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Biomedical subjects

C Clark

Publications and source records attributed to C Clark.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Vascular complications after balloon and new device angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Despite their potential advantages, new coronary angioplasty devices may be associated with more frequent vascular complications than noted after standard balloon angioplasty, theoretically due to the larger sheaths and prolonged periods of anticoagulation required by some of these devices. This study sought to identify the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcome of vascular complications after new device angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: The clinical course of 1413 patients was reviewed after balloon or new device angioplasty. Vascular complications were defined as formation of a pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, retroperitoneal hematoma, or groin hematoma associated with a > 15-point hematocrit drop or the need for surgical repair. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors for vascular complications. Vascular complications developed after 84 (5.9%) procedures; they occurred more frequently after intracoronary stenting (14.0%) and extraction atherectomy (12.5%) than after balloon angioplasty (3.2%) (odds ratios, 4.86; P < .001, and 4.26, P < .05, respectively). Independent predictors of vascular complications included the use of intraprocedural thrombolytic agents (P < .01), intracoronary stenting (P < .005), or extraction atherectomy (P < .05); high maximum creatinine level (P < .005); low nadir platelet count (P < .001); longer periods of excess anticoagulation (P < .05); and the need for repeat coronary angioplasty (P < .005). Vascular complications were not related to the size of the arterial sheath used. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular complications developed more frequently after new device angioplasty than after balloon angioplasty, with the risk for vascular complications directly related to the degree of periprocedural anticoagulation.

Aneurysm, False↗

Involving clients in programme evaluation and research: a new methodology for occupational therapy.

Eliciting client satisfaction with services has become common in mental health settings and in the planning of service delivery systems. It is also compatible with the client-centred practice of occupational therapy. The traditional approach to collecting satisfaction information involves staff interviewing clients using questionnaires developed by staff. However, there is often a lack of variability in responses and the vast majority of clients report being satisfied. A review of the literature reveals that these favourable reports may be a result of social desirability and of clients being interviewed by treatment providers who have the power to give or withhold care. This paper reviews the relationship between occupational therapy and client involvement, examines the rationale for involving clients in programme evaluation and research, reviews the limitations with traditional methods of collecting information about client satisfaction, and discusses how clients are involved in evaluation and research in today's mental health care setting.

Canada↗

The consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD). Part IV. Rates of cognitive change in the longitudinal assessment of probable Alzheimer's disease.

Reliable information on rate of progression of cognitive impairment in probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important for evaluating possible beneficial effects of therapeutic agents and in planning long-term care for patients with this chronic illness. However, wide variability exists in published rates of change for psychometric measures of the dementing process, and there is need for an accurate analysis of large numbers of persons with the disorder studied over long periods. Utilizing the large, well-characterized sample of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease and employing a least squares regression method to adjust for different levels of impairment and periods of observation, we report rates of change on the Short Blessed Test, Mini-Mental State Examination, Blessed Dementia Scale, Clinical Dementia Rating, and other cognitive measures in 430 patients with probable AD (mean age at entry = 70.9 +/- 8.0 SD years) studied for up to 4 years. We found that rate-of-change determinations are less reliable when the observation period is 1 year or less, that dementia progression may be nonlinear when described by certain measures, and that simple change scores do not accurately characterize the rate of decline. We also found that rate of progression in AD is determined by the severity of cognitive impairment: the less severe the dementia, the slower the rate of decline.

Aged↗

Clinical issues in social network therapy for clients with schizophrenia.

Social networks are viable foci for therapeutic interventions. A social network therapy program for clients with schizophrenia was developed by a community-based mental health agency. This paper presents four of the most common clinical issues encountered and illustrates each with a case example.

Adult↗

Chronic pain management training for senior registrars in anaesthesia.

In 1985 and 1990 postal questionnaires were sent to anaesthetic senior registrars in training in the United Kingdom to determine the extent of higher specialist training in chronic pain management. There were wide variations in training and experience amongst senior registrars. Overall there was little change between 1985 and 1990. In particular the number of anaesthetic senior registrars who felt equipped to undertake a consultant post with an interest in chronic pain management had not increased.

Anesthesiology↗

Community integration for persons with disabilities: working together to make it happen.

In summary, the common themes for therapists working in these three areas are very evident. The content of each paper seemed relevant to all of the client populations. The current trends toward integration and increased consumer control are impacting on occupational therapy practice with all three groups. These trends have significant implications for service delivery and all health care professionals. Occupational therapy has already begun to recognize and value these trends (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, 1991; Law et al., 1991). Occupational therapists need to work together and align their efforts to promote the establishment of a comprehensive community service system that enables people to receive the support that they require in their home communities. Service approaches must be designed for empowerment and the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of community living. Treatments that focus solely on minimizing an individual's disabilities will not be successful in achieving this stated goal. There is a need for approaches that creatively adapt environments and reallocate resources so as to enhance the formation of relationships and participation in typical community activities. Service providers must be prepared to respond with the assistance that individuals need to achieve their goals. This is only made possible by the participation of persons with disabilities in the decision making process and in the development of services to meet their needs. Such efforts are supported by government initiatives and strategic plans. The realization of full community participation of persons with disabilities is dependent on the quality of the partnerships that are formed between the community, the service providers, and (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Community Health Services↗

Cortical glucose metabolism in Huntington's disease.

We measured cortical glucose metabolism with positron emission tomography in 39 patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and in 34 controls. In the 23 patients with symptoms for less than 5 years, there was a 15% decrease in metabolism in frontal and inferior parietal cortex. In 16 patients with symptoms for more than 5 years, all cortical areas (except temporal) were significantly involved, with metabolic rates 25 to 30% below those of controls. These data indicate the presence of a diffuse abnormality of cortical function with early involvement of frontal lobes in HD, suggesting that the clinical manifestations may not be related solely to basal ganglia pathology, even in early disease.

Adult↗

High hemoglobin A2 beta 0-thalassemia due to a 532-basepair deletion of the 5' beta-globin gene region.

We identify and characterize a novel beta 0-thalassemia mutation that is associated with an unusually high level of hemoglobin (Hb) A2 in the heterozygote. This newly discovered mutation is caused by a 532-basepair deletion that extends from positions -454 to + 78 relative to the mRNA cap site of the beta-globin gene. The propositi are 9-month-old fraternal twins. One of the twins is a compound heterozygote for the deletion and Hb S, the other is a compound heterozygote for the deletion and Hb C.

Base Sequence↗

Estimated prevalence of dementia among elderly black and white community residents.

A stratified random sample of 83 black and 81 white community residents aged 65 years and older in a five-county area in the Piedmont region of North Carolina was evaluated for dementia, using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke--Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria. Of 164 subjects, 26 were found to be demented, resulting in an estimated prevalence rate of dementia in the five-county area of 16% (95% confidence interval, 7.92 to 24.08) for blacks and 3.05% (95% confidence interval, 0 to 6.91) for whites. The estimated prevalence of dementia for white women (2.9%) was similar to that for white men (3.3%), but the rate for black women was distinctly higher than for black men (19.9% and 8.9%, respectively). Blacks were more likely than whites to have a history of stroke, hypertension, and other chronic disorders that might have contributed to the development of dementia. Apart from differences in rates of institutionalization, no other relevant factors were identified that might explain the difference in the prevalence of dementia in these black and white community residents.

Black or African American↗

Genetic linkage analysis of nerve growth factor (beta) in familial Alzheimer's disease.

Recent studies have not shown linkage of late-onset (mean age, greater than 60 years) familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) to the chromosome 21 locus reported linked to early-onset FAD. Beta nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) has been considered a candidate gene in the pathogenesis and therapy of FAD, based on its localization in the cortex and hippocampus and its ability to enhance the growth and survival of cholinergic neurons. A 1.5-kb fragment of the beta-NGF gene was used to detect a BglII restriction fragment length polymorphism, which was then used for linkage analysis. A total of 30 families (27 late onset) with 147 affected members were studied. Close linkage (theta less than or equal to 0.03, z less than or equal to -2.00) of late-onset FAD with beta-NGF was excluded. Two apparent obligate crossovers between affected members were detected in different autopsy-confirmed families. Based on these results, beta-NGF is not the gene responsible for late-onset FAD in the families analyzed.

Aged↗

Prenatal diagnosis for dystrophia myotonica using the polymerase chain reaction.

The polymerase chain reaction has been used to detect an abundant class of short repeat DNA families of the form (dC-dA)n.(dG-dT)n, known as microsatellites. These units are found throughout the human genome and have been characterized for several loci including APOC2 on chromosome 19q12-q13.2. The locus APOC2 is linked to the gene for dystrophia myotonica and a microsatellite within this locus was used to derive polymorphisms in a family to predict the inheritance of the disease. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed at 15 1/2 weeks' gestation. Following DNA extraction from the CVS material and parental blood samples, microsatellite analysis was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction.

Adult↗

Transcription analysis and sequence of the putative murine cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase gene.

The conservation of the herpesvirus DNA polymerases has allowed cross-hybridization studies to be used for their identification and mapping on the viral genome. With the use of a DNA fragment containing the DNA polymerase gene of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a hybridization probe, we were able to localize the DNA polymerase gene of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to a region within MCMV EcoRI fragment B which spans the HindIII site separating HindIII fragments D and H. This site is colinear with the HCMV strain AD169 DNA polymerase gene. To confirm that this region encoded the MCMV DNA polymerase gene, we sequenced a 5131 nucleotide fragment from the PstI site in HindIII fragment D to a BglII site in HindIII fragment H. Initiating in HindIII fragment D and extending into HindIII fragment H was a long open reading frame (ORF) 1097 amino acids in length with extensive homology to the DNA polymerases of HCMV, herpes simplex virus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Upstream of the polymerase ORF was a reading frame with considerable homology to the carboxy terminal half of the glycoprotein B gene of human herpesviruses. At early times in the infection, we could detect with a probe representing part of the polymerase ORF two 3' coterminal transcripts, 3.9 kb and 1.7 kb in length. S1 nuclease and exonuclease VII analyses indicated that both transcripts were unspliced and initiated at independent sites in HindIII fragment D. By primer extension, we were able to map precisely the 5' end of the 3.9-kb RNA to a site 186 nucleotides upstream of the beginning of the DNA polymerase ORF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Association of human papillomavirus with penile carcinoma: a study using polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.

Although carcinoma of the uterine cervix has been shown to be strongly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a sexually transmitted disease, similar detailed data are lacking in penile carcinoma. To determine the association of HPV with penile carcinoma, we examined 30 specimens of penile carcinoma from 23 patients by the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization assays. We also examined nonneoplastic penile foreskins from 20 adults using the polymerase chain reaction assay. Human papillomavirus type 16 genome was found in 15 patients (65%), HPV type 30 was found in three (13%), and HPV type 6/11 was found in two (9%). These HPV types were not detected in any of the nonneoplastic foreskins. As in cervical carcinoma, HPV, particularly type 16, is strongly associated with penile carcinoma and may play an etiologic role in the development of this neoplasm.

Base Sequence↗

Synergy between preactivated photofrin-II and tamoxifen in killing retrofibroma, pseudomyxoma and breast cancer cells.

Exposure of photoactive compounds to light prior to their use in biological systems (preactivation) results in the generation of tumour cell specific metastable cytotoxic species that are no longer dependent on the light energy. Thus, preactivation renders the photoactive compounds suitable for systemic use. We have examined the in vitro effect of preactivated photofrin-II and tamoxifen in retroperitoneal fibroma, pseudomyxoma and male breast carcinoma cell lines. These cells were found to be non-responsive to tamoxifen and were negative for oestrogen receptors. Incubation of these cells with 0.5 microgram/ml preactivated photofrin-II and tamoxifen (less than 10(-6) mol/l) resulted in a significantly enhanced (P less than 0.001) inhibition of DNA synthesis compared with either agent alone. This synergistic effect between tamoxifen and preactivated photofrin-II was determined by multiple drug effect analysis. Treatment of cells with preactivated photofrin-II did not cause the increased expression of oestrogen receptors. These observations suggest that a combination of antihormonal drugs with preactivated compounds may be of clinical value.

Breast Neoplasms↗