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Biomedical subjects

S F Wood

Publications and source records attributed to S F Wood.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Light stimulates the rapid formation of inositol trisphosphate in squid retinas.

To test the hypothesis that inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) mediates adaptation and excitation in invertebrate photoreceptors, we measured its formation on a rapid time scale in squid retinas. For squid, excitation and adaption occurs within 0.1 and 1-2 s respectively. We could detect an elevation in InsP3 within 200 ms of a bright flash. This increase is about 240% over dark basal levels and is maintained for at least 2 min after a flash. The increase probably occurs in the photoreceptors, which are the only neurons in squid retinas. Analysis by h.p.l.c. indicates that the light-regulated isomer is Ins(1,4,5)P3, which is formed by the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PtdInsP2).

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Review of hay fever. 1. Historical background and mechanisms.

This is the first of two review articles about hay fever. The historical background of hay fever, including 'rose fever' in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and the discovery of immunoglobulin E is described. The second section deals with the botanical aspects, aerobiology, climate and topography and geographical differences. Next, the prevalence of hay fever in the community, its natural history and age--sex incidence are considered. The influence of hereditary factors, time of birth and the relationship of hay fever to asthma are also dealt with. The role of the relevant aeroallergen, pollen characteristics and chemistry and allergen exposure lead logically to a description of our current understanding of the type 1 immune reaction. The second article will deal with clinical features, diagnosis and investigation, and treatment.

Allergens↗
PubMed1986

Hay fever. 2. Clinical features, diagnosis, investigation and treatment.

This is the second of two reviews of hay fever. The first article dealt with prevalence and natural history, historical background and mechanisms. This article outlines the clinical features of hay fever, examines the correlation of symptoms with pollen count and describes current views of diagnosis and investigation. History and examination, skin testing, the radio-immunosorbent test (RIST) and radio allergosorbent test (RAST) and the correlation between RAST and skin testing are described. Some consideration is given to the part played by nasal challenge tests and measurements of nasal airways resistance. The section on treatment includes some general considerations, avoidance measures, anti-histamines, nasal steroids, sodium cromoglycate, systemic steroids, nasal vasoconstrictors, hyposensitisation and eye preparations. The final section is centred on future developments.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1986

Oral antihistamine or nasal steroid in hay fever: a double-blind double-dummy comparative study of once daily oral astemizole vs twice daily nasal beclomethasone dipropionate.

Seventy-four patients with a well documented history of seasonal allergic rhinitis were randomly allocated to receive either astemizole 10 mg orally per day or beclomethasone 100 micrograms in each nostril twice daily on a double-blind double-dummy basis. The patients were studied in a general practice setting and were seen at entry, during the study and at the end of the study by a single observer, the author. Assessment was by diary card incorporating five 10 cm visual analogue scales related to the four symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhoea, blocked nose and itchy eyes and an overall assessment of hay fever symptoms. Patients were asked if the medication had upset them in any way at each observer assessment. Symptom severity, as recorded by the visual analogue scales, was not significantly different for sneezing, rhinorrhoea, blocked nose or overall between the two groups but the symptom scores for itchy eyes were significantly better for the astemizole group. Adverse effects were minimal and of a minor nature only. There was no real difference between the two groups regarding adverse effects. The study suggests that oral astemizole is at least as good as nasal beclomethasone in the maintenance treatment of hay fever and that it offers the additional advantage of improved control of eye symptoms.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1981

Oxatomide in the management of hay fever--a placebo-controlled double-blind study in general practice.

Sixty-three patients completed a double-blind placebo-controlled study of oral oxatomide (30 mg t.d.s.) in the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis. Hay fever symptom scores were significantly lower for oxatomide-treated patients than for the placebo group on the majority of days during periods of high pollen counts. Moreover, on days when pollen counts were 10/m3 or more, a statistically significant positive correlation between symptom score and pollen count was demonstrated for the placebo group but not for the oxatomide group. Oxatomide also appeared to be superior to placebo in terms of patients' requirements for supplementary mepyramine (Anthisan) tablets, and the doctor's global assessment. Side-effects were reported by four patients in the oxatomide group and by three receiving placebo.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1978

Role of Coxsackie B viruses in myocardial infarction.

Serological evidence of Coxsackie B virus infection was found in 13.5 per cent of 52 patients with acute myocardial infarction and in 19 per cent of 52 controls with chest pain but normal electrocardiograms. In contrast to an Australian report, but in agreement with previous findings in Glasgow, it seems unlikely that Coxsackie B viruses contribute significantly to the causation of myocardial infarction.

Adult↗