Biomedical subjects

S Jackson

Publications and source records attributed to S Jackson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Plasma and salivary IgG subclasses in HIV type 1 infection: evidence of both transudation and local synthesis of IgG in parotid saliva.

In this study we measured the levels of plasma and salivary IgG subclasses in 81 HIV-1-infected individuals and 30 uninfected controls. Salivary IgG1 was increased in HIV-1-infected patients, while salivary IgG2 and IgG4 were decreased. Patients with high levels of plasma anti-HIV-1 IgG antibodies presented a higher CD4+ cell count and lower viral load. High levels of anti-HIV-1 IgG antibodies in plasma were also associated with high levels of anti-HIV-1 IgG antibodies in parotid saliva. In comparing the HIV-1 recognition patterns of salivary IgG with plasma IgG, we determined that plasma and salivary IgG antibodies had similarities as well as differences in their reactivity to HIV-1 antigens. The present study demonstrates that HIV-1 infection affects both plasma and salivary IgG and provides evidence that the origin of HIV-1-specific IgG antibodies in parotid saliva is primarily transudated from plasma; however, some local synthesis of IgG in parotid saliva also occurs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Identification of differential methylation of the WT1 antisense regulatory region and relaxation of imprinting in Wilms' tumor.

Wilms' tumor (WT) is associated with loss of heterozygosity at chromosome 11p13, the site of the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene, WT1. Although the preferential loss of maternal alleles suggested that differential allelic expression of WT1 might occur, this has not been evident in normal fetal tissues or WTs. In this study, we show that the WT1 antisense regulatory region is differentially methylated, with Southern blot analysis of four loss of heterozygosity-negative WTs and their corresponding normal kidneys indicating that allelic methylation is lost in WTs. Reverse transcription-PCR expression analysis correlates methylation with monoallelic expression of the antisense WT1 transcript (WT1-AS) in normal kidney. However, WTs display hypomethylation and biallelic expression of WT1-AS. Our findings are consistent with imprinting of WT1-AS in normal kidney and the relaxation of imprinting in Wilms' tumorigenesis. This identifies the WT1 antisense regulatory region in intron 1 as a primary site for epigenetic deregulation at chromosome 11p13 in WTs.

Alleles↗

PubMed2000

False positivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of secretory IgA antibodies directed at HIV type 1 antigens.

We have determined that polymeric IgA in saliva of HIV-1-uninfected individuals binds in varying degrees to components of culture supernatants containing HIV-1 recombinant proteins when ELISA is used for the determination. This finding did not extend to salivary IgG antibodies. Further, such problems were not encountered in Western blot. Binding did not appear to be mediated by salivary proteins known to bind to IgA, including secretory component, amylase, lactoferrin, lysozyme, galactosyl transferase, or secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, and was not influenced by blocking reagents or by changes in secondary anti-IgA antibodies. Although these findings will not likely impact on the use of saliva as a diagnostic fluid for HIV-1 infection (the HIV-1 response in saliva is mostly of the IgG isotype), they indicate that assessments of this secretion as an indicator of IgA mucosal immune responses to HIV-1 vaccines should be undertaken with caution.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Expression and function of PPARgamma in rat and human vascular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is activated by fatty acids, eicosanoids, and insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinediones (TZDs). The TZD troglitazone (TRO) inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration in vitro and in postinjury intimal hyperplasia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rat and human VSMCs express mRNA and nuclear receptors for PPARgamma1. Three PPARgamma ligands, the TZDs TRO and rosiglitazone and the prostanoid 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), all inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration. PPARgamma is upregulated in rat neointima at 7 days and 14 days after balloon injury and is also present in early human atheroma and precursor lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological activation of PPARgamma expressed in VSMCs inhibits their proliferation and migration, potentially limiting restenosis and atherosclerosis. These receptors are upregulated during vascular injury.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2000

Blood donation by healthy individuals with haemochromatosis.

AIM: To determine how many individuals with haemochromatosis undergoing therapeutic venesections in our department might be eligible for blood donation. METHODS: Patients with genetic haemochromatosis were assessed with respect to complications of their disorder, the presence of other medical conditions and their suitability to be blood donors. RESULTS: Of 74 patients, 53 have been tested and shown to be homozygous for the Cys282Tyr mutation, and 30 of these (40%) fulfilled criteria for blood donation. This group is having 409 units of blood removed annually or 13-units per individual that is currently discarded. Of these 30 patients, all (100%) were keen to be blood donors. CONCLUSION: It is timely to review the policy regarding use of this wasted blood for transfusion.

Blood Banks↗

PubMed2000

E6 proteins from diverse cutaneous HPV types inhibit apoptosis in response to UV damage.

In addition to their role in anogenital cancer, human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are also involved in the development of a range of cutaneous lesions. HPV types 5 and 8 are associated with the development of skin cancers in individuals with Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). A broad spectrum of HPV types are also commonly found in non-melanoma skin cancers in immunocompromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients. The skin cancers in EV and immunocompromised patients occur predominantly at body sites exposed to ultra violet (UV) radiation, pointing to a key role for UV in their development. Here we show that the E6 protein from a range of cutaneous HPV types effectively inhibits apoptosis in response to UV damage. This occurs in both p53 null and wild type cells and does not require p53 degradation.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2000

A study of the effects of using different cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) thresholds to quantify CPP "secondary insults" in children.

Little is known about the incidence of secondary insults, particularly cerebral perfusion pressure insults, in children. The objectives of this study were to assess the duration of CPP insults at three different thresholds in children and to relate CPP insults to outcome. Eighteen children (age < 16, median & mean 8 years) admitted to the Neurointensive Care Unit who had ICP, MAP and CPP continuously monitored were studied. Using the Edinburgh secondary insult analysis program, data was scanned for CPP insults at three different thresholds: CPP < 70 mmHg, < 60 mmHg and < 50 mmHg. Outcome was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Thirty percent of the time CPP was between 60 and 70 mmHg, 21% of the time CPP was between 50 and 60 mmHg and 8% of the time the CPP was less than 50 mmHg. Compared with adults, there was more than twice the incidence of CPP insults in all threshold groups. BP remained relatively stable above 70 mmHg across all three CPP threshold groups. However, ICP increased slightly on average from about 13-->17 mmHg when CPP decreased from the < 70 to < 60 mmHg group (p < 0.001). There was a marked increase in ICP to greater than 30 mmHg on average in the CPP < 50 mmHg group (p < 0.001). CPP insults less than 70, 60 and 50 mmHg do occur commonly in children, a larger dataset and possibly longer term follow up measures will be needed to identify potentially treatable physiological factors most effecting the outcome of children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

How unspecified are disorders of children with a pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified? A study of social problems in children with PDD-NOS and ADHD.

This study examines possible differences and similarities between social behaviour problems in children with problems classified as pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and a group of children with problems classified as ADHD, as measured by parent questionnaires. The instruments involved were the CBCL (Child Behaviour Checklist), the ABC (Autism Behaviour Checklist) and a new instrument: the CSBQ (Children's Social Behaviour Questionnaire). In comparing the PDD-NOS group and the ADHD group, the results show that, according to parent reports, both groups have severe problems in executing appropriate social behaviour, but the PDD-NOS group can be distinguished from the ADHD group by the nature and the extent of these problems. The PDD-NOS group had significantly more social problems (as measured by the CBCL Social scale), withdrawn problems (as measured by the CBCL Withdrawn scale) and PDD-specific problems (as measured on the ABC Relating scale, the ABC Language scale, the CSBQ total score, the CSBQ Social Interaction scale and CBSQ Communication scale). In addition, although the descriptions of the social problems are global, i.e. on scale level, the results also show that the social problems of PDD-NOS children can be positively formulated and described as at least including severe social interaction problems, withdrawn behaviours and communication problems.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

PubMed2000

Issues in dermatologic health care delivery in minority populations.

It is well known that African Americans are at low risk for one of the most serious diagnoses in dermatology--skin cancer. A consequence of this lower cancer risk has been an undervaluing of the importance of appropriate dermatologic care in this population. In fact, there are many other skin diseases and disorders that not only cause significant morbidity among this population but also emotional and psychological sequelae. This article examines barriers and challenges to providing dermatologic care among African Americans and provides recommendations and suggestions for improving care delivery in this population.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2000

The children's Social Behavior Questionnaire for milder variants of PDD problems: evaluation of the psychometric characteristics.

The Children's Social Behavior Questionnaire (CSBQ) contains items referring to behavior problems seen in children with milder variants of PDD. Data of large samples of children diagnosed as having high-functioning autism, PDDNOS, ADHD, and other child-psychiatric disorders were gathered. Besides the CSBQ, parents completed the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The data provided the basis for scale construction of the CSBQ, a comparison of the CSBQ scales with other instruments and a comparison of groups on scores on the CSBQ. The 5 scales obtained referred to Acting-out behaviors, Social Contact problems, Social Insight problems, Anxious/Rigid behaviors and Stereotypical behaviors. Results show that the CSBQ has good psychometric qualities with respect to both reliability and validity. A comparison of the different groups showed that significant group differences were found on all scales. In general, the autism group received the highest scores, followed by the PDDNOS group and the ADHD group. Exceptions were on the Acting-out scale, where the ADHD group scored highest and on the Social Insight scale, where no significant difference was found between the PDDNOS group and the ADHD group. Implications of the results and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Cytokine profiles in parotid saliva from HIV-1-infected individuals: changes associated with opportunistic infections in the oral cavity.

The purpose of this study was to quantitate levels of cytokines in parotid saliva of subjects infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and to determine if the cytokine profiles differ in subjects with an oral opportunistic infection, i.e., candidiasis or oral hairy leukoplakia. Parotid saliva samples were obtained from HIV-infected individuals with or without candidiasis or oral hairy leukoplakia and from healthy controls and were assessed by ELISA for levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma. Saliva from HIV-infected subjects with oral candidiasis had significantly higher levels of IFN-gamma than that seen in HIV-infected individuals with no oral disease and significantly higher levels of IL-2, IL-5 and IFN-gamma than saliva of healthy controls. No significant difference was seen in cytokine levels in saliva from HIV-infected subjects with no oral infections and healthy controls. The HIV-infected subjects with oral hairy leukoplakia displayed significantly higher levels of both IL-1 alpha and IFN-gamma compared with the HIV and no oral disease group and a higher level of IFN-gamma than seen in saliva from the healthy control group. In comparing cytokine levels from both HIV and oral disease groups, significant differences were detected in levels of IL-5 and IL-10. These results indicate that the profile of salivary cytokines is altered as a result of the oral opportunistic infection candidiasis or oral hairy leukoplakia and also by concurrent HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed2000

Productive human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection of epithelial cell lines of salivary gland origin.

To ascertain whether epithelial cells of oral cavity origin may be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), a study to determine susceptibility to infection of salivary gland epithelial cell lines (HSY and HSG) was undertaken. Because of the potential for oral-genital transmission, an endometrial cell line, HEC-1, was also studied. Epithelial cell monolayers were infected with cell-free HTLVIIIB or a primary HIV-1 isolate. Several lines of evidence indicated that inoculation of these cell lines with HIV-1 led to productive infection: 1) p24 antigen was present in supernatants, with levels peaking on days 3-4; 2) provirus was found in cells by polymerase chain reaction; 3) virions present in supernatants were infectious as confirmed by coculture with the T-lymphoblastoid line CEM-NKr. Following a period of virus production, HIV-1 entered a latency phase over 10 weeks. All epithelial cell lines were positive for galactosylceramide (GalC) and CXCR4. HSY was weakly positive for surface CD4, and also expressed mRNA for CD4 and CCR5, as did HEC-1. Blocking studies indicated that anti-GalC, but not anti-CD4, significantly reduced productive infection, and that regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) but not stromal cell-derived factor (SDF-1) could partially block infection of the M-tropic primary isolate. These results suggest that epithelial cells in the oral cavity and the genital tract might be targets of HIV-1 and potentially serve as a mediator of systemic infection.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2000

Negative and positive health effects of caring for a disabled spouse: longitudinal findings from the caregiver health effects study.

Data from the first 2 waves of the Caregiver Health Effects Study (n = 680) were analyzed to examine the effects of changes in caregiving involvement on changes in caregiver health-related outcomes in a population-based sample of elders caring for a disabled spouse. Caregiving involvement was indexed by levels of (a) spouse physical impairment, (b) help provided to the spouse, and (c) strain associated with providing help. Health-related outcomes included perceived health, health-risk behaviors, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms. Increases in spouse impairment and caregiver strain were generally related to poorer outcomes over time (poorer perceived health, increased health-risk behaviors, and increased anxiety and depression), whereas increased helping was related to better outcomes (decreased anxiety and depression). Results suggest that caring for a disabled spouse is a complex phenomenon that can have both deleterious and beneficial consequences.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

What do people need psychiatric and mental health nurses for?

The study reported here aimed to describe, by consulting with psychiatric practitioners of different disciplines, what people in contact with mental health services need nurses for, in terms of core nursing activity. Yet, recent trends have also been towards consumer-led definitions of good practice. The views of service and ex-service users can contribute much to an exploration of the role of psychiatric and mental health nurses and these perspectives were incorporated into the study. Given the lack of existing theory, a qualitative, grounded theory methodology was selected. In order to generate data rich enough for the analysis, focus groups of psychiatric nurses, social workers, service users, psychiatrists, carers and professions allied to medicine were sampled (13 groups, n=92) on the basis of the themes emerging from the data. Using critical incident technique (Flanagan 1954), the groups were invited to give examples of effective and ineffective nursing interventions, in relation to specific patient needs. The taped material was transcribed and analysed with the help of a computer package (QSR NUD.IST). This led to the selection of a core category, 'knowing you, knowing me', which described service users' and professionals' expectations that nurses are best placed to second guess the needs of patients and present themselves accordingly. Thus, nurses were expected, moment by moment, to know whether to be the patient's friend, a friendly professional, or take a more distant professional stance. The continuum entails different levels of knowledge and power, different language forms and different approaches to structuring time. Nurses themselves are most likely to prefer a position of friendly professional, from which they can move to a more intimate or distant role. Further study is needed to explore how nurses predict patients' expectations of them using a symbolic interactionist framework.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2000

A qualitative evaluation of shared leadership barriers, drivers and recommendations.

Shared leadership is a management model based on the shared governance philosophy. Assumes those individuals or teams performing tasks are best equipped to provide meaningful improvement. The changing image of the current leadership model is one that resides in relationships rather than with a singular person. The key concepts are accountability, partnership, equity, and ownership. When shared leadership was initiated at St Joseph's Health Care, London, Ontario, in 1998, there was a commitment by management and staff to ensure that it was successfully implemented. In order to determine areas for improvement in the implementation process, continual evaluation is necessary. Reports from various staff members, prior to the project, indicated that the shared leadership implementation plan had not been fully realised. Therefore, a qualitative evaluation project, utilising focus groups and interviews, was completed. The purpose of the study was to identify the drivers, as well as the barriers affecting the implementation process. Several recommendations for improving the process were determined by the participants of the study. The result of the project was a collection of four themes, common to the discussions of barriers, drivers and recommendations. The internalisation of the concepts specific to the shared leadership model was found to be vital. The effectiveness of the council framework, including the council structure, processes and membership was also important. Communication of outcomes arising from the council was crucial. The final theme to be identified included those Humanistic Needs that addressed the relationship aspects of this model. Furthermore, the relationship between these themes was explored in the context of the external forces affecting the shared leadership model.

Data Collection↗

PubMed2000

Achieving clinical governance in Women's Services through the use of the EFQM Excellence Model.

Following a brief explanation of the concepts inherent within the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model, the experience of using the framework as a mechanism for delivering clinical governance is described. The framework was utilised by a Women's Services Directorate of an acute National Health Service Trust in the UK, who concluded that the Model was an ideal tool for supporting the delivery of clinical governance. However, this was only the case when a number of factors were taken into consideration. For instance, the Directorate found that the change programme required a phased implementation process, sound leadership, expert facilitation, good information systems, numerous training and development opportunities for managers, teamwork and the application of best practice in relation to project improvement teams. Moreover, the absence of all the aforementioned ingredients had the potential to compromise any successful outcome.

Female↗

PubMed2000

A pilot study to assess the feasibility of prior scalp cooling with palliative whole brain radiotherapy.

The objective of this work was to perform a feasibility study on the use of scalp cooling during palliative whole brain radiotherapy. Seven patients (1 male, 6 female) with good performance status underwent scalp cooling prior to and during radiotherapy for cerebral metastases. Five patients were prescribed 12 Gy in two fractions and two patients were prescribed 20 Gy in five fractions. Phantom thermoluminescent dosemeter (TLD) studies to assess the build-up effect from the scalp cap were performed. Seven out of eight patients that were offered scalp cooling completed treatment uneventfully. One patient reported discomfort on application of the scalp cap and continued treatment without scalp cooling. No patients reported other adverse effects from use of the cap during treatment or at follow-up. TLD studies demonstrated a 55-80% increase in dose to the scalp after application of the scalp cap. All patients experienced hair loss. Scalp cooling caps are well tolerated through a course of palliative whole brain radiotherapy. The scalp dose is significantly increased owing to a bolus effect from the scalp cap.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Caregivers' unmet needs for support in caring for functionally impaired elderly persons: a community sample.

Few estimates have been made of the extent to which the needs of caregivers are met. In addition to the inadequate capacity of services, many caregivers lack adequate financial resources, social resources, or other means to access them. Caregivers who provide services to minority or poor elderly may be particularly needy since their care receivers tend to be less healthy and are less likely to use institutional facilities. To address this issue, the authors studied a community sample of 124 caregivers who identified correlates of their perceived unmet caregiver needs and their use of supportive services available for their caregiving. Results indicated that 51.8 percent of women and 67.4 percent of men reported needs for one or more community services that were not met. It was concluded that caregivers who are poor or who required financial assistance are at the highest risk for needing assistance while providing caregiving services. Community services may more effectively target potential needs of caregivers through routine screenings.

Activities of Daily Living↗