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Biomedical subjects

A Smith

Publications and source records attributed to A Smith.

At least 1,207 records · Page 67Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Assessing completeness of cancer registration in the north-western region of England by a method of independent comparison.

Incompleteness of ascertainment of new cases of any disease leads to underestimation of its incidence rate and may result in false assumptions about incidence trends if incompleteness varies over the course of time (Fraser et al., 1978). We report an attempt to assess the completeness of ascertainment in a cancer registry in the North-Western Region of England using a method based on independent comparison with accurate morbidity data. A total of 1955 verified cases of cancer from 5 independent sources covering 11 sites were used in the study. The corrected mean level of overall registration completeness was found to be 94% but this varied appreciably with site and source of data. Independent comparison is recommended as an effective method for estimating the completeness of cancer registration.

England↗
PubMed1982

Variations in the morphology of the ventricular septal defect and disposition of the atrioventricular conduction tissues in tetralogy of Fallot.

Seventeen heart specimens with tetralogy of Fallot were studied to assess the anatomy of the ventricular septal defect and the disposition and potential vulnerability to surgical trauma of the atrioventricular conduction tissue. Eleven had defects of the perimembranous type. In the majority of these cases the non-branching and branching atrioventricular bundle lay posterior to the defect in a position unlikely to be damaged during closure of the defect. However, in one case, the non-branching bundle extended onto the rim of the defect and in a further 4 cases, other major components of the atrioventricular conduction tissue appeared vulnerable. Six ventricular septal defects were of the muscular outlet type and the atrioventricular conduction tissue did not appear vulnerable in any case of this type. Conclusive differentiation between perimembranous and muscular outlet defects was not always possible on gross morphological examination. It is suggested that the crest of the muscular septum and fibrous tissue in the posterior corner of the ventricular septal defect should be avoided during closure of the defect.

Atrioventricular Node↗
PubMed1982

The compatibility of diazepam with infusion fluids and their containers.

A significant interaction exists between diazepam and infusion fluid containers constructed of PVC plastics. This is attributed to absorption of the drug into the PVC matrix and should preclude the use of this type of container prior to or during infusion of diazepam admixtures. Infusions containing diazepam injection either as a solution (in dextrose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9%) or oil-in-water emulsion (in dextrose 5%) exhibit no significant interaction over 48 h when prepared in polyethylene (Polyfusor) containers. No data were obtained regarding the physical stability of diluted emulsion. The inert nature of polyethylene and an absence of plasticizers or other additives account for a good compatibility with the drug additive. Therefore, diazepam dilutions may be prepared in polyethylene containers as an alternative to glass. However, the interaction with administration sets should not be overlooked when considering these solutions for infusion.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1982

Dermatoglyphic analyses of 24 individuals with the Prader-Willi syndrome.

Dermatoglyphic parameters of 24 PWS individuals, 14 males, 10 females, were examined using standard techniques. Nomenclature followed that of Schaumann & Alter (1976). There were no differences found in the position of the axial triradius or the frequency of hypothenar patterns, but there was a decrease in fingertip ulnar loop patterns in both sexes with an increase in whorls in males (P less than 0.01) and whorls and arches in females (P less than 0.05). In males, the main line A terminated in the thenar area on the left palm more frequently than in the controls (P less than 0.01) and generally the main line A terminated low in both sexes. The total finger ridge counts were not different from controls indicating smaller than usual pattern size. Of 48 hallucal patterns, 26 were loops, 21 were whorls and there was one arch. This study confirms previous data that there are no pathognomonic dermatoglyphic distortions in PWS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Guanylate cyclase activity in human leukemic and normal lymphocytes. Enzyme inhibition and cytotoxicity of plant extracts.

Cyclic GMP is thought to be involved in lymphocytic cell proliferation and leukemogenesis. In general, the nucleotide is elevated in leukemic vs. normal lymphocytes and changes have been reported to occur during remission and relapse of this disease. Although the cA/cG ratios are higher for normal lymphocytes the basal guanylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.2) activities do not correlate with altered cyclic GMP levels. The crude guanylate cyclases display classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Kms for Mn-GTP of 463 mumol/l and 20-90 mumol/l for normal and leukemic lymphocytes, respectively. An extract from the bitter melon (Momordica charantia) preferentially inhibits the soluble guanylate cyclase from leukemic lymphocytes. This inhibition correlates with its preferential cytotoxic effects for these same cells. Analyses of nine other cytotoxic plant extracts revealed that only an extract from the Lawson's cypress, Chamaecyparis lawsonianna, exhibits comparable cytotoxicity and guanylate cyclase inhibition levels.

Cyclic AMP↗
PubMed1982

Nephrostolithotomy: percutaneous techniques for urinary calculus removal.

Recently the technique of percutaneous nephrostomy has been modified to allow the percutaneous extraction of urinary calculi. This communication describes experience with the percutaneous extraction of 63 calculi from the urinary tract. An overall success rate of 87%, a low incidence of complications (about 3%), a fast recovery, and sooner return to work are obtained. Several technical variants including grasping, fragmentation, flushing, and removal under direct vision have been used. In most cases, a combination of the different techniques has to be used in one patient. Essential to the technique is the introduction of large dilators into the kidney.

Dilatation↗