Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Moffat

Publications and source records attributed to A Moffat.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Differences in crystallization behavior between quenched and ground amorphous ursodeoxycholic acid.

PURPOSE: To study the crystallization of ground and quenched ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and to characterize their amorphous states. METHODS: Amorphous UDCA was prepared by grinding and also by rapid cooling of the melt. These samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), near IR spectra and dynamic water sorption. The heat associated with crystallization was measured in an isothermal microcalorimeter at 25 degrees C at various relative humidities (RH) (50%-100%) and, in the presence of the vapour from a mixed solvent of ethanol and water (ethanol conc. 10%-100%). The specific surface area was calculated from krypton adsorption. Contact angles were measured by using a Wilhelmy plate to calculate the surface energy of the samples. RESULTS: Ground and quenched samples yielded amorphous XRD patterns. Differential scanning calorimetry thermographs of the milled sample revealed that crystallization occurred at around 80 degrees C, whereas the quenched sample did not crystallize. Exposure to humid air did not result in crystallization of either amorphous sample during the microcalorimetric experiments. In the presence of ethanol vapour, the ground sample did, but the quenched sample did not, crystallize. The amount of water sorption into the quenched sample was larger than that of the ground sample at low RH. The surface energy of the quenched material was different to that of the ground. Peak shifts were observed in the NIR spectra at around 1450, 2100 nm, allowing differentiation between the ground and quenched samples. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that different molecular states of amorphous UDCA were obtained depending on the preparation method. The crystallisation of amorphous UDCA was related to the molecular state of disorder.

Crystallization↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of two standard techniques of general anaesthesia for day-case cataract surgery.

We have assessed general anaesthesia for day-case cataract surgery in 40 patients more than 60 yr of age. The patients were allocated randomly to receive either an infusion of propofol or etomidate-vecuronium-isoflurane anaesthesia. Patients in the propofol group experienced significant reductions in mean arterial pressure (42%) during anaesthesia. In the etomidate-vecuronium-isoflurane group there was a significant increase in both mean arterial pressure (19%) and heart rate (21%) with intubation. During maintenance of anaesthesia in this group, mean arterial pressure and heart rate decreased to 88% and 80% of awake values. Both techniques produced similar reductions in intraocular pressure. Recovery times from cessation of anaesthesia to spontaneous eye opening and ability to give correct date of birth were significantly shorter in the etomidate-isoflurane group. Two hours after surgery there were no significant differences between the groups and cognitive mental function tests were similar to preoperative values. All patients were deemed fit for discharge home 2 h after surgery. We conclude that it is feasible to provide general anaesthesia for day-case cataract surgery. Etomidate-vecuronium-isoflurane anaesthesia appeared to be superior to propofol in this age group as it was associated with less hypotension and a more rapid recovery.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Serum immunoreactive trypsin concentrations in diabetic children.

Serum immunoreactive trypsin (SIT) concentrations measured in 616 children with diabetes of recent onset were low, in both boys and girls, in comparison with reference ranges established in patients with non-diabetic, non-infectious illnesses. The mean SIT concentration was 60% of the mean reference level in children tested within three weeks of the onset of diabetes, and about 40% in patients tested six months after the onset of diabetes. Very low SIT levels were found in about 10% of patients, most of whom had no measurable SIT by the assay procedure employed. These very low SIT concentrations were more frequent in older children aged 6-15 years, and in children tested at about 5-6 months after onset. Repeat tests on some of the children showed that the very low SIT levels were generally present for only a limited period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Immunological abnormalities in splenic atrophy.

Multiple immunological abnormalities have been demonstrated in fourteen patients with evidence in the blood-film of hyposplenism due to splenic atrophy. Reduction in spleen size was confirmed radiologically, and impairment of phagocytosis by the spleen was demonstrated by studying the survival and fate of chemically damaged autologous red blood-cells. Eight of the patients had intestinal malabsorption, and there was a high frequency of autoimmune disease in the remainder. Although patients with splenic atrophy showed little evidence of impairment of normal immune responses, there was a high frequency of autoantibody formation. There is thus an association between widespread immunological disturbances, notably autoimmunity, and splenic atrophy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Most frequently used alternative and complementary therapies and activities by participants in the AMCOA study.

This literature review examines the current state of the scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed journals indexed in MedLine for the 10 most commonly noted alternative activities reported by the first 1,016 eligible participants in the Alternative Medical Care Outcomes in AIDS study. The most frequently used activities are aerobic exercise (64%), prayer (56%), massage (54%), needle acupuncture (48%), mediation (46%), support groups (42%), visualization and imagery (34%), breathing exercises (33%), spiritual activities (33%), and other exercise (33%). Despite frequency of usage, clinical research is not reported on MedLine to support the use of most of these activities for HIV/AIDS. The limitations of using MedLine as the sole source for this review are discussed.

Adult↗