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Biomedical subjects

S West

Publications and source records attributed to S West.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

The role of opiate peptides in the control of prolactin in the puerperium, and TSH in primary hypothyroidism.

The role of endogenous opiate peptides in puerperal hyperprolactinaemia, and in the control of TSH in hypothyroidism, has been investigated. Although exogenous opioids raise prolactin and TSH levels, 16 mg naloxone administered to women on days 2-4 of the puerperium produced no significant change in serum prolactin and the same dose of naloxone had no significant effect on serum TSH in six primary hypothyroid patients. There is little evidence that endogenous opioid peptides are major modulators of prolactin or TSH in man under these conditions.

Endorphins↗
PubMed1981

Prevalence of asbestos related lung disease among employees in non-asbestos industries.

Employees from two non-asbestos industries wee examined to assess the prevalence of asbestos-related lung disease. Of the 214 employees, one suffered from a malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and in 13 (6.1%), pleural plaques were diagnosed radiologically. the plaques were symptomless and not associated with any disturbance in respiratory function. The sole source of asbestos fibre in one factory was the asbestos insulation surrounding steam and hot water pipes similar to that found throughout industry. Exposure occurred as the result of the way in which this insulation has been handled routinely in industry by people who have commonly been unaware either of their exposure or of its significance. In the second factory there was the possibility of additional exposure originating from a neighbouring industry that was a major consumer of asbestos. The results suggest that maintenance workers may be particularly at risk and that the presence of pleural plaques may be under-reported in the absence of a history of asbestos exposure to direct attention towards them. The presence of pleural plaques has important consequences for the individual and for others who have shared the work environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Netilmicin: new aminoglycoside effective against bacterial endophthalmitis.

Bacterial endophthalmitis is difficult to treat because antibiotics administered systemically, subconjuctivally or topically cannot be delivered in bactericidal amounts to the infected tissues. Netilmicin, a new aminoglycoside, is active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus and most Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia coll, Klebsiella and Enterobacter, that have been resistant to other aminoglycosides. In rabbits an intravitreal injection of 250 mu g/0.1 ml rapidly provided a bactericidal concentration (greater than 10 mu g/ml) in the vitreous, and this level was maintained for 100 hours. This dose was not toxic to ocular tissues, unlike higher doses (1000 to 2000 mu g). Intravenous, subconjunctival and topical administration yielded only low concentrations of the drug in the vitreous, although subconjunctival injection yield significant concentrations in the aqueous for 4 hours. Experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis was quickly eradicated by a single intravitreal dose of netilmicin without detectable sequelae in 9 to 10 eyes studied. A solution of netilmicin infused during vitrectomy and lensectomy prevented infection.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1980

Trends in the hospital care of acute childhood asthma 1970-8: a regional study.

In the South-west Thames Region over the period 1970-8 the number of admissions for asthma in children aged 5-14 years increased from 256 to 684, an increase of 167%. Factors associated with this trend were investigated by an analysis of routine hospital statistics and examination of case notes for 1970 and 1978 from every hospital in the region. The trend was caused partly by an increase in readmission rates. There was a more than fivefold increase in self-referrals; these patients had less severe asthma on admission and a higher readmission rate than patients referred by general practitioners. Drug management before and after admission changed considerably over the nine years, as did hospital investigations. Overall, there was little change in the level of severity on admission. The increase in admissions was not associated with a reduction in deaths from asthma in the region and occurred in spite of major advances in the drug control of asthma; this indicates an inadequacy of ambulatory care. The shift in the balance of care towards the hospital and the increasing adoption of a primary care function by the hospital indicate a need for hospitals and general practice to agree jointly on management policies for acute asthma.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

Chronic respiratory disease and respiratory function in a group of fire fighters.

A sample of 193 subjects drawn from the New South Wales Fire Brigade was studied to examine the prevalence of chronic respiratory disease and impairment of respiratory function. The prevalence of respiratory disease was less than that reported in other groups of firemen and reflects the lower level of occupational exposure, and possibly a survivor effect, within the New South Wales Fire Brigade. Among recent recruits, the effects of cigarette smoking far outweighed any contribution from occupational exposure. Among firemen with 20 years or more service a twofold increase in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis is considered to result from the additive effects of cigarette smoking and the high occupational smoke exposures consequent to the availability of respiratory protection and earlier attitudes to its use. The increasingly toxic nature of combustion products at fires was not accompanied by a discernible increase in the prevalence of chronic respiratory disease or impairment of respiratory function. The major combustion products responsible for respiratory damage were self-administered, arising from burning tobacco rather than from burning buildings.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 in phenobarbital- and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. Separation and spectral properties.

Multiple forms of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 isolated from immature male rats pretreated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene are described. Afraction of low specific content (Fraction A. 1.7 TO 4.0 nmol of cytochrome P-450 per mg of protein) and a fraction substantially purified (Fraction B, 9.0 TO 11.0 NMOL of cytochrome P-450 per mg of protein) are obtained by DEAE-cellulose chromatography of a partially purified cytochrome P-450 preparation in the presence of Emulgen 911. Shifts in the absorption maxima in the CO-reduced and ethyl isocyanide difference spectra are observed in the fractions derived from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. The fractions derived from phenobarbital-treated rats exhibit different 455:430 ratios and pH intercepts in the ethyl isocyanide difference spectra. The absolute oxidized spectra and n-octylamine binding spectra at room temperature and EPR analysis at the temperature of liquid helium characterize all the fractions, except the Fraction A from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats, as low spin ferric hemeproteins. The A hemeprotein fractions from both 3-methylcholanthrene- and phenobarbital-treated rats have poor catalytic activity for the metabolism of benzphentamine and 3,4-benzo-[a]pyrene in comparison to the B hemeprotein fractions which may be due to the presence of a high concentration of Emulgen 911 in the A fractions. However, the presence of Emulgen 911 cannot account for the spectral differences among the fractions.

Amines↗
PubMed1975

Studies on the spin state of 3-methylcholanthrene induced cytochrome P-450 from rat liver.

The time course of infuction of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 by the polycyclic hydrocarbon 3-methylcholanthrene was followed by measuring the specific content of cytochrome P-450, benzpyrene hydroxylase activity, and the percent of cytochrome P-450 existing as the high-spin form (g equal to 7.9, 3.7 and 1.7) as determined by low temperature EPR spectroscopy. Significant increases in benzpyrene hydroxylase, cytochrome P-450 and high-spin ferric hemoprotein are seen twenty-four hours following 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. Administration of DL-ethionine prior to 3-methylcholanthrene treatment effectively blocks any increase in benzypyrene hydroxylase and cytochrome P-450 but not the increase in the levels of the high-spin species of the hemoprotein normally seen following 3-methylcholanthrene induction. In addition, partially purified cytochrome P-450 can be isolated from liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene treated rats as low-spin ferric hemoprotein containing essentially no high-spin species (smaller than 1 per cent). This partially purified hemoprotein has the same substrate specificity as the microsomes from which it was derived. It is therefore concluded that the appearance of the high-spin form of cytochrome P-450, as quantitated by EPR, does not correlate with the induction of cytochrome P-450 and benezpyrene hydroxylase activity by 3-methylcholanthrene.

Animals↗