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E Jones

Publications and source records attributed to E Jones.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Linked chromosome 16q13 chemokines, macrophage-derived chemokine, fractalkine, and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine, are expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions.

Chemokines are important mediators of macrophage and T-cell recruitment in a number of inflammatory pathologies, and chemokines expressed in atherosclerotic lesions may play an important role in mononuclear cell recruitment and macrophage differentiation. We have analyzed the expression of the linked chromosome 16q13 genes that encode macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), and the CX(3)C chemokine fractalkine (CX(3)CL1) in primary macrophages and human atherosclerotic lesions by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. We show that macrophage expression of the chemokines MDC, fractalkine, and TARC is upregulated by treatment with the Th2-type cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-13. High levels of MDC, TARC, and fractalkine mRNA expression are seen in some, but not all, human arteries with advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Immunohistochemistry shows that MDC, fractalkine, and TARC are expressed by a subset of macrophages within regions of plaques that contain plaque microvessels. We conclude that MDC, fractalkine, and TARC, which are chromosome 16q13 chemokines, could play a role in mononuclear cell recruitment into atherosclerotic lesions and influence the subsequent inflammatory response. Macrophage-expressed chemokines upregulated by interleukin-4 may be useful surrogate markers for the presence of Th2-type immune responses in human atherosclerotic lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Pushing the quality envelope: a new outcomes management system.

This article is based on the authors' experience in designing and implementing outcomes management systems for large managed care organizations. Topics addressed include design of instruments, use of cost-effective technology, development of computerized decision-support tools, and methods for case-mix adjustment. The case-mix-adjustment models are based on a data repository of several thousand treatment cases with multiple measurement points across the course of treatment. Data from controlled and field studies are described. These data suggest that the outcomes management methods outlined in this article can result in significantly improved clinical outcomes and a more rational allocation of behavioral health care resources.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2001

Psychiatric battle casualties: an intra- and interwar comparison.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric casualties are recognised as an important and inevitable feature of modern warfare. At the beginning of the 20th century they were scarcely acknowledged and still less treated. Today, as a result of lessons learned in the First and Second World Wars, numbers can be predicted on the basis of battle intensity and effective clinical interventions applied. AIMS: To discover more about the factors that cause psychiatric casualties and their relationship to total battle casualties. METHOD: A survey of historical War Office reports and the papers of Royal Army Medical Corps psychiatrists has provided both statistics and treatment strategies. RESULTS: Reported psychiatric casualties were low in the Boer War, influenced, in part, by the misdiagnosis of psychosomatic disorders. Their incidence rose appreciably in the First World War with the identification of shell-shock and neurasthenia. The Second World War saw the collection of accurate data, and combat stress was treated efficiently, although few soldiers returned to fighting units. CONCLUSIONS: A constant relationship exists between the incidence of the total killed and wounded and the number of psychiatric casualties, mediated by the nature of the fighting and quality of the troops involved.

Combat Disorders↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the dissemination of active support training in staffed community residences.

Our aim was to replicate Active Support, a staff training intervention designed to increase the assistance given to adults with severe mental retardation living in community residences in order to increase their participation in activities. Training was conducted in 38 residences, involving 303 staff members and 106 persons with mental retardation. Active Support resulted in significant increases in assistance and engagement in activity. Significant correlations between participant abilities, receipt of assistance, and levels of engagement were found. Active Support was found to be of greater benefit to people with lower adaptive behavior and to have a diminishing value for people with higher adaptive behavior, implying that its implementation should be matched to the support needs of residents.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A randomized phase II trial of thalidomide, an angiogenesis inhibitor, in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Thalidomide is a potent teratogen that causes dysmelia in humans. Recently, in vitro data suggested that it inhibits angiogenesis. Prostate cancer is dependent on the recruitment of new blood vessels to grow and metastasize. Based on those data, we initiated a Phase II trial of thalidomide in patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This was an open-label, randomized Phase II study. Thalidomide was administered either at a dose of 200 mg/day (low-dose arm) or at an initial dose of 200 mg/day that escalated to 1200 mg/day (high-dose arm). RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were enrolled onto the study (50 patients on the low-dose arm and 13 patients on the high-dose arm). Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of > or = 50% was noted in 18% of patients on the low-dose arm and in none of the patients on the high-dose arm. Four patients were maintained for > 150 days. The most prevalent complications were constipation, fatigue, neurocortical, and neurosensory. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide, an antiangiogenesis agent, has some activity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who have failed multiple therapies. A total of 27% of all patients had a decline in PSA of > or = 40%, often associated with an improvement of clinical symptoms. Because our preclinical studies had shown that thalidomide increases PSA secretion, we believe that the magnitude of PSA decline seen in our trial justifies further study.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Childhood vertigo: a case report and review of the literature.

Vertigo is a relatively uncommon pediatric complaint, with correct diagnosis made even more challenging by the patient's inherent difficulty in describing his or her symptoms. Confusion may exist among vertigo, dizziness, dysequilibrium, ataxia, pre-syncope or syncope, and seizure activity by both the pediatric patient and his or her family. A complete history and physical examination, as well as appropriate ancillary studies, may assist in clarifying the diagnosis. This paper attempts, via case report and literature review, to discuss the various etiologies of acute vertigo in the pediatric population, provide diagnostic clues, and evaluate some of the available diagnostic modalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Predictors and outcomes associated with early extubation in older adults undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Older age has been associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after coronary artery bypass surgery. Prolonged mechanical ventilation contributes to increased morbidity and mortality and to use of limited financial resources among older adults. OBJECTIVES: To examine selected physiological and pathophysiological variables ofpresurgicalpatients to predict duration of mechanical ventilation in older adults after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: Nonrandomized study of a clinical database of 919 patients (> or =65 years old) who had coronary artery bypass surgery between October 1996 and December 1997. RESULTS: Median elapsed time after coronary artery bypass surgery until extubation was used to sort patients into 2 groups: group 1, 6 hours or fewer (n = 464); and group 2, more than 6 hours (n = 455). With stepwise logistic regression, the physiological model included age (odds ratio, 1.05; P<.001) and female sex (odds ratio, 1.48; P = .005) with weak discrimination by group (concordance statistic = 0.5880). The pathophysiological model, which included renal insufficiency (odds ratio, 3.28; P = .01), previous peripheral vascular surgery (odds ratio, 2.87; P = .03), nonelective preoperative clinical status (odds ratio, 2.8; P = .006), congestive heartfailure (odds ratio, 2.6; P<.001), and reoperation (odds ratio, 2.34; P = .007), showed moderate discrimination bygroup (concordance statistic =0.6755). CONCLUSION: Many older adults were easily extubated and had good outcomes. The variables comorbid conditions and severity of illness provided better discrimination between extubation groups than a physiological model provided. Both predictive models allowed limited discrimination between groups.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Leptin and TGF-beta synergistically regulate VIP cytokine response element transcription.

Leptin was originally described as an adipocyte-derived cytokine that signals to the hypothalamus to regulate food intake and energy expenditure. Leptin signals through the Ob receptor, which is closely related to the gp130 cytokine receptor. Here we show that leptin can induce expression of the neuropeptide gene vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) through the VIP cytokine response element, the same element that mediates the response to the gp130 cytokines. Leptin acts synergistically with TGF-beta to activate transcription through this element. Transcriptional responses to leptin are increased when transmitted through ObR mutated at Tyr986, the SHP-2 docking domain, yet this mutation does not alter the synergy between TGF-beta and leptin. These data emphasize the functional similarity between leptin and the gp130 cytokines.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against subunits of human RNA polymerases I, II, and III.

Human nuclei contain three different RNA polymerases: polymerases I, II, and III. Each polymerase is a multi-subunit enzyme with 12-17 subunits. The localization of these subunits is limited by the paucity of antibodies suitable for immunofluorescence. We now describe eight different monoclonal antibodies that react specifically with RPB6 (also known as RPA20, RPB14.4, or RPC20), RPB8 (RPA18, RPB17, or RPC18), RPC32, or RPC39 and which are suitable for such studies. Each antibody detects one specific band in immunoblots of nuclear extracts; each also immunoprecipitates large complexes containing many other subunits. When used for immunofluorescence, antibodies against the subunits shared by all three polymerases (i.e., RPB6, RPB8) gave a few bright foci in nucleoli and nucleoplasm, as well as many fainter nucleoplasmic foci; all the bright foci were generally distinct from speckles containing Sm antigen. Antibodies against the two subunits found only in polymerase III (i.e., RPC32, RPC39) gave a few bright and many faint nucleoplasmic foci, but no nucleolar foci. Growth in two transcriptional inhibitors-5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole and actinomycin D-led to the redistribution of each subunit in a characteristic manner.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Secretion of inhibin B during ovarian stimulation is decreased in infertile women with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE(S): To determine the levels and pattern of inhibin B secretion during ovarian stimulation in patients with endometriosis and to evaluate the correlation between inhibin B levels and variables of follicular and oocyte development. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: IVF center. PATIENT(S): Women with endometriosis (n = 20) and tubal factor (n = 10) as the only cause of infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Inhibin B levels were measured during gonadotropin stimulation on day 1, days 8-11, day of hCG administration, and oocyte retrieval. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patterns and levels of inhibin B secretion were compared in the two groups. Other variables analyzed were age, days of gonadotropin stimulation and total ampules used, oocytes retrieved, and the fertilization and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Inhibin B levels and number of oocytes retrieved were significantly lower in patients with endometriosis than in the control group. Two patterns of inhibin B secretion were noted: It peaked in the midfollicular phase or on the day of hCG administration. In contrast, E2 levels peaked on the day of hCG administration. Inhibin B in the midfollicular phase in both groups correlated positively with number of oocytes retrieved. In addition, E2 and inhibin B levels in the midfollicular phase correlated positively. CONCLUSION(S): Decreased inhibin B secretion in patients with endometriosis suggests impaired granulosa cell function. Inhibin B may serve as an alternate marker to assess follicular development or to predict the number of oocytes retrieved.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Distribution of primary renal diseases leading to end-stage renal failure in the United States, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand: results from an international comparative study.

This report notes the differences in the classification of the primary renal disease (PRD) used in different renal dialysis and transplant registries worldwide. The heterogeneity of coding systems complicates the comparative analysis of end-stage renal disease from different regions. Using data collected over two decades in the United States, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, we present a method for reorganization of the classes of PRD that allows a straightforward comparison of retrospective data from these registries.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Psychosocial differences associated with body weight among female adolescents: the importance of body image.

PURPOSE: To determine whether overweight female adolescents differ from normal and underweight female adolescents with respect to a set of psychosocial factors, while controlling for body image. METHODS: Female participants of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 3197) were selected for analysis. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to test whether overweight subjects differed from normal and underweight subjects with respect to measures of depression, self-esteem, trouble in school, school connectedness, family connectedness, sense of community, autonomy, protective factors, and grades. Stepdown F-tests and discriminant function coefficients provided information regarding the strength of specific factors in contributing to overall differences. RESULTS: MANOVA revealed significant differences between groups on the combined set of psychosocial factors. Self-esteem defined the difference in a positive direction while grades defined the difference inversely. When controlling for body image, multidimensional group differences were still evident; however, self-esteem was no longer a significant contributing variable. CONCLUSIONS: While overweight female adolescents seem to suffer from low self-esteem, it may be explained by body image. Efforts should be directed toward encouraging and supporting healthy eating patterns and physical activity while encouraging students to recognize personal strengths not related to physique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The use of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and comparative genomic hybridization to identify amplification of the REL gene in follicular lymphoma.

Using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), aberrations in DNA copy number were studied before and after transformation of follicular lymphoma to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in six patients (15 lymph node biopsies in total). The most common and also the most discrete and intense amplification occurring in four out of 15 biopsies from three different patients was of 2p13-16. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR), REL amplification was found to be implicated at this locus. This technique also identified amplified REL in a further two biopsies, presumably below the detection level of CGH. REL amplification was quantified by comparing it, in most cases, with three endogenous reference genes, albumin, beta2-microglobulin and CD8alpha, that lie close to REL on 2p. There was no correlation apparent between 2p13-16 amplification or REL amplification and transformation. This study shows the usefulness of coupling CGH, for detecting recurring abnormalities, with the real-time PCR technique for rapid gene dosage quantification and confirms that the REL gene is a potential candidate in the pathogenesis of a particular subset of follicular lymphomas.

DNA Primers↗
PubMed2000

Citalopram for verbal agitation in patients with dementia.

Various behaviors can be associated with dementing disorders. Management of these behaviors is often challenging to caregivers and clinicians. Verbal agitation such as talking constantly, screaming, and repeating phrases and noises is one of the most frequently encountered behaviors in the long-term care setting. We report two cases in which verbal agitation favorably responded to citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. We also discuss some other factors possibly associated with this response. Nonetheless, citalopram appears to be an added option in the treatment of verbal agitation in demented patients.

Citalopram↗