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Biomedical subjects

J M Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to J M Thompson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Markers of inflammatory activation: upregulation of complement receptors CR1 and CR3 on synovial fluid neutrophils from patients with inflammatory joint disease.

Expression of the C3 receptors CR1 and CR3 was investigated on neutrophils from paired peripheral blood and synovial fluid samples from 34 patients with inflammatory joint disease (21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 13 patients with other articular diseases (OAD)). Using monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD35, anti-CD11b) and immunofluorescence flow cytometric analyses the percentages of positively labeled cells and the relative fluorescence intensities (as a measure of receptor number) were determined. CR1 and CR3 were found to be present on the majority (> 85%) of circulating neutrophils from normal subjects, RA and OAD patients, and on synovial fluid neutrophils from both patient groups. A strong correlation between neutrophil CR1 and CR3 expression was observed in peripheral blood samples from normal subjects (r = 0.81; P = 0.001), RA (r = 0.79; P = 0.001), and OAD patients (r = 0.83; P = 0.001); in each case the levels of CR3 expression were approximately twice those recorded for CR1. Both CR1 and CR3 expression was upregulated on synovial fluid neutrophils compared with that observed on the corresponding peripheral blood cells. Mean percentage increases observed were: RA patients: CR1, 16.5% (P < 0.001) and CR3, 28.7% (P < 0.001); and OAD patients: CR1, 4.1% and CR3, 26.9% (P = 0.001). Correlation of serum and synovial fluid IL-6, IL-8, and immune complex levels with neutrophil CR1 and CR3 expression failed to demonstrate any significant relationship between the concentrations of these soluble factors and receptor expression. Upregulation of CR1 and CR3 receptors, reflecting neutrophil activation within the inflamed joint, is a consistent finding in patients with inflammatory arthropathies.

Adult

First phase insulin release in the non-obese diabetic mouse: correlation with insulitis, beta cell number and autoantibodies.

The ontogenic variation of beta cell function and its relationship with the degree of islet damage and levels of autoantibodies have been studied in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. We conducted in vivo first phase insulin release (FPIR) in response to intravenous glucose and studied its correlation with the degree of insulitis, islet cell antibody (ICA) and insulin autoantibody (IAA) levels in female NOD mice cross-sectionally at days 40 (n = 19), 90 (n = 21), 150-160 (n = 21) and day 250 (n = 20). The mean +/- SEM FPIR values showed an age-related decline from day 40 (46.2 +/- 5.3 microU/ml) to day 150-160 (17.8 +/- 2.5 microU/ml) and then doubled at day 250 (34.5 +/- 5 microU/ml), while the mean +/- SEM insulitis scores increased progressively until day 150-160 (61.7 +/- 6.1%) and then declined slightly at day 250 to 50.2 +/- 6.2%. In female NOD mice with spontaneous diabetes (n = 4) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic Swiss mice (n = 5) FPIR was either absent or greatly attenuated. A statistically significant inverse correlation between FPIR and insulitis was found among NOD mice at days 90 (P = 0.02; r = -0.52) and 150-160 (P = 0.03; r = -0.48). However, no statistically significant correlation was observed at days 40 and 250. Morphometric techniques applied to day 150-160 pancreatic sections showed a statistically significant negative correlation between insulitis and beta cell number per unit area of islet tissue (P = 0.0001; r = - 0.75). At this age some islet beta cells showed different intensities of staining by immunofluorescence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging

Mayo Medical Center Brain Injury Outpatient Program: treatment procedures and early outcome data.

The rehabilitation of persons with brain injuries has proved challenging; community reintegration is often unsuccessful. Herein we describe our intensive group-oriented outpatient treatment program for persons with brain injury and report outcome data for the graduates of the program thus far. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the development of cognitive skills, compensation techniques, social skills, emotional adjustment, leisure skills, physical fitness, and health maintenance. Although goals are individually determined, independent living and employment are goals for most participants in the program. Before initial participation, all candidates undergo an extensive 2-day assessment. Typically, a patient remains in the program for approximately 6 months. The specific group treatment approaches used in the program are discussed. Outcome data are assessed with use of the Portland Adaptability Inventory and goal attainment scaling, as well as comparisons of preprogram and postprogram employment status and level of independent living. Our initial results support the conclusion that this comprehensive and integrated treatment program is efficacious in rehabilitating persons with mild to moderate sequelae of brain injury.

Adolescent

Postnatal depression and SIDS: a prospective study.

This study was carried out in response to reports from nurses to a post-neonatal mortality review committee that a number of mothers of infants dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) appeared to be depressed before the child's death. The New Zealand Cot Death Study was a 3 year multicentre case-control study for SIDS. There were 485 SIDS cases in the post-neonatal age group in the study regions, and these were compared with 1800 control infants. Infants of mothers with either a self-reported use of medication for psychiatric disorders, a history of hospitalization for psychiatric illness or a family history of postnatal depression had a significantly increased risk of SIDS compared with infants of mothers who were either not using medication (odds ratio (OR) = 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03, 2.04) or were without a history of hospitalization for psychiatric illness (OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.03, 3.11) or a family history of postnatal depression (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.06, 2.43). All mothers of infants born in the study areas over a 1 year period were eligible to complete a questionnaire measuring maternal depression when the infant was 4 weeks of age. Thirty-three infants subsequently died from SIDS, and they were compared with 174 controls. Fifteen (45.5%) of the mothers of cases were depressed, compared with 28 (16.1%) of the mothers of controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Case-Control Studies

Four modifiable and other major risk factors for cot death: the New Zealand study.

New Zealand's high mortality rate from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prompted the development of the New Zealand Cot Death Study. A report of the analysis of the data from the first year has been published. This report now gives the major identified risk factors from the full 3 year data set. In this case-control study there were 485 infants who died from SIDS in the post-neonatal age group, and 1800 control infants, who were a representative sample of all hospital births in the study region. Obstetric records were examined and parental interviews were completed in 97.5% and 86.9% of subjects, respectively. As expected many risk factors for SIDS were confirmed including: lower socio-economic status, unmarried mother, young mother, younger school-leaving age of mother, younger age of mother at first pregnancy, late attendance at antenatal clinic, non-attendance at antenatal classes, Maori, greater number of previous pregnancies, the further south the domicile, winter, low birthweight, short gestation, male infant and admission to a special care baby unit. In addition, however, we identified four risk factors that are potentially amenable to modification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors

Additive and nonadditive differences in postweaning growth and carcass characteristics of Devon, Hereford, and reciprocal-cross steers.

Postweaning growth and carcass characters of 110 steers from a complete two-breed diallel of the Devon and Hereford breeds were examined under two environments. Additive and nonadditive effects were estimated using linear contrasts for several growth and carcass traits. Steers from each of the four breed groups were grown postweaning to slaughter in high- and low-nutrition environments. Weights were recorded every 2 mo. At slaughter, hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, kidney and channel fat, and subcutaneous fat at nine sites were measured. Heterosis for postweaning growth rate was 3.9% (P less than .01) and for slaughter weight 5.0% (P less than .01). Within the low-nutrition environment during periods of slow and fast growth, the Devons and Herefords performed differently. The growth rate of the steers differed in the two environments; however, heterosis for slaughter weight was of the same magnitude in both environments. No differences existed between the straightbreds or between the reciprocal crosses for slaughter weight. Crossbred carcasses were 7.4% heavier (P less than .01) than the straightbred carcasses; however, this effect was removed after adjustment for differences in slaughter weight. Heterosis for longissimus muscle area and carcass fatness were not significant after adjusting for carcass weight. Additive differences occurred for carcass traits. Devon carcasses had more kidney and channel fat (P less than .05) at a constant hot carcass weight and differences occurred in the partitioning of fat within the subcutaneous depot. No significant maternal effects were observed for the carcass traits measured. Crossbreeding increased carcass weight without altering composition, and relative performance was not affected by the diverse environments.

Adipose Tissue

Pilot trial of prophylactic ursodiol to decrease the incidence of veno-occlusive disease of the liver in allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients.

Ursodiol is a hydrophilic, non-hepatotoxic bile salt indicated for the medical treatment of cholesterol gallstones. This pilot study explored the use of prophylactic ursodiol in an attempt to decrease the incidence and severity of veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Between February 1991 and January 1992, 22 consecutive patients undergoing BMT for hematologic malignancies received the BU(4)/CY(2) preparative regimen and CSA/MTX for GVHD prophylaxis. Ursodiol, 600-900 mg daily by mouth was begun at least 1 day prior to beginning the preparative regimen. Results for this pilot group were compared to a control group of 28 consecutive patients transplanted between June 1989 and January 1991 with the same regimen without ursodiol. There were no significant differences in disease or clinical status between the groups pretransplant. However, mean baseline AST levels were significantly higher in the ursodiol group, 28.0 U/l vs 18.1 U/l in the control group (p = 0.001). The median maximum bilirubin observed post-transplant was 2.35 mg/dl (range 0.9-45) in the ursodiol group, and 5.05 mg/dl (range 0.7-29.4) in controls. The incidence of VOD was 2/22 (9.1%) in the ursodiol group and 18/28 (64.3%) in controls (p = 0.0001). Death due to VOD occurred in 1/22 patients (4.5%) in the ursodiol group and in 6/28 (21.4%) controls (p = 0.12). Our data suggest that ursodiol may decrease the incidence of VOD in allogeneic BMT patients.

Adolescent

Adult-onset Still's disease.

Four adults with an illness similar to the systemic variant of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis seen in children (Still's disease) are described. All four had fever, an erythematous maculopapular rash, splenomegaly and arthritis. The arthritis was asymmetric and involved only a few joints simultaneously. Erosive arthritis developed in one patient. Three patients had a sore throat, two had pleurisy and pericarditis, and one had transient abnormalities of liver function. The laboratory features included anemia, leukocytosis and high leukocyte counts in the synovial fluid. High titres of rubella hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody were detected in two patients, one of whom was found to have rubella virus in the urine. Only one patient responded well to therapy with acetylsalicylic acid; the other three were given prednisone therapy, and two continue to require it.

Adult

Synthesis and degradation of xanthine dehydrogenase in chick liver. In vivo and in vitro studies.

The present study describes the (xanthine:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.1.37) synthesis and degradation of chick liver xanthine dehydrogenase in vivo and in organ cultures. The results indicate that control of xanthine dehydrogenase activity is mediated by changes in the rate of enzyme synthesis, but that degradation rates are unaffected. The results also suggest that xanthine dehydrogenase synthesis occurs through a previously unreported intermediate. Detected in cultures of liver tissue, this intermediate apparently is not converted into an active enzyme. A model of synthesis and degradation for xanthine dehydrogenase proposes that the synthesis of the enzyme is proportional to messenger RNA and includes an inactive enzyme precursor and a second inactive intermediate prior to degradation. Integrated mathematical solutions describing the concentration of intermediates as a function of time can be found explicitly for simple models. The appendix to this paper extrapolates solutions for one-, two- and three-step models to generate a mathematical solution for an 'n'-step model containing 'n' intermediates. The rate constants in the solutions can be found experimentally.

Animals

Ambient air contamination in a dental outpatient theatre.

The extent of air contamination by halothane in an operating session was correlated with the number of patients, the total usage of halothane, refilling a vaporizer and the number of hyperventilating patients per session. Trichloroethylene content of theatre air correlated only with total usage and refilling a vaporizer. A very strong personal association (P smaller than 0.001) was found between the anaesthetist and the extent of air contamination with halothane. The association was weaker (0.05 less than P less than 0.1) for trichloroethylene. The median ambient air contamination with halothane in the vicinity of the faces of anaesthetists and dental surgeons was between six and nine times greater than the median air contamination at the fixed sampling sites (P smaller than 0.005).

Air Movements

Synapse turnover: a mechanism for acquiring synaptic specificity.

Neurons are generated in chick retina that are able to form synapses with striated muscle cells for only a brief period during embryonic development. The ability to form synapses is lost with a half-life of 21 hr. Retina neuron-myotube synapses form rapidly but soon are terminated. Chick embryo spinal cord neurons also form synapses with muscle cells for only a limited time during development, but these synapses are long lived. These results show that different classes of synapses turn over at different rates and suggest that part of the specificity of synaptic circuits may be acquired during development by a process of selection based on synapse termination rates.

Age Factors

What does the patient think? An evaluation of a general psychiatric ward.

The authors used patients' ratings of treatment effectiveness, resolution of problems, and helpfulness of various staff to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment program on a general psychiatric ward staffed mainly by nonprofessionals. The evaluation also included comparisons with the hospital's other general psychiatric wards on length of stay, cost, and other variables. Patients were found to be generally satisfied with the care provided and with improvements in their condition. The authors believe greater considerations should be given to patients' opinions of the treatment they receive.

California

Gold-induced thrombocytopenia.

Ten patients with rheumatoid arhritis treated with gold sodium thiomalate developed thrombocytopenia without bone marrow asplasia. There was no life-threatening blood loss, but petechiae, purpura, or echymoses were seen in eight patients. The serum gold levels monitored in one patient did not exceed levels seen in patients without thrombocytopenia. In three cases peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of gold and tritiated thymidine incorporation was significantly increased. Eight patients responded to steroid therapy, one patient to BAL and pencillamine, and one patient to vincristine.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone