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Biomedical subjects

D Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to D Robinson.

612 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Apo E and Apo CI loci are associated with dementia in younger but not older late-onset cases.

Numerous groups have confirmed that apolipoprotein E allelic variation accounts for a proportion of the genetic risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is a paucity of data on the impact of this locus on the overall risk of dementia (as opposed to AD) in the elderly. Most studies have ascertained specifically AD cases from hospital clinics or brain banks and many demented cases have vascular dementia or mixed AD and vascular pathology. We have examined the closely linked apo E and apo CI loci in demented cases and non-demented controls from two community-based aged Cambridgeshire populations: the rural Ely population (cohort 1) comprised 60 pairs of demented and non-demented elderly individuals, with a mean age of 84.2 years (SD = 6.11); the Cambridge city population (cohort 2) comprised 81 pairs all aged over 84 with a mean age of 87.7 years (SD = 2.9). The younger Ely cohort showed significant allelic associations with dementia at the apo E and apo CI loci, which were not replicated in the older Cambridge cohort. These data suggest the possibility of age-dependent penetrance for different candidate genes in late-onset dementia. We propose a number of explanations to account for the stronger associations we observed between dementia and apo CI, compared to the neighbouring apo E locus. Our data are compatible with the possibility that specific alleles or genotypes may confer different risks for overall dementia, compared to AD.

Adolescent↗
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High density lipoprotein subfractions and coronary risk factors in normal men.

Plasma levels of total high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and its subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3) were measured in 366 healthy Caucasian males; these values were related to a number of coronary risk factors. On univariate statistical analysis, total HDL was negatively correlated with cigarette consumption, body mass index, and serum triglycerides, and positively associated with level of physical activity and alcohol consumption. HDL2 showed an inverse relationship with cigarette consumption, body mass index, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure and a positive relationship with age. HDL3 was negatively correlated with cigarette smoking, body mass index, and triglycerides and positively associated with exercise level and alcohol consumption. Total HDL and HDL2 were inversely related to coronary risk rating, but HDL3 showed no significant correlation. Many of these relationships became nonsignificant after allowing for the effects of other variables. In particular, none of the HDL measurements correlated significantly with risk score after allowing for the effect of triglycerides. There is insufficient evidence at present to recommend the inclusion of HDL subfractions as routine screening tests for heart disease.

Adult↗
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Use of transgenic animals for carcinogenicity testing: considerations and implications for risk assessment.

Advances in genetic engineering have created opportunities for improved understanding of the molecular basis of carcinogenesis. Through selective introduction, activation, and inactivation of specific genes, investigators can produce mice of unique genotypes and phenotypes that afford insights into the events and mechanisms responsible for tumor formation. It has been suggested that such animals might be used for routine testing of chemicals to determine their carcinogenic potential because the animals may be mechanistically relevant for understanding and predicting the human response to exposure to the chemical being tested. Before transgenic and knockout mice can be used as an adjunct or alternative to the conventional 2-year rodent bioassay, information related to the animal line to be used, study design, and data analysis and interpretation must be carefully considered. Here, we identify and review such information relative to Tg.AC and rasH2 transgenic mice and p53+/- and XPA-/- knockout mice, all of which have been proposed for use in chemical carcinogenicity testing. In addition, the implications of findings of tumors in transgenic and knockout animals when exposed to chemicals is discussed in the context of human health risk assessment.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The manipulated mesenchymal stem cells in regenerated skeletal tissues.

Ample experimental examples have been accumulated during the last 3 decades indicating the ability of exogenous sources of cultured cells to serve as implants accelerating cartilage regeneration in defects of articular surfaces. In some cases, the repair tissues form complete spatial reconstruction of the defect. In other cases, either the spatial reconstruction is incomplete or the quality of the reparative tissue is inadequate. A delayed pace of endochondral ossification in the deep zones of the subchondral region of the defects, or ossification above the tide mark, within the superficial cartilaginous articular regions have been noted. Therefore, even in this promising approach of biological resurfacing procedure results are not certain, and further investigative research efforts are required. In the current study, a comparison of implantations of various cultured cells of four different sources were tested in an avian system. The reparative tissue outcomes are divided into three grades: full regeneration success, partial success, and failure of regeneration according to qualitative histological parameters and quantitative observation of the gross specimen. Defects that failed to regenerate a completely filled lesion were found to contain cells carrying the preskeletal-precartilaginous characteristic marker of FGFR3. The findings based on the above parameters suggest that autogeneic, chondrocytic-enriched bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells are superior to other cell sources for articular cartilage regeneration. Grafting of defects with these cells results in a 100% success rate. Allogeneic limb bud-derived mesenchymal cells and allogeneic embryonal chondrocytes have both reached a success of 75% of completely filled defects. Allogeneic chondrocytic-enriched bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells yielded a 31% success rate. Untreated defects completely failed to heal. In successfully healed defects no cells of the reparative tissue carry the FGFR3 marker 3 months postimplantation. In partially healed defects, FGFR3 positive staining is present in fibrous cells at the invaginated surface. These latest findings may suggest some kind of proliferation failure in such cases.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of computerized risk assessment for personal instruction in the primary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in a Japanese Automated Multiphasic Health Testing and Services Center.

The major objectives of ningen dock, or multiphasic health testing and services, have been moving from secondary prevention to primary prevention. The main reason for this is that recently the majority of the diseases involved have been chronic diseases which develop slowly and without visible symptoms--often the patient is unaware of the fact that he has a disease until the disease reaches an advanced stage. Of course such diseases, since they exhibit few or no symptoms, are hard to detect. Secondary preventive care becomes difficult in such a situation, and primary preventive care is even more difficult. The major diseases of this type at present are neoplastic and arteriosclerotic diseases. Secondary prevention, leading to early detection, has proved more effective in treating cases of neoplastic diseases, while primary prevention, with its consequent reduction of risk factors, has proved to be more useful in dealing with arteriosclerotic diseases. It is therefore highly recommended that computers installed for health testing be utilized for evaluating risk factors and presenting the results to the examinees through colour displays and other devices such as primary care instructions for them. It is relatively easy now to collect time series data and store them in computers. For people who have no symptoms or complaints, a combination of personal and group instructional methods is necessary for carrying out primary care health instructions.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Teaching the nursing process.

Gerard Carton, Dave Langton and David Robinson discuss a pilot study of an innovative approach to the design and implementation of a research-led, clinically-based and clinically-relevant teaching package for individualised care. The difficulties in transferring classroom-taught theory to psychiatric practice are considered. Nursing staff in the context of Rampton Hospital have, for example, experienced problems in applying the principles of the Open University OU P553 Course to the clinical setting.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of amylose/particulate relationship in hydroxyethylstarch.

Visual particulate was observed to form in parenteral hydroxyethylstarch over 24 months during stability studies. The particulate was identified as being amylose using FT-IR microscopy. Amylose values were measured in the bulk drug using the starch-iodine reaction. The amylose numbers measured in the bulk drug were found to correlate well with the measured particulate values in the parenteral formulation.

Amylose↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics of cartilage biopsies used for autologous chondrocytes transplantation.

Biopsies removed from 57 patients considered for cartilage transplantation were grown at CTI Ltd. (47 biopsies) and at Tel Aviv University (10 biopsies). Tissue processing took place in dedicated laboratories. Explant cultures allowed cell number expansion. Fifty-four out of 57 biopsies grew cells. Fanning out of the cells began after 5-15 days in culture. Two passages later, cell numbers in the 10(7) range were achieved. Cells from all cultures expressed mRNA of aggrecan and link protein but not of alkaline phosphatase. Histochemical stains such as alcian blue pH 1 were negative in sparse monolayer cultures, but positive in pellet cultures. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated expression of collagen type I in monolayer cultures, switching to collagen type II in micromass cultures. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, a recently described characteristic receptor of precartilaginous cells, was expressed in monolayers and disappeared in micromass cultures. In conclusion, explants of articular chondrocytes cultured in vitro consistently yield monolayer cultures. The cells appear to revert to dedifferentiated chondrocytes, expressing a mesenchymal stem cell protein profile. Simultaneously, these cells regained their capacity to proliferate. Cultures held as micromass allowed reexpression of the differentiated phenotype traits.

Aggrecans↗
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Intra-articular hyaluronan injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Hyaluronic acid (HA) polymers have been found to be useful as viscosupplements for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in a number of clinical studies. It appears that HA with high molecular weights (HMW) are more effective than low molecular weight HA polymers. METHODS: A single blind, initial randomized study was conducted involving two randomly selected patient groups, which received injections of either placebo or BioHy, a highly purified HMW HA produced by bacterial fermentation. HA was administered intra-articularly and several functional tests, including pain level, stiffness, and physical function, were used to score efficacy at various intervals throughout the study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results through week 20 indicate that BioHy provides relief for osteoarthritic patients without causing adverse effects, although the study was not sufficiently powered to obtain statistically significant differences between the treatment groups.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
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Maple syrup disease: a standard of nursing care.

Maple syrup disease (MSD) is an inherited metabolic disease that has the capacity to kill or cause severe neurological damage. Historically, patients with MSD have had a poor long-term prognosis. A comprehensive method of treating these patients has brought notably improved outcomes. Using this approach with children, they can now achieve normal growth and development. They no longer need to undergo dialysis to decrease toxic levels of leucine. Favorable outcomes can be obtained by addressing the treatment variables of caloric intake, essential amino acid intake, adequate isoleucine, valine, glutamine, and alanine supplementation under careful medical supervision. The care provider's knowledge of the pathophysiology of MSD and thoughtful care addressing neurological status, cerebral edema, fluid and electrolyte management, nutrition, education, and psychosocial issues may enable the ill child to make a full recovery without serious sequelae.

Child↗
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Nursing research at Rampton Hospital.

The growth of nursing research activity in Rampton Hospital is outlined in this paper. David Robinson, who has held the position of Nurse Researcher in the hospital since 1986, describes the evolution of the post and how the introduction of English National Board courses related to research have excited great interest among nursing staff. Work is currently underway to establish the effect the rise in research projects has had on practice, with initial results providing grounds for optimism.

England↗
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A world of kindness.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Health Facility Environment↗
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Experimental septic arthritis in rabbits treated by a combination of antibiotic and steroid drugs.

OBJECTIVES: Intraarticular steroid injection is traditionally contraindicated during acute septic arthritis. However, there is abundant evidence which proves that the damage to the joint is not only due to the direct effect of bacteria, but also to the local protective mechanisms evoked by the organism. There is, therefore, theoretical justification for a combined therapy of systemic antibiotics and intraarticular corticostertoids in septic arthritis. METHODS: Experimental arthritis was induced by the intraarticular injection of Staphylococcus epidermidis in rabbits. The experimental scheme included three groups of animals: animals that were infected but not treated (group 1); animals treated with systemic antibiotics (group 2); and animals treated with systemic antibiotics and intraarticular steroids (group 3). Nine days later the animals were sacrificed and joint histopathological-histochemical indices were calculated. RESULTS: Animals from groups 2 and 3 had a smaller pannus, reduced proteoglycan loss, no loss of cartilage height and diminished synovial inflammation in comparison to the animals from group 1. The animals from groups 2 and 3 were identical in terms of cartilage cellularity, surface erosion, chondrocyte cloning, pannus formation and proteoglycan loss. Synovial inflammation appeared to be less pronounced in group 3 animals when compared to animals of group 2. CONCLUSION: Concomitant antibiotic-steroid treatment of septic arthritis seems to be harmless in this experimental setting.

Animals↗