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Biomedical subjects

M A Morris

Publications and source records attributed to M A Morris.

122 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Morton's metatarsalgia.

In a series of 25 patients (predominantly women) with Morton's metatarsalgia, the most likely site for a neuroma is the third cleft of the left foot. If a swelling is present or if radiographic examination shows toe divergence then the diagnosis in unlikely to be a simple digital neuroma. A review of the literature suggests that there are other causes of pain in the forefoot. Usually the pain is diffuse by when it is localized, Morton's metatarsalgia is diagnosed. However, causes other than a digital neuroma, e.g. traumatic bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis, epithelial cyst, and foreign body should be borne in mind.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

N-acetylcysteine augments adenovirus-mediated gene expression in human endothelial cells by enhancing transgene transcription and virus entry.

BACKGROUND: It has previously been shown that oxidants reduce the efficiency of adenoviral transduction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In this study, the effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in adenovirus-mediated gene transfer has been investigated. METHODS: HUVECs were pretreated or not with NAC, and infected with E1E3-deleted adenovirus (Ad) containing the LacZ gene expressed from the RSV-LTR promoter/enhancer in the presence and absence of NAC. Transgene expression was assessed at the protein level (histochemical staining, measurement of beta-Gal activity, and western blot), mRNA level (real-time RT-PCR) and gene level (nuclear run on) 24 h and 48 h after infection. Adenoviral DNA was quantitated by real-time PCR, and cell surface expression of Coxsackie/adenovirus receptors (CAR) was determined by FACS analysis. RESULTS: Pretreatment of cells with NAC prior to Ad infection enhanced beta-Gal activity by two-fold due to an increase in viral DNA, which was related to increased CAR expression. When NAC was present only during the post-infection period, a five-fold increase in beta-Gal activity and LacZ gene transcriptional activity was observed. When NAC was present during both the pretreatment and the post-infection period, beta-Gal activity was further enhanced, by 15-fold. Augmentation of beta-Gal activity was paralleled by an increase in beta-Gal protein and mRNA levels. NAC did not affect the half-life of LacZ mRNA. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with NAC prior to Ad infection enhances virus entry, while treatment with NAC post-infection increases transgene transcription. This strategy permits the use of lower adenoviral loads and thus might be helpful for gene therapy of vascular diseases.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Type A behavior pattern and blood glucose control in diabetic children.

We studied the relationship between presence of Type A behavior pattern and glycemic response to stress in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Twelve male (six Type A and six Type B) and nine female (four Type A and five Type B) insulin-dependent diabetic patients between the ages of 8 and 16 years received a standard meal and blood glucose values were assessed two hours later. All subjects then played a competitive videogame for 10 minutes following which blood glucose was assessed again. Preprandial and postprandial blood glucose values did not differ between the groups. However, only Type A subjects showed a hyperglycemic response to the videogame stress. Type A subjects also demonstrated significantly higher glycohemoglobin values. In order to assure that this effect was due to a differential response to stress and not simply a difference in metabolic response to a meal, a second study was conducted in which blood glucose values were assessed at one, two and three hours following a standard meal. No significant differences in postprandial blood glucose values were observed between Type A and Type B subjects. These data support previous research which has suggested that some but not all patients with IDDM show a hyperglycemic response to stress.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Longitudinal assessment of glycosylated blood protein concentrations in normal pregnancy and gestational diabetes.

Longitudinal changes in glycosylated hemoglobin concentration (GlyHb) and glycosylated serum protein concentration (GSP) in both normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes were determined using affinity chromatography, a method in which nonenzymatically glycosylated proteins are specifically measured. At 7-10 wk gestation, GlyHb in women who developed diabetes (N = 21) was higher than GlyHb in normal women (N = 49) (6.7 +/- 0.2% versus 5.7 +/- 0.2%, respectively, P less than 0.001) and remained elevated throughout gestation. In normal pregnancy, GlyHb decreased to a nadir at 23-26 wk and returned to baseline concentration by 31-34 wk. In gestational diabetes, there was an initial increase in GlyHb to 7.1 +/- 0.5% at 11-14 wk followed by a steady decrease. At 7-10 wk, GSP in women who developed diabetes was not elevated compared with normal concentration, although at 11-14 wk there was significant difference between the two groups (P less than 0.02). In normal women, GSP remained constant throughout gestation. In gestational diabetes, GSP decreased to early pregnancy values (P less than 0.02). Glycosylated blood proteins were elevated in early gestation in women who developed gestational diabetes and may have predictive value in identifying women who will develop diabetes in pregnancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease, or gluten sensitive enteropathy is a common disorder and results from exposure to gluten in the diet of genetically susceptible individuals. Environmental factors may influence both the age of presentation and the severity of symptoms. Screening by quantifying anti-gliadin and anti-endomysial antibody titres and diagnosis by small intestinal biopsy are both straightforward. A gluten free diet produces clinical and symptomatic improvement and decreases the rate of complications, including gastrointestinal malignancy. Current research is likely to improve our understanding of the disease pathogenesis, the structure of the toxic cereal peptides, and the genetics of the condition.

Celiac Disease↗