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Biomedical subjects

E R Miller

Publications and source records attributed to E R Miller.

197 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between systemic markers of inflammation and serum beta-carotene levels.

BACKGROUND: Low serum levels of beta-carotene have been associated with increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, in clinical trials, supplementation of the diet with beta-carotene either had no benefit or caused harm. This pattern of findings raises the possibility that confounding by other factors might explain the association between serum beta-carotene level and disease risk. METHODS: We used data from 14 470 current smokers, ex-smokers, and never smokers aged 18 years or older who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess the relationship between serum beta-carotene and markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein and white blood cell count). RESULTS: After adjustment for beta-carotene intake and other factors, geometric mean levels of serum beta-carotene for individuals with undetectable (< 0.22 mg/dL), mildly elevated (0.22-0.99 mg/dL), and clinically elevated (> or =1.0 mg/dL) C-reactive protein levels were 18.0, 16.1, and 13.6 microg/dL, respectively, in never smokers; 18.1, 15.7, and 13.9 microg/dL in ex-smokers; and 11.3, 10.2, and 9.4 microg/dL in current smokers (P< .001 for all). In corresponding analyses, white blood cell count was also inversely related to serum beta-carotene concentration (P< .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The strong and inverse association of serum beta-carotene level with C-reactive protein level and white blood cell count suggests that the relationship between serum beta-carotene concentration and disease risk might be confounded by inflammation. More broadly, for beta-carotene and likely other nutrients, it seems unwise to interpret biomarker data as prima facie evidence of dietary intake without a more complete understanding of the physiologic processes that affect nutrient levels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

First trimester abortion by vacuum aspiration: interphysician variability.

This study compares the performances of four physicians using two types of plastic cannulae (flexible and rigid) for 1100 vacuum aspiration procedures. The criteria for assessing physician performance by cannula type were: (a) frequency of cannula obstructions, (b) amount of retained tissue obtained by sharp curettage after vacuum aspiration, (c) estimated blood loss during the procedure and (d) time required to perform the procedure. Data for each physician were compared and yielded significantly different results. The length of time required to use the cannula differed significantly among physicians; two of them had significantly shorter cannula times with the flexible instrument. The others had the lowest distributions of blood loss and the most difference between cannula usage. Consistent grouping over several variables suggests that differences in these criteria are more likely to be attributable to subtle distinctions in operator technique than to variations in equipment.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of zearalenone and/or tamoxifen on swine and mink reproduction.

Tamoxifen (TAM), which binds to estrogen receptors and can act as an estrogen antagonist, was incorporated into the diets of swine and mink to determine if it would ameliorate the effects of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN). Sows and female mink were fed diets containing 2 ppm (swine) or 20 ppm (mink) ZEN and/or 10 ppm TAM from day 30 of gestation through weaning (swine) or from 2 months prior to breeding through weaning (mink). The diets containing ZEN and/or TAM did not adversely affect reproduction in the sows. Although some hyperestrogenic effects on testes, uterine and ovarian weights were observed in the F1 piglets at 21 days of age, subsequent breeding performance was not affected. All the female mink exposed to ZEN mated, but only 25% whelped. No mink fed TAM (singly or in combination with ZEN) mated. Necropsy of these unmated females fed TAM revealed consistent severe pyometra. Histological examination of the reproductive tracts of the ZEN, TAM and ZEN + TAM-treated mink showed similar alterations, including ovarian follicular atrophy and degeneration, and mild to severe uterine atrophy, pyometra and endometritis. The results of these studies indicate that TAM was not effective in ameliorating the hyperestrogenic effects of ZEN in swine and mink, but rather it acted as an estrogen agonist.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

National surveillance of dialysis associated diseases in the United States, 1995.

Chronic hemodialysis centers in the United States were surveyed in 1995 regarding a number of hemodialysis associated diseases and practices. A total of 2,647 centers, representing 224,954 patients and 54,194 staff members, responded. Seventy-seven percent of centers reported that they reused disposable dialyzers. At the end of 1995, 65% of patients were treated with an arteriovenous graft, 22% an arteriovenous fistula, and 13% a temporary or permanent central catheter. By the end of 1995, at least three doses of hepatitis B vaccine had been administered to 35% of patients and to 82% of staff members. Acute infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurred in 0.06% of patients, and was more likely to be reported by centers with lower proportions of patients vaccinated against HBV. The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) was 10.4% among patients and 2.0% among staff. At least one patient with vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) was reported by 11.5% of centers, more commonly by hospital (vs freestanding centers not located in hospitals) and government centers, and centers located in certain geographic areas. Vancomycin was received by 7.2% of patients in December 1995. The percentage of centers reporting patients with other pathogens was 7.9% for active tuberculosis, 39% for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 40% for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical↗