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Biomedical subjects

A Cassidy

Publications and source records attributed to A Cassidy.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Biological effects of isoflavones in young women: importance of the chemical composition of soyabean products.

To examine the hormonal effects of isoflavones, of which soyabean is a rich source, fifteen healthy nonvegetarian premenopausal women were studied over 9 months. They lived in a metabolic suite for between 4 and 6 months where their diet and activity levels were kept constant and their hormonal status was measured over two or three menstrual cycles. During one (control) menstrual cycle a normal but constant diet containing no soyabean products was fed. Then, over a second complete cycle six subjects consumed a similar diet into which 60 g textured vegetable protein (TVP)/d, containing 45 mg conjugated isoflavones, had been incorporated. Three participants had 50 g miso (a fermented soyabean paste), containing 25 mg unconjugated isoflavones, added daily to their diet over a menstrual cycle, and six others consumed 28 g TVP/d, containing 23 mg conjugated isoflavones. Five participants completed a third diet period where they were randomly assigned to consume either the control diet over a cycle, or a similar diet incorporating 60 g of a soyabean product which had had the isoflavones chemically extracted (Arcon F). Follicular phase length was significantly (P < 0.01) increased and peak progesterone concentrations were delayed with 60 g TVP but no effects were observed with Arcon F. The increase in menstrual cycle length did not reach statistical significance in the three three subject who ate 50 g miso/d, but peak progesterone levels were significantly (P < 0.05) delayed. Mid-cycle peaks of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were suppressed with 45 mg conjugated isoflavones as 60 g TVP (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). No other changes in sex-steroid hormone levels were observed on any of the other diets. A significant reduction in total cholesterol was found with 45 mg conjugated isoflavones (P < 0.05), but not with 23 mg conjugated isoflavone-free Arcon F. There was no effect of menstrual cycle phase on transit time.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Starch intake and colorectal cancer risk: an international comparison.

Intakes of starch, non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), protein and fat have been compared with colorectal cancer incidence in 12 populations worldwide. There were strong inverse associations between starch consumption and large bowel cancer incidence (large bowel r = -0.70, colon r = -0.76). There was no significant relation with NSPs, although the association with large bowel cancer incidence was still significant when NSP was combined with resistant starch (RS) to give an estimate of fermentable carbohydrate (large bowel r = -0.52, colon r = -0.60). The relationships between starch, RS and NSPs and cancer incidence remained statistically significant after adjusting for fat and protein intakes. The strong inverse associations found here suggest a potentially important role for starch in protection against colorectal cancer and correspond with the hypothesis that fermentation in the colon is the mechanism for preventing colorectal cancer. Measures of both starch and NSPs need to be included in future epidemiological studies of diet and bowel cancer.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of dietary assessment methods in nutritional epidemiology: weighed records v. 24 h recalls, food-frequency questionnaires and estimated-diet records.

Women (n 160) aged 50 to 65 years were asked to weigh their food for 4 d on four occasions over the period of 1 year, using the PETRA (Portable Electronic Tape Recorded Automatic) scales. Throughout the year, they were asked to complete seven other dietary assessment methods: a simple 24 h recall, a structured 24 h recall with portion size assessments using photographs, two food-frequency questionnaires, a 7 d estimated record or open-ended food diary, a structured food-frequency (menu) record, and a structured food-frequency (menu) record with portion sizes assessed using photographs. Comparisons between the average of the 16 d weighed records and the first presentation of each method indicated that food-frequency questionnaires were not appreciably better at placing individuals in the distribution of habitual diet than 24 h recalls, due partly to inaccuracies in the estimation of frequency of food consumption. With a 7 d estimated record or open-ended food diary, however, individual values of nutrients were most closely associated with those obtained from 16 d weighed records, and there were no significant differences in average food or nutrient intakes.

Diet Records↗
PubMed1994

Biological effects of a diet of soy protein rich in isoflavones on the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women.

The influence of a diet containing soy protein on the hormonal status and regulation of the menstrual cycle was examined in six premenopausal women with regular ovulatory cycles. Soy protein (60 g containing 45 mg isoflavones) given daily for 1 mo significantly (P < 0.01) increased follicular phase length and/or delayed menstruation. Midcycle surges of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly suppressed during dietary intervention with soy protein. Plasma estradiol concentrations increased in the follicular phase and cholesterol concentrations decreased 9.6%. Similar responses occur with tamoxifen, an antiestrogen undergoing clinical trial as a prophylactic agent in women at high risk for breast cancer. These effects are presumed to be due to nonsteroidal estrogens of the isoflavone class, which behave as partial estrogen agonists/antagonists. The responses to soy protein are potentially beneficial with respect to risk factors for breast cancer and may in part explain the low incidence of breast cancer and its correlation with a high soy intake in Japanese and Chinese women.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Sex hormones and bone mineral density in elderly men.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between sex hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) in older men. Community-dwelling men (n = 134, mean age (SD) 69.5 (3.1) years) were recruited from two general practices in Cambridge, UK. Plasma total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were assayed and a free androgen index (FAI) was derived as the ratio of total testosterone to SHBG (x 100). Spine and hip BMD were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry using the Hologic QDR-1000. After adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI), the FAI correlated with femoral neck (r = 0.20, P = 0 0.03), intertrochanteric, trochanteric and Ward's Triangle BMD (r = 0.22, P = 0.01). Analysis of variance, with adjustment for age and BMI, showed a progressive upward trend of hip BMD with increasing quartiles of FAI. The findings suggest that free testosterone plays a role in determining bone mineral density in older men.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical function, employment and quality of life in end-stage renal disease.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on quality of life (QoL) can be measured in terms of physical, psychological and social consequences, including the ability to work. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This multi-center, cross-sectional study explored relationships between QoL, employment status and physical function in ESRD patients aged 18-65 years, via a customised interviewer-administered questionnaire, which included the SF-36 health survey. The International Labour Office method was applied to describe employment rate. RESULTS: 144 patients (85 male, 49 female), comprising 49 haemodialysis (HD), 35 peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 60 renal transplant (TX) patients were studied. Mean age was 44 +/- 12 years. 32 were voluntarily not working, leaving 112 in the labour force. Of the latter, 49% were unemployed, in contrast with the concurrent national rate of 10%. QoL in the ESRD group was reduced in the SF-36 physical and social dimensions compared to population norms. Unemployed ESRD patients scored significantly lower than those employed in physical function, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality and role emotional scales. Logistic regression demonstrated that multiple comorbidities (p<0.005), a premorbid physical occupation (p<0.05) and poor physical function (p<0.05) predicted unemployment in ESRD independent of all other variables. Multiple regression showed that age (p<0.05), female sex (p<0.05) and a diagnosis of musculoskeletal disease (p<0.005) were independent predictors of poor physical function. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that vocational rehabilitation of ESRD patients must consider physical function and occupational demands as well as co-morbidity and that musculoskeletal disease is key factor in impaired physical function.

Adolescent↗