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Biomedical subjects

J G Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to J G Murphy.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

The atrio-ventricular node artery in the human heart.

The atrioventricular node artery is a major contributor to the arterial supply of the atrioventricular conducting pathway and is an important vessel in the pathogenesis of heart block. The terminal ramifications of this artery were studied in detail by serial sectioning techniques in 50 human infant hearts. The artery provided branches to the posterior interventricular septum in all hearts (100%) and to the interatrial septum in 22 hearts (44%). The vessel supplied the atrioventricular node in 45 hearts (90%) but it terminated before reaching the node in five (10%). It supplied the penetrating bundle in 32 hearts (64%). Alternative sources of arterial supply to the atrioventricular conducting pathway include: the first septal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery; the descending septal artery; and anterior atrial branches. Although the arterial supply to this region of the heart is variable, it is possible to make hypothetical predictions of conducting tissue involvement in myocardial infarction of various types.

Arteries↗
PubMed1983

Pregnancy-resolution decisions. What if abortions were banned?

This study addressed two related questions: (1) what sets of psychosocial characteristics distinguish women who have had an abortion from those who have not? (2) What sets of characteristics distinguish women who, given their present situations, predict they would terminate an unplanned pregnancy from those who predict they would carry such a pregnancy to term? Fifteen variables associated with pregnancy-resolution decisions were tested in multiple logistic regression analyses. Only number of children was strongly (and positively) predictive of having had an abortion. Four variables predicted expectation that an unplanned pregnancy would be terminated. These results suggest that a ban on abortions would affect virtually all women in the study cohort and that the pregnancies affected would be those that occur when the women are least able to care for a (or another) child and when they feel somewhat positive about their potential for self-improvement.

Abortion Applicants↗
PubMed1982

3'-Hydroxy- and (+/-)-3',11-dihydroxy-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol: biologically active metabolites of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Synthesis of 3'-hydroxy- (7) and (+/-)-3',11-dihydroxy-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11), metabolites of delta 9-THC, is described. Condensation of the monoterpene (+/-)-cis-p-menth-2-ene-1,8-diol (1) and (+/-)-3'-acetoxyolivetol (2) in the presence of fused ZnCl2 in CH2Cl2 gave a mixture from which the delta 9-THC derivative 3, containing small amounts of the delta 8-isomer 4, was isolated after column chromatography. This mixture was separated as their diacetates 5 and 6 by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Alkaline hydrolysis (5% KOH in MeOH) of 5 furnished the metabolite 7. Condensation of (+/-)-8 with 2 in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid gave 9a, which was acetylated to 9b. Treatment with HgO/BF3 X Et2O in wet THF gave the aldehyde 10. Reduction with LiAlH4 furnished the metabolite 11. These metabolites were compared with delta 9-THC for their ability to depress spontaneous activity and rectal temperature in mice and for their effects on overt behavior in dogs. 3'-Hydroxy-delta 9-THC was also compared to delta 9-THC in the mouse sympatomatology test and cardiovascular system in dogs. The metabolites produced pharmacological effects similar to those of delta 9-THC in all tests. 3'-Hydroxy-delta 9-THC was 2-3 times more effective than delta 9-THC in the behavioral tests, whereas (+/-)-3',11-dihydroxy-delta 9-THC was approximately 3 times less active than delta 9-THC.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

A cost-benefit analysis of community versus institutional living.

As part of a project to develop a model procedure for returning residents of institutions to the community, the Commonwealth of Virginia contracted with a consulting firm to develop a methodology for conducting a cost-benefit analysis of institutional versus community living. The methodology was used to project costs and benefits over a ten-year period for 52 clients successfully placed in the community through the project, called Service Integration for Deinstitutionalization (SID). The results showed an average net saving for each client of $20,800 over a ten-year period, mostly to the state government. The authors describe the methodology used in the analysis, the cost and benefit elements considered, and the adjustments made for economic factors that could not be measured directly.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new pressure ulcer risk assessment scale for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Each year, one-fourth of the 200,000 individuals with spinal cord injury in the United States develop pressure ulcers. No method currently exists, however, to accurately identify which of these individuals are at increased risk for development of pressure ulcers. We studied 219 spinal cord-injured patients, seen at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, during a 6-yr period. Our goal was to develop a pressure ulcer risk assessment scale, specifically for persons with SCI. Each risk factor had to meet four criteria: (1) statistical association with pressure ulcer development; (2) biologically plausible mechanism; (3) literature support; (4) improved prediction. Among the 219 spinal cord-injured patients evaluated, 176 (80.4 percent) had a history of one or more pressure ulcers. Fifteen risk factors met the four criteria for inclusion into the risk assessment scale. They were as follows: restricted activity level, degree of immobility, complete spinal cord injury, urinary disease, impaired cognitive function, diabetes, cigarette smoking, residence in a nursing home or hospital, hypoalbuminemia, and anemia. Compared with the more general scales available, for quantifying the risk of pressure ulcer development, preliminary results suggest that this new scale is a significant improvement for the spinal cord-disabled.

Adolescent↗