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Biomedical subjects

F Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to F Alexander.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Pulmonary eosinophilia with systemic features: therapy and prognosis.

Of 65 patients presenting with pulmonary eosinophilia to one Respiratory Unit during a 20-year period, 12 (18%) had systemic features associated with their pulmonary disease. Eleven had fever, three night sweats, three arthralgia, three vasculitic rashes and two weight loss. Anaemia, myalgia, peripheral neuropathy, mononeuritis, pericardial effusion and photosensitivity rash were each recorded in single patients. None had evidence of hypersensitivity to drugs, helminthes or other allergens. Ten of the 12 patients could be classified as cryptogenic pulmonary eosinophilia and two as Churg Strauss syndrome. Ten were female. The maximum recorded eosinophil counts were higher in the 12 patients with systemic features compared with the remaining 53 patients [mean (SD) 5613 (3883) vs. 2359 (3046) x 10(6) 1(-1), P < 0.02], whereas both asthma and recurrent episodes of eosinophilia were significantly less common. Steroid therapy achieved a good clinical response and radiological clearing in the majority of patients. All 12 patients were treated with prolonged duration oral prednisolone [mean (SEM) dose 8.5 (3.8) mg day-1 duration 5.5 (1.3) years]. The two patients with Churg Strauss syndrome required azathioprine in addition to long-term prednisolone. There were no deaths and currently four patients are off all steroids and six receive less than 5 mg day-1. During a median follow-up period of 11 years, there was no significant decline in FEV1 or VC, measured as percent predicted values. Persistent radiographic abnormalities consistent with fibrosis or bronchiectasis were not seen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Heterotypic protection of mice against chlamydial salpingitis and colonization of the lower genital tract with a human serovar F isolate of Chlamydia trachomatis by prior immunization with recombinant serovar L1 major outer-membrane protein.

Intrauterine infection of mice with a human genital tract isolate of Chlamydia trachomatis (serovar F) resulted in salpingitis. In some cases, oviduct damage was sufficient to cause infertility due to lumenal blockage. Parenteral immunization with a purified, heterologous, recombinant major outer-membrane (rMOMP) preparation reduced the proportion of animals developing severe salpingitis by 77% compared with mock-immunized controls, but failed to reduce chlamydial colonization of the lower genital tract. In contrast, mice immunized with rMOMP directly into the Peyer's patches to stimulate mucosal immunity shed fewer chlamydiae from the vagina than controls, but showed little reduction in oviduct damage. No consistent correlation was observed between antibody levels to rMOMP in immunized mice and reduced lower genital tract colonization. Immunization with rMOMP via the presacral space, a route previously shown to stimulate mucosal immunity in the genital tract, produced high levels of circulating anti-rMOMP IgG but only traces of anti-rMOMP IgA in vaginal secretions. There was no difference in the severity of salpingitis in these animals compared with mock-immunized controls. Immunization with rMOMP conferred no protection against infertility resulting from direct inoculation of chlamydiae into the oviducts.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Genetic susceptibility to chlamydial salpingitis and subsequent infertility in mice.

Groups of mice from genetically defined inbred strains were infected genitally with a pathogenic human strain of Chlamydia trachomatis and their subsequent fertility was compared. The CBA, C3H (H-2o) and C3H/He-mg (H-2k) mice were less fertile than control mice, at least up to 6 months after infection. In contrast, fertility was not impaired in BALB/c mice or in congenic BALB/K mice, which had the H-2k haplotype. Reduced fertility was paralleled by the extent of histological oviductal inflammation in mice of each strain. No salpingitis was seen 21 days after infection in the BALB strains, but lesions were apparent in CBA and C3H strains up to about 70 days after inoculation and these sometimes developed into hydrosalpinges. These results indicate that susceptibility to chlamydial salpingitis and subsequent infertility is under genetic control. This control was not simply associated with the major H-2 gene complex, as mouse strains of the same haplotype (H-2k) differed in susceptibility. The fertility of BALB/c (H-2d) and BALB/K (H-2k) strains was no different from that of controls, and congenic C3H mice of differing H-2 haplotypes (H-2k and H-2o) showed reduced fertility. Although all the infected F1 (BALB/K x C3H/He-mg) mice produced litters at the same rate as untreated controls, the litters were considerably smaller. This was due to the occurrence of unilateral pregnancies in the mice inoculated under the ovarian bursae and possibly also to early fetal death in mice inoculated directly in the uterus. These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of infection of the lower genital tract of women.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Childhood melanoma.

In melanoma patients, the prognostic value of tumor depth, Clark's level, the presence of ulceration, and regional involvement have not been clearly documented in the pediatric population. This report correlates these factors in a population-based study of patients under the age of 20 years. Of the initial 35 melanoma patients registered in southern Alberta with the Alberta Cancer Board, 14 were found on review to have a diagnosis other than melanoma. In the remaining 21 cases the diagnosis of melanoma was confirmed. There was a suggestion that patients with deeper lesions had a worse prognosis, but this was statistically confirmed only using Clark's levels. The children were then compared with all melanoma patients diagnosed in southern Alberta over the same time period. There was no difference in tumor depth, Clark's level, ulceration, regional involvement, or survival between these two groups. The natural history in children appears to be similar to that of the adult population, contrary to previous reports suggesting a markedly worse prognosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Peri-operative jejunostomy-tube feeding in reconstructive spinal surgery.

Eight malnourished children with neuromuscular spinal deformity were treated with jejunostomy tubes for supplemental feeding to attain appropriate weight before reconstructive surgery. All patients had significant gastro-esophageal reflux and had failed to gain weight during an eight-month oral supplementation program. There were no complications associated with the placement or use of the jejunostomy feeding tubes and all patients gained weight in a safe and predictable fashion, had successful spinal fusion and have maintained satisfactory weight at follow-up. Jejunostomy feeding is a safe and effective method of correcting malnutrition in patients with spinal deformity which precludes gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The pattern of childhood and related adult malignancies near Kingston-upon-Hull.

A study of childhood malignancies in North Humberside for 1974-1986 has revealed significant spatial aggregations. Though no specific reason was found, certain geographical areas, tumour groups and putative risks were identified for further study. One possible risk was a tin smelter to the west of Hull. A new method of analysis (Stone's conditional Poisson maximum) was used and showed some evidence of increased risk close to the smelter. This was accounted for by the solid tumours (primarily central nervous system malignancies) and was not apparent for the leukaemias. The Poisson maximum method is a special case of isotonic regression; a more general isotonic regression method, also due to Stone, Maximum Likelihood Ratio (MLR), is also available, and for reasons described elsewhere we prefer the more general method. The present study begins by applying this to the childhood data and then to data for corresponding adult disease (leukemias and central nervous system tumours) in the same area and time period. In both children and adults the results are negative for the leukaemias. For the remaining tumour categories, there is a significant increase in risk close to the smelter, but it is not possible to identify any aspect of the smelter or feature in its vicinity as causative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Joining the staff.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Education, Nursing↗
PubMed1990

Chronic myeloid leukaemia in Yorkshire: a case control study.

The results of a case-control study of chronic myeloid leukaemia in adults are reported. 122 cases and 241 controls were interviewed. Excess risks associates with heart disease and related drugs were revealed. In addition a weak association with occupational and/or hobby exposure to irradiation emerged.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1990

Inhibition of urethane leukaemia virus, a murine retrovirus, in mice by zidovudine.

The purpose of the study was to characterize in vivo an immunodepressive murine retroviral 'model' for the possible testing of drugs against HIV infection. Urethane leukaemia virus (ULV) injected into adult BALB/c mice (10(5) focus-forming units/mouse) caused a small, significant splenomegaly from 2 to at least 9 weeks after virus inoculation. Virus was also present in up to 60% nucleated splenocytes (XC 'infectious centre assay'). Effects on splenomegaly and virus in splenocytes were assayed following various regimens of zidovudine given as 0.5 mg/ml or 0.25 mg/ml in drinking water. Regimens included continuous treatment both before and after ULV, only before, and only after ULV inoculation. Zidovudine was also given for a limited period immediately after virus, or initiated after virus infection was established. Zidovudine given continuously at and following ULV infection completely prevented splenomegaly and virus expression in splenocytes. No other regimen was as effective; however, limited zidovudine treatment immediately after virus inoculation greatly reduced the effects of virus, while the same dose initiated after virus infection was established had only a small ameliorating effect. We conclude that ULV may prove to be a useful addition to other available murine systems, and this is discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1979

A comparison of the antibacterial properties of some udder creams and ointments.

The antibacterial activity of three udder creams and two ointments was assayed using three different methods. Seven different bacterial genera were used as test organisms providing a total of 17 strains. Only a single strain of corynebacterium was inhibited by all the preparations. Certain strains of staphylococci and streptococci were inhibited by four of the preparations. The gram-negative organisms showed greatest resistance to the antibacterial agents tested. The in vitro assays showed only one of the five preparations to have even slight bactericidal activity. These preparations when tested on the teats of dry and lactating cows showed similar results to the in vitro experiments.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Studies with a PNMT inhibitor.

DCTQ (SK&F 64139) is a potent inhibitor of both adrenal and central nervous system (CNS) phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). In animal studies, a plasma level of 0.35 microgram/ml was associated with 50% inhibition of both adrenal and central PNMT. We performed single-dose phase I studies with DCTQ in man. Plasma drug levels up to 6.26 microgram/ml were readily obtained. There were few subjective and no objective clinical changes. DCTQ did not alter blood pressure or cause CNS symptoms in man. Furthermore, resting plasma and urinary catecholamines did not change after DCTQ. The study suggests that acute inhibition of PNMT under resting conditions is without significant clinical effect.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1979

Ticrynafen: site of natriuretic activity.

Studies were performed with ticrynafen (tienilic acid) to determine its natriuretic site of action, detailed electrolyte excretion, and its effect on acid excretion and bicarbonate reabsorption. With 500 and 1,000 mg oral doses under conditions of water diuresis, there was a decrease in free water excretion as osmolar clearance increased. During hydropenia, there was no change in free-water reabsorption as osmolar clearance increased. Maximum sodium excretion reached 5.2% of the filtered load. At 500 mg doses, there was no effect on phosphate excretion; with 1,000 mg doses, there was a reduction in phosphate excretion. During bicarbonate infusion, there was no change in the absolute or percent reabsorption of bicarbonate. After chronic administration of ticrynafen, there was no impairment of excretion of al acute acid load. Uric acid excretion increased at least threefold in all studies. The studies indicate that at 500 and 1,000 mg oral doses, ticrynafen has the characteristics of a diuretic which is active in the cortical diluting segment of the distal nephron.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Tienilic acid: pharmacokinetics, salicylate interaction and creatinine secretion studies.

Tienilic acid is a diuretic-uricosuric compound whose natriuretic site of action is in the cortical diluting segment of the distal nephron. Oral doses of 250 mg given to normal human volunteers provided peak blood levels of 10--11 micrograms/ml at 3--4 hours after administration. Approximately 40% of the dose was recovered in 24 hours, 30% as the parent compound and 10% as the alcohol and diacid metabolites. A 650 mg dose of acetylsalicylic acid significantly decreased the uricosuric effect of tienilic acid by inhibiting uric acid secretion. Urine pH fell significantly with tienilic acid administration. Tienilic acid inhibited salicylate excretion by either competition for tubular secretion or by increasing passive, pH dependent reabsorption. In normal subjects given a creatinine load, tienilic acid did not inhibit creatinine secretion.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Ticrynafen, a uricosuric antihypertensive diuretic.

Ticrynafen, a diuretic-uricosuric also effective as an antihypertensive, was compared in single doses with several other diuretics. Over an 8-hr period, a 250- mg dose exerted natriuretic activity comparable to that of 25 mg of chlorthalidone and 50 mg of ethacrynic acid; a 500-mg dose was comparable to 50 mg chlorthalidone and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide. Ticrynafen combined with furosemide had an additive effect, whereas a combination with hydrochlorothiazide was not additive. In both doses ticrynafen was a uricosuric and this effect was maintained when given with furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, both of which individually were slightly antiuricosuric. Ticrynafen may be useful in patients requiring a diuretic in whom it is desirable to avoid hyperuricemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Effect of cimetidine on renal function in normal man.

To evaluate the effect of acute histamine H2-receptor blockade on renal function, renal function studies were performed in a control state and after cimetidine. Studies included acid excretion in response to acid loading, bicarbonate reabsorption during bicarbonate infusion, and urinary concentrating ability. Cimetidine produced no significant effect on any of these functions. During bicarbonate infusion, inulin clearance remained constant while creatinine clearance fell, possibly because of an effect on tubular creatinine secretion.

Adult↗