Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Fitzgerald

Publications and source records attributed to G Fitzgerald.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Effects of caregiving on caregiver spouses of stroke victims.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of caregiving on caregiver spouses of stroke victims and the change in these effects over time. Twenty-nine effects of caregiving were identified. These effects were grouped into four major categories. The number of effects in the categories of loss of freedom and social activities and change in role, decreased over time. The effects in decrease in physical and emotional health and marital discord increased over time. The presence of a chronic illness in the caregiver and/or a second chronic illness in the stroke victim appeared to influence the escalation of effects of caregiving. An additional factor may be the length of time in the caregiving role. Nursing implications suggested by this study relate to helping the caregivers in the early mobilization of their own informal resources for respite care and to assisting caregivers to deal with the emotional aspects of caregiving.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

Energy requirements of pregnancy in Scotland.

Measurements of energy intake, basal metabolic rate, body weight and composition, and physical activity were made on 88 women throughout pregnancy. Mean weight gain (from 10 wk to 40 wk gestation) was 11.7 kg, birthweight 3370 g, and placental weight 641 g. Maternal fat gain (from 10 wk) calculated by three methods was 2.1 kg. The total rise in basal metabolism for the whole of pregnancy was calculated to be 126 MJ (1 MJ = 239 kcal). The total increase in energy intake was estimated as 88 MJ. There was little evidence of any changes in either the energy cost of physical activity or the time spent in these activities. The total energy cost of laying down fetal and maternal tissues and the increased metabolism was 281 MJ, which was offset by a possible increase in energy intake of only 88 MJ. The most likely explanation for the deficit of 193 MJ is that many small reductions in energy expenditure occurred which were not detectable by the methods used.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1987

The effect of nutritional counselling on diet and plasma EFA status in multiple sclerosis patients over 3 years.

The dietary intake of 83 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) was assessed by the 7-day weighed intake method prior to dietary advice and at 6-monthly intervals thereafter up to 36 months. The P:S ratio of the diet increased from an initial value of 0.8 to 1.5 after 6 months and 1.34 at 36 months. Biochemical investigation of plasma essential fatty acid (EFA) status specifically linoleic, eicosapentanoic and docosahexanoic acids showed significant correlations with diet. Concurrent 6-monthly neurological and physiotherapy assessments were also carried out, the neurological results are discussed in relation to a nutrient scoring system.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1985

Is nutritional status endangered by virtually no extra intake during pregnancy?

In the course of a multinational study on energy requirements in pregnancy and lactation, the food intake of 67 pregnant women in Glasgow was measured by the use of the individual weighed inventory technique, for 3 or 5 consecutive days every 6 weeks (in 21 women), every 4 weeks (in 23 women), or every 2 weeks (in 23 women). Data were obtained in the pre-pregnant state in 12 women. Rises in energy intakes were small and gradual in the first 34 weeks of pregnancy, the mean being about 50 kcal (210 kJ)/day, but in the remaining weeks of pregnancy, intakes rose by about 150 kcal (630 kJ)/day. The total extra energy intake therefore represented less than 20 000 kcal (84 MJ), as opposed to theoretical estimates of requirements of 80 000 kcal (335 MJ). Energy-saving mechanisms may have resulted in reductions in physical activity, but this was not obvious in the study population. However, there was depression of basal metabolic rates in the first half of pregnancy, which could produce considerable energy savings.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The physical effects of visco elastic substances on human donor cornea.

A case of corneal graft operation using chondroitin sulphate (CDS-TM) to protect the endothelium, highlights the surgical difficulties encountered as a result of the severe dehydration effects on the donor corneal button produced by the CDS. In vitro experiments comparing Healonid and CDS on 8 mm excised donor corneal buttons from three pairs of human eyes, confirms this effect with CDS which was absent with Healonid.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Inhibition of reverse transcriptase by tyrosinase generated quinones related to levodopa and dopamine.

Several derivatives of levodopa have been shown to be potent inhibitors of the sulfhydryl enzyme, RNA dependent DNA polymerase, reverse transcriptase (RT). In the presence of the polyphenol oxidase, tyrosinase, the inhibitory values were between 10(-6) M and 10(-5) M. Structure-activity studies revealed that active oxidation or reduction was necessary for this potent inhibitory response. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that the presence of both the quinone and quinol was required for maximum inhibitory activity. These data suggest that the common intermediate of oxidation of quinols or reduction of quinones (i.e., semiquinone) is the active species. The use of tyrosinase provides a convenient model for the detection of the actual inhibitory interaction of a free-radical (semiquinone) with a biologically important macromolecule, reverse transcriptase.

Avian Myeloblastosis Virus↗
PubMed1980

Catecholamine turnover in essential hypertension.

With the more widespread use of sensitive specific methods of measurements of catecholamines and metabolites, more emphasis must be given to assessment of dynamic indices of catecholamine turnover. Wide inter-individual differences in noradrenaline clearance from plasma and in resting endogenous production rate, together with individual differences in responsiveness, frustrate simplistic attempts to relate plasma level of transmitter with turnover. To assess catecholamine function adequately plasma and urinary levels of catecholamine and the main metabolites should be determined together with an index of responsiveness. Central nervous catecholamine turnover cannot be easily assessed from measurement of urinary metabolite excretion Cerebrospinal fluid concentration of MHPG may provide an index of brain noradrenaline turnover.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1978

Effect of peroral administration of xylitol on exocrine secretions of monkeys.

The effects of the administration of xylitol on the biochemical properties of monkey parotid and submandibular saliva and lacrimal fluid were investigated. Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were fed either a sucrose or xylitol diet for 3 days. Ingestion of xylitol was associated with a significant increase of the activity of the salivary lactoperoxidase. The concentration of protein was also increased. Higher lactoperoxidase activity was found in parotid than in submandibular saliva. The concentrations of inorganic phosphate, calcium and SCN ions were practically unaffected. The concentration of SCN ions in pilocarpine stimulated monkey saliva was low (less than 5.5 mg/liter). Peroral administration of 2.5 g of xylitol or sorbitol per day to M. fascicularis resulted in almost similar levels of salivary lactoperoxidase activity. The administration of xylitol orally or by gastric intubation was not found to affect the concentration of lactoperoxidase, protein, phosphate, and SCN and iodine ions in lacrimal fluid. The results suggest that specific dietary sugars have a selective effect on the biochemical properties of saliva.

Animals↗