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Biomedical subjects

C Webb

Publications and source records attributed to C Webb.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Effect of sulphasalazine and its metabolites on mitogen induced transformation of lymphocytes--clues to its clinical action?

The effects of sulphasalazine (SASP), sulphapyridine (SP), and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) have been studied on mouse spleen cells cultured in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). SASP exhibited a significant degree of suppression, at doses in the range 25-100 micrograms/ml (p less than 0.01), this suppression being greater than 50% at 50 micrograms/ml. SP exhibited only a minor degree of suppression (10% at 75 micrograms/ml, p less than 0.01). Coadministration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), indomethacin, produced no evidence of further suppression in the presence of SASP or SP. Administration of SP plus 5-ASA to parallel cultures that were profoundly suppressed by the molecular equivalent amount of SASP resulted in no suppression. This implied requirement of the intact parent molecule (SASP) to produce this effect, at these concentrations. The concentration of SASP required to produce more than 50% suppression was higher than that ever attained in the peripheral blood of humans receiving therapeutic doses of the drug. Human lymphocytes are similarly suppressed by SASP, but only at higher concentrations than are required for murine cells. Thus, if the parent drug is the active moiety and requires these concentrations to be effective in vivo, it follows that the site where these effects may be mediated is likely to be the intestinal tract. The effects described would suggest the gut associated lymphoid tissue as a likely target.

Aminosalicylic Acids↗
PubMed1986

Treatment of chronic knee effusions with 90yttrium-correlation of in vitro radiation and chemical effects with clinical results at three and six months.

Twenty seven knees, mainly of rheumatoid patients, received intra-articular 90Y for chronic effusions; 24% were effusion-free at 6 months. In vitro chemical, radiation (32P-induced), and combined effects of cold (non-radioactive) yttrium and 32P on synovial fluid mononuclear cells, failed to show any significant correlation with subjective and/or objective clinical effects at 3 or 6 months. If 90Y exerts its therapeutic effect via these cells, it probably does so other than by a direct effect on mononuclear cell viability.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1986

Professional and lay social support for hysterectomy patients.

This paper describes a study of social support for women undergoing hysterectomy, and shows how original research plans had to be modified when early interviews revealed women's need for basic information and their desire to obtain this from the researcher. The modified design allowed comparisons between one group of women receiving information as part of the research interview and a second group receiving no such help. Post-hysterectomy follow-up at 3 months showed significant differences between the 2 groups, with the 'information group' being less hostile but more critical of their hospital treatment. The study also confirms previous findings by the same author of generally high levels of satisfaction, health and resumption of activities after hysterectomy. With regard to social support, it is suggested that full-time housewives are in particular need of support from nurses due to their relative isolation from other sources of support and information. However, all interviewees would have liked more information and support from health care professionals. Despite the acknowledged limitations of the study, some guidelines are offered for nurses attempting to increase levels of lay and professional support for their patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Doppler echocardiography after anatomical correction of transposition of the great arteries.

Nineteen patients who had anatomical correction of transposition of the great arteries between the ages of one week and 10 years were investigated by pulsed and continuous wave Doppler echocardiography 1-98 months after operation. Peak blood flow velocities across the atrioventricular valves were significantly higher than normal, but no pathological regurgitation was seen. Systolic aortic velocities were normal in all but one patient, but mild aortic regurgitation was detected in ten. Increased flow velocities either at pulmonary valve level, at the pulmonary artery bifurcation, or in the left pulmonary artery were detected in 14 patients, the maximum calculated pressure drop being 36 mm Hg. Adequate Doppler sampling of the right pulmonary artery was not achieved in any of the cases, and sampling of the left pulmonary artery was possible in only ten. The principal limitation of the Doppler ultrasound method in this study was the inability to obtain flow velocities from the branch pulmonary arteries in most patients. Doppler echocardiography provides valuable information after the arterial switch operation and may reduce the need for repeat cardiac catheterisation.

Aortic Valve↗
PubMed1986

Group therapy with sexually abused adolescent girls.

Clinical guidelines are presented for conducting group therapy with sexually abused adolescent girls, based on a literature review and the authors' clinical experience. Common treatment themes, pragmatic issues related to setting up a group treatment program, and group process issues are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Gynaecological nursing: a compromising situation.

Women's health has been a research concern since the growth of modern feminism, but few studies have examined the attitudes and opinions of nurses towards working with women patients. This exploratory study, using informal interviews with 30 gynaecology nurses, is a first attempt to fill this gap. The interviewees' attitudes and opinions revealed ambiguities and contradictions which led them both to identify with and distance themselves from their women patients and the doctors. It is suggested that gynaecological nurses occupy shifting positions in the status hierarchies of gender, nursing and medicine, and professional specialization. The way they define their role results from attempts to improve their status vis-à-vis others in these hierarchies, and to make compromises in order to evaluate their own status positively. Strategies are suggested for increasing their knowledge and skills based on the hypothesis that this would lead to greater clarity of role and job satisfaction, and a higher quality of patient care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

An objection to Owens' article on incest victims.

The use of Rorschach data for research purposes is growing and careful attention to accuracy needs to be maintained. A comment on a recent article's use of the lack of reflection responses to indicate poor self-esteem for incest victims is offered.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Effects of growth hormone-releasing factor on growth hormone secretion in acromegaly.

Twenty-nine patients with acromegaly (8 untreated and 21 previously treated in various ways) and 16 normal men were given iv bolus doses of human pancreatic tumor GH-releasing factor (hpGRF-40). Twenty-five of the 29 patients responded to hpGRF-40 with elevations of plasma GH. The magnitude of the responses varied widely. Responses of untreated patients were generally similar to those of the normal subjects. Previously treated patients had a significantly lower response than normal individuals [change in GH, 7.5 +/- 1.8 vs. 42.0 +/- 11.0 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM); P less than 0.01], and 4 patients who had received radiation therapy failed to respond to hpGRF-40. There was no significant correlation between the magnitude of the response and patients' age, sex, baseline GH levels, GH responsiveness of TRH, or GH suppression after oral glucose administration. Patients studied both pre- and postoperatively were responsive to hpGRF-40 at all times tested, but the magnitude of the response decreased after successful surgical removal of the adenoma. Thus, most patients with treated or untreated acromegaly respond to hpGRF-40, but their responses do not clearly distinguish them from normal subjects. GH-releasing hormone testing is unlikely to replace other endocrine tests available for the diagnosis and evaluation of acromegaly.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1984

A method for the selective beta-irradiation of individual lymphocyte microcultures and its application in a preliminary study of radiation sensitivity.

A method that permits high energy beta-irradiation to be applied to individual lymphocyte microplate cultures is described. The principle involves the introduction of single energy sources (in this case 32P) contained within tubes which rest inside wells containing the lymphocyte cultures. Cell viability and mitogen-induced transformation were studied under these conditions. Dose-response effects were clearly demonstrated. The method is simple and, provided the precautions described are adhered to, safe. It should be applicable to studies of radiation sensitivity of putative target cells in various clinical situations.

Animals↗