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Biomedical subjects

R Kennedy

Publications and source records attributed to R Kennedy.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The geriatric auditory and vestibular systems.

Age-related declines in auditory and vestibular function are becoming more prevalent and better understood. The personal and societal impact of these disorders is impressive, and present techniques of amplification or balance training can be of great benefit. However, many issues await investigation, and continued integration of ever-increasing technologies promises many new answers, and questions, in the future.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

A severe form of breakdown in communication in the psychoanalysis of an ill adolescent.

The paper focuses on a particularly severe kind of breakdown in communication that can arise in the psychoanalysis of ill adolescents who have experienced a real breakdown in functioning, such as a severe suicide attempt or one or more psychotic breakdowns. Clinical material is presented from the analysis of a suicidal and self-mutilating adolescent as an illustration of the theme. Included is a discussion of different types of breakdown in communication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Transforming growth factor-beta stimulates wound healing and modulates extracellular matrix gene expression in pig skin. I. Excisional wound model.

The effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on matrix gene expression has been investigated during the process of wound repair, where the formation of new connective tissue represents a critical step in restoring tissue integrity. Split-thickness excisional wounds in the pig were studied by in situ hybridization in order to obtain subjective findings on the activity and location of cells involved in matrix gene expression after the administration of recombinant TGF-beta 1. Data focus on the stimulatory role of this growth factor in granulation tissue formation, on the enhanced mRNA content of collagen types I and III, fibronectin, TGF-beta 1 itself, and on the reduction in stromelysin mRNA, suggesting that increased matrix formation measured after treatment with TGF-beta 1 is due to fibroplasia regulated by the abundance of mRNAs for several different structural, matrix proteins as well as inhibition of proteolytic phenomena elicited by metalloproteinases. These studies reveal elastin mRNA early in the repair process, and elastin mRNA expression is enhanced by administration of TGF-beta 1. Moreover, we show that TGF-beta 1 was auto-stimulating in wounds, accounting, at least in part, for the persistent effects of single doses of this multipotential cytokine.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Joubert's syndrome associated with congenital ocular fibrosis and histidinemia.

We describe a 16-month-old girl with Joubert's syndrome (JS), congenital ocular fibrosis, and histidinemia. Abnormal respiration, ptosis, and minimal eye movements were observed in the neonatal period. Intraoperative examination of the eyes later demonstrated severely restricted eye movements and abnormal insertions and fibrosis of the extraocular muscles. Computed tomography of the head revealed absence of the corpus callosum and brain stem. Histidine levels were elevated in the blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was ataxic and developmentally delayed. To our knowledge, the association of JS with congenital ocular fibrosis has not previously been described. This report indicates that jerky eye movements are not an invariable finding in JS.

Ataxia↗
PubMed1988

A pilot study of carboplatin (JM8, CBDCA) and chlorambucil in combination for advanced ovarian cancer.

Forty-six patients with previously untreated, advanced ovarian cancer received carboplatin (JM8, CBDCA) and chlorambucil (CLB) to assess the efficacy and toxicity of this combination. Carboplatin 300 mg m-2 was given on day 1 with CLB 10 mg daily for 7, 10 or 14 days; 6 treatment courses were given at 4-6 weekly intervals in the absence of disease progression. Tumour response was assessed, where possible, by restaging laparotomy after 6 treatment cycles. Five complete and 16 partial remission were seen in 37 evaluable patients giving an overall response rate of 57%. The median survival of all patients was 15 months. The major toxicity was myelosuppression. Nausea and vomiting were generally minor (WHO, grades I or II) and most courses were given on an outpatient basis. Leucopenia was the major factor causing treatment delays, particularly with the 10 and 14 day CLB regimens. Thrombocytopenia was minimal in the early chemotherapy cycles but the data suggest that cumulative toxicity may occur. This combination may provide a satisfactory degree of efficacy with less toxicity than cisplatin-based regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Congenital endodermal sinus tumor of the penis.

Congenitally occurring endodermal sinus tumors are very rare and frequently occur in association with teratomatous growths. The most common location for these tumors in infancy is the gonads. Tumors of the penis are rare in any age group. As far as we know, this tumor has never been reported in the penis. A 17-month-old baby boy was noted to have a pimple-like lesion at the corona of the glans penis. This was stationary and ignored for a year. At this point, the lump began increasing in size. A further delay of 6 months elapsed before a definitive diagnosis was made. This case emphasizes that any nodule in this area in the neonate is ignored with jeopardy.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1986

Activated T cells in normal pregnant women and neonates.

The phenotyping of T-cell subsets and T cells at different stages of activation was performed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies in samples from normal pregnant women at different stages of gestation and in the cord blood of neonates. The data obtained from pregnant women showed a slight decrease in the total number of T cells at the beginning of pregnancy, whereas there was a clear increase in 4F2-positive lymphocytes after a few months of gestation. No significant increase in Class II-positive lymphocytes was observed in normal pregnant women in comparison with adult healthy women. The data from neonates revealed a clear decrease of OKT3- and OKT4-positive cells and an increase of 4F2-positive cells in comparison with control subjects. These data indicate that alerted, but not fully activated, lymphocytes are present in the circulation of both the mother, after the first months of pregnancy, and the neonate. This finding reinforces the concept that during pregnancy there is an activation of certain immune components rather than a general depression of the immune system.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Familial small bowel atresia and stenosis.

A family is described in which three individuals (two siblings and a second cousin) have presented with duodenal or jejunal atresia and duodenal stenosis in association with malrotation. The possible mode of inheritance is discussed.

Cecum↗
PubMed1986

Mobility of elderly patients in bed. Measurement and association with patient condition.

Measurements were made of the overnight mobility of a group of elderly hospital patients whose clinical status had been assessed using the Norton clinical assessment score. The number of movements on the first two nights after admission differed from subsequent nights. There was a significant correlation between mobility and patient condition on all nights except the second. Patients assessed as being at high risk of developing pressure sores made fewer movements; mobility criteria are presented for detecting these individual patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Immunity in Graves' disease at diagnosis: correlation between activated T cells and humoral immune factors.

Activated T cells, T-cell subsets, thyrotropin receptor antibodies and immune complexes were evaluated in 31 patients with newly diagnosed Graves' disease. Activated T cells were assayed by monoclonal antibodies against early (4F2) and late activation surface lymphocyte antigens (different epitopes of class II antigens). In comparison with the normal population, Graves' patients showed a significant decrease in the suppressor cytotoxic T-cell subset. Significant increases of 4F2-positive cells (70% of patients studied), class II antigen-positive cells (65%), thyrotropin receptor antibodies (93%), Clq-immune complexeses (44%) and conglutinin-immune complexes (37%) were observed. A significant inverse correlation between the increase in 4F2-positive cells and thyrotropin receptor antibody values was also observed. Lymphocytes from Graves' patients were cultured in the presence of thyrotropin receptor antibody-positive or -negative sera, with or without mitogen stimulation. Thyrotropin receptor antibodies were shown not to interfere with the expression of activation antigens in cultured cells. The different patterns of humoral and cellular immune phenomena may indicate the existence of either different stages of Graves' disease or a heterogeneity of the immunopathogenesis in different patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a programme based on a novel direct radioimmunoassay for 17-hydroxyprogesterone in blood spots.

We have assessed the feasibility of screening newborn babies for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) by the direct measurement of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in blood spots collected on filter paper (Guthrie cards) for the phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism and galactosaemia screening programmes run in Scotland. The procedure described for CAH uses an iodinated 17-OHP tracer and a specific 17-OHP antiserum sheathed within semipermeable nylon microcapsules. The method does not require a solvent extraction step, is inexpensive, precise, efficient and, therefore, practical for large-scale use. With this system the value of a neonatal screening programme was assessed in a retrospective analysis and a prospective trial. The retrospective study of 15 paediatric cases of CAH illustrated that at least half were not diagnosed within 3 weeks of birth. Analysis of the original Guthrie card samples revealed increased levels of 17-OHP in all cases. The prevalence of CAH as calculated in the retrospective study was 1 in 20 907 with a range (within 95% confidence limits) of from 1 in 12 675 to 1 in 32 604 (n = 301 450). In the prospective trial a total of 92 051 consecutive samples was screened. Five cases of CAH were correctly identified with a current false positive rate of 0.042%. Analysis of urinary steroids confirmed defective adrenal 21-hydroxylase activity in all positive cases. In the prospective trial the prevalence was 1 in 18 401 with a range of from 1 in 7422 to 1 in 50 006. We conclude that mass screening for CAH is both feasible and desirable.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMed1986

The significance of increasing caesarean section rates.

Obstetric intervention has been the subject of much recent criticism from both the medical profession and consumer groups who point to increasing caesarean section rates and question their justification. This article examines the indications for caesarean section and assesses the relative benefits and disadvantages.

Breech Presentation↗