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Biomedical subjects

J Craig

Publications and source records attributed to J Craig.

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

Population review: (9). Summary of issues.

Previous population reviews--published as the 1977 and 1984 Demographic Reviews--were published as free-standing reports. This Review has appeared, initially, as a series of eight articles in this journal. The aim (to quote from the introduction in Population Trends 81) has been to: 'describe the changing make-up of the population of the United Kingdom in a form that will be useful to both general readers and to demography specialists'. The articles have shown that since the 1984 review was issued the demographic picture has become clearer-and now looks a little different. This concluding article brings together the key changes since the last Review and summarises the current situation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Retinoic acid treated P19 embryonal carcinoma cells differentiate into oligodendrocytes capable of myelination.

Retinoic acid treatment of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells induces their differentiation into cultures containing neurons and astrocytes. We present two lines of experimentation indicating that oligodendrocytes also develop from retinoic acid-treated P19 cells. We isolated an immortal cell line from retinoic acid-treated P19 cell cultures whose proliferation is dependent upon epidermal growth factor. Upon removal of the growth factor these cells differentiate into both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes as determined by immunostaining with antibodies to the astrocyte marker glial fibrillar acidic protein and the oligodendrocyte markers, myelin associated glycoprotein and 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase. This cell line appears to be a bi-potential glial precursor. We also found that oligodendrocytes developed directly from P19 cells when retinoic acid-treated cells were transplanted into the brains of neonatal rat pups. Cells that developed into oligodendrocytes migrated into fiber bundles up to several millimeters from the site of the graft. These P19-derived oligodendrocytes appeared to myelinate axons from host neurons. Thus, retinoic acid-treated P19 cells differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, the three cell types that normally develop from embryonic neuroectoderm, indicating that these cell cultures differentiate in a fashion closely resembling that of embryonic neuroectoderm.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

High-dose chemotherapy supported by peripheral blood progenitor cells in poor prognosis metastatic breast cancer--phase I/II study. Edinburgh Breast Group.

Current treatments for metastatic breast cancer are not associated with significant survival benefits despite response rates of over 50%. High-dose therapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) has been investigated, particularly in North America, and prolonged survival in up to 25% of women has been reported, but with a significant treatment-related mortality. However, in patients with haematological malignancies undergoing autologous transplantation, haematopoietic reconstruction is significantly quicker and mortality lower than with ABMT, when peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) are used. In 32 women with metastatic breast cancer, we investigated the feasibility of PBPC mobilisation with high-dose cyclophosphamide and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) after 12 weeks' infusional induction chemotherapy and the subsequent efficacy of the haematopoietic reconstitution after conditioning with melphalan and either etoposide or thiotepa. PBPC mobilisation was successful in 28/32 (88%) patients, and there was a rapid post-transplantation haematopoietic recovery: median time to neutrophils > 0.5 x 10(9) l-1 was 14 days and to platelets > 20 x 10(9) l-1 was 10 days. There was no procedure-related mortality, and the major morbidity was mucositis (WHO grade 3-4) in 18/32 patients (56%). In a patient group of which the majority had very poor prognostic features, the median survival from start of induction chemotherapy was 15 months. Thus, PBPC mobilisation and support of high-dose chemotherapy is feasible after infusional induction chemotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer, although the optimum drug combination has not yet been determined.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Advances in conventional and innovative therapies for respiratory distress syndrome in children.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome is a phenomenon encountered by many pediatric critical care nurses. Care of these complex patients is multifaceted and requires an in-depth understanding of pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention. Several innovative treatments are now available as biomedical and technical advances have evolved. Outcomes will improve as clinicians improve patient selection, identify therapeutic endpoints, and risk/benefits. This article addresses the current understanding of pathophysiology, innovative treatments, and nursing care issues.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

A comparison of referral patterns and characteristics of patients with first episode symptomatic genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections in Sheffield.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain factors associated with HSV-1 and HSV-2 isolates in patients attending a genitourinary medicine clinic with symptomatic first episode genital herpes (FEGH). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SUBJECTS: A total of 606 females and 333 males presenting with culture positive FEGH between 1990-94. SETTING: Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. METHODS: Group comparison of referral patterns, demographic data, prior and concurrent episodes of STD, recent partner change. RESULTS: HSV-1 infected patients of either sex were more likely to be general practitioner (GP) referred, to be white, and less likely to have had preceding STD episodes. Recent sexual partner change had occurred significantly more often in HSV-2 infected females but there was no similar difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2 infected males. CONCLUSION: The relative HSV-1:HSV-2 isolate ratio in FEGH is influenced by the referral patterns. HSV-1 isolates predominate in patients presenting to GPs who refer the patients to GUM clinics for accurate diagnosis, counselling, follow up and screening for other STDs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Use of astemizole in a large group practice.

Astemizole was released in 1988. In late 1992, a new warning label was added in response to reports of syncope and death from arrhythmia. Records of patients given new prescriptions for astemizole were reviewed to assess compliance with the warnings in a large multispecialty practice. The indication was appropriate in 89% of cases. Excessive doses were used in 4% of cases. Two percent of prescriptions were given to patients with contraindications. Only two complications were documented. Despite carrying a drug warning, astemizole continues to be used inappropriately and is a medicolegal concern. Education and drug evaluations can be used to enhance compliance and decrease the risk associated with the use of astemizole.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1995

Adenovirus 5 E1A induced differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells requires binding to p300.

We transfected P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells with genes encoding the adenovirus 5 E1A products. Expression of either the 12S or 13S transcripts yielded P19 cells either incapable of proliferating or able to proliferate but having lost the characteristics of the EC cell parent. The proliferating clones of E1A expressing P19 cells were incapable of differentiating in response to retinoic acid or dimethyl sulfoxide, no longer expressed the SSEA-1 surface antigen characteristic of EC cells, and did express cytokeratin 55, a marker of epithelial tissues. We used a number of 12S E1A constructs carrying deletions in the first exon and found that the effects on P19 cell growth and differentiated properties were lost with alterations affecting either the N terminal 25 amino acids or the CR1 region of the E1A protein. Both regions are required to bind the cellular p300 protein that we showed is present in P19 cells. We conclude that binding of E1A to the p300 protein in P19 cells results in the loss of EC cell characteristics.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Placental passage of the oxytocin antagonist atosiban.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to determine the degree of placental transfer of atosiban (Antocin), an oxytocin antagonist, in pregnant women at term. We also assessed the effects of the infusion on umbilical cord blood gases at birth and the maternal hematocrit drop after cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN: Eight women undergoing elective cesarean section at term were studied. Each received an infusion of 300 micrograms/min of atosiban over 208 to 443 minutes; the infusion was continued up to the time of cord clamping. Uterine vein and umbilical blood samples were obtained simultaneously. They were assayed by specific radioimmunoassay. Cord blood gases were obtained and compared with those from a control group of women undergoing elective cesarean section. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) maternal uterine vein concentration was 331.9 +/- 42.9 ng/ml, compared with 42 +/- 13 ng/ml in the umbilical vein (p < 0.05). The mean maternal/fetal was 12 +/- 0.03, which was not affected by the length of infusion. There was no significant difference in the hematocrit drop between the cesarean delivery groups: 5.9 +/- 0.4 for the control group versus 5.8 +/- 1.1 for the atosiban group (p > 0.1). The mean cord pH was 7.27 for the atosiban group versus 7.27 for the control group (n = 141) (p > 0.1). One year follow-up of the infants (n = 7) was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show minimal placental transfer of atosiban. Drug levels did not increase with longer infusions, and no effect was seen on umbilical cord gases. Administration of atosiban even at high doses up to the time of delivery did not increase maternal blood loss at cesarean section.

Blood Gas Analysis↗
PubMed1995

Cells differentiating into neuroectoderm undergo apoptosis in the absence of functional retinoblastoma family proteins.

The retinoblastoma (RB) protein is present at low levels in early mouse embryos and in pluripotent P19 embryonal carcinoma cells; however, the levels of RB rise dramatically in neuroectoderm formed both in embryos and in differentiating cultures of P19 cells. To investigate the effect of inactivating RB and related proteins p107 and p130, we transfected P19 cells with genes encoding mutated versions of the adenovirus E1A protein that bind RB and related proteins. When these E1A-expressing P19 cells were induced to differentiate into neuroectoderm, there was a striking rise in the expression of c-fos and extensive cell death. The ultrastructural and biochemical characteristics of the dying cells were indicative of apoptosis. The dying cells were those committed to the neural lineages because neurons and astrocytes were lost from differentiating cultures. Cell death was dependent on the ability of the E1A protein to bind RB and related proteins. Our results suggest that proteins of the RB family are essential for the development of the neural lineages and that the absence of functional RB activity triggers apoptosis of differentiating neuroectodermal cells.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Males and females--some vital differences.

More boys are born than girls, yet at older ages women far outnumber men. This article quantifies, for England and Wales, how and why this disparity in the sex ratio varies with age, and looks at changes over the course of this century. The differences between male and female mortality and migration--which lead to these imbalances in numbers--are also set out.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Nitric oxide inhalation in infants and children: physiologic and clinical implications.

Nitric oxide is a significant biologic mediator in a number of physiologic processes. Clinical and laboratory studies in both human and animal models have uncovered a number of conditions responsive to nitric oxide therapy. The use of inhaled nitric oxide is rapidly expanding into neonatal and pediatric critical care. Presently, the primary clinical indication for nitric oxide is pulmonary hypertension of either a primary or secondary etiology. Some patient populations that are refractory to conventional management demonstrate significant improvement when receiving nitric oxide therapy. This article discusses the physiologic properties of nitric oxide, as well as its diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Specific issues regarding nitric oxide delivery, monitoring, safety standards, and nursing care are also addressed.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1994

Unstable integration of transfected DNAs into embryonal carcinoma cells.

Plasmid DNA can be efficiently transfected into embryonal carcinoma cells but it is difficult to isolate clones of cells stably expressing genes present on the transfected plasmids. Even in clonal populations derived from transfected cells, the introduced genes are expressed in some but not all cells. Cotransfection with a region of the Pgk-1 gene results in more efficient, stable cotransformation due to increased numbers of copies of the transfected plasmids integrated into the genomic DNA. The PgK-1 genomic sequences did not allow the plasmid DNA to replicate autonomously but seemed to enhance the ligation of transfected plasmids before their integration into the host genome. Our results suggest a model in which the plasmid DNAs are able to integrate and subsequently excise from the host genome by recombination events enhanced by transcription through the tandemly repeated sequences of the transfected plasmids.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The impact of strategic conflict on the management of information technology in a hospital.

This case study examines the management of information technology in a public teaching hospital. The technology is divided into two major classes: central, mainly administrative systems; and local clinical systems. This split is an outcome of the strategic conflict between the goals of efficiency and effectiveness as pursued by administrators and clinicians respectively. Without resolving this conflict it would be very difficult to develop an integrated information system for this hospital.

Conflict, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Replacement level fertility and future population growth.

'Replacement level fertility' is a technical term which seems almost self-explanatory. However there are some important qualifications which make it a more difficult concept than might be supposed. Also, the relationship between replacement level fertility and zero population growth is complicated. The article explains why this is so and thus why, although the United Kingdom's current level of fertility is below replacement level, population is projected to grow for the next thirty years.

Adolescent↗