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Biomedical subjects

L G Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to L G Wilson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

The DST in psychiatric outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or primary affective disorder.

The authors administered the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) to outpatients, who were free from psychoactive drugs for at least 10 days before the test, with primary affective disorder (N = 60), generalized anxiety disorder (N = 26), panic disorder (N = 22), and agoraphobia with panic attacks (N = 13). With a cortisol value of 5 micrograms/dl considered nonsuppression, there were no significant differences in dexamethasone nonsuppression rates among the diagnostic groups. Scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and a melancholia subscale were significantly higher in the depressed group than in the anxiety disorder group. The findings raise questions concerning the specificity of the DST for primary affective disorder in relationship to anxiety disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Emission of Hydrogen Sulfide by Leaf Tissue in Response to l-Cysteine.

Leaf discs and detached leaves exposed to l-cysteine emitted a volatile sulfur compound which was proven by gas chromatography to be H(2)S. This phenomenon was demonstrated in all nine species tested (Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita pepo, Nicotiana tabacum, Coleus blumei, Beta vulgaris, Phaseolus vulgaris, Medicago sativa, Hordeum vulgare, and Gossypium hirsutum). The emission of volatile sulfur by cucumber leaves occurred in the dark at a similar rate to that in the light. The emission of leaf discs reached the maximal rate, more than 40 picomoles per minute per square centimeter, 2 to 4 hours after starting exposure to l-cysteine; then it decreased. In the case of detached leaves, the maximum occurred 5 to 10 h after starting exposure. The average emission rate of H(2)S during the first 4 hours from leaf discs of cucurbits in response to 10 millimolar l-cysteine, was usually more than 40 picomoles per minute per square centimeter, i.e. 0.24 micromoles per hour per square decimeter. Leaf discs exposed to 1 millimolar l-cysteine emitted only 2% as much as did the discs exposed to 10 millimolar l-cysteine. The emission from leaf discs and from detached leaves lasted for at least 5 and 15 hours, respectively. However, several hours after the maximal emission, injury of the leaves, manifested as chlorosis, was evident. H(2)S emission was a specific consequence of exposure to l-cysteine; neither d-cysteine nor l-cystine elicited H(2)S emission. Aminooxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of pyridoxal phosphate dependent enzymes, inhibited the emission. In a cell free system from cucumber leaves, H(2)S formation and its release occurred in response to l-cysteine. Feeding experiments with [(35)S]l-cysteine showed that most of the sulfur in H(2)S was derived from sulfur in the l-cysteine supplied and that the H(2)S emitted for 9 hours accounted for 7 to 10% of l-cysteine taken up. (35)S-labeled SO(3) (2-) and SO(4) (2-) were found in the tissue extract in addition to internal soluble S(2-). These findings suggest the existence of a sulfur cycle which converts l-cysteine to SO(4) (2-) through cysteine desulfhydration.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

Resistance to injury by sulfur dioxide : correlation with its reduction to, and emission of, hydrogen sulfide in Cucurbitaceae.

In Cucurbitaceae young leaves are resistant to injury from acute exposure to SO(2), whereas mature leaves are sensitive. After exposure of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants to SO(2) at injurious concentrations, illuminated leaves emit volatile sulfur, which is solely H(2)S. Young leaves emit H(2)S many times more rapidly than do mature leaves. Young leaves convert approximately 10% of absorbed [(35)S]SO(2) to emitted [(35)S]H(2)S, but mature leaves convert less than 2%. These results suggest that a high capability for the reduction of SO(2) to H(2)S and emission of the H(2)S is a part of the biochemical basis of the resistance of young leaves to SO(2).

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

Pimozide versus chlorpromazine in chronic schizophrenia: a 52 week double-blind study of maintenance therapy.

This study compared the effectiveness and safety of pimozide and chlorpromazine in the maintenance therapy of chronic schizophrenic outpatients. Forty-three patients were assigned in double-blind fashion to one of the drugs for the 52 week study. Both medication groups showed a general pattern of improvement over the course of the study, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The results demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of pimozide in once daily administration. Previous research results showing the special utility of pimozide for the improvement of emotional withdrawal and social competence in schizophrenia were not replicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Utilizing dispersed mental health para-professionals for scattered Pacific islands: a micronesian experience.

A mental health program developed for the huge tropical Pacific area of Micronesia is described. Training of para-professionals as mental health coordinators for the six main island districts of Micronesia was undertaken to respond to the most pressing mental health needs of these scattered islands. Adequate follow-up care of the chronically mentally ill was the first priority with less urgent needs addressed secondarily. Frequent on-island visits by the supervising psychiatrist to teach patient-related evaluation and treatment procedures was of importance. A program with dispersed para-professional coverage and centralized supervision may have relevance for other large areas with a scattered and low population.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Command Hallucinations and self-amputation of the penis and hand during a first psychotic break.

An unusual case is presented of a psychotic young man who experienced command auditory hallucinations which directed him to amputate his right hand and distal penis to atone for a "terrible sexual transgression." The existing literature on genital self-mutilation is reviewed as well as some recent work on factors that might be used to predict an episode of self-mutilation. In patients who are felt to be at extremely high risk, careful monitoring and rapid medication schedules might be effective in preventing such an incident.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Transcultural psychiatry on an American psychiatric ward.

Transcultural psychiatry is generally thought to be an appropriate concern only in distant or unusual environments. But because many immigrant groups in the U.S. maintain their original customs and traditions, a transcultural approach may be necessary in many clinical situations, as illustrated by the case histories of three immigrant patients on a university hospital's psychiatric service. All had manifestations of severe psychiatric disturbance, but their clinical evaluation and management were complicated by difficulties in communication and by culturally linked behavior patterns and family responses at variance with American norms. Careful attention to transcultural factors is necessary for the optimal management of such cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Emission of ethylene and ethane by leaf tissue exposed to injurious concentrations of sulfur dioxide or bisulfite ion.

Leaf tissues injured with SO(2) gas or bisulfite ion in solution emit ethylene and ethane. The amounts of these gases produced by the tissues depend on the degree of exposure to SO(2) or bisulfite. The amount of ethylene produced in response to SO(2) fumigation correlates positively with SO(2) exposure (0 to 5.5 microliters per liter for 16 hours), SO(2) absorbed, and the amount of visible injury sustained by the leaf tissues. Ethane production is correlated positively with the injury resulting from treatment with bisulfite ion. The rate of emission of ethane from leaf discs of cucurbit cultivars as a result of exposure to bisulfite solutions is in agreement with the order and the degree of their resistance to injury by SO(2). Thus, exposure to bisulfite and the subsequent release of ethane can be used to determine the relative resistance of different species and cultivars to SO(2) gas.A rapid, simple, objective assay for SO(2) resistance based on ethane emission is described. This assay should preferentially detect SO(2) resistance which does not depend on stomatal behavior. The screening of several other cucurbits with this assay showed a 24-fold difference between the most and the least sensitive plants tested.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1979

The use of a stroke group treatment program on an extended care unit.

The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of combining group process and rehabilitation modalities in treating stroke patients' function in activities of daily living, mobility, perception and communication. The group structure, administration and content are discussed. Reasons for the program's value and success are explored.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1979

Cross-cultural differences in indicators of improvement from psychosis: the case of betel nut chewing.

This paper uses a case from the Micronesian Island of Yap to illustrate that indicators of improvement from an episode of schizophrenic psychosis can vary tremendously from culture to culture. At times, the clinician must search diligently for such indicators since the patient will not verbalize any perception of improvement. A 39-year-old Yapese woman was evaluated by a psychiatrist and was found to have been psychotic for several years, suffering from gross delusions, and auditory hallucinations, flattened affect, and social isolation. In addition, she had discontinued chewing betel nut that was used daily by virtually all of her fellow islanders on Yap. Two months after beginning treatment with twice monthly injectable antipsychotic medication she was still delusional, with flat affect, and heard the same voices. She was slightly less socially withdrawn and she had interestingly resumed chewing betel nut. It seemed that she had given up betel nut chewing during the socially withdrawn phase of her illness and had resumed it as she improved and became less autistically preoccupied. In her culture, betel chewing was a main avenue of social intercourse and an intrinsic part of almost all social activities. In her particular case, the resumption of betel chewing was a primary indicator of her improvement from psychosis and reintegration into her social group.

Adult↗