Plasma fibrinogen: its relationship with oral contraception, the menopause, and hormone replacement therapy.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
A J Lee
Publications and source records attributed to A J Lee.
Adipose tissue fatty acids in Scottish men and women: results from the Scottish Heart Health Study.
The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue from 4114 men and women across 22 districts of Scotland is described. A biopsy of subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from the upper arm using a skin biopsy punch. Overall the proportion of saturated fatty acids was lower in women and those of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated higher than in men. There were significant effects of age on adipose tissue fatty acid composition, particularly in women, where the proportion of saturated fatty acids decreased and that of monounsaturated fatty acids increased with advancing age. The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue varied among the districts studied. The district standardised mortality ratio for coronary heart disease was positively correlated with the district mean oleic acid value and inversely correlated with the district mean linoleic acid value. This paper supports the importance of adipose tissue fatty acids as indicators of risk factor status for coronary heart disease.
Adipose Tissue↗
Rheological determinants of blood pressure in a Scottish adult population.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship of blood pressure with haematocrit, plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen. DESIGN: A random population sample of 1264 men and women aged 25-64 years from the west of Scotland, UK. RESULTS: Strong correlations between age, body mass index and blood pressure were noted: these were higher for women than men. Blood viscosity, haematocrit and plasma viscosity correlated with blood pressure independently of age, body mass index and smoking status. No evidence was found for an effect of erythrocyte rigidity upon blood pressure; plasma fibrinogen showed an inverse correlation with blood pressure and the rheological variables on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the role of blood viscosity in determining blood pressure as suggested by other, smaller studies. The magnitude of the effect upon blood pressure levels across the normal range of blood viscosity was of clinical importance. Further studies of factors that influence blood and plasma viscosity may help in the understanding of the aetiology of essential hypertension and its management.
Adult↗
Approximate accuracy of genetic evaluation under a single-trait animal model.
A method to approximate breeding value accuracy under a single-trait animal model was developed. Meyer's method was extended to account explicitly for the covariance between contemporaries, the distribution of relatives across herds, exact relationships between animals, and some cases of close in-breeding. The procedure comprised five steps. The diagonal term of each animal in the mixed model equations was progressively adjusted for 1) the herd-year-season effect, 2) contemporaries, 3) progeny and contemporaries of progeny, 4) mates, and 5) parents and parents of contemporaries, before being inverted and expressed in term of repeatability. The efficiency of this method and Meyer's method was compared with two examples. The proposed method appeared to be more efficient, particularly when herds were small, progeny concentrated in a few herds, and animals inbred. Estimates of repeatability from both methods were biased upward and remained sensitive to the number of generations included in the analysis. However, because of its ease of use, Meyer's method, with simple adjustments for repeatability level and inbreeding, can be recommended.
Animals↗
Evaluation of various measures of and factors influencing feed efficiency of dairy cattle.
Early part records for milk yield and feed consumption of 2230 first lactation purebred and crossbred dairy cows were analyzed to evaluate various measures of feed efficiency. Corrected milk yield was estimated by adjusting the second 8 wk of milk yield for differences in weight of TDN consumed during wk 9 to 16, percentage of TDN derived from concentrate, and BW.75. Corrected milk yield is an estimate assuming that cows are the same size and consume the same amount of feed. Hence, it represents an expression of feed efficiency. Net feed efficiency, gross efficiency, corrected milk yield, and wk 9 to 16 milk were analyzed simultaneously. Coefficient of determination for net efficiency (.51) and gross efficiency (.72) were lower than that of milk (.82), whereas corrected milk yield had a coefficient of determination similar to that of milk. Hence, the use of ratios to define feed efficiency was less accurate than using corrected milk yield. Effects of genetic groups, stations, season of freshening, year of freshening, and heterosis were similar for gross efficiency and corrected milk yield, but different from those for milk. Therefore, corrected milk yield performed the same function as feed efficiency with higher accuracy.
Animals↗
Genetics of growth, feed intake, and milk yield in Holstein cattle.
Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations among growth, forage consumption, and BW changes of heifers and feed consumption, BW changes, and yields of first lactation cows were estimated. Data were from 1266 Holstein progeny of 74 sires born from 1972 to 1985 at three Agriculture Canada research herds. Heavier heifers at 26 wk consumed more feed from 26 to 34 wk than smaller heifers but gained the same BW. The BW gain and feed consumption heritabilities were .17 and .23, respectively; genetic correlation was .44, and phenotypic correlation was .27. During first lactation, feed intake from 8 to 16 wk and measures of milk yield are very tightly intercorrelated both phenotypically and genetically (.78 to .98). Precalving BW gain and BW at calving were genetically uncorrelated with measures of milk yield (-.09 to +.05). Loss of BW during the first 8 wk of first lactation was moderately heritable (.29) and correlated genetically and phenotypically with measures of milk yield in early lactation (.32 to .39) and feed consumption (.26). From 8 to 16 wk, average BW changes were small and had low heritability and weak phenotypic correlations with measures of milk yield or feed intake. The BW at 26 wk and BW gain from 26 to 34 wk were very poor indicators of early first lactation milk yield. Heifer feed intake was weakly correlated phenotypically (-.07 to .16) but moderately genetically correlated (.17 to .23) with early first lactation milk yield and feed consumption.
Animal Husbandry↗
Key factors affecting the future of managed care.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Aged↗
Cigarette smoking and employment status.
The smoking habits and health knowledge of the unemployed and the full-time workers were investigated in a cross-sectional study of over 10,000 men and women throughout Scotland. For both sexes (age range 40-59 years), the proportion of current smokers and ever smokers was found to be considerably higher among the unemployed. Only a small part of the difference could be explained by standardisation for social class. The unemployed smokers had began to smoke at an earlier age, with significantly more smoking whilst still at school. Amongst current smokers, the unemployed males reported smoking fewer cigarettes a day, whereas unemployed women smoked more than their full-time counterparts. The reported levels were confirmed by the biochemical measures of smoking; serum thiocyanate and expired air carbon monoxide levels. In contrast to their differences in smoking habit, the two groups were very similar in their knowledge of the hazards of smoking. Smoking habits among the unemployed reflect a complex interaction of financial and both current and previous social factors. Such relationships present a particular challenge to health promotion campaigns.
Adult↗
Control of blood pressure in Scotland: the rule of halves.
OBJECTIVE: Audit of detection, treatment, and control of hypertension in adults in Scotland. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey with random population sampling. SETTING: General practice centres in 22 Scottish districts. SUBJECTS: 5123 Men and 5236 women aged 40-59 in the Scottish heart health study, randomly selected from 22 districts throughout Scotland, of whom 1262 men and 1061 women had hypertension (defined as receiving antihypertensive treatment or with blood pressure above defined cut off points). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Hypertension (assessed by standardised recording, questionnaire on diagnosis, and antihypertensive drug treatment) according to criteria of the World Health Organisation (receiving antihypertensive treatment or blood pressure greater than or equal to 160/95 mm Hg, or both) and to modified criteria of the British Hypertension Society. RESULTS: In half the men with blood pressure greater than or equal to 160/95 mm Hg hypertension was undetected (670/1262, 53%), in half of those in whom it had been detected it was untreated (250/592, 42%), and in half of those receiving treatment it was not controlled (172/342, 50%). In women the numbers were: 486/1061, 46%; 188/575, 33%; and 155/387, 40% respectively. Assessment of blood pressure according to the British Hypertension Society's recommendations showed an improvement, but in only a quarter of men and 42% of women was hypertension detected and treated satisfactorily (142/561, 215/514 respectively). IMPLICATIONS: The detection and control of hypertension in Scotland is unsatisfactory, affecting management of this and other conditions, such as high blood cholesterol concentration, whose measurement is opportunistic and selective and depends on recognition of other risk factors.
Adult↗
Plasma fibrinogen and coronary risk factors: the Scottish Heart Health Study.
Plasma fibrinogen was measured in a sample of 8824 men and women aged 40-59 years participating in the Scottish Heart Health Study, and related to cardiovascular risk factors. Women had higher fibrinogen levels than men. In both sexes, multivariate analysis showed that fibrinogen was positively associated with age, smoking, total cholesterol and body mass index and negatively associated with alcohol consumption. Among women, early menopause and systolic blood pressure were also associated with fibrinogen levels. Univariate analyses showed weak positive associations with fish consumption for both sexes although only male white fish consumption entered the final model. Women with a history of contraceptive pill usage had significantly lower fibrinogen levels. The relationship between fibrinogen and physical activity was complex, and could largely be explained by smoking. These findings support the hypothesis that raised fibrinogen is one mechanism by which several major risk factors may promote coronary heart disease. However, known risk factors explained, at most, 10% of the total variance in fibrinogen levels among the general population.
Adult↗
Alcohol consumption and unemployment among men: the Scottish Heart Health Study.
There is growing concern about the relationship between health-related behaviour and employment status. Data from the Scottish Heart Health Study included information on the self-reported drinking habits of 4170 full-time employed and 479 unemployed men. This enabled the patterns of alcohol consumption in the unemployed to be compared to those of the full-time workers. There were appreciable differences in both frequency and quantity of reported alcohol consumption between the two groups and a higher percentage of the unemployed reported being non-drinkers. Nevertheless, the unemployed drinkers drank more alcohol than those in employment, even after standardization for both age and social class (27.9 units vs 20.7 units per week). Binge drinking was common in both groups, but the proportion was higher among the unemployed (58.8% of the unemployed reported drinking more than eight units in any day in the previous week compared to 33.5% among the full-time workers). In an attempt to validate these findings and to assess the possible health consequences of heavy drinking, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels were analysed. Overall, the unemployed were found to have higher levels, this finding being largely influenced by the excess of heavy drinkers. The reasons behind these differences in drinking behaviour between the employed and unemployed need to be identified before any cause and effect hypotheses can be generated, and counselling given where needed.
Adult↗
Class I alleles of the bovine major histocompatibility system and their association with economic traits.
A total of 179 Holstein cows from the Agriculture Canada Research Branch herd at Ottawa and 271 progeny-tested Canadian Holstein bulls were typed for 37 lymphocyte antigens. Each antigen appears to be controlled by a distinct, codominant allele of the bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA)-A locus, which is a class I locus of the bovine major histocompatibility system. Only 10 and 16 alleles were present in Holstein cows and bulls, respectively. The association between bovine lymphocyte antigens and economically important traits was examined in gene substitution models. Separate models were used for the cow and bull data. The substitution of the W6.1 allele for the W10 allele was associated with increased protein yield in the milk in both analyses. The results were also consistent with a previous report that the presence of the W10 allele was associated with increased fat percentage compared with some, but not all, of the other alleles. However, more research is necessary to confirm these findings and to determine the biological mechanisms underlying these associations.
Age Factors↗
Relationships of milk protein types to lifetime performance.
Data from 889 cows at five research stations of Agriculture Canada were used to study the effects of alpha s1-casein, beta-casein, kappa-casein, and beta-lactoglobulin loci on herdlife and total yield over fixed parities (one, two, and three parity) and to a fixed age (36, 48, and 61 mo). Actual yields of all cows were utilized to compute total milk regardless of lactational length. The model consisted of station, breed, year of birth, season of birth, and milk protein types with age at first calving as a covariate. Of the four milk protein types studied, only the kappa-casein locus had significant effects on fixed parity and fixed age total milk and herdlife. Cows with BB kappa-casein type outproduced those with AB or AA kappa-casein types in three parity total milk by 963 and 1657 kg, respectively. Considering total milk accumulated up to 61 mo of age in life, cows with BB kappa-casein type outperformed their counterparts with AB or AA kappa-casein types by 1050 and 1923 kg, respectively. Complete replacement of A by B allele at kappa-casein locus would result in an increase of 1657 kg in three parity total milk and an increase of 1923 kg in 61-mo total milk. The moderate gene frequency of kappa-casein B allele in the current dairy population can be increased to improve lifetime total milk to the benefit of the dairy industry.
Alleles↗
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in clinical application. A report of a 12-year experience.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has become a useful treatment in clinical diseases. All the treatment profiles (Death/Time) were performed under the safe limit of unit pulmonary toxicity dose (UPTD). Between June 1976 and December 1987, we had treated 1288 cases with HBO. The effective rates (cure or improvement) were 97.5% for decompression sickness, 96.3% for chronic osteomylitis, 90% for chronic skin ulcer, 89.4% for crush injury, 81.3% for gas intoxication, 76.1% for burn injury, 73.3% for cerebrovascular accident, 57.1% for gas gangrene, 50% for retinal artery insufficiency, and 45.5% for head or spinal cord injury. Only 3 patients suffered from oxygen toxicity and relieved immediately. To the serious decompression sickness, the comparative study between the conventional treatment table and our modified table revealed increased cure rate(25.8% versus 50.0%, P less than 0.05), and decreased recurrence rate (16.1% versus 4.1%, P less than 0.05). In burn patients with 35-70% area involved and 15-45 years of age, the comparative analysis showed a reduced mortality rate of 6.8% for the HBO treated group as opposed to 14.8% for the non-HBO treated group, P less than 0.05.
Adolescent↗
Age and Zebu-Holstein additive and heterotic effects on lactation performance and reproduction in Brazil.
Data of 6482 lactations from 14 crossbred (Holstein x Zebu) herds in Brazil were used to study breed additive and heterosis effects for first, second, third, and first to fifth lactation milk yields, age at first calving, calving interval, and milk yield divided by calving interval, as well as the effect of age at calving on milk yield. Holstein additive expressed as deviation from Zebu and heterosis effects were highly significant for all traits. For each percentage of Holstein gene contribution an increase of 10.02, 12.02, 12.51, and 12.15 kg of milk were expected for first, second, third, and first to fifth lactation yields, respectively. Corresponding heterosis effects on those traits were 3.80, 3.39, 4.02, and 3.90 kg of milk for each percentage of heterozygosity. Replacement of pure Zebu genes by Holstein genes reduced age at first calving by 6 mo and shortened calving interval by 37 d. Holstein x Zebu heterotic effect decreased age at first calving by 2 mo and calving interval by 39 d. Holstein additive and heterosis effects for milk yield divided by calving interval were 3.4 and 1.3 kg of milk/d, respectively. Fitting breed additive and heterozygosity effects accounted for 99% of the genetic effects except for first to fifth lactation milk yield.
Aging↗
Growth and feed efficiency of pureline and crossline dairy heifers.
Data on 3957 heifers from the Holstein H line, Ayrshire-based A line, and C line (crossbreds between H and A lines) were used. Growth, feed consumption, and feed efficiency from 26 to 34 wk were examined. The full model included the fixed effects of herd, year of birth, season of birth, and additive, maternal, and heterotic genetic effects with 26-wk weight as a covariate. Heterotic and maternal effects were not significant. Adjusted for the 26-wk weight covariate, H line heifers gained 3 kg more than A line heifers with C line heifers intermediate. Adjusted for 26 and 34-wk weight covariates, H line heifers ate 2 kg less TDN than A line heifers and, hence, were more efficient. Correlations among traits were estimated using the residual variance-covariance matrix from the full model. Body weight at 34 wk was correlated with 26-wk weight (r = .88) but essentially independent of rate of gain (r = .02). It was correlated with feed consumed (r = .51) and negatively associated with gain/feed consumed (r = -.25). Gain was correlated (r = .84) with gain/feed consumed but mildly so (r = .28) with feed consumed. Feed consumption was negatively correlated (r = -.25) with gain/feed consumed when the 26-wk weight covariate was included but became much larger (r = -.95) when both 26 and 34 wk weight covariates were included. Although genetic differences in feed consumption and feed efficiency of growing heifers exist, these are small and closely associated with weights and weight gains.
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
Factors affecting length of herdlife in purebred and crossbred dairy cattle.
The proportional hazards model with censoring was used to assess the effects of breeding value, disease, calving, size, and udder and lactation traits on length of herdlife of 3881 heifers in five herds. Data were recorded over 10 yr from three lines: a Holstein line, an Ayrshire-based line, and a crossbred line. Influences on survival were assessed from data collected at birth, 34, 50, and 82 wk, first freshening, and at 112 and 308 d postpartum. Median estimated herdlife (age at 50% culling) was 3.9 yr for animals alive at first freshening and increased to 4.3 yr for those that completed a first lactation (308 d postpartum). Herds differed greatly in the pattern of culling after freshening. Crossbred females had 21 wk longer median estimated herdlife than the mean of the purelines at 308 d postpartum. Individual milk yield was positively associated with longevity and had the greatest impact on length of herdlife. Abortion and fertility measured as days to last insemination were negatively associated with length of herdlife. Large heifers tended to have increased longevity. High feed intake postpartum was associated with reduced length of herdlife. Objective measures of conformation, which included measurements of the udder, were not important in determining herdlife.
Animals↗
The case for fluoridation: a comparison between Toronto and Montreal.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Child↗