Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Paterson

Publications and source records attributed to A Paterson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Intestinal obstruction in patients with gynaecological malignancies.

Bowel obstruction developing in patients with gynaecological malignancies may present as a therapeutic dilemma. The causes, and results of surgical and conservative management of 92 patients are analysed. The causes of obstruction in the 64 patients who were treated surgically were: tumour recurrence in 42, adhesions in 12, radiation stricture in 9 and pelvic abscess in 1. Surgical palliation was effective in 45 patients in this group, with another 12 patients being palliated initially but subsequently developing further obstructive symptoms. Surgical palliation was ineffective in 7. Conservative management was effective only in 12 of the 41 patients, and even in this group 8 developed further obstructive episodes within the first month of discharge. The median survival in the surgically treated group for benign and malignant causes is 57 and 10 weeks respectively; while it is 4 weeks for those treated conservatively.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Omento-myelo-synangiosis in the management of chronic traumatic paraplegia: case report.

A case of traumatic paraplegia, with almost complete motor and sensory loss up to the umbilicus, who had an operation for post traumatic arachnoiditis and diagnosed as having recurrence of arachnoiditis and traumatic syringomyelia and treated by a pedicled omental onlay graft to the spinal cord, is described. The patient made a remarkable recovery and 1 year after surgery he continues to maintain excellent progress. He is now able to walk with support and is completely independent. It is suggested that chronic paraplegics should be assessed for possible arachnoiditis and traumatic syringomyelia and if detected an omental transposition be considered as one means of increasing rehabilitation potential.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Hepatitis B core and surface antigen expression in HBeAg and HBV DNA positive chronic hepatitis B: correlation with clinical and histological parameters.

The interrelationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatic injury and clinical activity in chronic HBV infection is incompletely understood. We have scored histologic activity, the expression of hepatitis B core (HBcAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and assessed HBV replication to correlate HBV antigen expression with histologic disease. Forty-seven formalin-fixed, percutaneous liver biopsies from HBeAg carriers were studied. Twenty-nine were Black, 16 Caucasian and two Oriental. Fifty-nine percent had chronic active, 35% chronic persistent hepatitis and 14% cirrhosis. None were positive for antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HBsAg and HBcAg in tissue were detected by immunochemical staining. Diffuse HBsAg staining was observed in 10/15 patients with CPH, but there was no correlation between histologic score and HBsAg expression. Intracytoplasmic HBcAg was observed in patients seroconverting to anti-HBe, but was also detected in patients with minimal hepatitis. An inverse correlation between histologic score and HBcAg expression was observed. HBcAg expression was more widespread in patients with CPH (mean 37%) than in CAH (mean 18%). A positive correlation was observed between serum aminotransferase concentrations and histologic score. Although no consistent pattern can be discerned, HBcAg expression and hepatic injury are frequently dissociated in patients with chronic HBV infection; complex host responses may determine the variable degree of disease activity and hepatic injury.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1986

Rectal manifestations of pellagra.

Twenty (44%) of 45 patients with cutaneous pellagra had diarrhoea. Inflammation was seen on sigmoidoscopy in 42 and was severe in 5 (11%), moderate in 4 (9%) and mild in 33 (73%). Six patients (13%) had perianal excoriation. Rectal biopsies taken in all cases showed extensive ulceration in 1 case, moderate to severe inflammation in 16 (36%) and mild inflammation in 18 (40%). Minimal oedema of the lamina propria was seen in 11 (24%) patients. At 5 to 7 days after starting vitamin treatment in nine cases histological changes had returned to normal in 4, improved in 3 and had not changed in 2. Diarrhoea stopped within a week in all cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Characteristics and occurrence of appendicitis in the black population in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In black patients seen at Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, appendicitis occurs most frequently in the 10-19-year-old age group. There is a pronounced male bias. Parasitic ova in the appendix are very seldom observed (3.6%). Fecaliths, present in 20% of diseased appendices, are noted far less frequently than are reported for white patients (50%-75%). There are about two cases of appendicitis per 1,000 admissions of adults annually, a low frequency consistent with the tenfold differential of appendectomies reported to prevail in urban black and white adolescents. The progressively changing diet of urban blacks, currently low in fat and in dietary fiber, has not yet become associated with a marked increase in the occurrence of the disease (nor of most other noninfective bowel diseases).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Clinical and serological events accompanying changes in hepatitis B viral replication: case reports.

We measured serum markers of hepatitis B virus replication in two HBsAg-, HBeAg-positive hepatitis B carriers with chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. The first of these patients was HBsAg-, HBeAg-, HBV DNA- and HBV DNA polymerase-positive initially and spontaneously lost HBV DNA polymerase and HBV DNA. During the HBeAg-positive, DNA polymerase-negative "window phase", an increase in viral replication, characterized by the reappearance of HBV DNA and HBV DNA polymerase occurred, together with an aggravation of the underlying chronic hepatitis. In the second HBsAg-, HBeAg-positive carrier, spontaneous fluctuations in HBV replication were associated with clinical deterioration. Delta agent and hepatitis A virus superinfection were excluded. These observations suggest that spontaneous low-grade fluctuations of HBV replication accompanied by an increase in the biochemical activity of the underlying chronic hepatitis can be observed in certain HBV carriers.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1985

Phenotypic classes of phenoloxidase-negative mutants of the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

This paper reports the isolation of phenoloxidase-negative mutants of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium and the results of a survey of idiophasic functions among these mutants. The mutant strains were isolated from a medium containing o-anisidine after gamma irradiation of wild-type spores and fell into four classes, divided by the manner in which they mineralized 14C-lignin wheat lignocellulose. Examples are strain LMT7, which degraded lignin at a rate similar to that of the wild type; strain LMT26, in which degradation was enhanced; strain LMT16, whose degradation rate was apparently unaffected, although the onset of lignin attack was delayed compared with that in the wild type; and strain LMT24, which was unable to evolve significant amounts of 14CO2 from the radiolabeled substrate. The mutants were not necessarily defective in other functions associated with idiophasic activities (intracellular cyclic AMP levels, sporulation, extracellular glucan production, veratryl alcohol synthesis). We conclude that phenoloxidase activity as detected by the o-anisidine plate test is not necessary for lignin degradation. In addition, mutations resulting in the loss of lignin-degrading ability were not necessarily pleiotropic with other idiophasic functions.

Catechol Oxidase↗
PubMed1985

Lomustine, vincristine, and procarbazine in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma.

Sixty-five previously untreated patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were treated with lomustine, vincristine, and procarbazine. Sixty-four patients were evaluable for response, with a response rate of 13%. Only one complete response was observed, in a patient with nodal disease only. Three partial responses were observed in patients with disease confined to soft tissue, and four partial responses were observed in patients with pulmonary metastases. Median survival for all patients was 22 weeks. We conclude that this regimen offers no improvement compared to other drug combinations.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Intravenous etidronate in the management of malignant hypercalcemia.

The treatment of hypercalcemia remains a common problem in the management of many patients with cancer. We have used intravenously administered etidronate disodium as a therapy for hypercalcemia in 26 patients with malignant disease. Patients with persistent hypercalcemia despite adequate hydration and a serum creatinine level less than or equal to 1.5 mg/dL were allowed on study. Treatment consisted of intravenously administered etidronate disodium at 7.5 mg/kg/day in 250 mL of saline infused over two hours on 1, 2, 3, or 4 consecutive days. The serum calcium level in 19 (73%) of 26 patients returned to the normal range with a mean response time of 3 +/- 2 days. Similar response rates were seen in patients with a variety of tumors, including breast cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and multiple myeloma. Intravenously administered etidronate appears to be safe and effective therapy for hypercalcemia in patients with malignant disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Monoclonal antibodies to the chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate: production, properties and comparison with polyclonal antibodies.

Hybridomas that secrete monoclonal antibodies to the chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate (MTX) were produced by fusion of FO myeloma cells with splenocytes obtained from BALB/c mice immunized with L-MTX covalently bound to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). When the MTX/KLH molar ratio was 430/1 or 530/1 (high MTX series), 238/412 (58%) or 157/405 (39%), respectively, of antibody producing hybridomas secreted only antibodies to MTX. In contrast, only 15/412 (4%) or 54/405 (13%) hybridomas secreted only antibodies to KLH. When the molar ratio was 50/1 (low MTX series), only 14/343 (4%) of the wells contained anti-MTX and 93/343 (27%) contained antibodies to KLH. The predominance of anti-MTX over anti-KLH secretors in the 2 high MTX series, and the reverse predominance of anti-KLH secretors over anti-MTX hybridomas in the low MTX series was highly significant (P less than 0.001). The anti-MTX antibodies were mainly IgG1 with fewer IgG2a and IgG2b subclasses. All were kappa chain isotypes. No IgM or IgA antibodies were detected. Titers and binding constants of monoclonal anti-MTX antibodies in ascites fluid obtained from mice injected with selected cell lines were higher than those of conventional rabbit, mouse, or goat antibodies. Based on results of competitive inhibition radioimmunoassays, the ascites monoclonal antibodies were at least as specific as the conventional antibodies for MTX compared to structurally related compounds. IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies had high titers in complement mediated hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes that contained MTX on the cell surface (E-MTX) and also bound 125I-labeled protein A when complexed to MTX on these cells. IgG1 antibodies were relatively weak in the hemolysis assay and failed to bind 125I-labeled protein A directly. Hemolytic activity and 125I-labeled protein A binding were markedly enhanced when E-MTX cells were treated sequentially with IgG1 anti-MTX then rabbit IgG antibodies to mouse IgG1.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Hepatitis B virus status of black women with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The reason why hepatocellular carcinoma occurs less frequently in women than in men is unknown. The possibility that differences in the hepatitis B virus status between men and women with this tumor might be important in this regard was investigated in 75 black women and 75 age- and ethnically-matched men with hepatocellular carcinoma. Prevalences of hepatitis B surface antigen, core antibody alone, and total hepatitis B virus markers were not significantly different in the two sexes. It is concluded that women with hepatocellular carcinoma are just as likely as men to be, or to have been, infected with hepatitis B virus. Because the hepatitis B virus and contraceptive steroids might conceivably act as cocarcinogens, the age distribution of women with hepatocellular carcinoma was determined. Thirty-nine percent were of child-bearing age. Of these, 44% were positive for surface antigen and 17% for core antibody alone. Ninety percent of these women had one or more hepatitis B virus markers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Uptake of Tc-99m di-isopropyliminodiacetic acid by hepatocellular carcinoma: concise communication.

Uptake of Tc-99m di-isopropyliminodiacetic acid (DISIDA) by hepatocellular carcinoma was assessed in 30 patients showing obvious liver defects on a Tc-99m tin colloid image. In none of these patients was there complete "filling in" of the defects, and even partial "filling in" occurred in only 11 (36.7%). There was no uptake of Tc-99m DISIDA by the primary tumor in the remaining 19 patients (63.3%). In 19 of the 30 patients an attempt was made to correlate the degree of histologic differentiation of the tumor with the uptake of DISIDA by the tumor. No difference in uptake could be demonstrated between well, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumors. Tc-99m DISIDA was not taken up by pulmonary metastases in the only two patients tested. We conclude that imaging with Tc-99m DISIDA in conjunction with Tc-99m colloid is of no value in the specific diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

An estimate of the endogenous secretion rate of calcitonin in man.

1. The metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of human calcitonin was measured in 12 normal subjects and four patients with Paget's disease by the infusion of synthetic human calcitonin (15-40 microgram/h for 2-24 h), and in 10 additional patients with Paget's disease from the disappearance rate of immunoreactive calcitonin from plasma after the intravenous injection of large doses of synthetic human calcitonin (0.5-1.0 mg). 2. The estimated MCR during the infusion studies (range 531-1224 litres/day) was similar to that calculated from the disappearance of large doses of synthetic human calcitonin injected intravenously in patients with Paget's disease (mean = 1035 litres/day; range = 593-1408 litres/day). 3. An eightfold range in the basal values of plasma immunoreactive calcitonin, in spite of the presence of a relatively constant MCR, suggests that the variation in basal plasma calcitonin was due principally to variation in the endogenous secretion rate for calcitonin. 4. The results suggest that the endogenous secretion rate for calcitonin is low in normal subjects (mean 124 +/- SEM 24 microgram/day), and give a basis for selecting the doses of calcitonin which can be considered physiological.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Coagulation abnormalities in fatal cerebral lupus erythematosus.

Two cases of fatal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with cerebral involvement are described. Both showed widespread microinfarction of the brain secondary to platelet and fibrin thrombi. There was no evidence of vasculitis. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs may have an important role in the management of cerebral SLE.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Metastatic extradural malignancy of the spine.

One hundred and twenty cases of malignant extradural spinal compression have been reviewed. It is essential to treat such patients early whilst their neurological defects are minimal. When useful function has been lost, it is rarely regained postoperatively, irrespective of the rate of onset, and particularly if the duration of the fixed deficit exceeds 24 hours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Molecular basis of altered enzyme specificities in a family of mutant amidases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A family of mutant amidases has been derived by experimental evolution of the aliphatic amidase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAC1. Mutation amiE16, in the structural gene for the enzyme, results in the production of the mutant B amidase by strain B6. This strain, unlike the wild-type, can utilize butyramide for growth. Strain B6 gave rise by a single mutational event to strain V9, utilizing valeramide, and strain PhB3, utilizing phenylacetamide. Strain V9 was not itself able to utilize phenylacetamide but gave rise by mutation to the phenylacetamide-utilizing mutant PhV1. Peptide 108 was isolated from chymotryptic digests of mutant amidases from strains B6, PhB3 and PhV1, but could not be detected in chymotryptic digests of the wild-type amidase. The sequence of peptide 108 was established as Met-Arg-His-Gly-Asp-Ile-Phe. Thermolytic digests of mutant amidases from strains B6, PhB3, PhV1 and V9 were compared with digests of the wild-type amidase. A peptide of the composition Met, Arg, His, Gly2, Asp3, Ile, Ser3, Thr, Val was found in the digest of the wild-type amidase and was replaced in the digests of the mutant amidases by a peptide of the composition Met, Arg, His, Gly2, Asp3, Ile, Ser3, Thr, Val, Phe. Mutation amiE16 is common to the four mutant enzymes and can be accounted for by the mutation Ser leads to Phe. The sequence of the chymotryptic peptide corresponds with the N-terminal sequence of the amidase protein, and can also be related to the thermolysin peptides. It is concluded that mutation amiE16 is a Ser leads to Phe change at position 7 from the N-terminus and the effect of this on the enzyme conformation is discussed.

Amidohydrolases↗