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Biomedical subjects

J Wells

Publications and source records attributed to J Wells.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Attitudes of men toward contraception.

This report describes a pilot study conducted to determine the attitudes of men toward contraception. A questionnaire elicited responses from 436 males regarding: Personal data; contraceptive responsibility; contraceptive knowledge; use of contraception and preference for future methods. Results include attitudes toward contraceptive responsibility, assistance to pregnant partners and knowledge regarding eight common contraceptives. Usage of contraceptives in general and condoms and withdrawal specifically is reported. Preference for eight common contraceptive methods is also presented, along with data on delay of intercourse due to lack of contraceptives, partners' requests for male use of condoms/withdrawal and attitudes toward dissemination of contraceptive material to the public. Also reported are attitudes toward development of new contraceptives, use of male sterility shots or pills and the prices that men would pay for newly developed male contraceptives. The most preferred male contraceptive for future development is reported. It was concluded that the survey form and methodology were valid; that men desired to participate in family regulation; that the majority of men placed a low economic value on male contraceptives and finally that the overwhelming majority of men wanted contraceptive information to be widely disseminated in the public.

Abortion, Induced↗

Fresh explant culture of human tumours in vitro and the assessment of sensitivity to cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Ninety-seven fresh explants of human tumours have been cultured in vitro in an attempt to predict their sensitivity to subsequent cytotoxic chemotherapy. Only 3/26 solid ovarian tumours were cultured successfully although 12 of the 23 which failed to grow proved later to have benign histology. Of 10 solid tumours from other sites, only 2/4 renal tumours and one melanoma were successfully grown and tested in vitro. A higher success rate was achieved in culturing carcinoma cells of ovarian (10/22) and breast (10/22) origin from ascitic and pleural fluids. Using increase in cell number after 7 days' growth in vitro as the biological end-point, concentrations of cytotoxic drugs which are achievable in patients produced significant effects on some tumour explants. Detailed studies of serial subcultures in vitro from an ovarian tumour showed that large changes in chemosensitivity occur within about 2 passages, in vitro, so that sensitivity testing can only be carried out using fresh explants or their first subcultures if any possible correlation between in vitro cytotoxicity and in situ response is to be studied. Clinical effectiveness and in vitro chemosensitivity are compared for a limited number of patients with ovarian and breast carcinomata for whom follow-up information was available; no useful correlation was found.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Control plasma renin activity and changes in sympathetic tone as determinants of minoxidil-induced increase in plasma renin activity.

A study was made of the possible mechanism(s) underlying minoxidil-induced increase in plasma renin activity (PRA). 10 patients with essential hypertension were treated with minoxidil and subsequently with a combination of minoxidil plus propranolol. Minoxidil lowered mean arterial pressure 31.6 plus or minus 3.3 mm Hg, mean plus or minus SEM. There was an associated increase in both PRA, 6.26 plus or minus 2.43 NG/ML/H, and heart rate, 21.4 plus or minus 2.7 beats/min. The changes in PRA and heart rate were positively correlated, r, 0.79. Addition of propranolol reduced mean arterial pressure by a further 10.1 plus or minus 1.5 mm Hg and returned heart rate to control levels. Propranolol reduced PRA significantly but not to control levels. Control PRA positively correlated with PRA on minoxidil, r, 0.97, and with PRA on minoxidil plus propranolol, r, 0.98. We conclude that control PRA is a major determinant of change in PRA with minoxidil. Minoxidil increased PRA by at least two mechanisms: (a) an adrenergic mechanism closely related to change in heart rate and blocked by propranolol, and (b) a mechanism(s) not sensitive to propranolol and possibly related to decrease in renal perfusion pressure.

Adult↗

Optic gland implants and their effects on the gonads of Octopus.

1. Optic glands transplanted from one Octopus vulgaris into another cause enlargement of the gonads and ducts of the recipient. 2. Enlargement occurs whether or not the gland was secreting when implanted and regardless of the sex of the donor or recipient. 3. Glands derived from Eledone moschata or Octopus macropus implanted into O. vulgaris are as effective as glands derived from O. vulgaris. 4. Implants derived from Sepia officinalis or Loligo vulgaris appear to be ineffective.

Animals↗

The screening of blood by gas chromatography for basic and neutra drugs.

A GC procedure is described for the screening of biological fluids for the presence of basic and neutral drugs. Extracts are chromatographed simultaneously on a two-column system designed so that a wide range of drugs can be detected. A majority of the drugs is readily detectable in blood in concentrations of 0.1 mg per 100 ml. The procedure is illustrated with examples of casework as well as examples of "spiked" blood samples.

Chromatography, Gas↗