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Biomedical subjects

A Ritchie

Publications and source records attributed to A Ritchie.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Broad spectrum neuropeptide antagonists inhibit the growth of small cell lung cancer in vivo.

The proliferation of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells appears sustained by multiple autocrine and paracrine circuits involving Ca2+ mobilizing neuropeptides. Consequently, broad spectrum neuropeptide antagonists which inhibit SCLC growth in vitro have been suggested as potential anticancer agents. Here we evaluated this hypothesis using xenografts of WX322 cells, a SCLC cell line that responds to multiple Ca2+ mobilizing neuropeptides. The broad spectrum neuropeptide antagonists [Arg6,D-Trp7,9,MePhe8]substance P(6-11) and [D-Arg1,D-Phe5,Trp7,9Leu11[substance P were shown to inhibit the growth of WX322 xenografts in nude mice. Similar results were obtained with xenografts of the SCLC cell line H69. The results indicate that broad spectrum neuropeptide antagonists can inhibit the growth of SCLC in vivo and suggest that these antagonists could be useful in the treatment of SCLC.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Perinatal mortality in Northern Ireland: where are we now?

Perinatal mortality in Northern Ireland has been declining over the last 30 years, but the factors which may account for this fall have not been clearly delineated. Crude perinatal mortality figures yield very little insight into the problem, and meaningful management statistics are urgently required if service performance is to be reasonably assessed. This paper sets out the case for birth-weight standardisation and explores the utility of a broad diagnostic taxonomy of causes of death.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of radioimmunoassay and immunoradiometric assay for serum prostatic acid phosphatase.

We have compared the laboratory performance of immunoradiometric (IRMA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods developed in this laboratory for measurement of serum prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). The IRMA utilizes a radiolabelled mouse monoclonal anti-PAP and a solid phased rabbit polyclonal anti-PAP. The same rabbit antibody is used in the RIA. The IRMA shows excellent precision over a much wider working range (0.25-1000 micrograms/l) than the RIA (0.73-14.0 micrograms/l), and can be completed in 5 h, while the RIA requires 3 days. Levels in healthy males and in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy are similar in both assays, upper limits of normal being 1.8 micrograms/l (IRMA) and 4.7 micrograms/l (RIA). The two assay methods correlate very well (r = 0.97) when PAP is measured in serum from prostatic cancer patients, although IRMA results are generally lower than those obtained by RIA. About 20% of patients with non-metastatic prostatic carcinoma had elevated serum PAP, whereas about 80% of those with metastatic disease had raised levels. The diagnostic efficiencies of the RIA and IRMA appeared similar. The value of the IRMA in follow-up and staging remains to be determined.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1985

Are problem drinkers dangerous drivers? An investigation of arrest for drinking and driving, serum gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities, blood alcohol concentrations, and road traffic accidents: the Tayside Safe Driving Project.

Serum gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activity was measured in 440 drivers at the time of arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. The results were compared with information gathered by the arresting police officer. One third of drivers over the age of 30 had abnormal gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities at the time of arrest. Among drivers who required a driving license for their work, and older drivers, a disproportionately high number had raised gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities indicating problem drinking. In drivers over the age of 30 a strong association was found between gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities and road traffic accidents but not alcohol concentrations or previous convictions. These findings argue against the Department of Transport's criteria for high risk offenders and indicate a clear need for new measures against problem drinkers among drinking and driving offenders.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1978

Raised alpha-fetoprotein levels in amniotic fluid and maternal serum associated with distension of the fetal bladder caused by absence of urethra.

Raised alpha-fetoprotein concentrations were found at 29 and 30 weeks' gestation in the amniotic fluid and maternal serum of a woman who presented in her seventh pregnancy with apparent polyhydramnios. The fetus had multiple abnormalities including gross distension of the bladder resulting from absence of the urethra, intestinal artresia, and a congenital heart defect.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗