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Biomedical subjects

S Dawson

Publications and source records attributed to S Dawson.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Four motivations for charitable giving: implications for marketing strategy to attract monetary donations for medical research.

Medical research foundations can compete more effectively for charitable dollars by being aware of motivations for giving when designing marketing strategy. The study tests the extent to which the motives of reciprocity, income, career, and self-esteem predict monetary giving to medical research. The results indicate that reciprocity and income motives are significant predictors of giving, as are household assets and age. Interpretation of these results leads to several suggestions for marketing strategy.

Charities↗

'Normal' disaccharidase levels in children.

Results of disaccharidase assays in small bowel biopsies from 887 children over a 3 year period were analysed to establish normal values. Abnormal histology, the presence of giardia trophozoites or total absence of sucrase and isomaltase were found in 307 cases and these were excluded from further consideration. The results for maltase, sucrase and lactase from the remaining 580 children have been graphed as percentiles at various ages. They represent results which are as close to normal as it is possible ethically to obtain.

Age Factors↗

Detection and identification of plant viruses by ELISA using crude sap extracts and unfractionated antisera.

A simple and rapid procedure of enzyme immunoassay (PTA-ELISA) was used to detect and identify viruses in individual plants. Virus antigen in crude leaf extracts was adsorbed directly to a solid-phase support, allowed to react with unfractionated antiserum and the antigen-antibody complex detected with a general purpose conjugate of protein A and enzyme. Viral antigens were trapped most effectively by high bonding polystyrene microtitre plates loaded with leaf extracts prepared in carbonate buffer at pH 9.6. With protein A-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate as the antibody-detection system, 18 plant viruses in 8 virus groups were detected reliably and nonspecific reactions did not occur. However, when the substrate 3,3',5,-tetramethyl benzidine was used in conjunction with protein A-horseradish peroxidase conjugate, nonspecific reactions were given by leaf extracts from some uninfected or virus-infected plant species. Where less sensitivity is required than is provided by versions of ELISA that rely on antibody-captured antigen, this method provides a simple and rapid means of detecting and identifying viruses in crude sap extracts with the aid of unfractionated antisera.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Personalized versus usual care of previously uncontrolled hypertensive patients: an exploratory analysis.

This study was conducted to explore whether the quality of provider care may contribute to blood pressure reduction and whether other factors related to the treatment of hypertension may explain decline in blood pressure. In the study, 46 uncontrolled (greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg), medically treated hypertensive patients who received more personalized care differed significantly in the magnitude of blood pressure reduction from 36 usual-care patients (10/7 vs 2/2 mm Hg means for systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction, respectively). About twice as many experimental patients as controls were reclassified as having "controlled" blood pressure, and this difference reached statistical significance. A multiple regression analysis for personalized-care subjects showed that no dynamic variables were related to blood pressure changes. It was postulated that more personalized care may have accounted for the significant difference between groups in blood pressure reduction. Similar personalized monitoring services might be important additions to usual medical care in order to control blood pressure more fully in high-risk hypertensive patients.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗

Anatomical variations of the extensor pollicis brevis.

Sixteen arms in eight cadavers were dissected. The extensor pollicis brevis followed the description given in standard anatomy texts in only three out of the sixteen arms. Four out of the eight cadavers showed asymmetry of the extensor pollicis brevis between their two sides.

Arm↗

The selectivity of the (-)-and (+)-forms of hyoscine methiodide and of hyoscyamine camphorsulphonate for muscarinic (M2) receptors.

The affinities of (-)-S-hyoscyamine (+)-camphorsulphonate, (+)-R-hyoscyamine (-)-camphorsulphonate, (-)-S-hyoscine methiodide and (+)-R-hyoscine methiodide for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in guinea-pig atria and ileum at 30 degrees C and in ileum at 37 degrees C have been measured in dose-ratio experiments. The agonists were carbachol, arecaidine propargyl ester (APE) and ethoxyethyl trimethylammonium iodide (EOE). The effects produced by the agonists confirmed that, relative to carbachol, arecaidine propargyl ester is more active on atria than on ileum whereas ethoxyethyl trimethylammonium iodide is more active on ileum than on atria. There was no striking difference between estimates of affinity based on the effects of agonists on atrial size and the effects on atrial rate nor was there any striking difference between the affinities measured with the different agonists. With the isomers of hyoscyamine there was no striking difference between the affinity for receptors in atria and those in ileum, which is consistent with the low selectivity reported for atropine (racemic hyoscyamine). (-)-S-Hyoscine methiodide had greater affinity for muscarinic receptors in ileum than for those in atria, though the difference is smaller than has been previously observed. (+)-R-Hyoscine methiodide had no detectable selectivity. The phenomenon of selectivity cannot be wholly ascribed to differences in physiochemical properties of the antagonists: the three-dimensional structures with which the antagonists interact cannot be identical.

Animals↗

Effects of dexamethasone on [3H]choline uptake by rat forebrain synaptosomes.

Dexamethasone (3-300 mumol/l) did not affect uptake of choline (1 mumol/l) by rat forebrain isolated nerve terminals (crude synaptosomal fraction). At concentrations which have been shown to increase choline uptake by rat superior cervical ganglion, dexamethasone had no effect on synaptosomal choline uptake at choline concentrations between 0.1 and 30 mumol/l, nor on choline uptake which had been partially inhibited either by hemicholinium-3 (0.1 mumol/l) or by reducing the NaCl concentration (0-140 mmol/l).

Animals↗

The effect of diet upon serum concentrations of theophylline.

Eight patients with airways obstruction were investigated to determine if dietary components had any significant effect upon serum concentrations of theophylline when taking a slow release formulation. A high carbohydrate, low protein diet, given for 1 week, resulted in the area under the concentration time curve for 12 h being 33.3% greater than a high protein low carbohydrate diet given under the same conditions. In contrast to two previous studies no significant effect upon the elimination half-life was detected after changing from one diet to the other and an effect of dietary components upon absorption and/or distribution needs to be considered. Morning and afternoon trough levels were significantly different from each other on both diets suggesting that theophylline kinetics are different at night. Individualising of theophylline dosing is particularly needed when treating patients on a varied dietary intake.

Adolescent↗

Aseptic meningitis and herpes simplex proctitis. A case report.

A male homosexual patient developed an aseptic meningitis during the course of acute ano-proctitis due to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Aseptic meningitis (sometimes proved to be due to HSV-2) has been associated with genital but not with anal herpes. This sexually transmissible virus should be considered when patients with aseptic meningitis are investigated.

Adult↗

Group B streptococci--gastrointestinal organisms?

Matched perianal swabs, rectal swabs, and faecal samples from a group of male homosexual patients attending a clinic for sexually transmitted disease were examined for the presence of group B streptococci (GBS). GBS recovery rates were as follows: perianal skin 31/115 (27%), rectal mucosa 18/72 (25%) and faeces 7/115 (6%). The recovery of GBS from faeces was similar to that obtained from faecal samples sent to the laboratory for routine investigation (5%). Although there was no difference in GBS recovery rates from rectal and perianal swabs, the latter did show heavier colonisation. These results suggest that gastrointestinal GBS carriage is mainly limited to the rectum and anal canal and that this may represent contamination from perianal skin.

Anal Canal↗

Sleep during chronic ethanol administration and withdrawal in rats.

After a priming dose, ethanol was administered at a rate relative to behavioral impairment for 4 days and its effects on sleep were monitored by EEG. EEG's during withdrawal indicated an initial sleep loss followed by a return of total sleep and a REM sleep rebound several days later.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

REM sleep induction by physostigmine infusion during sleep.

Physostigmine (an anticholinesterase agent that increases acetylcholine at the synapse), in a dose of 0.5 milligram, was given intravenously to seven normal human volunteers. When injected during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, physostigmine woke the subjects, and when injected during non-REM sleep, it induced REM sleep. This result suggests that cholinergic mechanisms play a role in the induction of REM sleep and in modulating cortical arousal mechanisms.

Acetylcholine↗