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D Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to D Robinson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Public health heresy.

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Public Health Administration

Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein (apo) AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster: detection of genetic variation determining plasma apo AI, apo CIII and apo AIV concentrations.

We have examined the associations between levels of plasma apolipoprotein (apo) AI, apo CIII and apo AIV and genetic variation in the apo AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster in 162 boys and young men from Belgium aged from 7 to 23 years. Genotypes were determined for six restriction enzymes XmnI, PstI, SstI, PvuIIA-CIII, PvuIIB-AIV and XbaI, and for the G to A substitution at -75 bp in the 5' region of the apo AI gene. The polymorphism most strongly associated with apo AI levels was the G to A substitution (P = 0.025, R2 x 100 = 3.6%) confirming previous observations. The polymorphism most strongly associated with apo CIII levels was that of PvuIIA-CIII (P = 0.023, R2 x 100 = 2.9%) in the apo CIII gene. This novel association must be interpreted with caution until it has been confirmed in an independent sample. The polymorphism associated with the largest effect on apo AIV levels was that detected with XbaI in the apo AIV gene, but this association was not statistically significant. Previously reported associations between the SstI polymorphism and triglyceride levels, and between the PstI polymorphism and apo AI levels, were weakly detected in the present sample. Our results show that variation associated with some of the polymorphisms in the apo AI-CIII-AIV cluster makes a small, but statistically significant, contribution to the determination of apo AI and apo CIII levels in this sample of young men and boys. These observations may, in part, explain reported associations between polymorphisms in this gene cluster, differences in plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels, and prevalence of coronary artery disease.

Adolescent

A family with X-linked deafness showing linkage to the proximal Xq region of the X chromosome.

Linkage analysis has been carried out in a family with severe congenital sensorineural deafness with a structural abnormality of the inner ear. Recombinations show the gene responsible for deafness in this family to lie between the loci DXS255 (Xp11.22) and DXS94 (Xq22). Close linkage was found to locus DXS159 (cpX289) in Xq12, with a LOD score of 3.155 and 0 recombination. This location is consistent with other linkage studies of X-linked deafness.

Chromosome Mapping

Physical fine mapping of genes underlying X-linked deafness and non fra (X)-X-linked mental retardation at Xq21.

Linkage studies and cytogenetically visible deletions associated with nonspecific X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) and a specific form of deafness (DFN3) have indicated that the genes responsible for these disorders are located at Xq21. Using DNA probes from this region, we have studied several overlapping deletions spanning different parts of Xq21. This has enabled us to assign the DFN3 gene and a gene for nonspecific XLMR to an interval that encompasses the locus DXS232 and that is flanked by DXS26 and DXS121.

Adolescent

Neuropeptidergic innervation of intramuscular hemangiomas.

Intramuscular hemangiomas are idiopathic lesions which are either tumoral or developmental in origin. A close association of abnormal blood vessels with nerve fibers is found and may suggest that nerves have a primary inciting role in the development of these lesions. In the current study, the number of nerve fibers in different zones around the tumors, as well as the type of neuropeptides present in these fibers, was quantitatively assessed by computer-assisted image analysis of immunohistochemical staining of histological slides. The number of nerve fibers as determined by positive staining by anti-protein S-100 antibodies was found to be elevated in the immediate vicinity of the abnormal blood vessels. The density of the nerve fibers rapidly declined with increasing distance from the hemangiomas, reaching normal values at distances of over 2 mm. Furthermore, hemangiomas contain a significantly higher number of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P, and Met-enkephalin-positive fibers. The most significant rise in number is that of CGRP-positive fibers. This neuropeptide is a known mitogen, which could be responsible for the growth of the hemangiomatous blood vessels. Substance P is a nociceptive neurotransmitter and its presence can explain the pain which often accompanies even tiny intramuscular hemangiomas.

Adolescent

Seasonal variation in serum cholesterol levels--evidence from the UK and Japan.

Using data from 140,000 men and 32,000 women in the UK and 30,000 men and 12,000 women in Japan, we performed spectral analyses to test for seasonal variation in serum cholesterol levels. In both countries and both sexes we found a strong seasonal effect, cholesterol levels being some 3-5% higher in winter than in summer. This was independent of seasonal changes in body mass. Mean monthly cholesterol levels were negatively correlated with mean monthly air temperatures (r = -0.60 to -0.71). The observed seasonal differences were larger than the inter-assay coefficient of variation for the cholesterol determination method employed and have important consequences for long-term epidemiological or intervention studies.

Cholesterol

Medial epicondylectomy in cubital tunnel syndrome: an electrodiagnostic study.

Prospective analysis of 27 medial epicondylectomies in 22 patients with McGowan grade I ulnar neuropathy demonstrated an improvement in clinical symptoms. In all patients a N.C.V. study, in which compression of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel was evident, has been a prerequisite for operation. Conduction velocity across the cubital tunnel averaged 48% of normal (26.4 +/- 8.7 metres per second) preoperatively and increased to 85% of normal (46.7 +/- 9.7 metres per second) postoperatively. A preoperative N.C.V. study allows the achievement of a high success rate, especially in the less well clinically defined group of patients with grade I neuropathy (subjective complaints without any objective signs of muscle atrophy). Medial epicondylectomy is safe and predictable in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Adult

Restoration of pinch in ulnar nerve palsy by transfer of split extensor digiti minimi and extensor indicis.

Subcutaneous transfer of the ulnar slip of the extensor digiti minimi (EDM) to the adductor tubercle across the dorsum of the hand restores pinch, and index finger abduction is reproduced by re-routing extensor indicis proprius around the thumb extensor tendons. Six patients with post-traumatic ulnar palsy have been treated by this method with a minimum follow-up period of 40 months. Pinch was improved from an average of 5% to 40-50% of the normal side, and index abduction to 30-40%. There was no donor morbidity.

Adult

After superovulation-intrauterine insemination fails: the prognosis for treatment by gamete intrafallopian transfer/pronuclear stage transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognosis for gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)/pronuclear stage transfer (PROST) treatment after prior superovulation-intrauterine insemination (IUI). DESIGN: Matched, retrospective. SETTING: Outpatient university endocrine-infertility program. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-four women matched for infertility factors and age were studied according to the following three treatment groups: superovulation-IUI only, GIFT/PROST only, or GIFT/PROST after superovulation-IUI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Per cycle and cumulative pregnancy rates (PRs) were compared utilizing life table analysis. RESULTS: Cumulative PRs (0.408) for superovulation-IUI only were lower than initial (0.469) and cumulative (0.802) cycle fecundity of GIFT/PROST (P = 0.002). Per cycle and cumulative PRs did not differ between GIFT/PROST only versus GIFT/PROST after superovulation-IUI. CONCLUSIONS: Gamete intrafallopian transfer/PROST may be cost-effective when compared with superovulation-IUI. The prognosis for GIFT/PROST success is not negatively affected by earlier superovulation-IUI treatment failure.

Adult

Memory and hedonic tone: 'personality' or 'mood' congruence?

Four groups of healthy women matched for age and IQ were reliably classified on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire as being either high or low in extraversion or neuroticism. As part of a larger research project, each participant was administered a range of psychometric measures together with three paired-associate learning lists varying in hedonic tone and difficulty levels together with the Beck Depression Inventory. Performance on the hedonic lists covaried with personality categories but, unlike what typically obtains in clinical patients, less association emerged between performance and mood states. Performance was particularly polarized in women scoring high in neuroticism but low in extraversion. Speculations about the apparent correlates of so-called mood congruence in healthy subjects are put forward and parallels are drawn with studies reporting the phenomenon in clinically depressed patients.

Affect

The use of the transpillar posterolateral approach to resect cervical osteoid osteomas: operative technique and results.

Osteoid osteomas located in the cervical spine are a rare cause of cervical and shoulder pain. However, successful diagnosis of these tumors has become more frequent in the recent years. This is due to more available diagnostic modalities as well as to physician awareness of the possibility that such lesions can cause cervical pain syndrome. Resection of osteoid osteomas located close to the vertebral artery is often technically difficult, and poses significant risk to the patient. We describe resection of such tumors using a posterolateral transpillar approach in three patients. The advantage of this approach is the direct and relatively easy visualization of the tumor, without the need for an extensive dissection. The stability of the cervical spine is not compromised by this approach. However, extension of the operative field is difficult, should the need arise.

Cervical Vertebrae

Anterior compartment syndrome of the thigh in athletes--indications for conservative treatment.

Anterior compartment syndrome of the thigh resulting from blunt contusion without an accompanying fracture is rare. The treatment advocated for it by most authors has been surgical. However, because wound infection rates are high and loss of knee range of motion is frequent, we considered conservative treatment in selected patients. Six athletes who developed an anterior thigh compartment syndrome shortly after sustaining a blunt contusion to the quadriceps with an accompanying massive hematoma were studied prospectively. Tissue pressure, renal function, and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were closely monitored. Fasciotomy was not performed, despite sustained pressure elevations above 50 mm Hg. Neurologic function was not affected. At follow-up examination 1 year later, no limitation of joint motion nor weakness of the quadriceps were observed. Thus in selected young patients in whom an isolated anterior compartment syndrome of the thigh occurs, conservative treatment yielded results superior to fasciotomy.

Adult

Triple therapy for advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

This study presents the results of treatment for Stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Queensland Radium Institute, Brisbane. Patients were treated using a programme of sequential chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Between 1980 and 1988, 116 patients commenced the programme and 85 completed the treatment as planned. The Price-Hill regimen of chemotherapy was used until 1986 after which time it was replaced by cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (5FU). Two courses were usually given achieving an overall response rate of 36% (12% complete response). Cisplatin/5FU produced an overall response rate of 56% compared with 24% for the Price-Hill regimen. Radical surgical resections were performed using a free flap reconstruction in the majority of patients. Radiotherapy fields usually covered the primary site and both cervical lymph node areas to a dose of 50-60 Gy in 5-6 weeks. The lengthy treatment was generally well tolerated although there were two chemotherapy and two perioperative deaths. The overall actuarial survival for the 85 patients completing the triple therapy was 60%. These patients were analysed in more detail for possible prognostic factors.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

An inner-city community's perspective on infant mortality and prenatal care.

Neither expanded Medicaid eligibility nor case-finding approaches have significantly increased use of early prenatal care. Failure to improve use points to the importance of further study of the broader community's perspectives on prenatal care and perinatal health issues. A convenience sample of 380 low-income, inner-city, black adults were interviewed with respect to their understanding of infant mortality, perceived barriers to and importance of prenatal care, and recommended numbers of prenatal visits. All respondents reside in a community with negative indexes of perinatal health as measured by infant mortality, low birthweight, and average number of prenatal visits. Fifty percent of the sample could correctly define the term infant mortality. The majority believed that prenatal care is very important and should begin in the first trimester of pregnancy. Respondents recommending the least number of prenatal visits (0-6) perceived financial, institutional, and attitudinal factors as barriers to care. Pregnant women's fear of detection of drug use was the most salient barrier regardless of the recommended number of prenatal visits, age, sex, employment status, or number of children. Changing health problems mandate continued monitoring of community perceptions and expectations of services such as prenatal care. Public health nursing is ideally positioned to articulate community values to policy makers and health care professionals concerned with perinatal health.

Adult

Serum urate, serum glucose and diabetes.

We have studied the relationship between serum glucose and urate in 260,699 men and 214,118 women from Sweden, and 140,084 men and 30,653 women from the UK. We found an increase in mean serum urate with increasing glucose concentrations up to 7.0 mmol/L in men and 9.0 mmol/L in women. Thereafter increasing glucose values were accompanied by a statistically significant decrease in urate concentrations. This fall was particularly marked in younger subjects. We believe this may have important implications for the free radical status of diabetics.

Adult

Devascularization of the anterior cruciate ligament by synovial stripping in rabbits. An experimental model.

In rabbits, synovial stripping of the anterior cruciate ligament was performed, and histologic and mechanical changes were followed up to 2 months. The operation did not immediately affect the strength of the ligament or its histological structure. However, a gradual deterioration of mechanical properties, associated with collagen necrosis and an ineffectual reparative response, was evident. Thus, synovial stripping of the ligament with the attendant concomitant devascularization leads to ligamentary insufficiency despite the lack of structural damage to the ligament by the contusion itself.

Animals