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Biomedical subjects

N F Hallam

Publications and source records attributed to N F Hallam.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Mannan binding lectin and the sudden infant death syndrome.

Mannan binding lectin (MBL) may be important for innate immunity and some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may be preceded by bacterial infection. Therefore, relative MBL deficiency might be associated with susceptibility to SIDS. We measured MBL concentrations in 46 SIDS infants and 26 controls. The proportion of subjects with low MBL values was similar in the two groups. However, the mean for the SIDS group (3 micrograms/ml) was higher than that of the controls (2.2 micrograms/ml; P < 0.05). We interpret this difference as due to acute phase responses and suggest these findings are consistent with the view that some cot deaths are preceded by bacterial infections.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1996

Does large loop excision of the transformation zone of the cervix predispose to the development of antisperm antibodies in women?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether large loop excision of the transformation zone of the uterine cervix for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia predisposes to the development of female isoimmunity to human spermatozoa. DESIGN: A prospective, controlled study. SETTING: Colposcopy and Andrology units at the John Radclife and Churchill Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom. INTERVENTIONS: Serum samples were collected from 33 women before large loop excision of the transformation zone of the cervix and repeated at a minimum time interval of 4 months after the procedure. Women were questioned regarding the procedure and subsequent reproductive function. A control population of 30 women not undergoing cervical surgery also underwent serial serum screening for antisperm antibodies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The detection of serum antisperm antibodies by flow cytometry. RESULTS: None of the serum samples before large loop excision of the cervical transformation zone had clinically significant levels of antisperm antibodies. There was, however, a significant rise in antisperm antibody levels in women following large loop excision of the transformation zone. Apparent risk factors for the development of antisperm antibodies included a short duration of sexual abstinence and the use of nonbarrier contraception after surgery. There was no rise in antisperm antibody levels in the control population. CONCLUSION: Large loop excision of the transformation zone of the cervix is a risk factor for the development of antisperm antibodies in women. Women should be advised to use barrier contraception or avoid sexual intercourse until complete healing of the cervix has occurred.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Respiratory viruses in a hospitalized paediatric population in Edinburgh 1985-1994.

We describe the incidence of respiratory viruses identified in children admitted to an Edinburgh hospital between October 1985 and July 1994. Respiratory syncytial (RS) virus, influenza viruses and parainfluenza viruses showed seasonal activity whereas adenoviruses and rhinoviruses did not. Parainfluenza viruses were the most changeable in their epidemiological behaviour and RS virus the least.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Human papillomavirus status in the prediction of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in patients with persistent low-grade cervical cytological abnormalities.

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) detection in the management of patients with persistent low-grade (mild dyskaryosis or less) cervical cytological abnormalities is unclear. We have analysed cytological material from 167 such patients both cytologically and by non-isotopic in situ hybridisation (NISH) for HPV 16, 18, 31 and 33 and consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by both generic and specific typing for these HPV types. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 was present in 40 of 167 patients (23.9%), and the positive predictive values (PPVs) for the presence of CIN 2 or 3, of moderate or severe dyskaryosis at repeat cytology and an HPV-positive NISH and generic PCR signal were 100%, 66% and 42% respectively. The corresponding sensitivities were 48%, 68% and 87%. Addition of cytology to molecular analysis improved both PPV and sensitivity, the best combination being NISH and cytopathology (PPV 71%, sensitivity 87%). These data demonstrate that the presence of CIN 2 or 3 in patients with mild cytological abnormalities can be predicted by molecular detection of HPV in some cases, particularly when combined with cytological analysis. However, the magnitude of this prediction is dependent on the population of patients studied, and the clinical role of this approach therefore remains to be defined.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1993

Low risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus.

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied between 104 anti-HCV positive index cases (99 haemophilic men, five women) who have attended the Oxford Haemophilia Centre and 104 (98 female, 6 male) longstanding sexual partners. Ninety-one percent of the index cases were HCV RNA positive by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 56% were anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. Three (2.9%) sexual partners (each a female partner of a different HCV RNA positive haemophilic man) were anti-HCV, and HCV RNA, positive. All had other risk factors for HCV infection. Of 59 partners who were tested for anti-HIV four (7%) were positive and only one of these was also anti-HCV positive. There was no association between HIV positivity in the index cases and HCV positivity in their partners. Our results confirm a low risk of sexual transmission of HCV.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) as an alternative to both local ablative and cone biopsy treatment: a series of 1000 patients.

One thousand patients, referred to the Oxford Colposcopy Clinic, were treated with either large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ, 891 cases) or LLETZ cone (109 cases). Forty-five LLETZ cones were performed empirically, 64 under microcolposcopic guidance. Over 98% of patients were managed as outpatients under local anaesthesia, and 87% of new patients treated with LLETZ had treatment at their first visit. Ninety percent of patients had at least cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade one (CIN I) and 73% had CIN II or worse. Seventeen cases of invasive or possibly invasive disease were detected, 6 of them unsuspected. The overall rate of complete excision of CIN or worse was 72%. Follow-up was cytologic with or without colposcopy depending on lesion severity. Ninety-one percent of 967 treated patients were free of dyskaryosis at a mean follow-up of 23 months, with complete excision of CIN or worse at LLETZ a significant predictive factor. No cases of invasive carcinoma have developed following treatment. Major morbidity was uncommon, with 3.8% severe hemorrhage. Stenosis was noted in 3.8% cases, mostly after LLETZ cone. One patient (0.1%) has reduced fertility possibly attributable to LLETZ. Questionnaire assessment revealed a very high degree of acceptability of the treatment to patients. LLETZ and LLETZ cone have proved highly acceptable and effective outpatient diagnostic and treatment alternatives to both local ablation and cone biopsy in the Oxford Colposcopy Clinic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Detection of B19 parvovirus in human fetal tissues by in situ hybridisation.

Evidence of B19 parvovirus infection was sought by in situ hybridisation with biotinylated probes in 65 tissue samples from 32 pregnancies (fetuses, products of conception and/or placentas). Twenty-seven samples were reactive and the results were confirmed by other methods for B19 virus detection in 22 cases. The other methods used were in situ hybridisation with 3H and 35S labelled probes; dot-blot hybridisation with biotin and 32P labelled probes; polymerase chain reaction assay; negative stain and thin section electron microscopy; and radioimmunoassay for B19 antigen. The five false positive results by in situ hybridisation with biotinylated probes were considered to be due to non-specific biotin capture and were more frequent with unfixed samples than with formalin fixed material. It was concluded that while biotinylated probes offered advantages over radioactive probes for detecting B19 DNA by in situ hybridisation, positive findings should be confirmed by other methods.

Biotin↗
PubMed1991

Detection of B19 parvovirus in human fetal tissues by electron microscopy.

We present the electron microscopy observations on samples from 38 pregnancies that were investigated for B19 parvovirus infection. Thirty-four had resulted in fetal loss thought to be due to a virus infection and 22 of the 38 were positive for B19 parvovirus in one or more of the tissues. Twenty-one placentas and 75 fetal tissue samples were examined. Fresh samples were investigated by immune electron microscopy while formalin-fixed tissues were examined as thin sections and by negative staining of tissue extracts with direct electron microscopy. Electron microscopy was more sensitive on fresh than on fixed samples. The ultrastructural observations on thin sections of fixed tissues yielded new information locating B19 parvovirus particles in both nucleus and cytoplasm of infected fetal cells. The diagnostic results of the range of electron microscopy assays were compared with those of two hybridization methods. The fresh samples yielded comparable results from electron microscopy and hybridisation assays but on formalin-fixed materials hybridisation was more sensitive.

Erythema Infectiosum↗
PubMed1989

Human papillomavirus type 31 infection of the uterine cervix in England.

A total of 452 uterine cervical scrapes, from two centres in England, has been examined by dot blot hybridisation for the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18 and 31. HPV DNA was found in 36.5% samples. Twenty-nine of the women were infected with more than one type. Of those with detectable HPV, 14.5% had HPV type 31 infections. This type appears to cause significant infection of the genital tract in England.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1980

The use and abuse of topical corticosteroids in dermatology.

Since their introduction almost 30 years ago, topical corticosteroids have made a dramatic contribution to the management of a wide range of non-infective skin disorders. Their principal mode of action is anti-inflammatory and a variety of potencies and vehicles is available. Several important side effects have been described, of which skin atrophy is the most common, but with careful usage the risks are not great.

Absorption↗