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Biomedical subjects

B Armstrong

Publications and source records attributed to B Armstrong.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Clean Air and Noise Abatement Branch, Public Health Department, Western Australia.

Whole blood lead levels, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations, and hair lead levels were measured in 181 schoolchildren resident in and around the town of Northampton, Western Australia, where tailings from a lead mine have been used extensively for ground surfacing and other purposes. Mean blood lead levels were 0.68 mumol/L (14.0 micrograms/100 mL) in boys and 0.5 mumol/L (10.4 micrograms/100 mL) in girls, the highest being 2.27 mumol/L (47 micrograms/100 mL). Nine children (5%) had blood lead levels above 1.21 mumol/L (25 micrograms/100 mL) and four had levels above 1.21 mumol/L (25 micrograms/100 mL) and four had levels above 1.45 mumol/L (30 micrograms/100 mL). Four of these children had FEP levels above 2.0 mumol/L. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean blood lead levels of children resident in the town (man blood lead level, 0.63 mumol/L (13.1 micrograms/100 mL)) compared with those resident out of the town 0.55 mumol/L (11.3 micrograms/100 mL). The presence of lead tailings in the town may account for the small difference.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Increasing mortality from cancer of the cervix in young Australian women.

Mortality from uterine cancer in Australia has fallen progressively since 1908, as has mortality from cancer of the cervix specifically since it was distinguished, in statistics, from other uterine cancer in 1950. However, in women aged under 40 years, this trend has reversed recently, and cervical cancer mortality has risen since about 1970. This rise has also been shown by incidence data collected by the New South Wales Central Cancer Registry. Similar increases have been observed in New Zealand, Britain at least, appear to parallel increases in promiscuous sexual activity. Increases in the frequency of cervical cancer in older women can be expected when the cohorts affected (those born after 1935) reach older age groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Epidemiologic identification of occupational carcinogens.

Epidemiology has a role to play in the identification of occupational carcinogens through hypothesis testing and surveillance for new carcinogenic hazards. Hypothesis testing is undertaken mainly by retrospective (non-concurrent) cohort studies and case-control studies. The former are limited particularly by difficulties in follow-up and inadequacy of data on exposure to the agent of interest and possible confounding or interacting factors. The latter are limited mainly by the problem of bias in the retrospective determination of exposure. Several studies giving similar results are therefore usually required before an association can be considered with any confidence as established. Surveillance for new hazards may be maintained by the regular analysis of routinely collected cancer incidence or mortality data. For early detection of hazards this should be supplemented by special studies, either on-going case control studies of cancers which are commonly due to occupation (e.g. lung, bladder, liver and nasal cancers) or linkage of personnel records from high risk industries to cancer registry or death records.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗
PubMed1979

Urinary sodium and blood pressure in vegetarians.

Urinary sodium, potassium urea, creatinine, uric acid, plasma urea, creatinine, cholesterol, blood pressures, height, weight, and skinfold thickness were measured in some or all of 106 matched pairs of vegetarians (mainly Seventh-Day Adventists) and nonvegetarians. Mean blood pressures were lower in vegetarians (141.9/88.9 mm) than nonvegeterians (148.0/90.9 mm) but the urinary excretion of sodium was higher, although not significantly, in the vegetarians (mean of 169.7 compared with 161.2 mmole/day). The vegetarians also had a higher urinary potassium excretion (62.9 mmole/day) than the nonvegetarians (54.8 mmole/day) thus giving them a lower mean sodium to potassium ratio (3.0 compared with 3.3). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures correlated positively with plasma cholesterol levels which were less in vegetarians (6.0 mmole/liter) than nonvegetarians (6.6 mmole/liter). They also correlated positively with the urinary sodium to potassium ratio, but only in nonvegetarians. It was concluded that dietary sodium does not explain the blood pressure differences between vegetarians and nonvegetarians.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Incidence and etiology of primary liver cancer in the Pacific Basin.

The incidence of PLC in the Pacific Basin varies from 0.9/100,000 (age-standardized) in women in New South Wales, Australia, to 34.2/100,000 in Singapore Chinese men. Proportional incidence data suggest that other areas of the Pacific Basin, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, may have PLC incidence rates as high or higher than those in Singapore Chinese. Infection with hepatitis-B virus has been associated with PLC in some areas, and aflatoxin contamination of food has also been demonstrated. The extent to which these or other factors explain the geographical variation in liver cancer rates in the Pacific Basin is uncertain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Disruptive behavior: a dietary approach.

The effect of particular foods on levels of hyperactivity, uncontrolled laughter, and disruptive behaviors was studied in an 8-year-old autistic boy. The floor of the child's room was taped off into six equal-sized rectangles to measure general activity level. Frequency data were recorded on screaming, biting, scratching, and object throwing. A time-sample technique was used to record data on laughing. Data were gathered during four phases. During an initial 4-day period the child was fed a normal American diet. A 6-day fasting period followed, during which time only spring water was allowed. The third phase lasted 18 days and involved the presentation of individual foods. During the final phase of the study the child was given only foods that had not provoked a reaction in the third phase. Results showed that foods such as wheat, corn, tomatoes, sugar, mushrooms, and dairy products were instrumental in producing behavioral disorders with this child.

Autistic Disorder↗