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Biomedical subjects

D Rowe

Publications and source records attributed to D Rowe.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Cerebral dominance and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in adults with intellectual disability.

Studies of the general population without intellectual disability have suggested an association between atypical handedness and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSDs). Mixed handedness is taken as an index of diminished cerebral dominance or laterality. The present study addressed the question of whether such findings extend to the neurodevelopmentally 'at risk' population of adults with intellectual disability and SSDs compared with appropriate controls. Fourteen patients with a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and SSD were compared with 14 controls with intellectual disability alone. Assessments of self-reported hand preference and relative hand skill were completed. Self-report of hand preference revealed highly significantly greater mixed-handedness in the SSD group. Furthermore, relative hand skill performance was significantly diminished for the dominant hand. The discrepancy between dominant and non-dominant hand functioning was lower in the SSD group and this association was highly significant. The results of the present study support the usefulness of such detailed laterality assessment in this population. Mixed laterality, over and above that of the population with general intellectual disability and developmental disorder, was associated with SSD. These results are consistent with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia and its cognitive neuropsychiatric/neuropsychological sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The management of Epstein-Barr virus associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders in pediatric solid-organ transplant recipients.

Despite a growing understanding of the pathogenesis and spectrum of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in organ transplant recipients, the optimal management of this complication remains controversial. The absence of comparative data evaluating potential therapeutic strategies explains the lack of uniformly accepted guidelines for the management of PTLD. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of potential therapies and offer a set of guidelines for the management of EBV-associated PTLD in children.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1999

Dendritic cells transduced with an adenovirus vector encoding Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 2B: a new modality for vaccination.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpesvirus commonly associated with several malignancies, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. As a strategy for stimulating immunity against EBV for the treatment of EBV-associated tumors, we have genetically engineered dendritic cells (DC) to express EBV antigens, such as latent membrane protein 2B (LMP2B), using recombinant adenovirus vectors. CD8(+) T lymphocytes from HLA-A2.1(+), EBV-seropositive healthy donors were cultured with autologous DC infected with recombinant adenovirus vector AdEGFP, encoding an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), or AdLMP2B at a multiplicity of infection of 250. After 48 h, >95% of the DC were positive for EGFP expression as assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, indicating efficient gene transfer. AdLMP2-transduced DC were used to stimulate CD8(+) T cells. Responder CD8(+) T cells were tested for gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) release by enzyme-linked spot (ELISPOT) assay and cytotoxic activity. Prior to in vitro stimulation, the frequencies of T-cells directed against two HLA-A2-presented LMP2 peptides (LMP2 329-337 and LMP2 426-434) were very low as assessed by IFN-gamma spot formation (T-cell frequency, <0.003%). IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays performed at day 14 showed a significant (2-log) increase of the day 0 frequency of T cells reactive against the LMP2 329-337 peptide, from 0.003 to 0.3 (P < 0.001). Moreover, specific cytolytic activity was observed against the autologous EBV B-lymphoblastoid cell lines after 21 days of stimulation of T-cell responders with AdLMP2-transduced DC (P < 0.01). In summary, autologous mature DC genetically modified with an adenovirus encoding EBV antigens stimulate the generation of EBV-specific CD8(+) effector T cells in vitro, supporting the potential application of EBV-based adenovirus vector vaccination for the immunotherapy of the EBV-associated malignancies.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1999

A systematic review of the evidence base for lifestyle planning in adults with learning disabilities: implications for other disabled populations.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out the first systematic review of the evidence base for lifestyle planning (LP) approaches in adults with learning disability/developmental disorder and to discuss implications for other handicapped/disabled groups. METHOD: Exhaustive review of relevant electronic databases, supplemented by appropriate hand-searching of journals and correspondence with key researchers. We gathered information from any papers reporting clear outcome measures. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of relevant studies are appraised. RESULTS: There are no randomized controlled trials of lifestyle planning in adults with learning disability/developmental disorder. There was one controlled trial. Five studies, with a total of 108 subjects clearly identified, report on some outcome data. CONCLUSIONS: There is surprisingly little evidence to support any form of lifestyle planning or lifestyle planning in general in the learning disability population. No statistically significant findings on positive outcomes with good statistical power exist. Limited data are presented to suggest certain desirable features of some methods of lifestyle planning in terms of process or outcome. However, there may be good ethical reasons for pursuing lifestyle planning with certain patient groups. Suggestions are made as to how further research may add to the evidence base for or against effective outcomes in different forms of lifestyle planning.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Bis-cationic heteroaromatics as macrofilaricides: synthesis of bis-amidine and bis-guanylhydrazone derivatives of substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.

A series of guanylhydrazone, amidine, and hydrazone derivatives of 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine have been prepared and evaluated for macrofilarial activity against Acanthocheilonema viteae and Brugia pahangi in jirds. Compounds with 4',6-bis-substitution by cyclic guanylhydrazone groups show activity. 4',6-Bis-amidines show some activity but are more toxic; 4'- or 6-monosubstituted compounds are inactive. 2,6-Bis-substituted compounds lacking the phenyl ring are inactive. 4',6-Bis-substituted compounds having additional double bonds inserted between the heterocyclic ring and the phenyl ring or between the substituent and the ring system show reduced activity.

Amidines↗
PubMed1998

Right parietal cortex is involved in the perception of sound movement in humans.

Changes in the delay (phase) and amplitude of sound at the ears are cues for the analysis of sound movement. The detection of these cues depends on the convergence of the inputs to each ear, a process that first occurs in the brainstem. The conscious perception of these cues is likely to involve higher centers. Using novel stimuli that produce different perceptions of movement in the presence of identical phase and amplitude modulation components, we have demonstrated human brain areas that are active specifically during the perception of sound movement. Both functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) demonstrated the involvement of the right parietal cortex in sound movement perception with these stimuli.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1998

Collection of Philadelphia-negative peripheral blood progenitor cells in unselected patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia. Northern Regional Haematology Group.

Thirty unselected patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL), age range 22-59 years, were treated with intensive chemotherapy and G-CSF to mobilize peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). Chemotherapy was well tolerated and PBPC were collected by leukapheresis early during white cell recovery. PBPC collections considered adequate for engraftment were collected in 21 patients. Cytogenetic analysis of all collections in these patients showed >75% Ph negativity (range 79-100%) in 10. Successful collections, ie those >75% Ph negative and with total cell count of >1 x 10(6) CD34+ve cells/kg or >20 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg were further analysed by Southern blot or RT-PCR. All samples were positive for the bcr/abl transcript. Patients with a low Sokal score (<0.8) were more likely to achieve a successful collection. In contrast, there was no association between transcript expression and likelihood of successful collection. We have confirmed that it is possible to mobilize and collect Ph-negative enriched PBPC in unselected patients with CGL. This procedure is more likely to be successful earlier rather than later in the course of the disease. Whether such collections will give an advantage over unmanipulated autologous bone marrow transplantation in CGL requires further study, but our experience suggests that suitable material for autologous rescue can be obtained from approximately one third of eligible, unselected young patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Neurological abnormalities in familial and sporadic schizophrenia.

Neurological assessment was carried out on patients with schizophrenia from multiply and singly affected families, their relatives, and a normal control group (214 subjects). A systematic examination was used in which abnormal signs were divided into 'primary' and 'integrative' signs. Primary signs were elicited by a standard clinical neurological examination and included signs of focal damage to nuclei and tracts, whilst integrative signs were selected as reflecting distributed brain function. The assessments were carried out to test the hypotheses that (i) neurological abnormalities are present in schizophrenia, (ii) the pattern of abnormality is different in familial and sporadic schizophrenic subjects, and (iii) the well relatives of familial (but not sporadic) schizophrenic subjects will show neurological abnormalities. An excess of primary signs compared with the controls was demonstrated in the sporadic schizophrenic group only. Both the familial schizophrenics and their first-degree relatives (but not their sporadic counterparts) showed an increase in integrative signs. The results support the existence of different mechanisms of underlying brain dysfunction in familial and sporadic schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Granulocytic sarcoma with translocation (9;11)(p22;q23): two cases.

Granulocytic sarcomas are localized deposits of myeloid leukemia cells that may precede or occur concurrently with disseminated disease. In either event, the origins of the cells comprising the malignancy are the same. Published reports of granulocytic sarcomas have described, in the majority of cases, a morphology typical of AML-M2 and the presence of the t(8;21)(q22;q21) typical of that FAB type. In a smaller number of cases, the inv(16)(p13q22) characteristic of AML-M4 has been recorded in cells with a myelomonocytic appearance. We report two patients with granulocytic sarcomas showing monocytic morphology in which the malignant cells showed t(9;11)(p22;q23) typical of AML-M5. This abnormality is seen in up to 7% of childhood AML, but has not previously been reported in granulocytic sarcoma. The detection of this cytogenetic abnormality facilitated the precise characterization of the malignant cells and selection of the most appropriate therapy, emphasizing the value of cytogenetic analysis in cases of granulocytic sarcoma.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Incomplete disappearance of the processus vaginalis as a cause of ascending testis.

PURPOSE: Recently evidence has been accumulating that some undescended testes present later in childhood after apparent normalcy in infancy. These ascending testes appear to explain why a significant number of orchiopexies are performed later in childhood despite the recommendation that surgery for cryptorchidism be performed in infancy. We aimed to determine whether the cause of these ascending testes was persistence of the processus vaginalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 boys 4 to 13 years old with no history of testicular maldescent at birth underwent transscrotal orchiopexy in a 2-year period. A total of 33 orchiopexies was performed (8 bilateral). The spermatic cord was carefully dissected and operative findings of the nature of the spermatic cord were noted. RESULTS: In all cases dissection within the spermatic cord revealed a similar finding, namely a fibrous string situated deep to the cremasteric muscle and spermatic fasciae. Transection of this string allowed adequate elongation of the vas deferens and gonadal vessels to permit scrotal placement of the testis. Histological examination revealed characteristic processus vaginalis tissue in which the peritoneal derived mesothelial lining cells were present within a partially obliterated processus vaginalis. CONCLUSIONS: Cryptorchidism presenting later in childhood may be an acquired abnormality caused by failure of natural growth of the spermatic cord when the processus vaginalis leaves a fibrous remnant, which prevents normal elongation. These observations suggest that the ascending testis is acquired postnatally and the cause may be related to inguinal hernia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Trisomy 15 in hematological malignancies: six cases and review of the literature.

We report six cases of trisomy 15 in patients with hematological malignancy. In four cases trisomy 15 was the sole abnormality and in two cases it was associated with sex chromosome loss. The patient age range was 6-91 years, and three patients were male. Four patients had myelodysplasia (refractory anemia), one patient each had acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A literature review identified ten other cases of trisomy 15 as the sole abnormality in hematological malignancies. Trisomy 15 as the sole autosomal abnormality in hematological malignancy is uncommon, but can occur in both myeloid and lymphoid malignancies. It appears to occur most frequently in myelodysplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A case of mature B-cell ALL with coexistence of t(1;19) and t(14;18) and expression of the E2A/PBX1 fusion gene.

The translocation t(1;19)(q23;p13) is found in 3-5% of all acute lymphoblastic leukaemias (ALL) and results in the expression of an E2A/PBX1 hybrid gene transcript. This translocation is very closely associated with a pre-B phenotype. t(14;18) is associated with follicular B-cell lymphoma and is characterized by over-expression of the bcl-2 oncogene. We describe a case of ALL in an adult with a mature B-cell immunophenotype and a single abnormal cell line with a complex karyotype showing both t(1;19) and t(14;18). Two reports of this phenomenon have been published previously and molecular analysis, where performed, showed the E2A gene was not rearranged, suggesting the t(1;19) was a molecular variant of the established translocation. In contrast, molecular analysis of our case demonstrated expression of the E2A/PBX1 fusion transcript typically associated with t(1;19) in pre-B ALL but showed it to be present at an extremely low level, despite the abnormal karyotype being found in the majority of metaphase cells. Analysis of bcl-2 expression showed a significant up-regulation. A down-regulation of the E2A/PBX1 hybrid gene as a consequence of the enhanced expression of bcl-2 may be a possible mechanism for this finding.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of type I collagen gene expression in bone.

The regulation of COL1A1 gene expression in bone was studied by measuring the activity of type I collagen promoter fusion genes (ColCAT) in permanently transfected osteoblastic cells and calvariae from transgenic animals. The basal activity of ColCAT fusion genes in transfected cells is mediated by DNA sequences between -3.5 to -2.3 kb while expression in vivo requires sequences between -2.3 and -1.7 kb. Parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and interleukin-1 decrease the activity of ColCAT fusion genes in osteoblastic cells and transgenic calvariae. Because there may be differences between the expression of ColCAT fusion genes in cultured cells and intact bone, it will be important to compare data obtained from transfected cells with an in vivo model such as calvariae from transgenic mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The Peng flap. The flap of choice for the convex curve of the central nasal tip.

BACKGROUND: Surgical defects of the convex curve of the central nasal tip have always been difficult to repair. Most dermatologic surgeons use a full-thickness graft in this region. The pinch modification of the linear advancement flap was described by Peng et al in 1987 as a means of repairing this region. OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this paper is to discuss the effectiveness of using the Peng flap for repairs of the convex curve of the central nasal tip. METHODS: This flap was used on a series of 25 patients, all of whom had defects of the convex curve of the central nasal tip. RESULTS: Because the flap both rotates and advances, it shortens the length of the traditional advancement flap and increases flap survival rate. We found excellent cosmetic results for central nasal tip defects and had no complications of necrosis using this flap. CONCLUSION: We have found this to be an excellent flap for repairs of the convex curve of the central nasal tip, as the rotating arms of the flap conform to the three-dimensional shape and the lateral lines fit well into cosmetic lines of the nose. When repairing central nasal tip defects, we believe the Peng flap to be the flap of choice to re-create the convex curve of this region.

Esthetics↗
PubMed1994

Hepatitis, HIV, and the dermatologist: a risk review.

The practice of dermatology has always carried with it the risk of patient-acquired infection. This review covers health risks associated with the care of HIV-infected patients and patients who are chronic carriers of hepatitis B or C virus, protection options to reduce exposure, and protocols should exposure occur. Hepatitis B continues to be a major risk to health care workers, killing approximately 200 per year. In contrast, as of 1990, only 327 total health care personnel had acquired HIV, with no deaths reported. Data are lacking regarding hepatitis C, but it appears to be an increasing concern. Needlesticks are the most common form of occupational transmission, with an infectivity rate of 30% for hepatitis B, 3% for hepatitis C, and 0.3% for HIV. Universal precautions are the cornerstones of safety. Hepatitis B vaccination, zidovudine prophylaxis, and hepatitis C therapy are discussed as postexposure recommendations are reviewed.

Canada↗