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Biomedical subjects

P M Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to P M Thompson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Organochlorine residues in harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphins stranded on the coast of Scotland, 1988-1991.

The organochlorine (OC) residues, chlorobiphenyls (CBs), DDT and its metabolites, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene and technical chlordane mixtures have been determined in the blubber of harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphins from around the north and east coasts of Scotland as a result of strandings and bycatches between 1988 and 1991. The concentrations of OCs range from some of the lowest values reported at 280 micrograms kg-1 for t-CBs, 145 micrograms kg-1 for t-DDT and 71 micrograms kg-1 for dieldrin to some of the highest values, 23,000 micrograms kg-1 for t-CBs, and 10,200 micrograms kg-1 for t-DDT. OC levels were correlated with the age and sex of the sample of harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphins from the Moray Firth area. The study confirms that the concentration of these compounds is highly dependent on co-factors of age and sex, and that data from single or small numbers of animals may be of limited value in comparing information on organochlorine residues in mammals within or between regions.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Superficial bladder cancer: the response of a marker tumour to a single intravesical instillation of epirubicin.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the response of a marker tumour to a single instillation of intravesical epirubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-one patients (54 men, 27 women) with a mean age of 69.3 years (range 36-92) with superficial bladder cancer were randomized to receive a single instillation of intravesical epirubicin. At the initial cystoscopy all but one papillary marker tumour was resected. Subsequently the patients were randomized to receive either intravesical epirubicin at a concentration of 1 mg/ml (n = 40) or 2 mg/ml (n = 41) in 50 ml of saline for 1 h. The response of the marker tumour was determined at 3 months (first check cystoscopy). The toxicity associated with both treatments was also recorded. RESULTS: A complete response (no visible or microscopic bladder carcinoma) was observed in 46% (95% confidence interval (CI) 35-57%) of patients. No patient experienced systemic side-effects. Chemical cystitis and bladder irritability were the most frequent local side-effects, occurring in 15% (95% CI 8-24%) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: A single instillation of intravesical epirubicin has a demonstrable effect in superficial bladder cancer. The results compare favourably with more onerous regimes. Side-effects were minimal at 1 mg/ml and acceptable at 2 mg/ml.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1992

Phocine distemper virus outbreak in the Moray Firth common seal population: an estimate of mortality.

Changes in abundance at haul-out sites were followed, and data on the number of deaths collected, to describe the pattern and extent of mortality resulting from the 1988 phocine distemper virus outbreak in the Moray Firth common seal population. Mortality in this population was estimated to be between 10% and 20%, and was low in comparison to some other parts of the North Sea. Most deaths occurred in the 3-month period from 1st August 1988, and there was no sign of a resurgence of the disease during the 1989 breeding season or moult.

Aging↗
PubMed1992

The serological response of the common seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) to phocine distemper virus as measured by a canine distemper virus neutralisation test.

The application of a canine distemper virus (CDV) neutralisation test revealed that antibody titres of up to 11,620 were present in the sera of common seals during the epizootic of phocine distemper in British waters. However, during the later stages of the epizootic and afterwards, a surprisingly high proportion of animals were still seronegative. Titres of from 90 to 183 were common in diseased animals and were probably indicative of partial immunosuppression. A few animals with proven phocine distemper had titres of less than 64, this being evidence of a more profound immunosuppression. Recovered animals tended to have moderate to high titres and in some cases these persisted for at least 6.5 months. By contrast, the administration of an inactivated CDV vaccine produced antibody which declined rapidly to very low levels within the same period. Infection also occurred in grey seals in 1988 but without severe mortality. Antibody titres in this species nearly always lay in the range 128-734 and persisted at or around this level for at least 12 months. In both common and grey seals, antibody was transferred by suckling from mother to pup but absorption by the pup seemed to take place more slowly than in domestic mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Serologic study of phocine distemper in a population of harbor seals in Scotland.

A serologic survey of the prevalence of morbillivirus antibodies was conducted in a population of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from northeastern Scotland, where mortality was comparatively low during the 1988 phocine distemper virus outbreak. None of the 12 seals sampled before the epizootic were seropositive. Thirty-five (52%) of 68 seals sampled after the beginning of the epizootic were seropositive, although there were significant age-related differences in both the number of seropositive individuals and in antibody levels. Marking studies showed that most seropositive seals caught during the peak of the epizootic survived for several months. Thus, the low mortality observed in this population did not appear to result from a lack of contact with the virus.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Alteration of neocortical activity in response to noxious stimulation: participation of the dorsal raphe.

Noxious stimulation induces cortical desynchronization which in turn can suppress epileptic seizures in humans and epileptiform activity in laboratory animals. Recent evidence indicates that serotonin mediates both atropine-resistant cortical desynchronization and the suppression of focal epileptiform activity induced by noxious stimulation. As a large forebrain projection of serotonergic fibres originates from the dorsal raphe nucleus, involvement of this nucleus in altering cortical activity was investigated. Agents known to inhibit serotonergic unit activity including serotonin, (+/-)-8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin, fluoxetine and baclofen, when pressure ejected in the vicinity of the dorsal raphe, prevented cortical desynchronization as well as the suppression of focal epileptiform activity in response to noxious stimulation. From these observations it is concluded that serotonergic neurones of the dorsal raphe can profoundly influence neocortical excitability and this action may underlie the clinical effectiveness of strong or noxious stimuli in suppressing epileptic seizures.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1986

Association between thyroid microsomal antibodies of subclass IgG-1 and hypothyroidism in autoimmune postpartum thyroiditis.

The potential role of thyroid microsomal (Mic) antibodies in the development of postpartum hypothyroidism was investigated in 34 euthyroid women, whose sera were found to contain Mic antibodies in pregnancy. Additional serum samples were obtained 2. 5 and 10-12 months after delivery and analysed for IgG class and IgG subclass levels of Mic antibodies by ELISA techniques. Characteristically, Mic antibodies decreased from early pregnancy to 2 months postpartum, increased two-fold 5 months postpartum and had returned 10-12 months postpartum to the early pregnancy level. Mic antibodies were predominantly subclass IgG-1 or IgG-4 with only minor contributions from IgG-2 and IgG-3. In each individual the percentage contribution made by each IgG subclass to Mic antibody was essentially similar in early pregnancy and the postpartum period despite changes in total IgG class Mic antibody. During the year following delivery, thyrotoxicosis alone (Graves' disease) developed in 5 women. In the remaining 29 patients the absolute levels of Mic antibodies of IgG-4 subclass were similar 5 months postpartum in women with maximal serum thyrotropin (TSH) greater than 20 mU/1 (mean optical density in ELISA +/- s.d.; 0.84 +/- 0.538; n = 13) and in women with maximal TSH less than 10 mU/l (0.69 +/- 0.457; n = 16). In contrast, significantly higher values were observed for Mic antibody of IgG-1 subclass in patients with TSH greater than 20 mU/l (1.14 +/- 0.440) compared with women with maximal TSH less than 10 mU/l (0.65 +/- 0.289) (P less than 0.001 by t-test for groups). These results imply that the magnitude of Mic antibody levels of subclass IgG-1 but not IgG-4 is associated with the development of postpartum hypothyroidism and possibly with tissue destruction in autoimmune thyroid disease in general.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Ultrasound examination of the scrotum.

The technique of real time ultrasound examination of the scrotum is described. The examination was performed on 120 patients and was found to be a helpful diagnostic aid in scrotal swelling and in the acute painful scrotum. It is recommended as a useful investigation for scrotal abnormalities.

Genital Diseases, Male↗
PubMed1984

Intensive EEG monitoring and psychological studies of patients with pseudoepileptic seizures.

EEG/closed-circuit television long-term monitoring was used as a definitive diagnostic tool to identify and characterize 25 patients with pseudoepileptic seizures and a similar group of subjects with epilepsy, confirming the value of the procedure. The groups did not differ with respect to intelligence, neuropsychological impairment, or incidence of potential etiological factors for seizures. Scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Hypochondriasis, Hysteria, and Schizophrenia Scales were significantly higher for the pseudoepileptic group than for the other subjects. As a whole, the former patients exhibited an MMPI profile pattern frequently seen in the conversion form of hysteria. A set of three rules derived from the MMPI profiles was used to classify the patients correctly in 80-90% of cases. As evaluated by the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory, psychosocial problems of patients with pseudoepileptic seizures were more severe in certain areas, and appeared to reflect early family background problems and inappropriate management of their disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Protease activity associated with loss of adhesiveness in mouse teratocarcinoma.

We have observed the spontaneous conversion of an embryoid body (multicellular) form of 129/J mouse ascites teratocarcinoma to a single cell form. Concomitant with the conversion, a rapid increase in growth rate and ascites fluid accumulation have been observed. This report presents data on protease activity in the ascites fluid after the conversion and evidence that the protease causes decreased tumor cell adhesiveness. Ascites protease has a pH optimum of 2.0-3.0 and is inhibited by both DAN (diazoacetyl-DL-norleucine methyl ester) and Pepstatin A. Using denatured bovine hemoglobin as a substrate, the low pH optimum and inhibition by DAN and Pepstatin A allow tentative identification of the enzyme as the carboxypeptidase Cathepsin D. Approx. 0.036 X 10(-2) micrograms of Cathepsin D per mg of protein was found in the ascites fluid of the single cell form of the mouse teratocarcinoma. We show that Pepstatin A-derivatized agarose beads bind the single ascites cells, causing them to display increased cell-cell adhesion, a phenomenon not observed with control beads. The results suggest that ascites protease may play a role in transformation of a slow growing, clustered tumor into a rapidly growing, non-adhesive, single cell form. We found that an embryoid-like tissue culture line of mouse teratocarcinoma, that we established, disaggregated into single cells, upon addition of ascites fluid from the single cell tumor, to the culture medium. Pepstatin A prevented disaggregation of the cell clusters. These results further support the contention that specific ascites protease plays a role in the transformation of a clustered tumor into a single cell form.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The IgG subclass distribution of thyroglobulin antibody synthesized in culture.

Thyroglobulin autoantibodies synthesized by Hashimoto lymphocytes in culture and present in serum have been analysed in terms of their IgG subclass distribution. The autoantibodies produced in vitro were frequently IgG4 or IgG1, whether pokeweed mitogen or Epstein-Barr virus was used to stimulate the cultures, and the subclass distribution of these thyroglobulin antibodies was similar to that observed in the patients' serum. It appears therefore that the antibodies synthesized in vitro in response to polyclonal B-cell activators resemble those produced in vivo, and it seems likely that both pokeweed mitogen and Epstein-Barr virus influence the same B-cell precursors of autoantibody-synthesizing cells, albeit by different mechanisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The problem of infection after prostatic biopsy: the case for the transperineal approach.

The incidence of infection after needle biopsy of the prostate by different techniques was compared in 45 patients. Aerobic and anaerobic culture was made of the biopsy needle, prostate, urine and blood. In addition, endotoxin assays were determined by a new chromogenic method using Limulus lysate. All of the patients undergoing transrectal biopsy were found to have a bacteraemia; 27% were symptomatic and 87% had a post-operative urinary tract infection. A double-blind controlled trial using cefamandole with the premedication showed a significant reduction in the incidence of bacteraemia to 53% and the prevention of a urinary tract infection. Following transperineal biopsy, although the incidence of bacteraemia was 40% and urinary tract infection 27%, none of these patients was symptomatic and the organisms causing the bacteraemia were predominantly skin contaminants. The endotoxin assays showed differences between the groups with higher endotoxin values in the unprotected transrectal group.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1981

Ureteric obstruction of solitary kidneys by aneurysms of the iliac artery.

Two rare cases are reported, both known to have solitary kidneys, that had ureteric obstruction caused by iliac artery aneurysms. Iliac aneurysms have a high mortality and may present to the urologist as an uncommon cause of ureteric obstruction. When the ureter of a solitary kidney is obstructed it is recommended that both ureterolysis and a temporary proximal diversion be performed. A common iliac aneurysm should be excised and grafted where possible; an internal iliac aneurysm is best treated by simple ligation or partial excision only.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed1980

Transrectal biopsy of the prostate and bacteraemia.

Bacteraemia and urinary tract infection are well-recognized complications of urological procedures. This paper compares, for the first time, the incidence of bacteraemia after cystoscopy and transrectal biopsy of the prostate with that following cystoscopy alone. The incidence of bacteraemia in those undergoing biopsy was 73 per cent; following cystoscopy alone the incidence was 13 per cent. In view of this high incidence we recommend prophylactic antibiotic cover of transrectal prostatic biopsy.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1979

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts. A report of 2 cases.

The results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 2 patients with traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts are described. As a pre-operative procedure, this investigation provided useful information on the exact site of duct disruption. In both patients, the pancreatic pseudocysts were drained via a posterior cyst gastrostomy, and they have remained well since surgery. Follow-up ERCP at 6 and 12 months demonstrated complete stenosis at the site of duct disruption. The value of ERCP in the pre-operative and follow-up management of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Colonic carcinoma at the site of ureterosigmoidostomy: what is the risk?

A case of colonic carcinoma arising 27 years after urinary diversion by ureterosigmoidostomy is reported. This late complication is now well recognized and increasing numbers of cases are being reported. The implications of this patient and the 31 previously reported cases are considered.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗