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Biomedical subjects

P Luce

Publications and source records attributed to P Luce.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Retrospective evaluation of cardio-pulmonary fibrotic side effects in symptomatic patients from a group of 234 Parkinson's disease patients treated with cabergoline.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac valvulopathy has been recently associated with the use of the ergot dopamine agonist (EDA) pergolide in Parkinson's disease (PD). Cabergoline a widely used, well-tolerated EDA which has also been recently implicated in relation to fibrotic side effects although the evidence base for this is not sound. AIMS: In PD patients on chronic cabergoline therapy, do symptoms suggestive of serosal/cardiac fibrosis imply underlying fibrotic lesions? METHODS: A retrospective data review of 234 PD cases from three UK centres, on chronic cabergoline monotherapy or adjunctive treatment to identify symptoms suggestive of pleuro-pulmonary, cardiac or retroperitoneal fibrosis. These causes were thereafter selectively examined by appropriate specialists with relevant investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Out of 234 cases, 15 were identified with symptoms suggestive of respiratory, cardiac or abdominal systems involvement although subsequent investigations failed to reveal definite association with cabergoline except two cases with probable alveolitis and a possible association with cardiac murmur in one case. In spite of the deficiencies of a retrospective study, the results suggest a low risk of fibrotic side effects with cabergoline, particularly cardiac valvulopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Venous tone and repeated +Gz accelerations.

The purpose of the present work was to study in vivo in rat the consequences of repeated exposures to sustained +Gz centrifugations on the venous pressure and on the venous tone, that one evaluated by measuring the equilibrium pressure of all vessels in the circulation when the flow is null or MCFP (mean circulatory filling pressure).

Acceleration↗
PubMed1998

The venous tone is not altered after three-week tail suspension in rats.

Cardiovascular deconditioning observed in humans during spaceflight has been suggested to be related in part to changes in venous compliance, mechanisms including skeletal muscle deconditioning. However, increased venous compliance was observed during very short term simulations (24 to 48 hours), and during an over 28-day simulation the hyperdistensibility tended to decrease whereas the muscular changes were still present (2). In the first case, muscular changes can not explain the venous alterations because of the short delay. In the second case, the relationship between muscular and venous alterations disappeared. Finally, it is suggested that factors other than muscular ones could explain the changes in venous compliance observed during spaceflights. The fact that orthostatic hypotension has never been observed after hindlimb suspension in the rat raises issue with the use of tail-suspended rats as a valid model for the study of the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular deconditioning induced by spaceflight in humans. However, in vitro altered responsiveness of the vena cava to norepinephrine were observed in rat after spaceflight and tail suspension. The purpose of the experiments was to verify if any change occurs in venous tone measured in vivo in rats after three-week tail suspension.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Overview of National Cancer Institute networks for cancer control research in Native American populations.

BACKGROUND: The National Cancer Institute established two Native American cancer control research networks. These networks were created to develop and promote a cadre of cancer prevention and control scientists to conduct culturally sensitive research among Native American populations (i.e., American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and American Samoan). The primary objective of these research efforts is to reduce morbidity and mortality from cancer. Toward reaching this objective, the networks have (1) conducted research, (2) affiliated with or stimulated other groups to conduct research, or (3) facilitated research by encouraging the training of new researchers of Native American origin to promote prevention and early detection as well as state-of-the-art treatment among their people. METHODS: The networks are organized and financially supported by the NCI. Members of the network have established working committees that follow up on tasks identified during the meetings. RESULTS: Accomplishments of these networks have been recorded between 1990 and 1996. Two strategic plans for cancer control research among American Indians and Alaska Natives have been drafted and disseminated. One of the plans was designed for federal agencies and the other for state health departments. The networks have conducted three national surveys regarding native peoples' access to cancer prevention and control services and conducted two national Native American cancer conferences. The Native Hawaiian/American Samoan Task Force was established in 1992 due to the high incidence and mortality statistics for cancer in these populations. CONCLUSIONS: Through support mechanisms such as those implemented by the NCI, independent networks can be created to advocate actively for cancer prevention and control efforts within Native American communities, among nonnatives, and within professional organizations and governmental agencies.

American Samoa↗
PubMed1996

The efficacy and safety of inhaled salmeterol 50 microg bd in older patients with reversible airflow obstruction.

Twenty-eight patients aged 64-88 years with reversible airflow obstruction, showing a diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of over 15% or symptoms of airflow obstruction on 4 days of the last week of the run-in period, were entered into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to evaluate the efficacy of salmeterol 50 microg twice daily by metered-dose inhaler. Salmeterol or matching placebo were each given for 28 days. Mean morning PEFR was 258.71/min on slameterol and 242. 41/min on placebo (adjusted mean difference = 16.31/min; 95% CI = 7. 4, 25.21/min;p = 0.0011). Diurnal variation in PEFR was 7.31/min on salmeterol and 17.51/min on placebo (adjusted mean difference = 10. 31/min; 95% CI -2.0, 0.5 actuations/day; p = 0.0015). After 28 days of treatment the patients' assessment of efficacy was statistically significantly in favour of salmeterol (p = 0.05). Salmeterol was well tolerated as assessed by pulse, blood pressure, haematological and biochemical variables and number of adverse events. Salmeterol 50 microg bd is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for elderly patients with reversible airflow obstruction.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1991

Labeling of adipocyte membranes by sulfo-N-succinimidyl derivatives of long-chain fatty acids: inhibition of fatty acid transport.

Sulfo-N-succinimidyl derivatives of the long-chain fatty acids, oleic and myristic, were synthesized and covalently reacted with isolated rat adipocytes. The plasma membrane proteins labeled by these compounds and the effect of labeling on the transport of long-chain fatty acids were investigated. Sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate (SSO) and myristate (SSM) inhibited the transport of fatty acids (by about 70%). Inhibition of fatty acid transport was not a result of alterations in cell integrity, as intracellular water volume was not changed. It did not reflect effects on fatty acid metabolism, since it was observed under conditions where greater than 90% of the fatty acid taken up was recovered in the free form. The inhibitory effect was specific to the fatty acid transport system, as the transport of glucose and the permeation of retinoic acid, a substance with structural similarities to long-chain fatty acids, were unaffected. Sulfosuccinimidyl oleate reacted exclusively with a plasma membrane protein with an apparent size of 85 kDa while sulfosuccinimidyl myristate also labeled a 75-kDa protein. These proteins were among the ones labeled by diisothiocyanodisulfonic acid (DIDS) which also inhibits fatty acid transport irreversibly. The data suggest that the 85-kDa protein, which is the only one labeled by all three inhibitors is involved in facilitating membrane permeation of long-chain fatty acids.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗
PubMed1991

Oral diamorphine: lack of effect on dyspnoea and exercise tolerance in the "pink puffer" syndrome.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of diamorphine on breathlessness and exercise tolerance in patients with severe chronic airflow obstruction and normal arterial carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) levels ("pink puffer" syndrome). In this double-blind, cross-over, randomized study we examined both acute and chronic effects of single and multiple doses of oral diamorphine in 14 "pink puffer" patients. Their mean resting forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 36% predicted normal, mean arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) was 9.2 kPa and mean PaCO2 was 5.2 kPa. Ten patients took either diamorphine 2.5 or 5 mg or placebo elixir 6 hourly for 2 weeks, recording on a diary card dyspnoea, sleepiness and well-being on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The final treatment was given 30 min before measuring spirometry, arterial blood gases, plasma morphine levels, 6 min walking distances, time walked on treadmill and self-assessment of dyspnoea on a VAS scale after exercise. On two further days, eight patients took two doses, 4 h apart, of either diamorphine 7.5 mg or placebo elixir. Spirometry, 6 min walking distance with a VAS score for dyspnoea were measured before and at 1 h after each dose. Morphine levels and blood gases were also measured. Whether given in single or repeated doses, oral diamorphine had no significant effect on exercise tolerance and breathlessness when compared with placebo. Diamorphine 2.5-7.5 mg produced neither sleepiness nor a deterioration in blood gases. However, plasma levels associated with analgesic efficacy were not achieved with these doses. Thus, as given in this study, oral diamorphine is unlikely to have therapeutic potential in the treatment of dyspnoea in the "pink puffer" syndrome.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laudable pus - lardaceous kidneys.

Amyloidosis frequently affects the kidney leading to proteinuria and loss of function. In cases of AA (reactive/inflammatory) amyloidosis, it is sometimes possible to quench the stimulus to chronic inflammation and by so doing stop further elaboration and deposition of amyloid fibrils. We describe the case of a man with a long-standing empyema who developed nephrotic syndrome and renal impairment. The empyema was resected and shortly afterwards proteinuria disappeared and renal function improved. Strenuous efforts are mandatory to locate and definitively treat underlying inflammatory foci in AA amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis↗