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Biomedical subjects

J D Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to J D Wilson.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

A comparative trial of intra-nasal beclomethasone dipropionate and sodium cromoglycate in patients with chronic perennial rhinitis.

A double-blind crossover study has compared intra-nasal sodium cromoglycate (SCG) with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), and both drugs with placebo, in fifty-two chronic perennial rhinitis patients. BDP was significantly more effective in relieving symptoms than SCG (76.9% and 50% of the patients improved respectively, P < 0.01). Both drugs were more active than placebos but while BDP was very clearly more effective (P < 0.0005) SCG was only marginally better than its placebo (P < 0.05, Fisher; P = 0.068, chi 2). BDP was selected by 56% of the patients as the best agent for continuing therapy at the end of the trial. By contrast SCG was preferred by the same number of patients as chose the two placebos (11.5%).

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1980

Aerodynamic size distribution, hygroscopicity and deposition estimation of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol.

Aerodynamic size distribution and aerodynamic mass per dose of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol were measured at 24 and 95% relative humidity. At high humidity, the count median aerodynamic diameter was unchanged, mass median aerodynamic diameter increased from 2.01 micrometer to 2.68 micrometer, particle number/dose from 41.3 x 106 to 78.3 x 106, and aerodynamic mass per dose from 23.7 to 60.0 microgram. The quantity of active ingredient estimated to be in the 23.7 microgram aerodynamic mass at low humidity was 19.7 microgram. From data previously available describing average deposition fraction as a function of aerodynamic diameter, 6.7 microgram or 13% of the total dose of 50 microgram produced by the metered dose canister would be expected to deposit in the lower respiratory tract.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1980

pathogenesis of the henny feathering trait in the Sebright bantam chicken. Increased conversion of androgen to estrogen in skin.

In female chickens of all breeds development of female feathering pattern is mediated by estrogens, whereas normal males and castrated chickens of both sexes develop male feathering. Male chickens carrying the henny feathering trait (such as the Sebright bantam and golden Campine) develop a female feathering pattern but otherwise virilize normally. To examine the possibility that the henny feathering trait is the result of increased conversion of androgen to estrogen in skin, estrogen formation from [1,2,6,7-3H]testosterone was measured in tissue slices from control breeds and chickens with the henny feathering trait. Rates of estrogen formation were undetectable or low in all control tissues other than ovary, whereas rates were high in skin and skin appendages and detectable in many tissues from Sebright and Campine birds. The increased rate of estrogen formation in skin was demonstrable in Sebright chicks and in all areas of skin biopsied in the mature bird. Furthermore, plasma levels of 17 beta-estradiol were higher in Sebright and Campine than in control male cocks. Thus, increased formation of estrogen from androgen in the peripheral tissues probably explains the henny feathering trait.

Androgens↗
PubMed1980

Steroid 5 alpha-reductase deficiency in a 65-year-old male pseudohermaphrodite: the natural history, ultrastructure of the testes, and evidence for inherited enzyme heterogeneity.

We report a 65-yr-old male pseudohermaphrodite with steroid 5 alpha-reductase deficiency in whom there was no medical intervention before, during, or after puberty, enabling us to observe the natural history of this condition. The affected subject has an android build, with more facial and body hair than in previously described affected adults. Although the subject was raised as a girl, a male gender identity evolved with the events of puberty, but social factors have delayed the complete expression of a male gender role. Plasma levels of dihydrotestosterone and the in vivo conversion of radiolabeled testosterone to dihydrotestosterone were decreased. There was an elevated urinary etiocholanolone to androsterone ratio, typical of the syndrome. Characterization of 5 alpha-reductase enzyme activity in cultured genital skin fibroblasts demonstrated a pattern of enzyme activity distinctly different from three previously described families with this condition. There was decreased enzyme affinity for testosterone and NADPH. Also, the stability of the enzyme to elevated temperature was not protected by NADPH, resulting in rapid disappearance of enzyme activity after inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide. Electron microscopic evaluation of the testes was carried out.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1980

Pseudohypoparathyroidism presenting with rickets.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a condition characterized by hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and an impaired phosphaturic response to exogenous parathormone (PTH). A minority of patients with PHP have associated bone disease, and in some the radiological appearances have been suggestive of rickets. We report a patient with PHP who had epiphyseal enlargement and bowing of the long bones similar to that seen in rickets. Radiology showed generalized osteomalacia with failure of epiphyseal calcification and several pseudofractures. Bone biopsy showed increased osteoid seams. The phalanges of both hands showed subperiosteal erosions consistent with hyperparathyroidism. Biochemically, he had persistent hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and an elevated alkaline phosphatase. Plasma calcitonin, magnesium, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were normal. The 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol level was within the normal adult range but was probably inappropriately low for an adolescent. Plasma parathormone was elevated (1.3--1.7 microgram/liter; normal, < 0.73). His diet was not deficient in vitamin D. Gastrointestinal function was normal. Renal function was normal, apart from an increase in the maximum tubular reabsorption of phosphate (46--52.6 mg/liter glomerular filtration rate; normal, 38 +/- 5). Intravenous PTH infusion tests were performed on the patient and a control subject before and 6 months after serum calcium levels had returned to normal. The maximum increases in cAMP excretion in the patient were 0.03 and 0.05 mmol/g creatinine before and after treatment, respectively (control, 0.53 and 0.24); the maximum increases in phosphate excretion in the patient were 0.14 and 0.04 mmol/g creatinine before and after treatment, respectively (control, 0.32 and 0.07). He responded to initial treatment with a high dose of calciferol and later to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in a dose of 1 microgram/day. It is considered that renal resistance to PTH is his primary abnormality, with the bone disease representing a secondary phenomenon.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Sexual dimorphism of the phallus in spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta).

The weight of the skinned phallus and the diameter of its shaft and glans did not differ significantly in the two sexes of spotted hyaena, but phallus length was greater in males. The urethra of the penis was surrounded by corpus spongiosum, while the urogenital canal of the clitoris was suspended beneath the erectile bodies in loose connective tissue, an arrangement compatible with dilatation of the canal during copulation and parturition. The average width of the phallic meatus in juvenile females exceeded that in males of any age and, in adults, the clitoridal meatus was > 10 times the width of the penile meatus. A robust retractor muscle situated dorsal to the urogenital canal further distinguished the clitoris from the penis; this muscle may play an important role in facilitating copulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Antinuclear antibodies and cardiovascular drugs.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) can be induced by some drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The reported frequency with which these antibodies are detected in patients varies widely. This variation results from a number of factors. The sensitivity of the ANA assay is influenced by the selection of substrates, the concentration of antisera and characteristics of the detection systems such as ultraviolet microscopes or electrophoretic apparatus. The incidence of ANA also varies with age and sex of the patient, being more common in older people and in females. Identification of a drug suspected of producing ANA demands a careful evaluation of the data with precisely standardised laboratory procedures and comparison of data with appropriate control groups of untreated and treated patients. Cardiovascular drugs associated with increased ANA incidence can be considered in two categories: A) A few drugs induce ANA in most patients if therapy is continued for long enough at high enough dosage. Many of these patients develop systemic lupus erythematosus like-syndromes. This group includes procainamide, hydrallazine at high doses and practolol. B) A further group of drugs produces ANA in 20 to 30% of patients, few if any, of whom develop SLE. Methyldopa and acebutolol are clearly in this category, while there is some evidence that labetolol, guanethidine and hydrallazine at low doses may also be implicated. Some very preliminary evidence suggests those patients on the beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs atenolol, metoprolol and exprenolol exhibit a mildly increased incidence of ANA, but there is no evidence to suggest associated SLE. Only patients who develop ANA while on treatment with category A drugs require careful monitoring for SLE.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1980

The detection of double stranded DNA antibody using human metaphase chromosomes.

Double stranded native DNA (dsDNA) antibody detection is important in the diagnosis and management of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Current radioimmunoassay and haemagglutination assays for DNA antibodies are technically complicated or show considerable inter-laboratory variation. A simple inexpensive indirect immunofluorescence method using fixed human metaphase chromosomes for DNA antibody estimation is described. The method has been compared with the Farr radioimmunoassay and Crithidia luciliae techniques. The metaphase test showed 100% correlation with a positive Farr assay in 38 of 373 routine DNA antibody estimations. Simultaneous testing using Crithidia showed 84% correlation, indicating greater sensitivity of the metaphase method. Enzyme treatment of metaphase and Crithidia substrate abolished reactivity on DNAase treated substrate alone, and DNA specific fluorescent staining further confirmed metaphase substrate specificity. The metaphase test appears simple, specific, of greater sensitivity, easily read, and can be utilized in large or small laboratories to determine DNA antibodies and their subclasses.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1979

A new simple technique for the identification of antibodies against double stranded DNA: preliminary communication.

A new, simplified assay for detecting double stranded DNA antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence using fixed human metaphase chromosomes as substrate is described. The technique has the advantage of ease of preparation, clarity of reading, specificity for double stranded DNA and apparently greater sensitivity than immunofluorescent assays currently available. Thirty of 92 systemic lupus erythematosus sera were found to have double stranded DNA antibodies using the metaphase preparation, compared with 23 positive sera detected with the Crithidia luciliae technique. No double stranded DNA antibodies were detected in 90 sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The human metaphase chromosome assay could replace existing techniques for identification of double stranded DNA antibodies.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1979

Androgen insensitivity as a cause of infertility in otherwise normal men.

To ascertain if androgen insensitivity causes severe oligospermia or azoospermia we studied three unrelated, phenotypically normal men with long histories of infertility. The mean plasma concentrations and production rates of testosterone were 14.3 ng per milliliter and 10.1 mg per day, respectively, values approximately twice the average found in normal men. Serum luteinizing hormone concentrations were elevated in two of the three subjects. The specific high-affinity dihydrotestosterone binding capacity of cultured genital-skin fibroblasts was 8, 0 and 10 fmol per milligram of cellular protein, values half (or less) of those from normal men and women but similar to values in subjects with partial androgen insensitivity manifested by incomplete testicular feminization or Reifenstein syndrome. The low amount of androgen receptor and the combination of high serum gonadotropins and plasma testosterone production rates suggest that the defective spermatogenesis in these infertile men was the consequence of androgen insensitivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

A survey of airborne pollen and spores in Auckland: its use in the diagnosis of seasonal allergies.

A survey of airborne pollen and spores is being undertaken in Auckland. The results for the 15-month period from November 1976 to February 1978 are presented. Even at the height of the flowering seasons meteorological factors greatly influence the concentration of pollen and spores in the atmosphere. Consideration of these factors is therefore essential when assessing the allergic patients' symptoms and treatment. A flowering calendar for Auckland of common anemophilous plants (many of which produce allergenic pollen) is presented.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1979

Tissue antibodies in a healthy New Zealand population.

The occurrence of antinuclear, smooth muscle, parietal cell, reticulum, thyroid microsomal and mitochondrial autoantibodies in the sera of 1641 healthy males and 959 healthy females was investigated. Females were also treated for antibodies to adrenal cortex and salivary gland. A rising frequency of autoantibodies with increasing age was observed in both sexes with the average frequency being 19.3 percent for females and 15.9 percent for males. The most commonly detected autoantibodies were those directed against reticulin and thyroid microsomes. Mitochondrial, adrenal and salivary gland autoantibodies, and antinuclear antibody titres greater than 1:32 occurred so rarely in the healthy population that their appearance in patients should be regarded as a possible indication of clinical disease.

Adolescent↗