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Biomedical subjects

T George

Publications and source records attributed to T George.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Rate of recovery of D1 and D2 dopaminergic receptors in young vs. adult rat striatal tissue following alkylation with ethoxycarbonyl-ethoxy-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ).

The rate of recovery of D1 and D2 receptor binding sites in rat striatal tissue labeled with [3H]SCH-23390 or [3H]YM-09151-2 was followed daily after irreversible blockade of these receptors with the alkylating agent ethoxycarbonyl-ethoxy-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ). These rates were significantly higher in young post-weaning rats than in young adults (14% vs. 7% per day). The findings suggest that rates of synthesis of new D1 and D2 receptor proteins may be increased during a phase of neurodevelopment in the first postnatal month when the accumulation of both receptor types, especially of D1 receptors, is about maximal.

Alkylating Agents

Clinical and angiographic features of patients from the Indian subcontinent treated with intravenous streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction: experience in Qatar.

The authors reviewed their experience with 245 patients who were treated with intravenous streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction at an average time of less than three hours from the onset of chest pain. Of these, 148 patients were from the Indian subcontinent (Group 1) and the remaining (Group 2) were predominantly from an Arabic background. Group 1 patients were younger and had lower serum cholesterol and fibrinogen levels than the Group 2 patients. Group 1 patients had a lower incidence of previous myocardial infarction (p = 0.0006) and antecedent angina pectoris (p = 0.017). A patency rate of 77.5% was seen in all patients studied at 5.37 +/- 2.96 days after admission and was similar in both the groups. Group 1 patients had a lesser extent of coronary artery disease (p = 0.01) manifested as a higher incidence of single-vessel disease (p = 0.06) and a lower incidence (p = 0.06) of three-vessel obstruction. The overall mortality for the initial hospitalization was 2.18% and showed no difference between the two groups. Patients from the Indian subcontinent presenting with acute myocardial infarction appear to be a unique population in that they are younger, have a somewhat lower cardiac risk profile, and have less extensive coronary artery disease than their Arabic counterparts.

Adult

An Australian multicentre study of moclobemide versus amitriptyline in the treatment of depression.

This paper reports the results of a multicentre study of the new monoamine oxidase inhibitor, moclobemide, in the treatment of major depression. Moclobemide is a specific monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor which does not bind irreversibly to the enzyme, unlike the currently available MAOIs. Recent studies would suggest that in subjects taking moclobemide blood pressure elevation caused by tyramine is significantly less than that induced by the irreversible MAOIs, particularly when tyramine is administered in an oral form. Forty-eight patients with major depression were randomly allocated to treatment with either moclobemide or amitriptyline for 4 weeks in a double-blind comparison. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on measures of efficacy. Patients taking amitriptyline reported a greater number of side-effects and more patients in the amitriptyline group dropped out because of these. There were no reports of interactions with tyramine-containing foods.

Adult

Nitroimidazoles, Part XXIII--activity of satranidazole series against anaerobic infections.

A large number of nitroimidazoles have been examined for in vitro activity against three anaerobes - Bacteroides fragilis (Bf), a strain of Bf resistant to metronidazole (16a) and Clostridium perfringens and many found to be active. Among these may be mentioned 1-methyl-5-nitroimidazoles carrying N - bound hetetocycles at position 2, such as satranidazole 1a, 1b, 1c, 1k, 1n and 1v which are at least twice as active as metronidazole (16a), ornidazole (16b) and tinidazole (16c). Even more active are 5-nitroimidazolyl benzimidazole 5d, -thiazolidinone 6b and thiadiazolidine dioxide 8a. Many other types of compounds derived from 1-methyl-2-amino-5-nitroimidazole are feebly active. Among 5-nitroimidazoles with a carbon substituent at position 2, 16a, 16b and 16c are equiactive while dimetridazole 14f is more active than 16a against Bf. Some 2-vinyl derivatives are very potent, with 18f and 18i being outstanding. Activity better than that of metronidazole is seen for nitroimidazooxazepines, e.g. 29d. 5-Nitroimidazoles are more active against anaerobes than 4-nitro isomers. Antianaerobic and antiamoebic activities generally run parallel in these classes of compounds. The study has led to the elaboration of the antianaerobic profile of satranidazole 1a.

Amebicides

Non-Q- and Q-wave infarction after thrombolytic therapy with intravenous streptokinase for chest pain and anterior ST-segment elevation.

The clinical features of patients treated with streptokinase for chest pain and anterior ST-segment elevation who subsequently develop non-Q-wave infarction are unknown. Of the 75 consecutive patients who initially presented with chest pain and ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads (V1-V6, I, aVL) and were treated with intravenous streptokinase (time from symptoms to treatment averaged less than 3 hours), 32 (43%) developed a non-Q-wave and 43 (57%) a Q-wave myocardial infarction. Twenty seven of 32 patients (84%) from the non-Q-wave group and 39 of 43 (91%) from the Q-wave group were studied by angiography at 5.16 +/- 2.88 days after the onset of myocardial infarction. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 13 +/- 6 vs 20 +/- 7 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction was 60 +/- 8 vs 49 +/- 14% (p less than 0.001) and the infarct vessel patency rate was 85 vs 72% (p = 0.44) in patients with a non-Q versus a Q-wave infarction, respectively. In summary, when patients presenting with chest pain and ST-segment elevation are treated with streptokinase, a significant portion of these symptoms will evolve into a non-Q-wave infarction. Patients with a non-Q-wave infarction will have a better preserved left ventricular function than patients who develop a Q-wave infarction. This suggests the need for equal distribution of such patients in randomized trials of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction to avoid misinterpreting data between groups.

Adult

Determination of the absolute configuration of a novel dipeptide isostere.

(1R-[1 alpha(1R*,2R*,3S*),2 beta,5 alpha])-2-(4-Morpholinocarbonyl)- 3-phenylcyclopropane 2-(1-methyl-ethyl)-5-methylcyclohexyl ester, C25H35NO4, Mr = 413 x 56, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 9 x 359 (2), b = 10 x 1172 (14), c = 24 x 710 (4) A, V = 2339 x 8 (6) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1 x 17 g cm-3, mu = 0 x 7332 cm-1, Mo K alpha radiation, lambda = 0 x 7107 A, F(000) = 896, T = 198 K, R = 0 x 0475 for 2460 reflections [Fo greater than or equal to 4 sigma(Fo)]. The assignment of the absolute configuration was based on internal comparison to the (-)-menthol moiety. The morpholenyl and cyclohexyl rings are in the chair conformation. The amide group is essentially planar [max. deviation 0.025 (2) A for N19] resulting in a close non-bonded contact between the amide oxygen, O18, and H24a of 2 x 24 (4) A.

Dipeptides

Mental disorders among alcoholics. Relationship to age of onset and cerebrospinal fluid neuropeptides.

Eighty-one percent of 339 alcoholics participating in a research program were found to have associated mental disorders. Alcoholics with onset of heavy drinking before 20 years of age had significantly more antisocial personality traits, drug abuse, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, suicide attempts, and paternal alcoholism than alcoholics with onset after age 20 years. Alcoholics with onset before and after 20 years of age also differed significantly from each other for cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of diazepam-binding inhibitor and somatostatin. These results support the notion that age of onset may delineate subgroups of alcoholics with significant clinical and neurochemical differences.

Adult

Depression among alcoholics. Relationship to clinical and cerebrospinal fluid variables.

Although depression is common among alcoholics, its determinants are poorly understood. Among 339 alcoholics, 111 (33%) had a history of major depression. Depressed, compared with never-depressed alcoholics, had a higher daily alcohol intake, more lifetime diagnoses of other anxiety and affective disorders and drug abuse, more had attempted suicide, and more reported alcoholism in both parents. Depressed alcoholics also had significantly lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid and of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Among subgroups of depressed alcoholics, secondary compared with primary depressives were more often divorced, of lower social status, with an earlier onset of alcoholism, and higher Michigan Alcohol Screening Test scores. Secondary depressives also had significantly lower cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of homovanillic acid than never depressed alcoholics. These results suggest that certain psychosocial variables, alcohol consumption, and neurochemical variables may be specifically associated with depression in alcoholics.

Adult

Legal issues, AIDS, and the practicing physician.

This article highlights for the practicing physician some of the more important laws and regulations related to and arising from the AIDS epidemic. Medical-legal issues regarding the availability of health care as defined by federal and state law regarding employment and level of medical care given based on HIV status is discussed. Texas law regarding testing, disclosure of test results, and possible claims that could arise due to issues such as the invasion of privacy are examined along with criminal penalties for transmitting the virus to others, insurance, and insurability. Finally, the June 1989 Human Immunodeficiency Virus Services Act and Senate Omnibus Bill 959, which was passed into law, is briefly outlined.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Hypertension in sickle cell disease.

We report a young male with sickle cell trait who developed severe hypertension and splenic infarction soon after travel to a high altitude. Hypertension persisted for three days after a diagnostic laparotomy. His blood pressure then continued to be normal over the next one and a half years. Red cell sludging in the small vessels of the kidney possibly activated the renin angiotensin system.

Adult

Menopause: some interpretations of the results of a study among a non-western group.

This paper presents an analysis and interpretation of the reasons that older immigrant Sikh women in a Canadian city perceive menopause as a positive event in their lives. Traditional psychological and psychosomatic symptoms ascribed to menopause in the literature were notably absent in this group of women. The positive attitude that the women displayed toward the menopausal experience was investigated within the ecology of their particular lives. Prior to and after immigration to Canada, participants lived in a traditional Indian/Sikh ideological setting. Only within this ideological system and world view could the cultural symbolism and the meaning ascribed to menopause be understood. The physical/biological symptoms and the meaning ascribed to them was not addressed (George T. There is a time for everything: A study of the menopausal/climacteric experience of Sikh women in Canada. Doctoral dissertation, University of Utah, 1985).

Adult

Effect of lipid antioxidants on rat erythrocyte hemolysis.

Lipid antioxidants, DPPD, DAH, BHT, SQ, retinol and alpha-tocopherol were studied for their effects on normal rat erythrocytes. Retinol, BHT and SQ were found to induce hemolysis while DPPD, DAH and alpha-tocopherol were non-hemolytic. Further more the three antioxidants BHT, SQ and retinol showed a synergistic effect on the lysis. Retinol, BHT or SQ alone, and BHT or SQ along with retinol when administered to rats produced a marked modification of the erythrocyte membrane integrity, simultaneously lowering the levels of membrane bound enzymes--acetyl choline esterase and ATPase. It is concluded that the lipid antioxidants may therefore be classified on the basis of their lytic action in vitro.

Animals

Whiplash maculopathy.

Maculopathy in three patients, caused by whiphash injury demonstrated three features that are characteristic of this subtle disturbance of the macula: a history of flexion-extension, head and neck trauma; a history of immediate mild reduction of central visual acuity in one or both eyes; and grayish swelling of the foveal zone accompanied by a small (50 to 100-mu) pit or depression in the fovea. In patients with this disturbance, the retinal opacification and the visual disturbance are transient, but the tiny depression in the retina with its whitish border is permanent.

Accidents, Traffic

The nerve fiber layer in the diagnosis of glaucoma.

Serial fundus photographs of 14 eyes that eventually developed glaucomatous visual field defects and 110 slides from 76 eyes of race- and age-matched controls were reviewed in randomized masked fashion. Each eye that lost visual field demonstrated consistent abnormalities of the nerve fiber layer, beginning as early as 5 years (mean, 1 1/2 years) before it developed glaucomatous visual field defects on routine Goldmann perimetry. Preliminary estimates, based on regression analysis of this small series, suggest that half of these eyes (median) might demonstrate such reproducible abnormalities between four and six years before onset of their visual field defects. Only 9% of the matched controls showed similar nerve fiber layer changes, and in the one instance where analysis was possible, these were inconsistent and nonreproducible. Nerve fiber layer assessment by means of fundus photographs may be the earliest, surest means of distinguishing ocular hypertension from true glaucoma.

Adult