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Biomedical subjects

J Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to J Taylor.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Neonatal herpes prevention: a minor public health problem in some communities.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal herpes is a condition with high morbidity and mortality. The greatest risk occurs when the mother acquires herpes simplex virus (HSV) towards the end of pregnancy. A study from Seattle has suggested that the risk of acquisition of HSV during pregnancy was 3.7%. In Australia, HSV-2 infection is less common in pregnant women than in the United States. Consequently we conducted a study to establish HSV seroprevalence and the rate of HSV seroconversion in this population. METHODS: The study was conducted at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, between June 1995 and April 1998. Women completed a questionnaire covering risk factors for the acquisition of genital herpes. A serum sample during pregnancy and a specimen of cord blood were obtained and tested for antibodies to HSV-2 using a type specific indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Equivocal results were resolved by western blot. A subset of the paired sera was tested for antibodies to HSV-1. The data were analysed using SPSS. RESULTS: 326 of the 2616 (12.5%) women were HSV-2 seropositive. Three women (0.15%) acquired HSV-2 infection during pregnancy. None of the three babies of these mothers developed neonatal herpes. 416 maternal cord pairs were tested for HSV-1 antibodies and 330 (79.3%) were positive. No HSV-1 seroconversions occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, HSV acquisition was uncommon (0.34% per year) and neonatal herpes was rare. A cost effective analysis suggested that type specific serology to screen pregnant women and their partners in low prevalence communities was not cost effective.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Surfactant-associated protein A inhibits LPS-induced cytokine and nitric oxide production in vivo.

The role of surfactant-associated protein (SP) A in the mediation of pulmonary responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was assessed in vivo with SP-A gene-targeted [SP-deficient; SP-A(-/-)] and wild-type [SP-A(+/+)] mice. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and nitric oxide were determined in recovered bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after intratracheal administration of LPS. SP-A(-/-) mice produced significantly more TNF-alpha and nitric oxide than SP-A(+/+) mice after LPS treatment. Intratracheal administration of human SP-A (1 mg/kg) to SP-A(-/-) mice restored regulation of TNF-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and nitric oxide production to that of SP-A(+/+) mice. Other markers of lung injury including bronchoalveolar fluid protein, phospholipid content, and neutrophil numbers were not influenced by SP-A. Data from experiments designed to test possible mechanisms of SP-A-mediated suppression suggest that neither binding of LPS by SP-A nor enhanced LPS clearance are the primary means of inhibition. Our data and others suggest that SP-A acts directly on immune cells to suppress LPS-induced inflammation. These results demonstrate that endogenous or exogenous SP-A inhibits pulmonary LPS-induced cytokine and nitric oxide production in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

New imaging techniques for the evaluation of gastrointestinal diseases.

This article provides an overview of recently developed, noninvasive imaging modalities for the evaluation of gastrointestinal disease processes. The advent of spiral computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and conventional magnetic resonance imaging has facilitated the noninvasive assessment of pancreaticobiliary disease. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography provides projectional images of the biliary tree and pancreatic duct, similar to those achieved by direct cholangiography, without the need to administer contrast medium. Spiral computed tomographic colonography provides virtual colonoscopic images of the colonic mucosa, allowing the detection of polyps without the risk associated with colonoscopy.

Caroli Disease↗
PubMed2000

Herpes simplex virus type 2 in prisoners, New South Wales, Australia.

Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibodies in male and female prisoners. A cross-sectional random sample was used consisting of 789 prisoners (657 males and 132 females) from 27 correctional centres across New South Wales (NSW), stratified by sex, age and Aboriginality. Participants were questioned about demographics and behavioural risk factors and were screened for serum antibody to HSV-2. The overall prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was higher in females (58%) than males (21%), and in Aborigines (34%) compared with non-Aborigines (24%). HSV-2 prevalence increased with the number of sexual partners. Few prisoners (1%) reported a previous diagnosis of genital herpes. Independent risk factors for the presence of HSV-2 antibodies were increasing age and Aboriginality for men, and higher reported number of lifetime sexual partners and the presence of hepatitis C antibodies for women. HSV-2 infection is common in prison inmates. There is a need to incorporate information about STDs, including HSV-2, into education programmes for inmates.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Diagnostic testing for HIV type 1 RNA in seronegative blood.

We studied the feasibility of routine diagnostic testing for HIV-1 RNA at a publicly funded testing site. HIV-1 RNA was determined with a commercial polymerase chain reaction assay in pooled seronegative blood samples submitted for HIV testing to a public health laboratory. Recovery of HIV-1 RNA from the samples was estimated as at least 8% of viral RNA that was found in freshly prepared plasma. We estimated that screening for HIV-1 RNA in serum pools would result in the identification of blood specimens from more than 95% of acutely infected patients. The frequency of HIV-1 RNA in seronegative blood samples was estimated to be between 19 and 601 per 10(6) submitted specimens. The ratio of HIV-1 RNA positive and seronegative samples to specimens with HIV-1 antibodies confirmed by Western blot was estimated to be between 0.2% and 6.6%. The reagent costs for identifying 1 HIV-infected blood sample were 10-fold higher with the commercially available HIV-1 RNA assay compared with the HIV antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Diagnostic testing for HIV-1 RNA may be warranted in high-risk populations since acutely infected patients may benefit most from anti-retroviral therapy and are thought to contribute disproportionately to the HIV epidemic.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2000

Sex-role traits and self-monitoring as dimensions of control: women with bulimia nervosa vs. controls.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated sex-role traits and self-monitoring styles as two dimensions of self-control amongst women with bulimia nervosa and normal controls. DESIGN AND METHODS: The participants were 30 women with bulimia nervosa and 40 normal controls who completed questionnaires, which assessed bulimic symptoms, sex-role traits, and Synder's Self-Monitoring Scale. RESULTS: Women with bulimia nervosa were found to identify more strongly than controls with negative feminine traits and Other Directedness, a style of self-monitoring that focuses on pleasing others. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce the notion that women with bulimia nervosa lack assertiveness skills and that the strategies they have developed in their interactions with others can be described as a Negative Yielding style of self-control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Paramedics in the ED.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Emergency Medical Technicians↗
PubMed2000

Sex differences, assortative mating, and cultural transmission effects on adolescent delinquency: a twin family study.

The twin study literature contains inconsistencies regarding both the estimates of genetic, shared, and nonshared environmental influence on delinquency and sex differences in the etiological influences on delinquency. Additionally, little is known about assortative mating and cultural transmission effects on delinquency. The present study was aimed at examining the etiology of delinquency in adolescence and examining assortative mating and transmission effects. To this end, we applied the social homogamy structural equation model to self-reported delinquency data from 486 families with 17-year-old male and female twins. We expected stronger shared environmental influences on delinquency among girls than boys and stronger environmental than genetic effects on adolescent delinquency in general. The results indicated nonsignificant sex differences in the estimates of genetic and environmental influences on delinquency. The best-fitting model suggested that 18 %, 56 %, and 26% of the variance in delinquency among both boys and girls is associated with additive genetic, nonshared environmental, and shared environmental factors, respectively. This finding was consistent with our expectation that environmental factors play an important role in adolescent delinquency. Parental cultural effects accounted for a small part of the transmission of delinquency within families while assortative mating was, in part, accounted for by cultural and social background factors. Future work should focus on identifying important environmental factors related to delinquency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Passive transfer of demyelination by serum or IgG from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy patients.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is regarded as an autoimmune disorder, but no clearly defined autoimmune mechanism has been described. Although most patients respond to plasma exchange, no convincing role for autoantibodies has yet been demonstrated. In this study, we have successfully passively transferred disease using sera and purified IgG from 4 of 12 patients responsive to plasma exchange by bypassing the blood-nerve barrier by intraneural injection or opening it by activated T cells. The sera from CIDP patients or purified IgG produced marked conduction block and demyelination, but normal sera or IgG or that from patients with multiple sclerosis or other neuropathies did not. These observations strongly support an important role for anti-myelin/Schwann cell autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of CIDP at least in some patients.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

Combined treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.

A retrospective review of the experience of a single surgeon over a 20-year period is presented. Fifteen patients with primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the major (6) or minor (9) salivary glands underwent combined treatment with wide local excision and radical postoperative radiotherapy. The actuarial survival is 100% at 5 years and 62% at 10 and 15 years. The disease-specific survival is 100% at 5 years and 86% at 10 and 15 years. There were no loco-regional recurrences. Wide local excision and radical postoperative radiotherapy seems to be an effective treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Heritability of different measures of smooth pursuit eye tracking dysfunction: a study of normal twins.

Research studies have found that smooth pursuit eye movement dysfunction may serve as an index of genetic liability to develop schizophrenia. The heritability of various measures of smooth pursuit eye tracking proficiency and the saccades that occur during smooth pursuit was examined in 64 monozygotic (MZ) and 48 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. Two age cohorts were assessed (11-12 and 17-18 years of age). Intraclass correlations indicated significant similarity in the MZ twins for almost all measures in both age cohorts, whereas few of the DZ twin correlations attained significance. Biometrical modeling indicated that genetic mechanisms influence performance on both global and specific eye tracking measures, accounting for about 40% to 60% of the variance. These findings suggest that the underlying brain systems responsible for smooth pursuit and saccade generation during pursuit are under partial genetic control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Preferential adhesion of prostate cancer cells to bone is mediated by binding to bone marrow endothelial cells as compared to extracellular matrix components in vitro.

We have demonstrated previously that the preferential adhesion of prostate cancer cells to human bone marrow endothelial (HBME) cells may contribute to their preferential metastasis to bone. Although a subject of debate, it has been postulated that the endothelial cells of the bone marrow are fenestrated. It is unknown therefore whether prostate cancer cells adhere preferentially to the extracellular matrix (ECM) or the endothelial cells. It has also been demonstrated in other organ systems that the types of cell adhesion molecules on the surface of endothelial cells lining the organ microvasculature are determined, in part, by the ECM of the organ. We investigated how prostate cancer cell adhesion to HBME cells is affected by growing HBME cells on selected organ-derived ECM proteins in vitro. Growth of HBME cells and immortalized human aortic endothelial cells on bone, kidney, and placenta ECM proteins significantly increased their ability to bind PC-3 cells. This increased adhesion was not dose dependent and was not demonstrated with human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Scanning electron microscopic analysis demonstrated that prostate cancer cells adhered directly to the endothelial cells and not to the underlying substrata. These results suggest that unidentified cell adhesion molecules are expressed or up-regulated on the apical surfaces of human aortic endothelial cells and HBME cells grown on bone, kidney, and placenta ECMs. These results also strongly demonstrate that the adhesion of prostate cancer cells to bone may be initiated by direct binding to endothelial cells rather than direct binding to exposed ECM components.

Bone Marrow Cells↗
PubMed2000

Urology in the USA.

The Mayo Clinic in the USA offers information to professionals and patients. Nursing teams focus on technical aspects of care whereas urological nurse practitioners take an holistic approach.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed2000

Role of caspases in neuronal damage.

There is growing evidence that neuronal apoptosis, or cell suicide, is likely to underlie a number of neurodegenerative disorders. The caspases are a growing family of cysteine proteases that execute the death program by proteolytic cleavage of a number of specific cellular substrates. Recent evidence suggests that they are also involved in processing of neurodegeneration-associated proteins such as amyloid precursor protein and huntingtin. Caspases could thus be attractive therapeutic targets in a number of neural pathologies. The challenge lies in understanding how and which caspases are important in neuronal apoptosis and processing of neurodegeneration-associated proteins and how they are normally regulated. Here we review the evidence for the involvement of caspases in neuronal damage and highlight various studies where caspase inhibition was effective in combating neuronal death.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Resistance to diet-induced obesity is associated with increased proopiomelanocortin mRNA and decreased neuropeptide Y mRNA in the hypothalamus.

Mechanisms mediating genetic susceptibility to diet-induced obesity have not been completely elucidated. Elevated hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and decreased hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) are thought to promote the development and maintenance of obesity. To assess the potential role of hypothalamic neuropeptide gene expression in diet-induced obesity, the present study examined effects of a high-fat diet on hypothalamic NPY and POMC mRNA in three strains of mice that differ in susceptibility to develop diet-induced obesity. C57BL/6J, CBA, and A/J mice were fed either normal rodent chow or a high-fat diet for 14 weeks after which hypothalamic gene expression was measured. On the high-fat diet, C57BL/6J mice gained the most weight, whereas A/J mice gained the least weight. On the high-fat diet, NPY mRNA significantly decreased as body weight increased in CBA and A/J mice, but not in C57BL/6J mice. In addition, POMC mRNA significantly increased as body weight increased in A/J mice, but not in CBA and C57BL/6J mice. Since decreased NPY mRNA and increased POMC mRNA would presumably attenuate weight gain, these results suggest that a high-fat diet produces compensatory changes in hypothalamic gene expression in mice resistant to diet-induced obesity but not in mice susceptible to diet-induced obesity.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effects of structure on alpha C-H bond enthalpies of amino acid residues: relevance to H transfers in enzyme mechanisms and in protein oxidation.

The bond dissociation enthalpies (BDE) of all of the amino acid residues, modeled by HC(O)NHCH(R)C(O)NH(2) (PH(res)), were determined at the B3LYP/6-31G//B3LYP/6-31G level, coupled with isodesmic reactions. The results for neutral side chains with phi, psi angles approximately 180 degrees, approximately 180 degrees in ascending order, to an expected accuracy of +/-10 kJ mol(-)(1), are Asn 326; cystine 330; Asp 332; Gln 334; Trp 337; Arg 340; Lys 340; Met 343; His 344; Phe 344; Tyr 344; Leu 344; Ala 345; Cys 346; Ser 349; Gly 350; Ile 351; Val 352; Glu 354; Thr 357; Pro-cis 358; Pro-trans 369. BDEs calculated at the ROMP2/6-31G//B3LYP/6-31G level exhibit the same trends but are approximately 7 kJ mol(-)(1) higher. All BDEs are smaller than those of typical secondary or tertiary C-H bonds due to the phenomenon of captodative stabilization. The stabilization is reduced by changes in the phi,psi angles. As a result the BDEs increase by about 10 kJ mol(-)(1) in beta-sheet and 40 kJ mol(-)(1) in alpha-helical environments, respectively. In effect the alpha C-H BDEs can be "tuned" from about 345 to 400 kJ mol(-)(1) by adjusting the local environment. Some very significant effects of this are seen in the current literature on H-transfer processes in enzyme mechanisms and in oxidative damage to proteins. These observations are discussed in terms of the findings of the present study.

Amino Acids↗