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Biomedical subjects

B Browne

Publications and source records attributed to B Browne.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Expression of survivin and its splice variants survivin-2B and survivin-DeltaEx3 in breast cancer.

Alternative splicing of survivin mRNA gives rise to multiple isoforms, that is, survivin and 3 splice variants, survivin-2B, survivin-3B and survivin-DeltaEx3. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of survivin, survivin-2B and survivin-DeltaEx3 in normal breast tissue, fibroadenomas, primary breast cancer and axillary nodal metastases. Survivin, survivin-2B and survivin-DeltaEx3 mRNA were measured using semiquantitative RT-PCR. In the primary carcinomas, we related mRNA for each form of survivin to both survivin protein and apoptosis. For each type of breast tissue, survivin was the predominant form detected, being present in 146 out of 156 (93.6%) primary breast carcinomas, 11 out of 11 (100%) axillary nodal metastases, 21 out of 31 (67.7%) fibroadenomas and five out of 22 (22.7%) specimens of normal breast tissue. Levels of the three forms of survivin were significantly higher in the carcinomas compared to normal breast tissue (P < 0.0001). Levels of both survivin-2B and survivin-DeltaEx3 but not survivin were significantly higher in nodal metastases than primary carcinomas. Survivin mRNA levels correlated significantly with survivin protein. Finally, both survivin and survivin-DeltaEx3 but not survivin-2B correlated positively with apoptosis. Although survivin, survivin-2B and survivin-DeltaEx3 were all detected in both malignant and nonmalignant breast tissue, the predominant form was survivin. Our results suggest that the different forms of survivin may have different roles in apoptosis in breast cancer.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1999

Hydroxyurea-induced fever in cervical carcinoma: case report and review of the literature.

This is a case presentation of a rarely seen hydroxyurea-induced fever in a patient with cervical adenocarcinoma receiving oral hydroxyurea given concurrently with external beam radiotherapy to the pelvis. In the fourth week of treatment, the patient developed recurrent febrile episodes, with no obvious etiology. Eventually, hydroxyurea was discontinued with no further recurrence of fever. A review of the medical literature on fever induced by hydroxyurea suggests a mechanism of delayed hypersensitivity. Since hydroxyurea is an often-used chemotherapeutic drug for various malignancies, clinical oncologists need to be aware of this unusual side effect. The diagnosis is by clinical exclusion and by the recurrent pattern of fever on rechallenge of the drug.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Medical clearance and screening of psychiatric patients in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: To study the frequency of medical complaints and need for routine ED medical, laboratory, and toxicologic clearance for patients presenting with psychiatric chief complaints. METHODS: A retrospective, observational analysis of psychiatric patients seen in an urban teaching hospital ED over a 2-month period was performed. The individual sensitivities of history, physical examination, vital signs, and complete blood counts and chemistry panels for identifying medical problems were determined. The sensitivities and predictive values of patient self-reporting of recent illicit drug and ethanol use were also determined. RESULTS: 352 patients were seen with psychiatric chief complaints. A complete data set was available for 345 patients (98%). Of those with complete data, 65 (19%) had medical problems of any type. History, physical examination, vital signs, and laboratory testing had sensitivities of 94%, 51%, 17%, and 20%, respectively, for identifying these medical problems. Screening without universal laboratory testing would have missed 2 asymptomatic patients with mild hypokalemia. Patient self-reporting had a 92% sensitivity, a 91% specificity, an 88% positive predictive value (PPV), and a 94% negative predictive value (NPV) for identifying those with a positive drug screen, and a 96% sensitivity, an 87% specificity, a 73% PPV, and a 98% NPV for identifying those with a positive ethanol level. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of medical problems and substance abuse in ED psychiatric patients can be identified by initial vital signs and a basic history and physical examination. Universal laboratory and toxicologic screening of all patients with psychiatric complaints is of low yield.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Clinical management of latex allergy.

The use of latex gloves in the health care setting dates back to the 1800s, when these products were introduced as a means of preventing the passage of microorganisms to operating room patients. Today, fear of human immunodeficiency virus transmission and other blood-borne diseases has led to implementation of standardized guidelines for glove use for health care professionals. Because of the unique combination of strength, flexibility, and elasticity of natural rubber, latex is typically the material of choice for a variety of medical products, including examination gloves. Unfortunately, routine use of latex in the health care setting may be detrimental to patients and caregivers with a history of natural rubber latex hypersensitivity reactions.

Gloves, Protective↗
PubMed1996

Oral morphine protocol for sickle cell crisis pain.

The painful vaso-occlusive crises that complicate sickle cell anemia can be difficult and frustrating for both patient and physician. We describe our experience using an oral morphine protocol for the treatment of sickle cell crisis pain. The emergency department (ED) visits of nine patients with sickle pain were reviewed for the 12 months before and after implementation of the protocol. The oral morphine regimen was associated with a significant reduction in the number of ED visits, total number of hours spent in the ED, and the proportion of visits that ended in admission to hospital (P < 0.01). The protocol is a useful tool for providing consistent oral analgesia to patients with sickle crisis pain.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome. A case report.

A case of the primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) in a 21-year-old Jamaican female is described. Recurrent abortions, thrombocytopenia and neurological complications as well as lupus anticoagulant positivity in the absence of features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were the main clinical findings. Diagnostic criteria, treatment and prognosis are discussed. When the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is present in the primary form, the diagnosis may be difficult but its recognition may prevent those vascular events which can lead to significant morbidity and foetal wastage.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1993

Phosphoglucomutase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a cytoplasmic glycoprotein and the acceptor for a Glc-phosphotransferase.

UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucose-1-phosphotransferase (Glc-phosphotransferase) catalyzes the transfer of Glc-1-P from UDP-Glc to mannose residues on acceptor glycoproteins. The predominant acceptor in vertebrates and Paramecium tetraurelia is a cytoplasmic 62-kDa glycoprotein. To determine if the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae also possesses Glc-phosphotransferase activity, a crude cellular lysate was incubated with [beta-32P]UDP-Glc and analyzed. A phosphoglycoprotein having an apparent molecular mass of 62 kDa (pgp62) was found to be the predominant labeled macromolecule. Reconstitution experiments determined that both a soluble and membrane fraction were required for labeling, and suggested that the Glc-phosphotransferase is membrane-associated while pgp62 is cytoplasmic. The reaction is evolutionarily conserved to the extent that rat liver Glc-phosphotransferase was capable of recognizing the yeast acceptor and vice versa. The yeast 62-kDa acceptor was purified, and partial amino acid sequences showed a high level of identity with rabbit muscle phosphoglucomutase. Subsequently, both yeast and rabbit muscle phosphoglucomutase were found to be acceptors in the Glc-phosphotransferase reaction. The label was found on a tryptic peptide distinct from that containing the enzyme's active site serine. When phosphoglucomutase was overexpressed, an increase was seen in Glc-phosphotransferase acceptor activity and in specific metabolic labeling of the acceptor by glucose and mannose.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Perceived clothing deprivation: further evidence.

The purpose of this study was to extend the conceptualization of perceived clothing deprivation among three groups of adolescents: 161 skateboarders, 61 baseball players, and 336 general high school students. Perceived clothing deprivation, the dependent variable, was measured by two previously developed scales, Inability to Buy and Clothing Deprivation Relative to Peers. Regression analysis of self-reported economic stress indicated that the combination of lower income and increased demand was positively related to both clothing deprivation factors. Group membership was not significantly associated with Inability to Buy but was with Clothing Deprivation Relative to Peers. Both male sports groups reported greater perceived dissatisfaction than the general population of high school students. These results support the idea that perceived clothing deprivation is self-defined and peer-dependent among adolescents and support the proposition that clothing deprivation reflects primarily influence of dynamic rather than stable variables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Echocardiographic diagnosis of acute pericardial effusion in penetrating chest trauma.

Pericardial tamponade persists as a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. The immediate diagnosis is particularly difficult when the patient is well compensated hemodynamically. In contrast to the deceptively stable appearance, the patient is at increased risk due to delayed onset, recognition, and therapy. A case of penetrating thoracic trauma is presented in which the concern about pericardial tamponade was considerable. However, the elements of clinical assessment were inconclusive. Two-dimensional echocardiography was employed in the emergency department to detect a pericardial effusion and thus avoid delayed management. Pericardial tamponade and associated vascular injuries were confirmed at surgery.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

Postoperative sore throat related to the use of a Guedel airway.

Eighty-eight patients in ASA classes 1 or 2 and aged between 18-65 years, who were to undergo anaesthesia, were allocated randomly to a group with or without an airway. Methohexitone, nitrous oxide, alfentanil and enflurane were used, with the patients breathing spontaneously. This study showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of sore throat, or any other related symptom, and concludes that the use of an oropharyngeal airway does not increase morbidity among nonintubated patients.

Adolescent↗