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Biomedical subjects

M F Hall

Publications and source records attributed to M F Hall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Using genetic technologies for promoting canine health and temperament.

The entire canine genome is scheduled to be sequenced by researchers at the Whitehead Institute/MIH Center for Genome Research by the end of 2004. Thus, new genetic technologies are likely to be developed that can soon predict certain aspects of health and temperament in dogs. The C. familiaris is similar in size to that of humans and other mammals, with an estimated 2.8 billion base pairs. Although, the boxer was chosen as the first breed to sequence, it will have application for all dog breeds. Once the entire genome is sequenced, genetic markers for specific diseases and temperaments may be developed, which can guide breeders to make informed decisions concerning breeding management. Such a technology may be useful for guide and service dog organizations that have breeding colonies. It is important that the human-animal bond be preserved for as long as possible, both for pet owners and also for those disabled individuals who depend upon a dog for independence and mobility. Because genetic diseases may not manifest in carriers, and some genetic diseases do not manifest until after a dog is older and has already produced other animals with the same defect, genetic markers to identify some of the over 400 genetic diseases could be very useful in promoting canine health.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Environmental immunogens and T-cell-mediated responses in fibromyalgia: evidence for immune dysregulation and determinants of granuloma formation.

Thirty-nine patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) according to American College of Rheumatology criteria were studied for cell-mediated sensitivity to environmental chemicals. Lymphocytes were tested by standard [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in vitro for T cell memory to 11 chemical substances. Concanavalin A (Con A) was used to demonstrate T cell proliferation. Controls were 25 contemporaneous healthy adults and 252 other concurrent standard controls without any aspect of FMS. Significantly higher (P < 0.01) stimulation indexes (SI) were found in FMS for aluminum, lead, and platinum; borderline higher (0.05 > P > 0.02) SI were found for cadmium and silicon. FMS patients showed sporadic responses to the specific substances tested, with no high-frequency result (>50%) and no obvious pattern. Mitogenic responses to Con A indicated some suppression of T cell functionality in FMS. Possible links between mitogenicity and immunogenic T cell proliferation, certain electrochemical specifics of granuloma formation, maintenance of connective tissue, and the fundamental nature of FMS are considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Monocyte-dependent stimulation of human T cells by silicon dioxide.

Mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation from randomly selected silicone breast implant recipients for testing. Restricted antibody to HLA-DR (28-33 kD) depleted the concanavalin A mitogenic response which was expected but failed to inhibit the proliferative response to silicon dioxide. Further testing with monoclonal antibodies to HLA-DP, -DQ, and a second -DR with specificity for the NS1 region of the MHC class II genome, all markedly inhibited proliferation of T cells despite otherwise adequate stimulation by concanavalin A or silicon dioxide. Monoclonal antibodies directed against B7-1 also inhibited proliferation of T cells following stimulation with concanavalin A or silicon dioxide. These results confirm the T-cell response to silicon dioxide is monocyte-dependent and not a superantigen as has been speculated.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Keys to patient satisfaction in the emergency department: results of a multiple facility study.

Patient satisfaction is a significant issue for emergency departments. The special nature of the emergency encounter calls for a sound understanding of the factors that influence patient satisfaction. This study uses a national sample of emergency departments to identify specific elements that increase the likelihood of patients recommending the facility. We find that demographic variables such as age and sex do not significantly influence the decision to recommend. Nursing/staff items, physician issues, and waiting time are the key factors that drive satisfaction with emergency departments.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Ten-year summary of human immunodeficiency virus serology in west Tennessee.

Since the isolation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), numerous laboratory tests have been developed to confirm the immunologic response to the virus. In 1991, the state of Tennessee mandated that clinical laboratories performing Western blot analyses for HIV report all new cases of confirmed HIV infection. This report is a summary of HIV confirmed cases evaluated by this facility from 1985 until July 1, 1995. During each year, the laboratory screens approximately 20,000 persons for HIV and all positive screens are confirmed by an FDA-approved Western blot. During the period described, the laboratory has confirmed HIV serologic positivity in 4,096 individuals, principally from Shelby County and surrounding Tennessee counties. Although these data are not complete, they clearly indicate that we have a continuing problem with this infectious disease. Based on the current rate of positive cases seen thus far in 1995, this facility may confirm nearly 900 new cases of HIV infection in this year alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Immunologic stimulation of T lymphocytes by silica after use of silicone mammary implants.

Difficulties in showing the biologic activity of silicones in vitro have contributed to the controversy over effects of silicone mammary implants in vivo. We adapted a standard lymphocyte stimulation test to detect evidence of cellular immunity in patients with silicone gel implants. Initially, lymphocytes were harvested from 70 implant patients, 76 normal controls without implants or symptoms, and 18 patients with classic rheumatic disorders and without a history of silicone implants. The harvested lymphocytes were stimulated with PWM, PHA, Con A, and pharmaceutical grade colloidal silicon dioxide (silica). Implant patients showed increased SI compared to controls and those with rheumatic disorders. The mean SI of implant patients was 195.0 +/- 19.3, 18-fold that of normal controls (< 0.0001). Patients with rheumatic disease showed the same SI as controls (P = 0.3577). A follow-up study included 220 normal controls without implants, 942 silicone gel implant patients with demonstrable rheumatic symptoms, and 34 implant patients without symptoms at the time of the study. The average SI for the 220 normal controls was 10.0 +/- 0.41. Among the symptomatic implant women, 860 (91.3%) had SI significantly above those of the normal controls. Of these, 171 (18.2%) had SI between 25 and 50, 316 (33.5%) had SI between 50 and 100, and 373 (39.6%) had SI over 100. The data presented confirms that silicone implant patients respond immunologically to the silicon dioxide contained in mammary prostheses.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Patient satisfaction or acquiescence? Comparing mail and telephone survey results.

Debates about whether to use telephone or mail to survey discharged patients are waged in many hospitals. Findings from a methodological test indicate the two methods result in significant differences in evaluations--differences that health care marketers would be wise to heed. Mail-back questionnaires generate a wider range of responses and minimize the "acquiescence bias" telephone interviews tend to elicit, especially in health care surveys.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1994

Conducting physician surveys.

Physician/hospital cooperation is important to the success of health delivery systems. Surveying is one way to evaluate physician attitudes and needs. Personal interviews, telephone interviews and mailed questionnaires are the three principal ways survey data are generated. With physicians, a mailback survey yields the best response, because physicians can control when they respond. Survey methodologists strive to control for any systematic bias that may skew the data. For all surveys, it must be decided if those who responded are representative of all those who could have responded. High-quality surveys sent to doctors once a year with plenty of notification and encouragement to respond will yield the best results. Have a plan of action to deal with the results. Avoid writing questions that have yes/no responses and allow space for physicians to comment on each section.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of a new western blot strip for human immunodeficiency virus.

With the isolation of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), numerous assays have been developed to detect antibodies to the retrovirus. The manufacturers' recommend that all sera exhibiting a positive enzyme immunoassay be confirmed by the more specific Western blot test (WBT). Recently, a new WBT strip was released for detection of antibodies to HIV. Four hundred patients' sera and 22 CDC proficiency samples were each tested with these strips and with a WBT strip prepared within the laboratory using the CDC techniques. The strips were then evaluated for banding pattern with the reactions recorded on a scale of 0 to 4+ for each band consistent with HIV response. Criteria for positive results were based on the ASTPHLD/CDC criteria. Primary emphasis was on antibody banding to gp41 (envelope protein) and p24 (core protein). The new strips showed appropriate changes in level of antibody, especially for declining antibody to p24. When the banding pattern for antibody to gp41 was compared to the standard strips, the new strips showed a sensitivity of 99.6% and specificity of 99.4%. The presence or absence of antibody to p24 on the new strips versus the standard strips showed a sensitivity of 93.7% and specificity of 99.5%.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1985

Neuronal chromatin changes in layer V pyramidal cells of somatomotor cortex after pyramidal tract lesions as demonstrated by [3H]actinomycin D binding.

Changes in chromatin structure of pyramidal tract neurons after medullary pyramidal tract lesions were examined autoradiographically utilizing [3H]actinomycin D (Act D) binding to nuclei in frozen sections of brain. After a right pyramidal tract lesion, the binding of Act D to nuclei of axotomized pyramidal neurons of somatomotor cortex layer V increased sharply at 1 and 5 days postoperation, compared with pyramidal cells of the left side or hippocampal control cells of the left hemisphere. At 3, 7, 9, and 11 days the axotomized cells showed significantly decreased binding compared with controls. The unoperated pyramidal cells showed a significantly decreased Act D binding at 2 h and 9 days postoperation compared with the ipsilateral hippocampal control cells. The data suggested that intrinsic neurons of the central nervous system had a response pattern of chromatin changes to axotomy that was basically similar to that of peripheral neurons (sensory ganglion cells). However, the response was compressed into the 1st week postoperation with only a brief reaction which might be correlated to axonal regeneration. This reaction was followed by a prolonged depression of Act D nuclear binding which may be associated with cellular atrophy.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1978

Two-plane fixation of acute supracondylar and intracondylar fractures of the femur.

In 37 cases of supracondylar and intracondylar fractures of the femur treated by open reduction and internal fixation, a two-plane compression device, affording firm fixation in either the sagittal or frontal plane, was used with excellent results. Certain anatomic factors and associated injuries to the musculoskeletal system deserve classification, to enable the orthopedic surgeon to accurately evaluate and treat such fractures in the distal third of the femur. A negative attitude has been perpetuated concerning the ability of the trained orthopedic surgeon to reduce these fractures and adequately maintain the reduction for early mobilization. In 97% of our cases, results were good to excellent, and complications were infrequent. The purpose of this paper is, first, to describe a practicable classification of supracondylar and intracondylar fractures of the femur and, second, to describe the results in our series of cases treated a compression device specifically designed for these types of fractures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Attitudes toward population control in Santiago, Chile.

This article explores Chilean attitudes toward the national population's size and rate of growth, as indicated by a special survey conducted for this purpose. The survey sample consisted of 1,410 men 20 to 54 years of age in urban Santiago, who were separated into six categories on the basis of their education and socioeconomic status. The subjects were interviewed by 36 students from the University of Chile who utilized a prepared questionnaire including both open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The results clearly indicate that men in the lower socioeconomic categories tended to know less about the population's size and growth than their better-off counterparts. Nevertheless, they more often felt that Chile had "too many" inhabitants, that recent population growth had been rapid, and that this rate of growth should be reduced.

Adult↗