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Biomedical subjects

C Fraser

Publications and source records attributed to C Fraser.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Strain differentiation of Candida albicans by morphotyping.

Strains of Candida albicans can be differentiated by the morphological features of streak colonies developed on malt agar. A morphotyping system is proposed, where numerical codes are assigned primarily on the basis of the nature and extent of marginal fringing and the surface topography of the streak colony. The system allows ready differentiation to be made of morphotypes, requires no specialized equipment or expertise and provides a simple and reproducible means for epidemiological studies of candida and candidosis.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1987

Effect of PUVA on plasma and skin immunoreactive alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone concentrations.

Plasma alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) concentrations were measured in patients receiving PUVA therapy as treatment for mycosis fungoides, and PUVA or UVB as treatment for psoriasis. Skin immunoreactive alpha-MSH was also measured in those patients who received PUVA. The mean plasma and skin alpha-MSH concentrations after 2-3 weeks of PUVA were not significantly different from pre-treatment values and showed no relationship either to skin type or to the degree of tanning that occurred in response to PUVA. Plasma alpha-MSH concentrations were also unchanged after UVB. There was also no short term change in plasma alpha-MSH concentrations in patients after receiving their first treatment with PUVA. It would appear that circulating and skin alpha-MSH levels are unaffected by UV and show no causal relationship to PUVA induced pigmentation.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Use of modified resistogram to type Candida albicans isolated from cases of vaginitis and from faeces in the same geographical area.

Ninety strains of Candida albicans were isolated from vaginal swabs taken by general practitioners from cases of vaginal candidosis. One hundred and nine strains were also isolated from 300 specimens of faeces received from outpatients living in the same geographical area. These strains were typed using a modification of the resistotyping method. We were unable to find any significant differences between the two populations of strains. This suggests that no particular resistotype has an increased ability to cause vaginitis.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1986

Grasp size and accuracy of approach in reaching.

In reaching for an object in the environment, it has been suggested that movement components concerned with transport of the hand toward the object and those related to grasping the object are organized and executed independently. An experiment is reported that demonstrates people adjust grasp aperture to compensate for factors affecting transport error. Grasp aperture was found to be greater in reaching movements performed faster than normal, and grasp aperture was also found to be wider when reaching with the eyes closed. In both cases, transport was spatially less accurate. It is argued that, in advance of movement, formation of grasp is planned to take into account not only the perceived characteristics of the object but, also, internalized information based on past experience about the likely accuracy of the transport component.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1986

Platelet studies in normal pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

The platelet count does not appear to change during normal pregnancy but a rise in the mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width was found in the third trimester in this study of 208 healthy pregnant women. Alteration of all three platelet parameters was seen following delivery in 40 women studied sequentially. Moderately severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) was associated with no alteration of platelet parameters when compared with gestation-matched controls. Platelet abnormalities in severe PIH appeared to be related to the time of presentation and may be a reflection of the rate of progression of the underlying condition.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Hyperkalemia complicating digoxin toxicity in a patient with renal failure.

We describe the occurrence of hyperkalemia in a stable hemodialysis patient who developed digoxin toxicity. The patient had been receiving digoxin for 2 years. His maintenance digoxin dose was increased from 0.125 to 0.25 mg three times a week, which resulted in a toxic serum level of 4.9 ng/mL (therapeutic range is 0.8 to 2.0 ng/mL). As a consequence of the digoxin toxicity, he became hyperkalemic (7.8 mEq/L), and this value returned to normal only after the digoxin level was lowered by a combination of oral charcoal and dialysis. This study shows how readily hyperkalemia can occur in an anephric patient manifesting digoxin toxicity. Thus, potentially lethal hyperkalemia can occur in hemodialysis patients who ingest therapeutic quantities of digoxin. Digoxin toxicity should be added to the differential diagnosis of hyperkalemia in patients with renal failure. This can occur despite the absence of a history of massive ingestion of a cardiac glycoside.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

The extent and antecedents of uncertain gestation.

The extent and genesis of uncertainty of gestation has been studied in a total obstetric population, using in all cases a best clinical estimate of gestation made according to a specific protocol. In 73.2% of patients, the estimate was assessed as certain, in 19.7% as approximate, and in 7.1% as uncertain. Uncertainty assessed in this way has several antecedents, and coding of only of these (presence or absence of a precise date for the last menstrual period) is insufficient in data to be used for research in which gestation length is to be used as a variable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

A comparison of convergent and bi-plane X-ray photogrammetry systems used to detect total joint loosening.

X-ray photogrammetry is an accurate method of measuring structural displacements within the musculoskeletal system. Total joint implant alignment, migration and loosening are important clinical parameters which can be measured by X-ray photogrammetry. The purpose of this paper is to compare two different X-ray photogrammetry systems which are being used to study total joint parameters. The Seattle system uses a convergent geometry and the Cleveland system a bi-plane geometry. The accuracy of the two systems was compared by individually measuring the relative motion produced in an articulated plastic model. The model was designed to simulate the relative motion which can take place between the bone and a loose implant. The displacements of the model components were determined physically and photogrammetrically, and the error in the measurements was calculated for several conditions. Both systems measured relative component motion in the model with a root mean square error of 0.1 mm or less. In clinical use stainless steel markers are implanted in human subjects, and both systems measure distances with a r.m.s. error of 0.2 mm or less. The ease of usage, efficiency and flexibility of the two systems based on actual clinical experience reveals strengths and weaknesses in each which should be recognized when selecting a particular system.

Ankle Joint↗
PubMed1981

Comparison of Channelyser and Model S Plus determined platelet size measurements.

A comparison has been made between Coulter Counter ZBI/Channelyser C1000 derived platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet crit (PCT) with similar measurements generated by the Coulter counter Model S Plus. Correlations of PDW and MPV from the two systems are poor; that for PCT is acceptable. The differing results can almost certainly be attributed to physical differences in the measurement systems.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1981

A case study of reaching by a user of a manually-operated artificial hand.

Reaching involves both transport of the hand toward an object and opening of the hand by an appropriate amount before arrival at the object. Movements of a manually-controlled artificial left-hand are compared with movements of the natural right-hand of a proficient user of an artificial hand. Although picking up of objects was slower with the artificial hand, similarities in opening and transport movements were observed in the two hands. Depsite major mechanical differences in the systems subserving movement in the artificial and natural hands, the similarities extended to the separate movements of the thumb and finger. The strategy of artificial hand control employed by this subject is discussed and related to training new users of artificial hands.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Ovulation and embryo survival rates and plasma progesterone concentrations of prolific ewes treated with PMSG.

Finnish Landrace x Dorset Horn ewes of two flocks comprising 47 and 51 animals were mated to Suffolk rams at a synchronized oestrus on 9 December (Flock D) and 8 April (Flock A) after treatment with 500 i.u. PMSG. The ewes were slaughtered between 50 and 145 days of pregnancy. The mean +/- s.e.m. ovulation rates were 4.5 +/- 0.24 (Flock D) and 5.0 +/- 0.32 (Flock A) for ewes which conceived to the induced oestrus and the corresponding litter sizes were 2.8 +/- 0.15 and 2.8 +/- 0.18. Mean concentrations of progesterone in the peripheral plasma during pregnancy were higher for Flock D than for Flock A ewes both in early (P less than 0.001) and late (P less than 0.05) pregnancy. An increase in ovulation rate, up to 4 or 5, was associated with an increase in mean litter size. There was evidence that higher ovulation rates were counterproductive.

Animals↗