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Biomedical subjects

J Montgomery

Publications and source records attributed to J Montgomery.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Low plasma beta-endorphin in post-traumatic stress disorder.

We compared serum cortisol, ACTH and plasma beta-endorphin in 21 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients and 20 controls. Although we found no important disturbance in diurnal rhythms, the PTSD patients had significantly higher A.M. serum cortisols compared with controls. Both A.M. and P.M. plasma beta-endorphins in PTSD patients were significantly lower compared with controls. These data suggest that plasma beta-endorphin may be a marker for PTSD and that chronic endogenous opioid depletion may play a role in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of this disorder.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1989

Isolation of Fusobacterium nucleatum and electron microscopic observations of spirochetes from tropical skin ulcers in Papua New Guinea.

Tropical ulcer is a disabling condition of the lower leg affecting mainly young adults and older children. Microscopic observations of lesion material have shown fusiform bacilli and spirochetes. We used anaerobic culture techniques to isolate and identify these fusiform bacilli. Electron microscopic (EM) studies were performed to characterize the spirochetes. Material collected on swabs was used to inoculate pre-reduced media and to prepare smears for gram staining; the swabs were placed in fixative for EM study. After incubation, colonies containing fusiform bacilli were subcultured. The anaerobic gram-negative fusiform isolates were identified as Fusobacterium nucleatum using biochemical reactions, hemagglutination testing, and reaction of antigen preparations of the isolates and ATCC strains in serological tests with rabbit antisera. EM observations of negatively stained spirochetes revealed an 8-16-8 periplasmic flagellar arrangement. F. nucleatum and spirochetes may participate in the pathogenesis of this polymicrobic infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Multiple colonization of the upper respiratory tract of Papua New Guinea children with Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Nasal secretions from Papua New Guinea children were cultured using selective agents, to determine the prevalence of multiple colonization for both S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. 29.5% of 156 and 53% of 93 carriage positive subjects harbored more than one type of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae respectively. Of 95 strains of pneumococci isolated from multiply colonized children, 40% were relatively resistant to benzylpenicillin. In more than one half of the children in this group both penicillin sensitive and resistant serotypes coexisted. Significantly more penicillin resistant pneumococci were isolated from children with ready access to primary and regional health care services. Among H. influenzae the prevalence of multiple isolations due to nonencapsulated variants only, and encapsulated plus nonencapsulated organisms was similar. The commonest biotypes were types I, II, III and V, and each was similarly associated with multiple carriage.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Postpartum depression: a clinical view.

Recent studies identify a much higher incidence of postpartum depression than had previously been acknowledged and show that a mother's depression may have a highly deleterious effect on the early development of her infant. Although a variety of theories exist concerning the etiology of postpartum depression, many writers now accept a transactional model of causality. This article suggests that for many women early depriving or abusive experiences are necessary but not sufficient conditions to explain the development of severe postpartum depression. Four different types of postpartum depression are presented with widely differing prognoses and needs for treatment. It is suggested that a wide range of treatment modalities may be needed with the more serious depressions and that such services are lacking in most communities.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1989

Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and other nasal bacteria among children in remote areas of the fringe highlands of Papua New Guinea.

The nasal bacteriology of children in two areas of the western Schrader Range was studied. One area, served by an aid post since 1976, was compared with the other, which received its first medical care in 1984. Significant differences in the amount of resistance to penicillin were found, but not in the direction expected. These anomalous findings are interpreted in light of the particular histories of the groups involved, suggesting the transmission of resistant strains through contact among children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Skeletal effects of oral oestrogen compared with subcutaneous oestrogen and testosterone in postmenopausal women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare oral and implanted oestrogens for their effects in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis. DESIGN: Non-randomised cohort study of postmenopausal women treated with oral or depot oestrogens and postmenopausal controls. SETTING: Gynaecological endocrine clinic in tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: Oral treatment group of 37 postmenopausal women (mean age 57.5 years, median 8.75 years from last menstrual period), compared with 41 women given oestrogen implants (mean age 56.2 years, median 9.5 years from last menstrual period) and 36 controls (mean age 51.8 years, median 2.0 years from last menstrual period). Weight was not significantly different among the groups. INTERVENTIONS: Oral treatment group was given continuous treatment with cyclic oestrogen and progesterone preparations (Prempak C or Cycloprogynova) for a median of 8.0 years. Implant group was given subcutaneous implants of oestradiol 50 mg combined with testosterone 100 mg, on average six monthly for a median of 8.5 years. Controls were not treated. END POINT: Significant increase in bone density. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bone density measured by dual beam photon absorptiometry was 1.02 (SD 0.13) g hydroxyapatite/cm2 in implant group versus 0.89 (0.11) in oral group (p less than 0.01) and 0.87 (0.14) in controls (p less than 0.01). Serum oestradiol concentration in implant group was (median) 725 pmol/l versus 170 pmol/l in oral group (p less than 0.01) and 99 pmol/l in controls (p less than 0.01). Serum follicular stimulating hormone was median 1 IU/l (range 1-11) in implant group (equivalent to premenopausal values) versus 43 (4-94) IU/l in oral group (p less than 0.01) and 72 (28-99) IU/l in controls (p less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous oestrogen is more effective than oral oestrogen in preventing osteoporosis, probably owing to the more physiological (premenopausal) serum oestradiol concentrations achieved. It also avoids problems of compliance that occur with oral treatment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

The effect of vaginal delivery on the urethral sphincter.

To investigate the aetiological role of vaginal delivery in genuine stress incontinence we compared two groups of women who underwent full urodynamic assessment in our department. The women in the first group had competent urethral sphincter mechanisms and those in the second group had genuine stress incontinence. There were no differences between the two groups in respect of parity, number of vaginal deliveries or birthweight of the heaviest baby. The group with competent urethral sphincter mechanisms did show some evidence to implicate an increased number of vaginal deliveries in poor function of the distal part of the urethral sphincter mechanism.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1988

Correlation of urethral physiology and skin collagen in postmenopausal women.

Connective tissue collagen is thought to contribute to the generation of urethral pressure. It has been previously shown that skin collagen and urethral pressure are oestrogen dependent. This study demonstrates a correlation between urethral pressure measurements and skin collagen content. It is suggested that the beneficial effect of oestrogens on urethral function may be mediated by collagen.

Collagen↗
PubMed1988

Restriction endonuclease analysis of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo isolates from cattle.

The genomes of 253 strains of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis of their DNA. The strains had been isolated from cattle at an abattoir (190), milk of agalactic cows (seven) and from aborted bovine fetuses (56). Two distinct genome types, Hardjoprajitno and Hardjobovis, were detected. The majority (91 per cent) of isolates from abattoir cattle were of the Hardjobovis type while most (76 per cent) of the isolates from clinical/pathological material were similar to Hardjoprajitno.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Decline in skin collagen content and metacarpal index after the menopause and its prevention with sex hormone replacement.

The thigh skin collagen content and the metacarpal index were measured in 69 untreated postmenopausal women and in 37 postmenopausal women who had been receiving oestradiol and testosterone implants for 2-10 years. There was a significant positive correlation between the skin collagen content and the metacarpal index in both groups of patients. In the untreated group, there was a statistically significant decrease both in the thigh skin collagen content and in the metacarpal index with the years since the menopause. This decrease was preventable in women who were on sex hormone replacement therapy.

Collagen↗
PubMed1987

Commercial latex agglutination tests for detection of Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigens in patients with bacteremic pneumonia.

The validity of commercial latex agglutination kits for detection of Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigens in serum and urine specimens was studied. We tested serum and urine specimens from 44 patients with bacteremic pneumonia (23 S. pneumoniae, 13 H. influenzae type b, 11 other) with commercial latex agglutination kits (Directigen, Bactigen) for S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b antigens. All specimen samples were randomized and read blindly by two readers. Interreader reproducibility was 100%. The sensitivity and specificity of both kits for H. influenzae type b antigens in serum and urine were greater than 90%. None of the 24 urine samples from S. pneumoniae bacteremic patients were positive by either kit, although 6 ng of type 3 polysaccharide could be detected in spiked urine. Sensitivity for S. pneumoniae antigens in serum was 27% for Directigen and 38% for Bactigen. Specificity for S. pneumoniae antigens in serum was 95% for Directigen and 74% for Bactigen. The results suggest that the kits are useful in diagnosing H. influenzae type b pneumonia. However, the commercially available S. pneumoniae reagents tested appear to have limited utility for diagnosing S. pneumoniae pneumonia because both kits lack sensitivity and Bactigen lacks specificity, as well.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Cardiovascular adaptations to intense swim training in sedentary middle-aged men and women.

Central and peripheral cardiovascular adaptations to 12 weeks of intense swim training were characterized in 12 previously sedentary middle-aged men and women. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2) during upright bicycle exercise improved from 29.2 +/- 5.6 to 34.7 +/- 6.7 ml/kg/min (mean +/- SD, p less than .01) because of similar increases in peak cardiac output (CO) and calculated arteriovenous oxygen difference (both p = .02). Peak supine VO2 was 10% higher after training (p less than .005) solely because of enhanced CO (p = .005). Peak heart rate decreased in both postures; therefore stroke volume at peak exercise was greater by 10% and 18% in the upright and supine postures, respectively (p = .05 and p = .005). There was an identical 18% rise (p = .01) in peak supine left ventricular end-diastolic volume index by radionuclide ventriculography but no change in left ventricular ejection fraction or end-systolic volume index (ESVI). Peak systolic blood pressure (SBP) was unchanged in the upright posture but was 8% higher (p = .002) during recumbency despite a similar total peripheral resistance and SBP/ESVI ratio. Maximal calf conductance (Gmax), assessed separately by venous occlusion plethysmography after local ischemic exercise to fatigue, was augmented 20% (p less than .02) by training, resulting in an 18% greater hyperemic blood flow (p = .05). Peak VO2, CO, and Gmax were unchanged in five nonexercising control subjects. We conclude that in middle-aged humans, intense swim training for 12 weeks produces adaptations that include a greater capacity for vasodilatation in skeletal muscle and an enhanced cardiac pump capacity.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1987

A study of the decrease of skin collagen content, skin thickness, and bone mass in the postmenopausal woman.

The skin collagen content, skin thickness, metacarpal index, and forearm bone mineral content in postmenopausal women showed a similar decline of between 1-2% per year after the menopause. All four parameters showed a decline that was significant when compared with the years from the menopause. Significant correlations between all four parameters suggest that a similar pathology causes the decrease in bone mass and skin thickness--a decline in the connective tissue element that is common to both bone and skin.

Bone and Bones↗