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Biomedical subjects

J Webb

Publications and source records attributed to J Webb.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Assessment of a patient-completed questionnaire for keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

A patient-completed questionnaire has been shown to be equivalent to an observer-administered format in discriminating between subjects with and without keratoconjunctivitis sicca. As well as saving time it can screen patients for the presence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca without the need for more specialized and/or invasive techniques.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Anti-Sm and anti-DNA antibodies in paired serum and synovial fluid samples from patients with SLE.

Antibodies to nuclear antigens (ANAs) are frequently found in the serum of patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and have been implicated in the immune-complex mediated pathogenesis of these diseases. In this study we have compared the occurrence of precipitating ANAs in paired samples of serum and synovial fluid from patients with different CTDs. Of the 30 patients examined 3 had precipitating ANAs in their serum only, 1 in the synovial fluid only, and 3 had antibodies in both serum and synovial fluid. Precipitating ANAs in synovial fluid were found in 3/6 patients with SLE, 1 patient with RA/Sjogren's syndrome overlap, and one patient with RA/SLE overlap. Of the other 15 patients with RA, 2 had precipitating antibodies only in their serum. Two of the SLE patients had anti-Sm antibody, one in serum only and the other in both serum and synovial fluid. Detection by ELISA of class specific anti-Sm antibodies in serum or synovial fluid paralleled the occurrence of antidenatured DNA antibodies when both specificities occurred together. One SLE patient did show evidence in synovial fluids of elevated concentrations of specific antibody classes to individual antigens; however, elevated levels were more frequently found in serum. Local production of ANAs does not, therefore, appear to be a feature of synovial fluids from SLE patients.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1988

Benign joint hypermobility with neuropathies: documentation and mechanism of median, sciatic, and common peroneal nerve compression.

We report three patients in whom carpal tunnel syndrome was due to neurapraxis as a consequence of unusual sleep postures enabled by their benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS). A fourth patient also had bilateral sensory sciatic neuropathy and a common peroneal palsy, similarly due to regularly adopted unusual postures. Recognition of such cause-effect mechanisms and their simple solution in BJHS should obviate needless investigation and unnecessary surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A rumen anaerobic fungus of the genus Neocallimastix: ultrastructure of the polyflagellate zoospore and young thallus.

The ultrastructure of the zoosporic, rumen fungal anaerobe, Neocallimastix sp. R1, was determined and compared to that of the two known species of Neocallimastix. Zoospores of the new isolate were generally ovoid in shape, but without the waisted appearance of N. frontalis zoospores. They possessed similar organelles to the other two species, but with different localisation. The flagellar rootlet system was broadly similar to N. frontalis and N. patriciarum, however, a previously undescribed, large organelle was found to be associated near the kinetosomal apparatus in some Neocallimastix sp. R1 zoospores. Well developed flagella, complete with basal bodies, were observed in young thalli.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1988

Trends in abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in Scotland (1971-1984).

The trends in diagnosis, operative workload and mortality of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm in Scottish hospitals between 1971 and 1984 were analysed using the Scottish Hospital In-patient Statistics. The frequency of diagnosis of aneurysm increased from 25.8 per 100,000 population aged over 55 in 1971 to 63.6 per 100,000 in 1984. The proportion of diagnosed aneurysms treated by operation rose from 24% in 1971 to 41% in 1984, resulting in a 4-fold increase in operative workload. Despite the rise in diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm, the ratio of elective to emergency procedures has only improved slightly during the 14 years, the majority still being operated on as emergencies. The operative mortality following elective procedures fell from 10.5% in 1971 to 4.3% in 1984, while that for emergencies fell from 50% to 36%. The reasons for the increased surgical workload are multifactorial. It is not solely a consequence of an ageing population as the proportion of Scots aged over 55 years increased by only 4% during this period. The evidence from this study suggests that the rise in workload is secondary to an increase in the frequency of diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm in all age groups and to the fact that a greater proportion of diagnosed cases are now offered surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Geographical variation in the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Scottish children during the period 1977-1983.

Routinely collected Scottish hospital discharge data were used to identify newly diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus under the age of 19 years. In the period 1977-83 there were 2183 cases, an average annual incidence of 21.0 per 100,000 per annum. This rate is one of the highest reported and represents a continuation of the increase in incidence which occurred during the period 1968-76. Statistically significant geographical variation in incidence was observed with the higher incidence in the least densely populated areas. Seasonal variation in the month of first admission was evident in all except the under-five age group with peaks occurring in winter. An estimated 60% of newly diagnosed cases were readmitted within 5 years and the pattern of readmission was found to differ little between males and females or between age groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Response of rheumatoid arthritis to chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease in a patient with IgA deficiency and overlap connective tissue disease.

A patient with IgA deficiency presented with classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and subsequently, features of multiple other connective tissue diseases (CTD). When Hodgkin's disease later developed the patient received combination chemotherapy, which induced remission of both neoplastic and connective tissue diseases. As the RA remained in remission for three years this case may offer insight into a mode of use of cytotoxic agents in CTD.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Cerebral systemic lupus erythematosus with apnea in a patient with cardiolipin antibodies and oligoclonal bands.

We describe a patient with cerebral systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had 2 episodes of prolonged apnea in addition to other manifestations of brainstem dysfunction. Oligoclonal bands, uncommonly found in SLE, were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. Also present in our patient were anticardiolipin antibodies which have often been reported to be associated with neurological events in patients with SLE. With mechanical ventilation and high dose corticosteroid therapy, she recovered with only minimal neurological deficit. Our case stresses the potential reversibility of life threatening cerebral SLE.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Vasculitis presenting as chronic unilateral painful leg swelling.

We describe 2 patients who presented with chronic painful indurated swelling of one lower limb, thought at the time of referral to be due to chronic venous insufficiency. Reassessment because of marked periostitis of the tibia and fibula as well as laboratory indices consistent with an inflammatory process revealed acute necrotizing arteritis in one patient and granulomatous arteritis in the other. Clinicians should be aware of this unusual presentation of treatable vasculitic diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Improved detection of anti-Jo-1 antibody, a marker for myositis, using purified histidyl-tRNA synthetase.

The increased detection of anti-Jo-1 antibody afforded by the use of the purified antigen, histidyl-tRNA synthetase, in counterimmunoelectrophoresis is demonstrated. Using purified antigen, anti-Jo-1 antibody was detected in the sera of 16/33 (48.5%) patients with confirmed myositis and in 20/45 (44.5%) patients with confirmed or possible myositis. This rate is approximately double that obtained with commercial thymus extracts both in this study and seven others reported in the literature. The presence of antibody shows marked correlation with the activity of myositis at the time of serum sampling and with the presence of interstitial lung disease. Detection rates are similar in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis both with and without additional connective tissue diseases.

Adult↗