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Biomedical subjects

H Ferguson

Publications and source records attributed to H Ferguson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Cycle control, quality of life and acne with two low-dose oral contraceptives containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol.

OBJECTIVES: Poor cycle control and tolerability can be reasons for irregular pill intake. This study compared the tolerability of two low-dose oral contraceptives and their effect on cycle control. METHODS: In this open, group-comparative, randomized multicenter trial in Germany and the Netherlands, women received either 20 microg ethinylestradiol plus 150 microg desogestrel (20EE/DSG; n = 500) or 20 microg ethinylestradiol plus 100 microg levonorgestrel (20EE/LNG; n = 498) for six treatment cycles. Cycle control, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were assessed using diary cards. Tolerability was assessed using the self-administered questionnaires Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Acne was assessed by objective (acne counts) and subjective (no, moderate, mild, severe) acne scoring of the facial area at baseline and treatment cycles 1, 3 and 6. RESULTS: A total of 404 (78.1%) and 384 (75.3%) women in the 20EE/DSG and 20EE/LNG groups, respectively, completed the trial. The occurrence rate of irregular bleeding and spotting was statistically significantly higher with 20EE/LNG than with 20EE/DSG (0.18 vs. 0.13; p < 0.05). The mean number of bleeding-spotting days per cycle was statistically significantly higher with 20EE/LNG than with 20EE/DSG (0.63 vs. 0.48; p < 0.05). Early withdrawal bleeding was more frequent with 20EE/LNG (0.15 vs. 0.08; p < 0.005), whereas continued withdrawal bleeding was more frequent with 20EE/DSG (0.32 vs. 0.45; p < 0.001); absence of withdrawal bleeding was comparable (0.06 vs. 0.04, respectively). Thirteen subjects in the 20EE/LNG group and three in the 20EE/DSG group discontinued due to unacceptable bleeding (p < 0.05). Dysmenorrhea and PMS decreased comparably in both groups. There were no differences between groups for the mean total scores of PGWBI or POMS at all time-points. Fewer acne lesions were counted with 20EE/DSG vs. 20EE/LNG after six cycles (p < 0.05). The subjective acne scores supported this finding. CONCLUSIONS: 20EE/DSG provided better cycle control than 20EE/LNG with less treatment discontinuation due to unacceptable bleeding. There were no apparent differences between the two groups regarding tolerability and quality of life. There was less acne with 20EE/DSG.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2001

Rolling circle amplification: a new approach to increase sensitivity for immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

Immunohistochemistry is a method that can provide complementary diagnostic and prognostic information to morphological observations and soluble assays. Sensitivity, specificity, or requirements for arduous sample preparation or signal amplification procedures often limit the application of this approach to routine clinical specimens. Rolling circle amplification (RCA) generates a localized signal via an isothermal amplification of an oligonucleotide circle. The application of this approach to immunohistochemistry could extend the utility of these methods to include a more complete set of immunological and molecular probes. RCA-mediated signal amplification was successfully applied to the sensitive and specific detection of a variety of cell surface antigens (CD3, CD20, and epithelial membrane antigen) and intracellular molecules (vimentin and prostate-specific antigen) within a variety of routinely fixed specimens, as well as samples prepared for flow cytometry. RCA technology, which has an intrinsically wide dynamic range, is a robust and simple procedure that can provide a universal platform for the localization of a wide variety of molecules as a function of either antigenicity or nucleic acid sequence. The use of RCA in this way could enhance the use of markers of current interest as well as permit the integration of emerging information from genomics and proteomics into cell- and tissue-based analyses.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2000

Multicenter study of the efficacy, cycle control and tolerability of a phasic desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy, cycle control and tolerability of a phasic oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol 35/30/30 microg and desogestrel 50/100/150 microg. METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted involving 2070 healthy, fertile women, who received study treatment for six treatment cycles. RESULTS: Most of the participants (79%) had previously been using an alternative oral contraceptive. In 10,408 treatment cycles, two women became pregnant while on treatment (Pearl index, 0.25). The incidence of irregular bleeding was 10% before treatment, rising to 27% at cycle 1, and decreasing to 11% by cycle 6. Irregular bleeding was mainly due to spotting rather than breakthrough bleeding and the incidence of breakthrough bleeding remained below 2.2% for most of the study period. Only 1.8% of women withdrew due to bleeding irregularities. First-time oral contraceptive users initially experienced more irregular bleeding than switchers but these differences lessened over time. The most common adverse events during treatment were headache, breast tenderness and nausea. The incidence of these adverse events fell to below pretreatment levels with continued use. CONCLUSION: The phasic preparation was effective and well tolerated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Posterior tibial tendinitis. A literature review with case reports.

Overuse posterior tibial tendinitis is caused by the increased stress placed on the tendon as it tries to compensate for the increased subtalar joint pronatory movement and velocity during physical activity. The stress can cause microtrauma and rupture of some of the fibers of the tendon. This leads to an inflammatory process and the classical clinical signs and symptoms. Therapy is directed at reducing the inflammation, minimizing the fibrosis buildup, re-strengthening the weakened tissue, and controlling the pronatory force. The two case reports illustrate typical clinical signs, symptoms, and treatment for this injury.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMed1994

Update and rationale for the inverted functional foot orthosis.

The inverted orthotic technique, also known as the Blake functional foot orthosis, is a prescription variable that allows for greater control of abnormal foot function. This article describes the indications for this prescription and the specific stability changes this technique produces. The authors conclude that it is crucial for laboratories to be brought into the process of orthosis development so that new techniques can be incorporated easily into therapy.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1993

The effect of salbutamol controlled release on airways responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in mild asthmatic subjects.

Single doses of inhaled bronchodilating agents have been shown to reduce airways responsiveness (AR) in both normal and asthmatic individuals. The longer term effects of these treatments on airways responsiveness are less clear. We have studied the effects of 4 weeks of treatment with oral salbutamol controlled release (SCR) (8 mg b.d.) on airways responsiveness in mild asthmatics in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Airways responsiveness to inhaled methacholine, baseline FEV1 and plasma salbutamol levels was assessed 6 h, 48 h and 4 weeks after commencing treatment and again 24 h and 72 h after cessation of medication. When compared to placebo, SCR significantly attenuated AR at the 48-h time point only. There were no increases in AR recorded at any of the post-treatment time points. In addition, there were no significant differences in baseline FEV1 at any of the time-points studied, when compared to placebo. The change in AR at 48 h after starting treatment was probably due to functional antagonism of smooth muscle contraction. Importantly, there were no increases in AR recorded at either of the post-treatment time points.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The effect of intranasal azelastine, Rhinolast, on nasal airways obstruction and sneezing following provocation testing with histamine and allergen.

The effect of single dose topical nasal therapy with azelastine hydrochloride (azelastine) on the response of nasal airways resistance (NAR) to provocation testing was studied in 36 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Nasal provocation testing (NPT) with histamine or grass pollen was performed after a single dose of azelastine, 0.28 mg to each nostril, or placebo. NAR was assessed by rhinomanometry for 10 hr following NPT. Compared to placebo the NAR response to histamine was inhibited at both 1 and 2 hr following azelastine administration, significant at 1 hr (P less than 0.02) and 2 hr (P less than 0.0001). No such effect was observed in relation to allergen-induced changes in NAR. Azelastine also inhibited numbers of sneezes for up to 10 hr following both histamine NPT (P less than 0.02) and allergen NPT (P less than 0.05), when compared to placebo. Forty-seven per cent of participants experienced bitter or unpleasant taste sensations after azelastine administration but no other unwanted effects were clearly related to azelastine therapy.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1992

Limb length discrepancies.

Examining for a possible limb length discrepancy is an important part of the podiatric biomechanical examination. The authors present a review of the literature pertaining to the definition of and examination for a limb length discrepancy. They present a typical rationale for lift therapy in the treatment of this pathology.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1992

The os trigonum syndrome. A literature review.

The os trigonum syndrome, a musculoskeletal ankle disorder causing posterior ankle pain, is an entity that may present as numerous disorders. To accurately diagnose and treat the syndrome, its anatomy, origin, nomenclature, and biomechanics must be thoroughly understood. For this purpose, a review of recent literature is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Extrinsic rearfoot posts.

The addition of an extrinsic rearfoot post to an orthotic device allows the podiatric practitioner to modify the function of the device. Specifically, rearfoot posts are used to allow for a more inverted heel position at contact, to provide greater resistance to abnormal frontal plane motion of the calcaneus and to provide for motion for shock absorption. The authors present nine prescription variables that each provide for a specific functional change to be incorporated into the orthotic device.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Synovial osteochondromatosis. A brief review.

An unusual clinical finding is presented with a brief review of the literature. Synovial osteochondromatosis is typically a benign process involving metaplasia of the synovial intima and the formation of cartilaginous nodules that may eventually become ossified. Synovial osteochondromatosis should always be considered as a differential diagnosis whenever a patient presents with pain, swelling, and loss of function at or around a joint. Chondrosarcoma has been misdiagnosed, leading to radical and unnecessary amputation, because synovial osteochondromatosis has not been considered. Alternatively, synovial osteochondromatosis may degenerate to or be associated with a malignant process. When radiographs or more sophisticated investigative procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging, fail to provide a conclusive answer, histologic findings provide the definitive diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Foot orthosis for the severe flatfoot in sports.

The control of excessively pronating feet in athletes can be a prolonged and frustrating experience for both the doctor and the patient. The inverted orthotic technique has previously been described for making a device that has two basic applications: to control excessive subtalar joint pronation, especially where a Root or modified Root device cannot, and to invert the entire lower limb for such problems as medial knee pain. The authors present two case histories that highlight the indications of this orthotic device for the athletic population.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

TL-61 versus Rohadur orthoses in heel spur syndrome.

The authors present the subjective responses of 40 patients with heel spur syndrome or plantar fascitis to orthotic treatment. Twenty patients had Rohadur orthoses and 20 patients had TL-61 orthoses. These data show no difference in the response to or problems created by either TL-61 or Rohadur orthoses. The authors recommend TL-61 as one alternative to Rohadur, now that that latter is unavailable.

Fasciitis↗
PubMed1990

Expression of immunoreactive glutathione S-transferases in hepatic neoplasms induced by aflatoxin B1 or 1,2-dimethylbenzanthracene in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The expression of immunoreactive glutathione S-transferase (GST) was examined in hepatic neoplasms induced in rainbow trout by aflatoxin B1 (AFB) or 1,2-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). Tumors were induced in adult trout by continuous dietary exposure to 8 p.p.b. AFB1 for 12 months or embryo bath exposure to DMBA (5 p.p.m. for 24 h, 3 times with 12 h intervals between exposures). Polyclonal antiserum specific for the two major trout hepatic GST subunits in trout liver was produced by immunizing rabbits with affinity-purified trout GST. Hepatocellular, cholangiolar and mixed neoplasms as well as foci of hepatocellular alteration were examined for GST immunoreactivity by the PAP technique. The majority of lesions were GST-deficient (AFB treated, 67%; DMBA treated, 54%), whereas GST expression was induced in 21% (AFB treated) and 31% (DMBA treated) of altered hepatic foci. The GST-induced foci were consistently small (AFB treated, 0.07 +/- 0.05 mm2; DMBA treated, 0.02 +/- 0.01 mm2) and none had progressed beyond the altered focus stage. The majority of larger advanced lesions (adenomas and carcinomas) were GST deficient (AFB treated, 2.33 +/- 0.35 mm2; DMBA treated, 2.95 +/- 0.59 mm2). These studies demonstrate that induced GST expression occurs in some small populations of hepatocytes, but not in larger advanced stages of malignant progression of aflatoxin- or PAH-induced hepatic neoplasms in rainbow trout.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗