Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Long

Publications and source records attributed to A Long.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Stable-carbon isotopic composition of maple sap and foliage.

The (13)C/(12)C ratios of Acer grandidentatum sap sugar collected during the dormant period are compared to those of buds, leaves, and wood developed over the following growing season. As the primary carbon source for cellulose manufacture at initiation of annual growth in deciduous trees, sap sucrose would be expected to have an isotopic composition similar to first-formed cellulose. Although constancy in concentration and (13)C/(12)C ratios of the maple sap sugar suggests any gains or losses (e.g. to maintenance metabolism) do not appreciably alter composition, the (13)C/(12)C ratios of cellulose of the enlarging buds in the spring are quite distinct from those of the sap sugar, seemingly precluding a simple direct biochemical pathway of sap sucrose-->glucose-->cellulose in favor of a more complex pathway with greater likelihood of isotopic fractionation. The (13)C/(12)C ratios of the leaves and in the growth ring were initially similar to the sap sugar but decreased steadily over the growing season.

Journal Article↗

Ergonovine-induced esophageal spasm in patients with chest pain resembling angina pectoris.

We studied the effect of ergonovine maleate (EM) on esophageal motor activity in 18 consecutive patients with angina-like chest pain. Significant coronary artery disease was excluded in each patient by cardiac catheterization studies. Baseline esophageal motility was abnormal in 12 patients (66%). After injection of EM, ten patients developed their typical chest pain at the onset of repetitive contractions. Thus, chest pain and esophageal dysfunction were clearly linked. Compared with saline injection, only the repetitive contractions were significantly increased after AM in these patients (P less than 0.01). Amplitude and duration of contractions were increased after EM, but not significantly. Due to potentially serious adverse effects, however, EM cannot be recommended for routine use as a provocative agent.

Adult↗

Documentation of change in problem behaviors among anxious and hostile-aggressive children enrolled in a therapeutic preschool program.

A relatively simple, straightforward procedure is utilized to identify and document changes in problem behaviors among children enrolled in a therapeutic preschool program. Results of two outcome measures indicated a significant overall reduction in problem behaviors for the total group. When subgroups of anxious and hostile/aggressive children were considered, however, there was a significantly greater probability that anxious children would benefit more from the program than hostile/aggressive children. The need to consider subgroups of patients when documented treatment effectiveness is emphasized, and the advantage of building documentation techniques into the record-keeping system is discussed.

Aggression↗

Health administration: guide to epidemiology.

Continuing our series from the Nuffield Centre, author looks at the broadening concern of epidemiology today as it embraces chronic disease and non-medical aspects of disease and argues that it could be a great help to the health service planner.

Chronic Disease↗

Implementation of a personalized clothing policy for long stay psychiatric patients: a study of communication.

This study raises the following question. Should the policy maker be responsible for ensuring adequate monitoring of policy implementation? A policy lays down a course of action for achieving a particular end. Implementation of a policy implies adherence to the course of action stated in the policy. This study was concerned with the relationship between a policy of personalized clothing and the implementation of a particular scheme. Divergence from the original policy occurred because of inadequate communication between those who formulated the policy, those who implemented the policy and the staff who were responsible for day-to-day management associated with the policy. The finding of this study was that the way policy was implemented did not relate to the original objective of the policy. Policy relating to a particular area of health cannot progress scientifically unless evaluation of the implementation of formulated policy occurs. This research therefore advocates that the policy maker should be responsible for ensuring adequate monitoring of the policy when it is implemented.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Health service pay.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Collective Bargaining↗

L-dopa absorption and the pituitary-hypothalamic axis.

Administration of oral L-dopa is often used as a neuropharmacological probe to evaluate the pituitary hypothalamic axis. The effect of gastrointestinal absorption of L-dopa on the changes in plasma GH, PRL, and body temperature which occur after ingestion of this amino acid is unknown. Plasma L-dopa, GH, PRL, and rectal and skin temperatures were measured in 14 male volunteers after oral administration of 1.0 g measured in 24 men after random administration of L-dopa and a placebo. L-Dopa levels rose to 1.85 +/- 1.33 microgram/ml (mean +/- SD), but maximum plasma levels occurred at variable times from 30-230 min after drug administration. Plasma GH levels increased to 23.7 +/- 14.7 ng/ml, while PRL levels fell to 46.7 +/- 12.3% of the mean basal values. Rectal temperature decreased significantly in 3 of the men after L-dopa ingestion. Plasma GH levels after L-dopa correlated with the absorption of the drug (P less than 0.05) and inversely with the basal level of GH before L-dopa administration. There was no correlation between the basal PRL level or basal body temperature and the magnitude of the fall in PRL or body temperature after L-dopa administration. The variability of responses in GH, PRL, and body temperature after oral L-dopa ingestion is not the result of differences in absorption in the amino acid alone, and indicate either that there is a different sensitivity in the mechanisms that stimulate GH secretion and lower plasma PRL and body temperature, or that L-dopa acts at different sites to bring about each of these changes.

Adolescent↗