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Biomedical subjects

G Stott

Publications and source records attributed to G Stott.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Levels of physical activity, physical fitness and their relationship in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey.

The aim of the study was to describe the physical activity and physical fitness profile of the population of Northern Ireland and to explore the relationship between physical activity and physical fitness. This was a cross sectional population study using a two stage probability sample of the adult population of Northern Ireland (aged 16+). The main outcome measures were physical activity profile based on computer assisted interview. Physical fitness using estimation of VO2max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake while walking on a motor driven treadmill. We found that males were more vigorously active than females (M 21%:F 6%) with a steep gradient of decreasing activity with age: 49% (M 52%:F 46%) were regularly active up to at least moderate intensity. Males (mean predicted VO2max 44.4 mls/kg/min; 16-74 years) were fitter than females (mean predicted VO2max 34.0 mls/kg/min; 16-74 years) and while there was a decline in predicted VO2max with age, there was wide variation within each age category. There was no statistically significant relationship between current or past activity and fitness after adjustment for possible confounding factors, with the exception of a relationship between fitness and activity in males so that the difference between no activity and habitual vigorous activity in predicted VO2max was 4.4mls/kg/min (10.1%).

Adolescent↗

Physical fitness, lipids, and apolipoproteins in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical fitness, lipids, and apolipoproteins in a cross-sectional study using a two-stage probability sample of the population of Northern Ireland. The main outcome measures were physical fitness using VO2max estimated by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake while walking on a motor driven treadmill, and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL2 and HDL3, and Lp(a). There were no significant relationships with fitness, after adjustment for possible confounders, with the exception of a positive relationship with HDL2 in males (P < or = 0.01) and Lp(a) in females (P < or = 0.05). There was also a relationship between physical fitness and HDL:apo AI ratio in males and females after adjustment for possible confounders (P < or = 0.05). We concluded that there were few relationships between lipid parameters and physical fitness after adjustment for possible confounders. The relationship between physical fitness and Lp(a) in females suggests a benefit associated with physical fitness and the relationship between physical fitness and HDL:apo AI ratio was in keeping with improved HDL cholesterol transport.

Adult↗

Total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and exercise.

The relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) was examined in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey. This was a cross-sectional population study (n = 1600) using a two-stage probability sample of the population. TRAP was calculated using the sum of the individual serum antioxidant concentrations (urate, protein thiols, ascorbate, alpha tocopherol and bilirubin) multiplied by their respective stoichiometric values. Physical fitness was determined by estimation of VO2max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake, and physical activity was recorded by computer-assisted interview. Mean serum TRAP concentrations were significantly higher in males (653 +/- 8.2 mumol/l, mean +/- SEM) compared to females (564 +/- 8.0 mumol/l) (p < 0.0001). Both male and female smokers had significantly lower TRAP values than non-smokers (males p < 0.0001, females p = 0.02). In females, there was a positive relationship of TRAP with age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p < 0.001) but a negative relationship with physical fitness (p < 0.05). The known beneficial effects of exercise and activity do not appear to be directly mediated through increased antioxidant status.

Adolescent↗

Physical activity, lipids, apolipoproteins, and Lp(a) in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey.

In a cross-sectional study using a two-stage probability sample (N = 1,600) of the population of Northern Ireland, there was an inverse association between the highest recorded recent activity and total cholesterol (P < or = 0.01), LDL (P < or = 0.01), triglyceride (P < or = 0.05) and Chol:HDL ratio (P < or = 0.001) in males, and total cholesterol (P < or = 0.001), LDL (P < or = 0.001), and triglyceride (P < or = 0.01) in females; between habitual activity and HDL (P < or = 0.05) in males and total cholesterol (P < or = 0.05) and triglyceride (P < or = 0.01) in females. There was a relationship between the highest recorded activity and apoAI (P < or = 0.01) and apoB (P < or = 0.01) in males and with apoB (P < or = 0.001) in females; between habitual activity and apoAI (P < or = 0.01) and apoAII (P < or = 0.05) in males and apoB (P < or = 0.01) in females; between past activity and Lp(a) in females (P < or = 0.05). After adjustment for possible confounding factors, total cholesterol (P < or = 0.05) and LDL (P < or = 0.05) were unexpectedly higher in males who were active throughout life. Total cholesterol (P < or = 0.05) and LDL (P < or = 0.001) were higher in females with highest recorded activity and triglycerides lower (P < or = 0.05) in those habitually active. An association between highest recorded activity and apoAI (P < or = 0.01), and past activity and apoAI:apoB ratio (P < or = 0.05) was shown in males and in females, after adjustment, and between apoB (P < or = 0.05) and highest recorded activity.

Adolescent↗

Physical activity, physical fitness, blood pressure, and fibrinogen in the Northern Ireland health and activity survey.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, blood pressure, and fibrinogen. DESIGN: This was a cross sectional population study using a two stage probability sample. SETTING: Northern Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 1600 subjects aged 16-74 years from the population of Northern Ireland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical activity profile from computer assisted interview using the Allied Dunbar national fitness survey scales. Physical fitness using estimation of VO2 max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake while walking on a motor driven treadmill. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured with a Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer. Measurement of fibrinogen using the Clauss method. MAIN RESULTS: There were significant relationships between both current and past activity and blood pressure. These were of a magnitude that would have been clinically significant, but for the fact that, with the exception of the relationship between habitual activity and diastolic pressure (p = 0.03) and past activity and systolic pressure (p = 0.03) in men, they were not sustained after adjustment for the effect of age using analysis of variance. After adjustment for other potentially confounding factors using multiple regression, there was an inverse relationship between systolic blood pressure and past activity in men, so that those with a life-time of participation compared with a life-time of inactivity had a lower systolic blood pressure of 6 mmHg (p < 0.05). There was a highly significant (p < 0.001) inverse association between both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and physical fitness (VO2 max) which was not sustained after adjustment for possible confounding factors. There were relationships between fibrinogen and highest recorded activity (p < 0.001), habitual activity (p < 0.01), and past activity (p < 0.01) in men but no significant relationship in women. The relationship between fibrinogen and activity was no longer sustained after adjustment for possible confounding factors. There was a highly significant (p < 0.001) inverse relationship with physical fitness using VO2 max. This relationship was sustained after adjustment for possible confounding factors in both men (p < 0.05) and women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and blood pressure but the relationship was greatly influenced by age. A reduction of 6 mmHg in systolic blood pressure associated with past activity is of clinical significance and supports the hypothesis that physical activity is of benefit in reducing cardiovascular risk. There was a lower level of fibrinogen in those who were most active but this relationship was not significant after adjustment for possible confounding factors. There was also a lower level of fibrinogen those who were most fit (VO2 max) and this relationship persisted even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.

Adolescent↗

Vitamin E and exercise in the Northern Ireland population.

Serum vitamin E, vitamin E/cholesterol and physical activity and fitness were examined in a representative cross section (n = 1600) of the Northern Ireland population as part of the Northern Ireland health and activity survey. Serum vitamin E levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, cholesterol by an enzymatic method, physical activity profile was recorded by computer assisted interview and physical fitness was determined by estimation of VO2 max. The levels of serum vitamin E and vitamin E/cholesterol ratio in the Northern Irish population were similar or higher than in other populations with lower incidences of coronary heart disease. The assessment of activity showed that 75% of the population fell below recommended activity levels likely to confer a cardioprotective effect. A significant relationship (P = 0.01) was found in males between serum vitamin E levels and lifetime participation in physical activity. Otherwise no relationship was found between serum vitamin E or vitamin E/cholesterol ratio and physical activity or fitness in the population.

Adolescent↗

Ascorbate and exercise in the Northern Ireland population.

The relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and serum ascorbate was examined in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey. This was a cross sectional population study (n = 1600), using a two stage probability sample, of the population of N. Ireland. Physical activity profile was recorded by computer assisted interview and physical fitness was determined by estimation of VO2 max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake. Serum ascorbate was measured using a colorimetric reaction of 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine with dehydroascorbate. Mean serum ascorbate was greater in females than males (p < 0.001), and was lower in smokers than non-smokers in both males (p = 0.01) and females (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant relationship between serum ascorbate and age, social class, body mass index, physical activity or physical fitness in males but there was a relationship with age (p < 0.01) and physical fitness (p < 0.05) in females.

Adolescent↗

Educational supervision of pre-registration house officers.

An annual survey of the educational supervision of pre-registration house officers has been carried out since 1987 by the Northern Ireland Council for Postgraduate Medical Education and the Queen's University of Belfast. Educational supervision was considered by house officers to be unsatisfactory in 27% of medical posts and 52% of surgical posts. Regular teaching was provided at least weekly in 77% of the posts, but 50% of house officers wanted mor experience of managing common medical emergencies. Over one-third felt administrative duties were excessive. There is a strong argument that hospitals should designate within clinical units a consultant with responsibility for educational supervision of the pre-registration house officers. Creation of the hospital counterpart of the General Practitioner trainer--the educational supervisor--would enhance the educational value of the pre-registration year. This might avoid withdrawal of approval for training purposes from some pre-registration posts.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗

A veterinary digital anatomical database.

This paper describes the Veterinary Digital Anatomical Database Project. The purpose of the project is to investigate the construction and use of digitally stored anatomical models. We will be discussing the overall project goals and the results to date. Digital anatomical models are 3 dimensional, solid model representations of normal anatomy. The digital representations are electronically stored and can be manipulated and displayed on a computer graphics workstation. A digital database of anatomical structures can be used in conjunction with gross dissection in teaching normal anatomy to first year students in the professional curriculum. The computer model gives students the opportunity to "discover" relationships between anatomical structures that may have been destroyed or may not be obvious in the gross dissection. By using a digital database, the student will have the ability to view and manipulate anatomical structures in ways that are not available through interactive video disk (IVD). IVD constrains the student to preselected views and sections stored on the disk.

Anatomy, Veterinary↗

Clinical and epidemiological observations on an outbreak of plague in Nepal.

In the autumn of 1967, plague broke out among hill people in western Nepal, a country that had not previously reported human plague. Two persons were infected from an active sylvatic focus at a grazing area 5 km from Nawra, the village where the epidemic occurred. The second patient introduced plague into the village where the rest of the cases occurred. Clinical and epidemiological evidence suggests that plague was spread both by the airborne route, resulting in 6 cases of tonsillar plague and 1 case of primary pneumonic plague, as well as by infected fleas, resulting in 17 cases of bubonic plague. Since no evidence of a rodent epizootic was uncovered in the village itself, and because of the distinct clustering of the bubonic cases, human-to-human spread of plague by infected ectoparasite vectors, presumably Pulex irritans, is thought to have occurred.This focus probably represents the most southerly boundary of the central Asian plague area yet identified.

Adolescent↗

Physical activity, physical fitness and respiratory function--exercise and respiratory function.

The aim of the study was to establish patterns of respiratory function in Northern Ireland and to examine the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and respiratory function. We identified 1600 adults over 16 yr using 2 stage probability sampling. Physical activity was measured using a questionnaire, physical fitness from oxygen uptake while walking on a treadmill, and respiratory function using spirometry. The main outcome measures were a physical activity profile based on computer assisted interview, physical fitness by predicted VO2max, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1). We found that the main findings were of relationships between activity and FVC and FEV 1 which remained after adjustment for possible confounders in men, and between fitness and FVC and FEV 1 in both men and women although these were not sustained after adjustment for possible confounders.

Adolescent↗