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Biomedical subjects

M Miles

Publications and source records attributed to M Miles.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Treatment of bone metastases from breast cancer with (3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene)-1,1-bisphosphonate (APD).

Twenty-eight patients with progressive symptomatic bone metastases from breast cancer received (3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene)-1,1-bisphosphonate (APD) 30 mg in 500 ml of 0.9% saline infused over 2 h every 14 days. No other systemic therapy for breast cancer was prescribed. All patients had progressed on at least one previous systemic treatment. APD was continued until the disease progressed. Patients were assessed for objective response by the UICC criteria. In addition, subjective response was determined by a pain questionnaire. Radiological evidence of bone healing with sclerosis of lytic disease (UICC partial response) was seen in 4 patients. The median duration of response was 10 months. Eleven patients had stable disease for at least 3 months (median 5 months) and 9 progressed. Symptomatic response occurred in 9 patients and 12 reported an improvement in quality of life. Treatment was tolerated well with no significant toxicity. In conclusion, long-term inhibition of bone destruction is possible with APD therapy alone and both subjective and objective responses are seen.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Aplysia californica neurons express microinjected neuropeptide genes.

Neuropeptide genes are expressed in specific subsets of large polyploid neurons in Aplysia californica. We have defined the transcription initiation sites of three of these neuropeptide genes (the R14, L11, and ELH genes) and determined the nucleotide sequence of the promoter regions. The genes contain the usual eucaryotic promoter signals as well as other structures of potential regulatory importance, including inverted and direct repeats. The L11 and ELH genes, which are otherwise unrelated, have homology in the promoter regions, while the R14 promoter was distinct. When cloned plasmids were microinjected into Aplysia neurons in organ culture, transitions between supercoiled, relaxed circular, and linear DNAs occurred along with ligation into high-molecular-weight species. About 20% of the microinjected neurons expressed the genes. The promoter region of the R14 gene functioned in expression of the microinjected DNA in all cells studied. When both additional 5' and 3' sequences were included, the gene was specifically expressed only in R14, suggesting that the specificity of expression is generated by a multicomponent repression system. Finally, the R14 peptide could be expressed in L11, demonstrating that it is possible to alter the transmitter phenotype of these neurons by introduction of cloned genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease at the Rotorua Hospital 1971-1982.

The case notes of all patients less than 30 years who had a discharge diagnosis of rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease and were admitted to Rotorua Hospital between January 1972 and April 1983 were examined. Information was analysed by computer and a register was begun locally on a card index system which may be computerised in future. There were 237 admissions involving 188 individuals with an average stay of 37 days. At least 63% of the 188 individual patients are known to have rheumatic heart disease. The average annual incidence for rheumatic fever was 20.1/100 000 with a Maori incidence in the 5-19 age group of 153.0/100 000. The incidence was significantly higher in areas where males had a lower income. The recurrence rate for rheumatic fever during the study period was 12.4%. It is recommended that the register should be continued to gather epidemiological data and to conduct an effective secondary prophylaxis programme using long acting intramuscular penicillin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Significance of normal septal motion in total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage.

Paradoxical septal motion is considered to be a characteristic feature of total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, reflecting the right ventricular volume overload in this condition. Patients with additional pulmonary venous obstruction have reduced pulmonary blood flow, and would be expected to show normal septal motion. We have studied the haemodynamic and echocardiographic findings in 21 patients with proven total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and found paradoxical septal motion in only 11 instances. Paradoxical septal motion was present in all nine patients over the age of 1 month. Of the 12 neonates, 10 showed normal septal motion. Patients with normal septal motion had clinical features of pulmonary venous obstruction, with significantly higher pulmonary artery pressures and lower pulmonary artery saturations than patients with paradoxical septal motion. It is concluded that in total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, septal motion reflects pulmonary blood flow, allowing separation of patients into those with or those without pulmonary venous obstruction.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1977

Macromolecular synthesis in cells infected by frog virus 3. VII. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of virus gene expression.

We have used improved techniques for separating individual species of RNA and protein to study the mechanisms that control gene expression by frog virus 3, a eucaryotic DNA virus. Forty-seven species of viral RNA and 35 viral polypeptide species were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The relative molar ratios of virus-specific polypeptides synthesized at various times after infection were determined by computer planimetry and were compared with the molar ratios of appropriate-sized viral RNAs to code for each polypeptide. Viral polypeptides were classified according to the time during the growth cycle at which their maximal rate of synthesis occurred - early, 2 to 2.5 h; intermediate, 4 to 4.5 h; and late, 6 to 6.5 h. The viral RNAs, which were assumed to be mRNA's, could not be classified according to time of maximum synthesis; once their synthesis had begun, most of the RNAs continued to be synthesized at the same or higher rates. However, only 10 of the 47 viral RNA bands were plainly visible after electrophoresis of extracts from cells labeled from 1 to 1.5 h after infection; these 10 RNAs were designated "early" RNA. The early pattern of both RNA and polypeptide synthesis was maintained for at least 6 h in the presence of the amino acid analog fluorophenylalanine, which indicates that a functional viral polypeptide was required for "late" transcription and translation. The presumptive mRNA's for late polypeptides did not appear until 2 h after infection, but two of these "late" RNAs became the major products of transcription by 4 h into the infectious cycle. In contrast to the declining rate of synthesis of the early proteins, corresponding early RNA species continued to be synthesized at the same or higher rates throughout the replicative cycle. Although the synthesis of late virus-specific proteins appeared to be regulated at the level of transcription, our results suggest that the synthesis of both early and intermediate proteins was regulated at the post-transcriptional level.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Secondary data analysis: new perspective for adolescent research.

Adolescents are at high risk for preventable health problems, but realities of research funding and obtaining data from large samples make it difficult for many researchers to answer important questions. Secondary analysis of existing data sets is described as a reasonable alternative in spite of its limitations. Methods and available resources are identified along with suggestions for research priorities with adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The ecotopes and evolution of triatomine bugs (triatominae) and their associated trypanosomes.

Triatomine bug species such as Microtriatoma trinidadensis, Eratyrus mucronatus, Belminus herreri, Panstrongylus lignarius, and Triatoma tibiamaculata are exquisitely adapted to specialist niches. This suggests a long evolutionary history, as well as the recent dramatic spread a few eclectic, domiciliated triatomine species. Virtually all species of the genus Rhodnius are primarily associated with palms. The genus Panstrongylus is predominantly associated with burrows and tree cavities and the genus Triatoma with terrestrial rocky habitats or rodent burrows. Two major sub-divisions have been defined within the species Trypanosoma cruzi, as T. cruzi 1 (Z1) and T. cruzi 2 (Z2). The affinities of a third group (Z3) are uncertain. Host and habitat associations lead us to propose that T. cruzi 1 (Z1) has evolved in an arboreal, palm tree habitat with the triatomine tribe Rhodniini, in association with the opossum Didelphis. Similarly we propose that T. cruzi (Z2) and Z3 evolved in a terrestrial habitat in burrows and in rocky locations with the triatomine tribe Triatomini, in association with edentates, and/or possibly ground dwelling marsupials. Both sub-divisions of T. cruzi may have been contemporary in South America up to 65 million years ago. Alternatively, T. cruzi 2 (Z2) may have evolved more recently from T. cruzi 1 (Z1) by host transfers into rodents, edentates, and primates. We have constructed a molecular phylogeny of haematophagous vectors, including triatomine bugs, which suggests that faecal transmission of trypanosomes may be the ancestral route. A molecular clock phylogeny suggests that Rhodnius and Triatoma diverged before the arrival, about 40 million years ago, of bats and rodents into South America.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge and management of disabling conditions in South Asian histories: implications for leprosy futures.

Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem appears feasible in South Asia in the present decade through multi-drug therapy, but management of disability in cured leprosy patients will continue through the 21st century, probably with some ongoing stigma. This paper provides new perspectives on leprosy-related disabilities by reviewing the historical careers of four disabling conditions sharing some features with leprosy: lathyrism, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), cataract and poliomyelitis. All are targeted for eradication or serious reduction using affordable surgery or preventive measures, yet they have proved unexpectedly resilient. Technical solutions alone bring only partial success. There is a need also for community-based delivery methods, individual and family self-help, and some redeployment of professional expertise.

Asia, Southeastern↗