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Biomedical subjects

J C Robertson

Publications and source records attributed to J C Robertson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Cholesterol content of trout plasma membranes varies with acclimation temperature.

Involvement of cholesterol in thermally induced restructuring of biological membranes was investigated in several tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Cholesterol-rich plasma membranes (PM) were isolated from erythrocytes, liver, kidney, and gill of fish acclimated to 5 and 20 degrees C. Mean PM cholesterol-to-phospholipid molar ratios (C/P) from warm-acclimated animals were significantly higher than those of cold-acclimated fish in liver (0.26 vs. 0.18; P < 0.01), kidney (0.49 vs. 0.40; P < 0.02), and gill (0.66 vs. 0.60; P < 0.05); erythrocyte C/P did not differ significantly with acclimation temperature (0.28 vs. 0.25; P = 0.25). In light of the ordering effects of cholesterol on fluid-phase membranes, these results are consistent with a role for cholesterol in the homeoviscous response of some poikilotherm PMs. Tissue differences in both PM cholesterol levels and the magnitude of thermally evoked cholesterol changes may reflect tissue-specific membrane functions. Lower PM C/P of trout tissues relative to corresponding data available for homeotherms also support a possible evolutionary relationship between cholesterol content and thermal adaptation of the PM.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1987

Indices of disease activity in psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PA) may respond to disease-modifying antirheumatic therapy. The value of assessing disease activity with indices devised for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated in 72 patients with seronegative PA. Thirty patients had a peripheral polyarthritis including the distal interphalangeal joints (DIPJs) and 15 a symmetrical arthritis sparing DIPJs (RA-like). Significant correlations (Spearman rank test) were seen between the clinical variables (pain score, grip strength, Ritchie articular index and a summated index of disease activity) in these two groups. Ten patients with a markedly asymmetrical arthritis showed a poor correlation between clinical variables. Although the objective indices - erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein - correlated together in the first two groups, the ESR correlated solely with clinical indices, and then only in RA-like patients. These results cast some doubt on the value of assessment methods based on RA when evaluating subgroups of PA other than RA-like disease.

Arthritis↗
PubMed1985

Spontaneous fusion of atlanto-axial dislocation in psoriatic spondylitis.

A 36-year-old man, suffering from psoriatic arthritis from the age of 17 years, was found to have developed atlanto-axial dislocation at the age of 30. Spontaneous fusion took place over the next two years. An explanation for this finding is based upon a review of the literature regarding the nature of spinal involvement in psoriatic arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Polymyalgia rheumatica and antimitochondrial antibodies.

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) were detected in the sera of 11 of 36 patients with a clinical diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in whom comprehensive autoantibody screening had been performed. AMA did not correlate with biochemical changes of hepatic dysfunction, which are common in PMR, nor with parameters of musculoskeletal inflammation. Possible explanations are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Nutritional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A nutritional assessment of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed evidence of malnutrition in 13 (26%), while all 50 control subjects had normal nutritional status. Of the anthropometric measurements the body-mass index and triceps skinfold thickness values in men and women were significantly reduced in RA patients compared with controls. Upper arm muscle circumference was significantly less in male but not female rheumatoid patients. In addition all six biochemical determinants of nutrition assayed-serum albumin, transferrin, retinol-binding protein, thyroxine-binding prealbumin, zinc, and folic acid-were significantly lower in the RA group of patients. Malnourished patients had more active disease than the remaining RA patients, with significantly higher ESR, C-reactive protein, and alpha 1 antichymotrypsin measurements. Significant inverse correlations were found between some biochemical measurements of nutrition and indices of disease activity. Our results suggest that in RA the severity of disease adversely affects the nutritional status.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Grip "strength' in the healthy.

The grip pressures of a normal population were determined using a 900 mmHg column. Men were stronger than women. The dominant hand was the stronger and the difference between the dominant and nondominant hand pressures was less than 10% in both sexes. One determination of grip pressure is adequate for clinical purposes. Much information is lost if the standard 300 mm mercury or aneroid sphygmomanometers are used.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Seating the disabled.

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Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMed1980

Pressure therapy for hypertrophic scarring: preliminary communication.

A six-point programme for the prevention and pressure therapy of hypertrophic scarring started in 1975 at Odstock Hospital. The work reported here includes a pressure calibration of batches of the material chosen for pressure bandaging; a pressure study of the bandages on volunteers' limbs; and the formation of a pressure therapy clinic. The clinic results were similar to those reported by Thomson (1974) and were considered sufficiently favourable to justify continuing the clinic and instituting a policy of close review and early therapy for all burns patients. The programme proved the accuracy of the pressure sensor and attempted to develop an objective method of recording progress. Arguments for pressure versus occlusion as the therapeutic agent are discussed and supported by a case report. It is suggested that a controlled trial of pressure therapy should be carried out.

Bandages↗
PubMed1975

Pressure measurements beneath below-knee amputation stump bandages: elastic bandaging, the Puddifoot dressing and a pneumatic bandaging technique compared.

Elastic wrap bandaging is unreliable and dangerous in terms of pressure and pressure distribution (tourniquet effect). The Puddifoot dressing is safe and is less likely to produce a tourniquet effect. The range of pressures it produces is low--possibly too low to achieve ideal moulding or oedema control. A pneumatic bandage achieved a relatively narrow range of pressures between capillary and arteriolar blood pressures. It minimized tourniquet effects and differences between skilled and unskilled bandagers. It is sufficiently promising to merit development.

Amputation Stumps↗
PubMed1974

Splinter haemorrhages, pitting, and other findings in fingernails of healthy adults.

Splinter haemorrhages, pitting, transverse grooving, ridging, and flaking occur often in the fingernails of the healthy. While they may occur more often in certain diseases they have little diagnostic value in the absence of proper methods of measurement and examination and without a range of normal values for the sexes and age groups.

Adolescent↗