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Biomedical subjects

J E Fincham

Publications and source records attributed to J E Fincham.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Increased peripheral lymphocytes, lymphoid hepatitis and anaemia in African vervet monkeys seropositive to retroviruses.

Wild-caught African Vervet monkeys are commonly infected by Simian T-lymphotropic virus I (STLV1) and Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), yet the natural histories of these infections are largely unknown. Seropositivity was associated with increased total, T and atypical lymphocytes. In seropositive females there was mild, normocytic, normochromic anaemia. Lymphoid hepatitis was present in seven seropositive cases. African Vervets used in biomedical research, vaccine production and organ transplantation research are often infected by exogenous retroviruses which can be oncogenic and immunosuppressive in captive monkeys. Elimination of these infections may be possible by breeding Vervets in captivity.

Anemia↗
PubMed1989

Semen characteristics of vervet monkeys.

Semen samples (91) from 47 vervet monkeys were collected by electroejaculation over a 2 year period. Seventy-eight of these were from 37 singly caged males of unknown fertility and 13 from 10 breeding males of known fertility. Mean values for semen characteristics of the singly caged males were: volume 0.45 ml, pH 7.8, concentration 184 x 10(6)/ml, forward progression rating 2.95 (scale 0-4), motility 55.4%, live 68% and abnormal morphology 3.5%. Mean values for semen characteristics for the breeding males were: volume 0.86 ml, pH 9.00, concentration 117.15 x 10(6)/ml, forward progression rating 3.00 (scale 0-4), motility 43.6%, live 53.3% and abnormal morphology 6%. Semen volumes in the singly caged males were lower than the volumes reported in other studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacists' views about health promotion practices.

A mail survey was conducted among a sample of 1,115 Mississippi pharmacists. The survey instrument included 25 statements concerning personal health practices which the respondents were asked to rate, using a Likert scale, on their importance to the health of an average person. Only one item, "Avoidance of alcohol altogether," received a mean score in the unimportant range. The item rated highest was "Taking prescriptions exactly as prescribed." Paradoxical attitudes concerning cigarettes and vitamins are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Low density lipoprotein kinetics in African Green monkeys showing variable cholesterolaemic responses to diets realistic for westernised people.

African Green (vervet) monkeys were fed either an atherogenic Western diet (WD), a prudent diet (PD), or a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) for various lengths of time. Monkeys differed greatly in their response to the WD, and a strong negative correlation was observed between the fractional catabolic rates (FCR) of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and the total plasma cholesterol concentrations (r = -0.83 P = 0.0029). Similarly the individual synthetic rates (SR) of LDL plotted against the total plasma cholesterol concentrations showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.94 P = 0.01 for WD animals. There was no correlation for PD or HCD animals for either SR or FCR and the total plasma cholesterol concentrations. The aortic lesion scores correlated with the SRs (r = 0.66 P = 0.040) but not with the FCRs. LDL turnover was also studied using 125I-labelled native LDL and methylated 131I-labelled LDL in African Green monkeys showing high or low cholesterolaemic response to an atherogenic Western diet. Measurements after 4 weeks and again after 6 months on the diet showed a decrease in both total and non-receptor mediated clearance of LDL. Receptor-mediated catabolism was significantly lowered in the hyperresponding group (P = 0.0011) and not in the hyporesponding group with a resultant significant difference between the two groups being P = 0.0355 after 6 months. Non-receptor mediated catabolism of LDL was similarly affected in that there was no significant difference between the two groups at 4 weeks but the clearance of methylated LDL was markedly lowered at 6 months, for the hyporesponding group P = 0.0003 and for the hyperresponding group P = 0.0184. Furthermore the hyperresponding group was depressed to a significantly greater extent when compared to the hyporesponding group (P = 0.0241).

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Plasma low density lipoprotein composition in relation to atherosclerosis in nutritionally defined Vervet monkeys.

An atherogenic diet (AD) consisting entirely of normal foods for westernized people was fed to female Vervet monkeys for 4 years. The plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol pool was increased and progression of atherosclerosis was enhanced by the AD compared to a more prudent Western diet. The increased LDL-cholesterol was carried by a 3-fold increase in particles of relatively normal composition and not by packing cholesterol esters into the cores of enlarged LDL particles, as has been reported after feeding semisynthetic diets loaded with extra cholesterol. Nevertheless, these LDL particles were atherogenic. The AD changed the fatty acid composition of LDL-cholesterol esters and triacylglycerol, notably by increasing arachidonic and reducing linoleic acid. Multivariate analysis showed that measures and scores of atherosclerosis were significantly dependent on sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine in LDL and on arachidonic acid in LDL-triacylglycerol. Although apolipoprotein B, free cholesterol, esterified cholesterol and lysophosphatidylcholine in plasma LDL and atherosclerosis were significantly positively correlated in bivariate analysis they were not selected by multivariate analysis as the strongest determinants of atherogenesis. Cholesterol in plasma high density lipoprotein was not changed by the AD and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity in plasma was inversely linked to atherosclerosis. Subcutaneous fatty acids reflected dietary fatty acids.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Reporting of adverse drug and biologic reactions in Mississippi hospitals.

There can be no doubt of the therapeutic need for adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring in hospitals. In addition, JCAHO requirements mandate the maintenance of concurrent ADR monitoring programs. In order to obtain data pertaining to ADR reporting in hospitals in Mississippi, a survey of statewide hospital-pharmacy directors was conducted. Respondents indicated the average number of ADRs reported to the pharmacy departments was 19.2 ADRs per year. An average of 2.2 ADRs were forwarded to the FDA yearly. Respondents who had recently (since 1984) undergone JCAHO inspection agreed to a greater extent than others that it was the P & T Committee's responsibility to monitor ADRs. The results indicate a need for other health professionals in hospitals to monitor and report ADRs. In addition, submission of ADRs to the FDA must occur to a greater extent than presently is occurring.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1988

Anaphylactic reaction secondary to a medication administration error in a patient receiving intravenous antibiotics.

The occurrence of either medication administration errors or adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in hospitalized patients are well documented events. The combination of the two sequelae to drug therapies can lead to potentially life threatening episodes. In the case reported here, a medication administration error led to an ADR which threatened the life of a 12-month-old boy. The patient was receiving doses of cefotaxime sodium and nafcillin sodium, and was inadvertently administered a dose of cefoxitin sodium through a nursing staff medication administration errors. The patient experienced marked flushing; pitting edema, tachycardia, and a rapid respiration rate. Wheezing was absent. The patient recovered spontaneously after discontinuance of the inappropriately administered cefoxitin sodium dose, and discontinuance of cefotaxime sodium as well. Pharmacists must remain diligent in the review of the drug use process in institutions. Appropriate reconstitution, labeling, and dispensing of prescribed IV medications does not necessarily lead to appropriate administration of the drug. Pharmacy staff reviewal of the medication administration process must be carried out in conjunction with the nursing staff to ensure appropriate drug use. Patient and professional alike will benefit from such actions.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1988

The pathology of chronic Drechslera campanulata toxicosis in inbred rats.

Cultures on autoclaved maize of the phytopathogenic fungus, Drechslera campanulata, were incorporated into diets and fed to male inbred BDIX rats. In a pilot trial, a diet containing 30% D. campanulata culture material killed 5 out of 5 rats in 15-25 days. Lesions included gastric corpus erosions, gastrorrhagia and ulcerative typhlitis. Diets containing 5% or 10% culture material induced erosive to ulcerative typhlitis and oedema and hyperplasia of the ileocaecal lymph nodes in 40 out of 40 rats. Other changes included: mass loss; normocytic, hyperchromic anaemia; leukocytosis with neutrophilia; reductions in plasma proteins, creatinine, calcium and cholesterol; elevated serum enzymes; hepatosis, nephrosis and mycoplasma-like interstitial pneumonia. No lesions were present in control rats, and their profiles were normal. Ulcerative typhlitis induced by D. campanulata in rats resembles that seen in chronic piperonyl butoxide intoxication as well as that due to single treatments of indomethacid, although small intestinal ulcers are more frequent in the latter. Overgrowth of intestinal flora may be involved in ulcer pathogenesis. The pathology of drechsleratoxicosis in rats is compared to that in sheep and goats where necrotic lesions in the forestomach and, to a lesser extent, in the caecum are characteristic findings.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Mseleni disease serum is not harmful to cultured chondrocytes.

The origins of Mseleni disease, an acquired polyarticular degenerative joint disease, are unknown. We examined sera from 12 patients with the disease, 5 unaffected Mseleni residents, and 5 Durban residents. The effects of sera from the 12 patients with Mseleni disease on DNA or sulfated proteoglycan synthesis by cultured rabbit or human infant articular chondrocytes were no different from those of control sera. Cells derived from 2 children contained no stainable DR antigens; coculture had no impact on either of the above measures of cell function.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Diets realistic for westernized people significantly effect lipoproteins, calcium, zinc, vitamins C, E, B6 and haematology in vervet monkeys.

This report describes measurements of 50 variables in adult, female, reproductively inactive Vervet monkeys during prolonged nutrition realistic for westernized people. Dietary treatments consisted of an atherogenic Western diet (WD) and a prudent Western diet (PD). Ingredients were normal foods for man and no extra cholesterol was added. Fortification of both diets with vitamin C after cooking was necessary to prevent deficiency. Randomised groups of Vervet monkeys received either the PD or WD for 47 months, while a third group was fed WD for 20 months and then PD for 27 months (WD-PD). Before the dietary treatments nourishment was by a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) and baseline and reference values (RV) apply to this nutritional status. Plasma total cholesterol (mg/dl) was increased from 147 (HCD) to 174 (PD) and 376 (WD). Individual cholesterolaemio response ranged from mild to severe and was stable (PD and WD). Dietary reversal (WD-PD) reduced cholesterolaemia promptly. Statistically significant increases in calcium, zinc and vitamin E and decreased vitamin B6 were associated with the WD relative to the PD (in serum and plasma). Two cholesterol metabolising microsomal enzymes in liver were notably increased and one unchanged (WD). There were no dietary effects on triglycerides, vitamin A and glucose in plasma; insulin, glucagon, electrolytes, copper, magnesium or enzymes reflecting liver, muscle or brain cell damage in serum. Red blood cells, platelets and directly associated parameters increased (WD), haemoglobin was the same and haemoglobin per red cell decreased. Bleeding time was not affected. Bivariate correlations across the diets confirmed that Western nutrition promoted inherent individual susceptibility to cholesterolaemia. There were notable differences from RVs in total cholesterol, calcium, packed cell volume and haemoglobin, which emphasise excesses and deficiencies of the WD and PD.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1987

Promotion and regression of atherosclerosis in vervet monkeys by diets realistic for westernized people.

We have described and measured aortic and arterial atherosclerosis in adult female Vervet monkeys (n = 61) after application of dietary treatments for 47 months. The diets were compounded entirely of normal food items for westernized people, with no extra cholesterol added. A 'Western' diet (WD), known to induce hypercholesterolaemia, was found to be atherogenic in aortas and some arteries. A more 'prudent' diet (PD) induced much less lipid infiltration into aortic intimas and was not associated with serious atherosclerotic changes. However, when this PD was used as a treatment for 27 months, following 20 months of nutrition by the WD, minimal regression of cholesterol crystals and non-lipid components of atherosclerotic plaque was detected. There was no significant coronary artery or myocardial disease in these adult females after 47 months of feeding on the WD whereas males do develop coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial fibrosis. For this model the PD would be more effective in preventing atherosclerosis than treating advanced lesions. We believe this is the first time that the pathology of atherosclerosis promoted by realistic diets has been modelled in adult females of this species.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1987

The effects of differences in state drug product selection laws on pharmacists' substitution behavior.

The objective of this project was to examine and quantify the effects of specific requirements of state drug product selection (DPS) laws on pharmacists' generic drug substitution practices. The specific requirements on which state laws differ included, for example, whether the law mandated or simply allowed DPS, whether some type of formulary was required, and whether pharmacists were required to pass on cost savings to consumers. Data on state DPS laws were found in the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy's annual Surveys of Pharmacy Law and by contacting state boards of pharmacy. Estimates of state substitution rates were provided by IMS, America. Multiple regression analysis was employed to estimate the effects of legal requirements on substitution rates. Results indicated that substitution was more prevalent in states that did not require additional record keeping and in those that did require patient consent prior to substitution. The relationship between formulary restrictions, requirements regarding the passing on of savings, and liability limiting laws and substitution rates differed significantly between those states that required a two-line prescription form and those allowing use of one-line forms. Three nonlegal variables--time the DPS law had been in effect, percent of generic prescribing in the state, and mean pharmacist age--were also associated with substitution rates.

Community Participation↗
PubMed1987

Predictors of patient satisfaction with pharmacy services in a health maintenance organization.

In a study of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) patients, five variables were shown to be predictive of patient satisfaction with pharmacy services through multiple regression analysis. The variables of satisfaction with the HMO in general, convenience of prescription filling, self-assessed positive health status, communication between provider and patient, and the view of prescription drugs as being inexpensive accounted for 26.4% of the variance in patient satisfaction with HMO pharmacy services. The results suggest areas in which attention should be directed toward maintenance of patient satisfaction with pharmacy services, especially when considering that patients may have the option of utilizing in-house or out-of-plan pharmacies for services. The authors suggest administrators of HMOs, pharmacy directors, and out-of-plan vendor pharmacists should periodically assess HMO pharmacy patient satisfaction.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1987

Estimating demand for health information: pharmacy counseling services.

Consumers want more information about their health care. Before giving more information, health care providers need valid, reliable estimates of the amounts consumers will pay for health information. Using the example of pharmacist counseling services, the authors demonstrate a method for developing, estimates of consumer demand for health information.

Community Participation↗