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Biomedical subjects

R Whitney

Publications and source records attributed to R Whitney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Alcoholism diagnoses for convicted drinking drivers referred for alcoholism evaluation.

The types and extent of alcohol-related problems were determined for a sample of 461 convicted drinking drivers who were referred to an alcoholism treatment facility for evaluation and possible treatment. Using responses to questionnaire and structured interview questions on alcohol-related problems, DSM III diagnoses are constructed; approximately three-quarters of the sample are diagnosed with sufficient severity for a DSM III diagnosis of abuse or dependence. Self-reported consumption levels and drinking/driving incidents increase as the level of the alcohol problem increases; persons in the Alcohol Abuse category are heavier consumers and drive more frequently after drinking than are persons who are not diagnosed by the DSM III as having an alcohol problem. Persons in the Alcohol Dependence category are heavier consumers than either the Alcohol Abuse or Undiagnosed Problem categories and report more drinking/driving incidents. The DSM III provides useful subcategories of convicted drinking drivers referred for alcoholism evaluation and distinguishes groups differing in quality, frequency, and self-reported DWI measures, independent of basic demographics. These analyses suggest that drinking/driving countermeasures should include intervention efforts to address alcohol-related problems. Serious alcohol problems exist among some drinking drivers, and drinking/driving incidents are more frequent among these individuals.

Adult↗

Kainic acid evoked release of D-[3H]aspartate from rat striatum in vitro: characterization and pharmacological modulation.

A presynaptic stimulatory action of kainic acid (KA) on the release of glutamate from corticostriatal neurons is thought to contribute to the toxic effect of KA on cell bodies of neurons in the striatum. To characterize the action of KA on the presynaptic amino acid release, its effect was evaluated on the spontaneous efflux of D-[3H]aspartate (D-[3H]Asp), a marker for glutamatergic neurons, from slices of rat striatum in superfusion experiments. In the concentration range 0.5-10.0 mM, KA significantly increased the spontaneous efflux of D-[3H]Asp. Under similar conditions potassium (K+, 25 mM), veratridine, D-aspartic acid (D-Asp), and N-methyl-D-L-aspartic acid (NMDLA) also induced the efflux of the radiolabelled amino acid. The stimulatory effect of KA, like that of K+, was partly calcium dependent. The action of veratridine, D-Asp, and NMDA was not calcium dependent. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) blocked the action of veratridine on D-[3H]Asp efflux but did not affect the action of KA. In a sodium-free perfusion medium the action of KA was greatly reduced. Dihydrokainic acid produced an effect on D-[3H]Asp efflux comparable in magnitude with that produced by KA. The latter, at a dose of 5 mM, also stimulated the efflux of D-[3H]Asp from the cortex, hippocampus and the septum but its effect on these regions was weaker than its striatal effect. The action of several agents, which previously have been found to depress transmitter release in other systems and (or) to modify the neurotoxic action of KA in vivo, was evaluated on the KA-evoked D-[3H]Asp efflux from striatal slices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The decision to recommend alcoholism treatment for DWI offenders.

The decision to recommend alcoholism treatment for convicted drinking drivers is examined for a treatment program in Western New York. A total of 2,061 client files were abstracted for these analyses. The Mortimer-Filkins score and the blood alcohol concentration at the time of arrest were the two best discriminating variables in the decision to recommend treatment in these analyses. When these scores were high, additional information was not needed. However, when these scores were in the low or midranges, other variables became crucial to the decision-making process. Further investigation of variables not available in these analyses is needed to determine the decision-making process for clients with low or midrange Mortimer-Filkins and BAC scores.

Adult↗

Cephamycin derivatives: comparison of the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of SQ 14,359, CS-1170, and cefoxitin.

SQ 14,359 is a new cephamycin-type (7alpha-OCH3) antibiotic belonging to a series containing a 7alpha-ureidoacetyl substituent. The compound is the most potent extended spectrum derivative of this type yet reported, surpassing CS-1170 and cefoxitin by a wide margin. This activity in vitro which extends throughout the Enterobacteriaceae is particularly prominent against Gram-negative organisms that are producers of "cephalosporinase-type" beta-lactamases such as Enterobacter, Serratia, Citrobacter and indole-positive Proteus species. Superior activity also is demonstrated in vitro against streptococci, beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and many Gram-negative pathogens resistant to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Experimental chemotherapeutic studies have confirmed these observations in wound and selected systemic infections in mice as well as acute pyelonephritis and meningitis in rats. The pharmacokinetics for each drug including antibiotic bound to serum was similar in both mice and rats. The pharmacokinetic profile in blood and cerebrospinal fluid favored SQ 14,359.

Animals↗

Immunosuppression of T lymphocyte function by fractionated serum from tumor-bearing mice.

Sera from mice with transplanted 3-methylcholantrene-induced tumors have been shown previously to inhibit the function of normal lymphoid cells. When chromatographed on Sephadex G-150, the fraction eluting with immunoglobulin has been shown to inhibit the proliferative response of normal spleen cells to concanavalin A and to inhibit the in vitro antibody response to a T-dependent antigen, but has a lesser effect on the antibody response to a T-independent antigen. This paper deals with studies on the mode of action of the serum factor. The immunoglobulin containing fraction of serum from tumor-bearing mice inhibited the in vitro generation of both allogeneic and syngeneic cytotoxic lymphocytes. Time course studies demonstrate that the serum fraction inhibits the generation of antibody-producing and cytotoxic lymphocytes if added during the first 2 days of a 5-day culture. Serum fractions added after day 2 had no effect on the in vitro response. The serum factor appears to inhibit the generation of specific T cell function during the proliferative stage of development but has no effect on the differentiation stage which leads to either antibody-producing cells or cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Animals↗

Immunosuppression of T lymphocyte function by fractionated serum from tumor-bearing mice.

Sera from mice with transplanted 3-methylcholantrene-induced tumors have been shown previously to inhibit the function of normal lymphoid cells. When chromatographed on Sephadex G-150, the fraction eluting with immunoglobulin has been shown to inhibit the proliferative response of normal spleen cells to concanavalin A and to inhibit the in vitro antibody response to a T-dependent antigen, but has a lesser effect on the antibody response to a T-independent antigen. This paper deals with studies on the mode of action of the serum factor. The immunoglobulin containing fraction of serum from tumor-bearing mice inhibited the in vitro generation of both allogeneic and syngeneic cytotoxic lymphocytes. Time course studies demonstrate that the serum fraction inhibits the generation of antibody-producing and cytotoxic lymphocytes if added during the first 2 days of a 5-day culture. Serum fractions added after day 2 had no effect on the in vitro response. The serum factor appears to inhibit the generation of specific T cell function during the proliferative stage of development but has no effect on the differentiation stage which leads to either antibody-producing cells or cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Chemical Precipitation↗