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Biomedical subjects

B Davies

Publications and source records attributed to B Davies.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Psychosis and the menstrual cycle.

A case of a puerperal psychosis in a 26-year-old woman who had a strong family history of schizophrenia is reported. Her symptoms resolved with chlorpromazine and electroconvulsive therapy, but recurred each month just before the onset of menses. The cyclical recurrence of symptoms was prevented by therapy with danazol, a synthetic steroid which inhibits ovulation and may influence several levels of the reproductive control mechanism from the hypothalamus to the uterus. This therapy may be helpful for other women who suffer from recurrence of severe psychiatric disorders in close association with the menstrual cycle.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Equity and efficiency in the allocation of the personal social services.

This paper investigates two issues of equity in the receipt of the home help service, one about territorial justice, the other about sex discrimination. It uses GHS data for 1980. An argument is developed about the efficiency with which services are targeted on persons who by normative criteria would appear to have most need of them. Efficiency is of two types: horizontal efficiency, the proportion of persons judged in need who receive services; and vertical efficiency, the proportion of services allocated to persons judged in need. The findings are that there is evidence of inequity both between different areas and between the sexes. Metropolitan areas are advantaged compared with rural areas, and this cannot be explained by differences in social support nor by the availability of other domiciliary services. Among the elderly living alone, neither sex is advantaged, but in elderly married couple households the home help service is more frequently provided in the case of a husband caring for a disabled wife than in the case of a wife caring for a disabled husband.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Isolation of cellular DNA sequences that allow expression of adjacent genes.

We have employed a strategy for the isolation and identification of cellular control (expression) sequences dependent on their ability to confer expression on a selectable gene devoid of its own expression sequences. The polyoma virus (Py) Hae II-BamHI DNA fragment, which comprises 84% of the intact viral DNA and contains the Py transforming region but lacks Py 5' expression sequences, was decreased markedly in its transformation of rat cells. Hae II-cleaved mouse cellular DNA was ligated to the Py Hae II-BamHI fragment. A transformed colony (H1) isolated after transfection of the ligated DNA onto rat cells was found to contain multiple inserts of Py DNA, most of which were biologically inactive. A transformed colony (H2) isolated after transfection of rat cells with total H1 DNA was found to contain a single insert of Py DNA. The H2 cells are highly tumorigenic and synthesize the three Py tumor antigens. Initiation of transcription of the Py early mRNAs in H2 cells occurs at the same Py nucleotides as in complete Py DNA. The viral and adjacent cellular DNA sequences were cloned from H2 cellular DNA. The transforming efficiency of the cloned Py transforming region and adjacent H2 cellular DNA was 20-40% of that of the viral DNA containing Py expression sequences. By BAL-31 deletion mapping it was observed that the first 58 base pairs of H2 cellular DNA were sufficient for the expression of the Py-transforming region. The sequence of the first 149 base pairs of the H2 cellular DNA was determined and does not show any striking similarities to upstream 5' sequences of a number of viral and host structural genes. Features of the H2 cellular sequence are discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Zimeldine in depressive illness--efficacy and safety data.

Two studies of zimeldine in depressive illness are reported, one a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the other an open evaluation. In both studies, zimeldine was shown to have antidepressant properties. No simple relationship between plasma zimeldine or norzimeldine and clinical effect was demonstrated in eight patients treated for 6 weeks. Minor changes in electrocardiographic parameters were noted in some zimeldine patients. Side-effects attributable to zimeldine treatment were generally of mild to moderate severity and the drug was well tolerated. During the studies, one patient overdosed on zimeldine (5.2 g) and, although plasma concentrations were excessive, minimum side-effects were recorded. Two cases of suspected adverse drug reactions with zimeldine are described.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

The specificity of energy utilisation by trained and untrained adolescent boys.

This study examined the relationship between estimates of alactacid anaerobic power, lactacid anaerobic power and aerobic power in a sample of trained swimmers (age 14.4 yr., n = 8) and a sample of untrained boys (age 13.7 yr., n = 13). The anaerobic power outputs were estimated using a modification of the Wingate Anaerobic Test and aerobic power was estimated using a continuous, incremental cycle ergometer test. In addition to leg power outputs the swimmers' arm power using each energy system was estimated and compared with the corresponding leg value. There was no relationship between the estimates of the power of the three energy systems with either the trained or untrained boys. Furthermore with the trained boys there was no relationship between estimates of the power of the same energy system utilised by different limbs. The data support a specificity hypothesis of energy utilisation during exercise with both trained and untrained adolescent boys.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme responses of post-infarction patients after a graded exercise test.

The response of total creatine kinase (CK) and the creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK MB) was studied in 22 male post-infarction patients (three to six months after myocardial infarction) after a functional graded exercise test, before entering a rehabilitation programme. Eleven subjects (group A) completed the test without developing significant electrocardiographic abnormalities. Eleven subjects (group B) showed changes that necessitated premature termination of the test. No significant differences were observed before the functional graded exercise test between the groups in serum concentration of CK, CK MB, and the percentage of CK MB to CK (MB/ CK%). The two groups were significantly different (p less than 0.01) 24 hours after the graded exercise test in CK MB and MB/CK%, but not in CK. In group B, CK and CK MB rose significantly after the graded exercise test (p less than 0.05) as did MB/CK% (p less than 0.01). In group A only CK showed a significant rise (p less than 0.05). It is probable that increases in CK MB after exercise arise from myocardial tissue efflux, reflecting reversible ischaemia. It is concluded from this study that CK MB appears to be a specific indicator of myocardial ischaemia and could, therefore, be of significant assistance in the clinical and functional assessment of the post-infarction patient.

Clinical Enzyme Tests↗
PubMed1982

Stimulatory role for medial preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area neurones in growth hormone and prolactin secretion. A kainic acid study.

The role of preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area (PO/AHA) neurones in the regulation of basal patterns of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (Prl) secretion was investigated in unanesthetized male rats prepared with chronic indwelling venous cannulae. PO/AHA injections of the neurotoxin kainic acid (KA) substantially reduced both GH and Prl secretion. Histological examination of tissue sections indicated that KA treatment had produced extensive neuronal loss and gliosis in the medial (m) but not the periventricular (p) PO/AHA. These findings suggest that m-PO/AHA neurones are facilitatory to the basal secretion of both GH and Prl. It is proposed that GH-facilitatory m-PO/AHA neurones provide an inhibitory input to the GH release-inhibiting factor neurones which are known to reside in the p-PO/AHA. Prl-facilitatory m-PO/AHA neurones may secrete, or stimulate the secretion of a Prl releasing factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Serum creatine kinase and isoenzyme responses of veteran class fell runners.

The exercise response of creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) was studied in 11 veteran class male fell runners (aged greater than 40 years) following (1) a laboratory functional diagnostic test (GXT) to maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), (2) a competitive fell race (8 km distance and 419 m total height gain) at approx. 80% VO2max. Subjects rested for 72 h pre- and 24 h post-GXT test, resuming normal training for 8 days before resting again 72 h pre- and 24 h post-fell race. Blood samples were obtained during normal training, pre- and 24 h post-GXT test, and pre-, 24 and 48 h post-fell race. Two distinct exercise profiles emerged. Post-GXT test CK-MB rose significantly (mean 2.0 U x 1(-1), p less than 0.05) with the mean values of per cent CK-MB to CK (MB/CK%) rising to 4.4% (p less than 0.01). Total CK remained stable at 50 U x 1(-1). Post-fell race CK-MB rose significantly (mean 2.4 U x 1(-1), p less than 0.01) with the mean MB/CK% rising to 3.1% (p less than 0.05) and total CK to 81.6 U x 1(-1) (p less than 0.01). Two subjects who exhibited ECG abnormalities during and post-GXT test, were observed to have the highest MB/CK% post-test (8.2 and 5.6% respectively) and the highest CK-MB (2.3 and 3.7 U x 1(-1). An inverse relationship was observed between MB/CK% and time to complete the fell race. It is probably that the increase in serum isoenzyme CK-MB following exercise arises from myocardial tissue efflux, reflecting reversible ischaemia. CK-MB appears to be a very specific indicator of myocardial stress during exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The decision between single- and combined-modality therapy in Hodgkin's disease.

Using the technique of decision analysis to evaluate data on single-modality and combined-modality therapy in Hodgkin's disease, we have been able to determine which treatment gives the best chance for prolonged disease-free survival in given settings. Both the potential of combined-modality therapy for inducing secondary hematologic malignancies and the rate of salvage with MOPP following relapse after radiotherapy have been studied to observe the effect of different rates of these variables on the therapeutic decision. An analysis of patients with known pathologic stage endorsed the continued use of extended-mantle radiotherapy for Stages IA and IIA disease; under most of the conditions analyzed, combined-modality therapy appeared the best option for Stage IIIA disease. The results for Stages IB and IIB disease showed neither combined-modality therapy nor total nodal irradiation to have a conclusive advantage. We also analyzed management decisions for patients who had not had pathologic staging. For this, probabilities of each pathologic stage were derived from a large patient data base and were incorporated into the decision analysis. The results of this analysis indicated that, despite the mortality of laparotomy, treatment designated according to pathologic stage was more effective than immediate combined-modality therapy for most types of patients. For certain patients in whom the clinical features could be used to predict a high probability of advanced disease, the most effective management was immediate MOPP chemotherapy without staging laparotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Blood and plasma concentrations of dothiepin and its major metabolites and clinical response.

Ten patients suffering from primary depressive illness were treated with 150 mg/d of dothiepin for 4 weeks. Blood and plasma concentrations of dothiepin and two metabolites, dothiepin S-oxide and northiaden were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. No significant correlation was found between amelioration score or percentage change and either blood or plasma concentrations of dothiepin, its metabolites or total drug and metabolite concentrations at week 4.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Increased numbers of alpha receptors in sympathetic denervation supersensitivity in man.

Cardiovascular responses to intravenous administration of norepinephrine and the properties of alpha receptors on platelets were compared in normal human subjects and subjects with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and sympathetic degeneration. All the subjects with MSA had low plasma norepinephrine concentrations (in the supine position) (0.42 +/- 0.09 nM, normal 3.47 +/- 0.58 nM), which did not increase on tilt. The pressor sensitivity of subjects with MSA to norepinephrine infusion was increased 10- to 20-fold, demonstrating denervation supersensitivity to adrenergic agonists. Analysis of alpha receptors was by binding of [3H]dihydroergocryptine to platelets. Results are shown as mean +/- standard error of the mean. In the MSA subjects, the number of alpha receptors (1,712 +/- 699 fmol/10(8) platelets) was about sevenfold greater than in normal subjects (224 +/- 21 fmol/10(8) platelets), and the affinity, as measured by the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd), was similar in both groups (MSA subjects, 9.6 +/- 4.3 nM; normal subjects, 4 +/- 0.5 nM). These observations suggest that an increase in alphaadrenergic receptor numbers may account for the denervation supersensitivity to infused norepinephrine in patients with sympathetic degeneration. All the subjects with MSA had low levels of the endogenous adrenergic transmitter norepinephrine: the simultaneous increase in alpha adrenergic receptors supports the theory of agonist regulation of receptor numbers.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Clinical spectrum of zinc deficiency in pediatric patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

In a 1-yr period, 11 infants and children were found to have symptomatic zinc deficiency associated with prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A wide variety of signs and symptoms were due to zinc deficiency, including diarrhea, anorexia, poor weight gain, perioral and perineal rash, and alopecia. A previously undescribed symptom of zinc deficiency, that of prolonged postoperative adynamic ileus, was also seen in four children. Prompt resolution of symptoms occurred with the institution of intravenous zinc sulfate (500 micrograms/kg/day).

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1981

HLA antigens and affective illness.

HLA-A and B locus antigens were determined in 96 affectively ill persons including 25 unipolar and 47 bipolar patients. The frequency of HLA-A28 is higher than in controls in each patient group. HLA-Bw16 is present with an elevated frequency among the unipolar patients. These differences are no longer significant when corrected for the number of antigens tested. The literature on HLA antigens in affective illnesses is reviewed and possible reasons for the seemingly conflicting results found to date are briefly discussed.

Gene Frequency↗
PubMed1981

An ergometric analysis of age group swimmers.

Thirteen male competitive swimmers (mean age 14.7 years) were studied during maximal exercise on a treadmill, cycle ergometer and biokinetic swim bench. The mean maximal oxygen uptake values elicited (treadmill = 66.5 ml.kg-1 min.-1; cycle ergometer = 61.0 ml.kg.-1 min.-1; biokinetic swimbench = 44.5 ml.kg.-1 min.-1) were higher than those reported elsewhere for children not engaged in intensive training and even when compared with other groups of similarly aged swimmers the values exhibited were some of the highest recorded. The results were directionally similar to those of other studies comparing treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise with the mean maximal oxygen uptake on the cycle ergometer 9% lower than that on the treadmill. There is no other study with which to compare swim bench values but the majority of maximal values were consistently and significantly lower than those achieved on the other ergometers. The swimmers rank within the group was minimally affected by the type of ergometer on which the measurement was made.

Adolescent↗