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Biomedical subjects

B Small

Publications and source records attributed to B Small.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The unveiling of traumatic brain injury in an HIV/AIDS population.

This study examines the frequency of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an HIV/AIDS population and its associated symptomatology. A panel of 173 individuals with HIV were split into two groups--those who have experienced a blow to the head within their lifetime (n = 128) and those who have not (n = 45). Self-reported symptoms from the TIRR Symptom Checklist were compared across both HIV panels, individuals who identified as traumatically brain injured (n = 416), and individuals with no disability (n = 282). Six clusters of symptoms (total, cognitive, physical, affective/behavioural, five symptoms sensitive and specific to TBI in general and 25 symptoms sensitive and specific to mild TBI) were analysed in a MANOVA, controlling for the demographic variables that were correlated with total symptoms, including panel membership, education, annual household income and substance use history. Significant main effects were found for panel membership. Individuals with HIV and a history of blow to the head reported a higher number of total symptoms and the 25 symptoms specific to mild TBI. The significance of these findings acknowledges the need to recognize the frequency of TBI in an HIV population and the subsequent need to provide the appropriate interventions that will lead to an enhanced overall quality of life.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The use of cast gold restorations: scientific basis and clinical technique.

A technique has been presented for restoring a bicuspid tooth with a cast gold restoration. Gold is the standard of comparison for all other dental materials, and is unsurpassed for exactness of fit and longevity. With the introduction of new dental restorative materials, it is important to remember that gold is a time-tested option for restoration of posterior teeth.

Biocompatible Materials↗

The day the lights went out: one charge nurse's nightmare.

The synergy model can be applied to many clinical situations. As nursing leaders evolve, competencies required to effectively respond to unexpected events silently develop. Applying the Synergy Model to this exemplar helped to articulate the charge nursing's leadership in ensuring a safe practice environment. The model provides a framework to more fully describe the multiple dimensions of a charge nurse's role, and acknowledges the richness of knowledge and competence that charge nurses often contribute to complex clinical situations.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Mild cognitive impairment--an early stage of Alzheimer's disease?

The hypothesis that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was investigated by reviewing recent research from three sources: asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals carrying mutations that cause AD, hospital-samples of non-demented patients with MCI at the initial examination that are followed longitudinally, and community-based incident cases of AD. Studies with asymptomatic mutation carriers of the amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 gene have shown a linear and disease-related decline in most cognitive functions that begins approximately 10 years before the expected clinical onset of AD. However, there is considerable overlap between the level of impairment for mutation carriers and non-carriers of the same age during the early preclinical stage of AD. Hospital-based longitudinal studies have shown that non-demented individuals with isolated mild episodic memory impairment may develop clinically diagnosed AD with widespread cognitive deficits in a few years time. Community-based epidemiological studies on the incidence of AD demonstrate that indices of episodic memory, in addition to measures of general cognitive functioning, are useful in predicting early AD. In contrast, subjective memory impairment or age-associated memory impairment are less powerful predictors of future dementia development. In summary, there is converging evidence to demonstrate that preclinical AD is characterized by a common behavioral phenotype, with cognitive decline in several domains, predominantly in episodic memory. The decline appears to start many years before the clinical onset of AD. Moreover, the progression of the impairment appears to be continuous. Finally, this pattern of performance generalizes across etiology of AD (familial or sporadic), clinical onset (early or late), sample composition (hospital or community), and method of assessment.

Aged↗

Perioperative nurses' attitudes toward continuing education.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine perioperative nurses' attitudes toward continuing education (CE) and selected demographic variables. The researcher developed and administered a Likert-type questionnaire to perioperative nurses. The first part of the questionnaire related to demographic variables, length of service at the facility as a registered nurse, and certification status. The second part of the questionnaire was a 30-item attitude scale related to perioperative nurses and CE. The null hypothesis was analyzed using a t-test at a .05 level of significance. Study findings revealed no differences in attitudes toward CE between certified perioperative nurses and noncertified perioperative nurses.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Occlusion of the vertebral artery in cervical spine dislocations.

We studied 12 consecutive patients with facet joint dislocation in the cervical spine to assess the incidence, site and clinical sequelae of occlusion of the extracranial vertebral artery. Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography was performed after the orthopaedic management of the dislocations. This demonstrated vertebral artery occlusion (one bilateral) in five of the seven patients with bilateral dislocations and in four of the five patients with unilateral dislocations. Two of the nine patients with vertebral artery occlusion had neurological deficits above the level of the injury, all of which resolved spontaneously within two months. In our experience, a distraction-flexion injury appears to be the most common cause of closed traumatic vertebral artery occlusion.

Adult↗

Clinical advantages from measurement of IgM-rheumatoid factor by enzyme immunoassay.

Two enzyme immunoassays for rheumatoid factor (RF) were compared with the traditional latex agglutination test. Preference is expressed for an ELISA specific for IgM-RF because it yields specific, quantitative results. Variability of this assay was least in sera containing moderate levels of RF and it was less precise at low concentrations. Survey of a random selection from the local population showed a similar prevalence of IgM-RF positivity as revealed by previous surveys using agglutination techniques. We conclude that measurement by ELISA yields no great increase in the discriminative ability of RF testing.

Adult↗

Nucleotide and amino acid sequence coding for polypeptides of foot-and-mouth disease virus type A12.

The coding region for the structural and nonstructural polypeptides of the type A12 foot-and-mouth disease virus genome has been identified by nucleotide sequencing of cloned DNA derived from the viral RNA. In addition, 704 nucleotides in the 5' untranslated region between the polycytidylic acid tract and the probable initiation codon of the first translated gene, P16-L, have been sequenced. This region has several potential initiation codons, one of which appears to be a low-frequency alternate initiation site. The coding region encompasses 6,912 nucleotides and ends in a single termination codon, UAA, located 96 nucleotides upstream from a 3'-terminal polyadenylic acid tract. Microsequencing of radiolabeled in vivo and in vitro translation products identified the genome position of the major foot-and-mouth disease virus proteins and the cleavage sites recognized by the putative viral protease and an additional protease(s), probably of cellular origin, to generate primary and functional foot-and-mouth disease virus polypeptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dose-response evaluation of a genetically engineered foot-and-mouth disease virus polypeptide immunogen in cattle.

Four groups of 9 cattle each were vaccinated with 10, 50, 250, or 1,250 micrograms of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus A12 VP1 fusion protein that was produced in Escherichia coli and emulsified in an oil adjuvant. The groups given the 10 and 50 micrograms of antigen were revaccinated at 15 weeks and were challenge exposed at 30 weeks; 5 of 9 and 7 of 9 cattle, respectively, were protected from FMD virus infection. The remaining 2 groups, vaccinated with 250 or 1,250 micrograms of antigen, were revaccinated at 32 weeks and were challenge exposed at 45 weeks; 8 of 9 and 9 of 9 cattle, respectively, were protected. The results indicated that the biosynthetic polypeptide FMD vaccine was effective using vaccination intervals frequently followed with conventional whole-virus vaccines.

Animals↗

An assessment of the diagnostic value of quantitative measurements of IgA rheumatoid factor.

IgA rheumatoid factor (RF) was found in a significant number of the normal population. As a consequence, the presence of IgA RF was not more specific for a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis than IgM RF. However, further investigation of IgA RF as a prognostic indicator is important. Our results, which show an association between the presence of IgA RF and higher levels of IgM RF, suggest that careful differentiation between the predictive values of the presence of IgA RF and a high level of IgM RF will be necessary.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Cloned viral protein vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease: responses in cattle and swine.

A DNA sequence coding for the immunogenic capsid protein VP3 of foot-and-mouth disease virus A12, prepared from the virion RNA, was ligated to a plasmid designed to express a chimeric protein from the Escherichia coli tryptophan promoter-operator system. When Escherichia coli transformed with this plasmid was grown in tryptophan-depleted media, approximately 17 percent of the total cellular protein was found to be an insoluble and stable chimeric protein. The purified chimeric protein competed equally on a molar basis with VP3 for specific antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus. When inoculated into six cattle and two swine, this protein elicited high levels of neutralizing antibody and protection against challenge with foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

How a single Sindbis virus mRNA directs the synthesis of one soluble protein and two integral membrane glycoproteins.

Previous work has shown that the 26S RNA found in Sindbis-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts encodes the three viral structural proteins, one internal protein, core, and two membrane glycoproteins, E1 and E2. This mRNA has one initiation site; core, E1, and E2 are derived by proteolytic cleavage. Here we show that during infection, the 26S RNA is found mainly in membrane-bound polysomes which synthesize all three virion structural proteins. These polysomes are released from the membrane upon treatment with puromycin and high salt. Newly synthesized core protein is localized on the cytoplasmic side of endoplasmic reticulum membranes, while newly synthesized envelope proteins are sequestered by the lipid bilayer. These results suggest that the nascent glycoproteins, presumably their amino termini, are of major importance in directing the binding of polysomes containing 26S mRNA to endoplasmic reticulum membranes and the subsequent transfer of glycoproteins into the bilayer.

Capsid↗

Different lifetimes of reticulocyte messenger RNA.

About 85-90% of cytoplasmic protein synthesized by young reticulocytes is globin, and about 10% is a polypeptide (I) of molecular weight 64,000 daltons. Maturation of reticulocytes is accompanied by selective reduction in the synthesis of polypeptide I, relative to globin; mature reticulocytes synthesize globin at a high level but make no detectable polypeptide I. Studies in which RNA from young and old reticulocytes was translated in a wheat germ cell-free extract showed that reduction in synthesis of polypeptide I was correlated with a reduction in the amount of translatable mRNA for this protein. Differential destruction of mRNA thus is an important factor in determining the types of proteins made during the final stages of erythropoiesis.

Animals↗