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Biomedical subjects

G Robertson

Publications and source records attributed to G Robertson.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

B-cell leukemia-lymphoma with striking resemblance to Burkitt lymphoma in a 70-year-old woman.

A 70-year-old woman developed acute leukemia and a serum IgM spike. She entered complete remission with an adriamycin, vincristine, cytosine arabinoside, and prednisone combination. Bone marrow remission was maintained with intermittent cytosine arabinoside; however, she developed large skin nodules which partly remitted following adriamycin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone combination. They very rapidly recurred, and she died soon after. Autopsy revealed extensive tumor in the abdomen, pelvis, and thoracic cavity, but no bone marrow involvement. Histology revealed a "starry sky" appearance. Cytology showed undifferentiated cells with vacuolated cytoplasm resembling Burkitt lymphoma cells. Peroxidase and esterase stains were negative. There was strong pyroninophilia and the periodic acid-Schiff reaction showed granular activity in the cytoplasm. Electron microscopic appearances also resembled Burkitt lymphoma. Cytogenetic studies were normal, with no Ph1 chromosome. Immunofluorescence demonstrated surface IgM and a little IgA. 3H-thymidine incorporation was high, indicating rapid growth. Dibutyral cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) stimulated growth, which was further evidence of the lymphoid origin of the tumor. The close resemblance of this tumor to Burkitt lymphoma emphasizes the difficulties in systematically classifying the lymphomas.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Role of plasma vasopressin in impaired water excretion of glucocorticoid deficiency.

In the present study, the effect of selective glucocorticoid deficiency on renal water excretion was investigated in conscious, trained, adrenalectomized dogs. The animals were studied before and after a water load while on replacement therapy of desoxycorticosterone acetate, 5 mg/day, and dexamethasone, 0.8 mg/day (group I), and while off dexamethasone for 5-9 days (group II). Before the water load the weight, inulin space, cardiac output, blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, plasma osmolality, and plasma antidiuretic hormone measured by radioimmunoassay were similar in both groups I and II. However, after a 40 ml/kg water load a marked impairment in renal water excretion in the glucocorticoid deficient dogs became apparent. Maximal free water clearance was -0.046+/-0.16 vs. 6.51+/-0.72 ml/min (P < 0.001) and minimal urinary osmolality was 425+/-56 vs. 82+/-3.5 mosmol/kg H(2)O (P < 0.001) in group II as compared to group I. Plasma antidiuretic hormone was maximally suppressed during the water load in group I to 0.34+/-0.08 pg/ml but remained elevated at 9.18+/-1.79 pg/ml (P < 0.005) in group II. This nonsuppressibility of plasma antidiuretic hormone during water loading in group II was associated with a significant tachycardia of 145+/-6 vs. 87+/-6 beats/min (P < 0.001) in group I and a significantly lower stroke volume of 27+/-0 vs. 59+/-0.5 ml/beat (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results implicate a persistent secretion of antidiuretic hormone as an important factor in the impaired water excretion of glucocorticoid deficiency. A deleterious effect of glucocorticoid deficiency on cardiac function was observed and this hemodynamic alteration could be involved in initiating a nonosmolar, baroreceptor-mediated release of vasopressin.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1976

Hyperprolactinemia influences renal function in man.

Renal handling of solute and water following oral water loading was determined in six subjects with small pituitary adenomas associated with nonsuppressible hyperprolactinemia. Compared to control subjects, urine volume and solute excretion were significantly diminished in the hyperprolactinemic group. This was attributable to a decrease in osmolar clearance. Free water clearances were not different from control subjects. Hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency as an explanation for the antidiuresis were excluded in each patient. The data supports the suggestion that prolactin influences renal function in man.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1976

Psychopathic personality: a conceptual problem.

The concept of psychopathic personality is currently being called into question. Grendon prison has been established for the treatment of psychopaths. A recent study of Grendon prisoners enabled an examination of some characteristics commonly attributed to psychopaths to be carried out. It proved difficult to obtain good agreement in rating such phenomena as "conscientiousness", "sexual deviation", "impulsiveness". Of ten reliable variables including "personal relationships", "lying", "alcohol problem", only five bore a significant relationship one to another. It was concluded that whilst the term "psychopathic disorder" may be appropriate for a small handful of individuals the term is probably now used too widely and too loosely.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1970

An evaluation of cholesterol determinations in serum and serum lipoprotein fractions by a semi-automated fluorimetric method.

A sensitive automated fluorimetric method for the estimation of cholesterol is described which is suitable for the routine determination of both serum and serum lipoprotein cholesterol. Analyses can be performed at 60/hour in the serum range of 5 mg to 400 mg/100 ml. The method shows a high degree of analytical precision and good yields from recovery experiments.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychological impact of prophylactic oophorectomy in women at increased risk for ovarian cancer.

Women with a family history consistent with a hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome are at significantly increased risk for ovarian cancer. Prophylactic oophorectomy is an option for high-risk women. This study explores the psychosexual impact of prophylactic oophorectomy. A qualitative methodology was selected as most appropriate as no previous research has examined this issue. In-depth interviews were conducted with fourteen women, between 4 months and 7 years after prophylactic oophorectomy. Of these, six were pre- and eight were postmenopausal at the time of oophorectomy. Even though individual differences were observed, a majority view was expressed on several issues. All but one participant reported being satisfied with their decision to undergo oophorectomy. Women emphasised that the procedure had decreased their anxiety about developing ovarian cancer. Postmenopausal women reported no negative impact on their libido. Amongst premenopausal women all but one commenced hormone replacement therapy (HRT) following surgery and, in these women, HRT appeared to mitigate the sexual impact of the procedure. Premenopausal women reported unmet information needs both before and after the procedure, including the effects of surgical menopause and the link between HRT and breast cancer. This exploratory study suggests that prophylactic oophorectomy is a psychologically acceptable risk reduction strategy in high-risk women.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacokinetic-hemodynamic interactions between vasopressin and nitroglycerin: comparison between intravenous and cutaneous routes of nitrate delivery.

Addition of nitroglycerin (NTG) improves the hemodynamic response to vasopressin and may thus be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We studied in the rat the influence of vasopressin on the disposition of a constant intravenous infusion of NTG and the cutaneous absorption of NTG ointment. The effect of NTG on the pharmacokinetics of vasopressin was also determined. Animals were divided into four groups: control, NTG, vasopressin and vasopressin + NTG. Infusions (or ointments) were maintained for 70 min; cardiac output and regional blood flows were determined with the microsphere technique. Both intravenous and cutaneous NTG resulted in similar hemodynamic responses. Vasopressin caused generalized vasoconstriction, while the addition of NTG reversed the deleterious systemic hemodynamic effects of vasopressin. Addition of vasopressin to NTG did not alter NTG systemic clearance nor did NTG affect vasopressin clearance. Of note, the systemic clearance of NTG was directly correlated with the cardiac output (r = 0.804), supporting a model of NTG distribution where blood vessels and/or extrahepatic tissues are the site of elimination of the drug. The marked reduction in skin blood flow by vasopressin did not decrease the steady-state plasma concentration of NTG nor the estimated cutaneous absorption rate of NTG ointment, indicating that cutaneous blood flow is not an important determinant in the absorption of NTG ointment. The skin is an appropriate route of delivery for NTG when combined with vasopressin.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

On predicting multi-route and multimedia residential exposure to chlorpyrifos and diazinon.

This paper formulates regression models and examines their ability to associate exposures to chlorpyrifos and diazinon in residences with information obtained from questionnaires and environmental sampling of the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey Arizona (NHEXAS-AZ) database. A knowledge-based list of 29 potential exposure determinants was assembled from information obtained from six questionnaires administered in the course of the study. This list was used to select the independent variables of each model statistically and electronically. Depending on the data type of dependent and independent variables, four classes of regression models were developed to determine desired associations. Route-specific exposures were estimated using the indirect method of exposure estimation and measurements from the NHEXAS-AZ field study. The stepwise procedure was used to construct regression models. Significance level at P=0.10 was used for entry and retention of independent variables in a model. Twelve significant regression models were formulated to quantify associations among exposures and other variables in the NHEXAS-AZ database. Route-specific exposures to pesticides associate significantly with questionnaire-based variables such as preparation of pesticides, use of pesticide inside the house, and income level; and with concentration variables in three media: dermal wipe, sill wipe, and indoor air. Models formulated in this study may be used to estimate exposures to each of the pesticides. Yet, the use of these models must incorporate clear statements of the assumptions made in the formulation as well as the coefficient of determination and the confidence and prediction intervals of the dependent variable.

Activities of Daily Living↗