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Biomedical subjects

C Chandler

Publications and source records attributed to C Chandler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Effective charges in the fp shell.

Following the heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction 32S+24Mg at 95 MeV beam energy the lifetimes of analogue states in the T(z)=+/-1/2 A=51 mirror nuclei 51Fe and 51Mn have been measured using the Cologne plunger device coupled to the GASP gamma-ray spectrometer. The deduced B(E2;27/2(-)-->23/2(-)) values afford a unique opportunity to probe isoscalar and isovector polarization charges and to derive effective proton and neutron charges, epsilon(p) and epsilon(n), in the fp shell. A comparison between the experimental results and several different large-scale shell-model calculations yields epsilon(p) approximately 1.15e and epsilon(n) approximately 0.80e.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

VNS in patients with previous unsuccessful resective epilepsy surgery: antiepileptic and psychotropic effects.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with medically and surgically intractable complex partial seizures (CPS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with previous temporal [15] and frontal [one] resections were treated with VNS between 1994 and 1999 at King's College Hospital, London, UK. Post-operative video-electroencephalogram telemetry had shown that CPS started from the operated side in 12 patients, contralaterally in three and bilaterally independently in one. RESULTS: Three patients (18.75%) had 50% or more reduction in seizure frequency, but one showed severe worsening of epilepsy, which remitted upon VNS discontinuation. The antiepileptic effect of VNS was not different with respect to the type of operation (anterior temporal lobectomy vs amygdalohippocampectomy), the side of operation, or the side of seizure onset. We observed psychotropic effects in two patients with post-ictal psychosis, in two others with depression, and in a child with severe behavioral disorder. CONCLUSIONS: VNS may have a rather limited antiepileptic role to play in patients with persistent seizures following epilepsy surgery, but may independently possess useful antipsychotic and mood-stabilizing properties.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Resection of the lesion in patients with hypothalamic hamartomas and catastrophic epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) often have severe refractory epilepsy, incapacitating behavioral abnormalities, and cognitive decline. Attempts to control the seizure disorder by resection of apparently epileptogenic mesial temporal or other cortical structures have failed consistently. OBJECTIVE: To report a series of 13 patients in whom the hamartoma itself was resected. METHODS: All patients underwent preoperative evaluation between ages 2 and 33 years and had subtotal or complete resection of the hamartoma. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 5.5 years (mean: 2.8 y). RESULTS: Preoperatively, all patients had variable combinations of gelastic, complex partial, and generalized seizures. Eight had drop attacks. In addition, all had marked behavior abnormalities and cognitive impairment. Postoperatively, two patients are completely seizure-free and 11 are either seizure-free or have achieved a greater than 90% reduction of drop attacks and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. However, minor gelastic, complex partial, and atypical absence seizures have persisted in 11 patients, although at significantly reduced rates. In addition, there has been a dramatic improvement in behavior and cognition. Three patients had an anterior thalamic and one a capsular infarct, which left only minimal long-term deficits. Exact location of the lesion in relation to the interpeduncular fossa and the walls of the third ventricle correlated with extent of excision, seizure control, and complication rate. CONCLUSION: Resection can alleviate both the seizures and the behavioral and cognitive abnormalities of hypothalamic hamartomas, but complications are frequent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Measured ambulation and self-reported health status following total joint replacement for the osteoarthritic knee.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the increase in ambulation produced by total knee replacement for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and to compare this with questionnaire-derived data. METHODS: We compared the measured ambulatory activity and self-reported Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) data of 19 subjects with OA of the knee before and after total knee replacement (TKR). RESULTS: Subjects were considerably restricted in their measured activity before operation compared with subjects with less severe disease. At 6 months the activity had increased by an average of 79% (P=0.02). The pain scale of the NHP had significantly improved at 3 months, as had the mobility scale. Between 3 and 6 months, however, at the same time the measured activity was increasing, self-reported mobility declined. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of a knee for OA is an effective way of improving ambulation. At 6 months the average increase amounted to 79%. Self-reported mobility did not correlate with mobility measured objectively.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: is papilloedema inevitable?

Headaches and papilloedema are key features of idiopathic (benign) intracranial hypertension (IIH). We describe three children in whom IIH was diagnosed in the absence of papilloedema. Recognition of atypical cases of IIH is important because pressure lowering treatment may be effective.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed2001

Preoperative and early postoperative magnetic resonance imaging in two cases of childhood choroid plexus carcinoma.

We present and illustrate the MRI appearances of two children with choroid plexus carcinoma. The MRI characteristics of these rare tumours are reviewed. Since total surgical resection is a significant prognostic factor, early postoperative MRI was performed in both cases to ensure surgical clearance. In one case a complete resection was documented and this patient remains well at short-term follow-up. Residual tumour was noted in the second case, but despite "second look" surgery there was subsequent local relapse.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Coulomb energy differences in t = 1 mirror rotational bands in (50)Fe and (50)Cr.

Gamma rays from the N = Z-2 nucleus (50)Fe have been observed, establishing the rotational ground state band up to the state J(pi) = 11+ at 6.994 MeV excitation energy. The experimental Coulomb energy differences, obtained by comparison with the isobaric analog states in its mirror (50)Cr, confirm the qualitative interpretation of the backbending patterns in terms of successive alignments of proton and neutron pairs. A quantitative agreement with experiment has been achieved by exact shell model calculations, incorporating the differences in radii along the yrast bands, and properly renormalizing the Coulomb matrix elements in the pf model space.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Congenital midline cleft of the posterior arch of atlas: a rare cause of symptomatic cervical canal stenosis.

Developmental symptomatic C1 canal stenosis is very rare. We describe the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances in a 8-year-old child who presented with progressive upper and lower limb neurological symptoms and in whom imaging revealed the medial posterior hemiarches of a bifid C1 to be inturned and compressing the cervical cord. This particular configuration of the posterior arch of atlas is frequently associated with other craniocervical bony anomalies and presents with neurological symptoms early in life. Early CT or MRI examination of patients with symptomatic posterior arch of C1 defects is necessary, in order to detect such an appearance, since surgical treatment may prevent neurological deterioration.

Cervical Atlas↗
PubMed2001

The diagnostic significance of an assay for 'total' hepatitis C core antigen.

A measurable serological response to hepatitis C infection is delayed on average until 70 days after infection. In addition, it may not occur in some immunocompromised people. Detection of free hepatitis C (HCV) core antigen in blood has enabled diagnosis in the pre-seroconversion period. The ability to detect 'total' HCV core antigen, both free and antibody bound, would widen its use for confirming anti-HCV antibody positive patients and monitoring a therapeutic response. This study has evaluated a prototype 'total' HCV core antigen immunoassay. Sera from 145 HCV negative blood donors gave a mean value of 54.9 (+/-46.2) pg/ml based on recombinant antigen standards. Using these figures, the HCV core antigen cut-off was set as 200 pg/ml. Two hundred blood donors sera with indeterminant (a single-band on recombinant immunoblot assay) HCV antibody statuses gave fully concordant HCV core antigen results compared to their polymerase chain reactions (PCRs)--three positive, and 197 negative. HCV core antigen and PCR results were compared for 59 sera from 19 HCV positive liver disease patients. The HCV core antigen results were in complete agreement with their PCRs for the nine patients always PCR positive and the three continuously negative. For six patients on antiviral therapy whose qualitative PCRs changed from positive to negative, the HCV core antigen results paralleled the PCR results. The only discrepant results were from one patient whose PCR results went from negative to positive. 'Total' HCV core antigen testing will greatly improve the scope of diagnostic tests for hepatitis C.

Hepacivirus↗
PubMed2001

Agronomic use of biotechnologically processed grape wastes.

Grape waste was composted by biodegradation and subsequently used as an organic fertilizer for 20 day-corn. Combinations of recently compressed grape waste and hen droppings (10% w/w) were prepared to study the activating effect of hen droppings and the effect of aeration on the composting process. The final hydrogen potential (pH), %C, %N and C/N ratio, indicated an adequate development of the bioprocess. Satisfactory results were observed when the products were applied at several doses (1,000-4,000 kg/ ha) as a soil conditioner for corn seed germination in greenhouses. Only the addition of hen droppings had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on corn dry matter (14% increase). A dose of 3000 kg/ha was considered as optimal and was used supplemented with triple superphosphate (TSP) in agronomic trials. All the treatments produced greater corn dry matter (P < 0.05) than the chemical industrial fertilizer used as a control (0.52-0.71 g/pot for the organic fertilizers vs 0.45 g/pot for the control). Anaerobic conditions and hen droppings addition significantly produced (P < 0.05) higher corn dry matter.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2001

Enhancing personal wellness in counselor trainees using biofeedback: an exploratory study.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether biofeedback-assisted relaxation training could reduce stress-related symptoms and enhance personal well-being in a group of counselor trainees enrolled in a basic counseling skills course. Treatment participants received ten sessions of weekly biofeedback-assisted relaxation training, whereas the control participants received no intervention. The treatment group showed, significant improvements in several symptom areas measured by the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised: physical complaints (Somatization), personal inadequacy (Interpersonal Sensitivity), confused thinking or alienation or both (Psychoticism), and the overall number and severity of symptoms (Global Severity Index and Positive Symptom Total). The control participants showed no significant improvements in any symptom areas. Biofeedback-assisted relaxation was shown to be an effective stress-reducing intervention for counselor trainees, which resulted in a greater sense of personal well-being.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

SPAMM, cine phase contrast imaging and fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging in the study of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow.

AIM: To compare the qualitative assessment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow using a SPAMM (spatial modulation of magnetization) technique with cine phase contrast images (cine PC) and fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SPAMM, PC and T2-weighted sequences were performed on 22 occasions in 19 patients. Eleven of the studies were performed following a neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy (NTV), and in these cases, the success of the NTV was determined by clinical follow-up. Two observers used consensus to grade the presence of CSF flow at nine different sites for each study. RESULTS: At 14 of the 178 matched sites, which could be assessed by both SPAMM and cine PC, SPAMM CSF flow grade was higher than that of cine PC. At a further 14/178 matched sites, the cine PC grade was higher than that of SPAMM. There was definite CSF flow at 113/182 (62%) of all the cine PC sites assessed, and 110/181 (61%) of all SPAMM sites assessed whilst 108/198 (54%) of FSE T2-weighted image sites demonstrated flow voids. Cine PC grades were higher than SPAMM at the cerebral aqueduct (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon sign rank test). Definite CSF flow within the anterior third ventricle was present in 4/5 (SPAMM) and 3/5 (cine PC) successful NTVs, 0/2 (SPAMM and cine PC) unsuccessful NTVs and 1/10 (SPAMM and cine PC) patients without NTV. CONCLUSION: SPAMM provides a comparable assessment of intracranial CSF flow to that of cine phase contrast imaging at all CSF sites except the cerebral aqueduct.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Extraction and validation of a lower limb HAQ by comparison with objective measurement of ambulatory activity.

OBJECTIVES: Both the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the measurement of spontaneous ambulatory activity are measures that can be used to evaluate disability in RA. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted of 105 RA patients where the HAQ was compared with ambulatory activity from the Numact monitor. Rank correlation was used to evaluate the relationships between activity and the complete and individual sections of the HAQ. RESULTS: Correlation of activity with total HAQ produced significant results (r= -0.29 to -0.48). Correlation with individual sections showed the strongest association with "Hygiene", followed by "Activities", and "Walking". A lower limb HAQ was devised using these and the dressing and rising items. CONCLUSIONS: HAQ and recorded activity measure different but related aspects of disability. Activity should be used if the ability to quantify the result outweighs the extra effort involved in the study.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Porcelain gallbladder is not associated with gallbladder carcinoma.

The surgical management of porcelain gallbladder is based on studies performed in 1931 and 1962, which indicated a correlation between porcelain gallbladder and carcinoma. We sought to evaluate the characteristics of patients with porcelain gallbladder and the risk for gallbladder carcinoma. The medical records of 10,741 cholecystectomies performed between 1955 and 1998 were reviewed and recorded. The pathology slides were evaluated for evidence of calcification and gallbladder carcinoma. Fifteen (0.14%) of 10,741 specimens were porcelain gallbladders. Ten patients (67%) had symptoms suggestive of biliary colic or cholecystitis. Five (33%) were asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. All specimens demonstrated chronic cholecystitis and partial calcification of the gallbladder wall. Nine (60%) had cholelithiasis. None had gallbladder carcinoma by recent review of pathologic material. During this same period 88 (0.82%) patients had gallbladder carcinoma, none of which showed calcification of the wall. This report represents the largest modern review of porcelain gallbladders. No carcinoma was identified among patients with porcelain gallbladder. In addition no patient with gallbladder carcinoma had calcified gallbladder. With a better understanding of the natural history of the porcelain gallbladder the current management of these patients may change.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Intestinal ischemia and the gut-liver axis: an in vitro model.

BACKGROUND: Sustained intestinal ischemic injury often leads to shock and multiorgan failure, mediated in part by a cytokine cascade. Animal models have also identified a central role of Kupffer cells in amplification of cytokines following intestinal ischemia. To better understand this gut-liver axis, we developed an in vitro model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kupffer cells were isolated from rat livers by arabinogalactan gradient ultracentrifugation and adherence purification. Cells were grown in RPMI medium in 5% CO(2). Rat intestinal epithelial cells, IEC-6, were cultured under normoxic or anoxic (90% N(2), 10% CO(2)) conditions for 2, 12, and 24 h. Kupffer cells were then grown in the conditioned medium of the IEC-6 cultures. After 24 h, the medium was replaced with fresh medium. This final Kupffer cell supernatant was tested for tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 production by ELISA. Trypan blue exclusion was performed to assess cell viability. RESULTS: Intestinal and Kupffer cells remained viable during the experimental time. Production of both tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 by Kupffer cells increased with increasing ischemia time of the intestinal cells. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with animal studies of intestinal ischemia, this study found an increase in cytokine production by Kupffer cells following hypoxia of intestinal cells. This in vitro model offers a new tool to study the expression of cytokines, proteins, and messengers involved in the cascade of events that follow intestinal ischemia.

Animals↗