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Biomedical subjects

E J Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to E J Anderson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients' perspectives on use of mechanical ventilation.

Thirteen persons diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were interviewed to determine the factors involved in making a decision whether to use mechanical ventilatory support. All study participants believed that they alone should make the decision regarding use of mechanical ventilation. The factors they considered to be of most importance were quality of life, severity of disability, availability of ventilation by means of a nasal mask, possible admission to a long-term care facility, ability to discontinue use of mechanical ventilation, desire to live, concern for their families' emotional health, and concern for care demands placed on their families. Suggestions are offered to facilitate the patient's decision-making process through provision of more information and improved dialogue between patient and professional.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed1993

Nutrition interventions for intensive therapy in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. The DCCT Research Group.

As part of an intensive treatment regimen that had as its goal achieving and maintaining blood glucose levels in the normal range in individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, dietitians in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial implemented varying nutrition intervention strategies to counsel patients to attain normoglycemia. Dietary management encompassed recommendations on altering insulin dosages for varying food intake. Nutrition intervention was tailored to best meet a participant's life-style, motivation, ability to grasp information, diet history, and specific intensive insulin therapy. Dietitians were integral participants in the team management of individuals in the intensive treatment group. Selected nutrition interventions--Healthy Food Choices, exchange systems, carbohydrate counting, and total available glucose--and behavior management approaches were coupled with intensive insulin therapy. Case presentations illustrate each nutrition intervention in the attainment of normoglycemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Identification of domains within gene VI of cauliflower mosaic virus that influence systemic infection of Nicotiana bigelovii in a light-dependent manner.

Gene VI of cauliflower mosaic virus strains D4 and W260 is an important determinant of systemic infection in solanaceous species (Qiu and Schoelz, 1992). To investigate whether D4 and W260 share any sequences within gene VI that determine their solanaceous host range, we characterized more completely the regions of gene VI involved in systemic infection of Nicotiana bigelovii. We found that two domains within gene VI, which corresponded approximately to the 5' third and middle third of gene VI, influenced systemic infection of N. bigelovii. Exchange of these domains between D4, W260, and CaMV strain CM1841, a strain which is unable to systemically infect any solanaceous plant, revealed different virus combinations that could specify systemic infection of N. bigelovii when plants were grown under two different lighting conditions. Systemic infection of N. bigelovii by D4/CM1841 chimeric viruses required only the 5' third (domain 1) of gene VI of D4. In contrast, systemic infection of N. bigelovii by W260/CM1841 chimeric viruses required both the domain 1 and middle third of gene VI (domain 2) of W260, as well as two other regions primarily containing W260 genes I and II, and gene IV. The genetic requirements for systemic infection by chimeric viruses were not as stringent when plants were grown under low light conditions. Specifically, domain 2 of gene VI of D4 contained sequences sufficient for D4/CM1841 chimeric viruses to systemically infect N. bigelovii at low light intensity. We sequenced gene VI of strain W260 and compared differences in the deduced amino acid sequences between W260 and the previously published sequences of D4 and CM1841. There was only one amino acid position in domain 1 of gene VI, and no sites in domain 2, in which W260 and D4 agreed with each other and differed from CM1841. Consequently, the host range studies and sequence information indicate that different sequences within gene VI of CaMV strains W260 and D4 are responsible for systemic infection of N. bigelovii.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Serotonin uptake by astrocytes in situ.

Co-localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and radioactivity was examined after intraventricular injection of [3H]5-HT in adult rat brains. Radioactivity localized over GFAP-positive astrocytes was seen, especially when image-enhancing techniques were applied to the data. Also slices prepared from astrogliotic hippocampi of rats pretreated with kainic acid showed a twofold increased uptake of [3H]5-HT compared to control slices. This indicates that the uptake of [3H]5-HT seen in primary astrocyte cultures also occurs for astrocytes in situ. Also, as with astrocyte cultures, only some of the GFAP(+) astrocytes in situ showed localization of radioactivity, supporting the concept of intraregional heterogeneity of astrocyte functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Genetic analysis of determinants of disease severity and virus concentration in cauliflower mosaic virus.

Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) strains CM1841 and W260 produced markedly different symptoms when inoculated onto turnips (Brassica campestris L. 'Just Right'). The CM1841 strain induced a mild degree of stunting of infected plants while strain W260 caused moderate to severe stunting. Although CM1841 was significantly milder than W260, it accumulated to a significantly higher concentration than W260 in systemically infected leaves. We constructed a series of hybrid viruses in order to map regions of W260 responsible for enhanced disease severity relative to CM1841 and to map regions of CM1841 responsible for higher virus accumulation. We found that the characteristic degree of stunting caused by a CaMV isolate is determined in a complex manner by viral genes that influence viral gene expression and viral genes that disrupt host metabolism. Genes I and VI influenced both virus concentration and stunting severity, suggesting that these regions affected disease severity primarily through their effect on gene expression. In addition, an interaction between genes IV and VI was observed which further indicated that stunting severity was influenced by differential accumulation of virus. In contrast, three regions of W260 influenced the stunting phenotype but had no effect, or a negative effect, on virus concentration. The three regions contained (1) portions of genes II and III, (2) gene IV, independent of gene VI, and (3) the 3' half of gene V and the 19 S promoter. These regions may influence stunting severity primarily by disrupting host metabolism. Additionally, some of the chimeric viruses induced systemic necrosis on leaves, a symptom that is not characteristic of either CM1841 or W260. The necrotic flecking symptom was caused by an interaction between a W260 DNA segment containing gene I and the 5' half of gene II and a CM1841 DNA segment containing the 3' half of gene II, gene III, and gene IV.

Chimera↗
PubMed1989

Implications of malnutrition and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs).

The implications of malnutrition on the Medicare Prospective Payment System of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) were examined in 185 Medicare patients, aged 65 to 69 years, admitted to an acute-care tertiary hospital. Upon admission, patients were classified as malnourished if they were below the acceptable level in at least two of four parameters: serum albumin concentration, total lymphocyte count, percent ideal body weight, and percent weight loss. On the basis of that criterion, 8.6% (no. = 16) of the 185 patients were classified as malnourished. Although patients were classified as malnourished, malnutrition was among several comorbidity and complication (CC) factors, and, therefore, coding for malnutrition in any of these cases would not have increased hospital reimbursement. If malnutrition had been the only CC factor, hospital reimbursement would have been enhanced.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Is ethanol the unknown toxin in smoke inhalation injury?

Of the 12,000 fire-related deaths occurring annually in the United States, it is estimated that 60 to 80 per cent are due to smoke inhalation. Plastic and synthetic materials which have been introduced in home construction and furnishings produce a more toxic smoke when burned. Efforts to identify a "supertoxin" in this smoke have been unsuccessful to date. An alternative approach is to examine why victims are unable to escape, and become exposed to smoke for lethal periods of time. The authors examined the circumstances of death in 39 fire victims (27 adults, 12 children) over a 25-month period. Detailed examination of the fire scene, autopsy studies, and toxicologic analysis were carried out. Position of the victim, and escape efforts were noted. Carbon monoxide was elevated in all victims, with "lethal" levels (= greater than 50%) in 21/39 victims. Cyanide was detected in 24/29 victims, but none had lethal (3 mg/L) levels present. Ethanol was detected in 21/26 adults (80%) and 0/12 children (0%). 18/26 adult victims had ethanol levels above the statutory level of intoxication (10 mg%). Victims found in bed (no escape attempt) had a mean blood ethanol level of 268 mg%, compared with a mean level of 88 mg% in those victims found near an exit (P = .006). Ethanol intoxication significantly impairs the ability to escape from fire and smoke and is a contributory factor in smoke-related mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Nutritional benefits of immediate postoperative jejunal feeding of an elemental diet.

Positive nitrogen balance and preservation of body weight and total proteins were demonstrated in 26 patients undergoing extensive upper gastrointestinal operations who were randomized to receive elemental diet by a needle catheter jejunostomy. Infusions were started immediately after operation and continued for 10 days. In 26 patients receiving enteral feedings and 22 intravenous control patients, mean cumulative 10 day nitrogen balance was +11.7 +/- 5.4 and -44.7 +/- 6.5 g, respectively (p = 0.0001). Enterally fed patients lost only 0.02 +/- 0.5 kg of weight compared with 3.8 +/- 0.3 kg in control patients. The only complications were diarrhea in 34 percent of the study patients and one broken catheter. It is probable that the nitrogen and body weight preservation provided by enteral hyperalimentation equals or exceeds that demonstrated for total parenteral nutrition in postoperative patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Cancer education for school personnel.

A large segment of our society associates cancer with doom and despair. This negative view appears to originate partially from the public's general lack of knowledge of the disease and of current treatment potential. In response to this lack of information and overall pessimistic attitude, a cancer education course was developed for school teachers and school nurses. The unique two-day course provides cognitive and affective learning experiences. Through the multiple teaching strategies employed, students are able to examine their own health practices, increase their knowledge of cancer and cancer treatment, interact with a person who is successfully living with cancer, and learn how to share information related to cancer. At the conclusion of the course, a comparison of the participants' pretest and posttest scores indicate a statistical improvement in both their cognitive and affective domains.

Attitude to Health↗