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J Reid

Publications and source records attributed to J Reid.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Linkage analysis of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Previous studies have suggested an association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and an insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE). This polymorphism consists of a 250-bp insertion/deletion of an alu repeat in the 16th intron of the ACE gene. Individuals homozygous for the deletion have a higher level of circulating enzyme. Due to the important role of this enzyme in regulating the renin--angiotensin and kallikrein--kininogen systems, it is possible that the ACE insertion/deletion may play a role in SLE, which can include vasculitis and vascular changes. Using primers flanking the insertion/deletion site, we have examined the ACE gene in lupus patients and family members using genomic DNA obtained from the Lupus Multiplex Registry and Repository (LMRR). We were unable to detect significant linkage or genetic association between the ACE gene and SLE.

Family Health↗
PubMed2001

Development of a behaviour-based scale to measure acute pain in dogs.

A composite scale for assessing pain in dogs in a hospital setting has been developed on the basis of observations of their behaviour. Initially, 279 words and expressions suggested by 69 veterinary surgeons were reduced into 47 words and expressions which were allocated into seven behaviour categories: demeanour and response to people, posture, mobility, activity, response to touch, attention to painful area and vocalisation. Three statistical methods, hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and analysis of variance with multiple comparisons and empirical cumulative distributions, were used to validate these procedures, and a questionnaire accompanied by a list of definitions was designed around the expressions. The new composite scale is more detailed than previously reported scales for assessing pain in dogs on the basis of their behaviour, and the methods used in its development are based on sound scientific principles.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Food security: is New Zealand a land of plenty?

AIM: To explore the concept of food security (when there is enough, appropriate and acceptable food available) in the adult New Zealand population using the National Nutrition Survey (NNS97). METHODS: The stepwise development of indicators of food security included a literature search and focus groups with low income women and men. Key issues surrounding the procurement and provision of food were determined and eight indicator statements prepared for inclusion in NNS97, to be addressed by each participant on behalf of their household. RESULTS: Prevalence was significantly higher (p<0.05) for females compared to males for the majority of indicator statements among New Zealand European & Others and Maori. New Zealand European & Others reported the most food security; Pacific people reported the least and Maori fell between the two. There was a significant increasing linear trend of food security with age (p<0.001), after adjusting for gender. "Food runs out in my/our household due to lack of money" was cited more often by female compared to male New Zealand European & Others in NZDep96 quartiles III and IV. CONCLUSION: The issue of 'not having enough food' may be more prevalent in New Zealand than US or Australia. Among New Zealand European & Others the higher prevalence of insufficient food due to lack of money among females from NZDep96 quartiles III and IV suggests that males may be protected from this by their female partners. Food security needs to be improved among young adults, women, Maori and Pacific people in order to prevent longer term nutritional health consequences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Divergent N-terminal sequences of a deubiquitinating enzyme modulate substrate specificity.

Ubiquitin-specific processing proteases (UBPs) are characterized by a conserved core domain with surrounding divergent sequences, particularly at the N-terminal end. We previously cloned two isoforms of a testis UBP, UBP-t1 and UBP-t2, which contain identical core regions but distinct N termini that target the two isoforms to different subcellular locations (Lin, H., Keriel, A., Morales, C. R., Bedard, N., Zhao, Q., Hingamp, P., Lefrancois, S., Combaret, L., and Wing, S. S. (2000) Mol. Cell. Biol. 20, 6568-6578). To determine whether the N termini also influence the biochemical functions of the UBP, we expressed UBP-t1, UBP-t2, and the common core domain, UBP core, in Escherichia coli. The three isoforms cleaved branched triubiquitin at >20-fold faster rates than linear diubiquitin, suggesting that UBP-testis functions as an isopeptidase. Both N-terminal extensions inhibited the ability of UBP-core to generate free ubiquitin when linked in a peptide bond with itself, another peptide, or to small adducts. The N-terminal extension of UBP-t2 increased the ability of UBP-core to cleave branched triubiquitin. UBP-core removed ubiquitin from testis ubiquitinated proteins more rapidly than UBP-t2 and UBP-t1. Thus, UBP enzymes appear to contain a catalytic core domain, the activities and specificities of which can be modulated by N-terminal extensions. These divergent N termini can alter localization and confer multiple functions to the various members of the large UBP family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation and optimisation of a target-controlled infusion system for administering propofol to dogs as part of a total intravenous anaesthetic technique during dental surgery.

The performance of a modified target-controlled infusion system was investigated in 16 dogs undergoing routine dental work, by comparing the predicted concentrations of propofol in venous blood samples with direct measurements; the optimum targets for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia were also identified. The performance of a target-controlled infusion system is considered clinically acceptable when the median prediction error, a measure of bias, is not greater than +/-10 to 20 per cent, and the median absolute performance error, a measure of the accuracy, is not greater than 20 to 30 per cent. The results fell within these limits indicating that the system performed adequately. The optimal induction target was 3 microg/ml, and anaesthesia of adequate depth and satisfactory quality was achieved with maintenance targets of between 2.5 and 4.7 microg/ml propofol. The system was easy to use and the quality of anaesthesia was adequate for dental work.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of a novel brain-derived microglial cell line isolated from neonatal rat brain.

We observed highly aggressively proliferating immortalized (HAPI) cells growing in cultures that had been enriched for microglia. The cells were initially obtained from mixed glial cultures prepared from 3-day-old rat brains. HAPI cells are typically round with few or no processes when cultured in 10% serum containing medium. As the percentage of serum in the medium is decreased, the HAPI cells have more processes. HAPI cells stain for the isolectin B4, OX-42, and GLUT5, which are markers for microglial cells, but the cells do not immunolabel with A2B5, a marker of cells in the oligodendroglial cell lineage, or with the astrocyte-specific marker, glial fibrillary aciidic protein (GFAP). In addition, HAPI cells are capable of phagocytosis. We conclude that HAPI cells are of microglia/macrophage lineage. Exposing HAPI cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the mRNAs for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). LPS exposure also induces secretion of TNF-alpha and production of nitric oxide (NO) in HAPI cells. Because activation of microglia is associated with an increase in iron accumulation and ferritin expression, we tested the hypothesis that iron status affects the production of TNF-alpha and NO. Our studies demonstrate that both iron chelation and iron loading diminished the LPS-induced effect of TNF-alpha and NO. The results of this study indicate that HAPI cells possess the characteristics of microglia/brain macrophages, providing an alternative cell culture model for the study of microglia. In addition, we demonstrate that the activation of microglial cells could be modified by iron.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Limited sampling models for CPT-11, SN-38, and SN-38 glucuronide.

PURPOSE: We developed limited sampling models (LSMs) for predicting the area under the curve (AUC) of irinotecan (CPT-11) and its metabolites SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Regression models were developed based on data from a phase I clinical trial involving 34 patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies who received CPT-11 as a 90-min infusion on an every 3-week dosing schedule. Multiple stepwise regression procedures were supplemented by all possible subsets regression analysis. Alternative clinically based and empirically derived LSMs were determined via model validation assessment including bootstrap simulation testing. RESULTS: The best LSMs for CPT-11 AUC included concentrations recorded at the end of infusion and 4 h later with an option to include a blood draw at 7.5 h from infusion start. For SN-38 and SN-38G AUC, optimal LSMs included the additional metabolite concentration at 48 h after infusion. The LSMs were able to predict most patient AUC values to within 10% of the true value. CONCLUSION: CPT-11 AUC can be modeled with acceptable accuracy using only two or three plasma concentration time-points. A variety of LSM alternatives provided comparable accuracy in predicting AUC. Given the wide variety of LSM alternatives, clinical considerations and patient burden become more important performance parameters than statistical considerations for the choice of time-points in constructing LSMs.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed2001

Phase I trial of sequential administration of raltitrexed (Tomudex) and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd).

Raltitrexed (Tomudex) is a specific inhibitor of thymidylate synthase with clinical activity in colorectal cancer. The combination of raltitrexed and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd, a cytotoxic pyrimidine analog) resulted in increased IdUrd incorporation into DNA and exhibited in vitro synergism against colon and bladder human carcinoma cell lines. We designed a phase I trial to determine the MTD, pharmacokinetics, and biologic effects of escalating doses of the combination of IdUrd given as a 24-hour infusion after a raltitrexed 15-minute infusion every three weeks. Thirty-four patients received 95 courses of raltitrexed and IdUrd at doses ranging from raltitrexed 1 mg/m2 and IdUrd 750 mg/m2 to raltitrexed 2.5 mg/m2 and IdUrd 10,400 mg/m2. The median number of cycles administered was 2 (range 1-10). Dose limiting hematologic toxicity occurred at doses of raltitrexed 2.5 mg/m2 and IdUrd 10,400 mg/m2. In addition, we determined the mean plasma concentrations C(SS) of IdUrd, the iodouracil level at 22 hours and the IdUrd clearance. Raltitrexed did not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of IdUrd in the dose range tested. The recommended phase II dose is raltitrexed 2 mg/m2 and IdUrd 10,400 mg/m2 repeated every three weeks. Evidence of potential antitumor activity was observed: 1 patient (with colon cancer) had a partial response while 15 others had stable disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Confirmation of meningococcal disease by urinary antigen testing.

The meningococcus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and a rapid laboratory diagnosis is required through accurate, non-culture-based methods. Body fluids that are easily obtainable are preferred for this route of diagnosis and urine is the specimen of choice as it can be obtained non-invasively. Urine samples were tested from patients with suspected meningococcal disease and tested by latex agglutination and PCR. It was shown that urinary PCR is not useful for the laboratory confirmation of MD but latex agglutination testing may be useful in certain settings prior to confirmatory testing by a reference laboratory.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2001

A national agenda for public health informatics.

The American Medical Informatics Association 2001 Spring Congress brought together the public health and informatics communities to develop a national agenda for public health informatics. Discussions on funding and governance; architecture and infrastructure; standards and vocabulary; research, evaluation, and best practices; privacy, confidentiality, and security; and training and workforce resulted in 74 recommendations with two key themes: (1) all stakeholders need to be engaged in coordinated activities related to public health information architecture, standards, confidentiality, best practices, and research and (2) informatics training is needed throughout the public health workforce. Implementation of this consensus agenda will help promote progress in the application of information technology to improve public health.

Congresses as Topic↗
PubMed2001

Social skills and problem-solving training for children with early-onset conduct problems: who benefits?

Families of 99 children with early-onset conduct problems, aged 4-8 years, were randomly assigned to a child training treatment group (CT) utilizing the Incredible Years Dinosaur Social Skills and Problem Solving Curriculum or a waiting-list control group (CON). Post-treatment CT children had significantly fewer externalizing problems at home, less aggression at school, more prosocial behavior with peers, and more positive conflict management strategies than CON children. Significantly more CT than CON children showed clinically significantly improvements on reports and independent observations of aggressive and noncompliant behavior. The differential treatment response was evaluated according to child comorbidity with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), parenting discipline practices. and family risk factors. The only risk factor related to failure to make improvements in child conduct problems after treatment was negative parenting (i.e., maternal critical statements and physical force). The long-term follow-up 1 year later indicated that most of the significant post-treatment changes were maintained.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2001

European proficiency testing program for molecular detection and quantitation of hepatitis B virus DNA.

External quality control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA detection remains an important issue. This study reports and compares the results obtained from two different proficiency panels for both the qualitative and quantitative assessment of HBV DNA. The panels were designed by the European Union Quality Control Concerted Action, prepared by Boston Biomedica, Inc., and distributed in May 1999 (panel 1) and February 2000 (panel 2). Each contained two negative samples and six positive samples with 10(3) to 10(7) copies/ml (panel 1) or 10(3) to 2 x 10(6) copies of HBV DNA per ml (panel 2). For panel 1, 42 laboratories submitted 20 qualitative (all in-house PCRs) and 37 quantitative (87% commercial assays) data sets. For panel 2, 51 laboratories submitted 25 qualitative (all in-house PCRs) and 47 quantitative (94% commercial assays) data sets. Five data sets (8.8%) in panel 1 and two data sets (2.8%) in panel 2 contained totals of six and two false-positives, respectively, corresponding to false-positive result rates of 5.3% for panel 1 and 1.4% for panel 2. The false-negative result rates of 10.5% for panel 1 and 17.4% for panel 2 were dependent on the detection levels of the assays employed as well as panel composition. In the qualitative analysis of all data sets, 47.4% (panel 1) and 51.4% (panel 2) had all samples correct. An adequate or better score (all correct or only the weak-positive sample missed) was obtained with 77.2% of the panel 1 samples and 68.1% of the panel 2 samples. In the quantitative analysis, 57.1% (panel 1) and 42.6% (panel 2) of the data sets achieved an adequate or better score (positive results within the acceptable range of the geometric mean +/- 0.5 log(10) of all positive results). These results demonstrate that while the qualitative performance of HBV detection has considerably improved compared to that of a previously published HBV proficiency study, the detection levels of many commercial quantitative assays are still too high to allow adequate quantitation of all relevant clinical samples.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed2001

The management of constipation in people with advanced cancer.

Constipation represents a significant problem for people with advanced cancer. It ranks in the top three most uncomfortable symptoms experienced, causing pain and anorexia that ultimately result in misery. The negative impact upon the quality of life of the patient and their carers is significant. The key to the provision of effective care lies in the informed application of the nursing process, underpinned by a sound knowledge base in relation to the management of constipation. Theoretical knowledge enables appropriate preventative interventions to be planned in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team. When preventative measures are not applied or are unsuccessful, informed assessment and care planning enables appropriate interventions to be applied in order to resolve constipation. This article will discuss the causes and management of constipation. The discussion focuses on assessment, setting goals with the patient and their carers, planning appropriate nursing interventions to support medical interventions and evaluating clinical outcomes.

Cathartics↗
PubMed2001

Fast three-point dixon MR imaging using low-resolution images for phase correction: a comparison with chemical shift selective fat suppression for pediatric musculoskeletal imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe and to implement a new fast three-point Dixon MR imaging sequence with online image reconstruction, and to compare this sequence with conventional chemical shift selective (CHESS) suppression of fat in pediatric musculoskeletal imaging. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A three-point Dixon technique using a fast spin-echo sequence with a new phase-correction algorithm providing online image reconstruction was implemented on a 1.5-T scanner. Twelve pediatric patients and young adults were imaged with both the new three-point Dixon and conventional CHESS sequences. Three radiologists un-aware of imaging parameters and clinical information independently scored the homogeneity of fat suppression and conspicuity of abnormality using a four-point system. An additional comparison between the two techniques was made using a phantom. RESULTS: The three-point Dixon method showed superior fat suppression and lesion conspicuity (p < 0.001), particularly in the hands and feet, where CHESS is prone to inconsistent fat suppression. The phantom study showed no significant difference in the ratio of suppressed fat signal to background noise and more homogeneous fat suppression using the three-point Dixon method. CONCLUSION: Compared with CHESS, the new fast three-point Dixon sequence with online image reconstruction provides superior fat suppression and lesion conspicuity and can be routinely used in pediatric musculoskeletal imaging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Meningococcal disease due to serogroup Y in Scotland, 1992-1999.

Meningococcal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. A retrospective analysis was performed of all cases of invasive group-Y disease that were laboratory-confirmed in Scotland between 1992 and 1999. A total of 1881 meningococcal isolates were characterised, 78 of which were serogroup Y. The incidence of non-invasive group-Y disease remained level between 1992 and 1999. Only 12 isolates were from invasive disease, comprising five strain types. Invasive group-Y disease was associated mostly with the young or old. Serogroup-Y meningococcal disease was uncommon and a rare cause of invasive disease in Scotland between 1992 and 1999; however, it is essential that microbiologists are aware of its potential for increasing in incidence due to the recent introduction of the MenC vaccine, and its increased incidence in the USA.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Criminals' explanations of their criminal behavior, III: the effects of time and context.

The authors looked at the explanations for their index of violent crimes as given by 69 incarcerated violent male offenders, respectively. We then examined the extent to which those explanations changed with the passing of time and with change in context. We found that explanations of impaired internal control increased with the passing of time, and that such explanation was given more often to mental health professionals rather than law enforcement professionals. Finally, we found that our subjects tended to give mental health professionals fewer explanations involving external control with the passing of time.

Adult↗