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Biomedical subjects

C Graham

Publications and source records attributed to C Graham.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The aetiology of depression in the carers of dementia sufferers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of depression in the carers of dementia sufferers, diagnosed on the basis of a semistructured interview. DESIGN: Case control study. SETTING: Referrals to clinical services. SUBJECTS: The informal carers of 109 dementia sufferers, 32 with depression and 77 without. MEASURES: Carers were interviewed using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule. The diagnosis of depression was made according to Research Diagnostic Criteria. Instruments used to assess associations included Carers' Stress Scale, Marital Intimacy Scale, Cornell Depression Scale and CAMCOG Schedule. RESULTS: Only increasing age was significantly associated with depression in the overall group of carers. The severity of cognitive impairment was significantly associated with depression in carers who lived with a dementia sufferer and a low level of premorbid marital intimacy was significantly associated with depression amongst carers who were marital partners. CONCLUSION: Few factors are clearly associated with depression in the carers of dementia sufferers. The pattern of associations was, however, different for carers in different situations.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

The duck gene for alpha B-crystallin shows evolutionary conservation of discrete promoter elements but lacks heat and osmotic shock response.

The gene for alpha Beta-crystallin from a bird (the domestic duck, Anas platyrhynchos) has been cloned and sequenced to allow comparison with its mammalian homologues. The duck gene has the same general structure as those of humans and rodents although, unlike those of mammals, the duck gene has two polyadenylation signals at the 3' end. The most interesting comparisons are in the 5'flanking promoter regions. In contrast to the broad conservation of promoter sequence among mammals, only two significant blocks and a few smaller elements have been conserved during evolution in the more distantly related avian gene. Block 1 (-350/-308) corresponds to alpha BE-2, a functional element defined in the mouse gene. Further downstream, block 2 (-98/-65) shows 27/33 identity among all three species but does not correspond to any previously defined element. Other regions are less well-conserved. In particular, putative heat-shock response elements of the mammalian alpha B-crystallin genes are absent from the duck gene. In contrast to the heat and osmotic stress-inducibility of mouse alpha B-crystallin in NIH 3T3 cells, duck alpha B-crystallin showed no inducibility in duck cells in culture. Thus, although high expression in lens is common to alpha B-crystallin genes in birds and mammals, other modes of expression appear to be taxon-specific.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Coping by the carers of dementia sufferers.

One hundred and nine of 125 patients from consecutive referrals to a clinical service had an informal carer in contact at least once a week. Thirty-two of the carers had major or minor depression. The active management strategy 'being firm in directing behaviour' was significantly inversely associated with depression amongst carers living with the dementia sufferers, whilst carers who prioritized their daily routines were significantly more likely to be depressed. The active psychological coping strategy 'constructing a larger sense of the illness' was also significantly inversely associated with depression amongst carers living with the patients and 'reduction of expectations' showed a trend in the same direction. There were no significant differences between the coping strategies used by men and women. The type of coping strategy used by carers has an important relationship with depression. Active practical and psychological strategies were of benefit to carers and this has important treatment implications.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

Classification of psychotic symptoms in dementia sufferers.

Little attention has been payed to the classification of psychotic symptoms in dementia sufferers. This article compares the etiology of delusions, visual hallucinations and delusional misidentification and examines the value of factors generated from principal components analysis as a possible classificatory system in a group of 125 patients with DSM-III-R dementia in contact with clinical services who were prospectively evaluated using standardized instruments to describe in detail individual psychotic symptoms. The assessment also included the Geriatric Mental State Schedule, the History and Aetiology Schedule and the CAMCOG. Delusions and visual hallucinations had a distinct cognitive profile as did delusions and delusional misidentification, although there was an overlap between visual hallucinations and delusional misidentification. Four factors were generated from principal components analysis. Three of these closely mirrored the 3 symptom groups delusions, visual hallucinations and delusional misidentification, although the phantom-boarder delusion was correlated with the visual hallucination factor and not delusional misidentification. The fourth factor included visual hallucinations of relatives and delusions that relatives were in the house. This factor was strongly inversely associated with emotional distress and could perhaps best be seen as a comfort phenomena. The pattern of cognitive deficits and etiological associations of each of the factors were independent of one another, supporting the notion that it is useful to consider them as separate entities.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Associations of psychotic symptoms in dementia sufferers.

BACKGROUND: Psychotic symptoms in dementia have been considered as a single category which may have masked important associations. An exploratory analysis was undertaken to look separately at delusions, visual hallucinations and delusional misidentification. METHOD: Psychotic symptoms were assessed with the Burns' Symptom Checklist in 124 patients with DSM-III-R dementia. RESULTS: Eighty-three (66.9%) patients had psychotic symptoms. Deafness and life events were associated with delusions and visual impairment was associated with visual hallucinations, while senile dementia of Lewy body type and older age were associated with both. CONCLUSIONS: Differences are evident in the associations of delusions and visual hallucinations. Sensory impairments were associated with both symptoms.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Temporal distribution of rotavirus G-serotypes in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom, 1983-1994.

Samples of rotavirus from cases of acute gastroenteritis, occurring in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom during the winter months of 1983 to 1994, were tested by enzyme-immunoassay for G-serotype (VP7). Statistically significant changes in the relative prevalence of serotypes occurred each year (p-values in chi-square tests were: p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). No consistent pattern was associated with these changes. G1, G2, G3, and G4 were the most common serotypes detected throughout the study period, accounting for 93.2%. Serotypes G5, G8, and G10 were detected in 0.4% samples, and serotypes other than G1 to G4 were detected in 6.8% samples. Thus, the rotavirus serotypes are less diverse here compared to other locations. These data are important for the development of an appropriate rotavirus vaccine.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1994

Dose response study of human exposure to 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields.

This human exposure study examined the relationship between field strength and biological response and tested whether the exposure levels at which the greatest effects occur differ for different endpoints. Three matched groups of 18 men each participated in two 6 h exposure test sessions. All subjects were sham exposed in one session. In the other session, each group of subjects was exposed at a different level of combined electric and magnetic field strength (low group:6 kV/m, 10 microT; medium group:9 kV/m, 20 microT; and high group: 12 kV/m, 30 microT). The study was performed double blind, with exposure order counterbalanced. Significant slowing of heart rate, as well as alternations in the latency and amplitude of event-related brain potential measures derived from the electro encephalogram (EEG), occurred in the group exposed to the 9 kV/m, 20 microT combined field (medium group). Exposure at the other field strength levels had no influence on cardiac measures and differential effects on EEG activity. Significant decrements in reaction time and in performance accuracy on a time estimation task were observed only in the low group. These results provide support for the hypothesis that humans may be more responsive to some combinations or levels of field strength than to others and that such differences in responsivity may depend, in part, on the endpoint of interest.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

Discriminating translation of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) during mouse embryogenesis.

The problem is to discover which of the promoters of the insulin-like growth factor-II gene stimulate the transcription of mRNA which is translated into protein. Three alternative leader exons are attached to the coding sequences in RNA transcribed from this gene in other systems, and it is mainly the paternal allele which is expressed in mouse development. Transcripts bearing each of the three leader exons were found in the RNA from the chorio-allantoic placenta, visceral yolk sac, and embryo, starting at 9.5 days. A varying proportion of one abundant transcript was disengaged from the polysomes at different days of development. This transcript was prefixed by the longest of the three alternative untranslated 5' leader exons (exon 2), and it was consistently associated with polysomes in the choroid plexus and leptomeninges of the brain. Many exon 2 transcripts were abbreviated by endonucleolytic cleavage and lacked a poly(A) tail. In contrast, the transcripts with the shortest leader (exon 3) were mainly displayed on polysomes at all the stages of development which were examined. During mouse development, the production of IGF-II protein must be partly controlled by the mechanisms which regulate translation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Carotid body tumor associated with hyperparathyroidism.

Hyperparathyroidism in association with carotid body tumor is a rare combination. A common embryologic cellular origin was postulated previously to explain this unusual occurrence. We report a case of left carotid body tumor and left inferior parathyroid adenoma. We believe this to be the sixth reported case in the literature with this combination.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1994

Effects of sodium monensin on reproductive performance of dairy cattle. II. Effects on metabolites in plasma, resumption of ovarian cyclicity and oestrus in lactating cows.

A randomised trial was conducted to determine the effects of sodium monensin on plasma metabolite concentrations, resumption of cyclicity and oestrus and milk production and milk composition of postparturient dairy cows. Cows treated with sodium monensin in a controlled-release capsule had significantly lower plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations (P = 0.006) and tended (P = 0.07) to have significantly higher plasma glucose concentrations than untreated cows. Treatment did not significantly influence plasma free fatty acid, urea nitrogen or cholesterol concentrations. Despite higher plasma glucose concentrations and lower plasma BHB concentrations, periods from calving to first ovulation and oestrus were not reduced by treatment. This observation, with limited numbers of cows, is not consistent with a hypothesis that glucose or ketones are important metabolic regulators of pulsatile release of luteinising hormone and consequent resumption of cyclicity. While milk production and milk protein concentration did not significantly differ between groups, milk fat concentration was significantly lower for treated cows. Treated cows probably had lower dry matter intake than untreated cows as they produced 67 litres less milk per head and lost more weight than untreated cows during the study period, although weight and body condition score were not significantly affected by treatment. The lack of significance of these latter observations probably reflects the low statistical power of the study.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1994

Conservative treatment of plantar heel pain: long-term follow-up.

In order to evaluate the long-term results of patients treated conservatively for plantar heel pain, a telephone follow-up survey was conducted. After eliminating those patients with worker's compensation-related complaints and those with documented inflammatory arthritides, data on 100 patients (58 females and 42 males) were available for review. The average patients was 48 years old (range 20-85 years). The average follow-up was 47 months (24-132 months). Clinical results were classified as good (resolution of symptoms) for 82 patients, fair (continued symptoms but no limitation of activity or work) for 15 patients, and poor (continued symptoms limiting activity or changing work status) in 3 patients. The average duration of symptoms before medical attention was sought was 6.1, 18.9, and 10 months for the three groups, respectively. The three patients with poor results all had bilateral complaints, but had no other obvious risk factors predictive of their poor result. Thirty-one patients stated that, even with the understanding that surgical treatment carries significant risk, they would have seriously considered it at the time medical attention was sought; twenty-two of these patients eventually had resolution of symptoms. Although the treatment of heel pain can be frustrating due to its indolent course, a given patient with plantar fasciitis has a very good chance of complete resolution of symptoms. There is a higher risk for continued symptoms in over-weight patients, patients with bilateral symptoms, and those who have symptoms for a prolonged period before seeking medical attention.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Commentary: recent reforms in the British National Health Service--lessons for the United States.

President Clinton recently announced his reform plan for health care in the United States. The United Kingdom, along with other countries, has already enacted reforms in an effort to overcome the basic problem of having insufficient funds to provide a health service to meet modern demands. This paper briefly describes the recent health reforms in the United Kingdom and highlights some lessons for the United States, which include the need to choose procedures that should be universally provided. Health reforms that involve some fundamental restructuring need to be evaluated everywhere and agreed to by the staff in advance.

Health Care Reform↗
PubMed1993

Detection of antitrophoblast antibodies in the sera of patients with anticardiolipin antibodies and fetal loss.

Women with anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) are at increased risk for fetal loss. One potential explanation for this outcome is that sera from these individuals contain antibodies reactive with trophoblast cells, which are involved in the establishment of the uteroplacental vasculature and maintenance of placental blood fluidity. To examine this hypothesis, we compared the incidence of trophoblast-reactive antibodies in 27 patients with ACLA and a history of fetal loss with that in 29 normal pregnant women. Sera from 20 patients, but only one control, contained trophoblast-reactive antibodies (P < .001). These antibodies were not directed against major histocompatibility class I antigens, and reacted with both term and first-trimester trophoblast cells. In most cases, sera from which ACLA were adsorbed by cardiolipin-containing liposomes maintained reactivity against cells. In addition, patient Ig fractions immunoprecipitated an approximately 62-kD protein from the trophoblast cell surface, stimulated the release of arachidonic acid and thromboxane A2 by trophoblasts, and inhibited the binding of prourokinase to trophoblast urokinase receptors. These observations show that sera from women with ACLA and a history of fetal loss contain antitrophoblast antibodies. These antibodies may be serologically distinct from ACLA, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of fetal demise.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1993

A mutation in CFTR produces different phenotypes depending on chromosomal background.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene but the association between mutation (genotype) and disease presentation (phenotype) is not straightforward. We have been investigating whether variants in the CFTR gene that alter splicing efficiency of exon 9 can affect the phenotype produced by a mutation. A missense mutation, R117H, which has been observed in three phenotypes, was found to occur on two chromosome backgrounds with intron 8 variants that have profoundly different effects upon splicing efficiency. A close association is shown between chromosome background of the R117H mutation and phenotype. These findings demonstrate that the genetic context in which a mutation occurs can play a significant role in determining the type of illness produced.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The adenovirus E1A-associated 130-kD protein is encoded by a member of the retinoblastoma gene family and physically interacts with cyclins A and E.

The adenovirus E1A proteins form complexes with a group of cellular proteins, including a protein of 130 kD. E1A-associated p130 was purified through coimmunoprecipitation with E1A, and sequence data from four tryptic peptides was obtained. Oligonucleotides derived from the peptide sequences were used to clone a 4.85-kb cDNA. The cDNA contained an 1139-amino-acid open reading frame with homology to the retinoblastoma protein and E1A-associated p107 but was more closely related to p107. In vitro-translated p130 bound to E1A, and anti-p130 antibodies detected p130 in immunoblots of E1A immunoprecipitates. p130 was also detected in immunoprecipitates of cyclins A and E and was an efficient substrate in vitro for kinase activities associated with these cyclins. The p130 gene mapped to chromosome 16q12.2-13, a region that undergoes allelic loss in several types of tumors, including hepatocellular, prostate, and breast carcinomas.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗