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R J Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to R J Thompson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

PGP9.5, a ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase; pattern of mRNA and protein expression during neural development in the mouse.

PGP9.5 is a neurone and neuro-endocrine specific ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase estimated to form 1-2% of total brain protein. We have examined the temporal and spatial distribution of PGP9.5 mRNA and protein in the developing mouse embryo. These studies show that PGP9.5 is present at high levels in all differentiated neurones throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems at all stages of development. The mRNA is detected in the neural tube 1 day prior to the protein and before neuronal differentiation is underway. Both mRNA and protein are present during the initial appearance of motor and sensory neurones, prior to their peak production. PGP9.5 immunoreactivity was detected using microwave pretreatment of sections in order to unmask epitopes. In general unmasking led to an overall enhancement of immunoreactivity although in some sites, for example the dorsal root and cranial nerve ganglia and the bundle of His, there was evidence for anatomical variation in the distribution of masked versus unmasked protein. The very early expression of PGP9.5 suggests that there is a role for ubiquitin hydrolases in the differentiation of neurone precursors as well as in the differentiated neurone.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Suture placement for hemostasis during laparoscopy using the Stamey needle.

Bleeding at cannula insertion sites during laparoscopic procedures often is difficult to manage. The few published techniques for controlling abdominal wall bleeding include suturing under direct observation, electrocoagulation, and placement of a Foley catheter. These methods may provide less than adequate hemostasis, however. We developed a technique of direct suture placement under laparoscopic guidance using an absorbable monofilament suture and the Stamey needle as a ligature carrier.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1995

Single strand conformation analysis of two genes contained within the first intron of the neurofibromatosis type I gene in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Single strand conformation analysis has become the most widely used technique to screen large numbers of DNA samples for unknown mutations which may contribute to genetic susceptibility to disease. The method relies on the electrophoretic migration of a single strand of nucleic acid in a polyacrylamide gel being dependent on its conformation which is in turn dependent on its sequence. We have examined two closely related genes present in the first intron of the neurofibromatosis type I gene--the oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMGP) gene and the ecotropic viral integration 2A (EVI2A) gene--in 36 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 36 healthy controls. A single mutation was found in the OMGP gene which resulted in an amino-acid change of glycine to aspartic acid. This occurred in identical proportions (16.6%) in MS patients and controls. Two rare mutations were found in the EVI2A gene, one resulting in an arginine substituting for a glutamine (one control and one patient), the other in the replacement of a glycine with serine (one control only). A third common polymorphism was seen in 5'-untranslated region of the EVI2A gene, with 65% of patients and controls showing a T-->C transition in either a heterozygous or a homozygous form. This makes it unlikely that either of these genes is involved in genetic susceptibility to MS, but regions of these genes outside of the exonic sequences have not been examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Multiple sclerosis in island populations: prevalence in the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey.

The aim of this study was to establish for the first time the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey, as representing the most southerly part of the British Isles. All patients with multiple sclerosis in the Channel Islands resident on prevalence day were identified by contacting all medical practices, Multiple Sclerosis, and Action Research for Multiple Sclerosis societies by letter and visits. The crude overall prevalence rates were 113/100,000 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 90.3-135.7) and 86.7/100,000 (95% CI 63.3-110.0) for the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey respectively. When standardised to the age and sex structure of a previously reported Northern Ireland population the standardised prevalence ratios were 120.2/100,000 (95% CI 96.0-144.3) for Jersey and 95.6/100,000 (95% CI 69.9-121.3) for the Bailiwick of Guernsey. When compared with recent studies in the northern United Kingdom the prevalence rates for multiple sclerosis in the Channel Islands lend some support to the proposed latitudinal gradient in the British Isles although the standardised prevalence ratio in the Bailiwick of Jersey is similar to those found in recent studies of southern Britain. The standardised prevalence rates of probable and definite multiple sclerosis for the male populations were 37.3/100,000 (95% CI 17.9-56.7) for the Bailiwick of Guernsey and 45.5/100,000 (95% CI 26.3-64.7) for the Bailiwick of Jersey whereas the standardised prevalence rates for the female populations were 97.5/100,000 (95% CI 73.9-143.5) and 139.5/100,000 (95% CI 112.6-181.2) respectively. Thus there is a striking and unexplained 43% higher prevalence of probable and definite multiple sclerosis in the female population of Jersey compared with that of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. This seems to be due to an unusually low prevalence of the disease among the female population of the Bailiwick of Guernsey compared with that of the United Kingdom mainland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Screening for child-reported behavioral and emotional problems in primary care pediatrics.

In light of the findings that mother-completed checklists do not adequately reflect children's perceptions of their own adjustment, two child-completed questionnaires were assessed as screening measures for behavioral or emotional problems with 50 children seen for well-child examinations. Case criterion was child-reported DSM-III symptoms through a clinical interview. Support was provided for the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale but not the Children's Depression Inventory as a child-reported screening measure. Moreover, the findings indicated that both mother-completed and child-completed measures are needed to screen adequately for behavioral or emotional problems of children seen in a primary care pediatric clinic.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Influence of acidosis, hypoxemia, and hypotension on neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: We previously demonstrated that acidosis (pH < 7.15) predicts poor motor outcome in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The present study was undertaken to examine the association between acidosis and developmental outcome in more detail and to better understand the interrelationship of acidosis with related factors such as hypoxemia and hypotension. METHODS: The nursery records of 191 infants enrolled in our VLBW follow-up study were reviewed to identify the type of acidosis (metabolic or respiratory) present, measure the duration of single and cumulative episodes, and examine the interaction of acidosis with hypoxemia and hypotension. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development and a detailed neurologic examination were performed at 6 (n = 158) and 24 (n = 106) months corrected age. RESULTS: At 6 months, both respiratory and metabolic acidosis as well as the total duration and longest single episode of acidosis were significantly correlated with cognitive, motor, and neurologic outcome (P < .0001). By 24 months, only the association of the metabolic component of acidosis with all three outcome measures remained significant. Duration of hypotension independently correlated with outcome at both testing periods (P < .002) but isolated hypoxemia did not. The metabolic component of acidosis and isolated hypotension contributed significantly to the variance in all three outcome measures (P < .05). Duration of hypoxemia, but not hypotension, contributed significantly (53%) to the variance in the metabolic component of acidosis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that it is the metabolic component of acidosis that is important in predicting poor developmental outcome in VLBW infants. The detrimental effect of hypoxemia appears to be closely related to the occurrence of metabolic acidosis while hypotension has an independent effect on outcome.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1994

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for complement regulatory proteins and membrane-bound immunoglobulins on intact red blood cells.

We have developed an ELISA technique to examine RBC-bound molecules in autoimmune disorders. In particular, the technique has enabled us to investigate the role of some complement regulatory proteins in immune complex transport and to suggest that decay accelerating factor (DAF) may be involved in this process. In both autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AHA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) a sub-set of individuals was identified, on the basis of patterns of complement receptor 1 (CR1) expression on RBC. In these patients, CR1 identified using the monoclonal antibody E11 was low or absent whereas CR1 identified using a DAKO monoclonal antibody (C3RTo5) was present at normal levels.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗
PubMed1994

Medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency: clinical course in 120 affected children.

Medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of beta-oxidation of fatty acids manifested by episodic hypoglycemia, encephalopathy, apnea, and sudden death. Medical data were obtained on 120 patients with medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency referred to Duke University Medical Center for biochemical testing. There were 55 male and 65 female subjects ranging from birth to 19 years of age; 118 subjects were white. Twenty-three children (19%) died before the diagnosis was made. Follow-up data were available in the 97 surviving patients for an average of 2.6 years after diagnosis. Psychodevelopmental data were collected on 73 patients older than 2 years of age. Unexpected morbidity included developmental and behavioral disability, chronic muscle weakness, failure to thrive, and cerebral palsy. We conclude that unidentified patients with this disorder have a significant risk of sudden death in early childhood and that survivors have a significant risk of developmental disability and chronic somatic illness.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1994

Psychological adjustment of children with sickle cell disease: stability and change over a 10-month period.

Rates of poor psychological adjustment of children with sickle cell disease remained relatively constant over initial and follow-up assessment points. However, there was relatively little stability in the classification of the adjustment of individuals, low congruence in specific behavior problem patterns and diagnoses in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1980), and less stability in child adjustment by child report than by mother report. With initial levels of adjustment controlled, children's strategies for coping with pain accounted for a significant increment in child-reported symptoms (19%) and mother-reported internalizing behavior problems (8%) at follow-up beyond the contribution of illness and demographic parameters and follow-up interval. The findings suggest that children's coping strategies are a salient intervention target for enhancing adjustment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Stability and change in the psychological adjustment of mothers of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

Found moderate stability in the classification of maternal adjustment in two longitudinal studies of mothers of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease. In terms of the transactional stress and coping model, stable poor maternal adjustment was associated with higher levels of appraisal of daily stress and palliative coping and low levels of family supportiveness. With initial levels of maternal adjustment, demographic parameters, and follow-up interval controlled, concurrent levels of daily stress accounted for significant portions of variance in maternal adjustment at follow-up for both illness groups. In addition, illness severity, child psychological adjustment, and family conflict added significant increments to maternal adjustment at follow-up in the cystic fibrosis group. Findings are discussed in terms of a basis for subsequent intervention studies to enhance the adjustment of mothers of children with chronic illness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Change over a 12-month period in the psychological adjustment of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

Found that group rates of mother-reported and child-reported adjustment problems remained relatively constant over initial and 12-month follow-up assessment points. However, there was less stability in the classification of the adjustment of individuals, in specific behavior problem patterns and diagnoses, and in child-reported adjustment than in mother-reported adjustment. With initial level of child adjustment controlled, children's perceptions of self-worth accounted for a significant increment in child-reported symptoms and mother-reported adjustment at follow-up. Maternal distress also accounted for a significant increment in child-reported symptoms. These findings add support for the role of maternal adjustment and child self-worth in the adjustment of children with cystic fibrosis.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Developmental outcome of very low birth weight infants as a function of biological risk and psychosocial risk.

The relative contribution of biological and psychosocial risk factors to developmental outcome of 102 very low birth weight infants (< 1500 g) was delineated through 24 months corrected age. Biological risk, assessed by the Neurobiologic Risk Score (NBRS), accounted for significant amounts of variance in Bayley Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) at the 6-, 15-, and 24-month assessment points. Psychosocial risk, reflected in maternal appraisals of daily stress, accounted for a significant increment in cognitive outcome (MDI), over and above that accounted for by the NBRS, at each assessment point. Cognitive functioning at each assessment point differed as a function of biological risk and psychosocial risk status. The findings are discussed in terms of maternal stress as a marker of, and salient intervention target for, caregiving environments that can maximize or minimize the effects of biological vulnerability.

Brain Damage, Chronic↗
PubMed1994

National survey of state trauma registries--1992.

Registries, such as those for oncology, have demonstrated usefulness in collating information. Trauma care can be improved through the accumulation of local, regional, and state trauma statistics. The efforts to develop a National Trauma Registry in the United States are still in their infancy. A four-page survey questionnaire was returned by each of the 50 State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Directors, as well as the EMS Directors of the District of Columbia and five American possessions, to evaluate the status of state trauma registries in the United States. In 1992, 24 (48%) states had a registry. Development costs average $101,107 and annual maintenance costs averaged $72,105. An average of 1.7 full-time equivalents (FTE) was necessary to maintain the registry. Fourteen (58%) states have effected legislation through the registry. Trauma prevention has been promoted in nine (38%) states and a decrease in mortality recognized through the registry in five (21%) states. Trauma registries are labor intensive and expensive but are effective in decreasing morbidity and mortality. The need for a National Trauma Registry incorporating and comparing data from health care facilities around the United States and its possessions has the potential of improving trauma health care.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1994

Resident research in obstetrics and gynecology.

Mandatory research in an obstetrics-and-gynecology residency can be an effective tool for teaching physicians the skills needed for them to become intelligent readers of the medical literature. We present our 15-year experience with a resident research program. We discovered that in addition to achieving the primary goal in resident education, structured resident research has many other benefits.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1993

Roles of novobiocin-sensitive topoisomerases in chloroplast DNA replication in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

We have examined DNA replication in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplasts in vivo when chloroplast type II topoisomerases are inactivated with sublethal doses of novobiocin. DNA replication is at first inhibited under these conditions. However, after a delay of several hours, chloroplast chromosomes initiate a novobiocin-insensitive mode of DNA replication. This replication starts preferentially near a hotspot of recombination in the large inverted repeats, instead of from the normal chloroplast origins, oriA and oriB. It replicates one, but not the other single-copy region of the chloroplast chromosome. We speculate that novobiocin-insensitive DNA replication in chloroplasts requires recombination in this preferred initiation region.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Role of child and maternal processes in the psychological adjustment of children with sickle cell disease.

In this study, 64% of children aged 7-12 years with sickle cell disease were found to have a parent-reported behavior problem, and 50% met the criteria for a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed.) diagnosis based on a structural clinical interview of the child. Internalizing types of behavior problems and diagnoses were the most frequent. Support was provided for a transactional stress and coping model in delineating the processes associated with child adjustment. In particular, maternal anxiety accounted for 16%-33% of the variance in mother-reported internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, respectively, and child pain-coping strategies accounted for 21% of the variance in child-reported adjustment problems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗