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Biomedical subjects

E Allan

Publications and source records attributed to E Allan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Clinical and acoustic measures of the negative syndrome.

We studied 12 male schizophrenia patients in a 6-week treatment trial comparing two neuroleptics and placebo. Efficacy in regard to negative symptoms was of interest, and Alphs' Negative Symptom Assessment (NSA) was included. The NSA includes behaviorally anchored ratings such as "prolonged time to response" and "restricted speech output." Audio recordings of interviews with the patients were analyzed acoustically. In general, the behavioral anchors did not prevent the ratings from being influenced by global impressions. There was a strong correlation between each item and the total of other items, but a modest correlation with the relevant behavioral measure. Results suggest that, even with specific and behaviorally anchored items, the clinician's assessment is confounded by global impressions. Treatment effects were greater for the acoustic measures than for the clinical measures.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1994

The influence of growth medium on serum sensitivity of Bacteroides species.

The susceptibility of 12 different Bacteroides strains (representing nine species) to the bactericidal effect of human serum complement was investigated. When grown in nutrient-rich proteose peptone-yeast extract medium, all 12 strains were, to varying degrees, sensitive to serum. However, when grown in Van Tassell and Wilkins's minimal medium, six of the 12 strains became markedly more serum resistant. Five of these six strains became totally resistant to serum when grown in heat-inactivated (56 degrees C, 30 min) sheep serum. By Percoll discontinuous density centrifugation and light microscopy, the ratio of bacteria with large and small capsules was found to vary with the growth medium used. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was extracted with aqueous phenol after growth in the three media. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and silver staining of the LPS showed some differences in LPS profiles in all strains tested. Therefore, variation of growth conditions results in alterations of both the expression of surface structures and, in some cases, sensitivity to serum. The biochemical basis for these changes requires further investigation.

Bacterial Capsules↗
PubMed1993

Measurement and management of cardiovascular risk factors--is screening worthwhile?

Coronary heart disease has been described as Scotland's national disease and ways of reducing its incidence are therefore of paramount importance especially in younger males. A recent British Medical Journal paper has indicated that general practitioners can make little impact on patients' lifestyles. This paper shows that a cohort of Scottish men (Social Class III-V) responded well (80%) to offers of screening for risk factors of CHD, continued to attend for review and showed highly significant changes in their risk factor profiles. A committed enthusiastic primary care team have shown the potential for reducing coronary risk factors in so-called healthy men.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Decision tree for the management of substance-abusing psychiatric patients.

This paper describes a short-term approach developed at a time of numerous drug-related incidents occurring at a large VA Hospital to help staff manage psychiatric patients abusing alcohol or drugs during hospitalization. This was accomplished through the development of a decision tree designed to improve the clinical problem-solving process by identifying key decision points. Prior to this, staff responded emotionally either by prematurely discharging patients or by not recognizing the problem at all. Decision Trees have widespread applicability for resolving complex clinical problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

GTP causes calcium release from a plant microsomal fraction.

Studies on a variety of animal cell types have revealed a GTP-specific calcium-releasing mechanism in a non-mitochondrial, microsomal fraction. Here we report that GTP also induces rapid release of calcium from a zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hypocotyl microsomal fraction. Maximal release occurs at 50 microM, and half-maximal release at 8 microM GTP. GTP is highly specific in its effect, and may not be replaced by UTP, ATP, CTP, TTP, GMP, or by non-hydrolysable analogues of GTP. Reuptake of calcium after release does not normally occur; however, this may be induced by non-hydrolysable GTP analogues. Calcium release is also blocked by prior treatment with these analogues.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1983

Calcitonin in the treatment of intractable pain from advanced malignancy.

Clinical details are given of 8 patients who complained of severe pain from metastatic bone disease or from multiple myeloma. Four of the patients were included in a double-blind pilot trial designed to compare the effectiveness of salmon calcitonin (200 i.u. intramuscularly) and placebo given twice daily for 4 days. Two of these patients experienced pain relief and were found to have been given salmon calcitonin; the other 2 had no pain relief and had been given placebo. The other 4 of the 8 patients were treated with salmon calcitonin and also had relief of their pain. It would appear, therefore, that salmon calcitonin may be dramatically effective in the treatment of intractable pain from advanced malignancy and its use warrants further study.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1980

Formation of cyclic AMP from exogenous ATP by isolated hepatocytes and adipocytes.

Suspensions of isolated rat hepatocytes and adipocytes converted exogenous ATP to cyclic AMP at a rate which was about 30--50% of that observed with homogenates of isolated cells. Formation of cyclic AMP was stimulated by hormones (isoprenaline in the case of adipose tissue and glucagon in the case of liver) and sodium fluoride. Experiments with [alpha-32P]ATP indicated that the conversion of exogenous ATP to cyclic AMP did not occur within the cells. It is proposed that in isolated hepatocytes ad adipocytes some catalytic units of adenylate cyclase are exposed on the outer surface of the cell membrane.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1975

Nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder.

Nephrongenic adenoma is a rare, apparently benign lesion of the bladder, occuring predominantly in young male subjects. Although it may occur spontaneously several cases have developed after trauma to the bladder. Histologically the lesion consists of tubules lined by a single layer of cuboidal or columnar epithelium resembling renal tissue and should be regarded as an unusual form of metaplasia of the bladder urothelium. Treatment by parenteral administration of broad-spectrum antibotics and diathermy excision has produced satisfactory results. Long-term followup is recommended.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interstitial cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a serious debilitating disease often overlooked by medical and health professionals. This paper describes the elusive aetiology and the painful symptoms of IC and how it affects the patient's life. The author outlines the treatments available and offers guidelines for supporting patients with the disease.

Cystitis, Interstitial↗