PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Wick

Publications and source records attributed to A Wick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The influence of staining procedure on differential round cell analysis in stained smears of human semen.

Giemsa and Bryan-Leishman smear staining techniques have been quantitatively evaluated for their ability to determine round cells in human semen. Samples of fertile and vasectomy ejaculates were compared against counts obtained from semithin Araldite sections stained with toluidine blue. TEM studies and immunogold staining of the Pradite section permitted identification and quantitation of nucleated cell profiles. Differential counts from each of the three stains on the same set of semen samples were compared using regression analysis. Counts of seminiferous tubule elements from stain to stain correlated well (r > 0.9). Numerical analyses indicated, however, that leucocytes were commonly misidentified. The r values for neutrophils were less than 0.8 and as low as 0.55 for lymphocytes. These low correlations presumably were due to failures to distinguish between these cells and seminiferous tubule elements.

Humans↗

Bicyclic imidazo derivatives, a new class of highly selective inhibitors for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

In the search for new antiviral agents against human immunodeficiency virus, different members of two imidazoheterocycle families (imidazothiazoles, imidazopyridines) have been found to display potent inhibitory effects on the replication of HIV-1. Three of these derivatives, which show significant anti-HIV-1 activity, have been chosen for further studies. The analysis of these compounds and their comparison to AZT and TIBO revealed that these bicyclic imidazo derivatives represent a class of highly specific inhibitors of HIV-1, but not of HIV-2 or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Their inhibition of HIV-1 is mediated through interaction with the reverse transcriptase (RT). The mechanism of action of these bicyclic imidazo derivatives may be similar to that of the other non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs).

Antiviral Agents↗

[A view of general practice].

What happens during our consultation and what are the determining factors or specific practice patterns in general practice? Six Swiss general practitioners discuss this questions based on a random sample of 300 descriptions of unbiased consultations. Further information obtained from the patient after the consultation by questionnaire and a recorded semi-structured interview was analysed. In the following article the methods are presented.

Data Collection↗

[Is there a typical general practitioner?].

A random sample of 300 unbiased consultations on the premises of six Swiss general practitioners was analysed. In this article the results of the 'hard facts' (from patient questionnaires and the physicians tape-recorded consultation's essentials) are referred. The consultation length (average 16.5 min.) was underestimated by doctor and patient in 64% and 41% respectively. 81% of the patients saw us as their 'family doctor'. This term, however, is badly defined. Previous visits at home had taken place in 26 to 54% of all cases. Full patient satisfaction with the consultation was found in 80 to 90%, and the patients attested an optimal emotional approach. Also the financial aspects are mentioned. The authors are impressed by the finding of significant inter-doctor differences of important physician's practice patterns.

Adult↗

[Significance of diagnostic aspects in general practice].

The role of the 'diagnosis' in general practice is different from that in teaching hospitals, but a broader definition is needed. In general practice the spectrum of diagnoses appears to be almost unlimited ('for every patient his own diagnosis'). Therefore, the author calls in question any classification system. In a personal study of 300 consultations in the offices of six Swiss general practitioners, no main diagnosis was reported in 16%, and in one third the main diagnosis was uncertain. The impact of the diagnosis on the therapeutic consequences or on prognosis seems to be overestimated. Of the stated diagnoses most were somatic, but not in the sense of 'clinical' entities. Only few patients are interested in our diagnostic terms. Significant inter-practitioner variations in the diagnostic approach are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

SL 84.0418: a novel, potent and selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist: in vitro pharmacological profile.

One novel, potent and selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist is 2-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2- propylpyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]-indole hydrochloride (SL 84.0418). It inhibits with high affinity the radioligand binding to rat cortical alpha-2 adrenoceptors, as well as to human platelet alpha-2 adrenoceptors labeled with [3H]idazoxan (Ki = 7 nM). SL 84.0418 has low affinity for alpha-1 adrenoceptors labeled with [3H]prazosin (Ki = 3.3 microM). In vitro, SL 84.0418 has no alpha agonist properties, whereas it is a potent alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist at both pre- and postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors. In contrast, it possesses low potency as an antagonist at postsynaptic alpha-1 adrenoceptors demonstrating a more than 1000-fold selectivity toward alpha-2 compared with alpha-1 adrenoceptors. In the same tests, the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan had a selectivity ratio of 200. SL 84.0418 is the racemic mixture of two enantiomers, SL 86.0715 [(+) enantiomer] and SL 86.0714 [(-) enantiomer]. The alpha-2 adrenoceptor blocking activities reside with SL 86.0715. Similar to idazoxan, SL 84.0418 increases in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from rat hypothalamic slices through the blockade of the presynaptic inhibitory alpha-2 adrenoceptors. In isolated hamster adipocytes, SL 84.0418 potently antagonizes the inhibition of lipolysis induced by UK 14,304. In addition, SL 84.0418 inhibits epinephrine-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets, effects mediated by postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors. SL 84.0418 does not inhibit (IC50 > 1,000 nM) radioligand binding to other receptors or recognition sites, nor does it inhibit calcium, sodium or potassium channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Monocyclic and tricyclic analogs of quinolones: mechanism of action.

The mode of action of Ro 13-5478 and Ro 14-9578, monocyclic and tricyclic quinolone analogs, respectively, was examined for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The compounds showed antibacterial activity and effects on cell morphology, replicative DNA biosynthesis, and gyrase-catalyzed DNA supercoiling that were comparable to those shown by nalidixic acid and by oxolinic acid compounds. The results suggest that their site of action is DNA gyrase and that a bicyclic quinolone nucleus is not essential for activity.

4-Quinolones↗

High affinity [3H]zolpidem binding in the rat brain: an imidazopyridine with agonist properties at central benzodiazepine receptors.

[3H]Zolpidem, a novel hypnotic drug possessing a chemical structure unrelated to that of benzodiazepine (BZD) was employed as a new ligand to determine its binding characteristics to membrane preparations of rat cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In both structures, the imidazopyridine [3H]zolpidem bound with high affinity to a single population of recognition sites. The cerebellum possessed a similar number of [3H]zolpidem and [3H]diazepam binding sites, while the cerebral cortex possessed a lower density of [3H]zolpidem than [3H]diazepam binding sites. In contrast to [3H]diazepam binding, [3H]zolpidem binding was not detectable in the spinal cord. In the cortex, BZDs had a similar potency to displace [3H]zolpidem and [3H]diazepam binding while non-BZDs were more potent to inhibit [3H] zolpidem binding than [3H]diazepam binding. The binding of [3H]zolpidem was enhanced by GABA to the same extent as [3H]diazepam binding. The increase in [3H] zolpidem binding caused by chloride ions was less pronounced than that in [3H]diazepam binding. It is concluded that [3H]zolpidem possesses selectivity for BZD receptors with the pharmacological characteristics and regional distribution of the BZD1 receptor subtype. [3H]Zolpidem as a radioligand offers a useful additional tool to study the mechanism of action of hypnotics acting through BZD receptor subtypes.

Animals↗

Swiss adjuvant trial (OSAKO 06/74) with chlorambucil, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil plus BCG in node-negative breast cancer patients: nine-year results.

Between 1974 and 1977, a total of 254 patients with stages T1-3a, N0-1, and M0 operable breast cancer (node negative and node positive, stratified) were randomized to either modified radical mastectomy alone or the same surgery and adjuvant chlorambucil, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (LMF) plus BCG. After a median follow-up of 9 years (January 1985), we concluded that LMF plus BCG significantly increased relapse-free survival (RFS) in 240 fully evaluated patients, especially postmenopausal women. This gain in RFS ceased to transform into a gain in overall survival (OAS) after 7 years of median follow-up for the whole patient group. In the 122 node-negative patients studied, LMF plus BCG produced a marked increase in RFS up to the fifth year and in OAS up to 8 years after initial surgery, thus prolonging significantly the median disease-free interval compared with surgical control patients. This trend favoring LMF plus BCG-treated patients continues. Although median time to first relapse and to generalized disease were increased in relapsing patients by LMF plus BCG, the subsequent intervals from local relapse to distant disease and from distant metastases to death were equal for both treatment regimens. Subjective and objective acute toxicity from LMF plus BCG was mild. At 9 years of median follow-up, fewer second tumors were noted in the node-negative group receiving LMF plus BCG than in surgical controls.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with LMF plus BCG in node-negative and node-positive breast cancer - intermediate report at 4 years.

A randomized surgical adjuvant trial in 242 evaluable patients with T1-3a, N0-1, and M0 breast cancer was initiated 4 years ago. The well-tolerated, oral combination chemotherapy with six cycles of Leukeran plus methotrexate plus fluorouracil (LMF) plus repeated BCG skin scarifications was used. After 4 years, the following results were seen: (1) significant increase of relapse-free (RFS) and also overall survival (S) in both pre- and postmenopausal node-negative patients versus surgical controls (RFS 91.1 vs. 701%, P = 0.003; S 96 vs. 88%, P = 0.03); (2) no significant increase of RFS or S in pre- and postmenopausal node-positive patients versus surgical controls (RFS 50.1 versus 44%, P = 0.49; S 70 versus 68 %, P = 0.9, respectively); (3) Patients receiving greater than 90% of the planned LMF dose showed significantly better survival after 4 years; and (4) Nonrandomized comparison with concurrent Swiss adjuvant studies with LMF alone indicate no beneficial or harmful effect of BCG skin scarifications in addition to the six-cycle LMF.

Breast Neoplasms↗

[Acute kidney failure as a complication of fasting therapy].

Acute urate nephropathy during starvation for weight reduction has been observed in 2 patients. Under these conditions ketoacidosis causes impaired renal uric acid excretion and hyperuricemia. Uricosuric agents or sudden intake of normal calorie diet induces massive uricosuria and kidney damage. Uricosuric agents should be avoided and steps taken to promote abundant diuresis, while allopurinol should be prescribed.

Acidosis↗