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Biomedical subjects

R Wright

Publications and source records attributed to R Wright.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

IgA and IgG reticulin antibodies in coeliac and non-coeliac patients.

Using indirect immunofluorescence, comparisons were made of patterns of staining of five tissue substrates with 28 RI reticulin antibody-positive coeliac sera, and 23 RI reticulin antibody-positive non-coeliac sera. IgA and IgG fluorescein conjugates were used separately. IgA antibodies were seen in 22 coeliac patients (78%) compared with three non-coeliacs (13%). Concomitant sinusoidal fluorescence (RS pattern) was seen more frequently with the non-coeliac (60.9%) than with the coeliac sera (10.7%). Such differences may help to distinguish those patients who should have a jejunal biopsy when using the reticulin antibody as a screening test for coeliac disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Ratio of urinary 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in patients with liver disease.

The ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the urine of 73 patients with liver disease, and 53 controls has been measured. The mean ratio was significantly greater in the liver disease group (p less than 0.001), this elevation being most marked among patients with liver metastases and patients with acute hepatitis. We feel that the use of the ratio as a test of early liver cell dysfunction requires further evaluation, in particular in the early recognition of metastatic liver disease.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1977

Collagenase and collagenase inhibitors in osteoarthritic and normal cartilage.

In advanced osteoarthritis, all of the cartilaginous components are lost from the joint surface. Although mechanisms exist for proteoglycan degradation, there is not known to be any system for removal of the collagen. This study suggests that the loss of the collagen components may be a function of articular cartilage collagenase. The enzyme in normal human cartilage is bound to an inhibitor and appears to be present in very small amounts. Attempts to demonstrate collagenase activity in ground human articular cartilage or in its lysosomal fraction were unsuccessful. 7-Day cartilage tissue cultures also failed to demonstrate the presence of the enzyme; but the same culture fluid, incubated with trypsin, showed significant degradation of collagen, suggesting that trypsin destroyed the inhibitor. 7-Day culture fluids were then chromatographed on a heparin-charged Sepharose 4B affinity column that had been activated with cyanogen bromide. This removed the inhibitor, and the chromatographed fluid from osteoarthritic cartilage released 42% of the incorporated counts of the collagen substrate, whereas normal cartilage released 10.1% and a trypsin control, 6.4%. Electrophoresis of the degradation products of the enzyme-collagen complex incubated at 37 degrees C revealed breakdown was complete to small dialyzable fragments, while at 25 degrees C larger fragments were split off.

Cartilage, Articular↗
PubMed1977

Ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase in skin fibroblasts of normal and cystic fibrosis patients.

The key enzymes in the synthesis of the naturally occurring polyamines, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) decarboxylase, were investigated during cell growth and aging in fibroblast cultures from normal patients and patients with cystic fibrosis. A linear correlation between increased S-adenosyl methionine activity and putrescine concentration was apparent in all cell lines. A putrescine concentration of 0.8 mM was optimal for enhancement of SAM decarboxylase activity. The passage number of the cell line correlated inversely with maximal putrescine-stimulated SAM decarboxylase activity, earlier passage numbers having the highest specific activity (Fig. 1). No significant differences in basal or putrescine-stimulated SAM decarboxylase activity were noted between normal fibroblast cultures and cells from patients with cystic fibrosis (Fig. 2). SAM decarboxylase activity increased as the cell lines approached confluence. Activity was lowest during exponential growth (Fig. 3). ODC activity was increased during early exponential growth and fell as cells reached confluence (Fig. 4). No differences in ODC activity and putrescine inhibition between the normal and cystic fibrosis cell cultures at equivalent points of exponential growth were noted.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗
PubMed1976

Mollaret meningitis. A report of three cases.

Three cases of benign, recurrent meningitis of Mollaret demonstrated unusual aspects of this disease. Postpartum pituitary necrosis was an antecedent event in one case. A second case occurred in an otherwise healthy 82-year-old woman, and a third patient was thought to have Histoplasma meningitis. The pathophysiology of Mollaret meningitis remains an enigma, and the therapy consists of supportive care.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Death from ischaemic heart-disease and malignancy in adult patients with coeliac disease.

The cause of death was obtained for 77 members of the Coeliac Society resident in England and Wales. Proportional mortality analysis revealed a significant deficiency in deaths from ischaemic heart-disease in males and a non-significant deficiency in females. It is suggested that this apparent protective effect of coeliac disease might result from malabsorption of dietary lipids. The study also confirmed findings of an excess of deaths from lymphoma and upper gastrointestinal neoplasms.

Celiac Disease↗
PubMed1976

Prophylactic antibiotics in transurethral prostatectomy.

In a prospective randomized study involving 90 uninfected patients undergoing transurethral prostatectomy it was found that routine postoperative use of prophylactic cephalosporins had no beneficial effect on the incidence of fever, hospital stay or major complications. Patients receiving cephalosporins had a significantly lower incidence of postoperative bacteriuria immediately after catheter removal and 1 month postoperatively.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Ferritin in Crohn's disease tissue: detection by electron microscopy.

Using immune electron microscopy, an attempt has been made to visualise viral particles in Crohn's disease tissue and faeces. No particles resembling viruses were observed, but in the absence of a specific antiserum a negative result does not exclude the presence of a virus, particularly if it is sparsely distributed. Compared with controls, an abundance of a 12 nm particle was found in all Crohn's disease tissue and one small intestinal lymphoma. This particle has been identified as ferritin and is unlikely to be of aetiological significance.

Colon↗
PubMed1976

Reported consequences of decriminalization of consensual adult homosexuality in seven American states.

This article reports results of a survey of police officials, prosecuting attorneys, and members of homosexual groups in the seven states that had decriminalized private homosexual behavior between consenting adults. Despite the dire predictions of many, the responses indicate that, among other things, decriminalization has had no effect on the involvement of homosexuals with minors, the use of force by homosexuals, or the amount of private homosexual behavior. Additionally, decriminalization reportedly eased somewhat the problems of the homosexual community and allowed the police to devote more time to the investigation of what generally are regarded as more serious criminal offenses.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Immunologic study of viral hepatitis].

The author discusses the various immunological methods used to demonstrate antigen in serum hepatitis. This antigen is made up of three main types of particles: a spherical particle, a tub-like structure and a second larger spherical particle with a hexagonal centre, described by DANE. The centre of DANE's particle is immunologically distinct from its surface. The immune complexes thus formed by antibody links between surface antigens play a major role in extrahepatic manifestations of serum hepatitis. The various subtypes of antigen can be used as a basis for geographical and epidemiological study of the disease. The centre of DANE's particle is considered to be the virus itself. It cannot be cultured with current methods but it can be transmitted to chimpanzees. The antibody reacting with the surface antigen is protective. In conclusion, the author observed that an increase in serum transaminases in anesthetized patients occurred only after halothane. This suggests that liver damage after administration of halothane may be due to a direct effect of the product or its metabolites.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1976

Measles antibodies and autoantibodies in autoimmune disorders.

Measles CF antibodies have been examined in the sera of patients with a variety of clinical disorders associated with the production of autoantibodies. Previous reports of high-titre reactions in DLE and chronic active hepatitis have been confirmed, the titres in the latter disorder being particularly elevated. Mean antibody titres to measles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were significantly lower than in matched controls, and an inverse correlation between measles antibody levels and serum globulin levels was found. Measles antibody titres in patients with myasthenia gravis and primary biliary cirrhosis did not differ significantly from those found in controls. However, subdivision of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis and primary biliary cirrhosis showed that the presence of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) was associated with significantly increased measles antibody levels compared with the ANA-negative sera. The presence of gastric parietal cell antibody or thyroid microsomal antibody did not appear to be associated with increased measles antibody levels, whether or not they occurred in association with previous anaemia or thyroid disease. Possible explanations for these findings in terms of immune complex formation and immune hyper-reactivity are discussed.

Anemia, Pernicious↗
PubMed1976

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and liver in adults.

Thirteen adult patients (aged 16 to 73 years) form 12 families are described with liver disease and alpha- 1- antitrypsin deficiency. Long-term observation of several of these patients suggests that the liver disease may be only slowly progressive, but review of possible factors aggravating this has failed to reveal any obvious clues. Progression to death from hepatic failure was the commonest outcome, but one patient developed a malignant hepatoma and two others died because of intraperitoneal haemorrhage due to ruptured cirrhotic nodules--a complication not hitherto described in association with this condtion. Diagnosis of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency was based on serological, histological, immunopathological and genetic studies. The most useful screening test in liver disease was found to be the demonstration of PAS positive globules in liver biopsy material which is diagn by immunofluoresence or immunoperoxidase, the latter being a superior technique. Serum estimation of alpha-1 -antitrypsin deficiency was performed by immunoelectropharetic and immunodiffusion techniques, the former being preferred because it gave more consistent results. Both methods, however, were of limited value since wide variations in the serum values are commonly found in normal and abnormal states. Genotyping was carried out using starch gel electrophoresis and although of value in family studies, its value as a diagnositc aid is limited because of technical difficulties and also because alpha-1-antitrypsin accumulation in the liver may be found in both homozygous and heterozygous states. It is suggested that adult liver disease associated with abnormalities in alpha-1-antitrypsin may be more common than has hitherto been reported. This condition should be systematically sought in all cases of liver disease of uncertain aetiology.

Adolescent↗