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Biomedical subjects

M Wright

Publications and source records attributed to M Wright.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Alterations in the thyroids of rats treated for long periods with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or with hypolipidaemic agents.

Treatment of rats for periods of 3 months or longer with the hypolipidaemic drugs clofibrate and fenofibrate or with the plasticiser di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate causes alterations in the thyroid. The colloid is shrunken and contains calcium-rich inclusions. Electron microscopy shows increases in the number and size of lysosomes, hypertrophy of the Golgi apparatus and dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. These changes are consistent with persistent hyperactivity in the gland.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Late clinical outcome in patients with early ventricular fibrillation after myocardial infarction.

Whether ventricular fibrillation occurring within 48 h after acute myocardial infarction is associated with particular clinical features and poor prognosis, especially in patients with anterior myocardial infarction, is still debated. Therefore, clinical variables and in-hospital and 1 year mortality rates were analyzed in 2,088 patients, aged 18 to 95 years (mean +/- SD 64 +/- 12), admitted to the hospital with acute myocardial infarction between 1979 and mid 1984. One hundred forty-seven patients (7%) had at least one episode of ventricular fibrillation occurring within 48 h of hospital admission. Of these, 25% died during their initial hospitalization compared with 13% of patients without early ventricular fibrillation (p less than 0.001). In greater than 50% of patients with early ventricular fibrillation, the immediate cause of death was left ventricular failure or cardiogenic shock. In contrast, the 1 year mortality rate after hospital discharge was not significantly greater in patients with than in those without early ventricular fibrillation (15 versus 11%, respectively), particularly in the subgroup of patients with anterior myocardial infarction in which the mortality rate tended to be lower in patients with early ventricular fibrillation (8 versus 14%, respectively). Similar mortality results were found when only primary (not associated with left ventricular failure) ventricular fibrillation was analyzed. The left ventricular ejection fraction and the incidence of complex ventricular arrhythmias from 24 h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring obtained at hospital discharge were not different in survivors with or without early ventricular fibrillation (0.45 +/- 0.13 versus 0.49 +/- 0.14 and 41 versus 41%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Osmolalities of bottle- and breast-milk fed to poor urban Brazilian infants.

Feeding practices related to osmotic strength of bottle-milk and breast-milk were studied in 133 families with infants less than 1 year of age in a poor urban settlement in Brasilia, Brazil. Osmolality [mean (SEM)] of breast-milk [318.8 (4.46) mOsm/kg water] was significantly less than that of bottle-milk [568.7 (29.9) mOsm/kg water]. The wide range of osmotic strength (253.7-1,380.0 mOsm/kg water) found in bottle-milk was partly due to the predominant use (82%) of powdered cow's milk among non-breastfeeders and its improper reconstitution. Diarrhoea and feeding management are also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Urethral prolapse in children--alternative management.

After a brief discussion of urethral prolapse in children, the results of local application of conjugated oestrogen cream in 5 patients are discussed. It is suggested that this should be the primary management.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1987

Nonoxidative ethanol metabolism in human leukocytes: detection of fatty acid ethyl ester synthase activity.

Oxidative pathways of alcohol metabolism such as alcohol dehydrogenase usually are not present in human blood and therefore clinical studies correlating ethanol metabolism with alcohol abuse syndromes have not been performed. To assess the activity of nonoxidative ethanol metabolism in blood, we assayed for the activity of fatty acid ethyl ester synthase, a pathway recently described as abundant in the human organs most commonly damaged by alcohol. Indeed, peripheral human leukocytes contain detectable fatty acid ethyl ester synthase activity: 1.2 X 10(6) leukocytes from 10 ml blood catalyze the synthesis of ethyl oleate at 1.4 nmol/4 hr. The reaction is linear with respect to cell number and expended time; Km oleate = 600 microM, Km ethanol = 600 mM. DEAE cellulose chromatography partially purifies synthase activity into a minor and major form (activity ratio = 10/1). Thus, gene products exist in human blood that recognize ethanol and whose biological activity is conveniently assayable for clinical investigations of alcohol metabolism and abuse.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1987

Why is plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme activity elevated in hyperthyroidism?

The elevation in plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels observed in patients with hyperthyroidism is unexplained. In this study three hypotheses were investigated. Results from a study using rats treated with thyroid hormones indicated that the increased ACE was not due to increased cleavages of enzyme from lung endothelia. Data from patients with specific tissue damage argue against a nonspecific release of ACE from damaged cells. Data from cultured cell experiments, however, strongly support a direct effect of thyroid hormones upon ACE synthesis and secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Drowning in childhood and adolescence: a population-based study.

We present the results of a residence-based study of drownings among Sacramento County, California children and adolescents ages 0-19 years for the years 1974-84. Children ages 1-3 had the highest drowning rates. The majority of drownings in this group, and one-third of all drownings in the study, occurred in residential swimming pools. Males ages 15-19 had a high drowning rate as well; at least 38 per cent of drownings in that age group were alcohol-associated. The implications for preventive efforts are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Effects of E. coli endotoxin on rat plasma angiotensin converting enzyme activity in vitro and in vivo.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), a glycoprotein, is found in high concentration in pulmonary capillary endothelial cells. Several investigators have studied the relationship between various direct and indirect pulmonary insults and ACE activity and in some cases have found conflict. In an attempt to clarify this relationship we have examined the effect of endotoxin on rat plasma ACE activity in vitro and in vivo. We used the synthetic ACE substrate 3H-BPAP and the assay described by Catravas and Gillis [J Pharmacol Exp Ther 217:263-270, 1981]. In vitro, a statistically significant concentration-dependent reduction in ACE activity was demonstrated (p less than .005). In vivo an intravenous dose of endotoxin (20 mg/kg) alone resulted in no significant change in plasma ACE activity. However, the combination of intravenous endotoxin (20mg/kg) and mild hemorrhage (5-10% of blood volume) caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma ACE activity by 15 min as compared to control rats with hemorrhage only (39% vs. 66%, p less than .005). This reduction persisted at 30 and 60 min. However, by 180 min ACE activity was no longer statistically different from control values. We have demonstrated an acute reduction of plasma ACE activity in the endotoxemic rat that appears to be dependent on the amount of circulating endotoxin and the presence of mild blood loss.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1985

The value of X-ray pelvimetry in previous caesarean section pregnancies.

The results of erect lateral X-ray pelvimetry in a retrospective study of 100 randomly selected patients who had undergone previous caesarean section for a variety of indications were analysed. The indication for caesarean section was compared with subsequent pregnancy outcome. The inlet diameter and sacral shape were not found to be of great predictive value. Radiological engagement of the fetal head was associated with a 90% incidence of vaginal delivery.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1985

Centriole size modifications during the cell cycle of the amoebae of the mxyomycete Physarum polycephalum.

Anterior and posterior centrioles of Physarum amoebae are indistinguishable by their size during interphase but there is a correlation between the size of the two centrioles in the same amoeba. The interphase length of centrioles in diploid amoebae possessing only one pair of centrioles was 11% longer than in the case of the haploid strain. Treatment with taxol led to a 23 and 32% increase of the mean length in interphase and blocked mitosis, respectively. Conversely, during control mitosis the parental centrioles showed a 12% decrease of their mean length while the size of the daughter centrioles increased progressively. Neither nocodazole nor cold treatment induce a decrease of centriole length. The mean length of the cartwheel structure (internal proximal part) although constant during mitosis could be increased 24% in the presence of taxol. Similarly there was a correlation between the number of anterior satellites and the centriole length.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1985

Drug dilution in anaesthetic practice.

The accuracy of dilution by anaesthetists of commonly used drug preparations was assessed by ultra violet spectrophotometric assay of the diluted drugs. Percentage deviation from target concentrations was then calculated. Of a total of 358 drug dilutions carried out by 28 anaesthetists only 58% were within 10% of the target concentration while 6% lay outside 50% of the target concentration.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed1985

Legal liability for occupational therapists.

In recent years technological advances, increased social awareness, and changing moral values have brought to light may legal questions in the health field. There can be little doubt that members of our profession, as well as the public, are now very aware of the possibility of malpractice. There are critical questions and issues for the occupational therapist: How can the therapist decrease the likelihood of being charged with malpractice? What standard of practice does the law apply? How may she anticipate her conduct to be judged legally? What outcome can she expect? In fact, to date there have been no malpractice claims against occupational therapists in Canada but the Canadian Association of Occupational therapists has arranged for malpractice coverage. Nevertheless, the therapist is responsible for administering the reasonable skill and care that are recognized as appropriate by at least a significant minority of the profession. As in all aspects of the health field, prevention is to be preferred.

Canada↗
PubMed1985

Osmosin and ileal ulceration: a case report.

A 78-year-old woman presented with an acute abdomen and was found to have a perforation of her terminal ileum. She did not survive the post-operative period and at necropsy was found to have numerous ulcers of the ileum. In the ulcerated areas there was a transmural chronic inflammatory infiltrate, but no evidence of granulomata. We believe that this ulceration was caused by ingestion of Osmosin tablets containing indomethacin and suggest a possible pathogenesis.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Congenital heart disease: functional abilities in young adults.

Muscular endurance, motor abilities, childhood activities, school experiences, work plans, and social behaviors of 188 young adults aged 16 to 23 years with congenital heart disease were examined. The subjects had isolated aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, or tetralogy of Fallot. Overall, physical function scores were slightly below average. Childhood activities had been affected in about 30% of the cases, but seriously disrupted in only 17%. School experiences had been positive, and 68% of the students in school planned to continue on to college or university or were already there. Normal social behavior was much more common than antisocial behavior. Subjects had few specific health worries, although many wanted more information about lifestyle implications of their heart disease.

Adolescent↗