PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Reilly

Publications and source records attributed to M Reilly.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Radiological appearances following limb replantation: a report of 5 cases.

Plain radiographs of the limbs were reviewed after replantation procedures following traumatic amputation in 5 patients at the wrist (2), mid-forearm (2) and knee (1). Following upper limb replantation, rapid development of osteopaenia was initially noted in the juxta-articular regions and metaphyses of the tubular bones of the hand. These changes were followed by diaphyseal cortical bone loss with evidence of subperiosteal, intracortical and endosteal bone resorption. Juxta-articular erosions developed at the margins of the small joints in the hand in all cases. Gradual resolution of bone changes was noted in 3 of the 4 cases where follow-up exceeded 5 years. Following lower limb replantation, there was no evidence of bone loss; however, severe neuropathic joint disease developed within 18 months and progressed over the following 9 years. We suggest that the radiographic changes observed after upper limb replantation reflect regional hyperaemia secondary to neurovascular damage, whilst the changes in the lower limb reflect a similar process in a limb subjected to weight bearing.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of the impact of low-dose and triphasic oral contraceptives on follicular development.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation tests the hypothesis that triphasic oral contraceptives are associated with the development of large, persistent ovarian cysts. STUDY DESIGN: Weekly vaginal ultrasonography was used in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-center study that compared the incidence, risk, size, and time to resolution of ovarian follicles in healthy women who took Estrostep or Loestrin oral contraceptives (manufactured by Parke-Davis) or a placebo during three consecutive menstrual cycles. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of placebo-treated subjects developed follicles greater than 18 mm, compared with 39% and 23% in the Estrostep and Loestrin groups. The risks for each group of developing a large follicle during a single cycle were not different. No dominant follicle persisted for greater than 2 weeks for any subject. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that follicular development continues during treatment with oral contraceptives. In addition, the findings fail to support the hypothesis that triphasic oral contraceptives result in persistent ovarian cysts.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lipoprotein [Lp(a)] and peripheral vascular disease.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], which combines structural elements of the lipid and fibrinolytic systems, is a major independent risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. Eighty-four consecutive patients with peripheral vascular disease (of whom 42 had concomitant ischaemic heart disease) and 43 healthy controls were enrolled in a case-control study. We found that the mean Lp(a) concentration in male patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) was almost threefold higher than that of controls, while in female patients the Lp(a) concentration was more than twice that of controls. This marked difference was borne out in patients with and without concomitant ischaemic heart disease (IHD). A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that Lp(a) is independently associated with PVD when adjusted for age and sex (odds ratio per 100 mg l-1 increase in Lp(a) = 1.35; P < 0.01). A similar association is observed for patients with concomitant IHD (odds ratio per 100 mg l-1 increase in Lp(a) = 1.65; P < 0.01).

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Demonstration of genetic mutation in most of the amyloid neuropathies with sporadic occurrence].

The Portuguese type of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP type I) is a disabling autosomic dominant disorder, which is caused by a point mutation in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Other TTR gene mutations have been reported recently in other FAP. In the absence of monoclonal gammopathy, sporadic amyloid neuropathies raise a problem for their pathogenicity. In this study, we have looked for TTR gene mutations in apparently sporadic cases of amyloid polyneuropathy by Southern's technique. All the patients were of french origin. None had monoclonal gammopathy. The mean age at onset was 64 (50 to 79 years). Most of the patients (9/1) were male. Five patients were found to carry FAP type 1 mutation, and 2 the tyr 77 (German) mutation. This study suggests that investigations in amyloid polyneuropathy with no overt family history should include systematic DNA analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction: a distinct but poorly recognized stroke syndrome.

Six patients with bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction were seen in a general hospital over a 4 year period. This distinct stroke syndrome was recognized by the features of disturbed vigilance, often episodic, with vertical gaze disorder. Other signs included an amnesic syndrome, convergence difficulty, third nerve palsies, eyelid retraction, dysarthria, ataxia and involuntary limb movements. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT brain scan or magnetic resonance imaging. A variety of risk factors for stroke were present. All patients improved but two had significant residual disabilities.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Stabilization of the shikimate pathway enzyme dehydroquinase by covalently bound ligand.

Reversible binding of a ligand to an enzyme active site can elicit a variety of changes in the protein, such as conformational changes (close to the site of binding or communicated over long distances), changes in the ionization state of surrounding amino acid side chains, changes in the interaction of the target protein with other subunits (or other proteins), or even changes in the thermodynamic stability of the protein. Relatively little attention has been given to studying these effects in proteins to which the ligand has been irreversibly bound, yet this can be a convenient way of studying the effects of ligand binding in the absence of association/dissociation equilibria. We report the dramatic changes which occur to the shikimate pathway enzyme dehydroquinase when ligand is attached to its active site after borohydride reduction of the mechanistically important Schiff's base intermediates. The effects of this modification have been characterized by limited proteolysis, circular dichroism, guanidine hydrochloride denaturation, and differential scanning calorimetry. The conclusions from these studies are that although anchoring the ligand at the active site does not cause a gross change in conformation, it does increase markedly the conformational stability of the protein. This is conclusively established by three separate experiments: 1) the modified protein is completely resistant to proteases, whereas the unmodified protein is very susceptible to proteolysis; 2) the concentration of guanidine hydrochloride required to unfold the ligand-linked dehydroquinase is 3-4-fold greater than that of the unmodified protein; 3) the melting temperature (Tm) of the modified protein is 40 degrees C higher than that of the unmodified protein. These results are a very clear example of the thermodynamic link between ligand binding, conformational stability, and proteolytic susceptibility in vitro and will be a useful system for dissecting the contributions of individual protein-ligand interactions to these parameters.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed1991

Association of cervical ectopy with heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus: results of a study of couples in Nairobi, Kenya.

To identify risk factors involved in heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a cross-sectional study of HIV-seropositive men and their spouses was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya. Of 70 spouses, 40 (57%) were seropositive and 30 (43%) were seronegative for HIV. In univariate analysis, the presence of cervical ectopy (odds ratio, 4.7; P = .006) was the only statistically significant variable associated with HIV infection in women. After controlling for possible confounding variables using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of cervical ectopy (odds ratio, 5.0; P = .007) remained the only independent predictor of HIV seropositivity. These findings suggest that cervical ectopy may be a newly identified risk factor for heterosexual transmission of HIV.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cyclical changes in nasal airway resistance and middle ear pressures.

The relationship between unilateral changes in nasal airway resistance and the ipsilateral middle ear pressure were investigated in 8 otologically and rhinologically normal adults over the course of 7 1/2 h under laboratory conditions. Despite mean changes in unilateral nasal resistance of 0.75 Pa/cm3/s associated with the nasal cycle, no correlation existed with changes in ipsilateral Eustachian tube function, as judged by serial middle ear pressure recordings (r = 0.06, r2 = 0.00, p = 0.461). Middle ear pressure in healthy adults in a controlled environment remained very constant (mean = -6.71 +/- 0.52 daPa). 69% of middle ear pressures were equal to or above 0 daPa, which represents evidence in favour of a net positive production of middle ear gas.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Neurological manifestations of Lyme disease.

Neurological disorder may be the initial manifestation of Lyme disease. Six cases of neurological Lyme disease have been seen in the years 1986-89, five of whom contracted the disease in the West of Ireland. Three presented with a radiculoneuropathy, one with myalgia/fatigue and one with bilateral sixth nerve palsies and ataxia. These cases indicate the spectrum of neurological involvement of Lyme disease in Ireland which reflects that seen in Europe. They also highlight some of the problems in diagnosis which sometimes necessitate treatment while awaiting serological studies. We feel even in the absence of a history of tick-bite or rash, Lyme disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of many neurological disorders, especially in patients from the West of Ireland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The NLRB: its many faces can be deceiving.

Unions are gearing up for a hospital-organizing blitz, say three attorneys. Consequently, hospitals will have to learn to deal with the National Labor Relations Board and its "multiple personalities." The NLRB acts as investigator, grand jury, prosecutor, judge, and executioner, the attorneys warn. In the world of the NLRB, you stand charged without knowing the charges.

Labor Unions↗
PubMed1988

Scanning electron microscopy of the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rabbits infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

The jejunum and ileum of rabbits infected by immature stages of Trichostrongylus colubriformis were examined with the scanning electron microscope. In the heavily parasitised jejunum, the normally leaf-shaped villi often showed abnormal shapes. Surface epithelial cells became rounded and dome-shaped, and apical microvilli appeared irregular. In the ileum, where the density of worms was much lower than in the jejunum, the main difference observed was the irregular arrangement of the microvilli. The changes observed in rabbits parasitised with immature T colubriformis were compared with previous scanning electron microscope observations of lambs and rats infected with adult intestinal nematodes and the origin and functional significance of the lesions were discussed.

Animals↗