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Biomedical subjects

S Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to S Taylor.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Phase II trial of combination chemotherapy and irradiation in non-small-cell lung cancer, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 88-04.

Encouraging results of several clinical trials utilizing combination chemotherapy and irradiation in unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer have been reported. A recent report from a cooperative group study suggested that preirradiation vinblastine and cisplatin improved survival over irradiation alone. In an attempt to enhance the possible effectiveness of combination chemotherapy and irradiation, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group embarked on a Phase II trial utilizing preirradiation vinblastine (5 mg/m2 weekly x 5) and cisplatin (100 mg/m2) on days 1 and 29 prior to irradiation and on days 50, 71, and 92 during irradiation. The irradiation began on day 50 and consisted of 6300 cGy in 7 weeks. Between May 20, 1988 and May 1, 1989, 30 patients were entered on study. Seventy-two percent of patients had Karnofsky status greater than 90, and 76% had weight loss less than 5%. Forty-eight percent of the patients were younger than 60 years of age. Forty-five percent of the patients had Stage IIIA disease. Eighty-three percent of the patients received at least four courses of vinblastine, and 59% received at least four courses of cisplatin. Seventy-eight percent of the patients received at least 95% of the prescribed irradiation. The major toxicity was hematologic, and there were two fatal complications in the study group. The preliminary survival figures are encouraging. This combination of chemotherapy and irradiation appears to be tolerable and may merit further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Identification of individual amino acids required for secretion within the haemolysin (HlyA) C-terminal targeting region.

The release of haemolysin from Escherichia coli involves direct secretion across both the inner and outer membranes. Secretion of HlyA is dependent upon a specific membrane export complex composed of HlyB, -D and possibly TolC. HlyA is targeted to the medium via the membrane translocation complex, by a novel C-terminal secretion signal. Previous studies involving deletion and fusion analyses have given contradictory results for the minimal length (20-60 residues) of this HlyA signal region and little is known of the nature of the specific residues and structural features required for function. In this study we have analysed, quantitatively, the effect upon secretion of many point mutations introduced into the HlyA C-terminus. The results indicate the presence of a minimal secretion signal domain whose proximal boundary extends to at least residue -46 and which contains at least four individual residues essential for maximal secretion levels. We propose that such residues act co-operatively, forming multiple contact points with the translocator proteins, with the 'best fit' promoting maximal levels of secretion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Bactericidal activity of ramoplanin against antibiotic-resistant enterococci.

Ramoplanin, a new lipoglycodepsipeptide antibiotic, was uniformly active against 65 strains of enterococci, including strains highly resistant to vancomycin, penicillin G, and gentamicin. MBCs were usually within a fourfold dilution of the MICs. In time-kill studies, ramoplanin alone demonstrated dose-dependent bactericidal activity against enterococcal strains that resisted killing by vancomycin or penicillin in combination with gentamicin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1992

Light chain 2 profile and activity of human ventricular myosin during dilated cardiomyopathy. Identification of a causal agent for impaired myocardial function.

BACKGROUND: A number of parameters reflecting the effects of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) on the structure and function of myosin from the human myocardium were analyzed. METHODS AND RESULTS: The content of the regulatory light chain, LC2, was reduced in myopathic heart myosin in contrast to the controls in which it was present in stoichiometric amounts relative to the essential light chain, LC1. In IDC hearts, the absence or significant reduction in amount of LC2 was related to the presence of an active protease, which was isolated and purified about 130-fold. The protease exhibited a significant degree of specificity: It cleaved LC2 almost totally (but not the heavy chains) in human control heart myosin but only partially cleaved LC2 in canine heart or in rabbit skeletal muscle myosins. The protease was present at a very low level or was inactive in control heart tissue. When the LC1/LC2 molar ratio was calculated, it was found to be 1:1.0 in control heart myosin and remained constant in various samples analyzed, whereas in myopathic myosin from different individuals, this ratio varied from 1:0.1 to 1:0.69. The rates of ATP binding to control and myopathic myosins were similar, whereas the Vm of actin-activated ATPase of myopathic myosin was about 25% less than that of the control. However, ATP binding and its hydrolysis by control S1, i.e., the myosin head, were faster by a factor of 2 than that of the myopathic S1. In addition, control myosin synthetic thick filament length as well as turbidity in solution, measured by light scattering, were twice as large as those of the myopathic heart myosin. These effects induced by myopathy in both filament assembly and turbidity were reversed upon reassociation of IDC myosin with LC2. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in myosin structure and function were linked to a protease-mediated cleavage of LC2 in myosin; a possible role for the protease in the degenerative effects of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is thus defined.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Preliminary assessment of the Dex Frame for assisting children with specific learning difficulties.

A device called the Dex Frame has recently been marketed as an aid for children with specific learning difficulties. Using a test of reading speed and a test of reading accuracy we have attempted to evaluate the device. Two groups of children with learning difficulties were used, one having sole use of the device and being allowed to carry it with them and a second group who only used the device when attending for remedial tuition and assessment. The results show that no significant improvement occurred in reading performance of the groups with learning difficulties using the Dex Frame as compared with a control group. The teachers of the groups did, however, feel that on an individual basis some children (< 10%) expressed that they felt more comfortable using the device.

Audiovisual Aids↗
PubMed1992

Surgery for exophthalmic goitre in Australia, 1907.

Thomas Dunhill 1876-1957, Australian born surgeon (Melbourne 1907-1914 and London 1920-1941) performed partial thyroidectomy for exophthalmic goitre using Th. Kocher's method of local anaesthesia on seven consecutive severely toxic patients in 1907 with a successful outcome in all seven. A brief outline of the life and achievements of Thomas Dunhill is appended.

Australia↗
PubMed1992

Images of nephrology nursing practice: report of a survey.

The results of a survey designed to identify existing images of nephrology nursing practice are reported. The sample included 374 attendees at meetings sponsored by the American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA). Content analysis revealed that the typical nephrology patient is elderly, has a chronic illness and negative affect, is not compliant, and is dependent on others. The typical nephrology nurse-patient interaction emphasizes teaching and support. The most common nursing activities are assessment, teaching, dialysis treatment, and psychological support.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1991

Clinic-based intervention to promote literacy. A pilot study.

Educational research has shown that children become literate more easily if their parents read to them. A clinic-based program was designed to encourage early book use among parents of children at risk. It included (1) waiting room readers, (2) guidance about literacy development, and (3) provision of children's books at each visit. Seventy-nine parents of children aged 6 to 60 months were interviewed. Parents who had previously received a book were more likely to report looking at books with their children or that looking at books was a favorite activity (adjusted odds ratio, 4.05). This association was strongest among parents receiving Aid to Families With Dependent Children (odds ratio, 7.8). This preliminary study suggests that pediatricians can play a role in enriching children's early literacy environments, especially for children at high risk of school failure.

Aid to Families with Dependent Children↗
PubMed1991

Identification of an immunoreactive glycoprotein in the urine of sarcoma patients.

Tumor-associated antigens (TAA) can be detected in the urine of sarcoma patients by a variety of assays. This study was designed to correlate antigen activity in three assays: complement fixation assay (CFA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot (WB). This study identifies the antibody class responsible for TAA identification in these assays and characterizes the nature of the antigen. One hundred eighty-nine urine samples from eight sarcoma patients with known levels of TAA in CFA were tested in ELISA and WB. Allogeneic anti-TAA containing sera (1 degree antibody) from a sarcoma patient was reacted with urine samples followed by detection with alkaline phosphatase-linked goat anti-human IgG and IgM (2 degree antibody in both assays). Reactivity in CFA correlated to IgM reactivity in ELISA and WB (chi 2 test, P less than 0.001). No correlation was found to IgG reactivity in either assay. Reactivity in WB vs ELISA was also highly correlated for IgM (P less than 0.001). TAA was visualized in WB as a distinct pattern of repeating bands, with most bands being detected in the range 30,000-60,000 Da. The separation between bands approximated 2500-3000 Da, suggesting a molecule composed of repeating subunits. This study suggests that the antigen is glycoprotein in nature, and that the detecting antibody is of the IgM class.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1991

Diagnostic value of DNA analysis in effusions by flow cytometry and image analysis. A prospective study on 102 patients as compared with cytologic examination.

One hundred twenty-six effusion samples from 102 patients were examined by cytology and flow cytometry (FCM). Overall, there was an 84% correlation between cytologic and FCM results. Of the 36 malignant cases determined by cytologic examination, FCM revealed an aneuploid peak in 20 (56%). Image analysis (IA) performed on the malignant cytologic cases with a diploid flow pattern detected two additional aneuploid peaks. In addition, FCM indicated three aneuploid cases in which cytologic characteristics were initially interpreted as benign (false negative). Aneuploidy was therefore detected in 64% of the malignant effusion specimens by FCM and IA. Twenty-three of the total of 24 aneuploid cases detected by FCM were associated with malignancy (predictive value = 96%). The one nonmalignant case was that of hemorrhagic pancreatitis with infected pseudocyst. FCM is an excellent tool when moderate to large numbers of tumor cells are present, whereas use of IA is advantageous for specimens containing smaller numbers of malignant cells because these can be directly analyzed. When an aneuploid peak is present, a diagnosis of malignancy must be suspected, and, if the initial cytologic screen is negative, a critical review of the cytology slides is justified. In those cases with an equivocal atypical cytology report and an abnormal cytometric histogram, additional investigation is warranted. In some malignancies the tumor cells will be diploid (in this study 36%) and neither FCM nor IA will add to tumor detection, leaving cytologic examination as the definitive technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Lymphocyte blastogenic responses in sickle cell disease.

Cell mediated immunity (CMI) has not been extensively studied in sickle cell disease (SCD). In this study, an assessment of lymphocyte blastogenic responses was done in 62 SCD patients (62 steady state and 25 in crisis with or without documented infection), along with 30 normal controls in good health and 10 with various infections. The mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and two antigens (Candida albicans and Tetanus Toxoid) were used as stimuli. An evaluation of these results by stimulation index revealed 53/62 (86%) of SCD steady state patients, 30/30 (100%) of healthy controls and 7/10 (70%) of normal control patients with infection positively responded to all three stimuli. Conversely, only 5/25 (20%) of SCD crisis state patients had totally normal blastogenic responses. Analysis of the data from SCD crisis patients revealed 14/20 (70%) with abnormally depressed proliferation to PHA, 11/20 (55%) to Candida and 6/20 (30%) to Tetanus. When comparisons were made by mean counts per minute, the most striking finding was the PHA response in the SCD crisis state. In this group the mean counts per minute were significantly less than the three other groups by statistical analysis. This data suggests that the crisis state, especially when associated with infection, profoundly effects blastogenic responses to PHA and to a lesser degree in vitro antigenic stimulation. The normal group with infection showed similar diminished blastogenesis to antigen, but no effect on mitogen response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Occupational therapy work-hardening programs: a demographic study.

A survey was conducted of 192 work-hardening and work-adjustment programs to gain an overview of practice patterns. The questionnaire covered program affiliation, services offered, staffing, program scheduling, average length of treatment per client, equipment used, physical settings, program status, number of clients seen each week, and types of functional outcome studies and research. The results demonstrate the tremendous growth of the involvement of occupational therapy in work hardening. This demographic study provides baseline information that can assist in the examination of trends and the development of new programs.

Demography↗
PubMed1991

Evidence and response to the impact of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (OBRA) on hospital pharmacy: a progress report from central Ohio.

Preliminary results of a survey conducted by the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) indicated that hospital drug prices increased since the implementation of rebate agreements between Medicaid and drug manufacturers. The question of how hospital pharmacy directors are planning to respond to the cost-shifting that may occur in the recent future is raised in this article. Open-ended questions posed to Central Ohio Hospital directors assessed their expectations, experience, and proposed strategies in response to the rebate program. The respondents expect increases in drug prices, reductions in discounts for volume purchases, rebate programs, and contract purchases. Increases in the use of special dating on invoice, bundling of contract purchases, shorter time period for guaranteed prices, and shorter dating on invoices are also expected. Using stricter hospital formularies and capitalizing on the negotiating strength of purchasing groups, was the common strategy considered by hospital pharmacies.

Cost Allocation↗
PubMed1991

Hairpatches, a single gene mutation characterized by progressive renal disease and alopecia in the mouse. A potential model for a newly described heritable human disorder.

A new murine mutation, hairpatches (Hpt), is on chromosome 4, 18.1 recombination units distal to brown near the interferon alpha and beta chain structural gene complex. On the inbred HPT/Le strain background, Hpt is semi-dominant, and Hpt/Hpt mice die in utero by 6 to 8 days of gestation. Such death in utero is associated with abnormalities of embryonic ectodermal derivatives. However on the (C57BL/6J x C3HeB/FeJ-a/a) segregating hybrid background, Hpt is a fully dominant mutation. HPT/Le Hpt/+ mice can be recognized by 3 to 4 days of age by patches of lightly pigmented skin. These mice show reduced numbers of hair follicles, abnormalities in hair follicle structure, and patchy absence of hair throughout life. By 2 weeks of age, abnormal hair follicle development is accompanied by thickening of the epidermis, reduction in levels of subcutaneous fat, and dermal inflammation. Progressive glomerulosclerosis, resulting in chronic kidney failure, is accompanied by increases in glomerular mesangial matrix, deposition of immune complexes, and glomerular enlargement. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed abnormalities of podocytes including disorganization, swelling, and fusion of the foot processes. Increase in serum blood urea nitrogen levels accompanies conspicuous renal histopathologic changes. Cardiovascular changes in Hpt/+ mice are evidenced by hypertrophy of the left heart ventricle. Increased systolic blood pressure in these animals was found by 3 months of age. Anemia occurs in Hpt/+ mice by 40 weeks. The Hpt/+ mutation provides a valuable new animal model for chronic kidney disease accompanied by skin abnormalities and ventricular hypertrophy. The pathologic changes caused by this mutation are similar to those reported in affected family members with a newly described autosomal dominant human disease.

Alopecia↗