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B Sisley

Publications and source records attributed to B Sisley.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Prevalence of insomnia symptoms in patients with sleep-disordered breathing.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in patients with objectively diagnosed sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). DESIGN: Retrospective medical chart review of a representative sample of patients with SDB. SETTING: University sleep-disorders clinic and laboratory. PATIENTS: Two hundred thirty-one patients with SDB were selected from a pool of approximately 2,000 patients with sleep disorders. MEASUREMENTS: Data were extracted from intake questionnaires and polysomnographic studies. RESULTS: Of 231 patients with SDB diagnoses, 115 patients reported no insomnia complaints (SDB-only patients) and 116 patients reported clinically meaningful insomnia complaints (SDB-plus patients). Compared to SDB-only patients, SDB-plus patients reported significantly worse mean sleep characteristics consistent with insomnia, including sleep latency (17 min vs 65 min), total sleep time (7.2 h vs 5.6 h), and sleep efficiency (92% vs 75%). SDB-plus patients experienced significantly more psychiatric disorders, cognitive-emotional symptoms, and physical and mental symptoms that disrupted or prevented sleep. SDB-plus patients also reported greater use of sedative and psychotropic medications and had significantly more primary complaints of insomnia, restless legs or leg jerks, and poor sleep quality despite having relatively similar referral rates for sleep apnea or complaints of loud snoring. CONCLUSIONS: Problematic insomnia symptoms were reported by 50% of a representative sample of patients with objectively diagnosed SDB. Research is needed to determine the degree to which insomnia and related symptoms and behaviors interfere with SDB treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Antibody responses to Onchocerca volvulus in Ecuadorian Indians and blacks.

In Ecuador, previous epidemiological studies of onchocerciasis affecting a population consisting of Blacks of African origin and Amerindians of the Chachi tribe, have demonstrated different frequencies of clinical disease manifestations in each racial group. To explore the possibility of differential antibody responses to O. volvulus antigens in this population, a subset of sera from these two groups of Ecuadorians with onchocerciasis was analyzed for antibody to O. volvulus antigens using ELISA and Western blot techniques. Significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin against O. volvulus were demonstrated in Chachi Indians compared to native Blacks of African origin: total Ig (p = 0.049), IgG (P = 0.002) IgG4 (p = 0.019) and IgA (p = 0.035). Western blot analysis of sera from 41 persons demonstrated more intense and more frequent recognition of low molecular weight parasite antigens in the Chachi compared to a similar group of male and female Ecuadorian Blacks. These data suggest that the intensity of antibody responses to O. volvulus antigens may reflect the influence of racial factors in the pathogenesis of onchocerciasis in Ecuador.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Circulating antigen-antibody complexes in onchocerciasis.

The presence of circulating antigen-antibody complexes in the sera of patients with onchocerciasis was investigated using the Clq and conglutinin solid-phase binding assays. Only 50% of patients' sera had demonstrable complexes, levels of complexes were unrelated to microfilarial load and specific anti-onchocercal antibody titres and results with the two tests for complexes were not correlated. Both IgM- and IgG-containing complexes were commonly involved but there was no correlation between the levels of complexes containing these isotypes. Evidence for the presence of IgE in complexes of sera from a minority of individuals was also obtained.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antigens of Onchocerca volvulus.

Most studies on immunologic responses to Onchocerca volvulus have employed extracts or antigens from related filarial parasites. Consequently, little is known about the nature of O. volvulus antigens. Potential antigen sources include in vitro cultures and physicochemical fractionation of O. volvulus extracts. IgE antibody responses to a wide range of antigens occur in patients with onchocerciasis, but there is little evidence of species specificity in serologic tests. Some potent allergens are released by microfilariae, but host serum proteins appear to contaminate the most reactive fractions obtained thus far. Antibody-mediated cell adherence to microfilariae of O. volvulus occurs in vitro, and both stage and species specificity have been demonstrated. Monoclonal antibodies to O. volvulus antigens have been prepared, but, unfortunately, all to date show cross-reactivity to antigens of other filarial nematodes. Circulating antigens have been detected in patients' sera; no data are available yet on the specificity of these components. Research needs include the need for species- and stage-specific reagents for immunodiagnostic assays and for investigations on immunopathogenic mechanisms in onchocercal disease.

Animals↗