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Biomedical subjects

R M Wood

Publications and source records attributed to R M Wood.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Yeast glycolytic mRNAs are differentially regulated.

The regulation of glycolytic genes in response to carbon source in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been studied. When the relative levels of each glycolytic mRNA were compared during exponential growth on glucose or lactate, the various glycolytic mRNAs were found to be induced to differing extents by glucose. No significant differences in the stabilities of the PFK2, PGK1, PYK1, or PDC1 mRNAs during growth on glucose or lactate were observed. PYK::lacZ and PGK::lacZ fusions were integrated independently into the yeast genome at the ura3 locus. The manner in which these fusions were differentially regulated in response to carbon source was similar to that of their respective wild-type loci. Therefore, the regulation of glycolytic mRNA levels is mediated at the transcriptional level. When the mRNAs are ordered with respect to the glycolytic pathway, two peaks of maximal induction are observed at phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase. These enzymes (i) catalyze the two essentially irreversible steps on the pathway, (ii) are the two glycolytic enzymes that are circumvented during gluconeogenesis and hence are specific to glycolysis, and (iii) are encoded by mRNAs that we have shown previously to be coregulated at the translational level in S. cerevisiae (P. A. Moore, A. J. Bettany, and A. J. P. Brown, NATO ASI Ser. Ser. H Cell Biol. 49:421-432, 1990). This differential regulation of glycolytic mRNA levels might therefore have a significant influence upon glycolytic flux in S. cerevisiae.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Growth patterns in pediatric bone marrow transplant patients.

There is little known about the long-term effects of the bone marrow transplantation process on the growth of pediatric patients. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine one of the possible long-term effects of bone marrow transplantation: the effect of the bone marrow transplantation process on the growth curves of pediatric patients. A chart audit was completed on the medical records of 60 bone marrow transplant patients who were between the ages of 5 months to 13.9 years at the time of the transplant. Results indicated that approximately half of the subjects maintained their height percentiles, and a little less than half maintained their weight percentiles after the transplant. Results of this study suggest that further nursing research on the growth of pediatric bone marrow transplant patients is needed, and growth (height and weight) should be part of nursing nutritional assessment of pediatric bone marrow transplant patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Depression, somatization and steroid use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Steroid therapy has become part of the adjunctive treatment for COPD patients in some settings. Emotional changes have been reported in some patients while on these medications, but whether these changes are associated with the pathophysiological state or a side effect of the medication is not known. In this study self-reports of depression and somatic complaints were compared between two groups of COPD patients, 20 not receiving steroids and 20 receiving steroids. Both groups demonstrated comparable levels of disease and somatic complaints. Mean FEV1 value for those not receiving steroids was 34% of predicted while the mean for those receiving steroids was 30% of predicted. Depression was found to be significantly higher (t = 11.21, df = 38, p less than 0.01) in the group receiving steroids when compared to those not receiving steroids using a Student's t test. The higher degree of depression among steroid treated COPD patients has implications for clinical practice. The emotional status of this group of patients needs to be monitored and interventions initiated when necessary.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Nutrition and the head and neck cancer patient.

Patients with head and neck cancer have a unique nutritional problem that can affect their response to treatment. To properly manage these patients the oral and maxillofacial surgeon must be able to accurately assess their nutritional status and implement the proper metabolic treatment. This article reviews the benefits of nutritional support, the methods of patient assessment and nutritional repletion, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various alimentation modalities. Also, an analysis of the relationship of nutritional status and the surgical course of the head and neck cancer patient at our institution is presented.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma.

Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma is an extremely rare tumor. To date only 43 cases have been reported in the literature. An additional case of ameloblastic fibrosarcoma is presented; the clinical features, histologic characteristics, treatment, and the relevance of the presence of dental hard tissue are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Honey and other environmental risk factors for infant botulism.

Infant botulism results from the in vivo production of toxin by Clostridium botulinum after it has colonized the infant's gut. Epidemiologic and laboratory investigations of this recently recognized disease were undertaken to identify risk factors and routes by which C. botulinum spores might reach susceptible infants. Clostridium botulinum organisms, but no preformed toxin, were identified in six different honey specimens fed to three California patients with infant botulism, as well as from 10% (9/90) of honey specimens studied. By food exposure history, honey was significantly associated with type B infant botulism (P = 0.005). In California, 29.2% (12/41) of hospitalized patients had been fed honey prior to onset of constipation; worldwide, honey exposure occurred in 34.7% (28/75) of hospitalized cases. Of all food items tested, only honey contained C. botulinum organisms. On household vacuum cleaner dust specimens and five soil specimens (three from case homes, two from control homes) contained Clostridium botulinum. The known ubiquitous distribution of C. botulinum implies that exposure to its spores is universal and that host factors contribute importantly to the pathogenesis of infant botulism. However, honey is now an identified and avoidable source of C. botulinum spores, and it therefore should not be fed to infants.

Botulism↗
PubMed1979

Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from Honey.

Methods for the isolation of Clostridium botulinum from honey samples are described. A total of 9 of 90 honey samples were positive for C. botulinum; 6 of the positive samples had been fed to babies who developed infant botulism.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1978

Intestinal infection and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum as one cause of sudden infant death syndrome.

The spontaneous production of botulinum toxin in the infant gut by ingested Clostridium botulinum organisms is the underlying cause of infant botulism, recognised as an infectious disease only in late 1976. Because of the recognition of the pathophysiology of this disease and because the known potency and action of botulinum toxin can lead to rapid respiratory arrest, it appeared possible that the in-vivo production of botulinum toxin could cause the sudden death of some infants. To test this hypothesis, serum, selected tissues, and bowel contents from 280 dead infants were examined for the presence of C. botulinum toxin and/or organsisms. We found C. botulinum organisms in 10 infants, all of whom died suddenly and unexpectedly. 9 of these deaths were classified by the forensic pathologist as sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S. or crib death). In 2 of these 10 sudden deaths both C. botulinum organisms and botulinum toxin were identified, and from the spleen of 1, C. botulinum organisms were isolated. Faecal specimens from 160 age-matched healthy infants who served as controls in studies of inpatient infant botulism cases were negative for both C. botulinum organisms and toxin, except for one specimen that contained only C. botulinum type A organisms. The 9 S.I.D.S. cases with evidence of C. botulinum infection comprised 4.3% of the 211 S.I.D.S. cases examined over 12 months. These findings suggest that intestinal production of botulinum toxin by C. botulinum is one cause of S.I.D.S. The strikingly similar age-distribution of 62 inpatient infant botulism cases and the 211 S.I.D.S. cases is also consistent with this concept. The possibility that in-vivo production of botulinum toxin may account for a larger proportion of S.I.D.S. cases is discussed.

Botulinum Toxins↗
PubMed1977

Infant botulism. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory aspects.

Clostridium botulinum organisms and toxin were identified in the feces of six infants, aged 5 to 20 weeks, who had illnesses clinically consistent with botulism. Five of the infants lived in California and became ill within a six-month period in 1976; one infant became ill in New Jersey in 1975. Three cases were type A botulism, and three were type B. No source of ingested botulinal toxin could be found in any case. However, one infant with type B botulism had ingested a food containing C botulinum type B organisms, and no toxin was found in it. The clinical findings in these cases include constipation, weak sucking and crying ability, pooled oral secretions, cranial nerve deficits, generalized weakness, and, on occasion, sudden apnea. A characteristic electromyographic pattern termed "brief, small, abundant, motor-unit action potentials" (BSAP) was observed. The sources of C botulinum toxin for these six infants is thought to have been in vivo (gastrointestinal) production following ingestion of C botulinum organisms. Studies are underway to determine the full clinical spectrum, incidence, and potential public health importance of this infectious disease newly recognized in infants.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

A practical, behavior-based oral hygiene program for elementary school children.

A three-year study was made of the effectiveness of a behavior-based program of oral hygiene for schoolchildresn. The primary focus of the program was a daily "brush-in," managed by teachers and parent volunteers. Emphasis was placed on plaque removal in lieu of conceptual-informational content, and the role of consultants was to maintain the behavior of participants through occasional visitation and evaluation. Analysis suggested that the program was economical and effective when judged on the basis of typical oral hygiene measures. Findings are discussed in terms of the relationship between knowledge and behavior, and efficient use of professional time.

Child↗
PubMed1975

Rifampin disks in mycobacterial susceptibility testing.

A comparison of rifampin susceptibility test results on 407 strains of mycobacteria using conventional medium in parallel with disk medium showed good agreement. Techniques are described for utilization of drug-impregnated disks in the preparation of medium and for a quality control screening procedure for disks.

Microbial Sensitivity Tests↗
PubMed1974

Antimicrobial resistance and R factors in Salmonella isolated in California (1971-1972).

The antimicrobial resistance of 2,246 strains of Salmonella isolated from humans in California was determined. Resistance to one or more of the 12 antimicrobial agents tested was found in 32% of the isolates. Salmonella typhimurium strains represented 31% of the serotypes isolated; 49% of these strains were resistant. Fifty-one percent of S. heidelberg, 42.5% of S. newport, and 40% of S. saint paul strains were resistant. Seventy-seven percent of all resistant serotypes were resistant to two or more of the antimicrobial agents tested. R factors were demonstrated in 70% of the multiply resistant strains. Resistance of the Salmonella strains to one or more of the 12 antimicrobials tested and the frequency of resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin were significantly greater than resistance reported in other studies performed in this country. Chloramphenicol resistance was encountered in 33 (1.5%) of the Salmonella isolates; 19 of these were S. typhi demonstrating a pattern of resistance to streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol and carrying an R factor capable of transferring the complete pattern of resistance.

California↗
PubMed1972

Evaluation of the qualitative and automated quantitative microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to Treponema pallidum.

Qualitative and quantitative microhemagglutination assays for antibodies to Treponema pallidum (MHA-TP) were performed on 314 syphilitic and 597 presumably nonsyphilitic sera, and the results were compared with those of the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed (FTA-ABS), the Treponema pallidum immobilization (TPI), and the Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) tests. MHA-TP sensitivity was similar to that of the other tests in all stages of syphilis except primary syphilis, in which MHA-TP reactivity was only 64% compared with 82% in the FTA-ABS test, 73% in the VDRL test, and 67% in the TPI test. MHA-TP specificity was satisfactory and comparable to that of the other treponemal tests. Quantitation of the MHA-TP test was automated by use of Autotiter II equipment. Titers tended to become elevated later in the course of syphilis and to remain elevated longer than did VDRL titers. Reproducibility of the quantitative MHA-TP test was satisfactory, with duplicate tests agreeing within one doubling dilution on 97.5% of 351 reactive sera. Poor reproducibility was obtained with sera giving minimal reactions in the qualitative test, and such sera should be routinely retested. The MHA-TP is less time-consuming and costly than the FTA-ABS test and could be used in conjunction with the VDRL or another reagin test for syphilis to eliminate a large number of the FTA-ABS tests now required.

Antibodies↗