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Biomedical subjects

R Turner

Publications and source records attributed to R Turner.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

SOluble and insoluble immune complex-platelet interactions in rheumatoid inflammation.

The interactions of soluble and insoluble immunoglobulin G (IgG) complexes with macromolecular rheumatoid factor (RF) and platelets were examined in an in vitro system permitting observation of platelet activities which may contribute to rheumatoid inflammation. Studies of the aggregation phenomenon by the nephalometric technique and by selective sedimentation of 51Cr-labelled platelets revealed no aggregation by platelets exposed to heat aggregated IgG (HAIgG) complexes or their RF precipitates in a plasma test system. Release of serotonin was demonstrated by the increasing radioactivity of platelet supernates to 45 min by 14C-serotonin labelled platelets exposed to insoluble IgG heat aggregates. Significantly less release was shown with saline, native IgG, and soluble IgG complexes. When RF was added to soluble HAIgG complexes, the resulting precipitate caused significantly higher release than controls. No concomitant release of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase was detected. Thus, although soluble complexes do not cause significant release of biologically active amines, conversion of soluble complexes to insoluble immune precipitates by RF is associated with this activity which is independent of platelet aggregation and/or lyosomal enzyme release in our test system. Release of biologically active amines from platelets exposed to insoluble complexes may be important in the initiation and propagation of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1978

Evaluation of the usefulness of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels in the management of haematological neoplasia.

The levels of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and, when appropriate, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and 5'-nucleotidase (NTD) have been measured as a routine in 276 patients with malignant haematological diseases during a 26-month trial period. GGT levels add no prognostic information to the routine haematological surveillance of leukaemia. Polychemotherapy does not appear to be an inducer of liver drug-metabolising microsomal enzymes. Polycythaemia rubra vera, myelofibrosis and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia may cause little change in GGT, AP and NTD levels despite marked hepatomegaly. A raised GGT in Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma is generally associated with active and widespread disease, but not necessarily a sign of malignant tissue in the liver. The elevations of GGT in myeloma may be secondary to liver infiltration though this group merits further detailed study.

Hodgkin Disease↗
PubMed1977

Cancer markers in patients receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer: a preliminary report.

The combination of CEA, hepatic function marker enzymes, and four acute phase reactant proteins (haptoglobin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, alpha 1 acid glycoprotein, and prealbumin) has been used to monitor patients with colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy. In 18 patients with advanced lesions who survived at least 3 months treatment the markers predicted progression in 92% of 25 incidents of progression; the mean lead time was 2.8 months. A rising CEA was only present in 28%, but in these patients it gave a mean lead time of 4 months. In the group of 14 patients with minimal residual disease progression to clinically detectable disease has occurred in 9 of them. In these cases the markers predicted progression with a mean lead time of 6 months; in a further six patients the markers have indicated progression, but as yet their disease is not detectable, the mean lead time being at least 8.6 months. CEA and the liver enzyme markers are the most sensitive indicators of progression of the minimal residual disease group.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1977

Acute-phase reactant protein profiles: an aid to monitoring large bowel cancer by CEA and serum enzymes.

The profiles of 4 acute-phase reactant proteins (APRPs) (haptoglobin (HPT), alpha1 antitrypsin (AAT), alpha1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) and prealbumin (PALB)) have been studied during the evolution of bowel cancer. Serial measurements of these APRPs can add to the information obtained from measurements of the level of CEA and hepatic enzymes during the monitoring of postoperative patients. There is considerable stability in the profile in a given individual in health, Rises of AAT and AGP are associated with metastases. High levels of HPT may suggest involvement of the bowel wall by recurrent cancer. PALB levels tend to reflect the nutritional status. A discriminant function based on the log CEA, AAT and AGP preoperative blood levels can considerably improve on the predictive value attained using CEA levels alone.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Sex hormone binding globulin in carcinoma of the prostate.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) was measured in 130 patients with carcinoma of the prostate. Its level is raised in patients treated with oestrogen and it is possible that this may be of prognostic significance. The possible relevance of SHBG in oestrogen-treated patients is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Effects of ganglionic blockade upon the renal and cardiovascular dysfunction induced by thermal injury.

Studies to test the effects of partial ganglionic blockade on renal and cardiovascular function were carried out in 16 mongrel dogs that under chloralose anesthesia had been subjected to full thickness flame burns to approximately 25% of their body surface. All animals received intravenous fluid replacement according to the same resuscitation formula we use in burned children. Half of the animals received 0.3 mg/kg of chlorisondamine hydrochloride 40 minutes after the burn; the remaining 8 dogs received only the vehicle. Among the variables monitored before burning and before and after blockade were glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, water and osmolar clearance, sodium and potassium excretion, cardiac output, mean arterial, right atrial, and left ventricular end diastolic pressure, peripheral resistance, peak dP/dt/P, blood pH, and blood gases. Analysis of the data has revealed that pharmacologic blockade of the sympathetic system during the immediate postburn period results in a marked improvement in cardiac output and moderate improvement in kidney function.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1976

The cardiologist's responsibility for preventing coronary heart disease.

The recent increase in coronary heart disease is real and the causes must mainly be environmental. Consequently the condition should largely be preventable. The application of what is already known is likely to be a far more effective way of reducing the mortality rate than all attempts at palliative treatment, but vigorous action will be necessary. Much greater sums are being expended on coronary-care units and cardiac surgery than in preventing the need for them, although there is little evidence that they have significantly lowered the over-all mortality rate. Conventional treatment is immensely expensive. Prevention could in the long run be much cheaper. Cardiologists on their own are unlikely to succeed in a program of prevention. They need the help of many others, including community nurses, nutritionists, public health workers, sociologists, and of course general practitioners, but they have responsibility for leadership and for providing background knowledge. For the detection of certain risk factors, health examinations are necessary and should be part of general practice. Also, advice is best given on an individual basis. The chief-known risk factors (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, physical inactivity) could be controlled. CHD occurs in adults but atherosclerosis starts many years before. Prevention should begin with appropriate infant feeding, whenever possible with breast milk, and continue into childhood, when habits are formed and attitudes to life can best be influenced. It should be possible to bring up children virtually free from risk factors. It may never be possible to prove the effectiveness of such a multifactorial program by prospective controlled intervention studies, but the evidence indicates strong probability. The stakes are too high to delay action any longer. Physicians daily give advice in areas where the evidence is much less certain. Such a program for the control of coronary artery disease is urgently needed and could become one of the most rewarding activities for the medical profession.

Adult↗