Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Green

Publications and source records attributed to A Green.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Melanocytic nevi in schoolchildren in Queensland.

In a group of 211 schoolchildren in Queensland less than 12 years of age, the mean total melanocytic nevus (mole) count was 28 (median 19), and the mean count for raised nevi was 11 (median 8). The upper aspect of the back and chest were the most commonly affected sites, with the neck being the third. Boys had significantly (p less than 0.01) more melanocytic nevi than girls, and prevalence was highest in children with pale skin and light-colored hair. Nonwhite heritage had a protective effect independent of pigmentary characteristics. Total numbers of nevi on children also were related to maternal tendency to large numbers of moles and to family history of melanoma. The only significant association observed for the presence of large (greater than 5 mm) nevi on children was a family history of melanoma. The children studied come from a general population that has the highest known risk of melanoma. In Australia they have been shown to have the highest prevalence of nevi ever reported in the prepubertal age group. These descriptive data, together with the specific pigmentary and family associations described, extend the known links between benign nevi and malignant melanoma.

Child↗

The effect of serum CEA on the distribution and clearance of anti-CEA antibody in a pancreatic tumour xenograft model.

A human pancreatic adenocarcinoma was used to develop two histologically distinct xenograft lines, one associated with high levels (180-2000 ng ml-1) and one with low levels (greater than 2.0 less than 8.0 ng ml-1) of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). A strong correlation was found between tumour size and both circulating and tumour CEA levels in the former group, and also correlation at the 5% level between tumour size and serum CEA in the latter. Administration of either monoclonal or polyclonal 125I-anti-CEA antibody led to the formation of intravascular antigen-antibody immune complexes in mice with high CEA levels, and these were rapidly cleared by the liver, deiodination commencing within the first hour. Blood activity was reduced to 20% of the injected dose by 15 min, and by 24 h the radioactivity in all tissues except muscle was significantly below that found in either the low CEA group or in mice without tumours. No difference in radio-antibody clearance pattern was found between mice without tumours and the group with low levels of serum CEA. In spite of higher levels of CEA within the tumour in mice with elevated serum CEA, the rapid clearance of antigen-antibody complexes reduced tumour localisation to one quarter of that seen in mice with low serum, and correspondingly low tumour, CEA levels. Gamma-camera imaging confirmed these results. Possible implications to patient selection and treatment are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The epidemiology of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a Danish population, 1950-84.

The epidemiology of Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric stenosis (IHPS) was studied in a geographically well-delineated and demographically representative Danish region (The County of Funen), covering the period 1 January 1950 to 31 December 1984. Based upon 679 cases, the cumulative incidence from birth of IHPS was found to be virtually unchanged during the study period at a level of 4.8 per 1000 liveborn boys and 1.3 per 1000 liveborn girls. In an analysis of clinical and demographic variables, the development of IHPS was found to be associated with low parity status (regardless of maternal age). The preterm cases had a longer interval from birth to onset of symptoms, compared with those born at term. No statistically significant associations were found between IHPS and seasonal variations at onset of symptoms, ABO and Rhesus blood groups, and maternal age.

Birth Order↗

Recurrent glomerulonephritis in renal transplants: fourteen years' experience.

A retrospective study of the clinical records and biopsy specimens of all transplants performed between 1974 and 1987 was carried out. Recurrent glomerulonephritis was diagnosed only in those patients who had precise histological classification of their original disease. Of a total of 737 transplants performed in 633 recipients. 603 were from cadaveric and 134 from living related donors. Of 295 patients who were clinically classed as having chronic glomerulonephritis, histological confirmation was available in 156 (54%) as follows: membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis 34%, diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis 27%, crescentic glomerulonephritis 13% IgA neuropathy 10%, focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis 10%, and membranous nephropathy 7%. There were 24 cases of recurrence in 23 recipients. Of these, 16 occurred in living-related and 8 in cadaveric grafts. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis recurred in 14 (8 type I and 6 type II), focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis in 5, IgA neuropathy in 3, crescentic glomerulonephritis in 1 and membranous nephropathy in 1. Graft failure occurred in 13 patients (54%) and was directly attributable to recurrent disease in 12. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis caused 8 graft losses, focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis 2, IgA 1 and crescentic glomerulonephritis 1. Recurrence caused graft loss in 50% of cases in which it occurred. The overall incidence of recurrence was 18%. In contrast to other series, a significantly higher incidence of recurrence was seen in our living-related group.

Cadaver↗

Retrospective estimation of diabetes incidence from information in a prevalent population and historical mortality.

If the distribution of onset age of disease in a well-defined prevalent (cross-sectional) population of patients is known, disease incidence rates specific for age and calendar time period may be estimated, assuming known mortality rates and a closed population. This paper develops a method of estimation, illustrates this method on Danish diabetes data, and discusses its general applicability. The prevalent population of diabetic subjects in Fyn County on July 1, 1973 was ascertained from prescriptions, and information on disease onset was obtained from the patients' medical records. In this study only patients with onset of disease before or at age 30 years were studied. The mortality of diabetic subjects in Denmark was estimated from retrospective hospital data covering the period since 1933, and historical age-specific population sizes of Fyn County were obtained from census data. The incidence of diabetes increases with calendar time and with age for most cohorts. The variation with age for a fixed calendar year is more complicated, however, usually displaying a local maximum at about the age of puberty and a higher incidence at the upper end of the studied age range.

Adolescent↗

Egg and breast milk based nitrogen sources compared.

A nitrogen source based on egg protein (Vamin 9 glucose) and an alternative with an amino acid profile more similar to breast milk (Vaminolact), were compared in 14 parenterally fed infants. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive one or other amino acid solution, but were otherwise given identical diets. At the start of the study the two groups did not differ significantly in postconceptual age, postnatal age, or weight. Over a six day study period on a stable intake of intravenous nutrients there was no significant difference in growth or nitrogen retention between the two groups. Plasma amino acid profiles in those receiving Vamin 9 glucose, however, were frequently abnormal. Notably, mean concentrations of potentially neurotoxic phenylalanine and tyrosine were significantly higher (140% and 420%, respectively) in patients fed Vamin 9 compared with those given Vaminolact. An amino acid solution based on the composition of breast milk protein therefore brings plasma amino acid profiles during parenteral nutrition closer to those found in breast fed infants, and reduces in particular, the risks of hyperphenylalaninaemia and hypertyrosinaemia.

Amino Acids↗

A systematic evaluation of bathophenanthroline, ferrozine and ferene in an ICSH-based method for the measurement of serum iron.

The chromogenic substrates ferrozine and ferene were compared to bathophenanthroline disulphonic acid for the measurement of iron concentrations in aqueous and serum samples in an assay based on that of the Iron Panel of the International Committee for Standardisation in Haematology. Ferrozine and ferene were more sensitive than bathophenanthroline. Copper at physiological concentrations in plasma caused only minimal positive interference with all three chromogenic substrates when thioglycollic acid was used as the reducing agent, but when ascorbic acid was used significant positive interference occurred with ferrozine and ferene. Interference due to contaminating haem was comparable with all agents. Bilirubin and carotene produced no interference. Profound reductions in colour development were noted with EDTA plasma.

Chromogenic Compounds↗

Efficiency & perversity in hospital services.

Andrew Green and Stephen Harrison explore some of the ambiguities in the concept of efficiency as it is used in the health service, and argue that under the white paper proposals the pursuit of efficiency will be different but not necessarily better.

Efficiency↗

Apolipoprotein assays: methodological considerations and studies in non-insulin-dependent diabetes treated by diet, glibenclamide and insulin.

The effect of sample pre-treatment as a source of variability of apolipoprotein (apo) AI, AII and B assays was demonstrated with lipid dissociating agents. The average mean percentage change ranged from -58 to +133% compared with untreated samples. The apolipoprotein method selected was validated by comparing their concentrations with their corresponding lipoprotein lipid or protein in normal controls and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. The coefficient of variation was maintained below 3.5% for apo AI, AII, B and HDL2-apo AI. The apolipoprotein concentrations of fasting plasma lipoproteins were determined in a cross-sectional study of non-obese (body-mass index less than or equal to 30) patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Compared with normal subjects matched for sex, age, body-mass index, exercise, alcohol consumption and smoking. Type 2 patients at diagnosis showed reduced apo AI and HDL2-apo AI concentrations, lowered apo AI:B ratio and increased concentrations of apo B. Type 2 patients treated by diet alone (for 6-72 months) and diet plus glibenclamide (2.5-15 mg/day for 6-48 months) exhibited similar abnormalities of plasma apolipoprotein concentration to Type 2 patients at diagnosis. However, in Type 2 patients treated with insulin (25-65 U/day for 8-144 months) concentrations of apo AI and HDL2-apo AI, and the apo AI:B ratio were normal. Apo B concentrations were generally lower compared with all groups of non-insulin treated patients. These abnormalities of apolipoprotein metabolism, which are associated with premature coronary disease, are still evident in patients treated by diet and diet plus glibenclamide, but are not seen in Type 2 patients treated with insulin.

Adult↗

A nursing challenge: cytomegalovirus in the transplant recipient.

Primary or reactivated CMV infection can be severe and life-threatening in the immunosuppressed transplant recipient. Nurses must be knowledgeable of the complex relationship between the infection and the compromised host state. By recognizing that all transplant recipients are susceptible to CMV infection, the nurse can prepare to care for these patients in the most effective manner.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗

Inborn errors of organic acid metabolism.

Organic acid disorders are an important group of inborn errors which present in the neonatal period or early infancy and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Some of these disorders respond well to treatment, and others can be diagnosed in utero.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

High affinity antibody from hen's eggs directed against the human insulin receptor and the human IGF-I receptor.

Large quantities of high affinity antibodies directed against the human insulin receptor and the human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor were obtained from hen's eggs. Hens were immunized with human placental membranes and human liver membranes by intramuscular injections. Specific antibodies to the receptors were demonstrated in serum and egg yolks at 5 weeks and these antibodies presisted for at least 6 months. Antibodies from egg yolks were purified by the polyethylene glycol precipitation technique of Polson et al. The eggs provided the equivalent of about 450 ml of immunized serum per month per bird. The purified antibodies were approximately equally reactive with receptors for insulin or IGF-I. Antibodies immunoprecipitated affinity-labeled receptors, inhibited binding of each ligand, and were capable of stimulating 2-deoxyglucose uptake in rat adipocytes and thymidine incorporation in cultured fibroblasts. The presence of antibodies directed against the IGF-I receptor in those hens immunized with human liver membranes was unexpected, since liver membranes possess little or no IGF-I binding activity. We conclude that antibodies against human antigens may be relatively easily obtained by immunization of hens and purification of those antibodies from eggs.

Animals↗