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Biomedical subjects

J M Harris

Publications and source records attributed to J M Harris.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Topical sodium cromoglycate in the management of atopic eczema--a controlled trial.

A double-blind, group comparison trial of a topical cream containing 4% sodium cromoglycate (SCG) was undertaken in forty-six patients with chronic atopic eczema. A statistically significant improvement was seen after 9 weeks in the actively treated patients compared with the placebo group. However, in general, no benefit was observed in severe eczema, perhaps due in some part to the seemingly late onset of action of SCG. Measurement of total serum IgE before and after the trial showed an increase in levels which was apparently unrelated to treatment with SCG or placebo or to a change in severity of the eczema. The amount of SCG in the urine was small and very variable, indicating low percutaneous absorption. The calculated bioavailability ranged from 0.01% to 2.75% of the applied dose. These results together with follow-up studies suggest that topical SCG as a long-term measure may be useful in the management of mild or moderately severe eczema, reducing the frequency of acute exacerbations.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1984

A study of hypoallergenic diets and oral sodium cromoglycate in the management of atopic eczema.

Twenty-nine atopic children aged 3-12 years were given elimination diets for 3 weeks, individual groups of foods being then reintroduced over 6 weeks. Most children improved whilst dieting and relapsed on return to normal food intake. In all but 4 cases some food group which caused exacerbation of symptoms was identified, fruits and colourings proving more of a problem than milk and eggs. Taking into account these suspected food allergens, tailored diets were designed for each child. Using these diets the group participated in a double-blind crossover trial of oral sodium cromoglycate (SCG) versus placebo. Twenty-two patients completed the trial. The results indicated that tailored diets were of value in the management of eczema but SCG did not produce a significant additional effect. At follow-up 1 year later most children were adhering to their diet; thirteen were better and only three worse. Children who had initially continued using SCG had stopped it; no accompanying change in their eczema was noticed. A considerable reduction in the use of topical steroids was observed, in marked contrast to previous requirements. Sequential measurements of total serum IgE (PRIST) showed variable changes apparently unrelated to recent SCG therapy. There was little agreement between skin prick tests and specific IgE (RAST) to corresponding foods. Correlation between RAST and food challenge was poor for positive results (r = 0.39) but good for negative results (r = 0.99).

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1984

Coronary angiography and its complications. The search for risk factors.

Previous efforts to define risk factors associated with coronary angiography have generally focused on only one or two potential candidates. These elements are often found by exploring data sets for relationships not generally specified in advance. We attempted to determine whether 14 factors were associated with increased risk in 995 patients undergoing angiocardiography in five medical centers. The study found a consistently increased risk for women, for patients having lengthier procedures, and for patients studied at one of the five centers. No evidence of increased risk was found for 11 other factors, including two related to operator experience. Data exploration ("data mining") was also undertaken, using sequential multiple logistic regression analyses. A strong risk of complications, not previously observed or hypothesized in advance, was noted for vascular complications in women studied by the brachial technique.

Angiocardiography↗
PubMed1983

Iopamidol in lumbar myelography.

Iopamidol is a new, nonionic, water-soluble contrast material currently undergoing clinical trials for intravascular and intrathecal use in Europe and the United States. In this study, 12 patients underwent lumbar myelography with this agent. For each subject, up to 12 mL of iopamidol (at 200 mg I/mL) was employed. The myelograms obtained were highly satisfactory. No serious adverse reactions were observed. The most common side effect--headache--occurred in seven patients. However, six of the seven headaches were mild and transient, and did not require treatment. Nausea occurred in two patients, back pain in two patients, hypotension and hypertension each in one patient. All of these reactions were mild and self-limited. Iopamidol appears to be a safe and conveniently used agent for lumbar myelography.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Nutritive value of methane fermentation residue in diets fed to feedlot steers.

Nutritive value of the methane fermentation residue (MFR) from the effluent of a large scale thermophilic methane generator was determined in diets fed to feedlot steers. The MFR contained 22.2% dry matter and 21.9% crude protein (dry basis). Two diets containing 10.6% (dry basis) MFR were formulated using the Urea Fermentation Potential (UFP) system such that in one diet N was in excess (-1.6 UFP) while in the other diet energy was in excess (+2.6 UFP). These two diets were compared in a California Net Energy trial with a feedlot diet (-.3 UFP) containing the same ingredients except the MFR. Six steers were fed in a replicated 3(2) Latin square metabolism trial and 70 steers were fed in a 118-d comparative-slaughter, feedlot trial. Digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, ash, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and metabolizable energy were depressed (all P less than .05) in the MFR-containing diets. Steers fed the MFR-containing diets had lower (P less than .05) rates of gain and increased (P less than .05) feed requirements per unit gain. Net energies for maintenance and gain were slightly lower for the MFR-containing diets than the control diet. Crude protein digestibility for the MFR calculated by difference, for the -UFP and the +UFP diets were 37.8 and 50.7%, while corresponding values for TDN were 28.8 and 12.8%, respectively. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements in kidney, liver and muscle as well as flavor and tenderness of steaks were not affected by feeding MFR.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Comparative trial of benzoyl peroxide versus benzoyl peroxide with urea in inflammatory acne.

Improvement in vehicle design may improve the delivery of drugs to the target site. A clinical trial was performed to evaluate an improved vehicle for topical benzoyl peroxide. Thirty-nine subjects participated in a split-face, double-blind trial of topical benzoyl peroxide 5 percent versus benzoyl peroxide 5 percent in 8 percent urea. All subjects had grade II or III acne as described by Pillsbury. Study solutions were randomly assigned to a selected side of the subject's face and applied twice a day to the appropriate side of the face for eight weeks. Total and inflammatory lesion counts were performed by the same investigator during the eight weeks of study at biweekly intervals. No overall differences in the response to the study preparations were observed when assessed objectively and subjectively.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1981

The hazards of bedside Bayes.

Those who advocate the use of Bayesian or decision-analysis approaches to solve clinical problems often assume that data on the sensitivities and specificities of diagnostic tests are readily obtainable and reliable. For the most part, however, there is little information currently available on the sensitivities and specificities of common tests. A critical review of the literature was performed for seven commonly used tests. This study showed that there is significant variability among the reported results of five of these tests. Such variability was not expected but is one more factor that any quantitative approach must consider. Two tests, the rapid-sequence excretory urogram and the thallous chloride TI 201 cardiac stress test, did not, however, show significant variation among the reported sensitivities and specificities. These findings have relevance to clinicians attempting to diagnose disease, to advocates of quantitative decision making, and to researchers seeking to clarify the nature and role of diagnostic tests.

Bayes Theorem↗
PubMed1978

Diagnostic tests and Hodgkin's disease: a standardized approach to their evaluation.

We have analyzed a series of 124 young men with Hodgkin's Disease in an attempt to clarify the role of non-invasive tests in the staging evaluation. Data are presented in a way which permits comparison between series and application of the data to decision-making models. Analysis of the data shows our patients to have had primarily limited (stage I and II) disease. In our hands certain tests were quite accurate in predicting the absence of abdominal disease (lymphangiography, hepatic scintigraphy) as determined by laparotomy, but no study appeared to eliminate the need for laparotomy in this group. Data from several other large series are also presented in the same format. The data demonstrate a large variability between institutions in the predictive value of a positive lymphangiogram. Other studies, such as splenic scintigrams, appear to have more consistent predictive values. We encourage further use of this type of data presentation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Suid evolution and correlation of African hominid localities.

Recently discovered Plio-Pleistocene vertebrate assemblages have allowed complete systematic revision of the sub-Saharan African Suidae. New phylogenies are proposed for the 7 genera and 16 species of fossil and extant representatives. Suids are common elements of African Plio-Pleistocene faunas, and their evolutionary trends, particularly in the species Mesochoerus limnetes and Metridiochoerus andrewsi, are of great correlative value. Suid data are employed in a refinement of stratigraphic correlations at Omo Shungura, Olduvai, and east of Lake Turkana (formerly East Rudolf) and in a correlation of East African and South African sites, with important implications for interpretation of hominid evolution. The suid record also bears significantly on questions of theoretical evolutionary biology.

Africa↗
PubMed1977

Apicoectomy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Apicoectomy↗
PubMed1976

Teratogenesis.

In this presentation the scope of the problem of teratogenesis and the essentials of teratology are briefly reviewed. The teratogenicity of any compound is a reflection of a complex interaction of the compound with both the maternal and fetal tissues, the genetic background of the fetus, and the time sequence of gestational events. Under such circumstances the implication of a single compound as a teratogen is difficult, a fact reflected in the high percentage of congenital morphologic abnormalities for which no cause can be ascribed. Four compounds--thalidomide, anticonvulsants, alcohol, and folic acid antagonists--with a known teratogenetic effect on the musculoskeletal system are discussed, as is the role of the orthopedic surgeon in teratology.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗