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Biomedical subjects

M Leslie

Publications and source records attributed to M Leslie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Expression levels of asparagine synthetase in blasts from children and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

L-asparaginase is active in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) through the depletion of serum asparagine. Here we report that median asparagine synthetase (AS) mRNA levels were higher in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) than ALL blasts in both children and adults, with intermediate levels in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (NPBMC). NPBMC versus child ALL (Tukeys multiple comparison test, P < 0.05); child ALL versus child AML (P < 0.001) and adult ALL versus adult AML (P < 0.01) were all significant and support the hypothesis that selectivity to treatment with l-asparaginase is due, at least in part, to lower AS expression.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Cognitive and behavioral performance among FMR1 high-repeat allele carriers surveyed from special education classes.

The fragile X syndrome is caused by an unstable CGG repeat sequence in the 5' untranslated region of the X-linked, FMR1 gene. When the number of repeats exceeds 200, the region is hypermethylated and the gene is silenced. The lack of the protein produced by the FMR1 gene, FMRP, causes the fragile X syndrome. Recent evidence suggests that FMR1 alleles with unmethylated long repeat tracks (40-200 repeats) may cause a specific somatic phenotype in women, premature ovarian failure, and may cause variation in the levels of FMR1 mRNA and FMRP. Because FMR1 is known to be involved in the regulation of subset of genes expressed in the brain, we investigated the variation in cognitive and/or behavioral performance among carriers of high repeat alleles. Specifically, we administered cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive performance tests to children identified with high repeat alleles who attended special education classes in Atlanta, Georgia public schools and to those with < 40 repeats drawn from the same population. Overall, we found no significant effect of repeat size and the psychometric measures in our test battery after adjustment for multiple comparisons. All scales were found to be within 1 SD standard deviation of the mean. We did find an intriguing, albeit marginally statistically significant, association in the cognitive profile among males and not females, consistent with an X-linked effect. After adjusting for the overall cognitive abilities score, Verbal Ability scores decreased and Nonverbal Reasoning scores increased with repeat number to a greater extent in males than females. Spatial Ability scores were not associated with repeat number.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Aging research grows up.

Long viewed as an insoluble enigma, aging is shedding its cloak of mystery as scientists start to understand why and how we age. Many studies support the theoretical argument that aging occurs because natural selection weakens with age, leaving us vulnerable to harmful, late-acting genes. As for what causes aging, scientists have narrowed the pack of candidates to a handful, including free radicals and reactions between glucose and proteins. In recent decades, many mechanisms for lengthening life in animals have come to light. By extending this research, scientists may be closing in on ways to lengthen the human life-span.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Structure-activity relationship for the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, and certain of its analogues at vanilloid receptors in transfected cells and vas deferens.

1. This study was directed at exploring the structure-activity relationship for anandamide and certain of its analogues at the rat VR1 receptor in transfected cells and at investigating the relative extent to which anandamide interacts with CB(1) and vanilloid receptors in the mouse vas deferens. 2. pK(i) values for displacement of [(3)H]-resiniferatoxin from membranes of rVR1 transfected CHO cells were significantly less for anandamide (5.78) than for its structural analogues N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonylamide (AM404; 6.18) and N-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxy)benzyl-arachidonylamide (arvanil; 6.77). 3. pEC(50) values for stimulating (45)Ca(2+) uptake into rVR1 transfected CHO cells were significantly less for anandamide (5.80) than for AM404 (6.32) or arvanil (9.29). Arvanil was also significantly more potent than capsaicin (pEC(50)=7.37), a compound with the same substituted benzyl polar head group as arvanil. 4. In the mouse vas deferens, resiniferatoxin was 218 times more potent than capsaicin as an inhibitor of electrically-evoked contractions. Both drugs were antagonized to a similar extent by capsazepine (pK(B)=6.93 and 7.18 respectively) but were not antagonized by SR141716A (1 microM). Anandamide was less susceptible than capsaicin to antagonism by capsazepine (pK(B)=6.02) and less susceptible to antagonism by SR141716A (pK(B)=8.66) than methanandamide (pK(B)=9.56). WIN55212 was antagonized by SR141716A (pK(B)=9.02) but not by capsazepine (10 microM). 5. In conclusion, anandamide and certain of its analogues have affinity and efficacy at the rat VR1 receptor. In the mouse vas deferens, which seems to express vanilloid and CB(1) receptors, both receptor types appear to contribute to anandamide-induced inhibition of evoked contractions.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The clinical utility of the test of playfulness.

Occupational therapists' increased focus on play as an occupation has created a need for play assessments that reflect this perspective. This study examined the clinical utility of the recently developed Test of Playfulness (ToP) (Bundy, 1997a) when used with children with disabilities. Changes in the participant's views of the child, the therapy goals, and the intervention plans after using the ToP were explored. Fourteen paediatric occupational therapists assessed children using the ToP, completed a clinical utility questionnaire and attended a focus group. Participants found the ToP easy to administer and score, however some found interpreting the results difficult. The ToP highlights the interactions between the Child, activity and environment, and illustrates the child's strengths in his/her role as a player. The results suggest the ToP is a useful tool for assessing playfulness. Additional education and research is needed to provide further direction for intervention and incorporation into practice.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Knee osteoarthritis management therapies.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and long-term disability in the elderly, and the incidence among middle-aged adults is considerable. Well-recognized risk factors associated with knee OA include age, women, being overweight or obese, major knee injury, and occupational overuse of the knee. Although loss of articular cartilage represents the pathological hallmark of knee OA, changes in subchondral bone and soft tissue are major features. Because knee OA is chronic and progressive, it is paramount that patients and health care professionals work together to manage symptoms, and to prevent and minimize deleterious consequences. Patient education, exercise, weight reduction, thermal modalities, assistive devices, medications, and neutraceuticals are important components of therapy. This article reviews common nonpharmacological and pharmacological therapies essential for the effective management of knee OA.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Issues in the nursing management of osteoporosis.

As new interventions are developed to improve the care of patients with osteoporosis, nurses will play an important role in improving patients' quality of life, reducing their fear, and assisting in maintaining their independence throughout the adult life span. This article examines key issues involved in the management of patients at risk for, or diagnosed with, osteoporosis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2000

Polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis: a case presentation.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMA) and temporal arteritis (TA) are common clinical syndromes that affect the elderly population. Both syndromes may include similar constitutional complaints, an increase in acute phase reactants, a rapid response to corticosteroids, and the presence of anteritis giant cells upon temporal artery biopsy. Differential diagnosis is one of exclusion. A case presentation is included to assist practitioners in recognizing presenting symptoms, identifying diagnostic testing, and proceeding with appropriate therapy and follow-up.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1999

Medium-sized business employees speak out about smoking.

UNLABELLED: A health promotion study, funded by a state health department to meet objectives 3.4 and 3.11 of Healthy People 2000, was designed to: (1) identify tobacco use; (2) assess employees' beliefs on one's health and family member's health; and (3) assess the type of smoking policies favored. Using the Health Belief Model, it was hypothesized that there were differences in the health beliefs of tobacco users, former users, and never users. A 34-item questionnaire was administered to 1090 employees with a return rate of 603 (55%). RESULTS: tobacco users perceived weight control and reduction of tension as benefits; they accepted warning label as hazardous but reported smokeless not as harmful; they perceived heart disease and cancer as related to tobacco use; and 62% had tried to quit smoking. Former and never users wanted "total ban policies" while, tobacco users wanted "designated areas" for smoking. All perceived their smoking and environmental tobacco smoke hazardous to their health and the health of family.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Infusional 5-fluorouracil can be a pain in the neck: A case for repositioning displaced Hickman lines.

Increasing numbers of patients receive infusional chemotherapy or total parenteral nutrition via Hickman or Grochong lines. Although the insertion of these indwelling catheters is generally performed under radiological guidance and their positions verified by chest radiography, it is still feasible for them to become displaced at a later date. This possibility should be excluded in patients who develop unusual symptoms during the course of their infusional therapy. We review the reported complications associated with Hickman lines, and present a case history demonstrating that interventional radiology has a valuable role in displaced line repositioning, after the exclusion of thrombosis and infection.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Osteoporosis: implications for risk reduction in the college setting.

Osteoporosis is often considered a chronic disease of older adulthood. As with many chronic diseases, lifestyle behaviors adopted during young adulthood are important risk factors for future development of osteoporosis. The college student population represents the age group in which optimal bone development is likely to occur and certain lifestyle behaviors are reinforced. Therefore, risk factors for osteoporosis, including nutritional insufficiency of calcium and vitamin D, smoking, alcohol abuse, excessive exercise, use of steroids, and high-protein diets, have special relevance for this target population. The authors examine risk factors for osteoporosis that are especially relevant to the college health setting and offer intervention strategies for college health professionals.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Hyaluronic acid treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a leading cause of chronic disability in the United States. It is a heterogeneous condition that causes pathogenic changes that are presumably irreversible. In many cases, knee pain is often progressive and leads the patient to seek medical attention. Pharmacologic and nonmedicinal treatments are, in most cases, only modestly successful in relieving pain. Hyaluronic acid (HA) functions as the backbone of the proteoglycan aggregates necessary for the functional integrity of articular cartilage of the knee. Two drugs made up of HA derivatives have recently become available for patients in whom simple analgesics and conservative non-pharmacologic therapy have failed. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and medical management of osteoarthritis of the knee, with an emphasis on the physiologic and pharmacologic mechanisms of HA. Health care providers may administer HA via intra-articular injection in primary care, rheumatologic or orthopedic settings, or they may refer their patients to specialists for consultation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1999

Fibromyalgia syndrome: a comprehensive approach to identification and management.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common, chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder of unknown etiology seen predominately in women. It is recognized as an important clinical problem associated with high levels of functional disability, emotional distress, and utilization of several types of medical services. While widespread pain and the presence of multiple tender points characterize the dominating features, there are a large number of nonrheumatic symptoms and associated conditions that occur in a high frequency in this disorder. When the characteristic pattern of symptoms is recognized, FMS can be successfully managed by nurse practitioners with expectation of some improvement. The mainstays of management include patient education, medication, aerobic exercise, and physical therapy. An ongoing relationship with the patient and periodic follow-up are mandatory.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein by human synovium.

Human synovium was analyzed for the possible expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Immunostaining with polyclonal antiserum to COMP demonstrated positive staining within the synovial cells and immediately subjacent connective tissue, with less intense staining in the deeper connective tissue. Western blot analysis using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to human COMP confirmed the presence of COMP by immunoreactive bands with the same molecular mass (approximately 110 kDa) as purified articular cartilage COMP. PCR using oligonucleotides that span human COMP exons 7-13 revealed identical amplification products from cDNA prepared from either human chondrocytes or synovium. Northern blot analysis using a biotinylated-probe to human COMP, spanning exons 12-13, also reveal an identical hybridization product to either human chondrocyte or synovium total RNA. Human synovium should be considered as a potential tissue source of COMP in any investigation of biological markers of cartilage metabolism.

Base Sequence↗