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Biomedical subjects

J Bailey

Publications and source records attributed to J Bailey.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Abdominal compartment syndrome.

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) associated with organ dysfunction defines the abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) adversely impacts pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, splanchnic, musculoskeletal/integumentary, and central nervous system physiology. The combination of IAH and disordered physiology results in a clinical syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality. The onset of the ACS requires prompt recognition and appropriately timed and staged intervention in order to optimize outcome. The history, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of this disorder is outlined.

Abdomen↗

Enhancement of the antidepressant action of fluoxetine by folic acid: a randomised, placebo controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A consistent finding in major depression has been a low plasma and red cell folate which has also been linked to poor response to antidepressants. The present investigation was designed to investigate whether the co-administration of folic acid would enhance the antidepressant action of fluoxetine. METHODS: 127 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 500 microg folic acid or an identical looking placebo in addition to 20 mg fluoxetine daily. All patients met the DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and had a baseline Hamilton Rating Scale (17 item version) score for depression of 20 or more. Baseline and 10-week estimations of plasma folate and homocysteine were carried out. RESULTS: Patients receiving folate showed a significant increase in plasma folate. This was less in men than in women. Plasma homocysteine was significantly decreased in women by 20.6%, but there was no significant change in men. Overall there was a significantly greater improvement in the fluoxetine plus folic acid group. This was confined to women where the mean Hamilton Rating Scale score on completion was 6.8 (S.D. 4. 1) in the fluoxetine plus folate group, as compared to 11.7 (S.D. 6. 7) in the fluoxetine plus placebo group (P<0.001).A percentage of 93. 9 of women, who received the folic acid supplement, showed a good response (>50% reduction in score) as compared to 61.1% of women who received placebo supplement (P<0.005). Eight (12.9%) patients in the fluoxetine plus folic acid group reported symptoms possibly or probably related to medication, whereas in the fluoxetine plus placebo group 19 (29.7%) patients reported such symptoms (P<0.05). LIMITATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Folic acid is a simple method of greatly improving the antidepressant action of fluoxetine and probably other antidepressants. Folic acid should be given in doses sufficient to decrease plasma homocysteine. Men require a higher dose of folic acid to achieve this than women, but more work is required to ascertain the optimum dose of folic acid.

Adult↗

Expression of the cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factors, CREB, CREM and ATF2, in the human myometrium during pregnancy and labour.

Elevated concentrations of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the human myometrium may promote uterine quiescence during pregnancy by protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation and subsequent inactivation of myosin light-chain kinase, as well as by the phosphorylation and activation of cAMP-dependent transcription factors. In this context, we show that the altered expression of cAMP response-element binding protein (CREB), cAMP response-element modulator protein (CREM) and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) are implicated in the maintenance of myometrial quiescence during fetal maturation and the switch to uterine activation at term. Using electrophoretic mobility shift and super shift assays, as well as immunoblotting of paired myometrial tissue samples from non-pregnant, pregnant non-labouring and spontaneous labouring women, we defined the patterns of expression of various isoforms of these proteins in the human uterus. Here, we report spatio-temporal changes in the expression of a 43 kDa form of CREB, a 28 kDa CREM-like protein, and a novel 28 kDa ATF2-like protein which are differentially expressed, depending on the gestational state of the uterus. Changes in the pattern of expression of these potent transcription factors may have an important role in the control of uterine activity throughout pregnancy.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

The NHS plan.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Health Care Reform↗

The DNA sequence of human chromosome 22.

Knowledge of the complete genomic DNA sequence of an organism allows a systematic approach to defining its genetic components. The genomic sequence provides access to the complete structures of all genes, including those without known function, their control elements, and, by inference, the proteins they encode, as well as all other biologically important sequences. Furthermore, the sequence is a rich and permanent source of information for the design of further biological studies of the organism and for the study of evolution through cross-species sequence comparison. The power of this approach has been amply demonstrated by the determination of the sequences of a number of microbial and model organisms. The next step is to obtain the complete sequence of the entire human genome. Here we report the sequence of the euchromatic part of human chromosome 22. The sequence obtained consists of 12 contiguous segments spanning 33.4 megabases, contains at least 545 genes and 134 pseudogenes, and provides the first view of the complex chromosomal landscapes that will be found in the rest of the genome.

Animals↗

Physarum amoebae express a distinct fragmin-like actin-binding protein that controls in vitro phosphorylation of actin by the actin-fragmin kinase.

Amoebae and plasmodia constitute the two vegetative growth phases of the Myxomycete Physarum. In vitro and in vivo phosphorylation of actin in plasmodia is tightly controlled by fragmin P, a plasmodium-specific actin-binding protein that enables actin phosphorylation by the actin-fragmin kinase. We investigated whether amoebal actin is phosphorylated by this kinase, in spite of the lack of fragmin P. Strong actin phosphorylation was detected only following addition of recombinant actin-fragmin kinase to cell-free extracts of amoebae, suggesting that amoebae contain a protein with properties similar to plasmodial fragmin. We purified the complex between actin and this protein to homogeneity. Using an antibody that specifically recognizes phosphorylated actin, we demonstrate that Thr203 in actin can be phosphorylated in this complex. A full-length amoebal fragmin cDNA was cloned and the deduced amino acid sequence shows 65% identity with plasmodial fragmin. However, the fragmins are encoded by different genes. Northern blots using RNA from a developing Physarum strain demonstrate that this fragmin isoform (fragmin A) is not expressed in plasmodia. In situ localization showed that fragmin A is present mainly underneath the plasma membrane. Our results indicate that Physarum amoebae express a fragmin P-like isoform which shares the property of binding actin and converting the latter into a substrate for the actin-fragmin kinase.

Actins↗

Identification of three genes expressed primarily during development in Physarum polycephalum.

During the life cycle of Physarum polycephalum, uninucleate amoebae develop into multinucleate syncytial plasmodia. These two cell types differ greatly in cellular organisation, behaviour and gene expression. Classical genetic analysis has identified the mating-type gene, matA, as the key gene controlling the initiation of plasmodium development, but nothing is known about the molecular events controlled by matA. In order to identify genes involved in regulating plasmodium formation, we constructed a subtracted cDNA library from cells undergoing development. Three genes that have their highest levels of expression during plasmodium development were identified: redA, redB (regulated in development) and mynD (myosin). Both redA and redB are single-copy genes and are not members of gene families. Although redA has no significant sequence similarities to known genes, redB has sequence similarity to invertebrate sarcoplasmic calcium-binding proteins. The mynD gene is closely related to type II myosin heavy-chain genes from many organisms and is one of a family of type II myosin genes in P. polycephalum. Our results indicate that many more red genes remain to be identified, some of which may play key roles in controlling plasmodium formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

FORUM: Exploring the EIA/Environmental Management Relationship.

/ An important measure of the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the extent to which it achieves its goals for environmental protection and management. To determine this requires an examination of environmental outcomes for projects that have undergone EIA. The utility of the predecision stages of EIA in influencing environmental decisions has been well documented by others. It is argued here that EIA can also play a useful role in providing for ongoing adaptive environmental management. The hypothesis of this research is that EIA does influence environmental management activities and outcomes for development projects and that this influence occurs during three stages based on the principal approval decision point-predecision, postdecision, and transitional stages. This hypothesis was tested with respect to six case studies in Western Australia (WA). The majority of management actions were proposed during the predecision stage along with the formulation of impact predictions, although significant environmental management activities were established during the other stages of the EIA process. New management actions were implemented during the postdecision stage in response to the occurrence of unexpected impacts. Adaptive management activities were initiated during the transitional stage of EIA through the setting of environmental objectives in the predecision stage that left scope for a flexible approach to be adopted for achieving these objectives. During project assessment in WA, strong emphasis is placed on the need for ongoing monitoring and management programs. The implementation of these programs was found to be central to successful achievement of project and environmental performance objectives. The case studies demonstrate that a strong relationship exists between EIA and ongoing environmental management performance in WA.KEY WORDS: Environmental impact assessment; Ongoing management; Effectiveness; Audithttp://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00267/bibs/24n3p281.html

Journal Article↗

An MRI study of the basal ganglia in autism.

1. High-resolution MRI scans were obtained from 35 relatively high-functioning persons with autism and 36 healthy controls, comparable in age, gender, and IQ. 2. Volumetric measurements were obtained from manual tracing of the bilateral caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus. 3. An increased volume of the caudate nuclei was found in subjects with autism. Caudate enlargement was proportional to increased total brain volume in subjects with autism. 4. Caudate volume was associated with compulsions and rituals, difficulties with minor change, and complex motor mannerisms in autism. 5. Based on evidence of caudate abnormalities, a second MRI study was completed which replicated the finding of caudate enlargement in autism using an independent sample. 6. The caudate may be part of an abnormal distributed neural network in autism and involved in the ritualistic--repetitive behaviors of the disorder.

Adolescent↗

Effect of treatment for 6 months with human parathyroid hormone (1-34) peptide in ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

A potential negative side effect of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy to treat osteoporosis is the loss of cortical bone concomitant with increased cancellous bone mass. We addressed this issue by studying the effects of PTH on whole-body, axial, and appendicular bone mass in an animal model with haversian cortical bone remodeling. Ovariectomized, young adult female cynomolgus monkeys were assigned to placebo (n = 9) or PTH groups (n = 10). The PTH group received 10 microg/kg synthetic human PTH(1-34) peptide by subcutaneous injection, 3 days/week for 6 months, and the placebo group received vehicle. Multiple endpoints of bone mass, strength, and turnover in the axial and appendicular skeleton were assessed, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), quantitative computed tomography (qCT), analysis of serum (calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) and urinary (calcium and creatinine) biomarkers, histomorphometry, and biomechanical testing. Compared with placebo-treated animals, PTH-treated monkeys had no change in whole-body bone mass, but a 6.7% increase in spinal areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was observed. Cortical bone mass measured by qCT at appendicular sites was not affected by PTH treatment, but there were significant increases in cancellous bone mass in the proximal tibia, and a similar trend in the distal radius. Small, transient increases in serum and urinary calcium were observed, but there were no treatment-related effects on other biochemical endpoints. Increased bone formation rate (BFR/BV) in the midradius and midfemur was accompanied by a nonsignificant increase in midfemur porosity. Increased vertebral cancellous bone volume (BV/TV) was associated with greater trabecular and interstitial thickness with no effect on wall thickness. Increases in bone strength were observed in both axial (vertebral maximum stress and load at fracture) and appendicular (femoral neck fracture load) skeleton. Together, these results indicate that PTH therapy in the cynomolgus monkey results in a net gain of spinal and appendicular cancellous bone mass with no adverse effect on cortical bone.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Colposuspension after previous failed incontinence surgery: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of colposuspension for genuine stress incontinence in women who had previously undergone bladder neck surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary referral urogynaecology unit. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two consecutive women with recurrent genuine stress incontinence operated on by one surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective and objective cure of stress incontinence. Complications of surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 51 years (range 28-72) and weight 72.7 kg (range 53-112). Sixty-five continence procedures had been performed previously, with 13 women (25%) having had more than one operation. Nine months post-operatively the subjective cure rate was 80% and objective cure rate 78%. Intraoperative complications were few but included two bladder injuries and one rectus muscle tear which required repair. Seven women (13%) developed voiding difficulties which required clean intermittent self-catheterisation, but only one needed to continue this for six months. None of the women developed detrusor instability. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting colposuspension after previous bladder neck surgery offers a high rate of success. However, long term follow up is needed to see if this effect is maintained.

Adult↗

Effect of inhaled beta 2 adrenoceptor agonist, albuterol sulphate, on performance of horses.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that a specific beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist, albuterol sulphate, when delivered by metered-dose inhaler (MDI) would affect the performance of Thoroughbred horses during incremental exercise testing. Six conditioned Thoroughbred horses were randomly assigned to one of 2 treatment groups: Group 1 horses received placebo and Group 2 received albuterol. Each horse received both treatments in a crossover design with a 3 week interval between trials. Horses inspired albuterol (900 micrograms) or placebo over a 5 min period followed by an incremental, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) exercise test. Facial arterial blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2), pHa, temperature, haemoximetry (O2Hb, COHb, MetHb, RHb) and electrolytes (Na+, K+, iCa2+, Cl-) were measured. Heart rate (HR), VO2peak, CO2 production (VCO2), plasma lactate, speed at failure, exercise duration, and urine levels of albuterol and metabolites (Alburine) were monitored. The Paratrend7 intravascular sensor provided continuous arterial blood gas data. Mixed effects linear modelling using generalised least-squares estimation was used to assess treatment and speed main effects interaction. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were found between placebo and albuterol-treated horses for total run time (mean +/- s.e. 405.8 +/- 8.8 vs. 430.5 +/- 6.7 s) and run time from completion of 8 m/s until fatigue (169.3 +/- 8.6 vs. 187.3 +/- 6.7 s), as well as VO2peak (121.7 +/- 3.7 vs. 130.3 +/- 3.8 ml/kg/min), respectively. In conclusion, inhaled albuterol sulphate has a small but significant effect on the performance of fit Thoroughbred horses during incremental, VO2peak exercise testing.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Analysis of F factor TraD membrane topology by use of gene fusions and trypsin-sensitive insertions.

This report describes a procedure for characterizing membrane protein topology which combines the analysis of reporter protein hybrids and trypsin-sensitive 31-amino-acid insertions generated by using transposons ISphoA/in and ISlacZ/in. Studies of the F factor TraD protein imply that the protein takes on a structure with two membrane-spanning sequences and amino and carboxyl termini facing the cytoplasm. It was possible to assign the subcellular location of one region for which the behavior of fused reporter proteins was ambiguous, based on the trypsin cleavage behavior of a 31-residue insertion.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Is follow up by specialists routinely needed after elective surgery? A controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefit of planned specialist follow up appointments after elective inpatient surgery. DESIGN: This was a controlled trial, using repeated alternate allocation of time periods to the two study groups. Group 1: Planned outpatient follow up 6-12 weeks after surgery. Group 2: No planned follow up: additional written information for patients and general practitioners. SETTING: A district general hospital in the north west of England. PARTICIPANTS: 264 patients listed for one of: transurethral resection of the prostate, varicose vein surgery, cholecystectomy (open or laparoscopic), inguinal herniorraphy (open or laparoscopic). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health status, complications, return to normal activity, patient satisfaction, use and costs of primary and secondary care in the 12 weeks after surgery. MAIN RESULTS: Data were available for 212 (80%) of eligible patients. Thirty eight per cent of patients in the "no planned follow up" group were in fact seen in outpatients after their discharge. Intention to treat analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the groups for health status, complications, or time to return to normal activity. Patients in the "no planned follow up" group had significantly fewer hospital visits and costs (mean difference in visits 0.51, 95% confidence intervals 0.39 to 0.69; mean difference in hospital costs 12.75 Pounds, 9.75 Pounds to 15.50 Pounds). There were fewer primary care staff contacts and costs in the "no planned follow up" group, although this difference was not significant (mean difference = 0.61 visits, -0.13 to 1.33 visits; primary care costs difference 8.37 Pounds, -1.31 Pounds to 18.73 Pounds). Patients in the "no planned follow up group" had significantly reduced patient travel costs (mean difference 4.84 Pounds, 3.44 Pounds to 6.22 Pounds). Eighty nine (42%) patients would prefer to be followed up by both their hospital doctor and GP; 53 (25%) patients would prefer to be followed up by the hospital doctor only. There were no significant differences between the two groups in their preferences for follow up. The majority of GPs agreed with the statement that a policy of no follow up at hospital outpatients for each of the six surgical procedures would increase their workload. CONCLUSIONS: Planned outpatient appointments after uncomplicated surgery seem to be neither necessary nor cost effective. A policy of "no planned follow up" results in no increase in primary care costs, and savings in hospital and patient costs. However, many patients expected and wanted to be seen again by their surgeon and GPs were concerned that a "no follow up" policy would result in an increase in workload.

Adolescent↗

The effects of idazoxan on reaction times, eye movements and the mood of healthy volunteers and patients with upper respiratory tract illnesses.

An experiment was carried out to determine whether idazoxan, a drug which increases the turnover of central noradrenaline, removes the malaise (reduced alertness, slower psychomotor performance) associated with upper respiratory tract illness (URTI). Eighty-one volunteers were tested when healthy and 17 returned to the laboratory when they developed URTIs. Those who remained healthy were then recalled as a control group. Volunteers were tested before and after receiving either idazoxan (40mg) or a lactose placebo. Idazoxan removed the URTI-induced slowing in a simple reaction time task and this group performed at a comparable level to the healthy group. No significant stimulant effect of idazoxan was found in the healthy subjects. The results suggest that at least part of the malaise induced by URTIs may reflect reductions in central noradrenaline and that this can be reversed by compounds such as idazoxan.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

The differential expression of myometrial connexin-43, cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, and Gs alpha proteins in the upper and lower segments of the human uterus during pregnancy and labor.

There is evidence from many studies indicating that a number of specific quiescent and contractile associated proteins are temporally regulated in the myometrium during pregnancy. In this present investigation we provide data that strongly suggest that myometrial connexin-43, cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and -2), and Gs alpha proteins are also spatially expressed within the human uterus during pregnancy and labor. Using paired lower and upper segment myometrial samples taken from individual women at term and during spontaneous labor, we have measured the expression of these proteins by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. We report that the myometrial gap junction connexin-43 protein is expressed at much greater levels in the upper uterine compared to the lower uterine segment and that this difference is even more pronounced during the course of labor. Conversely, myometrial COX-1 and -2 proteins appear to be expressed at much greater levels in the lower compared to the upper uterine segment. Moreover, the level of expression of both proteins is unaffected by the onset of parturition. In contrast, myometrial Gs alpha protein appears to be uniformly expressed in both lower and upper segments and is similarly down-regulated during parturition, as previously reported. The differential expression of COX-1 and -2 and connexin-43 in the uterus may allow cervical ripening before and dilatation during labor and facilitate effective propagation of contractions from fundus to cervix, which may be further facilitated by the down-regulation of Gs alpha at the onset of parturition.

Adult↗

Unilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia: another form of curable hypertension?

A case of unilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia is presented in a 49-year-old caucasian female without multiple endocrine neoplasia association. The patient presented with episodic hypertension and paroxysms suggesting an underlying phaeochromocytoma. Biochemical supported this diagnosis but no discrete tumour was found on preoperative localising studies or at the time of surgery. The patient underwent a unilateral adrenalectomy with confirming adrenal medullary hyperplasia with complete resolution of her symptoms for six months.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗