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Biomedical subjects

R Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to R Ryan.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Cytokine indices in Alzheimer's temporal cortex: no changes in mature IL-1 beta or IL-1RA but increases in the associated acute phase proteins IL-6, alpha 2-macroglobulin and C-reactive protein.

Recent immunocytochemical data have demonstrated increases in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the IL-6-inducible acute phase protein, alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. We investigated the levels of these proteins quantitatively using ELISA procedures and determined if increases in IL-1 beta were compensated for by a parallel increase in the endogenous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). Comparing control vs. Alzheimer's temporal cortex, we examined mature IL-1 beta, IL-1RA, IL-6, alpha 2-M and C-reactive protein (CRP). The specificities of the ELISA procedures were verified by serial dilutions of the samples; by chromatofocusing, and by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. There were no differences in the levels of mature IL-1 beta or IL-1RA in AD and control brains. However, IL-6 levels were detectable in 14 of the 16 Alzheimer samples but only 2 of the 14 control samples. There were also significant increases seen in alpha 2-M and CRP levels in the Alzheimer's group compared to controls. These data support previous studies demonstrating a possible up-regulation of neuroimmune function in Alzheimer's cortex; however, we cannot determine, at this time, if this immune reaction is initiated by IL-1 beta.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Cloning, sequencing, and functional studies of phenobarbital-inducible forms of cytochrome P450 2B and 4B expressed in rabbit kidney.

Expression of several forms of cytochrome P450 2B and of P450 4B1 in rabbit kidney was investigated by cloning from cDNA libraries constructed with renal mRNA from animals treated with phenobarbital. Isolation and sequencing of several cDNAs demonstrated that: (i) cytochrome P450 2B-B0 can be found in rabbit kidney along with a newly discovered form of P450 2B termed "P450 2B-Bx." P450 2B-Bx differs from P450 2B-B0 at 25 nucleotide positions and at four positions in the derived sequence of 491 amino acids. Two previously identified forms of cytochrome P450 2B, 2B-B1 and 2B-B2, are not detected in rabbit kidney. cDNA encoding cytochrome P450 4B1 was also cloned from the kidney library and found to be identical in sequence to cDNAs cloned from rabbit hepatic and pulmonary libraries. Analysis of renal mRNA indicates that forms of cytochrome P450 2B and P450 4B1 are expressed in a number of species but induced by phenobarbital in rabbit only (4B1) or rabbit and hamster (2B). Relatively high levels of mRNA related to P450 4B1 were detected in samples from untreated and phenobarbital-treated mice. Analysis of protein by immunoblotting was less sensitive but produced results consistent with those obtained by analysis of mRNA; protein related to cytochrome P450 2B was detected in renal microsomal samples from rabbit and hamster (phenobarbital > untreated), and protein related to P450 4B1 in samples from rabbits (phenobarbital > untreated) and mice (phenobarbital = untreated). The four forms of cytochrome P450 2B were expressed in COS-7 cells, and their activities were evaluated with androstenedione, testosterone, and 7-ethoxycoumarin as substrates. Three of the P450 2B forms, B0, B1, and Bx, metabolize these substrates in a manner characterized by preference for 16 beta-hydroxylation of androstenedione, low testosterone 16-hydroxylation, and high ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation. The fourth form, P450 2B-B2, is catalytically distinct from the others, with activities characterized by high androstenedione 16 alpha- and 15 alpha-hydroxylation and high testosterone 16-hydroxylation. Since P450 2B-B2 is catalytically distinct from the other forms, the metabolic profiles of phenotypes that include P450 2B-B2 might differ significantly from those of phenotypes that lack P450 2B-B2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Hemisphericity style, sex, and performance on a letter-detection task.

Subjects classified by scores on the Preference Questionnaire as preferring either a left- or a right-hemisphericity style were asked to read a one-page passage and to circle each letter t they encountered as they read the passage. There were no statistically significant differences in letter detection between the 58 right- and the 64 left-style scorers. However, contrary to previous findings, the 73 women detected significantly more ts, including unsounded ts, than the 55 men. Our results suggest that hemisphericity style is not an important factor in letter detection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Nasal packing after routine nasal surgery--is it justified?

Ninety-five patients undergoing routine nasal surgery were enrolled into a randomized, prospective trial to investigate the efficacy and morbidity of nasal packing. The patients were randomized to receive a bismuth iodoform paraffin paste (BIPP) pack, a Telfa pack or no pack. Patients for septal surgery were randomized between the BIPP and Telfa groups only. They were independently randomized to receive or not receive, a silastic nasal splint for the first post-operative week. Post-operative pain levels were analysed using a visual analogue scale. Mean pain scores were increased 50 per cent by the use of nasal packs and pack removal, particularly BIPP which, was a most painful event (p < 0.001). Reactionary haemorrhage occurred in only two patients (2.1 per cent), both of whom had packs in situ. Vestibulitis was unique to the patients with a silastic splint, who were packed with BIPP, occurring in 21 per cent of them. Similarly septal perforation was unique to this group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adhesions between the groups which received packs and those who did not. Routine nasal packing, especially with BIPP, would seen difficult to justify in view of the increased pain levels and increased complications which occur without any demonstrable benefit in the majority of patients. Therefore packing should be reserved for cases where there is concern about persistent haemorrhage. In these cases Telfa would be preferable to BIPP.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Early Lyme disease: a flu-like illness without erythema migrans.

The existence of a form of early Lyme disease characterized by a flu-like illness without erythema migrans is controversial. To confirm the existence and define the clinical characteristics of the flu-like illness without erythema migrans of localized Lyme disease, the authors studied patients from a Lyme disease endemic area of Connecticut who visited their primary care physicians with an undefined flu-like illness. Patients kept a diary of their symptoms. Acute and convalescent sera were obtained. The diagnosis of Lyme disease was based on the appearance of IgM or IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi as demonstrated by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot assay. Twenty-four untreated patients were studied. In five patients acute serologic evidence of Lyme disease developed. The flu-like illness in these five patients was characterized by fever and fatigue and resolved spontaneously in 5 to 21 days. Symptoms recurred in three of these five patients. The existence of a flu-like illness without erythema migrans of early Lyme disease has been clearly established. Prospective, controlled studies are needed to better define its incidence, characteristics, and prognosis so that appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies can be developed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

NMDA-, but not kainate- or quisqualate-dependent increases in cerebellar cGMP are dependent upon monoaminergic innervation.

As previously reported, intracerebellar injections of D-serine, quisqualate and kainate elevated mouse cerebellar cGMP levels. Similarly, activation of endogenous excitatory amino acid utilizing neurons with harmaline or pentylenetetrazole also increased cerebellar cGMP. We previously have demonstrated that the harmaline- and pentylenetetrazol-dependent cGMP increases are NMDA receptor mediated. In this report we further demonstrate that NMDA-dependent increases in cGMP are dependent upon monoaminergic innervation of the cerebellum, while kainate- and quisqualate-dependent cGMP increases are independent of such innervation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Excitatory amino acid signal transduction in the hippocampus: role of noradrenergic afferents and nitric oxide in cGMP increases in vivo.

Previous studies have demonstrated that excitatory amino acid (EAA)-dependent increases in cerebellar cGMP are dependent upon the prior activation of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Additionally, the actions of NMDA, but not kainate or quisqualate, in elevating cerebellar cGMP have been shown to be dependent upon intact noradrenergic innervation of the cerebellum. In the current study we extended these observations to the hippocampus and again found that EAA-dependent increases in hippocampal cGMP also involve prior formation of NO. And as in the case of the cerebellum, NMDA-dependent increases in hippocampal cGMP involve prior release of norepinephrine which in turn apparently activates an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor to elicit cGMP increases. In toto, these data suggest that a key role of NMDA receptors in these brain regions is to presynaptically regulate the release of norepinephrine, thereby modulating the tone of this monoaminergic system. This may be a general principle which needs experimentation in other terminal fields of noradrenergic pathways.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

The morbidity from nasal splints in 105 patients.

The results of a randomized prospective trial investigating the morbidity from intranasal splints in 105 patients, were analysed. Intranasal splints are associated with considerable morbidity (significantly greater post-operative pain and a higher incidence of septal perforation and vestibulitis) and although they significantly reduce the likelihood of developing intranasal adhesions, a similar benefit can be obtained by careful nasal toilet at one week.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Babesiosis: an underdiagnosed disease of children.

Babesiosis is a malaria-like illness caused by the intraerythrocytic parasite Babesia microti and is transmitted by the same tick that transmits Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Babesiosis is well recognized in adult residents of southern New England and New York but has been described in only five children. To determine whether children are infected with B microti less often than are adults, a prospective serosurvey was carried out on Block Island, RI, where babesiosis is endemic. Randomly recruited subjects completed a questionnaire and provided a blood sample. Antibodies against B microti and B burgdorferi were measured using a standard indirect immunofluorescence assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Of 574 subjects, 9% tested positive for B microti, including 12% of the 52 children (7 months through 16 years) and 8% of the 522 adults (not significant, P less than .6). Although babesiosis had not been diagnosed in any of the Babesia-seropositive subjects, 25% of the children and 20% of the adults reported symptoms compatible with this infection during the previous year. Of the 6 children and 45 adults seropositive for B burgdorferi, 17% and 14%, respectively, were also seropositive for B microti. It is concluded that children are infected with B microti no less frequently than are adults and that this infection is underdiagnosed in all age groups. Physicians who practice where Lyme disease is endemic should become familiar with the clinical presentation and diagnosis of babesiosis, both in adults and children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The miscarriage clinic: an audit of the first year.

We preview the results of the first year in a Miscarriage Clinic set up in 1989 in an effort to improve the support and counselling of women who have a miscarriage. Of 381 patients referred, 79% attended. The only statistically significant difference between the women who attended and those who did not attend was in the proportion of women who had planned their pregnancies (65% versus 33%, P less than 0.01). Of the 300 patients who attended, 4% reported no grief reaction; 75% experienced a reaction which had resolved within one month and 21% experienced a reaction which had not resolved. No factor was identified which could predict the duration of the grief reaction. This audit demonstrates that there is a strong demand and need for this service for couples who experience a miscarriage.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1991

Geographical and temporal distribution of babesial infection in Connecticut.

Human babesiosis was first recognized in Connecticut in 1989, nearly 15 years after Lyme disease, a similarly transmitted spirochetosis, was detected in the state. To determine the seroprevalence for the babesial pathogen and whether it was recently introduced, we used an indirect immunofluorescence assay to test for Babesia microti antibody in 1,285 Connecticut residents. Four groups were studied: I, people seropositive for Lyme disease, tested from 1986 to 1989; II, randomly selected outpatients tested in 1989; III, college students residing in Connecticut, tested from 1959 to 1989; and IV, healthy people without tick exposure or Lyme disease, tested in 1989. Babesia seropositivity was significantly higher in group I (9.5%; n = 735) than in groups II (2.6%; n = 304, P less than 0.0001) and III (1.0%; n = 206, P less than 0.0001) but not group IV (2.5%, n = 40). Babesia seropositivity for group I ranged from 9.2 to 10.2% between 1986 and 1989, and Babesia seropositivity for group III ranged from 0% between 1959 and 1985 to 2.9% between 1986 and 1989. There is a considerable risk of babesial infection among residents of the Connecticut mainland who are seropositive for Lyme disease, a risk that appears to have remained constant over the past 5 years.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Factors related to job satisfaction and autonomy as correlates of potential job retention for rural nurses.

This study of 167 nurses in 10 rural Georgia agencies examines the relationships among personal characteristics, factors of job satisfaction, autonomy, and job retention. The findings indicate that, contrary to expectations, personal characteristics (e.g., age, education, salary, marital status, and number of dependents) are not strong predictors of job retention in this sample. Some of the factors of job satisfaction do correlate negatively with indicators of impending job change, but the strongest relationships were those related to nursing autonomy. The study concludes that, of the variables studied, autonomy was the most effective predictor of job satisfaction and intention to remain in the current position.

Decision Making, Organizational↗
PubMed1989

Spinal epidural abscess. An infectious emergency. Case report and review.

Spinal epidural abscess is an unusual disease in the pediatric age group, requires early diagnosis and prompt surgical drainage to insure a good clinical outcome. Back pain and fever are usually the only presenting symptoms occurring before precipitous neurologic deterioration. The causative organism is most often Staphylococcus aureus, which presumably is spread to the epidural space hematogenously. Diagnosis is facilitated by computed tomography (CT) scan, but the entire spine must be imaged by either myelography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess for skip lesions.

Abscess↗
PubMed1989

Getting to the heart of rural EMS.

The Rural EMS Task Force was formed by the National Rural Health Association to investigate critical issues in the rural EMS response system. The task force felt that many issues were at play and should be investigated in the form of a survey to determine nationwide needs. The EMS Today Working Conference in March became a forum to address potential solutions to those needs. Much work remains to better conditions for volunteer personnel who are expected to meet greater and greater expectations with fewer and fewer resources.

Allied Health Personnel↗