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Biomedical subjects

N J Marks

Publications and source records attributed to N J Marks.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

A controlled trial of hypnotherapy in tinnitus.

A group of 14 patients with unilateral tinnitus were selected because of the constant nature of their tinnitus, and its resistance to all other forms of therapy. They were subjected to hypnosis in three forms in random order. The induction of a trance state alone formed the control arm of the trial. Compared to this were the effects of 'ego boosting' and active suppression of tinnitus whilst in a trance state. One of the 14 patients showed a highly significant response to the latter treatment as judged by visual analogue scales. Five of the 14 patients (36%) found the induction of a hypnotic state of value. This seemed to help them tolerate their tinnitus better, although its loudness and quality were unaltered.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1985

Quantitative analysis of skin flap blood flow in the rat using laser Doppler velocimetry.

Two experiments carried out on rat skin flaps are described, where microvascular flow has been measured noninvasively by a laser Doppler velocimeter. Using this technique it is possible to define the limits of an axial pattern flap in terms of microvascular flow; this was found to increase when the flap is elevated. 'Random-pattern' perfusion is defined by a fall in flow. This recovers sequentially along the flap, and at a constant rate at all sites. A differential in microvascular perfusion is thus maintained along a random-pattern flap for at least the first postoperative week. In a second experiment it is shown that there appears to be a linear relationship between the reduction in skin blood flow in a random-pattern flap and the distance from the base at which the measurements are made. It is suggested that these data support the view that the blood flow in a skin flap recovers primarily from its base rather than via peripheral neovascularization, and that this is due to vascular collaterals opening within the flap rather than to a relaxation of sympathetic tone.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Inner ear blood flow measured with a laser Doppler system.

Cochlear blood flow was studied in guinea pigs, using a laser Doppler system during exposure to methoxamine hydrochloride and phentolamine hydrochloride, local cooling, or terminal asphyxia. Measurements were made through the intact lateral wall of the first turn of the cochlea. Observed changes in relationship to simultaneous measures of skin blood flow and BP indicated that this system provides a dynamic measure of inner ear blood flow. This technique may provide a strategy to evaluate the role of blood flow in normal and pathologic cochlear function and the utility of presumed cochlear vasoeffective agents proposed for treatment of certain inner ear disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

A controlled trial of acupuncture in tinnitus.

The relationship of tinnitus to pain is examined and a theoretical case made out for the possible use of acupuncture in the treatment of tinnitus. A double-blind cross-over controlled trial is described. The use of Visual Analogue Scales (V.A.S.) is discussed in this context. 35 per cent of patients described some benefit from the active treatment only, although we were unable to demonstrate this objectively. Statistical analysis of the group as a whole revealed no significant differences between placebo and active acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1984

Dynamic variations in blood flow as measured by laser Doppler velocimetry: a study in rat skin flaps.

Some of the measured variations of blood flow in skin flaps are reviewed. Ventral island skin flaps in rats are taken as an experimental model, and serial measurements using laser Doppler velocimetry have been made across the flaps for a period of up to 4 weeks postoperatively. The results demonstrate that areas of these flaps have periods of complete ischemia with no flow. These areas may survive. Conversely, apparently perfused areas later succumbed and became nonviable. The flow readings obtained are compared with fluorescence as a predictor of survival. The immediate and longer-term changes in flow across the length of these flaps are described. These findings are discussed with reference to the suggested methods of increasing the length of flap survival. The hypothesis of nonnutritive blood flow is also reassessed in the light of these findings.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The anatomy of the lymph nodes of the parotid gland.

A series of 17 parotid glands were obtained by radical parotidectomy. Between 1 and 11 lymph nodes were found in them. Superficial parotidectomy only leaves an average of 1 node in the deep parotid. There is a 1 in 4 chance of there being no nodes left. There were no nodes easily accessible immediately under the deep part of the parotid gland. There seems to be a discrepancy between the number of nodes found in a radical surgical specimen and serial sections of the area. This suggests a significant number may be left in the skin flap. The place of excision of this skin is discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1983

Laser Doppler measurements of cochlear blood flow.

Blood flow to the inner ear was studied with a laser Doppler system in the acute guinea pig. Flow was measured through the lateral wall of the basal turn. Changes in simultaneous measures of cochlear and skin flow with rebreathing, epinephrine, phentolamine and terminal bleeding were studied. Cochlear blood flow followed skin blood flow in most cases; where it did not, the change was in an expected direction. The laser Doppler flowmeter appears to provide a direct, dynamic and linear measure of inner ear blood flow.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Prognostic factors in oral squamous carcinoma and their relation to clinical staging.

One hundred and three patients with an oral squamous carcinoma were studied in an attempt to determine the clinical factors which affect survival. The 5 yr actuarial survival of the whole group of patients was 55%. Although survival depended on clinical staging, in those patients with no palpable nodes on presentation the tumour size did not affect survival. The most significant factor determining survival was the presence of palpable lymph nodes on presentation. Palpable nodes were more likely in patients with large tumours than those with small tumours. On the basis of these findings a modification of the TNM classification is suggested giving more weight to the presence of cervical nodes than in the present staging system.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Swimming and grommets.

The dictum that patients who have plastic ventilation tubes (grommets) inserted in their tympanic membranes should not go swimming is questioned. A theoretical assessment is made of the pressure necessary to push water through a grommet. This value is compared with practical observations. These values are discussed with reference to chemical and bacteriological hazards and it is concluded that water is unlikely to enter the middle ear in surface swimming, and even when diving underwater the chances of setting up an otitis media must be small.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nematode FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP)-systems: occurrence, distribution and physiology.

The application of rational (mechanism-based) approaches to anthelmintic discovery requires information about target proteins which are pharmacologically distinguishable from their vertebrate homologs. In helminths, several such targets (e.g., beta-tubulin, ATP-generating enzymes, cholinergic receptors, CI- channels) have been characterized only after the discovery, through empirical screening, of compounds that interfere with their function. From the perspective of anthelmintic discovery, the utility of these targets is diminishing due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of parasites. This has motivated the search for compounds with novel modes-of-action. Recent basic research in helminth physiology and biochemistry has identified several potential targets for rational anthelmintic discovery, including receptors for FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs). To date, over 20 different nematode FaRPs have been identified and these peptides, which are broadly distributed in helminths, have been localized to all of the major neuronal subtypes in nematodes. The FaRPs that have been examined have been found profoundly to affect somatic muscle function in gastrointestinal nematodes. In this respect, complex inhibitory and excitatory actions have been identified for a number of these peptides. Although the transduction pathways for any of these peptides remain to be elucidated, the available evidence indicates that nematode FaRPs have numerous mechanisms of action. The employment of nematode neuropeptide receptors in mechanism-based screens has immense potential in the identification of novel anthelmintics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗