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Biomedical subjects

P Hatfield

Publications and source records attributed to P Hatfield.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Radiation-induced cell death and dendritic cells: potential for cancer immunotherapy?

Dendritic cells are key orchestrators of the immune system. There is considerable interest in their use for treating cancer. Whether they initiate an effective cytotoxic response against antigen-bearing cells, or produce tolerance, depends on the context in which those antigens are presented. Ionising radiation, and the cell death it causes, has several properties that may facilitate such an effective response. A range of in-vitro and in-vivo data supports this, although potential problems exist that may require concurrent strategies.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

On-site field sampling and analysis of fragrance from living lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) flowers by solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography and ion-trap mass spectrometry.

Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry has been applied as a simple alternative method for the analysis of essential oil directly from lavender intact flowering spikes and genuine oils. All recognised major oil constituents were detected by this procedure, with results comparable to those given by a conventional method (organic solvent extraction). Distinctive chromatographic profiles were found for various species.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

An analysis of the hypertension journals.

There are now at least nine medical journals which are exclusively related to the topic of hypertension, of which two started publication in 1992. We have conducted an analysis of the impact of these journals in the published body of medical research into hypertension as well as the reports published in 1993 by the hypertension management 'guidelines' committees in the UK, USA, New Zealand, Canada and the WHO. Finally an analysis was conducted of the contents of the four established hypertension journals (Hypertension, Journal of Hypertension, Journal of Human Hypertension and American Journal of Hypertension) in 1992 in relation to the country of origin of the papers and the topics covered. Only 19% of all the hypertension papers listed in Index Medicus in 1992 were from the four established journals and only 12.6% of papers quoted in the 'guidelines' reports were from these journals. Most papers, and particularly the important ones, tend to be published in the weekly or monthly general medical journals. In the contents of the four journals, Hypertension and Journal of Hypertension tended to take more papers devoted to basic science than the Journal of Human Hypertension and American Journal of Hypertension which favoured more clinically relevant papers. American papers tended to go to American journals while European and Japanese papers appeared in all journals, although the Japanese bias towards basic science meant that their contributions also appeared in the two basic science orientated journals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bibliometrics↗

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in patients receiving renal replacement therapy, and in the staff caring for them.

Two hundred and forty-three patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) and 20 renal unit staff were tested for antibodies to hepatitis C (HCV). Three patients (1.2%) were positive by the first generation test kit, the lowest rate in patients receiving RRT reported in the literature to date. These three, and eight other patients tested positive by the second generation kit, a prevalence rate of 4.5%. Anti-HCV antibody positivity was associated with higher mean serum alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.0003) and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.018) levels. However, only one of the 11 anti-HCV positive patients had liver transaminase levels more than twice the upper limit of the laboratory reference range. Anti-HCV positivity was associated with a higher mean number of units of blood transfused (p = 0.035). None of 20 staff were anti-HCV positive. Twenty-five of 212 (11.7%) patients reported a history of liver disease; none of these were anti-HCV positive. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in eight of 215 (3.7%) patients, of which three were e antigen positive. There was evidence of past hepatitis B infection in 53 of 215 (24.7%) patients, more frequently in Maoris (p = 0.001). Overall, significantly raised liver transaminases were present in three of 198 (1.5%) patients and in no staff. This unit has a remarkably low prevalence of antibodies to HCV, an observation supported by the low rate of abnormal serum liver enzymes.

Adolescent↗

A soluble immunosuppressive activity induced by murine cytomegalovirus infection of mouse embryo fibroblasts.

Murine cytomegalovirus infection of mouse embryo fibroblast cultures resulted in the production of a soluble activity which inhibited spontaneous and mitogen induced proliferation of fresh spleen cultures. The production of this soluble immunosuppressive activity by mouse fibroblasts was not inhibited by indomethacin nor could its activity be mimicked by alpha, beta or gamma interferons.

Animals↗

Kidney donation.

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Health Resources↗

Hyperuricaemia, gout and kidney function in New Zealand Maori men.

Several previous studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of gout in New Zealand Maoris. The aetiology of the hyperuricaemia and its effect on morbidity, apart from gout, are unknown. A survey of 115 Maori men of working age revealed a history of gout in 10 (8%) and asymptomatic hyperuricaemia in 26 (23%). The relationship of hyperuricaemia with obesity was confirmed. Alcohol did not make an obvious contribution to the prevalence of hyperuricaemia. Hypertension was more common and creatinine clearance lower amongst those with gout, but not significantly so. The frequency of hypertension and mean creatinine clearance were similar to that seen in asymptomatic hyperuricaemia and normouricaemia. Urate clearance was lower in the gouty and hyperuricaemic subjects. The normouricaemic Maoris had a reduced fractional urate clearance compared with normal men elsewhere. They also excreted a relatively small proportion of hydrogen as ammonium. Both these features are characteristic of gout, and suggest that the Maoris' susceptibility to hyperuricaemia has a renal mechanism. Obesity is common amongst the Maoris and accentuates their natural tendency to hyperuricaemia.

Adult↗

Experimental crystal nephropathy (one year study in the pig).

An acute crystal nephropathy was produced in pigs by feeding a mixture of guanine and allopurinol. The pathogenesis of the lesion produced was studied by serial histology and renal function tests over 12 months. Tubular blockage by the crystals produced erosion of the basement membrane and an accompanying interstitial nephritis. Tubular degeneration around the crystal mass transferred the crystals to the interstitium. Despite rapid subsequent disappearance of these crystals the interstitial nephritis was still evident nine months later. An early return of renal function to near normal was not sustained beyond nine months. It was shown that even brief periods of intratubular crystal deposition caused irreversible changes, resulting eventually in a reduction in kidney size, nephron population and renal function.

Allopurinol↗