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Biomedical subjects

C Mason

Publications and source records attributed to C Mason.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Comparative validity of two measures of psychomotor function in patients with severe depression.

Psychomotor function is a key construct in depressed patients and two measures have been developed for systematic rating. Parker and colleagues utilise an observer-rated scale (CORE) while the scale (DRRS) developed by Widlöcher assesses motor and ideational aspects. Association between the scales and their relative capacity to predict ECT response were investigated in a sample of 81 depressed patients. Both predicted ECT response. While the CORE scale rates a wider variety of phenomena (including non-interactiveness and agitation) and does not rely on the subject's capacity to report aspects of their cognitive function, the study supports the predictive and comparitive validity of both scales.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A novel MAP kinase phosphatase is localised in the branchial arch region and tail tip of Xenopus embryos and is inducible by retinoic acid.

Using a differential display strategy, we have isolated a cDNA corresponding to a mRNA which is induced by retinoic acid treatment of late gastrula Xenopus embryos, and much more strongly induced by retinoic acid and cycloheximide. The cDNA, designated X17C, encodes a novel mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase of 378 amino acid residues which is only distantly related to other known MAP kinase phosphatases. In normal embryogenesis, the X17C mRNA is expressed after the midblastula transition and accumulates during gastrulation. In neurula and tailbud stage embryos the mRNA is localised in two domains, one in the anterior region of the embryo, and one at the tail tip. When expressed from synthetic mRNA injected into oocytes, the X17C protein is found within the cytosolic fraction and not in the nucleus. The X17C protein dephosphorylates and inactivates Xenopus MAP kinase in oocytes stimulated to undergo maturation by progesterone. We indicate the application of X17C as a tool for interfering with MAP kinase signaling in somatic cells of embryos, using FGF receptor-mediated MAP kinase activation in animal cap explants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Temporal integration of events within and between the cerebral hemispheres.

The effect of interhemispheric transmission time (IHTT) on temporal perception was investigated by comparing simultaneity thresholds under unimanual and bimanual stimulation conditions. In the unimanual conditions the tactile stimuli were delivered to the same hand and were received by the same hemisphere, but in bimanual conditions, where stimuli were delivered to different hands, interhemispheric communication was necessary in order to compare the timing of the two stimuli. Randomised order of stimulating the fingers of the hands was compared with consistent stimulation of each hand. Previous studies have used only consistent stimulation. Thirty-two undergraduate university students (16 males and 16 females) were tested. Bimanual simultaneity thresholds were significantly higher than unimanual. Previous research showing an absence of laterality effects for simultaneity judgements was confirmed, supporting a hemispheric equivalence model of temporal processing. Simultaneity thresholds were not affected by randomisation of stimulus location, indicating that expectancy effects were not responsible for the difference between bimanual and unimanual thresholds. The implication of these findings is that temporal perceptions are affected by the process of interhemispheric transmission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Prediction of ECT response: validation of a refined sign-based (CORE) system for defining melancholia.

BACKGROUND: The clinical validity of melancholia has been argued on the basis of its capacity to predict response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). We have argued that a sign-based (CORE) rating system of psychomotor disturbance can identify patients with melancholia. Therefore, the clinical validity of the CORE system was tested here in terms of its capacity to predict response to ECT. METHOD: The response of 81 patients with primary affective disorders to an individualised course of ECT was investigated. CORE scores and other clinical predictors were evaluated in terms of their capacity to predict effect size changes in symptoms and disability. RESULTS: CORE scores predicted ECT response, as did the presence of psychotic features. The combination of marked psychomotor change (high CORE scores) and psychotic features predicted the best response to ECT. CONCLUSION: This study supports the clinical validity of the CORE system for diagnosing melancholia.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Multiple supernumeraries: the importance of clinical and radiographic follow-up.

The occurrence of multiple supernumerary teeth is a rare phenomenon. Three cases of multiple supernumeraries are presented which illustrate problems which may arise during long-term follow-up: resorption of adjacent teeth, enlargement of the follicles, movement of the unerupted teeth and development of further supernumeraries. These cases highlight the importance of adequate initial surveillance, anticipation of potential problems, assessing the risk-benefits of surgery and long-term monitoring, in some cases following the surgical removal of supernumeraries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Defining the personality disorders: description of an Australian database.

OBJECTIVE: We seek to improve the definition and classification of the personality disorders (PDs) and derive a large database for addressing this objective. METHOD: The paper describes the rationale for the development of a large set of descriptors of the PDs (including all DSM-IV and ICD-10 descriptors, but enriched by an additional 109 items), the design of parallel self-report (SR) and corroborative witness (CW) measures, sample recruitment (of 863 patients with a priori evidence of personality disorder or disturbance) and preliminary descriptive data. RESULTS: Analyses (particularly those comparing ratings on molar PD descriptions with putative PD dimensions) argue for acceptable reliability of the data set, while both the size of the sample and the representation of all PD dimensions of interest argue for the adequacy of the database. CONCLUSIONS: We consider in some detail current limitations to the definition and classification of the PDs, and foreshadow the analytic techniques that will be used to address the key objectives of allowing the PDs to be modelled more clearly and, ideally, measured with greater precision and validity.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

An overview of depression-prone personality traits and the role of interpersonal sensitivity.

A number of personality styles have been proposed as vulnerability traits to depression. In this paper methodological problems associated with identifying such traits are discussed. These include state effects contaminating personality scales and the issue of depressive heterogeneity. Potential depression-prone personality traits are then discussed, including obsessionality, neuroticism, dependency and cognitive dysfunction. High interpersonal sensitivity as a risk factor to depression is then discussed.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1995

The changing pattern of day-care treatment for children in a London dental teaching hospital.

Day-stay general anaesthesia facilities may be employed to provide comprehensive dental care for children who are unable to accept treatment using alternative methods of patient management. This approach to delivery of care has been shown to be cost-effective, acceptable and efficaceous. This study was set up to investigate changes in the pattern of care provided in day-care facilities at a London dental teaching hospital over a 20-year period--1972 to 1992. The results show that the use of the facilities at this centre has increased with time, with a greater increase amongst older children in recent years. Although the main use is still for the treatment of caries, oral surgery procedures, especially those related to orthodontic treatment, have increased by 200% between 1982 and 1992. This correlates with the increase in older age groups being treated. Details of mean numbers of teeth restored and extracted for each age group are presented for 1992. They indicate, for the younger age groups, not only the high treatment needs of patients referred to the hospital, but also suggest a trend for more radical treatment planning in order to avoid further general anaesthesia. Readers are reminded that, despite its advantages, general anaesthesia should be avoided if possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Is there a physiological basis for the couvade and onset of paternal care?

Couvade is the male experience of pregnancy and couvade syndrome incorporates a range of symptoms suffered by "pregnant" men. The aetiology of the couvade syndrome is unknown. Anthropologists, psychiatrists, nurses and sociologists have provided explanations for behaviour changes in "pregnant" men in terms of cultural pressure, intrapsychic processes and psychosocial adaptation to a new situation. The adoption of a biological perspective allows us to ask a new question: is there a physiological basis for the couvade syndrome? A fresh research agenda would include measurement of physiological change and a search for causation. Implications for nursing are outlined.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Severe tracheal stenosis and operative delivery.

We report the management of anaesthesia for Caesarean section in a woman with severe extensive tracheal stenosis. Management was initially with spinal anaesthesia, but general anaesthesia became necessary as a result of profuse intra-operative bleeding. We describe the use of the Hayek oscillator cuirass ventilator to allow instrumentation of the larynx whilst maintaining respiratory support, and for weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Unusual distribution of enamel hypoplasia in an 11-year-old child with Proteus syndrome.

An 11-year-old girl with Proteus syndrome attended our dental department because her teeth were sensitive to cold stimuli and because of the poor appearance of her anterior teeth. Extraoral examination revealed several of the previously reported craniofacial features of Proteus syndrome: facial and skull asymmetry, exostoses of the nasal bridge, and mandibular prognathism. Intraoral examination revealed enamel hypoplasia of primary and permanent teeth. The distribution of hypoplasia was unusual in that only teeth on the right side of the mouth were affected, and also in that only the distal half of the crown of the maxillary right permanent central incisor was affected. Behavioural problems necessitated treatment under general anaesthesia; the affected primary teeth were extracted and the hypoplastic permanent teeth were restored, relieving the patient's symptoms and greatly improving aesthetics.

Child↗
PubMed1995

The prevalence of clinically significant anaemia and haemoglobinopathy in children requiring dental treatment under general anaesthesia: a retrospective study of 1000 patients.

There is little information on the possible value of screening children who are liable to haemoglobinopathies as part of pre-operative assessment for dental treatment under general anaesthesia. The present retrospective investigation examined, first, the number of patients having low haemoglobin levels among 1000 patients who had undergone haematological investigation prior to general anaesthesia in a dental outpatient unit, and, secondly, the subsequent clinical management of these patients. Haemoglobin levels of 10.0 g/dl or less were found in 31 children: 13 Asian, 7 Afro-Caribbean, 5 Mediterranean, 3 Arabic, 1 white Caucasian and 2 Oriental children. In addition, 17 patients had sickle-cell trait and 2 had beta-thalassaemia trait, but there was no relationship between the presence of haemoglobinopathy and low levels of haemoglobin. The planned general anaesthesia was undertaken for 22 of the 31 children who had low levels of haemoglobin and for the 19 children with haemoglobinopathy. Only 6 children ultimately did not undergo general anaesthesia, all failing to return. It is concluded that pre-anaesthetic haematological assessment of children needing minor dental surgery is rarely of any significant clinical value.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Alcohol, tumor necrosis factor, and tuberculosis.

Alcohol exerts potent suppressive effects on the immune system that significantly increase host susceptibility to a variety of infections, particularly pneumonia. Historically, tuberculosis has been strongly associated with alcohol abuse. Although the relationship between alcohol abuse and tuberculosis is widely appreciated, the basic mechanisms by which alcohol immunosuppresses the host remain to be clarified. A major obstacle in furthering our understanding of this association has been the difficulty in distinguishing between the effects of alcohol per se and the other frequent sequelae of alcoholism such as nutritional deficiencies, liver disease, cigarette smoking, hygienic factors, and lifestyle. This article focuses on the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) in host defense and how alcohol modulates the activity of this important cytokine. While TNF's role in mediating the lethal consequences of infection has been the subject of much conjecture, this review focuses on the emerging evidence that TNF is an essential factor in the normal immune response to numerous infections, including tuberculosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗