Biomedical subjects

Scott D Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Scott D Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Proteomics of metal transport and metal-associated diseases.

Proteomics technology has the potential to identify groups of proteins that have similar biological function. However, few attempts have been made to identify and characterize metal-binding proteins by using proteomics strategies. Many transition metals are essential to sustain life. Copper, iron, and zinc are the most abundant transition metals relevant to biological systems. In addition to their important biological functions, metals can also catalyze the formation of damaging free radical species. Hence, their intracellular transport is tightly regulated. Despite recent insights into the intracellular transport of copper and other metals, our overall understanding of intracellular metal metabolism remains incomplete and it is likely that many metal-binding proteins remain undiscovered. Furthermore, the protein targets for metals during metal-associated disease states or during exposure to toxic levels of environmental metals are yet to be unravelled. A proteomics strategy for the analysis of metal-transporting or metal-binding proteins has the potential to uncover how a large number of proteins function in normal or metal-associated diseased states. Here we discuss the principal aspects of metal metabolism, and the recent developments in the area of the proteomics of metal transport.

Biological Transport↗

PubMed2006

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in patients with giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: Vision loss and cerebrovascular accidents often complicate giant cell arteritis (GCA). Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy reduce the risk of stroke in other populations. We sought to determine whether antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy reduces ischemic complications in patients with GCA. METHODS: A retrospective chart review for patients with GCA was conducted. Included patients fulfilled modified 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for GCA. Collected information included demographic data, dates of antiplatelet or anticoagulant use, vision loss or stroke, and presence of bleeding complications and cerebrovascular risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were included with a mean followup period of 4 years. The cohort included 109 women (76%) and 34 men (24%) with a mean age of 71.8 years. A total of 104 patients (73%) had a biopsy-proven diagnosis. Eighty-six patients (60.1%) had received long-term antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy, including 18 (12.6%) who did not start therapy until after an ischemic event had occurred. Antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants were not used in 57 patients (39.9%). Overall, 11 of 68 patients (16.2%) had an ischemic event while receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy, compared with 36 of 75 patients (48.0%) not receiving such therapy (P < 0.0005). Univariate analysis failed to show a statistical difference between groups in regard to cerebrovascular risk factors, age, sex, or biopsy-proven diagnosis. Bleeding complications occurred in 2 patients receiving aspirin, 1 patient receiving warfarin, and 5 patients who did not receive anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. CONCLUSION: Antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy may reduce the risk of ischemic events in patients with GCA. An increased risk of bleeding complications was not observed.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Optical coherence tomographic patterns of diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To describe various morphologic patterns of diabetic macular edema (DME) demonstrated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and correlate them with visual acuity. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational, case series. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients with DME who underwent OCT evaluation and met the study inclusion criteria between May 1998 and December 2002 at the Cole Eye Institute was performed. The OCT scans were evaluated for the presence of diffuse retinal thickening (DRT), cystoid macular edema (CME), posterior hyaloidal traction (PHT), serous retinal detachment (SRD), and traction retinal detachment (TRD). Additionally, the retinal thickness was measured and visual acuity evaluated. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-six OCT scans of 164 eyes of 119 patients were identified. OCT revealed five morphologic patterns of DME: DRT (269, 97%), CME (152, 55%), SRD without PHT (19, 7.0%), PHT without TRD (35, 12.7%), and PHT with TRD (8, 2.9%). Mean retinal thickness varied depending on the morphologic pattern. The mean visual acuities (Snellen equivalent) also varied between groups. Increasing retinal thickness in all patterns was significantly correlated with worse visual acuity (P < .005). The OCT patterns containing CME (P = .01) and PHT without TRD (P = .02) were also significantly associated with worse vision. CONCLUSIONS: DME exhibits at least five different morphologic patterns on OCT. There is a significant correlation between retinal thickness and visual acuity.

Diabetic Retinopathy↗

PubMed2006

Antioxidants in prevention of cataracts in South India: methodology and baseline data*.

PURPOSE: To describe the methodology and baseline data for the Antioxidants in Prevention of Cataracts (APC) study in South India. METHODS: The APC study is a prospective, 5-year, randomized, triple-masked, placebo-controlled, field-based clinical trial to examine the effect of antioxidants (combination tablet of vitamins A, C, and E) on progression of cataract. The primary outcome variable is cataract progression (nuclear opalescence), evaluated with the slit-lamp biomicroscope by the Lens Opacification Classification System III method. Secondary outcome variables are progression in cortical and posterior subcapsular opacity and nuclear color, change in best corrected visual acuity, myopic shift, and treatment failure (progression to cataract surgery or best corrected vision worse than 20/400 in an eye). Inclusion criteria are age between 35 and 50 years and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Exclusion criteria are a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or nonfasting blood glucose level>7.8 mmol/L, history or presence of various ocular conditions or treatment forms, or current use of vitamin supplements. Baseline ophthalmic, demographic, and potential cataract risk factor data (such as smoking, sunlight, or alcohol exposure) were compared between groups on an intent-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Of 954 people screened, 798 were enrolled, a sample size which exceeded the required estimate. More than 80% of subjects had 20/20 or better vision in at least one eye, and baseline prevalence of significant cataract according to the LOCS III grading scale was high. The two treatment groups were comparable for all baseline measures except alcohol intake. CONCLUSION: The sample size and group baseline characteristics will provide sufficient power to detect a change in cataract progression within 5 years.

Adult↗

PubMed2006