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Biomedical subjects

D W Allen

Publications and source records attributed to D W Allen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Hidden stresses in success.

There are many measures of success. For example, Logan Pearsall Smith, the English essayist, wrote: "How can they say my life is not a success? Have I not for more than sixty years got enough to eat and escaped being eaten?" (quoted in Flesch). Conventional measures of success include the attainment of wealth, position, esteem, favor, or eminence, but these things without an accompanying enforcement of self-esteem cause stress--emotional discomfort or strain. Self-esteem, then, is perhaps the essence of the conscious, pleasurable experiencing of success.

Achievement↗
PubMed1978

A cervimeter for continuous measurement of cervical dilatation in labour-preliminary results.

We briefly review instruments that have been used to measure cervical dilatation and describe the development of a new cervimeter. Curves derived from cervical dilatation and intrauterine pressure traces are presented in a form that clearly records the activity of the uterus and the response of the cervix to individual contractions. Our results suggest a new concept for behaviour of the cervix in labour.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1978

Membrane polypeptide aggregates in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient and in vitro aged red blood cells.

RBC membrane polypeptide aggregates have been quantitated by PAGE SDS and by gel filtration. Aggregates were absent in fresh RBC's from normal controls, but aggregates with MW 4.4 X 10(5) and greater than 50 X 10(6) increased progressively as GSH levels fell in RBC's incubated in PBS without added glucose or calcium. Aggregates of both MW ranges were also present in fresh RBC's from a patient with compensated congenital nonspherocytic hemolysis associated with a mutant RBC G-6-PD, Long Prairie. Since the aggregates were dissociable by treatment with mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol, they are probably cross-linked by intermolecular disulfide bonds. Membranes containing these aggregates may represent an early and sensitive indicator of oxidative damage to red cells.

Erythrocyte Membrane↗
PubMed1977

The role of physical activity in the control of obesity.

An exercise programme is an important part of the management of the obese patient. Exercise may increase both the specific dynamic action of food and the post-exercise metabolic rate, in addition to its direct caloric cost. Moderate daily exercise aids regulation of the appetite and may reduce the voluntary caloric intake of otherwise sedentary persons. Post-prandial activity may utilize more calories; therefore an adequate breakfast and avoidance of late night eating may be effective in weight control. A better tolerated and more nutritious diet may be allowed, and lean body weight better preserved, by combining exercise with a dietary programme. Regular exercise may also reduce some of the more serious life-threatening complications of obesity and poor dietary habits, allowing greater freedom in the pursuit of other pleasures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Increased membrane binding of erythrocyte catalase in hereditary spherocytosis and in metabolically stressed normal cells.

Normal red blood cell (RBC) membranes were compared with (1) RBC membranes from six patients with hereditary spherocytosis (HS), (2) normal membranes after hemolysis of the RBC in the presence of calcium, or (3) normal membranes after incubation of RBC for 24 hr in phosphate-buffered saline containing calcium without added glucose. When compared with normal controls, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate (PAGE SDS) of all three preparations showed an increase in membrane binding of globin and protein band 4.5 (60,000 molecular weight). In an attempt to identify band 4.5, 14 enzymes were assayed in the RBC membranes. Of these, catalase and lactate dehydrogenase were increased in membranes from HS RBC and from normal cells exposed to calcium. Only catalase, however, was present in sufficient quantity and had the correct subunit molecular weight on PAGE SDS and calcium-dependent membrane binding to account for an appreciable portion of 4.5. Caralase was further identified with a component of band 4.5 by double immunodiffusion using a specific anti-catalase antibody.

Calcium↗
PubMed1976

Study of a kindred with hereditary spherocytosis and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

A patient with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) was found to have glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD) deficiency by electrophoresis of the isolated red cell membranes on polyacrylamide gels with sodium dodecyl sulfate (PAGE SDS) as demonstrated by a diminished band 6 (G3PD) and confirmed by specific enzyme assay. Thirteen members of his family were studied: four were normal, two had HS alone, three had G3PD deficiency alone, and four had both HS and G3PD deficiency. G3PD deficient kindred members were probably heterozygous, since their red cell enzyme, while qualitatively normal, was present in half normal amounts. The G3PD deficiency alone was asymptomatic, and there was no evidence that the combination of HS with G3PD deficiency increased the clinical severity of the disease. However, G3PD deficiency, when combined with HS, was associated with an increase in protein band 4.5 on PAGE SDS. This band was also increased by incubation of normal red cells without glucose, and appeared to be a protein absorbed to the membrane as a consequence of metabolic stress. Hence, red cells with the combined abnormalities of both HS and G3PD deficiency showed signs of the exceptional metabolic stress to which they were exposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The development of an instrument for monitoring dilatation of the cervix during labour.

The measurement of cervical dilatation during labour is of fundamental importance to the obstetrician as it indicates the progress of labour. This paper reviews instruments that have been used to measure cervical dilatation in the past and describes the development of an instrument, originally intended to measure both effacement of the cervix and cervical dilatation, but which, because of technical problems, resulted in an instrument measuring cervical dilatation only. The instrument is non-traumatic, accurate, and easy to apply. As well as the clinical application, the instrument has been found useful in studying mechanism of dilatation. Preliminary results have shown that the cervix opens in an oscillatory manner dictated by the strength and period of uterine contractions. It can even close slightly following a series of weak contractions. Further clinical trials are planned.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1970

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of two avian leukosis group specific antigens.

Two group-specific antigenic proteins from an avian leukosis virus have been compared by amino acid analysis, tryptic peptide fingerprinting, and N-terminal sequence determination, and found to be dissimilar. There was microheterogeneity in the structure of the protein gs-b at residues 6; threonine and glutamic acid were found.

Amino Acid Sequence↗