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Biomedical subjects

A R Bird

Publications and source records attributed to A R Bird.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Auto-erythrocyte sensitisation--the Gardner-Diamond syndrome. A case report.

A 34-year-old woman with a 3-year history of easy bruising of unexplained aetiology in anatomical sites consistent with self-infliction is described. Despite major surgery, the patient had never experienced inappropriate bleeding. Owing to psychological instability, the possibility of auto-erythrocyte sensitisation was considered; this was confirmed by subcutaneous injection of autologous red cells and haemolysate, which caused local tenderness and induration. This manifestation of Gardner-Diamond syndrome is unusual and is reported to draw attention to its existence and perhaps thereby avoid unnecessary and costly investigations.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Regional thromboplastin standardisation using a human brain extract.

The preparation, regional distribution and standardisation of an acetone-dried extract of human brain thromboplastin was prospectively evaluated. The programme was shown to be easy to implement within the constraints of the World Health Organisation recommendations and offers a practical alternative to a national standard in countries where the cost of distribution and lack of expertise in preparing such material are limiting factors.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The haematological and biochemical changes in severe pulmonary tuberculosis.

This study surveys the extent and severity of haematological and biochemical abnormalities which occurred in 265 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, and records the haematological changes that occur with treatment. Anaemia was present in 60 per cent of patients, more frequently in males than in females. Leucocytosis with neutrophilia occurred in 40 per cent, lymphopenia in 17 per cent and monocytopenia in 50 per cent. Platelet count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated in 52 and 80 per cent respectively. Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy were of limited diagnostic value. Ferritin and vitamin B12 levels were increased in 94 and 57 per cent of subjects respectively whilst serum and red cell folic acid were within normal limits in 83 per cent. The frequency of the important biochemical changes were hyponatraemia (43 per cent) and hypoalbuminaemia (72 per cent); alkaline phosphatase, aspartic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase levels were elevated in approximately a third of patients possibly due to unsuspected dissemination. There was a close correlation between the acid-fast bacilli in sputum and abnormal values, particularly those of body weight, haemoglobin, platelet count, white cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Failure of these indices to return to normal was invariably associated with persistent excretion of acid-fast bacilli. We have shown that haematological and biochemical abnormalities in pulmonary tuberculosis are common and may be valuable aids to diagnosis. Some haematological markers also reflect response to treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Haemoglobin M-Hyde Park associated with polyagglutinable red blood cells in a South African family.

Twelve of 35 members tested in a large ethnically-mixed South African family were found to have both haemoglobin M type Hyde Park and persistent polyagglutinable red blood cells. The characteristics of the polyagglutination have not been recorded previously. The cells of affected family members were not agglutinated by Arachis hypogea, Dolichos biflorus or Salvia sclarea, but were agglutinated weakly by Salvia horminum and BSII (GSII) and reacted strongly with Glycine soja and Sophora japonica lectins. BSI (GSI) lectin agglutinated the group A but not the group O cells. The N and MN cells were agglutinated more strongly than normal by Vicia graminea, other anti-N lectins and human anti-N but the M and MN cells reacted as expected with human anti-M. The name 'Hyde Park' is provisionally suggested for this type of polyagglutination, although it appears unlikely that the evidently complete association between the polyagglutination and the variant haemoglobin is the result of a single genetic mutation. More likely, the connection has a post-genetic origin, perhaps showing that bonds, possibly affected adversely by precocious senescence, normally occur between the haemoglobin and alpha-sialoglycoprotein molecules in red blood cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Haemoglobin Köln in Cape Town. A case report.

A 7-year-old patient presented with an acute haemolytic episode. Investigation showed the presence of an unstable haemoglobin (Hb), identified as Hb Köln. No other members of the family were affected. This disorder has occasionally been seen as a spontaneous mutation. This is the first report of Hb Köln in a South African family, although other unstable Hb variants have been described.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital↗
PubMed1987

Inherited haemoglobin variants in a South African population.

We present the findings of a survey to determine the prevalence of inherited haemoglobin disorders in the Coloured (mixed ethnic origin) population of South Africa. A variety of haemoglobins was found. Of the structural variants, Hb E and Hb S were the most common, the former probably originating from South-East Asia and the latter from East Africa and possibly Madagascar. The alpha+ (-alpha) thalassaemia haplotype is particularly common with an observed frequency of 0.023. Beta thalassaemia was rather less common, while hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin was found for the first time in this population group, occurring in two subjects.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1987

Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia (type II) presenting with haemosiderosis.

A 39-year-old female with type II congenital dyserythropoiesis presented with iron overload. The clinical and haematologic features were an anaemia of variable severity, splenomegaly, numerous bizarre and binucleate normoblasts in the bone marrow, with prominent submembranous cisternae in the late forms, a positive Ham's acid lysis test and aberrant expression of the I and i red cell antigens. The iron overload resulted from gross ineffective erythropoiesis, with accelerated plasma iron turnover and increased absorption aggravated by inappropriate replacement therapy for past episodes of anaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Bone marrow changes in neuroblastoma.

Bone marrow examination at the time of diagnosis of neuroblastoma was performed in 48 new cases prior to instituting therapy. Bone marrow involvement by neuroblastoma was present in 20 patients (approximately 42%). In this study the trephine biopsy was a more reliable technique than marrow aspiration in establishing the presence of metastatic disease, but in a single case the trephine biopsy was negative with metastatic cells present in the aspirate. Myelofibrosis secondary to metastatic neuroblastoma was a frequent finding, being the predominant feature in 6 cases. Bone marrow involvement by neuroblastoma was usually associated with the presence of a primary adrenal tumor and occurred only infrequently with extra-adrenal primary origin. Bone marrow involvement was usually present at the time of presentation in case where the primary tumor was located in the adrenal gland.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1985

Effects of undernutrition and exercise during late pregnancy on uterine, fetal and uteroplacental metabolism in the ewe.

Uterine, umbilical and, by difference, uteroplacental net uptakes of oxygen, glucose, lactate and 3-hydroxybutyrate (uterine uptake only) were measured in single-pregnant ewes which were either well-fed throughout, or severely undernourished for 8-20 d during late pregnancy. All animals were studied while standing at rest and then while walking on a treadmill at 0.7 m/s on a 10 degrees slope for 60 min. Undernutrition did not significantly affect fetal or placental weights at 143 d gestation but caused a 14% decrease in maternal live weight. Uterine blood flow was decreased by 32% and was associated with a significant decrease in uteroplacental oxygen uptake; neither umbilical blood flow nor fetal O2 uptake were affected by maternal plane of nutrition. Maternal and fetal hypoglycaemia in underfed ewes was accompanied by 46-63% decreases in uterine, umbilical and uteroplacental net uptakes of glucose, and similar declines in uterine and umbilical glucose/O2 quotients. Moderate maternal hyperketonaemia was associated with 2.5-fold and 3-fold increases in uterine net uptake of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxybutyrate/O2 quotient respectively. Exercise caused significant decreases in uterine blood flow in fed and underfed ewes but did not affect uterine or umbilical O2 uptakes; uterine net glucose uptake increased in most ewes but umbilical uptake was not significantly affected. Umbilical net uptake of lactate was significantly reduced. In underfed ewes, the extent of hyperketonaemia was significantly reduced by exercise. Contrary to earlier proposals, the ovine pregnant uterus is sensitive and adaptable to long- and short-term alterations in maternal energy balance, as achieved by chronic undernutrition and exercise respectively. Thus, the fetus and placenta significantly add to, but do not necessarily have priority over the energy demands of other tissues of the ewe.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1984

Haemoglobin E variants: a clinical, haematological and biosynthetic study of 4 South African families.

The clinical, haematological and biosynthetic features of subjects with Hb E variants are described. An association with red cell hypochromia and microcytosis was confirmed, although this was not invariable in Hb E trait. Imbalanced globin chain synthesis was found in the majority of Hb E carriers. A patient doubly heterozygous for Hb E and Hb S, a condition we have not previously seen reported, had a benign clinical course with minor haematological changes, despite a relatively large amount of Hb S (67%).

Adult↗