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Biomedical subjects

R Bremner

Publications and source records attributed to R Bremner.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Genetic changes in skin tumor progression: correlation between presence of a mutant ras gene and loss of heterozygosity on mouse chromosome 7.

Initiation of tumorigenesis in mouse skin can be accomplished by mutagenesis of the H-ras gene by treatment with chemical carcinogens. A mouse model system has been developed to study the additional genetic events that take place during tumor progression. Skin carcinomas were induced in F1 hybrid mice exhibiting restriction fragment length polymorphisms at multiple chromosomal loci. Analysis of loss of heterozygosity in such tumors showed that imbalance of alleles on mouse chromosome 7, on which the H-ras gene is located, occurs very frequently in skin carcinomas. The chromosomal alterations detected, which included both nondisjunction and mitotic recombination events, were only seen in tumors that have activated ras genes. We conclude that gross chromosomal alterations that elevate the copy number of mutant H-ras and/or lead to loss of normal H-ras are a consistent feature of mouse skin tumor development.

Alleles↗

A follow-up study of high-functioning autistic children.

It is well known that IQ is an important prognostic variable in the outcome of autistic children. There are, however, very few data available on the outcome of nonretarded autistic children as adults. We identified 16 such probands from records and followed them up between 11 and 27 years since discharge from a center specializing in the assessment of autistic children. There were 12 males and 4 females, average age was 26, and mean IQ was 92 (range 68-110). Although the majority were functioning poorly in terms of occupational-social outcome and psychiatric symptoms, a surprising number (4) had a very good outcome and might be considered recovered. The severity of early autistic behavior was a poor predictor of outcome, but neuropsychologic measures of nonverbal problem solving were highly correlated with outcomes. The results of the study indicate that a small percentage of nonretarded autistic children can be expected to recover to a substantial degree.

Adolescent↗

Asperger's syndrome and autism: comparison of early history and outcome.

The authors compared children with Asperger syndrome (AS) with high-functioning autistic children and psychiatric outpatient controls on measures of early history and outcome. In terms of their early history, the autistic probands showed more social impairment, a higher frequency of echolalia and pronoun reversal, and a more restricted range of activities than the AS group. Cluster analysis suggested refinements to the diagnostic criteria, which resulted in larger differences between the groups on these early history measures. In terms of their outcome, the autistic probands spent more time in special education classes but developed fewer accessory psychiatric symptoms than the AS children. It was clear, however, that there were no substantive, qualitative differences between the AS and autistic groups, indicating that AS should be considered a mild form of high-functioning autism. The inclusion of AS among the autistic spectrum of disorders has implications both for aetiological studies and for prevalence estimates of the pervasive developmental disorders.

Autistic Disorder↗

Asperger's syndrome: a review of clinical features.

The term Asperger's Syndrome (AS) refers to a clinical picture characterized by social isolation in combination with odd and eccentric behaviour. While the syndrome has been recognized for some time, diagnostic criteria for the disorder have not yet been established or evaluated. The objective of this paper is to describe some of the clinical features of AS. Twenty-eight children and adolescents with AS were compared to a group of psychiatric outpatients (matched on age and sex) who were also socially impaired. The AS subjects showed a range of social impairments essentially different than those seen in the control group. The sex ratio, family history, and presence of neurologic disease in some AS cases, suggest that the etiology of the disorder is similar to that in autism. The methodological limitations of the study are discussed, and a revised set of diagnostic criteria are proposed for AS.

Adolescent↗

Measurement of SP1 in samples with varying SP1 alpha: SP1 beta ratios.

Mixtures containing a fixed amount of SP1 alpha, increasing amounts of SP1 beta and vice versa have been measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis, by enzyme immunoassay and by radioimmunoassay. Both proteins have immunological determinants which react with standard antisera to SP1 and the value obtained for any particular mixture is dependent on the ratio of the proteins. The effect of the ratio on measurement by immunoelectrophoresis is different from that on measurement by enzyme immunoassay or radioimmunoassay. As these two proteins exist together in the blood of pregnant women, Results obtained by the two types of assay cannot be compared. Even with the same method the results will depend on the ratio which varies from subject to subject. It is concluded that until specific measurements for SP1 alpha and SP1 beta are designed, clinical application studies must be viewed with reserve.

Female↗

Binding characteristics of 3H-prazosin to rat brain alpha-adrenergic receptors.

3H-Prazosin binding to membranes from rat brain is saturable, Bmax, 77 fmol/mg protein, of high affinity, KD, 0.28 nM and with a drug specificity indicating that it labels alpha-adrenergic receptors. The ranking of alpha-antagonists for these binding sites suggests that 3H-prazosin may be useful in identifying a subpopulation of alpha-receptors (alpha1) in the central nervous system.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗