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Biomedical subjects

S P Patel

Publications and source records attributed to S P Patel.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The relationship between disgust sensitivity, anxiety and obsessions.

Three hundred participants, including volunteers from an obsessional support group, filled in questionnaires relating to disgust sensitivity, health anxiety, anxiety, fear of death, fear of contamination and obsessionality as part of an investigation into the involvement of disgust sensitivity in types of obsessions. Overall, the data supported the hypothesis that a relationship does exist between disgust sensitivity and the targeted variables. A significant predictive relationship was found between disgust sensitivity and total scores on the obsessive compulsive inventory (OCI; Psychological Assessment 10 (1998) 206) for both frequency and distress of symptomatology. Disgust sensitivity scores were significantly related to health anxiety scores and general anxiety scores and to all the obsessional subscales, with the exception of hoarding. Additionally, multiple regression analyses revealed that disgust sensitivity may be more specifically related to washing compulsions: frequency of washing behaviour was best predicted by disgust sensitivity scores. Washing distress scores were best predicted by health anxiety scores, though disgust sensitivity entered in the second model. It is suggested that further research on the relationship between disgust sensitivity and obsessionality could be helpful in refining the theoretical understanding of obsessions.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Recovery of gastrointestinal tract motility and myoelectric activity change after abdominal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between fedstate gastrointestinal tract (GI) function and upper GI myoelectric changes seen after abdominal surgery. DESIGN: Twenty-one adult female mongrel dogs underwent either an open cholecystectomy, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy alone, or a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with peritoneal injury (n = 7 for each group). Bipolar recording electrodes were placed on the antrum and 3 sites of the proximal small intestine to record fasting myoelectric data each morning postoperatively. Solid-phase, technetium Tc 99m gastric emptying studies were performed on postoperative days 1 and 2. Radiopaque markers were ingested just before operation, and the excreted markers were counted using x-ray films of the feces. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative fasting GI myoelectric activity, gastric emptying, and intestinal transit time. RESULTS: Migrating motor complexes (MMCs) in the small intestine were observed in 33.3% and 75.0% of the dogs on postoperative days 1 and 2, respectively. Gastric dysrhythmias were observed in 23.8% and 45.0% of the dogs on postoperative days 1 and 2, respectively. No relationship between type of surgery and the presence of MMCs or gastric dysrhythmias was noted. Gastric emptying was delayed on postoperative day 1 and was unrelated to the presence of MMCs. Transit time was not significantly delayed in dogs without MMCs on postoperative day 1 compared with that in dogs with MMCs on that day. The presence of gastric dysrhythmias did not affect transit time studies. CONCLUSION: Fasting GI myoelectric activity, including the return of MMCs and the presence of gastric dysrhythmias, does not accurately predict fed-state gastrointestinal GI function following abdominal surgery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1997

Neuropsychiatric features of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: a review.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A description and literature review are presented to focus attention on the myriad neuropsychiatric manifestations of this disease. Common psychiatric symptoms include lethargy, irritability, and confusion. Ataxia, seizures, and other signs representing involvement of various areas of the brain and spinal cord are common neurologic presentations. The cerebrospinal fluid shows only nonspecific abnormalities, whereas magnetic resonance imaging may show various lesions in the white matter representing demyelination. The treatment of choice is steroids, but there can be significant residual sequelae of the disease, including intellectual and behavioral abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Suicide among immigrants from the Indian subcontinent: a review.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of suicide among immigrants from the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) were examined to increase awareness of suicide risk and to better understand social and psychological factors contributing to suicide in this group. METHODS: An online search was conducted of MEDLINE for the years 1966 to 1994 and Psychological Abstracts for the years 1974 to 1994, and all references on completed suicides in the target population were selected for review. RESULTS: Suicide rates of young women immigrants from the Indian subcontinent are consistently higher than those of their male counterparts and of young women in the indigenous populations of the countries to which they immigrate. Suicide rates among older men in this immigrant group have been reported to be low, although reports are less consistent. Use of violent methods such as hanging, burning, and poisoning is common among both men and women. A disproportionately higher number of immigrant Hindus commit suicide. Family conflict appears to be a precipitating factor in many suicides, whereas mental illness is rarely cited as a cause. Depression, anxiety, and domestic violence may contribute to the high rates. Affective disorders may be underdiagnosed in this population. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed on the epidemiology of psychiatric illnesses and their contribution to suicide in this group.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in normal pregnancy.

Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) was measured directly in maternal plasma using an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). In the first and second trimester CRF levels were within the non-pregnant range (mean 15 pg/ml). A total of 72 women was followed sequentially from 28 weeks until delivery and CRF levels rose from a median of 20 pg/ml at 28 weeks to 1320 pg/ml at 40 weeks and 1732 pg/ml during labour. There was a strong correlation (rs = 0.81, P less than 0.001) between gestational age and CRF levels. The rate of rise of CRF (pg/ml) per week was associated with weight gain (rs = 0.36, P less than 0.05) but with no other obstetric variable. There was an association between umbilical cord and maternal plasma CRF levels (rs = 0.54, P less than 0.01).

Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone↗
PubMed1988

Plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in abnormal pregnancy.

Maternal plasma levels of cortiocotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) have been measured in abnormal pregnancy states to assess their potential as biochemical markers for at-risk pregnancies. CRF levels were not significantly altered in patients with hydatidiform mole, polyhydramnios or diabetes. CRF levels were elevated in pregnancies complicated by accidental antepartum haemorrhage at 28 weeks (P less than 0.03) but not for the rest of the third trimester. In twin pregnancies CRF levels were significantly raised throughout the third trimester (28-32 weeks, P less than 0.01; 34-36 weeks, P less than 0.001). In patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (28 weeks, P less than 0.001; 32-36 weeks, P less than 0.001; and 38-40 weeks, P less than 0.01), preterm labour and premature rupture of the membranes (28 weeks, P less than 0.004; 30-32 weeks, P less than 0.002; and 34-36 weeks, P less than 0.001), CRF levels were significantly raised and in some patients levels were elevated 11 weeks before the onset of signs or symptoms. These observations raise the possibility that maternal CRF measurement may be of use as a predictive indicator of certain at-risk pregnancies.

Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of the anti-cardiolipin antibody test: report of an international workshop held 4 April 1986.

Thirty laboratories from institutions in Britain, France, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the USA participated in a workshop to evaluate the anti-cardiolipin (aCL) test. Participants were asked to measure IgG and IgM aCL in seven samples on each of three separate days. The seven samples were prepared so that IgG and IgM aCL concentrations were known before distribution. Twenty-three of 30 laboratories measuring IgG aCL had significant regression slopes (P less than 0.001) when optical absorbance readings or counts per minute were compared with IgG aCL concentration. Twenty-four of 28 laboratories measuring IgM aCL had significant regression slopes (P less than 0.001). Coefficient of determination (R2) ranged from 81.1% to 98.7% for laboratories with valid IgG aCL assays and from 48.0% to 96.7% for valid IgM aCL assays. Valid assays had in common the use of 10% fetal calf or 10% adult bovine serum in PBS. Assays that were not valid had in common the use of PBS, PBS-Tween, or 0.3% gelatin as diluents. All laboratories with valid assays defined samples with high and moderate aCL levels as positive but there was no consensus about low positive samples. This study shows that properly performed ELISA or SRIA assays can be used to provide an accurate, reproducible, and quantitative measure of IgG and IgM aCL concentration in serum samples.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1985

Vitamin D deficiency in adult British Hindu Asians: a family disorder.

The vitamin D state of 60 apparently healthy adult Hindu Asian couples living in Britain was studied on a community basis. Twenty six (22%) of the Asian subjects had pronounced vitamin D deficiency, defined as 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations below 10 nmol/l (4 ng/ml), while none of the white controls had such low concentrations. Asian men and women were equally affected, and plasma concentrations were similar in husbands and wives. Vitamin supplements were being taken by only 31 (26%) subjects, most of whom were women. It is suggested that the spouses of patients with osteomalacia should be screened for vitamin D deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Depression in general practice: case thresholds and diagnosis.

Using multiple diagnostic and epidemiological criteria, three samples of general practice (GP) depressives were studied: those prescribed a new course of antidepressants, those given other treatment, and those missed by the GP. The majority of patients qualified as psychiatric cases on the PSE Index of Definition, the Bedford College Criteria, and the Research Diagnostic Criteria. Most satisfied diagnostic criteria for depression, or (fewer) anxiety. The disorders were relatively mild and often borderline on all three systems. Depressives given other treatment most often failed to meet diagnostic criteria. About half the antidepressant treated patients received RDC diagnoses of major depression. Among the other treatment sample, only one-fifth met these criteria, and half had non-depressive diagnoses. Most cases of depression treated by GPs satisfy criteria for psychiatric disorder, but tend to be relatively mild and borderline in quality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Mycosis fungoides: an overview.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a lymphoma that appears to have a unique relationship with the skin. In recent years our knowledge about this disease has increased considerably, in particular regarding the nature of the malignant cells and their functional characteristics. Furthermore, there is mounting evidence suggesting a viral etiology. Since its first description by Alibert in the early part of the past century, MF has been the subject of much controversy in regard to fundamental issues such as clinical and histological criteria for the establishment of the diagnosis [1] as well as its relationship to other lymphomas and skin diseases. Some of this controversy remains today. Mycosis fungoides is a relatively uncommon disease, the incidence being in the order of 1-2 million per year [1,2]. As is the case with most neoplastic diseases, the incidence increases with age; however, relatively speaking MF is not exceptional among individuals in their twenties or thirties. As for sex distribution there is a slight preponderance of men [3-5].

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Decision-making in acute asthma.

The management of an eight-year-old child with acute asthma was investigated by putting a semi-structured patient management problem (PMP) to 618 general practitioners. Of the 321 (52 per cent) who replied, 112 (35 per cent) would arrange for immediate admission to hospital and a further 154 (48 per cent) would have the child admitted after 30 minutes when initial home treatment appeared not to be working. Among those who would treat at home there was considerable variation in the type and intensity of treatment given. The more recently qualified were more likely to admit immediately or to treat vigorously at home (with intravenous steroids and/or aminophylline); no other characteristic of the doctor or the practice was related to admission decision or to treatment. Expectations concerning the immediate hospital management of the patient also varied widely. Comparison of the expected hospital management with actual management recorded in hospital case-notes suggested that general practitioners overestimate the use of intensive treatments (steroids, intravenous drip, oxygen) and investigations (blood gases, lung function tests, chest radiograph).

Asthma↗
PubMed1976

In vitro release of therapeutically active ingredients from polymer matrixes.

Several therapeutically active ingredients including benzocaine, cyclomethycaine, and methapyrilene hydrochloride were incorporated into ethylcellulose and polyamide films. The effect of cetyl alcohol and tributyl citrate upon the release of these ingredients was studied. The films containing the active ingredient and plasticizer were cast upon a mercury substrate, and the in vitro release of these drugs from each film into a desorbing medium of distilled water was measured. The results indicated that the film-forming agent and plasticizer affected the drug release rate and that the release followed first-order kinetics. Benzocaine was slowly released from polyamide-cetyl alcohol films and polyamide-cetyl alcohol-tributyl citrate films. Polyamide-tributyl citrate films showed enhanced release of benzoacaine and cyclomethycaine. Ethylcellulose films plasticized with tributyl citrate produced a fast drug release. Based upon these results, a water-soluble, highly polar, noncomplexing additive would tend to increase the drug release from the film. When the amount of benzocaine released from ethylcellulose was plotted as a function of the square root of time, a linear plot was obtained. Since this linear plot passed through the origin, ethylcellulose should be an ideal matrix for benzocaine according to the Higuchi diffusion-controlled model. These studies demonstrated the in vitro release of thf the solubility of the active agent in both the polymer film as a function of the solubility of the active agent in both the polymer matrix and the desorbing medium.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1975

Oral absorption efficiency of acid-labile antibiotics from lipid-drug delivery systems.

The utility of cholesterol, cholesteryl acetate, and beta-sitosterol in protecting and improving the oral absorption efficiency of acid-labile antibiotics is discussed. The potassium salts of penicillin G and penicillin V and erythromycin lactobionate were studied. The stability of the two penicillins in simulated gastric fluid was determined iodometrically. The rank order of acid protective activity was: cholesteryl acetate greater than beta-sitosterol greater than cholesterol. Oral administration of erythromycin lactobionate coated with cholesteryl acetate produced a twofold increase in human urinary excretion of erythromycin when compared with the uncoated material. Potassium salts of penicillin G and penicillin V coated with cholesteryl acetate yielded 1.6- and 2-fold higher urine levels, respectively, as compared with the uncoated candidates.

Absorption↗