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Biomedical subjects

A C Rogers

Publications and source records attributed to A C Rogers.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Rapid plastic embedding is compatible with colorimetric detection following whole mount in situ hybridization in plant specimens.

In performing in situ hybridizations, nonisotopic nucleic acid labeling coupled with colorimetric detection offers a safer, easier and more rapid alternative to using radioactively labeled nucleic acid probes and microscopic autoradiography. Whole mount in situ hybridization is also advantageous, because many samples can be processed identically and the reduced handling of specimens greatly reduces the risk of exposing tissues to RNase(s). The thickness of whole mount specimens, however, often prevents accurate determination of sites of expression within specific tissues. Although post-hybridization embedding and sectioning is a solution to this problem, the precipitate formed following the common colorimetric detection procedure is soluble in the organic solvents used for dehydration prior to embedding. We have developed a dehydration and embedding procedure that takes advantage of the compatibility of L.R. White resin containing 10% (v/v) polyethylene glycol 400, and heat polymerized. The addition of the plasticizer allows L.R. White embedded tissues to be sectioned at 10 microm providing excellent signal contrast.

Colorimetry↗
PubMed1999

The role of a CNS in a memory clinic.

The advent of medications to treat the symptoms associated with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease has added to the critical need for early diagnosis of dementia. Yet diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease require specialized assessment and knowledge. To address the needs of patients and families coping with Alzheimer's disease, an ambulatory care memory clinic was established in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. This article describes the four components of the clinical nurse specialist role in this clinic that reflect the essential characteristics of advanced nursing practice.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Vulnerability, health and health care.

The concept of vulnerability is an important one for nurses because of its implications for health. The experience of vulnerability creates stress and anxiety which affects physiological, psychological and social functioning. Although everyone is vulnerable at different times in his or her life, some individuals are more likely to develop health problems than others. Vulnerability is affected by personal factors as well as factors within the environment. Trends in society indicate that increasing numbers of vulnerable people will create additional demands on an already over-burdened health care system. Vulnerability is an area that requires much further research and application.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Magnetic resonance imaging and single photon emission tomography in treatment-responsive and treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia differ from controls in several measures of brain structure and function, but it is uncertain how these relate to clinical features of the illness. We dichotomised patient groups by treatment response to test the hypothesis that treatment-resistant patients exhibit more marked biological abnormalities than treatment-responsive patients. METHOD: Twenty treatment-responsive and 20 treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia, matched for sex, age, and illness duration, were compared by magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission tomography, and detailed neuropsychological assessment. RESULTS: Brain-imaging variables were not statistically related to treatment response, although poorly responsive patients had lower volumes of most brain structures. Several highly significant differences emerged between patient groups on neuropsychological testing. Episodic memory functioning distinguished patient groups even after we controlled for global cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral structure and blood flow have a limited effect on treatment response in schizophrenia, but long-term episodic memory impairment is associated with, and may predict, poor prognosis.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

Predicted and actual change in serum PSA following prostatectomy for BPH.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between prostatic adenoma volume and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to compare the predicted change in serum PSA following prostatectomy with the actual change observed. METHODS: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) estimation of prostatic adenoma (transition zone) and total gland volumes were calculated in 96 patients prior to prostatectomy. BPH was confirmed histologically following transurethral prostatectomy (in 86) and open prostatectomy (in 10). Serum PSA was measured preoperatively in all patients and post-operatively in 87 patients. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients of 0.607 and 0.614 were observed between PSA and adenoma and total gland volumes, respectively. The geometric mean ratio of PSA to adenoma volume was 0.120 micrograms/L/cc with 95% CI (0.104, 0.139) and to total gland volume was 0.068 micrograms/L/cc with 95% CI (0.058, 0.078). TRUS-determined adenoma and total gland volumes correlated well (r = 0.915), as did TRUS-determined adenoma volume and resected weight (r = 0.878). The mean ratio of change in PSA to resected weight was -0.096 micrograms/L/g with 95% CI (-0.128, -0.064). Neither total gland volume nor operation type affected the relationship between change in serum PSA and resected weight. CONCLUSIONS: The adenoma should be the main determinant of serum PSA levels in patients with BPH. TRUS adenoma volume measurement is therefore the most appropriate preoperative measure when one is interpreting elevated levels of serum PSA in men thought clinically to have BPH.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Identification of human chromosome 9 specific genes using exon amplification.

We have recently developed a method, exon amplification, that is designed for isolation of exon sequences from genomic DNA. To assess the efficacy of this method we have analyzed cosmid genomic clones derived from human chromosome 9, and have cloned several products from this analysis. Approximately 63% of cosmids produced at least one product derived from functioning splice sites within the target genomic fragment, and in many cases multiple products were isolated. In addition, an easily identifiable class of false positives was produced from 56% of cosmids analyzed; these are readily eliminated from subsequent study. Sequence analysis and database searches revealed that the majority (87%) of the putative exon clones were unique, the remainder being derived from repetitive sequences. Analysis of sequence conservation by Southern blotting in addition to cDNA screening experiments suggested that most, if not all, of these unique sequences represent true exons. The results of these studies indicate that exon amplification is a rapid and reliable approach for isolation of exon sequences from mammalian genomic DNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A study of benign prostatic hyperplasia--a challenge to British urology.

A community study to determine the prevalence and natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a typical Scottish community has been undertaken in men from 40 to 79 years of age. From 2497 eligible men, 1627 (65%) agreed to take part and after screening by symptom score and urinary flow rate 561 were offered a full investigation including transrectal ultrasonography; 492 (87.7%) attended and 415 were found to have BPH, which was defined as a prostate > or = 20 g. Following urological consultation, 3 groups of patients with BPH were recognised: those requiring no therapy (39.5%), those in whom therapy options were considered (50.5%) and those where operation was advised (10%). Seventeen patients with prostatic carcinoma were found, 4 of whom were treated by radical prostatectomy. A total of 67 operations for BPH resulted from the study in patients not previously referred to our urological unit, the majority of whom had not consulted their GP for symptoms of prostatism. This represents a serious challenge to British urology.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Relationship between prostate specific antigen, prostate volume and age in the benign prostate.

The relationship between prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostate volume and age was examined in 472 men who underwent PSA assay (Hybritech), digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) as part of a community survey of benign prostatic hyperplasia following exclusion of men with prostate cancer. The mean age of the study population was 60 years (range 40-79). The mean PSA was 2.4 ng/ml and 85% of the men had levels < 4 ng/ml. There was a modest correlation between PSA and both age and prostate volume. The mean prostate and adenoma volumes were 32 ml (SD 13.4) and 15 ml (SD 10.7) respectively. Prostate volume increased with age. Linear regression analysis revealed an independent association between PSA and age when controlling for volume. The mean ratio of PSA per unit of prostate volume was 0.072 ng/ml. This ratio also increased with age. Age and prostate volume influences PSA levels independently. The sensitivity and specificity of PSA adjusted for volume and age in the diagnosis of prostate cancer need to be evaluated in association with DRE and TRUS.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Impact of previously unrecognized benign prostatic hyperplasia on the daily activities of middle-aged and elderly men.

To assess the importance of benign prostatic hyperplasia on activities of daily living, a cross-sectional survey of 1627 men aged 40-79 years (representing a 65% response rate) registered with two health centres in central Scotland was carried out, using a urinary symptom questionnaire and uroflowmetry to identify men more likely to have benign prostatic hyperplasia. The condition was defined as a prostate gland of more than 20 g in the presence of symptoms of urinary dysfunction and/or a peak flow rate of less than 15 ml s-1, without evidence of malignancy. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to measure the volume (and by inference weight) of prostate glands. A total of 410 men satisfied the criteria for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Overall, 51% of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia reported interference with at least one of a number of selected activities of daily living as a result of urinary dysfunction, compared with 28% of men who did not have this condition. In 17% of men of working age (40-64 years) with benign prostatic hyperplasia, this interference occurred most or all of the time for at least one activity of daily living compared with only 3% of men in the same age group who did not have this condition. If the criteria of unmet need for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia constitutes interference by urinary dysfunction most or all of the time in at least one activity of daily living, then the findings of this survey suggest that a substantial number of middle aged and elderly men living in the United Kingdom may be in need of assessment and treatment for this condition.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

A prostatectomy audit: phase I--insights and questions.

A local prostatectomy audit is being undertaken to gain some insight into the pre- and peri-operative factors that influence post-operative outcome and length of post-operative stay. The aims of the first phase of the audit, involving 150 prostatectomy patients, have been to attempt to define the minimum data set required to meet the study's objectives, and to devise a data-collecting tool that can be completed by the medical and nursing staff as part of the routine work. A tentative model has been devised to forecast post-operative stay. The audit has raised a number of questions which will form the basis of further studies.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Randomised trial of mesterolone versus vitamin C for male infertility. Scottish Infertility Group.

A prospective randomised trial was carried out to assess the effect of 9 months' treatment with either mesterolone or vitamin C in 368 men complaining of an infertile marriage. There was no significant difference in the wife's pregnancy rate between the two treatment groups. A separate analysis of the data was made to include only men with a low normal testosterone (less than 16 nmol/l) and low sperm density (less than 10 million/ml). This separate analysis was also restricted to men married to wives with normal test results for tubal patency and ovulation and again there was no difference in pregnancy rates between the two treatment groups. These results indicate that mesterolone therapy given in the absence of any defined endocrinopathy is of no benefit in promoting male fertility and furthermore we have been unable to find any subgroup who will respond. Improvements in the therapy of male infertility are only likely after a diagnosis has been defined.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1975

Vitamin B12 absorption in patients with ileal conduits.

The absorption of vitamin B12 was assessed using the 58Co-absorption test (Schilling test) in 39 patients in whom ileal loops had been used as urinary diversion after excision of the bladder for transitional cell carcinoma. 29% of the patients were found to absorb less than 12% of the offered dose of labelled vitamin B12 after excluding gastric-mediated malabsorption by the modified Schilling test. Examination of haemoglobin, MCV or vitamin B12 in the peripheral blood gave unreliable indications of the absorptive ability of these patients.

Adult↗