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J Belch

Publications and source records attributed to J Belch.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Are combined orthopaedic and rheumatology clinics worth while?

The practice of holding combined orthopaedic and rheumatology clinics is widespread, but no attempt has been made to assess their usefulness. In a one year prospective study patients were randomised either to a combined clinic with a rheumatologist and an orthopaedic surgeon or to a clinic with an orthopaedic surgeon alone. The details of the patients' disease, the interview, the surgeons' and rheumatologists' responses, and the patients' opinions were recorded on questionnaires. Interviews were appreciably longer in the combined clinic, and more referrals for surgery were made. The rheumatologist correctly predicted the need for surgery in 95% of cases, and his presence in the clinic was considered desirable by the surgeon, principally when the referral letter was inadequate. It is concluded that most patients with rheumatic diseases can be seen more efficiently in routine orthopaedic clinics provided a good quality letter of referral is sent.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Co-purification and characterization of ATP-sulfurylase and adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate kinase from rat chondrosarcoma.

The two sulfate-activating enzymes, ATP-sulfurylase (EC 2.7.7.4) and adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate kinase (adenylylsulfate kinase, EC 2.7.1.25), were each purified about 2000-fold from crude rat chondrosarcoma homogenate. Throughout a purification protocol which included Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration, DEAE-Sephadex ion exchange, hydroxylapatite, and ATP-agarose affinity chromatography, these two activities consistently co-purified. ATP-sulfurylase and adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate kinase each showed a pH optima of 7.0-7.4 and a bimodal temperature optima of 46 and 52-54 degrees C. Both activities preferred Mg2+ as their divalent cation source over Mn2+, Co2+, or Zn2+. The apparent Km values determined for adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate in both assays was 1-5 microM; the Km for pyrophosphate in the sulfurylase reaction was 40 microM and for ATP in the kinase reaction was 5 mM. Gel electrophoresis indicated major bands at Mr = 160,000 in nondenaturing systems and 35,000-37,000 and 60,000 under dissociative conditions, whereas gel filtration of the most highly purified fractions yielded a coincident peak in the molecular weight range 260,000.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A multiclinic, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of prostaglandin E1 in Raynaud's syndrome.

Prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil, Prostin VR Sterile Solution, PGE1) was evaluated in patients with Raynaud's syndrome in a multiclinic, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. A total of 55 patients with either primary Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's disease secondary to systemic sclerosis were randomly assigned to receive either PGE1 administered intravenously at 10 ng/kg/min for 72 hours or placebo administered in the same manner. The frequency and severity of Raynaud's attacks were then monitored for up to four weeks by use of in-clinic questionnaires and patients' daily diaries. Haemodynamic assessments included measurements of skin temperature and the finger systolic pressure response to localised digital cooling. Immediately after the infusion the overall symptoms in both the PGE1 and the placebo group showed marked improvement; by four weeks after infusion, in some cases, values had not returned to pretreatment levels. There was, however, no marked benefit of PGE1 treatment over that of placebo. Although PGE1 significantly increased skin temperature during and immediately after infusion, the effect did not persist at two- and four-week follow-up evaluations. The finger systolic pressure response to localised digital cooling (15 degrees C) increased more in the PGE1-treated group than in the placebo-treated group, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no difference in ulcer healing between the two treatment groups. These results failed to substantiate earlier open-label reports that a 72-hour intravenous infusion of PGE1 in patients with Raynaud's syndrome produced significant clinical benefit.

Adult↗