identified as early as age 5 continued to be relevant into late childhood. Pervasive speech/language impairment in early childhood was associated with increased risk of poor linguistic and academic outcome at follow-up, while isolated articulatory problems improved over time. These findings reveal the urgent need for early intervention among children with pervasive speech/language impairment.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Long-term consistency in speech/language profiles: II. Behavioral, emotional, and social outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the 7-year behavioral, emotional, and social outcome of speech/language-impaired and control children selected from a community sample. METHOD: Speech/language and psychosocial measures were administered to the children at ages 5 and 12.5 years. Using children's age 5 speech/language test results, a cluster analysis was performed to ascertain whether specific linguistic subgroups would emerge. The association between speech/language cluster at age 5 and psychosocial functioning at age 12.5 was examined. RESULTS: Children with receptive and pervasive speech/language problems at age 5 demonstrated greater behavioral disturbance than children without such impairment. Controlling for initial behavioral status, early childhood language profile was still associated with behavioral and social competence ratings, 7 years later. Children without receptive language problems showed superior social adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Empirically supported speech/language classifications identified as early as age 5 were associated with behavioral disturbance in late childhood. Receptive and pervasive speech/language impairment in early childhood was associated with the greatest risk at follow-up. Early auditory comprehension problems may be a specific risk factor for later aggressive and hyperactive symptoms. These findings identify the need for effective intervention with speech/language-impaired children.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1996

Re-engineering operating theatres: the perspective assessed.

Refers to the widely experienced and appreciated difficulties in scheduling hospital operating theatres to make effective use of resources, and to avoid delays and overruns that can adversely affect patient care and staff morale. Reports the findings and recommendations of a project based in the Surgical Directorate of Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust which sought to address these problems from a business process re-engineering perspective. Covering the whole patient trail, from referral to discharge describes the project's progress through four phases concerning process mapping, the collection of staff opinions and ideas through a combination of interviews and surveys, collection of data on patient flows and procedure times, and a final "handover" phase in which broad recommendations were passed back to the Surgical Directorate for implementation with staff involvement. Details the recommendations which include a shift to cross-functional teamworking in a number of areas, along with the development of a revised theatres policy and a strengthened theatres co-ordination function. In view of recent substantial and harsh criticisms of the re-engineering perspective, seeks to offer a balanced assessment of the perspective applied to a health care setting, exploring both the problems and benefits.

Appointments and Schedules↗