PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Rees

Publications and source records attributed to L Rees.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and renin-aldosterone in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: basal levels, changes during daily activity and nocturnal diuresis.

Measurements of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations at 8 AM showed raised levels in 21 patients with cirrhosis and ascites (10.5 +/- 0.8 pmol/L) compared with levels in 10 age-matched controls (4.1 +/- 0.64 pmol/L; p less than 0.0001). In eight patients and 10 controls, atrial natriuretic peptide, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone and urinary sodium excretion were measured every 4 hr for 24 hr. Subjects were mobile between 8 AM and 11 PM and supine from 11 PM to 8 AM. In controls, urinary sodium excretion was highest between 4 PM and 11 PM (19.34 +/- 3.74 mumol/min) and lowest between midnight and 8 AM (7.06 +/- 1.23 mumol/min; p less than 0.001). In patients, urinary sodium excretion was 0.63 +/- 0.14 mumol/min between 4 PM and midnight and 1.85 +/- 0.71 mumol/min (p less than 0.08) between midnight and 8 AM. In patients during the day, mean plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration did not change despite large individual variation, but large, sustained rises in plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone were seen. Correlations were noted between atrial natriuretic peptide and urinary sodium excretion between midnight and 8 AM (r = 0.65; p less than 0.02) and 4 PM and midnight (r = 0.54; p less than 0.05) but not between 8 AM and 4 PM. Plasma renin activity dropped from 12.54 +/- 2.49 at midnight to 7.41 +/- 0.88 pmol/hr/ml at 8 AM (p less than 0.05); plasma aldosterone decreased from 1,032 +/- 101 to 798 +/- 56 pmol/L (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1992

Regeneration of axons in the optic nerve of the adult Browman-Wyse (BW) mutant rat.

We have studied the regeneration of axons in the optic nerves of the BW rat in which both oligodendrocytes and CNS myelin are absent from a variable length of the proximal (retinal) end of the nerve. In the optic nerves of some of these animals, Schwann cells are present. Axons failed to regenerate in the exclusively astrocytic environment of the unmyelinated segment of BW optic nerves but readily regrew in the presence of Schwann cells even across the junctional zone and into the myelin debris filled distal segment. In the latter animals, the essential condition for regeneration was that the lesion was sited in a region of the nerve in which Schwann cells were resident. Regenerating fibres appeared to be sequestered within Schwann cell tubes although fibres traversed the neuropil intervening between the ends of discontinuous bundles of Schwann cell tubes, in both the proximal unmyelinated and myelin debris laden distal segments of the BW optic nerve. Regenerating axons never grew beyond the distal point of termination of the tubes. These observations demonstrate that central myelin is not an absolute requirement for regenerative failure, and that important contributing factors might include inhibition of astrocytes and/or absence of trophic factors. Regeneration presumably occurs in the BW optic nerve because trophic molecules are provided by resident Schwann cells, even in the presence of central myelin, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. All the above experimental BW animals also have Schwann cells in their retinae which myelinate retinal ganglion cell axons in the fibre layer. Control animals comprised normal Long Evans Hooded rats, BW rats in which both retina and optic nerve were normal, and BW rats with Schwann cells in the retina but with normal, i.e. CNS myelinated, optic nerves. Regeneration was not observed in any of the control groups, demonstrating that, although the presence of Schwann cells in the retina may enhance the survival of retinal ganglion cells after crush, concomitant regrowth of axons cut in the optic nerve does not take place.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Microcephaly, focal segmental glomerulonephritis and marfanoid habitus in two sibs.

Two female sibs aged 15 and 18 years with microcephaly, mental retardation and marfanoid habitus who developed focal segmental glomerulonephritis leading to renal failure are described. This combination of features appears to represent a unique syndrome distinct from previous reports of microcephaly in association with the nephrotic syndrome. The mode of inheritance is likely to be autosomal recessive.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Gradual reintroduction of full-strength milk after acute gastroenteritis in children.

46 children (26 boys and 20 girls) admitted with mild acute gastroenteritis were randomly allocated to a regimen of continuing on full-strength milk, or to one of taking clear fluids until the diarrhoea settled before full-strength milk was reintroduced either immediately, or gradually in quarter-strength steps. There was no difference in length of hospital stay between the three groups.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1979

Mycoplasma hominis. A cause of neonatal meningitis.

Two cases of Mycoplasma hominis meningitis in the newborn are described. These infants demonstrate the need to consider M. hominis as a cause of neonatal meningitis, especially if the Gram stain is negative, conventional cultures yield no growth, and there is a history of maternal infection. CSF cultures on appropriate medium can quickly confirm the diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Sex hormone changes underlying menstrual disturbances on haemodialysis.

Sequential changes in luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol (E2), progesterone (PROG), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T) were studied throughout the menstrual cycle in ten women on regular haemodialysis. At the time of study seven women were menstruating and three had secondary amenorrhoea. Only one patient had regular menses. In none of the 15 cycles studied was there a normal luteal phase with an adequate PROG rise, although 9 cycles (4 patients) had E2 changes suggesting that ovulation may have occurred. Increased PRL and T levels were found in 9 and 6 women respectively. These hormonal abnormalities can be related to the menstrual disturbances and explain the low fertility seen in these patients. Bromocriptine or prednisolone may prove useful in their treatment.

Adolescent↗