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Biomedical subjects

E Williams

Publications and source records attributed to E Williams.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Differential patterns of serum biomarkers of immune activation in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis, and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) are associated with differing patterns of immune dysfunction. Biomarkers of immune activation may correlate with perturbations of immune function associated with these diseases. We conducted a pilot cross-sectional study to assess four candidate biomarkers of immune activation. beta 2-microglobulin, neopterin, tryptophan, and kynurenine levels were assayed in stored sera from asymptomatic, human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTL V-I)-seronegative (HTLV-I-) and HTLV-I-seropositive (HTLV-I+) individuals, and ATL and HAM/TSP patients previously enrolled in seroepidemiological studies in Jamaica. Mean levels of beta 2-microglobulin, neopterin, and kynurenine were significantly elevated among ATL patients compared to the other study groups. Mean tryptophan levels were significantly lower among ATL and HAM/TSP patients than HTLV-I- and HTLV-I+ groups. No significant differences in biomarkers were found between the HTLV-I- and HTLV-I+ groups. Among HAM/TSP patients, a significant association was found between elevated neopterin levels and symptoms of less than 4 years duration. In Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, neopterin and tryptophan were found to be independent predictors of survival among ATL patients. This study demonstrates a differential pattern of biomarkers of immune activation among ATL and HAM/TSP patients compared to HTLV-I- and HTLV-I+ individuals. Neopterin and tryptophan may be useful clinical indicators of disease severity and prognosis among HAM/TSP and ATL patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The complications of lung resection in adults: acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Postoperative lung injury is a recognized complication of pulmonary resection. In adults, this is manifest in its most severe form as the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is characterized by high permeability pulmonary oedema resulting in refractory and often terminal hypoxaemia. Few data exist regarding the prevalence of lung injury following lung resection. Most recent series suggest that around 5% of patients develop some degree of lung injury. Those that develop frank ARDS have a poor prognosis compared to those who suffer lesser degrees of damage. The pathogenesis of lung injury in these circumstances remains unknown. Perioperative fluid overload, increased blood flow through the remaining lung postoperatively, reoxygenation injury and activation of inflammatory mediators have been postulated as possible causes. Conventional parameters for preoperative assessment do not predict those patients most likely to develop lung injury in these circumstances. Clinical management strategies for acute respiratory distress syndrome complicating lung resection are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effect of human T-lymphotropic virus type I infection on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported from a case-control analysis that T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was strongly associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection in Jamaica and Trinidad and that the relative risk for HTLV-I infection was very high in younger patients. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to estimate the age-specific incidence rates of NHL among HTLV-I-infected and HTLV-I-uninfected adults in Jamaica and Trinidad. METHODS: Population rates of HTLV-I infection were calculated from available census reports and serosurvey data. Incidence rates for NHL were calculated from all incident cases in Jamaica during 1984-1987 (n = 135) and from all incident cases in Trinidad during 1986-1990 (n = 117). Using biopsy material, we determined whether the immunophenotype of the tumor cells was T cell, B cell, or other. NHL incidence rates were computed according to HTLV-I status, age, sex, and tumor phenotype for each country separately and for both countries combined by weighting to the relative population size of each country. RESULTS: The age-standardized NHL incidence rate (mean +/- SE) in Jamaica was 1.9 +/- 0.2 per 100,000 person-years (PY). In Trinidad, the rate was 2.9 +/- 0.4 per 100,000 PY. Overall, the incidence of NHL increased with age and was higher in males than in females. In the HTLV-I-infected population, the incidence of NHL was inversely related to age, and age-specific rates were higher in males than in females. The NHL incidence in those estimated to have acquired HTLV-I infection in childhood, however, showed no sex difference, and one in 1300 such carriers (95% confidence interval: one in 1100 to one in 1600) per annum were estimated to be at such risk. For T-cell NHL, as proxy for adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia, incidence was highest in those patients infected with HTLV-I early in life (perinatally or via breast milk), with high, sustained risk from early adulthood in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: While overall NHL incidence rates reveal that HTLV-I endemicity does not impose an exaggerated lymphoma burden on these populations, the risk for lymphoma among carriers who acquire infection early in life is dramatic and is consistent with the hypothesis that virus exposure early in life is most important for lymphoma-genesis. IMPLICATIONS: Studies of HTLV-I carriers known to be infected in childhood may provide insight into markers intermediate in the lympho-magnetic process. Strategies to disrupt early-life transmission of HTLV-I, notably mother-infant transmission, may be critical in reducing the burden of lymphoreticular disease in these populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

An improved method for clenbuterol screening using high resolution selected ion recording.

A method has been developed using reliable GC derivatization techniques interfaced with a high resolution mass spectrometer. The method has proved successful for the detection of low levels (less than 1 ppm) of clenbuterol in complex biological matrices. Selected ion recording of two characteristic isotopic fragment ions provides a specific mode of detection by verifying the GC retention time of these ions and also by comparing their relative abundance. Analysis of urine samples demands higher mass spectrometric resolution, and 40 000 (10% valley) was found to be a prerequisite for accurate integration of the drug-related chromatographic peaks. The method developed is suitable for adaptation to a completely unattended automated routine incorporating sample injection, storage and retrieval of source tuning parameters, and data processing.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

World wide use of psychotropic drugs in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders.

1. Questionnaires were mailed to child psychiatrists world wide to obtain more precise information on views and approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of childhood psychiatric disorders. 2. Results indicated important problems related to the management of child psychiatry practice both overseas and in Canada. 3. The choice of medication was frequently restricted by lack of availability, and political or social attitudes. 4. A consensus on diagnosis and treatment guidelines in child and adolescent psychiatry remains an important issue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A soluble chimeric form of the L1 glycoprotein stimulates neurite outgrowth.

Cerebellar neurons, cultured on monolayers of 3T3 fibroblasts or on a polylysine/extracellular matrix-coated substratum, responded to a soluble recombinant L1-Fc chimera by extending longer neurites than controls. The response was inhibited by pretreating neurons with antibodies to L1 or antibodies to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor. The response could also be inhibited by a range of pharmacological reagents that inhibit various steps in the signal transduction cascade which underlie a neurite outgrowth response to basic FGF. The response was of a similar magnitude and not additive with that induced by L1 expressed in a cellular substrate. These data show that L1 in neurons is capable of directing a neurite outgrowth response to a soluble L1-Fc chimera, and that neuronal FGF receptor function is required for this response. The data also show that the ability of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) to stimulate neurite outgrowth can be dissociated from their ability to function as substrate-associated adhesion molecules and point to the potential of using CAM-Fc chimeras to promote nerve regeneration.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Mutations in twinstar, a Drosophila gene encoding a cofilin/ADF homologue, result in defects in centrosome migration and cytokinesis.

We describe the phenotypic and molecular characterization of twinstar (tsr), an essential gene in Drosophila melanogaster. Two P-element induced alleles of tsr (tsr1 and tsr2) result in late larval or pupal lethality. Cytological examination of actively dividing tissues in these mutants reveals defects in cytokinesis in both mitotic (larval neuroblast) and meiotic (larval testis) cells. In addition, mutant spermatocytes show defects in aster migration and separation during prophase/prometaphase of both meiotic divisions. We have cloned the gene affected by these mutations and shown that it codes for a 17-kD protein in the cofilin/ADF family of small actin severing proteins. A cDNA for this gene has previously been described by Edwards et al. (1994). Northern analysis shows that the tsr gene is expressed throughout development, and that the tsr1 and tsr2 alleles are hypomorphs that accumulate decreased levels of tsr mRNA. These findings prompted us to examine actin behavior during male meiosis to visualize the effects of decreased twinstar protein activity on actin dynamics in vivo. Strikingly, both mutants exhibit abnormal accumulations of F-actin. Large actin aggregates are seen in association with centrosomes in mature primary spermatocytes. Later, during ana/telophase of both meiotic divisions, aberrantly large and misshaped structures appear at the site of contractile ring formation and fail to disassemble at the end of telophase, in contrast with wild-type. We discuss these results in terms of possible roles of the actin-based cytoskeleton in centrosome movement and in cytokinesis.

Actin Depolymerizing Factors↗
PubMed1995

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica. METHODS: Data from the national surveillance system for HIV infection and AIDS based in the Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, were reviewed. These include case reports; HIV screening of blood donors, migrant farmworkers and US visa applicants; sentinel surveillance among antenatal clinic (ANC) attenders and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attenders; and various serosurveys. RESULTS: A total of 669 AIDS cases were reported in Jamaica from December 1993 representing a cumulative AIDS case rate of 28 per 100,000 population. Since 1987 the annual AIDS case rate doubled every 2 years with 69% of individuals having died with AIDS. Heterosexual transmission predominates with the cumulative adult AIDS male-to-female case ratio declining from 2.8:1 in 1988 to 1.9:1 in 1993. A total of 55 children with AIDS account for 8.2% of all cases. The HIV infection rate per 1000 in 1993 was 3.8 among blood donors, 1.4 among ANC attenders and significantly higher among STD clinic attenders (men 6%, women 2.7%), homosexuals (9.6%), female prostitutes (12%) and individuals with repeat STD infections (10%). Consistent condom use increased from 27% in 1989 to 47% in 1993. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection was introduced into Jamaica from abroad through several different routes including the Jamaican homosexual community, migrant farmworkers, female prostitutes, and informal commercial importers. HIV transmission is well established locally and is spreading more rapidly in Western Jamaica and along the North Coast, which may reflect increased sexual activity associated with tourism. Although awareness of AIDS and HIV is high and condom use has increased considerably, there are no grounds for complacency concerning the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Epidemiology of nontyphoidal salmonellae at a tertiary care center in northeast Florida.

Nontyphoidal salmonellae (NTS) are often isolated from stool specimens of individuals having evaluation of gastroenteritis. The significance of isolation of NTS in a stool specimen from previously healthy individuals with gastroenteritis is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine which serotypes were being isolated most frequently and whether some serotypes were responsible for the majority of infections. A 6-year review yielded 433 stool isolates of NTS. Only 12 isolates were from specimens other than stool. Thirty-five different strains were isolated over the last 6-year period. The most common isolates were S javiana, 126 (29%); S newport, 85 (20%); S typhimurium, 47 (11%); S muenchen, 28 (7%); and S heidelberg, 21 (6%). These five strains were isolated in each of the 6 years of the review and were responsible for 313 (72%) isolates. The most common isolate for each year was S javiana, a strain that has not previously been reported as the predominant human isolate in invasive diseases or in outbreaks. In fact, S javiana is not even among the 10 most common NTS isolates reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nationally.

Community Health Centers↗
PubMed1995

Splenic cysts--a Jamaican experience.

A total of eleven (11) cases of non-parasitic splenic cysts have been studied at the University Hospital of the West Indies by routine haematoxylin and eosine and immunohistochemical staining, using epithelial markers (cytokeratin, low molecular weight keratin and epithelial membrane antigen). The majority (eight of eleven) were found to be epithelial or true cysts. This is in contrast to findings previously reported in the literature, based on light microscopic examination, that the majority of splenic cysts are non-epithelial in origin. We therefore suggest that immunohistochemical studies should be used routinely to accurately define the nature of all splenic cysts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Malignant triton tumour of the spine: a case report.

A malignant triton tumour is a malignant schwannoma with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation, and is a very rare occurrence. We describe the case of a 33-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 who presented with paraplegia. Pathological examination of an intradural, extramedullary tumour excised at lumbar laminectomy demonstrated a malignant schwannoma with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. We believe this is the first documented case of a malignant triton tumour of the spine.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Development of locomotion in the rat--spatiotemporal footfall patterns.

Footfall patterns during locomotor ontogeny have been observed in Wistar rats 10-30 days old. These reveal that, even at 22 days, the paw contacts are both spatially and temporally unlike those of the adult. In the adult there is a precise presentation sequence involving early soft contact of tactile sensitive forepaw parts that may be important in tactile locomotor guidance and which is not fully established even at 22-30 days. The hindpaw contact pattern is also not yet adult-like involving a greater incidence of early toe contact. It is suggested that, only after day 15, when the forelimb is no longer the major weight-bearing limb, can it start to be developed for the fine discriminative touch required for tactile guidance of limb placement. Some further time is necessary for adult patterns to be achieved.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of spinal cord injuries: a reflection of changes in South African society.

The records of all patients (492 males and 124 females) admitted into a spinal rehabilitation programme over a period of 6 years were reviewed. Most of the patients were in the age group 20-29 years and trauma accounted for 89% of all spinal cord lesions. Gunshot injuries were the commonest (36%), followed by injuries related to motor vehicle accidents (MVA) (25%), stab wounds (20%) and falls from heights (2.4%). Aetiological patterns changed over the 6 year period covered: gunshot injuries increased markedly and stab wounds decreased in number. The records of a medico-legal laboratory in the same geographic region revealed the same trend. Neurological recovery rates were better in patients with stab wounds and nontraumatic lesions than in those with MVA-related injuries and gunshot wounds. When compared to similar studies from other countries, our results show a disproportionately high incidence of violent injuries, particularly gunshot wounds, in South African plegic patients. We concluded that the recent sociopolitical changes and especially the general escalation of violence in the country, is reflected in the observed changes in the epidemiology of spinal cord injuries.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1994

The delusion of inanimate doubles.

A review of new cases of delusional misidentification reported between 1986 and 1992 suggests that the delusion of inanimate doubles is a variant of the Capgras phenomenon in approximately 10% of cases. It is argued that this variant makes current psychological theories of misidentification untenable.

Aged↗