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Biomedical subjects

R W Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to R W Wilson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Incidence of Branhamella catarrhalis in the sputa of patients with chronic lung disease.

The incidence of Branhamella catarrhalis in the respiratory tract of adults, especially in the United States, is not known. During the 30-month period from January 1983 to June 1985, 4180 sputum and endotracheal samples from patients in a hospital for chest diseases were evaluated. All samples were acceptable for Gram-stain analysis and/or culture based on published cellular criteria. Using primarily Gram-stain directed cultures, 220 isolates of B. catarrhalis were identified in 180 patients, being present in 5.3% of all sputum cultures and 11.5% of those positive for a pathogen. B. catarrhalis was the fourth most common pathogen identified. It was found in pure culture (124) and mixed culture (96), the latter usually in association with Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Of the 220 B. catarrhalis isolates, 158 (71.8%) were positive for beta-lactamase. The number and incidence of B. catarrhalis varied, with the organism being most prevalent during the winter months. Despite its frequent presence in sputum, B. catarrhalis was not recovered from pleural fluid or blood during the same period. This study demonstrates the frequent presence of B. catarrhalis in the sputum of adults with chronic lung disease, although the role of this organism as a pathogen was not determined.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1985

Null alleles of the fourth component of complement and HLA haplotypes in familial systemic lupus erythematosus.

Eight families (121 individuals) with two or more members affected with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were analyzed for histocompatibility antigens (HLA-A, B, C, DR, MT, and MB) and complement antigens (C4A, C4B, and BF). These data were correlated with serological markers (antinuclear antibodies, single- and double-stranded anti-DNA, anti-SM, anti-nRNP, anti-Ro [SS-A], anti-La [SS-B], and biological false-positive tests for syphilis and clinical features. Fifteen members had SLE, and 19 had other immune diseases (subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, hypothyroidism, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, primary Sjogren's syndrome, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis). Twenty-three healthy relatives (seroreactors) had significant titers of circulating antibodies, as did 2 of 17 spouses. There was an increased frequency of null C4 alleles in those individuals with SLE (60%) and healthy relatives (50%) as compared with spouses (24%). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between SLE and female sex (P =.006), whereas there was no significant association revealed between female sex and other immune diseases. Patients with SLE also had a higher frequency of either C4A or C4B null alleles (P = .01) than those with immune diseases. The C4A homozygous null phenotype was more common in SLE patients than in seroreactors (P = .02). There was a higher frequency of HLA-DR2 and DR3 in individuals with SLE than in those with immune disease (P = .08), seroreactors (P = .02) and normal relatives (P = .002). One totally C4-deficient patient with SLE was identified. These families demonstrate an important association between SLE and the C4 null allele and the HLA-DR2 and DR3. These risk factors, however, cannot account for the development of disease in all individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections caused by beta-lactamase-positive Haemophilus influenzae and Branhamella catarrhalis.

Twenty-one adult patients hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections due to Branhamella catarrhalis or Haemophilus influenzae or both were treated with the combination of oral amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate (Augmentin) in an open, noncomparative clinical trial. Diseases included pneumonia, empyema, and exacerbations of bronchiectasis and chronic lung disease. Thirteen of 16 B. catarrhalis and six of nine H. influenzae isolates were beta-lactamase positive. The patients with B. catarrhalis were treated for a mean of 5.3 days, and those with H. influenzae were treated for a mean of 7.0 days. The overall response to therapy was excellent, with 18 of 19 beta-lactamase-producing strains eradicated on therapy. One patient secondarily infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was a clinical failure, and two patients with H. influenzae who became culture positive again after therapy were considered microbiologic failures. Gastrointestinal side effects (especially nausea) were common, although all patients completed a course of therapy. Sputum levels of amoxicillin were surprisingly low (less than 0.05 to 0.54 micrograms/ml), a finding which may explain the high relapse rate (22%) seen with H. influenzae, as these are below the usual MICs of amoxicillin for this organism. The combination of amoxicillin plus potassium clavulanate appears to be an excellent drug for treatment of beta-lactamase-producing strains of these two species, although mild gastrointestinal side effects are common.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Trends in health in the United States.

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) conducts a variety of surveys designed to provide cross-sectional estimates of the prevalence of various factors measuring the health of Americans. When these cross-sectional estimates are put together and plotted over time, they provide a picture of the trends in the health of the population. However, differences in methodology, completeness of coverage, validity and reliability of the information, and changing attitudes about health and illness influence these trend patterns and sometimes make them difficult to interpret. Six different measures of the health of Americans discussed include trends in life expectancy, which is related to the total mortality rate; trends in mortality by specific causes; trends in morbidity or the prevalence of various illnesses, including both acute and chronic conditions; trends in the estimates of various types of disabilities and impairments in the population; trends in expenditures for medical care and services; and finally, some assessments of trends in several risk factors and physiological characteristics obtained by direct measurements of individuals.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1985

Effect of automatic backflushing on number of new intramammary infections, bacteria on teatcup liners, and milk iodine.

Effect of an automatic iodine (15 ppm) backflushing system on incidence of new intramammary infections, teatcup liner bacterial populations, and milk iodine was tested in a herd free of Streptococcus agalactiae and with a low prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus. In an 11-mo trial, backflushing was applied to teatcups that milked the right half of the udder; the left half served as control. Clawpieces were divided into left and right halves with each having a milk outlet. Postmilking teat dipping was discontinued. All lactating cows in the University herd were used, averaging 154 with normal attrition and additions of new individuals as they calved. Backflushing reduced numbers of staphylococci recovered from liners by 98.5% and Gram-negative bacteria by 99.5% as compared with unflushed liners. Backflushing significantly reduced new infections caused by Corynebacterium bovis. However, there was no effect on incidence of new infections by staphylococci, streptococci, or coliforms. Iodine concentrations averaged 243 micrograms per liter in milk from control quarters and 486 micrograms from backflushed udder halves. Interior surface cracking was more severe in backflushed teatcup liners than in control liners. These results do not justify the use of backflushing in a herd with low prevalence of contagious pathogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Sjögren's syndrome. Influence of multiple HLA-D region alloantigens on clinical and serologic expression.

The relationships of HLA-DR and the newer DS (second D locus) B cell alloantigens (MB and MT) to the clinical and serologic expression of primary and secondary forms of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) were examined in 102 patients (86 whites and 16 blacks). Although HLA-DR3 was significantly increased in whites (25 of 50, 50%) and blacks (4 of 5, 80%) with primary SS compared with race-matched normal controls, it was not appreciably elevated in those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-SS, rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-SS, or connective tissue disease-SS. The MT2 specificity, however, was more strongly associated with primary SS (86% of whites and 100% of blacks) and also with SLE-SS and RA-SS compared with race-matched normal controls. Furthermore, MT2 was significantly increased in SLE-SS and RA-SS when compared with non-sicca SLE and RA controls. Although primary and secondary SS were most strongly associated with this DS specificity (MT2), the anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibody responses were more closely allied to DR antigens. HLA-DR3 was increased in anti-Ro positive patients, both whites and blacks, with primary SS (74%) and in total anti-Ro positive subjects (54%) compared with their anti-Ro negative counterparts (38% and 31%, respectively). Among DR3 negative patients, HLA-DR2 correlated with anti-Ro in both primary SS (83%) and in the total SS group (58%). Thus, 96% of Ro antibody positive patients with primary SS had DR3 and/or DR2, as did 80% of anti-Ro positive subjects in all categories.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the developing chick embryo.

Before day 9 of incubation, chick embryos contain no measurable alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. Following day 9 of incubation, chick embryo liver ADH activity increases as a linear function of liver mass. A single dose of ethanol given at the start of incubation is cleared only slowly prior to day 9 of incubation but is completely cleared by day 13. Chick embryo liver ADH has two detectable isozymes throughout development. The percentage contribution of each isozyme to total ADH activity does not change significantly during development. The Km apparent of chick liver ADH is significantly increased shortly after hatching relative to the Km apparent of embryonic ADH. Ethanol exposure during incubation has no effect on the development of ADH activity or isozyme distribution.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1984

Smoking behavior and the tobacco crop.

The purpose of the study was to measure the influence of the physical and economic presence of the tobacco crop on the smoking behavior and related attitudes of adolescents in tobacco raising regions. A stratified random sample of all grades five-12 from the schools in four Kentucky counties yielded a sample size of 1,322 students. A variable called Tobacco Crop Intensity (TCI), based on pounds of tobacco sold per population and land area, was defined. It was determined that the counties were polarized on this variable; two counties have a much more significant crop. Students from the pairs of counties were surveyed and compared. Results indicate that young people living in the counties with high intensity tobacco production or whose parents grow tobacco were twice as likely to smoke cigarettes; some of their attitudes and beliefs indicate a greater predisposition to cigarette smoking. Implications for government agricultural and educational policy are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Primary Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases in families. Prevalence and immunogenetic studies in six kindreds.

The relationships of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and heavy chain immunoglobulin (Gm) haplotypes to disease and autoantibody expression were examined in six large kindreds, each having one or more members with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Various other autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies occurred among the 117 relatives in these families. The HLA and Gm haplotypes did not necessarily segregate persons into those with Sjögren's syndrome, other autoimmune disorders, or serologic abnormalities, but HLA alleles DR3 and DR2 occurred in significant excess in relatives with Sjögren's syndrome, irrespective of HLA haplotype. Segregation analysis suggested a Mendelian dominant genetic defect common to the many autoimmune diseases and serologic reactions that was not linked to HLA or Gm. A significant effect of female sex was also documented. These studies suggest that Sjögren's syndrome results from the interaction of several HLA-linked and non-HLA-linked genes.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Data requirements to measure progress on the objectives for the nation in health promotion and disease prevention.

The Reagan Administration has adopted the policy guidelines developed over the previous few years in the disease prevention and health promotion initiative of the Carter Administration. Broad national consensus had been sought in the formulation of 226 measurable objectives for the decade. We classify the prevention objectives according to their position in an implied causal chain: 1) improved programs, 2) increased public and professional awareness, 3) reduced risk factors, and 4) improved health status. Prior to 1980, the data systems and periodic surveys sponsored by federal agencies and national organizations covered only four of the 42 objectives in the public and professional awareness category, whereas at least half of the objectives in each of the other three categories were covered by available national data sources, mostly federal. Sample surveys are needed to measure the majority of the currently unmeasured objectives in all four categories. Private and state health interview surveys are needed to supplement the federal capacity, especially in the face of federal cutbacks in survey capacity.

Adolescent↗