Near infra-red reflection measurements and the applicability of the absorption law.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
A Spencer
Publications and source records attributed to A Spencer.
Plant cell culture in the production of flavour compounds.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Cells, Cultured↗
Non-invasive in vivo near-infrared optical measurement of the penetration depth in the neonatal head.
The non-invasive optical technique of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to measure the depths of light penetration at four wavelengths in the NIR region. Near-infrared absorbance measurements were carried out on 10 preterm infants. The apparent absorbance data (in optical density units) collected at 775, 805, 845, and 904 nm were measured at different positions on the head. Linear relationships that satisfy the Lambert law were obtained when the apparent absorbance at a given wavelength was plotted against the inter-optrode distance. From the slopes of the resulting straight lines, the depth of penetration of the NIR light was calculated and found to be independent of the position of the probes on the head. Calculated average values of the depth of penetration of near-infrared light in the whole neonatal head ranged between 6.3 and 8.5 mm.
Head↗
Affective exchanges between young autistic children and their mothers.
This study examined autistic children's social behavior, affect, and use of gaze during naturalistic interactions with their mothers. Sixteen autistic children, 30 to 70 months of age, and 16 normal children, matched on receptive language, participated. Children and their mothers were videotaped during three situations: a free-play period, a more structured period during which communicative demand was made on the child, and a face-to-face interaction. In all three situations, autistic and normal children did not differ in the frequency or duration of gaze at mother's face. In the one condition (face-to-face interaction) during which affective expressions were coded, autistic and normal children also were not found to differ significantly in the frequency or duration of smiles displayed, and neither group displayed frowns. However, autistic children were much less likely than normal children to combine their smiles with eye contact in a single act that conveyed communicative intent. Autistic and normal children were not found to differ in the percentages of smiles they displayed to social versus nonsocial events. However, when autistic children's responses to mother's smiles specifically were examined, it was found that they were much less likely to smile in response to mother's smiles than were normal children. Finally, it was found that mothers of autistic children displayed fewer smiles and were less likely to smile in response to their children's smiles, when compared with mothers of normal children. These findings suggest that the autistic child's unusual affective behavior may negatively affect the behavior of others.
Affect↗
Rigid endoscopy under general anaesthesia is safe for chronic injection sclerotherapy.
Injection sclerotherapy for acutely bleeding oesophageal varices has been used in Belfast since 1958. However, a chronic injection sclerotherapy programme with rigid oesophagoscopy under general anaesthesia commenced only in 1979. So far, 82 patients have entered the programme; 57 patients had already received 73 acute injections before commencing chronic sclerotherapy. Subsequently, the 82 patients received 221 chronic injections plus a further 29 acute injections for rebleeding episodes which occurred during the programme. There were 24 Child's grade A patients, 23 B and 35 C; 48 per cent had alcoholic cirrhosis. Forty-eight patients achieved variceal obliteration with a mean of four injections. During the programme 24 patients experienced 42 acute bleeds. There were only two bleeding episodes within 1 week of a chronic injection and eight within 4 weeks. In the 8-year period there have been four early deaths. One occurred 17 days after a chronic injection and three followed acute injections required for rebleeding during the programme. There were 21 late deaths, mostly due to progressive liver failure, and none from rebleeding. We conclude that chronic injection sclerotherapy using rigid oesophagoscopy under general anaesthesia is both safe and effective.
Adolescent↗
Periarteritis in a beagle colony.
Primary periarteritis, an uncommon necrotizing vasculitis in the dog, was found to affect, almost exclusively, the major branches of the coronary arteries in a number of young beagle dogs. The arteritis was mainly distributed in the proximal segment of the right coronary artery. Immunocytochemical studies failed to identify immunoglobulin deposits in the lesions and the cause of the arteritis remains unknown. It is important to be aware of this spontaneous condition and its regional distribution since certain cardiovascular drugs may also produce necrotizing arteritis at similar sites.
Animals↗
Production of a monoclonal antibody to enamelins which does not cross-react with amelogenins.
Developing enamel matrix contains a complex mixture of proteins whose characterization is essential to an understanding of amelogenesis. It is not known whether each component is the product of an individual gene, or whether they are interrelated by physiologic or artifactual breakdown. To define these relationships, monoclonal antibodies were prepared to enamel proteins and we have previously reported the characterization of six antibodies to amelogenins which did not react with enamelins (Christner et al. (1985) Arch. Oral Biol. 30:849-854). We now report the isolation of antibody to enamelins which stains the enamel matrix but does not cross-react with amelogenins. These results suggest that amelogenins and enamelins are distinct classes of proteins.
Amelogenin↗
Iron supplementation increases prevalence and effects of malaria: report on clinical studies in Papua New Guinea.
A placebo-controlled trial of intramuscular iron dextran prophylaxis for two-month-old infants was carried out on the north coast of Papua New Guinea where there is high transmission of malaria. The results indicate that the placebo group became relatively iron deficient whereas the iron dextran group had adequate iron stores and, in the absence of malaria, a higher mean haemoglobin. However in the iron dextran group there was a higher prevalence of malaria, as judged by parasite and spleen rates at 6- and 12-month follow-up; a lower haemoglobin associated with malaria when compared with the placebo group and a greater reticulocytosis in response to malaria infection. Within the placebo group it was noticed that the malaria rates were lower at follow-up in those infants who had had a low birth haemoglobin. In neither group was there apparent suppression of marrow activity in the presence of malaria. Malaria infection in both groups was associated with a significantly raised serum ferritin level and transferrin saturation. Over-all these data give evidence for a protective role of iron deficiency against malaria and would argue against the injudicious use of iron replacement in areas where malaria is endemic.
Clinical Trials as Topic↗
Platelet activation during exercise induced asthma: effect of prophylaxis with cromoglycate and salbutamol.
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) and plasma concentrations of platelet factor 4 and beta thromboglobulin were measured before and after exercise in nine asthmatic patients and 12 non-asthmatic volunteers. Exercise was preceded by administration in random order of either placebo, salbutamol 200 micrograms, or sodium cromoglycate 2 mg from a pressurised inhaler. In control subjects there were minimal changes in PEF and plasma concentrations of platelet factor 4 and beta thromboglobulin. In the asthmatic patients the typical changes in PEF were seen on exercise; plasma concentrations of platelet factor 4 and beta thromboglobulin rose significantly in parallel, the rise preceding the fall in PEF. The changes in peak flow and platelet activation induced by exercise were attenuated by prior administration of salbutamol or cromoglycate. These results indicate that exercise induced asthma is associated with a rise in platelet release products similar to that observed in antigen induced asthma.
Adult↗
Filaroides hirthi in a British bred beagle dog.
Filaroides hirthi was identified in large numbers in the lungs of a British bred beagle dog that had received 10 monthly intra-articular injections of a corticosteroid. The dog was terminally hyperpnoeic and eosinophil and reticulocyte counts were raised. At autopsy, the lungs failed to collapse and minute black and red foci were found throughout the lung parenchyma. These foci were identified histologically as parasites and focal haemorrhage. Migrating larvae were found in the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes. F hirthi has not previously been definitively identified in British dogs and the principal features of its identification and control are discussed.
Administration, Topical↗
A nonlinear analysis of phonological disability.
In the spirit of Gandour (1981) a reanalysis is presented of the speech of a 6-yr-old language delayed child, Rosey, whose phonologic disorder has been discussed by Grunwell (1982). A revealing account of the data can be given by adopting a nonlinear framework; specifically, recent amendments to Goldsmith's (1976) theory of autosegmental phonology. This analysis borrows from autosegmental accounts of Arabic morphology, reduplication, and Kikuyu tone shift (all of which are briefly described). The processes postulated to explain the "deviant" pattern of data, hence, are all well motivated from the grammars of other languages. The analysis is contrasted with a "classical" (SPE) generative analysis and, thus, provides indirect evidence in favor of autosegmental theory over the classical theory. At the same time, the position of such phonologic analyses in psycholinguistic models of acquisition is briefly discussed.
Child, Preschool↗
Histology of the postoperative stomach before and after diversion of bile.
Gastric biopsy specimens were taken in 33 patients before and after procedures to divert bile (construction of Roux loop in 19, closure of gastrojejunostomy in 14). Each biopsy specimen was assessed for dysplasia, intestinal metaplasia, atrophy, and gastritis, each variable being given a score ranging from 0 to 6. Patients were given preoperative and postoperative scores for each of these variables based on the average score of all preoperative or postoperative specimens. Comparison between preoperative and postoperative histology showed that there was no difference for gastritis, atrophy, or intestinal metaplasia. Patients who underwent closure of a gastrojejunostomy showed improvement in dysplasia that was not statistically significant. There was, however, a significant improvement in dysplasia in patients in whom a Roux loop was fashioned (p = 0.006) and in all patients taken together (p = 0.002). It was concluded that procedures that divert bile improve dysplasia but not other histological abnormalities in the stomach postoperatively.
Adult↗
Children in lesbian and single-parent households: psychosexual and psychiatric appraisal.
Thirty-seven school-age children reared in 27 lesbian households were compared with 38 school-age children reared in 27 heterosexual single-parent households, with respect to their psychosexual development and their emotions, behaviour and relationships. Systematic standardized interviews with the mothers and with the children, together with parent and teacher questionnaires, were used to make the psychosexual and psychiatric appraisal. The two groups did not differ in terms of their gender identity, sex role behaviour or sexual orientation. Also, they did not differ on most measures of emotions, behaviour and relationships--although there was some indication of more frequent psychiatric problems in the single-parent group. It was concluded that rearing in a lesbian household per se did not lead to atypical psychosexual development or constitute a psychiatric risk factor.
Adolescent↗
How effective are our child health clinics?
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Child↗
Effect of hypolipidaemic drugs on hepatomegaly and micro-bodies in the rat. A new approach to the nature of hepatic peroxisomal proliferation.
Etofylline clofibrate, a new hypolipidaemic drug of low toxicity, was evaluated for effects of induction of peroxisomal proliferation and hepatomegaly in male rats by comparison with standard hypolipidaemic drugs (bezafibrate, clofibrate, fenofibrate). The dose schedule was selected according to standard toxicological methods in an attempt to determine a dose-dependent relationship with particular reference to a possible "nil effect" dose. At high dose levels (250 mg/kg/day), all test drugs induced proliferation and hepatomegaly. At 50 mg/kg/day, all reference compounds induced proliferation and hepatomegaly while etofylline clofibrate indicated only moderate proliferation and no hepatomegaly. At very low dose levels only standards induced proliferation while etofylline clofibrate neither induced proliferation nor hepatomegaly. The latter was still present in bezafibrate and fenofibrate-treated groups. Results indicated a dose-dependent effect of etofylline clofibrate on both parameters with a "nil effect" dose between 11 and 50 mg/kg. Neither a dose-dependent nor a "nil effect" dose was found with any of the standard drugs. For the most potent peroxisomal proliferators (bezafibrate and clofibrate), numerous large and mis-shapen peroxisomes were found at all dose levels. Hepatic changes in terms of pharmacological and toxicological criteria are discussed with special reference to a proposed drug related toxic effect on liver function.
Animals↗
A long term study of the iron status of patients following vagotomy.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Anemia, Hypochromic↗
The nephrotic syndrome in a heifer due to glomerulonephritis.
An 18-month-old Friesian heifer, which was admitted in November with a history of weight loss, diarrhoea and submandibular oedema, was found to have an enlarged left kidney and a massive proteinuria. Laboratory investigations revealed that there was a marked hypoalbuminaemia and that the range and the proportions of the individual proteins in the urine were almost identical to those in the serum. Consequently, the nephrotic syndrome was diagnosed. On gross and histopathological examination of the kidneys, there was evidence of pyelonephritis. However, immunofluorescence studies revealed a striking diffuse deposition of immunoglobulin in a predominantly linear pattern along the glomerular basement membranes. Abnormalities of the basement membranes. Abnormalities of the basement membranes were seen on ultrastructural examination and evidence of a flomerular protein leak was detected but changes typical of immune-complex deposition were absent. The immunofluorescence findings suggested a diagnosis of glomerulonephritis mediated by antiglomerular basement membrane antibody.
Animals↗