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Biomedical subjects

E Scott

Publications and source records attributed to E Scott.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The survival and transfer of microbial contamination via cloths, hands and utensils.

Survival and transfer of bacteria from laminated surfaces and cleaning cloths were investigated under laboratory conditions. Drying produced substantial reductions in numbers of recoverable organisms and achieved satisfactory decontamination of clean laminate surfaces. On soiled surfaces and on clean and soiled cloths, Gram-positive and some Gram-negative species survived for up to 4 h, and in some cases up to 24 h. Where contaminated surfaces or cloths came into contact with the fingers, a stainless steel bowl, or a clean laminate surface, organisms were transferred in sufficient numbers to represent a potential hazard if in contact with food.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1990

Investigations of the effectiveness of detergent washing, drying and chemical disinfection on contamination of cleaning cloths.

Detergent washing, drying and chemical disinfection for decontamination of cleaning cloths was investigated with cloths contaminated by use in the domestic environment. Detergent washing produced only limited reductions in microbial contamination and cloths then stored at room temperature for 24 h showed increases in contamination due to multiplication of residual survivors. For effective and consistent decontamination of cloths, detergent washing followed by drying at 80 degrees C for 2 h was required. Hypochlorite and phenolic disinfectants produced significant reductions in contamination, but chemical disinfection may be unreliable where cloths are heavily contaminated.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1990

Canine stress syndrome/malignant hyperthermia susceptibility: calcium-homeostasis defect in muscle and lymphocytes.

This study provides the first comprehensive characterisation of the calcium (Ca) homeostasis defects found in muscle and lymphocytes of a malignant hyperthermia (MH)-susceptible dog. Novel findings regarding this dog are reported, compared to controls. First, a canine stress syndrome occurs, analogous to the porcine stress syndrome; susceptibility can be identified by exercise challenge testing. Secondly, caffeine causes Ca release from muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum in a greater amount and at a greater rate. Thirdly, there is a compensatory increase in Ca sequestration by sarcoplasmic reticulum. Fourthly, lymphocytes have lower cytosolic-free Ca and a greater ability to prevent Ca increase. Halothane increases Ca by a greater amount and rate. Fifthly, muscle is more resistant to the contracture-producing effects of caffeine, as occurs in the non-rigid variant of MH susceptibility in man. This resistance, despite increased caffeine-induced release through the Ca channel, may be attributable to increased Ca sequestration by sarcoplasmic reticulum. Finally, erythrocyte osmotic fragility and creatine kinase tests fail to distinguish between the MH-susceptible dog and controls.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of etidronate disodium on bone turnover following surgical menopause.

A longitudinal study was performed to document the effect of surgical menopause and postmenopausal etidronate disodium therapy on several nonhistomorphometric indices of bone turnover. Twenty healthy, premenopausal women undergoing oophorectomy for nonmalignant conditions were studied preoperatively and at 3 monthly intervals postoperatively. Sequential measurements of serum calcium (Ca), alkaline phosphatase (AP), bone Gla protein (BGP), and urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretion, expressed as a ratio of urinary creatinine (UCa/Cr and UOHp/Cr, respectively) were obtained. Twenty-four-hour whole body retention of diphosphonate (WBR) and radial bone density were also measured. When a postoperative increase in bone turnover was observed, patients were randomized to receive either 400 mg etidronate disodium daily or placebo for 3 months. Oophorectomy was associated with a significant increase in WBR, Ca, AP, and BGP and an insignificant rise in UCa/Cr. A variable pattern of UOHp/Cr was seen. Patients on placebo maintained these elevated levels of Ca, BGP, and UCa/Cr. WBR and AP continued to rise. Etidronate disodium therapy resulted in a fall towards premenopausal levels in WBR, Ca, and UCa/Cr. AP and BGP were unchanged. Three months after stopping etidronate, BGP fell significantly and the decrease in Ca was maintained; however, WBR and UCa/Cr had returned towards pretreatment values. Bone density measurements did not change significantly. An increase in several of the indices of bone turnover was seen following oophorectomy. Etidronate disodium suppressed this increase, affecting indices of both resorption and formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of the effect of continuous infusion recombinant interleukin-2 (bioleukin) on peripheral blood leucocytes of patients with terminal malignancy.

Seventeen patients with terminal malignancy have been entered into a sequential investigation of two doses of continuous infusion recombinant interleukin-2 (bioleukin) given in the setting of a general ward. After an initial experience of a dose of 300 micrograms m-2 in eight patients the remainder received 400 micrograms m-2. Temporary interruption of treatment at the first sign of any serious toxicity led to rapid resolution of side-effects. No patient needed intensive care support, although nine of 17 required temporary interruption of infusion, lasting on average 4 h. Median lymphocyte rebound on day 14 was 3.6 times the pre-treatment level. It remained above pre-treatment levels in four of five patients who had no shown disease progression at day 56 after more than 28 days off treatment. Minor responses occurred in five patients, lasting on average 4 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Attitudes and physical condition of unrelated bone marrow donors immediately after donation.

Annually, over 3000 bone marrow transplants are performed worldwide involving HLA-identical sibling donors. However, only 30 percent of those patients who need a bone marrow transplant have a matched sibling donor. Programs have been developed to provide volunteer unrelated bone marrow donors for patients without sibling donors. Because bone marrow donation requires a high level of altruism, especially on the part of a donor unrelated to the patient, it is important to determine the effect of donation on the donor. Serious medical complications during the collection of marrow from related donors have been reported only rarely, but there have been no reports on the psychosocial and physical effects of the bone marrow donation process on volunteer unrelated bone marrow donors. The first 20 unrelated volunteers who donated bone marrow through the authors' volunteer bone marrow donor program were surveyed. They suffered no serious emotional or physical aftereffects. Seventeen of 20 donors reported that making the decision to donate was easy, and 16 reported making the decision to donate right away. Nine of 20 donors, however, stated that a friend or family member discouraged them from donating. All 20 donors thought that they were well prepared for the donation process. Four donors thought that the donation process required more time than they expected, but four donors thought the reverse. One person thought the process was more painful than they expected; however, 12 found the process to be less painful than expected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Quantitation of autoantibodies to cytokeratins in sera from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Sera drawn from healthy individuals, patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus and patients with mild active oesophagitis were examined for autoantibodies to cytoskeletal proteins extracted from the normal oesophageal keratinocyte or from 2 carcinoma cell lines, each of the latter have a simple cytoskeleton. Using a radioimmunoassay with normal oesophageal cytokeratins as bound antigen, 86 normal, 76 SCC and 14 oesophagitis sera were compared. No significant difference in autoantibody titre was found. When the bound antigen was changed to one containing predominantly simple epithelial cytokeratins a significant increase (32% P less than 0.001) was noted in the SCC category only. Western blots using simple epithelial cell extracts as antigen revealed autoantibodies to cytokeratins 8, 18 and 19 as well as to one other unidentified protein in most SCC sera, and in some normal sera. Antibodies to cytokeratin 18 predominated. Normal and SCC sera were applied using indirect immunofluorescent techniques to normal oesophageal keratinocytes, SNO oesophageal SCC cells and HeLa cells grown in vitro. Autoantibodies to oesophageal cytokeratins were, with few exceptions, barely detectable. Strong reactions were noted against SNO and HeLa cytoskeletal components, but also against nuclear membrane and nucleolar determinants. These experiments suggest that raised levels of autoantibodies to certain cytoskeletal and nuclear determinants may be a feature of oesophageal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Small cell lung carcinoma. A phase II evaluation of r-interferon-gamma.

Twelve previously untreated patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) were treated with r-interferon-gamma (Immuneron, Biogen S.A., Geneva, Switzerland). The planned dose was 1 mg (28 X 10(6) mu)/ms daily for 5 days, followed by 0.5 mg/m2 three times a week for 3 weeks or until progression, whichever was first. Eight patients were fully evaluable, and there were no responses. In four of the eight, the disease remained stable for 1 month, and four progressed before this time. Toxic reactions included pyrexia, headache, and malaise, which were mild to moderate. Ten patients subsequently received conventional chemotherapy, which resulted in three complete and four partial responses. The mean duration of response to chemotherapy was 8 months. It is concluded that r-interferon-gamma, at the dose and schedule used, has no significant clinical activity in small cell lung carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Anaesthetic-induced increase in ionised calcium in blood mononuclear cells from malignant hyperthermia patients.

The cytoplasmic concentration of ionised calcium, [Ca2+]i, is believed to be altered by agents that induce a malignant hyperthermia (MH) crisis in susceptible individuals. MH patients were identified by the halothane and halothane/caffeine contracture tests done in isolated muscle biopsy specimens. [Ca2+]i was measured in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MH patients and controls by means of the fluorescent calcium ion indicator quin2. In the absence of halothane there was no significant difference in [Ca2+]i in cells from normal and MH patients. Addition of halothane (4 microliter/ml) significantly increased [Ca2+]i in cells from MH patients but not in controls. The halothane-induced increase in [Ca2+]i required extracellular calcium ions. This is the first evidence of the mechanism of action of halothane in cells of MH patients; the differential effect of halothane on [Ca2+]i might constitute the basis for a non-invasive screening test for MH.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of diltiazem and nifedipine alone and in combination in patients with coronary artery spasm.

Fifteen patients with coronary artery spasm completed a double-blind placebo-controlled trial comparing diltiazem and nifedipine. Increasingly, higher daily doses (diltiazem, 90 to 360 mg; nifedipine, 30 to 120 mg) were administered to achieve optimal clinical effects. Daily diaries and ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were used to assess efficacy and side effects. Both drugs significantly decreased angina frequency compared with that in the preceding placebo period (diltiazem 1.4 +/- 0.4 [mean +/- SEM] to 0.4 +/- 0.2 episodes per day; nifedipine 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 0.4 +/- 0.1 episodes per day; both p less than 0.05). Ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings showed fewer ST shifts than were expected during all treatment periods (0.02/h recorded during placebo, none during diltiazem and 0.02/h during nifedipine therapy). Although some patients responded better to one drug than the other, neither drug resulted in a clearly superior clinical response. Diltiazem was discontinued in one patient because of urticaria, but the total number of side effects was higher with nifedipine (12 of 15 patients) than with diltiazem (5 of 15, p less than 0.01). Nine patients remained symptomatic on single drug treatment and entered open label treatment with the combination of diltiazem and nifedipine. Three patients did not tolerate the combination because of important side effects; the other six also had side effects, but these were relatively minor. Four patients received no more benefit from the combination than from a single agent; the condition of two patients improved. Both diltiazem and nifedipine provide effective antianginal therapy for coronary spasm, but diltiazem has fewer side effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Plateletapheresis using single vein access: a comparison of Haemonetics V-50 and Fenwal CS-3000 blood cell separators.

Donors were randomly selected for plateletapheresis using either the Haemonetics V-50 surge procedure or the Fenwal CS-3000 with special modifications. Six procedures using the V-50 were performed with 6 collection cycles. Platelet yields averaged 3.9 X 10(11) with an average white cell contamination of 3.8 X 10(8). Ten procedures were performed with 8 collection cycles. Platelet yields averaged 4.5 X 10(11) with an average white cell contamination of 1.2 X 10(8). CS-3000 procedures were performed using either 4,000 or 4,800 ml whole blood processed as the endpoint. Concentrates obtained using 4,000 ml (n = 10) as the endpoint contained 3.9 X 10(11) platelets with a white cell contamination of 9.2 X 10(8). A 4,800 ml (n = 5) endpoint produced concentrates with a yield of 4.5 X 10(11) and white cell contamination of 10.4 X 10(8).

Blood Component Removal↗
PubMed1987

Unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Eight patients received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) as therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) using marrow from unrelated donors. In all cases donors and recipients were HLA DR identical and had low MLC reactivity. In three cases recipients received marrow that was identical at the HLA A,B loci. In five cases HLA identity differed for one HLA A locus antigen. The unrelated donor search interval ranged from 2 to 28 months (median, 3 months). All recipients were prepared with a combination of cyclophosphamide, 60 mg/kg/d administered intravenously (IV) (days -6,-5) and with total body irradiation administered in 165 cGy fractions twice daily for four days (days -4, -3, -2, -1). Engraftment occurred in all cases (range, 18 to 48 days; median, 35 days), and return to a complete Philadelphia chromosome (Ph') negative state was documented in six of eight cases. Moderate or severe acute graft v host disease (GVHD) occurred in seven of eight cases, and extensive chronic GVHD in four of six evaluable recipients. A B cell lymphoproliferative disorder developed in one patient. Four recipients have died within 2 to 4 months of transplant. Four of eight patients survive at 11+ to 24+ months following transplantation (median, 15+ months) with normal peripheral blood counts and without evidence of leukemia. Current Karnofsky activity assessments are 90% or 100% in all survivors. Curative therapy of CML has been available only to the minority of patients eligible for sibling donor BMT. Unrelated donor BMT can be effective in the treatment of CML and may be particularly useful in this disorder since the prolonged stable phase of disease offers an opportunity to locate suitable donors.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1985

Nicardipine for angina pectoris at rest and coronary arterial spasm.

The antiischemic effects and safety of nicardipine were assessed in 17 patients with angina at rest and coronary arterial spasm in a randomized placebo-controlled study over 8 to 13 weeks. Eleven patients had previously had unsatisfactory results with long-acting nitrates or other calcium blockers. The average daily dosage of nicardipine for optimal angina relief was 89 mg (range 40 to 160). During the double-blind phase, angina frequency decreased with nicardipine compared with placebo (mean 0.47 vs 2.11 attacks/day, p less than 0.05). A similar decrease in nitroglycerin requirements occurred (0.51 vs 2.77 tablets/day, p less than 0.05). During placebo periods, 51 episodes of ischemic ST-segment shifts occurred during 482 hours of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and 12 (24%) were associated with angina. During nicardipine treatment, only 15 episodes of ST-segment shifts occurred during 498 hours of monitoring. In 1 patient a burning skin rash developed; otherwise, the drug was generally well tolerated. Thus, nicardipine is effective and safe in preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic ischemia in patients with coronary spasm. It may be particularly beneficial in patients with unsatisfactory responses to other therapy.

Aged↗