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Biomedical subjects

B Paul

Publications and source records attributed to B Paul.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Dissociation between the effects of benzodiazepine receptor agonists on behavioral vigilance and responsitivity.

The effects of benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) full agonists chlordiazepoxide and midazolam, and the partial agonist beta-carboline ZK 91,296 on the rat's performance in a simple reaction time paradigm were examined. This task required the animals to respond to a rarely and unpredictably occurring brief (50 ms) visual stimulus. Non-parametric measures of signal sensitivity and response bias derived from signal-detection theory were used as a basis for the dissociation between the effects of these drugs on attentional abilities and general responsivity. The dose-dependent effects of midazolam (0.1-3.13 mg/kg) on signal sensitivity and general responsivity occurred in parallel. In contrast, the effects of chlordiazepoxide (1.56-12.5 mg/kg) on signal sensitivity were largely independent from effects on response bias. The partial agonist ZK 91,296 (0.39-25 mg/kg) in general had little effect on performance. The effects of the highest doses of chlordiazepoxide and midazolam were reversed by the co-administration of the BZR antagonist Ro15-1788 (15 mg/kg). Additionally, extension of the stimulus presentation time to 500 ms decreased the magnitude of the effect of chlordiazepoxide on signal sensitivity. These results support the hypothesis that BZR agonist-induced disruption of attentional abilities is not necessarily confounded by effects on general responsivity or sedation, and thus may represent a discrete pharmacological property of BZR-agonists.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A report of 104 transfusion errors in New York State.

In New York State, significant incidents involving the collection, processing, or transfusion of blood must be reported. Incident reports received over a 22-month period involving transfusion of blood to other than the intended recipient or release of blood of an incorrect group were analyzed. Among 1,784,600 transfusions of red cell components; there were 92 cases of erroneous transfusion that met study criteria (1/19,000). There were 54 ABO-incompatible transfusions (1/33,000); three of these (1/600,000) were fatal. Correction for underreporting of ABO-compatible errors resulted in an estimate of 1 per 12,000 as the true risk of transfusion error. National application of New York State data results in an estimate of 800 to 900 projected red cell-associated errors in the United States annually. The majority of reported errors occurred outside of the blood bank (43% resulted solely from failure to identify the patient and/or unit prior to transfusion and 11% resulted from phlebotomist error), while the blood bank was responsible for 25 percent of errors and contributed, with another hospital service, to 17 percent. The risk of transfusion of ABO-incompatible blood remains significant, and additional precautions to minimize the likelihood of such events should be considered.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1992

Infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cell lines by cell-free human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type I.

Previous studies of in vitro infection by human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) have required cocultivation of target cells with HTLV-I cell lines or vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotypes containing HTLV-I envelope proteins. We report here the development of a cell-free infection assay for HTLV-I. Target cells were incubated with purified, DNase-treated HTLV-I virions for 4 h at 37 degrees C. Target cell DNA was then analyzed for the presence of newly synthesized HTLV-I proviral DNA by the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction. Using this assay system, we have been able to consistently detect in vitro infection of a variety of cellular targets by different HTLV-I isolates. Optimal infection required the presence of 10 micrograms of DEAE-dextran per ml. The assay was dose dependent with respect to virus input. In general, the amount of proviral DNA detected correlated with the level of HTLV-I receptors present on the surface of the target cells, as measured by fluorochrome-labelled HTLV-I binding. Finally, the specificity of the assay was confirmed by demonstrating that the cell line, L1q, a somatic cell hybrid containing human chromosome 17q, to which the gene for the HTLV-I receptor has been mapped, was susceptible to infection by HTLV-I, while the parental mouse cell line from which it was derived, LMTK-, which lacks human chromosome 17q, was not.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A three-year prospective study of 137 cases of acute leukaemia in Zimbabwe.

We studied 137 cases of acute leukaemia seen between December 1985 and November 1988, using traditional staining techniques together with cytochemistry and in cases of probable acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Sudan Black negative) by immunophenotyping. Not all tests were carried out in every case (some cases of ALL could only be classified as T or non-T). Paediatric group (age less than or equal to 14 yrs): 75 cases--acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 52, acute myeloid leukaemia 18, acute undifferentiated leukaemia 5. Peak incidence in 5-9 year group. Male:Female ratio = 1.7:1. acute myeloid leukaemia was associated with chloromas in 2 cases (11 pc). Adult group: 62 cases--acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 23, acute myeloid leukaemia 36 and acute undifferentiated leukaemia 3. Peak incidence in 50-54 age group. Male:Female ratio = 1:1.2. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia subtypes (all ages) T 16, Common 20, Null 12, 'non-T' 16, B cell 0, untyped 11. 69 pc were of L2 morphology. In T-ALL, 11 had thymomas and Male:Female ratio = 15:1. Male:Female ratio for 'non-T' = 1.5:1. Acute myeloid leukaemia subtypes (all ages) M1 3, M2 8, M3 14, M4 19, M5 8, M6 2, M7 1. Overall incidence of acute leukaemia appears increased at 0.91 per 100,000 per annum from previous studies in Zimbabwe. Common ALL (mean age = 13 years) is an emerging problem and now outnumbers T-ALL (mean age = 10 years). This may be related to a general improvement in living standards and health in Zimbabwe.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

[Individual plaque flora determination in periodontal diseases. Methods and standardization].

The dental plaque of 15 patients with gingivitis and of 15 patients with marginal periodontitis was won by means of two different methods of isolation and sampling. Either the plaque was sampled by a scaler with and without covering the crown. The estimation of plaque-microflora was done by microscopical and cultural bacteriological methods. Differences in the composition of plaque-microflora could be found in dependence of method used in isolation and sampling. Also differences in bacterial colonisation of different regions were found using the same technique of sampling. The subgingival plaque in marginal periodontitis was different of the plaque in gingivitis. In plaque-microflora of periodontitis the percentage of gram-positive cocci and rods was decreasing, the percentage of gram-negative and mobile bacteria was increasing compared with the bacterial flora in gingivitis. In the subgingival plaque in gingivitis streptococci and actinomyces were the predominant bacteria.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1991

von Willebrand's disease in Zimbabwe. A report on 3 families.

Three families with clinically typical features of von Willebrand's disease are described. One family had features to suggest type II disease. Von Willebrand's disease appears to be rare in Africa, but this may be due both to lack of awareness among clinicians and insufficient laboratory facilities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Pseudohypoparathyroidism: its phenotypic variability and associated disorders in a large family.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a complex disorder of renal resistance to parathyroid hormone the mechanism of which is unclear. It is often associated with skeletal abnormalities and there may also be other hormonal defects. This is an extensive endocrinological investigation of five of six affected members in two generations of one family. The phenotypic variability of the syndrome is explored: four members had hypothyroidism; two had abnormal gonadal function; all five had abnormal prolactin response to TRH; one had abnormal hepatic response to glucagon infusion. All had normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes, renal responsiveness to vasopressin and growth hormone responses to a variety of stimuli. Special note is made of oral pathology, and evidence of platelet aggregation abnormalities is presented which has not previously been described in the syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Fluorinated carbohydrates as potential plasma membrane modifiers. Synthesis of 4- and 6-fluoro derivatives of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-hexopyranoses.

2-Amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro- and 2-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-4, 6-difluoro-D-galactose, and 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro- and 2-amino-4-deoxy-4, 4-difluoro-D-xylo-hexose were synthesized, as potential modifiers of tumor cell-surface glyco-conjugate, from benzyl 2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4, 6-di-O-mesyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and benzyl 2-acetamido-3, 6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-mesyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside, which were converted into the corresponding 4,6-difluoro-2,4, 6-trideoxy and 2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro derivatives. Benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-mesyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside and benzyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-xylo-hexo-4-ulopyra noside were treated with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride to give 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro-D-glucose and 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4, 4-di-fluoro-D-xylo-hexose derivatives, respectively, to give after deprotection the target compounds. Several of the peracetylated sugar derivatives inhibited L1210 tumor-cell growth in vitro at concentrations of 1-5 10(-5) M. The peracetylated derivative of 2-amino-2,4-dideoxy-4-fluoro-D-galactose inhibited protein and glycoconjugate biosynthesis, and also exhibited antitumor activity in mice with L1210 leukemia.

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1990

Megaloblastic anaemia in Zimbabwe. II: Diagnostic significance of red cell indices in.

Studies of red cell indices viz: Rbc count, Hb, Hct ratio, MCV, MCH and MCHC were carried out in normal subjects (n = 62) and in patients with: B12 deficiency (n = 34); folate deficiency (n = 17); and B12 and folate deficiency (n = 18). Although these red cell parameters were diagnostically useful (2P less than 5 x 10(-3)) in distinguishing the patients' groups from the control group; they showed no ability to distinguish the deficient groups from each other. However, their practical and diagnostic significance as screening tests in the local environs is briefly highlighted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Megaloblastic anaemia in Zimbabwe: the pernicious anaemias.

This study of 16 patients with pernicious anaemia (PA) (9 males and 7 females); serves as further evidence that the disease is not as infrequent in Africans as the literature stressing its rarity in the past appears to have suggested. The age-old preconceptions about racial incidence; age of onset; and absence of adequate laboratory facilities particularly in the African setting have hitherto greatly contributed to under-diagnosis of this disorder in Africans.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Allogeneic lyophilized fascia lata "soft" as extra-articular stabilizer in simple and complex knee joint instability].

50 operative procedures in capsular-ligamentous apparatus of knee joint were done from 1.9.1988 until 31.12.1989 among 209 in charged treated sports injuries. The multiplicity in pattern of injuries is the reason for individual procedure in reconstructive joint-surgery and because of this various indications for auto- and allogenic eg. synthetic materials, static and dynamic procedures else free or vascularized grafts. The lyophylized fascia lata "soft" is used in case of anteromedial instability, isolated medial rupture of collateral ligament of the first degree else for augmentation after primary treated medial injury of collateral ligament. Early results are proving the histocompatibility, the healing without complications else timely stability and recommending the fascia lata-plasty in given indications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Haemophilia in Zimbabwe.

Of the 120 haemophiliacs diagnosed in Zimbabwe in 8 years, haemophilia A and Christmas disease accounted for 90% and 10% respectively (i.e. a ratio of 9:1). Although the clinical and laboratory parameters were essentially similar to those previously described in Caucasian, African and other populations in the World, sub-haemophiliac cases are probably still being missed particularly in very busy health centres where the index of suspicion is low and malnutrition and infectious disease predominate and therefore readily attract the attention of most health workers. However, with the steadily improving socio-economic status and decentralization of health care facilities, more of these cases are likely to be diagnosed. Major constraints in the diagnosis and management of haemophilia in an African setting are succinctly discussed; including home therapy; and the implications of recent findings of HIV sero-positivity. The study serves as evidence that haemophilia is common in Zimbabwe contrary to earlier published literature.

Adolescent↗