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Biomedical subjects

J P Travers

Publications and source records attributed to J P Travers.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Insulin and insulinlike growth factors in embryonic development. Effects of a biologically inert insulin (guinea pig) on rat embryonic growth and development in vitro.

Congenital anomalies occur up to four times more frequently in diabetic pregnancy than in the nondiabetic population. Although past work has shown that maternal hyperglycemia and hyperketonemia may increase embryonic abnormalities, recent experimental evidence suggests that low insulin levels may also contribute to diabetic embryopathy. This study investigated the effects of guinea pig serum (whose insulin is inactive in rat systems) on rat embryonic growth and development in culture. Supplementation of guinea pig serum with pork insulin at low (1 ng/ml) and high (5 ng/ml) physiological concentrations and insulinlike growth factors (IGF) I and II were also studied. Culture of rat embryos from the early headfold stage in guinea pig serum resulted in poor embryonic growth and development with a 92% rate of anomalies. Supplementation of guinea pig serum with zinc-binding pork insulin significantly improved rat embryonic growth and development (46% anomaly rate) especially between the first 5 and 21 h of the period of organogenesis. This evidence supports our most recent findings that low insulin levels, as encountered in untreated diabetic pregnancy, may contribute to the increased risk of congenital abnormality. Insulin at low physiological concentrations improved growth, whereas higher physiological concentrations were required to increase growth and development. IGF-I or IGF-II supplementation improved rat embryonic growth and development but failed to match that of the controls, indicating that other growth factors including insulin may also be required.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1979

Double-blind clinical trial of topical steroids in anterior uveitis.

We present the results of a double-blind trial comparing the efficacy of betamethasone phosphate 0.1%, clobetasone butyrate 0.1%, and placebo in the treatment of acute unilateral nongranulomatous uveitis. The 2 steroids were equally comparable in improvement of the patients' symptoms, though betamethasone phosphate was significantly more effective than clobetasone butyrate in improving the ocular signs of uveitis. However, clobetasone butyrate had significantly less effect on raising intraocular pressure in known steroid responders and ocular hypertensives than did dexamethasone. The use of a bolometer as an objective measure in uveitis was significant only in the more severe cases of uveitis. In comparing the placebo group of patients with those on topical steroids, the former group, though improving, appeared to lag behind by approximately one week. Four cases on placebo, however, had to be withdrawn because of worsening of the condition. Mild cases of anterior uveitis would probably resolve without using topical steroids.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1979

Topical steroids in anterior uveitis.

The results are presented of a double-blind trial comparing the efficacy of betamethasone phosphate 0.1 per cent, clobetasone butyrate 0.1 per cent, and placebo in the treatment of acute unilateral non-granulomatous uveitis. The two steroids gave comparable results in improvement of the patients' symptoms, although betamethasone phosphate was significantly more effective than clobetasone butyrate in improving the ocular signs of uveitis. In comparing the placebo group of patients with those given topical steroids, the former group, though improving, appeared to lag behind by approximately 1 week. Four patients receiving placebo, however, had to be withdrawn because of worsening of the condition. Mild cases of anterior uveitis would probably resolve without using topical steroids.

Acute Disease↗