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Biomedical subjects

J R Davidson

Publications and source records attributed to J R Davidson.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Catechol-O-methyltransferase activity and classification of depression.

Red blood cell catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity was compared across different depressive diagnoses. In a sample of 88 depressed inpatients, using defined criteria, no difference was found in respect of enzyme activity and the following categories: primary, secondary, delusional, nondelusional, endogenous, nonendogenous (neurotic), characterological depressions. COMT did not vary with age or sex. A significant increase in COMT activity was noted in agitated, depressed males, as compared to other groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Antidepressant drug therapy in psychotic depression.

Imipramine and phenelzine were ineffective in the treatment of five primary unipolar depressives with delusions, even when plasma levels of imipramine and desmethylimipramine or activity of platelet monoamine oxidase suggested that an adequate dose of drug had been given. Four patients went on to receive ECT and all responded well. Five non-delusional patients responded satisfactorily to the antidepressant drug given. Nine out of ten subjects were women. Non-delusional patients showed some placebo response. ECT is considered to be the treatment of choice in the acute phase of delusional depression in women.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Interspecies transformation of streptomycin resistance in oral streptococci.

Donor deoxyribonucleic acid extracted from streptomycin-resistant (Str(R)) mutant derivatives of a variety of strains of Streptococcus mutans, S. salivarius, and S. sanguis was used to transform streptomycin resistance into competent S. sanguis strain Challis. Transfer of genetic markers for sorbitol and mannitol fermentation and for extracellular polysaccharide as demonstrated by colonial morphology was not detected in this study. Reciprocal transformation between strain Challis and other oral streptococci could not be demonstrated. Transformation frequencies for Str(R) were relatively efficient among S. sanguis strains, with lower but significant frequencies demonstrated with strain Challis and donor deoxyribonucleic acid derived from other oral streptococci.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1976

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in schizophrenia.

The activity of platelet monoamine oxidase in 12 chronic schizophrenic patients was not significantly different from that in a matched group of normal individuals. The authors emphasize the importance of simultaneous processing of control and patient blood samples and the use of carefully controlled techniques, since relatively minor changes in procedure can markedly influence platelet yield and leucocyte contamination.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Catechol O-methyltransferase in red blood cells of schizophrenic, depressed, and normal human subjects.

Catechol O-methyltransferase of lysed human red blood cells was assayed under optimal conditions, using saturating concentrations of the substrates, S-adenosyl-L-methionine and 3-4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The mean enzyme activity found in 24 normal subjects was 29-2 nmol/hr/ml RBC. The mean activity in blood of 33 female unipolar depressives was not significantly different from normal. However, higher enzyme activities were observed in the blood of 11 schizophrenic patients (38-9 nmol/hr/ml RBC). Partially purified enzyme preparations from blood of normal and schizophrenic individuals were indistinguishable with respect to substrate specificities, isoelectric pH values, and ratios of the two O-methylated products. Therefore it is unlikely that any defect in O-methylation which may occur in schizophrenia can be attributed to a change in the intrinsic properties of erythrocyte catechol O-methyltransferase.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

The nurse and research.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed1975

Psychotropic drugs on general medical and surgical wards of a teaching hospital.

We examined the prescribing habits for psychotropic drugs of internists, surgeons, and gynecologists on their inpatient wards in a teaching hospital. Data were gathered from patients' charts and pharmacy records. In a six-week period, 9% of all admissions received such a drug. The male:female ratio and black:white ratios were studied; the maximum incidence of receiving these medications was in the 50- to 60-year age group. Minor tranquilizers were prescribed most frequently, followed, respectively, by major tranquilizers, barbiturates, and antidepressants. Less than half the available drugs were used, but drugs of differernt groups were often used interchangeably in an unsystematic fashion, and there was little evidence as to how effective a drug had been. It also seemed that depression was often overlooked or insufficiently treated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lung cancer treatment decisions: patients' desires for participation and information.

This study examined responses of 21 lung cancer outpatients to questions about their desired and actual levels of involvement in treatment decisions, and about information needed for treatment decision-making. A 'treatment trade-off' interview was used to assess patients' preferences for hypothetical treatment options. Desired roles in decisions are examined in relation to treatment preference and information needs. Forty-three percent of patients recalled desiring an active/collaborative role in their real treatment decision. For 29% of patients, there was a discrepancy between their recalled desired role and their recalled actual role; in each of these cases the patient had been less involved in the decision than they had desired. At the time of the interview (mean 26 months post-treatment), 57% of patients desired an active or collaborative role in treatment decisions. The majority of patients rated the following types of information as 'essential' to treatment decisions: details of the treatment regimen, early and late side-effects, survival, and effects of treatment on disease symptoms. The data suggest that: we should be attentive to the individual's desired role in treatment decisions at each step of care to avoid a mismatch between desired and actual involvement; desired role in decision-making does not predict treatment preference; and patients generally want a wide variety of information on treatment options in order to participate in treatment decisions.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nonpharmacologic group treatment of insomnia: a preliminary study with cancer survivors.

This study describes, and examines the initial efficacy of, a sleep therapy programme developed for cancer patients with insomnia. The six-session group programme included stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, and other strategies aimed at consolidating sleep and reducing cognitive-emotional arousal. The 12 final participants were patients of a regional cancer centre; mean age was 54.7 years (S.D. 10.4); median time from cancer diagnosis was 33.6 months; all had high performance status. Participants kept sleep diaries and rated their sleep quality, mood and functioning at baseline, week 4 and week 8. Significant improvement over baseline was observed at weeks 4 and 8 in the number of awakenings, time awake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, sleep quality ratings, and scores on European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 role functioning and insomnia. Total sleep time and fatigue were significantly improved at week 8. The sleep therapy programme was associated with improved sleep, reduced fatigue and enhanced ability to perform activities in relatively well individuals attending a cancer centre. This is preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the programme. Further research is required to examine the programme's effectiveness and suitability for a wider range of people with cancer. Options for providing cancer patients with access to nonpharmacologic treatments for insomnia are discussed.

Attitude to Health↗