Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Green

Publications and source records attributed to D Green.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

A protein kinase involved in the regulation of inflammatory cytokine biosynthesis.

Production of interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor from stimulated human monocytes is inhibited by a new series of pyridinyl-imidazole compounds. Using radiolabelled and radio-photoaffinity-labelled chemical probes, the target of these compounds was identified as a pair of closely related mitogen-activated protein kinase homologues, termed CSBPs. Binding of the pyridinyl-imidazole compounds inhibited CSBP kinase activity and could be directly correlated with their ability to inhibit cytokine production, suggesting that the CSBPs are critical for cytokine production.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distributed situation awareness in dynamic systems: theoretical development and application of an ergonomics methodology.

The purpose of this paper is to propose foundations for a theory of situation awareness based on the analysis of interactions between agents (i.e. both human and non-human) in subsystems. This approach may help to promote a better understanding of technology-mediated interaction in systems, as well as helping in the formulation of hypotheses and predictions concerning distributed situation awareness. It is proposed that agents within a system each hold their own situation awareness, which may be very different from (although compatible with) that of other agents. It is argued that we should not always hope for, or indeed want, sharing of this awareness, as different system agents have different purposes. This view marks situation awareness as a dynamic and collaborative process binding agents together on tasks on a moment-by-moment basis. Implications of this viewpoint for the development of a new theory of, and accompanying methodology for, distributed situation awareness are offered.

Awareness↗

Enoxaparin for thromboembolism prophylaxis in spinal injury: preliminary report on experience with 105 patients.

Venous thromboembolism continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with spinal injury (SI). Recently, we reported on the effectiveness and safety of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), tinzaparin, in preventing deep vein thrombosis in motor-complete SI patients. Recently, another LMWH, enoxaparin, was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for prevention of thromboembolism in hip and knee replacement surgery. Since its approval, we have used 30 mg of enoxaparin subcutaneously every 12 h as routine prophylaxis in all hospitalized SI patients. In this retrospective study, we present an analysis of safety and efficacy of the first six months experience, during which 105 patients received the drug. No patient developed clinical evidence of thromboembolism, and none of the 60 venous ultrasound examinations showed a deep vein thrombus. Eleven patients had evidence of hemorrhage, but the LMWH was considered to have contributed to the bleeding in only three. This additional experience with enoxaparin reinforces our previous conclusion that LMWHs are safe and effective thromboprophylactic agents in SI patients.

Adolescent↗

Candida parapsilosis sepsis in patients with burns: report of six cases.

Six patients with burns who had Candida Parapsilosis septicemia were encountered during a 3-year period at a regional burn unit. Four patients treated with Amphotericin B survived; two untreated patients did not. Candida Parapsilosis seems to be increasing in frequency at our unit. The organism is somewhat more resistant to antifungal agents than are other Candida species.

Adult↗

Anticomplementary activity in human semen and its possible importance in reproduction.

We demonstrated anticomplementary activity on once-washed human sperm, and in normal and vasectomized seminal plasmas. It was demonstrated to be a normal component of human semen. The origin of the activity is proposed to be the seminal plasma with sperm adsorption of activity. The properties of the seminal anticomplementary factor were characterized further, and the molecular size was shown to be less than 3500 daltons. Reduced anticomplementary activity was found to be associated significantly with abnormal semen profiles and infertility in males. The activity in seminal plasma was shown to have no effect on complement-dependent sperm immobilizing antibodies in the serum of an infertile woman, implicating an effect on the post-C3 components of the complement pathway. The inhibition of complement-dependent haemolysis and the lack of inhibition of complement-dependent sperm immobilization by the anticomplementary factor are considered in the implications of the role of seminal anticomplementary activity in reproduction.

Complement Inactivator Proteins↗

Effect of recombinant aprotinin on platelet activation in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

The hemostatic effect of recombinant (r)-aprotinin was studied in 41 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of glycoprotein 1b (GP1b) and alpha-granule membrane protein 140 (GMP-140) on platelets. Additional parameters studied were beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), fibrinogen, fibrinopeptide A, plasminogen, platelet count, and the amount of postoperative chest tube drainage. Chest tube drainage was significantly less in the r-aprotinin-treated patients (p < 0.001). The percentage of platelets expressing GMP-140 increased to 9.7% in r-aprotinin patients and to 12.1% in controls during the surgery. The difference between both groups was not significant. Both values returned to baseline the next day. GP1b expression decreased in both groups by 33-38% during the surgery and returned to baseline the next day. GP1b expression and the plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, fibrinopeptide A, beta-TG, and plasminogen were not different in r-aprotinin and control patients. We conclude that r-aprotinin reduces blood loss during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, but the primary mechanism is likely not through a protective effect on platelets.

Aprotinin↗

Activated-protein-C resistance in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to activated protein C (aPC) is usually linked to factor V Leiden, but may occur in other disorders associated with hypercoagulability. In this study, we investigated the frequency of resistance to aPC in patients with advanced cancer and examined the relationship of aPC resistance to other markers of coagulation activation. METHODS: Patients (n = 39) had established diagnosis of advanced cancer; controls (n = 20) were healthy persons. aPC resistance was measured as the ratio of activated partial thromboplastin times with and without aPC (aPC-sensitivity ratio, aPC-SR). The factor V Leiden mutation was detected by a polymerase-chain-reaction based technique. Other assays were performed by standard laboratory methods. Data were analyzed using t tests and the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: aPC-SR was below 2 SD for 5 of the cancer patients (13%), but none of the controls; only 1 of the 5 had the factor V Leiden mutation. aPC-SR was inversely correlated (p < 0.01) with factor VIII and fibrinogen in patients and with prothrombin activation fragment 1.2 (F1.2) in controls. Patient factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, (vWF), fibrinogen, F1.2 and D dimer were all significantly increased (p < 0.01; antithrombin III, protein C and proteins were similar to controls. Factor VIII correlated with vWF (p < 0.001) and F1.2 with d-dimer (p < 0.001). Other associations (p < 0.05) were observed between factor V and protein C, fibrinogen and protein C, factor V and antithrombin III and protein C and antithrombin III. Four cancer patients had a history of thromboembolism; their aPC-SR was similar to that of patients without thrombosis. Of the several coagulation measures examined, only vWF was higher in the patients with thrombosis (p = 0.01). INTERPRETATION: Cancer patients have evidence of intravascular coagulation and increases in procoagulants and may have aPC resistance. The aPC resistance is not due to factor V Leiden, but is rather associated with elevated levels of factor VIII and fibrinogen, and in itself does not predict thrombosis.

Aged↗

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fish oil concentrate (MaxEpa) in stroke patients.

The feeding of large amounts of fish or fish oils to healthy volunteers has been shown to reduce plasma triglycerides and platelet aggregation, and prolong the skin bleeding time. To determine whether a commercially available marine oil (MaxEpa) would have similar effect in stroke patients, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 11 patients (7 men, 4 women) with completed stroke (7) or transient ischemic attacks (TIA's) (4). Ten 1 ml opaque capsules containing either MaxEpa or olive oil were given daily for 6 weeks, and then the patients were crossed-over. Aspirin was avoided during the trial. The data were analyzed by paired-sample t-tests. A significant reduction was found in serum triglycerides, but total serum cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were unaffected. The bleeding time was modestly prolonged after 3 weeks of treatment, but the differences between MaxEpa and olive oil treatments were not significant at 6 weeks. Aside from an increase in collagen-stimulated malondialdehyde formation no other statistically significant changes in hemostatic factors were observed. We conclude that the ingestion of up to 10 MaxEpa capsules daily for 6 weeks has little influence on such established risk factors as cholesterol concentration and platelet function in patients with stroke or TIA's.

Aged↗

A comparison of learning activity packages and classroom instruction for diet management of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Forty patients were randomly assigned to receive either the individualized learning activity packages or classroom instruction. Effectiveness was evaluated on the basis of fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, percent of ideal body weight, and knowledge and behavior scores. No significant differences were found between the groups at entry or at the 2-month follow-up. At the 5-month follow-up, the group that received the learning activity packages scored significantly higher on knowledge assessment, significantly increased their behavior score, and decreased their percent of ideal body weight. Patients who received classroom instruction increased their behavior score and exhibited significantly decreased glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Behavior and blood glucose levels were significantly correlated. Although the learning activity packages proved effective in increasing knowledge, no significant improvement was observed in blood glucose levels.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

Extra tactile stimulation of the premature infant.

To ascertain whether touch, in the form of extra tactile stimulation, would result in more rapid physical and social development and a greater degree of social development of the premature infant, 48 minutes of extra tactile stimulation, defines as a gentle, nonrhythmic stroking of the greatest possible area of skin surface of the infant's body by the nurse's hand, was given to eight experimental group premature infants daily for a minimum of two weeks while they were confined to an isolette. Six infants formed a control group. Regain of birth weight was used to assess physical development. Scores on the applicable portions of the Gesell Development Schedule and Bayley Scales of Infant Development and plasma cortisol levels were used to measure rate and degree of social development. Data were analyzed in terms of the total group and for pairs of infants matched for gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar score. No significant difference was found between control and experimental groups in rate of physical development as measured by regain of birth weight. Analysis of the relationship between weight gain and gestational age, sex, and Apgar scores indicated that none was a substantial indicator of the rate at which infants gained weight while in the hospital. There was no significant difference in the degree of social development between experimental and control infants, but, as hypothesized, there was significant difference in rate of social development. Plasma cortisol levels as an indication of the infant's adrenocorticol development as evidenced by his ability to respond to stressful situations, and hence indirectly his social development, revealed no significant difference between the two groups.

Body Weight↗