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Biomedical subjects

H M Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to H M Robinson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Duty-related stressors and PTSD symptoms in suburban police officers.

This study examined the effects of duty-related stress on police officers. Using a sample of 100 suburban police officers, an anonymous questionnaire requested demographic information and included a measure of duty-related stressors, SCL-90-R, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scale of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, and a locus of control scale. Also assessed was whether Critical Incident Stress Debriefing was experienced. The results showed significant correlations between scores on duty-related stress, somatization, and symptoms of PTSD. 13% of the sample met the DSM-IV (1994) diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Results of the regression analysis showed the best predictors for the diagnosis of PTSD were associated with the factor of Exposure to Death and Life Threat, which corresponds to the DSM-IV AI criteria. Finally, 63% of the respondents stated that a critical incident debriefing would be beneficial following an extremely stressful event related to duty.

Adult

Insulin receptor studies of erythrocytes and mononuclear leucocytes in phasic insulin diabetes mellitus.

This study was designed to investigate any differences in cellular binding of insulin between phasic insulin-dependent (malnutrition-related) diabetes mellitus (PIDDM) and insulin-dependent, non-insulin-dependent, and normal controls. Isolated, washed red and white blood cells obtained after 12-14 hr fast, were separately incubated with varying concentrations of non-radioactive insulin, and a fixed quantity of radioactively labelled insulin. After the 3-hr incubation, cells were washed with buffer, and radioactivity determined on an autogamma counter. Percentage binding, receptor sites number and affinity were all determined by linear regression of the Scatchard plot. Fasting plasma insulin and glucose levels were also assayed. The results obtained show decreased binding of insulin in red blood cells [11.3 +/- 1.3%) and white blood cells 2.9 +/- 0.5%) in PIDDM. This was due to decreased receptor sites (red blood cells 39 +/- 11; white blood cells 0.5 +/- 0.11 x 10(4] as well as decreased affinity (red blood cells 0.14 +/- 0.03 x 10(9) M-1; white blood cells 0.17 +/- 0.04 x 10(9) M-1) when compared to the normal and diabetic (both insulin and non-insulin-dependent) controls. Phasic insulin-dependent diabetes (malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus) is characterized by decreased red and white cellular binding to insulin, in addition to decreased production of insulin.

Diabetes Mellitus

Free and total triiodothyronine and thyroxine in malnourished Jamaican infants. The effect of diet on plasma levels of thyroid hormones, insulin and glucose during recovery.

Plasma concentrations of free triiodothyronine (FT3), total triiodothyronine (TT3) and total thyroxine (TT4) were reduced to 63.0, 37.7, 61.7 per cent of controls respectively in protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), while free thyroxine (FT4) was elevated by 23 per cent. There was a gradual increase of both TT4 and TT3 during recovery. The ratio of free to bound hormones was high in malnutrition and declined with recovery, indicating a deficiency of thyroid-hormone binding in malnutrition. The observation of a significant reduction (P less than 0.05) in T3/T4 ratios, which occurred in malnutrition and was induced during recovery after 3 d on a low energy maintenance diet, suggested depressed conversion of T4 to T3 due to energy restriction. Energy restriction also significantly (P less than 0.001) depressed plasma insulin concentrations in the presence of nearly constant plasma glucose levels.

Blood Glucose

Bgb expression in relation to the HLA-B17 antigen splits Bw57 and Bw58 and the cross-reactions of anti-Bgb antibodies.

A substantial number of individuals typed as HLA-B17 do not have Bgb. To determine whether or not this discrepancy reflects genetic or ethnic group differences or the influence of B17 antigen subtypes, a large number of unrelated and related B17 individuals from the Caucasian, Hispanic, Black and Chinese ethnic groups were tested in parallel for Bgb and Bw57- or Bw58- B17 subtype. Higher Bgb expression was found in association with Bw57, but differences in expression of Bgb were also seen in different ethnic groups and in different related individuals carrying the same Bw57 or Bw58 haplotype. Genetic factors other than HLA thus influence the expression of HLa Antigens on red cells. Standard and antiglobulin lymphocytotoxicity tests indicate that all Bgb typing sera contain anti-Bw57 antilymphocyte antibodies and most also contain anti-Bw58 and cross-reacting anti-B12, B15 and/or Bw49 antibodies.

Alleles

Fasting pancreatic glucagon in Jamaican children during malnutrition and subsequent recovery.

Fasting pancreatic glucagon was observed in Jamaican infants during malnutrition and subsequent recovery. Rehabilitation in two groups of children with isocaloric diets rich either in carbohydrate or fat produced no differences in the rate of weight gain. During malnutrition, plasma pancreatic glucagon concentration was 104 +/- 11 (n = 20) pg/ml (mean +/- S.E.) significantly lower than during recovery when the maximum value was 180 +/- 24 (n = 13) pg/ml during the later recovery phase. After clinical recovery glucagon levels declined to 127 +/- 13 (n = 15) pg/ml. Plasma insulin followed a similar pattern, increasing significantly during catch-up growth and declining after recovery. Slower rates of growth were associated with the simultaneous decline in the concentrations of both hormones after clinical recovery.

Blood Glucose

Body image concerns of psoriasis patients as reflected in human figure drawings.

Human figure drawings of patients with severe (n = 85) and mild (n = 38) psoriasis were compared on dimensions of nudity, sexual overemphasis, and omissions of exposed body parts. For female patients significant differences were found for percentages of undressed figures and omissions. For male patients only omissions were significant. When compared to 30 patients with other mild dermatologic conditions, mildly affected psoriatic males drew significantly fewer omissions. Discussion of results focussed on body image concerns of dermatology patients as related to issues of nudity, sexuality, and exhibition of exposed body parts.

Adult

Cutaneous carcinoma following psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet radiation (PUVA) therapy for psoriasis.

Multiple basal cell epitheliomas developed in two psoriatic patients during treatment with orally administered 8-methoxypsoralen and long-wave ultraviolet radiation (PUVA). Twenty-two basal cell epitheliomas (BCEs) were seen in the two patients, 80% occurring in non-sun-exposed areas. Since neither patient had any historical or clinical evidence of arsenic intake or the basal cell nevus syndrome, PUVA therapy may have been of pathogenetic responsibility for the development of these lesions.

Administration, Oral

Angiosarcoma (angioendothelioma) of the scalp. An unusual case of scarring alopecia.

Angiosarcoma with initial involvement of the scalp is a rare, malignant neoplasm. We present the case of a 77-year-old woman in whom extensive scarring alopecia developed that was proved histologically to be due to angiosarcoma. She had a good initial response to treatment with electron-beam therapy, but after seven months, extensive nodules and indurated areas on the face beyond the borders of the radiation field developed. Subsequently, massive cervical adenopathy and metastases to the lungs, liver, and spleen developed. Angiosarcoma must be differentiated from other malignant blood vessel tumors and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scarring alopecia of the scalp in elderly patients.

Aged

Parapsoriasis.

Parapsoriasis is a term which encompasses a number of differing pathologic states clinically manifesting chronic recalcitrant erythematous scaling lesions. Although these various diseases have some similar clinical and histopathological features, they are obviously quite different from the standpoint of malignant potential and prognosis. The classification suggested herein has been developed in an attempt to resolve the existing confusion and to offer a simplified approach to the study of a complex problem.

Acute Disease