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Biomedical subjects

N Richards

Publications and source records attributed to N Richards.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Relation between synovial fluid C3 degradation products and local joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and crystal associated arthropathy.

C3 degradation products (C3dg/d) were estimated in 288 synovial fluid (SF) samples (rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 93, osteoarthritis (OA) 68, chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy 80, acute pseudogout 20, others 27) from knees of 138 patients (bilateral 67, serial sampling on two to six occasions 40). At each aspiration knees were defined as 'active' or 'inactive' by single observer global assessment using six clinical parameters of inflammation. Lack of correlation between paired SF and plasma C3dg/d implied local C3 activation within joints. Raised SF C3d levels were found in active compared with inactive RA joints (mean (range) 51 (15-105) and 6 (0-15) units/ml respectively). Low SF C3dg/d levels were found in OA (mean (range) 0.8 (0-7) units/ml) and chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy (mean (range) 4 (0-16) units/ml), irrespective of clinical activity. In contrast, very high levels (mean (range) 61 (16-126) units/ml) were present in all cases of pseudogout. These differences remained after correction for SF C3 or albumin. This study is the first to show a positive correlation between SF C3dg/d and local inflammation in RA joints. It further suggests that C3 activation is a constant feature of pseudogout but not an accompaniment of inflammation associated with chronic crystal associated synovitis or OA.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

C reactive protein concentrations in neonates: determination by a latex enhanced immunoassay.

A latex enhanced immunoassay on a centrifugal fast analyser was used to compare serum C reactive protein concentrations in maternal and neonatal blood. In the neonate the C reactive protein concentration at birth was less than 1.0 mg/l; the concentration rose slightly during the first two weeks of life. There was no correlation between C reactive protein concentrations in maternal and neonatal sera. No significant difference was found between the C reactive protein concentrations in blood obtained by either heel prick or venepuncture.

Blood Specimen Collection↗
PubMed1979

The quality of radiographs used in the pretreatment review of dental claims.

The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of radiographs accompanying claims submitted for pretreatment review, and to determine the relative importance of radiograph quality in dental consultants' decisions regarding the necessity and appropriateness of crown services. Findings indicate that: 1) the technical quality of radiographs in the sample is adequate for most criteria; and 2) radiograph quality, number, and type of film submitted do not explain much of the variation in disagreements between the direct and indirect assessments of crown services. The most important radiograph variables influencing pretreatment review decisions appear to be the number of periapical films submitted for review, and the density/contrast of the radiographs.

Consultants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serologic response to hepatitis B vaccine in children receiving multiple blood transfusions.

Three doses of the commercially available hepatitis B vaccine were administered to each of 43 anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibody-negative children (including 32 hemophiliacs) who were regularly receiving blood product transfusions. Forty-two (98%) of them had demonstrable anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibody in their serum, indicating that this group of patients responds favorably to the vaccine.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-dialysis serum albumin is a poor indicator of nutritional status in stable chronic haemodialysis patients.

The correlation between pre-dialysis serum albumin and mortality has been linked with malnutrition. We measured pre and post-dialysis albumin in 86 stable haemodialysis patients and compared them with anthropometric measurements and body mass index (BMI). On the basis of pre-dialysis albumin 13% of patients would be classified as high risk, whilst on the basis of post-dialysis albumin only 12% would be classified as high risk. Change in albumin could be predicted by fluid removal during haemodialysis. Pre-dialysis albumin correlated weakly with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). Post dialysis albumin correlated with MUAC and triceps skin fold thickness (TSF). There was a weak negative correlation between age and post-dialysis albumin. TSF strongly correlated with MUAC and BMI. Pre-dialysis albumin appears to be a poor predictor of nutritional status and does not correlate well with other nutritional parameters. The excess risk of death associated with a low pre-dialysis albumin may be related to fluid overload rather than malnutrition.

Anthropometry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fire and ICE: the role of pyrin domain-containing proteins in inflammation and apoptosis.

The genetic bases for several human autoinflammatory syndromes have recently been identified, and the mutated proteins responsible for these diseases are rapidly being characterized. Here, we examine two of these newly identified proteins, pyrin (also called marenostrin, product of the familial Mediterranean fever locus, MEFV) and cryopyrin (product of the CAIS1 locus, and mutated in familial cold urticaria, Muckle Wells syndrome and chronic infantile neurological cutaneous and articular syndrome). Both pyrin and cryopyrin contain an N-terminal domain that encodes a death domain-related structure, now known as the pyrin domain, or PyD. We trace the molecular interactions mediated by these PyDs, examine the evolution of the family of molecules containing this domain, and discuss the function of PyD-containing proteins and their homologues. Synthesis of the available data indicates that both pyrin and cryopyrin interact via their PyDs with a common adaptor protein, ASC. ASC itself participates in at least three important cellular processes: apoptosis, recruitment and activation of pro-caspase-1 (with associated processing and secretion of IL-1beta), and activation of NF-kappaB (a transcription factor involved in both initiation and resolution of the inflammatory response). Through PyD:PyD interactions, pyrin and cryopyrin, as well as several related, but still uncharacterized PyD containing proteins, appear to modulate the activity of all three of these processes, each of which plays a crucial role in the inflammatory pathways that characterize the innate immune system.

Apoptosis↗