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Biomedical subjects

R F Hinchliffe

Publications and source records attributed to R F Hinchliffe.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Factor VIII inhibitor assay using skin puncture blood samples.

A method was developed for the measurement of factor VIII inhibitors by the Bethesda technique using small volumes of skin puncture blood. Human and porcine inhibitor concentrations on paired venous and skin puncture samples measured on 10 occasions were highly correlated, with no significant difference between them. Assays on four inhibitor negative haemophiliac patients were also negative by the skin puncture method. Sample dilution at the collection stage results in loss of sensitivity to inhibitor concentrations below 1 unit/ml, but the technique will be of value in monitoring higher concentrations when venous access is difficult and must be saved for parenteral treatment.

Animals↗

Effect of storage on blood count variables in small samples.

The effects on haematological variables of mail transport, and storage at room temperature and 4 degrees C over a period of 72 h, were observed on 186 'micro' samples of venous and skin puncture blood. White cell, red cell, haemoglobin, MCH and platelet values were sufficiently stable for clinical purposes, but haematocrit, MCV and MCHC values were unstable in samples stored at room temperature. These findings indicate that for the most important haematological variables stored or mailed 'micro' samples are neither more nor less reliable than larger volumes of venous blood, despite the potential for evaporation and over-anticoagulation with small samples.

Blood Cell Count↗

Changing pattern of admissions and operations for duodenal ulcer.

The admission rates for duodenal ulcer (DU) and the effect of H2-receptor antagonists (H2RA), introduced in the Trent Region of the UK in 1977, were examined. The admission rates are expressed per 10(6) of resident population. The use of H2RA has risen 3.7-fold (from 1978 to 1983), yet overall admission rates for perforation have changed little: 99 in 1972-76 (pre-H2RA period) compared with 103 in 1977-84 (H2RA period). Admission rates for haemorrhage have risen by 8 per cent, from 130 to 140 (P less than 0.01). However, the overall rates conceal large increases (P less than 0.01) in the admission rates for those aged greater than or equal to 65 years, of 33 per cent (from 264 to 352) for perforation and of 28 per cent (from 381 to 489) for haemorrhage. Emergency admissions for uncomplicated DU were unchanged: 88 in 1972-76 and 89 in 1977-84. However, the proportions operated on fell by 58 per cent (P less than 0.01), from 30 per cent of admissions in the pre-H2RA period compared with only 12 per cent in the H2RA period. Waiting-list admissions for uncomplicated DU fell by 43 per cent, from 187 to 106 (P less than 0.01), and the proportions operated on fell from 162 to 76; the combined effect resulted in a reduction of 53 per cent in the operation rates (P less than 0.01). In Rotherham, the use of H2RA has risen 6.2-fold (from 1978 to 1983) and they were generally used intermittently in 1976-78 and later for maintenance therapy and high-dose treatment. Yet admissions for perforation and for haemorrhage were unchanged. Emergency admissions for uncomplicated DU rose by 40 per cent, from 130 in 1972-75 to 182 in 1976-84, but the proportions operated on fell markedly, from 20 to 6 per cent (P less than 0.01); waiting-list admissions fell in 1976-78 by 29 per cent and in 1979-84 by 73 per cent. The proportions operated on in the three periods fell from 74 to 53 per cent and 25 per cent respectively and these two factors led to decreases in elective surgery of 50 per cent in 1976-78 and 91 per cent in 1979-84 (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

A comparison of low-dose maintenance treatment with enprostil against ranitidine in the prevention of duodenal ulcer recurrence.

Enprostil, a prostaglandin E2 analogue, is effective in healing acute duodenal ulcer but its value in preventing recurrence, when given daily for maintenance therapy, is uncertain. In this three-centre study we compared enprostil and ranitidine maintenance therapy; the latter is known to reduce duodenal ulcer relapse rates. Patients whose duodenal ulcers had been healed by treatment with an H2-receptor antagonist were randomized to receive single-blind treatment with either 35 micrograms enprostil (n = 64) or 150 mg ranitidine (n = 64) at bedtime for periods of up to 1 year. Endoscopy was routinely performed at 3 months at one centre, and at 6 and 12 months at all three centres, or whenever ulcer symptoms recurred. Clinical assessment and laboratory investigations were performed every 3 months. Relapse, defined as recurrent ulcer with or without pain, or erosions with pain, was significantly greater in patients on enprostil, the comparative rates at 3, 6 and 12 months were: enprostil 23, 31 and 36% ranitidine 6, 12 and 17% (P = 0.013; P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively). Thirty-one patients reported adverse events, the most common being headache (enprostil = 6, ranitidine = 2) and mild diarrhoea (enprostil = 6, ranitidine = 0). Four patients on enprostil were withdrawn for adverse events, although none terminated because of diarrhoea. There were no clinically significant changes in haematology or biochemistry. Enprostil may reduce duodenal ulcer relapse but at a dose of 35 micrograms nightly, it is less effective than 150 mg ranitidine nightly.

Adult↗

Pre-B and 'common' lymphoblastic leukaemia of childhood compared.

Consecutive children suffering from pre-B lymphoblastic leukaemia (pre-B ALL) were compared with those who had 'common' ALL (C-ALL) to assess any clinical and pathological differences between the two groups. Over 101 months 27 pre-B children were seen-an incidence in the population served of around 0.8/100,000 per year. There was some time-clustering and 12 of the 27 presented in one year (1987). The 51 patients with C-ALL who presented for comparison were distributed more evenly over the study period. Pre-B children had more basophilic blast cells with less periodic acid-Schiff positivity. They had higher presenting white cell counts and serum concentrations of lactic dehydrogenase; two variables which were correlated with each other. There was a trend towards pre-B children being younger and fewer had hyperdiploid blasts, but these differences were not statistically significant. No difference from 'common' ALL in response to therapy was apparent for the pre-B patients at a median follow up time of 17 months--too short a period for any conclusion to be drawn. Other than immunophenotype, pre-B ALL has no pathognomonic features, but there are differences from C-ALL in the distribution of some disease characteristics known to be associated with a worse prognosis.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗

A comparison of enprostil and ranitidine in treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Enprostil is a new synthetic prostaglandin E2 with antisecretory and mucosal-protective effects. We compared it with ranitidine in the healing of duodenal ulcer and also examined the subsequent relapse rate. Three hundred thirteen patients were recruited in 15 centers in Europe, of whom 158 were treated with enprostil (E) 35 micrograms twice daily and 155 with ranitidine (R) 150 mg twice daily for up to 6 weeks, using a double-blind method. Patients in both groups were of comparable demography. Healing was significantly quicker with ranitidine. Of patients randomized to treatment, healing (intention-to-treat analysis) at 4 weeks was E 47% and R 69%, and at 6 weeks it was E 66% and R 88%. In patients who met all protocol criteria and completed treatment, healing at 4 weeks was E 58% and R 80%, and at 6 weeks it was E 81% and R 92%. Early relief of pain, both during the day and at night, was significantly quicker with ranitidine. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain occurred more often with enprostil. There were no clinically important abnormalities in hematology or biochemistry. Relapse rates were similar. In conclusion, enprostil is not as effective as ranitidine in healing duodenal ulcers.

Adolescent↗

Venous and skin puncture blood counts compared.

Venous and skin puncture blood counts were compared in 80 paired samples from 33 children, aged 6 months to 14 years, and 10 adults. Significantly higher mean values for Hb, RBC, haematocrit and neutrophils were found in skin puncture blood in children whereas platelet values were slightly higher in venous blood. Similar results were found in adult samples. Only occasionally were differences likely to be of clinical importance. The excellent comparability of paired platelet counts, at variance to that found in some previous studies, indicates that skin puncture blood can be used for platelet estimation providing an appropriate counting method is used.

Adult↗

Combined anti-muscarinic and H2 receptor blockade in the healing of refractory duodenal ulcer. A double blind study.

The purpose of this study was to determine if pirenzepine and cimetidine given together was superior to cimetidine alone in inducing healing of refractory duodenal ulcers which remained unhealed after treatment with cimetidine or ranitidine for at least eight weeks. One hundred and thirty one patients from six centres were randomised to receive either cimetidine (C) 800 mg daily or cimetidine 800 mg plus pirenzepine (C + P) 100 mg daily under double blind conditions for six weeks. The healing rate was similar in both groups, irrespective of the method of calculation. On an intent-to-treat analysis, healing was: C 66%, C + P 57%, and amongst the patients who completed treatment, healing was 70% in both groups. Patients on C and on C + P experienced a similar decrease in daytime and in night time pain. Side effects of treatment, notably dry mouth and blurred vision, were reported more often by patients on combination therapy. Combined treatment with cimetidine plus pirenzepine in patients with refractory duodenal ulcer is unlikely to be beneficial.

Adult↗

A comparison of two different doses of omeprazole versus ranitidine in treatment of duodenal ulcers.

In a study involving three centers, 105 patients with duodenal ulcer proven by endoscopy were randomly assigned to treatment with either the H+, K+, ATPase inhibitor omeprazole (20 mg or 40 mg taken as a single morning dose), or ranitidine (150 mg morning and night). It was a double-blind study using a double-dummy technique. Clinical assessment and laboratory investigations were carried out at 2, 4, and 8 weeks; endoscopy was done at 2 weeks, and if not healed, at 4 and 8 weeks. The patients in the three treatment groups were well matched. Significantly more patients treated with omeprazole healed compared with ranitidine at 2 weeks (p = 0.007) and at 4 weeks (p = 0.007), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two omeprazole groups. Pain was of similar severity at the start in all groups, but patients treated with omeprazole had fewer days with pain (median values being omeprazole 20 mg: 2 days; omeprazole 40 mg: 1 day; ranitidine: 7 days). The difference between the combined omeprazole groups and ranitidine was significant (p less than 0.02). There was also a tendency towards less severe daytime pain on omeprazole during the first week. The difference was statistically significant between omeprazole (40 mg) and ranitidine for days 2-7 (p less than 0.01). No change in laboratory screen attributable to drug treatment occurred. After healing, 79 patients entered a 6-month follow-up study with endoscopy at 3 and 6 months or whenever symptoms occurred. After 6 months relapses occurred in 14/24, 19/23, and 15/25 after 20 mg omeprazole, 40 mg omeprazole, and ranitidine, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Low dose maintenance treatment with cimetidine in duodenal ulcer: intermediate-term results.

Ulcer relapse rates during up to 2 years of prophylactic low-dose maintenance therapy (LDMT) with cimetidine 400 mg at bedtime was examined in 261 patients. Endoscopy was repeated every 6 months if asymptomatic, or whenever symptoms recurred. Relapse was defined as the recurrence of an ulcer crater or erosions or both. In patients with non-refractory duodenal ulcer (those healed within 3 months) who comprise the majority, their likelihood of relapse at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months was: symptomatic 8%, 13%, 18%, 20%; silent 14%, 28%, 38%, 43%, respectively. In contrast, in patients with refractory ulcer, their symptomatic relapse rates were 36%, 45%, 46%, 48%, and silent 28%, 38%, 46%, 48% respectively. The outcome of a second course of LDMT was similar to the first. Narrowing the definition of relapse to exclude recurrence of erosions alone but without an ulcer decreased asymptomatic relapse in non-refractory ulcer patients by about half. No patient had any major side effects. Thus, LDMT is a safe and effective way of keeping most patients with duodenal ulcer symptom free over 2 years.

Cimetidine↗

An evaluation of the Sequoia-Turner Cell Dyn 900.

A formal evaluation of the Sequoia-Turner Cell Dyn 900, a compact eight-parameter semi-automated blood cell counter, was carried out in a small paediatric haematology laboratory. The instrument's precision, linearity and carry-over were adequate. Comparison with a Coulter ZF6 system plus visual platelet count showed good agreement, and results in the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme also compared well with 'all methods' values. Throughput was assessed at 54 eight-parameter counts per hour. The machine proved to be reasonably economical, highly reliable and easy to operate. It was popular with staff and can be recommended, particularly for the smaller laboratory.

Autoanalysis↗

Haemophilia and T lymphocyte subsets.

Number of circulating lymphocytes and T cell subsets were assessed in 13 boys with severe haemophilia and 12 age matched controls. There was no significant difference between the two groups. This conflicts with previous findings in adults where lymphopenia and changes in T cell subpopulations have been found frequently.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Use of the Hemalog D automated leucocyte differential counter in the diagnosis and therapy of leukaemia.

Of 46 adult patients with active leukaemia whose white cells were examined using a Hemalog D automated differential leucocyte counter, 45 showed abnormalities indicative of their disease, and the odd one out would not have been missed due to associated thrombocytopenia. Sequential studies while on chemotherapy allowed rapid and accurate neutrophil counts to be performed even in the presence of profound leucopenia and the re-emergence of blast cells in some cases was detected 2--3 weeks earlier than by microscopy. These findings indicate that the Hemalog D is reliable in the detection and can be useful in the follow-up of patients with leukaemia.

Adult↗

Usefulness of red cell zinc protoporphyrin concentration in the investigation of microcytosis in children.

The clinical usefulness of the measurement of red cell zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), an indicator of iron-deficient erythropoiesis, was assessed in a group of UK children undergoing investigation for red cell microcytosis. Of 213 children studied, 136 had increased ZPP values. Of these, 86 also had reduced iron stores as indicated by serum ferritin concentration. The 50 children with increased ZPP and normal ferritin values could be divided into two main groups. One group comprised 28 children who had evidence of coexistent infection or inflammatory disease. The other included 21 children who had beta-thalassemia trait (n = 19) or disease (n = 2). Among the 77 children with normal ZPP values, 22 had reduced serum ferritin concentrations and 45 did not, nor did they have evidence of beta-thalassemia. Microcytosis in some of these children could have been due to alpha-thalassemia trait. Measurement of ZPP is a simple, quick, and relatively cheap method of confirming the presence of iron-deficient erythropoiesis even when inflammation makes serum ferritin measurements unreliable. It is not as sensitive as the ferritin assay to the early stages of iron deficiency, and its specificity is reduced by the occurrence of raised values in most children with beta-thalassemia trait. Where there is microcytosis, normal values, together with normal hemoglobin A2 and serum ferritin concentrations, are likely to indicate alpha-thalassemia trait.

Adolescent↗