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Biomedical subjects

F M White

Publications and source records attributed to F M White.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Tissue sources of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity in hyperthyroid patients.

Total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and its isoenzymes were studied in the sera of 72 hyperthyroid patients and 24 age- and sex-matched controls. Eighty-nine per cent of thyrotoxic patients had elevated total serum ALP activity. Both liver (LALP) and bone (BALP) isoenzymes were present in the sera of 75% of patients. Women (43%) most frequently had elevated levels of LALP and BALP. Men (41%) most often had elevated levels of BALP and normal levels of LALP. The units of BALP present, but not of LALP, were related to measures of thyroid function. Levels of the activity of the aminotransferases and lactic dehydrogenase were usually normal. Gammaglutamyl transferase activity was elevated in nearly 40% of both sexes. The data presented, when correlated with previously reported information, suggest that elevations of serum LALP activity may be due to hepatocellular necrosis with leakage of preformed enzyme into the serum.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Imported diseases: an assessment of trends.

Increasing travel, migration and other forms of international exchange have given a new importance to imported diseases in Canada. This is reflected in the maintenance of an immigration medical screening program, the development of specialized clinics in major cities, increasing interest in tropical medicine and international health, and the designation of a national reference centre for parasitology.The introduction of a point system for immigration selection in 1967 gave rise to a burgeoning influx of people from developing countries that may have plateaued only within the past year. While tuberculosis is probably the single most important health problem in immigration, parasitic infections are of increasing concern. The popularity of overseas travel among Canadians is now also a major factor in the introduction of exotic diseases into Canada. Importation of disease by international trade is far less common than by travel and immigration.On a community health scale a system of monitoring trends of immigration to Canada and travel of Canadians to and from countries with a known risk would likely provide the best indicator of trends in disease importation. Thus, there was an increase of almost threefold (11.6% to 31.1%) between 1965 and 1975 in the proportion of immigration to Canada from countries with a malaria risk and a 2.78-fold increase between 1967 and 1974 in the overall amount of Canadian travel to such countries from which statistics were available.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1977

Small-scale trial of live-attenuated influenza vaccine (A/Hong Kong/68).

Seventy-one men who were given live-attenuated A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) influenza vaccine during November 1973, and 34 men given placebo were examined for changes in antibody level. Overall, 12 of the 71 men (17%) given the vaccine showed a fourfold rise in haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody titre after 14 days. No such rises were seen in the 34 men given placebo. However, 10 of the men showing a fourfold rise were from 19 who had no detectable HI antibody to this virus before vaccination, representing a conversion rate of 53%. The other two had a HI titre of 1/10 before vaccination. The absence of antibody response, at 14 days, in those with an HI titre of 1/20 or greater may indicated that this represents a protective level against infection. However, the vaccine virus was probably overattenuated and may have constituted a weaker challenge than might occur with a wild strain. No influenza virus was isolated from either group in the week after vaccination and no evidence of transmission to the placebo group was seen. Mild symptoms, chills, muscle pain, and stiffness were more frequently seen in the 12 persons showing a fourfold rise in antibody than in the rest of the volunteers.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1976

Epidemic shigellosis on a worktrain in Labrador.

An epidemic of shigellosis occurred on a worktrain in western Labrador in October 1974. During the outbreak 62 persons out of a crew of 91 became ill, 11 having recurrent illness; 14 were hospitalized. Epidemiologic analysis with laboratory confirmation implicated unchlorinated and contaminated lake water as the source of the epidemic. Faulty design of water storage tanks perpetuated the use of contaminated water; hence a second wave of illness occurred. The tanks were then thoroughly drained, cleaned and repaired. Many deficiencies in sanitation measures (most of which have since been rectified) were noted at the site of the epidemic as well as at other locations along the railway. Careful sanitation controls are essential in rapidly developing areas of northern Canada.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1976

Effects of storage in the cold on activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase in serum.

Sera from patients with hepatobiliary disorders were selected to represent a wide range of activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase (EC 2.3.2.2). Samples were stored at 4 degrees C and periodically tested for as long as nine weeks, others at -6 degrees C for as long as 40 weeks. The frozen-stored samples were thawed and then frozen again after each testing. The activity of the enzyme was essentially unchanged under both conditions of storage. These results are consistent with comments in the literature on the enzyme's stability.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗
PubMed1974

Rheumatic complaints and pulmonary response to chrysotile dust inhalation in the mines and mills of Quebec.

In 1967-68 an age-stratified random sample of 1069 current workers in Quebec asbestos mines and mills was surveyed. Questions concerning rheumatic complaints were included in a modified MRC questionnaire used at that time, and on this basis a rheumatic severity gradient was devised. No relationship could be detected between rheumatic complaints and pulmonary radiologic response to chrysotile dust exposure, despite implications in the literature that such a relationship might exist.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Policy for measles elimination in Canada and program implications.

In Canada, both the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Canadian Paediatric Society have recommended a goal of measles elimination. Because immunization services are a responsibility of the provincial government, most provinces maintain advisory bodies to respond more specifically to their needs and to interpret national recommendations within the provincial context. Provincial responses to the measles elimination proposal are reviewed with reference to legislation and to components of the feasibility of the program, such as financial support, levels of staffing, efficacy of vaccine, surveillance, management of records, handling of vaccine, security of supply, type of delivery system, and desirability of a federal financial commitment. Clarification of national recommendations is urged, especially with regard to revaccination of individuals who previously received killed measles vaccine. Progress in provincial programs is reviewed, and a flexible approach is advocated in view of the different epidemiologic circumstances and delivery systems among the provinces. If adopted by all Canadian provinces, the goal of measles elimination within the current decade may be feasible for North America.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus infections of the cervix in four clinic populations.

The rates of isolation of cervical cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) were compared for populations of four different clinics attended by a total of 1,755 women. The prevalence of CMV infection could be predicted by the prevalence of HSV infection, with CMV being 2.5 times as prevalent as HSV in each population. The overall infection rates for CMV and HSV were 4.1% and 1.7%, respectively. The 252 women attending the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic had significantly higher rates of CMV and HSV infection (12.5% and 5.6%, respectively) than populations attending the other clinics. A strong relationship between marital status and CMV infection was observed. The estimated relative risk for single compared to married women was 2.9. These data verify the importance of the sexual route of transmission in the epidemiology of cervical infection with CMV.

Adolescent↗