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Biomedical subjects

J Durham

Publications and source records attributed to J Durham.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The gravely inadequate definition of a "mentally ill person" in the Mental Health Act (New South Wales) 1983.

The definition, given in Section 5 of the new Act, of a "mentally ill person" is examined. It is argued that this "definition" is cumbersome, logically incoherent, and impractical. It is predicted that if given effect it will have very unwelcome consequences. Various sources of inherent misunderstanding and uncertainty are noted. Arguments are presented for allowing severe mental illness itself rather than its consequences to be the ground for involuntary hospitalization in certain circumstances. Various suggestions are proposed for the Section's amendment. These fall into two categories, depending upon alternative assumptions: (1) minor improvements, upon the pessimistic assumption that the main structure and content of the definition will be retained; (2) more radical amendment, involving the abandonment of the entire present structure of the section, and the adoption of a working definition of "mental illness" with clear safeguards against error and abuse. The nature and requirements of such a definition are discussed.

Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders↗

The immunological relationship between canine herpesvirus and four other herpesviruses.

Canine herpesvirus (CHV) was compared with four other herpesviruses by several serological techniques. Cross-neutralization was demonstrated between CHV and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and pseudorabies virus. Non-neutralizing cross-reactions were found with these viruses and also with equine abortion virus and bovine mammillitis virus. The data suggest that CHV is immunologically more closely related to herpes simplex virus than to the other viruses used in this study.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Inadequate provision for electroconvulsive therapy in the New South Wales Mental Health Act 1983.

Division 2 of Part X of the NSW Mental Health Act 1983 lays down a set of conditions which must be satisfied before electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be given. These provisions are too restrictive and would deny ECT to a considerable proportion of the patients who are most likely to benefit from it. For many of them it would be the only effective treatment. Principles which should govern the authorisation of ECT are proposed.

Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders↗

Follow-up report on 50 subjects vaccinated against herpes genitalis with Skinner vaccine.

Fifty subjects at risk of herpes genitalis received 109 immunizations with Skinner herpes vaccine and were assessed after a follow-up period of 4-48 months, representing a total follow-up period of 694 patient months. There was no evidence of contraction of herpes genitalis in 49 subjects. The risk of virus transmission and rate of contraction of disease was quantified by construction of two functions, namely a unit of exposure risk calculated per year (UYE) and standard contraction rate (SCR); in this study the SCR was 0.02. There was no evidence of significant side-effects from vaccination. Administration of Alhydrogel adjuvant with vaccine induced temporary granuloma formation in most subjects but was only detectable beyond 1 year of follow-up in one subject, in whom a painless swelling of 0.2 cm was detected 3 years after vaccination. There was no evidence of immunological reactivity to host cell or calf serum antigens in any of the subjects vaccinated.

Adolescent↗

Antibody reactivity with Skinner HSV vaccine.

Antibody reactivity against herpes simplex virus (HSV) was investigated in 15 subjects who received three subcutaneous immunisations with Skinner HSV vaccine. Humoral antibody responses were detected against type 1 HSV in every subject and against type 2 HSV in all but one subject; immuno-precipitating antibody responses were infrequently detected. There was no antibody reactivity against host-cell (MRC-5), foetal calf serum or rubella virus antigen. None of the vaccinated subjects developed clinical evidence of herpes genitalis.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Elevation of adenylate cyclase activity during leukemic cell differentiation.

Exposure of the various human myeloid leukemic cell lines (HL60 and RDFD) to various compounds results in marked differentiation of the cells. This differentiation is associated with a marked increase in both basal and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) activity. The increase in AC activity occurs regardless of the differentiation inducer one has utilized (retinoic acid (RA), dimethyl formamide (DMF), hypoxanthine (HPX) or actinomycin D (actD) and is correlated with this process, as a variant of the HL60 cell (HL60-Blast) that does not differentiate upon exposure to the various inducers does not demonstrate this increase in AC activity. In addition, the differentiation process is associated with a rapid increase in intracellular cAMP within hours of adding the inducer, followed by a gradual decrease.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Role of bovine mammillitis virus towards preparation of an alternative vaccine against herpes simplex virus infections of human subjects.

Bovine mammillitis virus (BMV) cross-reacted in neutralization and radioimmune assay with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and pre-immunization with BMV protected against challenge by type 2 HSV. There was no evidence to suggest a pathogenic role for BMV as adjudged by a literature search or field enquiry and BMV specific antibody was not detected in 21 human sera or in four sera from personnel engaged in research with BMV; in addition there was no replication or antigen synthesis by BMV in explants of human tissue or cell lines of human origin. It is proposed that BMV might provide an alternative vaccine against HSV infections of human subjects.

Animals↗

Actions and interactions of estradiol and retinoic acid in mouse anterior prostate gland.

Experiments were designed to define the ability of retinoic acid to block the estrogen-induced metaplasia in the mouse anterior prostate gland (coagulating gland), and to elucidate some of the biochemical correlates of the actions and interactions of these two compounds. In castrated mice, the estrogen-induced metaplasia of epithelial cells consisted of multi-layered, nonpolarized cells, which accumulated to fill the lumen of the acini. Retinoic acid had no discernable effect on epithelial morphology of castrates, but significantly reduced the estrogen-induced metaplasia. Likewise, the estrogen-induced increases in the prostatic wet weight, ratio of ribonucleic to deoxy ribonucleic acids (RNA/DNA) and glycosyltransferases, as well as the decreases in 21,000 and 28,000 Mr soluble proteins were prevented by retinoic acid; the retinoid had no effect on these various parameters when administered alone to castrates. In contrast, the cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent phosphorylations at 16,000, 18,000, and 25,000 Mr and the activities of the type II cAMP-dependent kinase were uniformly reduced by both estradiol and retinoic acid. Tests of the action of the anti-estrogen LY-156758 on estrogen and retinoid effects showed that for those parameters on which retinoic acid was anti-estrogenic, LY-156758 was also anti-estrogenic. However, the qualitatively similar effects of retinoic acid and estradiol, which were confined to selected aspects of protein phosphorylation, were not antagonized by LY-156758. It is concluded that in the mouse anterior prostate, retinoic acid has both anti-estrogenic and estrogenic actions, and the latter may occur independently of the estrogen receptor.

Animals↗

The early fate of venous repair after civilian vascular trauma. A clinical, hemodynamic, and venographic assessment.

Repair of major venous injuries of the extremities has been advocated to improve limb salvage rates and to prevent the early and late sequelae of venous interruption. The contribution of venous repair to the surgical outcome remains controversial, however, in part because the fate of venous reconstruction has previously not been well defined. The current study was done to determine the early patency rate of venous repair, to compare the accuracy of various methods used to assess venous patency, and to analyze the relationship between early venous patency and surgical outcome. During a recent 27-month period, 36 patients with major extremity venous injuries were treated by venous reconstruction; 34 patients (94%) had an associated major arterial injury that also required repair. Venous repair was performed in the upper extremity (22%) as well as the lower extremity (78%) using various reconstructive methods, including lateral repair (17%), end-to-end anastomosis (11%), autogenous vein patching (25%), interposition autogenous vein grafting (42%), and panelled autogenous vein grafting (6%). After operation, venous repair patency was evaluated by clinical examination, impedence plethysmography, and Doppler ultrasonography, and contrast venography. There were no perioperative deaths in these 36 patients. The limb salvage rate was 100% and all 34 major arterial repairs were patent at the time of hospital discharge. Venography performed on the seventh postoperative day demonstrated that 14 venous repairs had thrombosed (39%) and that 22 had remained patent (61%). Local venous repair had a significantly lower thrombosis rate (21%) than those requiring interposition vein grafting (59%) (p less than 0.03). Compared with venography, the clinical evaluation was 67% accurate in the assessment of venous repair patency, and the noninvasive examination was 53% accurate. In conclusion, a substantial percentage of venous repairs will thrombose in the postoperative period, especially if interposition vein grafting is used. However, in this series limb salvage was not adversely influenced by an unexpectedly high rate of venous repair thrombosis. In addition, clinical evaluation and noninvasive testing did not provide an accurate assessment of venous patency after venous repair.

Adolescent↗

Potentiation between intracellular cyclic-AMP-elevating agents and inducers of leukemic cell differentiation.

Acute leukemia is the result of a defect in the process of normal cellular differentiation. Human leukemia cell lines (HL60, RDFD-2) have been established which can be induced to differentiate into phenotypically mature cells by a variety of agents. Recent evidence suggests that cyclic adenosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and the cAMP dependent protein kinase (cAMP-dPK) may be intimately involved in myeloid differentiation. The addition of low levels of a wide variety of inducers of a diverse chemical nature, dimethylformamide (DMF), retinoic acid (RA), actinomycin D (ACT-D) or hypoxanthine (HPX) prior to the addition of 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine 3'-5' monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP), cholera toxin (CT) or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) results in marked potentiation of differentiation of both HL60 and RDFD cells as manifested by the acquisition of the antigen OKM-1, the ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium or expression of the chemotactic receptor. Potentiation of differentiation is also observed when 8-Br-cAMP, CT or IBMX is added prior to the addition of either RA, DMF, ACT-D or HPX. These results suggest a role for cAMP in myeloid differentiation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Patient selection for cardiac transplantation.

Since February 1984, 27 isotopic cardiac transplants have been performed in 25 patients. These 25 patients were from a pool of 45 patients who were accepted into the Programme. Sixteen patients have died awaiting a transplant, and four patients are presently on the waiting list. All patients accepted for cardiac transplantation were NYHA Class IV. There were 136 referrals during this period for cardiac transplantation, and 14 referrals for heart-lung transplantation. The commonest reason for non-acceptance into the Programme is that patients were considered not to be ill enough and to have a prognosis of more than six months. Patient selection is a key factor in ensuring a successful outcome with cardiac transplantation.

Adolescent↗

Pathologic features of muscle in systemic lupus erythematosus: a biopsy series with comparative clinical and immunopathologic observations.

Clinical evidence of skeletal muscle involvement is frequent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In order to characterize the manifestations of SLE in skeletal muscle, a biopsy series on 19 patients with SLE was studied in terms of the histologic, histochemical, and direct immunofluorescent features of skeletal muscle. The results were correlated with clinical and laboratory data. The histologic spectrum included inflammatory myopathy, vasculitis, perifascicular atrophy, and neurogenic atrophy. Histochemical examination revealed type I fiber predominance in 44 per cent of patients and selective type II fiber atrophy in 33 per cent. Direct immunofluorescent examination of skeletal muscle biopsy specimens revealed immunoglobulin and complement deposition in vessel walls, in sarcolemmal basement-membrane areas, and within non-necrotic muscle fibers. The histologic, histochemical, and immunochemical findings are correlated with the findings in other organ systems.

Adult↗

Preparation and immunogenicity of vaccine Ac NFU1 (S-) MRC towards the prevention of herpes genitalis.

A subunit antigenoid vaccine, Ac NFU1 (S-) MRC, was used to prevent primary herpes genitalis in 60 subjects considered to be at risk of this infection. There was no evidence of serious local or general side effects. Neutralising antibody responses were detected in 59% and 90% of subjects receiving the low and high doses of vaccine respectively; immunoprecipitating antibody was detected at a lower frequency, namely in 23% and 43% of subjects receiving the low and high doses respectively. After a mean follow-up period of 18 months none of the vaccinated subjects contracted herpes genitalis after completing the vaccination course.

Adult↗

The effects of a disulphonic stilbene on chloride and bicarbonate transport in the turtle bladder.

1. In turtle bladders bathed by Na-free media containing Cl and HCO3, the mucosa is electropositive to the serosa. Serosally applied 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-2,2'-disulphonic stilbene (SITS) reduces the p.d. and Isc by 100%, and reduces the rate of net Cl reabsorption in some bladders but not in others. 2. In the absence of exogenous HCO2 (Cl present), SITS reduces the p.d. and Isc by 100%, and reduces the rate of mucosal acidification by 80%; net Cl reabsorption is not detectable under these HCO3-free bathing conditions. 3. In the absence of exogenous Cl (HCO3, present), the mucosa is also electropositive to the serosa and serosally applied SITS reverses the orientation of the p.d. and Isc so that the mucosa becomes electronegative to the serosa. 4. This constitutes sufficient evidence for the active, electrogenic secretion of an anion, probably HCO3. These data are explained by an analogue of discrete, electrogenic pumps and paths for the reabsorption of Na, Cl, and HCO3, and the secretion of HCO3.

Animals↗

Amiloride-induced stimulation of HCO-3 reabsorption in turtle bladder.

Amiloride in the mucosal fluid (at concentrations of 5 . 10(-6) M to 10(-4) M) reversibly stimulates the HCO-3-dependent moiety of the short-circuiting current (Isc) in ouabain-treated turtle bladders bathed by Na-free Ringer solutions with or without Cl-. This effect is uniquely different from the known inhibitory effect of this agent on Na+ transport. Thus, any comprehensive hypothesis on the action of amiloride over a wide dosage-response range should take into account its effect on HCO-3 transport.

Amiloride↗