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Biomedical subjects

N Lam

Publications and source records attributed to N Lam.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

A derivative of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) UL3.5 lacking the last forty amino acids inhibits replication of BoHV-1.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) UL3.5 is a tegument protein that interacts with BoHV-1 alpha-transinducing factor alphaBTIF). In this report, we show that a truncated UL3.5 lacking the last 40 amino acids (C40UL3.5) inhibited replication of BoHV-1. Stable expression of C40UL3.5 in MDBK cells inhibited replication of BoHV-1 300- to 500-fold in plaque assays. This inhibitory effect was specific for BoHV-1 as cells expressing C40UL3.5 supported replication of pseudorabies virus (species Suid herpesvirus 1, SuHV-1) and herpes simplex virus (species Human herpesvirus 1, HHV-1) to normal levels. In contrast, a truncated UL3.5 which lacked the first 20 amino acids and did not interact with alphaBTIF did not inhibit BoHV-1 replication. In the C40UL3.5-expressing cells infected with BoHV-1, expression of the viral immediate early gene BICP4 and the early protein gB were reduced and delayed. C40UL3.5, when either transiently or stably expressed, inhibited alphaBTIF-mediated transactivation of a BoHV-1 immediate-early promoter. C40UL3.5 may be useful for constructing transgenic cattle resistant to infection by BoHV-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Patients with and without intellectual disability seeking outpatient psychiatric services: diagnoses and prescribing pattern.

BACKGROUND: The present study examined the presenting problem of psychiatric outpatients, and resulting diagnostic and prescribing patterns, comparing patients with intellectual disability (ID) with non-ID (N-ID) patients seen in the same clinic. METHODS: This study was a retrospective medical chart review of information in the first psychiatric diagnostic evaluation for the most recent 100 adult patients with mild ID, 100 patients with moderate, severe or profound ID, and 100 matching N-ID patients. RESULTS: There were significant differences in rates of medical illness, disabilities, history of marriage, children, independent living, and family history of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Individuals with ID were more likely to present with aggression, self-injurious behaviour or physical complaints, whereas N-ID subjects presented more frequently with depression and anxiety complaints. For all groups, depressive disorders were the most frequent class of diagnoses. For those with ID, antipsychotics were used in 32% of subjects, with mood stabilizers in 28% and antidepressants in 27%. The N-ID subjects were most frequently prescribed antidepressants (40%) and anxiolytics (22%). Polypharmacy did not differ significantly among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric practitioners relied on the diagnostic examination to formulate their diagnosis, whereas the chief complaint reflected the view of caregivers of the subjects with ID. In contrast to previous studies, outpatient providers frequently diagnosed depression, and the prescribing pattern showed increased usage of antidepressants and mood stabilizers.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of sex chromosomes in rainbow trout and coho salmon using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

With the aim of characterizing the sex chromosomes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and to identify the sex chromosomes of coho salmon (O. kisutch), we used molecular markers OmyP9, 5S rDNA, and a growth hormone gene fragment (GH2), as FISH probes. Metaphase chromosomes were obtained from lymphocyte cultures from farm specimens of rainbow trout and coho salmon. Rainbow trout sex marker OmyP9 hybridizes on the sex chromosomes of rainbow trout, while in coho salmon, fluorescent signals were localized in the medial region of the long arm of one subtelocentric chromosome pair. This hybridization pattern together with the hybridization of a GH2 intron probe on a chromosome pair having the same morphology, suggests that a subtelocentric pair could be the sex chromosomes in this species. We confirm that in rainbow trout, one of the two loci for 5S rDNA genes is on the X chromosome. In males of this species that lack a heteromorphic sex pair (XX males), the 5S rDNA probe hybridized to both subtelocentrics. This finding is discussed in relation to the hypothesis of intraspecific polymorphism of sex chromosomes in rainbow trout.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Bovine herpesvirus 1 U(L)3.5 interacts with bovine herpesvirus 1 alpha-transinducing factor.

The bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) U(L)3.5 gene encodes a 126-amino-acid tegument protein. Homologs of U(L)3.5 are present in some alphaherpesviruses and have 20 to 30% overall amino acid homology that is concentrated in the N-terminal 50 amino acids. Mutant pseudorabies virus lacking U(L)3.5 is deficient in viral egress but can be complemented by BHV-1 U(L)3.5 (W. Fuchs, H. Granzow, and T. C. Mettenleiter, J. Virol. 71:8886-8892, 1997). The function of BHV-1 U(L)3.5 in BHV-1 replication is not known. To get a better understanding of its function, we sought to identify the proteins that interact with the BHV-1 U(L)3.5 protein. By using an in vitro pull-down assay and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry analysis, we identified BHV-1 alpha-transinducing factor (alphaBTIF) as a BHV-1 U(L)3. 5-interacting protein. The interaction was verified by coimmunoprecipitation from virus-infected cells using an antibody to either protein, by indirect immunofluorescence colocalization in both virus-infected and transfected cells, and by the binding of in vitro-translated proteins. In virus-infected cells, U(L)3.5 and alphaBTIF colocalized in a Golgi-like subcellular compartment late in infection. In transfected cells, they colocalized in the nucleus. Deletion of 20 amino acids from the N terminus of U(L)3.5, but not 40 amino acids from the C terminus, abolished the U(L)3.5-alphaBTIF interaction both in vitro and in vivo. The interaction between U(L)3. 5 and alphaBTIF may be important for BHV-1 maturation and regulation of alphaBTIF transactivation activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Adrenaline upregulates monocyte L-selectin in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Although surface adhesion molecules mediate leucocyte-endothelial interactions at sites of inflammation, relatively little is known of the factors which increase the expression of L-selectin in circulating leucocytes. The expression of leucocyte L-selectin increases during acute stress events such as injury and is temporally related to an early neuroendocrine response. This study investigates whether adrenaline increases the expression of L-selectin on monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes in vitro and whether these effects are mediated via beta-adrenoceptors. METHODS: A total of 20 ml of blood was withdrawn from 28 healthy volunteers (21 males) with a mean age of 29 years (range 23-67 years). Adrenaline at physiological doses mimicking trauma (0-200 nmol/l) was added to whole blood prior to immunofluorescent staining and analysis by flow cytometry. Propranolol (50 microl of 2 x 10(-5) M) was also added to separate tubes prior to incubation with adrenaline. Saline (40 microl 0.9% solution) was used as a control. Expression is described firstly as percentage of cells expressing L-selectin and secondly as average intensity (mean channel fluorescence, mcf) per cell expressing CD62L. Summary measures were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: A significant increase in both the percentage of monocytes expressing L-selectin and mean channel fluorescence of L-selectin was evident with adrenaline in vitro (P < 0.0001). Maximal increases occurred at 100 nmol/l adrenaline when a 9% increase in the percentage of monocytes expressing L-selectin and a 23% increase in mean channel fluorescence were observed. These effects were both blocked by propranolol (P < 0.0001). No significant differences were observed for neutrophils or lymphocytes except for a slight increase in the percent neutrophils expressing L-selectin, and a small decreasing trend in percent lymphocytes expressing L-selectin. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenaline upregulates the surface expression of L-selectin on monocytes in vitro, an effect which is partially mediated by beta-adrenoceptors. As monocytes initiate early aspects of the inflammatory response, these findings suggest that beta-blockade may have an inhibitory role for certain aspects of leucocyte trafficking.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Dealing with fatigue: the importance of health-related action patterns.

Fatigue complaints are frequent and important problems affecting people's quality of life and creating puzzles for the General Practitioners they consult. Little is known about what actions people undertake to deal with fatigue, and even less about their success. As revealed by multivariate analyses health-related action patterns can classify people as being particularly successful or unsuccessful in dealing with their complaints of chronic fatigue. This study suggests that a few actions applied in combination and in a concentrated manner constitute the basis for a successful action pattern. The number, type and predictive power of the relevant actions vary depending on the persons in question: having chronic diseases or not and being under 44 or over 44 years old.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Early HCV RNA values after interferon predict response.

The aim of this study is to determine in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) whether early HCV RNA measurements at 48 hr following standard doses of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) (3 million IU) would predict response during six months of therapy. Twenty-three patients with HCV were treated with IFN-alpha 3 million IU three times a week and HCV RNA levels were quantified by branched-chain (b-)DNA analysis at baseline and 24 and 48 hr following IFN-alpha and at one, three, and six months. Mean baseline HCV RNA levels significantly declined from 6.0 +/- 1.6 Meq/ml at baseline to 2.4 +/- 0.7 Meq/ml 24 hr after IFN-alpha. However, HCV RNA values increased to 4.3 +/- 1.1 Meq/ml by 48 hr. Mean HCV RNA values at one and six months were not significantly lower than 48-hr values. In six patients in whom HCV RNA was negative by bDNA at 48 hr, three were negative by polymerase chain reaction at six months. Of the 17 patients who were positive by bDNA at 48 hr, all were positive at one and three months; and in the nine of nine who continued therapy for six months, there was no further decrease in HCV RNA levels. In patients receiving standard doses of IFN-alpha (3 million IU), serum RNA values 48 hr after the first injection predict long-term response.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Association of obesity, gender, age and occupation with carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The present study determines the association of obesity, gender, age and occupation in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a New Zealand population. METHODS: Analysis of questionnaires and clinical review of patients who had undergone surgical decompression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. RESULTS: The age and gender distribution of 655 hands (512 patients) that had undergone carpal tunnel release (CTR) were compared with the age and gender distribution of the New Zealand population. The results indicate that the 3-year-period prevalence of CTS in females is more than double that in males. Proportionally there were more patients over age 55 than in the general population. The findings also indicate that, proportionally, six times the number of females who worked in moderate manual work underwent CTR compared with the general female population and proportionally twice the number of males who worked in heavy office/clerical work underwent CTR compared with the general male population. It was also found that CTR patients are twice as likely to be overweight (body mass index [BMI] > 25) than the general population and female patients are twice as likely to be obese (BMI > 30) than the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Carpal tunnel syndrome is more than twice as common in females as it is in males, and patients aged more than 55 years are more likely to suffer from CTS. Females with CTS are more likely to work in moderate manual work and males with CTS are more likely to work in heavy office/clerical work. Obesity and CTS are related statistically.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Identification of sex chromosome molecular markers using RAPDs and fluorescent in situ hybridization in rainbow trout.

The goal of this work is to identify molecular markers associated with the sex chromosomes in rainbow trout to study the mode of sex determination mechanisms in this species. Using the RAPD assay and bulked segregant analysis, two markers were identified that generated polymorphic bands amplifying preferentially in males of the Mount Lassen and Scottish strains of rainbow trout. Chromosomal localization using fluorescent in situ hybridization of a 900 bp probe developed from one of these markers revealed a brightly defined signal on a chromosome that could morphologically be classified as the Y chromosome.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Results of open carpal tunnel release: a comprehensive, retrospective study of 188 hands.

BACKGROUND: Many recent reports of the results of decompression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel have concentrated on only one aspect of recovery (numbness, grip etc.), and there are no reports of a comprehensive study of outcome. The aim of the present study was to review comprehensively the results of the direct visualization method of decompression of the carpal tunnel and to compare them with the published results of endoscopic release. METHODS: Patients' perceptions of the severity of pain, numbness and paraesthesiae due to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), before and after open carpal tunnel release (CTR) in 188 hands were reviewed retrospectively at a minimum time of follow-up of 18 months. Motor and sensory testing, provocation testing and measurement of scar tenderness in 135 hands were performed at a clinical review. RESULTS: Subjective results showed that 70% experienced a reduction in the severity of pain after CTR, 78% of hands experienced a reduction in the severity of paraesthesiae and 77% experienced a reduction in the severity of numbness. A total of 49% had improvements in all three symptoms after CTR. At the clinical review, sensory testing revealed that 59% of hands had normal or slightly diminished light touch, 35% had normal static two-point discrimination and 61% had normal dynamic two-point discrimination. Results for Tinel's test, Phalen's test and pressure provocation testing were positive in 10% of hands. There was no scar tenderness in 38%, no persisting thenar atrophy in 90%. Normal grip strength was found in 93% and 91% had normal pinch strength. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that open carpal tunnel release remains a safe and reliable treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The very low incidence of serious complications from the open technique of CTR, when compared with endoscopic CTR as published by different authors in the literature, and the comparable clinical results, appears to make the open technique a safer and preferable option. However, a properly controlled trial of both techniques is necessary to compare them.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Diagnosis and management of fulminant hepatic failure.

Fulminant hepatic failure is defined as the development of hepatic encephalopathy within 8 weeks of the onset of illness. While there are many causes of FHF, viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B, remains the most common etiology. Several drugs and toxins can also lead to FHF, most notably acetaminophen. Even with improvements in ICU care, mortality remains very high for these patients. Conservative management focuses on invasive monitoring and the prevention and treatment of complications like cerebral edema, infection, renal failure, and coagulopathy. Only orthotopic liver transplantation has reduced mortality from 80% to 30% to 50%. Therefore, the goals of management and treatment now include determining which patients are appropriate for liver transplant and finding a donor in a timely fashion.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1994

Changes in the concentrations of tau and other structural proteins in the brains of aged mice.

To test whether aging is associated with alterations in the balance of cytoskeletal constituents, the relative concentrations of tau isoforms and seven other structural proteins were compared in the brains of 3-25-month-old mice. A tau species of approx. 63 kDa was substantially increased in the older animals while the levels of ankyrin, talin, spectrin, and actin were differentially decreased. The decrement in ankyrin was evident at earlier ages than that for spectrin. These results suggest that the make-up of the neuronal cytoskeleton changes with age.

Actins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lactation and weaning patterns in Mexico. 1986 National Health Survey].

In the process of nutrition, breastfeeding is fundamentally important, due to the nutritional and immunological value of the mother's milk. Within its beneficial effects, it is found that it improves weight and size in children. Another stage in the child's feeding that should be considered during the first year of life is the weaning that complements, at certain age of the breastfeeder, the nutrition given by breastmilk. The decrease or abandonment of breastfeeding is alarming in the developing countries, where this natural product is more available, economical and nutritious. There is evidence that within the health institutions, artificial feeding is encouraged. The National Health Survey collected basic information on sociodemographic variables risk factors, demand and use of health services. It also included questions on breastfeeding and weaning for the population under one year of age. It was found that 19.9 percent was never breastfed. Another important fact is that 42.4 percent of children received breastmilk for just three months or less. This view suggests that breastfeeding in our country is changing, due to various factors, among which we can mention the differences in life styles, education and economical development among states. The results of this study show interesting data that oblige us to consider more detailed and specific analyses in the future.

Breast Feeding↗