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Biomedical subjects

M Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to M Robinson.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Nursing in a service line organization.

Thoreau has said that change's sake is not progress. Clarity of purpose and desired outcomes; the provision of sufficient time to educate and ensure cooperation; refocusing and reanalysis; support for staff in leadership positions; and high visibility throughout the organization on the part of top level management are mandatory in bringing about a radical change such as our organization has experienced. The Alta Bates-Herrick Hospital has a rich tradition of high quality care in Berkeley and, indeed, throughout Northern California. The founders of both campuses, Alta Bates, RN, and Leroy Herrick, MD, established a heritage of concern, compassion, and caring. Streamlining the structure of the hospital to ensure fiscal viability, efficiency, and the ability to respond quickly to challenges coupled with the ongoing internal efforts to articulate and retain high quality care will continue to serve the people of our community well.

California↗

Relationships between B-lineage lymphocytes and stromal cells in long-term bone marrow cultures.

In long-term culture of mouse bone marrow, the growth and differentiation of B-lineage lymphocytes depends on interaction with adherent cells or their products. The objectives of these studies were to characterize the types of cells present in the supporting adherent layer as well as the physical relationships of these cells with lymphocytes. With an extensive panel of antibodies against hemopoietic and lymphocyte antigens, two discrete nonlymphoid populations were identified: macrophages and undefined, large cells which we termed "stromal cells". Lymphocyte clusters grew in actual contact with the latter cells only. Stromal cells lacked expression of most hemopoietic antigens, including the common leukocyte antigen, J11d, heat stable antigen (M1/69), Thy-1 and BP 1. Antigens expressed by stromal cells were detected by AA4.1, our 94.2 antibody, and antibody to the Forsmann antigen, but the most distinguishing characteristics of the lymphocyte-binding stromal cells were production of basement membrane components, laminin and collagen IV, and the extremely low uptake of acetylated low density lipoprotein (LDL). Using acetylated LDL uptake as a sorting criterion, the lymphocyte-binding stromal cells were separated from the macrophages, recultured and shown to support lymphocyte proliferation. We found the binding between stromal cells and lymphocytes to be highly selective and dependent on divalent cations; hence, specialized adhesion mechanisms may have a role in B cell development. Moreover, our studies suggest that phosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface molecules may be involved in this adhesion. Our findings demonstrate the possibility that a single cell type provides physical support and proliferation stimuli for early B-lineage cells. This accessory cell is not a macrophage; rather, it has features of an endothelial or epithelial cell.

Animals↗

5-Aminosalicylic acid enema in the treatment of distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis, and proctitis.

The efficacy and safety of 4-g 5-aminosalicylic acid enemas were assessed in 153 patients with ulcerative colitis involving up to 50 cm of distal colon. Seventy-six patients received active medication and 77 received a placebo. There were 20 dropouts (6 in the active group and 14 in the placebo group) during the study because of insufficient efficacy. After 6 wk of therapy, 48 of the 76 patients (63%) receiving 5-aminosalicylic acid were considered to be "much improved" by the study physician compared to 22 of the 77 patients (29%) on placebo (p = 0.001). A disease activity index based on patient symptoms and sigmoidoscopic appearance was used to assess efficacy. Mean disease activity index declined 55% for patients on 5-aminosalicylic acid and 24% for patients on placebo (p = 0.0001). Analysis of subgroups indicated that patients most likely to respond were those with disease confined to the 20-40 cm from the anus. Response was not affected by concurrent sulfasalazine, but patients requiring concurrent oral steroids had a diminished response. Rapid onset of efficacy was shown by a significant reduction in rectal bleeding within 3 days of treatment initiation. 5-Aminosalicylic acid enemas are well tolerated and are of benefit in the treatment of ulcerative colitis confined to the distal colon.

Adult↗

The influence of traditional medicine in shaping medical care practices in Vietnam today.

In Third World countries today one must have a knowledge of and appreciation for traditional medical beliefs and practices if one is to understand each nation's particular adaptation to a modern health care system. Taking the particular example of Vietnam, we discuss the current formal health care system and the traditional herbal medicines, dietary regulations and dermal techniques which are still important elements in the peoples' choice and perception of health care. There is then a discussion of how traditional medical beliefs and practices have shaped the practice of health care in Vietnam today.

Community Health Services↗

Carcinogenic effects in A/J mice of particulate of a coal tar paint used in potable water systems.

Coal tar paints are among the products used as inside coatings for water pipes and storage tanks to retard corrosion in potable water supply systems. Four different formulations of these paints were tested in earlier work by this laboratory in the Ames mutagenesis and the mouse skin carcinogenesis bioassays. The paint most active in these assays were then tested in a particulate form in the lung adenoma assay with A/J mice. The paint was applied to clean glass plates, cured, collected and homogenized in 2% Emulphor. Doses of this coal tar suspension were administered by gavage at 1.0, 10.0 and 55.0 mg in 0.2 ml per mouse 3X weekly for 8 weeks. The total doses of coal tar paint were 24, 240, and 1320 mg/mouse. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), administered in a parallel schedule to a total dose of 6 mg/mouse, served as positive control. A negative control group received an equivalent volume of 2% Emulphor. Animals were killed at 9 months of age (8 months after first dose) and lung adenomas counted. A dose-related response, in the average number of lung tumors per mouse, was observed with the coal tar particulate. There were also squamous cell tumors of the forestomach in 42% of the mice receiving 55.0 mg coal tar paint per application.

Animals↗

Oestrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations in leiomyoma and normal myometrium.

The content of cytoplasmic 17 beta oestradiol and progesterone receptors in human uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium in the Negroid population was determined. Eighteen women of reproductive age, at various stages of the menstrual cycle, were included in the study. The serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations were also measured. This is the first report in the literature in which oestrogen and progesterone receptors in leiomyoma are significantly higher than in normal myometrium (P = 0.0002). The steroid dependence of the growth of leiomyomas may be related to the steroid receptor level. The presence of persistently high concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in leiomyoma should be helpful in the treatment of this benign tumour.

Adult↗

Ranitidine therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Results of a large double-blind trial.

In a multicenter, double-blind trial, 284 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease were evaluated before, during, and after six weeks of treatment with either placebo or ranitidine (150 mg twice daily). Randomization resulted in two comparable patient groups. Ranitidine treatment was significantly more effective than placebo treatment in decreasing the frequency and the severity of heartburn during both daytime and nighttime assessment periods. There was a significant correlation between improvement in heartburn symptoms and decrease in antacid consumption; hence, patients receiving ranitidine consumed significantly fewer antacid tablets. Among patients with endoscopic esophagitis at baseline, the overall change in endoscopic classification after six weeks of therapy was significantly better for the ranitidine-treated patients. The ranitidine-treated group had less evidence of erosions and ulcerations as well as greater healing. There were no differences between the groups with respect to changes in esophageal mucosal sensitivity to acid perfusion or changes in histologic grading of esophageal mucosal biopsy specimens. The ranitidine safety profile was similar to that of previous studies. We conclude that, in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, ranitidine therapy, 150 mg twice daily, markedly reduced the heartburn symptoms of reflux disease and significantly improved the endoscopic appearance of the esophageal mucosa.

Adult↗