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Biomedical subjects

A Wakefield

Publications and source records attributed to A Wakefield.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

The fluorescence of serum proteins in diabetic patients with and without retinopathy.

Non-enzymatic glycosylation of long-lived proteins results in a characteristic fluorescence, known as protein 'browning'. The degree of fluorescence of skin collagen correlates with retinopathy in diabetes. We have therefore measured the fluorescence of serum albumin and IgG by a sensitive HPLC technique in 69 diabetic patients, 38 with retinopathy and 31 without complications, and in 26 age-matched controls. The fluorescence of the IgG fraction, calculated as the ratio of fluorescence (excitation 360 nm, emission 454 nm) to optical density (280 nm), was elevated in diabetic patients with retinopathy (1.5 +/- 0.5) compared with those without retinopathy (1.1 +/- 0.2, p less than 0.005) and control subjects (1.1 +/- 0.2, p less than 0.005). The fluorescence ratio for the albumin fraction was increased in all diabetic patients (11.2 +/- 2.7) compared with control subjects (8.9 +/- 1.5, p less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in the fluorescence ratios of albumin in those with and without retinopathy. The fluorescence of serum albumin and IgG were not significantly correlated with serum protein glycosylation measured by the fructosamine method.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of community genetic screening to prevent HFE-associated hereditary haemochromatosis.

HFE-associated hereditary haemochromatosis is a recessive, iron-overload disorder that affects about one in 200 north Europeans and that can be easily prevented. However, genetic screening for this disease is controversial, and so we assessed whether such screening was suitable for communities. Cheek-brush screening for the Cys282Tyr HFE mutation was offered to individuals in the workplace. Outcomes were assessed by questionnaires before and after testing. 11,307 individuals were screened. We recorded no increase in anxiety in individuals who were homozygous for the Cys282Tyr mutation or non-homozygous. Self-reported tiredness before testing was significantly higher in homozygous participants than in non-homozygous participants (chi2 test, p=0.029). Of the 47 homozygous individuals identified, 46 have taken steps to treat or prevent iron accumulation. Population genetic screening for HFE-associated hereditary haemochromatosis can be practicable and acceptable.

Adult↗