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Biomedical subjects

J Walsh

Publications and source records attributed to J Walsh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Recurrence of cyclic esotropia after surgical correction.

Cyclic esotropia is a rare form of strabismus in which a convergent squint appears and disappears typically, but not always, in a regular 48-hour cycle. Characteristically, the convergent squint, when present, has a large angle with associated suppression and no binocular function. On normal or "nonsquinting" days, no manifest deviation is detectable (although in some cases there may be an esophoria). Physiologic diplopia is appreciated, whereas fusion and stereopsis are all normal. Amblyopia may occur in up to 20% of cases.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1999

The liguleless2 gene of maize functions during the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive shoot apex.

During a maize plant's (Zea mays) development, the shoot apical meristem (SAM) generates an apex that proceeds through different phases: juvenile vegetative, adult vegetative and reproductive. During each phase the structures produced are distinguishable from structures produced during the other phases. In this paper, we demonstrate that the LIGULELESS2 (LG2) function is required for an accurate vegetative to reproductive phase transition. The maize gene liguleless2 (lg2) has been shown to encode a basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) protein and to function in narrowing the region from which the ligule and auricle develop in a typical maize leaf. Here we show that lg2 mutant plants can have reduced long tassel branches, extra vegetative leaves and extra husk leaves when compared to wild-type siblings. This indicates a role for the lg2 gene in the vegetative to reproductive phase transition of the shoot apex. We also discuss a potential role for the lg2 gene in general phase transition processes.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Depletion of cutaneous peptidergic innervation in HIV-associated xerosis.

Severe xerosis occurs in approximately 20% of human immunodeficiency virus seropositive patients. Changes in cutaneous innervation have been found in various inflammatory skin diseases and in xerotic skin in familial amyloid. We have therefore carried out a quantitative examination of the cutaneous peptidergic innervation in human immunodeficiency virus-associated xerosis. Immunohistochemistry and image analysis quantitation were used to compare total cutaneous innervation (protein gene product 9.5), calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, and vasoactive intestinal peptide peptidergic fibers, at two sites in the skin of human immunodeficiency virus-associated xerosis patients (upper arm, n = 12; upper leg, n = 11) and site-matched seronegative controls (upper arm, n = 10; upper leg, n = 10). Measurement of lengths of fibers of each type was carried out for each subject in the epidermis and papillary dermis, and around the sweat glands. Immunostained mast cells in these areas were counted. Epidermal integrity and maturation were assessed by immunostaining for involucrin. There were significant (Mann-Whitney U test; p < 0.02) decreases in total lengths of protein gene product 9.5 fibers in both epidermis/papillary dermis and sweat gland fields; of calcitonin gene-related peptide innervation in the epidermis/papillary dermis; and of substance P innervation of the sweat glands. There were no differences in the distribution of mast cells, or in the epidermal expression of involucrin. Depletion of the calcitonin gene-related peptide innervation may affect the nutrient blood supply of the upper dermis, and the integrity and function of basal epidermis and Langerhans cells. Diminished substance P innervation of the sweat glands may affect their secretory activity. Both of these changes may be implicated in the development of xerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Dysferlin is a plasma membrane protein and is expressed early in human development.

Recently, a single gene, DYSF, has been identified which is mutated in patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B) and with Miyoshi myopathy (MM). This is of interest because these diseases have been considered as two distinct clinical conditions since different muscle groups are the initial targets. Dysferlin, the protein product of the gene, is a novel molecule without homology to any known mammalian protein. We have now raised a monoclonal antibody to dysferlin and report on the expression of this new protein: immunolabelling with the antibody (designated NCL-hamlet) demonstrated a polypeptide of approximately 230 kDa on western blots of skeletal muscle, with localization to the muscle fibre membrane by microscopy at both the light and electron microscopic level. A specific loss of dysferlin labelling was observed in patients with mutations in the LGMD2B/MM gene. Furthermore, patients with two different frameshifting mutations demonstrated very low levels of immunoreactive protein in a manner reminiscent of the dystrophin expressed in many Duchenne patients. Analysis of human fetal tissue showed that dysferlin was expressed at the earliest stages of development examined, at Carnegie stage 15 or 16 (embryonic age 5-6 weeks). Dysferlin is present, therefore, at a time when the limbs start to show regional differentiation. Lack of dysferlin at this critical time may contribute to the pattern of muscle involvement that develops later, with the onset of a muscular dystrophy primarily affecting proximal or distal muscles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

A non-comparative multi-centre clinical evaluation of a new hydropolymer adhesive dressing.

This study evaluates the performance of a new hydropolymer adhesive dressing in the treatment of chronic or acute wounds, in the presence of blood and/or low levels of exudate, in 74 patients, in a five-site multi-centre non-comparative clinical trial of four weeks' duration. The primary efficacy variable was defined as the incidence of central island dressing adherence to the wound bed in the final stages of healing. The hydropolymer dressing performed extremely well with 98.4% (240 out of 244) of the dressings not adhering to the wound bed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Anti-anxiety medications: a review for social workers.

Social workers in mental health settings frequently participate in the treatment of clients with incapacitating anxiety. Medication is often included among the interventions for these clients. Social workers, who specialize in psychosocial interventions, also have key roles in the assessment and monitoring of medication effects. The purpose of this article is to provide social workers with an overview of the pharmacological treatment of anxiety so that they can carry out their range of interventions more effectively. Included is information about types of medication and their dosages, positive and adverse effects, interactions of medication with other interventions, and special concerns with children and adolescents.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1999

Assessing immunization performance of private practitioners in Maine: impact of the assessment, feedback, incentives, and exchange strategy.

INTRODUCTION: A provider-based vaccination strategy that has strong supportive evidence of efficacy at raising immunization coverage level is known as Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and Exchange. The Maine Immunization Program, and the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics collaborated on the implementation and evaluation of this strategy among private providers. METHODS: Between November 1994 and June 1996, the Maine Immunization Program conducted baseline immunization assessments of all private practices administering childhood vaccines to children 24 to 35 months of age. Coverage level assessments were conducted using the Clinic Assessment Software Application. Follow-up assessments were among the largest practices, delivering 80% of all vaccines. RESULTS: Of the 231 practices, 58 were pediatric and 149 were family practices. The median up-to-date vaccination coverages among all providers for 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine and 2 doses of oral polio vaccine, and 4 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, 3 doses of oral polio vaccine, and 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine at age 12 and 24 months were 90% and 78%, respectively, and did not vary by number of providers in a practice or by specialty. Urban practices had higher coverage than rural practices at 12 months (92% vs 88%). The median up-to-date coverage for 4 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, 3 doses of oral polio vaccine, and 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine at 24 months of age improved significantly among those practices assessed 1 year later (from 78% at baseline to 87% at the second assessment). On average, the assessments required 21/2 person-days of effort. CONCLUSIONS: We document the feasibility and impact of a public/private partnership to improve immunization delivery on a statewide basis. IMPLICATIONS: Other states should consider using public/private partnerships to conduct private practice assessments. More cost-effective methods of assessing immunization coverage levels in private practices are needed.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Human Wnt-13 is developmentally regulated during the differentiation of NTERA-2 pluripotent human embryonal carcinoma cells.

The Wnt gene family encodes a series of conserved glycoproteins that regulate pattern formation during embryogenesis, in a variety of tissues including the nervous system. As with other genes that control embryonic cell differentiation, members of the Wnt family have also been implicated in tumourigenesis. To search for Wnt genes involved in human teratocarcinomas, with a possible role in human embryogenesis, we used RT-PCR primed with degenerate oligonucleotides to analyse mRNA from differentiating cultures of the pluripotent human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line NTERA-2. NTERA-2 EC cells differentiate into neurons and other cell types when induced with retinoic acid. Wnt gene expression was not detected in the undifferentiated EC cells, but Wnt-related PCR fragments were amplified from differentiating cultures, 4-14 days after induction with retinoic acid. The RT-PCR products were composed primarily of DNA fragments corresponding to the recently identified human Wnt-13 gene. No other Wnt-related genes were identified. Northern analysis confirmed induction of Wnt-13 as a 2.4 kb mRNA during the early phases of retinoic acid-induced differentiation, and during differentiation along a non-neural pathway induced by hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), but not in the terminally differentiated neurons. Wnt-13 remained expressed in non-neural differentiated NTERA-2 cells, even several weeks after the induction of differentiation. The time course of induction, its induction by HMBA, and its persistence in differentiated cells indicate that Wnt-13 expression is not dependent upon direct activation by retinoic acid. Wnt-13 was not detected, or only detected at low levels, in other human EC cells. However, it was found to be expressed at a high level in one malignant teratoma cell line, 577MF, that does not exhibit an EC phenotype although it was derived from a testicular teratocarcinoma. At least two members of the human frizzled gene family, thought to encode receptors for Wnt proteins, were also expressed in the NTERA-2 cells, suggesting the presence of a mechanism by which endogenously expressed Wnt-13 could modulate the histogenesis of teratocarcinomas by mediating interactions between sub-populations of differentiating EC cells. We note that Wnt-13 maps to chromosome 1p13, a region reported to be subject to relatively frequent loss of heterozygosity in germ cell tumours. Further analysis indicated that 465 bp of the published Wnt-13 sequence, within the predicted 5' UTR, is incorrect and is possibly derived from a human mitochondrial DNA sequence.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1998

Massive aneurysm of the right coronary artery causing sudden death.

Coronary artery aneurysms due to atherosclerosis are increasingly recognised during angiography yet the natural history of these abnormalities has not yet been defined. Only rarely has massive dilatation been observed, usually presenting following death. We report a case of sudden death due to rupture of a massive right coronary artery aneurysm measuring 10 x 5 cm. Diagnosis was made at post-mortem.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

The maize gene liguleless2 encodes a basic leucine zipper protein involved in the establishment of the leaf blade-sheath boundary.

The blade and sheath of a maize leaf are separated by a linear epidermal fringe, the ligule, and two wedge-like structures, the auricles. In plants homozygous for the null mutation, liguleless2-reference (lg2-R), the ligule and auricles are often absent or positioned incorrectly and the blade-sheath boundary is diffuse. This phenotype is in contrast to that of liguleless1-reference (lgl-R) mutant plants, which have a more defined boundary even in the absence of the ligule and auricles. Additionally, mosaic analysis indicates the lg2-R phenotype is cell-nonautonomous and the lg1-R phenotype is cell-autonomous. Using scanning electron microscopy we show that lg2-R mutant plants are affected before the first visible sign of ligule and auricle formation. We have cloned the Lg2+ gene through a Mutator-8 transposon insertion allele, and verified it with five independently derived alleles. The comparison of genomic DNA and cDNA sequences reveals an open reading frame encoding a protein of 531 amino acids with partial homology to a subclass of plant basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. Although a large body of molecular and biochemical characterization exists on this subclass of bZIP proteins, our work represents the first report of a mutant phenotype within this group. A specific reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR assay shows LG2 mRNA expression in meristem/developing ligule regions. RT-PCR also shows that LG2 mRNA accumulation precedes that of LG1 mRNA. The mutant phenotype and expression analysis of lg2 suggest an early role in initiating an exact blade-sheath boundary within the young leaf primordia.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Hydroxyethylstarch sedimentation by gravity ex vivo for red cell reduction of granulocyte apheresis components.

BACKGROUND: When selecting only leukocyte compatible donors, the requirement of ABO compatibility limits the investigation and application of granulocyte transfusion therapy by reducing the pool of potential donors. Ex vivo hetastarch (HES) sedimentation was evaluated as a method of red blood cell (RBC) reduction of granulocyte components. The objective was to determine if this procedure consistently resulted in reduction of component packed RBC (PRBC) volume to < 5 ml, the range acceptable for infusion of ABO incompatible blood components based on guidelines set forth by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: HLA-matched, ABO-compatible sibling marrow donors were selected to donate granulocyte components, which were transfused into the allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipient as prophylaxis against infection. Three granulocyte components were collected from each of 5 donors receiving G-CSF (daily x 5). Leukapheresis (LA) began 1 day after the first G-CSF dose (Day 1), and was repeated on Days 3 and 5. LA were performed using a continuous-flow blood cell separator, with 7L blood processed during each procedure. RBC sedimentation was facilitated by administration of a 6% HES solution to the donor line. The 5 granulocyte components collected on Day 1 were not manipulated after collection. The 10 components collected on Days 3 and 5 were manipulated by ex vivo gravity sedimentation for 60 minutes followed by transfer of the buffy coat (red cell poor [RCP] fraction) to a transfer bag with residual RBCs retained in the collection bag (red cell rich [RCR] fraction). The PRBC volume and cellular composition of the components and fractions were determined. RESULTS: When data for the 10 manipulated components were combined, the fraction of the components with < 5 ml PRBC was 0.4 in the RCP and 0.1 in the RCR fractions. All unmanipulated components contained > 5 ml PRBC. The mean PRBC volume (ml) of the RCP and RCR fractions were 6.3 and 16.4, respectively (P = .06). The mean number of RBC (x10(11)) in the RCP and the RCR fractions were .41 and 1.73, respectively (P = .03). The average proportion of cells in the manipulated components lost to the RCR fraction was 19.2% of granulocytes and 18.6% of platelets. CONCLUSION: Ex vivo HES sedimentation, as performed, significantly reduced the number of RBCs from granulocyte components, but did not consistently result in PRBC volumes in the RCP fraction within the range acceptable for infusion of ABO incompatible blood components based on the AABB guidelines. Moreover, significant numbers of granulocytes were lost to the RCR fraction.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMed1998

Galanin inhibition of enterochromaffin-like cell function.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Galanin, a 29-amino acid neuropeptide found in the gastric mucosa, inhibits basal and pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. Its cellular target is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether galanin inhibits Ca2+ signaling and histamine release in enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. METHODS: Isolated rat ECL cells were purified to 85% homogeneity by a combination of elutriation, density gradient centrifugation, and 48-hour culture. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was determined using video imaging with Fura-2 in a 37 degreesC superfusion chamber. Histamine was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Reverse-transciption polymerase chain reaction of the ECL cell RNA showed a galanin type I receptor subtype. Galanin inhibited gastrin, Bay K8644, and K+ depolarization-induced calcium mobilization and entry as well as reduced basal calcium levels. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin decreased the effect of galanin. Galanin inhibited basal and gastrin-stimulated histamine release by approximately 60% with a median effective concentration of 1.10(-10) mol/L. The inhibitory actions of galanin on histamine release and Ca2+ influx could be reduced by a galanin antagonist, galantide. CONCLUSIONS: Galanin's inhibition of acid secretion can be explained in part by inhibition of calcium signaling and histamine release from the ECL cells due to activation of a Gi,o protein-coupled receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Close synchrony of ovulation in superstimulated heifers that have a downregulated anterior pituitary gland and are induced to ovulate with exogenous LH.

The synchrony of ovulation was examined in superstimulated heifers that had a downregulated pituitary gland and which were induced to ovulate by injection of exogenous LH. The pituitary was downregulated and desensitized to GnRH by treatment with the GnRH agonist deslorelin. Nulliparous heifers (3.5 yr old) at random stages of the estrous cycle were assigned to 1 of 3 groups, and on Day -7 received the following treatments: Group 1 (control, n = 8), 1 norgestomet ear implant; Group 2 (GnRH agonist, n = 8); Group 3 (GnRH agonist-LH protocol, n = 8), 2 deslorelin ear implants. Ovarian follicle growth in all heifers was superstimulated with twice-daily intramuscular injections of FSH (Folltropin-V): Day O, 40 mg (80 mg total dose); Day 1, 30 mg; Day 2; 20 mg; Day 3, 10 mg. On Day 2, all heifers were given a luteolytic dose of PGF (7 A.M.), Norgestomet implants were removed from heifers in Group 1 (6 P.M.). Heifers in Group 3 were given an injection of 25 mg, i.m. porcine LH (Lutropin) on Day 4 (4 P.M.). Ovarian follicle status was monitored at 8-h intervals from Day 3 (8 A.M.) to Day 6 (4 P.M.) using an Aloka Echo Camera and 7.5 MHz transducer. Heifers in Groups 2 and 3 exhibited estrus earlier (P < 0.05) than heifers in Group 1. Heifers in Group 2 did not have a preovulatory LH surge and they did not ovulate. Individual control heifers in Group 1 ovulated between 12 A.M. on Day 5 and 8 A.M. on Day 6. Heifers with deslorelin implants and injected with LH in Group 3 ovulated between 4 P.M. on Day 5 and 8 A.M. on Day 6. It was confirmed that superstimulated heifers with GnRH agonist implants can be induced to ovulate with LH. It was also demonstrated that ovulation is closely synchronized after injection of LH. Thus, a single, fixed-time insemination schedule could be used in a GnRH agonist-LH superovulation protocol, with significant practical and economic advantages for superovulation and embryo transfer programs.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Superstimulation of ovarian follicular growth with FSH oocyte recovery, and embryo production from Zebu (Bos indicus) calves: effects of treatment with a GnRH agonist or antagonist.

The capacity of heifer calves of a late sexually maturing Zebu (Bos indicus) genotype to respond to superstimulation with FSH at a young age and in vitro oocyte development were examined. Some calves were treated with a GnRH agonist (deslorelin) or antagonist (cetrorelix) to determine whether altering plasma concentrations of LH would influence follicular responses to FSH and oocyte developmental competency. Brahman calves (3-mo-old; 140 +/- 3 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: control (n = 10); deslorelin treatment from Day -8 to 3 (n = 10); and cetrorelix treatment from Day -3 to 2 (n = 10). All calves were stimulated with FSH from Day 0 to 2, and were ovariectomized on Day 3 to determine follicular responses to FSH and to recover oocytes for in vitro procedures. Before treatment with FSH, heifers receiving deslorelin had greater (P < 0.001) plasma LH (0.30 +/- 0.01 ng/ml) than control heifers (0.17 +/- 0.02 ng/ml), while plasma LH was reduced (P < 0.05) in heifers treated with cetrorelix (0.13 +/- 0.01 ng/ml). Control heifers had a surge release of LH during treatment with FSH, but this did not occur in heifers treated with deslorelin or cetrorelix. All heifers had large numbers of follicles > or = 2 mm (approximately 60 follicles) after superstimulation with FSH, and there were no differences (P > 0.10) between groups. Total numbers of oocytes recovered and cultured also did not differ (P > 0.05) for control heifers and heifers treated with deslorelin or cetrorelix. Fertilization and cleavage rates were similar for the 3 groups, and developmental rates to blastocysts were also similar. Zebu heifers respond well to superstimulation with FSH at a young age, and their oocytes are developmentally competent.

Animals↗