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Biomedical subjects

S M Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to S M Robinson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Chronic topical application of all-trans-retinoic acid in man does not affect corneocyte surface area.

The potential therapeutic activity of topically applied novel analogues of retinoic acid is currently measured in many different animal models. In most cases, the technique used is invasive and biopsy specimens are required. Furthermore, efficacy in these models is not a guarantee of success in treatment of humans. Therefore, predictive human pharmacology tests are required in order to quantify a retinoid effect on human skin before conducting large clinical trials. The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in corneocyte surface area could be used as a predictive measure for the efficacy of topical retinoids in man. Topical applications of all-trans retinoic acid gel (Aberel), salicylic acid gel and the gel vehicle were made once daily for 4 weeks to skin of the lumbar region of healthy human volunteers. Corneocytes were recovered from these three treated zones as well as from one zone of untreated skin, and their surface areas were measured by image analysis using a MOP-Videoplan. The results showed that at no point during the 4 weeks of daily application to healthy human skin was there a statistically significant difference in the surface area of corneocytes recovered from Aberel, salicylic acid-, vehicle-treated or untreated sites. No specific effect of retinoic acid could be detected. However, although no between-treatment differences were found, significant cyclical changes in the mean surface areas with respect to baseline were observed.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

The management of operable breast cancer in Scotland surgeons' opinions. The Scottish Cancer Trials Breast Group.

This report gives the responses of general surgeons in Scotland to two questionnaires. Satisfactory rates were obtained: 82% for the more detailed survey in 1988 and 62% for the second survey (1991), where nonrespondents were not followed up. In 1988 the rationale was the poor participation in the Scottish breast conservation trial while the 1991 survey further investigated the diversity of surgical opinion identified in the first. The limited trial support in 1988 was mainly due to reluctance to accept all treatment options. The majority were prepared to consider trial participation although 47% believed this compromised doctor-patient relationships. Although breast-conserving therapy was widely supported, many different views on management were encountered, both in the degree of influence of specific factors and in the decisions taken in relation to them. We believe these surveys have re-inforced a need for management guidelines, particularly as around half the patients with symptomatic breast cancer were being treated in non-specialist units.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Cognitive factors affecting abstinence among adolescent polysubstance abusers.

To examine cognitive variables in the maintenance of abstinence among polysubstance-abusing adolescents, analyses of data from 86 adolescents (31 current users, 24 relapsers, and 31 abstainers) were done. Significant differences among these groups were found on a number of cognitive measures. Adolescents successful in maintaining abstinence possessed greater strategic knowledge and greater strategy-related self-efficacy. Further, adolescents who remained abstinent experienced greater reduction in their perceived risk of relapse when exposed to high-risk situations and experienced a corresponding increase in general expectation of enduring abstinence. An exploratory path analysis yielded some unexpected multivariate relationships. In particular, adolescents' knowledge of coping skills and strategy-related self-efficacy did not affect directly their expectations for continued abstinence. Instead, knowledge of coping skill and skill-related confidence appeared to function primarily to free the adolescent from perceptions of risk for relapse and only indirectly to enhance expectations of lasting sobriety.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of MHC class I restricted cytotoxic T cell responses to tax in HTLV-1 infected patients with neurologic disease.

To understand the nature of the cytotoxic T cell response generated in human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis, we cloned CTL from the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurologic diseases and demonstrated the presence of HLA-A2, A3, and B14 restricted responses to the HTLV-1 p40x (tax) protein. We identified the minimal amino acid residues within the epitopes required for binding and recognition by HLA-A2- and B14-restricted CTL, identified the critical residues within the peptide sequence defining the HLA-A2-restricted response, and demonstrated that CTL can lyse T cells infected with HTLV-1. This study shows that the CTL response to HTLV-1 tax in patients with neurologic diseases is heterogenous in nature and is not confined to patients of a single HLA haplotype or to a specific region of the tax protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Predictors of attainment in rhythmic sportive gymnastics.

Correlates of attainment in rhythmic sportive gymnastics (RSG) were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 106 female gymnasts aged 7-27 years. Physical attributes were obtained by anthropometry and from tests of flexibility, leg power, maximum oxygen uptake and visuo-motor proficiency. Training and psychological measures were derived from self-administered questionnaires that included the Leadership Scale for Sport, Psychological Skills Inventory for Sport, General Health Questionnaire, Sport Competition Anxiety Test, and several questions on sport motivation and enjoyment. Attainment was expressed as competition grade level and mean performance score in 4 competitions. The best correlates of attainment were cumulative and current training time (r = 0.84-0.53). Age, lean body mass and composite measures of flexibility, leg power and visuo-motor proficiency were also significant correlates of attainment (r = 0.69-0.29), as were coach democratic and coach social behaviours (r = 0.41-0.28). The significant positive psychometric correlates of attainment were mental preparation, motivation by creativity, and several dimensions of enjoyment (r = 0.35-0.26); significant negative correlates were recent anxiety-depression and enjoyment of training (r = -0.34-(-)0.32). No previous study has identified the relative contributions of such a comprehensive range of physical, psychological and training measures to performance of a sport.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Effects of a physical conditioning programme on asthmatic patients.

AIMS: to determine whether moderate/severe asthmatics can improve their physical fitness using standard commercial gymnasium fitness programmes and to examine the effect on their asthma. METHODS: eight moderate to severe asthmatics and seven nonasthmatic controls were tested before and after 12 weeks indoor circuit training at a commercial gymnasium. The aerobic fitness of both groups was assessed before, during and after the conditioning period. Measures of asthma severity, habitual activity levels and psychological status were also assessed. RESULTS: peak oxygen uptakes increased significantly in both asthmatics and controls, mean and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values rising from 27.5 (21.9-33.0) to 31.3 (23.5-39.1) and 29.2 (25.9-32.5) to 32.2 (28.5-35.9) mL.min-1.kg-1 respectively. Following training, minute ventilation at high workloads was significantly reduced in the asthmatic subjects. In all participants subjective ratings of the ability to perform physical tasks was significantly increased as was the amount of habitual physical activity reported. Although the asthmatics' bronchial responsiveness to histamine, medication usage and symptom scores did not change, the daily recorded peak expiratory flow (PEFR) increased slightly, and its variability declined. CONCLUSIONS: these findings demonstrate that with proper management severe asthmatics can engage in vigorous circuit training and enjoy the health benefits of regular exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Skin ulceration due to cement.

Despite legislation that requires manufacturers to inform the public about the dangers of contact with cement, severe ulceration from cement contact still occurs. We present a retrospective study of seven patients presenting to this department over a 2-year period. All were male and employed in the building trade, their injuries being sustained whilst at work. The injuries were to the lower limb, often multiple and required a median of seven visits before healing was complete. One required hospital admission and skin grafting.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

Clinical, epidemiologic, and virologic studies in four clusters of the chronic fatigue syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to provide a case definition of chronic fatigue syndrome in an outbreak occurring in the Nevada-California region to evaluate candidate etiologic agents and observe the natural history of the illness. METHODS: Patients diagnosed as having chronic fatigue syndrome were studied by repeated interviews, questionnaires, and blood collection over a 3-year period. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus-6, and human T-lymphotropic viruses I and II. Leukocytes from typical cases were also assayed for human T-lymphotropic viruses I and II. RESULTS: Cases were defined as persons who had: (1) severe persistent fatigue following an acute illness appearing in an individual with no previous physical or psychological symptoms; (2) presenting signs and symptoms of an acute infection; (3) severe and persistent headache and/or myalgias; and (4) abrupt change in cognitive function or the appearance of a new mood disorder. After 3 years of follow-up, almost all study subjects were able to return to pre-illness activity. None of the viruses evaluated--human T-lymphotropic viruses I and II, Epstein-Barr virus, or human herpesvirus-6--could be etiologically linked to these outbreaks. CONCLUSION: Clinical features of outbreaks of chronic fatigue syndrome differ sufficiently to suggest different etiologic agents. Giardiasis appears to have precipitated one of the four clusters in this study but the cause(s) of the other three outbreaks is as yet uncertain. The overall prognosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is usually favorable.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Fetal heart rate and intrauterine growth.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether fetal heart rate in early and late pregnancy relates to size at birth. DESIGN: Prospective study of fetal heart rates in early and late pregnancy. SETTING: Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton. SUBJECTS: 63 primigravid women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric measurements made on the newborn infant. RESULTS: There were no differences in heart rate between the sexes at 18 weeks gestation but by 36 weeks the boys had rates which were 4.4 beats lower than those of the girls. Higher fetal heart rate at 18 weeks was associated with lower ponderal index, smaller head circumference and smaller mid-arm circumference. There were no trends in fetal heart rate at 36 weeks with any birth measurements. CONCLUSION: Babies born at term who have a pattern of neonatal measurements which reflect growth retardation have raised heart rates in early pregnancy. Influences which impair fetal growth appear to take effect early in gestation.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1991

Training intensity of elite male distance runners.

To quantify training intensity in 13 nationally ranked male distance runners, training heart rates, environmental factors, and motivational factors were recorded throughout a 6-8 wk period of normal training. Variation in motivational and environmental factors such as intended effort, terrain, and running with companions altered training session mean heart rates by up to 4.min-1 (standard deviation). Heart rates and blood lactate concentrations, recorded in a series of steady-state treadmill runs, were used to convert training session mean heart rates to mean training speeds (TS) and to derive a measure of the anaerobic threshold (AT, the treadmill speed at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol.l-1). TS (15.6 +/- 1.4 km.h-1, mean +/- SD) was considerably lower than AT (20.2 +/- 1.1 km.h-1) in all subjects (P less than 0.001). Relative TS (TS expressed as a fraction of AT) differed significantly (P less than 0.001) between subjects and correlated significantly with the distance of the event for which the subject was training (r = 0.59, P less than 0.05). Relative TS may therefore be determined by the subject's or coach's perception of the appropriate intensity for the event. If the AT is the optimum training intensity, these subjects have considerable scope for improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Progesterone levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration in cycles with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist suppression are not predictive of pregnancy outcome.

In in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) suppression, we investigated whether an elevated progesterone (P) level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration indicates premature luteinization and is associated with a lower pregnancy rate. We retrospectively studied 101 patients treated with the GnRH-a leuprolide acetate, begun in the luteal phase of the prior menstrual cycle and continued until the day of hCG administration. On the day of hCG, 72 patients had P less than 0.9 ng/mL and 29 had less than or equal to 0.9 ng/mL. Patients in the high P group had a significantly greater estradiol level on the day of hCG. No significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates or ongoing pregnancy rates occurred between the low P and high P groups. We conclude that in IVF cycles pretreated with GnRH-a, P levels on the day of hCG are not predictive of conceiving in that cycle.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Protein turnover and thermogenesis in response to high-protein and high-carbohydrate feeding in men.

The rates of energy expenditure and wholebody protein turnover were determined during a 9-h period in a group of seven men while they received hourly isocaloric meals of high-protein (HP) or high-carbohydrate (HC) content. Their responses to feeding were compared with those to a short period of fasting (15-24 h). The 9-h thermic response to the repeated feeding of HP meals was found to be greater than that to the HC meals (9.6 +/- 0.6% vs 5.7 +/- 0.4% of the energy intake, respectively, means +/- SEM, p less than 0.01). The rate of whole-body nitrogen turnover over 9 h increased from 17.6 +/- 2.2 g on the fasting day to 27.4 +/- 1.4 g during HC feeding (NS) and there was a further increase to 58.2 +/- 5.3 g resulting from HP feeding (p less than 0.001). By using theoretical estimates (based upon ATP requirements) of the metabolic cost of protein synthesis, 36 +/- 9% of the thermic response to HC feeding and 68 +/- 3% of the response to HP feeding could be accounted for by the increases in protein synthesis compared with the fasting state.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

An exercise performance test does not measure physical fitness for the average person.

One hundred and thirty five members of the public who attended a medical school open day and who volunteered for a physical fitness assessment were asked to rate their own physical fitness and to give a reason for their rating; subjects then performed a submaximal exercise test for an estimation of maximum oxygen uptake. More than two-thirds of the reasons given for self-rating of fitness were related to level of regular exercise, while physical exercise performance, health or obesity each accounted for 10% or less of the reasons given. There was no significant correlation between self-rating of fitness and maximum oxygen uptake. It is concluded that for the average person an estimate of the level of regular exercise is likely to be a more appropriate measure of physical fitness than performance in an exercise test.

Adult↗