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Biomedical subjects

J Woo

Publications and source records attributed to J Woo.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Renal function studies during intravenous acyclovir treatment of immune suppressed patients including renal transplantation.

We assessed the effect of acyclovir therapy on renal function during a course of therapy for herpesvirus disease. Renal function was assessed by measuring the clearances of inulin, albumin, and beta 2-microglobulin at the beginning and end of acyclovir therapy. Thirty-two patients had valid paired inulin clearances and 21 had valid paired albumin and beta 2-microglobulin clearances. No significant mean decrement of renal function was observed; however, 2 patients had a reversible renal dysfunction associated with acyclovir therapy which disappeared soon after discontinuation of the drug and was unassociated with a prior or recurrent renal dysfunction in short-term follow-up.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1988

Spleen lymphocyte populations and expression of activation markers in rats treated with the potent new immunosuppressive agent FK-506.

Rats were immunized systemically with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and treated with either FK-506 (1 mg/kg/day) or cyclosporin A (CsA) (25 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. Profound (greater than 90%) suppression of the production of splenic IgM-secreting plasma cells and circulating antibody levels was observed in animals receiving either drug. Immunosuppression was accompanied by significant increases in the incidence and absolute numbers of OX8+ (T-cytotoxic/suppressor) lymphocytes in the spleen, and there were corresponding reductions in the W3/25+:OX8 (CD4+:CD8+) ratio. The magnitude of these changes was not affected by drug combination. There were no significant alterations in B cells with either agent, whilst a small but significant increase in the incidence of macrophages was observed in all drug-treated groups. Neither FK-506 nor CsA affected IL-2 receptor (OX39) or MHC class II (OX6) antigen expression. This study demonstrates the remarkable immunosuppressive potency of FK-506 and its underlying capacity, like CsA, to affect regulatory T-lymphocyte subsets in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Protein nutritional status in elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.

Daily intakes of protein and energy were estimated in a group of 417 apparently healthy elderly Chinese subjects aged 60 years and over, living independently in the community. The mean protein intake was 1.2 g/kg body weight, well above the WHO/FAO/UNU recommendation of 0.8 g/kg, and comparable to intakes of elderly Americans and Britons. Plasma total protein, albumin, prealbumin, retinol binding protein and transferrin concentrations were also measured. No age- or sex-related differences were found and the values were comparable to published values for elderly Caucasians. Plasma prealbumin and retinol binding protein concentrations correlated with protein intake and with arm muscle area. Protein nutritional status appears adequate for elderly Chinese living in the community.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Vitamin A and E status in healthy elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.

Daily intakes of retinol and beta-carotene equivalents, plasma retinol, retinol binding protein and plasma vitamin E were estimated in a cluster sample of apparently healthy elderly subjects aged 60 years and over in Hong Kong leading an active life in the community. Intakes were available from 418 and plasma measurements from 385 subjects. There were no age or sex differences in intakes. Plasma retinol and retinol binding protein levels showed no sex- or age-related difference, while plasma vitamin E levels were higher in women. Retinol binding protein, plasma retinol and plasma vitamin E levels were comparable to published values for Chinese and Caucasians of all ages. Vitamin A and E status appears to be adequate in this elderly Chinese population.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Nutritional correlates of blood pressure in elderly Chinese.

Dietary intakes of various nutrients, urinary electrolyte levels from a casual urine sample, and BP were determined in 425 active men and women aged 60 and above (mean age 70.6 years) living in the community. After exclusion of subjects taking Western or Chinese medicines, correlations were seen between body mass index and diastolic blood pressure (DBP, r = 0.15, P less than 0.01), between calcium intake and systolic blood pressure (SBP, r = 0.14, P less than 0.02) and retinol intake and SBP (r = -0.14, P less than 0.03). There was no significant correlation between BP and casual urinary Na/Cr, K/Cr, Na/K or Ca/Cr ratios. Fewer correlates were seen compared to younger age groups. These results suggest that dietary modification of BP based on studies in Caucasian communities of all ages may not apply to elderly Chinese populations.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Nutritional status of the water-soluble vitamins in an active Chinese elderly population in Hong Kong.

Dietary intakes of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic and ascorbic acid, together with the biochemical status of thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and ascorbic acid, were determined in a cluster sample of 419 healthy active elderly subjects aged 60 years and above living in the community. Nicotinic acid intake per 1000 kcal (4.18 MJ) of food energy showed an age-related decrease in men, while women had higher ascorbic acid intakes than men. Between 38 and 98 per cent of this population have intakes of thiamine, riboflavin and nicotinic acid below the UK RDA values. Intakes of ascorbic acid were below the RDA for 17 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women. The prevalence of biochemical deficiency was 8, 14, 11.5 and 24 per cent for thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and ascorbic acid respectively. A significant difference in intakes between groups with blood levels within and below the reference range was seen only for riboflavin, suggesting that factors other than low intake may be more important in contributing to low blood levels for thiamine and ascorbic acid. However, inaccuracies in dietary intake estimations may contribute to the poor correlation.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Pyrazinamide and rifampicin regimens for patients on maintenance dialysis.

We measured pyrazinamide and rifampicin plasma concentrations in five patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and end stage renal failure treated by haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Using conventional daily doses of oral pyrazinamide and rifampicin, we found that the drugs were removed efficiently by both dialysis methods, so that plasma levels were sub-optimal for maximal bactericidal action. These findings suggest that in patients with tuberculosis on maintenance dialysis, treatment should be either with higher doses of these two drugs, or with additional replacement doses given after each dialysis. Further detailed pharmacokinetic studies on larger numbers of patients are indicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Liquid chromatographic assay for the simultaneous determination of pyrazinamide and rifampicin in serum samples from patients with tuberculous meningitis.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the simultaneous determination of pyrazinamide and rifampicin in serum from patients with tuberculous meningitis is presented. The drugs and internal standard, p-acetamidobenzoic acid, were extracted from the acidified sample containing 2% ascorbic acid at pH 4.2 into dichloromethane-diethyl ether (2:3). The solvent extract was evaporated to dryness with the aid of nitrogen and the residue redissolved in methanol (75 microliters). The concentrate was analysed by a liquid chromatograph using a reversed-phase 30-microns C8 pre-column linked to a 5-microns C8 analytical column with a gradient solvent programme, which delivered 6% to 48% (v/v) acetonitrile in phosphate buffer (10 mM potassium dihydrogenphosphate, pH 3.5) in 10 min at 1.5 ml/min. The eluate was detected at 215 nm. Twelve patients with tuberculous meningitis were given daily chemotherapy, and their serum samples were assayed for pyrazinamide and rifampicin.

Calibration↗
PubMed1987

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and an assessment of methods of detection among a community of elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.

This study provides information on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a group of elderly Chinese subjects aged 60 and above living in the community in Hong Kong, and investigates the sensitivity of the urine sugar, random blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and fructosamine measurements compared to a glucose tolerance test in screening for diabetes mellitus in this population. Four hundred twenty-seven subjects aged 60 and above were studied. The National Diabetes Data Group Criteria were used for the diagnosis of diabetes. Those with a random blood glucose exceeding 12.5 mmol/l were considered diabetic, and all of these patients had glycosuria together with elevated total glycosylated haemoglobin and fructosamine concentrations. A diagnostic 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed on patients with one or more of the following abnormalities: glycosuria, random plasma blood glucose 7.8 mmol/l to 12.5 mmol/l, glycosylated haemoglobin 8.5%, and fructosamine 2.20 mmol/l. By these criteria, the prevalence of diabetes in this community was found to be 9.8%. An elevated random glucose greater than 11.1 mmol/l proved to be the only specific method of screening and glycosuria was found to be at least as good as fructosamine and HbA1. However, HbA1 is more sensitive than random glucose, glycosuria or fructosamine in detecting impaired glucose tolerance. On the basis of this study, a higher reference range for glycosylated haemoglobin for the elderly alone is also suggested (5.74-9.34%).

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Villous adenoma of female urethra.

Villous adenoma of the female urethra is extremely rare. We present one such case and compare with only other case reported in the literature.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1987

A single-blind, randomized, cross-over study of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension in the elderly.

Forty patients over 70 years old with a diastolic blood pressure of 95 to 110 mm Hg and/or a systolic blood pressure of 170 to 220 mm Hg after two weeks' placebo therapy underwent a single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study using captopril and triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide). Blood pressure was lowered from a mean of 189 +/- 2.0/92 +/- 1.7 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) to 161 +/- 2.8/78 +/- 1.7 mm Hg with captopril therapy, and therapy with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide produced similar reductions (156 +/- 2.7/78 +/- 1.7 mm Hg). Two patients on triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide therapy withdrew because of side effects, while only minor side effects were observed with captopril therapy. Therapy with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide produced significant elevation of urea, creatinine, and uric acid, while captopril therapy produced no biochemical or hematologic changes. A single daily dose of captopril alone was sufficient to normalize the blood pressure in 31 (75%) of 40 patients. Captopril appears to be a promising monotherapy for the elderly with mild to moderate hypertension.

Aged↗