Biomedical subjects

J Dowson

Publications and source records attributed to J Dowson.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

The validity of a short version of the Body Shape Questionnaire.

This study investigated the 'construct validity' (which includes the extent to which a test conforms to predictions from previous observations) of a 14-item version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) in 75 patients with psychogenic low weight and a history of full or partial anorexia nervosa (AN). Various predictions were confirmed, i.e. ratings on the BSQ (designed to measure concern about body image) were significantly correlated with ratings for the Eating Attitudes Test, the Bulimia Investigatory Test and the Beck Depression Inventory, and with the body mass index at referral. Also, the binge eating/purging subtype of AN was associated with increased body-image psychopathology. In contrast to a previous report using another questionnaire, this association was independent of body weight. The findings indicate that this shorter version of the BSQ can be used to assess body image psychopathology in patients with psychogenic low weight and to confirm an increased concern about body-image in the binge-eating/purging subtype of AN.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Beagle 2: a proposed exobiology lander for ESA's 2003 Mars Express mission.

The aim of the proposed Beagle 2 small lander for ESA's 2003 Mars Express mission is to search for organic material on and below the surface of Mars and to study the inorganic chemistry and mineralogy of the landing site. The lander will have a total mass of 60kg including entry, descent, and landing system. Experiments will be deployed on the surface using a robotic arm. It will use a mechanical mole and grinder to obtain samples from below the surface, under rocks, and inside rocks. Sample analysis by a mass spectrometer will include isotopic analysis. An optical microscope, an X-ray spectrometer and a Mossbauer spectrometer will conduct in-situ rock studies.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed1985

Psychiatric morbidity following total and partial thyroidectomy.

Thirty subjects were screened for psychiatric morbidity approximately 7 years after they had undergone a thyroid operation. Thirteen were identified as "cases" by the General Health Questionnaire. Total and partial thyroidectomy subjects were compared. The total thyroidectomy patients identified as "cases" showed lower values of plasma calcium and higher values of inorganic phosphate than the partial thyroidectomy "cases", but the difference failed to reach statistical significance. No clinical or biochemical differences were found between cases and non-cases, irrespective of the type of operation.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Retinal pigment epithelial dysfunction in early ovine ceroid lipofuscinosis: electrophysiologic and pathologic correlates.

Retinal degeneration is a major finding in the human and ovine ceroid lipofuscinosis. Sequential electroretinographic (ERG) studies in a young, asymptomatic, affected lamb are presented here, which demonstrate a progressive loss of the scotopic b-wave and unrecordable c-waves under halothane anesthesia. Even at this initial stage of disease, lesions were evident in the form of dystrophic retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) villi, and loss of photoreceptor cells and rod outer segments. Cone inner segments were enlarged and scanning electron microscopy emphasized these abnormalities. All cells in tapetal and nontapetal areas contained fluorescent inclusions with similar emission spectra (maximum = 539 nm). By transmission electron microscopy, storage bodies consisted of 'finger-print' profiles and were most prominent in bipolar cells. The pathological features of the retina correlate well with the observed ERG changes, reaffirming the sheep as a useful model to delineate early events in ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Control of pain resulting from endodontic therapy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The efficacy of mefenamic acid, aspirin, and a placebo for control of postendodontic pain was compared in a double-blind, randomized study of 150 patients. Medication was begun immediately prior to the endodontic therapy and continued for a total of eight doses. The results were analyzed in terms of the patients' assessments of postendodontic pain, the need for additional analgesic medication, and the patients' and investigator's evaluations of drug efficacy. The results indicate that mefenamic acid was well tolerated. Mefenamic acid was equal to, or exceeded, aspirin in ability to control postendodontic pain in every comparison made. The converse was never true. Mefenamic acid was statistically superior to placebo in every comparison made. Aspirin was not consistently superior to the placebo. Under the conditions of this trial, it can be stated that, for control of pain following simple endodontic therapy, mefenamic acid rather than aspirin is the drug of choice.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975