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Biomedical subjects

J Rowe

Publications and source records attributed to J Rowe.

158 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Modulation of prostacyclin and thromboxane secretion by cytotrophoblasts from normal and pre-eclamptic human pregnancies.

We and others have previously observed an imbalance in cytotrophoblast secretion of the vasoactive prostanoids prostacyclin and thromboxane A(2) in pre-eclampsia. To examine the effects of potential modulators of this imbalance, cytotrophoblasts isolated from normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies were incubated in the presence of lipopolysaccharide, the calcium ionophore A23187, tumour necrosis factor alpha, or interleukin 1beta, with or without the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin. Further incubations included the drugs tranylcypromine, a prostacyclin synthetase inhibitor (0.1, 10 microM ), or the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, pirmagrel (0.001, 1 microM ). Results showed that cytotrophoblasts from pre-eclamptic pregnancies had increased thromboxane production and significant stimulation of prostacyclin production by lipopolysaccharide and calcium ionophore. Lipopolysaccharide stimulated thromboxane production in normal cytotrophoblasts, while indomethacin almost completely inhibited production of both prostanoids. Tranylcypromine mildly inhibited prostacyclin production in normal cytotrophoblasts only, whereas pirmagrel strongly inhibited thromboxane production in a dose-related manner, with reciprocal increase in prostacyclin production occurring in cytotrophoblasts from pre-eclamptic pregnancies. This study confirmed that cytotrophoblasts from pre-eclamptic women had increased thromboxane production and showed that pirmagrel, at the relatively low dose of 0.001 microM, was able to normalize the imbalance of thromboxane and prostacylin production and may therefore warrant further investigation as a treatment for pre-eclampsia.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of lead on fetal growth in a Canadian smelter city, 1961-1990.

The fetuses of women who live adjacent to a large lead smelter may experience intrauterine growth retardation that results from the mothers' systemic availability of lead absorbed from their environment. In this study, the authors used 30 y of birth records (n = 9329) to obtain fetal growth measurements for the smelter city and a suitable control city. The authors determined rates of intrauterine growth retardation (small-for-date births) for 5-y periods, and they determined the estimated relative risk of intrauterine growth retardation that occurred in the smelter city and compared it with the control city. The risk of intrauterine growth retardation for women in the smelter city was not significantly greater (odds ratio = 0.83) for either the 30-y period or each of the 5-y periods (odds ratio range = 0.51-1.33). The authors concluded that fetal growth was not affected by the amount of lead absorbed by women who lived in a smelter environment.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

My brother's keeper: simultaneous hospitalization of siblings.

Milieu therapists are confronted with a dilemma when more than one child in the same family requires hospitalization. Conventional wisdom discourages simultaneous hospitalization of siblings on the same unit. The sibling bond, however, is an important aspect of development and can be used therapeutically. This paper examines issues and opportunities presented to milieu therapists by the simultaneous hospitalization of siblings, and makes recommendations for maximizing therapeutic use of the sibling bond.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In support of sibling inclusion: a literature review.

The responses of siblings to a childhood mental illness have been conceptualized in different ways. When siblings have not been ignored, they have been viewed most frequently as an influence upon the illness or as subject to the same dynamics that were believed to have caused the mental illness. As conceptualizations of the causes of mental illness have changed, the literature on siblings has changed to focus on the impact of the illness on the sibling. How siblings and sibling relationships are conceptualized has important implications for clinical research and practice. More research is needed to understand the sibling experience in childhood mental illness. Clinicians can do more for the family if all of the family dynamics and responses to the illness are explored.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Symptomatic sick sinus syndrome due to guanethidine. Case report.

A patient is described who developed symptomatic sinus bradycardia as low as 20 beats per minute and sinus arrest of up to 4.4 seconds while receiving guanethidine, 75 mg daily. The bradycardia resolved following discontinuation of the drug and reappeared upon challenge with it. Intrinsic disease of the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes was evidenced 3 weeks following discontinuation of the guanethidine by a borderline abnormally prolonged sinus node recovery time of 1500 msec and a PR interval of 0.28 seconds. Although sinus bradycardia is a known and not infrequent side effect of guanethidine, such an extreme form as seen in our patient appears to be quite rare, and may be related to the pre-existing disease of the conduction system.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-awareness: improving nurse-client interactions.

Communication is a key skill of modern nursing practice, yet often it is an area in which nurses fail. Self-awareness exercises can help us to improve our communication skills and enhance healthcare delivery.

Authoritarianism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computer generated discharge summaries and their use as a case mix sensitive audit engine. A tale of two cities.

BACKGROUND: An 'audit engine' allows critical appraisal of clinical practice without necessitating cumbersome data input, editing or analysis. This is achieved by capturing data from an otherwise necessary task, in this case writing discharge summaries, and using standardised analyses to illustrate the effects of operational changes. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of clinical outcome of 1,829 sequential discharges from one consultant's team in two geriatric medicine departments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, discharge destination and functional performance. RESULTS: Median length of stay in the two departments differed significantly (8 vs 13 days; p < 0.0001), but patients in the latter department were more disabled, with almost twice as many needing domiciliary services after discharge and suffering impaired mobility or incontinence. Despite this disparity, a similar proportion of survivors was placed in institutional care (31/300 (10%) vs 94/1,100 (8%); NS). CONCLUSIONS: This audit engine demonstrated that apparently worse performance indicators were explained by adverse case mix in one department, and the similar institutionalisation rates suggest superior care there.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of hypoxia on regulation of prostanoid production in decidual endothelial cells in normal and preeclamptic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect on prostacyclin and thromboxane production of incubating decidual endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions, comparing cells from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Furthermore, to determine whether hypoxia is deleterious to cell growth, and test the effects of stimulation and inhibition on prostanoid production. METHODS: Decidual endothelial cells were exposed for a total of 40 hours to normoxic (20% O2) or hypoxic (2% O2) conditions. Prostacyclin and thromboxane secretion over the final 24 hours of incubation was measured and cell numbers after incubation determined. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1.0 microgram/mL) was used as a stimulator and pirmagrel (1.0 mumol/L) and tranylcypromine (10.0 mumol/L) as prostanoid synthase inhibitors. RESULTS: Incubations in hypoxia resulted in increased thromboxane (P < .05) but no change in prostacyclin production. This thromboxane increase was abrogated by pirmagrel. LPS caused significant stimulation of prostacyclin and thromboxane secretion and both LPS and hypoxia resulted in lower cell numbers. Decidual endothelial cells from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies were generally not different. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that in preeclampsia, where decidual endothelial cells are in a relatively more hypoxic environment, thromboxane production by these cells is likely to be increased and the prostacyclin/thromboxane ratio decreased. The thromboxane synthase inhibitor, pirmagrel, was able to reverse this abnormal increased secretion of thromboxane in vitro.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma from preeclamptic women stimulates decidual endothelial cell growth and prostacyclin but not nitric oxide production: close correlation of prostacyclin and thromboxane production.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of plasma from preeclamptic women on production of the vasoactive substances prostacyclin, thromboxane, nitric oxide, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) by decidual endothelial cells; to determine any effects on cell growth and health; and to examine whether cells from preeclamptic women are activated compared with cells from normal women. METHODS: Decidual endothelial cells from normal and preeclamptic women were incubated for 24 hours in media containing 10% plasma from preeclamptic women or matched normal women. Prostacyclin and thromboxane production was measured, as was nitric oxide and cGMP production after a further 45-minute generation period in 2% test plasma. Cell numbers and lactate dehydrogenase release were also determined. RESULTS: In plasma from preeclamptic women, cells grew significantly faster (P <.05), prostacyclin production was increased (P <.05), and lactate dehydrogenase release was reduced (P <.01). Production of thromboxane, nitric oxide, and cGMP was not significantly affected. Decidual endothelial cells from preeclamptic women had increased growth (P <.0001) and produced more prostacyclin (P <.05) and nitric oxide (P <.001) than normal decidual endothelial cells. There were highly significant correlations between prostacyclin and thromboxane production for incubations in plasmas from preeclamptic women and between background levels of prostacyclin in each plasma from preeclamptic women and the prostacyclin produced in incubations containing that plasma (P <.0001). CONCLUSION: We found that plasma from preeclamptic women contained a factor that stimulated endothelial cell growth and regulated production of related amounts of prostacyclin and thromboxane. The plasma level of this factor appeared to be related to background levels of prostacyclin. The results also indicated that decidual endothelial cells from preeclamptic women were in a relatively activated state.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Segregation of an internal biochemical marker during influenza virus recombination and its possible correlation with biological properties.

The internal matrix proteins of A/Okuda/57, A/Finland/4/74 and A/New Jersey/8/76 viruses and several recombinant strains have been examined by radioiodination of the purified proteins followed by peptide mapping. The method is rapid and requires only small amounts of material. Reproducible differences were detected between the matrix proteins of the above parents and allowed the origin of the matrix proteins of the recombinant viruses to be determined. The use of matrix protein identity as a marker in recombination work and its possible correlation with biological properties of the virus is discussed.

Crosses, Genetic↗