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Biomedical subjects

J Martin

Publications and source records attributed to J Martin.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

[Erdheim-Chester disease].

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is characterized by lipid granuloma in the long tubular bones, which leads to pathognomonic symmetrical sclerosis of their metaphyses and diaphyses. Lipid granuloma may also be present in numerous other mesenchymal tissues, especially lung, orbit and retroperitoneal space. The clinical course and prognosis of the disease depend on these lesions. Reviewing 30 cases published since 1931 and a personal case with S100 positive cells, we present the typical radiological and clinical findings. There is striking resemblance to chronic disseminated histiocytosis X.

Bone Diseases↗

[Cerebral manifestations of Erdheim-Chester disease].

Cerebral manifestations of Erdheim-Chester disease are variable, giving a picture like that of multiple sclerosis. White matter lesions are located mainly in cerebellum and pons and lipid granulomas in the meninges. An asymptomatic lesion in the choroid plexus, with prolonged uptake of Gd-DTPA is described for the first time.

Bone Diseases↗

A seroepidemiologic survey of human dirofilariosis in Western Spain.

The objective of this work is to define the prevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies against Dirofilaria immitis in an exposed human population. 395 individuals attending primary care facilities in an area endemic with canine dirofilariasis were studied, as well as 100 non exposed individuals. An ELISA method was used for the detection of IgG and IgM antidirofilarial antibodies. Sera were preadsorbed with antigens of Toxocara canis, Ascaris suum, Echinoccocus granulosus and Fasciola hepatica to prevent cross reactions. Global seroprevalence was 9.3%. IgG antibodies were observed in the oldest sector of the population, while IgM antibodies were found only in its youngest half. No sex differences were observed. This result show that dirofilariasis is common in humans from endemic areas. Repeated contacts with the parasite are common and begin at a young age.

Adolescent↗

Data-based interventions for cancer control in Texas.

The percentage of excess mortality based on the ratio of the race-ethnic-sex-specific regional rate to the state rate was used to identify regions with differing risks of lung, breast, and cervical cancer. Mortality maps show wide variation in mortality risks for these cancers not only by race and ethnicity but also by geographic region. Cancer-staging information from the State Cancer Registry indicated that excess mortality for breast and cervical cancers in black and Mexican-American women results largely from the later detection of these cancers. Together with geographic mapping of data on cancer mortality, data on the prevalence of tobacco use and on the use of Papanicolaou's tests and mammograms can be used to select and direct interventions to specific regions and to the highest risk populations. Evaluation of routinely collected cancer data, particularly in state health departments, is a primary step in implementing programs to control and prevent cancer in Texas.

Black or African American↗

Destructive brain lesions of presumed fetal onset: antepartum causes of cerebral palsy.

Antepartum events have been associated with fetal brain injury and may contribute to later neurological sequelae. However, children with these injuries may be asymptomatic or exhibit few clinical signs during the neonatal period. Six neonates are presented with destructive brain lesions of fetal onset based on radiological and neurophysiological studies at birth. No intrapartum difficulties were noted in any of the cases. Two maternal histories were significant for either placental bleeding or toxemia during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy. Fetal porencephaly from presumed intraventricular hemorrhage was documented by serial abdominal sonography for these two children. No causes could be assigned for the remaining four patients with destructive brain lesions. All six children had normal results on neurological examinations at birth, although four neonates later presented with isolated seizures at 8 to 30 hours of life which resolved after administration of anti-epileptic medication. In all cases initial neonatal electroencephalographic records showed abnormalities consisting of major background asymmetries or seizures. Initial documentation of cerebral lesions was made by fetal sonography (two patients) and computed tomography scan (four patients) during the initial 30 hours of life, timing the lesions to the antepartum period. Cerebral palsy has been documented in all children; one child had resolution of her deficits by 6 months of age. Better surveillance of events during the antepartum period may help identify specific pathophysiological conditions that contribute to cerebral palsy. Neurophysiological and imaging studies should be used during the immediate new-born period for neonates believed to have cerebral lesions based on maternal sonography or isolated seizures.

Brain Diseases↗

Ankle fusion.

Multiple techniques for ankle arthrodesis have been described. A transfibular lateral approach between the sural nerve and the lateral branch of the superficial peroneal nerve is utilized. This permits excellent visualization of the ankle joint so that correction of the deformity can readily be achieved under direct visualization. Eighteen ankle fusions carried out through a transfibular approach were reviewed. The fusion site was stabilized with two or more 6.5-mm AO screws. No bone graft was utilized. The follow-up period was from six to 48 months. Ages of the patients ranged from 21 to 68 years. The postoperative regimen was six weeks nonweight-bearing in a short-leg cast, followed by weight bearing in a short-leg cast until union occurred. All fusions but one healed with an average period of 14 weeks of immobilization. No patient experienced wound healing difficulty or disruption of a superficial nerve. The authors believe that this is a simple technique that permits excellent visualization through a safe internervous interval, good bone apposition, rigid interfragmentary fixation and does not require the use of bone graft.

Adult↗

Proteinases and the glomerulus: their role in glomerular diseases.

Degradation of matrix in normal glomeruli occurs through the action of neutral metalloproteinases which are in turn regulated by specific inhibitors. Both of these proteins are secreted by mesangial cells. Macrophages and IL-1 enhance the secretion of the proteinase. Decreased production of the metalloproteinase and for increased secretion of its inhibitor may lead to matrix accumulation. Neutrophil serine paternases degrade glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in vitro. In both animal and human disease urine excretion of these enzymes is accompanied by proteinuria and the presence of GBM-fragments. Further knowledge of the processes involved in matrix degradation may lead to improved therapy of glomerular disease.

Basement Membrane↗

[HIV epidemic: a study among physicians in Vaud].

A two-phase survey was conducted in the Canton of Vaud among the 1006 registered private practitioners (response rate 98%). The first phase aimed at determining the proportion of these physicians involved in the care of HIV+ persons. The results showed that 43% of the practitioners had been consulted by HIV+ patients. In the second phase, all institutions (hospitals, prisons and IV-drug user rehabilitation and testing centers) and a representative sample of the physicians with HIV+ patients were asked about the transmission category of their HIV+ patients. A mathematical method was used to estimate the true number of known HIV+ individuals by December 1988. Approximately 60% of the HIV+ persons had been seen exclusively by the private practitioners. IV-drug users represented 57% of all HIV+ persons compared to only 27% of the AIDS cases registered in 1988, suggesting that an important change in the transmission categories of AIDS cases is to be expected in the near future. These observations underscore the evolving nature of the HIV epidemic on the one hand, and the crucial role of the private practitioners in the prevention of the HIV infection on the other. This also points to the need for methods specifically designed to monitor HIV and AIDS epidemics respectively.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Sorting pathways of mitochondrial inner membrane proteins.

Two distinct pathways of sorting and assembly of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial inner membrane proteins are described. In the first pathway, precursor proteins that carry amino-terminal targeting signals are initially translocated via contact sites between both mitochondrial membranes into the mitochondrial matrix. They become proteolytically processed, interact with the 60-kDa heat-shock protein hsp60 in the matrix and are retranslocated to the inner membrane. The sorting of subunit 9 of Neurospora crassa F0-ATPase has been studied as an example. F0 subunit 9 belongs to that class of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins which are evolutionarily derived from a prokaryotic ancestor according to the endosymbiont hypothesis. We suggest that after import into mitochondria, these proteins follow the ancestral sorting and assembly pathways established in prokaryotes (conservative sorting). On the other hand, ADP/ATP carrier was found not to require interaction with hsp60 for import and assembly. This agrees with previous findings that the ADP/ATP carrier possesses non-amino-terminal targeting signals and uses a different import receptor to other mitochondrial precursor proteins. It is proposed that the ADP/ATP carrier represents a class of mitochondrial inner membrane proteins which do not have a prokaryotic equivalent and thus appear to follow a non-conservative sorting pathway.

Base Sequence↗

Treatment of clinical stage I Hodgkin's disease by local radiation therapy alone. A United Kingdom Childrens Cancer Study Group study.

The UKCCSG study of the treatment of Hodgkin's disease between January 1982 and January 1988 accrued 209 patients. Of these, 59 had clinical Stage I disease. These 59 patients were treated with radiation therapy alone to sites of initial involvement. In case of relapse, combination chemotherapy was used. With a median follow-up of 3 years, 50 patients are alive with no evidence of disease after radiation therapy alone. Nine patients have relapsed between 5 and 55 months (median time to relapse, 18 months). Eight patients have been successfully treated with combination chemotherapy and are alive with no evidence of disease (one of these patients having had two relapses). One patient has died after widespread relapse. Of the 59 Stage I disease patients, 85% are relapse free after single-modality treatment. Overall survival is 98%. Long-term complications are minimal at this stage but long-term follow-up is essential.

Adolescent↗

Affinity purification of tissue plasminogen activator using transition-state analogues.

The search for a simple affinity ligand to purify tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was facilitated by a solid-phase synthesis approach. A large variety of tripeptide ligands containing argininal were synthesized on agarose gels containing a spacer with carboxy terminal. The immobilized ligands were easy to test with urokinase, and tPA. While a number of sequence combinations showed initial binding by tPA, only a few resulted in tight binding corresponding to a hemiacetal linkage with the active site serine. Hydrophobic residues, especially aromatics, flanking the N-side of argininal gave rise to ligands which were bound strongly by tPA. A gel containing D-Phe-D-Phe-Argal (an aldehyde derivative of arginine) was very effective in purifying tPA derived from cell culture media at small scale (milligrams) and at large (multi-grams).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Prevention of HIV infection in mother and child--the importance of discussion with young future parents].

The prevention of HIV infection in mothers and newborns is of growing concern in the fight against AIDS, for a variety of reasons, particularly the increasing numbers of pregnancies in seropositive women, infected through intravenous drug use or heterosexual transmission. It is imperative in this regard to reach effectively the adolescents, entering a period of active exercise of their sexuality, in order to discuss with them the consequences, for their daily lives, of the existence of the AIDS virus. At the International Conference on the Implications of AIDS for Mothers and Children (Paris, November 1989), the author was requested to describe the efforts made in Switzerland. He recalls the relevant epidemiological facts, then presents the approaches used and actions undertaken, both in and out of the school setting. Emphasis is put on the need to work in an interdisciplinary (networking) and flexible manner. A priority orientation must be to develop actions among and by peers, led and organized by the youth themselves.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Physical examination in screening for breast cancer: who benefits?].

A survey was undertaken among a representative sample of the female population, aged 20 to 74, of the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland (total population 550,000) to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women in respect to breast cancer and its prevention. The present study focuses on access by women to medical preventive measures (breast examination by physician and information on breast self-examination). The data are analyzed in relation to the individual risk factors affecting women, in particular age. While with age the risk of breast cancer grows in a linear fashion, the proportion of women having their breast examined by a physician declines. Women over 50 who had no children before the age of 30 constitute an especially high risk category, with the lowest access to information and prevention. This is explained in large part by the fact that they consult gynecologists less often. In this regard it should be noted that a visit to a gynecologist's office is associated much more often with breast examination than a visit to a family physician. It is important to take such findings into account in providing more appropriate and complete care for those groups. This involves sensitization of the physician and improved information for the women themselves.

Adult↗