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Biomedical subjects

M Robson

Publications and source records attributed to M Robson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Fibroblast growth factor reserves the bacterial retardation of wound contraction.

Chronic granulating wounds were established in rats by excising burns inoculated with Escherichia coli. Recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor was applied at dosages of 1, 10, and 100 micrograms/cm2 to the wounds of three groups of 20 animals on days 5, 9, 12, 15, and 18 after injury. The rate of wound closure was compared with that of similarly wounded animals treated with saline vehicle alone. High levels of bacteria caused significant retardation of wound contraction. The addition of basic fibroblast growth factor at the 100 micrograms/cm2 dosage level markedly improved the rate of wound closure whereas inert vehicles applied alone were ineffective. Since bacterial counts did not decrease in the basic fibroblast growth factor treated wounds, basic fibroblast growth factor was not inherently bactericidal. Histologic examination of the wounds treated with basic fibroblast growth factor showed increased cellularity with increased numbers of fibroblasts and round cells. These results suggest basic fibroblast growth factor can overcome the defect in healing created by bacterial infection, and this peptide may have efficacy in the management of the contaminated wound.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A cost description of an adult cystic fibrosis unit and cost analyses of different categories of patients.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the costs of running an adult cystic fibrosis centre. The aim of this study was to provide detailed costs to assist funding and planning for these patients. METHODS: The cost of a regional adult cystic fibrosis centre serving 119 cystic fibrosis patients, categorised according to four treatment regimens, was determined. District health authority, family health service authority, and voluntary resources used from April 1989 to March 1990 were determined, with appropriate bases for allocation of costs and patient based costs from local information. RESULTS: The total annual cost of treating the 119 patients was 980,646 pounds, with an average cost 8241 pounds per patient. An outpatient reviewed at three monthly intervals cost 2792 pounds a year; an outpatient receiving intravenous antibiotics cost 8606 pounds; an inpatient receiving intravenous antibiotics cost 13,501 pounds; and a patient needing a high level of care cost 19,955 pounds. Medication accounted for 57% (561,395 pounds) of the total cost. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis has helped us to secure funding for patients with cystic fibrosis and it facilitates the prediction of future requirements. The study also indicates the limitations of using average patient costs and difficulties as a result of the poorly structured British National Health Service accounting and information systems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Benzodiazepine dependent patients and their psychological treatment.

1. 91 patients were referred to a tranquilizer withdrawal clinic. 44 of these entered a withdrawal programme. The characteristics of the patients are described. 2. 72% of patients accepted for benzodiazepine withdrawal had a history of previous psychiatric contact. They also had significantly higher scores on S.T.A.I. than control groups of non-psychotic psychiatric out-patients indicating a considerable psychiatric morbidity prior to withdrawal. 3. 12 patients were treated with psychological group therapy using anxiety management techniques. The outcome of this pilot study showed that 50% of subjects were able to discontinue their benzodiazepines despite previous failures. 4. Patients found learning to cope with symptoms, sharing problems with others and learning to change thoughts the most useful components of the anxiety management package during withdrawal.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1988

Polymorphisms in the umuDC region of Escherichia species.

The umuDC operon of Escherichia coli encodes mutagenic DNA repair. The umuDC regions of multiple isolates of E. coli, E. alkalescens, and E. dispar and a single stock of E. aurescens were mapped by nucleotide hybridization. umuDC is located at one end of a conserved tract of restriction endonuclease sites either 12.5 or 14 kilobase pairs long. Rearrangements, including possible deletions, were seen in the polymorphic DNA flanking the conserved tract. Restriction site polymorphisms were not found around the DNA repair gene recA or polA. The junctions of the conserved region contain direct repeats of nucleotide sequences resembling the termini of the Tn3 group of transposons. Possible mechanisms for the generation of these variants are discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1988

The treatment of tranquilizer dependence by propranolol.

Forty four subjects were treated for benzodiazepine dependence. The withdrawal programme lasted for 10 weeks and included regular group support sessions. Patients were also treated with either propranolol, placebo or "no pill" under double blind conditions. Twenty three patients complied with the full treatment regimen and completed the trial. The outcome of treatment was moderately successful, with 8 out of the 23 patients stopping their tranquilizers and a further 11 achieving a reduction of 50% or more of their original benzodiazepine dose. Tranquilizer dependence is a difficult condition to treat, but preliminary results suggest that propranolol is helpful in reducing the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A genetic marker for systemic amyloidosis in juvenile arthritis.

A genetic marker of susceptibility to systemic amyloidosis has been identified. A DNA polymorphic site, 5' to the serum amyloid P component gene, has been found to be significantly associated with amyloidosis in juvenile arthritic patients. When genomic DNA was cut with the restriction enzyme MspI and probed with the cDNA for serum amyloid P component, homozygosity for the 5.6 kb restriction fragment length polymorphic (RFLP) band was absent in all 28 amyloid patients. Furthermore, the proportion who were homozygous for the 8.8 kb RFLP band was greater (p = 0.008) than that among 89 normal subjects. The distribution of this polymorphic site among 19 juvenile arthritic patients without amyloidosis was the same as that in the normal group. Thus the 8.8 kb RFLP band represents a genetic predisposition to reactive amyloidosis in juvenile arthritis and may apply to amyloidosis associated with more common inflammatory conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Influence of exchange volume and dialysate flow rate on solute clearance in peritoneal dialysis.

To find the ideal dialysate flow rate and exchange volume for use in long-term peritoneal dialysis, 10 patients were studied over a period of 1.5 yr. Exchange volumes of 1 or 2 liters and dialysate flow rates of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 liters/hr were tested. Dextrose concentration remained constant at 1.5 g/100 ml. Peritoneal clearances for BUN, creatinine, and uric acid were calculated at 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 hr during dialysis making a total of 120 clearances for each patient. All patients used a reverse osmosis automatic machine. The clearance of all three solutes tended to be higher with exchange volumes of 2 liters than they did with 1 liter; this trend was significant for BUN (P less than 0.025) and uric acid (P less than 0.025) but not for creatinine. There was a significant rise in clearance with increasing flow rates per hour for all solutes as shown in the following table. (Formula: see text), Since patients could not tolerate a flow rate of 6 liters/hr, we conclude that flow rate of 4 liters/hr with a 2-liter exchange will give maximum efficiency.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1977

Serial measurement of vital capacity in patients on chronic haemodialysis.

Serial measurements of vital capacity (VC) were performed on nine patients on chronic haemodialysis. In six patients the VC remained stable, they were all adequately dialysed and working full-time. Reduction of dialysis time in one of these patients brought about a gradual onset of left heart failure which was preceeded by a decline of VC. In the three remaining patients a decrease of VC preceeded the onset of heart failure, and a rise of VC values signified improvement of cardiac performance. Serial recordings of VC are recommended as a useful objective guide to evaluation and treatment of patients on haemodialysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Prolonged colchicine treatment in four patients with amyloidosis.

The natural clinical course of four patients with systemic amyloidosis was favourably altered by continuous colchicine therapy. One patient had primary amyloidosis, and the other three suffered from amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever. All had a nephrotic syndrome, and one showed features of intestinal malabsorption. The institution of colchicine therapy was followed by a gradual remission of the nephrotic syndrome, a rise of serum albumin to normal values, a slight improvement of renal function, and regression of the intestinal malabsorption. This pattern has remained steady during an observation period of 30 months.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Proximal myopathy caused by latrogenic phosphate depletion.

Severe proximal myopathy associated with hypophosphatemia developed in three patients with chronic renal failure who had been treated with aluminum hydroxide gel. The syndrome was characterized by severe pain, muscular stiffness, and weakness. The illness was originally misdiagnosed both as uremic myopathy and as an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. In one patient, the correct diagnosis was made when symptomatic relief corresponded to the rise of serum phosphate levels. Discontinuation of antacid therapy was followed by gradual recovery. Oral sodium phosphate brought prompt alleviation of muscular pain and stiffness.

Adult↗