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Biomedical subjects

T Russell

Publications and source records attributed to T Russell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Immunolocalization of cytoplasmic and myelin mcalpain in transfected Schwann cells: I. Effect of treatment with growth factors.

We have examined the effect of growth factors on the activity and localization of calpain in transfected Schwann cells (tSc). Axolemma-enriched fraction, cAMP, or NGF showed concentration-dependent inhibition of both mu calpain and mcalpain activity. In contrast, both acidic FGF and basic FGF stimulated mu calpain (37%) and mcalpain (58%) of tSC while PDGF-aa and PDGF-bb inhibited both calpain activities. The inhibitor (calpastatin) activity was approximately 90% following treatment with NGF, cAMP, PDGF-aa, and PDGF-bb compared to control while this activity was 40% with FGF-treated samples. Immunofluorescence studies indicated localization of cytoplasmic calpain in the nuclear region following growth factor treatment in the cytoplasm. Growth factor treatment caused a decrease in the intensity of calpain immunoreactivity. Treatment with cAMP or FGF resulted in strong immunoreactivity of mcalpain in the nuclear region and cytoplasm compared to untreated. The growth factors did not cause translocation of calpain to the outer surface of the cell membrane. The increased immunoreactivity seen with myelin calpain antibody was greater than cytosolic antibody. The changes seen in calpain activity and immunoreactivity following treatment with growth factors suggest that these factors may regulate calpain-calpastatin expression and translocation to the membrane for interaction with lipids for enzyme activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Monitoring of plant development in controlled environment with machine vision.

Information acquisition is the foremost requirement for the control and continued operation of any complex system. This is especially true when a plant production system is used as a major component in a sustainable life support system. The plant production system not only provides food and fiber but is a means of providing critically needed life supporting elements such as O2 and purified H2O. The success of the plant production system relies on close monitoring and control of the production system. Machine vision technology was evaluated for the monitoring of plant health and development and showed promising results. Spectral and morphological characteristics of a model plant were studied under various artificially induced stress conditions. From the spectroscopic studies, it was found that the stresses can be determined from visual and non-visual symptoms. The development of the plant can also be quantified using a video image analysis base approach. The correlations between the qualities of the model plant and machine vision measured spectral features were established. The success of the research has shown a great potential in building an automated, closed-loop plant production system in controlled environments.

Ecological Systems, Closed↗
PubMed1996

Cervical spine surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an appraisal.

OBJECTIVES: To review the outcome of surgery undertaken to stabilise the neck in patients with rheumatoid arthritis performed over a five year period, to compare the results with those of previous reports, and to identify factors that may predict surgical outcome. METHODS: Outcome was assessed at time of discharge from hospital after surgery by review of patients' notes, and at follow up by patient interview, clinical examination, anonymous questionnaire, and cervical spine radiograph. The Ranawat classification of neurological impairment and Steinbrocker functional classification were used. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients underwent 44 procedures; 28 patients were available for review after a mean period of 29.8 months (range 12-65 months). Fourteen patients had preoperative neurological impairment and were available for follow up; 13 returned the questionnaire. Four (29%) had improved Ranawat class, nine were unchanged, and one had deteriorated. Nine (69%) reported a subjective improvement in neurological symptoms by questionnaire, even though the Ranawat class was unchanged in five. Twenty five of the patients reviewed had pain before operation; 21 returned the questionnaire. Pain relief was reported by direct questioning and questionnaire in 76% and 67% of patients, respectively. Overall, 67% felt that surgery had been successful. Surgery was more successful in producing symptomatic relief in patients with neck or radicular pain than in those with neurological deficit, but did prevent progression of neurological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are similar to those from other centres. Overall patient satisfaction with surgery was good. Surgery was more likely to produce symptomatic relief in patients with neck or radicular pain before operation than in those with neurological deficit. The greater subjective improvement in neurological symptoms as judged by questionnaire probably reflects the relative insensitivity of the Ranawat classification in detecting change in neurological status; previous reports of poor outcome for patients with neurological symptoms who undergo surgery may in part be a reflection of the insensitivity of this method of assessment. No clear factors emerged which allowed prediction of those patients at greatest risk of operative mortality. In particular, an increased risk of neurological compromise appeared to confer no additional risk of immediate perioperative death. Our data support the suggestion that early surgery to correct symptomatic atlantoaxial subluxation may prevent progression of instability.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A rapid manual method for CD4+ T-cell quantitation for use in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a manual method (Cytosphere) for quantifying CD4+ T-cell numbers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of HIV-1-seronegative and HIV-1-seropositive individuals evaluated for absolute CD4 counts by both standardized flow cytometric measurements and manual Cytosphere technology using a hemacytometer. SETTING: University research hospitals in both the United States and Africa. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Blood specimens from 382 patients were evaluated. These were broken down into 294 samples obtained from HIV-1-seropositive patients and 88 samples obtained from HIV-1-seronegative patients. INTERVENTIONS: None. OUTCOME MEASURED: Absolute CD4 cell number. RESULTS: Evaluation of samples obtained from HIV-1 patients in both the United States and Africa demonstrated an overall correlation of the Cytosphere assay with flow cytometry of 0.912 (95% confidence interval, 0.895-0.928; P < 0.001). When samples were stratified based on CD4+ T-cell counts determined by flow cytometry, the Cytosphere assay had a 96% predictive value for correctly identifying individuals with CD4 T-cell counts > 200 x 10(6)/l and a 92% predictive value for correctly identifying individuals with CD4 T-cell counts < 200 x 10(6)/l. CONCLUSIONS: This assay appears to have the potential for the quantitation of CD4 cells in the limited laboratory facilities in developing countries and to have a strong correlation with standard flow cytometric technology.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The Halifax Interlaminar Clamp for posterior cervical fusion: initial experience in the United Kingdom.

A retrospective review of patients who underwent posterior cervical stabilization with Halifax Interlaminar Clamps in four neurosurgical centers in the United Kingdom was performed. Satisfactory bone fusion without complication occurred in all patients in whom lower cervical spinal stabilization (C3-C7) was performed. Complications occurred in 14 of 45 patients undergoing atlantoaxial arthrodesis. In 10 patients, one of the screws loosened, and in 4 patients, one of the clamps disengaged; additional operations to achieve bone fusion were required in 9 patients (20%). The Halifax Interlaminar Clamp is safe and effective for posterior stabilization in the lower cervical spine; there is a significant failure rate associated with its use for atlantoaxial arthrodesis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1992

The use of clearplan home ovulation detection kits in unexplained and male factor infertility.

One hundred and five couples with unexplained infertility and 43 couples whose infertility was thought to be due to reduced sperm motility were recruited. The median duration of infertility was 36 months (range 12-168). Couples were randomly allocated to either using Clearplan home ovulation detection kits for 3 cycles or were advised about the optimal time during their menstrual cycle to achieve a pregnancy. The clinical details of the 2 groups were similar. In couples with unexplained infertility over the study period 10 (20.4%) in the Clearplan group and 9 (16%) in the control group conceived with 58% of pregnancies occurring in the first cycle. In couples with reduced sperm motility, the results were disappointing with only 2 (8%) pregnancies in the Clearplan group and 2 (11.1%) in the controls. Assisted reproduction technology may not be justified as the first line of management in patients with unexplained infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Calcium-activated neutral proteinase (CANP; calpain) activity in Schwann cells: immunofluorescence localization and compartmentation of mu- and mCANP.

Calcium-activated neutral proteinase (CANP) activity was determined in cytosolic and membranous subcellular fractions of transformed Schwann cells (tSc). The muM and mM Ca(2+)-sensitive (mu- and mCANP) forms of CANP were separated by DEAE and phenyl Sepharose column chromatography, the latter step enabling removal of the endogenous inhibitor calpastatin. The tSc contained more muCANP than the mM isoform. More than 75% of mCANP activity was membrane-associated and 20% was cytosolic. In contrast, approximately 80% of muCANP was cytosolic and 15% was membranous. Triton X-100 stimulated activity of the whole homogenate and of the membrane pellet but did not stimulate CANP activity in the cytosolic fraction. Immunohistochemical distribution of mM enzyme was studied in both fixed and permeabilized tSc with cytosolic (anti-cyt-mCANP) and myelin (anti-my-mCANP) antibodies. Live cells (non-permeabilized) stained with anti-my-mCANP had a single filamentous ring circumscribing individual cells. Permeabilized cells treated with anti-my-mCANP had immunoreactive deposits throughout the intracellular space but sparing the perinuclear region. No immunohistochemical staining was detected when live cells were exposed to anti-cyt-mCANP whereas permeabilized cells had extensive intracellular staining with the most intense immunoreactivity in the perinuclear region. Our results indicate that both forms of CANP are present in tSc and that the activity of most of the muCANP is cytosolic while mCANP is particulate.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1991

The clinical value of Clearplan home ovulation detection kits in infertility practice.

A home ovulation testing kit, Clearplan, that detects the urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge was used by 32 patients on a donor insemination programme for 50 cycles to indicate when to first attend the clinic for a serum LH test to determine ovulation. Using Clearplan significantly reduced the number of clinic attendances (4.06 +/- 1.5) compared to the preceding control cycle (7.06 +/- 2.0 p less than 0.001). One serum LH peak was missed using Clearplan. Ovulation was predicted within 2 days of the serum LH surge in 77% of cycles. Home ovulation determination has the potential to reduce the stress and cost of fertility programmes.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed1990

Giant malignant tumors of the anus. A strategy for management.

Four homosexual male patients with giant anal carcinomas, ranging from 10 to 17 cm in diameter, are presented. These patients were not candidates for abdominoperineal resection because of fixation to adjacent structures. Common symptoms included pain, sepsis, anemia, incontinence, and weight loss. Diverting colostomy was performed in all patients. Two of the four patients were treated by wide local excision of the tumors for palliation. Two patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Three of the four patients died within 12 months. The authors conclude that diverting colostomy and wide local excision of giant anal cancers offer effective palliation of local wound problems in selected cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Thoracic intervertebral disc protrusion: experience of 67 cases and review of the literature.

Sixty-seven cases of thoracic intervertebral disc protrusion are reported with an analysis of clinical and radiological findings. The findings include the fact that male: female ratio is approximately equal, peak incidence is in the 3rd to 5th decade with another peak at age 30-40 in men. This latter peak appears to be associated with trauma which is otherwise uncommon. Results of surgical treatment indicate that the transthoracic and costotransversectomy routes are almost equally effective; laminectomy is not advised.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Immune complex disease and gynecomastia.

A man with arthritis, gynecomastia and a rash histologically showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis, dermatitis herpetiformis and immunoglobulin G deposits at the dermoepidermal junction is reported. In contrast to cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with vesiculobullous eruptions and similar histological features, our patient had neither bullae nor serological evidence of SLE. Conversely, no men already reported had evidence of feminization. Thus, our case appears to be unique.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Transnasal hypophysectomy--an unusual sporting injury.

A case is presented of a traumatic penetrating nasal injury, resulting in panhypopituitarism and memory loss. Certain aspects of the diagnosis and treatment are discussed, and in conclusion some principles of management are suggested. The patient was last seen 8 months after the injury and had not required any desmopressin for 6 weeks.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The effects of a direct-mail informational campaign on attitudes of industrial managers toward the mentally retarded population.

This study attempted to determine the effects of a direct-mail campaign on the attitudes of managers and presidents of industries toward the mentally retarded. The participants in the study were 99 managers and presidents selected from a total population of 4290 within the State of Alabama, USA. Random sampling techniques were utilized to select and assign managers and presidents into an experimental group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 49), giving a total usable sample size of 99. The size of this sample was adequate to insure that, in 19 out of 20 cases, the sample mean was within 0.50 points of the population mean on the response scale according to Elliot (1980). The pre-test of the attitude scale was administered to the experimental and control groups by mail. A post-test was administered to the control and experimental groups one week after the mailing of the final pamphlet. The major finding of this study revealed positive attitude gains from pre-test to post-test for the experimental group following the direct-mail campaign. No significant difference was noted for the control group from pre-test and post-test. Pre-test scores of the experimental and control groups were not significantly different; however, post-test scores between these groups were significantly different. The results of this research contribute further information on a direct-mail approach for changing attitudes of managers and presidents of industries toward mentally retarded persons.

Alabama↗
PubMed1987

Pre-operative radionuclide localization of intracerebral lesions: a five-year experience.

Intracerebral lesions demonstrated by computerized tomography usually require histological confirmation to determine subsequent management. Tissue samples are generally obtained by craniotomy or burr hole biopsy; either procedure can prove negative if a lesion is small, deep, or very superficial. Pre-operative imaging and localization reduce biopsy failures. Before the introduction of this straight forward radionuclide technique, our biopsy success rate using conventional localization methods was 88%. In a 5-year period, 200 patients underwent pre-operative radionuclide localization, with an improvement in the overall biopsy success rate to 92.7% (95.5% for lesions which took up radionuclide). Patients have benefitted from reduced operating time and improved post-operative recovery rates. About 85% of all intracerebral lesions may be expected to accumulate radionuclide. However in our series, 93.2% were sufficiently well visualized for a siting marker to be placed with confidence. Within this group, low grade astrocytomas (Kernohan Grades I and II) showed a predictably low incidence of imaging (30.8%). For the majority of lesions which present difficulties in biopsy due to size or site, the radionuclide method is a simple procedure which increases the chance of obtaining positive tissue with the minimum of surgical intervention.

Biopsy↗