Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R W Jones.
Dementia in general and Alzheimer's disease in particular represent conditions where new findings are being made rapidly. Some of these developments will lead to progress of increasing clinical value to patients and their carers. This review will begin with some general points about dementia before considering current developments in Alzheimer's disease and other specific dementias in more detail.
Previously, four human x bovine rotavirus reassortant candidate vaccines, each of which derived ten genes from bovine rotavirus UK strain and only the outer capsid protein VP7-gene from human rotavirus strain D (G serotype 1), DS-1 (G serotype 2), P (G serotype 3), or ST3 (G serotype 4), were developed [Midthun et al., (1985): Journal of Virology 53:949-954; (1986): Journal of Clinical Microbiology 24:822-826]. Such human x bovine reassortant vaccines should theoretically provide antigenic coverage for the four epidemiologically most important VP7(G) serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4. In an attempt to increase the antigenicity of VP7-based human x animal reassortant rotavirus vaccines which derive a single VP7-encoding gene from the human strain and the remaining ten genes from the animal strain, we generated double gene substitution reassortants. This was done by incorporating another protective antigen (VP4) of an epidemiologically important human rotavirus by crossing human rotavirus Wa strain (P serotype 1A), with each of the human x bovine single VP7-gene substitution rotavirus reassortants. In this way four separate double gene substitution rotavirus reassortants were generated. Each of these reassortants bears the VP4-encoding gene from human rotavirus Wa strain, the VP7-encoding gene from human rotavirus strain D, DS-1, P, or ST3, and the remaining nine genes from bovine rotavirus strain UK. The safety, antigenicity, and protective efficacy of individual components as well as combinations of strains are currently under evaluation.
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The major objective of the study was to determine if the contrasting frequencies (1.5% vs. 22%) of progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3 lesions to invasive cervical carcinoma in two groups of patients in a previously published study from New Zealand had a virologic basis. Archival tissues on which the original diagnosis of CIN 3 was made were examined. Paraffin sections of 81 CIN 3 lesions from each group were tested for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-6, -11, -16, and -18 DNA sequences by a combination of in of in situ hybridization for viral transcripts and polymerase chain reaction for viral DNA. The virologic profiles of the two groups were similar; HPV-16 and HPV-18 were identified, respectively, in 62% and 6% of CIN 3 lesions of group 1 and in 60% and 2% of CIN 3 lesions of group 2. additional tissues were examined for 17 women of group 2, who progressed from CIN 3 invasive cancer. Progression to invasive cancer was not associated with infection with specific HPV types. It is concluded that the contrasting frequencies of progression to invasive carcinoma in two groups of New Zealand women were not attributable to differences in HPV type distribution in the original CIN 3 lesions of these two groups.
1. Caffeine has been used to determine acetylator phenotype for some 15 years but the interpretation of metabolic ratios with this substance raises theoretical and methodological issues. 2. N-acetyltransferase type 2 (NAT2) status was assessed in 23 young healthy subjects using both caffeine overnight and spot urine samples, and sulphadimidine. 3. Frequency distribution analysis of the metabolic ratios of NAT2, indicated two distinct groups for sulphadimidine, and for caffeine spot but not overnight samples. Spearman's rank correlation values were low indicating differences between the data sets for sulphadimidine and spot caffeine samples. Correlation between the two urine collection periods for caffeine was poor. 4. The complex metabolism of caffeine may compromise its value as a probe for determining acetylator phenotype until the effects of important variables are better understood.
An endoglucanase-encoding clone (egl2) was isolated from the phytopathogenic soilborne deuteromycete fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Mp). Clones were obtained from a cDNA library by functional expression in Escherichia coli. The egl2 clone hybridized to a 1.3-kb mRNA. Expression is induced by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and repressed by glucose. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence revealed strong similarity to the egl3 from Trichoderma reesei (Tr) (72% for identical residues and 81% with conservative substitution over a span of 324 aa). The Mp egl2 lacks the cellulose-binding domain and linker region found in the Tr egl3. Different codon usage between the two fungi resulted in a much shorter span of nucleotide homology. The Egl2 protein cleaves cellodextrins with continguous beta, 1-4 linkages of four and larger, and shows activity against CMC and birchwood xylan.
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This case documents the progression of untreated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia to invasion in a young woman over a four and a half year period. Conflicting views with regards to the natural history of VIN II are discussed.
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The deduced amino acid sequence derived from a Macrophomina phaseolina beta-1,4-endoglucanase-encoding gene revealed 48% identity (over 119 amino acids) with egl1 from the phytopathogen Pseudomonas solanacearum. Its similarity to saprophyte endoglucanases was not significant. Its minimum substrate size, unlike that of any known saprophyte endoglucanase, was cellopentaose. The unique characteristics of M. phaseolina egl1-encoded endoglucanase suggest that it is phytopathogen specific.
Physical maps showing the relative locations of cloned DNA fragments in the genome are important resources for research in molecular genetics, genome analysis, and evolutionary biology. In addition to affording a common frame of reference for organizing diverse types of genetic data, physical maps also provide ready access to clones containing DNA sequences from any defined region of the genome. In this paper, we present a physical map of the genome of Drosophila melanogaster based on in situ hybridization with 2461 DNA fragments, averaging approximately 80 kilobase pairs each, cloned in bacteriophage P1. The map is a framework map in the sense that most putative overlaps between clones have not yet been demonstrated at the molecular level. Nevertheless, the framework map includes approximately 85% of all genes in the euchromatic genome. A continuous physical map composed of sets of overlapping P1 clones (contigs), which together span most of the euchromatic genome, is currently being assembled by screening a library of 9216 P1 clones with single-copy genetic markers as well as with the ends of the P1 clones already assigned positions in the framework map. Because most P1 clones from D. melanogaster hybridize in situ with chromosomes from related species, the framework map also makes it possible to determine the genome maps of D. pseudoobscura and other species in the subgenus Sophophora. Likewise, a P1 framework map of D. virilis affords potential access to genome organization and evolution in the subgenus Drosophila.
Changes in mood, personality, and social function were examined in a group of five Type 1 diabetic patients, aged 50 to 66 years, with duration of diabetes from 24 to 47 years. Information on medical history was obtained from their carers and hospital records. All patients had experienced multiple episodes of severe hypoglycaemia and had impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia. Cerebral dysfunction predated the development of minimal diabetic complications and had been apparent for between 1 and 17 years. The carers assessed the pre-morbid and present behaviour and personality of the patients using standard questionnaires. Significant deteriorations were demonstrated in cognitive (p = 0.04) and social functions (p = 0.04), compared with assessment of pre-morbid function. Patients had tended to become more neurotic (p = 0.08) and less extravert (p = 0.07). All of the patients and three of the carers recorded scores suggestive of psychiatric morbidity on the General Health Questionnaire. The patients had experienced loss of employment and the carers described a reduction in the patients' social interactions. Although the aetiology of their cerebral dysfunction can not be definitely ascertained this case series emphasizes the need for long-term prospective studies in patients with diabetes of long duration to assess the impact of the disorder on cognitive and social abilities particularly where there is evidence of cerebral dysfunction. The need for professional support for the carers of such patients should be recognized.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of 113 women with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), particularly in reference to the later development of invasive vulvar carcinoma. METHODS: All cases of VIN III seen between 1961 and 1993 were reviewed. RESULTS: Seven of eight untreated cases of VIN III progressed to invasive vulvar cancer within 8 years, and the eighth regressed spontaneously. Four women developed invasive vulvar carcinoma 7-18 years after treatment. Thus, 3.8% of treated patients later developed invasive vulvar carcinoma, and 87.5% of untreated patients progressed to invasive carcinoma. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial risk that untreated VIN III will progress to invasive cancer.
This study was undertaken to establish the existence of any gender-specific differences in the perceived antecedents of academic stress. The Academic Pressure Scale for Adolescents was administered to 112 girls and 160 boys attending high school. Significant gender-based differences were obtained on eight of the 35 questions of the scale. In each case girls reported greater stress than boys. This study provides strong evidence that girls and boys of high school age differentially experience the antecedents of academic stress and that adolescent girls experience greater academic stress than boys.
A 3-year-old girl was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a minor automobile accident. The child presented with nightmares, violent play, and trauma-specific fears. The common symptoms of PTSD in childhood are reviewed, and the importance of careful history-taking and prompt referral to a mental health professional are discussed.
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