PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A M Robson

Publications and source records attributed to A M Robson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Factors affecting ciliary function in vitro: a preliminary study.

Nasal ciliary function forms an important defence mechanism within the upper respiratory tract which has largely been ignored in recent years. The effects of various drugs used extensively in the treatment of diseases of the nose have not been fully established. Furthermore, the physiological control of ciliary activity is unclear. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of drugs on ciliary beat frequency in vitro using a photometric technique. A dose-dependent response to alpha and beta receptor drugs was found, cocaine hydrochloride achieved ciliostasis even at 40-fold dilution, and potassium ions, except at the limits of tolerance for excitable tissue, did not affect ciliary function. In conclusion, we suggest that alpha and beta receptors may be present on ciliated epithelium and be involved in the control of ciliary function in vivo. Ion fluxes across the ciliary cell membrane may also be important in ciliary activity akin to nervous tissue.

Adrenergic Agonists↗
PubMed1991

Duplicate publication.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Duplicate Publications as Topic↗
PubMed1991

Nasal mucociliary function: comparison of saccharin clearance with ciliary beat frequency.

Mucociliary clearance as measured by saccharin clearance time is in part dependent on the physiological characteristics of mucus and is partly dependent on ciliary function. This study compared the relationship between saccharin clearance time and ciliary beat frequency in 44 patients attending a rhinology clinic. Whilst saccharin clearance time may be used as a screening test for ciliary function there was no clear linear relationship between mucociliary clearance and ciliary beat frequency.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

HLA extended haplotypes in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome of childhood.

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome has been postulated to have an immunopathogenic basis. To determine whether steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome is associated with greater than expected frequencies of specific extended haplotypes of the major histocompatibility complex, we studied genetic markers (Class I, II, III HLA alleles and glyoxalase I) in 173 subjects in 42 families of patients with nephrotic syndrome of childhood. The single allele, DQW2, was found in 72% of steroid sensitive patients compared with only 35% of the controls (P = 0.003). In half of 32 steroid sensitive, but not 10 steroid resistant, patients, one or both of two specific extended haplotypes (alleles that segregate together) were identified. The first, [HLA-A1, B8, DR3, DRW52, SCO1], occurred in 11 of 64 haplotypes, or 17%, compared to 5% of controls (P = 0.017). The other, [HLA-B44, DR7, DRW53, FC31], occurred in 10 of 64 haplotypes, 16% compared to 3.8% of controls (P = 0.014). Five patients had both haplotypes. Patients with these specific extended haplotypes had a greater frequency of relapses than did those with other haplotypes. These data provide additional support for the hypothesis that steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome has an immunogenetic basis.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1988

Renal injury in sick newborn infants: a prospective evaluation using urinary beta 2-microglobulin concentrations.

Urinary concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin and creatinine were measured serially in 140 sick infants, of whom 109 were asphyxiated, and in 35 healthy preterm and term infants. First voided urines and samples from days 3 and 7 postpartum were studied. Urinary beta 2-microglobulin concentrations in healthy infants averaged 1.34 +/- 1.34 mg/L (mean +/- SD) in first voided specimens and 1.32 +/- 0.98 mg/L in day 3 samples; the calculated upper limit of normal (95% confidence limit) was 4.00 mg/L. Elevated values (those exceeding the 95% confidence limit) occurred most often in the sick asphyxiated patients (56%); the first voided sample value in these patients was 10.0 +/- 10.4 mg/L. The equivalent value in the sick nonasphyxiated infants was 8.32 +/- 7.27 mg/L. Values were significantly and persistently elevated in the sick infants on days 3 and 7. Factoring beta 2-microglobulin levels by urinary creatinine concentration did not affect the significance of the findings. The increased urinary beta 2-microglobulin levels were not (1) related to gestational age; low beta 2-microglobulin values occurred at all gestational ages for both healthy and sick infants; (2) a consequence of urine flow rate; urinary beta 2-microglobulin did not correlate with urinary creatinine concentration or with urine to plasma creatinine ratio; and (3) a consequence of increased production of beta 2-microglobulin; urinary and serum beta 2-microglobulin values did not correlate (r = .03). Thus, we propose that the elevated levels of urinary beta 2-microglobulin in the sick infants were the consequence of tubular injury. This was associated with hematuria but not with a high incidence of azotemia or oliguria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed1987

Depressive symptomatology and treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease.

A sample of 60 patients selected at random from an adult population of 419 patients with end-stage renal disease was assessed for major depression. Diagnoses were based on a structured interview using DSM-III criteria. Eighteen patients (30%) met criteria for a major depression on a lifetime basis. In addition, depressive symptoms and treatment for each depressed patient are reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Course and resolution of the coagulopathy in nephrotic children.

Blood coagulation function was serially studied in 84 children with nephrotic syndrome. Fifty-eight had minimal change disease, six had focal glomerulosclerosis and 20 had other forms of renal disease associated with the nephrotic syndrome. Qualitatively similar abnormalities in fibrinogen metabolism were present in all groups with clinically overt nephrotic syndrome; plasma fibrinogen concentration and high molecular weight fibrin(ogen) complexes (HMWFC) were grossly elevated (P less than 0.001 in most groups). With disease remission fibrinogen and HMWFC concentrations decreased to the normal range, usually with concomitant transient increase in plasma fibrinolytic activity (P less than 0.02). Alterations in concentrations of other proteins involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis differed depending on the underlying cause for the nephrotic syndrome. Antithrombin III concentration was normal except in the focal glomerulosclerosis group. The results demonstrate that a coagulopathy characterized by pathological degree of thrombin action on fibrinogen complicates the nephrotic state and may be initiated by different mechanisms. It is suggested that this coagulopathy, which remits with clinical improvement, is consequent upon local intrarenal activation of the blood coagulation system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Living-related kidney donors: a multicenter study of donor education, socioeconomic adjustment, and rehabilitation.

To determine the consequences of living-related kidney donation, a study was conducted of 536 donors whose nephrectomies had been performed at nine geographically dispersed centers during the past 12 years. The data demonstrated that greater than 84.0% of the donors thought they had been adequately informed regarding all aspects of donation, and less than 15.0% reported being pressured in their decision. Only two serious medical complications were directly attributable to the surgery, greater than 92.0% of the donors believed their health had not been adversely affected by donation, and 96.8% reaffirmed their decision regardless of the graft's success or the financial distress they experienced (P greater than .05). However, greater than 14.0% experienced direct pressure, particularly not to donate. Donation also appeared to stress previously troubled marriages, especially among donors without a religious affiliation, who were pressured to donate by their families, or who borrowed from family members (P less than .05). Substantial unreimbursed expenses (greater than or equal to $1,000) were incurred by 43 donors, and 23.2% of all donors reported that donation caused a financial hardship.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Use of beta 2 microglobulin to diagnose tubulo-interstitial renal lesions in children.

Fractional excretion (FE) of beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2M) was studied in children with glomerular (N = 114), tubular (N = 50) or other (N = 18) renal diseases. FE-beta 2M (normal less than 0.36%) was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in glomerular diseases (mean 0.104%) than in tubular lesions (mean 4.27%). Unexpectedly, several patients with glomerular disease were found to have increased values for FE-beta 2M. To determine whether this was due to a tubular component in a primary glomerular disease process, FE-beta 2M was measured in 30 children with various glomerulopathies who underwent renal biopsy. Thirteen of these patients had tubulo-interstitial lesions in addition to their glomerular disease. FE-beta 2M in these patients averaged 3.76% (range 0.14 to 44.6%); only two results were normal. Mean FE-beta 2M in the 17 patients without biopsy evidence of tubulo-interstitial disease was 0.063% (range 0.02 to 0.34%); all values were in the normal range. The types of glomerular diseases in the two groups of patients were similar. Patients with a glomerular lesion complicated by tubulo-interstitial lesions had a poorer prognosis than did those with a pure glomerular disease. The high incidence of tubulo-interstitial lesions in patients with glomerular diseases was unexpected. Our data demonstrates that FE-beta 2M represents a reliable non-invasive method to diagnose such involvement. Measurements of beta 2M also provide a convenient method to follow the course and response to treatment of renal tubular injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Sodium-lithium countertransport in erythrocytes of children and adolescents with hypertension.

We have investigated the sodium-lithium countertransport system as a screening test for hypertensive disease in children and adolescents using the method of Canessa et al. [New Engl. J. Med. 302: 772-776, 1980]. The sodium-lithium countertransport in erythrocytes was measured in patients, ages 4-18 years, having essential hypertension or secondary hypertension and compared with age-, weight-, sex- and race-matched normotensive controls. Children and adolescents with essential hypertension possessed a significantly higher erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport rate than the normotensive control group (0.39 +/- 0.18, n = 28, vs. 0.22 +/- 0.14 mmol Li/l red cells/h, n = 20, respectively; p less than 0.001). Children with secondary hypertension had intermediate values (0.31 +/- 0.15 mmol Li/l red cells/h; n = 17) which did not differ significantly from values of subjects with essential hypertension or normotensive controls. There was no correlation of counter-transport values with age, sex, or body weight in either hypertensive or normotensive groups. However, white normotensive children had significantly higher countertransport levels compared with black normotensives (0.32 +/- 0.14, n = 10, vs. 0.13 +/- 0.07 mmol Li/l red cells/h, n = 10, respectively; p less than 0.005). Similarly, white children and adolescents with essential hypertension had higher mean countertransport measurements than did black hypertensives (0.42 +/- 0.20, n = 21, vs. 0.27 +/- 0.05 mmol Li/l red cells/h, n = 7, respectively) although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p less than 0.1). Although children and adolescents with essential hypertension had a significant elevation of sodium-lithium countertransport when compared to normotensives, the large degree of overlap of countertransport values in these two groups, as well as the intermediate values of children with secondary hypertension, limits the usefulness of the sodium-lithium countertransport as a screening test for essential hypertension in this population. Taking into account the influence of racial differences on the countertransport assay does not sufficiently improve the discriminatory value of the test to render it clinically useful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Diagnosis of depression in patients with end-stage renal disease. Comparative analysis.

To evaluate the variability in the diagnosis of depression in patients receiving maintenance therapy for end-stage renal disease, a study of 60 randomly selected patients was conducted. Three representative depression assessment methods were employed concurrently in the evaluation of each patient: (1) a structured psychiatric interview based on the diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-III); (2) the Beck Depression Inventory; and (3) the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List. Among the 60 patients, 47 percent were classified as depressed by the Beck Depression Inventory, whereas 17 percent and 5 percent were determined to be depressed according to the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List and DSM-III criteria, respectively. The data demonstrated these differences to be dependent on the overlap between the symptoms of uremia and depression, as well as on the duration of those symptoms. This study also suggests that death wish, suicidal intention, and other psychologic symptoms should receive particular attention in the clinical assessment of depression in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Geographic access to health care services: the case of maintenance hemodialysis.

A longitudinal study of the system for delivering maintenance hemodialysis services in St Louis, Missouri was conducted to determine the significance of geographic access in the selection and continued utilization of a treatment facility. Historically, center hemodialysis patients in this metropolitan area received care at four centrally located facilities. In 1981, two new, independent facilities were constructed; a satellite of an existing unit was opened in 1983. The data obtained in this study demonstrated that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients generally did not change their mode of maintenance therapy, their treatment facility, or the location of their personal residence. When such changes occurred, they were rarely precipitated by a desire to reduce travel time to treatment. Furthermore, the opportunity to improve geographic access by transferring to a closer unit was perceived by patients to be viable only if they could retain their physician. It was concluded, therefore, that travel time to treatment is a relatively unimportant aspect of the chronic care of center hemodialysis patients in a metropolitan area.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Does social support determine the treatment setting for hemodialysis patients?

The availability of an adequate system of social support has been suggested to be significant in determining whether an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient is dialyzed in a center or at home. To evaluate this hypothesis more completely, we conducted a study of social support among 257 home and center hemodialysis patients receiving maintenance therapy at four facilities in a midwestern, metropolitan area. A statistically significant difference, chi 2(3) = 14.031, P = 0.0029, was observed in the percentage of patients with social support available to them across the four facilities. The distribution of patients between home and center hemodialysis at the facilities also differed significantly, chi 2(3) = 14.919, P = 0.0019. An adequate social support system was present among 96.4% of the 55 home hemodialysis patients and 85.6% of the 202 center hemodialysis patients, a difference that was statistically significant, chi 2(1) = 4.684, P = 0.0305. However, a more detailed analysis of these findings revealed that the presence of social support was not significant, chi 2(1) = 1.080, P = 0.2995, in determining whether and ESRD patient was dialyzed at home or in a center after accounting for the facility differences. The facility differences remained significant in determining the setting of hemodialysis even after correcting for social support, chi 2(3) = 10.740, P = 0.0132. We concluded, therefore, that the attitudes of clinical staff toward home and center hemodialysis and the willingness of staff to develop those resources that facilitate a specific treatment setting are the principal elements in the therapy selection process.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Urinary beta 2-microglobulin in full-term newborns: evidence for proximal tubular dysfunction in infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Urinary concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M) and creatinine were measured in normal term infants and in those born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid. None of the infants or their mothers had conditions known to modify beta 2M excretion. Measurements of beta 2M were made on urines collected by bagging; urines obtained from diapers were not satisfactory. Urinary beta 2M concentrations increased significantly (P less than .02) in the normal infants from the first day (0.36 +/- 0.29 mg/L: n = 29) to the third day (0.60 +/- 0.43 mg/L: n = 21) postpartum. Compared with the normal infants, values for the infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid were increased significantly on days 1 (1.64 +/- 2.16 mg/L: n = 25: P less than .005) and 3 (2.12 +/- 2.04 mg/L: n = 23: P less than .005). Levels exceeded two standard deviations above the normal mean in 12 of the 26 infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid on postpartum day 1, and 12 of the 23 infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid on day 3. Urinary creatinine levels were similar in both the normal infants and those with meconium-stained amniotic fluid. All infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid with a one-minute Apgar score of 6 or less had an elevated urinary beta 2M concentration. The elevated levels of urinary beta 2M in infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid indicate the existence of tubular dysfunction, probably mild acute tubular necrosis secondary to hypoxia.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1979

Congenital glomerulosclerosis and nephrotic syndrome in two infants. Speculations and pathogenesis.

The incidental finding of hyalinized glomeruli in otherwise normal infant kidneys is referred to as congenital glomerulosclerosis. Two infants had extensive glomerulosclerosis manifested by nephrotic syndrome, severe oliguria, and progressive renal failure. Both patients were believed to have had intrauterine infections. These two cases have unequivocally identified congenital glomerulosclerosis as one of the causes of nephrotic syndrome in infancy. In addition, they suggest that extensive glomerulosclerosis in some cases may be a result of congenital infections.

Female↗