Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Law

Publications and source records attributed to M Law.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

A primary genetic linkage map for human chromosome 12.

A primary genetic map for human chromosome 12 has been constructed from data on 23 restriction fragment length polymorphic systems collected in 38 normal families with large sibships. Linkage analysis of the genotypic data has ordered 16 loci into a continuous genetic map of 111 cM in males and 258 cM in females. Although most of the genetic map reflects a higher rate of recombination in females relative to males, significantly more frequent recombination was observed in males than in females in intervals between loci on the distal portion of the short arm of the chromosome. The mapping data shown here will serve as a first step toward a high-resolution genetic map for human chromosome 12.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Latent and active plasminogen activator in corneal ulceration.

Previous studies of alkali burns have provided evidence for an important role of the plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin system in corneal ulceration. Current studies have utilized a sensitive, plasminogen-dependent fluorescent assay to demonstrate that PA is present mostly in a latent (trypsin- or plasmin-activatable) form (proactivator) in cultures of rabbit corneal epithelial cells or normal corneas. Cultures of ulcerating corneas demonstrate only active PA early in organ culture, whereas, latent PA levels increase later in culture. Thus, ulceration is correlated with the apparent conversion of latent to active PA. Moreover, profiles of proactivator and latent collagenase and of active PA and active collagenase in vitro, respectively, are similar, suggesting that activator and collagenase are under coordinate control. Cultures of normal epithelial cells and nonulcerating corneas contain PA molecular weight species of 72,000 and 46,000 MW, and ulcer corneas, species of 72,000, 46,000, and 35,000 MW. Double-diffusion analysis indicates that rabbit epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and ulcer corneas produce urokinase (UK)-like PA; and human cornea extracts and tears also contain PA immunoreactive with anti-UK antibodies. The existence of PA in a latent form identifies another level of regulation in the cascades that lead to stromal ulceration.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1985

Assignment of the gene for human sphingolipid activator protein-2 (SAP-2) to chromosome 10.

Sphingolipid activator protein-2 (SAP-2) has been found to stimulate the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, and sphingomyelin. When human skin fibroblast extracts were subjected to sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electroblotting and immunochemical staining using monospecific antibodies against SAP-2, two or three major bands with estimated mol. wts. of 9,000-10,000 were found. These antibodies did not crossreact with purified SAP-1, another activating protein, or with extracts of CHO-K1 cells. A series of 22 human/Chinese hamster ovary cell hybrids containing different human chromosomes were examined by this method. All eight hybrid clones containing human chromosome 10 were found to have crossreacting protein in this region. Other chromosomes could be excluded by this method. From these results, we conclude that the gene coding for human SAP-2 is located on chromosome 10.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Ulceration is correlated with degradation of fibrin and fibronectin at the corneal surface.

Although ulceration of the corneal stroma after alkali burns is known to be correlated with persistent epithelial defects, the relationship between a defect and the mediators thought to contribute to stromal destruction (plasminogen activator, plasmin, collagenase) has not been understood. This report demonstrates that fibrin and fibronectin appear on the stromal surface after an alkali burn, and that those substratum, matrix components disappear in correlation with the appearance of plasminogen activator on the stromal surface, re-surfacing by the epithelium and a persistent epithelial defect. The facts that epithelium releases plasminogen activator and that plasmin, generated from plasminogen by an activator, can degrade both fibrin and fibronectin, as well as the laminin component of the subepithelial basement membrane, would suggest that the plasminogen activator-plasmin system effect degradation of those macromolecules, thus initiating the events that lead to eventual, frank stromal ulceration. It is hypothesized that stromal ulceration is initiated by the chronic secretion from an epithelium with a persistent defect of a protease (plasminogen activator) involved in wound healing.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

A comparison of children's electric wheelchairs.

During the past few years, the Occupational Therapists at the Kitchener-Waterloo Rotary Children's Centre have explored and prescribed electric wheelchairs for handicapped children from 2-19 years of age. This paper presents a comparison of three children's electric wheelchairs, the Bec, Solo, and Everest and Jennings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Effects of beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs on adrenergic transmission.

The peripheral actions of beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists on adrenergic transmitter mechanisms have been reviewed. In addition to receptor blockade, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists may in high concentrations inhibit neuronal uptake of noradrenaline; inhibit monoamine oxidase; inhibit the uptake of noradrenaline into transmitter storage vesicles and inhibit the extraneuronal uptake of noradrenaline. High concentrations of beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists (threshold about 30 muM) also release noradrenaline from intraneuronal stores; however, their intrinsic sympathomimetic activity is generally attributed to their partial agonist property. Beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists possess adrenergic neurone blocking activity and quinidine-like or local anaesthetic activity. The existance of a positive feedback mechanism involving prejunctional beta-adrenoreceptors is discussed. It is suggested that bradycardia produced by beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists is due to blockade of the action of circulating catecholamines or of transmitter noradrenaline at cardiac extrajunctional beta-adrenoreceptor sites.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of adjuvant psychological therapy and supportive counselling in patients with cancer.

This study compared the effectiveness of two psychological treatments in a group of 57 patients with various types of cancer attending the Royal Marsden Hospital. Patients referred for psychiatric assessment who met criteria for an abnormal adjustment reaction were randomly allocated to either 8 weeks of Adjuvant Psychological Therapy (APT), a problem-focused, cognitive behavioural treatment programme, or 8 weeks of a comparison treatment of supportive counselling. At 8 weeks from the baseline assessment, APT had produced a significantly greater change than the counselling intervention on fighting spirit, helplessness, coping with cancer, anxiety, and self-defined problems. At 4 months from baseline, APT had produced a significantly greater change than counselling on fighting spirit, coping with cancer, anxiety and self defined problems. It is concluded that APT produces greater change in anxiety, adjustment to cancer and use of coping strategies than a non-directive, supportive intervention over an 8 week period of treatment. This difference persists at follow up 4 months after baseline assessment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized trial of nelfinavir, ritonavir, or delavirdine in combination with saquinavir-SGC and stavudine in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 24-week impact of saquinavir-enhancing antiretroviral therapy on viral replication in patients previously treated with nucleoside analogues with or without prior saquinavir hard-gel capsules (HGC). METHOD: Patients were randomized in three groups to receive the following: Group 1-nelfinavir (750 mg tid), saquinavir soft-gel capsule (SGC) (800 mg tid), and stavudine (40 mg bid); Group II-ritonavir (400 mg bid), saquinavir-SGC (400 mg bid), and stavudine (40 mg bid); or Group III-delavirdine (400 mg tid), saquinavir-SGC (800 mg tid), and stavudine (40 mg bid). Viral loads, CD4 count, and safety were assessed over a 24-week period with an additional 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: 73 patients received randomized therapy; 14 of whom were SQV naïve, with a median baseline viral load of 3.6 log(10) and a CD4 count of 370 cells/mm(3). By 6 months, the median decreases in plasma viral loads were 0.26, 0.71, and 0.29 log(10) copies/mL for groups I, II, and III, respectively. The median increases in CD4 counts, for groups I, II, and III, were 52, 40, and 69 cells/mm(3) at 6 months, respectively. Changes in viral load and CD4 counts at 6 months and 1 year were not significantly different between the treatment groups. More patients discontinued therapy in the ritonavir arm (35%) for drug intolerance or toxicity compared to either the nelfinavir or delavirdine arms (15% and 5%, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, baseline viral load, younger age, and baseline saquinavir resistance were significantly associated with detectable viral load at 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: The use of antiretroviral agents that pharmacokinetically boost saquinavir levels has a modest benefit in saquinavir-experienced patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Combined analysis of two-year follow-up from two open-label randomized trials comparing efficacy of three nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor backbones for previously untreated HIV-1 infection: OzCombo 1 and 2.

PURPOSE: To compare inhibition of HIV replication, improvements in CD4+ T-cell counts, metabolic parameters, and body shape changes after 2 years of assigned therapy in OzCombo patients. METHOD: Study participants were those who were recruited into the open-label OzCombo 1 (1996/1997) and OzCombo 2 (1997/1998) trials. Patients in OzCombo 1 were randomized to receive indinavir in combination with zidovudine+lamivudine (AZT+3TC; n = 35), stavudine (d4T)+3TC (n = 34), or d4T+didanosine (ddI) (n = 37). OzCombo 2 patients were randomized to the same nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) backbones with nevirapine (n = 20, 22, 23, respectively). The mean time-weighted changes from baseline in CD4 T-cell count/mL, HIV RNA (log copies/mL plasma), and proportions with detectable viral load (<500 copies plasma HIV RNA/mL) between NRTI arms over 2 years were compared by formal meta-analysis. A cross-sectional study of metabolic and body shape complications was also undertaken. RESULTS: For the comparison of d4T+3TC and d4T+ddI to AZT+3TC, mean differences in time-weighted change from baseline in CD4 T-cell count/microL and log copies HIV RNA/mL adjusted for baseline CD4+ T-cell and HIV RNA counts were: -44 (p =.08) and -14 (p =.56) cells/microL and -0.1 (p =.40) and -0.1 (p =.6) copies/mL. Odds ratios for detectable viral load in the last study quarter were 0.6 (p =.44) and 1.0 (p =.95). The mean percent leg fat was lower in the d4T+3TC and d4T+ddI than the AZT+3TC arm (mean difference 5.1% [p =.07] and 7.6% [p =.02], respectively). CONCLUSION: For all regimens, virological control and immunological response were maintained over 2 years. Regimens containing d4T and particularly d4T+ddI were significantly associated with increased peripheral fat loss compared with AZT+3TC.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Baseline antiretroviral drug susceptibility influences treatment response in patients receiving saquinavir-enhancing therapy.

PURPOSE: To relate baseline plasma HIV genotypic and virtual phenotypic antiretroviral drug susceptibility to subsequent virological response in patients receiving saquinavir (SQV)-enhancing therapy. Individuals were randomized to receive stavudine (d4T), SQV, and one of ritonavir, nelfinavir, or delavirdine to enhance SQV blood levels. METHOD: The protease and reverse transcriptase baseline sequences of 31 treatment-experienced patients were analyzed by genotype and virtual phenotype and were related to viral load at weeks 12 and 24. Genotypic resistance to SQV was defined by the presence of G48V and/or L90M mutations in the protease gene. Potential cross-resistance to d4T in zidovudine (ZDV)-experienced individuals was defined by the presence of thymidine-associated mutations in the reverse transcriptase gene. RESULTS: ZDV-associated mutations did not affect the virological response at 24 weeks. Individuals who were sensitive to SQV at baseline as determined by either genotyping or virtual phenotyping showed a greater decrease in viral load at week 24 than those resistant to SQV, irrespective of treatment arm. By genotyping, SQV-sensitive individuals had a median log decrease of 1.12 compared to 0.32 for those individuals who were SQV resistant. By virtual phenotyping, SQV-sensitive individuals had a median log decrease of 1.0 compared to a rise of 0.08 in resistant individuals. CONCLUSION: Thymidine analogue-associated mutations at baseline did not influence the response to subsequent therapy involving d4T. Individuals who were sensitive or resistant to SQV by genotyping or virtual phenotyping responded to SQV-enhancing regimens, but the virological response was greater in those who were sensitive.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution, prevalence, and relative risk of filariasis in dogs from the State of Washington (1997-1999).

Using antigen capture and filter tests, 6,078 dogs throughout the state of Washington were examined for filariasis between July 1, 1997 and October 31, 1999. In western Washington, 791 males and 901 females examined were outdoors, not on prophylaxis, and had traveled out of the state; 6/791 (0.8%) males and 7/901 (0.8%) females were infected with Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis), and one (0.1%) male and one (0.1%) female were infected with Dipetalonema reconditum (D. reconditum). There were also 392 males and 362 females examined that were outdoors, not on prophylaxis, and had not traveled out of western Washington. One (0.1%) female was infected with D. immitis, and two (0.5%) males and one (0.2%) female were infected with D. reconditum. In eastern Washington, 707 males and 826 females examined were outdoors, not on prophylaxis, and had traveled out of the state; 9/707 (1.0%) males and 4/826 (0.5%) females were infected with D. immitis, and no D. reconditum was found. There were also 376 males and 412 females examined that were outdoors, not on prophylaxis, and had not traveled out of the state. Three (0.8%) males and three (0.7%) females had D. immitis. One (0.2%) female had D. reconditum. Distribution of D. immitis-infected, nontravel dogs in eastern Washington was only found between 120 degrees and 119 degrees west longitude in the communities of Richland, Moses Lake, Okanogan, and Omak. Enzootic transmission of D. immitis and D. reconditum is occurring in both eastern and western Washington.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Joint university-hospital appointments in physical therapy and occupational therapy schools in Canada.

A joint appointment is a position agreed to by a health service facility and an educational institution where the appointee holds a position in each affiliated institution and carries out defined responsibilities in each. In light of the growing costs of higher education, financial cut backs, the need to respond to manpower shortages and the expanding need for clinical research, the benefits of joint university-clinical appointments should be considered by academic and clinical institutions in physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT). To obtain data on existing joint university-clinical positions in Canadian PT and OT schools, mailed survey questionnaires were conducted. The purpose of the survey was to gain information on these appointments so that future faculty-clinical roles in PT and OT could be developed. An initial questionnaire was mailed to the 25 directors of the Canadian PT and OT education programs to obtain information on existing joint appointments and the names of joint appointees holding these positions. A second questionnaire was sent to 104 joint appointees to gather information on their perceptions of these positions. The results of this survey suggest that with continuing manpower shortages, demand for clinical research, increase in student enrollment and insufficient number of faculty members, there is a need to develop these roles further.

Canada↗