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Biomedical subjects

C Blake

Publications and source records attributed to C Blake.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Simultaneous enzyme immunoassay of two thyroid hormones.

We describe an enzyme immunoassay in which the two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine and thyroxin, are measured simultaneously in a single tube. The method involves labeling the two with separate enzymes (beta-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase, respectively), whose catalyzed reactions can easily be distinguished from each other by absorption spectrophotometry, with o-nitrophenyl-beta-galactoside and phenolphthalein monophosphate as substrates. Performance of this dual assay method compares well with that of conventional single-hapten enzyme-labeled assays, and results compare well with those by two single-hapten radioimmunoassays. The dual assay has certain advantages over single-hapten methods: smaller sample volume, lower reagent cost, and shorter overall assay time. As presented here, the use of enzyme labels to measure two (or more) haptens simultaneously represents a significant advance in the use of immunoassay techniques.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Effects of lucanthone on the sedimentation properties of DNA from HeLa cells.

Exposure of HeLa cells to lucanthone (3 microgram/ml) caused dissociation of a fast-sedimenting duplex DNA complex, as judged by lysis and sedimentation in alkaline sucrose gradients. The effect of lucanthone on the DNA complex resembled that of actinomycin D and ionizing radiation. Protein synthesis inhibitors such as cycloheximide or inhibitors of DNA synthesis such as hydroxyurea did not lead to dissociation of the complex. Lucanthone was more active than were hycanthone and five other closely related thiaxanthenones tested. Lucanthone promoted X-ray-induced denaturation of DNA in intact cells, as judged by their nuclear immunoreactivity to antinucleoside antibodies. Lucanthone did not inhibit repair of X-ray-induced DNA single-strand breaks.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of litigation on quality of life outcomes in patients with chronic low back pain.

Low back pain progresses to chronic low back pain (CLBP) in 5-10 per cent of patients. A Multi-disciplinary Pain Management Programme was tested in 20 patients (m = 4, f = 16). This regime involved psychological and behaviour modification strategies, combined with intensive exercise. Treatment outcome in terms of impairment was assessed by lumbar flexibility, trunk muscle endurance and pain. The disability assessed was exercise fitness and handicap was assessed using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) to define the impact of the condition on the patient's life. Overall the patients showed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in all of the measured variables. Patients with on-going litigation however (n = 11) showed no significant improvement in the SIP quality of life score, although they shared the significant improvements attained by the whole group in the domains of impairment (lumbar flexibility, trunk muscle endurance and pain) and disability (exercise fitness).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Management of variceal bleeding in the 1990s.

BACKGROUND: Variceal bleeding is a common and serious problem. OBJECTIVE: To review the current management of patients with variceal bleeding. SUMMARY: Therapeutic options now include pharmacologic reduction of portal hypertension, endoscopic obliteration of varices, placement of decompressive shunts (both surgical and percutaneous), and liver transplantation. Each of these options may be required in different settings. A nonselective beta blocker can prophylactically reduce the risk of an initial bleed. Acute variceal bleeding is best managed by endoscopic sclerosis. Selection of therapy to prevent recurrent bleeding should be based on a full evaluation of the risk of bleeding and of liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: Successful management requires a multidisciplinary team, full patient evaluation, and selection of appropriate therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon-gamma prevent dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression of antifungal monocyte activity against Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae.

Treatment with corticosteroids is an important risk factor for development of invasive aspergillosis. We evaluated the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on superoxide anion (O2-) release and damage caused by elutriated human monocytes (EHM) on unopsonized hyphae of Aspergillus fumigatus. In addition, we studied the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on these functions of DEX-treated EHM. Treatment of EHM with concentrations of DEX ranging from 5 to 500 nM (1.4-140 ng ml-1) for 48 h suppressed O2- release in response to phorbol myristate acetate in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, DEX significantly suppressed hyphal damage caused by EHM as measured by colorimetric MTT assay. Both GM-CSF (5 ng ml-1) and IFN-gamma (1.2 ng ml-1) added at day 0 to the EHM together with DEX (500 nM) significantly enhanced O2- release and percentage hyphal damage, preventing the DEX-induced suppression of EHM function. Thus, GM-CSF and IFN-gamma prevented the deleterious effects of DEX on antifungal activity of EHM against Aspergillus suggesting a potential therapeutic role in patients at risk for or suffering from invasive aspergillosis.

Adult↗