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Biomedical subjects

J Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to J Wilson.

At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources

Red cell cyanide.

The amount of cyanide released on acidifying whole blood was much greater than the total from the plasma and red cells assayed separately, and varied directly with plasma thiocyanate concentrations. This artifactual formation of cyanide by whole blood was reduced by exposure to carbon monoxide. Incubation of haemolysates of washed red blood cells showed that optimum cyanide production from thiocyanate occurred at pH 4.5 with none at pH 7.4; spectrophotometric study confirmed the involvement of haemoglobin. It is doubtful whether this activity of haemoglobin is of normal physiological importance and it is probable that the evidence for the enzyme, 'thiocyanate oxidase' was based on this artifact of assay. Plasma cyanide is probably the metabolically relevant measurement, since the red blood cells act as a 'cyanide sink'. Where values for whole blood cyanide are required we recommend separate assay of plasma and saline washed red blood cells.

Cyanides↗

Pyridoxol metabolism in vitamin B6-responsive convulsions of early infancy.

As there is uncertainty about the nature of the metabolic defect in vitamin B6-responsive convulsion, certain aspects of pyridoxol metabolism were studied in 3 patients who were believed on clinical grounds to have the condition. The findings were compared with those in healthy children and adults, and in children with mental handicap. The magnitude of the initial rise and the subsequent fall in plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PALP) concentrations after a load of pyridoxol suggested that the vitamin B6-responsive patients were able to synthesise PALP normally but were unable to maintain the prolonged high levels normally found in plasma. The urinary excretion of 4-pyridoxic acid was within normal limits, but the excretion of pyridoxol after the load was raised. It is suggested that there may be an instability of the PALP-albumin complex in this condition. Some of the biochemical features were also observed in an infant presenting with convulsions soon after birth but without evidence of clinical B6-dependency.

Adult↗

Ataxia telangiectasia. Evaluation of radiosensitivity in cultured skin fibroblasts as a diagnostic test.

The sensitivity to x-ray inactivation of cultured skin fibroblasts from clinically confirmed and suspected cases of ataxia telangiectasia was compared with that of cultures from normal subjects. The results confirm previous observations of an association between ataxia telangiectasia and enhanced in vitro radiosensitivity, and also suggest that clonal survival of x-irradiated cultures of skin fibroblasts is a valuable technique for confirming the diagnosis of the disease.

Adolescent↗

Alternating hemiplegia: complicated migraine of infancy.

Alternating hemiplegia in children is a rare form of "complicated" migraine. There are a number of similarities to seizure disorders and correct diagnosis may prove difficult. The clinical features of 6 patients with alternating hemiplegia are presented together with the results of electrophysiological, radiological, and biochemical studies. While there were a number of clinical similarities between the patients, extensive investigations failed to demonstrate significant abnormalities. Although a diagnosis of a seizure disorder was suggested at some time in all of the patients, in only 2 was it certain there was a fit. Headaches occurred in the eldest patient (although not always with a hemiplegic attach) while in the younger patients misery often accompanied their attacks. Intellectual status was impaired in 5 patients, although in 2 of these the cause was most likely to be perinatal difficulties. Response to various forms of treatment was generally not encouraging and concern is expressed that this alternating hemiplegia of childhood may carry an unfavourable prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Gastric emptying in labour: some recent findings and their clinical significance.

A résumé of the investigation of gastric emptying time in labour is presented with the results obtained recently in a series when the effects of narcotic analgesics, epidural analgesia, no analgesia and antagonistic drugs were studied. It is deduced that narcotic analgesics play a very large part in gastric delay in labour and epidural analgesia a comparatively small part. Some suggestions for future investigation and current management of the patient with delayed gastric emptying in labour are presented.

Anesthesia, Obstetrical↗

Prostaglandin E2-hemoglobin AA and SS erythrocyte interaction (prostaglandin-erythrocyte interaction).

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), at concentration larger than or equal to 5 x 10(4) ng/ml, induced discocyte leads to echinocyte transformation of saline-suspended hemoglobin (Hb) AA and SS erythrocytes. This erythrocyte transformation is concentration-dependent and is reversible at room temperature after 90-120 min. The Hb SS erythrocytes treated with PGE2 did not exhibit accelerated sickling or increased formation of sickled echinocytes. Erythrocytes suspended in autologous plasma treated with PGE2, 2 X 10(6) ng/ml, did not exhibit echinocytic transformation probably because of drug binding to the plasma proteins. Other in vitro studies showed that PGE2 of concentrations of 10-500 ng/ml had no adverse effects on intact, plasma-suspended Hb SS erythrocytes. These Hb SS erythrocytes were examined for changes in morphology, potassium and calcium flux, and blood viscosity under oxygenated and hypoxic conditions.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Studies on the local and systemic carcinogenicity of topically applied smoke condensate from a substitute smoking material.

The topical carcinogenicity to mouse skin of smoke condensates obtained from a tobacco substitute (NSM), alone or in combination with tobacco, has been compared with condensate from tobacco and with acetone, the solvent used. Sixteen different types of cigarette were used to make the condensates, and the age-standardized results have been analysed according to the Weibull distribution model. The results show that NSM condensate has less than 25% of the potency of tobacco condensate (37% at 95% upper confidence limit), and that condensates from blends of NSM and tobacco are similarly reduced in activity. General pathology analysis failed to reveal abnormalities due to NSM.

Animals↗

Comparative anaesthetic properties of various local anaesthetic agents in extradural block for labour.

Various concentrations of lignocaine, etidocaine and bupivacaine in 10-ml doses of plain solutions were studied in a double-blind manner as agents for extradural analgesia to relieve the pain of labour. In 67 patients in established labour the onset time and duration of analgesia were assessed by the abolition and recurrence of the pain of uterine contractions, motor block on a 0-2 scale, dermatomal spread by pinprick testing, and arterial pressure by standard sphygmomanometry. Increasing the drug concentration reduced the onset times and increased both the duration of analgesia and the degree of motor block, but had little effect on dermatomal spread or on the frequency of hypotension. Based on the results the agents have been classified with regard to onset and duration of analgesia and degree of motor blockade.

Adolescent↗

Immunological abnormalities in coeliac disease and their response to dietary restriction. II. Immunoglobulin containing cells, immunoglobulins and dietary antibodies in the small bowel.

The numbers of immunoglobulin (Ig) containing cells in jejunal mucosa were determined in 29 patients with untreated coeliac disease and 28 control subjects. The patients had significantly increased numbers of IgM containing cells. Seven of the patients were studied again after 12 months on a gluten-free diet and showed a significant reduction in the number of IgM containing cells. The increase noted in untreated patients is therefore likely to be a manifestation of the disease rather than a primary abnormality of aetiological significance.

Antibodies↗