Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Boyd

Publications and source records attributed to G Boyd.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Combination of aminophylline (Phyllocontin Continus tablets) and salbutamol in the management of chronic obstructive airways disease.

1 The effect of a controlled release theophylline derivative (Phyllocontin Continus tablets) and an adrenoceptor agonist (salbutamol) was compared when taken singly and concomitantly in twenty patients with chronic bronchitis and additional reversible airways obstruction using a double-blind crossover technique. 2 The pulmonary function data showed a significant improvement in airways obstruction with an associated reduction in hyperinflation on combination therapy, as compared with either drug taken alone. 3 No significant improvement in patient symptoms occurred on combination therapy as compared with either drug taken alone. 4 A high incidence of side-effects was noted with both Phyllocontin Continus and salbutamol. Combination therapy, however, did not increase the frequency or severity of side-effects seen on either drug alone. 5 Although a proportion of patients showed evidence of intercurrent infection during the nine-week trial period, this did not appear to influence the results for the group as a whole.

Adult↗

A survey of P1-antibodies in Scottish pigeon fanciers.

The incidence and characteristics of P1-antibodies in Scottish pigeon fanciers has been assessed. Of 223 individuals participating in the study, 23.3% were P1-negative and of these, 53.9% had detectable P1-antibodies. These antibodies were shown to belong to the IgM class and the highest serum levels were found in those pigeon fanciers with symptoms of respiratory disease who were sensitized to pigeon antigens. Of pigeon fanciers' sera, 10.3% gave false positive reactions for the Hepatitis B surface antigen in a reversed passive haemagglutination test. The reactions were most prevalent in sensitized fanciers and were shown to be directed not against the absorbed HBsAg antibody, but against the turkey red cells used as carriers in the test. No relationship was observed between the existence of P1-antibodies and false-positive hepatitis reactions. It was concluded that the inhalation of avian antigens by pigeon fanciers can induce the production of at least three distinct populations of antibodies. No evidence was obtained to imply any special role for P1-antibodies in the aetiology of pigeon fanciers' disease.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗

An evaluation of a controlled-release aminophylline tablet (Phyllocontin Continus) as a concomitant therapy in patients receiving salbutamol.

In a double-blind crossover trial on forty chronic bronchitics Phyllocontin Continus tablets were shown to produce a greater improvement in objective lung function tests than Ventolin tablets. A combination of Ventolin tablets and Phyllocontin tablets were found to produce a greater effect than either drug alone. Changes in objective measurements were not paralleled by the patients' subjective opinions.

Albuterol↗

The problem of the bronchitic patient.

Chronic bronchitis is probably associated with two distinct processes, 'hypersecretory chronic bronchitis' and 'obstructive chronic bronchitis'. These, however, have common causes and typically chronic bronchitis develops as a result of several factors in conjunction. Smoking, air pollution and infection all predispose to chronic bronchitis and elimination of these hazards can slow the progress of the disease.

Air Pollution↗

Serum protein changes associated with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Using a radial immunodiffusion technique, the concentrations of eight serum proteins have been measured in sera from 60 chest clinic patients previously shown to have abnormally low alpha1-antitrypsin levels, and in 60 age and sex matched control sera. Of the proteins, only alpha2-macroglobulin showed a highly significant increase in the alpha1-antitrypsin deficient group. The findings confirm a previously reported association between alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency and increased alpha2-macroglobulin, and lend support to the suggestion that the rise in alpha2-macroglobulin is a specific compensatory response.

Blood Proteins↗

Pulmonary hypersensitivity to Ramin (Gonystylus bancanus).

Transient airways obstruction associated with reduction in the transfer factor (diffusing capacity) of the lungs is reported in a patient with a clinical syndrome in keeping with extrinsic allergic alveolitis after exposure to Ramin dust (Gonystylus bancanus). The alterations in pulmonary function were consistently demonstrated on testing the patient in his working environment and were reproduced in the laboratory after inhalational challenge. The importance of the temporal relationship of changes in pulmonary function to contact with suspected allergenic material is emphasized.

Adult↗

The quantitation of antibody in farmer's lung syndrome using a radioimmunoassay. Results of a clinical survey and comparison of three serological methods.

Three serological tests for antibody to Micropolyspora faeni, the precipitin test (Ouchterlony double diffusion test in two dimensions) the fluorescent antibody test (double-layer technique using patient's serum in middle layer) and a quantitative radioimmunoassay for IgG antibody were applied to cases of farmer's lung syndrome and compared as to their value in diagnosis and management of these cases. Of twenty-one cases with clinical symptoms only ten (48%) had positive precipitin tests, while all (100%) showed a positive fluorescent antibody test. Sixteen (76-4%) were found by the radioimmunoassay to have antibody in excess of the normal controls. The remaining five cases with symptoms had a range of antibody levels which overlapped with those of symptom-free individuals (with sera negative to fluorescent antibody tests). The precipitin test was positive above a level of 75 mug/ml of IgG antibody as determined by the radioimmunoassay, whilst the cases judged by the fluorescent antibody test to be positive were all above a level of 35 mug/ml of IgG antibody. Application of the radioimmunoassay to a group of farmers in the West of Scotland successfully detected high antibody levels in all with clinical evidence of farmer's lung syndrome; farmers who were symptom-free also had measurable antibody. The advantages of a quantitative test for antibody levels in the management of cases of this disease are discussed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

The effect of oxygen on the fibrinolytic enzyme system in vivo.

Arterial hypoxia has been accepted as a potent stimulus to increased fibrinolytic activity in vivo. This study has shown that significant levels of arterial hypoxaemia induced in healthy volunteers by breathing a hypoxic gas mixture have failed to induce changes in the fibrinolytic enzyme system.

Adult↗