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Biomedical subjects

L Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to L Murphy.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

The religious community as a partner in health care.

In-depth structured interviews were conducted with spokespeople for 176 inner-city churches regarding perceptions of existing community problems, number of currently offered church-based social and health programs, and potential interest in church sponsorship of new maternal and child health programs. The sample of respondents represented 78% of the 227 churches located in a low-income, primarily black urban area with 150,000 residents. The typical church participating in the survey was Baptist with a congregation of 100 to 500 people, most of whom were not community residents. The leading community problems identified by the clergy were, in descending order: lack of jobs, teenage pregnancy, gang crime, school drop-outs, and hunger. The perception of community problems matched the church services offered as measured by the number of food and clothing pantries. Few churches had ongoing programs for neighborhood youths. Although many of these same churches expressed interest in expanding services for mothers, adolescents and children, few perceived themselves as having the necessary staff, funds, or technical expertise to conduct such programs.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1988

Oral bowel lavage preparation for colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is a commonly performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in most general hospitals, which requires effective bowel preparation to be worthwhile. We report the effect of replacing a diet, laxative and bowel washout preparation with oral bowel lavage using a balanced electrolyte formulation, in our unit. The preparation was acceptable to patients, medical and nursing staff, generally preferred to previous preparations by those who had experienced them, allowed a more complete colonoscopy with an excellent quality of view, and was less expensive in nursing time. We regard oral bowel lavage as currently the method of choice for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy in the majority of patients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

A mathematical analysis of small mammal populations.

Populations of Microtus montanus, the montane vole, have been extensively studied. It is known that their reproductive activity is closely linked to the availability of the chemicals in growing plants. We use a mathematical model here to study how the length of the vegetative season and the natural reproduction rhythm of voles are involved in the long term dynamics of the population numbers. In particular, we use data obtained from Timpie Springs, Utah, and from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to formulate a model. The novelty of this model is its use of littering curves that highlight the temporally discrete nature of vole reproduction. The model shows how the timing of the vegetative season can influence vole population sizes.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in the treatment of the premenstrual syndrome.

In a preliminary study, alpha-tocopherol supplementation was effective in reducing specific symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). To confirm these findings, we performed a randomized, double-blind study using d,alpha-tocopherol and placebo in a carefully screened population of women with PMS. Standardized PMS questionnaires were administered in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle to all subjects, before and after daily treatment with 400 IU d,alpha-tocopherol or placebo for three cycles. Of the 46 subjects enrolled, 41 completed the clinical trial. A significant improvement in certain affective and physical symptoms was noted in subjects treated with d,alpha-tocopherol.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Class III alleles and high-risk MHC haplotypes in type I diabetes mellitus, Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

By typing a large quantity of family-based material for HLA-B, HLA-DR, C4, C2 and factor B, we were able to derive four-gene complement haplotypes (C4A, C4B, C2, BF) and six-gene MHC haplotypes (HLA-B, complement, HLA-DR). Fourteen six-gene MHC haplotypes showed linkage disequilibrium but exact frequencies could not be determined because it was not always possible to assign null C4 alleles in families where null genes were not clearly seen to segregate. Comparison of unrelated type I diabetes, Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients with healthy unrelated controls revealed the following MHC allele associations: C4B*3, HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4 with type I diabetes; BF*F1 and HLA-DR3 with Graves' disease; HLA-DR4 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. By typing families of type I diabetes and Graves' disease patients we were able to derive two high-risk DR3+ MHC haplotypes for both type I diabetes and Graves' disease. These are HLA-B8 C4A*Q0 C4B*1 BF*S HLA-DR3 and HLA-B18 C4A*3 C4B*Q0 BF*F1 HLA-DR3, and these haplotypes account for most of the associations between these diseases and HLA-DR3. The MHC haplotype HLA-B15 C4A*3 C4B*3 BF*S HLA-DR4 also carries high risk for type I diabetes in this group of patients. Our data suggest that other DR4+ haplotypes, probably containing C4A*3 C4B*1, carry increased risk for type I diabetes whereas haplotypes containing DR4 and C4 C4A*3 C4B*Q0 do not. Our phenotype data suggest that DR4 in Hashimoto's thyroiditis is frequently associated with HLA-B44, C4A*3, C4B*1 and BF*S.

Alleles↗
PubMed1985

The effect of vitamin E on mammary dysplasia: a double-blind study.

Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) has been used to treat patients with benign breast disease. To evaluate the efficacy of this treatment, a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study was performed on 128 women with confirmed mammary dysplasia. Patients were treated with placebo or 150, 300, or 600 IU of d, 1 alpha-tocopherol per day for two months; breast examinations, sonography, and thermography were performed in the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle before and after treatment. No significant objective effects to treatment were noted in any of the parameters monitored. In addition, serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and testosterone were measured before and after treatment. There were no significant effects on concentrations of these hormones. From this study, d, 1 alpha-tocopherol does not seem to be beneficial in the treatment of patients with mammary dysplasia.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1984

Inhibition of mammalian xanthine oxidase by folate compounds and amethopterin.

We have examined the effects of folate compounds and the folate analog amethopterin (methotrexate) as inhibitors of mammalian xanthine oxidase and have found that they offer potent inhibition of the enzyme. We have compared the inhibitory potency of folic acid and its coenzyme derivative tetrahydrofolic acid to that of allopurinol, a known inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, and have demonstrated that folic acid and tetrahydrofolic acid are severalfold more potent than allopurinol as inhibitors of xanthine oxidase. Comparative inhibition constants calculated were 5.0 X 10(-7) M for folic acid. 1.25 X 10(-6) M for tetrahydrofolic acid, and 4.88 X 10(-6) M for allopurinol. Incubation of xanthine oxidase with folic acid at a concentration of 10(-6) M abolished 94% of the enzymic activity within 1 min of incubation with the enzyme. At the same concentration, allopurinol was almost ineffective as an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. The substrate xanthine protected the enzyme against total inhibition by folic acid. Reversibility of the enzymic inhibition by folic acid was demonstrated. Folic acid-inactivated enzyme was totally regenerated either by filtration through Sephadex G-200 or by precipitation with ammonium sulfate. 2-Amino-4-hydroxypteridine was a poor substrate for the enzyme but a potent inhibitor for the oxidation of xanthine by the enzyme. The inhibition constant calculated was 1.50 X 10(-6) M. In the presence of an excess of xanthine oxidase, neither folic acid nor tetrahydrofolic acid and allopurinol exhibited any change in intensity of their absorbance or in the wavelength of their maximal absorbance that might have been suggestive of substrate utility. The folate analog amethopterin was also determined a potent inhibitor of mammalian xanthine oxidase. The inhibition constant calculated was 3.0 X 10(-5) M.

Allopurinol↗
PubMed1984

The effect of alpha-tocopherol on premenstrual symptomatology: a double-blind study. II. Endocrine correlates.

In a randomized, double-blind, dose-response study, alpha-tocopherol significantly ameliorated symptoms in three of the four classes of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Alpha-tocopherol treatment had no significant effect on serum concentrations of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), estradiol, and progesterone. However, independent of treatment, a significant correlation emerged between temporal changes in one PMS category and changes in DHEA-S concentrations. These results suggest that improvement in PMS severity is not mediated through direct effects of alpha-tocopherol on serum steroids. Androgens, however, may play a role in some PMS symptomatology.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1984

Reliability of contact-thermogram reading services.

Contact thermography has been advocated by some as a rapid, noninvasive diagnostic modality in evaluating patients at risk for breast cancer. In order to study the value of different criteria for interpreting thermograms, two sets of contact thermograms from 34 patients with benign breast disease were submitted to two different reading services. The results suggest that interrater agreement is enhanced when thermograms are classified as "normal" and "abnormal" rather than as class I-V.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed1983

The effect of alpha-tocopherol on premenstrual symptomatology: a double-blind study.

In a double-blind, randomized dose-response study, 75 women with benign breast disease were administered a written questionnaire in which they scored the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms before and after two months of treatment with placebo or alpha-tocopherol (150, 300, or 600 IU/day). Controlling for age and pretreatment scores, alpha-tocopherol had a significantly greater effect than placebo, improving three of the four classes of PMS symptoms. These findings suggest that vitamin E supplementation may be of value in women with severe PMS symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Evaluation and treatment of breast symptoms in patients with the premenstrual syndrome.

Breast symptoms are a common finding in women with the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The underlying endocrine pathophysiology of PMS and benign breast disease may be similar and possibly related. Endocrine theories concerning both disorders have been developed, and nutritional intervention can be of aid. In a double-blind study, breast symptoms of PMS were recorded before and after vitamin E or placebo was administered. A significant decrease (p less than 0.05) in some of the symptoms was noted.

Breast Diseases↗
PubMed1977

Oestradiol and progesterone: soluble receptor levels and metabolism in the uterus of the ovariectomized ewe.

Ovariectomized ewes received injections designed to mimic to some extent oestradiol and progesterone secretion during early pregnancy (maintenance progesterone), during oestrus (oestrous oestradiol) and during the luteal phase of the previous cycle (priming progesterone). The animals were killed at times equivalent to 1, 4 or 7 days after oestrus in those animals which had received oestrous oestradiol. The level of soluble oestradiol and progesterone receptors in whole uterus, and [3H]oestradiol and [3H]progesterone metabolism by uterus minces were measured. Oestradiol receptor level was highest on day 1 in those animals receiving oestrous oestradiol with no significant effect at any stage of the inclusion or omission of priming or maintenance progesterone. Progesterone receptor level was also high on day 1 in those animals receiving oestrous oestradiol with high levels maintained to day 4. Again, inclusion of priming or maintenance progesterone was without effect. In animals not receiving oestrous oestradiol the level of both receptors was uniformly low. Metabolism of [3H]oestradiol was low and not affected by treatment. [3H]Progesterone metabolism, although more variable, was also low and not affected by treatment.

Animals↗