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Biomedical subjects

K Wood

Publications and source records attributed to K Wood.

142 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The neurochemistry of mania. The effect of lithium on catecholamines, indoleamines and calcium mobilization.

In an attempt to elucidate the chemical pathology of mania one has to consider the pharmacology of the two most effective treatments for this illness: lithium and the neuroleptics. Some of the possible mechanisms of action of these drugs on catecholamine and indoleamine mechanisms are discussed. The majority of this article is based on my and my colleagues' work which has been carried out in this MRC Laboratory on the effect of lithium on biological variates in bipolar patients and the effects of the administration of antidepressant treatments in these patients. It is concluded that lithium has a similar action on these mechanisms in both unipolar and bipolar patients which might suggest a common pathology in both unipolar and bipolar illness. It is suggested that in order to maintain an euthymic state in a bipolar patient one should maintain a certain degree of sensitivity of 5-HT2 receptors. This sensitivity may be related to the activity of calcium channels and to the polyphosphoinositide system. The former system can be regulated by the administration of calcium channel antagonists which have been shown to be effective in the treatment of mania. The polyphosphoinositide system is one that can be regulated by therapeutic concentrations of lithium. It is concluded that co-administration of a calcium channel antagonist and lithium may be a very effective treatment for mania.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Apparent supersensitivity of platelet 5-HT receptors in lithium-treated patients.

An increased 5-HT-induced platelet aggregatory response was seen in bipolar and unipolar patients who were being treated with lithium prophylactically. The responses were not related to the patients' lithium levels or affective morbidity. The results are discussed with reference to the action of antidepressive treatments on 5-HT receptor systems in the platelet and the CNS.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor density of patients with recurrent affective illness.

The binding characteristics of (-)3-[125I]iodocyanopindolol, a high specific activity antagonist for the lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor, were determined in a group of euthymic lithium-treated patients and controls. There was a statistically significant reduction (less than 20%) in the density of beta-adrenoceptors in a group of 56 lithium-treated patients. Division of this group of patients into the unipolar and bipolar distinction indicated that the abnormality was based mainly in the bipolar group of patients. The unipolar patients with an endogenous form of the illness also showed this abnormality. Reduced beta-adrenoceptor density may be associated with endogenous affective illness. However, the results must be interpreted with caution since lymphocyte fractions prepared for beta-adrenoceptor assays can be contaminated with platelets and since platelets have been reported to have beta-receptors then a proportion of the total binding could be associated with platelet beta-adrenoceptors rather than with lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptors.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Purification of [125I]-vasoactive intestinal peptide by reverse-phase HPLC.

VIP was labeled with sodium 125iodide, and 125I-VIP was purified by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Optimal separations of 125I-VIP and unlabeled VIP were obtained using two C18-Novapak columns in series and a gradient of acetonitrile in triethylamine phosphate for elution. The specific activity of the 125I-VIP was 1.99 +/- 0.21 Ci/mumole, approaching the maximum specific activity of monoiodinated VIP (2.26 Ci/mumole). Radioimmunoassay and radioreceptorassay for VIP were more sensitive (2.6-fold, and 2.5-fold, respectively) using 125I-VIP purified by HPLC compared to 125I-VIP obtained from an open-end cellulose column. These results demonstrate the advantage of preparing purified 125I-VIP by HPLC for the accurate assay of VIP and VIP-receptors in tissues and biological fluids.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fear of death and physical illness: a personal construct approach.

The Threat Index, Templer's Death Anxiety Scale, and the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale were administered to 100 respondents in an attempt to assess their personal orientation toward death. Each respondent was a member of one of the following groups: people with no known illness; people attending their family physician for a checkup; rheumatoid arthritics; diabetics; or people recently treated for cancer. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that older respondents were significantly less death anxious, less fearful of their own death, and more integrated (that is, showed less self-death discrepancy) than younger respondents. Further analyses revealed no differences between any of the groups on fear of death or death anxiety, indicating that the current state of an individual's health was not related to his or her death orientation. Instead, correlational and regression analyses suggested that anxiety and fear were much more likely to be influenced by a respondent's level of actualization and, to a lesser extent, level of integration. The expected additive effects of actualization and integration did not emerge, a finding that was at variance with previous research.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of learner outcomes to traditional and videotaped classes.

A course was taught to registered nurse students using videotaped classes shown on a bus while students commuted to and from a distant clinical site. Course outcomes for this group were compared with course outcomes for a traditional classroom-taught group of registered nurse students. Outcomes were quite similar, thus making this method of technology use and time management an appropriate teaching outreach/recruitment technique for the college to use with the registered nurse student population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aboriginal perspective on middle ear disease in the arid zone of Western Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To explore perceptions, knowledge and experience of otitis media (OM) and barriers to compliance with treatment among Aboriginal people of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area, Western Australia. METHODS: This qualitative applied research study is based on a holistic design. We conducted structured interviews with three community focus groups, 56 key informants, and 22 mothers of babies known to have suffered from OM. Written records of interviews were checked with participants. The three sources of data enabled comparison and verification of results. RESULTS: People were concerned about serious consequences of OM, especially deafness and learning difficulties. Since early disease may have no localizing symptoms, not surprisingly, people had limited understanding of the aetiology of OM and were often only aware of disease once ear discharge was visible. Nevertheless, they usually sought treatment for non-specific symptoms. Competing demands in people's daily lives and the unpleasant, intensive nature of treatment result in families becoming resigned to a child's chronic ear discharge. Someone other than the biological mother within the extended family may be responsible for administering treatments. Half the carers thought passive smoking may predispose children to OM and 70% suggested clearing the nasal passages to prevent OM. Results of surgery were viewed positively but specialist services were not always readily accessible. CONCLUSIONS: Since responsibility for treatment may not lie with the biological mother, awareness campaigns must target the entire community. As early OM may be asymptomatic, health personnel should be encouraged to do otoscopy on all children with non-specific symptoms.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Open bone graft epiphyseodesis for slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Seventeen patients underwent open bone graft epiphyseodesis for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE); physeal fusion was achieved in 12 patients. Eight grafts either resorbed, moved, or fractured postoperatively (graft insufficiency). Graft insufficiency was statistically associated with failure of physeal fusion, (p = 0.009). Radiographic examination, using three different measurements, corroborated postoperative changes in femoral head position. One case of joint space narrowing and three cases of significant myositis ossificans occurred. Ten patients had anterolateral thigh hypesthesia. We conclude that fracture, movement, or resorption of a single bone graft is common, leading to an increase in slip severity and failure of physeal fusion.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

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Nursing Service, Hospital↗