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Biomedical subjects

J Williams

Publications and source records attributed to J Williams.

At least 1,225 records · Page 68Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual dimorphism for growth in Muscovy ducks and changes in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), growth hormone (GH) and triiodothyronine (T3) plasma levels.

Muscovy ducks display marked sexual dimorphism for body weight. The aim of our study was to analyse the possible relationships between this dimorphism and plasma levels of T3, GH and IGF-I from hatch to 15 weeks of age. We found no significant effect of sex or age on plasma T3 which remained relatively stable about 6 nM x L(-1). Plasma GH levels were highest (14-24 ng x mL(-1)) but highly variable during the first four weeks in females and during the first seven weeks in males. Then, they decreased and remained low (3-4 ng x mL(-1)) until the age of 15 weeks. A trend for higher GH concentrations in males compared to females was observed across the experimental period. The difference was maximum around 6-7 weeks of age. Plasma IGF-I levels rose sharply between 2 and 3 weeks of age and remained high until 6-7 weeks of age for the females and 13 weeks of age for the males then started to decrease. For the whole experimental period, significantly higher IGF-I levels were measured in males. The differences between sexes were significant between 7 and 12 weeks of age and at 14 weeks of age. The differences in circulating GH and IGF-I levels between sexes suggest that the somatotrophic axis is implicated in Muscovy duck sexual dimorphism.

Age Factors↗
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Recommendations for educating nurses in genetics.

With the ongoing and increasingly rapid pace of genetic discoveries, nurses must be able to incorporate genetic knowledge into their everyday practices of promoting the genetic health of individuals, families, and communities. Although development of genetic health knowledge is in its infancy, nurses are currently expected to integrate information about genetic risks, testing, and treatments for clients throughout the clients' entire lifespan. All nurses must have an understanding of the relationship between genetics and health to appropriately identify and address genetic concerns in their clients. To fulfill these roles, nurses need to improve their knowledge base in genetics. This article provides recommendations for genetics curriculum in continuing and entry-level nursing education programs. These recommendations are outcomes of a research project involving genetics nurse experts as well as nurses new to the area of genetics, and a consensus workshop of nursing faculty involved in curriculum changes subsequent to an intensive genetics continuing education program. Nursing educators are beginning to recognize the importance of education of all nurses about genetics. If, however, all educators do not accept this responsibility, nurses will be left behind in designing and offering health care for the 21st century.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
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Prehospital identification of acute coronary ischemia using a troponin T rapid assay.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a rapid assay for cardiac troponin T (cTn-T) in patients with chest pain in the prehospital setting. METHODS: A prospective, observational clinical trial in a rural county served by a single emergency medical services system and two emergency departments. Patients fulfilling prehospital criteria to identify acute coronary ischemia (ACI) had a blood sample applied to the cTn-T rapid-assay device. Quantitative analysis of cTn-T was also performed on each sample at a later time. Medical records were reviewed to determine ultimate diagnoses. Non-admitted patients were followed by telephone at one week. Main outcome measures included the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the rapid cTn-T assay for detecting ACI defined as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or unstable angina (UA) within one week of presentation. RESULTS: Of 87 patients enrolled, 29 were identified with ACI. This included 15 patients diagnosed as having AMI and 14 patients diagnosed as having UA. The cTn-T rapid-assay device was positive for five of 87 patients (5.7%); three were associated with AMI and two with UA. Measurement of a single cTn-T to detect ACI had a sensitivity of 17.2% (0.058, 0.358), specificity of 100% (0.950, 1), positive predictive value of 100% (0.549, 1), and negative predictive value of 70.7% (0.609, 0.806). CONCLUSION: The cTn-T rapid-assay device may be useful in the prehospital setting to identify a small number of patients with ACI. The authors caution, however, that a negative test in the prehospital setting cannot be used to rule out significant disease.

Acute Disease↗
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A novel immunocytochemistry technique to measure hsp70 induction in L929 cells exposed to cadmium chloride.

The heat shock response has been suggested as a potential biomarker in toxicology. A vast amount of stimuli have been shown to induce heat shock proteins and new techniques to measure the response are constantly being assessed. In this study we use a novel immunocytochemistry technique to measure heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) induction in L929 cells exposed to cadmium chloride. Hsp70 induction was quantifiably measured using a soluble coloured substrate and qualitatively measured using a coloured substrate that precipitated at the location of hsp70. Using the insoluble coloured substrate hsp70 was identified predominantly within the cytoplasm of control cells. At intermediate cadmium concentrations hsp70 was observed to translocate to the nucleus. At these intermediate concentrations a heterogeneous heat shock response was observed. At lethal concentrations a strong heat shock response was observed with a widespread cellular response. This study demonstrates the potential of this immunocytochemistry technique to measure toxicological effects in cells by identifying the response quantitatively and qualitatively.

Animals↗
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Sporotrichosis: recurrent cutaneous, articular, and central nervous system infection in a renal transplant recipient.

A case of recurrent, disseminated sporotrichosis in a renal transplant recipient is reported in which two joints, the skin, and the central nervous system were involved. The disease recurred both eight months and three years after the initial treatment with amphotericin B. The second course of therapy with amphotericin B required systemic and intraarticular administration of the drug. The third course of therapy included systemic and intrathecal administration. The function of the cadaveric transplanted kidney was maintained throughout the first recurrence of disease by careful reduction of immunosuppressive therapy and attention to the level of antifungal therapy. The kidney could not be salvaged after the second recurrence because of continued amphotericin B nephrotoxicity; however, the patient was cured of his infection. Sporothrix (Sporotrichum) schenckii may be a difficult organism to eradicate in chronically immunosuppressed patients, but the disease it causes may be successfully treated with aggressive systemic therapy.

Amphotericin B↗
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Collaborative research and action to control the geographic placement of outdoor advertising of alcohol and tobacco products in Chicago.

Community activists in Chicago believed their neighborhoods were being targeted by alcohol and tobacco outdoor advertisers, despite the Outdoor Advertising Association of America's voluntary code of principles, which claims to restrict the placement of ads for age-restricted products and prevent billboard saturation of urban neighborhoods. A research and action plan resulted from a 10-year collaborative partnership among Loyola University Chicago, the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ALAMC), and community activists from a predominately African American church, St. Sabina Parish. In 1997 Loyola University and ALAMC researchers conducted a cross-sectional prevalence survey of alcohol and tobacco outdoor advertising. Computer mapping was used to locate all 4,247 licensed billboards in Chicago that were within 500- and 1,000-foot radiuses of schools, parks, and playlots. A 50% sample of billboards was visually surveyed and coded for advertising content. The percentage of alcohol and tobacco billboards within the 500- and 1,000-foot zones ranged from 0% to 54%. African American and Hispanic neighborhoods were disproportionately targeted for outdoor advertising of alcohol and tobacco. Data were used to convince the Chicago City Council to pass one of the nation's toughest anti-alcohol and tobacco billboard ordinances, based on zoning rather than advertising content. The ordinance was challenged in court by advertisers. Recent Supreme Court rulings made enactment of local billboard ordinances problematic. Nevertheless, the research, which resulted in specific legislative action, demonstrated the importance of linkages among academic, practice, and grassroots community groups in working together to diminish one of the social causes of health disparities.

Adolescent↗
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Carbon monoxide poisoning and myocardial ischemia in patients with burns.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a well-known problem in patients with burns. A retrospective 11-year chart review was undertaken to determine the incidence of myocardial injury after carbon monoxide poisoning. Of the 1533 consecutive admissions from July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1990, 18 patients had carboxyhemoglobin levels of greater than or equal to 10% on admission. Five of these patients were found to have electrocardiographic changes that were indicative of myocardial injury. (Three also had elevated levels of creative kinase-MB). Four of five patients with electrocardiographic changes were operated on successfully with the use of perioperative invasive monitoring. None of the 18 patients had congestive heart failure or cardiac dysrhythmias during their hospital course. These data suggest that myocardial damage can result from acute carbon monoxide poisoning, and appropriate screening is indicated for the detection of such injuries.

Burns↗
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Factors in children that predict performance on the intracarotid amobarbital procedure.

The intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) is frequently used to determine hemispheric language dominance and memory competence in individuals with intractable epilepsy before surgical intervention. The present study focused on outcome results concerning use of this technique in children. The IAP was an effective tool in determining their hemispheric language dominance. Seven characteristics, including age, gender, dose level of sodium amobarbital, Full-Scale I.Q., hemispheric side of injection (left or right), language dominance of hemisphere injected, and order of injection (first or second) were examined as possible factors predictive of memory performance on the IAP. Results suggest that after injection of the hemisphere suspected of containing the primary seizure origin, children aged < 13 years who had the left language-dominant hemisphere injected were significantly less likely to pass IAP memory tasks than were older children or younger children who had the nondominant hemisphere injected. These findings suggest that the IAP is a reliable indicator of hemispheric memory competence in children aged > 13 years or younger children whose suspected seizure focus is located in the nondominant language hemisphere.

Adolescent↗
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Nifedipine for epilepsy? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

The movement of calcium into neurons may be the common denominator for the triggering and propagation of seizure activity. We report results of the first double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with the dihidropyridine calcium antagonist nifedipine (NFD) as adjuvant therapy in refractory epilepsy. Twenty-two students (12 male, 10 female, age 17-22 years) attending Lingfield Hospital School received NFD retard and matched placebo for 8 weeks in 2 doses (20 and 40 mg b.i.d. each for 4 weeks) with a washout period of 8 weeks between treatment phases. In the 20 students who completed the trial, fewer partial seizures (p less than 0.05) were documented during the first 2 weeks of NFD administration. Similarly, fewer seizure days (p less than 0.05) were reported in the first month of active treatment. This response was not sustained into the second month of the trial. Blind scoring of EEGs suggested a small improvement with NFD (p less than 0.05). More patients reported headache when receiving NFD (p less than 0.02) than placebo, but heart rate and erect and supine blood pressure remained unaffected. Mean maximum NFD concentrations were 13.1 +/- 10.4 ng/ml. A weak correlation was noted between total (p less than 0.05) and partial (p = 0.025) seizure numbers and NFD concentrations following 8 weeks of treatment. This study does not support important anticonvulsant efficacy for NFD as adjuvant therapy for refractory epilepsy at doses appropriate for the treatment of angina or hypertension. Further trials are recommended using higher doses of NFD in less severely affected patients.

Adolescent↗
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Partial avulsion of the origin of the cranial cruciate ligament in a 4 year-old dog.

A four year-old intact male Dalmatian was referred to the veterinary teaching hospital at Louisiana State University for acute, non-weight-bearing left hindlimb lameness of three weeks duration. Information supplied by the referring veterinarian indicated the lameness was first diagnosed and treated seven months previously, but recurred three weeks ago. External rotation of the left stifle, mild discomfort upon stifle flexion, mild to moderate muscle atrophy and palpable joint effusion were noted during physical examination. Slight cranial drawer movement with a soft end-point was discovered during manipulation of the left stifle. A triangular bone fragment and thickened, confluent intracapsular soft tissues were observed on radiographs of the stifle. Radiographically, moderate degenerative changes suggested chronicity. This report describes the clinical and radiographic findings of a rarely reported partial avulsion of the origin of the cranial cruciate ligament in a skeletally mature dog.

Animals↗
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Ultrasound-assisted diagnosis of renal dysplasia in a 3-month-old Quarter Horse colt.

A 3-month-old foal was presented for correction of bilateral angular limb deformities. Azotemia was detected as an incidental finding. Small, misshapened, hyperechoic kidneys with decreased corticomedullary demarcation were noted with ultrasonography. Additionally, the internal renal architecture was abnormal in that the intrarenal vessels and distant collecting system were not clearly seen in either kidney. Ultrasound-guided renal biopsy was suggestive of congenital renal dysplasia, which was later confirmed at necropsy. Clinical, sonographic, and pathologic features of equine renal dysplasia are discussed.

Animals↗
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Chronic renal failure associated with nephrolithiasis, ureterolithiasis, and renal dysplasia in a 2-year-old quarter horse gelding.

A 2-year-old quarter horse gelding presented for evaluation of polyuria and polydipsia. Azotemia was detected on serum chemistry profile. Small, misshapen, hyperechoic kidneys with decreased corticomedullary demarcation, hydronephrosis, and a right nephrolith were noted ultrasonographically. The diagnosis of end-stage kidney disease and dysplasia was made histopathologically using ultrasound-guided biopsy. Two ureteroliths were found in the right ureter via cystoscopy, and a nephrolith was seen in the right kidney at necropsy. Clinical, ultrasonographic, and pathologic features of equine urolithiasis and renal dysplasia are discussed.

Animals↗
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DNA polymorphisms of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene in Italian and Greek migrants to Australia.

The distribution of two common TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene were determined in 271 Italian-born and 170 Greek-born migrants to Melbourne, Australia. A much smaller number were examined for the EcoNI RFLP of the same gene. Allele frequencies of the TaqI A RFLP exhibited the least variation in both ethnic groups, and no significant regional heterogeneity in allele or genotype frequencies of either TaqI RFLP was detected for Greece or Italy. There was no difference between Italians and Greeks for the TaqI A polymorphism and the variability at the B RFLP was of borderline significance. Comparisons with other Caucasian populations revealed that allele frequencies of all three CETP RFLPs are remarkably uniform within Caucasians, with the TaqI B polymorphism being the most variable.

Adult↗