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Biomedical subjects

G Wright

Publications and source records attributed to G Wright.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Investigations of host defence in patients with sickle cell disease.

Parameters of host defence were investigated in 30 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). A newly devised perfusion system was used to study the kinetics in whole blood of leucocyte adherence, phagocytosis, killing and solubilization of a mixture of Staph. aureus and Str. pneumoniae, and secretion of lactoferrin. A skin window technique was used to examine the accumulation of leucocytes at inflammatory foci and their subsequent rate of movement through a filter. Serum concentrations of C3, C4, total haemolytic complement and immunoglobulins were also measured. The rate of neutrophil migration into filters was slightly reduced in patients with SCD. The proportion of monocytes that emigrated from the skin windows and their rate of migration were markedly diminished. The adhesion of neutrophils and their ability to kill staphylococci were also reduced, particularly in patients of the haemoglobin (Hb) SS and Hb S-beta-thalassaemia genotypes. Neutrophil function was mostly impaired in patients with the greatest frequency of bacterial infection. The rate of clearance of pneumococci was related to the concentration of type specific immunoglobulin G but not M. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins and complement were normal. We were unable to define a defect of host defence of sufficient magnitude to explain the susceptibility of these patients to severe infection.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1985

Bupropion in the long-term treatment of cyclic mood disorders: mood stabilizing effects.

The effects of bupropion HCl in treating 11 patients with bipolar or schizoaffective disorder were examined in an open trial. Most patients had been intolerant of or showed minimal to moderate improvement on lithium, neuroleptics, antidepressants, or a combination of these drugs. All patients were maintained on bupropion alone or bupropion in combination with low-dose neuroleptics or anxiolytics for 1 year or more, with little or no relapse and few side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effect of high-dose methylprednisolone therapy on phagocyte function in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Circulating phagocytes play a major role in the defence of the host against microbial infection. In an attempt to identify the reason for the unusual susceptibility to infection of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) various parameters of phagocytic cell function were assessed kinetically in whole blood, and the accumulation of cells in areas of inflammation was studied in vivo with the skin window technique. The effect on these parameters of conventional therapy with glucocorticoids and pulse therapy with large doses of methylprednisolone were examined. Patients on conventional doses of steroids had no abnormality of phagocyte function that might have predisposed to infection, apart from a reduced accumulation of monocytes in areas of inflammation and decreased lactoferrin secretion. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone considerably delayed the secretion of lactoferrin and the adherence of neutrophils in most of the patients, as well as impairing bacterial killing and digestion.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The effects of propylthiouracil, iodothyronines, and other agents on thyroid hormone metabolism in human placenta.

Human and rat placental homogenates contain inner ring deiodinase activity (PT4ase) towards T4 and T3. This activity may decrease the transfer of T4 and T3 across the placenta and influence thyroid hormone disposal in the fetal circulation. Data are now presented on human PT4ase in subcellular fractions, the Km of human PT4ase, and the effects of drugs and other compounds on human and rat PT4ase. The specific activity (nanograms of rT3 produced per min/mg protein) of each fraction of human placenta was as follows: nuclear, 0.07; mitochondrial, 0.15; lysosomal, 0.19; microsomal, 1.30; and cytosol, 0.01. The apparent Michaelis-Menton (Km) for PT4ase in human placental microsomes was 1.2 X 10(-7) M. T3, 3,3'-diiodothyronine, iopanoic acid, iodoacetic acid, diamide, and propranolol all exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of human and rat PT4ase when tested in the presence of 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT). Propylthiouracil did not inhibit PT4ase at 10 mM DTT, but when the DTT concentration was lowered to 0.25 mM, up to 71% inhibition was noted. Many drugs, as noted in other organs with respect to outer and inner ring iodothyronine deiodinases, inhibited human PT4ase. These studies may be relevant to the practice of administering propylthiouracil, propranolol, and iopanoic acid to pregnant women.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The kinetic measurement of phagocyte function in whole blood.

A technique has been developed for the kinetic measurement on the same blood sample of a variety of functions of phagocytic cells. Adherence to glass, the clearance of a mixture of microorganisms and their subsequent solubilisation, and the secretion of granule contents from the cells were determined. The numbers of residual viable intracellular staphylococci were measured at the completion of the study. These methods were used to investigate phagocyte function in 33 normal subjects and 6 patients with chronic granulomatous disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin follicular maturation for oocyte aspiration: phase I, 1981.

Thirty-one human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG/hCG) ovulation induction cycles from 25 normally ovulating patients who applied to a program for the Vital Initiation of Pregnancy (VIP) are discussed. Three different categories of serum estradiol (E2) response were found. Serum E2 and progesterone responses were inversely related to the amount of hMG, indicating a patient sensitivity rather than a dosage relationship. Luteinizing hormone levels were suppressed by gonadotropins. Daily evaluation of vaginal smear, cervical mucus, serum E2 determinations, and pelvic ultrasound are necessary for an optimum ovulation induction with gonadotropins. Two successful pregnancies are reported.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1983

Human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin follicular maturation for oocyte aspiration: phase II, 1981.

Ovulation was induced in 24 cycles of normal ovulatory patients for in vitro fertilization using a modified human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG/hCG) protocol. This modification was based on experience in 31 cycles previously studied. The individual ovarian threshold response to hMG seen previously was again confirmed, and successful stimulation and oocyte retrieval depended upon the recognition of this patient's "sensitivity." A rapid serum estradiol (E2) assay, in conjunction with estimation of the patient's biologic response to the E2 levels, as measured by changes in vaginal smears and cervical mucus (biologic estrogen shift), was the key to determining the amount of hMG necessary. The biologic shift was the best indicator for discontinuation of gonadotropins in the low E2 responder group. The serum E2 levels were the best indicators for the normal and high E2 responder groups. Ultrasound was used as confirmatory evidence for satisfactory follicular development. Postmaturity of the oocyte did not occur in this series, due to compensation of excessive hMG stimulation in rapid responders by a shortening of the interval between hMG discontinuation and hCG administration, thus initiating the oocyte meiotic process earlier. Maturation of immature oocytes was accomplished in this series by an increase in the time in culture prior to insemination. Due to the improved protocol of drug administration and the ability to mature immature oocytes in vitro, five pregnancies resulted from the stimulation of these 24 cycles.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1983

The importance of the follicular phase to success and failure in in vitro fertilization.

One hundred seventy-five cycles in patients with irreparable tubal disease were stimulated by human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin for the purpose of in vitro fertilization. As judged by the height of the peripheral estradiol response, the patients were classified as high, intermediate, or low responders. In addition, the estradiol pattern of the response was found to be separable into six categories. The pregnancy rate was found to be related to the height and to the pattern of peripheral response. The overall pregnancy rate in this consecutive series was 19% but varied according to the height and pattern of response from 40% to 0%.

Estradiol↗
PubMed1983

Acquired alpha-thalassemia in preleukemia is due to decreased expression of all four alpha-globin genes.

A somatic mutation(s), acquired during the evolution of preleukemia in a 75-year-old Caucasian male of North European origin, resulted in a marked decrease in alpha-globin mRNA. The small amount of alpha-globin mRNA present in bone marrow cells was normally processed, had a normal (alpha 1/alpha 2)-globin mRNA ratio, and was translated normally. No detectable zeta-globin mRNA was found. The alpha- and zeta-globin genes were both hypomethylated and restriction endonuclease maps of the alpha- and zeta-globin genes were comparable in the patient's marrow and fibroblast DNA. The data are most consistent with the acquisition of a mutation(s) that resulted in decreased expression of all four alpha-globin genes.

Aged↗