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Biomedical subjects

J McIntosh

Publications and source records attributed to J McIntosh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Interleukin 6 reduces lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue of mice in vivo and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: a possible role for interleukin 6 in cancer cachexia.

To investigate whether interleukin 6 (IL-6) might be a potential mediator of the depleted fat reserves observed in malignancy-associated cachexia, we measured lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in adipose tissue of mice after administration of IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor and in cultured adipocytes after addition of these cytokines. Injection of IL-6 i.p. reduced adipose tissue LPL activity by 53% within 4.5 to 5.5 h. Injection of tumor necrosis factor elevated serum IL-6 levels and reduced adipose tissue LPL activity by 70%. Both human and murine IL-6 reduced heparin-releasable LPL activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner; half-maximal inhibition of LPL activity was achieved with 5000 hybridoma growth factor units/ml. Thus, IL-6 reduces adipose LPL activity and may contribute to the loss of body fat stores associated with some cases of cancer cachexia. Since tumor necrosis factor increases circulating IL-6, some of its effects may be mediated or potentiated by IL-6.

3T3 Cells

Case consultation: Mary Catherine.

A case of the attempted suicide of a 66-year-old female is presented. Comment based on the chapters in this volume is presented. Specific topics of demographics, psychiatric-psychological, object relations, the attempt, and concluding comments provide an idiographic illustration of suicidal behavior in an older adult.

Aged

The facts behind the figures: a reply to Enderby and Davies (1989).

In 1989, Enderby and Davies discussed the type and pattern of speech and language therapy provision which would be required to service the needs of the speech- and language-impaired population of the UK, on the basis of statistical information drawn from a wide range of sources. In this paper, some methodological issues arising from their study are addressed and an argument made that alternative models of service provision should be considered when planning for future needs.

Cerebrovascular Disorders

Oestrogen and progesterone receptors in carcinoma of the cervix.

Oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors have been measured in 102 cervical carcinomas. With positive levels defined as concentrations exceeding 20 fmol/mg protein for cytoplasmic receptor and/or 200 fmol/mg DNA for nuclear receptor, 24% of tumours were dual receptor positive and 51% were dual receptor negative. The majority of adenocarcinomas (81%: 13/16) expressed ER (P less than 0.001) though only 54% (7/13) of these tumours co-expressed PR. There was a significant correlation between tumours positive for ER and those arising in premenopausal women (P = 0.011), with good or moderate differentiation (P = 0.027) and of smaller size (P = 0.025). Median follow-up is 19 months. Apart from advanced stage, tumour bulk (greater than 5 cm) was the only parameter associated with inferior progression-free survival, and most larger tumours were of advanced stage. No prognostic significance could be detected for receptor status.

Adenocarcinoma

Correlation of monocyte-monolayer assay results, number of erythrocyte-bound IgG molecules, and IgG subclass composition in the study of red cell alloantibodies other than D.

Comparisons have been made between the serological and immunological characteristics of 42 blood group alloantibodies (other than D) covering twelve systems using a monocyte-monolayer assay (MMA), a radiometric antiglobulin test for antibody binding and IgG subclass determinations. The results of the MMA correlated well with the level of IgG molecules bound on incompatible cells, and the highest levels in both cases were associated with the presence of the IgG3 subclass. However, limited clinical data shows that, while in general the MMA clearly identifies the clinically significant antibodies, the correlation with the degree of clinical outcome is less well defined, and in some instances other factors may be operating to ameliorate the in vivo effect of the antibody.

Antibody Specificity

Ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic energy treatment for perineal trauma. A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic energy therapies are increasingly used for perineal trauma sustained during childbirth. The study included 414 women with moderate or severe perineal trauma randomly allocated to receive active ultrasound, or active pulsed electromagnetic energy, or corresponding placebo therapies; the allocation was double-blind for each machine. Overall, more than 90% thought that treatment made their problem better. There were no clear differences between the groups in outcome either immediately after treatment, or 10 days or 3 months postpartum, other than more pain associated with pulsed electromagnetic energy treatment at 10 days. Bruising looked more extensive after ultrasound therapy but then seemed to resolve more quickly. Neither therapy had an effect on perineal oedema or haemorrhoids. The place of these new therapies in postnatal care should be clarified by further controlled trials before they become part of routine care.

Adult

Effects of NaCl on calcium balance, parathyroid function and hydroxyproline excretion in prednisolone-treated rats consuming low calcium diet.

The short-term effects of dietary sodium chloride supplementation on calcium balance were examined in an animal model of corticosteroid-mediated osteoporosis. Changes in calcium and phosphate balance, parathyroid function and bone resorption elicited by salt supplements alone (8 g/100 g diet), prednisolone alone (2.2 mg/kg body wt per day) and both salt and prednisolone in combination were measured in rats consuming a low calcium diet (0.1% calcium) for 10 d. Parathyroid function was monitored by measuring urinary cyclic AMP excretion. Bone resorption was monitored by measuring urinary hydroxyproline excretion. Salt alone raised urinary calcium, cyclic AMP and hydroxyproline; prednisolone alone depressed net calcium absorption and urinary hydroxyproline but had no effect on urinary calcium. Salt and prednisolone each depressed calcium retention independently and together produced an additive adverse effect on calcium balance. Thus high dietary salt intakes augment urinary calcium loss, raise parathyroid activity, increase bone resorption and adversely affect calcium balance in prednisolone-treated growing rats with a restricted dietary calcium intake. These findings support the view that high salt intakes may exaggerate bone loss during chronic glucocorticoid therapy. Because people also develop osteoporosis during glucocorticoid therapy and respond to dietary salt supplements by increasing urinary calcium excretion and parathyroid hormone, high salt intakes may accelerate bone loss in patients receiving chronic glucocorticoid therapy. The beneficial effects of dietary salt restriction on the conservation of bone mass warrant investigation in these patients.

Absorption

Potassium bicarbonate supplementation blocks the hypocalciuric response to hydrochlorothiazide in rats.

Bicarbonate salts and thiazide diuretics each lower urinary calcium excretion. This study was undertaken to compare the effects of administering oral sodium or potassium bicarbonate supplements (4.5 mmol./day of each salt) each with or without hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg./kg. body weight/day) on urinary calcium excretion in rats. Urinary calcium decreased (p less than 0.01) by about 50 per cent after sodium bicarbonate supplementation and potassium bicarbonate supplementation. The hypocalciuric response to each bicarbonate salt was similar. However, although hydrochlorothiazide depressed urinary calcium in rats consuming sodium bicarbonate, rats receiving equimolar supplements of potassium bicarbonate did not lower urinary calcium when given hydrochlorothiazide, despite evidence of the expected thiazide-mediated diuresis. It is concluded that in the rat potassium bicarbonate loading blocks the ability of hydrochlorothiazide to lower urinary calcium excretion.

Animals

Circulating immune complexes in acute uveitis: a possible association with the histocompatibility complex locus antigen B27.

39 patients with acute anterior uveitis were investigated for the presence of circulating immune complex (IC) and correlation with the major histocompatibility complex antigen B27 (HLA-B27). ICs were demonstrated by a number of techniques including rheumatoid factor, complement (C) activation, anticomplementary activity, cryoglobulins, inhibition of IgG-EA rosette formation and neutrophil chemotactic index (NCI) in plasma. ICs were most frequently detected in HLA-B27-negative patients. These results indicate that deposition of circulating ICs may be involved in the pathogenesis of acute anterior uveitis, especially in HLA-B27-negative patients.

Acute Disease

General practice in remote areas: attractions, expectations, and experiences.

Interviews with a sample of general practitioners in remote areas of Scotland revealed a strong commitment to a wide family counsellor role as well as a wish to use clinical skills more fully. While many urban doctors express similar orientations we believe that rural practitioners feel better able to implement their preferred style of work which combines personal and professional elements.

Family Practice

Circulating immune complexes in retinal vasculitis.

Seventeen patients with retinal vasculitis, eleven with the peripheral type (Eales' disease) and six with the central type, were investigated to detect the presence of circulating immune complexes (IC) which might then be related to the pathogenesis of their disease. A systemic disease process was identified in six. IC in serum were inferred by the presence of complement (C) activation, rheumatoid factor, Clq or monoclonal rheumatoid factor precipitins, anticomplementary activity, elevated cryoglobulins, inhibition of erythrocyte-antibody (IgG-EA) rosette formation, increased numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes bearing surface Ig, and spontaneous neutrophil chemotatic activity in plasma. Two or more parameters were positive in thirteen of seventeen patients, with chemotactic activity (69%) and inhibition of EA-rosette formation (59%) being the most frequently positive tests. No immunological differences were detected between the peripheral and central retinal-vasculitis groups. Several IC systems may operate in a give patient.

Adult