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Biomedical subjects

C Young

Publications and source records attributed to C Young.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Diminished somatostatin gene expression in individuals with HIV and major depressive disorder.

In analyzing the expression of 15 candidate genes for HIV encephalitis (HIVE) by the presence or absence of major depressive disorder (MDD), we noted significant reductions in the expression of four cytoskeletal genes and somatostatin. Whereas disruption of cytoskeletal genes has been noted in HIVE, dysregulation of somatostatin has not, indicating that dysregulation of somatostatin is part of the molecular pathologic process of MDD in the setting of HIV.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed2006

Tinnitus and Paget's disease of bone.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of tinnitus and deafness in subjects with Paget's disease of bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four subjects in total (77 with Paget's disease) were identified and audiologically examined. Subjects' experience of tinnitus was surveyed via a questionnaire and the results compared with those of age-matched controls. RESULTS: Hearing loss in those with Paget's disease of bone was significantly worse than in controls. Hearing handicap was also much worse in the Paget's subjects. Sixty-one per cent of the Paget's subjects suffered from tinnitus, compared with 36 per cent of the controls. CONCLUSION: Deafness is a recognized, common sequelae of Paget's disease of bone, and tinnitus is a common accompanying symptom.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Correspondence.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Interrater reliability of the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders in an HIV-infected cohort: experience of the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium.

The interrater reliability of the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders (PRISM) was assessed in a multicentre study. Four sites of the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium performed blinded reratings of audiotaped PRISM interviews of 63 HIV-infected patients. Diagnostic modules for substance-use disorders and major depression were evaluated. Seventy-six per cent of the patient sample displayed one or more substance-use disorder diagnoses and 54% had major depression. Kappa coefficients for lifetime histories of substance abuse or dependence (cocaine, opiates, alcohol, cannabis, sedative, stimulant, hallucinogen) and major depression ranged from 0.66 to 1.00. Overall the PRISM was reliable in assessing both past and current disorders except for current cannabis disorders when patients had concomitant cannabinoid prescriptions for medical therapy. The reliability of substance-induced depression was poor to fair although there was a low prevalence of this diagnosis in our group. We conclude that the PRISM yields reliable diagnoses in a multicentre study of substance-experienced, HIV-infected individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Factors associated with postpartum physical and mental morbidity among women with known HIV status in Lusaka, Zambia.

The objective of our study was to investigate factors associated with postpartum physical and mental morbidity among women in Lusaka, Zambia with particular reference to known HIV status. Our study was part of the Breastfeeding and Postpartum Health (BFPH) longitudinal cohort study conducted between June 2001 and July 2003. Women were recruited at 34 weeks gestation and followed up to 16 weeks postpartum. Data on maternal health were collected at 3, 7, 10, and 14 days and at 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks postpartum. Maternal mental health data were collected from April 2002 onwards at recruitment and at seven days and six weeks postpartum. Data on physical morbidity were collected for 429 women (218 HIV-negative, 211 HIV-positive) and data on mental morbidity were collected for 272 women (134 HIV-negative, 138 HIV-positive). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with postpartum physical or mental morbidity. Postpartum physical morbidity was associated with HIV status, parity > or =5 and age < 20 years. Neither antenatal nor postpartum mental morbidity, as indicated by a self-reporting questionnaire 20-item (SRQ-20) score > or =7, were associated with HIV status or with postpartum physical morbidity in this population. Larger comparative studies are required to corroborate or contest these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Pre- and post-synaptic abnormalities associated with impaired neuromuscular transmission in a group of patients with 'limb-girdle myasthenia'.

The properties of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) were studied in motor-point biopsy samples from eight patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes affecting primarily proximal limb muscles ['limb-girdle myasthenia' (LGM)]. All had moderate to severe weakness of the proximal muscles, without short-term clinical fatigability but with marked variation in strength over periods of weeks or months, with little or no facial weakness or ptosis and no ophthalmoplegia. Most had a characteristic gait and stance. All patients showed decrement of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) on repetitive stimulation at 3 Hz, and increased jitter and blocking was detected by SFEMG, confirming the presence of impaired neuromuscular transmission. None of the patients had serum antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Two of the patients had similarly affected siblings. Intracellular recording from isolated nerve-muscle preparations revealed that the quantal content (the number of ACh quanta released per nerve impulse) was only approximately 50% of that in controls. However, the quantal size (amplitude of miniature end-plate currents) and the kinetic properties of synaptic potentials and currents were similar to control values. The area of synaptic contact and extent of post-synaptic folding were approximately 50% of control values. Thus, the quantal content per unit area of synaptic contact was normal. The number of AChRs per NMJ was also reduced to approximately 50% of normal, so the local AChR density was normal. Immunolabelling studies revealed qualitatively normal distributions and abundance of each of 14 proteins normally concentrated at the NMJ, including components of the basal lamina, post-synaptic membrane and post-synaptic cytoskeleton. DNA analysis failed to detect mutations in the genes encoding any of the following proteins: AChR subunits, rapsyn, ColQ, ChAT or muscle-specific kinase. Response of these patients to treatment was varied: few showed long-term improvement with pyridostigmine and some even deteriorated with treatments, while others had intolerable side-effects. Several patients showed improvement with 3,4-diaminopyridine, but this was generally only transient. Ephedrine was helpful in half of the patients. We conclude that impaired neuromuscular transmission in these LGM patients results from structural abnormalities of the NMJ, including reduced size and post-synaptic folding, rather from any abnormality in the immediate events of neuromuscular transmission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Worries and concerns of patients with multiple sclerosis: development of an assessment scale.

This study examined the nature of worry in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK. A measure of worry in MS was developed and the relationship between worry and standard scale measures of anxiety and depression was examined. Thirty-nine patients with MS and 40 controls completed the new worry scale (WQMS) that was psychometrically evaluated, together with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and a previously developed scale to assess self-efficacy in MS (SESMS). The scores for both anxiety (t = 2.34; P < 0.05) and depression (t = 5.52; P <0.01) were higher in MS patients than controls, as was the new scale for worry--the WQMS. A factor analysis (explaining 65.73% of the variance) suggests that the worries of patients may be dichotomized into those concerned with the physical effects of the disease and those relating to the impact on social interaction, family relationships and daily activity in the home and/or work. Worry in patients with MS was associated with a decreased sense of being able to produce positive activities or effect positive outcomes (low self-efficacy). The questionnaire provides a framework for investigation in clinic of specific concerns and level of worry they engender.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

World without borders: integrating clinical perspectives into the coronial jurisdiction in Victoria, Australia.

A professional world without borders would allow for more appropriate collaboration between the Coroner's office and the healthcare sector in their endeavours to improve patient safety. In Victoria (Australia), the Clinical Liaison Service draws on the distinct experiences and expertise of medical, nursing and research personnel to evaluate clinical evidence for the investigation of healthcare deaths reported to the State Coroner's Office. This approach allows for greater intersectoral collaboration between the Coroner's office and healthcare sector than a traditional English-style coronial system that relies on the expertise of coroners, forensic pathologists and police officers to investigate unexpected deaths. Encouraging collaboration between these two sectors may have averted or at least mitigated the atrocities caused by Harold Shipman or the events at Bristol's Royal Infirmary. This paper describes the work processes employed by the Clinical Liaison Service (CLS) to investigate healthcare deaths in a coronial setting. To describe how this work has fostered the advancement of patient care.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed2004

The effect of vaccination and sea water entry on immunocompetence and susceptibility to Kudoa thyrsites in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

The effect of intraperitoneal (IP) vaccination and sea water entry (SWE) on the immunocompetence of Cascade Atlantic salmon was investigated. Smolts were IP injected with Aqua Health's Forte trade mark vaccine (Listonella (Vibrio) anguillarum, Listonella ordalii, Vibrio salmonicida and Aeromonas salmonicida) at four times (42, 238, 433 and 630 degree days, DD) prior to SWE and were examined for immunocompetence. Immune response measurements included mitogen-driven proliferation of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), head kidney leukocyte respiratory burst activity and alternative complement hemolytic titres and were measured 24h prior to SWE, 72 h post-SWE and again 3.5 weeks post-SWE. A 50% reduction in the number of PBL was observed 3 days post-vaccination. At this time LPS-driven proliferation was low (stimulation index, SI, 1.5-2.9) in all groups prior to SWE compared with that of PBL from freshwater-reared Atlantic salmon parr (6.7). By 72 h and 3.5 weeks post-SWE, the LPS-driven SI from unvaccinated salmon and those vaccinated 630 and 433 DD prior to SWE increased 3-fold. In contrast, SI from salmon vaccinated 42 and 238 DD prior to SWE remained low. A similar pattern was observed for cultured PBL stimulated with PHA, although unlike LPS-stimulated PBL, the SI of cells from parr and unvaccinated control smolts remained low following SWE but increased in fish vaccinated 433 and 630 DD prior to SWE. The respiratory burst activity of head kidney leukocytes was not affected by SWE but showed a transient 50% depression 3 days post-vaccination. The alternative complement activity (ACH50) was similar for all treatment groups prior to and at 72h post-SWE. By 3.5 weeks post-SWE, ACH50 values in salmon vaccinated 42 and 238 DD prior to SWE doubled to 874 and 860 U/ml, respectively. The prevalence and severity of Kudoa thyrsites infections, detected in all treatment groups approximately 2400 DD following SWE, were not significantly different among groups. Atlantic salmon parr should be IP vaccinated no earlier than 433 DD before SWE to avoid an enhanced risk of acquiring pathogens because of transient depression in some immune mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of red blood cells stored at -80 degrees C in excess of 10 years.

BACKGROUND: RBCs frozen in 40 percent (wt/vol) glycerol are currently approved by the FDA and the AABB for storage at -80 degrees C for up to 10 years. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study examined 20 RBC units that had been cryopreserved in 40 percent (wt/vol) glycerol and stored at -80 degrees C for up to 22 years. Measures of the freeze-thaw-wash (FTW) recovery, ATP, 2,3-DPG, methemoglobin, RBC indices, morphology, and osmotic fragility were made immediately after deglycerolization and after 24 hours of storage at 4 degrees C. RESULTS: RBCs frozen for longer than 10 years had acceptable mean FTW recovery, normal oxygen transport function, RBC morphology, RBC indices, methemoglobin, and osmotic fragility. Statistical analysis indicated that the in-vitro viability and function of cryopreserved RBCs was not dependent on the length of frozen storage or postthaw storage at 4 degrees C but did correlate with the storage length at 4 degrees C before cryopreservation. CONCLUSION: The data reported in this study demonstrate that RBCs can be stored at -80 degrees C beyond 10 years with acceptable in-vitro quality and suggest that more defined criteria for the cryopreservation process be adopted.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗
PubMed2004

Obesity, dyslipidaemias and smoking in an inpatient population treated with antipsychotic drugs.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in people with schizophrenia is known to be above population norms. In addition, many antipsychotic drugs have been associated with weight gain and some with dyslipidaemia. Our aims were to determine the apparent and actual prevalence of the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease: obesity, hyperlipidaemia and smoking, in hospitalized patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. METHOD: (i) Survey of clinical notes. (ii) Direct measurement of fasting lipids, body mass index and waist : hip ratio. RESULTS: Lipids were rarely monitored and body weight often not recorded making the apparent prevalence of these cardiovascular risk factors low. Smoking status was recorded. When directly measured, the actual prevalence of obesity was above population norms and two-thirds of patients had a dyslipidaemia. CONCLUSION: Routine screening for these modifiable risk factors followed by active intervention where appropriate could significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in this patient group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Photocatalytic degradation of toluene by platinized titanium dioxide photocatalysts.

A photoreactor has been set up to study the photodegradation of volatile organic compound (VOC) in situ. In the reactor, TiO2 and Pt/TiO2 photocatalysts were immobilized on to UV-transparent quartz support. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements revealed that the quartz fiber support was mostly coated with catalyst with a total surface area of 4.0 +/- 0.3 m2/g. The photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts was evaluated for the photodegradation of 160 ppm toluene-laden air. It was found that 50-70% of toluene was degraded within the first 5 min of UV illumination. Both TiO2 and Pt/TiO2 photocatalysts suffered from deactivation after 18 hours of continuous operation, and the photocatalysts' activity was significantly reduced. However, platinization doubled the photocatalyst life and delayed the onset of de-activation. The presence of moisture was found to shift the onset of catalyst de-activation to an earlier time. It is concluded that the de-activation of the photocatalyst was due to the accumulation of intermediates on the photocatalysts surface preventing the toluene being adsorbed on the photocatalyst surface for degradation.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

A Crohn's disease-associated insertion polymorphism (3020insC) in the NOD2 gene is not associated with psoriasis vulgaris, palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis or guttate psoriasis.

A C-insertion polymorphism in the NOD2 gene (3020insC) on chromosome 16 is a rare mutation associated with Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease and psoriasis are more commonly observed together than expected by chance. Furthermore a susceptibility locus for psoriasis has been identified on chromosome 16q which overlaps the recently identified susceptibility locus for Crohn's disease. Thus, NOD2 may potentially be important as a candidate susceptibility gene for psoriasis. We tested this hypothesis by genotyping psoriasis patients for the C-insertion polymorphism using the Taqman ABI 7700 sequencing system. No statistically significant differences were observed between psoriasis vulgaris (n = 216), palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis (PPP) (n = 100), guttate psoriasis (n = 118) and the control group (n = 283). In both patient and control groups, no mutant homozygotes were observed and approximately 4% were heterozygotes. This particular insertion mutation in the NOD2 gene does not appear to contribute to the genetic susceptibility of psoriasis vulgaris, PPP or guttate psoriasis. However, other mutations exist in the NOD2 gene, which may potentially have a role in psoriasis susceptibility.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Ethanol-induced neuronal apoptosis in vivo requires BAX in the developing mouse brain.

A single episode of ethanol intoxication triggers widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration in the infant rat or mouse brain. The cell death process occurs over a 6-16 h period following ethanol administration, is accompanied by a robust display of caspase-3 enzyme activation, and meets ultrastructural criteria for apoptosis. Two apoptotic pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic) have been described, either of which may culminate in the activation of caspase-3. The intrinsic pathway is regulated by Bax and Bcl-XL and involves Bax-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and release of cytochrome c as antecedent events leading to caspase-3 activation. Activation of caspase-8 is a key event preceding caspase-3 activation in the extrinsic pathway. In the present study, following ethanol administration to infant mice, we found no change in activated caspase-8, which suggests that the extrinsic pathway is not involved in ethanol-induced apoptosis. We also found that ethanol triggers robust caspase-3 activation and apoptotic neurodegeneration in C57BL/6 wildtype mice, but induces neither phenomenon in homozygous Bax-deficient mice. Therefore, it appears that ethanol-induced neuroapoptosis is an intrinsic pathway-mediated phenomenon involving Bax-induced disruption of mitochondrial membranes and cytochrome c release as early events leading to caspase-3 activation.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

An unusual epistaxis.

The case of a man who presented complaining of epistaxis is reported. He had coarctation repair 18 years previously. Subsequent investigation revealed an aortobronchial fistula resulting from false aneurysm formation distal to the original vessel anastamosis. This was repaired at surgery, the patient suffering a minor stroke, before rehabilitation and good recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Sodium channel mRNAs at the neuromuscular junction: distinct patterns of accumulation and effects of muscle activity.

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are highly concentrated at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in mammalian skeletal muscle. Here we test the hypothesis that local upregulation of mRNA contributes to this accumulation. We designed radiolabeled antisense RNA probes, specific for the "adult" Na(V)1.4 and "fetal" Na(V)1.5 isoforms of VGSC in mammalian skeletal muscle, and used them in in situ hybridization studies of rat soleus muscles. Na(V)1.4 mRNA is present throughout normal adult muscles but is highly concentrated at the NMJ, in which the amount per myonucleus is more than eightfold greater than away from the NMJ. Na(V)1.5 mRNA is undetectable in innervated muscles but is dramatically upregulated by denervation. In muscles denervated for 1 week, both Na(V)1.4 and Na(V)1.5 mRNAs are present throughout the muscle, and both are concentrated at the NMJ. No Na(V)1.5 mRNA was detectable in denervated muscles stimulated electrically for 1 week in vivo. Neither denervation nor stimulation had any significant effect on the level or distribution of Na(V)1.4 mRNA. We conclude that factors, probably derived from the nerve, lead to the increased concentration of VGSC mRNAs at the NMJ. In addition, the expression of Na(V)1.5 mRNA is downregulated by muscle activity, both at the NMJ and away from it.

Animals↗