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Biomedical subjects

H Hart

Publications and source records attributed to H Hart.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Viruses and lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis. I. Studies on cultured rheumatoid lymphocytes.

Synovial fluid lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been examined for evidence of a productive infection with retroviruses by electron microscopy, labelling with 3H-uredine, growth in soft agar, and culturing in conditioned medium. No such viruses were detected. In addition, the synovial lymphocytes were activated before fusion and cocultivation with several cell lines which have proved permissive for primate retroviruses. Monitoring these cultures subsequently by reverse transcriptase assay, labelling with 3H-uridine, and membrane immunofluorescence gave no indication that retroviruses were present.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1979

Viruses and lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis. II. Examination of lymphocytes and sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis for evidence of retrovirus infection.

The possible involvement of retroviruses in the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated. Retrovirus antigens were not expressed on rheumatoid synovial and peripheral blood lymphocytes as judged by membrane immunofluorescence, radioimmunoassay, and complement-mediated cytotoxicity. The specific antiretroviral (anti-RD-144 and anti-SSAV) sera used in this study were produced in rabbits immunised with viral antigens grown in a homologous system (rabbit cells and medium supplemented with normal rabbit serum), avoiding non-specific immunofluorescence previously detected with donated antiretroviral sera. Immune complexes lodged in the rheumatoid synovial membranes did not contain, and other cells within the membranes did not express, retroviral antigens. Antibodies cross-reacting with primate retrovirus antigens were sought in sera from patients with 'autoimmune' diseases by means of solid phase radioimmunoassay. There were no retrovirus antibodies in the 3 groups of patients studied, that is, those with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and with non-RA conditions. Absorption of rheumatoid factor did not alter this conclusion. These results give little support to the hypothesis that activation of endogenous human retroviruses or an infection with horizontally transmitted retroviruses is associated with the rheumatoid process.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1978

Rheumatoid polyarthritis after rubella.

A 21-year-old woman developed persistent polyarthritis indistinguishable from rheumatoid arthritis after rubella. The arthritis persisted for approximately 30 months and was associated with high levels of antibody to rubella virus and with rheumatoid factor. The antibody titres declined pari passu with clinical improvement which progressed to complete resolution. Fractionation of serial serum specimens showed a substantial and persistent IgM antibody response to rubella virus. Rubella antigen was not demonstrated in the synovial exudate.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Rubella virus and rheumatoid arthritis.

A collection of synovial fibroblasts from 19 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 12 patients with osteoarthrosis or other non-RA disease has been examined for rubella virus antigens by immunofluorescence and radioimmunoassay with negative results. Eluates of synovial membrane prepared under conditions likely to dissociate antigen-antibody complexes have shown no rubella antibody. A serological survey of RA patients and those with other forms of arthritis has shown no differences in the frequency or levels of rubella haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody. These results provide little support for various hypotheses that a persistent infection with rubella virus underlies or initiates the rheumatoid process.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1976

Health needs of preschool children.

An epidemiological study of disease in a geographically identified population of 250 children is reported. 22% had not seen their general practitioner (GP) at all in the past year, while 20% had seen him four times or more. The vast majority of these visits were because of an infective illness; and developmental and behavioural problems were rarely presented to GPs. 53% of children had not been to hospital since birth, but 11% had been at least four times. Respiratory infections and middle ear disease were the commonest illness reported, and nearly 3% had an infected or discharging ear at the time of examination. 15% of 3 year olds had speech and language problems. 18% of children over 2 years were thought by the examiners to have a behavioural problem, half being assessed as mild, the remainder as moderate or severe.

Child Behavior Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Community influences on breast feeding.

The incidence of breast feeding in Camden and Paddington is reported for two periods, 1974-75 and 1976-77. In 1976 a programme was begun to encourage breast feeding by increasing contact and support by the health visitor and child health visitor and child health clinic antenatally and postnatally. Fifty-eight per cent of mothers in Camden and 56% of mothers in Paddington breast fed at 3 weeks in 1976-77 compared with 24% (Camden) and 20% (Paddington) in 1974-75. The incidence of breast feeding in the experimental areas was compared with that in a similar control area in which no intervention occurred to investigate whether this increase reflected a widespread increase in the popularity of breast feeding or resulted from intervention. In 1976-77 more mothers in the experimental, than in the control area who breast fed on discharge continued to do so during the first 5 months. Of the mothers who were discharged breast feeding 88% in Camden and 73% in Paddington compared with 57% in the control area were still doing so at 6 weeks. The pattern of home visiting by the health visitors and attendance at the child health clinic was also investigated. More antenatal and postnatal home visits, more clinic visits and earlier home visits took place in the experimental areas compared with the control area. We conclude that the health visitor and child health clinic have an important role to play in the management of lactation.

Breast Feeding↗