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Biomedical subjects

A Grey

Publications and source records attributed to A Grey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Prevalence of dissociative disorders in an acute care day hospital population.

To estimate the prevalence of dissociative disorders in a day hospital and examine their relation to traumatic experiences, trained clinicians evaluated 70 of 229 patients consecutively admitted to an acute care day hospital. They used the Mini-Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Dissociative Disorders and the Traumatic Experience Questionnaire. Six of the 70 patients (9 percent) received a definite diagnosis of a dissociative disorder. Five of the six patients reported a childhood history of sexual or physical abuse. The results show that dissociative disorders are not rare among general psychiatric patients in a day hospital setting and are associated with histories of childhood trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Moderate dietary salt restriction does not alter insulin resistance or serum lipids in normal men.

Dietary salt restriction lowers blood pressure and has been advocated as a population-based strategy to reduce the cardiovascular morbidity associated with hypertension. However, the effect of lowering salt intake on metabolic vascular risk factors such as insulin resistance and levels of atherogenic lipids and fasting insulin is uncertain. We have studied the short-term effect of moderate dietary salt restriction on insulin resistance and serum lipids in 34 nonobese (body mass index [mean +/- SD] 23.4 +/- 1.8 kg/m2), normotensive young white men. Subjects were maintained on a low salt diet ( < 80 mmol/day) for the 2-week study period. In a randomized, cross-over, double-blind fashion, each subject also received 120 mmol of sodium chloride per day during one of the study weeks, and a matching placebo during the other. Insulin resistance, serum insulin, lipids, and blood pressure were measured in the fasting state at the end of each study week. Urinary sodium excretion (185 +/- 46 v 52 +/- 25 mmol/day, P < .001), serum sodium (141.2 +/- 1.2 v 140.1 +/- 1.3 mmol/L, P < .001) and body weight (75.4 +/- 9.1 v 75.0 +/- 9.3 kg, P < .05) were higher during the high salt than the low salt period. Serum creatinine was higher during the low salt period (100 +/- 8 v 90 +/- 9 mumols/L, P < .01). There was no difference in blood pressure, insulin resistance, serum insulin, C-peptide, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol or its subfractions, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, or apolipoprotein B between the high salt and low salt periods. We conclude that short-term, moderate dietary salt restriction does not adversely affect insulin sensitivity or levels of atherogenic lipids in normotensive nonobese men.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Medroxyprogesterone acetate enhances the spinal bone mineral density response to oestrogen in late post-menopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: The relative contributions of administered oestrogen and progestin to protection of the post-menopausal skeleton remain unclear. We have compared the effect on spinal bone mineral density of continuous combined oestrogen/medroxyprogesterone therapy with that of unopposed oestrogen in late post-menopausal women. DESIGN: Observational study. SUBJECTS: Seventy-three osteoporotic post-menopausal women attending the Auckland Hospital Bone Clinic. Twenty-three hysterectomized women were treated with unopposed oestrogen (0.625 mg oral conjugated oestrogens daily), and 50 non-hysterectomized women were treated with continuous combined oestrogen/medroxyprogesterone therapy (5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate and 0.625 mg oral conjugated oestrogens daily). MEASUREMENTS: Baseline and one-year measurements of lumbar spine bone mineral density were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: After one year of therapy, spinal bone mineral density increased by 6.6% (95% confidence interval 5.6-7.6, P < 0.001 vs baseline) in the combined oestrogen/medroxyprogesterone therapy group, compared to 4.0% (CI 2.4-5.7, P < 0.001 vs baseline) in the unopposed oestrogen group (difference between means 2.6% (CI 0.8-4.4, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In osteoporotic post-menopausal women, one year of continuous combined oestrogen/medroxyprogesterone therapy is associated with a 65% greater increment in spinal bone mineral density than is observed in response to unopposed oestrogen. The prescription of combined oestrogen/progestin therapy should be considered in osteoporotic post-menopausal women who have undergone hysterectomy, in order to maximize the skeletal protection provided by hormone replacement therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1996

Circulating levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are elevated in primary hyperparathyroidism and correlate with markers of bone resorption--a clinical research center study.

The pathogenesis of PTH-induced bone loss is uncertain. Experimental evidence suggests that PTH induces the production by osteoblasts of the bone-resorbing cytokine, interleukin-6. We measured the circulating levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-1 beta and examined their relationship to biochemical markers of bone turnover in 38 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (7 of whom also were studied after successful parathyroid adenomectomy), 6 patients with hypoparathyroidism, and 12 subjects with normal parathyroid function. The patients with untreated primary hyperparathyroidism had mean serum levels of interleukin-6 that were 16-fold higher than control values (mean +/- SEM; primary hyperparathyroidism 18.6 +/- 2.1 pg/mL, controls 1.1 +/- 0.1; P < 0.001). Circulating levels of interleukin-6 soluble receptor (primary hyperparathyroidism 41.7 +/- 1.2 ng/ mL, controls 25.1 +/- 1.0; P < 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (primary hyperparathyroidism 11.6 +/- 0.8 pg/mL, controls 2.5 +/- 0.2; P < 0.001) were also elevated. After successful parathyroid adenomectomy, levels of each of these cytokines fell into the normal range. The mean levels of interleukin-6, its soluble receptor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the subjects with hypoparathyroidism were lower than control values (P < 0.001 for each variable). There was no difference between subjects with primary hyperparathyroidism and controls in the circulating level of interleukin-1 beta. In the subjects with untreated primary hyperparathyroidism, serum levels of interleukin-6 correlated strongly with those of intact PTH (r = 0.47, P = 0.003) and biochemical markers of bone resorption: serum deoxypyridinoline (r = 0.93, P < 0.001), serum type I collagen carboxyterminal telopeptide (r = 0.87, P < 0.001), urinary pyridinoline (r = 0.81, P < 0.001), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (r = 0.63, P = 0.005). Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha correlated less strongly with the same variables: PTH (r = 0.41, P = 0.01), serum deoxypyridinoline (r = 0.48, P = 0.002), serum type I collagen carboxyterminal telopeptide (r = 0.46, P = 0.004), urinary pyridinoline (r = 0.61, P = 0.008), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (r = 0.61, P = 0.007). Levels of interleukin-6 also correlated with those of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (r = 0.44, P = 0.005). Multiple regression analysis indicated that interleukin-6, but not tumor necrosis factor-alpha, was independently predictive of bone resorption. We conclude that serum levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are increased in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and are normalized by successful surgical treatment. The finding that these cytokines correlate with biochemical markers of bone resorption suggests that they play a role in the pathogenesis of bone loss in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1994

Mechanisms of cortical bone loss from the metacarpal following digital amputation.

Immobilization bone loss, whether due to whole body immobilization or local causes, is associated with an initial rapid phase of trabecular bone loss, but the long-term effects of immobilization on cortical bone are not well described. We have studied metacarpal morphometry in 16 men who had undergone partial or complete traumatic digital amputations 4-71 years earlier. Noninvolved metacarpals from the affected and unaffected hands were used as controls. Cortical bone width was significantly reduced in the metacarpals proximal to the amputated digits (P = 0.001). In the 7 subjects who suffered amputation before the age of 19, the cortical bone deficit was primarily due to a reduction in the total width of the medullary shaft (P = 0.007), whereas medullary width was not changed. In these subjects the metacarpal was also significantly reduced in length, by a mean 2.9 mm (P = 0.35). In the 9 subjects who had their amputation after the age of 19, both a reduction in total width and an increase in medullary width (P = 0.017) accounted for the cortical bone deficit. The deficit in total width was related to the time since amputation (P = 0.008) and could be accounted for by loss of the normal age-related increase in total width (0.01 mm/year). We conclude that in this model of immobilization osteoporosis, the metacarpal proximal to the amputated digit demonstrates cortical osteopenia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The spiritual component of palliative care.

This article discusses the concept of spirituality within palliative care. It considers aspects of religion and creativity in relation to spirituality, which may be inter-related as well as being significant in their own right. The nurse's role within the interdisciplinary team is explored. The expertise required as well as the emotional effect on nurses offering spiritual support is described.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1994

Inter- and intra-site heterogeneity in the expression of fetal-like phenotypic characteristics by gingival fibroblasts: potential significance for wound healing.

We have previously reported that fetal and adult skin fibroblasts display distinctive migratory phenotypes on 3-D collagen substrata and that these behavioural characteristics may be quantified by a function defined as the cell density migration index (CDMI). Subsequent work indicated that this difference in migratory phenotype was due to the production by fetal fibroblasts of a migration stimulating factor (MSF) that is not produced by normal adult skin fibroblasts. We now present data indicating that: (a) unselected fibroblasts obtained from 14/14 (100%) of adult gingival explants expressed fetal-like CDMI values compared to only 1/10 (10%) of similarly explanted paired skin cells; (b) 12/12 (100%) of these gingival fibroblast lines also produced detectable quantities of MSF compared to 0/9 (0%) of the tested skin cells; (c) by microdissection studies, gingival fibroblasts obtained from different anatomical microdomains consisted of behaviourally distinct subpopulations, with cells derived from the papillary tips (PAP fibroblasts) displaying fetal-like CDMI values and persistent MSF production, whilst cells obtained from the deeper reticular tissue (RET fibroblasts) were adult-like with respect to these two criteria; (d) PAP fibroblasts were also smaller and achieved higher saturation cell densities compared to paired RET cells; (e) PAP fibroblasts passaged in vitro underwent a fetal-to-adult phenotypic transition characterized by the adoption of various RET cell characteristics, including the acquisition of CDMI values falling within the adult range and cessation in MSF production; and (f) early passage PAP fibroblasts incubated in the presence of an affinity-purified anti-MSF rabbit polyclonal antibody were induced to alter their migratory phenotype and exhibited CDMI values falling within the adult range. Statistical analysis indicated a highly significant correlation between the expression of a fetal-like CDMI and production of MSF (P < 0.00001, using the Fisher exact contingency test). Taken together, these observations suggest that the production of MSF by PAP fibroblasts is responsible for their characteristically fetal-like migratory behaviour. The existence of such inter- and intra-site phenotypic heterogeneity in populations of skin and gingival fibroblasts is discussed in the context of fibroblast lineage relationships and the possible contribution of persistently fetal-like fibroblast subpopulations to connective tissue function in wound healing.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Selection of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) with reduced glutamate and aspartate uptake.

Transport of L-[3H]glutamate into Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) was characterized and the results used to design a tritium suicide selection for cells with transport defects. Replicas of surviving colonies on polyester cloth disks were screened by autofluorography for reduced uptake and two mutant clones, Ed-A1 and Ed-B8, were obtained. Uptake of glutamate through a sodium-dependent system in both mutants was characterized by significant reductions in Vmax and increases in Km compared to parental cells, but their response to removal of extracellular sodium differed, suggesting distinct mutations in the two lines. The Vmax of aspartate uptake through this system was reduced in both mutants, to one-ninth in the case of Ed-B8. Glutamate uptake through a sodium-independent system was not altered in either mutant. Surprisingly, acid-soluble intracellular pools of several amino acids were higher in both mutants.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Enoxaparin prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis in orthopaedic surgery.

Seventeen patients undergoing elective total hip or knee joint replacement were given enoxaparin prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis. Four patients developed clinical evidence of deep vein thrombosis, confirmed by venography. Two patients developed disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Visions of body and soul.

Inspiration for the Sacred Mirrors emerged after I had a series of mystical experiences that caused me to redefine my view of consciousness and the self. I saw the body as not just a solid isolated object in a world of separate forms and existential anxiety, but more like a manifestation of primordial energy of awareness that was everywhere present.... I wanted my paintings to visually chart the spectrum of consciousness from material perception to spiritual insight, and to function, if possible, as symbolic portals to the mystical dimension.... The obvious way was to present a believable and almost hyper-real portrayal of the physical body and then seduce the viewer into the stranger mystical dimensions.

Consciousness↗
PubMed1991

Characterization of O-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis in cultured cells using paranitrophenyl alpha-D-GalNAc as an acceptor.

Aryl-N-acetyl-alpha-galactosaminides (aryl-GalNAc) are acceptor substrates for UDP-Gal:alpha-GalNAc beta 1-3 galactosyltransferase and, in vivo, aryl-GalNAc have been shown to inhibit O-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis (Kuan et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264, 19271, 1989). Since aryl-GalNAc, appears to enter viable cells and serve as an acceptor for O-glycosylation enzymes, the recovery and characterization of the aryl-oligosaccharides from cell culture medium may reflect cellular pattems of O-glycosylation. To pursue this possibility, the following paranitrophenyl-linked oligosaccharide standards were enzymatically synthesized and characterized by 1H-NMR: Gal beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal-NAc alpha-pNp; Gal beta 1-3(Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-6)GalNAc alpha-pNp; SA alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3(SA alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc,beta 1-6)GalNAc alpha-pNp; SA alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha-pNp. As a model system, MDAY-D2 lymphoid tumour cells were cultured for various periods in medium containing 2 mM GalNAc alpha-pNp. The secreted aryl-oligosaccharides were separated by Biogel P2 chromatography and DEAE HPLC, followed by further fractionation of the disialyl oligosaccharides on an Ultrahydrogel HPLC column. Absorbance of the paranitrophenyl aryl constituent at 303 nm allowed detection at the 10 pmol level and provided a relatively specific means of following the oligosaccharides. MDAY-D2 cells produced disialylated aryl-oligosaccharides at a rate of 20 pmol/h/10(6) cells with a half-time of transit to the cell surface of 13.6 min, a rate consistent with their movement from the Golgi to the cell surface by bulk flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMed1990

Purification, characterization, and structural elucidation of the active moiety of the previously called "suppressor activating factor (SAF)".

Upon extensive purification of the serum-free supernatant produced by a mutant T cell line (6T-CEM), an immunosuppressive activity was found to reside in an oxidized product of spermine, spermine dialdehyde (SDA). The activity was purified to homogeneity from a serum-free supernatant by using gel filtration chromatography and reverse-phase C18 HPLC. Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB) mass spectral analysis revealed its MW to be 202 and Electron Impact (EI) analysis of the acetylated material identified the purified molecule to be spermine. In the presence of human or rodent plasma, spermine exhibited no immunosuppressive activity up to 2 mg/ml. However, when assayed in the presence of FCS, which contains polyamine oxidase (PAO), spermine is oxidized to its corresponding dialdehyde which is active at 0.1 microM/ml. We have previously described a high molecular weight suppressor activating factor (SAF) found in the serum-containing supernatant of the 6T-CEM cell line. Our preliminary biological data suggest that SDA is probably responsible for the immunosuppressive activities previously observed for the SAF. The strong affinity of SDA for proteins and thiocompounds may account for the apparent high MW previously reported for SAF.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1989

Simultaneous fractionation of four placental neutral glycosphingolipids with a continuous gradient.

We describe a method for isolating milligram quantities of the four neutral glycosphingolipids, glucocerebroside, lactosylceramide, traiosylceramide, and globoside, from human placental tissue. This procedure is carried out on a silicic acid column eluted with a continuous chloroform-methanol gradient (19:1 to 4:1); the four glycosphingolipids elute as separate fractions with no need for further separation. The method is simple, rapid, and yields sufficient material to use as analytical standards for several hundred runs. The lipids have been identified by NMR spectroscopy. Placental tissue is freely available in most centers and is an excellent untapped source for these compounds. Given that lactosylceramide is not commercially available and that triaosylceramide (ceramide trihexoside) cannot be obtained in a reliable state, this technique represents an effective solution to this dilemma.

Glycosphingolipids↗
PubMed1981

Demonstration of heterogeneity of chick ovalbumin glycopeptides using 360-MHz proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Ovalbumin glycopeptides AC-C and AC-D at various stages of purification were studied by high-field proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). In a homogeneous substance, the intensity of the various resonances appears in integral amounts, while subintegral intensities usually denote mixtures of structure. We show how 1H NMR can be used to nondestructively assay the purification of major components from mixtures. In glycopeptide AC-C we have spectroscopic evidence for the four different glycopeptide species, three of which have been described [Shepherd, V., & Montgomery, R. (1978) Carbohydr. Res. 61, 147; Tai, T., Yamashita, K., Ito, S., & Kobata, A. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 6687]. However, we did detect a fourth structure not previously reported. In glycopeptide AC-D, we have spectroscopic evidence for five different compounds, only two of which have been previously reported (Tai et al., 1977; Shepherd & Montgomery, 1978).

Animals↗