Biomedical subjects

B J Matthews

Publications and source records attributed to B J Matthews.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Multiple sclerosis--one manifestation of neurobrucellosis?

There is good geographic evidence that an environmental factor is implicated in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Controversy surrounds the interpretation of many studies supporting notions on whether the disease has greater prevalence in urban or rural communities. Rather than focus on residence at birth, in teenage years or at the time of study, analyses of MS mortality by occupation and a case control study to define exposure to animal farm products is thought to shed light in this controversy. The conclusion reached from the results of these studies is that exposure to farm animals or raw products is a common denominator in the aetiology of MS. A literature search for references of zoonotic disease with neurological symptoms produced a range of papers on brucellosis. A study of the literature on neurobrucellosis supports the hypothesis on clinical grounds. Finally, blood serum studies of Brucella exposure in a series of MS subjects and controls is described. These epidemiological studies support the hypothesis, that central nervous system involvement from exposure to brucellosis, may present with the features of multiple sclerosis.

Brucellosis↗

PubMed1989

Characterization of hamster tumors induced by simian virus 40 small t deletion mutants as true histiocytic lymphomas.

Random bred Syrian hamsters given s.c. injections of SV40 small t deletion mutants dl883, dl884, and dl890 rapidly develop reticulum cell sarcomas in the abdominal cavity in addition to slowly developing s.c. fibrosarcomas at the site of virus inoculation. Injection of wild type SV40 s.c. induces only fibrosarcomas at the site of inoculation. In an attempt to understand why mutations in the SV40 small t gene should lead to this difference in tumor-inducing capacity in hamsters, we studied cells from 12 abdominal reticulum cell sarcomas which were induced by the s.c. injection of SV40 mutants. Morphological and functional analyses indicate that these tumor cells are derived from MAC-2+ macrophages. They are highly granulated, vacuolated, and multinucleated, and they generally adhere to glass and plastic. In addition, they (a) phagocytose latex beads; (b) express high levels of class II major histocompatibility complex antigens; (c) contain beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, and fluoride-inhibited nonspecific esterase; (d) contain lysozyme and fibronectin; and (e) express cell surface MAC-2 antigens. Thus, the small t deletions in the SV40 genome appear to permit the virus to transform cells that are distant from the site of virus inoculation; at this distant site, the cells transformed are of a specific lineage, MAC-2+ peritoneal macrophages. This specific tropism may reflect a unique characteristic of MAC-2+ cells or their precursors that renders these cells susceptible to SV40 mutants which are otherwise restricted in the range of cells that they can transform.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A creative recruitment program. Future nurses' camp.

Attracting high school students into nursing is a concern of staff development educators. "Future Nurses' Camp" was a creative, cost-effective program developed by a hospital education department. A 2-week, fun-filled, informative camp that included the use of high-tech equipment and patient-care decision games promoted a positive image of nursing. Experiencing nurses' roles reinforced the students' desire to enter nursing.

Adolescent↗