PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Elliot

Publications and source records attributed to M Elliot.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A randomized controlled trial comparing oxytocin administration before and after placental delivery in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the timing of the administration of prophylactic oxytocin influences the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage caused by uterine atony, retained placenta, and third-stage duration. STUDY DESIGN: Parturients who presented for vaginal delivery were randomized in a double-blinded fashion to receive oxytocin, 20 units in a 500-mL crystalloid intravenous bolus, beginning upon delivery of either the fetal anterior shoulder or placenta. For all patients, the third stage of labor was managed with controlled cord traction until placental expulsion, followed by at least 15 seconds of fundal massage. Patients were excluded if they had a previous cesarean section, multiple gestation, antepartum hemorrhage, or bleeding disorder. RESULTS: A total of 1486 patients were enrolled: 745 in the before-placenta group and 741 in the after-placenta group. The groups were similar with respect to gestational age, fetal weight, labor duration, maternal age, parity, and ethnicity. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage did not differ significantly between the two groups (5.4% vs 5.8%; crude OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.43). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to incidence of retained placenta (2.4% vs 1.6%; OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.72 to 3.08), or third-stage duration (7.7 minutes vs 8.1 minutes; P =.23). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of prophylactic oxytocin before placental delivery does not reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage or third-stage duration, when compared with giving oxytocin after placental delivery. Early administration, however, does not increase the incidence of retained placenta.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Sexual dysfunction following vulvectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This is a pilot study to evaluate sexual dysfunction in women after vulvectomy. METHODS: An 88-question survey was used to assess body image and the DSM IV criteria for sexual dysfunction on women who had undergone vulvectomy. RESULTS: Forty-seven women agreed to participate in the study and 41 women (87%) returned the survey. There was a significant alteration of body image in these women after vulvectomy (P = 0.004). Sexual frequency significantly decreased after surgery (P = 0.001) and there was significant sexual dysfunction in the categories of sexual aversion disorder (P = 0.01), arousal disorder (P = 0.02), and hypoactive sexual disorder (P = 0. 001). The extent of surgery did not correlate with degree of sexual dysfunction in any category. Women who were depressed at the time of survey (as determined by the PRIME-MD scale) were more likely to suffer sexual aversion disorder (P = 0.05) and tended to have more body image disturbance (P = 0.1) and global sexual dysfunction (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Women experience significant sexual dysfunction after vulvectomy and the extent of surgery or type of vulvectomy did not correlate with degree of sexual dysfunction. There is a significant need to address sexual problems with all women after any vulvectomy. Age, depression, worsening GOG performance status, and preoperative hypoactive sexual dysfunction were risk factors for sexual dysfunction after vulvar surgery. Appropriate counseling and treatment of depression may be of benefit to this patient population.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cervical wet mount as a negative predictor for gonococci- and Chlamydia trachomatis-induced cervicitis in a gravid population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a wet mount preparation of endocervical secretions from obstetric patients can accurately rule out the presence of gonococci and Chlamydia trachomatis. STUDY DESIGN: Gravid patients were screened for gonococci and C trachomatis with a deoxyribonucleic acid probe and a wet mount preparation of endocervical secretions. The number of polymorphonuclear lymphocytes was counted and averaged per x400 high-power field. A count of <10 polymorphonuclear lymphocytes per high-power field was defined as predicting the absence of gonococci- and C trachomatis -induced cervicitis. A chi(2) analysis was used to compare the wet mount results to the deoxyribonucleic acid probe. RESULTS: Between January and March 1998, 341 patients were enrolled in the study. Wet mount results showed 32% (108/341) of patients had <10 polymorphonuclear lymphocytes per high-power field. The incidence of infection with gonococci and C trachomatis in this population, as determined by deoxyribonucleic acid probe, was 10 of 341 (2.9%) and 30 of 340 (8.8%), respectively. The sensitivity values for gonococci and C trachomatis were 90% and 87%, respectively. The negative predictive value of the wet mount for gonococci-induced cervicitis was 99%, and that for C trachomatis -induced cervicitis was 96%. CONCLUSION: In this population the wet mount accurately predicted the absence of gonococci- and C trachomatis -induced cervicitis. Use of this screening protocol in gravid patients has the potential to reduce the cost of screening for these 2 diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

When mom's sick: changes in a mother's role and in the family after her diagnosis of cancer.

As social entities, individuals enact roles and carry out responsibilities. Roles are learned and influenced by many social forces. They give meaning and value to life and foster a sense of belonging and contribution. Roles can undergo profound transformation during and after a diagnosis of cancer. In most family situations, the role of mother is a significant caretaking role. However, little research has focused on understanding the alterations that can occur in the mother's role when a woman faces cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore, from a woman's perspective, the experience of being a mother living with life-threatening illness. In-depth interviews were held with 47 mothers diagnosed as having cancer. Their children ranged in age from 1 to 18 years. Content and theme analyses were performed on the transcribed texts. The findings describe the impact of the cancer on the women and their families and how they felt about any changes in their roles as mothers.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Changes in serum hepatitis C virus RNA in interferon nonresponders retreated with interferon plus ribavirin: a preliminary report.

Ribavirin, a nucleoside analogue, inhibits replication of RNA and DNA viruses and may control hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection through modulation of anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions. Ribavirin monotherapy has no effect on serum HCV RNA levels. In combination with interferon, this agent appears to enhance the efficacy of interferon. The aim of this study was to monitor serum HCV RNA levels early during therapy with interferon and ribavirin compared with that previously seen in the same patients during interferon monotherapy. Five patients who previously showed no response to therapy with interferon alfa 3 MU three times weekly for 6 months were retreated with the identical dose of interferon alfa 2b in combination with oral ribavirin 1,000 mg/day. Serum HCV RNA levels were monitored at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12 of therapy by a quantitative multicycle polymerase chain reaction assay. In the first 8 to 12 weeks, serum HCV RNA levels showed a greater decrease in all patients when retreated with combination therapy compared with interferon alone. Mean (+/- SEM) serum HCV RNA levels for interferon therapy alone were 3.3 +/- 0.95, 1.2 +/- 0.95, 1.6 +/- 1.2, and 2.3 +/- 1.2 x 10(6) copies/ml at week 0, 4, 8, and 12, respectively. This was compared with 3.3 +/- 0.83, 0.3 +/- 0.2, 0.03 +/- 0.02, and 0.15 +/- 0.14 x 10(6), respectively, for the interferon and ribavirin group (p < 0.07 at week 8). Two of five patients had undetectable serum HCV RNA during combination therapy. Combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin in prior interferon nonresponders reduces serum HCV RNA levels compared with interferon alone. This may suggest some additional antiviral effect of ribavirin when given with interferon.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Increased urinary nitric oxide metabolites in patients with multiple sclerosis correlates with early and relapsing disease.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the immunopathogenesis of MS as a potential mediator of neuronal loss. To investigate the role of.NO in the development of progressive disease we measured the NO metabolites (nitrate and nitrite) and neopterin, in the urine of 129 patients with demyelinating disease (DD): 23 with clinically isolated syndromes compatible with demyelination and in 46 relapsing remitting (RR) and 60 patients with progressive MS. Eighty-nine of these 129 patients underwent Gd-enhanced MRI. In addition 58 normal control subjects (NC), 19 AIDS and 35 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were studied. Patients with DD, AIDS and RA had significantly elevated urinary nitrate plus nitrite (nit : creat. urine) and neopterin (neopt : creat.urine) to creatinine ratios compared to NC subjects. (Median[25th - 75th%] nit : creat.urine: NC=1183[962 - 1365] vs DD=1245[875 - 2403], AIDS=1686[1231 - 2531], and RA=1950[1214 - 2726] mumol/mol, P<0.001 and median[25th - 75th%] neopt : creat.urine: NC=99[76 - 151] vs DD=163[119 - 266], AIDS=972[653 - 1456], and RA=389[257 - 623] mu mol/mol, P<0.001). Patients with early DD and RR MS had significantly elevated nit : creat.urine compared to patients with progressive MS (nit : creat. urine: 1612[1020 - 2733] vs 1159[790 - 1641] mu mol/mol, P=0.006). The nit : creat.urine and neopt : creat.urine did not correlate with clinical relapse or MRI activity. Excretion of.NO metabolites is increased in patients with early or relapsing-remitting disease.NO appears to be a double-edged sword, mediating tissue damage and modulating complex immunological functions which may be protective in MS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

The bldD gene of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2): a regulatory gene involved in morphogenesis and antibiotic production.

The bld mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) are blocked at the earliest stage of sporulation, the formation of aerial hyphae, and are pleiotropically defective in antibiotic production. Using a phage library of wild-type S. coelicolor DNA, we isolated a recombinant phage which restored both sporulation and antibiotic production to strains carrying the single known bldD mutation. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a 1.3-kb complementing subclone identified an open reading frame, designated bldD, encoding a translation product of 167 amino acid residues. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the bldD-containing fragment amplified from the chromosome of a bldD mutant strain revealed a point mutation changing a tyrosine residue at amino acid position 62 to a cysteine. Although a comparison of the BldD sequence to known proteins in the databases failed to show any strong similarities, analysis of the BldD sequence for secondary structural elements did reveal a putative helix-turn-helix, DNA recognition element near the C terminus of the protein. A comparison of bldD transcript levels in the bldD+ and bldD mutant strains using both Northern blot analysis and S1 nuclease protection studies showed vast overexpression of bldD transcripts in the mutant, suggesting that BldD negatively regulates its own synthesis. High-resolution S1 nuclease mapping identified the transcription start point as a G residue 63 nucleotides upstream from the bldD start codon and 7 nucleotides downstream from -10 and -35 sequences resembling E. coli-like streptomycete promoters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

In vivo and in vitro biotransformation of the lithium salt of gamma-linolenic acid by three human carcinomas.

Lipid metabolism has been considered recently as a novel target for cancer therapy. In this field, lithium gamma-linolenate (LiGLA) is a promising experimental compound for use in the treatment of human tumours. In vivo and in vitro studies allowed us to assess the metabolism of radiolabelled LiGLA by tumour tissue and different organs of the host. In vitro studies demonstrated that human pancreatic (AsPC-1), prostatic (PC-3) and mammary carcinoma (ZR-75-1) cells were capable of elongating GLA from LiGLA to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and further desaturating it to arachidonic acid (AA). AsPC-1 cells showed the lowest delta5-desaturase activity on DGLA. In the in vivo studies, nude mice bearing the human carcinomas were given Li[1-(14)C]GLA (2.5 mg kg(-1)) by intravenous injection for 30 min. Mice were either sacrificed after infusion or left for up to 96 h recovery before sacrifice. In general, the organs showed a maximum uptake of radioactivity 30 min after the infusion started (t = 0). Thereafter, in major organs the percentage of injected radioactivity per g of tissue declined below 1% 96 h after infusion. In kidney, brain, testes/ovaries and all three tumour tissues, labelling remained constant throughout the experiment. The ratio of radioactivity in liver to tumour tissues ranged between 16- and 24-fold at t = 0 and between 3.1- and 3.7-fold at 96 h. All tissues showed a progressive increase in the proportion of radioactivity associated with AA with a concomitant decrease in radiolabelled GLA as the time after infusion increased. DGLA declined rapidly in liver and plasma, but at a much slower rate in brain and malignant tissue. Seventy-two hours after the infusion, GLA was only detected in plasma and tumour tissue. The sum of GLA + DGLA varied among tumour tissues, but it remained 2-4 times higher than in liver and plasma. In brain, DGLA is the major contributor to the sum of these fatty acids. Data showed that cytotoxic GLA and DGLA, the latter provided either by the host or by endogenous synthesis, remained in human tumours for at least 4 days.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed1994

Metabolism of n-6 fatty acids by NIH-3T3 cells transfected with the ras oncogene.

N-6 fatty acid metabolism was compared in NIH-3T3 cells and DT cells, which differ only in the presence of the v-Ki-ras oncogene. Non-dividing cells were incubated with [1-14C]-labelled fatty acids (18:2n-6, 18:3n-6, 20:3n-6 and 20:4n-6) at different time intervals (2-24 h) and concentration (0-120 microM). In both cells lines, the uptake of different fatty acids from the medium was similar and reached a maximum at 6-8 h. All fatty acids reached the same maximum level in DT cells, whereas, the relative uptake of added fatty acids by NIH-3T3 cells was different: 20:4n-6 > 20:3n-6 > 18:2n-6 = 18:3n-6. Throughout the incubation (2-24 h), desaturation and elongation of n-6 fatty acids was more active in DT cells than in NIH-3T3 cells. However, in both cell lines, incubated with different n-6 fatty acid precursors, the levels of radiolabelled 20:4n-6 were relatively constant. In DT cells, phosphatidylcholine was found to be the major fraction labelled with n-6 fatty acids precursors and those of endogenous synthesis, whereas, in NIH-3T3 cells the neutral lipid fraction, particularly triglycerides, was also strongly labelled. In concentration dependent studies, phospholipid labelling by fatty acids was saturable. At lower concentrations, especially in DT cells, phospholipids were labelled predominantly. As the concentration increased there was an overflow into the triglyceride fraction. Since the differences in fatty acid metabolism between the two cell lines cannot be related to the growth rate, it is suggested that they were a consequence of the expression of the v-Ki-ras oncogene.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Liver delta 5 and delta 6 desaturase activity differs among laboratory rat strains.

This study was designed to examine the variations among rat strains in hepatic fatty acid desaturase activities and to determine the correlations between the activities of these enzymes and the levels of each microsomal fatty acid. Wistar rats from two different sources as well as Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley rats were selected to assess, under standard and identical experimental conditions, the liver delta 5 and delta 6 desaturase activities. Both desaturase activities were significantly reduced by 56% in Sprague-Dawley rats when compared to BB-Wistar control rats, whereas intermediate reduced values were detected in Wistar (CR) and Long-Evans strains. The activities of delta 5 and delta 6 desaturases were significantly and positively correlated with each other. However, no significant correlations were detected between either delta 5 or delta 6 desaturase activities and levels of any of their fatty acid substrates or any other of the major microsomal fatty acids. Fatty acid composition of microsomal total lipids showed strain dependency. A positive correlation was detected between the microsomal levels of the two major final products of both desaturases, namely 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3. In general, the sum of n-3 or n-6 fatty acids but not the ratio of one to the other, varied among rat strains. The study demonstrated that delta 6 and delta 5 desaturase activities are strain-related. The data also suggested that (i) the desaturation activity should be measured and not predicted from the fatty acid composition and (ii) different rat strains should be used for lipid metabolic studies before conclusions are drawn for rats in general.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Filtration of fentanyl is not the cause of the elevation of arterial blood pressure associated with post-bypass ultrafiltration in children.

Modified ultrafiltration after cardiopulmonary bypass in children has been shown to be associated with an increase in arterial blood pressure. As part of a series of studies to investigate the possible causes of this blood pressure elevation, the hypothesis that if filtration was removing a significant amount of fentanyl, then the increase in blood pressure might be due to pain was proposed. Ten children, aged between 0.5 and 9.3 years (median 3.8 years), weighing 5.9 to 25.5 kg (median 15.7 kg), underwent corrective cardiac surgery (incorporating modified ultrafiltration). A standard anesthetic protocol was followed, with up to 78 micrograms/kg of fentanyl given prebypass for analgesia. After completion of cardiopulmonary bypass, modified ultrafiltration was commenced at 100 mL/min until a hematocrit of 35% was reached. Samples were taken of arterial blood (prefiltration, 3, 10, and 20 minutes postfiltration), the venous reservoir blood (prefiltration) and the filtrate (5 and 10 minutes into filtration). Hemodynamic data were recorded both prefiltration and postfiltration. The hemodynamic data showed the expected rise in both systemic arterial pressure and cardiac index after ultrafiltration. The plasma fentanyl concentrations did not significantly change after ultrafiltration: 1.59 to 12.39 ng/mL (median 6.27 ng/mL) prefiltration and 2.05 to 15.59 ng/mL (6.29 ng/mL) at 3 minutes, 2.22 to 12.64 ng/mL (6.87 ng/mL) at 10 minutes, and 1.83 to 11.52 ng/mL (5.85 ng/mL) at 20 minutes postfiltration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analgesia↗
PubMed1994

Plain chest radiographic changes of the absent pulmonary valve syndrome.

The plain chest radiographs of 40 patients with the absent pulmonary valve syndrome in association with tetralogy of Fallot have been reviewed. The conventional frontal projection showed characteristic changes of massively dilated central pulmonary arteries with normal peripheral markings in all patients (100%). Lobar hyperinflation was present in a significant proportion of the infant group (38%) which in a smaller group can be a complication requiring surgery in addition to that for the cardiac malformation.

Cardiomegaly↗
PubMed1994

Ethanol-responsive genes in neural cells include the 78-kilodalton glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and 94-kilodalton glucose-regulated protein (GRP94) molecular chaperones.

Previously we found that ethanol increases expression of the constitutive 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsc70) in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells. We suggested that known ethanol actions on cellular protein trafficking may relate to Hsc70 induction because Hsc70 functions as a molecular chaperone. Here we use a subtractive hybridization protocol to isolate ethanol-responsive genes (EtRGs). Northern blot hybridization verified ethanol-induced increases in mRNA abundance for five cDNA clones isolated from ethanol-treated NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells. DNA sequence analysis identified one EtRG as 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP94), a member of the "glucose-responsive" subgroup of stress proteins. Other identified EtRGs included an insulin-induced growth-response protein gene and an intracisternal A-type particle gene. Sequence analysis of the remaining two EtRGs showed no homology in DNA sequence databases. All EtRGs showed wide tissue expression, except SL64, which was not detected in Northern blot analyses of adult mouse or rat tissues. Ethanol also increased mRNA abundance for 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), a molecular chaperone known to function in glycoprotein trafficking and usually coordinately regulated with GRP94. However, ethanol induced GRP94 more than GRP78, a pattern distinct from those of other inducers of these genes. All EtRGs, including GRP94 and GRP78, showed similar ethanol concentration-dependent increases in mRNA abundance. In contrast, thapsigargin and other inducers of glucose-responsive proteins increased GRP94 and GRP78 mRNA levels without altering expression of other EtRGs. Our studies demonstrate that several molecular chaperones constitute a subset of EtRGs. Ethanol appears to regulate these EtRGs by a unique mechanism, rather than one shared by classical inducers of stress proteins.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Relationship between mouse liver delta 9 desaturase activity and plasma lipids.

This study was undertaken to investigate the total plasma fatty acid composition and the relationship between plasma triacylglycerol (TG) levels and liver delta 9 desaturase activity in mice fed n-3 and/or n-6 fatty acid or hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO) (maximum 25 mg/g) supplemented diets. Generally, plasma TG levels and delta 9 desaturase activity were inversely correlated with the ratio of the sum of long chain n-6 fatty acids to 18:2n-6 and to the ratio of the sum of long chain n-3 fatty acids to 18:n-3, but they were positively correlated with the ratio of products and substrates (18:1/18:0) of the enzyme in plasma total lipids. The n-3 fatty acid (mainly 20:5n-3) enriched diet, when compared to the HCO diet at 21 d, caused a significant reduction in plasma TG levels but not in delta 9 desaturase activity. However, a marked reduction in plasma TG content (50-60%) and delta 9 desaturase activity (55-70%) was observed when both 20:5n-3 and 18:3n-6 were supplemented in the diet. The plasma TG levels and delta 9 desaturase activity rose again when the animals were fed the HCO diet or chow. The results suggest that low dose supplementation of a mixture of n-3 (mainly 20:5n-3) and n-6 (18:3n-6) fatty acids modified both plasma TG content and liver delta 9 desaturase activity, in parallel.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effect of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on hepatic microsomal lipid metabolism: a time course study.

The present study examines the time dependent effects of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on liver microsomal lipid metabolism in FVB mice fed a diet supplemented with a mixture of free fatty acids (mainly 18:3n-6 and 20:5n-3) at 25 mg/g diet. Significant changes in the fatty acid composition of total liver and microsomal lipids were observed after 7 days on the diets. Thereafter, some animals remained on the same diet while others were fed a diet supplemented with hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO). With the exception of 20:5n-3 which showed a slower recovery, establishment of the HCO pattern was rapid indicating that the diet-induced changes could be easily reversed. The unsaturation index, the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and the microviscosity of the microsomal membranes were not affected by these dietary manipulations. Unsaturated fatty acid supplementation reduced the activity of delta 9 desaturase by 50%. Feeding the HCO diet to mice previously fed the EPA/GLA diet led to a progressive increase in delta 9 desaturase activity, reaching 80% of the day zero values after 14 days. The monoene content of hepatic total lipids reflected, in most cases, the changes in enzyme activity. This study shows that a low dose of a n-3 and n-6 free fatty acid mixture increases the quantities of members of the n-3 family, without loss of n-6 fatty acids in microsomal membranes and modifies the activity of delta 9 desaturase without altering the microsome physicochemical parameters.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

sigma receptors in rat brain and testes show similar reductions in response to chronic haloperidol.

The effect of haloperidol upon [3H]1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine ([3H]DTG) binding sites was assessed in rat brain and testes. An acute injection (10 mg/kg), in rats culled 2 h later, changed Kd values from 18 +/- 2 to 108 +/- 26 nM (brain) and 14 +/- 1 to 116 +/- 35 nM (testes), with unchanged Bmax values. Rats were injected with 4 mg/kg per day for 7, 14 and 21 days and culled 4 days after the last injection. By day 21, there was an average fall in Bmax for brain of 30% and for testes of 38%. Kd values remained unchanged. Thus peripheral and central [3H]DTG binding sites were reduced by chronic haloperidol in a similar way.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Histamine release during paediatric cardiopulmonary bypass.

Histamine release occurs during paediatric cardiopulmonary bypass at the time of removal of the aortic cross-clamp. Left atrial histamine levels are significantly (p less than 0.02) higher than right atrial levels at the time of reventilation of the lungs. These results suggest that histamine is released from the pulmonary vasculature following reperfusion.

Adult↗