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Biomedical subjects

D Martin

Publications and source records attributed to D Martin.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Comparative study of PCR as a direct assay and ELISA and AGID as indirect assays for the detection of bovine leukaemia virus.

The choice of a diagnostic method depends on the characteristics of the herd to be analysed. Two herds with different prevalences of enzootic bovine leukaemia were chosen to study the concordance between agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. PCR, an increasingly used virological method, was performed with four sets of primers, amplifying different genomic regions (env, pol and tax), from DNA extracted either from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) or milk leucocytes. The highest percentage of positive animals was obtained using PCR performed with DNA extracted from PBMCs using primers which amplified either env or pol, followed by PCR using PBMCs and primers which hybridized with tax, then ELISA using serum and finally AGID. The results of PCR were more consistent with PBMCs than when milk leucocytes were used.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Limits and indications of the dorsal transposition flap: critical evaluation of 15 cases.

The dorsal transposition flap was used in 15 cases of distal fingertip amputation. The amputations were either oblique ulnar, oblique radial, oblique palmar, or transverse. Two flaps developed partial necrosis. Flat nail growth always occurred, but the nail was considered short in 4 cases due to a proximal amputation through the nail bed. The mean 2-point discrimination test result was 8 mm. Distal interphalangeal joint range of motion was normal in 5 cases. Four cases lacked 10 degrees from full extension, 9 cases lacked up to 20 degrees from full flexion, and 1 case lacked 35 degrees. Even if this procedure is simple, reliable, and fast, due to its limited size and arc of rotation, as well as its poor sensibility, this flap may only be indicated for oblique ulnar fingertip amputations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of facial haemangiomas: the present status of surgery.

Although conservative management is usually proposed for haemangiomas occurring in infancy, the presence of these tumours on the face may result in severe complications and provide an indication for treatment. In this paper, we report 35 patients who underwent surgical treatment for facial haemangiomas. The series consists of 23 females and 12 males, ranging in age from 2.5 months to 35 years. In six patients early surgery, before the age of 2 years, was performed because of severe complications, including visual occlusion, repeated bleeding and distortion of adjacent structures. In 16 children surgical resection of haemangiomas was carried out between 2 and 5 years of age, before complete involution. In 13 patients persisting haemangiomas were surgically treated at an older age. The operative technique depended on the location and size of the lesion, and focused on resection of the tumour and reconstruction of the adjacent structures when necessary. The postoperative outcomes were very satisfactory. Early surgery is mandatory in the management of large periocular haemangiomas, to prevent secondary amblyopia, and proliferative labial tumours, which are prone to bleeding and cause difficulty while eating. Early surgical treatment is also recommended for nasal-tip haemangiomas, which regress very slowly and may result in severe distortion of the cartilaginous framework. In conclusion, facial haemangiomas causing functional disturbance or serious psychological distress deserve surgical excision before the age of expected spontaneous regression; surgery can provide active treatment with excellent results and minimal morbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Vascular blood supply of the dorsal side of the thumb, first web and index finger: anatomical study.

Twenty-nine hands were dissected in order to define the dorsal blood supply of the thumb, the first web and the index finger. The main objective was to determine if it is possible to create a local osteocutaneous flap to cover partial and complex tissue defects in the distal part of the thumb. We found that the thumb metacarpal could be used as a donor site in these situations, with either a radiodorsal pedicle or an ulnadorsal pedicle.

Arteries↗
PubMed2001

Dorso-ulnar osteocutaneous reverse flow flap of the thumb.

Three cases of distal thumb reconstruction with a reverse pedicled osteocutaneous flap taken from the dorso-ulnar aspect of the first metacarpal are presented. Even though the indications are rare, this flap is useful for the reconstruction of distal osteocutaneous defects of the thumb where more complex procedures are not feasible or considered as excessive.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Systemic administration of CNI-1493, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, blocks intrathecal human immunodeficiency virus-1 gp120-induced enhanced pain states in rats.

Intrathecal administration of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 envelope glycoprotein, gp120, activates astrocytes and microglia to release products that induce thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Both pain states are disrupted by intrathecal CNI-1493, a p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor. Whether CNI-1493, or any other p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, can cross the blood-brain barrier to affect spinal cord function is unknown. Given that several such drugs are in clinical trials, it is of interest to determine whether they may be potentially useful in treating centrally mediated pain. The aim of the present studies was to determine whether systemic CNI-1493 could block intrathecal gp120-induced thermal hyperalgesia and/or mechanical allodynia. Because p38 MAP kinase inhibition would be expected to prevent proinflammatory cytokine release and/or signal transduction, we sought to determine from the same animals the likely mechanism by which CNI-1493 blocks gp120-induced pain states. These studies show that systemic CNI-1493 blocks intrathecal gp120-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Because CNI-1493 did not block proinflammatory cytokine release, this may suggest disruption at the level of signal transduction. These studies provide the first evidence that systemic p38 MAP kinase inhibitors can prevent centrally mediated exaggerated pain states. Thus, CNI-1493 may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of pain.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Medical museums.

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Classification↗
PubMed2001

Choledochal cysts diagnosed in pregnancy: a case report and review of treatment options.

An 18-year-old woman at 18 weeks' gestation presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. After extensive evaluation, she was diagnosed as having a choledochal cyst. Ten days after percutaneous drainage, she underwent complete excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis. At term, she delivered vaginally without complications. Although choledochal cysts are rare in pregnancy, it is important for the obstetrician to be familiar with the presentation and the best treatment modalities available. Delay in diagnosis and inappropriate treatment can result in maternal morbidity and fetal mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy in the polymorphism study of ondansetron hydrochloride.

Using different techniques, we studied the possible formation of ondansetron polymorphs. Ondansetron is a carbazol antiemetic that acts as a competitive, selective inhibitor of 5-HT3 serotonin receptors. The polymorphs were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results suggest that the compounds are not true crystallographic polymorphs, but instead are the product of physical structural changes in the drug, which would be of interest pharmaceutically.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

A multi-laboratory evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunoassay quantitating human antibodies to Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharides.

An enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) is described and evaluated which quantitates human antibodies to serotype specific S. pneumoniae polysaccharide (PnPs) in human sera. Based on the observations previously described by Koskela (1), native PnPs are used as coating antigens and sera are absorbed with a soluble pneumococcal absorbant material containing C-polysaccharide (CPs) to ensure measurement of serotype specific anti-PnPs antibodies. The robustness of this method was evaluated by ten laboratories using the same reagents, protocol, and five human serum samples. Reproducible antibody values were obtained for IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies to five different PnPs serotypes, 3, 6B, 14, 19F, and 23F. The overall mean percent coefficients of variation in this interlaboratory study for all five selotype specific anti-PnPs determinations with the five coded sera were 30% for IgG, 3/% for IgM, and 36% for IgA. This assay can be standardized for quantitation of serotype specific anti-PnPs antibodies, allowing comparison of antibody values in vaccine trials evaluating pneumococcal vaccines.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed2001

West nile virus surveillance in Romania: 1997-2000.

In response to the 1996 West Nile (WN) fever epidemic that occurred in Bucharest and southeastern Romania, a surveillance program was established. The surveillance system detected 39 clinical human WN fever cases during the period 1997-2000: 14 cases in 1997, 5 cases in 1998, 7 cases in 1999, and 13 cases in 2000. Thirty-eight of the 39 case-patients lived in the greater Danube Valley of southern Romania, and 1 case-patient resided in the district of Vaslui, located on the Moldavian plateau. The estimated annual case incidence rate for the surveillance area during the period 1997-2000 was 0.95 cases per million residents. Thirty-four cases were serologically confirmed, and 5 cases were classified as probable. Twenty-four case-patients presented with clinical symptoms of meningitis (62%), 12 with meningoencephalitis (31%), 1 with encephalitis (3%), and 2 with febrile exanthema (5%). Five of the 39 cases were fatal (13%). Fourteen case-patients resided in rural areas, and 25 in urban and suburban areas, including 7 case-patients who resided in Bucharest. The ages of case-patients ranged from 8 to 76 years with a median age of 45 years. Twenty-four case-patients were males and 15 were females. Dates of onset of illness occurred from May 24 through September 25, with 82% of onset dates occurring in August and September. Limited entomological surveillance failed to detect WN virus. Retrospective sampling of domestic fowl in the vicinity of case-patient residences during the years 1997-2000 demonstrated seroprevalence rates of 7.8%-29%. Limited wild bird surveillance demonstrated seroprevalence rates of 5%-8%. The surveillance data suggest that WN virus persists focally for several years in poorly understood transmission cycles after sporadic introductions or that WN virus is introduced into Romania at relatively high rates, and persists seasonally in small foci.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Clinical intestinal transplantation: a decade of experience at a single center.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term efficacy of intestinal transplantation under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and the therapeutic benefit of newly developed adjunct immunosuppressants and management strategies. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: With the advent of tacrolimus in 1990, transplantation of the intestine began to emerge as therapy for intestinal failure. However, a high risk of rejection, with the consequent need for acute and chronic high-dose immunosuppression, has inhibited its widespread application. METHODS: During an 11-year period, divided into two segments by a 1-year moratorium in 1994, 155 patients received 165 intestinal allografts under immunosuppression based on tacrolimus and prednisone: 65 intestine alone, 75 liver and intestine, and 25 multivisceral. For the transplantations since the moratorium (n = 99), an adjunct immunosuppressant (cyclophosphamide or daclizumab) was used for 74 transplantations, adjunct donor bone marrow was given in 39, and the intestine of 11 allografts was irradiated with a single dose of 750 cGy. RESULTS: The actuarial survival rate for the total population was 75% at 1 year, 54% at 5 years, and 42% at 10 years. Recipients of liver plus intestine had the best long-term prognosis and the lowest risk of graft loss from rejection (P =.001). Since 1994, survival rates have improved. Techniques for early detection of Epstein-Barr and cytomegaloviral infections, bone marrow augmentation, the adjunct use of the interleukin-2 antagonist daclizumab, and most recently allograft irradiation may have contributed to the better results. CONCLUSION: The survival rates after intestinal transplantation have cumulatively improved during the past decade. With the management strategies currently under evaluation, intestinal transplant procedures have the potential to become the standard of care for patients with end-stage intestinal failure.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Ten years of experience with the submental flap.

This article describes the authors' experience with the submental flap over the past 10 years. A brief review of the key points and some refinements in the operative technique are discussed. The results concern 31 patients with a mean age of 57 years. All flaps were pedicled except two. One case of composite flap with bone was used. The mean size of the flap was 11.8 x 5.5 cm, and the mean postoperative stay was 11.1 days. Complications encountered were one case of temporary palsy of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve, one hematoma at the recipient site, and two cases of partial flap loss. Color and texture match were good. The authors believe this flap to have great clinical potential and to be a worthwhile addition to the existing surgical armamentarium.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Internal use of n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (Indermil) for wound closure: an experimental study.

n-Butyl 2-cyanoacrylate glue (Indermil) was used for the closure of dorsal wounds on rabbits. A 4-cm-long and 1-cm-wide laceration was created bilaterally on the back of 15 rabbits. One side was closed with absorbable 2-0 subcutaneous sutures and fast absorbable 3-0 skin sutures, whereas the other side was closed with cyanoacrylate glue applied on both deep and superficial tissues. A partial wound dehiscence occurred on the glue side in one animal at 2 weeks. The animal was killed at this time and considered a bad result in the glue group. In all other animals, no seroma, partial dehiscence, or wound infection occurred. Histopathologic analysis revealed that Indermil induced edema and a mild acute inflammatory reaction and resorbed almost completely within 2 months when applied to well-vascularized tissues. The application of glue on the cutaneous wound edges is a fast and easy procedure that does not seem to delay or inhibit the healing process or its quality.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

EMF1, a novel protein involved in the control of shoot architecture and flowering in Arabidopsis.

Shoot architecture and flowering time in angiosperms depend on the balanced expression of a large number of flowering time and flower meristem identity genes. Loss-of-function mutations in the Arabidopsis EMBRYONIC FLOWER (EMF) genes cause Arabidopsis to eliminate rosette shoot growth and transform the apical meristem from indeterminate to determinate growth by producing a single terminal flower on all nodes. We have identified the EMF1 gene by positional cloning. The deduced polypeptide has no homology with any protein of known function except a putative protein in the rice genome with which EMF1 shares common motifs that include nuclear localization signals, P-loop, and LXXLL elements. Alteration of EMF1 expression in transgenic plants caused progressive changes in flowering time, shoot determinacy, and inflorescence architecture. EMF1 and its related sequence may belong to a new class of proteins that function as transcriptional regulators of phase transition during shoot development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Localization of surface immunogenic protein on group B streptococcus.

The localization and accessibility of the group B streptococcus (GBS) surface immunogenic protein (Sip) at the surface of intact GBS cells were studied by flow cytometric assay and immunogold electron microscopy. Antibodies present in pooled sera collected from mice after immunization with purified recombinant Sip efficiently recognized native Sip at the surfaces of the different GBS strains tested, which included representatives of all nine serotypes. Examination of GBS cells by immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the Sip-specific antibodies attached preferentially to polar sites and the septal region. This result confirmed that Sip is exposed at the intact-cell surface, but it also suggests that its distribution is restricted to certain regions of the cell.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A multilevel analysis of the effects of rurality and social deprivation on premature limiting long term illness.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the geographical variation in self perceived morbidity in the south west of England, and assess the associations with rurality and social deprivation. DESIGN: A geographically based cross sectional study using 1991 census data on premature Limiting Long Term Illness (LLTI). The urban-rural and intra-rural variation in standardised premature LLTI ratios is described, and correlation and regression analyses explore how well this is explained by generic deprivation indices. Multilevel Poisson modelling investigates whether Customized Deprivation Profiles (CDPs) and area characteristics improve upon the generic indices. SETTING: Nine counties in the south west of England PARTICIPANTS: The population of the south west enumerated in the 1991 census. MAIN RESULTS: Intra-rural variation is apparent, with higher rates of premature LLTI in remoter areas. Together with high rates in urban areas and lower rates in the semi-rural areas this indicates the existence of a U shaped relation with rurality. The generic deprivation indices have strong positive relations with premature LLTI in urban areas, but these are a lot weaker in semi-rural and rural locations. CDPs improve upon the generic indices, especially in the rural settings. A substantial reduction in unexplained variation in rural areas is seen after controlling for the level of local isolation, with higher isolation, at the wider geographical scale, being related to higher levels of LLTI. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need to treat rural areas as heterogeneous, although this has not been the tendency in health research. Generic deprivation indices are unlikely to be a true reflection of levels of deprivation in rural environments. The importance of CDPs that are specific to the area type and health outcome is emphasised. The significance of physical isolation suggests that accessibility to public and health services may be an important issue, and requires further research.

Adolescent↗