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Biomedical subjects

S Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to S Murphy.

605 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Metaproterenol sulfate for asthmatic children with therapeutic serum theophylline concentrations.

The effects of oral metaproterenol sulfate in asthmatic children maintained chronically on therapeutic doses of theophylline were investigated. Metaproterenol sulfate tablets were compared with placebo in a double-blind, cross-over study with 17 asthmatic children (aged 6-11 years) maintained on a sustained-release preparation of theophylline. Spirometric measurements were made to determine the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and a forced oscillation technique was used to measure total respiratory conductance (TRC). Differences in the variables from baseline studies following the test drug or placebo were recorded at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after the test dose. Metaproterenol led to a statistically significant improvement in FEV1 and TRC over placebo with a peak difference at three hours (p less than 0.05). The children with a resting FEV1 below 80% predicted experienced the greatest improvement. No serious side effects from metaproterenol were encountered. The forced oscillation technique provided a reproducible noninvasive means of measuring the bronchodilator response in young children. In the recommended doses, metaproterenol can improve pulmonary function in asthmatic children who have abnormal pulmonary function while being maintained on theophylline.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Salvaging self: a grounded theory of pregnancy on crack cocaine.

A grounded theory was developed to describe how pregnant crack cocaine users perceived their problems and responded to them. A basic social psychological process, salvaging self, was identified from constant comparative analysis of in-depth interviews with 60 pregnant or postpartum women who used crack cocaine an average of at least once per week in pregnancy. Salvaging self included two phases, facing the situation and evading harm. Participants evaluated the value, hope, and risk of various responses to pregnancy. Actions included strategies of harm reduction and stigma management aimed at reducing damage to the fetus, their identities as individuals and mothers, and the maternal-child relationship. Personal histories and social contexts influenced the salvaging process.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of short-term administration of theophylline on erythropoietin levels in healthy adults.

A previous study demonstrated suppression of erythropoietin production in patients treated with long-term theophylline. This effect could exacerbate anemia of prematurity in neonates receiving this drug for apnea of prematurity. In this pilot project we evaluated the effect of short-term theophylline administration on serum erythropoietin in healthy adults. Six subjects were given a bolus followed by a continuous infusion of theophylline targeted to achieve a serum level of at least 10 micrograms/ml, followed by oral theophylline for 36 hours. Serum erythropoietin and theophylline levels were measured before, during, and after drug infusion. Complete hemograms were performed before and after completion of the infusion. No significant changes in serum erythropoietin levels were seen at any time (F = 1.57, p = 0.12). Hematologic values also remained unaltered. We conclude that short-term administration of theophylline is unlikely to have any effect on serum erythropoietin levels in healthy adults.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Management of immune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Our two patients had "primary" antiphospholipid antibody syndrome without underlying systemic lupus erythematosus or other systemic autoimmune process, as well as symptomatic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The thrombocytopenia did not respond to prolonged courses of corticosteroids and/or immune globulin infusions, but was controlled following splenectomy. The presence of serum antibodies to platelet surface glycoproteins, typical of ITP, could be helpful in the confirmation of both of these disorders in the same patient, rather than secondary thrombocytopenia. Management of such cases is confounded by an increased risk for both bleeding and thrombosis, including fetal death. To reduce the risk of fetal loss and thrombosis, both patients were advised to take aspirin 80 mg daily. The frequency and clinical significance of this association would suggest that patients with ITP should be tested for antiphospholipid antibodies, particularly before pregnancy or surgical procedures. Patients with coexistent antiphospholipid antibody syndrome would be at increased risk for thrombosis in the post-operative period following splenectomy and should be given prophylactic anticoagulation.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) in a Donegal kindred--clinical features and molecular genetic analysis.

A 19 year old female with a background history of migraine, sensorineural deafness and recent personality change developed a parieto-occipital cerebral infarct. Investigations revealed altered lactate to pyruvate ratios, ragged red fibres in muscle and an A-G point mutation at position 3243 in mitochondrial DNA. Subsequent clinical and molecular genetic analysis of 14 family members in three generations identified 12 affected individuals, two of whom were asymptomatic. Maternal inheritance was confirmed. MEALS is an important but under recognised cause of stroke and seizures in the young. There is insufficient data available to determine if the treatment of asymptomatic individuals retards the onset or reduces the severity of stroke.

Adult↗