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Biomedical subjects

K Harvey

Publications and source records attributed to K Harvey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Beta endorphin release in patients after spontaneous and provoked acute myocardial ischaemia.

BACKGROUND: In animal models of circulatory shock and heart failure concentrations of the endogenous opioid peptide beta endorphin are raised and opioid receptor blockade improves haemodynamic variables and survival. This study was performed to identify whether acute myocardial ischaemia provokes the release of beta endorphin in humans. METHODS: Observational study in a university cardiology centre. Serial measurements of beta endorphin made by specific radioimmunoassay were correlated with other clinical and neuroendocrine variables that were measured prospectively. Fifty five patients with acute myocardial ischaemia and 26 patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty of the left anterior descending coronary artery were studied. RESULTS: beta endorphin concentrations were raised above the upper limit of normal in 31/42 (74%) patients with confirmed myocardial infarction, 3/13 (23%) patients with unstable angina, and 10/24 (42%) patients after coronary angioplasty. There was no evidence of myocardial release of beta endorphin. There were significant positive correlations between beta endorphin and the concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, cortisol, and arginine vasopressin. In patients with acute myocardial ischaemia there was a significant positive correlation between the peak concentrations of creatine kinase and beta endorphin but no correlation with visual analogue scores of the intensity of chest pain. The highest beta endorphin concentrations were seen in patients whose clinical course was complicated by the development of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: beta endorphin release is a component of the neuroendocrine activation associated with myocardial ischaemia/infarction.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

PBS charges.

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Australia↗
PubMed1987

The nasopharynx and adenoid in children with glue ear compared with normal controls.

This study was designed to demonstrate whether any differences could be detected in the nasopharyngeal soft tissue size and postnasal space airway in children with glue ear compared with controls. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 34 children with bilateral glue ear confirmed by paracentesis were compared with those of normal children matched for age and sex. There was no difference in the measurement of adenoid depth between the 2 groups. However, it was found that the palatal airway size was significantly smaller in children with bilateral glue ear than in normal children. Reduction in the palatal airway to 4 mm or less is found in most cases with bilateral glue ear, but only in 15% of normal controls.

Adenoids↗
PubMed1986

Drug sensitivity of non small cell carcinoma of lung by clonogenic assay in several media.

Lung tumours of non small cell pathology were cultured by clonogenic assay in several media. Culture was successful in spleen conditioned medium, but only 57% grew and low plating efficiencies (PE) meant that only 23% of the original number produced significant drug results. Comparison of rat erythrocyte lysate (REL) medium with serum free defined medium (HITES) and HITES + 10% FBS demonstrated clear enhancement of PE in REL although growth was 100% successful in all these media. Ninety-three percent of samples tested against drugs in REL produced significant results. A later comparison of REL with McCoy's 5A + rbc +/- hydrocortisone produced relatively poor culture success for these 3 media and equivocal growth patterns. Low PE was attributed to age of rats used for rbc. Vindesine and cis-platinum cytotoxicity in spleen conditioned medium were 61% and 15% sensitivity respectively. These do not concur with clinical experience but the figures for overt resistance, at 39% and 69%, correspond with expected non-responders to these regimes. Drug testing in REL produced figures correlating more closely with clinical performance at 45% sensitivity to platinum and 36% of patients sensitive to both drugs, but the vindesine sensitivity at 55% is again discrepant with performance of this drug as a single agent.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed1985

MRSA revisited.

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Humans↗
PubMed1978

Sleep habits of children and the identification of pathologically sleepy children.

Sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness have been investigated only minimally in children. The sleep habits of 218 children, ages 10-13 years, were surveyed by a sleep habits questionnaire (SHQ). Our results demonstrate that total night time sleep on school nights begins to fall in early adolescence, whereas it remains relatively stable on non-school nights. Daytime sleepiness is not a common problem in this age group, in contrast to a college age population. We conclude that in adolescence chronic sleep deficits begin to occur which cumulatively affect later functioning. The potential use of the SHQ for depicting pathological sleepiness is also discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Respiration during sleep in children.

In 22 children (11 boys and 11 girls), aged 9 to 13 years, respiration was monitored during one night of sleep. No child had a significant history of breathing problems during sleep. Sleep was recorded using standard techniques (electroencephalography, electrooculography, electromyography), and respiration was measured with nasal thermistors and abdominal or thoracic strain gauges. Respiratory pauses (five seconds or longer) were determined for all sleep stages. Respiratory rate was scored only in the first and last sleep cycles and during ten waking minutes before sleep onset. Respiratory rate was significantly affected by wakefulness or stage of sleep: highest in wakefulness and stage 1, lowest in stage 2 of the last sleep cycle. Regularity of respiratory rate showed a similar effect. Variance of respiratory rate was significantly lower in girls than boys. Respiratory pauses during sleep were seen in every child, ranging from 3 to 40 pauses per night (average, 17.2 for boys and 18.0 for girls). Significantly greater numbers of pauses per minute were seen in stage 1 and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than in stages 2, 3 and 4. The longest respiratory pause was 25 seconds. The conclusion is made that a small number of respiratory pauses during sleep are normal in children of this age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Acinetobacter septicaemia following prolonged intravenous therapy.

A 76-year-old man developed septicaemia during the infusion of stable plasma protein solution (SPPS) which was subsequently shown to be contaminated with Acinetobacter anitratus. Septicaemia persisted for four days despite change of the intravenous cannula and administration of an appropriate antibiotic. Clinical improvement occurred only when the entire intravenous line, (infusion bottle, airway needle, giving set and intravenous cannula), all of which grew Acinetobacter, was replaced. Contamination of the SPPS probably occurred in the ward via a contaminated giving set and airway needle, which had been in use for one week. This case illustrates the importance of following accepted guidelines for infection control in intravenous therapy.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed1977

A case of chancroid.

After a visit to Hong Kong, a 27-year-old salesman developed penile ulceration which failed to respond to three weeks' penicillin therapy. He then presented to hospital with acute paraphimosis. A clinical diagnosis of chancroid was confirmed by isolation of Haemophilus ducreyi. The ulcers healed after sulphonamide and streptomycin therapy. Although chancroid is an uncommon venereal disease in Australia, its incidence is still high in many tropical countries. It should be considered as a possible cause of genital ulceration in patients who have travelled overseas.

Adult↗