Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Knight

Publications and source records attributed to A Knight.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Autoantibodies against brain septal region antigens specific to unmedicated schizophrenia?

Health et al. (1989) reported that serum from 96% of unmedicated schizophrenic patients contained IgG autoantibodies specific for the septal region of rhesus monkey brain, compared with 0% of nonschizophrenic control subjects and 6% of schizophrenic patients who were on neuroleptic medication. Using the same technique of crossed immunoelectrophoresis, we have tried to replicate this finding. In contrast to the original report, we observed "positive" precipitin arcs with IgG concentrates from all 14 serum samples tested. The failure of immunoelectrophoretic methods to provide convincing evidence of pathogenic autoantibodies in schizophrenia in no way detracts from the hypothesis that autoimmune processes are involved in some forms of schizophrenia. Such methods have not proved useful in established autoimmune diseases such as Graves' disease and myasthenia gravis in which the pathogenic autoantibodies against cell-surface receptors can only be detected by assays which measure functional interactions with such receptors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The cost of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in northern California. The experience of a large prepaid health plan.

We studied the cost of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP), northern California region. We report the costs of care to the KPMCP and introduce an innovative application of survival methods to cost analysis. From the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in 1981 to the end of June 1987, 866 cases of AIDS were recorded among members of the KPMCP. Estimates of the costs of care of these patients were derived from comprehensive chart reviews of a random sample of 71 patients whose conditions were diagnosed from January 1984 through June 1987. Total mean lifetime costs per patient were $32,816 (median, $28,677), whereas the mean hospital per diem cost was $20,446 per patient. As more care was shifted to outpatient services overtime, overall costs dropped, despite marked increases in the cost of outpatient medications such as zidovudine. The overall estimate of cost compared closely with other estimates of the cost of care in San Francisco, Calif, and it is lower than estimates from elsewhere in the United States, probably because of the low proportion of cases associated with intravenous drug use and the well-developed social support networks available to patients with AIDS in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

A Canadian multicenter study with Zaditen (ketotifen) in the treatment of bronchial asthma in children aged 5 to 17 years.

One hundred thirty-eight children with chronic asthma, requiring daily treatment with bronchodilators, took part in a 7-month, double-blind, multicenter clinical study. Patients were randomized into two groups, and after a 1-month baseline, were administered Zaditen (ketotifen), 1.0 mg twice daily, or an identical placebo for a period of 6 months. After 10 weeks of receiving the study medication, bronchodilator use was reduced or stopped. In the Zaditen-treated group, 60% of the children taking theophylline were able to stop its use completely, compared to 34% of the patients taking placebo (p less than 0.05). Of the patients who were unable to stop taking theophylline, the Zaditen-and placebo-treated groups recorded average dosage reductions of 62% and 26%, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Thus, a high percentage of patients in the placebo-treated group maintained asthma symptom control with theophylline, whereas most of the Zaditen-treated patients could stop using this medication. Although pulmonary function readings improved in both groups, those patients taking Zaditen demonstrated earlier improvement and greater changes from baseline. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) in favor of Zaditen were found for reduction of concomitant medications, patient's global evaluation, physician's clinical evaluations, incidence of emergency room visits for asthma, and upper respiratory tract infections. No unexpected side effects were observed. It is concluded that Zaditen is an effective medication for long-term control of asthma in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Novel benzodiazepine receptor partial agonists: oxadiazolylimidazobenzodiazepines.

The synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a series of oxadiazole derivatives of imidazobenzodiazepines related to the benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788 (2a) are reported. Although the oxadiazole ring is seen as an isosteric replacement for the ester linkage, significant differences in structure-activity trends were observed. Specifically, oxadiazoles 9-12 invariably had increased receptor efficacy (as witnessed by measurements of the GABA shift) relative to the corresponding ester. Additionally, and in direct contrast to the classical agonists such as diazepam, affinity for the benzodiazepine receptor was enhanced by a 7- rather than 8-halo substituent. The results are discussed in terms of a six-point receptor-binding model originally based on the X-ray structure of 2a. For comparison, the crystal structures of two representative oxadiazole derivatives, 10h and 12o, having a 6-oxo and 6-phenyl group, respectively, were determined and the data incorporated into a modified binding model to account for the greater efficacy of these compounds. It is concluded that the antagonist behavior of 2a relies upon the hydrogen-bond-acceptor properties of the ester carbonyl oxygen whereas for the oxadiazole series this site is localized at the imidazole nitrogen.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Anosmia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Genetic evidence favouring cytotoxic T cell forbidden clones as the cause of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Recent evidence indicates that immunoglobulin light chain variable region genes are genetic determinants for Graves' disease, which is caused by autoantibodies which stimulate the thyroid gland. We have tested whether germline immunoglobulin kappa light chain variable region (V kappa) genes contribute to the genetic predisposition for IDDM. Status for the kappa light chain constant region (C kappa) allotype, Km(1), was determined in members of suitable multiplex IDDM families. Such families had two or more siblings with IDDM, together with one parent negative for Km(1) and the other heterozygous, so that each sibling had a 50% chance of receiving the kappa light chain marker. Twenty-one families of this type were found. Of the siblings, disregarding disease status, 31 were concordant with the diabetic proband for Km(1) and 29 were discordant, this close approximation to equality confirming the validity of the methodology. Of the diabetic siblings of the probands, 14 were concordant and 15 discordant. Of the non-diabetic siblings, 17 were concordant and 14 discordant. This similarity shows that V kappa genes, which are closely linked to C kappa genes, are not genetic determinants for IDDM. The contrast with Graves' disease favours the possibility that the islet beta cell destruction of IDDM is mediated by forbidden clones of cytotoxic T cells, rather than of B cells.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗
PubMed1986

Changes in plasma vasopressin concentration in association with coronary artery surgery or thymectomy.

Plasma vasopressin concentrations in 14 patients undergoing coronary artery surgery were compared with those in eight patients undergoing thymectomy. Vasopressin concentrations increased similarly in both groups on sternotomy. A second, and more marked increase was noted in the patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Haemodynamic stimuli could be responsible in both groups and might explain both the similarities and the differences between the groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Thyroid-stimulating autoantibodies usually contain only lambda-light chains: evidence for the "forbidden clone" theory.

Burnet's "forbidden clone" theory would predict that in patients with Graves' disease the pathogenic thyroid-stimulating autoantibody (TSab)-secreting clones arise by somatic mutation. Because each lymphocyte and its progeny are permanently committed to producing antibodies of a single light chain type, a clone arising by somatic mutation occurring in a single cell would be expected to produce autoantibodies of exclusively kappa or exclusively lambda type in an individual patient. Using affinity chromatographic techniques and monoclonal antibodies, we investigated the light chain type of TSab in 11 patients with Graves' disease. In all patients tested, TSab activity was confined to a single light chain type, confirming the recent work of Zakarija who used affinity chromatography with polyclonal antisera, but contrasting with earlier studies which used immuno-precipitation methods. Furthermore, the light chain type was lambda in 10 of the 11 patients. These observations provide support for the forbidden clone theory. In addition, the marked preponderance of patients producing TSab of the lambda-light chain type indicates that TSab are more likely to arise from the lambda repertoire of clones than from the kappa repertoire and suggests that immunoglobulin light chain V genes may be genetic determinants for susceptibility to Graves' disease.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1986

A trial of intranasal Atrovent versus placebo in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis.

Twenty-six patients with perennial rhinorrhea were treated by Atrovent, the anticholinergic agent, or placebo in a randomized double-blind crossover trial. The severity and duration of rhinorrhea were significantly reduced by Atrovent. Local side effects were more frequent with the active drug. These were reduced in a later open trial by a reduction in dosage.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1985

Passive cigarette smoking and patients with asthma.

A study of the effect of passive smoking on patients with asthma is presented. Six patients were exposed for one hour to the air in a room in which tobacco smoke was produced mechanically over that period. The effects on symptoms, lung function and airways sensitivity to inhaled histamine were then measured and compared with the same patient's responses during a control day when they inhaled smoke-free air. All six patients developed chest tightness and symptoms similar to an attack of asthma. The findings of respiratory and sensitivity tests suggest: (i) that passive smoking may trigger asthma attacks in subjects who suffer from asthma and (ii) that the airways of such subjects show increased histamine reactivity four hours after the passive smoke exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Stress ulceration in the critically ill patient.

Stress ulceration is common in patients receiving intensive care. Its cause is ill defined, life threatening complications are rare but the use of H2 antagonists and antacids in prophylaxis is widespread. The development of haemorrhage and perforation appears to be related to a group of risk factors of which sepsis may be the most important.

Antacids↗