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Biomedical subjects

J Matthews

Publications and source records attributed to J Matthews.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The uterine response in pregnant inbred and non-inbred rats.

Comparisons were made between fetal, placental and metrial gland weights and the cellular composition of the placentae and metrial glands of pregnant inbred (Agus), outbred (Agus x Wistar) and random-bred (Wistar) rats. Fetal and placental weight differences between inbred and outbred rats provided evidence of hybrid vigour. Metrial gland weight differences between inbred and outbred rats showed that the Agus mothers responded to hybrid (Agus x Wistar) fetuses by producing heavier metrial glands than if they were carrying inbred fetuses, up to and included Day 18 of pregnancy. Histological examination revealed some differences between the 3 groups of rats at corresponding stages of pregnancy. Granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells formed a larger proportion of cells in the metrial gland in Agus rats carrying hybrid fetuses than in Agus rats carrying inbred fetuses up to Day 14 of pregnancy, but the situation was reversed after Day 14. Degenerative changes were more apparent in the metrial glands from Agus rats carrying hybrid fetuses than in rats from the other 2 groups from Day 15 of pregnancy onwards. Clusters of lymphocytes were a prominent feature of the placental labyrinths of Agus rats (mated with Agus or Wistar males) around Day 15 of pregnancy. Examination of single cell suspensions of metrial gland showed variations in the proportion of immunoglobulin G (Fc gamma) receptor bearing cells during pregnancy and between rats in the 3 groups of corresponding stages of pregnancy. The significance of the differences occurring in the metrial gland during pregnancy and between the groups at corresponding stages of pregnancy may be related to the functional involvement of GMG cells in cytotoxic activity directed against placental trophoblast.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A quality assurance audit of Illawarra PADP Scheme home glucose meters and evaluation of their use by patients.

A total of 187 home glucose meters have been issued to Illawarra residents by the Program of Aids for Disabled Patients (PADP) Scheme operating out of Port Kembla District Hospital in a 5-year period ending 31 December 1989. These meters, representing a valuable health resource, have been loaned to patients without audit or follow up. Sixteen per cent of meters were unable to be located and 33.2% could not be located using existing PADP records. Of those meters which could be tested, 16.4% were inaccurate; the recipient's technique was inadequate for accurate results in 36.1% of instances. This survey has revealed a significant loss of health resources in addition to inadequate clinical assessment and supervision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

A signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

We describe a variant of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described. Classic signet-ring cells represented the predominant cell type, and were admixed with more poorly differentiated tumor cells that were chromogranin positive. These findings raise the possibility of an amphicrine tumor of the ampulla.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed1990

[Diagnosis, etiology and treatment of cholangitis following bilio-digestive surgery].

Cholangitis occurring after biliary-enteric anastomosis is a well-recognized but insufficiently analyzed surgical complication. Guidelines for assessment have not been established and management remains controversial. We examined a two-year experience with recurrent cholangitis following bilio-enteric anastomosis; cholangitis in the absence of anastomotic obstruction was surprisingly frequently encountered. Although selected cases without anastomotic stenosis may be amenable to nonoperative treatment, a low threshold for surgical reintervention should be maintained because radiologic assessment of anastomotic patency is often equivocal and the clinical problem is often best managed surgically.

Cholangitis↗
PubMed1989

Reoperative median sternotomy.

Sternal reentry for reoperative cardiac procedures poses a substantial risk of technical problems. A simple technique for sternal reentry is described that is both expeditious and safe.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Mechanisms of heat removal during local hyperthermia.

Mechanisms of heat removal were studied in five recurrent squamous cell head or neck carcinomas, 50-150 cm3, heated by use of external 915 MHz microwave applicators. Thermal clearance measurements were made at a single point in each tumor. Three profiles of the tissue temperature were also measured in orthogonal directions about this point. The conduction term of the bioheat equation was evaluated from the orthogonal temperature profiles by the method of finite differences. The perfusion term of the bioheat equation was determined from the rate of temperature decay corrected for conduction. The results show that thermal conduction plays a major role in the dissipation of thermal energy during local hyperthermia. The rate of removal thermal energy by conduction ranged between 20 and 150 percent of that by perfusion. The temperature profiles show that conduction is higher than is generally expected due to heterogeneities in the blood flow which produce rapid changes in the temperature gradient. The results of this study demonstrate that the heat transport by thermal conduction in perfused tissue cannot be assumed to be small, or negligible, in comparison to that by perfusion.

Blood Circulation↗
PubMed1989

Effects of meal composition on the postprandial blood pressure, catecholamine and insulin changes in elderly subjects.

1. The effects of four meals of similar energy, but different nutritional, composition on postprandial blood pressure, heart rate, autonomic function, catecholamines, insulin and packed cell volume levels were studied in seven fit elderly subjects. 2. The high carbohydrate and high protein meals led to a significant overall fall in supine systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared either with no change or a rise after the normal (i.e. mixed) and high fat meals. Similar between-meal differences were seen with erect diastolic but not erect systolic blood pressure. No significant postural blood pressure fall occurred after any of the meals. Supine heart rate was unaffected by meal type or by time, and although erect heart rate showed a small increase during the study there was no between-meal difference. 3. Parasympathetic function was unaffected by meal type. Plasma noradrenaline rose after the high carbohydrate and mixed meals only, remaining elevated for 120 min after meal consumption. This increase was not related to the changes in blood pressure or plasma insulin levels. 4. Plasma insulin and glucose rose after the high carbohydrate and mixed meals, but were unchanged after the high protein and high fat meals. Packed cell volume showed a small decrease towards the end of the study, although there was no between-meal variation. 5. The differences in the cardiovascular changes after the different meals could not be ascribed to alterations in autonomic function, insulin release or fall in plasma volume. We propose that the postprandial changes in blood pressure are due to the nutrient composition of the meal rather than the actual energy load.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

A randomized trial of cisplatin versus cisplatin plus methotrexate in advanced cancer of the urothelial tract.

One hundred eight patients with recurrent or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract were randomized to receive cisplatin (C) 80 mg/m2 on day 1 every 4 weeks, or methotrexate (M) 50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 15 plus C 80 mg/m2 on day 2 every 4 weeks (C + M). Fifty-three eligible patients were randomized to C + M and 55 to C. In the C + M arm, 45% of patients responded (complete response [CR], 9%) and 31% (CR, 9%) in the C arm (P = .18). In the C arm, 20 patients failing or relapsing after C received M. Two patients responded, and four with progressive disease (PD) and one with a previous partial response (PR) showed no change. The median survival was 8.7 months (C + M arm) and 7.2 months (C arm), P = .7. Relapse-free survival was not significantly different, but C + M was associated with a significantly increased time to disease progression (median, 5.0 months, v 2.8 months for C arm). The response of untreated patients (37%) was not different from those with prior treatment (39%). On the C + M arm, 92% of patients and 96% of patients on the C arm received 85% or more of the scheduled C dose. Significantly more grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity (27% v 2%; P = .01) and mucositis (20% v 0%; P = .0005) occurred in patients on the C + M arm. Although the initial response rates seen on the combination arm look superior, and the time to disease progression is increased, these effects have not translated into a clinically important increase in the duration of survival and were associated with increased toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[A combined surgical and interventional-radiologic procedure in bile duct obstructions].

Surgery for biliary obstruction may be complicated by the presence of intrahepatic stones and, in difficult anastomoses, by the possibility of recurrent stricture formation. In order to decrease the need for further operation, the first surgical repair in selected cases should allow access for later radiological intervention. Primary operation consists of biliary digestive anastomosis using established techniques with a Roux-en-Y-loop. A limb of the Roux-loop may be brought to the abdominal wall and secured to the anterior parietal peritoneum to allow access for later radiological intervention either by utilizing an established tubal tract into the Roux-loop or by later puncture of the loop under ultrasound guidance. Since October 1986 we have treated 11 patients utilizing this technique. Six patients had complex strictures following cholecystectomy and two patients had obstructions secondary to alveolar or cystic Echinococcosis. One stricture was due to a previous liver resection, one followed previous operation for congenital atresia of the biliary tract and one consisted of multiple strictures and stones associated with oriental recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. In all 11 patients, postoperative radiological imaging was possible. In 6 patients, 14 radiological manoeuvers were carried out for dilatation or for removal of stones and debris. There were no complications. During a median follow-up of 11 months no patient needed further surgical intervention. The indications and techniques are outlined.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The sequence specificity of bleomycin damage in three cloned DNA sequences that differ by a small number of base substitutions.

The DNA sequence specificity of the cancer chemotherapeutic agent, bleomycin, has been investigated in three clones of human alpha RI-DNA. The three 340-base pair alpha RI-DNA sequences were almost identical in their nucleotide sequence enabling the study of subtle effects of base substitutions on bleomycin cleavage. By utilizing densitometer scanning and statistical analysis of the degree of bleomycin DNA cleavage, we found 17 significant differences between the three DNA sequences. Eleven of these differences could be attributed to base substitutions close to the dinucleotide cleavage site. However, six of the differences were at positions two or more base pairs from the base substitution sites. The significant differences were up to 12 base pairs from base substitutions. It is proposed that these long range effects are due to base substitutions causing microvariation in the DNA structure to which bleomycin cleavage is sensitive.

Base Sequence↗