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Biomedical subjects

C Wood

Publications and source records attributed to C Wood.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Identification and characterization of the bovine immunodeficiency-like virus tat gene.

A cDNA clone of the bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) trans-activator gene (tat) was identified and characterized. The tat cDNA clone was generated by splicing, and on the basis of sequence analysis, the Tat protein was found to be encoded entirely by the first exon. It is 103 amino acids in size and shares sequence homology with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Tat. The BIV tat clone can trans activate the BIV promoter effectively, as measured by the expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene, when transfected into bovine cells. Besides activating the BIV promoter, the BIV Tat can also trans activate the HIV promoter effectively. It is possible that BIV Tat and HIV Tat employ similar mechanisms in trans activation of the viral long terminal repeat-directed gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An intrachromosomal insertion causing 5q22 deletion and familial adenomatous polyposis coli in two generations.

We report familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAPC) with epidermoid cysts, osteomata, and areas of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPEs) in a male patient and his maternal aunt, both of whom suffered a mild to moderate degree of mental handicap. Both had an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5 (del(5)(q22q23.2)). Two other normal family members had the underlying direct insertion of chromosome 5(dir ins(5)(q31.3q22q23.2)). Molecular genetic and fluorescent hybridisation studies have shown that loci D5S37 and D5S98 are outside the deletion whereas loci detected by probes EF5.44 and YN5.48 are lost. As expected, the molecular analyses indicate loss of one allele at the MCC and APC loci. The APC gene is located within band 5q22. Familial direct insertions should be considered as a cause of recurrent microdeletion syndromes.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Diurnal changes in perceptions of energy and mood.

Data from five separate groups of volunteers show that diurnal variation in perceptions of physical and mental energy ('vigour') can be simply measured by the use of visual analogue scales. In all five groups, perceptions of vigour were significantly higher in the morning than at other times of day. In three groups where energy levels were measured six times daily the values achieved between 10.00 h and 12.00 h were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those recorded on rising or retiring. Some evidence was also found for the existence of high energy levels in the evening (particularly among the undergraduates) and for an 'afternoon dip' in energy in about 20% of subjects. Higher levels of positive affect were also found in the morning and levels recorded between 10.00 h and 12.00 h were significantly greater than those on rising or retiring, (P < 0.01). However, no similar diurnal variation was observed for negative affect. The difference may be due to the fact that positive affect has a distinct 'biological' component contributing to perceptions of energy, whilst negative affect depends more on features in the individual's environment, which show no consistent diurnal pattern.

Adult↗

Fluctuations in perceived energy and mood among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Patients currently suffering or recently recovered from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were compared with each other and with a group of well-matched controls in a study of diurnal variation in levels of perceived mental and physical energy and positive and negative affect. Patients who were currently ill showed diurnal variation in patterns of energy, with maximum levels being recorded between 10.00 h and 12.00 h which were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than energy levels recorded on rising or retiring. This pattern was similar to the controls but average energy levels at each time point were lower (P < 0.05) among the ill patients. Recovered patients showed the same pattern, with mean energy levels falling between those of the ill patients and controls. Similar diurnal patterns were found for perceptions of positive, though not negative affect. Correlations between physical and mental energy and between both of these energy variables and positive affect were high (r = 0.75 to 0.85) in both controls and CFS patients. However, correlations with negative affect were low (eg r = -0.10) and non-significant. Total scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) among patients who were still ill than those who had recovered. Scores on the HAD Depression (but not Anxiety) subscale were also significantly higher among those who were still ill (P < 0.01). These findings may be of value in facilitating programmes of cognitive-behavioural modification intended to aid the recovery of patients with CFS.

Adult↗

Generalized elastophagocytic granuloma.

The case of an eighty-three-year-old woman with the sudden onset of a generalized pruritic eruption is reported. The skin lesions resembled disseminated subacute lupus erythematosus on clinical examination, but actinic granuloma or annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma was seen in biopsy specimens of the lesions. Our case was differentiated from generalized granuloma annulare by the distinct zoning of elastolysis and the distribution of giant cells.

Aged↗

Minimally invasive gynaecological surgery.

Most gynaecological operations can now be performed laparoscopically. The results for patients are a reduction in pain, less time spent in hospital and in convalescence and cost savings. For some procedures the risk of infection and adhesion formation is also reduced. This pelviscopic surgery requires extra training in special surgical skills to overcome the risks that include incomplete surgery resulting from poor access to a pelvic lesion or trauma to organs as a result of poor technique. Most patients with ectopic pregnancy, pelvic adhesions, endometriosis, ovarian cysts and fibromyomata can be treated by this advanced laparoscopic surgery. Hysteroscopic endometrial resection can replace hysterectomy for most patients with menorrhagia who have a normal size uterus.

Female↗

Geriatric acute myocardial infarction: a challenge to recognition, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate care.

The presentation of an AMI in the older person is often atypical, with a lower incidence of classic chest discomfort but increasing incidence of dyspnea, syncope, stroke, and acute confusion. Atypical presentation is especially common in those 85 years and older. The altered pattern of symptoms predisposes the elderly to a delayed or missed diagnosis. Delay in diagnosis may also occur when the ECG is nondiagnostic. In addition, enzyme elevations may be lower and fail to reflect the extent of myocardial damage. Thus, among the greatest challenges confronting critical care nurses is that of caring for elderly patients presenting with atypical AMI and concomitant polypathology. Nurses who are well informed about the normal age-related changes in the cardiovascular system contribute to more accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of AMI in the elderly.

Age Factors↗

Experimental reduction of portal hypertension by mechanical increase of liver portal flow.

Studies on the isolated perfused rat liver demonstrated that an increase in portal pressure is associated with an increase in the portal blood flow in normal and in cirrhotic livers. In two pigs with portal hypertension mesenteric portal pressure was lowered by mechanically increasing the liver portal blood flow by means of a balloon pump around the portal vein.

Animals↗

A controlled study of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (buserelin acetate) for folliculogenesis in routine in vitro fertilization patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and gonadotropin therapy could improve folliculogenesis and pregnancy rates (PRs) in women with a previously satisfactory response to clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). DESIGN: Randomized prospective study. SETTING: Assisted reproduction clinic. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty-seven women were randomized to receive either hMG alone or the GnRH-a buserelin acetate 600 microgram/d or buserelin acetate 1,200 microgram/d plus hMG. RESULTS: Compared with hMG alone, pretreatment with buserelin acetate significantly increased the PR per cycle started by preventing a premature luteinizing hormone rise and thereby reducing the number of abandoned cycles. There was, however, no difference between the number of follicles aspirated, oocytes obtained, or fertilization rates between groups. Furthermore, agonist therapy significantly increased both the dose of hMG required and the duration of stimulation. CONCLUSION: The routine use of GnRH-a in in vitro fertilization programs must be questioned.

Buserelin↗

Loss of constitutional heterozygosity on chromosome 5q in hepatocellular carcinoma without cirrhosis.

Suppressor gene loci involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been fully identified. The aim of this study was to look for consistent allele loss, or loss of heterozygosity (LOH), in HCC which might represent such gene loci. We have prepared DNA from tumour and non-tumour material from 16 patients with HCC (nine with and seven without liver cirrhosis). Tumour DNA was compared with non-tumour DNA by Southern analysis performed with a panel of 22 probes recognising restriction fragment length polymorphisms assigned to chromosomes 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 20. Non-tumour DNA from five of the seven patients with HCC without cirrhosis was heterozygous with the probe Lambda MS8 (5q35-qter), and in all five there was LOH in tumour DNA. Probes for other regions of chromosome 5 have as yet shown no LOH in this group of patients. Cirrhotic HCC patients exhibited LOH on chromosomes 1q and 5p but not in the region 5q35-qter. Both groups of HCC showed LOH on chromosome 17p13. Screening with other probes has not shown any consistent LOH in either group as yet. A comparison of LOH on chromosome 5 in seven patients with colorectal metastasis in the liver showed a different pattern, which suggests that the proposed tumour suppressor gene locus for HCC without cirrhosis on chromosome 5 appears to be distinct from the familial adenomatous polyposis coli gene.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Induction and partial purification of bacteriophages from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough) and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541.

Bacteriophages were induced from cultures of Desulfovibrio vulgaris NCIMB 8303 and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541 by UV light. The optimum time of UV exposure was 1 min and the maximum yield of phage was obtained 9-10 h after UV treatment. The two phage preparations were compared by restriction enzyme analysis and Southern blot hybridization. The nucleic acid from both phages was cut by restriction endonucleases specific for double-stranded DNA. The phage DNAs from D. vulgaris and D. desulfuricans showed different restriction enzyme cleavage patterns. No homology was observed between a 25 kb probe from the D. vulgaris phage DNA and the phage DNA from D. desulfuricans. Protein profiles of the phages from both sources were also studied; the D. vulgaris phage contained two major bands corresponding to Mr values of 37 000 and 56 000 while the D. desulfuricans phage contained only one major band, of Mr 38 000.

Bacteriophages↗

Partial purification and characterization of the mitochondrial and peroxisomal isozymes of enoyl-coenzyme a hydratase from germinating pea seedlings.

Distinct organellar forms of the beta-oxidation enzyme enoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) hydratase were partially purified and characterized from 2-day germinated pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings. The purification was accomplished by disruption of purified mitochondria or peroxisomes, (NH(4))(2)SO(4) fractionation, and gel permeation chromatography using a column of Sephacryl S-300. The organellar isozymes had distinct kinetic constants for the substrates 2-butenoyl-CoA and 2-octenoyl-CoA, and could be easily distinguished by differences in thermostability and salt activation. The peroxisomal isozyme had a native M(r) of 75,000 and appeared to be a typical bifunctional enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, while the mitochondrial isozyme had a native M(r) of 57,000 and did not have associated dehydrogenase activity. Western blots of total pea mitochondrial proteins gave a positive signal when probed with anti-rat liver mitochondrial enoyl-CoA hydratase antibodies but there was no signal when blots of total peroxisomal proteins were probed.

Journal Article↗

Repeat sterilization reversal.

Thirteen women had repeat sterilization reversal using microsurgery either because of failed IVF or personal preference for microsurgery. Six pregnancies occurred in 5 women resulting in 5 livebirths and 1 miscarriage. Pregnancy occurred in all 3 patients having isthmic anastomosis in the second sterilization reversal. Preliminary hysteroscopic tubal cannulation would have excluded operation on 2 patients who had tubal blockage extending several centimetres proximal to the site of the first anastomosis.

Adult↗