Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Williamson

Publications and source records attributed to E Williamson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

A self-assessment tool to measure older adults' perceptions regarding physical fitness and exercise activity.

The purpose of this research was to qualitatively generate and psychometrically assess an instrument which assesses the self-perceived physical fitness and exercise activity levels of community-dwelling older adults and examines perceived factors which enhance or impede their exercise activity level. This research was carried out in two stages: qualitative and quantitative. Items for the instrument were generated through qualitative interviews with 23 community-dwelling older adults, 9 males and 14 females, with an age range of 63 to 82 years. From this qualitative study, 50 items were generated, representing nine categories of elements which enhance or impede physical activity. The 50 items were incorporated into a 4-point, forced-choice, Likert format instrument which was pilot tested for clarity and ease of administration with a convenience sample of community-dwelling older adults. Following the pilot testing, 41 items were retained. The 41-item instrument, entitled Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity Levels of Older Adults Scale, was categorized into the following subscales: Physical Fitness, Barriers, Motivators, and Exercise Frequency. Initial testing of the Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity Levels of Older Adults Scale seems to indicate adequate validity and reliability. Correlation coefficients for the total instrument, as well as the subscales, were significantly positive for both stability and internal consistency. Results with respect to predictive validity were mixed. The Physical Fitness and Motivators subscales were significant predictors of Exercise Frequency. Although the correlation between the Barriers subscale and Exercise Frequency was negative, it was non-significant.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

IL-12 is a central mediator of acute graft-versus-host disease in mice.

Distinct forms of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) occur in (C57B1/6 x DBA/2)F1 (BDF1) mice inoculated with either C57B1/6 or DBA/2 parental spleen cells, and it has been suggested that this reflects differential activation of CD4+ Th cell subsets. Transfer of B6 cells produces an acute GVHD, during which an early period of lymphoid hyperplasia precedes immunosuppression, weight loss, and mortality, and a Th1 pattern of cytokines is produced. Conversely, transfer of DBA/2 cells induces a chronic GVHD, in which no weight loss or mortality is observed, but an autoimmune, SLE-like GVHD develops in association with a Th2 pattern of cytokines. Recent work indicates that IL-12 plays a central role in the polarization of Th cell-dependent responses, and here we have examined its role in polarizing GVHD, by administering or depleting IL-12 during the afferent phase of both the acute and chronic forms of GVHD in BDF1 mice. In vivo neutralization of endogenous IL-12 ameliorated acute GVHD, in association with reduced splenic NK cell activity, IFN-gamma production, immunosuppression, weight loss, and mortality. Conversely, administration of exogenous murine rIL-12 exacerbates this disease and converts the chronic GVHD into a lethal acute GVHD-like syndrome. These results indicate that IL-12 plays an important role in the development of acute, but not chronic, GVHD and suggest that differential production of IL-12 early in the disease may underlie these distinct outcomes of the GVHD in BDF1 mice injected with different parental cells.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Perceptions of physical fitness and exercise activity among older adults.

The purpose of this research was to examine older adults' perceptions of physical fitness and exercise. This qualitative study was divided into four stages as described by Berg (1989): identification of the concept of the study; development of the interview guide; collection of data; and data analysis. Twenty-three older adults, aged 63-82 years (9 females, 14 males), participated in the interviews. Transcripts were analysed using content analysis. Three major themes emerged as the participants viewed physical fitness in terms of: functional independence ('being able to do'); holism ('mind-body works together'); and age reference (-for people my age'). Nine elements which impeded or enhanced physical activity were identified. Implications for education, research and practice are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Multiethnic experiences enhance nursing students' learning.

This project was undertaken to expand student learning experiences with Hispanic and Southeast Asian clients. In addition to classroom experiences, the project included home visiting with individual families. The visits focused on health promotion/ disease prevention and illness care as necessary. Students also taught group health promotion classes. At the completion of this experience students were able to relate more therapeutically to minority clients and to plan culturally acceptable nursing interventions, and they demonstrated increased cultural self-efficacy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Grieving the death of an adult child.

Little attention has been paid to the experiences of older parents whose children die during their adult years. Parents feel unsupported and uninformed by medical professionals, and excluded from the decision-making process related to their adult children's illnesses and death. Parents derived comfort and a sense of usefulness in maintaining and strengthening their relationship with surviving grandchildren.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

De novo formation of caveolae in lymphocytes by expression of VIP21-caveolin.

Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations, which have been implicated in endothelial transcytosis, endocytosis, potocytosis, and signal transduction. In addition to their well-defined morphology, caveolae are characterized by the presence of an integral membrane protein termed VIP21-caveolin. We have recently observed that lymphocytes have no detectable VIP21-caveolin and lack plasma membrane invaginations resembling caveolae. Here we transiently express VIP21-caveolin in a lymphocyte cell line using the Semliki Forest virus expression system and show de novo formation of plasma membrane invaginations containing VIP21-caveolin. These invaginations appear homogeneous in size and morphologically indistinguishable from caveolae of nonlymphoid cells. Moreover, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein. Thy1, patched by antibodies, redistributes to the newly formed caveolae. Our results show that VIP21-caveolin is a key structural component required for caveolar biogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Detergent-insoluble glycolipid microdomains in lymphocytes in the absence of caveolae.

Antibody binding to glycolipids and glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins of lymphocytes can trigger activation of specific signal transduction pathways. The finding that GPI-anchored proteins are present in detergent-insoluble complexes with several tyrosine kinases of the Src family suggested that these complexes may represent membrane microdomains involved in the transduction of signals to the cell interior. Recent work has suggested a link between detergent-insoluble microdomains and plasma membrane invaginations termed caveolae. Here we show that lymphocytes lack plasma membrane domains with the characteristic features of caveolae. Furthermore, VIP21-caveolin was not detectable in four different lymphocyte cell lines at the protein or mRNA level. In addition to the lack of caveolar domains, capping experiments suggested that the bulk of the GPI-anchored protein Thy1 and the glycosphingolipid GM1 were not stably associated in the lymphocyte plasma membrane. Despite this, Thy1 and GM1 were present in detergent-insoluble complexes. We conclude that detergent insolubility does not correlate with the presence of caveolae or of VIP21-caveolin and that caveolae, as defined by a number of different markers, are not involved in signal transduction in lymphocytes.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Hunger in California: what interventions are needed?

OBJECTIVE: Although research exists on the nutritional status of individuals and families who seek emergency food, there is little guidance on what to do about it. Our purpose was to develop effective nutrition interventions to assist individuals and families seeking emergency food. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Two survey instruments were used to collect data on 697 emergency food providers and 3,365 emergency food clients in 20 California counties between 1986 and 1990. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: Information from the food providers who staff the emergency food sites revealed insufficient food to meet the growing demand, client difficulties in using the donated food, and the need for information to improve the safety and nutritional quality of the donated food. Information from the emergency food clients documented that 70.4% of them were families with children, 84% had incomes below the poverty level, and 20% reported no income at all. In addition, most clients (70%) were not enrolled in the food stamp program. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: In response to the surveys, counties initiated a variety of interventions, including public awareness campaigns, community development activities, and nutrition education programs. Important strategies are to teach recipients ways to optimize food resources, encourage eligible individuals to enroll in federal nutrition programs, and link individuals with agencies that offer assistance.

California↗
PubMed1994

The involvement of the small GTP-binding protein Rab5a in neuronal endocytosis.

Rab5a is a small GTPase that regulates fusion of endocytic vesicles to early endosomes. We investigated whether Rab5a is involved in early endocytic traffic in both the axonal and the somatodendritic domains of polarized neurons. Using immunofluorescence, endogenous Rab5a was detected in axons and dendrites. Its localization in axons strongly overlapped that of the synaptic vesicle protein synaptophysin. Indeed, Rab5a co-immunoisolated with synaptophysin-containing vesicles, and antibodies against Rab5a labeled synaptic vesicle-like structures in nerve terminals. The functional association of Rab5a with dendritic and axonal early endosomes was assayed by electron microscopy after overexpression of wild-type and mutant Rab5a in cultured hippocampal neurons. This induced the formation of abnormal endosomes in both the somatodendritic and the axonal domains. These results show a role for Rab5a in axonal and dendritic endocytosis, and the presence of Rab5a on synaptic vesicles indicates that the axonal endosomes participate in the biogenesis of these vesicles.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Semliki Forest virus as a tool for protein expression in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

We use the Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) as a tool for protein expression in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. These cells develop in vitro into polarized neurons that can be infected with recombinant SFV with an efficiency of 60 - 80%. SFV-driven protein expression is detectable within 3-4 hours postinfection, at which time the newly-synthesized proteins are mainly present in the cell soma. By 6 to 8 hours postinfection foreign proteins are detectable in the neurites. Protein expression can continue for up to 48 hours. However, after 8 - 10 hours infected neurons start to suffer from cytopathic effects as evidenced by a change in morphology and detachment from the coverslip. The infection does not seem to affect the polarized distribution of proteins. Upon overexpression of rab8, a somatodendritic distribution is observed, similar to that of the endogenous protein. Therefore, the SFV expression system is suitable for short-term expression of proteins and can be used successfully to study the polarized distribution of heterologous proteins expressed in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Friends of Nursing.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1986

Extended haplotypes in rheumatoid arthritis and preliminary evidence for an interaction with immunoglobulin genes.

The incidence of extended haplotypes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex was compared between 20 probands with RA, their unaffected family members, and 42 controls. One haplotype only, HLA-Bw62 BfS C4A*3 C4B*3 DR4 GLO2, was significantly increased in the patient group, whereas HLA-B7 BfS C4A*3 C4B*1 DR2 GLO1, which was the most common haplotype in the control groups, was absent. The immunoglobulin allotype Glm(2) was significantly increased in frequency in the RA patients, and analysis showed that of the seven patients carrying Bw62-DR4, five were G1m(2) positive. Further, the increase in frequency of the phenotype Gm(1,2,17,21,3,5,23) was also significant and was carried by two of four probands with the extended haplotype HLA-Bw62 BfS C4A*3 C4B*3 DR4 GLO2 and by one proband also bearing this haplotype but with a null allele at the C4A locus. The striking association of G1m(2) and Bw62 with DR4 in our patients suggests that in interaction of immunoglobulin genes with DR4 is stronger when DR4 is associated with particular haplotypes rather than with DR4 in general.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1982

Early embryonic mortality in women.

Measurements of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) have been used to assess early embryo loss in women. Urine samples obtained from a control group of sterilized women with normal ovulatory menstrual cycles enabled a concentration limit of 56 IU/l to be determined so that any nontrophoblastic hCG or other cross-reacting compounds could be accounted for. One hundred ninety-eight ovulatory cycles were collected from a normal population attempting to conceive. Fecundability was 22% to 27% for this population. The risk of pregnancy in exposed ovulatory cycles was 59.6%; however, 61.9% of conceptuses will be lost prior to 12 weeks. Most of these losses (91.7%) occur subclinically, without the knowledge of the mother.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Fetal loss after implantation. A prospective study.

The incidence of post-implantation pregnancy loss in 197 women was determined prospectively. The diagnosis of pregnancy was based on the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine during the luteal phase of each menstrual cycle. There were 152 conceptions in the 623 cycles studied with a pregnancy loss rate of 43%. 14 of the pregnancies ended in clinically recognised spontaneous abortions and in 50 the sole evidence of pregnancy was an increased concentration of urinary hCG. The maximum conception rate achieved was 36% in the first cycle after removal of an intra uterine device.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1978

Autosomal dominantly inherited adductor laryngeal paralysis--a new syndrome with a suggestion of linkage to HLA.

A family is reported with autosomal dominantly inherited congenital bilateral adductor paralysis of the larynx. This disorder has apparently not been described previously. A search for linkage in this family with the loci for 19 other genetic markers showed a suggestion of linkage with HLA and GLO, and accordingly a suggestion that the locus for this disorder may be assigned to chromosome 6.

Adolescent↗