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Biomedical subjects

J Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to J Taylor.

At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of alcoholism among dually diagnosed psychiatric inpatients.

Alcohol is an increasingly abused substance among psychiatric inpatients, and the extent to which alcohol dependence history is documented and the alcoholism subsequently treated is a compelling issue. This study is a retrospective review of the extent to which alcohol dependence history was obtained, and if applicable, whether a diagnosis and/or treatment plan were made, for acute psychiatric inpatients. For these purposes, an original instrument was constructed. Our results indicate that the predominant focus for acute inpatients is on diagnostic assessment of the severity of the alcohol problem, reflecting the need to deal with those issues requiring the most immediate attention. For patients with schizophrenia, attention to alcoholism diagnosis and treatment was less than that for nonschizophrenic patients. The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to the evaluation and treatment of dually diagnosed patients, along with further directions for research.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Associations of self-reported past "psychotic" phenomena with features of personality disorders.

Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may present with "psychotic" phenomena, which can be defined as a range of specified "altered experiences of reality." This study investigated the associations between self-reported past psychotic phenomena and features of DSM-III-R personality disorders (PDs) in 57 inpatients without a previous diagnosis of the main disorders that involve delusions and hallucinations. The present findings include associations between past psychotic phenomena and features of BPD, between repeated self-harm and a report that "thoughts seemed put into head," and between psychotic phenomena and features of other PDs, particularly schizotypal PD. There was a high prevalence of BPD in the present sample. Dissociation, in the context of the features of BPD, may be a causal factor for the development of some of the psychotic phenomena presented by patients with PD.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular analysis of recrudescent parasites in a Plasmodium falciparum drug efficacy trial in Gabon.

Recrudescent Plasmodium falciparum parasites were sampled from 108 children taking part in a drug efficacy trial in Gabon. A finger-prick blood sample was taken from each child before treatment, and a post-treatment sample taken of the recrudescent parasites. Sample deoxyribonucleic acid was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using primers specific to the P. falciparum antigen genes MSP-1, MSP-2 and GLURP. Seventy-seven children had identical parasites in their pre- and post-treatment samples, indicating genuine recrudescences of resistant parasites. Fourteen children had completely different parasites in their pre- and post-treatment samples, indicating either a fresh infection from a mosquito or growth of a population of parasites not detected in the pre-treatment sample, perhaps due to sequestration. The remaining 17 children had a mixture of pre-treatment and new parasites in their post-treatment samples. This study demonstrated the use of polymorphic markers to confirm whether parasites in patients with clinical recrudescences after drug treatment are genuinely resistant.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immune pathogenesis of AIDS and related syndromes.

HIV infection induces both immune deficiency and immune stimulation. Central to the pathology of HIV infection is reduction in the numbers and function of CD4 T cells. Impaired functions include decreased proliferation, IL-2 receptor expression and production of lymphokines (IL-2 and gamma interferon (IFN]. HIV infection stimulates B cells and CD8 T cells. This is seen relatively soon after HIV infection. Increased activation and immaturity are seen in both these cell groups. In vitro studies confirm HIV stimulation of these cells. Studies have been conducted on patients with AIDS and opportunistic infection (OI) or Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), with AIDS-related complex (ARC) or with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), as well as on asymptomatic HIV-seropositive and -seronegative homosexually active men. The latter group has been followed at 6-month intervals for the past 2-3 years. Those who seroconverted (became HIV-infected) were studied to investigate early changes following HIV infection. To delineate the immunopathology of infection with HIV, serial testing of seropositive individuals was carried out to determine the rate of CD4-T-cell reduction. Lowered CD4-T-cell number and percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio correlate with the occurrence of AIDS and with survival after AIDS-KS diagnosis. Seropositive individuals, however, differed markedly in the rate of CD4-T-cell reduction; in some, no reduction in CD4 cells occurred over a two-year period of observation. We propose that, in individuals in which CD4 levels have reached a plateau, effective host resistance to further CD4 cytoreduction has occurred.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison and characteristics of motor vehicle accident (MVA) and non-MVA driving fears.

Prior research has revealed the diagnostic complexity among people who report driving fears. However, the focus on survivors of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and diagnostic samples may have inadvertently led to a relative neglect of the broader driving-fearful population. No studies could be located that compared MVA survivors with those who had not experienced an MVA. The aim of the present study was to address these deficits by comparing the characteristics of MVA and non-MVA driving-fearfuls and also exploring a range of characteristics associated with driving fears. One hundred and ninety media-recruited driving-fearfuls completed a questionnaire that assessed severity of anxiety and avoidance associated with a variety of driving situations. It was found that fear levels were similar to samples of driving phobics and MVA victims. There were no significant differences between MVA and non-MVA respondents on various measures of fear severity. In addition, the sample rated a high level of anxiety when driving with someone who criticizes their driving. Implications of the findings are discussed, along with suggestions for assessment and treatment of those with driving-related fears.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accuracy of trauma triage in patients transported by helicopter.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to study the accuracy of the American College of Surgeons Trauma Triage Scheme in trauma patients transported by helicopter from the scene of injury. METHODS: This is a case series of 333 patients transported by helicopter from the scene of injury to a University Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center. We constructed 2 x 2 tables with the use of injury Severity Score > 15 as the "gold standard" for major trauma and assessed the Trauma Triage Scheme (overall) and its physiologic, situational, and age/comorbidity components individually. RESULTS: Physiologic criteria had high specificity (85.7%) but low sensitivity (55.6%), whereas situational criteria had high sensitivity (86.6%) but low specificity (19.9%). Use of physiologic criteria alone would miss 67 of 151 patients with injury Severity Score > 15 and five of 31 fatalities. Situational criteria capture 58 of the 67 major trauma patients missed by the physiologic criteria but also 125 minor trauma patients. Age/comorbidity criteria had low positive (22.7%) and negative (10%) predictive values. CONCLUSIONS: Physiologic triage criteria alone identify only half of trauma patients with injury Severity Score > 15. Situational criteria are needed to identify most patients with injury Severity Score > 15, but this also captures many patients with minor injury. If the Trauma Triage Scheme situational criteria could be improved, trauma overtriage might be reduced with resultant health care cost savings.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11A: localization in human tissues.

3',5'-Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11 (PDE11) is the most recently discovered family of human 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). This family contains one gene, PDE11A, with four splice variants (PDE11A1-PDE11A4). The physiological role of PDE11A has not been determined. Tadalafil (Cialis), a PDE5A inhibitor used for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction, has been reported to partially inhibit PDE11. It was therefore of interest to consider the pattern of expression of PDE11 in human tissues. Although four PDE11A mRNA transcripts have been reported, we detected protein corresponding to only one of them, PDE11A4, in human prostate, pituitary, heart and liver. Using immunohistochemistry, there was strong PDE11A antibody staining in the glandular epithelium of the prostate and weak staining of neuronal cells within parasympathetic ganglia in the heart. No PDE11A protein was detected in blood vessels or cardiac myocytes. None of the four potential PDE11A proteins were detected in human skeletal muscle, testis, or penis.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of ovariectomy on adipose tissue of mice in the absence of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha): a potential role for estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta).

Adipose tissue deposition is highly responsive to estrogen; ovariectomy increases adipose deposition, and estrogen replacement reverses this. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) plays a major role in adipose tissue. ERalpha knockout (alphaERKO) mice show an increase in adipose tissue of over a 100 % compared to wild-type mice. However, alphaERKO mice undergo a 10-fold increase in 17beta-estradiol (E2), and persistent or even increased signaling through ERbeta could be a factor in obesity of alphaERKO mice. To test the hypothesis that ERbeta plays a role in adipose tissue, adult female alphaERKO mice were ovariectomized or sham-ovariectomized and fed a phytoestrogen-free diet. Ovariectomized mice were treated with vehicle or E2, and bodyweights and food consumption were measured. Mice were killed after 28 days and inguinal and parametrial fat pads collected. Sham-ovariectomized alphaERKO mice had increased body weight, ovariectomized alphaERKO mice showed a 6 % decrease, and E2 replacement restored body weight to sham levels. Fat pads of ovariectomized alphaERKO mice showed 45 % and 16 % decreases in weight and adipocyte circumference, respectively, compared to sham-ovariectomized or E2-replaced ovariectomized alphaERKO mice. Ovariectomized alphaERKO mice showed a trend towards decreased feed consumption that did not reach significance. Blood glucose levels were lower both before and after glucose injection in ovariectomized compared to sham alphaERKO mice, and E2 treatment reversed this. Insulin levels following glucose challenge were lower in ovariectomized compared to sham-ovariectomized alphaERKO mice, indicating that ovariectomy ameliorated the glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in alphaERKO mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong staining for ERbeta in adipose tissue. These observations indicate that removing E2/ERbeta signaling in alphaERKO mice by ovariectomy decreases body and fat-pad weights and adipocyte size, while improving insulin and glucose metabolism. ERbeta mediated effects on adipose tissue are opposite those of ERalpha, although E2 effects on adipose tissue are predominately through ERalpha.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Timing of Demirjian's tooth formation stages.

BACKGROUND: Global differences in Demirjian et al.'s method of assessing dental maturity are thought to be due to population differences. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of individual tooth formation stages in children from eight countries. RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a meta-analysis of previously published data from retrospective cross-sectional studies of dental maturity. METHOD: Data of mandibular permanent developing teeth from panoramic radiographs (Demirjian's stages) were combined from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, France, South Korea and Sweden (n = 9002, ages 2-16.99 years). Age-of-attainment was calculated using logistic regression for each group by sex and meta-analysis of the total. Overlapping 95% confidence intervals of the means was interpreted as no significant difference. RESULTS: Mean ages for each group and total were significantly different in 65 out of 509 comparisons (p < 0.05). Some of these were of small sample size but there was no consistent pattern. Apex closure of the first molar was significantly later in children from Quebec and this might explain differences found in the dental maturity score. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest no major differences in the timing of tooth formation stages between these children. This fails to explain previous findings of differences using Demirjian's dental maturity method.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Working women in the sex industry and their perception of risk from HIV/AIDS.

The present research project provided women who are normally marginalized by society with an opportunity to give their opinions on health matters that are directly related to their working and personal lives. Discussion groups were held with women working in saunas or massage parlors (the sex industry) to obtain their views on sexual health and the risk of infection from the human immunodeficiency virus. The sauna workers said they have less chance of becoming infected than women not working in the sex industry, because they are very careful about their activities in the sauna. The women were very concerned about their children and wanted information to give to their children rather than for themselves. Although these women used condoms at work, they said they were reluctant to use condoms in their social relationships because of the association with work.

Condoms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flexion creep deformation and hysteresis in the lumbar vertebral column.

Fresh lumbar vertebral columns from nine male subjects aged from six to 61 years were tested for creep deformation and hysteresis. The standard test applied a load of 3.5 kg for one hour through a weight and pulley circuit. Additional tests used 1 kg and 5.5 kg for varying periods of time. The four oldest columns showed a pronounced decrease in the range of flexion movement but a consistent increase in the flexion creep deformation. Hysteresis recovery on load removal was more prolonged and less complete in the older lumbar columns than in the young.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using a focus group to design a diabetes education program for an African American population.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to determine what factors need to be considered in planning a diabetes education program to better meet the needs of African Americans with diabetes in a community served by a suburban community hospital. METHODS: Two focus group sessions were conducted. The sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by members of the research team. RESULTS: Four themes emerged that had bearing on program development: (1) a sense of personal powerlessness, (2) fear related to complications, (3) recognition of knowledge deficits accompanied by an inability to link behavior to outcomes, and (4) a clear vision of what kind of educational setting would interest and benefit the group. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between what was being offered for diabetes education at the facility and what was desired according to the focus group, including factors of cost and leadership. Recommendations for future program planning are given.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Simultaneous measurement of hundreds of liver proteins: application in assessment of liver function.

Proteins implement most biological functions at the molecular level. As one might expect based on this fact, it appears that the altered functional states associated with toxic effects involve changes in the abundance or structure of proteins. Although numerous specific assays exist to measure changes in the abundance of individual proteins, practical limitations have prevented widespread use of multiple protein assays for the global characterization of toxicity. Recent developments in protein analytical technology are rapidly changing this picture. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, a technique capable of resolving and quantitating hundreds of proteins simultaneously, is becoming an automated, high-throughput tool. In parallel, techniques have been developed that allow the resulting deluge of protein measurements to be organized into a prototype Molecular Effects Database describing xenobiotic effects in rodent liver. This database can detect, classify, and characterize a broad range of liver toxicity mechanisms. It currently contains approximately 10 million protein measurements, including data on the liver effects of 43 compounds, with a further 50 compounds to be added in 1995. Observed effects range from very broad (sex steroids alter levels of 45% of all liver proteins) to very specific (e.g., hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors). Companion 2-dimensional databases describing rodent brain and kidney have been initiated, as have linkages to the genomic sequence databases. Assimilation of this approach into research and regulatory toxicology poses an interesting challenge--one that is likely to lead to a radically more sophisticated understanding of toxicity and its biological basis.

Animals↗