Showing papers in "Irish Journal of Medical Science in 1978"
TL;DR: High levels of immunoreactive substance P (ISP) were demonstrated in the general circulation, in the tumour extracts, inThe tumour tissue culture medium, and in venous effluents from tumour and from metastases in 3 patients with foregut and midgut carcinoid tumours.
Abstract: In 3 patients with foregut and midgut carcinoid tumours, high levels of immunoreactive substance P (ISP) were demonstrated in the general circulation, in the tumour extracts, in the tumour tissue culture medium, and in venous effluents from tumour and from metastases. In one patient studied during an attack of the carcinoid syndrome, ISP level was higher than in the basal state. Since substance P (SP) can cause flushing, hypotension, tachycardia, increased intestinal motility, and broncho-constriction, it may contribute to the pathophysiology of the carcinoid syndrome. Plasma ISP may serve as a circulating tumour marked and the levels may be used to monitor the response to therapy.
46 citations
TL;DR: A case of acute pancreatitis and gastric dilatation in refeeding after anorexia nervosa is presented and the aetiology of this condition is discussed.
Abstract: A case of acute pancreatitis and gastric dilatation in refeeding after anorexia nervosa is presented. The aetiology of this condition is discussed.
45 citations
TL;DR: It is found that responses to extraluminal D-nor-adrenaline are not maintained at 3°C but are greatly depressed (the dextro isomer is taken up much less avidly by nerve terminals than is the laevo isomer), and evidence is presented that neither smooth muscle cells nor nerve terminals distinguish between L-noradrenalin and L- adrenaline.
Abstract: While the sensitivity of perfused rabbit ear arteries to intraluminal L- and D-noradrenaline and histamine fell markedly between 37 and 3°C, their sensitivity to extraluminal L-noradrenaline was similar at these 2 temperatures This maintenance of response is attributed to cold blockade of uptake by nerve terminals around the media of the artery, so that a much higher proportion of the extraluminal noradrenaline reaches the smooth muscle cells, thereby compensating for a fall in sensitivity of the cells
20 citations
TL;DR: Out of a total of 263 mites isolated, 10 different species, all of which are being documented for the first time in Nigeria have emerged, the result of this analysis was correlated with provocative allergic skin tests performed on patients using allergenic reagents.
Abstract: Mite composition of samples of house dusts of atopic Nigerian patients were analysed. Out of a total of 263 mites isolated, 10 different species, all of which are being documented for the first time in Nigeria have emerged. The result of this analysis was correlated with provocative allergic skin tests performed on these patients using allergenic reagents. The role of Dermatophagoides species and Blomia tropicalis in the atopic Nigerian patient is defined while the immunological, clinical and therapeutic implications are discussed.
16 citations
TL;DR: The optical isomers of N-propargyl amphetamine have been prepared and their inhibitory activity in vitro against monamine oxidase in rat liver mitochondria has been assessed and the l- isomer was found to be a better inhibitor than the d-isomer.
Abstract: The effects of dl-N-propargkl ampheta-mine on monoamine oxidase in rat brain have been studied. It was found that i.p. injection of this compound produced a marked stereotyped response. It was also found to potentiate the stereotypy produced by amphetamine. Subsequent examination of monamine oxidase activity in the brains of the animals showed substantial inhibition of the B form of this enzyme (as judged by 2-phenylethylamine oxidation) but no effect on the A form. The optical isomers of N-propargyl amphetamine have been prepared and their inhibitory activityin vitro against monamine oxidase in rat liver mitochondria has been assessed. The l-isomer was found to be a better inhibitor than the d-isomer.
11 citations
TL;DR: A case is reported of a patient with a carcinoid tumour of the gall bladder with metastasis in the liver and complicated by a posterior cranial fossa meningioma, dealt with successfully by surgery.
Abstract: A case is reported of a patient with a carcinoid tumour of the gall bladder with metastasis in the liver and complicated by a posterior cranial fossa meningioma Both tumours were dealt with successfully by surgery A review of the other 15 cases of carcinoid tumours of the biliary tree is made The association of carcinoid tumours and second primary tumours is stressed
10 citations
Journal Article•
10 citations
TL;DR: Androgens appear to be related to aggressive behaviour in the male, although the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear and a reduction of androgenic compounds may reduce some types of aggression.
Abstract: Androgens appear to be related to aggressive behaviour in the male, although the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear. A higher level of androgen is associated with increased agonistic behaviour, and a reduction of androgenic compounds may reduce some types of aggression. Androgens are important in sex-related aggression and there is some indication that they may play a role in generalised irritable aggression.
7 citations
TL;DR: An adult white male without sickle cell anaemia who developed osteomyelitis due to Salmonella agona is described, which appears to be the first report of osteomylitisDue to a normally noninvasive species of Salmoneella.
Abstract: An adult white male without sickle cell anaemia who developed osteomyelitis due to Salmonella agona is described. This appears to be the first report of osteomylitis due to a normally noninvasive species of Salmonella. Antibiotic therapy controlled the infection and led to clinical and radiological cure.
7 citations
7 citations
TL;DR: Morphological preservation of structure was observed and an increase in the levels of alkaline phosphatase and a decrease in the lactic dehydrogenase from coeliac mucosa was noted, and similar trend in non-coelian mucosa were not statistically significant.
Abstract: Organ culture of small intestinal mucosa from coeliac and non-coeliac patients is described. Morphological preservation of structure was observed and an increase in the levels of alkaline phosphatase and a decrease in the lactic dehydrogenase from coeliac mucosa was noted. Similar trend in non-coeliac mucosa were not statistically significant. The initial elevted lactic dehydrogenase activity in coeliac mucosa has not previously been reported.
TL;DR: The effects of a fibre-enriched diet upon 17 normal volunteers during a 5-week cross-over trial were studied and no change was found in body weight, blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, plasma triglycerides or serum calcium.
Abstract: The effects of a fibre-enriched diet upon 17 normal volunteers during a 5-week cross-over trial were studied. No change was found in body weight, blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, plasma triglycerides or serum calcium.
TL;DR: The case report illustrates the value of o.p' —DDD in the treatment of adrenal cortical neoplasia as the patient is alive and fully active after almost 7 years of treatment and the possibility that the diagnostic use of I131 iodocholesterol might have had some therapeutic advantage which resulted in an almost unique survival time.
Abstract: The case report illustrates the value of o.p' —DDD in the treatment of adrenal cortical neoplasia as the patient is alive and fully active after almost 7 years of treatment. The early diagnosis and the monitoring of progress with I131 iodocholesterol is recorded. The possibility that the diagnostic use of I131 iodocholesterol might have had some therapeutic advantage which resulted in an almost unique survival time is discussed.
TL;DR: Evidence of presensitisation of family members of patients to leukaemic antigens was found using migration inhibition and lymphocyte cytocoxicity assays, and the findings in family members were compatible with a viral aetiology in acute leukaemia.
Abstract: The occurrence of tumour associated antigens and of anti-tumour immune responses is discussed. Studies of immune reactivity of family members of patients with acute leukaemia are presented. Eight of 9 HL-A identical siblings reacted against patients' leukaemic blast blast cells in mixed leucocyte culture. Evidence of presensitisation of family members of patients to leukaemic antigens was found using migration inhibition and lymphocyte cytocoxicity assays. The findings in family members were compatible with a viral aetiology in acute leukaemia. A serum antibody cytotoxic to lymphoblastic leukaemia cells was identified in 3 normal individuals. In a study of cellular immune responses in bladder carcinoma, 12 of 25 patients reacted to KCl tumour extracts. The various forms of immunotherapy available are discussed. Results of bone marrow transplantation in acute leukaemia are reviewed. Areas for study in tumour immunology are summarised.
TL;DR: Primary and secondary hyperphagia can, in principle, be distinguished as mechanisms by which benzodiazepines affect feeding, and raised the possibility that the effect of benzodiazines on feeding can be relatively direct, and independent of a reduction in anxiety.
Abstract: Clinically, benzodiazpines relieve anxiety. In animal experiments, they had been shown to reduce fear, avoidance and conflict. Although noted in the first pharmacological report on chlordiazepoxide, the hyperphagic effect of these compounds has been relatively neglected. The first proposals to account for the hyperphagia suggested that any effect on feeding was related to the anxiolytic effect of the drugs. Later evidence, however, has raised the possibility that the effect of benzodiazepines on feeding can be relatively direct, and independent of a reduction in anxiety. Thus, primary and secondary hyperphagia can, in principle, be distinguished as mechanisms by which benzodiazepines affect feeding. Clinical implications of these experiments are discussed.
TL;DR: Renal function was seen to deteriorate as total serum calcium rose in 40 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, and creatinine clearance does not return to normal values once renal damage has occurred.
Abstract: Renal function was seen to deteriorate as total serum calcium rose in 40 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. There is no significant difference between creatinine clearance values measured pre- and post-parathyroidectomy even after an interval of 8 years. This indicates that lowering of serum calcium by parathyroidectomy stabilises renal function, but creatinine clearance does not return to normal values once renal damage has occurred.
TL;DR: A case of neonatal solitary liver abscess following prolonged umbilical vein catheterisation is presented.
Abstract: A case of neonatal solitary liver abscess following prolonged umbilical vein catheterisation is presented
TL;DR: This work examined the proposal that dopaminergic pathways may be involved in the control of drinking behaviour, by administering ET 495 to thirsty rats, and found that attenuated drinking induced by either i.p. injection of hypertonic NaCI or water deprivation may help to inhibit thirst.
Abstract: ET 495 is a central dopamine receptor agonist, with long-lasting behavioural and biochemical effects. ET 495 is converted into an active catechol metabolite, S 584, and this appears to be responsible for the central effects of the parent compound. ET 495 can exacerbate symptoms in schizophrenics, but has some therapeutic efficacy in patients with Parkinson’s disease: both actions can be related to its status as a central dopamine agonist. We examined the proposal that dopaminergic pathways may be involved in the control of drinking behaviour, by administering ET 495 to thirsty rats. At 25 and 50 mg/kg, ET 495 attenuated drinking induced by either i.p. injection of hypertonic NaCI or water deprivation. Activation of DA receptors may therefore help to inhibit thirst.
TL;DR: Both the normal tissue and tumour level of vitamin C correlate with plasma levels ofitamin C, which are higher than previously reported for patients with skin carcinomas on an ordinary diet.
Abstract: Ten patients with carcinomas of the skin were given 6g of vitamin C daily for one week prior to surgery. Plasma levels in all the patients increased by about 1 mg/dl (range 0.8–1.7 mg/dl). Tumour and normal tissue levels of the vitamin were also higher than those previously reported for patients with skin carcinomas on an ordinary diet. The ratio of tumour tissue to surrounding normal tissue levels was 1.8 in this study compared with a ratio of 2.4 in the previous study. This reduced ratio may be a manifestation of a tendency for the ratio to decrease as normal tissue levels increase. Lastly, both the normal tissue and tumour level of vitamin C correlate with plasma levels of vitamin C.
TL;DR: A radioimmunoassay for prolactin has been set up and has been shown to be sensitive, specific and reproducable and has already proven of diagnostic value in patients with disorders of Prolactin secretion.
Abstract: A radioimmunoassay for prolactin has been set up and has been shown to be sensitive, specific and reproducable. The methodological variables have been analysed and optimised. The assay has been clinically validated in 75 normal subjects and in 544 patients suspected of having disorders of pituitary function and has already proven of diagnostic value in patients with disorders of prolactin secretion.
TL;DR: During the extinction of an operant response, anxiolytics consistently shortened the latency before the onset of pressing, and it is suggested that this test may be of value in the detection of anxIOlytic activity in the rat.
Abstract: Four different behavioural tests, the holeboard, faecal counts, food preference, and operant behaviour were assessed for their ability to detect anxiolytic activity in the rat. In evaluating each of these tests, varying doses of a single anxiolytic and/or different types of anxiolytic compounds were given to the rats and the resulting behavioural changes recorded. Anxiolytics did not significantly alter behaviour on the holeboard, nor did they change food preference in accordance with expectations. At high doses anxiolytic did reduce faecal counts. While this may be a consequence of the anxiolytic activity of these drugs, their effect on gastric motilityper se was not assessed. During the extinction of an operant response (performed over a number of trials on successive days) anxiolytics consistently shortened the latency before the onset of pressing. It is suggested that this test may be of value in th edetection of anxiolytic activity in the rat.
TL;DR: A case of chronic lymphatic leukaemia and Hodgkin's disease occurring simultaneously in a 63 year old female may support the more recent theory that Reed-Sternberg cells are lymphocyte-derived rather than the long held view that they originate from the histiocyte.
Abstract: A case of chronic lymphatic leukaemia and Hodgkin's disease occurring simultaneously in a 63 year old female is presented, illustrating some of the problems of diagnosis. This report may support the more recent theory that Reed-Sternberg cells are lymphocyte-derived rather than the long held view that they originate from the histiocyte.
TL;DR: It is concluded that the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis never fully recovers and that adrenal crisis, at times of stress, remains a hazard indefinitely in these patients.
Abstract: Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal function was studied in 5 longterm survivors (11 to 24 years) who achieved independence of steroid replacement after subtotal adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease. Adrenal function seemed adequate when plasma cortisol values were measured, but the response of the adrenal gland to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and to tetracosactrin stimulation was subnormal in all 5. It is concluded that the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis never fully recovers and that adrenal crisis, at times of stress, remains a hazard indefinitely in these patients.
TL;DR: Low airflow is not uncommon in pulmonary sarcoidosis and may be due to primary disease of the airways or reduced lung elastic recoil, as well as restrictive ventilatory pattern of lung dysfunction.
Abstract: We measured lung volumes, maximum expiratory flow rates, gas exchange at rest and on exercise, and lung elastic recoil in 29 unselected subjects with pulmonary sarcoidosis. We grouped our patients according to the lung elastic recoil. Seventeen patients (59%) had normal lung elastic recoil, 9 patients (31%) had a restrictive defect and increased elastic recoil and 3 patients (10%) had diminished recoil and an obstructive ventilatory pattern of lung disease. Reduced airflow measurements were found in 6 patients (21%) with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Increased upstream resistance (RUS) accounted for the airflow decrement in 3 patients while reduced transpulmonary pressure was responsible in the remainder. The subjects with increased RUS had restrictive ventilatory pattern of lung dysfunction while the 3 patients with reduced flow and normal RUS had an obstructive pattern. The 3 patients with decreased airflow and normal upstream resistance were cigarette smokers.
TL;DR: Research into the behavioural and physiological significance of the endogenous opiate system(s) has proved many new perspectives on old problems including the potential usefulness of narcotic antagonists in psychiatric therapy and the endogenous peptides in pain control and mood elevation.
Abstract: Whilst still in its infancy, research, into the behavioural and physiological significance of the endogenous opiate system(s) has proved many new perspectives on old problems. Although human studies are too few to properly evaluate, certain trends are apparent including the potential usefulness of narcotic antagonists in psychiatric therapy and the endogenous peptides in pain control and mood elevation. During the next decade, with adequately standardised and controlled studies, the clinical relevance of the enkephalins and endorphins should become clear.
TL;DR: The fasting and post stimulation serum gastrin levels in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome were the same as those of age and sex matched controls.
Abstract: The fasting and post stimulation serum gastrin levels in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome were the same as those of age and sex matched controls.
TL;DR: The effects of crude and fractionated calf thymus histone were tested on film sarcoma in the mouse by incorporating the substance in Millipore filters with gelatine and showed marked inhibition.
Abstract: The effects of crude and fractionated calf thymus histone were tested on film sarcoma in the mouse by incorporating the substance in Millipore filters with gelatine. Twenty mice were used per substance and observed for 100 weeks. Results were reproducible among 3 groups of controls. The arginine-rich fraction and 2 lysine-rich ones enhanced tumour growth. The crude and f2a fractions were mildly inhibitory. The f2b fraction showed marked inhibition (P<0.01).
TL;DR: The results of a comparativein vivo study performed in rabbits in which 4 bone cements and 2 antibiotics — sodium fusidate and gentamicin — were compared were compared.
Abstract: Release of antibiotic from bone cement has been shown usingin vitro studies. This report records the results of a comparativein vivo study performed in rabbits in which 4 bone cements and 2 antibiotics — sodium fusidate and gentamicin — were compared. Sodium fusidate was released in quantities varying from 0.014 to 0.530 μ/ml. Periods of release ranged from 45 to 187 days. For gentamicin the periods of release varied from 31 to 101 days and the antibiotic levels recorded lay between 0.008 and 0.4 μg/ml.
TL;DR: The subjects from residential accommodation showed a better overall intake than those of the other groups, and the correlation of dietary protein with serum protein or albumin was not significant in the majority of the groups.
Abstract: The dietary intake data of 196 aged subjects living at home, hospital, residential accommodation and sheltered dwelling was collected under 6 groups, for 3 days. The subjects from residential accommodation showed a better overall intake than those of the other groups. Energy intake was below two-thirds of that recommended in 32 subjects, while energy and protein intake was inadequate in 10 subjects. Deficient protein intake was noted only when energy intake was low. Fat intake showed a wide variation. Mean sugar (sucrose) intake was greater than 40 g/day and mean fibre intake (crude fibre) was less than 3 g/day in all the groups. The correlation of dietary protein with serum protein or albumin was not significant in the majority of the groups.
TL;DR: An elderly patient who developed an acute attack of porphyria cutanea tarda symptomatica is described, which revealed a primary hepato-carcinoma.
Abstract: This paper describes an elderly patient who developed an acute attack of porphyria cutanea tarda symptomatica. Autopsy revealed a primary hepato-carcinoma. There have been two previous reports of porphyria in association with primary hepatic tumours in the elderly.