PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Power

Publications and source records attributed to D Power.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Multivariate analysis of factors predictive of successful live births in in vitro fertilization (IVF) suggests strategies to improve IVF outcome.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was (1) to identify characteristics correlated with pregnancy outcome, (2) to use these characteristics to predict in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome, and (3) to develop strategies that might improve IVF success. METHODS: Maternal age, cause for IVF, donor insemination, rank of attempt, serum estradiol and luteinizing hormone levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration, flexible vs rigid catheter, number of embryos transferred of each morphologic type, and cell number were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Variables positively correlated with success are as follows: (1) for pregnancy, endometriosis and 2-, 3-, and 4-cell good and 4-cell excellent embryos; (2) for live births, 2-, 3-, and 4-cell good and 4-cell excellent embryos and donor insemination; and (3) for multiple births, 2- and 4-cell good and 4-cell excellent embryos. Maternal age was negatively correlated with live births. CONCLUSIONS: Embryos derived from IVF have different potentials for implantation, live births, and multiple births. Transferring one additional good-quality embryo for each 5 years of incremental increase in maternal age is predicated to improve live birth rates without increasing multiple births.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cloning, sequencing and bacterial expression of human glycine tRNA synthetase.

The human glycine tRNA synthetase gene (GlyRS) has been cloned and sequenced. The 2462 bp cDNA for this gene contains a large open reading frame (ORF) encoding 685 amino acids with predicted M(r) = 77,507 Da. The protein sequence has approximately 60% identity with B. mori GlyRS and 45% identity with S. cerevisiae GlyRS and contains motifs 2 and 3 characteristic of Class II tRNA synthetases. A second ORF encoding 47 amino acids is found upstream of the large ORF. Translation of this ORF may precede the expression of GlyRS as a possible regulatory mechanism. The enzyme was expressed in E. coli as a fusion protein with a 13 kDa biotinylated tag with an apparent M(r) = 90 kDa. The fusion protein was immunoprecipitated from crude bacterial extract with human EJ serum, which contains autoantibodies directed against GlyRS, and with rabbit polyclonal serum raised against a synthetic peptide derived from the predicted amino acid sequence of human GlyRS. Bacterial extract containing the fusion protein catalyses the aminoacylation of bovine tRNA with [14C]-gly at 10-fold increased level above normal bacterial extract and confirms that the cDNA encodes human GlyRS.

Acylation↗
PubMed1995

Identification of genes downregulated in the thymus by cyclosporin-A: preliminary characterization of clone CSA-19.

Using a novel subtractive hybridization approach, we have identified a set of cDNA clones whose expression is downregulated in the thymus by cyclosporin-A (CsA). A number of regulated genes were identified, but the major focus of this report is the clone termed CsA-19. In the adult mouse, CsA-19 is expressed at high levels in lymphoid organs, particularly in secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph node and spleen. CsA-19 expression was also found to be regulated in the brain and liver during mouse development. The full length sequences of the murine and human CsA-19 cDNAs have been determined. Both are 700 nucleotides in length and encode a predicted product of 217 amino acids. Comparison of the full length cDNA sequences of murine and human CsA-19 reveal that they are greater than 91% conserved. At the predicted amino acid level the homology is even greater, with only two amino acid differences in 217 residues (99% identity). The high degree of homology between murine and human CsA-19 indicates that has there been strong evolutionary pressure to conserve the amino acid sequence of CsA-19, and suggests that CsA-19 may play a critical role both during embryogenesis and in mature lymphoid cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Nitric oxide: a positive poison.

In 1987 the demonstration that nitric oxide (NO) was formed in vascular endothelial cells opened up a vast area of research. Ten years ago NO was viewed primarily as a toxic gas related to air pollution. Today NO is recognised as a major endogenous mediator of multiple physiological processes. NO's vasodilatory properties and short half life has led to the use of inhaled NO as a selective pulmonary vasodilator. NO was first used in neonates with acute pulmonary hypertension. It is now being used in the treatment of critically ill adults with severe respiratory compromise. It is very likely that intensive care nursing staff will increasingly be asked to contribute to the maintenance and management of NO inhalation therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Suitable screening tests for cognitive impairment and depression in the terminally ill--a prospective prevalence study.

Although confusional states and depression are common accompaniments of advanced cancer, few objective data are available concerning the prevalence of these clinical states or what methods are most suitable for their accurate detection. We decided that a 10-question Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) and a semistructured application of modified DSMIII-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, third edition-revised) criteria for a major depressive illness were the most suitable screening tests for a terminally ill population. Thirty of 87 patients (34%) displayed significant cognitive impairment. The AMTS rating declined with approaching death and also correlated negatively with age. Of 81 patients, 21 (26%) were depressed when screened using DSMIII-R criteria for depression. One-third of patients with impaired AMTS scores also satisfied DSMIII-R criteria for depression. Of cognitively impaired patients, 90% had at least two possible causes for their confused state. We have found that both the AMTS and semistructured interview using DSMIII-R criteria for depression are useful routine screening tests in the terminally ill.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

GP trainees and MMR immunisation.

Three months after the launch of the MMR programme in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a postal questionnaire was sent to all GP scheme trainees in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The response rate was 81%. All trainees were enthusiastic about promoting MMR immunisation; with 27% favouring compulsory immunisation. 9% had never seen a patient with measles. This did not alter their attitude towards the beneficial effects of MMR immunisation. Of pre-practice year trainees 26% felt their level of knowledge of immunisation was inadequate, 59% claimed to have received no education on immunisation during their vocational training to date. This may reflects deficiencies in their medical curriculum to-date. 95% of third-year trainees indicated that their practice experience had been the source of at least some of their education on immunisation. Only 46% of trainees in the Republic of Ireland were aware of their Department of Health's aims in launching the MMR immunisation campaign.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1992

Management of the final 24 hours.

The management of the final 24 hours of life of 100 patients, dying in Our Lady's Hospice is reviewed. This review suggests that management might be improved by better contact between general hospitals and hospice/home care teams concerning the timing of patient transfer. The frequency of symptoms in the dying patient, even where many are semi-comatose, is highlighted. The main distressing symptoms are pain, excessive respiratory secretions and agitation. Our review confirms reliance on standard palliative medications such as morphine, however identifies the benefit of such newer preparations as hydromorphone and midazolam. Management might be improved by the earlier usage of hyoscine subcutaneously and stopping the use of intramuscular diazepam. Attention to potential hyoscine toxicity and untreated pyrexia may ease pre-terminal agitation. The dying patient's family also needs attention to complete the optimal management of the final 24 hours.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Thymopoietin pentapeptide (thymopentin, TP-5) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A compilation of several short- and longterm clinical studies.

Thymopentin (TP-5), the active side of thymopoietin, was shown to affect immunoregulation. The effect of this drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was evaluated. Three trials were performed: a six month double-blind trial comparing TP-5 administered subcutaneously to placebo at 3 different dosages, an open longterm study in which the same dosage of the drug was administered subcutaneously, and a shortterm (3 weeks) double-blind trial in which the drug was given intravenously at a high dosage (100 mg/day). In none of these 3 studies were statistically significant improvements registered in the TP-5 treated patients, although there were important improvements in individual patients. Serious side effects were not encountered, but the majority of patients did not improve or were withdrawn because of ineffectiveness. The beneficial effect of TP-5 on the clinical evolution of RA, reported elsewhere, could not be confirmed by these studies.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1982

A study of handicapped children in a typical urban community in Cape Town.

The provision of health, welfare, education and community services for children with severe mental retardation and for those with cerebral palsy, and the extent to which these were made use of, were examined. There was found to be a lack of day training facilities and educational services for mentally handicapped children. Day training and educational facilities for the less severely affected children with cerebral palsy were good, but there were no facilities for the untrainable, severely handicapped children. The presence and management of additional handicaps were examined, as were the needs of patients and their families in the regard. The prevalence of mental handicap was 2,5/1000 children aged under 18 years and that of cerebral palsy 1,25/1000.

Adolescent↗