Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Smith

Publications and source records attributed to T Smith.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Genotyping of cagA and vacA, Lewis antigen status, and analysis of the poly-(C) tract in the alpha(1,3)-fucosyltransferase gene of Irish Helicobacter pylori isolates.

Much work has focused on trying to identify markers in Helicobacter pylori that might allow the eventual disease outcome of an infection to be predicted. In this study we examined the cagA and vacA genotype, and Lewis status in a panel of 43 Irish H. pylori clinical isolates, and investigated a possible correlation with disease pathology. In addition, differences in the poly-(C) tract of the alpha(1,3)-fucosyltransferase gene were examined to identify a possible correlation with gene expression. Only three of 43 isolates were cagA-negative, whereas the remaining 40 isolates, independent of pathology, were cagA-positive. In all the strains we examined, the vacA signal-sequence was type s1a. For the vacA mid-region 12/43 isolates were type m1 and 31/43 isolates were type m2. These data, and examination of isolates from different pathology groups, suggests that there is no correlation between virulence and vacA genotype in the Irish population of H. pylori isolates. Western blotting of whole cell lysates from 32 H. pylori isolates showed 3/32 displayed only the Le(x) epitope, 12/32 only the Le(y), 13/32 both epitopes and 4/32 neither epitope. No apparent association between Lewis phenotype and disease pathology was evident. A range of lengths of poly-(C) tract were observed in the alpha(1, 3)-fucosyltransferase gene, however the length of the tract in an isolate did not correlate with the Lewis structures present. We conclude that future studies on H. pylori pathogenesis should not alone focus on the importance of molecular markers, but also on the host response, including genetic background and immune responsiveness.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2000

Development of a PCR-based line probe assay for identification of fungal pathogens.

We report on a reverse-hybridization line probe assay (LiPA) which when combined with PCR amplification detects and identifies clinically significant fungal pathogens including Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus species. DNA probes have been designed from the internal transcribed-spacer (ITS) regions of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida dubliniensis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus flavus. The probes were incorporated into a LiPA for detection of biotinylated ITS PCR products, and the specificity of the probes was evaluated. We established LiPA detection limits for ITS 1 and for full ITS amplicons for genomic DNA from C. albicans, A. fumigatus, and C. neoformans. Further evaluation of the LiPA was carried out on clinical fungal isolates. One hundred twenty-seven isolates consisting of dimorphic yeasts and dermatophytic and filamentous fungi were tested by the LiPA, which correctly identified 77 dimorphic yeasts and 23 of the filamentous isolates; the remaining 27 isolates represented species of fungi for which probes were not included in the LiPA. The fungal-PCR-LiPA technology was applied to blood samples inoculated with Candida cells which were pretreated by minibead beating to mechanically disrupt the cells, with the DNA extracted by either a previously described guanidium thiocyanate-silica method or the commercially available QIAmp tissue kit. PCR amplification of the extracted DNA and subsequent DNA probe hybridization in the LiPA assay yielded detection limits of 2 to 10 cells/ml. An internal standard control was included in the PCR amplification to monitor for PCR inhibition. This fungal PCR-LiPA assay is robust and sensitive and can easily be integrated into a clinical-testing laboratory with the potential for same-day diagnosis of fungal infection.

DNA Primers↗
PubMed2000

Induction of GLUT-1 protein in adult human skeletal muscle fibers.

Prompted by our recent observations that GLUT-1 is expressed in fetal muscles, but not in adult muscle fibers, we decided to investigate whether GLUT-1 expression could be reactivated. We studied different stimuli concerning their ability to induce GLUT-1 expression in mature human skeletal muscle fibers. Metabolic stress (obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), contractile activity (training), and conditions of de- and reinnervation (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) could not induce GLUT-1 expression in human muscle fibers. However, regenerating muscle fibers in polymyositis expressed GLUT-1. In contrast to GLUT-1, GLUT-4 was expressed in all investigated muscle fibers. Although the significance of GLUT-1 in adult human muscle fibers appears limited, GLUT-1 may be of importance for the glucose supplies in immature and regenerating muscle.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Amino acids and peptides. XXXV. Facile preparation of p-nitroanilide analogs by the solid-phase method.

p-Nitroanilides of amino acids and peptides are widely used as the chromogenic substrates for the determination of the activity of proteolytic enzymes. However, the preparation of a p-nitroanilide is not easy, in part due to the low nucleophilicity of the amino group of p-nitroaniline. A facile preparation of p-nitroanilide analog by the solid-phase method was investigated. 5-Amino-2-nitrobenzoic acid (Anb5,2) was used instead of p-nitroaniline (pNA) for preparation of p-nitroanilide analogs. Anb5,2 was introduced on a p-methylbenzhydrylamine resin without protection of the amino group of Anb5,2 by the 2-(H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) method in the presence of p-dimethylaminopyridine. The coupling reaction of a Nalpha-,NG-protected arginine with a Anb5,2-resin was difficult to achieve by common coupling methods (such as the carbodiimide and diphenylphosphoryl azide methods), but the phosphoryl chloride method was relatively successful. Synthetic benzoyl-Arg-Anb5,2-NH2 and benzoyl-Arg-pNA were hydrolyzed by trypsin and the both reaction mixtures exhibited same spectroscopic characteristics. H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-Anb5,2-NH2, an analog of human urine kallikrein substrate, was readily prepared by the solid-phase method. H-Arg-Anb5,2-OH and H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-Anb5,2-OH were also synthesized on a Wang resin by the solid-phase method. The aqueous solubility of these free-carboxyl materials was better than those of the corresponding amide analogs. 4-Amino-3-nitrobenzoic acid (Anb4,3) was also introduced on the p-methybenzhydrylamine resin, but the resulting H-Anb4,3-resin did not react with Nalpha,NG-protected arginine by any of the coupling methods.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2000

Randomized trial of intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder.

Young children with pervasive developmental disorder were randomly assigned to intensive treatment or parent training. The intensive treatment group (7 with autism, 8 with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified--NOS) averaged 24.52 hours per week of individual treatment for one year, gradually reducing hours over the next 1 to 2 years. The parent training group (7 with autism, 6 with pervasive developmental disorder NOS) received 3 to 9 months of parent training. The groups appeared similar at intake on all measures; however, at follow-up the intensive treatment group outperformed the parent training group on measures of intelligence, visual-spatial skills, language, and academics, though not adaptive functioning or behavior problems. Children with pervasive developmental disorder NOS may have gained more than those with autism.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2000

Comparative laboratory toxicity of neem pesticides to honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae), their mite parasites Varroa jacobsoni (Acari: Varroidae) and Acarapis woodi (Acari: Tarsonemidae), and brood pathogens Paenibacillus larvae and Ascophaera apis.

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate neem oil and neem extract for the management of key honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) pests. Neem pesticides inhibited the growth of Paenibacillus larvae (Ash, Priest & Collins) in vitro but had no effect on the growth of Ascophaera apis (Olive & Spiltoir). Azadirachtin-rich extract (neem-aza) was 10 times more potent than crude neem oil (neem oil) against P. larvae suggesting that azadirachtin is a main antibiotic component in neem. Neem-aza, however, was ineffective at controlling the honey bee mite parasites Varroa jacobsoni (Ouduemans) and Acarapis woodi (Rennie). Honey bees also were deterred from feeding on sucrose syrup containing > 0.01 mg/ml of neem-aza. However, neem oil applied topically to infested bees in the laboratory proved highly effective against both mite species. Approximately 50-90% V. jacobsoni mortality was observed 48 h after treatment with associated bee mortality lower than 10%. Although topically applied neem oil did not result in direct A. woodi mortality, it offered significant protection of bees from infestation by A. woodi. Other vegetable and petroleum-based oils also offered selective control of honey bee mites, suggesting neem oil has both a physical and a toxicological mode of action. Although oils are not as selective as the V. jacobsoni acaricide tau-fluvalinate, they nonetheless hold promise for the simultaneous management of several honey bee pests.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Ventricular septal defect in a blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola).

A 9-mo-old female blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola) weighing 3.9 kg was diagnosed with a cardiac murmur during quarantine examination. Evaluation of the heart by auscultation, electrocardiography, two-dimensional echocardiography, and Doppler color-flow echocardiography revealed a restrictive outlet ventricular septal defect with left atrial and left ventricular dilation. Trivial mitral, tricuspid, and aortic regurgitation was also noted. Though the duiker was clinically asymptomatic at the time of cardiac evaluation, it was found dead 1 wk later. The cause of death was not determined.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed2000

Vitamin E supplementation restores glutathione and malondialdehyde to normal concentrations in erythrocytes of type 1 diabetic children.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between cellular glutathione and vitamin E concentrations and the effect of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) supplementation on glutathione and lipid peroxidation product concentrations in the erythrocytes of type 1 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We obtained written informed consent to participate in this study from diabetic patients (n = 29) and their age-matched nondiabetic siblings (n = 21) according to the guidelines of the Institutional Review Board on Human Experimentation. Diabetic patients were supplemented with a DL-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) capsule (100 IU/orally) or placebo for 3 months in a double-blind clinical trial. Fasting blood samples were collected from each diabetic patient before the start of and after the 3 months of vitamin E or placebo supplementation. Glutathione, malondialdehyde (which is a product of lipid peroxidation), and alpha-tocopherol were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography A total of 5 diabetic patients were excluded after randomization from the data analyses. Data were analyzed statistically using a paired Students t test to compare 12 diabetic patients taking vitamin E with 12 diabetic patients receiving placebo supplementation and to compare diabetic patients with healthy nondiabetic subjects. RESULTS: Erythrocytes of diabetic patients had 21% higher (P<0.001) malondialdehyde and 15% lower (P<0.05) glutathione concentrations than healthy subjects. Vitamin E in erythrocytes had a significant correlation with the glutathione concentrations in the erythrocytes (r = 0.46, P<0.02). Vitamin E supplementation increased glutathione concentrations by 9% (P<0.01) and lowered concentrations of malondialdehyde by 23% (P<0.001) and of HbA1c by 16% (P<0.02) in erythrocytes of diabetic patients. No differences were evident in these parameters before versus after placebo supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Glutathione level is significantly related to vitamin E level, and supplementation with vitamin E (100 IU/day) significantly increases glutathione and lowers lipid peroxidation and HbA1c concentrations in the erythrocytes of type 1 diabetic patients.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Predictors of physical fitness in a college sample.

The present study examined the relationships among self-reported amounts of exercise, body composition, age, weight, blood pressure, and physical fitness. Participants reported their duration and frequency of exercise, which were combined to obtain individual indexes of exercise. VO2 max predicted from a 1-mi. walk test, percent body fat via sum of skinfolds, blood pressure, and flexibility of the lower back and posterior thigh were measured. Findings indicated that age and exercise index were significant predictors of fitness for women, and percent body fat was a significant predictor for men. Results suggest individuals' exercise index moderately correlates with fitness, although it is not the only contributing factor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Rapid polymerase chain reaction/DNA probe membrane-based assay for the detection of Listeria and Listeria monocytogenes in food.

We describe the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/DNA probe membrane-based colorimetric assays for the detection and identification of Listeria and L. monocytogenes. PCR primers designed from the 16S to 23S rRNA intergenic spacer region amplified products that were reverse hybridized to membrane-bound oligonucleotide probes specific for Listeria and L. monocytogenes with a detection limit of 1 to 10 CFU/25 ml in inoculated raw and pasteurized milk samples. These qualitative assays have the potential to be integrated into testing laboratories for monitoring the microbiological quality of foods.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Molecular response assessed by PCR is the most important factor predicting failure-free survival in indolent follicular lymphoma: update of the MDACC series.

BACKGROUND: We have observed that molecular response, as defined by a PCR-negative status during the first year of therapy, along with beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M), was the most important variable associated with failure-free survival (FFS) in follicular lymphoma (FL). Herein, we present an update of the previously published MDACC series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 116 patients (male:female ratio 64:52; median age: 52 years) with indolent FL and BCL-2 rearrangement (at MBR or mcr breakpoints) assessable in peripheral blood (pb) by PCR prior to treatment, and with two or more PCR determinations during the first year, were selected for the present study. RESULTS: Of the 116 patients, 4 who presented with progression and 1 who died of unrelated causes during the first year were excluded from the landmark analysis. One hundred patients (86%) achieved clinical CR and 80 (69%) achieved a negative PCR status within first year. Median FFS was 6.4 years. Five-year FFS was 73% and 28% for molecular responders and nonresponders, respectively (P = 0.001). In spite of this strikingly higher FFS favoring molecular responders, no clearcut plateau was evident in this group. Molecular response assessed in pb (P = 0.001) and serum beta 2M (P < 0.001) were the most important factors to predict FFS in the multivariate analysis. In the subset of patients with normal beta 2M and molecular CR, there was a trend for a plateau in the FFS curve. No significant difference between the groups has been observed so far in terms of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular response assessed in pb using a PCR technique is, along with beta 2M, the most important factor to predict FFS in FL.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Microheterogeneity of serogroup A (subgroup III) Neisseria meningitidis during an outbreak in northern Ghana.

During a meningitis outbreak in the eastern subdistrict of the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region of Ghana, we analysed cerebrospinal fluid from suspected meningitis cases for the most common causative organisms. In 50 of 92 samples analysed, serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis were detected. The ages of serogroup A N. meningitidis patients ranged from 4 months to 64 years. The case fatality ratio was 20%. Coma or stupor on presentation worsened the prognosis. All serogroup A N. meningitidis isolates recovered revealed the A: 4: P1.9, 20 phenotype characteristic for the subgroup III clonal grouping. No evidence for resistance to penicillin G, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin or tetracycline was found. All strains were resistant to sulphadiazine. Restriction analysis patterns of opa, iga and ingA genes were characteristic for the majority of N. meningitidis serogroup A subgroup III bacteria isolated in Africa after the 1987 epidemic in Mecca. Differences in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of NheI and SpeI digested DNA revealed microheterogeneity among the Ghanaian isolates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

'Bataille's boys': postmodernity, Fascists and football fans.

In his analysis of football hooliganism, Anthony King claims to reveal the historical, conceptual scheme young, male supporters draw upon. This 'masculine vision', he states, is similar to that held by the Freikorps. Both groups are said to adhere to modernist notions of masculinity, sexuality and nationhood, reinforced by rituals which maintain boundaries between these 'proper' males and deviant 'others'. Occasionally, football hooligans breach these boundaries in acts of postmodern transgression. King also claims that fans link sex and violence in their imaginations. In this response I examine King's critique of his fellow theorists; challenge his 'Freikorps-Fans' analogy; demonstrate the problem he has in establishing the sex-violence link and question the relevance of his concept of postmodernity.

Attitude↗
PubMed2000

Pregnancy outcome in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus needs to be addressed.

Maternal diabetes mellitus (types 1 and 2) is the most chronic prevalent medical condition affecting the pregnant population and is associated with a less satisfactory pregnancy outcome for both mother and infant when compared with the non-diabetic population. Most reports have focused on women with type 1 disease, type 2 disease being perceived as a less serious condition. However, type 2 disease is far more common (and is increasing) in some areas of the UK, especially where there is a high proportion of women from the Indian subcontinent. This paper shows that pregnancy complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus is a high-risk state, with miscarriage and congenital malformations almost twice that seen in type 1 disease. These adverse outcomes are contributed to by poor attendance for pre-pregnancy care, later booking for antenatal clinic and poor glycaemic control at booking. Offspring of pregnancies complicated by type 2 diabetes are more likely to be delivered before 37 weeks gestation and be large in size for gestational age. We must dispel the myth, in women of childbearing age and in their healthcare providers, that diabetes treated with diet and/or tablets (type 2) is a less serious problem than type 1 disease.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2000

New strategies in the management of acute coronary syndromes.

Advances in the understanding of acute coronary syndromes have occurred rapidly in the last 5 years and have dramatically changed the way patients are evaluated, diagnosed, and managed. Medical advances, such as antiplatelet and antithrombin agents and growing databases on interventional outcomes have created a new world of therapeutic options for the spectrum of ischemic heart disease. As more options become available, nurses are under increasing pressure to stay abreast of what these options have to offer patients, and which patients benefit most from each therapeutic approach. The purpose of this article is to review the newest therapies for acute coronary syndromes, including GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, low molecular weight heparins, and direct thrombin inhibitors, and discuss indications and contraindications for each of these therapies. Changes in diagnostic approach using troponin T and I are also presented.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Modulation of human monocyte activities by tranilast, SB 252218, a compound demonstrating efficacy in restenosis.

Tranilast (SB 252218) is a compound initially identified as an anti-atopic agent. Recently the compound has demonstrated clear beneficial effects in animal models of restenosis. Here we confirm tranilast has broad and profound effects on human monocytes, which could contribute to the vascular antifibrotic activity. Tranilast exhibited significant immunomodulatory activity inhibiting endotoxin-induced prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2); IC(50) = approximately 1-20 microM), thromboxane B(2) (IC(50) = approximately 10-50 microM), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1; IC(50) = approximately 100-200 microM), and interleukin-8 (IC(50) = approximately 100 microM) formation, but had no effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Interleukin-12 and -18-induced interferon-gamma formation by monocytes was also attenuated by tranilast. A23187-induced monocyte leukotriene C(4) or PGE(2) formation was inhibited by tranilast at IC(50) values of 10-40 microM and 2-20 microM, respectively, incubated with or without exogenous arachidonic acid. Interestingly, tranilast (up to 1000 microM) had no direct effects on cyclooxygenase I or II activity, nor did it have significant effects on human type IIA 14 kDa or type IV 85 kDa phospholipase A(2) activity. Furthermore, tranilast had no effect on endotoxin-induced cyclooxygenase II protein expression, suggesting tranilast modulates eicosanoid production and release by an as yet unidentified mechanism. Alternatively, the expression of TGF-beta1 was inhibited by tranilast but found to be due in part to inhibition of PGE(2) because exogenous PGE(2) could abrogate tranilast-mediated inhibition of TGF-beta1. Taken together, although a reported direct inhibitor of fibroblast proliferation, we show tranilast also attenuates the proinflammatory activity of human monocytes, adding to its potential efficacy as a therapeutic agent in restenosis.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Making family-centered care a reality.

Family-centered care means, in the broadest sense, welcoming the family as partners in the care of the child. Family-centered care challenges us to create a new vision of a hospital environment that works in a very different way and that can actually improve clinical outcomes. This report describes one hospital's journey into family-centered care--its accomplishments and its challenges. It should be noted that, although this report describes family-centered care in a children's hospital, the philosophy beautifully adapts to an adult facility.

Adult↗