Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to I Taylor.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Portal scanning for liver metastases in colorectal carcinoma.

In a prospective study over 2 years, 14 patients suffering from colorectal cancer had radionuclide liver scans performed via the portal route. Technetium-99m-labelled macro-aggregates of human serum albumen were injected via the cannulated umbilical vein, distributed through the portal system of the liver and their presence recorded by a gamma camera. Of 11 patients with clinically normal livers and no metastases found at laparotomy, five had abnormal portal scans, two of these dying from multiple liver metastases during follow-up. None of the patients with normal portal scans died with liver metastases within the 2-year study period.

Aged↗

Simultaneous recording of myoelectrical activity and resistance from the human colon.

A system used to record myoelectrical activity from the rectosigmoid colon has been modified so that a continuous recording of electrical resistance is obtained simultaneously. Normal subjects, patients with diverticular disease and patients with the irritable colon syndrome have been studied by this method. There were variations in resistance in the form of waves for 74.7, 88.5 and 89.0% of the time in the three groups. These changes were abolished by intravenous glucagon. The predominant frequency of the waves was 2-4 c/min and often coincided with myoelectrical waves of the same frequency. It is concluded that the resistance changes are produced by local movement in the colonic wall at the electrode site and that this technique may be valuable in studying colonic motility.

Colon↗

The errors of thymidine labelling in breast cancer.

The site to site error and reproducibility of counting error have been assessed in the routine thymidine labelling of breast cancer. Despite modifications of technique designed to minimize these errors both were found to be inaccurate to within 0.5 labelling index %. Since the majority of tumours had labelling indices below 2% this measurement is not a critical determinant of tumour behaviour.

Breast Neoplasms↗

The gut wall metabolism of ethinyloestradiol and its contribution to the pre-systemic metabolism of ethinyloestradiol in humans.

1 Five patients have been studied to determine the contribution of the gut wall to the pre-systemic metabolism of ethinyloestradiol. All patients had a catheter inserted into their hepatic portal vein as part of their surgical management. 2 After an oral dose of 50 micrograms (65 microCi) ethinyloestradiol, blood samples were taken from the hepatic portal vein and from a peripheral vein at intervals for 1 h. 3 In each patient the concentration of conjugated ethinyloestradiol in the portal vein was considerably higher than in the peripheral vein. 4 Although a number of assumptions have been made, calculations showed that the gut wall appeared to be twice as effective as the liver in conjugating ethinyloestradiol on the first pass. 5 In two patients there was no evidence of major uptake or metabolism of ethinyloestradiol in the lung.

Aged↗

Effects of bile acids on human colonic motor function in vitro.

The effect of bile acid perfusion on colonic motor function in vitro has been studied. It was found that bile acid perfusion and carbachol perfusion had no effect on the frequency or incidence of slow wave activity. However, the secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid (15 mmol/l) was shown to cause a statistically significant increase in percentage motility of the isolated colon (control 24.2 + 5.5%, deoxycholic acid 64.9 + 7.3%, p less than 0.01). The magnitude of this increase was similar to the increased colonic motility recorded during carbachol (2.5 micrograms/cm3) infusion. Chenodeoxycholic and cholic acids did not increase colonic motility in vitro.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Facial nerve preservation during surgery for removal of acoustic nerve tumors.

A series of 33 patients with 35 acoustic nerve tumors is reviewed. Tumor size was estimated from computerized tomography (CT) scans, and its influence on anatomical and functional preservation of the facial nerve was assessed. Six tumors (one invading the petrous bone, three medium and two large tumors) were not detected on CT scans. The translabyrinthine approach was used in seven instances (one small and six medium tumors) and the suboccipital transmeatal approach for 28 tumors (seven medium and 21 large tumors). Anatomical preservation of the facial nerve was achieved in 83% of operations for tumor removal, two of which were subtotal. A further two patients underwent subtotal removal, but the facial nerve was destroyed. Large tumors carried an increased risk of damage to the facial nerve, but even in this group the nerve was preserved anatomically intact in 70% of cases. Damage to the facial nerve occurred more frequently in patients with preoperative evidence of facial weakness; however, this factor did not appear to influence functional recovery of the facial nerve, provided that the nerve was intact at the end of the operation. A simple grading system for facial nerve function is described. Ony 76% of anatomically intact facial nerves showed any evidence of function 1 month after surgery. Postoperatively, facial function improved with time. At the latest review, 45% of these patients had normal facial function or mild facial weakness (Grades I and II).

Adolescent↗

An assessment of ultrasound scanning in the recognition of colorectal liver metastases.

The preoperative detection of visible liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer is important in determining a rational treatment policy. The accuracy of haptic ultrasound scanning was assessed in 100 patients with primary colorectal cancer. Each patient had a 99mTc-sulphur colloid scan, ultrasound scan, and liver function test. All patients came to laparotomy and the liver was carefully palpated. With very few exceptions the combination of isotope and ultrasound scanning gave accurate information on the state of the liver in all patients in this series. Alkaline phosphatase was the only enzyme whose serum activity was consistently elevated in the presence of liver metastases. Ultrasound scanning of the liver is a simple, safe, accurate, and non-invasive method for preoperative assessment of the state of the liver in patients with primary colorectal cancer.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

The effect of increased motility on absorption from the canine colon.

The absorption of water and electrolytes and intraluminal pressure were measured from Thirty-Vella loops in 4 dogs under basal conditions and during electrical stimulation of the colonic smooth muscle. Pulse wave electrical stimulation via serosal silver/silver chloride electrodes gave rise to significant increases in both intraluminal pressure and percentage motility. Absorption of water, sodium and chloride was significantly increased during stimulation but the transport of ammonia, bicarbonate and potassium was not significantly affected. It is suggested that motility changes result in altered absorption irrespective of transit time.

Animals↗

Faecal bile acids and the irritable colon syndrome.

Faecal bile acid excretion and rectosigmoid myoelectrical activity were measured on three separate occasions over a 12-month period in 21 patients with the irritable colon syndrome. The results were compared with those of a group of normal subjects. Deoxycholic acid excretion was statistically significantly lower in patients with the irritable colon syndrome. In addition, these patients had a persistently high incidence of 0.03-0.06 Hz (2-4 c/m) rectosigmoid slow-wave electrical activity. These abnormal values persisted throughout the period of the study.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Studies on the treatment and prevention of colorectal liver metastases.

Liver metastases occur in as many as 50% of patients with colorectal cancer and are regarded as a principal cause of death. Both clinical and experimental studies have been undertaken in an attempt to understand the haemodynamic changes occurring in established liver metastases. Trials of various forms of treatment based on these observations are described. In addition attempts to reduce the incidence of subsequent liver metastases are discussed.

Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion↗

Does a high fibre diet prevent the complications of diverticular disease?

The management of diverticular disease has altered radically with the widespread use of high fibre diet (HFD) over the past decade. However, whether this regimen has improved the prognosis in patients admitted with acute complications is still debatable. In this study the outcome of 100 such patients admitted to hospital with acute episodes of diverticular disease has been reviewed. Seventy-five per cent were treated conservatively with HFD and review after 5--7 years showed that over 90 per cent remained symptom-free, suggesting that HFD may afford protection by preventing further complications.

Acute Disease↗