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Biomedical subjects

S M Matthews

Publications and source records attributed to S M Matthews.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Definition of 15 equine leucocyte antigens.

Fifteen equine leucocyte antigens were defined by absorption and titration analysis of alloantisera obtained by natural sensitisation through pregnancy and by planned experimental immunisation. Definitive sera were tested on the cells of 90 unrelated horses and members of eight equine families. The family data suggested that 13 specificities were coded by a single locus (first locus) and one specificity (Eq 14) was coded by a second linked locus. The remaining specificity (Eq 7) was controlled by a third locus unlinked to the first or second loci. Tests on the cells of unrelated horses showed that two first locus specificities (Eq 16 and Eq 17) had a supertypic relationship to other first locus antigens. No individual was found to possess more than two first locus antigens, excluding the supertypic specificities.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Equine leucocyte antigen system: progress and potential.

Leucocyte antigens are cell-surface glycoproteins, the structure of which is under the genetic control of a chromosome region called the major histocompatibility complex. Progress in the study of the equine leucocyte antigen (ELA) system has been achieved in two ways; first by the fact that the ELA system is intensively investigated in different laboratories all over the world and parallels can be drawn to the information gained from research in more extensively studied species, and secondly by the collaborative efforts of the participants in three international workshops. The potential applications of the ELA system and areas of further investigation are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

A team approach to pharmacologic treatment of chronic schizophrenia.

The authors describe a therapeutic approach to the pharmacologic treatment of the schizophrenic patient. This team approach relies on interaction between the patient, the patient's family, and the clinician, and helps to eliminate blaming behavior that often demoralizes all parties involved. The authors maintain that neuroleptic therapy can control the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. However, they point out that neuroleptics may cause side effects and may interfere with improvement in negative symptoms and interpersonal relationships. The authors suggest that reduced-dosage strategies may prove the most effective way to prevent relapse, while minimizing the side effects of neuroleptics.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1983

Changes in blood ammonia, lactate and amino acids in relation to workload during bicycle ergometer exercise in man.

Whole body exercise at intensities up top 50% VO2max has no effect on the concentration of blood ammonia but a threefold rise in blood ammonia is observed at workloads up to maximal. There is a linear relationship between blood ammonia and lactate production during exercise which suggests that the two processes may be linked to a common process of short-term energy provision. Blood glutamine and blood alanine both show rises linearly related to power output during exercise, suggesting that if these amino acids are sinks for ammonia then the process of ammonia incorporation is saturated at high workloads.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1983

The effect of enteral nutritional support on skeletal muscle protein synthesis and whole-body protein turnover in fasted surgical patients.

Whole-body and muscle protein turnover have been studied in surgical patients, before abdominal surgery after an 18-h fast, using infusion of 1-[13C]leucine. Four patients received an unmodified hospital diet and four received extra nutritional support (1800 kcal, 70 g protein) by naso-jejunal tube for 7-10 d previously. In patients who received nutritional support there were significantly greater values of whole-body protein synthesis (+42 per cent, P less than 0.05) and breakdown (+45 per cent, P less than 0.01) and muscle protein synthesis (+36 per cent, P less than 0.05) than in those who received the unmodified hospital diet.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Diagnosis of schizophrenia: a critical review of current diagnostic systems.

The data relevant to the evaluation of six systems for diagnosing schizophrenia are reviewed. They are summarized in terms of the reliability, predictive validity, specificity, and comprehensiveness of each system. Unfortunately, none, of these systems (Schneider's First-rank Symptoms, New Haven Schizophrenia Index, Flexible System, Feighner Criteria, Research Diagnostic Criteria, and DSM-III) have established construct validity. It is noted therefore that they are all, in a sense, arbitrary. Choosing one over another cannot be data-based. Because the elevation of any one diagnostic system to an official status is thought to be premature, clinicians and researchers alike are advised to exercise caution and openmindedness in their use of DSM-III. There is as yet no evidence that its criteria for schizophrenia are either less arbitrary or better (in identifying a group of "true" schizophrenics) than those of other systems or DSM-II.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1979

A non-neuroleptic treatment for schizophrenia: analysis of the two-year postdischarge risk of relapse.

The efficacy of antipsychotic drug maintenance in reducing the risk of relapse among previously hospitalized schizophrenic patients has been well documented. However, data from an ongoing study comparing two cohorts of young first admission schizophrenics--one receiving neuroleptic-oriented treatment on the wards of a community mental health center (CMHC), the other an intensive interpersonal approach in a small homelike facility in the community (Soteria House)--raise questions about the routine use of neuroleptics with this population. Our questioning of this practice is based on data analyzed from these two cohorts by means of the life table, a statistical technique appropriate for longitudinal studies. Data are presented in two ways: (1) The overall effectiveness of the two independent treatment programs (Soteria, N = 32, vs. CMHC, N = 36) is compared in terms of the probabilities of not being readmitted over the 2-year postdischarge interval. (2) Analyses that look at the influence of the original treatment setting and postdischarge antipsychotic drug status on readmission rates are presented. Program comparisons reveal Soteria patients to have a consistently higher survival rate than CMHC patients throughout 2 years postdischarge. At 12 months postdischarge, the cumulative probability of remaining well (no readmissions) significantly favors the Soteria patients (p less than .05, Mantel chi2). The overall results of the Soteria program were achieved despite the fact that all CMHC patients received neuroleptics during their original inpatient stays and about 50 percent were maintained on neuroleptics up to the point of readmission or study termination, whereas only 10 percent of Soteria subjects were treated with or maintained on neuroleptics. The survival rates by postdischarge drug status and program affiliation show the Soteria no-drug group to have the highest proportion of survivors at almost every interval throughout 24 months, the CMHC drug-maintained group to have the lowest survival rate, and the CMHC unmaintained group to be surviving at a rate generally comparable to the Soteria no-drug group.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1977

Being with madness: personality characteristics of three treatment staffs.

The personality characteristics of the nonprofessional staff of Soteria House, an innovative residential treatment program for schizophrenics, are assessed and compared with characteristics of representative staffs from two more traditional mental health programs for schizophrenics: a university psychiatric ward and a community-based program staffed by a specially trained group of state hospital aides. A battery of self-report personality questionnaires was used. Analysis of the data indicates an over-all similarity of personality profiles in the three groups. All groups demonstrated two sets of characteristics considered desirable for therapists of schizophrenics: the ego-strength qualities of self-assurance, emotional maturity, independence, and autonomy, and the affective qualities of warmth, sensitivity, and empathy. However, within a third set of characteristics, descriptive of cognitive-attitudinal qualities, the Soteria staff possessed significantly more intuition, introversion, flexibility, and tolerance of altered states of consciousness. The authors speculate that it is this last set of characteristics that allows the Soteria staff to function in the program's intensive, unstructured treatment environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chemical arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints using sodium monoiodoacetate in 104 horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate chemical arthrodesis using sodium monoiodoacetate for treatment of degenerative joint disease of the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. METHOD: Horses were diagnosed with degenerative joint disease of one or more of the tarsometatarsal or distal intertarsal joints based on history, lameness examination, radiographic findings and, in some cases, response to intra-articular anaesthesia or medication. Intra-articular injections of sodium monoiodoacetate were performed using 23 gauge needles in the sedated, standing horse. Positive contrast arthrography of the distal intertarsal joint was performed in all horses to evaluate needle placement and the presence or absence of communication with other synovial structures. The mean intra-articular dose of sodium monoiodoacetate was 192 mg. Horses were subject to a graded exercise program commencing 7 to 10 days after treatment. Where possible, follow up lameness examination and radiography was performed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment. RESULTS: At 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment, respectively, 0/57, 14/55, 41/50, and 29/34 of horses were sound. At 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment, respectively, 5/55, 24/38, 26/30 and 18/18 of horses had radiographic evidence of ankylosis of treated joints. Post injection pain was marked in 6.7% of horses and significant complications requiring further treatment occurred in 3.8% of horses. CONCLUSIONS: Chemical arthrodesis using sodium monoiodoacetate was an effective treatment method for degenerative joint disease of the distal tarsal joints. The technique was performed in the sedated standing horse and required minimal equipment. Results were comparable to those achieved following surgical arthrodesis. The risk of significant complications was minimised through good technique using an appropriate injection volume and concentration.

Animals↗