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Biomedical subjects

C Randall

Publications and source records attributed to C Randall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Molecular characterization of putative yolk processing enzymes and their expression during oogenesis and embryogenesis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Vitellogenin is the major yolk protein precursor in fish, but little is known about its processing pathway in the oocyte, nor about mobilization of yolk proteins during embryogenesis. In this study we cloned three putative yolk processing enzymes; specifically, cathepsin B and L, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), from the rainbow trout ovary and determined their patterns of gene expression, together with cathepsin D, during oogenesis and embryogenesis using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The approximate sizes of both cathepsin B and cathepsin L transcripts were estimated as 1.7-1.8 kilobases by Northern blot analysis. Cathepsin D mRNA and cathepsin L mRNA were expressed constitutively throughout vitellogenesis and embryogenesis, showing the highest levels of expression at around fertilization. Cathepsin B and LPL were expressed exclusively during oogenesis. Quantitatively, expression of cathepsin D mRNA was higher than cathepsin B, cathepsin L, and LPL mRNA throughout the period studied. The different patterns of expression for these genes during oogenesis and embryogenesis signify specific temporal roles in yolk protein processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Safe and easy method for secondary tracheo-oesophageal puncture.

We describe a method for performing secondary tracheo-oesophageal puncture in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy. The technique is straightforward and easy. It uses a minimum of readily available equipment with a simple modification to a standard pharyngoscope.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Effects of melatonin on liver estrogen receptor and vitellogenin expression in rainbow trout: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Although melatonin is believed to mediate many seasonal and circadian effects of photoperiod on reproduction in salmonids, the precise mechanisms underlying such effects are still largely unknown. Recent data of the literature indicate a relationship between melatonin and expression of estrogen receptors (ER) in various tissues. In this study, the effects of melatonin on estrogen receptor and/or vitellogenin expression were studied by a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments. In yeast stably expressing ER and transfected with an estrogen-responsive element-beta-galactosidase reporter gene, melatonin had no effect on basal or E2-stimulated ER expression. Incubation of hepatocyte aggregates with melatonin (10(-8) to 10(-4)) for 16 or 48 h did not modify the E2-stimulated ER and vitellogenin mRNA, as measured by dot blots. Finally, neither pinealectomy nor melatonin implants caused any effect on basal or E2-stimulated ER and vitellogenin mRNA contents in the liver. Altogether, these results suggest that, although we cannot exclude potential effects at the brain or pituitary levels, melatonin has no or little effects on estrogen receptor in the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Field-based measurements of personal erythemal ultraviolet exposure through a common summer garment.

The research in this paper quantifies the solar erythemal UV exposures to the skin through a common summer garment during outdoor activities. The erythemal exposures under the garment for the wet white garment exceeded a MED (minimum erythemal dose) at some anatomical sites in summer for a two-hour period. An erythemal exposure of 1.7 MED, in excess of the occupational limit for UV exposure, was measured under the white garment during swimming for a one-hour period. Clothing must form an important component of a UV protection strategy. However, it must be realised that total UV protection is not provided and significant UV exposures may be received beneath the garment, particularly for a white garment in the wet state. This re-enforces the necessity of a combination of several UV prevention strategies to minimise UV exposure.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2000

Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain.

There are numerous published references to use of nettle sting for arthritis pain but no randomized controlled trials have been reported. We conducted a randomized controlled double-blind crossover study in 27 patients with osteoarthritic pain at the base of the thumb or index finger. Patients applied stinging nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) daily for one week to the painful area. The effect of this treatment was compared with that of placebo, white deadnettle leaf (Lamium album), for one week after a five-week washout period. Observations of pain and disability were recorded for the twelve weeks of the study. After one week's treatment with nettle sting, score reductions on both visual analogue scale (pain) and health assessment questionnaire (disability) were significantly greater than with placebo (P = 0.026 and P = 0.0027).

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Central melatonin receptors in the rainbow trout: comparative distribution of ligand binding and gene expression.

To better define the role of melatonin in fish, we have compared in detail the distribution of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites with gene expression for melatonin receptor subtypes in a widely studied seasonal species, the rainbow trout. Three distinct partial sequences of the melatonin receptor gene were cloned from trout genomic DNA. Two of the sequences corresponded to the Mella receptor subtype, and one corresponded to the Mellb receptor subtype. Analysis of numerous clones failed to find a sequence equivalent to the Mel1c receptor subtype. Comparison of receptor gene expression with 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding distribution indicated dendritic transport of the receptor. Melatonin receptors were associated predominantly with visually related areas of the trout brain, such as the thalamic region, the pretectal area, and the optic tectum. The pituitary was devoid of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding, and melatonin receptor gene expression was not detectable. It would appear from the results of the present study that melatonin in this species is involved primarily in the processing of visual signals. How melatonin interacts with circannual rhythms of growth and reproduction is unclear, although a direct interaction between melatonin and the hypothalamo-pituitary axis is not clearly indicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Nettle sting of Urtica dioica for joint pain--an exploratory study of this complementary therapy.

This exploratory study aims to explore the present use of the common stinging nettle to treat joint pain. Eighteen self-selected patients using the nettle sting of Urtica dioica were interviewed. Information regarding patients' use of nettle therapy was elicited, in particular mode of application, dosage and effects. All except one respondent were sure that netles had been very helpful and several considered themselves cured. No observed side effects were reported, except a transient urticarial rash. This exploratory study suggests nettle sting is a useful, safe and cheap therapy which needs further study. A randomized controlled trial is planned in collaboration with a rheumatology specialist.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Fluoride uptake by hydroxyapatite formed by the hydrolysis of alpha-tricalcium phosphate.

Although there is interest in forming synthetic analogs of hard tissues at physiologic temperature, significant gaps in knowledge exist with respect to the mechanisms by which precursor solids convert to apatites and also with respect to the apatite compositions that may be formed. In this study calcium-deficient HAp [Ca9(HPO4)(PO4)5OH] was prepared by hydrolysis of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), alpha-Ca3(PO4)2. The kinetics of HAp formation were studied as a function of temperature by isothermal calorimetry. TCP hydrolyzed completely within about 12 h, and the hydrolysis reaction evolved 133 kJ/mol of HAp formed. Although the kinetics of hydrolysis exhibited a strong temperature dependence, the mechanistic path taken appeared independent of temperature. The fluoridation of hydroxyapatite compositions having Ca/P ratios higher than 1.59 previously has been investigated. However, little work has been done on the fluoridation of more calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite. Ca9(HPO4)(PO4)5OH was formed at temperatures between 37.4 degrees and 55 degrees C to vary its morphology. These preparations then were reacted in NaF solution and the kinetics of fluoride incorporation studied. Solution chemical analyses were used to determine the amounts of fluoride incorporated. The extent of hydroxyl replacement by fluoride ranged from 17 to 72% and correlated with the surface area of the parent HAp.

Calcium Phosphates↗
PubMed1995

A comparison of nursing intervention classification and current procedural terminology codes for representing nursing interventions in HIV disease.

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to compare the ability of terms from the nursing intervention classification and from the current procedural terminology to represent the clinical terms used by nurses and patients to describe nursing interventions during hospitalization; and 2) to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the two classification systems for representing nursing systems. More NIC than CPT codes matched the concepts in the clinical terms used by nurses and patients to describe nursing interventions demonstrating, not unexpectedly, that NIC represents a broader scope of nursing practice. The major difficulty encountered using NIC was the lack of mutual exclusiveness of the nursing activities within the interventions. CPT codes were easy to apply to the clinical terms, but were limited in scope for nursing practice. The findings of this study demonstrate the necessity of using a nursing-specific classification system for the representation of nursing interventions. This is of particular importance for databases that will be used to examine the effectiveness of healthcare interventions and for databases related to reimbursement for healthcare interventions.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1994

Synovial sarcoma of the larynx in a child: case report and histological appearances.

Synovial sarcoma of the larynx is extremely rare having been reported only six times previously in the literature. We add another case report, which to our knowledge is the first recorded case in a child. We discuss the alternative approach of combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy which in this case led to a remission lasting about 3 years. The immunohistological and ultrastructural characteristics of the tumour are also presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Evaluating the long-term performance of a foam-core hospital replacement mattress.

Many hospitals have begun replacing their standard mattresses with pressure-reducing foam mattresses to eliminate the costly overlays that have been used for comfort and to protect patients at risk for development of pressure ulcers. Although researchers have tested the performance of new mattresses and have shown that many may be of use with patients at high risk, no information is available on the pressure-reducing capabilities of used mattresses. This study was designed to evaluate changes with use in the support characteristics of foam-core hospital replacement mattresses. In the first part of the study, interface pressure measurements were made at regular intervals over an extended period of use. Sixty mattresses were randomly selected from 750 mattresses currently in use at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston. The mattresses were labeled and marked at three selected points, and interface pressures under a standard load were measured at approximately 3-month intervals for 12 months. In the second part of the study, the stiffness of the foam, a measure of the foam's ability to support a weight, was measured at selected points on the mattresses. Patient reports of discomfort in the sacral area and of "sinking" into the middle of the mattress prompted this phase of the study. The stiffness profiles of 25 new mattresses were compared with those of 25 randomly selected mattresses that had been in regular use for at least 24 months. Data analyzed from part one showed trends that indicated that the interface pressures increased at each site during the course of the study; however, an analysis of variance indicated that the changes were not statistically significant during the time frame of the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beds↗
PubMed1994

Miscarriage at home.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1993

Gender differences in substance use disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to explore gender differences in demographic variables, psychiatric comorbidity, and personality disorders in individuals with substance use disorders. METHOD: A total of 100 treatment-seeking substance users (50 men and 50 women) admitted to a university-based and a university-affiliated private chemical dependency hospital were compared with regard to demographic variables and comorbid psychiatric and personality diagnosis according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R after 14-21 days in treatment. RESULTS: Men were significantly more likely to have a higher household income and to be alcohol dependent. Women were significantly more likely to have another axis I disorder in addition to substance use disorder, particularly anxiety disorders, but these gender differences were not substantially different from the gender prevalence of these disorders in the general population. Men had more affective disorders relative to women than would be expected from the general population data. Female alcoholics had substantially more psychopathology than male alcoholics, and generally these differences were consistent with the ratios of these disorders in the general population. For cocaine users, female/male ratios of anxiety and affective disorders were inconsistent with general population ratios and indicated more psychopathology than would be expected in male cocaine users. There were no gender differences in axis II diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the gender differences in psychopathology in substance users are at odds with gender differences for psychopathology in the general population. Further exploration of these differences could have important theoretical and treatment implications.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Different effects of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and aphidicolin in S-phase cells--chromosome aberrations, cell-cycle delay and cytotoxicity.

Some effects of a 2-h exposure to either aphidicolin (APC) or cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) on S-phase cells of the cell line JU56 have been measured. At a concentration of 1.5 X 10(-5) M of either drug, incorporation of tritiated thymidine into log-phase cultured was reduced by 97-99%. A 2-h exposure to either drug at the same concentration induced chromosome aberrations in cells in S when they subsequently reached mitosis. However, exposure to ara-C induced small numbers of aberrations per damaged cells, and most cells were undamaged. Exposure to APC induced gross chromosomal damage (pulverized chromosomes) in damaged cells. More cells were delayed, and for longer, after exposure to APC than after exposure to ara-C. The results of clonal assays were consistent with the assumption that chromosome aberrations are the proximal cause of reproductive cell death. In the case of ara-C, the results of this and a previous study are consistent with the assumption that cell death and chromosome aberrations are correlated with incorporation of ara-C into DNA in S-phase cells, but that these biological effects manifest themselves only with doses when inhibition of semi-conservative DNA synthesis is greater than 97%.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Assessment of bullet injuries in the neck (a salutory lesson).

Bullet injuries in the neck are fortunately rare in England and Wales, although their incidence is increasing. Clinical assessment of the extent of the injury and the decision whether or not to explore the neck in the absence of obvious major visceral or vascular damage can be difficult. We report a case where a potentially fatal injury was not suggested by the patient's clinical condition and we recommend prompt exploration of bullet wounds in the neck whenever there is a possibility of vascular damage.

Adult↗