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Biomedical subjects

M Amos

Publications and source records attributed to M Amos.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Anti-phospholipid antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis and MS-like illnesses: MS or APS?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency, clinical, and laboratory features of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) or MS-like illnesses (MSL) among a large, prospectively followed cohort of anti-phospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive patients. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1995 patients referred to a university-affiliated rheumatology clinic were prospectively evaluated for aPL based on questionnaires designed to detect aPL-related symptoms and/or a family history of aPL-related illnesses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed when significant neurological features were present. A subgroup of all patients diagnosed with MS or MSL was identified and their clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 322 patients evaluated for aPL-related symptoms or events, 189 (59%) were positive for at least one class of aPL. Twenty-six of 322 patients (8%) carried a diagnosis of MS or MSL, either at the initial evaluation or during the study period. Twenty-three of the 26 individuals (88%) tested positive for aPL, while the remaining 3 (11%) tested repeatedly negative. Eighteen of the 23 patients (78%) had either more than one class of aPL or had multiple positive titers. IgM aCL was noted in 18 of the 23 patients (78%). Oligoclonal bands were noted in five patients. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and low complement levels were frequently observed. Blinded MRI readings showed lesions consistent with MS in the majority of cases. Clinically, 7 patients had transverse myelitis (TM), while optic neuritis (ON) was present in 8 patients. Most patients had either occult symptoms of rheumatic disease or contributory family histories. None had a defined underlying connective-tissue disease. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of aPL-positive patients have a concurrent diagnosis of MS or MSL, frequently presenting with elevated IgM aCL, optic neuritis, and transverse myelitis. The anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) should be strongly considered as an alternative diagnosis to MS in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Streptococcus iniae, a human and animal pathogen: specific identification by the chaperonin 60 gene identification method.

It was recently reported that Streptococcus iniae, a bacterial pathogen of aquatic animals, can cause serious disease in humans. Using the chaperonin 60 (Cpn60) gene identification method with reverse checkerboard hybridization and chemiluminescent detection, we identified correctly each of 12 S. iniae samples among 34 aerobic gram-positive isolates from animal and clinical human sources.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

DNA computing.

DNA computation is a novel and exciting recent development at the interface of computer science and molecular biology. We describe the current activity in this field following the seminal work of Adleman, who recently showed how techniques of molecular biology may be applied to the solution of a computationally intractable problem.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

The effects of joint washout and steroid injection compared with either joint washout or steroid injection alone in rheumatoid knee effusion.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis attending rheumatology out-patients who had a symptomatic knee effusion were randomly allocated to receive one of three treatments: group I, a steroid injection without washout; group II, a joint washout with normal saline; group III, a joint washout with normal saline and steroid injection. Sixty knees in all were studied. Laboratory parameters for disease activity (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein) were monitored in all patients prior to the study and at 3 months. Clinical assessment of disease activity (pain, morning stiffness involving the knee, circumference of the knee, walking distance and range of movement) were recorded prior to the study, at 1 month and at 3 months. All three treatments, resulted in a reduction of pain and increased movement. However, patients who had a joint washout alone showed significantly less improvement as compared with the other two groups. Symptomatic improvement was marginally greater in patients following joint washout and injection than in those who had had joint injection alone. The results of the study indicate that the simple procedure of joint aspiration and steroid injection, which can be carried out in the out-patient clinic, provides satisfactory relief of symptoms in rheumatoid patients with knee effusions. Joint washout alone was less beneficial.

Adult↗