Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Robertson

Publications and source records attributed to S Robertson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Inhibitory effects of lodoxamide on eosinophil activation.

Recent reports describe the beneficial use of lodoxamide, an anti-allergic compound, for the treatment of asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. Lodoxamide is known as a mast cell stabilizer, however, the association of a significant clinical improvement with a specific decrease in eosinophil infiltrate suggested possible direct effects of lodoxamide on eosinophils. The chemotactic response of eosinophils to fMLP as well as to IL-5, in vitro, was very significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by Lodoxamide. Lodoxamide was also able to strongly inhibit the release of eosinophil peroxidase after IgA-dependent activation and, to a lesser extent, the release of eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin. Moreover, the release of cytotoxic mediators evaluated in an antibody-dependent cytotoxicity assay against parasitic targets was also significantly reduced, not only in the case of human eosinophils but also in a rat eosinophil-mast cell model of cytotoxicity. Taken together, these results indicate that lodoxamide can exert potent inhibitory effects on eosinophil activation in vitro combined with a strong inhibition of eosinophil attraction, leading therefore to a reduction in their pathological potential in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Leg extensor power and quadriceps strength: an assessment of repeatability in patients with osteoarthritic knees.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the repeatability of two muscle function measures -- leg extensor power (LEP) and isometric quadriceps force (IQF) -- in a population of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. DESIGN: Repeat measures of LEP and IQF at 25 degrees and 50 degrees knee flexion were taken within seven days. Both legs were measured and a numerical rating scale was used to assess pain on the two occasions. SUBJECTS: Patients who were on a waiting list for a primary unilateral knee replacement for osteoarthritis were invited to take part in the study. SETTING: The physiotherapy department of a National Health Service Orthopaedic Hospital in Oxford, UK. INTERVENTION: Subjects were measured using a Kin-Com dynamometer to assess maximum isometric force and a leg extensor power rig to assess maximum single leg explosive power. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (mean age: 72 years; SD: 8 years; range: 50-87 years) were included in the study following informed consent. A weak relationship was found between LEP, IQF and pain scores which reached the 5% significance level for the LEP measures only. The level of repeatability for both measures was found to be acceptable. CONCLUSION: Both LEP and IQF are recommended as repeatable measures for assessment of muscle function in patients with osteoarthitis of the knee. However, the LEP rig has the added advantage of being quicker, cheaper and simpler to use in the clinical setting.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Are Melnick-Needles syndrome and oto-palato-digital syndrome type II allelic? Observations in a four-generation kindred.

Melnick-Needles syndrome (MNS) is a female-limited skeletal dysplasia inherited in a X-linked dominant pattern. Males born to women with MNS may exhibit lethal multiple congenital anomalies, but recurrence of this phenotype within one family has not been reported. Males with oto-palato-digital syndrome type II (OPD II) also demonstrate a multiple congenital anomalies phenotype that includes skeletal dysplasia but the maternal phenotype includes only mild craniofacial anomalies. These two syndromes have been suggested as being allelic despite differences in the described maternal phenotypes. We present a four-generation kindred in which four males had a consistent multiple congenital anomalies phenotype. The females in this family have skeletal changes characteristic of MNS but have only mild craniofacial anomalies and also deafness attributable to ossicular deformity, traits more commonly found in OPD II. The expression of manifestations of MNS and OPD II in males and females in this kindred further suggest that these syndromes are allelic.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1997

Cerebral infarction in Noonan syndrome.

We report on an infant with severe Noonan syndrome, chylothoraces, and hepatosplenomegaly who suffered two episodes of cerebral infarction before age 6 months. No underlying cause for these events was found. The presentation is discussed in relationship to other reports of stroke in Noonan syndrome which have previously been associated with underlying vascular malformations.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A common precursor for primitive erythropoiesis and definitive haematopoiesis.

The generation of blood cells, haematopoiesis, in the mouse embryo begins with the development of primitive nucleated erythroid cells in the yolk sac followed by the appearance of precursors for multiple definitive haematopoietic lineages. The later developing lineages arise from multipotential stem cells, but the relationship of primitive erythroid cells to these other haematopoietic populations is unknown. Using an in vitro embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation system, we show that primitive erythrocytes and other haematopoietic lineages arise from a common multipotential precursor that develops within embryoid bodies generated from differentiated ES cells. In response to vascular endothelial growth factor and c-kit ligand these precursors give rise to colonies containing immature cells (blasts) expressing marker genes characteristic of haematopoietic precursors. Many blast colonies also expressed betaH1 and beta major globins but not Brachyury, a mesodermal marker. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that the blast colony-forming cells represent a transient population, preceding the establishment of the primitive erythroid and other lineage-restricted precursors. This precursor population may represent the earliest stage of embryonic haematopoietic commitment.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Little room for error in Canada's postgraduate training system.

Although the majority of physicians entering residency training in Canada will enjoy fulfilling careers in their chosen specialty, today's postgraduate training system has its critics. Among them are the new graduates who are not satisfied with the residency positions offered to them and practising physicians who would like to re-enter the system to train in a new specialty but find themselves locked out.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1997

Influence of maternal insulin treatment on the infants of women with gestational diabetes.

The criteria for the diagnosis and management of diabetes in pregnancy are currently based upon maternal, neonatal, and obstetric outcomes. We have investigated the long-term impact of antenatal insulin therapy on adiposity of the offspring. A cohort of offspring from 20/35 women with past gestational diabetes, who had been biochemically and anthropometrically characterized at birth, were followed up after 2 years 8 months (standard deviation 1 month). Measures of growth and adiposity were taken. In comparison with offspring of women treated with diet alone, offspring of women treated with insulin therapy had less subscapular fat (median (interquartile range): 7.9 (7.0-9.4) vs 5.9 (5.4-7.9) mm) and less biceps fat (6.3 (6.0-9.0) vs 5.1 (4.3-6.6) mm). This was in spite of the insulin-treated mothers being more obese, older, and more hyperglycaemic than those who received diet alone. In conclusion, insulin therapy in gestational diabetes may reduce the incidence of obesity in the offspring of women with gestational diabetes and this should now be tested by a larger, randomized controlled trial.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1997

European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES). Principles and structure.

In the European Union, Directive 92/32/EC and EC Council Regulation (EC) 793/93 require the risk assessment of new and existing substances, respectively. Principles for this risk assessment have been laid down, supported by a detailed package of Technical Guidance Documents. Against this background the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) has been developed. This software can be used to carry out tiered risk assessments of increasing complexity on the basis of increasing data requirements. The exposure assessment, effects assessment and risk characterisation are carried out for environmental populations as well as for human beings, including workers, consumers and man exposed through the environment. EUSES is the result of a co-ordinated effort of EU Member States, the European Commission and the European Chemical Industry.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Clozapine withdrawal catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a case report.

Catatonia as a clozapine withdrawal syndrome has not been documented. We report a case of excited catatonia with fever, autonomic instability, and delirium--a picture of malignant catatonia (lethal catatonia) after abrupt clozapine withdrawal. The use of conventional neuroleptics transformed the excited malignant catatonia into a stuporous state resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Such a transformation of excited lethal catatonia into NMS has been described in the literature, providing support for the hypothesis that NMS is a variant of catatonia. Opinions, however, have been conflicting whether lethal catatonia and NMS are indistinguishable. We argue that NMS may be regarded as a neuroleptic-induced retarded (stuporous) subtype of malignant catatonia, clinically indistinguishable from nonneuroleptic retarded malignant catatonia but different from the excited form. To differentiate between the two subtypes of malignant catatonia would help resolve the controversy. The nosological status of excited catatonia, a poorly studied condition, remains unclear. The two subtypes of catatonia may differ in pathophysiology and responses to treatment. Clinicians should be alert to catatonia as a possible clozapine withdrawal phenomenon, and excited catatonia deserves more research attention.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A retrospective evaluation of traumatized permanent teeth.

The purpose of this retrospective study (15 years follow-up) was to evaluate the long-term results of treatment to injured teeth following acute trauma. A total of 198 patients with 488 injured teeth were available for analysis. Uncomplicated crown fractures were restored with composite restorations in 106 teeth. 19% of the restorations had been replaced more than 10 times and at the final examination approximately 25% were rated as unacceptable, i.e. needing clinical treatment. Fixed prosthetic therapy had been provided for 106 teeth and endodontic treatment had been provided in 114. Colour changes appearing at late stage suggested obliteration, necrosis or endodontically treated teeth. Anterior composite restorations have been considered acceptable as semi-permanent restorations in patients of early school age (7-15 years), and may have been an advance on what was possible previously, but results of this clinical study suggest that they still do have major shortcomings. There remains a need for a simple, conservative method of restoring aesthetics to fractured and discoloured anterior teeth for clinical use in young patients of late school age.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Unusual presentation of death due to carbon monoxide poisoning. A report of two cases.

Two cases are reported representing opposite ends of the spectrum of death as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from car exhaust fumes. In one case, a women was reported to be found dead in bed early in the morning by her husband. The cause of her death, established by autopsy, was carbon monoxide poisoning. Toxicology examination indicated a car engine as the possible source of carbon monoxide. The mode of administration was never established. In the second case, a women was found in a car located in her garage with a hose leading from the exhaust pipe to the interior of the sealed vehicle. Autopsy revealed negligible carboxyhemoglobin saturation of the blood, bilateral infarction of the globus pallidus, and extensive bronchopneumonia. It was concluded that inhalation of carbon monoxide resulted in sublethal hypoxia with subsequent exhalation of carbon monoxide and a delayed death.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A flexible staffing model for patient service associates.

A flexible staffing model for the patient service associate (PSA), a type of multiskilled worker, was developed at an academic medical center. The model uses the patient census, admissions, and discharges on a patient care unit to determine how many PSAs are needed during a 24-hour period. The authors discuss the staffing model's effects on labor costs and the quality of PSA work.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1997

High dose neostigmine treatment of malignant sinus tachycardia.

Sinus tachycardia caused by circulating catecholamines in the setting of congestive heart failure may impair systemic perfusion because of decreased diastolic filling time. We report the case of a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with angina and cardiogenic shock who improved dramatically following administration of neostigmine. Cardiac output, blood pressure, and stroke volume increased as heart rate was reduced. A previous attempt at heart rate control, in the same patient, using a low dose beta-antagonist, precipitated hemodynamic collapse. The remarkable recovery of our patient suggests that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may warrant further investigation in patients with severe sinus tachycardia.

Adult↗