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Biomedical subjects

N Smith

Publications and source records attributed to N Smith.

286 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The Suess-Urey mission (return of solar matter to Earth).

The Suess-Urey (S-U) mission has been proposed as a NASA Discovery mission to return samples of matter from the Sun to the Earth for isotopic and chemical analyses in terrestrial laboratories to provide a major improvement in our knowledge of the average chemical and isotopic composition of the solar system. The S-U spacecraft and sample return capsule will be placed in a halo orbit around the L1 Sun-Earth libration point for two years to collect solar wind ions which implant into large passive collectors made of ultra-pure materials. Constant Spacecraft-Sun-Earth geometries enable simple spin stabilized attitude control, simple passive thermal control, and a fixed medium gain antenna. Low data requirements and the safety of a Sun-pointed spinner, result in extremely low mission operations costs.

Astronomy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Production of allo-anti-Ena by an individual whose red blood cells carry some Ena antigen.

We recently described an individual whose red blood cells appear to carry a hybrid MNSs sialoglycoprotein (SGP). The MN-derived portion of that SGP carries at least two determinants defined by some examples of antibodies that have been called anti-Ena. However, the red blood cells lack a different determinant that is defined by other examples of anti-Ena. This individual has now formed an anti-Ena antibody that reacts with the portion of Ena that her red blood cells lack, but not with the Ena determinants that have been shown to be carried on MN SGP. It is not yet clear whether the portion of Ena that her red blood cells lack and that her antibody defines is MN SGP-borne. The findings in this case provide further support for our conclusions that the terms "Ena" and "anti-Ena," as previously used, describe heterogeneous groups of antigens and antibodies.

Adsorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized trial of solvent/detergent-treated and standard fresh-frozen plasma in the coagulopathy of liver disease and liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Virus inactivation of pooled fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) by the solvent/detergent (SD) method results in a loss of approximately 20 percent of factor VIII. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of SD-treated plasma in correcting the coagulopathy associated with liver disease and liver transplantation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with coagulation deficits due to liver disease, who required FFP for invasive procedures or liver transplantation, were randomly assigned to receive either FFP or SD-treated plasma. Patients were assessed for side effects, correction of coagulopathy over 24 hours, and seroconversion for viral markers 6 to 18 months after treatment. RESULTS: In the liver disease group, equal correction of clotting factors and partial thromboplastin time was seen with FFP and SD-treated plasma, with a similar return to baseline values over 24 hours. There was greater correction of the International Normalised Ratio in patients receiving SD-treated plasma (p = 0.037), but this patient group had higher baseline values than recipients of FFP (p = 0.024). Liver transplant patients also showed equivalent correction of coagulopathy with the same dose of FFP and SD-treated plasma. The use of other blood components during transplantation was identical in the two treatment groups. No seroconversions were seen for HIV or hepatitis B or C virus. One patient who had received FFP seroconverted for human parvovirus B19. Apparent seroconversion for hepatitis A virus seen at 9 to 13 months in four other patients was probably due to detection of passively transferred antibodies, as later testing of these patients gave negative results. Minor side effects were rare in both groups. CONCLUSION: SD-treated plasma is an efficacious source of coagulation factors for patients with liver disease who are undergoing biopsy or transplantation. Assessment of seroconversion for viral markers in recipients of plasma-derived products and plasma components should include consideration of the possibility that passively transferred antibodies were detected.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Screening for lower genital tract infections in women presenting for termination of pregnancy.

Over a four-month study period, 87 patients requesting termination of pregnancy at a gynaecology clinic were offered screening for sexually transmitted diseases, of whom 63 accepted. A total of 41 infections were found in 34 women, the commonest being vaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Chlamydia was found in six patients. Although HIV antibody testing was offered to every patient, all declined this test.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cholesterol embolism causing bleeding gastric ulcers.

Two cases of atheromatous embolism of the small arteries of the stomach are reported. Insofar as has been ascertained, they are the first reported cases in the literature which presented symptoms of severe gastric bleeding and were found to have bleeding gastric ulcers on endoscopy. Both patients were successfully treated surgically, and their ulcers were found to be secondary to small arteriolar occlusions owing the atherosclerotic embolization. Awareness of clinicians as well as pathologists of this phenomenon in elderly males with symptoms of abdominal pain and other upper gastrointestinal symptoms unrelated to the ingestion of food is stressed. Pathophysiology of atherosclerotic emboli is also discussed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Another individual (J.R.) whose red blood cells appear to carry a hybrid MNSs sialoglycoprotein.

The serum of J.R. contains anti-Wrb and her red blood cells are of the phenotype Wr(a-b-). Evidence was obtained that suggested that her cells totally lack normal MN and Ss sialoglycoproteins (SGPs), and carry instead an abnormal SGP, which is likely to be a hybrid SGP resembling the MN SGP in its outer portion and the Ss SGP in its inner portion. Although the apparent hybrid SGPs of J.R. and the MiV homozygote are virtually indistinguishable in terms of their electrophoretic mobility (apparent molecular weight 40,000) and staining characteristics, they are not identical. That of J.R. is associated with a weak M and increased S antigen, while that of the MiV homozygote is associated with a very weak N, a greatly exalted s, and the rare antigen, Hil. Like the study on the blood of the MiV homozygote, serologic studies on the red blood cells of J.R. have revealed considerable heterogeneity of what have previously been called the Ena antigen and anti-Ena antibodies.

Adsorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Progression towards a 'no manual lifting' policy within the intensive care unit.

Nurses within the critical care environment are at increased risk of back injury, due to the high dependence of the patients. A move towards a 'no manual lifting' policy is desirable to reduce the costs of staff sickness, compensation claims and to comply with new legislation. Implementation of a 'no manual lifting policy' within intensive care poses a unique challenge due to the special needs of the critically ill patient. The call has gone out to avoid all manual lifting in all but exceptional and life-threatening situations.

Back Injuries↗