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Biomedical subjects

A Wynne

Publications and source records attributed to A Wynne.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

An effective, cosmetically acceptable, novel hydro-gel emollient for the management of dry skin conditions.

BACKGROUND: A novel hydro-gel emollient (Doublebase) has been developed with improved moisturizing effects. OBJECTIVE: To test this novel hydro-gel for its moisturizing effect, for its potential to cause skin irritancy/allergy and for its clinical effectiveness and acceptability in dry skin conditions. METHODS/RESULTS: Skin hydration (corneometry) and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) studies with a single application in 18 volunteers confirmed its efficacy (p < 0.0001) and showed that it was superior to Ultrabase and Diprobase (p < 0.001). Skin hydration studies with multiple applications in 12 volunteers also showed that it was superior to Ultrabase and Diprobase (p < 0.0001). Irritation tests in 74 eczema-prone patients resulted in only one mild reaction, and allergy tests in 99 healthy volunteers elicited no positive reactions. The clinical acceptability and effectiveness of Doublebase was demonstrated in an open study of 78 patients with dry skin conditions. CONCLUSION: Doublebase may be considered a suitable preparation that can be used effectively by most patients with dry skin conditions.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1999

Simultaneous IgM reactivity by EIA against more than one virus in measles, parvovirus B19 and rubella infection.

BACKGROUND: A clinical diagnosis of rash-causing infections is not always possible and reliance has to be placed on serological evidence of infection, especially on the presence of specific immunoglobulin (Ig)M. However, despite the use of modern serological methods and validated commercial kits, reports appear in the literature of simultaneous IgM reactivity against more than one virus in cases of Epstein Barr virus, rubella, cytomegalovirus, human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) and measles infections, all with implications for the pregnant woman. OBJECTIVES: We decided to evaluate the extent of the problem in rubella, measles and HPV B19 infections in a routine diagnostic laboratory. STUDY DESIGN: We tested sera from cases with initial clinical and serological evidence of infection with measles, HPV B19 or rubella for evidence of simultaneous IgM reactivity against more than one virus. We confirmed primary infections with specific-IgG antibody avidity tests, and subjected sera with IgM reactivity against more than one virus to avidity tests to identify which, if any, of the three viruses was the cause of the primary infection. Groups of monoreactive IgM sera were randomly selected from the presented sera to demonstrate that the avidity of the IgG specific for the other two viruses would be of high avidity compared with the low avidity of the IgG specific for the virus against which specific IgM had been detected. RESULTS: Our results confirm that simultaneous IgM reactivity against more than one virus does occur in these three infections, and that this is unlikely to be caused by the presence of rheumatoid factor. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of seroconversion, reliance on specific IgM results alone for diagnosis of these infections should be avoided and tests such as specific IgG antibody avidity should also be employed. The simultaneous occurrence of IgM reactivity against more than one virus is also important for epidemiological and surveillance reasons as the widespread use of the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine makes its impact on the population. Falsely diagnosed cases of apparent measles or rubella could throw into question the efficacy of the vaccine.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1999

The effect of a model melanoidin mixture on faecal bacterial populations in vitro.

The Maillard reaction produces coloured, macromolecular materials (melanoidins) in a variety of foods, on heating. Significant quantities may enter the human gut on a daily basis, but there is little information on their metabolism in the human colon. As the large bowel contains a diverse population of bacteria involved in normal bowel function, it is possible that melanoidins are metabolized therein. Depending on the bacteria involved, there may be disease or health implications. The aim of the present study was to use in vitro models to determine the digestibility of melanoidins and the effect of melanoidins on colonic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Melanoidins were prepared and the effects of simulated upper-gut secretions on their stability determined in a model system. The effects of faecal bacteria were also determined, in batch culture, with a combination of phenotypic and genotypic (probes) criteria being used to identify the microbial diversity involved. Simulation of peptic and pancreatic digestion showed that the melanoidins did not produce detectable amounts of low-molecular-mass degradation products. However, melanoidins affected the growth of gut bacteria during mixed culture growth. The effect was to cause a non-specific increase in the anaerobic bacteria enumerated. This in vitro study indicates that melanoidins can affect the growth of human large-bowel bacteria and serves to demonstrate possible effects that may occur in vivo. Given the large and varied number of food items that contain Maillard reaction products, this may have relevance for lower-gut health.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Is it any good? The evaluation of therapy by participants in a clinical trial.

Research into patients' perspectives on treatments, in concentrating on their compliance with medically prescribed regimens, have taken bio-medicine's evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and benefit for granted. This paper suggests that the clinical trial, the predominant method of evaluation, should become the object of research attention. Clinical trials of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis have failed to show any therapeutic benefit: people who themselves have the disease have however continued to employ it, arranging its delivery for themselves. This study focuses on the decision by a small number of participants in one such clinical trial whether or not to continue using the therapy afterwards. On the basis of in-depth interviews, concerning how the participants evaluated the therapy and came to their decision, it is suggested that at least in the case of this therapy and this condition, the assumptions inherent in the trial method, and its concept of genuine therapeutic benefit, structures the conclusions of the trial in a way that is profoundly at variance with the participants' own methodological assumptions and concept of benefit. Inter alia, the study challenges the view of patients as being inevitably driven by their disregard of proper scientific method to an unreasoning optimism in their assessments of possible treatments.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1989

Patients' decisions about continuing with therapy in chronic illness: a study of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in multiple sclerosis.

The criteria which may be employed by chronically ill people in their decision about whether to continue with therapy were investigated in the context of a clinical trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis. An open-ended question about reasons for continuing or discontinuing treatment obtained data from 48 trial participants on completion of the trial and six months later. Physical factors were the most commonly cited reasons for continuing treatment; stabilization of the condition was mentioned as well as improvement. Lack of effectiveness was more commonly given as a reason to stop therapy six months after the trial. Social and practical reasons were also cited as reasons for discontinuing therapy and there was implicit evidence of a high level of social support enabling patients to continue therapy. Most problems appeared to have surfaced by the end of the trial. Epistemological reasons provided rationales for the decisions taken and referred particularly to the time required to make an informed judgement about the effectiveness of treatment. Personal experience and knowledge of the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on others were more significant to the decision than anticipation of the trial's formal results. The participants in the trial were sophisticated and responsible decision-makers even though their judgements would not always have coincided with medical opinion.

Attitude to Health↗