The effect of the increased prescription charges on the collection of asthma drugs.
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
Biomedical subjects
R Thompson
Publications and source records attributed to R Thompson.
Embolus in transit.
Since the advent of echocardiography, embolus in transit, historically found during surgical exploration or on postmortem examination, has been found with increasing frequency on antemortem examination. There is an inherent high mortality rate with this condition and awareness of the association between deep venous thrombosis and embolus in transit is paramount. On echocardiography the embolus is typically seen as a pleomorphic mass moving in a tumbling fashion. The most frequent symptoms are dyspnea and near syncopal episodes. The most common signs are diastolic "tumor plop" and a systolic ejection murmur heard on auscultation. Despite the success of some medical interventions, surgery should be strongly considered in patients with embolus in transit.
Aged↗
Estimation of changes in genetic parameters in selected lines of mice using REML with an animal model. 1. Lean mass.
Analysis was undertaken using Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) with an animal model of the results of selection for 20 generations for predicted lean mass in 10-week-old male mice. There were three replicates, each comprising high, low and unselected control lines. The overall estimates of heritability (h2) and common environmental correlations (c2) from results of the first seven generations were 0.51 +/- 0.03 and 0.21 +/- 0.01, respectively. Analyses of data from different lines and different numbers of generations were undertaken but with all pedigrees and data included, which enabled inferences to be drawn on changes in variance that were not due simply to inbreeding or short-term effects of selection. Estimates of h2 were lower in selected lines than the control, increasingly so in later generations, indicating departure from the infinitesimal model assumption of unlinked additive genes each of very small effect. In addition, values of c2 became higher in high than in control or low selected lines.
Analysis of Variance↗
Estimation of changes in genetic parameters in selected lines of mice using REML with an animal model. 2. Body weight, body composition and litter size.
Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) with an animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters of body weight, body consumption and litter size of lines of mice selected for 20 generations on an index of lean mass at 10 weeks in males, highly correlated with body weight, and for a further 18 generations on body weight at 10 weeks in males and females. Univariate and multivariate estimates of heritability were about 0.5 and those of common environment correlations were about 0.25 for both body weight and composition. Body weight and fat pad weight had genetic and phenotypic correlations of about 0.5. The heritability estimate of litter size was about 0.15 from univariate analysis, rather lower from multivariate, and the estimate of its genetic correlation with body weight was about 0.25. There were reductions in heritability of both body weight and litter size in later generations, even though full pedigrees were fitted and inferences made to the base population, but a plateau in response to selection for increased body weight could not be explained by a complete attenuation of genetic variance.
Animals↗
Methods of segregation analysis for animal breeding data: a comparison of power.
Maximum likelihood segregation analysis provides potentially the most powerful method for the detection of segregating major genes. Segregation analysis requires the comparison of the likelihood of the data under the combined model (allowing both polygenic and major gene genetic variation) with the likelihood of the data under the polygenic model (allowing only polygenic genetic variation). In this study three approximations to the combined model likelihood were compared using simulated data, both with and without a segregating major gene, containing observations on paternal half-sibs. The use of Hermite integration to replace the integration in the combined model likelihood provided the most powerful test for a major gene. Two approximations, based on extensions of linear-mixed-model theory and estimating transmitting abilities for sires, were also considered. These approximations were less powerful than the use of Hermite integration, although the approximation estimating a transmitting ability for each major genotype for the sires was an improvement over the approximation estimating a single transmitting ability. For each approximation the frequency of detection of a major gene depended on the proportion of the genetic variance explained by the simulated major gene and whether the major gene caused the distribution to be skewed.
Alleles↗
Methods of segregation analysis for animal breeding data: parameter estimates.
Three approximations to the combined model likelihood (including variation due to both polygenes and a major gene) used in segregation analysis were compared in their ability to estimate the parameters describing the model. Paternal half-sib data simulated under four different combined models were used. In general, when a combined model provides the best explanation of the data the parameter estimates from all three approximations investigated are, on average, in good agreement with the values simulated. The use of Hermite integration to replace the integration in the combined model likelihood provided the parameter estimates closest to those stimulated. The other two approximations, based on extensions of linear mixed-model theory, gave estimates further from the expected values, however, these latter two methods can estimate transmitting abilities for the sires directly from the analyses. The three approximations are similar in their ability to genotype sires at the major locus. On average, with the models studied here, about 65 per cent of sires can be successfully genotyped.
Alleles↗
A sequence-specific DNA-binding protein recognising a GA-rich element cooperates with Oct-1 at the herpes simplex virus type 1 IE3 promoter.
Herpes simplex virus immediate early (IE) gene transcription is regulated via the upstream TAATGARAT motif and involves the recruitment of the ubiquitous octamer-binding protein Oct-1 and a component of the virion Vmw65 into a multiprotein complex termed the immediate early complex (IEC). An upstream GA-rich element (GA-RE) has been postulated to mediate a response to Vmw65 independent of TAATGARAT. We have studied IEC formation in gel shift assays using DNA fragments containing these sequence elements from the HSV-1 IE gene 3 promoter in different combinations. The results show that a factor which footprints to the GA-RE cooperates with Oct-1 to increase IEC levels on a TAATGARAT motif located 5 bp 5' to the GA-RE. The factor alone is unable to promote IEC formation. We were unable to demonstrate any effect of this factor on a TAATGARAT motif located 16 bp from the GA-RE, suggesting that this effect is not universal for all TAATGARAT motifs.
Base Composition↗
Craniofacial form in class III cases.
Lateral skull cephalograms from 50 patients who subsequently had surgical correction of their Class III malocclusion were analysed using a complete linkage cluster analysis based on skull shape. Five subgroups were identified and are described. All subjects had a degree of mandibular prognathism while only 14 per cent had maxillary retrognathism. An increased lower face height was found in 58 per cent.
Adult↗
Variance decomposition in the estimation of genetic variance with selected data.
Estimation of genetic variance in populations under selection involves assumptions on base animals. Base animals are often considered unselected and it also has been proposed to treat selected base animals as fixed. The consequences of assumptions on base animals in the estimation of genetic variance in selected populations are not fully understood. Variance decompositions are introduced for simple designs to quantify the differences between models that treat base animals in different ways. Independent contrasts were constructed and REML estimates of variance components were compared for different designs and selection rules. The method shows how selection is accounted for in a complete model and why estimation of variance components can become biased when base animals are treated as fixed.
Animals↗
Secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor: inhibition of fibronectin degradation by neutrophil elastase.
Degradation of surface-bound fibronectin of the upper respiratory tract by human leucocyte elastase (HLE) was shown to favour colonization of these mucosal surfaces by Gram-negative bacteria. We investigated the degradation of fibronectin by purified HLE and by enzymes released from stimulated human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs), in the presence of recombinant secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor (rSLPI) and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI), the two main inhibitors of HLE within the airways. Our results show that HLE degraded fibronectin at concentrations as low as 0.2 nM. To inhibit the degradation of fibronectin by pure HLE in an experimental system in which the enzyme was premixed with inhibitor, a twofold molar excess of rSLPI and an equimolar concentration of alpha 1-PI were required. On the other hand, a fivefold molar excess of rSLPI was necessary to inhibit degradation of fibronectin by enzymes released from stimulated neutrophils. In order to estimate the role of oxidants generated by stimulated PMNs in the activation of the inhibitory capacity of rSLPI by stimulated PMNs, we preincubated PMNs with antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, methionine, catalase or Na-azide prior to stimulation of the cells. Under these conditions, a threefold molar excess of rSLPI over released HLE was required to inhibit the degradation of fibronectin, raising the possibility that either exogenous or endogenous antioxidants in the lung could be important in improving the efficacy of this therapeutic antiprotease. We conclude that a molar excess of rSLPI to HLE is always necessary to inhibit fibronectin degradation by HLE, and that addition of antioxidants partly prevents the inactivation of rSLPI by oxidants released from stimulated PMNs.
Antioxidants↗
Managing resources in the operating department.
A number of articles on the problems of resource management have been published in these pages over the past few years. Although these articles highlighted some of the difficulties and problems faced by theatre nurses, none actually gave a means of resolving them.
Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
Hemicorporectomy for acute aortic occlusion: a case study.
Hemicorporectomy has been done for potentially curable pelvic malignancy and for intractable pelvic sepsis with bone involvement. In this report, the authors describe the first use of hemicorporectomy to treat ischemic gangrene of the limbs and pelvic soft tissues secondary to acute aortic occlusion.
Acute Disease↗
First steps in audit.
The results of two audit projects carried out in a District Orthodontic Unit are described. Although prospective data collection was the goal, it was found that this method yielded little information as the data collection forms were poorly filled in. The main problem was a lack of definition of terms and inadequate discussion between clinical and clerical staff. A retrospective audit using five clearly defined fields was more successful. It is very important that there is provision to verify the data collected. The time commitment for clinical staff should not be underestimated.
Data Collection↗
Lung asbestos fiber content and mesothelioma cell type, site, and survival.
All ascertainable cases of malignant mesothelioma in Australia were notified to a national surveillance program in the period January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1985. There were 854 cases obtained and 823 confirmed on clinical (77) or histologic (746) ground. Tumor site was known in 759 cases (685 pleural and 74 peritoneal). Lung fiber content analyses by light microscopy and analytic transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis were done on 226 cases in which postmortem material was available, using the method of Rogers. Cell type was determined by a five-member expert panel of pathologists appointed by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. There was a statistically significant trend between lung fiber content (fibers/g dry lung) and cell type from epithelial (low fiber content) through mixed to sarcomatous (high fiber content). This trend was most apparent for total uncoated fibers (chi-square = 6.8, df = 1, P less than 0.01) and crocidolite (chi-square = 6.7, df = 1, P less than 0.01). Lung fiber content also was associated with tumor site; higher lung fiber content being associated with peritoneal tumors. This relationship was significant for all fiber content measures except chrysotile and was independent of the fiber content-cell type relationship (log-linear analysis). Survival from time of provisional diagnosis was significantly longer for epithelial (mean, 13 months; standard deviation [SD], 12.8) and mixed (mean, 10.2 months; SD, 8.7) types than sarcomatous cell types (mean, 5.8 months; SD, 6.5; P less than 0.0001, by analysis of variance on log10 survival time). Survival time was significantly greater for pleural tumors (mean, 11.4 months; SD, 13.4) than peritoneal tumors (mean, 8.6 months; SD, 12.5) (P less than 0.005, by Student's t test on log10 survival time).
Asbestos↗
The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Australia 1982-1988.
From 1980 to 1985, the Australian Mesothelioma Surveillance Program, and since 1986, the Australian Mesothelioma Register, have been collecting data on all cases of malignant mesothelioma that could be ascertained in Australia. Incidence rates were calculated on 854 Program and 696 Register cases (total 1271) diagnosed in Australia between January 1, 1982 and December 31, 1988. Australia has one of the highest national rates of mesothelioma in the world (15.8 cases per million of population aged 20 years and older), and the rate is rising. The rate is far higher in males (28.3) than females (3.3). The Western Australian rate (28.9) is the highest among the states, as may be expected because of the crocidolite mine at Wittenoom; however, the largest numbers of cases occur in the more populous and industrial New South Wales. The high incidence rate, its expected continuing increase, and absence of a history of exposure to asbestos in approximately 28% of cases, demand consideration of potential environmental factors other than asbestos in the causation of this tumor, as well as continued surveillance.
Adult↗
Evolution of herpesvirus thymidine kinases from cellular deoxycytidine kinase.
The thymidine kinases encoded by herpesviruses of higher vertebrates form a distinct group and are unrelated to the thymidine kinases (TKs) of other organisms. Their evolutionary source has not been identified, but our analysis has revealed a clear relationship with a sequence of human deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) published recently. We report the sequence of the putative TK of channel catfish virus, a herpesvirus of a lower vertebrate, and show that it is also related to dCK. We propose, therefore, that the TKs of herpesviruses of higher and lower vertebrates have evolved, either independently or successively, from a cellular dCK.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Three high-lysine mutations control the level of ATP-binding HSP70-like proteins in the maize endosperm.
The synthesis and deposition of seed storage proteins in maize are affected by several dominant and recessive mutants. The effect of three independent mutations, floury-2 (fl2), Defective endosperm-B30 (De-B30), and Mucronate (Mc), that reduce zein level in the endosperm were investigated. These mutations also control the level of b-70, a polypeptide bound to protein bodies, which is separable into the two isoforms b-70I and b-70II by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Both isoforms are overexpressed 10-fold in fl2; however, only b-70I is present in De-B30 and Mc, which contain an amount of total b-70 isoforms fivefold higher than in the wild type. Both b-70I and b-70II resemble heat shock protein (HSP70) in that they bind ATP, cross-react with anti-HSP antibodies, and have N-terminal sequence homology to HSP70. All maize protein body-located b-70 characteristics are typical of those of chaperone-like HSPs. A third protein, b-70III, similar in size to but slightly more acidic than b-70I and b-70II, also binds ATP and reacts with the same antibody, providing evidence for the presence in endosperm extracts of a cytosolic chaperone-like protein. The level of b-70III was not altered by the mutations studied. The results suggested that the repression effect of the three mutations on zein accumulation may be mediated by the alteration of a zein transport or zein assembly process involving b-70I and b-70II.
Adenosine Triphosphate↗
Pulmonary emboli as a primary manifestation of Wilms tumor.
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Child↗