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Biomedical subjects

F G Jones

Publications and source records attributed to F G Jones.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

High bax expression is a good prognostic indicator in acute myeloid leukaemia.

Most cytotoxic drugs kill cells by instigating the process of apoptosis and it has been suggested that apoptotic markers may provide an indication of tumour chemosensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine if such a relationship exists in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The levels of spontaneous apoptosis, bcl-2 and bax were evaluated in 56 newly diagnosed AML patients to determine if they correlated with a response to cytotoxic therapy. Spontaneous apoptosis was lower, but bcl-2, bax and the bcl-2/bax ratio were higher in AML compared with normal individuals. AML patients with high bax expression at diagnosis had significantly better prognosis for disease-free survival, event-free survival and overall survival (P = 0.016). In the standard risk group, high bax expression was in keeping with significantly improved survival. Multivariate analysis revealed bax to be an independent predictor of survival. There was a significant reduction in bcl-2 and bax expression when AML patients entered complete remission and also in relapsed AML patients who entered a second remission. This study suggests that bax is a useful prognostic indicator in AML and may assist with therapeutic decision-making for patients in the standard risk category.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Dapsone-induced methhaemoglobinaemia: a source of diagnostic confusion.

Arterial desaturation as measured using pulse oximetry may not reflect cardiorespiratory disease; other possible causes, including certain drugs, should be sought. Within the literature, examples exist of dapsone-induced methaemoglobinaemia causing diagnostic confusion, particularly where respiratory disease is a feature. Few cases have been reported that demonstrate the potential of relatively low levels of methaemoglobinaemia to upset pulse oximetry readings. We describe three examples of dapsone-induced methaemoglobinaemia emphasising the potential for low-grade methaemoglobinaemia to cause diagnostic confusion. Widespread use of the pulse oximeter indicates this problem may occur more regularly, hence there is a need for increased awareness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Mediastinal granulocytic sarcoma: a report of two cases.

We describe the cases of two patients who presented with granulocytic sarcoma with mediastinal involvement 15 and 21 months before development of acute myeloid leukemia. In both cases several bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsy specimens, obtained at presentation and subsequently, revealed no evidence of leukemic infiltration. One case was originally misdiagnosed as large-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which resulted in inappropriate therapy. In both cases immunohistochemical staining revealed that tumor cells were positive for leucocyte common antigen but not for conventional B- or T-lymphoid-cell markers. Retrospective analysis revealed that tumor cells in both cases were positive for myeloid markers. Histopathologists should be aware that granulocytic sarcoma may occur in unusual extramedullary sites without evidence of bone marrow involvement. If inappropriate treatment is to be avoided, a diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma should be considered when hemopoietic tumor cells do not stain with conventional antibodies against B- and T-lymphoid cells. Both histochemical and immunohistochemical staining should be performed in such cases to determine whether the cells are of myeloid lineage. A diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma is not ruled out when bone marrow biopsy specimens show no evidence of leukemic infiltration.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A cluster of suspected Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia following intensive chemotherapy in a Belfast haematology unit.

Five cases of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were diagnosed in adult patients following intensive chemotherapy in the Royal Group of Hospitals haematology unit, Belfast, within a space of six months. The common features and the risk factors contributing to the increased susceptibility of these patients are discussed, as are the likely mechanisms of transmission of infection.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1996

The quality information management program database in South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: The Quality Information Management (QIM) Program was initiated in 1987 on the basis of the decision of the South Carolina Hospital Association's Subcommittee on Quality Assurance to develop a statewide database that could provide member hospitals with comparative quality indicator data. There are ten indicators for acute care and seven for psychiatry and substance abuse. Thirty-seven acute care hospitals participate in the QIM program, as do 7 specialty hospitals. For each three-month period, participant hospitals complete a computerized software report from their data sources specifying summary-level and patient-level data elements. REPORTING OF DATA: Participating hospitals are provided detailed, quantitative statistical reports to help them identify variations for further investigation. Risk adjustment is accomplished by peer grouping. Each hospital receives summary data for the peer groups to which it is assigned. During the quarterly users group meetings, participants discuss their successes and failures in collecting, reporting, and presenting indicator data. DISCUSSION: Involvement in the QIM program has educated participants in the use of comparative databases for quality improvement activities. It is a challenge to help providers and practitioners, in the face of increasing demands for dissemination, become more comfortable with the release of data to the public, while still preserving some degree of confidentiality.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1995

Sclerosing IgA multiple myeloma.

A case of IgA multiple myeloma associated with myelofibrosis and radiological evidence of diffuse osteosclerosis from the disease onset is reported. Bone marrow trephine biopsies performed before and after chemotherapy treatment for myeloma showed grade 4 collagen fibrosis of the bone marrow, thickened bony trabeculae and the presence of plasma cells, both mature and immature. Serum electrophoresis revealed an IgA lambda-paraprotein. Throughout the course of the disease, there was persistent radiological evidence of osteosclerosis, although several lytic lesions appeared late in the disease process. The patient died 5 years after presentation, during an episode of septicaemic shock. It is speculated that cytokine(s) released by the neoplastic plasma cells may stimulate a fibroblastic reaction within the marrow, which subsequently undergoes bony metaplasia resulting in osteosclerosis.

Bone Marrow Examination↗
PubMed1994

Varicella zoster gastritis in a bone marrow transplant recipient.

A case is reported of a patient who had previously undergone autologous bone marrow transplantation for recurrent Hodgkin's disease. The patient developed a generalised vesicular skin eruption. The clinical diagnosis was of disseminated shingles. Herpes viral particles were identified within the vesicular fluid by electron microscopy and using a specific monoclonal antibody to varicella zoster virus (VZV), positive immunofluorescence was detected in scrapings from the base of a vesicle. Gastroscopy and biopsy were performed because of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. The histological features were of non-specific active inflammation. Despite the histological absence of viral inclusions electron microscopy of the gastric biopsy revealed the presence of intranuclear herpes viral particles with a diameter of 90-100 nm. VZV specific DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction in the gastric biopsy extract. The patient was treated with acyclovir and made a full recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Continuous quality improvement (CQI): solution to QA shortcomings?

In the previous decade, quality assurance gained prominence in an effort to ensure optimal medical care. Some experts, as Avedis Donabedian, M.D.--a leading scholar in the area of quality assessment--characterized its dimensions as falling into three categories: structure (inputs), process and outcome. Paul Ellwood, M.D., in 1988, further promoted the latter by introducing an "outcomes management" system. Now Berwick, James, O'Leary and others advocate the incorporation of certain industrial insights advocated by Deming, Juran and others to improve traditional QA Methods and develop a process of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). The goal is to have patients (and other customers) better served.

Quality Assurance, Health Care↗
PubMed1988

Coronary thrombolysis in a community hospital: experience with an intravenous streptokinase protocol.

To determine whether intravenous streptokinase can be delivered safely and effectively in a community hospital without acute angiography, we treated 120 patients with intravenous infusion of 1.5 million units of streptokinase shortly after arrival in the emergency room. Average time from onset of pain to treatment was 2.7 hours. Therapy was well tolerated without significant complication. Reperfusion was clinically suspected in 78% of patients. Coronary angiography was done at referral hospitals in 94% of the surviving patients two to ten days after treatment. The infarcted vessel was patent in 74% of these patients. Of these, coronary angioplasty was performed in 36%, and 32% had bypass grafting. We conclude that intravenous streptokinase can be safely and effectively used in community hospitals without acute angiography in carefully selected patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Adult↗