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Biomedical subjects

C Munro

Publications and source records attributed to C Munro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The effect of short-term low-dose cyclosporin on renal function and blood pressure in patients with psoriasis.

The effect of short-term (mean 2.4 months), low-dose (5 mg/kg) cyclosporin A (CyA) on renal function and blood pressure was studied in eight patients with psoriasis. Studies were undertaken before, during and after treatment. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) post-treatment was significantly higher than pretreatment or during treatment (pre, 119 +/- 7; during, 113 +/- 9; post, 133 +/- 11 ml/min per 1.73 m2; pre vs. during, NS; during vs. post, P < 0.01; pre vs. post, P < 0.05); effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) was unchanged (pre, 515 +/- 38; during, 485 +/- 49; post, 560 +/- 45 ml/min per 1.73 m2). There was no change in the urinary excretion of either albumin or the enzymes N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase. There was a decrease in exchangeable sodium which persisted post-treatment (pre, 56 +/- 3; during, 49 +/- 3; post, 49 +/- 3 mmol/kg LBM; pre vs. during, P = 0.07; during vs. post, NS; pre vs. post, P = 0.06). Blood pressure assessed as either a single reading, or the mean of a 24 h ambulatory recording, increased during treatment (single reading: pre, 113/73; during, 126/83; post, 114/70 mmHg; mean 24 h: pre, 114/71; during, 123/76; post, 120/72 mmHg). Thus, short-term use of CyA at a dose of 5 mg/kg for the treatment of psoriasis is associated with a significant increase in blood pressure, but only a transient mild reduction in GFR, which did not reach significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Quantitative analysis of mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate (BSH) is an important agent in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of various cancers. A simple and rapid analytical method for the measurement of mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate in aqueous solution and in urine by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been developed. A thin-pathlength sampling apparatus was used to minimize the strong absorption of water. The subtraction of water absorbance from sample spectra resolved a B-H band at 2493 cm-1. The quantitative measurement of BSH concentration was carried out by integrating the B-H band above baseline in the range of 2534-2440 cm-1. The lower limit of measuring the concentration of sodium BSH (Na2B12H11SH) in our experiment was 10 micrograms/ml (about 5 ppm of boron). This method measures the hydroborate (B-H) concentration instead of total boron and, thus, may be utilized to measure the BSH concentration in in vivo samples for metabolic studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Relative right temporal-lobe theta activity correlates with Vingiano's hemispheric quotient and the "sensed presence".

Measures of monopolar alpha and theta rhythm activity over the left and right temporal lobes were correlated with the subjects' hemisphericity (Vingiano) scores, temporal lobe signs, and concurrent subjective experiences during partial sensory deprivation. There was a positive association (rho = .49) between the scores for right hemisphericity and the relative amount of right/left theta rhythm but not right/left alpha rhythm activity. Significant intercorrelations between right hemisphericity, an history of ego-alien intrusions and experiences of a sensed presence, "detachment from the body," and fear during the recordings were noted. These results support the hypothesis that this class of mystical experiences is encouraged by hemispheric mismatch in temporal-lobe theta activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Blood pressure lowering and cerebral blood flow: a comparison of the effects of carvedilol and propranolol on the cerebral circulation in hypertensive patients.

The first part of this article concerns the general relation between blood pressure lowering and cerebral blood flow. Factors known to affect cerebral blood flow are reviewed, and recent advances in the field of innervation of cerebral blood vessels are outlined. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of the phenomenon of autoregulation and how this is disturbed in patients with hypertension. Not all antihypertensive drugs exert the same action on the cerebral circulation to produce the same blood pressure-lowering effect. In addition, the actions exerted by common antihypertensive drugs on the cerebral circulation are described. The second part of the article provides a comparison between the effect of carvedilol and that of propranolol on blood pressure reduction and cerebral blood flow. In a double-blind, crossover study involving 14 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, carvedilol was shown to have no effect on cerebral blood flow, whereas there was a slight tendency for lower flows to occur with the use of propranolol. Because of the small sample size, statistical significance was not reached. These results are consistent with other recently published findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Joint moment and muscle power output characteristics of below knee amputees during running: the influence of energy storing prosthetic feet.

Stance phase joint moments, muscle power outputs and mechanical energy characteristics were determined in five normal and five below knee amputee subjects running at 2.8 m s-1. The amputees were studied sequentially on three different prosthetic feet: the SACH foot (solid ankle cushion heel), and two energy storing feet, Seattle and Flex. While wearing the SACH foot, the amputees exhibited major alterations in the distribution and magnitude of muscle power output and muscle work: (1) the total work done by the lower extremity was reduced; (2) the hip extensors became the main source of energy absorption and generation, while in normal subjects the ankle plantarflexors were the major energy generators and the knee extensors the major energy absorbers; (3) the eccentric and concentric knee extensor power outputs were reduced and an abnormal concentric knee flexor power output was noted immediately after heel contact. In four of the amputees, energy storing feet resulted in improvements in the power output and mechanical work characteristics of the lower extremity: (1) the energy storing prosthetic feet generated 2-3 times greater energy than the SACH foot; (2) with the Flex foot the amputees exhibited a more normal pattern and magnitude of hip and knee extensor muscle work. One of the subjects, however, exhibited increased abnormalities with the energy storing prosthetic feet. The amount of energy restored relative to the amount of energy absorbed by each of the prosthetic feet was greater with the energy storing feet than the SACH foot (Flex 84%, Seattle 52%, SACH 31%).

Amputation Stumps↗
PubMed1991

Cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans V403 glucosyltransferase and fructosyltransferase mutants constructed by allelic exchange.

Streptococcus mutans produces several enzymes which metabolize sucrose. Three glucosyltransferase genes (gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD) and a single fructosyltransferase gene (ftf) encode enzymes which are important in formation of exopolysaccharides. Mutants of S. mutans V403 carrying single and multiple mutations of the gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, and ftf genes recently have been constructed by allelic exchange in our laboratory. Using selected strains from this panel of mutants, we examined the importance of water-insoluble glucan, water-soluble glucan, and fructan production in cariogenicity while controlling for the effects of strain and species variability. Genetic and biochemical characterization of mutants and assays of glucosyltransferase and fructosyltransferase activities were performed to ensure that the phenotypes of strains coincided with deficiencies predicted by genotype. The young gnotobiotic rat model of cariogenicity was used to assess virulence of the wild-type strain and isogenic mutants. Mutant strains were less virulent than the wild type in almost every location examined for caries on tooth surfaces and level of involvement of lesions (depth and severity). Inactivation of either gtfB and gtfC or ftf dramatically reduced virulence; the subsequent inactivation of gtfD did not enhance the effect of reduced virulence.

Alleles↗
PubMed1991

Cardiac pacemaking in Hong Kong: report of a survey of general practitioners and internists.

A questionnaire study was carried out among cardiologists, internists, general practitioners, and final year medical students in Hong Kong concerning cardiac pacemaking. The response rate was 11.2%. Salient results include the misconception on the part of 40% and 12% of physicians, that general anesthesia and thoracotomy respectively, are commonly required for permanent pacing and that the procedure is associated with significant mortality (14.2% of physicians). Most would offer permanent pacing to patients with symptomatic complete atrioventricular block, but advanced age appeared to be considered as a barrier to permanent pacemaking. There was confusion about the need to pace asymptomatic sick sinus syndrome and bundle branch conduction diseases. Oral isoprenaline was still used to treat bradycardia by 16.6% of physicians. A similar deficiency in knowledge was found among the students. It is suggested that misunderstanding of cardiac pacing is common and may be a reflection of the lack of emphasis in undergraduate teaching. This deficiency may have prevented some patients from receiving the benefits of permanent pacing.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Evening primrose oil and treatment of premenstrual syndrome.

The therapeutic effectiveness of evening primrose oil (Efamol, Vita-Glow) in the relief of 10 symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as well as menstrual symptoms was studied in 38 women. The prospective trial was randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled and was crossed-over after three cycles. Although the results showed an improvement in symptoms of PMS during the trial, no significant differences in the scoring between the active and placebo groups were found over six cycles. No "carry-over" effect of active medication was observed; the beneficial effect on all symptoms (psychological, fluid retention, breast) was rapid, the scores decreasing in the first cycle but increasing slightly at the change-over period after the third cycle, irrespective of whether the active or placebo medication was next given. These findings indicate that the improvement experienced by these women with moderate PMS was solely a placebo effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A study of the correlation between serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in Chinese.

Serum total cholesterol and lipoprotein analysis was performed on the same blood samples of 139 asymptomatic Chinese subjects aged 40-60 years. There was a highly significant correlation between serum total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins (correlation coefficient = 0.8376, p less than 0.001) in Chinese, which means that total cholesterol can be used as the initial screening to identify individuals who may need lipoprotein analysis. The American National Cholesterol Education Programme (ANCEP) recommended threshold total cholesterol levels that indicate lipoprotein analysis for the high risk and low risk groups were found to have high sensitivities and negative predictive values but relatively low specificities and positive predictive values. Thirty to forty per cent of the lipoprotein analyses recommended by the ANCEP guidelines were not necessary. There was no significant age or sex influence on the degree of correlation between serum total cholesterol and LDL.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Relapse rates in moderately severe chronic psoriasis treated with cyclosporin A.

Seventeen patients with chronic psoriasis were given cyclosporin A (CsA) 5 mg/kg per day. Twelve patients cleared within 3 months and their relapse rate, 41% at 6 months, was not significantly different from that previously reported with dithranol or PUVA. This pilot study also suggests that continuing CsA for up to 4 weeks after clinical clearance confers no advantage with regard to relapse. Significant adverse effects on renal function and blood pressure did not occur.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The quantitation of HLA-DR expression on human cells using immunocytochemistry.

An immunocytological method that can be used to quantify the comparative expression of Class II HLA-DR antigens on human cells has been developed. Tissue sections or cytospins are incubated with the monoclonal antibody RFDR1 (anti-HLA-DR), conjugated to the enzyme glucose oxidase (GO). The bound McAb is identified by incubation with the substrate beta-D-glucose and capture of the reducing equivalents generated by a tetrazolium salt forming an insoluble formazan. Under standard conditions the amount of formazan precipitated is proportional to the amount of McAb bound to the cells or tissue and thus the amount of HLA-DR expressed. The reaction has been quantified both by spectrophotometry (on tissue sections) and by microdensitometry (on cell spreads). Computer analysis has been used to relate density of HLA-DR expression to cell area. Repeated 'blind' measurements by separate investigators have confirmed the reproducibility of the results. It is suggested that this method adds a new dimension to immunohistological/cytological analysis of tissues and single cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Measurement of nasal potential difference in adult cystic fibrosis, Young's syndrome, and bronchiectasis.

Previous work confirmed the abnormal potential difference between the undersurface of the inferior nasal turbinate and a reference electrode in cystic fibrosis, but the technique is difficult and the results show overlap between the cystic fibrosis and the control populations. In the present study the potential difference from the floor of the nose has therefore been assessed in normal subjects, as well as in adult patients with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and Young's syndrome. Voltages existing along the floor of the nasal cavity were recorded. The mean potential difference was similar in controls (-18 (SD 5) mv) and in patients with bronchiectasis (-17 (6) mv) and Young's syndrome (-20 (6) mv). The potential difference in cystic fibrosis (-45 (8) mv) was significantly different from controls (p less than 0.002) and there was no overlap between the cystic fibrosis values and values obtained in normal and diseased controls. This simple technique therefore discriminates well between patients with cystic fibrosis and other populations, raising the possibility of its use to assist in diagnosis.

Adolescent↗