[Gamma globulin in Kawasaki's disease--a new possible therapeutic method].
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Child, Preschool↗
Biomedical subjects
E Smith
Publications and source records attributed to E Smith.
Analysis of Cinchona alkaloids by high-performance liquid chromatography. Application to the analysis of quinidine gluconate and quinidine sulfate and their dosage forms.
The application of high-performance liquid chromatography to resolve the individual alkaloids present in marketed Cinchona alkaloids was investigated. Normal-phase and several reversed-phase systems were evaluated. The proposed procedure uses an alkylphenyl column; it adequately resolves quinidine, quinine, dihydroquinidine, dihydroquinine, cinchonine, cinchonidine, dihydrocinchonine and dihydrocinchonidine. Epiquinidine, epiquinine, quininone and quinitoxine are also resolved from quinidine and dihydroquinidine. This high degree of resolution enables the analysis of quinidine and its salts for their usual composition and establishes the absence of any cross-contamination or decomposition. The proposed procedure was applied to currently marketed samples of quinidine salts and their dosage forms. It was also applied to samples that were cross-contaminated or which contained decomposition products.
Capsules↗
[Lipohyperplasia of Bauhin's valve].
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Adult↗
An investigation of the effects of phenobarbitone on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone in the rat using liver perfusion and everted gut sacs.
Previous in vivo studies have suggested that phenobarbitone increases the first pass clearance of norethindrone in the rat by induction of enzymes both in the gut wall and liver. In the present study phenobarbitone caused an increase in both the production of highly polar ether-extractable metabolites and the conjugation of the steroid as it crossed the wall of the everted gut sac preparation. In addition, there was a marked increase in the uptake of norethindrone into the liver followed by increased phase I metabolism in the isolated perfused liver. As expected for a highly cleared drug, enzyme induction had no measurable effect on the terminal half-life of norethindrone in the perfused liver preparation.
Animals↗
Beneficial effect of fish oil on blood viscosity in peripheral vascular disease.
Reports suggest that the low incidence of ischaemic heart disease in Greenlandic Eskimos is related to the effect of a diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid on platelet reactivity and plasma lipid concentrations. A double blind randomised investigation was therefore conducted of the effects on blood viscosity of dietary supplementation with an oil rich in this fatty acid (1.8 g/day, given as fish oil) and an eicosapentaenoic acid poor oil (as corn/olive oil) in patients with peripheral arterial disease. A statistically significant reduction in whole blood viscosity was observed at seven weeks in those patients receiving the eicosapentaenoic acid rich oil. No changes in plasma viscosity, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, or platelet count were seen. A significant fall in plasma triglyceride concentration was also noted only in the patients receiving oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid; plasma concentrations of cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were unchanged. It is concluded that rheological changes that result from a diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid may contribute to the suggested protective effects of such a diet against arterial disease and that such changes are of potential therapeutic importance in established arterial disease.
Aged↗
Total body and regional bone mineral by dual-photon absorptiometry in metabolic bone disease.
Dual-photon absorptiometry (153Gd) was used to measure bone mineral of the total body and major anatomical areas. Patients with osteoporosis (male = 11, female = 18) and with renal osteodystrophy (n = 17) were significantly below (20%) normal females (n = 72) and males (n = 13) at most sites. In the osteoporotic patients, but not the renal patients, there was preferential osteopenia of the spine. Bone loss in all anatomical areas became evident after the menopause with an annual loss rate of about 0.7%.
Absorption↗
Monoclonal antibody screening: two methods using antigens immobilized on nitrocellulose.
The dot-immunobinding assay of Hawkes et al. [R. Hawkes, E. Niday, and J. Gordon (1982) Anal. Biochem. 119, 142-147] has been modified such that many antibody solutions are screened simultaneously on dots of antigen applied to a single sheet of nitrocellulose using very small amounts of both antigen and antibody solutions. This method is also used in the assay of antibody binding on dots of components of the antigen after enzymatic digestion and chromatographic fractionation and to dots of compounds which may be chemically related to the antigen. An aluminum template for screening Western blots with a number of different antibody solutions on a single sheet of nitrocellulose is also described. Possible applications of the dot-immunobinding assay in screening for virus are discussed.
Animals↗
Some personality characteristics of imprisoned heroin addicts.
A group of 20 imprisoned heroin addicts was compared on 4 personality dimensions with a group of non-addict fellow prisoners and a group of normal controls. The 4 personality measures examined were level of self-esteem, perceived locus of control, tendency to self-deception and tendency to project a flattering self-image. The addict group was significantly lower in self-esteem and significantly less inclined to project a flattering self-image than the normal controls. However the addicts were similar to their fellow prisoners on all the psychological measures. The addict and non-addict prisoners were also similar in respect of various socioeconomic indices and criminal history. The belief that one could give up use of heroin without outside help was found to distinguish a subgroup of addicts who were at an earlier stage in the addiction process. However this subgroup did not differ from the more experienced addicts on the 4 psychological measures.
Adolescent↗
Adrenocorticotropic hormone controls infantile spasms independently of cortisol stimulation.
Infantile spasms constitute a severe seizure disorder unresponsive to standard anticonvulsants. Both prednisone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) have produced remission of seizures in some patients. The mechanisms of action of these hormones are not known. Eight infants with infantile spasms were treated with prednisone for 2 weeks. This controlled the seizures in two patients. In the remaining six patients, prednisone was continued and ACTH was added. This treatment produced cessation of spasms in four patients. Serum prednisone and cortisol were measured at a number of points during treatment. In infants receiving prednisone and then prednisone plus ACTH, serum cortisol was suppressed to about one-quarter of baseline levels with the initiation of prednisone, and remained suppressed during ACTH administration. We conclude that ACTH can exert its effect on infantile spasms in the setting of adrenal suppression, and can act without stimulating endogenous cortisol production. A CNS site of action is suggested and should be sought.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Short-term group therapy for stroke patients in a rehabilitation centre.
Three groups of eight patients who had suffered strokes participated in short-term group therapy run by a psychiatrist and a social worker. A simple assessment was made by patients and therapists, further information being obtained by means of a follow-up questionnaire. The feasibility of this approach, and the indications that such groups might be beneficial, are discussed. Certain common themes emerged from all three groups, but it was interesting to note a different reaction was shown by men and women in response to their strokes. The provision of such groups for patients suffering from different illnesses and alternative ways of running these groups are suggested.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Deficient learning and memory in early and middle phases of multiple sclerosis.
Forty-three patients with multiple sclerosis showed disturbances in short-term memory, learning, and delayed recall which were associated with years of active disease (average was 4.5 years), age, presence of flareup, but not steroid/ACTH treatment. Unrecognised memory loss might be prevalent early in the natural history of multiple sclerosis and deserves neuropsychological assessment.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Prediction of relapse with the TRH test and prophylactic amitriptyline in 39 patients with endogenous depression.
The authors conducted a double-blind prospective study of 39 patients with unipolar endogenous depression who recovered after ECT. Thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone (TRH) tests were performed before and after ECT. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their altered TSH response: Persistent remission was predicted for patients in group 1 (N = 15) and relapse was predicted for groups 2A (N = 13) and 2B (N = 11). Patients in groups 1 and 2A received placebo and those in group 2B received amitriptyline for 6 months. Fewer relapses occurred in groups 1 and 2B than in group 2A (p less than .05), showing that relapse can be predicted by the TRH test and prevented by amitriptyline.
Adult↗
Plain radiography with a rare-earth screen: comparison with calcium tungstate screen.
Plain radiographic examinations were performed on 388 patients (adult and pediatric) using either a calcium tungstate or rare-earth screen. Radiographs were compared for overall image quality, mottle, contrast, density, and detail. The rare-earth screen produced radiographs with significantly more mottle than did the standard screen. However, this was almost never of diagnostic importance. A small but significant decrease in overall image quality also was found with the rare-earth screen. This was the result of minor differences between the grading of optimal and good. A major advantage of rare-earth screens is a 50% or more reduction in radiation exposure. The results here show that rare-earth screens may be used in plain radiographic examinations without a clinically important decrease in image quality.
Adult↗
Dogmatism, age and change: a perspective of a nurse practitioner program.
Three classes of nurse practitioner students, 32 in all over a three-year period, were given the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale at the beginning of the Nurse Practitioner Program and the California F Scale at the conclusion of the program. Results of the Dogmatism Scale were compared with age groups to determine if dogmatism was associated with age. Results of the California F Test, another measurement of authoritarianism and/or dogmatism was used to determine whether one's degree of dogmatism was inalterable or whether it could be affected. The results of the analysis indicated that open- and/or closed-mindedness (dogmatism) was not related to age. The results additionally indicated that success in the completion of the Nurse Practitioner Program was not related to one's degree of dogmatism and that the program can affect the individual participant by causing her to be more open minded. The findings suggest that the administration of personality inventories as an admissions screening device may eliminate individuals with much potential. Additionally, the consideration of age as a possible deterrent to program success may also eliminate potentially contributive individuals. Finally, the study results suggest that the personality attribute of dogmatism as measured in this study was alterable rather than rigid. The alteration was effected in a manner that enabled closed-minded individuals to become more open-minded in their thinking.
Adult↗
Does bone measurement on the radius indicate skeletal status? Concise communication.
Single-photon (I-125) absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral content (BMC) of the distal third of the radius, and dual-photon absorptiometry (Gd-153) was used to measure total-body bone mineral (TBBM), as well as the BMC of major skeletal regions. Measurements were done in normal females, normal males, osteoporotic females, osteoporotic males, and renal patients. The BMC of the radius predicted TBBM well in normal subjects, but was less satisfactory in the patient groups. The spinal BMC was predicted with even lower accuracy from radius measurement. The error in predicting areal density (bone mass per unit projected skeletal area) of the lumbar and thoracic spine from the radius BMC divided by its width was smaller, but the regressions differed significantly among normals, osteoporotics, and renal patients. There was a preferential spinal osteopenia in the osteoporotic group and in about half of the renal patients. Bone measurements on the radius can indicate overall skeletal status in normal subjects and to a lesser degree in patients, but these radius measurements are inaccurate, even on the average, as an indicator of spinal state.
Adult↗
Hemodynamic observations on pulmonary edema associated with a beta-mimetic agent. A report of two cases.
Pulmonary edema associated with the use of beta agonists in the treatment of preterm labor is a major risk of tocolytic therapy. The data obtained from echocardiographic and hemodynamic evaluation in one such case and echocardiography in another differ markedly from those in two previously published reports. Specifically, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure became elevated, and both patients failed to improve with oxygen therapy and positional changes only. Left ventricular dysfunction was ruled out as the possible cause since the left ventricular structure and function were normal on echocardiography. The heart failure was probably the result of increased preload, giving rise to increased end diastolic pressure and hence pulmonary edema. Diuretic therapy is very important in this situation.
Adult↗
Are hospitals still sharing?
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American Hospital Association↗
Cognitive deficits in the early stages of Parkinson's disease.
Neuropsychological tests known to reveal abnormalities in patients with frontal lobe damage were used to explore cognitive function in 30 mildly disabled, right-handed patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. None of the patients had received treatment and all had normal CT brain scans. Patients with depression or high ischaemia scores were excluded from the study and similar selection criteria were used for the age-matched controls. No impairment of general intellectual function was found in the patients using the WAIS and New Adult Reading IQ tests and no abnormalities were apparent on cognitive estimates and two-choice Recognition Memory Tests. Patients with Parkinson's disease, however, had significantly greater difficulty in shifting conceptual sets and produced more perseverative errors on both the modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Benton's Word Fluency Test. These subtle cognitive difficulties might underlie the mental inflexibility and rigidity of Parkinson's disease and could be attributed to destruction of the ascending dopaminergic mesocorticolimbic pathway.
Basal Ganglia Diseases↗