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Biomedical subjects

J Morris

Publications and source records attributed to J Morris.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

A 7-year survey of disorders attributed to vaccination in North West Thames region.

Voluntary reporting of vaccine reactions was intensified in a single large region for 7 years Anaphylaxis and collapse, convulsion, and neurological disorder were reported most frequently after diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTP). The greater frequency of recorded reactions after DTP than after DT could have been due to bias caused by the adverse publicity accorded to pertussis vaccine, since no major difference was found when the immunisation histories of children admitted to hospital with such conditions were compared. No convincing evidence that DTP caused major neurological damage emerged from this large and lengthy study.

Adolescent↗

Solubilization and assay of [3H]imipramine binding sites from human platelets.

[3H]Imipramine binding sites were characterized on outdated (72-96 h) human platelets. The binding site profile was very similar to that previously described for fresh platelets and for CNS membrane preparations. [3H]Imipramine binding sites are believed to represent the recognition site for the 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake system. In order to further investigate this molecular relationship, we solubilized [3H]imipramine binding sites using 1% digitonin and characterised them using a polyethylene glycol precipitation assay. Solubilization did not alter the pharmacological specificity or affinity of the [3H]imipramine binding site and recovery of sites was very high. It was concluded that the solubilization procedure left the binding site remarkably intact. The ready availability of platelets and the convenience of the binding assay makes this system amenable for further purification steps.

Binding Sites↗

Phenotypic switching in GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells: linked expression of growth hormone and another hormonally responsive protein.

From a phenotypically unstable, prolactin-deficient variant of GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells, variants deficient in growth hormone synthesis were isolated at high frequency (about 90%). The rate of synthesis of growth hormone (rGH) and one other hormonally responsive protein, termed p16, was substantially decreased in variant cells. Reduced synthesis of rGH was accompanied by a decrease in cytoplasmic levels of pre-rGH mRNA compared to levels found in wild-type GH3 cells. Although synthesis was decreased, inducibility of rGH and p16 synthesis by dexamethasone was unimpaired. The spontaneous reversion frequency was estimated to be near 4%. The expression of p16 was coordinately regained in an rGH-producing revertant, indicating that the expression of the two proteins is tightly coupled in GH3 cells. It was also found that p16 and p21 (another hormonally responsive protein in GH3 cells whose expression is tightly linked to that of prolactin) were detected at high levels in rat anterior pituitary. These observations suggest that, if growth hormone and p16 are encoded by distinct genes, then during the course of their evolution the two genes have developed similar genetic determinants governing basal expression and hormonal responsiveness in pituitary cells.

Animals↗

Selected features of copper metabolism in the cat.

In separate experiments, domestic short hair kittens were fed diets based on soy or egg white protein containing from 1.98 to 9.64 or 0.58 to 9.8 micrograms Cu/g diet, respectively. Moreover, kittens were also nursed from queens fed diets containing either 0.58 or 12 micrograms Cu/g of diet. In each experiment, copper was analyzed in liver, spleen, lung, heart, muscle and brain samples. The liver copper concentration was the most responsive to changes in dietary copper intake. For example, in weanling kittens fed 0.58 or 9.8 micrograms Cu/g diet, the liver copper concentration was 24 or 45 micrograms/g wet weight, respectively. Likewise, the levels of hepatic Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase were reduced in kittens fed the low copper diet. However, the concentrations of zinc, iron and manganese in liver, lung, spleen, brain, muscle and kidney were not consistently changed in response to low copper intakes. Anemia was also not a consistent feature in the copper-deficient cat or kitten, but signs of connective tissue lesions were observed in kittens born to and weaned from queens fed diets containing less than 1 micrograms Cu/g diet. Based on these observations and data for changes in growth in response to the differing levels of dietary copper, the copper requirement for the kitten was estimated to be 4-5 micrograms/g of diet (energy content approximately 5 kcal or 21 kJ per gram).

Age Factors↗

Time experience and transference.

This paper has examined the historical developments in the understanding of the experience of time in normal and pathological development, with an emphasis on the differences between "objective" time, "subjective" time, the "timelessness" of the system Ucs., and "intrapsychic" time. Using a variety of perspectives--psychobiology, cognitive development, psychosexual development, separation-individuation, and object-relations theory--time experience has been seen to unfold as a result of the constant interrelation of physiological maturation and psychosexual development, with early object relations playing a supraordinate role in organizing the experience of time from its roots in identification with the preoedipal mother (Mother Time), where time is felt as intensity, to the relatively autonomous ego-superego function of time experience in the adult with adequate separation-individuation and capacity for object constancy, where time is felt as duration and continuity. Left unanswered are (1) philosophical questions about the phenomenological observation that all time is experienced in the present in the ego, (2) what the mechanisms for intrasystemic differentiation of past, present, and future are, and (3) metapsychological questions about the locus and mechanism for monitoring the passage of experienced time. The clinical application of concepts of time experience was demonstrated through presentation of aspects of the treatment of a patient for whom time and its experience was the organizing schema for her life, character pathology, and transference neurosis. The fantasy of the omnipotent control of time dominated the analysis and served as a major resistance, yet her manipulation of time served to stabilize the treatment relationship so that analysis became possible.

Adult↗

The ontogeny of regulatory peptide-containing cells in the human fetal stomach: an immunocytochemical study.

The antral and fundic regions of the stomachs from 24 human fetuses were examined by immunocytochemistry for the presence of three regulatory peptides (gastrin, somatostatin, and glucagon) and one amine (serotonin (5-HT)) in the epithelial endocrine cells. Gastrin- and somatostatin-containing cells were present at the earliest stage examined (8 weeks). Gastrin cells were restricted to the antrum, while somatostatin cells were found in both the antrum and the fundus. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were detected from 10 weeks and were confined to the fundus. Serotonin-containing cells were found in both the antrum and the fundus from 11 weeks. Changes in the number of immunoreactive gastrin and somatostatin cells during gestation were quantified. The increase in the number of cells/mm length of vertically sectioned mucosal epithelium best reflects the change in cell population. The peptides and amine studied were found to be contained in separate cell types. Electron microscopic examination of the peptide-containing cells showed that the fetal cells contain granules of similar morphology to their adult counterparts.

Cytoplasmic Granules↗

The geriatric team in the acute care hospital: an educational and consultation modality.

Increasing numbers of older patients with acute, subacute, rehabilitative, and chronic problems are being cared for in acute care hospitals. Health care professionals working in the acute care hospital have not had the training necessary to deal with this particular population. This article discusses the conception and implementation of a multidisciplinary educational and consultation team on an acute care medical unit in an academic medical center.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗

A double-blind randomized trial of propranolol and verapamil in the treatment of effort angina.

In 18 patients with stable effort angina, verapamil, 80 mg four times daily, was compared with propranolol, 80 mg four times daily, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effects on anginal threshold, exercise capacity and left ventricular function measured by gated equilibrium blood pool scanning. Both propranolol and verapamil improved exercise capacity (placebo 424 +/- 135 W-min; propranolol 513 +/- 168 W-min, p less than 0.01; verapamil 545 +/- 215 W-min, p less than 0.005) and prolonged the time to 1 mm of ST depression (placebo 4.5 +/- 1.3 minutes; propranolol 7.4 +/- 1.4 minutes, p less than 0.005; verapamil 6.6 +/- 1.9 minutes, p less than 0.005). At rest, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction did not change significantly during drug therapy (placebo 57 +/- 13%, propranolol 55 +/- 12%, verapamil 55 +/- 13%). While taking placebo, all 18 patients had a decrease in exercise ejection fraction. In contrast, 12 patients taking propranolol and 14 patients taking verapamil had a 5% or greater increase in ejection fraction during exercise. Verapamil is an effective primary therapy and a satisfactory alternative to propranolol in patients with stable effort angina.

Adult↗

Antihypertensive therapy in patients above age 60 with systolic hypertension. A progress report of the European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE).

1. Although systolic blood pressure elevation is responsible for increased incidence of cardiovascular accidents in old people, the preventive benefit of lowering systolic hypertension in elderly has not been confirmed. 2. A double blind study comparing the effects of a placebo and of an active regimen (hydrochlorothiazide-triamterene with or without methyldopa) in people over 60 years with isolated systolic hypertension has been undertaken by the European Working Party on High blood pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE). 3. The actively treated group shows a lowered sitting blood pressure (-15/6 mm Hg), a mild increase of serum creatine, serum uric acid and blood glucose and a mild decrease of serum potassium after two years of treatment when compared to the spontaneous changes observed in the placebo treated group. 4. The study is continuing to evaluate if the blood pressure reduction prevents or reduces the incidence of cardiovascular accidents, although some biochemical changes were provoked by the treatment.

Aged↗

Central ocular motor abnormalities in Duane's retraction syndrome.

Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS) is a congenital eye movement disorder characterized by marked limitation or absence of abduction, variable limitation of adduction, and narrowing of the palpebral fissure with retraction of the globe on attempted adduction. We have recently recorded and quantitated ocular motility in five patients with unilateral DRS. In all patients, abduction of the affected eye was greatly limited, whereas adduction was limited, whereas adduction was limited to a lesser degree. Abnormalities in saccadic velocities were found in both the affected eye and the sound eye. Results of testing of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, optokinetic nystagmus, and optokinetic afternystagmus showed notable asymmetry. Our results suggest that DRS is produced by a primary brainstem abnormality involving premotor structures.

Adolescent↗

Test-retest reliability of the Wechsler Memory Scale, Form I.

Administered the Wechsler Memory Scale, Form I (WMS) twice to 34 normal Ss and 30 hospitalized patients with psychiatric or neurological disorders. In the normal group, the Memory Quotient (MQ) test-retest reliability was r(32) = .75, p less than .001. The mean retest gain in points was 7.2, median gain was 7, and range of gain was from -18 to +28. The increase in mean MQ over time was significant, t(33) = 3.95, p less than .001. In the psychiatric-neurological group, the MQ test-retest reliability was r(28) = .89, p less than .001. The mean retest gain points was 4, median gain was 4.5, and range of gain was from -12 to +23. The increase in mean MQ over time was significant, t(29) = 2.32, p less than .05. Although the WMS possesses acceptable psychometric reliability, the clinician must keep in mind that the MQ may change significantly over time for individual Ss.

Adult↗

The effect of the introduction of prenatal diagnosis on the reproductive history of women at increased risk from neural tube defects.

The reproductive history of 45 couples at increased risk for neural tube defect (NTD) who came for genetic counselling in 1970 and 1971 were compared with a similar number counselled in 1975 and 1976, when prenatal diagnostic tests were freely offered. They were subsequently interviewed in their homes and had their reproductive history recorded to the end of 1973 and 1978 respectively. Nearly all had a previous child with an NTD and none of the women were pregnant at the time of counselling. The effect of prenatal diagnosis was to speed somewhat the decision about further pregnancies, but the number of couples deciding on no further children and on having further pregnancies were almost identical in the two groups. The average number of pregnancies was 2.8 per family, with only 1.2 surviving children. The pregnancy outcomes are discussed as are the reasons for not attempting further pregnancies in both groups, which included very high risk of recurrence, a surviving spina bifida child, inability to accept the tests or its implications. Ninety per cent of the second group had tests. Their reactions to the tests were favorable but all complained of the waiting time between amniocentesis and obtaining the results. They all would have tests again in any future pregnancy. The reason for women not having prenatal diagnostic tests included inability to accept termination. It is concluded that couples in South Wales decide either to have no more children or to have further pregnancies regardless of tests, but tests speed a decision and enable the women to enjoy the pregnancy after obtaining the results, and that an NTD greatly reduces the number of children per family. A termination for an NTD is much more acceptable to most than an NTD at term. The reasons for this are discussed.

Abortion, Induced↗

Evasion of the oxidative microbicidal activity of human monocytes by trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma dionisii.

Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma dionisii, a stercorarian trypanosome from bats, are effectively killed by neutrophils from human peripheral blood but are less sensitive to the cytotoxic action of human monocytes. The mechanism of killing appears to involve peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide. Trypomastigotes are as effective as epimastigotes in inducing the formation of hydrogen peroxide by effector cells. They are, however, less sensitive than epimastigotes to the cytotoxic effect of peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide. They are therefore susceptible to the high concentrations of peroxidase found in the phagosome of the neutrophil, but resist the lower levels encountered in monocytes.

Humans↗

Incorporation of axonally transported glycoproteins into axolemma during nerve regeneration.

The insertion of axonally transported fucosyl glycoproteins into the axolemma of regenerating nerve sprouts was examined in rat sciatic motor axons at intervals after nerve crush. [(3)H]Fucose was injected into the lumbar ventral horns and the nerves were removed at intervals between 1 and 14 d after labeling. To follow the fate of the "pulse- labeled" glycoproteins, we examined the nerves by correlative radiometric and EM radioautographic approaches. The results showed, first, that rapidly transported [(3)H]fucosyl glycoproteins were inserted into the axolemma of regenerating sprouts as well as parent axons. At 1 d after delivery, in addition to the substantial mobile fraction of radioactivity still undergoing bidirectional transport within the axon, a fraction of label was already associated with the axolemma. Insertion of labeled glycoproteins into the sprout axolemma appeared to occur all along the length of the regenerating sprouts, not just in sprout terminals. Once inserted, labeled glycoproteins did not undergo extensive redistribution, nor did they appear in sprout regions that formed (as a result of continued outgrowth) after their insertion. The amount of radioactivity in the regenerating nerves decreased with time, in part as a result of removal of transported label by retrograde transport. By 7-14 d after labeling, radioautography showed that almost all the remaining radioactivity was associated with axolemma. The regenerating sprouts retained increased amounts of labeled glycoproteins; 7 or 14 d after labeling, the regenerating sprouts had over twice as much of radioactivity as comparable lengths of control nerves or parent axons. One role of fast axonal transport in nerve regeneration is the contribution to the regenerating sprout of glycoproteins inserted into the axolemma; these membrane elements are added both during longitudinal outgrowth and during lateral growth and maturation of the sprout.

Animals↗

Clinical aspects of the measurement of oxygen flux into the cornea.

A comparison was firstly done of the oxygen flux through the Bausch and Lomb Plano T lens, the Bausch & Lomb U3 lens, and the Duragel 75 lens with a sensor on the normal eye. The results showed that the Bausch and Lomb Plano T lens was the best for use with the sensor probe. The sensor was then used to obtain a comparison with the normal oxygen flux through a therapeutic lens on keratoplastic eyes and eyes with bullous keratopathy. The results showed that both conditions had a lower oxygen consumption than normal and that eyes with bullous keratopathy predictably had the lowest value.

Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic↗