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Biomedical subjects

A Thomson

Publications and source records attributed to A Thomson.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Influence of stress of capture on haematological values and cellular immune responses in the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) captured for the first time (single-capture) had significantly lower blood lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, but higher neutrophil counts than possums which had been captured frequently. Single-capture possums also had depressed lymphocyte responses to concanavalin A (males and females) and pokeweed mitogen (males only). The haematological changes and the depressed lymphocyte reactivity to the T-cell mitogens were consistent with the animals being in a stressed state following capture for the first time. The haematological profile of single-capture possums changed to a profile similar to that of the frequently captured possums following housing in cages for 1 week, and high lymphocyte responses to T-cell mitogens were recorded following housing for 3-5 weeks. This information, together with body weight data, indicates that a minimum of 4 weeks adaptation to housing in cages should be allowed before possums are used in experimental studies.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Rubella virus strains show no major antigenic differences.

To determine whether antigenic differences occur among rubella virus strains, five wild-type strains of rubella virus isolated in the UK, the USA, and in Japan between 1964 and 1987 and four attenuated vaccine strains were compared employing a panel of 28 monoclonal antibodies in neutralization, haemagglutination-inhibition, enzyme immunoassay, and indirect immunofluorescence assays. No antigenic differences were detected which confirms that rubella vaccines will protect against circulating strains and that rubella antigens used in serological tests for screening and diagnosis will detect antibodies induced by all strains.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Bilharzia in a small irrigation community: an assessment of water and toilet usage.

A questionnaire study was conducted in the Mushandike small scale irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe to investigate the following: 1) to establish whether field latrines are used or not; 2) to find out why people visit natural water bodies for bathing and laundry instead of using water from boreholes for these purposes; 3) to assess people's knowledge on the transmission and control of schistosomiasis. Results of the study indicated that the field latrines are utilised and that the borehole water is not preferred for bathing and laundry because of its hardness and oily nature. The results further indicated that the community was aware of schistosomiasis but their knowledge on transmission and control of the disease was limited. Possible reasons for the observations made are discussed in the paper and recommendations emanating from the study are stated.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1991

Assessment of a clinical scoring system for detection of immunodeficiency in children with recurrent infections.

From January, 1982, to July, 1990, 51 children with recurrent infections were investigated for immunodeficiency in this department by testing neutrophil function, lymphocyte subsets and serum immunoglobulin and complement concentrations. The prevalence of immune dysfunction within the group was 39% (20 of 51). A previously described clinical scoring system, which aims to identify children with a history of recurrent infection who merit investigation for immunodeficiency was also applied to all 51 children. The scoring system identified only 55% (11 of 20) of those with laboratory-proved immunodeficiency and had a false negative rate of 45% (9 of 20). This latter group included 2 children with severe combined immunodeficiency and 1 with hypogammaglobulinemia, diagnoses that one cannot afford to miss. The system was not sufficiently sensitive to be of use in deciding which child to test for immunodeficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effect of controlled release salbutamol on nocturnal cough in asthma.

Sixteen asthmatic children completed a double blind placebo controlled crossover study of controlled release salbutamol (CRS) to assess its efficacy in controlling night time cough. Children with asthma were enrolled into the study on the basis of a history of persistent cough confirmed by two overnight tape recordings at home. Outcome was measured by two overnight tapes on each medication. Other treatment was unaffected. There was no significant fall in cough counts on CRS. Median scores were 14.5 and 12.0 coughing episodes per night for CRS and placebo respectively. Mean overnight oxygen saturation was identical in both treatment periods but morning peak flow showed a trend towards improvement on CRS. Treatment with CRS does not have a significant effect in control of night cough although it may improve objective measurements of lung function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Blood component treatment: a retrospective audit in five major London hospitals.

A retrospective audit of 200 transfusion episodes involving the use of platelets or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was performed in five hospitals in London. It examined the currently used practices of transfusion and assessed the appropriateness of blood component treatment. It was necessary to search for an excess of case notes to provide a sufficient number of patients for review. In 61.5% of cases the reason for using the components was not stated. Inadequate documentation of the use of blood components occurred in 66% of cases. An accepted clinical indication for the use of components was evident in only 36% of the total; inappropriate use of FFP was particularly apparent. It is concluded that many aspects of transfusion practice need to be improved.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1991

A randomized comparison of intravenous heparin with oral aspirin and dipyridamole 24 hours after recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator for acute myocardial infarction. National Heart Foundation of Australia Coronary Thrombolysis Group.

BACKGROUND: This study addressed the need for heparin administration to be continued for more than 24 hours after coronary thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 241 patients with acute myocardial infarction were treated with 100 mg rt-PA and a bolus of 5,000 units i.v. heparin followed by 1,000 units/hr i.v. heparin for 24 hours. At 24 hours, 202 patients were randomized to continue intravenous heparin therapy (n = 99) in full dosage or to discontinue heparin therapy and begin an oral antiplatelet regimen of aspirin (300 mg/day) and dipyridamole (300 mg/day) (n = 103). On prospective recording, there were no differences in the pattern of chest pain, reinfarction, or bleeding complications. Coronary angiography on cardiac catheterization at 7-10 days showed no differences in patency of the infarct-related artery. The proportion of patients with total occlusion (TIMI grade 0-1) of the infarct-related artery was 18.9% in the heparin group and 19.8% in the aspirin and dipyridamole group. In the patients with an incompletely occluded infarct-related artery, the lumen was reduced by 69 +/- 2% of normal in the heparin group and 67 +/- 2% in the aspirin and dipyridamole group. Left ventricular function assessed on cardiac catheterization and radionuclide study at day 2 and at 1 month showed no differences between the two groups. Left ventricular ejection fraction on radionuclide ventriculography at 1 month was 52.4 +/- 1.2% in the heparin group and 51.9 +/- 1.2% in the aspirin and dipyridamole group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that heparin therapy can be discontinued 24 hours after rt-PA therapy and replaced with an oral antiplatelet regimen without any adverse effects on chest pain, reinfarction, coronary patency, or left ventricular function.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

Clearance of Rh D-positive red cells with monoclonal anti-D.

Two human monoclonal antibodies, one IgG3 and one IgG1, with anti-Rh D specificity, were tested for their ability to clear red cells. Samples of red cells from 12 D-positive subjects were sensitised in vitro with various amounts of antibody, the number of antibody molecules bound to the cells was estimated, and the cells were reinjected into the donor's circulation. Both antibodies mediated clearance but substantially fewer IgG3 than IgG1 antibody molecules were required to produce a given rate of clearance. The IgG3 antibody was slightly more effective than polyclonal anti-D, as judged by comparison with previously published results. Since there is believed to be an association between the rate of red cell clearance by anti-D and the ability of the antibody to suppress D immunisation, the IgG3 monoclonal antibody may prove suitable for the immunoprophylaxis of Rh D haemolytic disease.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗