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Biomedical subjects

P Moore

Publications and source records attributed to P Moore.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

CAP37, a neutrophil granule-derived protein stimulates protein kinase C activity in endothelial cells.

CAP37 is a multifunctional protein isolated from human neutrophils with important implications in host defense and inflammation. It is antimicrobial, mediates monocyte chemotaxis, and binds endotoxin. The interaction of neutrophils with endothelial cells is a central feature in inflammation. The object of this study was to determine whether CAP37, a neutrophil-derived protein, could regulate vascular endothelial cell protein kinase C (PKC), an important signaling enzyme. We found that CAP37 stimulated endothelial PKC activity in both a time- and dose-dependent fashion. This stimulation was comparable in magnitude to that evoked by phorbol myristate acetate. A monospecific antiserum against CAP37 inhibited CAP37-induced PKC activity. To establish a structural basis for this activity, overlapping peptides, based on the sequence of native CAP37 were synthesized. Maximum PKC stimulation was evoked by a peptide corresponding to amino acids 95-122 of native CAP37. This domain was distinct from the antibiotic and endotoxin binding domain of the molecule, which resides between amino acids 20 and 44. These data demonstrate that CAP37 can alter endothelial cell PKC and suggest that CAP37 may play a role in neutrophil-endothelial interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Revision of previous Fontan connections to extracardiac or intraatrial conduit cavopulmonary anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: In patients who have received an atriopulmonary Fontan connection, complications such as right pulmonary vein obstruction, atrial arrhythmias, and thromboembolism are often secondary to right atrial enlargement. When such complications develop despite good ventricular function, there are few management options available. Extracardiac or intraatrial conduit cavopulmonary anastomosis, which improves central systemic venous flow patterns, avoids atrial distention, and does not involve the extensive atrial suturing required by other forms of cavopulmonary anastomosis, may provide relief for this group of patients. METHODS: Between October 1992 and October 1995, 7 patients presented 8 to 20 years after atriopulmonary connection with severe right atrial dilatation (7), Fontan pathway obstruction (4), progressive congestive heart failure (4), atrial tachydysrhythmias (3), right atrial thrombus (1), obstruction of right pulmonary veins by an enlarged right atrium (1), and subaortic stenosis (1). After evaluation of the options, they underwent revision of the atriopulmonary connection to extracardiac (5) or intraatrial (2) conduit cavopulmonary anastomosis. RESULTS: One patient with severe cachexia, in whom transplantation was contraindicated for social reasons, died in the early postoperative period of massive effusions. Two patients eventually required permanent pacing for atrial dysrhythmias (1) or complete heart block secondary to subaortic fibromuscular resection (1), and 2 demonstrated marked improvement in unstable preoperative rhythm disturbances. At a median follow-up of 17 months, 4 of the 6 survivors were functioning at higher New York Heart Association levels than preoperatively, and 1 had recently undergone heart transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: In properly selected patients with atrial complications, revision of a prior Fontan connection to extracardiac or intraatrial conduit cavopulmonary anastomosis appears to be a viable option.

Adolescent↗

Midterm results of balloon dilation of congenital aortic stenosis: predictors of success.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated patient and procedural characteristics that influence the midterm success of balloon dilation of congenital aortic stenosis. BACKGROUND: Balloon dilation is a new treatment for congenital aortic stenosis. Factors that influence midterm success are unknown. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 148 children >1 month old who underwent balloon dilation for aortic stenosis. RESULTS: Balloon dilation was successful in 87% of patients, with a procedural mortality rate of 0.7%. The average immediate peak to peak gradient reduction was 56.4 +/- 19.9% (mean +/- SD). Prior valvotomy was the only factor that significantly reduced the immediate gradient reduction after dilation (47.1 +/- 21.8% vs. 57.8 +/- 19.6%, p < 0.01). Survival after dilation was 95% at 8 years. Seventy-five percent of patients were free of repeat intervention 4 years after dilation, whereas 50% remained free of repeat intervention at 8 years. Asymmetrically thick valve leaflets (risk ratio [RR] 0.17, p < 0.01) and prior aortic valvotomy (RR 0.35, p = 0.02) decreased the risk of repeat intervention. Aortic regurgitation grade > or = 3 (RR 4.27, p = 0.04) and residual gradient after dilation (RR 1.63 for 10 mm Hg, p < 0.01) increased the risk. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-year survival rate after dilation was 95% with 50% of patients free of repeat intervention. Factors that increased the risk for repeat intervention included symmetrically thin or thick aortic valve leaflets, regurgitation grade > or = 3 after dilation and a high residual gradient after dilation. The incidence of repeat intervention after dilation was high owing to its palliative nature.

Adolescent↗

Long-term fluctuation of relative afferent pupillary defect in subjects with normal visual function.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) remains constant over time in normal subjects. METHODS: Seventeen normal subjects were tested with infrared pupillography and automated perimetry in four sessions over 3 years. The changes in RAPD and visual field asymmetry between testing sessions were compared. RESULTS: The range of RAPD was 0.0 to 0.3 log unit, and the difference in the mean deviation between the eyes on automated static perimetry was 0 to 3 dB. Eight subjects repeatedly had an RAPD in the same eye. There was no correlation between the RAPD and the visual field asymmetry at the same visit. Changes in the magnitude of the RAPD between any two sessions were typically small (median, 0.08 log unit; 25th percentile, 0.04 log unit; 75th percentile, 0.15 log unit). CONCLUSIONS: Some normal subjects may show a persistent but small RAPD in the absence of detectable pathologic disease. Therefore, an isolated RAPD in the range of 0.3 log unit that is not associated with any other significant historical or clinical finding should probably be considered benign.

Adult↗

10 years of pediatric liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: Pediatric liver transplantation is an accepted therapy for end-stage liver disease, but little long-term data exist. METHODS: From October 1984 to October 1994, 202 patients underwent a total of 225 liver transplantations. There were 98 boys and 104 girls, the average age was 5.1 +/- 4.9 (range, 0.2 to 19.1) years. Thirty (16%) were under 1 year of age. The diseases that required transplantation included biliary atresia (BA) (45%), metabolic liver disease (MLD) (9.9%), acute hepatic failure (6.9%), and Alagille's syndrome (AS) (5.4%). Originally the immunosuppression was cyclosporine- and steroid-based; the later regimens also included azathioprine and antilymphocyte preparations. All reported survival rates were derived from life-table analysis. RESULTS: The patient survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 76%, 70%, and 61%; the retransplantation rate was 11%. The respective graft survival rates were 71%, 63%, and 59%. There were 60 deaths; 48 (81%) occurred in the first year. These first-year deaths were from sepsis (20; 42%), central nervous system problems (5; 11%), intraoperative complications (4; 8%), lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) (2; 4%), rejection (2; 4%), primary nonfunction (2; 4%), and miscellaneous other causes (7; 15%). There were 12 deaths after the first year, from LPD (3; 25%), sepsis (1; 8%), rejection (2; 18%), cancer (1; 9%), secondary hepatic failure (1; 9%), cerebral vascular accident (1; 9%), or pre- or postoperative complications (3; 25%). Compared with the overall survival rate, patients with MLD had a better chance of survival (83%; P <.012) than did those with AS (45%; P < .001). The 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients with BA were 61% and 58%. Over the past 2 years, the survival rate has increased (87% v 72%; P < .05) as early septic deaths have decreased (from 2.6 to 1.0 per year). CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation is effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. Decreasing the number of early septic deaths has improved the chance of survival, and better diagnosis and treatment of LPD would improve the late survival rate.

Adolescent↗

Pulmonary artery growth after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt: is there a cause for concern?

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to analyze changes in pulmonary artery size after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt. METHODS: All 47 patients who underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt between March 1990 and May 1995 who had preoperative and postoperative angiograms available for review were selected for study. This included 24 patients who had also undergone a modified Fontan operation. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively and cross-sectional follow-up was obtained by direct physician contact. Angiograms were reveiwed, and the right and left pulmonary artery diameters were each measured at two locations: immediately distal to their origin and at the narrowest point. In addition, the lower lobe pulmonary artery branch was measured just distal to its origin. Cross-sectional areas (left, right, and total) at each point of measurement were indexed to body surface area. Angiographic and hemodynamic data were analyzed. RESULTS: Changes in the various measures of pulmonary artery size after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt varied considerably. On average the absolute diameters increased for all measures, but the increase in diameter was significant only for the lower lobe arteries. All pulmonary artery indices decreased on average, but these changes did not approach significance. Patients who underwent pulmonary artery augmentation at the time of bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt had significantly smaller pulmonary artery indices before pulmonary artery augmentation, relative to those who did not undergo pulmonary artery repair, and significantly greater changes (possibly to a large extent owing to pulmonary artery repair) in the right and left pulmonary artery index after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt. Lower lobe indices did not differ preoperatively or exhibit different degrees of change in size between patients who did and did not undergo pulmonary artery repair. One patient died after Fontan completion (pulmonary artery index: 305 mm2/m2), and none of the factors analyzed correlated with Fontan outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A more appropriate measure of pulmonary artery growth is the indexed cross-sectional area of the lower lobe branch of the right and left pulmonary arteries, which is less likely to be altered surgically with systemic-pulmonary shunts, pulmonary artery repair, and the bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis itself. Pulmonary artery indices, including the lower lobe index, do not change significantly after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt during medium-term follow-up and do not influence the Fontan outcome.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Predictors of persistence and remission of ADHD into adolescence: results from a four-year prospective follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictors of persistence and the timing of remission of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Subjects were 6- to 17-year old Caucasian, non-Hispanic boys with and without ADHD. DSM-III-R structured diagnostic interviews and blind raters were used to examine psychiatric diagnoses, cognitive achievement, social, school, and family functioning at a 4-year follow-up assessment. RESULTS: At the 4-year follow-up assessment, 85% of children with ADHD continued to have the disorder and 15% remitted. Of those who remitted, half did so in childhood and the other half in adolescence. Predictors of persistence were familiality of ADHD, psychosocial adversity, and comorbidity with conduct, mood, and anxiety disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The findings prospectively confirm that the majority of children with ADHD will continue to express the disorder 4 years later. For a minority of children, ADHD was a transient disorder that remits early in development. In addition, we have shown that persistence of ADHD is predictable. Familiality, adversity, and psychiatric comorbidity may be clinically useful predictors of which children with ADHD are at risk for a persistent disorder.

Achievement↗

Child Behavior Checklist findings further support comorbidity between ADHD and major depression in a referred sample.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the convergence of categorical and empirical diagnostic systems to evaluate whether psychiatric comorbidity of juvenile major depression with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is due to assessment bias. METHOD: Using total predictive value and the odds ratio, the authors evaluated the convergence of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scales with structured interview-derived diagnoses in 94 children with major depression, 97 with ADHD, and 115 normal control children with neither diagnosis. RESULTS: The CBCL Anxious/Depressed scale discriminated depressed from nondepressed children irrespective of comorbidity with ADHD, and the Attention Problems scale discriminated ADHD from non-ADHD children irrespective of comorbidity with major depression. Children with major depression comorbid with ADHD had CBCL correlates of both syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: Since the CBCL is an empirically derived taxonomic system, the correspondence between the content-congruent CBCL scales and DSM-III-R categorical diagnoses of major depression and of ADHD indicates that previously reported findings of high overlap between these two disorders using structured diagnostic interview methodology and trained raters were not due to rater biases.

Adolescent↗

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and juvenile mania: an overlooked comorbidity?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychiatric, cognitive, and functional correlates of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children with and without comorbid bipolar disorder (BPD). METHOD: DSM-III-R structured diagnostic interviews and blind raters were used to examine psychiatric diagnoses at baseline and 4-year follow-up in ADHD and control children. In addition, subjects were evaluated for cognitive, academic, social, school, and family functioning. RESULTS: BPD was diagnosed in 11% of ADHD children at baseline and in an additional 12% at 4-year follow-up. These rates were significantly higher than those of controls at each assessment. ADHD children with comorbid BPD at either baseline or follow-up assessment had significantly higher rates of additional psychopathology, psychiatric hospitalization, and severely impaired psychosocial functioning than other ADHD children. The clinical picture of bipolarity was mostly irritable and mixed. ADHD children with comorbid BPD also had a very severe symptomatic picture of ADHD as well as prototypical correlates of the disorder. Comorbidity between ADHD and BPD was not due to symptom overlap. ADHD children who developed BPD at the 4-year follow-up had higher initial rates of comorbidity, more symptoms of ADHD, worse scores on the CBCL, and a greater family history of mood disorder compared with non-BPD, ADHD children. CONCLUSIONS: The results extend previous results documenting that children with ADHD are at increased risk of developing BPD with its associated severe morbidity, dysfunction, and incapacitation.

Adolescent↗

Indicators of differences in immunization rates of Mexican American and white non-Hispanic infants in a Medicaid managed care system.

Immunization levels of Mexican American and white non-Hispanic infants enrolled in Arizona's Medicaid managed care demonstration project, a prototype of the model proposed for a reformed health care system, were compared and the influence of sociodemographic characteristics, acculturation levels, health beliefs of the mothers, and infant health status on immunization levels were assessed. The study used data collected from office records, birth certificates, and household interviews. The random sample included 292 white non-Hispanic and 274 Mexican American infants. White non-Hispanic infants received more immunizations by age 1 than the Mexican American infants. However, after controlling for a full set of explanatory variables in a multiple regression analysis, ethnicity was no longer a significant predictor of immunization levels. Significant predictors of a higher number of immunizations included fewer siblings, older maternal age, and higher maternal education. Health insurance and enrollment in a managed care plan were not sufficient to ensure adequate immunization of these Medicaid enrolled infants. Results are discussed in terms of previous research and the essential functions of public health as outlined in the Institute of Medicine's Report on the Future of Public Health.

Adolescent↗

There's a big niche market for infertility care.

A lucrative niche remains in a market increasingly dominated by managed care and cost containment. Many infertile women are willing to pay just about any price for infertility products, usually not covered by their insurers, writes Pamela Moore, managing editor of Healthcare Advertising Review.

Female↗