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Biomedical subjects

C Kenny

Publications and source records attributed to C Kenny.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Elevation of fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose cyclosporine for severe plaque-type psoriasis. An assessment of clinical significance when viewed as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia has received little attention as a side effect of cyclosporine therapy for severe psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: We report changes in fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose oral cyclosporine for psoriasis and discuss their significance. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with severe, recalcitrant, plaque-type psoriasis were treated with cyclosporine, 5 mg/kg/day, for 12 to 16 weeks. Fasting serum lipid levels (triglycerides, cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins) were measured at 2-week intervals. RESULTS: The mean serum triglyceride level increased from 117.8 +/- 11.7 mg/dl before initiation of therapy to 183.9 +/- 31.4 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment, without further significant change during the remainder of the study (p less than 0.007). A significant elevation of serum cholesterol from 207.1 +/- 8.1 mg/dl initially to 247.4 +/- 10.2 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment occurred (p less than 0.001) and persisted with continued cyclosporine therapy. No consistent alteration in high-density lipoprotein was noted (p less than 0.42). CONCLUSION: Serum lipids should be closely monitored in psoriasis patients receiving intermediate or long-term therapy with cyclosporine, especially in the presence of elevated baseline values.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A portable pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device to enhance healing of recalcitrant venous ulcers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of pulsed electromagnetic limb ulcer therapy (PELUT) in the healing of recalcitrant, predominantly venous leg ulcers. The portable device was used at home for 3 h daily during this 8-week clinical trial as an adjunct to a wound dressing. Wound surface area, ulcer depth and pain intensity were assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 8. At week 8 the active group had a 47.7% decrease in wound surface area vs. a 42.3% increase for placebo (P < 0.0002). Investigators' global evaluations indicated that 50% of the ulcers in the active group healed or markedly improved vs. 0% in the placebo group, and 0% of the active group worsened vs. 54% of the placebo group (P < 0.001). Significant decreases in wound depth (P < 0.04) and pain intensity (P < 0.04) favouring the active group were seen. Patients whose ulcers improved significantly after 8 weeks were permitted to continue double-blind therapy for an additional 4 weeks. Eleven active and one placebo patient continued therapy until week 12, with the active treatment group continuing to show improvement. There were no reports of adverse events attributable to this device. We conclude that the PELUT device is a safe and effective adjunct to non-surgical therapy for recalcitrant venous leg ulcers.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Topical alpha-interferon ointment with dimethyl sulfoxide in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes simplex.

The recent in vivo appearance of acyclovir-resistant strains of herpes simplex virus stresses the need for new therapeutic agents to combat this common virus. Topical interferon preparations may help fill this void. In the present study dimethyl sulfoxide was combined with alpha-interferon in an ointment base to increase percutaneous penetration. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with recurrent genital herpes simplex using the topical alpha-interferon preparation had a more rapid cessation of viral shedding when compared to the placebo group (66% culture negative on day 1 vs. 25% of placebo patients; p less than 0.02). In the 90-day post-treatment period, interferon-treated patients had fewer recurrences than their placebo-treated counterparts (1.18 vs. 2.25). This reduction while not statistically significant was encouraging (p less than 0.10).

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1992

Skin infections in Tanna, Vanuatu in 1989.

Skin infections are an important health problem in Vanuatu and other Pacific island countries. In this study, 18,223 people, representing 90% of the population of the southern island of Tanna in Vanuatu, were examined. Scabies was found in 16% of those screened, with 24% of children under 10 years affected. Other skin infections were predominantly furuncles, abscesses, impetigo and cellulitis and were found in 12% overall and in 16% of children under 10 years of age. These infections were found to be more common in larger households and in the vicinity of the volcano Yasur. Strategies for prevention and management of skin infections in Vanuatu are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Hospital discharge medication: is seven days supply sufficient?

The impact of a change in a District Health Authority's hospital medication discharge policy, from 14 to 7 days supply, was evaluated. This coincided with a revised initial discharge letter (prescription and clinical details combined). There was no significant difference between a 14 and 7 day supply with regard to whether GP's received an initial discharge letter, the number of days the letter took to arrive at the GP's surgery, the necessity for further treatment, or problems encountered in the continuity of a patient's treatment. However there was a significant improvement (P less than 0.01) in the quality of information on the new discharge letter as perceived by GPs. Provided the initial discharge letter has prescription details and is given to the patient to deliver to their GP, seven days supply of medication is sufficient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Yaws infection in Tanna, Vanuatu 1989.

Yaws has been resurgent in the island of Tanna in southern Vanatu in the 1980's. Screening, conducted in 1988 and in 1989 during a mass treatment program identified a total of 464 clinical cases from the population of 20,200, a rate of 23 per thousand. Most of these (82%) were under 15 years of age. Serology was performed on 286 of which 23% were VDRL positive. Primary care services had been hampered in controlling yaws by difficulties with transport, isolation, community resistance and the lack of skilled personel to diagnose yaws and arrange prophylactic treatment. A mass screening and treatment program was implemented in 1989 with 91.8% coverage. This program was designed to work in the context of primary health care and thus has enhanced the relationship between the health services and local villagers. The program was successfully integrated with other health activities including health education, treatment of other diseases and vector control.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

An update on HIV-testing at a London sexually transmitted diseases clinic: long-term impact of the AIDS media campaigns.

Trends in the number of tests for HIV-1 antibody at a London sexually transmitted diseases clinic showed substantial changes between September 1985 and June 1988. From an average of 100 tests per month between September 1985 and August 1986, the average increased to 365 tests per month for September 1986 to August 1987. This levelled off at 243 tests per month between September 1987 and June 1988. The average number of positive tests per month between September 1985 and June 1988 remained constant, though the number of seropositive tests in females increased. Male and female populations displayed similar temporal patterns. The greatest increase was seen in the tests generated by heterosexual males and females with no other risk factors. This group generated 42% of the 8012 tests performed during the study period. The Clinic's catchment area predominantly included London and surrounding areas and temporal patterns were similar for residents from each of the Thames Regions. The temporal patterns observed coincided with periods of increased media attention on HIV infection/AIDS and involved campaigns by the popular press, television, Department of Health Education Authority. The increase in tests during the time of maximum media exposure, the subsequent plateau at a level substantially higher compared with the period preceding the media campaigns and the large increase in heterosexual males and females tested, all suggest that the campaigns have contributed to increasing awareness of HIV infection/AIDS as a major contemporary public health problem.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1990

Topical alpha-interferon in recurrent genital herpes simplex infection. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

We conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial on 98 subjects to assess the efficacy of two strengths of topical human leukocyte alpha-interferon, 10(4) and 10(6) IU/g in a 1% nonoxynol-9 base, in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes simplex virus (HSV). The study medication was applied during the prodromal phase or at the first sign of recurrence of the infection. The high-dose alpha-interferon was found to be significantly more effective than the low-dose interferon and placebo with respect to the duration of viral shedding as well as in reducing the time to the end of all subjective symptoms, including pain, burning and itching. No difference between the three groups was found in times to crusting or healing. Further studies of topical interferon in the treatment of HSV and other viral infections are merited.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

Risk factors for HIV-1 infection in a British population: lessons from a London sexually transmitted diseases clinic.

Between September 1985 and June 1988, 6923 people (4550 men and 2373 women) were tested for HIV-1 antibodies at a sexually transmitted disease clinic, London, UK. Of the 6923 individuals tested, 558 (8%) were seropositive, of whom 523 (94%) were men and 35 (6%) women. Of the seropositives, 84% were homosexual or bisexual men, 5% were intravenous drug users, 4% were heterosexual contacts of HIV seropositives, 4% had multiple risk factors, 2% were heterosexual contacts of central African partners and 1% were heterosexuals with no other risk factors. This prevalence pattern conforms to that observed in other industrialized nations. For the women, heterosexual intercourse with an HIV-infected partner, intravenous drug use and heterosexual contact with a partner from central Africa were the main risk factors for infection. The important risk factors among the men were heterosexual contact with an HIV-seropositive partner, being homosexual or bisexual, intravenous drug use and heterosexual contact with a resident from central Africa. heterosexual and homosexual transmission were implicated as the main routes for viral spread in this British population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

HIV antigen testing.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1987

Decline of anti-p24 antibody precedes antigenaemia as correlate of prognosis in HIV-1 infection.

A cohort of 84 homosexual men presenting with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) was studied between March 1982 and March 1987. A progression rate to AIDS of 5% per year was seen in those who were infected with HIV. Certain clinical features and routine laboratory investigations were significantly associated with an increased risk of disease progression, but had only limited predictive value. Two hundred and fifty-two serial sera from 57 patients were analysed for the p24 antigen (Abbott), the principal core protein of HIV and antibody against p24 by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients who remained well retained a high titre of anti-p24 antibody compared with those who progressed to AIDS-related complex (ARC) or AIDS. HIV antigen was detectable in 40% of AIDS patients 2 years before diagnosis, but antigenaemia was preceded by loss of anti-p24 antibody by up to 18 months and preceded AIDS by up to 40 months. ARC patients tended to be negative when tested for both alpha-p24 antibody and antigen, suggesting a transitional state. Analysis of the humoral response against gag proteins appears to correlate closely with clinical status and may be an earlier and more consistent way of predicting disease progression than p24 antigenaemia, or clinical and routine laboratory investigations.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between circulating interferon and anti-interferon antibodies and impaired natural killer cell activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Interferon (IFN) production and response are impaired in a high percentage of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In addition, elevated serum levels of alpha-IFN or anti-alpha-IFN antibodies are present in some SLE patients. This study examined the relationship of circulating IFN and anti-IFN antibodies to the impairment of natural killer (NK) cell function in SLE. All 15 SLE patients studied had measurable circulating alpha-IFN, while the normal controls had minimal serum IFN. Neither patient nor control sera contained any detectable anti-alpha-IFN activity. However, most of the SLE patients demonstrated defects in NK cell function. Because these defects in NK cell function appeared to be associated with circulating IFN, but not anti-IFN, antibodies, the effect of prolonged in vitro IFN exposure on NK cell function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined. It was found that prolonged exposure to IFN induced both an apparent defect in IFN response and a definite impairment of baseline NK cell function. These results suggest that prolonged elevation of circulating alpha-IFN levels could be responsible, in part, for the defects in natural cytotoxicity present in SLE.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1978

Comparative study of DNA methylation in three unicellular eucaryotes.

We have analyzed the nature/content of methylated bases in the nuclear DNA of three unicellular eucaryotes. The pattern of methylation was different for each of the three organisms studied: Saccharomyces cerevisiae contained only 5-methylcytosine; Tetrahymena pyriformis contained only N6-methyladenine; and Chlamydomonas reinhardi contained both modified bases.

Adenine↗