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Biomedical subjects

D W Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to D W Wilson.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Quantitative aspects of the E2 receptor assay for human breast tumour cytosol using dextran-coated charcoal.

Misclassification of the oestrogen status of a human breast tumour cytosol, arising from different sources and magnitudes of error in the dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) method, have been investigated using both practical and computer simulated data analysed by Scatchard and Mass Action models. The minimum detectable receptor site concentration, relative or absolute numerical bias and imprecision which are complex and integral functions of misclassification, have been calculated from practical data and for a range of experimental conditions likely to be encountered in practice. The Mass Action model was found to be superior and the computer program, designed to investigate the effects of methodological errors on quantitative aspects of the assay, may be a useful aid for analytical design and internal quality control of the receptor assay.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1984

The use of salivary progesterone assays in the assessment of ovarian function in postmenarcheal girls.

Menstrual cycle profiles of salivary progesterone were derived from daily samples obtained from 75 postmenarcheal girls aged between 12 and 17 years. Data were analysed to establish the proportion of girls exhibiting ovulatory cycles in each of several age groups following menarche or in groups based solely on chronological age. 'Luteal'-phase profiles of salivary progesterone, which were similar in shape to those characteristic of mature premenopausal women, were taken to indicate the probable occurrence of ovulation. The percentage of cycles in those subjects judged to be ovulatory, grouped according to gynaecological age, rose from 14% in the first year to 56% in the fourth year. Those classified according to chronological age, and where sufficient data permitted reliable estimates of the percentage of subjects ovulating, rose from 11% at 12 years of age to 64% for girls aged 16. These data are in reasonable concordance with published data using plasma progesterone and urinary methods for establishing ovulatory incidence, and indicate the value of salivary progesterone measurements in studies of ovarian function in adolescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Hormone rhythms and breast cancer chronoepidemiology: salivary progesterone concentrations in pre- and post-menarchal girls and in normal premenopausal women.

Circadian and circatrigintan time series of salivary progesterone levels in premenarchal and adolescent girls and healthy mature premenopausal women have been investigated as a possible determinant for breast cancer risk. Circadian variations in progesterone appear to be more random than systematic and estimates of total daily progesterone output are better represented by samples pooled from several 2-hr specimens. Different patterns of circatrigintan progesterone secretion in girls are recognised and relate to those experienced in infertile and fertile women, though their relation to chronological or menarchal age is as yet uncertain. These data suggest that the measurement of salivary progesterone at premenarche, adolescence and maturity is a feasible, though statistically difficult, study for prospective identification of individuals at risk for breast cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Circadian breast skin temperature rhythms: overt and occult benign and occult primary malignant breast disease.

Circadian variations of breast surface temperature have been measured in patients with overt or occult benign breast disease, or in those with occult breast cancer. Subjects were studied in a hospital ward environment well-controlled with respect to ambient temperature. Using manual techniques temperatures were recorded half-hourly for 96 hr from replicate sensors placed on quadrants of the left and right breasts inclusive of tumour areas and similar sites on the contralateral breast. Application of time series analysis failed to consistently demonstrate differences in values for the rhythm parameters for the tumour area and contralateral site. It was apparent, however, that the tumour area was generally associated with a reduced initial variance of the series in addition to a reduced percentage variance explained by a time series model with two rhythmic components when compared to the control site. These data suggest that efforts to identify early breast disease from signals of breast temperature should, at least, be directed to studies of temperature variance.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The response of the macaque tracheobronchial epithelium to acute ozone injury. A quantitative ultrastructural and autoradiographic study.

The tracheal epithelium of a variety of laboratory species is widely used as a model system in studies of epithelial biology and respiratory carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of the tracheal epithelium to cytotoxic injury in a primate species that may have an epithelium more representative of that in man than smaller laboratory species. This study evaluated changes in the light-microscopic, surface, and ultrastructural appearance of the tracheobronchial epithelium of bonnet monkeys exposed for 3 or 7 days to 0.64 ppm ozone. Population densities, epithelial volumetric densities, and thymidine labeling indexes were determined for cells from posterior membranous and anterior cartilaginous trachea and mainstem bronchus. Ozone-induced epithelial changes were characterized by decreased numbers of ciliated cells, loss of cilia, and necrosis of ciliated cells. There were alterations in mucous (goblet) cell granules. There was an increase in extracellular space and focal epithelial stratification that was associated with increased numbers of small mucous granule cells and the presence of an epithelial cell type not seen in control animals (intermediate cells). There was an increase in cytoplasmic filaments and desmosomal attachments in basal cells, small mucous granule cells, and intermediate cells. Regional differences in lesion distribution were demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Longitudinal streaks of ciliary loss were evident in posterior membranous trachea, but ciliary loss in the ventral trachea was most prominent over the posterior border of the cartilaginous rings. The thymidine labeling index and numbers of necrotic ciliated cells were greater after 3 days than after 7 days of continuous exposure. Foci of stratification were often associated with increased numbers of labeled nuclei in the suprabasal region of the epithelium. The results of this study suggest that small mucous granule cells and intermediate cells are important participants in the repair of chemically injured airway epithelium; stratification and increased amounts of cytoplasmic filament bundles and desmosomal attachments, rather than being evidence of squamous metaplasia or dysplastic change, might be stereotypic responses of airway epithelium to injury; and the ciliated cell population becomes less susceptible to ozone-induced necrosis with continuing exposure.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Treatment of pulmonary acariasis in rhesus macaques with ivermectin.

Rhesus monkeys were treated for pulmonary acariasis with single injections of ivermectin (200 micrograms/kg). Monkeys were killed and complete necropsies performed. Control monkeys had numerous live mites, while treated monkeys had only dead, frequently fragmented mites. Histopathologically, inflammatory lesions were most severe in control monkeys and monkeys killed one week after treatment. Inflammatory changes progressively decreased with increasing time post treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Computer-aided assessment of receptor status in human breast cancer.

Computer-aided analysis of simulated cytosolic estradiol-17 beta receptor binding data using Scatchard and nonlinear Mass Action models showed the latter to be superior. Simulation studies of binding data, incorporating the magnitude and uncertainties associated with inefficiencies of separating free from bound hormone, nonspecific and specific binding, allowed the prediction of uncertainties associated with estimates of receptor content. Realistic values for the minimum detectable receptor concentration that can be distinguished from zero with a given probability were also obtained and may be used as a cutoff value for selection of patients for hormone therapy. This improved reliability in quantification should more clearly define the prognostic value of these receptor assays with respect to adjuvant therapy for primary cancer following surgery or anti-estrogen treatment for recurrent disease, thereby improving the management of breast cancer. Computer simulations and regression analyses were performed on a PDP11/34 using programs written in FORTRAN IV.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1983

Salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer.

Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) were measured in saliva from postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer and a control group of comparable age. Specimens were collected at 2-hr intervals during wake-span for two consecutive days, and circadian rhythmicity was demonstrated for each of the hormones in both populations. The marginally elevated levels of cortisol and lower levels of DHAS associated with the cancer group, and the larger inter-subject variation, make it unlikely that these hormone measurements would be of value in identifying women at risk of developing breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of nonciliated tracheal epithelial cells in six mammalian species: ultrastructure and population densities.

Three types of nonciliated epithelial cells in mammalian conducting respiratory airways are thought to be secretory: mucous (goblet) cells, serous epithelial cells, and Clara cells. Mucous and serous cells are considered to be the secretory cells of the trachea. Clara cells are considered to be the secretory cells of the most distal conducting airways or bronchioles. To ascertain if mucous and serous epithelial cells are common to the tracheal epithelium of mammalian species, we characterized the ultrastructure and population densities of tracheal epithelial cells in six species: hamster (H), rat (Rt), rabbit (Rb), cat (C), Bonnet monkey (M. radiata) (B), and sheep (S). Following fixation by airway infusion with glutaraldehyde/paraformaldehyde, tracheal tissue was processed for light and electron microscopy (EM) by a selective embedding technique. Tracheal epithelium over cartilage was quantitated by light microscopy and characterized by transmission EM. Mucous cells were defined by abundant large nonhomogeneous granules, numerous Golgi complexes, basally located nuclei and granular endoplasmic reticulum (GER). The percentage of mucous cells in the tracheal epithelium was: H (0%), Rt (0.5%), Rb (1.3%), C (20.2%), B (8%), S (5.1%). Serous cells had homogeneous, electron-dense granules and extensive GER. Serous cells were present only in rats (39.2%). Clara cells had homogeneous electron-dense granules, abundant agranular endoplasmic reticulum (AER) and basal GER. Clara cells were found in hamsters (41.4%) and rabbits (17.6%). In sheep trachea, 35.9% of the epithelial cells had small electron-lucent granules, abundant AER and numerous Golgi complexes. In Bonnet monkey trachea, 16% of the epithelial cells had small electron-lucent granules, numerous polyribosomes, perinuclear Golgi apparatus and moderate GER. In cat trachea, 5.4% of the epithelial cells lacked granules, and had moderate numbers of mitochondria, moderate amounts of polyribosomes, a central nucleus, and long luminal microvilli. The percentage of the tracheal epithelial population occupied by basal, ciliated and nonciliated cells was: H (5.6%, 47.5%, 46.7%), Rt (13.4%, 40.6%, 45.9%), Rb (28.2%, 43.0%, 28.3%), C (37.3%, 36.1%, 26.7%), B (31%, 41%, 28%), S (28.5%, 30.6%, 41%). We conclude: 1) mucous and serous cells are not common to the tracheal epithelial lining of all mammalian species; 2) there is significant interspecies heterogeneity in the abundance, distribution and ultrastructure of tracheal secretory cells; 3) potential differences in the roles of nonciliated cells in tracheal function exists within tracheal epithelial populations and between species.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Implementation of a free-format request profile in a system for retrieving references to scientific publications.

A process is described whereby a set of instructions in free format can be used to control a search of a data file in an efficient manner. The implications of the effectiveness of this process are considered in relation to a system for the storage and retrieval of references to published works in a typical scientific research establishment. Details of this system have been described earlier.

Computers↗
PubMed1982

An examination of blood steroid and gonadotropin concentrations in relation to fertility status and testicular function in men.

Plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) have been measured in men complaining of infertility in comparison with men of proven fertility. Subgrouping of patients was achieved on the basis of the presence or absence of sperm in the ejaculate and further by the concentration of sperm or by testicular score. The levels of plasma LH, FSH, PRL, and T were found to be significantly different in the fertile men, compared with both infertile men with sperm in their ejaculates and azoospermic men. There were no significant differences between the groups for E2. There appeared to be an inverse relationship between LH concentrations and sperm count in both fertile and infertile men. FSH levels did not vary significantly in the fertile men in relation to sperm count grouping but were significantly less than those found for the infertile men with sperm. Azoospermic patients with high testicular scores had FSH levels indistinguishable from those of the fertile men. The results are discussed in terms of testicular abnormalities and on the interrelationship between the hormones examined.

Estradiol↗
PubMed1982

Hypercalcaemia due to immobilization of a patient with Paget's disease of bone.

A man with Paget's disease of bone was admitted with a fractured neck of femur. On admission he was normocalcaemic, but with immobilization he rapidly became hypercalcaemic, despite a normal diet and no medication. The hypercalcaemia responded to calcitonin. Although hypercalcaemia is often quoted as complicating the immobilization of such patients, well documented uncomplicated cases have rarely been reported.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Effects of sex and type of humor on humor appreciation.

Examined humor appreciation of cartoons as a function of sex of subject and type of humor. Four broad types of humor were presented: sexual-exploitative, sexual-nonexploitative, nonsexual-hostile, and nonsexual-nonhostile. Sexual-nonexploitative humor was rated as funnier than the other three types but nonsexual-nonhostile humor was given a more positive overall rating than the other types. Relative to males, females gave greater ratings of hostility to the cartoons and rated them less positively. Correlational analyses further suggested that females were not as affected as males by variations in sexuality, exploitation, and hostility. For males, greater ratings of sexuality were associated with greater funniness ratings while the reverse was true for greater ratings of hostility. Possible interpretations of these data were discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1981

Characterisation of breast skin temperature rhythms of women in relation to menstrual status.

Circadian breast skin temperature rhythms were characterised throughout the menstrual cycle, for various locations on the left breast of ambulatory women. All subjects exhibited highly significant circadian rhythms (P less than 0.001). Changes in rhythm parameters, such as the mesor, amplitude and acrophase, were observed during the menstrual cycle. No consistent trend in these rhythm parameters was observed between subjects in relation to menstrual cycle stage. Experimental and statistical techniques used to characterise circadian rhythms in pre-menopausal women were applied to a post-menopausal woman with primary breast cancer. Comparison of rhythm parameters associated with the tumour area and corresponding site on the contralateral breast showed abnormal thermal characteristics such as elevated mesor values, decreased amplitude as well as changes in the timing of the acrophase. These properties may be exploited for the early detection of breast cancer. The project also involved the design and testing of an ambulatory device, known as the 'chronobra', for the measurement of breast skin temperature. The performance of the chronobra was in close agreement with reliable, conventional equipment. The chronobra now allows studies of breast skin temperature rhythms associated with breast disease to be extended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Advantages of CUSUM techniques for quality control in clinical chemistry.

The performance of routine analytical laboratories is assessed, inter alia, by the use of appropriate internal quality control techniques. Despite evidence that the cumulative sum technique is generally superior to Shewhart-type control charts and many others, its use has been limited by the popular misconception that it is inferior to Shewhart's in detecting large variations and/or outliers in quality control data. The application of computer simulation methods has enabled us to answer this criticism and has provided the basis for further improvements in the design of the appropriate control scheme for general use in clinical chemistry.

Chemistry, Clinical↗