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Biomedical subjects

T Bell

Publications and source records attributed to T Bell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Food borne microbial pathogens of cultured aquatic species.

This article provides a broad overview of microbial pathogens associated with marine and fresh water aquatic animals, including Vibrio species, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus iniae, Salmonella species, and Edwardsiella tarda. Historically, cultured fish were not considered important vectors of human pathogens. This situation is changing, partly due to increasing animal densities as a consequence of a rapidly growing industry and partly due to increasing awareness by health care providers of pathogens in aquatic species that may result in human illness. Concerns facing the industry are also discussed along with possible solutions.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1998

Simultaneous polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism identification of the factor V Leiden allele and the prothrombin 20210A mutation.

A novel mutation in the 3' untranslated region of the prothrombin gene, prothrombin 20210A, recently has been identified. This mutation is associated with increased serum prothrombin levels and an increased risk for venous thromboembolism. Patients who carry a mutation in the factor V gene (factor V Leiden) have also been demonstrated to be at increased risk for venous thromboembolism, and previous studies have identified a population prevalence of approximately 5% to 10% for the factor V Leiden allele. To simply and reliably identify patients who carry both genetic defects, a novel assay was developed that simultaneously determines the genotype of patients for the factor V Leiden allele and the prothrombin 20210A mutation. Representative samples (samples positive and negative for each mutation and a "double mutant") were then subjected to this single-tube genotyping assay. The results indicate that the simultaneous genotyping of these mutations will readily characterize the allelic status of patients for the two most frequent genetic mutations in the coagulation cascade.

3' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed1998

A prospective study of posturography in normal older people.

OBJECTIVE: To follow posturographic measurements over time in a group of normal older subjects to see if sway increases with aging and if sway is greater in those with deteriorating balance and falls. SUBJECTS: Seventy-two community-dwelling older people (age range 79-91 years), who initially had normal neurological evaluations, were followed with three yearly follow-up examinations. MEASUREMENTS: Amplitude and velocity of sway on static and dynamic posturography, Tinetti gait and balance score, reports of falls. RESULTS: Velocity of sway on dynamic tests increased significantly during the 3 years of follow-up. The percentage increase in sway was about the same in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions and with eyes open and eyes closed. Subjects with low Tinetti scores had higher sway amplitude and velocity, particularly on dynamic tests, but no measure of sway was significantly different in those who reported falls compared with those who did not report falls. CONCLUSIONS: Sway increases in normal subjects over time, and sway is greater in older subjects with deteriorating balance compared with those with normal balance. Sway was not greater in those who fell compared with those who did not fall, probably because falls are highly dependent on individual behavior.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1998

Transcranial 3D B-mode imaging in a case of cerebral hemorrhage.

The case of a patient with temporal lobe hemorrhage is presented. This is the first report of use of a new three-dimensional data acquisition system that entails free-hand scanning with three-dimensional transcranial duplex sonography. Three-dimensional image reconstruction reduced the spatial asymmetry inherent in oblique two-dimensional ultrasonography, making evaluation of the precise location, size, and anatomic relations of intracranial hemorrhage easier.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cisplatinum and interstitial laser therapy for advanced head and neck cancer: a preclinical study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Direct intratumor injection of cisplatinum (CDDP) and laser therapy were tested for improved treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human SCCA tumors were grown as s.c. transplants in nude mice and injected with CDDP (0.4-1.2 mg/gm) in water or in collagen-based gel carrier with epinephrine (epi-gel), followed by interstitial laser therapy (ILT) via 0.6 mm fiberoptics (532 nm/300 J). RESULTS: Tumors injected with CDDP epi-gel exhibited a partial response with 2-4-fold tumor growth delay, compared to aqueous drug or untreated SCCA transplants during 10-week follow-up. Combined drug and laser therapy significantly decreased tumor volume with recurrence in only 25% (2/8) of animals tested, compared to 66% tumor regrowth (10/15) after ILT alone. CONCLUSION: These initial results suggest laser chemotherapy may become an effective treatment for advanced head and neck cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (Prostatron version 2.5) compared with transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, controlled, parallel study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) with urethral cooling in a high-energy protocol (Prostatron version 2.5), with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of symptomatic, uncomplicated, urodynamically obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe symptomatic, uncomplicated BPH, unequivocally obstructed as assessed from the Abrams-Griffith nomogram, who were technically suitable for either form of treatment, were randomized into two groups of 30 patients each to undergo either TUMT or TURP. Five efficacy variables, i.e. the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, maximum flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), voiding pressure at maximal flow (Pdet max) and prostatic volume determined by ultrasonography (PV) were measured initially and 6 months after treatment using a defined protocol. Complications were recorded during and up to 6 months after the treatment. As the variables were independent, the data were analysed using a paired t-test for each to assess the treatment effect for each group. RESULTS: After TURP, all the variables improved significantly; after TUMT, the symptoms improved both clinically and statistically (P < 0.001), with the mean AUA symptom score decreasing from 18.4 to 5.2. However, none of the objective variables improved after TUMT. The energy delivered under software control correlated poorly with prostatic volume (r = 0.322). TUMT had considerably lower morbidity than TURP, but failure of ejaculation occurred in four of 18 sexually active men after TUMT. CONCLUSIONS: Despite considerable improvement in their symptoms, TUMT using the Prostatron and Prostasoft v2.5 did not alleviate obstruction in patients with BPH. Patients treated using TUMT controlled by this software should be informed of the possibility of ejaculatory dysfunction.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Perinatal myocardial infarction in a newborn with a structurally normal heart.

Myocardial infarction in a newborn infant in the absence of congenital heart disease and anomalous coronary artery anatomy is extremely rare. We report a case of a newborn with a structurally normal heart who presented shortly after birth with congestive heart failure and cardiovascular collapse suggestive of a hypoplastic left ventricle or critical aortic stenosis. This newborn had a massive myocardial infarction caused by thromboembolic occlusion of the left main coronary artery. Clinical, laboratory, and autopsy data suggest the event occurred in utero.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Are patients satisfied with results from residents performing aesthetic surgery?

An 8-year survey of patient satisfaction in an academic aesthetic surgery clinic at the University of Toronto was carried out by means of a mailed questionnaire. A total of 265 questionnaires were mailed; 131 completed questionnaires (49.4 percent) were returned. Of these, 93.1 percent would recommend this clinic (88.1 percent in the first year of operation and 95.4 percent in the subsequent 7 years), and 92.9 percent would undergo the same procedure again, if required (88.3 percent in the first year and 95.0 percent in the next 7 years). The highest patient satisfaction (10 of 10) was seen in augmentation mammoplasty (average, 9.1); blepharoplasty (average, 9.0); rhytidectomy (average, 7.8), and rhinoplasty (average, 6.9). The results obtained compared favorably with recently published data of more experienced surgeons.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Posturography and balance problems in older people.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which measurements and test conditions on posturography are most useful for identifying balance problems in older people. SUBJECTS: Two samples of 70 community-dwelling older subjects (> 75 years). One group (controls) considered their balance normal for their age, and the other (patients) complained of imbalance. MEASUREMENTS: Velocity of sway on static (with and without foam) and dynamic posturography, Tinetti gait and balance score, self-reported fear of falling, and number and circumstances of falls. RESULTS: Mean sway velocity was significantly increased in patients compared with controls. The greatest difference between patients and controls occurred with measures of anterior-posterior sway velocity during angular tilt of the platform. Sway velocity was not significantly increased in patients or controls who reported falls compared with those who did not report falls. Even when comparing those who fell as a result of loss of balance with those who fell because of trips or slips, there was no significant difference in sway velocity. By contrast, those who reported fear of falling (patients and controls) had significantly increased sway velocity compared with those who did not report fear of falling. CONCLUSION: On average, velocity of sway (particularly in the anterior-posterior direction) is higher in older subjects who complain of imbalance compared with age-matched controls, and the difference is greater with dynamic posturography than with static posturography. However, the posturography data provided little information about the cause of the imbalance and did not correlate with the frequency of reported falls.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1994

Cytokines modulate terminal differentiation and the expression of predesquamin in cultured keratinocytes.

Predesquamin is a glycoprotein that we have isolated from human epidermis. Its monospecific polyclonal antibody immunolocalizes to the lower stratum corneum. We have previously found that it is not expressed in primary keratinocyte cultures unless both interferon-gamma and serum are added to the culture media. We now show similar results with interleukin-1 alpha substituted for interferon-gamma (but not with retinoic acid). Predesquamin is expressed in media supplemented with both cytokines (with or without serum), accompanied by the observation of larger outer squames and a more mature pattern of desquamation. As both cytokines are naturally present in the epidermis, this suggests that they contribute to desquamation in vivo. The predesquamin expression is demonstrated by Western blots of cell extracts with the specific antibody. Corresponding morphological changes are illustrated by phase-contrast microscopy.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1994

Predesquamin extends maturation of cultured keratinocytes.

Predesquamin is a glycoprotein that we have isolated from human epidermis. Its monospecific polyclonal antibody immunolocalizes to the lower stratum corneum. We have previously found that it is not expressed ordinarily in primary keratinocyte cultures, but that it is expressed in a serum-containing medium that is supplemented with interferon-gamma. Under these conditions, we observed larger outer squames and a more mature pattern of desquamation. We now demonstrate, by adding predesquamin directly to the culture medium without the cytokine, that the morphological changes are caused by predesquamin (and the role of IFN-gamma in the previous experiment was to stimulate the expression of predesquamin).

Antibodies↗
PubMed1994

Enzymatic activity of desquamin.

We have previously described the properties of desquamin, a cell adhesion molecule in the stratum corneum with lectin-like properties specific for amino sugars. We report here that desquamin is also a trypsin-like serine proteinase. It degrades several chromogenic peptides with arginine in the P1 position, with greatest activity for the tissue plasminogen activator peptide; it has no chymotrypsin-like activity. The enzymatic activity of desquamin is inhibited by aprotinin, leupeptin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. The Km for all active substrates is in the millimole range and the pH for optimal activity is near 10. The enzymatic activity is stable in the temperature range from 37 to 80 degrees C, peaking near the upper end; it is only partially inhibited at 100 degrees C. Using zymogels with immobilized substrates, we show that desquamin degrades both casein and human keratins. Because desquamin is localized to the lipid envelopes of the stratum corneum and can function as an enzyme (and is extremely resistant to chemical and thermal degradation), it is in a position to play a crucial role in desquamation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Jugular venous bypass for subclavian vein obstruction.

Symptoms of chronic subclavian occlusion including swelling and pain may be disabling. In the case presented a patient with disabling symptoms 18 years after ligation of the right subclavian vein during resection of a chest wall tumor is successfully treated with a single-anastomosis internal jugular venous bypass.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of static and dynamic posturography in young and older normal people.

OBJECTIVE: To measure sway velocity during static and dynamic posturography in "normal" older people and to determine which tests best distinguish young from older subjects. SUBJECTS: A sample of 30 young (18-39 years) and 82 community-dwelling older (> 75 years) subjects who reported normal balance underwent a battery of balance tests. MEASUREMENTS: Velocity and frequency of sway, Tinetti gait and balance score, self-reported fear of falling and number of falls. RESULTS: Mean sway velocity and the ratio of high to low frequency sway velocity were significantly increased in older subjects compared with younger subjects for static and dynamic tests with eyes open and with eyes closed. Measures of anterior-posterior sway velocity during angular tilt of the platform with eyes closed best distinguished young from older subjects (almost three-fourths of older subjects had values greater than 2 standard deviations from the young normal mean). Older subjects who reported falls in the past year did not have a significantly higher sway velocity on static or dynamic tests compared with those who did not report falls. However, subjects who reported a fear of falling had significantly higher sway velocity on dynamic tests with eyes closed compared to those who did not report a fear of falling. CONCLUSIONS: On average, velocity of sway is higher in older subjects compared with younger subjects, and the difference between young and old is greater with dynamic posturography than with static posturography.

Accidental Falls↗