Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to R Robinson.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

A simple chromatographic technique for the estimation of urinary levels of normetadrenaline and metadrenaline.

A simple, but effective, procedure is described for the concurrent estimation of normetadrenaline (NMA) and metadrenaline (MA) in urine. The 3-methoxycatecholamines are adsorbed by a cation exchange resin, desorbed, separated by paper chromatography, and finally estimated spectrophotometrically after oxidation to vanillin. The mean (+/- 2 standards deviations) urinary outputs of NMA and MA from 123 normals (80 males, 43 females) in 24 hours was 2.15 +/- 1.04 and 1.79 +/- 0.96 mu mol respectively. There was no significant difference in the 24-hour urinary outputs of NMA between the male and female groups. However, the output of MA from the males was significantly higher than that from the females.

Adult↗

The composition and fluidity of normal and leukaemic or lymphomatous lymphocyte plasma membranes in mouse and man.

The lymphocyte surface membranes from normal and leukaemic or lymphomatous cells from man and mouse were isolated, characterized, and analyzed both biochemically and by diphenyl hexatriene fluorescence polarization. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio for all the pure lymphocyte plasma membranes was 0.45--0.50, and the fluorescence polarization results showed that values much higher than this were not credible. The lipid composition of all the plasma membranes was remarkably similar, except for the concentration of free fatty acids and glycerides. The latter two were particularily high in the mouse lymphoma membrane and these, rather than a low cholesterol concentration, were responsible for the increased fluidity of the cells. The most prominent protein in most of the plasma membrane preparations was actin. This is found only by some authors, and its presence probably depends on the method of lymphocyte disruption.

Adult↗

Penicillin pharmacokinetics in kwashiorkor.

Intravenous penicillin kinetics have been studied in eight children with kwashiorkor on admission to hospital and when rehabilitated. A 75% increase in penicillin clearance was observed with recovery, associated with a fall in half-life; this was probably due to an improvement of both renal plasma flow and tubular function. The present observations and those of other authors working in this area are discussed and an approach to drug dosage of renally excreted drugs in kwashiorkor has been proposed.

Half-Life↗

Douglas as editor.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

History, 20th Century↗

Myoinositol biosynthesis by Sertoli cells, and levels of myoinositol biosynthetic enzymes in testis and epididymis.

Levels of glucose-6-phosphate cyclase (myoinsitol-1-phosphate synthase, EC 5.5.1.4) and myoinositol-1-phosphate phosphatase (myoinositol-1-phosphatase, EC 3.1.3.25) were determined in extracts of testes from10-, 20-, and 30-day-old rats, and in extracts of Sertoli cells, germinal cells, and epididymides. The specific activity of the cyclase was approximately 1/10th that of the phosphatase in all extracts found to contain either enzyme. Among cells in the testis examined, Sertoli cells had highest levels of enzymes required for inositol biosynthesis from glucose, while spermatocytes and round spermatids did not have detectable activity. Spermatozoa from the epididymis also had no detectable cyclase or phosphatase activity. In contrast, extracts of washed epididymides contained exceedingly high specific activities of these enzymes. Primary cultures of Sertoli cells, maintained in a chemically defined medium without added inositol, released inositol into the medium during three successive 24-h periods. The amounts released were greater in cells stimulated by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Results were interpreted to indicate that inositol in the fluid of seminiferous tubules most probably originates from Sertoli cells, which synthesize inositol from glucose. Additional inositol in the fluid of epididymal tubules could readily be provided by metabolism of glucose by epididymal epithelial cells

Animals↗

Attitudes and interpersonal skills during pediatric internship.

The initial phases of a program for analyzing interpersonal skills and attitudes and personal adaptation of pediatric interns at a high-pressure tertiary care hospital are described. Interns found internship stressful and less satisfying in many regards than they expected. They were often unable to cope adaptively with the stresses encountered. There were indications of worsening attitudes toward aspects of patient care. However, interns' confidence increased during the year. A videotape vignette test of interpersonal sensitivity showed no change in sensitivity from beginning to end of the year. Videotapes of interns' visits with clinic outpatients made at three points during the year also showed no improvement in interpersonal or communication skills or attention to psychosocial issues. While parents were generally satisfied with the visit, interns lacked skills in some of these areas. None of the data collected, including sex, marital status, and pre-admission rank by the selection committee, predicted end-of-year performance rating by the chief residents. Sex and marital status were also uncorrelated with measured skills and attitudes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Serum methionine: its rapid determination by continuous-flow colorimetry.

A rapid automated method for the determination of serum methionine is presented for use with the Technicon AutoAnalyzer system. It is based on the decolorisation of halide platinates by organic sulphides, including methionine. The 5--95% reference range from 249 sera from hospital patients (excluding those with liver and renal diseases and diabetes) was 20--60 mumol/l, mean 35 mumol/l. The S.D. of the method for 40 duplicate samples was 2.2 mumol/l. Recoveries ranged from 101--105%. This measurement facilitates the clinical evaluation of liver disease, especially acute liver failure, kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.

Autoanalysis↗

The SIU medical curriculum: systemwide objectives-based instruction.

The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has completed a five-year experience applying an objectives-based approach to an entire curriculum in a medical school setting. Approximately 250 students have worked and studied within the system, and three classes have been graduated. This paper describes the instructional system and the procedures for monitoring, maintaining, and improving it and provides available outcome data.

Attitude↗

A multicentre study of the susceptibility of a variety of bacteria to cephalothin, cefamandole, tobramycin and gentamicin.

A multicentre study of antibiotic susceptibility was performed in South Africa. Sensitivity to cephalothin, cefamandole, tobramycin and gentamicin was tested on a variety of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Two disc susceptibility techniques were used, i.e. the Kirby-Bauer technique (aerobes) and the broth-disc method (anaerobes); minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined according to the International Collaborative Study techniques, and regression lines for individual centres were constructed. Satisfactory lines were obtained for cephalosporins, but, in some centres, problems were experienced with the aminoglycosides. Variations in MICs for Haemophilus influenzae were probably due to an inoculum effect. Accumulative percentage tables of the number of strains inhibited were compiled, and the comparative performance of the antibiotics was assessed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Genetic aspects of umbilical hernia incidence in cats and dogs.

The incidence of umbilical hernia in a family of Cornish rex cats approximated monogenic proportions. The genetic and developmental basis for umbilical hernia may be similar in cats and dogs. The defect is probably a polygenic threshold character, possibly involving a major gene whose expression is mediated by the genetic (breed) background.

Animals↗

The relationship of fever, granulocytopenia and antimicrobial therapy to bacteremia in cancer patients.

The relationship of fever, granulocytopenia, and antimicrobial therapy to bacteremia was studied retrospectively in 53 cancer patients. Severe granulocytopenia was present at the time blood cultures were positive in 27 to 31 episodes of bacteremia. Twenty-five episodes of bacteremia documented before the initiation of antimicrobial therapy in patients who were granulocytopenic and febrile. No bacteremia occurred in the absence of fever. Only two bacteremias occured while patients were receiving parenteral antimicrobials. Antimicrobial therapy was terminated 30 times in the presence of granulocytopenia and fever, and subsequent bacteremia occurred in 14 patients within 4 days. Patients who died with fungal disease did not receive more antibiotics than patients who died without fungal disease. These data suggest a rationale for long-term use of antimicrobial therapy in patients with persistent granulocytopenia and fever.

Adolescent↗

Rhabdomyolysis with severe hypernatremia.

Three children with severe hypernatremia presented with profound generalized weakness and biochemical evidence of rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria. These findings in combination have not been previously reported, to our knowledge, in children with severe hypernatremia. Unusual complications included respiratory failure in one child and cardiac arrhythmias in two children. All three children had acute renal insufficiency; one required peritoneal dialysis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Obstetric practice and infant morbidity.

A method is described of using matched pairs of index infants and controls to examine the hypothesis that induction or some other obstetric practice is associated with increased morbidity in the mature infant. All infants over 2250 g and 37 weeks gestation, without severe congenital defect or history of severe maternal disorder, born in the John Radcliffe and admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit in 1975 were identified. For each of these index infants a matched control was chosen using strict criteria. Contrast between the 109 matched pairs showed no significant differences between maternal characteristics, induction of labour, use of forceps or duration of labour. There was an excess of index infants born to mothers who had had epidural anaesthesia (P less than 0.05).

Extraction, Obstetrical↗

Phosphonolipids. XXVII. Synthesis of phosphonic acid analogs of saturated and unsaturated L-alpha-lecithins.

A procedure for the synthesis of saturated and unsaturated phosphonolecithin from the cadmium chloride complex of sn-glycerol-3-(2-trimethylammoniumethyl)-phosphonate is reported. The phosphonolecithins are obtained by acylating sn-glycerol-3(2-trimethylammoniumethyl)-phosphonate-cadmium chloride complex with fatty acid chloride and pyridine at low temperature. The preparation of the disteraroyl, dipalmitoyl, dimyristoly, and dioleoyl phosphonolecithins by this procedure is described.

Methods↗