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Biomedical subjects

A Mills

Publications and source records attributed to A Mills.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Characterization of neurotensin binding sites in intact and solubilized bovine brain membranes.

Analysis of the equilibrium binding of [3H]-neurotensin(1-13) at 25 degrees C to its receptor sites in bovine cortex membranes indicated a single population of sites with an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 3.3 nM and a density (Bmax) of 350 fmol/mg protein (Hill coefficient nH = 0.97). Kinetic dissociation studies revealed the presence of a second class of sites comprising less than 10% of the total. KD values of 0.3 and 2.0 nM were obtained for the higher and lower affinity classes of sites, respectively, from association-dissociation kinetic studies. The binding of [3H]neurotensin was decreased by cations (monovalent and divalent) and by a nonhydrolysable guanine nucleotide analogue. Competition studies gave a potency ranking of [Gln4]neurotensin greater than neurotensin(8-13) greater than neurotensin(1-13). Smaller neurotensin analogues and neurotensin-like peptides were unable to compete with [3H]neurotensin. Stable binding activity for [3H]neurotensin in detergent solution (Kd = 5.5 nM, Bmax = 250 fmol/mg protein, nH = 1.0) was obtained in 2% digitonin/1 mM Mg2+ extracts of membranes which had been preincubated (25 degrees C, 1 h) with 1 mM Mg2+ prior to solubilization. Association-dissociation kinetic studies then revealed the presence of two classes of sites (KD1 = 0.5 nM, KD2 = 3.6 nM) in a similar proportion to that found in the membranes. The solubilized [3H]-neurotensin activity retained its sensitivity to cations and guanine nucleotide.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Financial and economic aspects of environmental management for vector control.

Short term economic benefits of resource development generally carry more weight in political decision-making than the adverse health effects such projects may have in the medium and long term. This problem is particularly acute in the case of water resource development projects which can often promote the prevalence and incidence of certain vector-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis and malaria. And while the agricultural sector is usually strengthened by production increase resulting from water resource development, the health sector may ultimately have to pick up the bill for disease control programmes which become necessary as a consequence. At its sixth meeting in Geneva, the WHO/FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Environmental Management for Vector Control (PEEM) discussed the financial and economic aspects of environmental management, and its cost effectiveness as a vector control measure. Their report is now available and in this article, Robert Bos and Anne Mills discuss some of the key findings.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Value for money in the health sector: the contribution of primary health care.

Since the Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978, primary health care (PHC) has been seen in most countries as a vital part of any strategy to improve the health of the population. Economic evaluations of PHC delivery and PHC activities are therefore needed to assist in decision-making on resource use in the health sector. A report was prepared on such economic evaluations in the Commonwealth and this paper summarizes those findings which relate to developing Commonwealth countries. After a brief explanation of the main methods of economic evaluation, existing evaluations, classified according to the eight essential elements of PHC, are reviewed. The literature review throws up a number of methodological issues of which policy-makers need to be aware when interpreting evaluations. These are pointed out before moving on to a consideration of what lessons the literature may hold about the value and affordability of PHC and the most efficient ways of delivering PHC activities. The final section suggests that, although economic evaluation techniques have an important role to play in decision-making, they have not so far been used to best advantage. A number of ways in which health ministries could increase the usefulness of the evaluations they commission are considered.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1984

Barrier contraception.

Barrier contraception is a safe, effective, reversible form of contraception acceptable to many couples. The use of barrier contraception may protect against carcinoma of the cervix and sexually transmitted diseases. Distribution and education in the use of barrier contraception does not always require medical supervision. This must make it an attractive form of contraception for agencies supporting family planning programmes in developing countries. The only marketed recent advance in barrier contraception is the collatex sponge. Effectiveness rates range between 9 and 27 pregnancies per 100 woman-years. This is unlikely to make it the first choice of contraception for couples who would find an unintended pregnancy a severe problem, but the sponge will be acceptable to couples who are simply trying to delay a pregnancy. The new surge of interest in barrier contraception could lead to safer more effective forms of contraception being made available to women without medical supervision. This would have many advantages, but could also detract from the ability of family planning clinics to play an important role in preventative medicine for women.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1983

Vertical vs horizontal health programmes in Africa: idealism, pragmatism, resources and efficiency.

Argument still rages over whether vertical health programmes--attacking one or a few health problems--should still be set up in developing countries, or whether all their efforts should be devoted to establishing a horizontal multiproblem approach such as primary health care. This paper argues that the debate can be made rather more informed firstly by a consideration of the technologies available to improve health and the methods of delivery to which they are most suited; secondly by a consideration of their effectiveness and the organisational feasibility of different strategies of delivery, and finally, by investigation of the total costs and cost-effectiveness of different delivery systems. Particular attention is given to the contribution of economic analysis to elucidating these issues, and a variety of cost-effectiveness studies are reviewed to see what information is available on the way in which particular health programmes such as malaria control and immunisation activities can be organised in order to maximise their cost-effectiveness.

Africa↗
PubMed1982

Preservation of fetal brain blood flow relative to other organs during hypovolemic hypotension.

The asphyxiated newborn is particularly vulnerable to hypotension, which contributes to hypoxic brain damage by reducing cerebral perfusion. During asphyxia, cerebral blood flow (CBF)( is pressure passive, that is, CBF autoregulation is abolished. It is important to know if the nonasphyxiated fetus and newborn are similarly vulnerable to hypotension. In the present study, we have measured acute responses of organ blood flow to a hypovolemic/hypotensive stress in the normoxic near term sheep fetus. Changes in brain flow were compared to changes in other organs. Eight chronically prepared fetal lambs were studied. Organ blood flows were measured by the microsphere technique during a control period, after a 20% blood volume reduction, and again after reinfusion of that volume. Hypovolemia was accompanied by a 21% decrease in blood pressure and a 4 torr increase in PCO2; after reinfusion blood pressure increased 16% above control. Control measurements of organ perfusion were similar to those reported by other investigators. Cardiac output and flow to all organs, with the exception of the brain, were reduced 30-56% during hypovolemia. Brain blood flow was insignificantly reduced by 9%. If a correction is applied for the increase in PCO2, CBF corrected to control PCO2 would have have been significantly reduced by 18%. After reinfusion, flow to all organs increased to near control levels. We conclude that the normoxic fetal lamb shows evidence of CBF autoregulation, and is able to preserve relative constancy of CBF within a blood pressure range of +/- 20% of normal. However, the evidence presented in this study suggests that autoregulation may be less effective in response to a hypotensive stress, even though CBF is better preserved than flow to most other organs.

Animals↗