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Biomedical subjects

S Jones

Publications and source records attributed to S Jones.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

High dose nicotinamide in the treatment of necrobiosis lipoidica.

An open study of high dose nicotinamide in the treatment of 15 patients with necrobiosis lipoidica is reported. Of 13 patients who remained on treatment for more than 1 month, eight improved. Improvement took the form of a decrease in pain and soreness, a decrease in erythema and the healing of ulcers if present, although the skin did not return completely to normal in any patient. There were no significant side-effects, particularly with respect to diabetic control, an important finding as lesions tended to relapse if treatment was stopped.

Adult↗

The varied appearances of starch particles in smears and paraffin sections.

Evidence is presented to show that maize starch particles, usually recognized in histological sections by their Maltese cross birefringence under cross-polarized light, lose this characteristic appearance when transected by the microtome blade. Such particles are, therefore, likely to be overlooked. Though maize starch usually enters the abdomen during surgery, the female genital tract is another possible route from sources such as contraceptive devices. Other types of starch particle have different shapes, sizes and surface markings and these may be distinguished from maize starch by light and electron optical methods.

Adult↗

Acute ureteric dilatation for ureteroscopy. An experimental study.

The effects of three methods of acute ureteric dilatation (by graded Teflon dilators, low and high pressure balloon dilators) were evaluated radiologically, renographically and histologically in minipigs. The minipig ureter was dilated from its normal calibre of 4 F to 10 F. All three methods caused upper urinary tract dilatation and an obstructive nephropathy which had not resolved 96 h after dilatation. Histology at 24 h showed destruction of the transitional epithelium, with inflammation throughout the ureteric wall. Four weeks after dilatation the ureter was still dilated and urothelial nests were seen in the lamina propria and in the muscle coats. There was no evidence of ischaemic necrosis or ureteric stricture formation. The implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed.

Animals↗

Amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin) versus metronidazole as prophylaxis in hysterectomy: a prospective, randomized clinical trial.

In order to determine the most effective regimen for the prevention of infection after elective hysterectomy, 300 patients were randomly assigned to receive three perioperative doses of either amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (1.2 g intravenous) or metronidazole (1 g suppository). Of the 280 patients who were assessable 138 were given amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and 142 received metronidazole; 268 underwent abdominal hysterectomy and 12 had vaginal hysterectomy. Patients in the amoxycillin-clavulanic acid group had significantly less infectious morbidity (13.8%) than those in the metronidazole group (33.1%). There were also statistically significant differences in favour of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid with respect to operative site infection, duration of hospital stay, need for postoperative antimicrobials, and surgery for operative site infection. But for one isolate of Bacteroides fragilis, all pathogens isolated from wound infections in the metronidazole group were aerobes. No anaerobes were isolated from patients in the amoxycillin-clavulanic acid group. The results suggest that prophylaxis for hysterectomy should consist of an agent, or combination of agents, with activity against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Amoxycillin-clavulanic acid fulfils this criterion and appears to be effective and safe.

Adult↗

Ichthyosis and delusions of lizard invasion.

We report the case of a young man who developed a delusion that his body was being invaded by a lizard during an acute psychotic episode. This occurred in the context of ichthyosis presenting as scaling on his arms and legs, which he believed to be the growth of the lizard's skin.

Adult↗

Sodium responsiveness of central alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The responsiveness of central nervous system alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the neural control of renal function was compared in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) on normal or high sodium intake (3-4 weeks of 1% NaCl for drinking). The responsiveness of central alpha 2-adrenergic receptors was determined by comparing among groups the dose-response curves for the effects of cumulative intracerebroventricular injections of guanabenz (5, 25, and 125 micrograms) on changes in mean arterial pressure, renal sympathetic nerve activity, and urinary sodium excretion. Guanabenz altered mean arterial pressure similarly in SHR on normal or high sodium intake and in WKY on normal or high sodium intake. High sodium intake shifted the guanabenz-renal sympathetic nerve activity and guanabenz-urinary sodium excretion dose-response curves to the left in SHR and to the right in WKY. The dose-response curves between SHR and WKY on normal sodium intake were similar. Surgical renal denervation or pretreatment with an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist (rauwolscine, 30 micrograms i.c.v.) attenuated the ability of guanabenz to inhibit renal sympathetic nerve activity or increase urinary sodium excretion in SHR and WKY on either normal or high sodium intake. We conclude that the responsiveness of central nervous system alpha 2-adrenergic receptors regarding the neural control of renal function is increased by high sodium intake in conscious SHR, but not in conscious normotensive WKY.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Stress increases renal nerve activity and decreases sodium excretion in Dahl rats.

The effects of a stressful environmental stimulus (air stress) on mean arterial pressure, renal sympathetic nerve activity, and renal function were examined in conscious Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant rats (DR) on low (0.4%) and high (8%) NaCl diets. Air stress increased renal sympathetic nerve activity and decreased urine flow rate and urinary sodium excretion in conscious Dahl rats on a high sodium diet, but it had no effect in rats on a low sodium diet. Mean arterial pressure did not change during air stress in any group. Renal denervation prevented the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic responses to air stress in DS and DR on a high NaCl diet. An increased renal tubular reabsorption of sodium and water appeared to mediate the antinatriuretic and antidiuretic responses to air stress, since glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow were unchanged. Thus, environmental stress increases renal sympathetic nerve activity and decreases urinary sodium excretion more in Dahl rats on a high NaCl diet than on a low NaCl diet. On a high NaCl diet, these responses are greater in DS than in DR.

Animals↗

A preliminary study of violent incidents in a special hospital (Rampton).

A six-month prospective study of violent incidents was carried out in a Special Hospital (Rampton). Comparisons were made with results from earlier studies in general psychiatric hospitals. As might be expected, incidents occurred more frequently in the Special Hospital. These incidents were also more serious in nature and resulted in greater injury. Although more patients in the Special Hospital were involved in incidents, only a small number of patients accounted for the majority of these. Female patients, who comprised 25% of the Special Hospital population, were involved in 75% of the incidents. Nursing staff were three times as likely to be assaulted as patients.

England↗

Comparison of the activity of Rapitard and Actraphane insulins.

This study examined the activity of two intermediate acting premixed insulins, Rapitard and Actraphane, in non diabetic individuals using the euglycaemic clamp technique. Rapitard, a mixture of 25% soluble porcine insulin and 75% bovine insulin crystals was compared to porcine Actraphane, a mixture of 30% soluble and 70% isophane insulins. Glucose requirements and serum insulin levels were monitored over a 12 h period. The mean (+/- SEM) total glucose requirements were higher following administration of Actraphane (246.7 +/- 37.2 g) compared to Rapitard (188.7 +/- 15.4 g) but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Following injection of Actraphane significantly higher glucose infusion rates for the half hour periods from 240, 270, 300, 330 and 420 min and serum insulins at 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, 360 and 480 min were observed compared to Rapitard. These differences are likely to be of clinical relevance and should be considered when changing a diabetic subject from Rapitard to Actraphane insulins.

Adult↗

Ocular streptococcal infections.

Streptococcal infections are an important cause of corneal ulcers, endophthalmitis, conjunctivitis, and dacryocystitis. We retrospectively reviewed 53 ocular streptococcal infections diagnosed and followed at Wills Eye Hospital between January 1, 1984, and July 1, 1986. Corneal ulcers (23 of 53; 43%) and endophthalmitis (18 of 53; 34%) constituted a majority of the streptococcal infections in this series. Streptococcal infection was also a common cause of conjunctivitis, but clinical follow-up data were sufficient for inclusion in this series in only a small fraction of conjunctivitis patients (9 of 70; 13%). Streptococcal corneal ulcers and endophthalmitis were frequently associated with a poor visual outcome. When antibiotic sensitivity testing was done, approximately one third of the streptococcal isolates (13 of 38; 34%) were not sensitive to gentamicin. As topical gentamicin is frequently used by ophthalmologists, the possibility of streptococcal infection should be taken into account in the selection of antibiotics for conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, endophthalmitis, and prophylaxis.

Conjunctivitis↗

Prospective study of radioimmunoassay for antibodies against neutrophil cytoplasm in diagnosis of systemic vasculitis.

The diagnosis and management of Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyarteritis are complicated by the lack of specific diagnostic tests. The diagnostic performance of a solid-phase radioimmunoassay, which detects the autoantibodies against neutrophil cytoplasm present in these disorders, was assessed in a prospective study of patients with suspected vasculitis and/or rapidly progressive nephritis. The assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 96% when carried out in combination with a specific inhibition stage and indirect immunofluorescence staining of alcohol-fixed normal neutrophils.

Autoantibodies↗