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Biomedical subjects

S Wright

Publications and source records attributed to S Wright.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Reduced levels of prostaglandin precursors in the blood of atopic patients: defective delta-6-desaturase function as a biochemical basis for atopy.

In the plasma phospholipids of a group of 50 young adults with atopic eczema, there was an elevation of cis-linoleic acid associated with a deficit of gamma-linolenic acid and of the prostaglandin precursors, dihomogammalinolenic acid and arachidonic acid. This suggests that atopics have a deficit in the function of the delta-6-desaturase enzyme which converts linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid. Carriers of cystic fibrosis tend to be phenotypically atopic, supporting previous suggestions that in homozygote cystic fibrosis patients the key defect may be in the delta-6-desaturase enzyme. Atopic patients may be exceptionally sensitive to side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. They fail to flush in response to application of niacin compounds to the skin, a reaction mediated by prostaglandins. A deficit of prostaglandin precursors would explain both of these observations. That the observed biochemical deficit plays a causative role in the manifestations of atopy was indicated by the fact that in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, gamma-linolenic acid in the form of evening primrose oil (Efamol), partially corrected both the biochemical abnormalities and the clinical state.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗
PubMed1982

The accuracy of drawing up insulin by insulin treated diabetics.

The accuracy of drawing up insulin was tested in a group of randomly selected insulin requiring diabetics. The mean error between patients of drawing up rapid acting insulin was + 5.6%, of intermediate acting insulin, + 4.9% and of a mixture of rapid and intermediate acting insulin, + 1.8%. There was no correlation in percentage error in drawing up insulin the age of patient, duration of diabetes, dosage of insulin nor quality of diabetic control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Student perception of school environment and its relationship to mood, achievement, popularity, and adjustment.

This study examined relationships between student perceptions of classroom environment and mood, achievement, popularity, and adjustment, both for students in general and for "problem" (i.e., acting-out, anxious, and unpopular) children. Subjects included 511 fifth- and sixth-grade students from 23 classes in four suburban schools. Class environment was assessed by responses to a short form of the Classroom Environment Scale (CES). Students also completed mood adjective checklists and peer sociometric ratings. Reading and arithmetic report card grades and achievement test scores were recorded for the school year, and teachers submitted adjustment ratings for all students. Classes, rather than students, were used as the main unit of analysis. For classes in general, high perceived Order and Organization and Affiliation related to greater student popularity. Relationships between perceptions of class environment and the dependent measures were stronger for problem students. For that group, high perceived Order and Organization, Affiliation, and Innovation related to positive mood, greater peer popularity, and teacher ratings indicating more positive adjustment.

Achievement↗
PubMed1981

Structure and expression of a cloned beta o thalassaemic globin gene.

We have cloned the single beta-globin gene from an Italian patient who is a double heterozygote for beta o/delta beta o thalassaemia. RNA isolated from nucleated red cells from this patient can be translated in vitro to give detectable levels of A gamma- G gamma and alpha-globin, but no beta-globin. S1-mapping transcription studies show that beta-globin mRNA is present at about 1-3% of the level of alpha- and gamma-globin mRNA. In addition, the expression of this gene has been studied by reversed genetics. SV40-plasmid-beta o-globin gene recombinants have been transfected into Hela cells and analysed for beta-globin mRNA. In contrast to the results obtained with mRNA isolated directly from the blood of this patient, in the transfected Hela cells the same level of beta-globin mRNA is seen for the beta o thalassaemic globin gene and for a normal beta-globin gene. To elucidate the nature of the lesion, the entire DNA sequence of the beta-globin gene of this patient has been determined. The sequence shows that this gene contains a termination codon at position 39 (CAG - greater than UAG). Otherwise, there is a remarkable conservation of the entire DNA sequence.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1981

Abnormal colonic motility in progressive systemic sclerosis.

Progressive systemic sclerosis alters smooth muscle function throughout the gastrointestinal tract. In 10 consecutive patients with the disease, colonic spike activity and contractile activity were measured after a 1000-kcal meal, intramuscular injection of neostigmine, or intravenous injection of metoclopramide. The 1000-kcal meal stimulated a significant increase in spike and contractile activity in normal subjects. Nine of the 10 patients had no increase in motility after eating. Neostigmine or metoclopramide stimulated colonic spike (p less than 0.01) and contractile (p less than 0.02) activity in normal subjects and stimulated colonic motility (p less than 0.01) in four of 10 patients with less severe systemic manifestations of the disease (Group 1). The drugs had no effect on patients with severe progressive systemic sclerosis (Group II). The patients with severe scleroderma had significant gastrointestinal roentgenographic abnormalities and severe cardiac, renal, or pulmonary dysfunction. Four of six Group II patients died from the disease; all four had marked smooth muscle atrophy in the colonic wall. These findings suggest that the gastrocolonic response is absent early in the disease process and that the smooth muscle atrophy occurring with progression of the disease may lead to a more severe colonic motor disturbance.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

A system for approving, monitoring, and recording CME activities in a university hospital setting.

The increased demand that mandatory continuing education requirements place on an academic physician's time and the conviction that continued learning is best when that learning is related to patient care were the impetus for developing a continuing education system in the University of Michigan Hospital for medical faculty and medical staff. Using the capability to co-sponsor continuing medical education, the University of Michigan Medical School established a quality assessment mechanism that enabled approval of a variety of ongoing instructional activities in the hospital setting for continuing education credit.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗
PubMed1980

Measurement of in vivo corrosion rates in baboons, and correlation with in vitro tests.

The Lineal Polarization Technique was used to determine the polarization resistances and corrosion currents of various dental restorative and implant alloys and amalgams placed in the teeth of animals, and as laboratory samples in artificial saliva. Gold- and chromium-containing alloys corroded the least, and amalgams generated the highest corrosion currents. There was good agreement between measurements made in vivo and in vitro. This is the first time that corrosion current have been measured in the mouth repeatedly over a long time span. These methods may be developed into useful predictive tests of in vivo corrosion.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Double-blind comparative study on the effects of lofepramine and amitriptyline in depressive outpatients (author's transl)].

The anticholinergic side-effects of tricyclic antidepressants are unpleasant for the patients. Lofepramine, a new tricyclic antidepressant, has in animal studies been shown to have weak anticholinergic effects and a low acute toxicity. The aim of the present study was to see whether these pharmacological properties led to a lower rate of side-effects in depressed patients. In a double-blind trial 40 outpatients were treated with lofepramine or amitriptyline. Assessments were made with the Hamilton Scale, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Scale and a Side-effect Scale. 33 patients completed the trial. Both drugs proved effective. There were small differences in favour of lofepramine both in therapeutic efficacy and frequency of side-effects.

Amitriptyline↗