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Biomedical subjects

D M Martin

Publications and source records attributed to D M Martin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Beta-endorphin decline in late luteal phase dysphoric disorder.

The beta-endorphin hypothesis of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (premenstrual syndrome or L2D2) was tested. Twenty-two PMS patients were compared to twenty-two controls. Levels of beta-endorphin, ACTH, FSH, LH, cortisol, prolactin and TRH were measured on the first and twentieth days after menses. PMS subjects exhibited a significantly greater drop in the opiate, beta-endorphin, (p less than .001) than controls. No relationship or significant e was seen with the other hormones/transmitters tested. The symptoms of PMS may be due to noradrenergic rebound following beta-endorphin decline. Symptomatic and pharmacological morphine withdrawal and manic phase of bipolar disorder are discussed as possible models for L2D2.

Adult↗

The effect of thyroxine, 3, 5-dimethyl-3'isopropyl-L-thyronine and iodized oil on fetal brain development in the iodine-deficient sheep.

Studies have been carried out to investigate the role of maternal and fetal thyroid function in the effects of iodine deficiency on fetal brain development in sheep. Iodine deficiency was established with an especially prepared low-iodine diet of maize and pea pollard. The iodine-deficient sheep were mated and the end of the second trimester of pregnancy (100 days gestation) were divided into groups which received either a sc injection of T4 or 3,5-dimethyl-3-isopropyl-L-thyromine or an injection of iodized oil. AT 140 days gestation (10 days prior to parturition) comparison of the fetuses delivered by hysterotomy revealed that the retarded fetal brain development observed in iodine deficiency was greatly improved by T4 and by iodized oil. However, T4 and iodized oil failed to correct the reduction in the number and the increase in the length of synaptic appositions which were observed in the fetal cerebral cortex after iodine deficiency. In addition, the histological appearance of the fetal thyroid gland and the levels of plasma thyroid hormones were restored to normal. The administration of 3,5-dimethyl-3'-isopropyl-L-thyronine had no effect on the retarded fetal brain and body development of the iodine-deficient fetuses. The lack of response may be due to the ability of 3,5-dimethyl-3'-isopropyl-L-thyronine to cross the ovine placenta as no reduction in the abnormally elevated fetal plasma TSH observed in spite of a fall in maternal plasma TSH and apparent restoration of maternal thyroid function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Heavy cocaine use by adolescents.

Adolescents are susceptible to becoming cocaine users. Twenty-eight teenagers in a drug rehabilitation program were identified as heavy cocaine users and questioned about their experiences. They reported family conflict leading to running away (86%), school drop-out (24%) and delinquent behaviors such as stealing (96%) and vandalism (57%). Cocaine use started at 14 years for 21%, with progression from onset to at least weekly use within eight weeks (54%). Side effects included sleep disturbance (18%) and tolerance to cocaine (25%). Withdrawal was characterized by cocaine craving up to one month later (93%). The majority (96%) were polydrug abusers. Possible causes of teen substance abuse are discussed, and the importance of prevention is emphasized.

Adolescent↗

Vanadium.

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Animals↗

Impaired reception of nonverbal cues in women with premenstrual tension syndrome.

The ability to perceive nonverbal facial cues was tested in 30 White, middle-class females. Pre- and post-menses responses of 15 subjects diagnosed as having Premenstrual Tension Syndrome (PMS) were compared to the responses of age-matched controls. Each subject was asked to interpret videotaped facial cues of individuals engaged in a gambling task. Interpretive ability fluctuated during the menstrual cycle and was significantly impaired during the premenstrual phase.

Adult↗

Restoration of brain growth in fetal sheep after iodized oil administration to pregnant iodine-deficient ewes.

Iodized oil was administered as a single intramuscular injection to pregnant iodine-deficient ewes at 100 days gestation and the subsequent growth of their fetuses compared with that of fetuses of severely iodine-deficient ewes and of iodine-replete ewes, all of which were fed the same low-iodine diet. The administered iodine produced a remarkable improvement in thyroid function and physical appearance of the fetuses, accompanied by an increase in brain growth and to a lesser extent in body growth, which at 140 days was only slightly (but significantly) less than that of the controls. There was restoration of the number of cells (DNA) and myelination (cholesterol/DNA) in the cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres which suggests a catch-up of neuroblast development during pregnancy. Histological examination, however, revealed that counts of synapses (density) in the cerebral cortex after iodized oil were still less than those of the control fetal brains. The relevance of these findings to the effects of iodine deficiency on human brain development is discussed.

Animals↗

Comparative effects of Criticare HN and Vivonex HN in the treatment of malnutrition due to pancreatic insufficiency.

The effect of high nitrogen Criticare and Vivonex on nutritional repletion was evaluated in 12 patients with malnutrition secondary to pancreatic insufficiency. The patients were randomized to receive either Criticare HN or Vivonex HN for a total period of 9 days. Each patient received 3000 kcal/day of either preparation, in addition to 1000 kcal of solid food. A significant weight gain was encountered in the group of patients receiving Criticare HN. Increased blood urea nitrogen was encountered in both groups of patients. All patients tolerated both diets well without evidence of relapse of their pancreatitis. No significant complications were encountered. Our results indicate that Criticare HN is of superior nutritional value, but both preparations resulted in increased blood urea nitrogen retention.

Adult↗

Value of serum immunoglobulins in the diagnosis of liver disease.

Serum immunoglobulins were determined in 145 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis with fibrosis, alcoholic hepatitis with cirrhosis, inactive cirrhosis, chronic active alcoholic hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and nonspecific hepatitis. IgM was both a sensitive (90.5%) and specific (86.2%) marker for primary biliary cirrhosis, and mean IgM levels were higher in primary biliary cirrhosis than in other diagnostic categories (p less than 0.05). IgA levels were most commonly elevated in alcoholic liver disease (p less than 0.005). IgA detected 95% of alcoholic disease, but was poorly specific (41.1%). A trend of rising IgA with increasing severity of alcoholic injury was observed, but the differences were not significant. IgG was most commonly elevated in chronic active hepatitis and alcoholic hepatitis with cirrhosis, but the IgG values did not differ significantly from those found in other diagnostic categories. Our results substantiate assertions of a diagnostic sensitivity for elevated IgA in alcoholic liver disease and IgM in primary biliary cirrhosis. With the exception of IgM in primary biliary cirrhosis, however, serum immunoglobulins are not specific markers of liver histology.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Serum isoamylase as a test for pancreatic insufficiency.

Total and pancreatic serum isoamylases were performed on 38 control subjects (21 non-smokers and 17 smokers) and 21 consecutive patients with pancreatic insufficiency before and after meal stimulation. There was no difference in the fasting or stimulated levels of total amylase (T), pancreatic isoamylase (P), or % P/T between smokers and non-smokers. The P/T ratio was significantly reduced in patients with pancreatic insufficiency when compared with each of the control groups (p less than 0.0005). Eleven of 21 patients with pancreatic insufficiency had raised total serum amylase, but none had a rise in the pancreatic fraction or P/T ratio. Our findings indicate that the T, P, and P/T ratio of serum amylase are not influenced by smoking or meal stimulation. A reduced P/T ratio in a patient with steatorrhoea suggests pancreatic insufficiency as the cause. Hyperamylasaemia in patients with pancreatic insufficiency does not necessarily imply a relapse.

Eating↗

The effect of prostaglandin E2 on ethionine-induced pancreatitis in the rat.

Prostaglandins have been reported to exert a protective effect against short-term experimental pancreatic injury. We evaluated the protective effect of PGE2 using a model designed to maintain pancreatitis over a period of 5-10 days. Acute pancreatitis was induced by daily intraperitoneal injections of DL-ethionine in rats maintained on a protein-free diet. Test periods of 10 and 5 days (parts I and II, respectively) were employed. In parts I and II, PGE2 0.1 microgram/g body wt was given subcutaneously 30 min before ethionine. In part II, a second daily dose of PGE2 0.1 microgram/g body wt was given 7 h after ethionine. PGE2 did not protect against the weight loss, decrease in food consumption, alteration in serum amylase, pancreatic necrosis, or mortality induced by ethionine. This study indicates that the protective effect of PGE2 observed in short-term experimental pancreatitis is not reproducible in a model in which pancreatitis is maintained for 5 and 10 day periods.

Amylases↗