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Biomedical subjects

J K Watt

Publications and source records attributed to J K Watt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protein levels are not elevated in the blood or bile of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: a pilot study.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by progressive fibrosis and stricturing of the biliary tract. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a family of cytokines produced by biliary tract epithelial cells that promote fibrinogenesis. Our objective was to determine whether TGF-beta levels are increased in the blood and/or bile of PSC patients compared to patients with other causes of obstructed biliary tracts (controls). Serum and bile TGF-beta levels were documented by enzyme-linked immunoassay in 10 adult PSC and 10 control patients obtained at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Serum and bile TGF-beta levels were similar in the two groups (PSC versus control sera, 33.4 +/- 4.3 versus 27.5 +/- 7.7 ng/ml, and bile, 367 +/- 275 versus 457 +/- 247 ng/mg, respectively). Serum and bile TGF-beta levels are not increased in patients with PSC. Hence, the results of this pilot study do not support the hypotheses that PSC is caused by dysregulated TGF-beta expression.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1982

Double-blind controlled clinical trial of ancrod for ischemic rest pain of the leg.

In a randomized double-blind trial, patients with ischemic rest pain of the leg received 8 days of treatment with intravenous injections of the defibrinating agent, ancrod (Arvin) or saline. Plasma fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, and blood viscosity were significantly reduced during ancrod therapy. After 27 patients had completed treatment, sequential analysis showed no preference for either therapy. In each group two-thirds of the patients claimed improvement in pain after treatment. There were no significant differences between treatment groups in analgesic consumption, Doppler systolic pressure ratio, or surgical intervention in the 6 months following treatment. We conclude that in patients with ischemic rest pain, ancrod therapy is not superior to placebo injections, and that the effect of placebo treatment is considerable.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Reconstructive surgery in gangrene.

The results of reconstructive arterial surgery in 113 critically ischaemic limbs during 1958 to 1972 are presented. There were 61 aorto-iliac reconstructions with 4 operative deaths (6.5%), resulting in a limb salvage rate of 75.4 per cent and 49 femoro-popliteal operations with 3 deaths (6.1%) and a limb salvage rate of 73.5 per cent.

Adult↗
PubMed1974

Arterial surgery in intermittent claudication.

The results of a survey of 302 operations in 277 patients during 1959-70 are presented, and an additional 69 operations during 1971 are included in the mortality figures. Operative mortality (1968-71) was 0.9% in 113 aortoiliac operations and nil in 96 femoropopliteal operations.Immediate patency rates on dismissal from hospital exceeded 95%, and the five-year patency rate for aortoiliac operations was just over 70% and for femoropopliteal operations 60%.

Adult↗