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R Fox

Publications and source records attributed to R Fox.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Specific HLA-DQA and HLA-DRB1 alleles confer susceptibility to Sjögren's syndrome and autoantibody production.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (1. SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary glands and autoantibody production. In order to identify genetic factors that play a role in pathogenesis and predict extent of disease, we used Southern blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to detect polymorphisms of the HLA-DRB1 (DR), HLA-DRB3 (DRw52), and HLA-DQA1 genes among 75 Caucasoid 1. SS patients and 150 Caucasoid controls living in the same geographic region of Southern California. We found significantly increased frequency of HLA-DR3 (P less than .001), HLA-DW52a (P less than .001), and HLA-DQA4 (P less than .05), in comparison to normal controls. Also, an increased frequency of heterozygosity for HLA-DQA1/DQA4 (P less than .05) was present among 1. SS patients. Autoantibodies to SS-A and to SS-B were significantly associated with DR3 (P less than .001), HLA-DQA4, (P less than .05), and DQA4/DQA1 heterozygotes (P less than .01). Among the 1. SS patients, clinical and laboratory features such as hypergammaglobulinemia, symmetric peripheral neuropathy, and hypothyroidism were significantly associated with HLA-DR3 (P less than .01) but not with HLA-DR2 (P greater than .10). In comparison, 1. SS patients with leukocytoclastic vasculitis were more frequently HLA-DR2 (P less than .05). These results using PCR methods confirm and extend prior studies that have used serologic methods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The diagnosis of polycystic ovaries in women with oligo-amenorrhoea: predictive power of endocrine tests.

The ability of several endocrine tests to distinguish between women with and without polycystic ovaries (PCO) has been studied prospectively in a series of 65 patients with functional oligo-amenorrhoea using ultrasonography as a reference test. In terms of overall diagnostic accuracy, the free androgen index (FAI) (94%) and the progestogen challenge (89%) gave similar results (Cl = -5 to 15%) but both were significantly better than all the other tests including measurement of serum LH (69%), total testosterone (71%) and androstenedione (74%) (minimum Cl = 6 to 23%). The FAI together with LH measurement was the most accurate of the combinations (97%) but this was not significantly better than the best of the combinations incorporating the progestogen challenge (92%; Cl = -3% to 13%). Given the limited availability of the assay for SHBG, these results show that assessment of oestrogen state is a useful method for categorizing patients with functional oligo-amenorrhoea.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1991

Oestrogen and androgen states in oligo-amenorrhoeic women with polycystic ovaries.

Oestrogen and androgen states have been studied in relation to ovarian morphology defined by ultrasonography in 65 women with oligo-amenorrhoea. Of the 48 women with polycystic ovaries (PCO), 44 (92%) had a withdrawal bleed following progestogen challenge (indicating oestrogenization) compared with just three (18%) of the 17 with non-PCO (P less than 0.001). Median serum concentrations of oestradiol and oestrone were statistically significantly higher in the PCO group but the ranges overlapped widely. Of the four women with PCO but oestrogen deficiency, two were hirsute and had evidence of a severe form of the disorder. The other two were not hirsute and appeared to have hypothalamic dysfunction associated with weight loss overriding the disorder due to pre-existing PCO. Compared with the non-PCO group, the PCO subgroup without hirsutism (n = 31) had statistically significantly higher median values of LH, testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations, and free androgen index. Concentrations of androgen, but not LH, were significantly higher still in the PCO subgroup with hirsutism (n = 17).

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1991

Fitness to plead.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1991

[Relationship between HLA D region gene and primary Sjögren's syndrome].

Primary Sjögren's syndrome is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands and by autoantibody production. In order to identify the genetic factors that play a role in the pathogenesis and to predict the progress of the disease we used the restriction fragment length polymorphism and polymerase chain reaction method to detect the polymorphism of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DQA and DQB genes among 75 Caucasoid primary SS patients, and compared the results with normal controls living in the same area. We found (1) significant increased frequency of HLA-DR3 (54%) and DRw8 (13%) (P less than 0.001); (2) increased frequency of the HLA-DRB3 allele DRw52a and of the HLA-DQA allele DQA 4 (P less than 005); (3) increased frequency of heterozygosity for DQA 1/DQA 4 (P less than 005); (4) autoantibody SSA and SSB associated with DR3 (P less than 002 and P less than 0001 respectively).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Loss of private health insurance among homosexual men with AIDS.

In this study we analyze information on self-reported health insurance coverage, HIV screening by insurers, and loss of health insurance. We distributed questionnaires to gay male participants in the Baltimore and Los Angeles sites of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and to leukemia patients and gay AIDS patients seen at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In this unusually well-educated and well-insured group, 90% of participants without AIDS had private health insurance coverage, compared with only 64% of participants with AIDS. Persons with AIDS (PWAs) were 33 times as likely to have Medicaid as persons without AIDS, and PWAs were 5 times as likely to have lost health coverage altogether as persons without AIDS.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1991

A field evaluation of the formol-detergent method for concentrating faecal parasites.

A faecal parasite concentration method which utilizes a formalin-detergent solution has recently been described. This technique was evaluated under field conditions in the Out-Patient Department of a hospital in Northern Tanzania. Fifty faecal samples were examined by saline wet preparation and following formol-detergent concentration. Forty-one different parasite identifications were made by both techniques. Ten parasites were found only on saline wet preparation, and 20 were found only in the formol-detergent concentrate. The method necessitates a 24-h delay in sending a report, which is not justified by the small improvement in diagnostic yield. The authors believe that a modification of the technique may yet achieve acceptable results.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Induction of labour postdates in primiparae using vaginal prostaglandin tablets.

The management of pregnancy after 40 completed weeks remains controversial because induction of labour has been, in the past, associated with an increase in the incidence of caesarean section. This study examined the use of vaginal prostaglandin tablets for the induction of labour in selected primiparae after forty one weeks of pregnancy. The outcome of prostaglandin induction in 118 consecutive patients was compared with the outcome in 90 consecutive patients who went into labour spontaneously at the same gestation before induction could be undertaken. The active management of labour was applied in both groups and, therefore, the management of labour was strictly standardised. There was no difference between the two groups in the mode of delivery. Nor was prostaglandin induction associated with an increased incidence of prolonged labour. In selected primiparae, the cautious use of vaginal prostaglandin tablets can induce labour successfully postdates without increasing the complications of labour. A larger study is required to examine the effects of the induction of labour at this gestation on the fetal outcome.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1990

Metacontrast masking between cyclopean and luminance stimuli.

This study investigated the functional equivalence between cyclopean (global stereoscopic) and luminance (local stereoscopic) stimuli. To do so, a metacontrast masking paradigm was employed to determine the level of perceptual interaction between the two stimulus domains. Four target and mask combinations were used: cyclopean target-cyclopean mask, luminance target-luminance mask, cyclopean target-luminance mask, and luminance target-cyclopean mask. Substantial intradomain masking occurred, with the form of masking being similar for both domains. Moreover, significant interdomain masking also occurred, in equal measure for the cyclopean and luminance stimuli, although the magnitude of masking was one-half that of intradomain masking. These results imply that there is a functional equivalence at some stage of the visual system between the mechanisms representing cyclopean and luminance stimuli.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Recreational drug use and sexual behavior change in a cohort of homosexual men. The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

The relationship between use of recreational drugs and high-risk (HIV-transmitting) homosexual behavior was examined in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) population. Among the 3916 men who completed both the baseline (1984) and first 6-month follow-up evaluations and were sexually active during the 6 months prior to enrollment, self-reported use of each of 10 classes of recreational drugs in conjunction with sexual activity was analyzed for both cross-sectional and prospective relationships with pattern of sexual behavior using a four-level sexual risk behavior index. At baseline, the proportion of men in the highest risk category (unprotected anal exposures with multiple partners) increased from 36 to 85% when men not using any drugs to men using three or more drugs plus volatile nitrites were examined. In multivariate logistical analyses, volatile nitrite use was significantly associated with failure to maintain or attain lower sexual risk levels after controlling for the effects of age, educational level and numbers of high-risk partners. These results suggest that volatile nitrite use may play an important role in the association between recreational drug use and high-risk sexual behavior among homosexual/bisexual men.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗