PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Spence

Publications and source records attributed to M Spence.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Heterogeneity of Trichomonas vaginalis and discrimination among trichomonal isolates and subpopulations with sera of patients and experimentally infected mice.

The antibody response in trichomoniasis patients was examined with a variety of methodologies including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, indirect immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and radioimmunoprecipitation-electrophoresis-autoradiography. Based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay recognition of trichomonal isolates, sera from patients with trichomoniasis were categorized into reactive class I (IA, IB, and IC) and nonreactive class II sera. A diminished ability to precipitate antibody-binding trichomonad membrane proteins by the whole cell radioimmunoprecipitation assay was noted from class IA to class II sera. The antigenic distinctions among various Trichomonas vaginalis isolates appeared due to high-molecular-weight protein antigens detected by class IA sera in a whole cell radioimmunoprecipitation assay. The heterogeneity in antigenic patterns was confirmed among the isolates with sera from experimental animals. Also, live T. vaginalis cells appear to have only a few of the entire repertoire of major immunogenic surface proteins accessible to antibody binding. Immunoblotting demonstrated that the high-molecular-weight proteins responsible for trichomonal isolate heterogeneity are present in all isolates. The data suggest that trichomonads of a given isolate express only a subset of internally synthesized protein antigens on their surface. Importantly, the presence of these protein antigens on T. vaginalis membranes correlated with antibody production in subcutaneously challenged mice. Finally, indirect immunofluorescence studies with highly reactive, pooled sera from either patients or mice revealed a subpopulation of nonstaining trichomonads. These data support the view that heterogeneity among T. vaginalis is dependent upon the surface disposition of highly immunogenic protein antigens. Strategies may now be developed not only for studying potential vaccine reagents, but also for examining possible antigenic phenotypic variations in this experimental model.

Agglutination↗
PubMed1985

Psychological impairment in alcoholics.

A minority of alcoholics will show obvious evidence of dementia but the majority will appear clinically intact. Despite the fact that almost 50% of those 'intact' alcoholics will be found to have structural brain damage, on routine tests of intelligence they will fall in the normal range. More detailed psychometric testing will however reveal deficits in non-verbal abstracting ability, tactile performance and psychomotor speed with a perceptual component. Neither consumption variables nor the extent of structural brain damage are closely related to the degree of impairment. Age and premorbid intelligence are however so related. Much of the impairment is recoverable with time but visuo-spatial abilities and abstract problem solving may remain impaired for a year or two and some aspects of long-term memorising may be permanently impaired. In general, older alcoholics show less capacity for recovery. The possibility that brain damage and cognitive impairment may antedate the alcoholism is considered as is the possibility that alcohol may be particularly damaging to the ageing brain. The relevance of pathophysiological disturbances and nutritional deficiency is also considered. Evidence is now accumulating that cognitive defect is an important predictor of outcome following treatment. In the management of states of impairment attention should be paid to remedying nutritional deficiencies and the general principles of rehabilitation should be borne in mind.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1982

The relationship of genital tract actinomycetes and the development of pelvic inflammatory disease.

As a corollary to a case-control study evaluating the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) among users of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD), Papanicolaou smears were studied to detect the presence of actinomycetes. Forty-six PID case patients and 108 control patients were included in the corollary study. The presence of actinomycetes was noted only among current or past wearers of an IUD. Women with actinomycetes present on Papanicolaou smear had a 3.6-fold risk of hospitalization for PID, as compared to women without actinomycetes. This trend persisted when only IUD users were evaluated. Of patients with PID who had actinomycetes noted on the Papanicolaou smear, 87 1/2% had a tuboovarian abscess, compared to 28.9% of patients without actinomycetes. In addition, patients with actinomycetes present had PID treated surgically more frequently.

Abscess↗
PubMed1982

A survey of the anemia status of preschool age children and pregnant and lactating women in Jamaica.

An island-wide anemia survey was conducted in Jamaica on pregnant and lactating women and preschool age children. The results indicate that anemia is a serious public health problem in Jamaica. Of pregnant women, 61.6% had Hb levels below 11.0 g/dl. Of lactating women 58.7% had Hb levels below 12.0 g/dl. Of preschool age children 69.1% had Hb levels below 11.0 g/dl. Public health and fortification programs for the control of anemia have been implemented by the government and are currently being reviewed.

Anemia↗
PubMed1982

Premature rupture of membranes and spontaneous preterm labor: maternal endometritis risks.

Preterm and term deliveries were analyzed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital from January 1, 1976, through December 31, 1977, to determine maternal infection risks associated with premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). Gravidas who delivered preterm infants demonstrated an increased incidence of endometritis with or without PROM. The risk of endometritis attributable solely to PROM was insignificant compared with the risk attributable to preterm delivery. These findings implicate infection in the mechanism of preterm labor, with or without PROM.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1977

Benign postoperative jaundice complicating severe trauma.

Five patients are described in whom deep jaundice developed following severe trauma. Only two of the patients showed acute renal failure. All showed the adult respiratory distress syndrome. The livers at autopsy were enlarged and showed centrilobular congestion and cholestases. This syndrome, which is closely analogous, to that described as "benign postoperative jaundice", is more closely associated with the hypoxic hypoxia of acute respiratory failure than with the stagnant hypoxia of acute circulatory failure. It is accentuated by transfusion, and often by disseminated intra-vascular coagulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Mesoridazine and human sleep.

1 Mesoridazine, a phenothiazine of short half-life, and potentially useful as an hypnotic, has here been investigated using volunteers of late middle age. 2 The electrophsiological recording of all-night sleep was studied in seven subjects for a 7-week period during which ther received mesoridazine (10 mg nightly) for 3 weeks. The drug reduced the frequency of transitions into wakefulness and stage 1 (drowsiness) and reduced the time spent in stage 1; there was a withdrawal rebound. Mesoridazine increased REM sleep above baseline levels and a rebound fall below baseline occurred on withdrawal. The drug did not alter the amount of stage 3 + 4 slow wave sleep. 3 Subjective self-ratings were assessed in a 6-week study of sixteen subjects. Sleep quality improved on mesoridazine (10 mg nightly) but there was diminution of zest and freshness 20 min after rising. Daytime concentration and anxiety were rated as not affected either by administration or withdrawal.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Recruitment of problem drinkers.

As the first phase of a project designed to institute controlled drinking as a therapeutic goal for alcoholics, it was decied to recruit volunteers who were dissatisfied with their present mode of drinking but who had not previously sought help. This was done by requesting them to phone a private number. When these volunteers had been recruited it was proposed to modify their drinking habits to their own requirements, using non-averse training, drinking practice and ongoing group psychotherapy. This project however has not been implemented because of paucity of volunteers. The methods of recruitement are listed and those drinkers who volunteered are described. The reasons for the low rate of response are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Does anaemia increase the risks to the fetus caused by smoking in pregnancy?

A significantly greater rise in carboxyhaemoglobin concentration in response to smoking a single cigarette was shown in pregnant (3-9% increase) as opposed to non-pregnant (2-1% increase) women. This was more pronounced when anaemia was present (5-0% increase) and appeared to be inversely related to the haemoglobin concentration. We suggest that the risks to the fetus may be particularly increased when anaemia complicates pregnancy in women who smoke cigarettes.

Anemia↗
PubMed1972

A new humidifier.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed1971

Continuous monitoring of ambulatory patients with coronary disease.

Continuous monitoring of ambulatory patients has been of great value in the evaluation of paroxysmal rapid arrhythmias and of conduction disturbances as well as in the objective assessment of their therapy. This applies to both pharmacological and electrical treatment. However, it should be stressed that disorders of rhythm in general should be analyzed not only from the electrical point of view, but in the light of the clinical situation in which they occur. Although ST-T wave changes should not be used for diagnostic purposes the correlation of ischemic or injury patterns with the clinical findings has enhanced our knowledge of the natural history and therapy of ischemic heart disease. Technical requirements include proper electrode placement and stability as well as adequate selection of the monitoring lead system according to the needs. The tapes should be interpreted by a well trained individual with a thorough understanding of the potential sources of artefactual contours and of cardiac arrhythmias in general.

Ambulatory Care↗