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Biomedical subjects

C Moniz

Publications and source records attributed to C Moniz.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

The national health care crisis: an analysis of proposed solutions.

The health care system in the United States faces a deepening crisis. Although the United States spends more on health care than any other industrialized nation, its citizens are less healthy and less satisfied with their health care than those in countries that spend less. This article provides an overview of the current crisis in the health care system, examines recent proposed solutions to reform the system, and analyzes these proposals in light of the values of professional social work.

Health Care Costs↗
PubMed1990

Parathyroid hormone related peptide can function as an autocrine growth factor in human renal cell carcinoma.

Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) has been implicated in the cause of the hypercalcemia associated with a number of malignant tumours. The data presented here suggests that PTHrP (in addition to its known role of mediating hypercalcemia) may be involved in the autocrine regulation of growth of some tumours. Polyclonal PTHrP antiserum almost totally inhibited the growth of a human renal cell carcinoma cell line, known to secrete PTHrP, in vitro and growth was significantly inhibited by the competitive PTH antagonist PTH (3-34)NH2.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1990

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide in the human fetal uro-genital tract.

Using a polyclonal antiserum raised against the first 34 amino acids of human parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), we have localized PTHrP throughout the uro-genital tract of the human fetus aged between 8 and 40 weeks. Staining was present in the developing mesonephros, metanephros, gonads and in both the adrenal cortex and medulla. In particular, the developing mesonephric and metanephric renal tubules were intensely positive. Using Northern hybridization analysis we have detected a complex pattern of PTHrP mRNA transcripts ranging in size from 1.4 to 4.5 kb in early second trimester human fetal kidney. The presence of PTHrP in the mesonephros and metanephros provides evidence for a role for PTHrP in the regulation of fetal calcium metabolism. However, its presence in the gonad and adrenal gland invites the possibility of a wider role for PTHrP.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1990

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide in normal human fetal development.

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) has been detected in fetal serum and amniotic fluid. Using a combination of immunocytochemistry and molecular biology we have detected the peptide and its mRNA in a variety of fetal tissues throughout gestation. Tissue-specific mRNA isoforms were observed, the pattern of hybridization of which changed throughout gestation. In addition, the intensity and pattern of immunocytochemical localization of the peptide was found to vary over the time-period studied (8-30 weeks). PTHrP is expressed by a variety of tumours associated with the syndrome of humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy and probably accounts for the hypercalcaemia by virtue of its limited amino acid homology with parathyroid hormone. These data demonstrate for the first time that PTHrP, a tumour-related peptide, is expressed during normal human fetal development, and suggest the possibility that it may function to regulate fetal calcium balance and growth in utero.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1990

Measurement of parathyroid hormone-related protein in extracts of fetal parathyroid glands and placental membranes.

A radioimmunoassay based on an antiserum to human parathyroid hormone-related protein PTHrP(1-16) was used with PTHrP(1-34) standard to measure the concentration of immunoreactive PTHrP in extracts of fetal parathyroid glands from lambs and calves and also placental membranes obtained from several species, including man. Dilution curves from these sources were parallel to those obtained for PTHrP(1-34) standard. It was demonstrated that this parallelism was not the result of tracer damage caused by enzymic activity in the tissue extracts. Extracts of human placental membranes were subjected to high-pressure liquid chromatography with a linear acetonitrile gradient. Co-elution of cytochemical biological activity with 125I-labelled PTHrP(1-34) was noted. These results provide further evidence for both the fetal parathyroid glands and the placenta containing material resembling PTHrP which may be responsible for sustaining the activity of the placental calcium pump which maintains the fetus hypercalcaemic relative to its mother.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in syndromic paucity of interlobular bile ducts.

Severe failure to thrive is an important feature in children with both syndromic and nonsyndromic paucity of interlobular bile ducts (PILBD). Thirteen children age 7 months-11 years with PILBD had pancreatic secretions in duodenal aspirate measured for 40 min after secretin-pancreozymin stimulation, six of these children had chronic diarrhoea. Studies were also performed in seven children age 2-12 years who presented with failure to thrive or nonspecific diarrhoea that subsequently resolved. The results of the control and the PILBD children were similar except in the six with chronic diarrhoea. These children had significant reductions in total volume of duodenal aspirate (p less than 0.05), bicarbonate concentration (p less than 0.02) and output (p less than 0.05), and in lipase concentrations (p less than 0.005). Five of these children have had a reduction in stool frequency and more rapid weight gain since receiving pancreatic supplementation. In children with PILBD and diarrhoea, pancreatic insufficiency may be a contributory factor to poor weight gain. These children may benefit from pancreatic extract supplementation.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1989

The effect of anorexia nervosa on skin thickness, skin collagen and bone density.

The effects of anorexia nervosa on skin thickness, skin collagen content and bone density were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 36 women with anorexia nervosa with a 4-year median duration of amenorrhoea and compared with a group of 33 women of comparable age without anorexia and with normal periods. The median skin thickness, assessed radiologically, was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) from 0.88 mm in the comparison group to 0.70 mm in the anorectic group and the median collagen content was significantly reduced from 209 micrograms/mm2 in the comparison group to 164 micrograms/mm2 in the anorectic group (P less than 0.05). The median bone density in the comparison group was 0.93 gHA/cm2 at the lumbar spine and 0.84 gHA/cm2 at the proximal femur. These values were greatly reduced in the women with anorexia nervosa to 0.77 gHA/cm2 and 0.65 gHA/cm2 respectively (P less than 0.01). Our findings confirm the loss of bone mass with anorexia and demonstrate the coexistent loss of skin thickness and skin collagen content. This association supports the hypothesis that a generalized loss of collagen is a major factor in the causation of osteoporosis following oestrogen deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Multiple idiopathic external root resorption. A case report.

An unusual case of multiple idiopathic external apical root resorption affecting all four quadrants, in a patient with a history of narcotic intravenous drug addiction and liver disease, is reported. The literature relating to a systemic etiology for external root resorption is briefly reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Serum free thyroxine and free tri-iodothyronine in normal children.

Serum free thyroxine (fT4) and free tri-iodothyronine (fT3) were measured in 138 normal school children, adolescents and their younger siblings, whose ages ranged from 3 months to 18 years. Mean fT4 concentration (16.8 pmol/L) was similar to the adult mean concentration of 17 pmol/L and all the values were within the adult reference range. At all ages the fT3 range was considerably higher than the adult reference range and the overall mean fT3 concentration (8.3 pmol/L) was at the upper limit of normal in adults. In subjects aged 13-18 years the mean fT4 concentration was higher and the mean fT3 concentration lower than in children aged 0-12 years. The reasons for these differences are not known, but the data obtained provide a useful guide to the interpretation of serum free thyroid hormone measurements in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The effects of zero magnesium dialysate and magnesium supplements on ionised calcium concentration in patients on regular dialysis treatment.

The effect of oral magnesium carbonate or aluminium hydroxide on serum ionised calcium, total calcium, aluminium and magnesium, was assessed in 31 patients with chronic renal failure, during and after one haemodialysis. The behaviour of ionised calcium and total calcium was the same in both groups. Each showed a slight fall during dialysis, which was not significant. Serum total calcium was 0.2-0.3 mmol/l (0.8-1.2 mg/dl) greater throughout the period of dialysis in the group taking aluminium hydroxide. Serum magnesium and aluminium were both lower in the group treated with magnesium carbonate. In the group taking magnesium carbonate, serum magnesium concentrations fell markedly during dialysis, but otherwise were maintained within the reference range by the use of a magnesium-free dialysate. These results show the effectiveness of magnesium carbonate oral phosphate-binding agents and zero magnesium dialysate in reducing serum aluminium without affecting the behaviour of serum calcium fractions during dialysis.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Substitution of aluminium salts by magnesium salts in control of dialysis hyperphosphataemia.

For two years all 28 patients undergoing hospital haemodialysis were switched from a dialysate magnesium (Mg) of 0.85 mmol/l to one containing none. Oral aluminium hydroxide was discontinued, and magnesium carbonate was substituted as a phosphate binder. After 24 months on this regimen predialysis aluminium concentration had fallen significantly. There was no significant change in predialysis phosphate, which remained above the normal range; nor was there evidence of increased secondary hyperparathyroidism as judged by parathyroid hormone immunoassay and biochemical or clinical criteria. Predialysis Mg concentrations tended to fall towards the normal range. Aluminium-containing phosphate binders seem to be unnecessary for the control of dialysis hyperphosphataemia. Magnesium carbonate may be an alternative and less toxic compound.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1985

Fetoscopy in the assessment of unexplained fetal hydrops.

Pure fetal blood samples, obtained fetoscopically from 30 patients with unexplained fetal hydrops at 16 to 32 weeks gestation were investigated for cytogenetic, haematological, biochemical and virological properties. In two patients with oligohydramnios, the fetoscope was introduced transabdominally into the fetal peritoneal cavity and sampling was undertaken from the intra-abdominal portion of the umbilical vein; in all the other patients an umbilical cord vessel was sampled. Ten (33%) of the fetuses had chromosomal abnormalities, one an erythroblastic process, possibly erythroleukaemia, one alpha-thalassaemia and one cytomegalovirus infection. Blood-film abnormalities were seen in 23 (88%) of 26 fetuses that had this examination. Biochemical analysis of fetal plasma was undertaken in 18 fetuses and hypoproteinaemia was found in all cases. One fetus was subsequently found to have a paroxysmal tachyarrhythmia that responded to digitilization. Three (10%) of the fetuses survived.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in fetal serum, maternal serum, and amniotic fluid during gestation.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase activity was measured in fetal serum, maternal serum, and amniotic fluid in 173 pregnancies from 15 to 40 weeks' gestation. Fetal serum was obtained in the second trimester by fetoscopy and in the third trimester by umbilical cord puncture at caesarian section or vaginal delivery. Enzyme activities in maternal blood (10 IU/1, SD 2) and fetal blood (88 IU/1, SD 20) remained relatively constant throughout gestation, whereas in the amniotic fluid there was a significant decrease at term from the value in the second trimester (p less than 0.001). Electrophoretic separation of the enzyme showed one isoenzyme in the fetal blood and at least two in the amniotic fluid. The fetal isoenzyme had the same mobility as the major isoenzyme in the amniotic fluid.

Amniotic Fluid↗