Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

J Connell

Publications and source records attributed to J Connell.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunoglobulin G antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: a versatile assay for detection of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2 antibodies in body fluids.

In tests on specimens of dried blood, saliva, and urine from 55 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive and 55 HIV-seronegative patients, an immunoglobulin G capture enzyme immunoassay for the detection of antibodies to HIV types 1 and 2, GACELISA, gave 109 of 110, 109 of 109, and 109 of 110 correct results, respectively. This performance, achieved in a laboratory previously unfamiliar with the assay, suggests that GACELISA is a useful new epidemiological tool for the study of HIV infection, equally applicable to all three kinds of specimen.

Body Fluids

Psychophysiological anomalies in children with emotional and conduct disorders.

We studied patterns of psychophysiological (skin conductance, heart rate) reactivity to sounds and to situations with varying emotional and alerting connotations in child psychiatric outpatients and in healthy controls. Children with emotional disorders were particularly reactive to situations with aversive components, while conduct disorder subjects showed increased reactivity to pleasant situations and decreased responses to neutral but high-intensity stimulation and to withdrawal of stimulation in silence periods. The results indicate patterns of biological reactivity which may underlie different psychiatric disturbances in children.

Adolescent

Evaluation of click-evoked oto-acoustic emissions in the newborn.

Click-evoked oto-acoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) have been recorded in 723 babies taken largely from a neonatal intensive care unit to evaluate the use of oto-acoustic emissions as a method of screening for hearing impairment. Twenty-nine infants failed to pass the initial ABR test and repeat ABR tests carried out up to the age of 3 months. The 'sensitivity' and 'specificity' of the oto-acoustic emission test for the ABR test results up to 3 months of age in surviving infants were 93% and 84% respectively. It is proposed that click-evoked oto-acoustic emissions be considered as the initial method to screen for hearing impairment, test failures being followed up by ABR.

Acoustic Stimulation

Peripheral psychophysiological reactivity to mental tasks in children with psychiatric disorders.

Peripheral psychophysiological reactivity (skin conductance and heart rate changes) to mental activity tasks (imagery and listening to music) was examined in child psychiatric day or in-patients with conduct and emotional disorders. Children with predominant antisocial symptomatology showed higher electrodermal than cardiovascular reactivity to the experimental tasks, whilst children with predominant neurotic symptoms showed more marked cardiovascular reactivity. No statistical differences between the groups emerged in response to listening to music, but antisocials were more responsive (with higher skin conductance level increases) to imaging pleasant situations, whereas neurotics were more reactive (increased heart rate levels and decreases in skin conductance) to imaging unpleasant situations. The results are compatible with an enhanced biological responsiveness by antisocials to reward and with neurotics experiencing an unusually marked sense of threat and withdrawal to aversive stimuli.

Affective Symptoms

Novel pharmacological strategies in the treatment of life-threatening cytomegalovirus infections. Clinical experience with continuous infusion 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl) guanine.

Two novel antiviral pharmacologic strategies were used for therapy of life- and sight-threatening cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection; these were continuous drug infusion by portable pump and individualized patient regimen. 9-(1,3-Dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)-guanine (DHPG), an active and recently licensed antiviral drug against cytomegalovirus infection, was administered to five immunocompromised patients with chorioretinitis (all patients), colitis (two), and pneumonitis (three). Through dosage escalation, correlations between plasma levels, toxicity (i.e., myelosuppression), and clinical benefit were ascertained for therapy of acute disease (pneumonitis) as well as long-term therapy (chorioretinitis). Resolution of viremia, pneumonitis, colitis, and chorioretinitis was accomplished with steady-state plasma levels of DHPG approximating the mean ID50 of CMV isolates. The most notable clinical benefit was survival from CMV pneumonia and stabilization of vision. Although no adverse toxicity occurred during the DHPG continuous long-term therapy, survival was limited by the underlying disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Localized tick bite reaction.

A woman presented with a localized tick bite reaction. The tick (Amblyomma americanum, the "lone star" tick) was still attached to the erythematous, indurated skin of the upper back. After several unsuccessful attempts at removal, a punch biopsy was performed, and the resultant histologic sections incorporated both tick and involved skin. The various systemic and localized tick bite reactions are discussed, as are the diagnostic dilemmas which may arise when the organism is no longer present. Punch biopsy is suggested as an effective means of removing the organism.

Aged

Popliteal vein entrapment.

A case of popliteal vein entrapment by an abnormal 'third' head of the gastrocnemius muscle is reported. Complete relief of disabling symptoms was obtained by dividing the abnormal muscle band.

Adult

Carotid body tumours.

Carotid body tumours are rare, but important. Their reputation for slow growth and virtual non-malignancy has had, in the light of experience, to be revised. Sudden spurts of growth are well known, and the tumour may become irremovable in a relatively short time. Aggressive local invasion and widespread metastasis are now well recognized. Histological features are no guide to malignancy. These tumors can nearly all be removed with an acceptable mortality and morbidity, without damage to the internal carotid artery. Ideally the diagnosis should be made by clinical acumen and confirmatory X-ray examination. Biopsy makes subsequent removal of the tumour much more difficult, and should be avoided if at all possible. Eleven personal cases of carotid body tumours are reported, and the technique of surgical excision is discussed in detail.

Adult