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Biomedical subjects

D Cook

Publications and source records attributed to D Cook.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Glibenclamide relaxes vascular smooth muscle constriction produced by prostaglandin F2 alpha.

The present study has demonstrated: (1) glibenclamide can reduce resting tension in canine cerebral arteries but has no effect on resting tension in the rat aorta; (2) glibenclamide can relax prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contractions in the rat aorta, and in canine femoral, mesenteric, renal, coronary, basilar and middle cerebral arteries; (3) the relaxation produced by glibenclamide in rat aorta is comparable to that of glyceryl trinitrate and stronger than that of papaverine; (4) canine femoral arteries are less sensitive to glibenclamide than the other arteries; (5) in cerebral arteries glibenclamide was as effective as papaverine, but less effective than glyceryl trinitrate; (6) the actions of glibenclamide on cerebral arteries are not mediated by cGMP as they were not blocked by methylene blue, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase; (7) the effects of glibenclamide are not endothelium-dependent. The mechanism by which glibenclamide produces relaxation is not clear; while the drug is known to block ATP-dependent potassium channels, in vascular smooth muscle this would cause contraction, not dilation. The action of glibenclamide may be at the level of the receptor or the signal transduction process.

Animals↗

The use of subtractive hybridization to obtain a DNA probe specific for Pseudomonas solanacearum race 3.

Pseudomonas solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt, has been classified into three races based on host range and into five biovars based on physiological properties. Strains of race 3 belong exclusively to biovar 2 and primarily affect potatoes. Although this race is thought to have originated in the Andean highlands, it has unusual physiological properties that make it a potential threat to potatoes grown at the cooler latitudes worldwide. Consequently, there is need for a rapid and sensitive method for detection of race 3 strains. We have used subtractive hybridization to enrich for race 3-specific DNA sequences in total race 3 genomic DNA, and thereby obtained a 2 kb clone homologous to DNA from all 28 race 3 strains tested, but with only five of 90 non-race 3 strains. In addition, two larger regions of the genome, containing a minimum of 23 kb of DNA, are also specific for race 3. Deletion of this DNA did not affect virulence. This race 3-specific DNA is a potentially useful diagnostic tool for the detection of race 3 strains.

Blotting, Southern↗

Genetic and biochemical characterization of a Pseudomonas solanacearum gene cluster required for extracellular polysaccharide production and for virulence.

Infection of host plants by Pseudomonas solanacerum results in wilting, which is thought to be due largely to the occlusion of xylem vessels by the P. solanacearum extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) that primarily consists of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). By means of Tn3 mutagenesis, we identified a 6.5-kb gene cluster that contains five complementation units required for EPS production and virulence in this bacterium. There was positive correlation between the amount of EPS produced in culture and (i) in planta growth and (ii) virulence. Based on analysis of beta-glucuronidase-gene fusions, these genes are expressed both in broth cultures and in planta and may be constitutive. Both wild-type and mutant strains contained similar amounts of UDP-GalNAc, the predicted primary substrate for EPS synthesis. Thus, the EPS mutants we obtained should be useful in the analysis of steps in the assembly of the polysaccharide and how this process is related to virulence.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Evaluation of a predoctoral clinical psychology internship program by intern graduates.

This investigation is a replication and extension of an earlier study by Stout, Holmes, and Rothstein (1977) of the predoctoral clinical psychology intern graduates at the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute. The interns were surveyed (N = 63) with regard to how adequately their internship experience prepared them for their current professional work as practicing clinical psychologists. Questionnaire data (n = 44) from graduates are analyzed in terms of the demographics of each intern's work situation, ratings of how well their internship prepared them in the areas of interprofessional relationships, teaching psychodiagnostic evaluations, psychological treatment, administration, consultation, and research. Several recommendations are offered by the intern graduates for refinement of the clinical psychology internship.

Adult↗

The validity of diagnostic systems for common mental disorders: a comparison between the ID-CATEGO and the DSM-III systems.

It is argued that latent trait analysis provides a way of examining the construct validity of diagnostic concepts which are used to categorize common mental illnesses. The present study adds two additional aspects of validity using multiple discriminant analysis applied to two widely used taxonomic systems. Scales of anxiety and depression derived from previous latent trait analyses are applied to individuals reaching criteria for 'caseness' on the ID-CATEGO system and the DSM-III system, both at initial diagnosis and six months later. The first multiple discriminant analysis is carried out on the initial scale scores, and the results are interpreted in terms of concurrent validity. The second analysis uses improvement scores on the two scales and relates to predictive validity. It is argued that the ID-CATEGO system provides a better classification for common mental illnesses than the DSM-III system, since it allows a better discrimination to be made between anxiety and depressive disorders.

Adjustment Disorders↗

LH and FSH secretion and responses to GnRH and TRH in patients with clinically functionless pituitary adenomas.

Serum concentrations of LH and FSH and their response to the separate administration of GnRH (100 micrograms i.v.) and TRH (200 micrograms i.v.) have been studied preoperatively in 12 patients with a clinically functionless pituitary adenoma, of whom nine (3F: 6M) were found to secrete gonadotrophins in vitro. In three patients with a gonadotrophin-secreting adenoma (GSA) the pulsatile release of LH and FSH was also assessed preoperatively. An elevated serum FSH was recorded in six of nine patients with a GSA, and was subnormal in one, whilst an elevated LH was recorded in only two and was subnormal in six. A doubling of LH occurred in only four of the nine patients after GnRH and in three of six after TRH. None of the three patients with a non-GSA was shown to have an aberrant response to GnRH or TRH. In patients with a GSA, pulsatile release of LH and FSH was usually asynchronous and neither hormone demonstrated any regular harmonic pattern. These data show that in patients with a GSA the serum FSH level is usually elevated but this is not invariable, and the LH may well be low. Pathological responses of LH are frequently found following the administration of either GnRH or TRH and these stimulation tests should be performed separately in patients presenting with a clinically 'non-functioning' pituitary tumour to assist in the preoperative diagnosis. The absence of normal LH and FSH pulsing also appears to be a feature of GS adenomas, and suggests that tumorous gonadotrophin secretion is not under physiological control by hypothalamic GnRH.

Adenoma↗

The detection of antibodies to the glycoprotein X antigen of pseudorabies virus.

The persistence of antibodies to glycoprotein X (gpX) in the serum of pigs experimentally infected with pseudorabies virus (PRV) was determined using an anti-gpX enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies to gpX were detected for at least 365 days postchallenge in nonvaccinated pigs. Previous sensitization of pigs by vaccination with S/PRV had no apparent effect on the antibody response of pigs to gpX postchallenge. In determining previous exposure of pigs to PRV strains containing the gpX gene, the anti-gpX ELISA was highly specific, but its sensitivity was lower than the standard serological procedures currently used for detecting PRV antibodies.

Animals↗

The influence of social factors on common mental disorders. Destabilisation and restitution.

This study distinguishes between processes that cause individuals to experience symptoms--destabilisation--and those that are associated with loss of symptoms over time--restitution. It is shown that different clinical, social, and personality variables are associated with each of these processes. Where destabilisation is concerned, it is shown that different variables were associated with the development of symptoms of anxiety and those of depression. Different variables were associated with restitution, and they did not show the same relationship with the symptom dimensions of anxiety and depression as those which were associated with destabilisation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of demyelinating neuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy.

We treated 2 patients with IgM monoclonal paraproteinemic demyelinating peripheral neuropathy (PPN) with monthly intravenous human immunoglobulin. Both patients had a steadily progressive course in spite of steroid and other immunosuppressive therapy for 3 years before starting the immunoglobulin therapy. Both had a rapid clinical improvement noticeable 5 to 10 days after the 1st immunoglobulin infusion lasting on the average of 3 to 6 weeks. Retreatment caused improvement after each consecutive infusion. There were no significant adverse side effects. High-dose IV human immunoglobulin can be a useful therapy in the treatment of PPN and warrants a large-scale controlled therapeutic trial.

Aged↗

Strategic plan creates a blueprint for budgeting.

Effective healthcare organizations develop budgets that reflect and support a strategic plan. Senior managers set a framework that expresses the hospital's future strategic objectives. The budget enables executives to determine which specific service lines are profitable or unprofitable. Administrators and clinicians at all levels are involved in the budgeting process.

Budgets↗

Relationship between CT attenuation changes and post-traumatic CSF-CKBB-activity after severe head injury in man.

In order to evaluate if it is practically possible to assess the volume of contused brain tissue from the CT pictures, a comparison has been carried out between the size of the cerebral contusion(s)--as estimated from the CT scans--and the post-traumatic CSF-CKBB activity, in a series of 29 patients with severe head injury. A clearance curve for the elimination of CKBB from the CSF was constructed. The relation between contusion volume and CSF-CKBB-activity was not statistically significant, while the relationships between contusion volume and outcome, and between CSF-CKBB, as estimated at 6 hours after from the clearance curve, and outcome, were.

Adolescent↗

Intraoperative ultrasound of the liver affects operative decision making.

The surgeon operating upon patients with primary or metastatic hepatic cancers must determine if resection is feasible and, if it is, the magnitude of required resection. In an attempt to determine which tests best aid the surgeon in these determinations, the authors prospectively compared preoperative computed tomography (CT) of the liver and intraoperative ultrasound (IOU) in 42 patients with liver tumors who underwent 45 exploratory operations. The primary diseases included colorectal cancer metastases in 27 patients, hepatoma in 11 patients, and metastatic cancers of other origins in 4 patients. In the 42 patients there were 89 identified hepatic lesions that were confirmed to be malignant by resection, biopsy, or continued growth on follow-up CT. The sensitivity of either test for detecting these lesions was 69/89 (77%) for CT and 87/89 (98%) for IOU. Resection was not feasible in 13 patients. Five had extrahepatic disease, 4 had more nodules discovered by IOU, 3 were found by IOU to have involvement of all three hepatic veins by tumor and 1 patient had portal-vein invasion. Alternatively, in four patients tumors thought to involve all three hepatic veins by CT were shown to be free of at least one hepatic vein, thereby permitting resection. In one patient who had been previously operated upon, a tumor thought to involve the remaining right hepatic vein was seen to be free of the vein, also permitting resection. Regarding the extent of resection, IOU was also helpful. Lesser procedures than anticipated were proved possible by IOU in seven patients. A more extensive resection was shown to be necessary by IOU in two patients. Thus, IOU affected the operative management in 22 of 45 operative episodes (49%). It was conclude that IOU is superior to both preoperative CT and surgical exploration in assessing both the feasibility and the extent of resection required for primary and secondary hepatic cancers. In the authors' experience, IOU is the most sensitive indicator of number of lesions present in the liver. In addition, the ability of IOU to determine hepatic venous anatomy is a helpful adjunct in determining resectability of liver tumors.

Adult↗

The incidence of anabolic steroid use among competitive bodybuilders.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of anabolic steroid use among competitive male and female bodybuilders in Kansas and Missouri. A profile was established for users and non-users of anabolic steroids. The results of this study indicated that more than half of the male bodybuilders (54%) were using steroids on a regular basis compared to 10 percent of the female competitors. The types of steroid used were investigated and revealed that on average, four different types of anabolic steroid were used during the year, with individual use ranging from one to fifteen different types; including Dianabol, Deca Durabolin, Anavar, Testosterone, Androl 50, Winstrol, Primobolan, Equipoise, Finaject, Parabolin, HCG, Primacetate, Enanthate, Halotestin, and Maxibolin, in order of the most to least frequently used. The female bodybuilders reported that they had used an average of two different steroids including Deca Durabolin, Anavar, Testosterone, Dianabol, Equipoise, and Winstrol. The principal reason bodybuilders used steroids was related to their perception that these drugs were an important factor in winning competitions. Another important motivating factor for use was consistent with reports that significant gains in strength could be achieved by including anabolic steroids as part of the training regimen in spite of the reported adverse side-effects.

Adult↗

Decision support in the 1990s: the future is now.

A wide variety of interpretations seem to exist regarding decision support systems. The authors shed some light on what the technology really offers, and how it can be applied within a healthcare setting.

Decision Support Systems, Management↗