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Biomedical subjects

P Werner

Publications and source records attributed to P Werner.

229 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Outcomes of cataract surgery in nursing home residents.

A prospective study of vision-related outcomes of cataract surgery as well as cognitive functioning, activities of daily living (ADL) functioning, and depressed affect was conducted with 19 nursing home residents scheduled for cataract surgery. Also studied were 22 candidates for cataract surgery who decided against it. Comparison of both groups at baseline revealed that residents who chose cataract surgery were less cognitively and ADL impaired. Analysis after cataract surgery showed that visual acuity improved significantly at 4 months and was maintained at 1 year after surgery.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Native alpha 2-macroglobulin binds to a surface component of human placental trophoblast.

Immunofluorescence and radiobinding studies have shown that native human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), but not alpha 2M-trypsin complexes, binds to isolated human placental syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membrane vesicles. Inhibition studies have indicated that alpha 2M may bind to a trophoblast surface protease. This interaction is of significance for the control of trophoblast invasiveness and haemostasis within the placental bed.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Process and organizational characteristics of memory clinics in Israel: a national survey.

A survey was conducted to describe the characteristics and activities of memory clinics in Israel. A structured questionnaire was mailed to 25 memory clinics, accompanied by a cover letter and a returning envelope. The questionnaire included items regarding: (a) administrative structure of the clinic (the period and place of operation, number of staff and their professions); (b) patients' characteristics (monthly number of patients, sources of referral and eligibility criteria); (c) assessment methods used (history, cognitive screening instruments, functional status assessment, neuroimaging and laboratory tests); (d) the assessment process (length of assessment, family involvement); and (e) outcomes of the assessment process. Twelve questionnaires were returned, yielding a 52% response rate. Overall, there was agreement regarding the general operating characteristics of the clinics. The majority was based on an interdisciplinary team including a physician, a nurse and a social worker. The mean number of new monthly patients attending the clinics was 24 (range 7-70), and the main source of referral was the Sick Funds. Mostly all clinics used the Mini Mental State Examination as a screening instrument and performed psychological, physical, neurological, and laboratory examinations. Medication treatment was the main outcome reported by the clinics. In a country like Israel, where geriatric psychiatry services are still developing, there is an increasing need to expand the number and type of services provided by memory clinics.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparative approach to physical and linkage mapping of genes on canine chromosomes using gene-associated simple sequence repeat polymorphisms illustrated by studies of dog chromosome 9.

We describe and illustrate a comparative approach to creating physical and linkage maps of genes on dog chromosomes. The approach is particularly useful in species, like the dog, which have a rudimentary gene map not integrated with microsatellite loci. Human or mouse cDNAs for genes to be mapped are used to isolate cosmid or phage clones from dog genomic libraries. Clones verified to contain the homologous canine gene coding sequences are screened for "gene-associated" simple sequence repeat polymorphisms (SSRPs). The unique sequences flanking the repeats are used to design PCR primers to amplify the repeat and gene-associated SSR length differences that are informative for linkage analysis used in canine pedigrees to study linkage between loci or with diseases. The same canine clones are employed as probes in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies to physically map the loci to specific sites on dog chromosomes. This approach creates a combined gene and gene-associated microsatellite anchor locus framework map. In this article we review our recent use of this approach to map a series of genes found on human chromosome 17 (HSA17) to two dog chromosomes. Canine chromosome 9 (CFA9) contains 11 loci found on HSA17q, while two genes from HSA17p map to CFA5, demonstrating disruption of HSA17 synteny at the centromere. The order of 11 HSA17q genes on CFA9 was conserved in the dog, but the entire group is inverted with respect to the centromere when compared to human and mouse. Maps created by this approach can be used to advantage for integrating anonymous microsatellites with gene maps, including microsatellites found in genome scans to be linked to canine diseases. This makes it possible to identify the homologous chromosomal region in the human or mouse genome and to make use of this information in formulating hypotheses regarding candidate genes, as has recently been illustrated by other investigators.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative mapping of the DiGeorge region in the dog and exclusion of linkage to inherited canine conotruncal heart defects.

Conotruncal defects (CTDs) of the heart are a frequent component of DiGeorge, velocardiofacial, or other syndromes caused by deletions of the human chromosome 22q11 region (HSA22q11). In addition, some human patients with isolated nonsyndromic CTDs have been reported to have deletions of this region. Taken together, these findings lead to the conclusion that deletions of an HSA22q11 locus or loci produce abnormalities in cardiac development leading to CTDs. A spontaneous model of isolated inherited conotruncal malformations occurs in the keeshond dog. We have previously shown in experimental matings that nonsyndromic CTDs in the keeshond are inherited in a manner consistent with a major underlying locus. In the studies described in this article we tested two hypotheses: (1) the region of HSA22q11 commonly deleted in DiGeorge and related syndromes is evolutionarily conserved in the dog, and (2) a locus in this region is linked to hereditary CTD in the keeshond. Two loci within the minimal DiGeorge critical region (MDGCR) and two loci that lie telomeric to the MDGCR, one of which is commonly deleted in DiGeorge patients, were mapped in the dog using a combination of linkage analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The results confirm conserved synteny of the loci DGS-I, CTP, D22S788 (N41), and IGLC on the telomeric end of canine chromosome 26 (CFA26). The group of four syntenic gene loci, which spans a genetic distance of 2.5 cM is the first to be mapped to this small acrocentric canine chromosome and adds gene-associated polymorphic markers to the developing dog linkage map. Linkage of loci in this region to hereditary CTD in the keeshond was excluded.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outdoor wandering parks for persons with dementia: a survey of characteristics and use.

This study aimed to characterize the features of outdoor areas for persons with dementia, and to clarify the relationship between design features, use, and satisfaction with these areas. A national survey of long-term care facilities with outdoor areas investigated the characteristics and features of these areas, and how those related to their perceived impact on their users. Most respondents rated outdoor spaces as very useful, and as having a great benefit for users. The perceived benefit was related to the presence of more design features, such as the presence of gazebos and to the number of activities offered in the area. Despite these positive findings, respondents stated the areas were not used as much as possible and indicated several problems, mostly related to the safety of the residents. The results of this survey can assist facilities in better designing or improving their outdoor areas to increase use and satisfaction.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Decreased homovanilic acid in cerebrospinal fluid correlates with impaired neuropsychologic function in HIV-1-infected patients.

To determine whether dopamine metabolism is abnormal in HIV infected patients and whether dopamine metabolism abnormalities are related to specific neuropsychologic characteristics in HIV-infected patients, we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of homovanilic acid (HVA), the primary dopamine metabolite, in 10 HIV-infected patients and compared it to HVA levels in CSF in a group of 13 healthy control subjects. HIV-infected patients were also assessed with a battery of neuropsychologic tests and HVA levels were then correlated with performance on specific neuropsychologic tests. The mean (+/-SD) HVA level in CSF was 100.9 +/- 29.3 nmol/L in the HIV-infected study group and 230.5 +/- 50.0 nmol/L in the non-HIV-infected control group (p < 0.0001). The decrease in concentrations of HVA in CSF correlated with impairment on performance on neuropsychologic testing (Spearman r = 0.67; p = 0.03). When the relationship between HVA levels and specific cognitive domains was evaluated, we observed trends for positive correlation between HVA levels and tests that measure motor speed (r = 0.59; p = 0.074) and those testing attention, concentration, and executive control (r = 0.54; p = 0.108). There was no relationship between performance on memory tests and CSF HVA levels (r = -0.0061; p = 0.987). These results further support the hypothesis that dopaminergic dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AIDS dementia complex (ADC) and suggest that specific motor and cognitive abnormalities may be related to depressed dopaminergic activity. This may have important implications for the development of treatments or preventive strategies for ADC.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of ambulatory behavior in nursing home residents who pace or wander: a comparison of four commercially available devices.

This study evaluated four devices--a Pedometer, Step Sensor, Actigraph, and Personal Activity Meter (PAM)--as measures of pacing behavior. Ten nursing home residents who frequently paced in a long-term care facility underwent 1 day of data collection with each of the devices. Data derived from devices were compared to behavioral observations regarding the number of steps taken. Additionally, devices were evaluated via ratings concerning ease of use, and how well residents tolerated them. All devices yielded high correlations with the observed number of steps, with highest correlations for the PAM and Actigraph. All devices were tolerated well. The Pedometer and Step Sensor were the easiest to use. This study demonstrated that these devices offer an objective means to measure pacing/wandering behavior.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of the Cessna 206 for medical evacuations].

The CESSNA 206 aircraft belonging to the National Police Force has been used to effect medical evacuations. After describing the specifications of this aircraft and underlining its advantages (speed, autonomy, cost price) and its disadvantages (very small cabin, necessity of prepared landing grounds, sound level) compared with the helicopter generally used in similar circumstances, the authors conclude that this new aircraft could be used to advantage for evacuating medium-serious cases over distances greater than 200 kilometer provided that the cabin was modified. Even more than with the helicopter, the pilot must remain the judge concerning the technical flying possibilities of the aircraft, which is not pressurized and which has no defrosting equipment.

Aircraft↗
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On Medicaid.

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Child↗