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Biomedical subjects

G Riggs

Publications and source records attributed to G Riggs.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Evaluation of HIV RNA and markers of immune activation as predictors of HIV-associated dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether baseline levels of plasma and CSF HIV RNA, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), or macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) are predictors of incident HIV-associated dementia (HIVD) in a cohort with advanced HIV infection. METHODS: A total of 203 nondemented subjects with CD4 lymphocyte counts less than 200/muL, or <300/microL but with cognitive impairment, underwent semiannual neurologic, cognitive, functional, and laboratory assessments. HIVD and minor cognitive motor disorder (MCMD) were defined using American Academy of Neurology criteria. The cumulative incidence of HIVD was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the associations between biologic variables and time to HIVD, adjusting for age, sex, years of education, duration of HIV infection, type of antiretroviral use, premorbid IQ score, and presence of MCMD. RESULTS: After a median follow-up time of 20.7 months, 74 (36%) subjects reached the HIVD endpoint. The dementia was mild in 70% of cases. The cumulative incidence of HIVD was 20% at 1 year and 33% at 2 years. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was used by 73% of subjects at baseline. A plasma HIV RNA level was undetectable in 23% of subjects and a CSF HIV RNA level was undetectable in 48% of subjects. In adjusted analyses, neither plasma nor CSF HIV RNA levels (log10) were associated with time to HIVD; log10 levels of plasma TNFalpha (HR 3.07, p = 0.03) and CSF MCP-1 (HR = 3.36, p = 0.06) tended to be associated with time to HIVD. CONCLUSION: The lack of association between baseline plasma and CSF HIV RNA levels and incident dementia suggests highly active antiretroviral therapy may be affecting CNS viral dynamics, leading to lower HIV RNA levels, and therefore weakening the utility of baseline HIV RNA levels as predictors of HIV-associated dementia.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1999

Case report of fibromuscular dysplasia presenting as stroke in a 16-year-old boy.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of the carotid artery is uncommon, but not rare. Although the true incidence and prevalence of the disease are not known, reported figures in adults range between 0.6% by angiography and 1.1% at autopsy. Most case reports of stroke caused by carotid fibromuscular dysplasia describe findings in adult subjects, although there are a few reports of the disease in children. In the present case, we describe a 16-year-old boy with fibromuscular dysplasia confined to one internal carotid artery and its branches, and in whom the disease declared itself by stroke. This case serves as a basis for considering diagnostic methods, treatment options, and future research in pediatric patients with cerebrovascular disease caused by fibromuscular dysplasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

What should we do about Eduard Pernkopf's atlas?

Eduard Pernkopf created a classic anatomy atlas during World War II. He was also an ardent Nazi. Questions have been raised recently about the propriety of using an atlas created by a Nazi and illustrated by dissections of cadavers whose identities are unknown, but who could have been victims of Nazi political terror. To examine the ethical issues involved, the author first reviews recently published work regarding Pernkopf and his atlas, with the caution that facts are few in a debate where emotions run high and opinions abound. He then considers what has been written by bioethicists on the use of scientific data from the Nazi era and how those arguments might apply to Pernkopf and his atlas. Important questions remain, however. For example, are scientific data tainted by their associations with Nazism, or should such data (including the atlas) be assessed on their own merits, separate from the persons and ideologies involved in their creation? Finally, the author offers his own perspective as a young gross anatomist and physician. He argues that rejecting the hateful beliefs of Pernkopf and his fellow Nazis does not necessitate rejecting the elegant anatomic images they produced. The author further suggests that use of the atlas is itself the most fitting tribute to those who died for it, whether they were victims of Nazi repression or not. Those cadavers not only teach anatomy, they "can remind us of suffering not only in the past but in the present, that we may be more compassionate physicians, more compassionate citizens of the world."

Anatomy, Artistic↗
PubMed1989

Effect of cementation method on the retention of anatomic cast post and cores.

This study determined the influence of the cementation method on the retention of anatomic posts. Three cementation methods were used for each post/tooth combination: (1) cement on post only, (2) cement in canal only, and (3) cement on post and in canal. The mean retentive force for method 2 was significantly higher than for method 1. The mean force for method 3 was not significantly different from either method 1 or method 2.

Cementation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Group psychotherapy for recently diagnosed breast cancer patients: a multicenter feasibility study.

As many as 80% of breast cancer patients report significant distress during initial treatment, yet there is little in the way of systematic psychotherapeutic interventions for women coping with the stress of a recent diagnosis of breast cancer. The literature on psychotherapeutic treatment of cancer patients provides uniform evidence for an improvement in mood, coping and adjustment as a result of group therapy. The present study examined the feasibility of implementing a manualized treatment, supportive-expressive group psychotherapy, in busy oncology practices across the US. This intervention was applied to women with primary breast cancer in a manner which tests not only the efficacy of the approach but also its accessibility to group therapists not previously experienced in its use. One hundred and eleven breast cancer patients within 1 year of diagnosis were recruited from ten geographically diverse sites of the National Cancer Institute's Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) and two academic medical centers. Two therapists from each site were trained in supportive-expressive group psychotherapy. Training consisted of participation in a workshop, reading a treatment manual, and viewing explanatory videotapes. Each patient participated in a supportive-expressive group that met for 12 weekly sessions lasting 90 min. Assessment of mood disturbance was made at entry, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results indicated a significant 40% decrease in the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) scores of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) (ANOVA F [2,174]=3.98, p<0.05). The total symptom score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was likewise significantly reduced over the 6-month period (F [2, 174]=5.2, p<0.01). Similarly, the total score of the Impact of Event Scale (IES) was significantly reduced (F [2,174]=4.0, p<0.05). There was substantial uniformity of treatment effect across sites. Outcome was independent of stage of disease (I vs. II). We conclude that this treatment program can be effectively implemented in a community setting and results in reduced distress among breast cancer patients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗