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D Pope

Publications and source records attributed to D Pope.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Exogenous nerve growth factor reverses age-related structural changes in neocortical neurons in the aging rat. A quantitative Golgi study.

The role of chronic exogenous intracerebroventricular administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the morphology of layer V pyramidal cell dendrites in aging rats was quantified using Golgi impregnations. Both dendritic branching and dendritic spines from the basilar tree of randomly selected pyramidal neurons of the frontal cortex were evaluated in young control (4-month-old) Fischer 344 rats, in old controls (24-month-old), and in 24-month-old rats administered NGF for 4 weeks. Sholl analysis of basilar dendritic trees showed that neuronal branching in older rats was significantly greater than that in young rats (probably due to compensatory dendritic hypertrophy). The extent of dendritic material in aged rats receiving NGF, however, was identical to that in young rats, that is, the dendritic tree had regressed in size. Dendritic spine response to NGF treatment depended on the region of the dendritic tree sampled. Normal aging resulted in spine loss. However, NGF treatment restored dendritic spine densities to those seen in young controls on terminal tip segments ("plastic" regions). Internal branch segments ("nonplastic" regions) showed no response to NGF. As dendritic spines are thought to represent the neuroanatomic basis of learning and memory, results suggest that NGF can influence the morphology of cortical neurons (probably indirectly via the basal forebrain projections) and therefore may play an efficacious role in the treatment of geriatric cognitive dysfunction and even perhaps in Alzheimer's disease.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Benign pigmented nevi in children from Kidderminster, England: prevalence and associated factors.

The prevalence of benign pigmented nevi in a group of 187 children, aged 8 or 9 years, was determined for each of 31 anatomic sites. Information on possible associated factors was obtained from the children's parents with a standard interview questionnaire. Pale skin color was found to be associated with a higher prevalence of nevi. A comparison of these data with recent data from Australia supports the hypotheses that (1) the number of nevi is a risk factor for melanoma and (2) groups at high risk of melanoma may be formed in childhood.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Malignancy in coeliac disease--effect of a gluten free diet.

Two hundred and ten patients with coeliac disease previously reported from this unit were reviewed at the end of 1985 after a further 11 years of follow up. The initial review at the end of 1974 could not demonstrate that a gluten free diet (GFD) prevented these complications, probably because the time on diet was relatively short. The same series has therefore been kept under surveillance with the particular aim of assessing the effects of diet on malignancy after a further prolonged follow up period. Twelve new cancers have occurred: of which one was a carcinoma of the oesophagus and two lymphomas. Thirty nine cancers developed in 38 patients and of 69 deaths, 33 were the result of malignancy. A two-fold relative risk (RR) of cancer was found and was because of an increased risk of cancer of the mouth and pharynx (RR = 9.7, p less than 0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0-28.3), oesophagus (RR = 12.3, p less than 0.01, CI = 2.5-36.5), and of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (RR = 42.7, p less than 0.001, CI = 19.6-81.4). The results indicate that for coeliac patients who have taken a GFD for five years or more the risk of developing cancer over all sites is not increased when compared with the general population. The risk is increased, however, in those taking a reduced gluten, or a normal diet, with an excess of cancers of the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus (RR = 22.7, p < 0.001), and also of lymphoma (RR = 77.8, p < 0.001). A significant decreasing trend in the excess morbidity rate over increasing use of a GFD was found. The results are suggestive of a protective role for a GFD against malignancy in coeliac disease and give further support for advising all patients to adhere to a strict GFD for life.

Celiac Disease↗
PubMed1989

Preventing staff-patient sexual relationships.

Just as the awareness of incest and childhood sexual abuse has grown in recent years, so too has knowledge of sexual exploitation of patients by psychotherapists and other mental health professionals. Almost no one, however, has discussed the prevalence of this problem in the hospital setting. The authors were members of a study group that thoroughly reviewed reported incidents in their own institution, leading to the recommendation that education is the best preventive measure currently available. The authors discuss fundamental issues involved in such a study, summarize profiles of patients and staff members who may be vulnerable to sexual involvement, and describe the main components of a preventive educational approach.

Antisocial Personality Disorder↗
PubMed1988

Rectal bleeding.

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Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory syncytial virus and ribavirin therapy: winter 1987-spring 1988. A report of 74 cases treated at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska.

Seventy-four pediatric cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus lower respiratory tract infection were treated at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska between September 1, 1987 and April 30, 1988. These patients are described with illustrative case reports. Twenty-one patients were treated with Ribavirin and these patients are further analyzed as a special interest group. A disproportionate number of the Ribavirin treated group were Alaskan Natives. In the discussion we address concerns of possible toxicity of Ribavirin and current recommendations for patient selection for treatment with Ribavirin.

Adolescent↗