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Biomedical subjects

A M Bold

Publications and source records attributed to A M Bold.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Alternative medicines elevate blood leads in Omani children referred for extensive investigation.

The frequency of elevated blood lead levels in Omani children referred for routine investigation was determined by measurement of 529 blood samples randomly selected from children less than 12 years old, without clinical suspicion of lead poisoning. The blood was collected from four distinct areas within the Sultanate of Oman: the Royal Hospital, a tertiary referral centre in the capital Muscat; and the district hospitals Nizwa, Sur, and Sohar. In all areas, between 22 and 45 per cent children had higher than desirable blood lead levels according to CDC criteria. The highest blood lead levels were found in the Royal Hospital, Muscat and occurred in children attending the paediatric oncology or thalassaemic clinics who were undergoing extensive investigations.

Child↗
PubMed1987

Hypercholinesterasaemia and suxamethonium resistance.

A case is reported of resistance to the muscle relaxing action of suxamethonium due to the rare inherited condition of hypercholinesterasaemia. Family studies suggest dominant inheritance. It is suggested the condition should be considered whenever there is unexpected resistance to the muscle relaxing action of suxamethonium.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Interpretation of in-vitro thyroid function tests during pregnancy.

In-vitro thyroid function tests are difficult to interpret in pregnancy because of, among other things, the effect of oestrogens on thyroid binding globulin (TBG) concentrations. In an attempt to clarify the position, serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4), free T4, TBG, T4/TBG ratio, tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured. Total T4 and TBG concentrations rose to above the non-pregnant reference range by 20 weeks. The T4/TBG ratio fell to hypo-thyroid values by 20 weeks but although the free T4 level was lower in the third trimester compared with values in the first and second trimesters, only a few subjects had hypothyroid values. The TSH values remained unchanged throughout pregnancy. The significance of these changes is discussed and reference ranges for these hormones at each trimester are provided.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

An evaluation of the ICA1 ionized calcium analyzer in a clinical chemistry laboratory.

A production model of the Radiometer ICA1 ionized calcium analyzer has recently been evaluated in this Department. Performance characteristics such as stability, precision and selectivity are described and the problem of assessing accuracy is discussed. The influence of pH changes and of packed red cell volume on results is described. The potential of the instrument in routine and in research applications in clinical chemistry is considered. We conclude that the instrument represents a significant advance in providing convenient and precise ionized calcium measurement.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1983

Clinical studies on ionized calcium using the radiometer ICA1 analyzer.

It is generally believed that measurement of ionized calcium in blood should more clearly reflect changes in calcium metabolism than measurements of total calcium concentration. We have investigated ionized calcium levels using the Radiometer ICA1 Analyzer in number of clinical situations where total calcium, hydrogen ion or protein concentrations are abnormal. While there are a number of clearcut situations in which ionized calcium measurements are superior to total calcium, it is apparent that chemical activity of calcium ions in blood may sometimes not reflect their physiological activity. In addition, the problem of clinical interpretation of ionized calcium levels found in patients with extreme disorders of acid-base balance or of plasma protein concentration remains to be resolved. The role of ionized calcium measurement in routine clinical chemistry will be discussed.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1981

Hypercalcaemia in hospital patients. Clinical and diagnostic aspects.

The relative importance of different causes of hypercalcaemia was studied, and diagnostic tests were evaluated as predictors of the cause of hypercalcaemia. In one year, hypercalcaemia was identified in 166 hospital inpatients. Serum-calcium was below 3.00 mmol/l in 63%. Among 153 patients investigated the commonest cause of hypercalcaemia was malignancy (89 cases), especially breast and bronchial tumours. 75% of the 89 patients had obvious metastases at presentation. 51 patients had primary hyperparathyroidism: their symptoms were non-specific and only 20% had renal stones. Other causes of hypercalcaemia were rare (9% of patients seen). Of patients with no diagnosis initially, 64% had hyperparathyroidism and 32% malignancy, but this was demonstrated early in the illness. Serum phosphate and chloride and acid/base status were unsatisfactory as diagnostic tests; multivariate analysis was more discriminating overall, but incorrect classification was still a significant problem.

Calcium↗
PubMed1981

Serum calcium levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

Total and corrected (for albumin) serum calcium levels were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 394 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 4490 healthy subjects, and 2609 inpatients at a district general hospital. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had lower mean calcium levels than the healthy subject (p less than 0.001), but had similar levels to inpatients at the district general hospital. Thirty-eight inpatients with rheumatoid arthritis at a hospital for rheumatic diseases had lower mean corrected and total calcium levels than all other groups (p less than 0.01). Corrected or total calcium levels higher than 2.60 mmol/l or corrected calcium levels lower than 2.20 mmol/l were uncommon in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A longitudinal study of serum calcium levels in 17 patients with rheumatoid arthritis over 6-48 months showed considerable temporal variation in total and corrected calcium levels. Transient hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia occurred occasionally, but for most of the time calcium levels were normal. Changes in calcium levels were not related to changes in clinical, haematological, or immunological parameters of disease activity. Mean serum calcium levels are lower in disease than health; this occurs in RA as well as other diseases.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1980

Hypercalcaemia--a hospital survey.

In order to provide information about the prevalence of hypercalcaemia and its different causes, a retrospective survey was carried out in all hospital in-patients in whom serum calcium was elevated. Six hundred and forty-four cases were seen in two years and eight months, but a number of these were excluded as being spurious measurements leaving 496 cases of genuine hypercalcaemia. Four hundred and sixty-nine records (95 per cent) were successfully traced and analysed. Two hundred and nineteen cases of hypercalcaemia with malignancy were found together with 68 cases with chronic renal failure and 59 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. In 102 cases no cause was identified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Clinical chemistry reporting. Problems and proposals.

The completed report is the most obvious interface between the laboratory and the clinician. An unattractive, uninformative, or confusing report may fail to do justice to an excellent analytical service. Unfortunately, relatively little effort has been expended on achieving the best possible report, and individual enthusiasm and initiative has led to widely diverse practices in reporting. There is an urgent need for standardisation of report formats and it is suggested that all reports should include guidance on abnormality, be in cumulative format, and contain a realistic statement of analytical reliability.

Chemistry, Clinical↗
PubMed1976

How to pass examinations: a personal view on good technique in Clinical Biochemistry examinations.

Elementary faults in examination technique are commonly displayed by candidates who have worked hard for the examination. Advice is offered on answering multiple-choice questions and "essay" questions and on how to tackle oral and practical examinations. A candidate's preparation for an examination should include the submission of written work and the taking of a mock oral examination for critical assessment by a supervisor. Careful writing up of practical work in the home laboratory is important, so that faulty technique can be corrected early in training. Above all, stress is laid on the importance of mastering the technique of effective communication for success both in examinations and in later professional life.

Chemistry, Clinical↗
PubMed1975

Letter: SI units.

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Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
PubMed1975

Letter: SI units.

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International Cooperation↗