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Biomedical subjects

R Shepherd

Publications and source records attributed to R Shepherd.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Modulation of the toxicity and antitumour activity of alkylating drugs by steroids.

The steroids prednisolone and progesterone significantly altered the therapeutic indices of the alkylating agents, nitrogen mustard, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, phenyl acetic mustard and chlorambucil. For nitrogen mustard, chlorambucil and phenyl acetic mustard, prednisolone reduced host toxicity in the rat and enhanced the antitumour effectiveness against alkylating-agent-resistant strains of the Yoshida sarcoma and Walker carcinosarcoma. Progesterone also increased the therapeutic index of chlorambucil in the rat by decreasing its systemic toxicity. Two other alkylating agents, melphalan and cyclophosphamide, exhibited lower therapeutic indices in combination with prednisolone against alkylating-agent-sensitive tumours. This was due to the greater host toxicity of the combination than of the alkylating agent alone. In alkylating-agent-resistant tumours, however, a significant increase in growth delay was achieved if prednisolone was combined with the alkylating agent.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed1982

EEG correlates of hemisphere differences during a rapid calculation task.

Twenty male subjects performed a continuous task involving response to digit sets. The subject was required to respond to sets containing only odd numbers, and whose sum was greater than or equal to 20. Abundance of both left and right hemisphere EEG was inversely related to the number of odd digits in a set, showing accumulation of cortical arousal in response to cue value. This effect was stronger for the left hemisphere in some of the frequency bands. Reaction time correlated with EEg parameters for the left hemisphere only. This study overcomes many of the methodological flaws of earlier work. Differences obtained between hemispheres are thought to reflect both the exertion of mental effort in general and rapid calculation in particular.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Association of HLA and renal cell carcinoma.

HLA-A,B,C, and DR antigen frequencies were studied in a patient population with a history of renal cell carcinoma. HLA-DR5 was found in 54% of patients, which is significantly elevated over control values (20%; p less than .01). On the other hand, HLA-A,B, and C locus antigen frequencies were not abnormal compared to controls.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1980

Improved growth and clinical, nutritional, and respiratory changes in response to nutritional therapy in cystic fibrosis.

To investigate the role of nutritional factors in growth and in the clinical, nurtitional, and respiratory status in cystic fibrosis, we studied 12 problem CF patients from six months before to six months after a period of supplemental parenteral nutrition. During the initial six months' observation period on appropriate conventional therapy, the patients (aged 0.5 to 11 years) had inadequate growth and weight gain, a total of 21 active pulmonary infections, and, despite dietary supplements, inadequate ad libitum nutrient intakes. After nutritional therapy, providing a balanced consistent hypercaloric intake for 21 days, catch-up weight gain occurred by one month and continued at six months; catch-up in linear growth was observed by three months and continued at six months. In addition, significantly fewer pulmonary infections were observed in the six months' post-therapy (n = 3), sustained and significant improvements were noted in clinical score and plumonary function, and there was a marked improvement in well-being and ad libitum nutrient intake. We conclude that adequate nutritional support can favorably affect growth, clinical status, and the course of chronic pulmonary disease in problem cases of CF.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1980

An investigation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus in Victoria, Australia.

Sera from 823 wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) collected from a number of geographic regions of Victoria, Australia over the past eight years were examined for antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi, along with sera from 46 hares (Lepus europaeus) (Pallas) and 57 New Zealand wild rabbits. No sera were positive, implying that this common laboratory rabbit parasite is absent from wild rabbits in these areas. However, wild rabbits were found to be readily infected by the oral route with small numbers of tissue-culture-grown spores of E. cuniculi. A possible explanation for the absence of encephalitozoonosis in wild rabbits is that E. cuniculi infection places them at a biological disadvantage for survival. The natural hygiene habit of wild rabbits may also significantly decrease post-natal infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Criteria for the selection of second-generation platinum compounds.

Our selection of a potential second-generation platinum compound began with an initial short list of 8 compounds selected on the basis of antitumour and toxicity studies in mice. We now report further, more detailed investigations of the renal toxicity and antitumour activity of one of these compounds, cis-dichloro trans-dihydroxy bis isopropylamine platinum (IV) (CHIP), in comparison with cis-dichloro diammine platinum (II) (Neoplatin). CHIP was a more effective anti-tumour agent against both alkylating-agent sensitive and resistant strains of the Yoshida sarcoma (YSS and YSR respectively) than was Neoplatin. In addition CHIP produced negligible kidney toxicity as measured by blood urea levels. We have also compared the effects of these two drugs on nuclear-protein phosphorylation, in an attempt to gain insight into their molecular mode of action. Both Neoplatin and CHIP induced increased nuclear-protein phosphorylation in the YSS tumour cells, and loss of condensed chromatin. However, CHIP also induced increased nuclear-protein phosphorylation and loss of condensed chromatin in the YSR tumour cells. These changes correlated well with cell death. In addition Neoplatin, but not CHIP, treatment caused increased nuclear-protein phosphorylation in kidney tissues. This correlated with kidney damage as measured by blood urea levels. These selection criteria suggested that CHIP would be a more selective antitumour agent than Neoplatin, and will provide a basis for its comparison with the other 7 compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Successful pregnancy in a 44-year-old haemodialysis patient.

A 44-year-old patient had been treated by intermittent haemodialysis for almost three years when she presented with a 28-week pregnancy. Successful delivery of a healthy but small infant was achieved by Caesarean section at 36 weeks. The successful outcome of this pregnancy was attributed to close control of the haemoglobin concentration and blood chemistry, and to increased frequency of dialysis. The relative value of various chemical tests of fetal maturity in the presence of maternal renal failure are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Protracted diarrhoea in infancy. Analysis of 82 cases with particular reference to diagnosis and management.

Eighty-two cases of protracted diarrhoea in infancy presenting over a 6-year period have been analysed, with particular reference to diagnosis and management. The patients fell into 1 of 2 categories according to whether a specific diagnosis was established or not. A diagnosis (category 1) was established in 59 (72%), the commonest diagnoses being coeliac disease (33-2%), secondary disaccharide intolerance (12-2%), and cows' milk protein intolerance (12-3%). Other diagnoses included primary sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, Shwachman's syndrome, ulcerative colitis, ganglioneuroma, defective opsonization, staphylococcal pneumonia, and Hirschsprung's disease. Despite intensive investigation in diagnosis could not be established in 23 (28%) infants (category 2). Age of onset of symptoms in this group tended to be earlier than in category 1 patients, and 6 (7%) presented with diarrhoea dating from birth. Of particular interest in these 6 patients was the high incidence of associated extraintestinal anomalies, and of sibs who had died after protracted diarrhoea dating from birth. 4 of these 6 infants died, accounting for a mortality of 5% for the whole series. The remaining 17 (21%) patients in category 2 presented at a mean age of 4-9 weeks with a range of 1-18 weeks. All these 17 patients made an excellent response after institution of a chicken-based dietary formula, the details of which are presented. The pathophysiological mechanisms which may be operating in infants with protracted diarrhoea are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Clinical comparison between glucose and sucrose additions to a basic electrolyte mixture in the outpatient management of acute gastroenteritis in children.

In a double-blind trial in 94 children attending outpatients the value of glucose or a sucrose addition to a basic electrolyte mixture for the management of acute gastroenteritis was compared. Of the children treated with added sucrose 10% failed to respond compared with 27% of those treated with added glucose. This difference was significant (P=0-05), but the time to recovery in those in the two groups who responded to treatment was not significantly different. Thus, despite theoretical advantages, there was no practical advantage in using glucose rather than sucrose. A 5% sucrose electrolyte solution with its relatively low osmolality, ready availability, and ease of preparation is recommended as the treatment of choice in the outpatient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Wilson's disease in an Australian aborigine.

Wilson's disease is due to a genetically determined defect inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Most reported cases have been caucasoid. This report describes a case of Wilson's disease in an Australian Aboriginal girl, only the second such case reported.

Child↗