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Biomedical subjects

W Brown

Publications and source records attributed to W Brown.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Ethnic and sex differences on the test of nonverbal intelligence, Quick Test of intelligence, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised.

This study investigated the performance of 89 students on the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, Quick Test, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised IQ scores for ethnic and sex differences. The sample consisted of 61 males, 28 females (37 Black, 52 White). A two-way analysis of variance and the new Duncan's Multiple Range Test were used to identify significant differences between the mean scores. The findings did not indicate any significant differences between the IQ scores with regard to ethnicity or sex. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of assessing minority group members with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale-Revised, Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, and Quick Test.

Child↗

Changes in skeletal muscle gene transcription induced by chronic stimulation.

The mRNA products of four genes, carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII), fast myosin heavy chain (MHCf), actin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), were assayed by Northern and slot-blot analysis in rabbit tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus muscles that were subjected to electrical stimulation for periods of up to 21 days. Marked changes in mRNA levels were seen for all four genes. The mRNA for CAIII, which is specific for type 1 fibers, rose significantly, whereas the MHCf mRNA fell markedly in the stimulated muscles. Changes in GAPDH mRNA were consistent with a reduced dependence on anaerobic glycolysis as an energy source. Actin mRNA levels were noticeably depressed in the early stages of stimulation. Thus for several classes of muscle protein, the response to chronic low-frequency stimulation appears to involve changes at the level of gene transcription.

Actins↗

Polarized secretion of lysosomal enzymes: co-distribution of cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptors and lysosomal enzymes along the osteoclast exocytic pathway.

The osteoclast is a polarized cell which secretes large amounts of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes into an apical extracellular lacuna where bone resorption takes place. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we have localized the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate (Man6P) receptor and lysosomal enzymes in this cell type in order to determine the expression and distribution of this receptor and its ligands. The results demonstrate that the osteoclast expresses large amounts of immunoreactive cation-independent Man6P receptors, despite the fact that most of the lysosomal enzymes it synthesizes are secreted. The lysosomal enzymes and the receptors are co-distributed along the exocytic pathway, i.e., the endoplasmic reticulum, including the perinuclear envelope, the Golgi stacks as well as numerous small transport vesicles that appear to fuse with the ruffled border membrane. Within the Golgi complex, the receptors and lysosomal enzymes were found distributed in two predominant patterns; (a) in all the cisternae, from cis to trans, or (b) predominantly in cis- and trans-Golgi cisternae, with the middle Golgi cisternae being unstained or depleted in antigen. This pattern suggests that enzymes and receptors traverse the Golgi from cis to trans and preferentially accumulate in cis- and in trans-cisternae. This study therefore suggests that, in the osteoclast, Man6P receptors are involved in the vectorial transport and targeting of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes, presumably via a constitutive pathway, to the apical membrane where they are secreted into the bone-resorbing compartment. This mechanism could insure polarized secretion of lysosomal enzymes into the bone-resorbing lacuna.

Animals↗

Pregnancy-induced hypertension and congenital adrenal hypoplasia.

Adrenal weights and histologic features in an autopsy population of 759 fetuses and neonates were correlated with the presence or absence of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Hypoplastic fetal adrenals with normal proportions of fetal and adult cortical layers (miniature histologic type) had combined adrenal weights less than 1 g, and were noted in 11 fetuses and neonates born to 39 mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension, two born to 35 mothers with suggested pregnancy-induced hypertension, and 45 born to 685 mothers with no pregnancy-induced hypertension. Hypoplastic fetal adrenals were associated significantly with pregnancy-induced hypertension by chi 2 analysis (P less than .01). When a more stringent criterion for fetal adrenal hypoplasia was used (combined adrenal weight/body weight ratio of less than 1:1000), five cases were associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension, three with suggested pregnancy-induced hypertension, and seven with normal maternal blood pressures (P less than .001). This study confirms the relationship between pregnancy-induced hypertension and reduced fetal adrenal mass. We speculate that reduced production of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate by the small adrenals may be related to maternal hypertension.

Adrenal Glands↗

A comparison of the WISC-R and the WAIS-R with special education students.

The results from Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-R (WAIS-R) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-R (WISC-R) with a sample of exceptional adolescents (N = 28) were compared over a 3-year period to determine whether the subjects can be expected to obtain similar subtest scores and similar VIQ, PIQ, and FSIQ scores. Results indicated that the sample scored higher on the WAIS-R Verbal and WAIS-R Full Scale than on the WISC-R Verbal and Full Scale. The findings are discussed in terms of the clinical application, especially as they relate to retesting exceptional children and youth with the WAIS-R.

Adolescent↗

Is nursing a profession? Results of a Missouri study.

This article examines the question of whether or not nursing is or should be a profession. The conclusion is based primarily on an analysis of what constitutes a profession and an empirical study of some nursing practices and attitudes. The analysis of professions recognizes three prominent models in sociology: trait, functional, and power or control. It bypasses these in favor of a "cluster concept," which asserts that the public has a number of expectations of an occupation before it will bestow the status of profession upon it. We then give an analysis of some of the results of the survey of a sample of Missouri registered nurses. The gist of the data is said to reflect the facts that these nurses think nursing is or should be a profession, but that other factors tend to show that nursing lacks the requisite cluster to substantiate the claim to be a profession. We conclude that nursing should perhaps not be a profession since it has been a bastion of the "ethics of compassion" in a world that is increasingly beset by an "ethics of competence."

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Valvular heart disease (aortic regurgitation and mitral valve prolapse) among institutionalized adults with Down's syndrome.

Congenital heart disease has long been recognized in children with Down's syndrome, but little is known about the manifestations of clinical heart disease in adults with this condition. Therefore, 131 adults with Down's syndrome were examined. Clinical heart disease was considered to be present when an abnormally split S2, systolic click, at least grade 3/6 systolic precordial murmur, or any diastolic precordial murmur was heard. Using these criteria, 38 patients had clinical heart disease and 93 did not. To confirm and evaluate the auscultatory findings, echocardiograms were recorded in 37 of the patients. Comparison between patients without clinical heart disease and those with clinical heart disease showed that neither age (39 +/- 11 vs 40 +/- 12 years, respectively) nor gender (60% vs 66% men, respectively) differed significantly. Eleven had clinical and echocardiographic findings consistent with atrial or ventricular septal defect. Findings consistent with aortic regurgitation were identified in 8, and 18 had mitral valve prolapse. These results suggest that in addition to atrial and ventricular septal defect (which have a well recognized association with Down's syndrome), 2 specific, usually asymptomatic, and heretofore unanticipated valvular cardiac abnormalities may be associated with Down's syndrome.

Adolescent↗

A performance-based management system to reduce prematurity and low birth weight.

A performance system is a management tool for ensuring that programs accomplish their objectives. Using Delphi and nominal group process techniques, the authors established objectives for a system to reduce prematurity and low birth weight. A task force consisting of state, regional, and local public health personnel, consultants from the Centers for Disease Control, and faculty from the School of Public Health then developed the activities, standards, and guidelines of the performance system. Finally, an assessment tool for evaluation of the system was designed. The system, which is intended to complement initiatives to improve the medical care of maternity patients, should be useful to maternity clinic managers and supervisors who wish to develop performance standards specifically targeted to the achievement of objectives for reducing prematurity and low birth weight.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗

Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 subgrouping by monoclonal antibodies--an epidemiological tool.

A panel of 10 monoclonal antibodies was used to subgroup 326 strains of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. All but two strains could be classified into three major subgroups named after their representative strains Pontiac 1, Olda and Bellingham 1. Of the 50 isolates from patients, 44 representing 32 separate incidents were of the Pontiac subgroup. This subgroup was also found in 16 of 18 buildings epidemiologically associated with Legionnaires' Disease. In contrast, strains of the Olda subgroup predominated in buildings where no infections had occurred. In 9 of the 11 incidents where isolates were available from at least one patient as well as from the suspected environmental source, the monoclonal antibody reaction patterns of strains from patients were identical to those of one or more of their environmental counterparts.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Intact arch spondylolisthesis. A review of 50 cases and description of surgical treatment.

Over the past 11 years, the authors have treated 50 cases of intact arch spondylolisthesis. There were 38 female and 12 male patients, and all but 11 were older than 60 years of age. Almost all had severe low-back pain made worse by standing or walking. Other common manifestations were unilateral leg pain, numbness or weakness of the leg, and evidence of mild cauda equina compression. Severe cauda equina compression was rare. Myelography invariably showed an extradural dorsal compression. A waist deformity was characteristic in many patients, but 12 had a complete block. In 15 patients (30%) the myelographic impression was that of a herniated intervertebral disc. Most subluxations were of L-4 on L-5. At operation, the facets were found to be thickened, distorted, and irregular. All patients were treated with a wide decompression and laminectomy, which included a medial facetectomy of the inferior and superior facets. An intervertebral disc was removed in 10 patients. Follow-up monitoring of 41 patients (for an average period of 36 months) showed that 26 (63%) were pain-free, 11 had less pain, and four were unimproved. Five other patients with short follow-up periods (average 5 months) were all improved.

Aged↗

Iothalamate stimulates hydroperoxide formation by soybean lipoxygenase.

Sodium iothalamate produced a dose dependent increase in basal oxygen consumption when soybean lipoxygenase was incubated with arachidonic acid in 0.1M borate buffer pH 9.0. The increase in oxygen consumption was associated with an increase in absorbance at 234 nm indicating an increased conjugated diene formation. The stimulation of 02 consumption was demonstrated to be due to an increase in 1500H arachidonic formation. The increase in 1500H arachidonate formation could be blocked by mannitol which is an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase enzyme. N-methyl glucamine (meglumine) which is added to some preparations of iothalamate, was also able to suppress the increase in hydroperoxide formation in a dose dependent fashion.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

An improved sensor head for cross-correlation intravital velocimetry.

A new sensing unit has been designed for intravital velocimetry using cross-correlation techniques. Using a photodiode and low-noise operational amplifier, residual noise has been greatly reduced. At low light levels with equal-frequency passbands, signal-to-noise ratios are improved by greater than a factor of 10. Part of the improvement has been traded for increased frequency range that will allow accurate measurements of velocity 10 to 100 times greater than the unit that was used previously. The precise upper limit for flow velocity measurement with the modified unit will depend on factors such as the spatial fine structure of the RBC column and the digital sampling of the cross-correlation unit, but a cursory examination indicates that most flow velocities in the microcirculation can be measured. The increased frequency range combined with light-level-independent characteristics will greatly improve the accuracy of RBC velocity measurements made in vivo.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Similar blood pressure but different outcome in rats with DOC and post-DOC hypertension.

It is uncertain whether increased arterial pressure alone or increased arterial pressure combined with some other factor is responsible for the development of malignant-phase hypertension. Our object was to test this comparing two groups of rats with hypertension of different mechanism but of similar duration and degree. Two experiments were done in hypertensive rats. In the first blood pressure was measured in the tail, in the second by intra-arterial catheter and pressure transducer. In the first, hypertension was produced in 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats by unilateral nephrectomy followed by thrice-weekly injections of deoxycorticosterone (12.5 mg) and substitution of 1% NaCl and 0.2% KCl for their drinking water. After four weeks 28 rats survived and systolic blood pressure had risen to 220 mmHg. The survivors were paired by blood pressure and randomly allocated either to continued DOC and salt or to a regime in which DOC was stopped and tap-water was substituted for the NaCl-KCl solution (post-DOC rats). Blood pressure remained similar in the two groups thereafter, but in every case it was the DOC-salt animal of the pair which died first. Fibrinoid arteriolar lesions of malignant-phase hypertension were significantly commoner in DOC-salt animals and, before death, they had more pronounced features of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. The second experiment was the same in design as the first except that two weeks after randomization the similarity of blood pressure was confirmed by measurement of intra-arterial pressure in eight pairs of DOC-salt and post-DOC rats. We conclude that increased arterial pressure is not the only factor influencing development of malignant-phase hypertension.

Animals↗

Effects of camera cuts and music on selective attention and verbal and motor imitation by mentally retarded adults.

Effects of experimentally manipulating camera cuts (high vs. low frequency) and music (present vs. absent) on total and selective visual attention to and imitation of prosocial TV programs were examined. Subjects were 96 adults (mean IQ = 46). Within programs, selective viewing of content features (dialogue, distress, helping, and reinforcement) and media features (music, cuts, zooms, and scene changes) were examined. Subjects selectively attended to cuts and zooms and all four content features. High-cuts frequencies in a program reduced selective attention and subsequent verbal imitation. There were no significant effects for music.

Adult↗