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Biomedical subjects

A Beattie

Publications and source records attributed to A Beattie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Molecular forms of gastrin in the circulation of patients with achlorhydria.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To study circulating gastrin profile, both fasting and postprandially, in patients with achlorhydria due to auto-immune atrophic gastritis, comparing these with normal healthy controls. METHODS: Circulating gastrins were measured using three region-specific radio-immunoassays: amidated gastrins (R98), N-terminal G34 (R526) and N-terminal G17 (GP168). Samples were analysed further using gel chromatography. RESULTS: Fasting gastrin concentrations were elevated in achlorhydria as measured using all three antisera: median 714 pmol/l (range 107-5176) in achlorhydria versus 12 pmol/l (2-33) in controls (R98), 343 pmol/l (45-4316) versus 10 pmol/l (5-41) (R526), and 720 pmol/l (14-6000) versus 2 pmol/l (1-10) (GP168). In patients, 47% of gastrin was amidated (95% in controls) and 30% was processed N-terminally only to G71 (4% in controls). Gastrin rose significantly postprandially: 1643 pmol/l (269-7142) in patients versus 24 pmol/l (5-142) in controls (R98), 432 pmol/l (113-4756) versus 15 pmol/l (7-45) (R526) and 2189 pmol/l (304-7150) versus 15 pmol/l (7-45) (GP168). Only 25% was amidated in the patient group (93.5% in controls) and 21% remained as component I (4% in controls). CONCLUSIONS: This abnormal gastrin profile associated with hypergastrinaemia secondary to achlorhydria is consistent with saturation of the enzymes involved in the processing of the pro-hormone, in particular amidation of the C-terminus.

Achlorhydria↗
PubMed1998

The management of diabetes at primary level in South Africa: the results of a facility-based assessment.

Diabetes is a widespread condition in South Africa and is often managed at primary level health facilities. This study aimed to assess the quality of diabetes management using a rapid assessment approach, focusing on three indicators as proxy measurements of quality: the regularity of blood glucose level (BGL) measurement; the percentage of patients whose BGLs were within 'acceptable' limits (under 10.0 mmol/l) on at least 75% of visits; the rate at which action was taken in response to high BGLs. Five sites were included in the study, including public and private, doctor- and nurse-based facilities. A total of 128 records were examined. Only 33% of all records were found to be well-managed according to the study criteria. None of the individual facilities were found to have more than 40% of patients achieving BGLs within the study limits. Some obstacles to good glycaemic control were costs to patients, transport problems, a lack of health education and shortcomings in clinical expertise. Policy implications and recommendations are suggested.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1994

Widening inequality of health in northern England, 1981-91.

OBJECTIVE: To identify relative and absolute changes in mortality in the Northern region of England between 1981 and 1991. DESIGN: 1981 and 1991 census data were used to rank 678 wards on an index of material deprivation composed of four variables (unemployment, car ownership, housing tenure, household overcrowding). Standardised mortality ratios (all causes) were calculated for various periods between 1981 and 1991 and for different age categories. SETTING: Counties of Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear. RESULTS: During 1981-91 mortality differentials widened between the most affluent and deprived fifths of wards in all age categories under 75 years. The decline in the relative position of the poorest areas was particularly great, and there was no narrowing of inequalities across the remainder of the socioeconomic spectrum. In absolute terms, there were improvements in mortality in all age categories in the most affluent areas. In the poorest areas improvements in the 55-64 age group were balanced by increased mortality among men aged 15-44, a slight rise among women aged 65-74, and static rates among men aged 45-54. CONCLUSIONS: These results re-emphasise the case for linking mortality patterns with material conditions rather than individual behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Problems and prospects for health sector links in the southern African region: the role of South Africa.

Recent political developments in South Africa provide many opportunities for the development and extension of health sector links in the Southern African region and the possibility to move away from past hostilities towards a constructive future. The need to address health issues at an inter-governmental level is becoming more urgent as poverty, drought and homelessness take their toll on the health of the region's population. This paper examines the prospects for and problems with regional integration in the health sector. It begins by outlining the historical context of regional health sector links and by discussing crucial issues that have to be addressed in relation to future regional activities. It is suggested that future regional co-operation should be based on a new approach to regional security which seeks to overcome adverse relationships, to encourage collective action and responsibility, non-interference in domestic affairs and peaceful resolution of disputes. The second part of the paper examines areas in the health sector that would benefit from co-operation. These include disease control, nutrition, medicines, health services, health personnel and research and development. Potential problems related to health sector links are explored and possible mechanisms for regional integration in the health sector are briefly considered.

Africa, Southern↗
PubMed1993

Refined localization and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig--mapping of genes and DNA segments in the 7q21-q32 region.

The chromosome localizations for 159 gene and DNA segments have been refined to one of five intervals in the 7q21-132 region through hybridization analysis with a panel of somatic cell hybrid lines. Seventy-two of these chromosome 7 markers are also mapped on common or overlapping yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones. In addition, the breakpoints of chromosome rearrangement contained in five of the somatic cell hybrid lines have been defined by flanking probes within YAC contigs. To provide a framework for further mapping of the 7q21-q32 region, we have established the physical order of a set of reference markers: cen-(COL1A2-D7S15-CYP3A4-PON)-D7S456-(brea kpoint contained in cell hybrid 1EF2/3/K017)-GUSB-D7S186-ASL-(PGY1-PGY3 -GNB2-EPO-ACHE)-D7S238-(proximal breakpoint in GM1059-Rag5)-D7S240-(CUTL1-PLANH1)-(breakp oints in 1CF2/5/K016 and 2068Rag22-2)-(PRKAR2B-D7S13)-LAMB1-(breakpoint in JSR-17S)-DLD-D7S16-MET-WNT2-CFTR-D7S8-tel.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The driving advisement system: a computer-augmented quasi-simulation of the cognitive prerequisites for resumption of driving after brain injury.

No other activity so starkly pits the needs of the individual recovering from brain injury against the protection of society than does operating a motor vehicle. Cognitive abilities (e.g., response to complex processing demands, impulse control, ability to sustain performance, mental flexibility, and judgment), while evident only indirectly, are essential to performance, yet few are well sampled in currently used assessment procedures, which, instead, emphasize visuo-motor coordination and reaction time. In response to this need, a computerized quasi-simulation, the Driving Advisement System (DAS), was developed and is introduced here. The DAS incorporates a set of computer-based tasks for use by professionals charged with rendering advice concerning cognitive abilities necessary for driving safely. Normative data on DAS measures were obtained from a group of over 60 safe drivers free of significant neurological impairment. Preliminary validation findings are summarized. A sample DAS-generated report for a brain-injury survivor, who sought to resume driving, is used to illustrate the graphic norm-referenced presentation of an individual's performance together with self-appraisal ratings.

Automobile Driver Examination↗
PubMed1991

Epilepsy and employment. A community based survey in an area of high unemployment.

A community based survey was undertaken to assess the work record of patients with epilepsy in an area of high unemployment. One hundred and thirty seven epileptic patients were identified from a population of 23,837 persons of employable age registered with three urban group practices in North East England. The unemployment rate for economically active patients with epilepsy was 46% compared with 19% for an age and sex matched control population (p less than 0.01). Fifty nine per cent of patients with active epilepsy were unemployed. In those with an associated neurological or psychiatric handicap and those who were unskilled manual workers the unemployment rates were 79% and 77%, respectively. Patients with epilepsy were less likely to leave school with qualifications or undergo subsequent training or apprenticeships. They were more likely to be unskilled manual workers, single and living in rented accommodation. In an area of high unemployment patients with epilepsy have disproportionately greater difficulty finding work. High unemployment rates among patients with epilepsy are only one aspect of a spectrum of social and economic disadvantage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Anaesthesia, movement and emesis.

One hundred and eighty-two women undergoing dilatation and curettage were allocated randomly to receive premedication comprising temazepam, papaveretum-hyoscine or placebo. The temazepam recipients reported significantly fewer episodes of postoperative nausea. Movement was blamed by 66% of patients who identified a cause for nausea. These patients had higher scores on a motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire and were more likely to have been treated previously for nausea or vomiting. It may be possible to identify susceptible patients before surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Influence of induced hypotension and spinal distraction on feline spinal somatosensory evoked potentials.

Spinal cord injury may occur during surgical correction of spinal deformity, which is performed frequently under hypotensive anaesthesia. We have investigated the interaction between pharmacologically induced hypotension and distraction on feline spinal cord function. Twelve anaesthetized cats were subjected to hypotension (mean arterial pressure (MAP) 60 mm Hg) using a mixture of sodium nitroprusside and trimetaphan (1:5). No significant changes were observed in somatosensory evoked potentials recorded at T11. In six cats distraction was applied at L2-3 in 2.5-mm increments up to 1 cm, while MAP was maintained at 100 mm Hg (normotensive group). The remaining cats were subjected to the same distraction procedure at an MAP of 60 mm Hg (hypotensive group). In the hypotensive group, a reduction in amplitude of evoked response occurred at significantly less distraction than in the normotensive group. These data indicate that the feline spinal cord is more sensitive to spinal distraction under hypotensive conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Celiprolol in the treatment of hypertension: a comparison with propranolol.

A randomized double-blind study compared the antihypertensive efficacy of single daily oral doses of celiprolol 200 or 400 mg to twice daily doses of propranolol 40 or 80 mg in 58 patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension (supine diastolic blood pressure range 95-114 mm Hg). Before treatment there was no significant difference in patient characteristics or in the average systolic or diastolic blood pressures or heart rates between the two groups. Sixty-five percent of the celiprolol group and 56% of the patients randomized to propranolol achieved blood pressure control on the lowest dose of each drug. The mean reductions in the systolic and diastolic pressures at the end of the 4 week titration period were -14/-13 mm Hg for the celiprolol group and -11/-12 mm Hg for the propranolol group. Continued treatment with the same doses of celiprolol and propranolol for a further 8 weeks resulted in blood pressure reductions of -18/14 mm Hg and -8/-9 mm Hg, respectively. In 64% of patients taking celiprolol and in 54% of those taking propranolol the prospective target reduction in supine diastolic blood pressure was achieved, namely a reduction to below 90 mm Hg or a reduction lower after propranolol than after celiprolol; celiprolol reduced the heart rate by an average of 6 bt/min and propranolol by 13 bt/min after 12 weeks treatment (p 0.01). Adverse reactions assessed by patient-volunteered information were similar in character and frequency for both drugs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1986

The five year outcome of severe blunt head injury: a relative's view.

A close relative of each of 42 severely head injured patients was interviewed at 5 years after injury, following initial study at 3, 6, and 12 months. Persisting severe deficits, in some cases worse than at 1 year, were primarily psychological and behavioural, although minor physical deficits, for example in vision, were also common. Relatives were under great strain; significantly more so than at 1 year. The best predictor of strain in the relative was the magnitude of behavioural and personality change in the patient.

Adolescent↗