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Biomedical subjects

N Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to N Robinson.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1965

Excretion of tryptophan metabolites in Friedreich's ataxia.

The overnight urinary excretions of the tryptophan metabolites 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5HIAA), indole acetic acid (IAA), indoxyl sulphate, and kynurenine were determined in 10 cases of Friedreich's ataxia and in 11 controls. Levels of 5HIAA and IAA were slightly lower and of indoxyl sulphate higher than in the controls but within normal limits; kynurenine was normal.A tryptophan load test subsequently given to four patients and three controls showed no significant abnormality in IAA, 5HIAA, indoxyl sulphate, and kynurenine.A specific abnormality in tryptophan metabolism in Friedreich's ataxia suggested by other workers was not observed.

Friedreich Ataxia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The study of analgesics following single and repeated doses.

The efficacy and safety of 0.3 mg buprenorphine on single and repeated intramuscular administration (every 4 to 8 hours as needed) were compared to those of 10 mg intramuscular morphine. Fifty adult patients experiencing moderate to severe postoperative pain were evaluated up to three days following surgery. Results showed that 0.3 mg buprenorphine was as effective as 10 mg morphine, whether given as a single dose or on a repeat-dose schedule. The patterns of analgesia were similar and without indication of increasing dosage requirements with time. Minor side effects encountered were brief and minimal, including such conditions as drowsiness, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, and nausea.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychosocial factors and the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Stress has been proposed as a possible precipitating factor for the development of Type 1 diabetes in genetically susceptible individuals. A validated in-depth psychometric instrument (The Life Events and Difficulties Schedule) was used to investigate the role of psychosocial factors in the onset of Type 1 diabetes in islet cell antibody (ICA)-positive family members. Families with ICA-positive members had higher scores for subject focused severe life events in the 5-year period prior to the diagnosis of diabetes in a second family member compared with matched control families (1.50 +/- 0.68 (+/- SD) vs 0.32 +/- 0.37; p less than 0.03). In the same time period, these families also experienced a higher mean number of severe long-term difficulties compared with control families (1.34 +/- 0.52 vs 0.14 +/- 0.17; p less than 0.01). Scores for current total visual social contacts were greater for control families compared with case family members (12.10 +/- 1.90 vs 9.64 +/- 2.70; p less than 0.05). These results suggest that global family stress possibly in conjunction with a reduced number of social contacts may act as a trigger for the development of diabetes in a second family member and that social support may act as a buffer to stress and disease onset.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Who joins the BDA?

A comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics was made between a random sample of members and non-members of the British Diabetic Association (BDA) of working age (17-65 years) who responded to a questionnaire concerning their employment. There were large regional variations in BDA membership, but overall 27% of responders were BDA members. Of the responders, BDA members were more likely to be women than men (30 vs 25%, p = 0.04) and under rather than over the age of 36 years (38 vs 21%, p less than 0.001). A greater proportion of insulin-treated patients with diabetes were BDA members compared with patients who were not treated with insulin (37 vs 13%, p less than 0.001). Unemployment was significantly less amongst BDA members compared with non-members (12 vs 20%, p less than 0.001). Membership decreased with decreasing social status, with significantly more house-owners being BDA members compared with those living in rented accommodation (31 vs 23%, p less than 0.001).

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between stress and the development of diabetic complications.

Using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule of Brown and Harris, the relationship between preceding stress and the onset of diabetic complications and premature death was investigated prospectively in a random sample of 130 patients with diabetes, aged 35-59 years. The presence of stress, assessed as severe life-events and severe long-term difficulties, was not significantly associated with premature death or the onset of macrovascular disease over the relatively short period of follow-up (4 years). Those who commenced anti-hypertensive therapy during the follow-up period were significantly more likely to have experienced five or more severe life-events during the previous 5 years (40 vs 6%, p less than 0.01), and also to have experienced one or more severe long-term difficulties during the same time period (60 vs 28%, p less than 0.05). A multiple Cox regression analysis showed that the effects of stress were independent of other factors such as baseline blood pressure, type of diabetes, sex, and ethnic group.

Diabetes Complications↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Education and employment experiences in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Educational attainment, employment experiences, and self-esteem were measured using semi-structured questionnaires in young adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and in a group of age/sex matched healthy controls. Results showed that subjects with diabetes and their matched controls obtained comparable qualifications at all levels. However, subjects with diabetes were less likely to feel competent with regard to their educational performance, and many of this group reported experiencing difficulties at school. There were no differences in the proportion of each group who had experienced unemployment, although this was explained more by social class and educational attainment. Whereas only a minority had decided to withhold information about their condition from their employers, one-third of those with diabetes had experienced health-related problems in obtaining employment. This study suggests that the educational achievements and employment experiences of young adults with diabetes may not differ from those of healthy controls. However subjective reports of difficulties in these areas may be associated with reduced self-esteem. Confirmation of these findings should be carried out in a larger sample, using a prospective design.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transglutaminase reactivity of human involucrin.

Human involucrin (hINV) is assembled into cornified structures via formation of transglutaminase (TG)-dependent interprotein epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine bonds. The hINV sequence includes 150 glutamine residues that could function as potential sites of cross-link formation. The present studies were designed to evaluate the extent to which hINV can function as a TG substrate under optimal conditions and in the absence of other substrates. Incubation of hINV with TG results in formation of 4-5 isopeptide bonds per hINV molecule. When the small amine donor (14)C-putrescine is included in the reaction, 48 Q residues are labled. Isotope distribution and sequence analysis suggests that the (14)C-putrescine-labeled sites are located throughout the protein. Our present results show that many hINV Q residues can be utilized for cross-link formation, and that hINV can be cross-linked at very high cross-link densities. These results suggest that, in vivo, factors other than hINV structure limit the number of residues used for cross-link formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy: appropriate use of self-reporting in clinical practice.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the factors that may affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy in people with HIV infection and compared the use of three self-report tools to determine client adherence. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 260 HIV-infected clients attending nine HIV outpatient centers in England was conducted using researcher-administered instruments. Self-reports of adherence were assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), Reported Adherence to Medication Scale (RAM), and the Patient Adjustment to Medication Scale (PAM). RESULTS: Univariate analysis of clients' self-reports indicated a number of associations with adherence. Significant associations with less adherent behavior identified by two or more self-report tools were the reported use of recreational drugs, p =.001; living alone, p =.041; feeling depressed, p =.02; being influenced by the media, p =.037; and lack of a close confidant, p =.037. Greater adherence was associated with clients reporting a positive mental attitude to HIV infection, p =.038. Principal component analysis (PCA) of each self-report tool identified two well-recognized constructs: intentional nonadherence and unintentional nonadherence. In addition, a third construct of following instructions was identified from PAM, a scale developed by the authors. Subsequent regression analysis failed to confirm the associations with adherence suggested by the univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the design and use of self-report tools to identify client's adherence to complex antiretroviral regimens may need to measure individual constructs of adherence to accurately assess adherence behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disability and diabetes.

Little work has been carried out on diabetes and disability. A questionnaire survey on the employment of people with diabetes aged 17-65 years was carried out in the UK. Data were also collected from a questionnaire sent to a random sample of employers. A comparison between those diabetic patients registered as disabled and those not so registered showed that men were more likely to be registered than women. The disabled group were also older, lower down the social scale, more likely to rent their house, to have left school before the age of 17 years, and to live in the north of the country. Significantly fewer disabled patients were currently working compared with those not registered as disabled (30% versus 65%, p less than 0.0001). Registered disabled patients who were working were no more likely to report having more than 20 days off sick in the last year compared with those patients not registered as disabled (7% versus 9%). Employers did not report adverse sickness absence rates for their registered disabled diabetic patients. People with diabetes who are registered as disabled can make good employees in a range of different occupations. Registering as disabled may improve employment opportunities for people with diabetes who are finding difficulty in obtaining suitable employment.

Adolescent↗