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Biomedical subjects

S A Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to S A Murphy.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Contributions to the design and statistical analysis of in vivo SCE experiments.

Two issues that arise in the design and statistical analysis of in vivo SCE and similar experiments are considered. First, with regard to analysis, the merits of various methods of data transformation are explored in depth. The conclusion drawn is that common transformations of the type studied here seemingly offer little advantage in the assessment of whether a test agent induces SCE in a dose-related manner. Second, a proposal is made for a method to determine, subject to budgetary constraints, the desired numbers of animals/dose group and cells scored/animal. The approach advocated also lends itself to discussions weighing the gains and losses from possible reductions in the number of animals below the 'desired' levels.

Analysis of Variance

Validation of addictions nursing diagnoses in a sample of alcohol abstainers 1 year posttreatment.

This study examined the fit between 26 Addictions Nursing diagnoses and a sample of clients who had maintained abstinence from alcohol use for 1 year after inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse. Data were obtained from interview transcriptions of 26 successful abstainers. Investigator identification of diagnoses were validated by expert nurse clinicians. Although participants had been abstinent for a year, 73% of the sample showed defining characteristics of 17 of the 26 diagnoses. In addition, the raters identified 3 human responses for which no diagnoses exist, 8 diagnoses that do not have defining characteristics that fit the data, and 13 additional defining characteristics that could be added to the list.

Adult

Immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage simulating Goodpasture syndrome.

Two female children whose clinical presentations and renal light-microscopic findings were consistent with Goodpasture syndrome are described. Immunopathologic studies demonstrated granular deposition of immunoglobulins and complement, suggesting that the renal disease was mediated by circulating immune complexes and not by anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody. Anti-GBM antibody was absent in both patients. These patients represent the first report in children of idiopathic nephritis due to immune complexes with associated pulmonary hemorrhage. The findings raise some doubt as to the accuracy of previous reports of Goodpasture syndrome in children, and also demonstrate the diagnostic and therapeutic importance of evaluation the renal immunopathology in the child with nephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage.

Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease

Partial reversal of the cellular immune defect in common variable immunodeficiency with indomethacin.

We administered indomethacin (25 mg q.i.d.) to two patients with common variable immunodeficiency and measured the effect on their depressed cellular immune responses. The in vitro response of both patients' lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin increased during indomethacin administration. Both patients were anergic to skin testing before treatment and responded to two of four skin tests during treatment with indomethacin. Thus indomethacin administration in vivo appears to enhance the cellular immune respone, paralleling its previously described effects in vitro.

Adolescent

Faculty development and curriculum change in substance abuse.

What approaches can be used to upgrade nursing education and clinical skills in alcohol and drug abuse? The authors discuss the development of faculty and curricula in three schools of nursing. The programs described are part of a national initiative to ensure that health care professionals have basic knowledge and clinical skills in screening, assessment, intervention, and the appropriate use of referral systems for clients with substance abuse problems.

Curriculum