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C R Wells

Publications and source records attributed to C R Wells.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Familial spastic paraparesis and deafness. A new x-linked neurodegenerative disorder.

We studied a large kindred with a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, affecting at least six male members in three generations. Spastic paraparesis, beginning at about 10 years of age, and hearing deficits were present in all affected members. Additionally, tremor ophthalmologic abnormalities, sensory deficits, short stature, hypogonadism, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein, and absent or prolonged somatosensory evoked potentials were seen in some relatives. Although clinically similar to adrenomyeloneuropathy, the plasma and fibroblast levels of saturated very long-chain fatty acids were normal. This syndrome probably represents a new type of familial spastic paraparesis.

Adolescent↗

Breast-feeding and respiratory virus infection.

Thirty-nine breast-fed and 42 bottle-fed infants were followed up from birth over a four-year period. Virus infection was documented by culture and serologic testing, and history and physical examination were recorded for all episodes of respiratory illness. There were no statistically significant differences in rates or distributions of infection with individual viruses or with all viruses over the first three or six months or during the second six months of life in the two groups, nor were there statistically significant differences in rates or distributions of disease of the upper and lower respiratory tract or total respiratory disease, except for decreased disease of the lower respiratory tract in bottle-fed infants in the second six months. There were trends to decreased morbidity in breast-fed infants in the first three and six months and more episodes of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in bottle-fed infants in the first six months (P less than .05) but similar use of medical care by both groups. High cord blood titers to two viruses were not associated with evidence of breast-feeding protection from infection with those two agents. Breast-fed babies do not have fewer respiratory virus infections or illnesses but may experience less severe illness.

Breast Feeding↗

Patterns of shedding of myxoviruses and paramyxoviruses in children.

In the Houston Family Study, young children were cultured for virus weekly or biweekly and during acute respiratory illnesses. The interval between the onset of illness and positive culture was examined for 179 infections during 1975-1979. In week 1 after onset, 73%, 73%, and 66% of cultures were positive for influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus type 3, respectively. Pooled data from influenza B virus infections in 1977 and 1980 showed that 73% of cultures were positive in week 1. Influenza A virus in week 2 or RSV in weeks 2 and 3 was isolated from very few children. However, 37% of cultures were positive for influenza B virus during week 2, and 17% of cultures were still positive for parainfluenza virus type 3 during week 3. Shedding of parainfluenza virus type 3 on days 29-38 was also observed. Parainfluenza virus type 3, RSV, and influenza A virus were isolated up to six days before the onset of illness.

Adolescent↗

Aphasia as the sole manifestation of simple partial status epilepticus.

Aphasia due to simple partial status epilepticus is rare, particularly in the absence of a seizure history. No previous report describes acute aphasia as the sole clinical manifestation of EEG-monitored status epilepticus, with prompt resolution with treatment. We report a 45-year-old man with a left temporal glioblastoma who acutely developed a global aphasia, during which an EEG revealed continual repetitive sharp waves emanating from the left hemisphere. After injection of i.v. diazepam, the EEG seizure activity ceased, and the patient's language output returned to preseizure levels.

Aphasia↗