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M Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to M Thomas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Single-nucleotide polymorphism alleles in the insulin receptor gene are associated with typical migraine.

We have identified a migraine locus on chromosome 19p13.3/2 using linkage and association analysis. We isolated 48 single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the locus, of which we genotyped 24 in a Caucasian population comprising 827 unrelated cases and 765 controls. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the insulin receptor gene showed significant association with migraine. This association was independently replicated in a case-control population collected separately. We used experiments with insulin receptor RNA and protein to investigate functionality for the migraine-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We suggest possible functions for the insulin receptor in migraine pathogenesis.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Creatine increase survival and delays motor symptoms in a transgenic animal model of Huntington's disease.

There is substantial evidence for bioenergetic defects in Huntington's disease (HD). Creatine administration increases brain phosphocreatine levels and it stabilizes the mitochondrial permeability transition. We examined the effects of creatine administration in a transgenic mouse model of HD produced by 82 polyglutamine repeats in a 171 amino acid N-terminal fragment of huntingtin (N171-82Q). Dietary supplementation of 2% creatine significantly improved survival, slowed the development of motor symptoms, and delayed the onset of weight loss. Creatine lessened brain atrophy and the formation of intranuclear inclusions, attenuated reductions in striatal N-acetylaspartate as assessed by NMR spectroscopy, and delayed the development of hyperglycemia. These results are similar to those observed using dietary creatine supplementation in the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD and provide further evidence that creatine may exert therapeutic effects in HD.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Chronic myeloid leukemia presenting as gout.

A 53-year-old man presented with gouty arthritis. A physical examination and haematological and biochemical tests showed that he had chronic myeloid leukemia. He was treated with allopurinol, hydroxyurea and analgesics. The arthritis subsided completely within 2 weeks. He continues in haematologic remission (on interferon) with no further recurrence of the gout.

Arthritis, Gouty↗
PubMed2001

[Basic principles of medical assessment of the locomotor system].

Rendering a medical expert opinion on the musculoskeletal system is an extraordinary responsibility. Nearly all physicians are confronted with this medical task in their daily clinical practice. Difficulties encountered and misjudgments made in formulating an expert opinion are certainly primarily a result of insufficient knowledge of the sociomedical basis. Proper organization and compliance with a standardized structure are especially important for an expert opinion. Intensified teaching of the principles and importance of the medical expert opinion during medical training will not only result in optimization and acceleration of the sociomedical procedures, it will also awaken pleasure in this many-sided activity.

Disability Evaluation↗
PubMed2001

A novel postsynaptic density protein: the monocarboxylate transporter MCT2 is co-localized with delta-glutamate receptors in postsynaptic densities of parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses.

Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showed strong monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) labeling of Purkinje cell bodies and punctate labeling in the molecular layer. By immunogold cytochemistry, it could be demonstrated that the MCT2 immunosignal was concentrated at postsynaptic densities of parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses. The distribution of MCT2 transporters within the individual postsynaptic densities mimicked that of the delta2 glutamate receptor, as shown by use of two different gold-particle sizes. The MCT2 distribution was also compared with the distributions of other monocarboxylate transporters (MCT1 and MCT4). The MCT1 immunolabeling was localized in the endothelial cells, while MCT4 immunogold particles were associated with glial profiles, including those abutting the synaptic cleft of the parallel fiber-spine synapses. The postsynaptic density (PSD) molecules identified so far can be divided into five classes: receptors, their anchoring molecules, molecules involved in signal transduction, ion channels, and attachment proteins. Here, we provide evidence that this list of molecules must now be extended to comprise an organic molecule transporter: the monocarboxylate transporter MCT2. The present data suggest that MCT2 has specific transport functions related to the synaptic cleft and that this transporter may allow an influx of lactate derived from perisynaptic glial processes. The expression of MCT2 in synaptic membranes may allow energy supply to be tuned to the excitatory drive.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A new approach for detecting and mapping sewage impacts.

Increased nitrogen loading has been implicated in eutrophication occurrences worldwide. Much of this loading is attributable to the growing human population along the world's coastlines. A significant component of this nitrogen input is from sewage effluent, and delineation of the distribution and biological impact of sewage-derived nitrogen is becoming increasingly important. Here, we show a technique that identifies the source, extent and fate of biologically available sewage nitrogen in coastal marine ecosystems. This method is based on the uptake of sewage nitrogen by marine plants and subsequent analysis of the sewage signature (elevated delta 15N) in plant tissues. Spatial analysis is used to create maps of delta 15N and establish coefficient of variation estimates of the mapped values. We show elevated delta 15N levels in marine plants near sewage outfalls in Moreton Bay, Australia, a semi-enclosed bay receiving multiple sewage inputs. These maps of sewage nitrogen distribution are being used to direct nutrient reduction strategies in the region and will assist in monitoring the effectiveness of environmental protection measures.

Environment↗
PubMed2001

Therapy of localized non-small cell lung cancer (take home messages).

Surgery remains the mainstay in curative therapy of stage I and II NSCLC and selected patients with stage III disease. The high rate of distant metastases occurring in patients after complete surgical resection demonstrates the need for effective adjuvant systemic therapy. However, outside of trials, (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy is currently not considered as an established standard in localized NSCLC. Postoperative radiotherapy increases local tumor control in completely resected N2 disease and after R1/R2 resections and is generally recommended in these situations. In inoperable patients radiotherapy offers the only chance of cure. Combined radiochemotherapy and the highly accelerated CHART radiotherapy have been shown to be superior to standard radiotherapy. Progress in the treatment of localized NSCLC over the last decades has been only modest and with the exception of favourable subgroups, prognosis of NSCLC remains grim. In the light of the high rate of local and distant metastases multidisciplinary approaches appear necessary in the vast majority of patients.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2001

Development of treatment strategies in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (take home messages).

In the last decade combined modality treatment approaches contributed to the progress of therapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. With this management strategies younger patients (<70 years) with locally advanced disease and a good performance status (ECOG 0,1) have survival benefits compared to sole locoregional treatment. Further development of these treatment concepts is warranted. To adopt optimal tailored therapy to prognostic consistent patient groups exact staging of disease is mandatory. Moreover, refinements of the staging system would be helpful to identify in defined anatomical stages, patient subgroups who will benefit from systemic treatment options different from chemotherapy (i.e. tyrosine kinase-inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor family, anti-angiogenic treatment). The current status of developing treatment strategies in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer is discussed.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2001

[An index based on the age and free thyroxine rate predicts the likelihood of Graves' disease in hyperthyroidism].

PURPOSE: Graves' disease patients are generally younger and have more severe symptoms than other thyrotoxic patients. We established an index based on the normalized free thyroxine rate and age, capable of predicting Graves' disease in thyrotoxic patients. METHODS: The predictive index was established from a discriminant analysis from a retrospective population of 114 thyrotoxic patients and its predictivity was confirmed by cross-validation on the same population. RESULTS: The index IGD = 41.38 - age + 37.05 x in (normalized free T4) classifies accurately 80.7% of the patients (CI 95%: 72.2-87.5). Sensitivity is 78.5% (CI 95%: 66.5-87.7). Specificity is 83.7% (CI 95%: 70.3-92.7). Predictive positive value is 86.4% (CI 95%: 75.0-94.0). Negative predictive value is 74.5% (CI 95%: 61.0-85.3). Likelihood ratio of Graves' disease in case of prediction by the index is 4.81 (CI 95%: 2.66-9.32). Likelihood ratio of Graves' disease in case of non-prediction by the index is 0.26 (IC 95%: 0.16-0.40). CONCLUSION: A simple index based on the normalized free thyroxine rate and age provides an early diagnosis orientation toward Graves' disease in thyrotoxic patients who are waiting for complementary investigations.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Aerial measurements on uranium ore mining, milling and processing areas in Germany.

The paper describes aerial measurements at several sites containing residues from uranium mines, waste rock dumps and tailings ponds of the Wismut company in Saxony and Thuringia. For the measurements, a computerized gamma-ray spectrometer equipped with a HPGe-detector and a NaI(Tl)-detector array with a volume of 121 was used. Radioactive anomalies from natural radionuclides have been detected and mapped. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Th and 40K in areas with elevated radioactivity from natural radionuclides were determined from aerial measurements. Ground-based measurements--as far as available--confirmed these results. The mean 226Ra activity concentrations in the different waste rock dumps were found to be in the range 370 to 1600 Bq kg-1. The highest mean 226Ra activity concentrations were measured for the tailings ponds with values up to 1300 Bq kg-1. For 40K and 208Tl, activity concentrations of 860 and 40 Bq kg-1, respectively, were obtained as averages of all measurements. These values are commonly found in the environment. In general, there is reasonable agreement between the results measured with different detectors and measuring methods.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed2001

Study of antidiarrhoeal activity of four medicinal plants in castor-oil induced diarrhoea.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of aqueous and methanolic plant extracts of Acorus calamus rhizome, Pongamia glabra leaves, Aegle marmelos unripe fruit and Strychnos nux-vomica root bark for their antidiarrhoeal potential against castor-oil induced diarrhoea in mice. The methanolic plant extracts were more effective than aqueous plant extracts against castor-oil induced diarrhoea. The methanolic plant extracts significantly reduced induction time of diarrhoea and total weight of the faeces. The result obtained establish the efficacy of these plant extracts as antidiarrhoeal agents.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Mental disorder in adults with intellectual disability. 2: The rate of behaviour disorders among a community-based population aged between 16 and 64 years.

Despite the difficulty of defining behaviour disorder, most previous studies have reported a high rate of behaviour disorders in people with intellectual disability (ID). The aim of the present study was to establish the overall rate and types of behaviour disorders in a population-based sample of adults with ID. The other aim was to explore the possible risk factors that are associated with the overall rate as well as different types of behaviour disorders. One hundred and one adults with ID aged between 16 and 64 years were randomly selected from a sample of 246 such adults, i.e. those who were known to the Vale of Glamorgan Social Services Department in South Wales, UK. Thirteen behaviour disorders were rated according to the Disability Assessment Schedule. Background data on subjects were also collected, and were subsequently analysed to assess the relationship between different risk factors and behaviour disorders. Sixty-one subjects (60.4%) had at least one behaviour disorder of any severity or frequency. Twenty-three per cent of subjects showed aggression, 24% self-injurious behaviour, 36% temper tantrum, 26% overactivity, 29% screaming, 38% attention-seeking behaviour, 20% objectionable habits, 18% night-time disturbance and 12% of subjects showed destructiveness. Statistically significant associations were seen between the rate of overall behaviour disorder and the use of psychotropic medication, and between family and group home residence. The rate of aggression was significantly associated with the use of psychotropic medication. The rate of self-injurious behaviour was significantly associated with the severity of ID, female gender and poor communication abilities. The rate of temper tantrum was significantly associated with the use of psychotropic medication. Twenty-four subjects showed severe or frequent aggression, destructiveness, self-injury or temper tantrum, and 11 individuals showed real challenging behaviours. Severe behaviour problems were significantly associated with female gender, severity of ID, the presence of a history of epilepsy and attendance at day activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Mental disorder in adults with intellectual disability. 1: Prevalence of functional psychiatric illness among a community-based population aged between 16 and 64 years.

The reported prevalence of psychiatric illness among adults with intellectual disability (ID) varies widely between 10 and 39%; however, many methodological problems exist. The aims of the present study were to establish the prevalence of functional psychiatric illness among adults with ID who live in the community, in order to compare the overall rate and types of psychiatric illness between the population with ID and the general population without ID, and to establish the risk factors associated with psychiatric illness in adults with ID. The study was done in two stages. In the first part, a trained psychiatrist interviewed 101 randomly selected adults with ID and their carers using the Mini Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for adults with Developmental Disability (Mini PAS-ADD) to screen for psychiatric caseness. Out of these 101 adults, 90 had sufficient communicative abilities that made the administration of Mini PAS-ADD possible. A second trained psychiatrist interviewed 19 out of the 20 adults who were diagnosed as psychiatric cases according to the initial Mini PAS-ADD interview. This psychiatrist interviewed patients and their carers in line with the full PAS-ADD interview. The second psychiatrist was blind to the initial diagnoses made according to the Mini PAS-ADD questionnaire. A final psychiatric diagnosis was made according to International Classification of Diseases - 10th Revision (ICD-10) criteria. Some 14.4% (95% confidence interval = 7.4-21.4%) of the cohort had a psychiatric diagnosis according to ICD-10 criteria: 4.4% had schizophrenia, 2.2% depressive disorder, 2.2% generalized anxiety disorder, 4.4% phobic disorder and 1% delusional disorder. The overall rate of functional psychiatric illness (point prevalence) was similar to that found in the general population (16%). However, the rates of schizophrenic illness and phobic disorder were significantly higher in the study cohort compared with those in the general population (0.4% and 1.1%, respectively). Increasing age and the presence of physical disability were significantly associated with the occurrence of psychiatric illness. Out of the 11 remaining adults with severe ID, two (18%) had a diagnosis of a psychiatric illness (one mania and one anxiety disorder) according to the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped (DASH) questionnaire.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Using real patients in problem-based learning: students' comments on the value of using real, as opposed to paper cases, in a problem-based learning module in general practice.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility and value of using real patients as trigger material in problem-based learning (PBL). DESIGN: A questionnaire was given to all students participating in a PBL module including a question about 'the added value of using real, as opposed to paper cases', in problem-based learning. Resources used by students and assessment of feasibility were recorded by the course tutors. SETTING: A 7-week student-selected problem-based module in general practice in the fourth-year undergraduate medical curriculum, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. SUBJECTS: 69 students participating in the module over 2 years. RESULTS: All students valued the use of real patients. A total of 10 categories were identified, all congruent with accepted educational principles for effective adult learning. Real patients stimulated the use of a very wide range of resources and imaginative presentation of what had been learned. CONCLUSION: Real patients are potent trigger stimuli in problem-based learning. The use of real patients in this general practice-based module presented no organizational or ethical difficulties. Their use should be considered more widely.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2001

Calculi and memory.

We describe a case of transient global amnesia related to symptomatic renal stones. Transient global amnesia has been related to intense emotional or painful experiences, such as sexual intercourse, cold water bathing and trigeminal stimulation. Renal stones may be at the origin of a painful experience and thus may induce transient global amnesia.

Amnesia, Transient Global↗
PubMed2001

The influence of stent length on clinical and angiographic outcome in patients undergoing elective stenting for native coronary artery lesions; final results of the Magic 5L Study.

AIMS: To prospectively evaluate the influence of stent length on 6 month clinical and angiographic outcome, in patients with native coronary lesions up to 45 mm in length, undergoing elective Magic Wallstent implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: On the basis of pre-procedural angiography, 276 patients (aged 61.3+/-10.2 years; 78.6% male; 41.7% unstable angina) with a total of 302 lesions were prospectively assigned to one of five different length categories of Magic Wallstent. Angiography in multiple matched projections before and after implantation and at 6 months follow-up was analysed at the core laboratory. Primary end-points for the efficacy analysis were cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events and quantitative coronary angiography analysis 6 months after stent implantation. Magic Wallstent implantation was successful in 301 of 302 lesions and in 98.6% a residual stenosis <20% by online quantitative coronary angiography was achieved. At 30 days, 6.2% (1.8% subacute occlusion) of patients had experienced major adverse cardiac events, 27.5% at 6 months and 30.4% at 9 months. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 37%. Restenosis rates for the mini, extra-short, short, medium and long Wallstent groups were 25.9%, 25%, 22.6%, 36.2% and 67.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed stent length to be independently associated with greater angiographic restenosis and major adverse cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: While shorter Magic Wallstents provided late outcomes comparable with short balloon-expandable stents, excessive restenosis with longer Wallstents should obviate their use in elective percutaneous intervention. Long coronary lesions provide a challenging substrate for emerging antirestenosis therapies, such as stent coatings and brachytherapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[PET - Quo vadis?].

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Fluorodeoxyglucose F18↗