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Biomedical subjects

L Davies

Publications and source records attributed to L Davies.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Long term survival with early childhood intracerebral tumours.

Three young adults are described who presented during early childhood with a seizure disorder due to an underlying intracerebral tumour. The tumours were excised incompletely 14-19 years later. The histological findings were those of a temporal lobe benign capillary haemangioblastoma (Case 1), parietal lobe subependymoma (Case 2), and parietal lobe ganglioglioma (Case 3). After a mean period of follow-up of 22 years (range 18-26), only mild residual physical disabilities exist in each patient. These three cases illustrate (1) the need promptly to investigate children who present with focal seizures or whose EEG shows definite focal abnormalities, (2) the relevant investigations should include cranial CT or MRI in such cases and (3) that certain supratentorial tumours have a favourable outcome due to their benign biological behaviour rather than their location.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Treating AIDS: the economic issues.

It is now clear that AIDS is not only a disease of great social concern, but also has major resource implications. A number of analyses of the costs of caring for AIDS sufferers have already been published, relating mainly to the U.S.A. These present a confusing picture to the policy maker as the estimates vary greatly. In addition, treatment patterns are changing rapidly, with consequent impact on costs. Therefore this paper reviews the evidence on the costs of treating AIDS, comparing European data with those from the U.S.A. It also investigates the reasons for variations in cost estimates, the likely impact of changing treatment patterns and the relative 'value for money' from treatment of AIDS, compared with other health care interventions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

A4 amyloid protein deposition and the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: prevalence in aged brains determined by immunocytochemistry compared with conventional neuropathologic techniques.

The histologic diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) might be aided if a more sensitive marker of aberrant A4 amyloid protein deposition were available. We screened a sample of aged brains, using immunocytochemical methods to detect the A4 protein deposition, and found that, in comparison with conventional histologic techniques (silver impregnation and Congo red), immunocytochemistry is more sensitive and allows an easier demarcation between "normal" and "abnormal." If A4 protein deposition is accepted as a definitive marker for AD, then the age-related prevalence of AD increases dramatically. To what degree these prevalence rates are reflected in clinically detectable impairment of higher cortical function remains to be determined.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein in patients with neurological illness.

The levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been evaluated as a method of detecting central nervous system (CNS) demyelination. MBP levels were measured in the CSF of 129 patients with neurological illnesses of whom 26 had a demyelinating illness. High levels of MBP were found in 81% of patients with recent episodes of demyelination but were not seen in patients with multiple sclerosis that was clinically stable or in remission. Patients with CNS trauma also had high levels of MBP in their CSF. The detection of a high level of MBP in CSF may be useful in the diagnosis of acute CNS demyelination but the finding is not specific for multiple sclerosis.

Demyelinating Diseases↗
PubMed1986

Dietary fibre intakes in the United Kingdom before and after retirement from work.

During a 4-year longitudinal nutritional survey at the age of retirement from work, 94 subjects participated, both before and after retirement. Investigations included 7-day weighed dietary records, questionnaire interviews and health screening. A further 89 subjects added to the data by questionnaire interviews. Dietary fibre intakes calculated from the 7-day weighed dietary records were: pre-retirement 17.6 +/- 6.5 g/day, range 7-35 g; post-retirement 18.4 +/- 6.1 g/day, range 7-34 g. Before their retirement 88 per cent of the sample were not reaching the NACNE short-term recommendation of 25 g/day and 95 per cent had not reached the long-term recommendation of 30 g/day. There was little change in these percentages after retirement from work. Those individuals whose intakes were greater than 30 g/day had sometimes adopted a somewhat unusual style of eating. The percentage contributions to dietary fibre intake from the main food groups remained consistent, with vegetables and breads as the major sources, followed in importance by breakfast cereals and fruits. In spite of the ready availability of higher fibre foods, and publicity from the mass media and nutritional counselling, the increased awareness of the role of dietary fibre in the prevention of constipation had not, for the majority, altered food choice. There was a significantly higher intake of dietary fibre when breakfast was eaten daily but no significant effect on intake with alterations in food choice caused by dentures, chewing difficulties, indigestion or weight control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bread↗
PubMed1985

Nerve repair and behavioral recovery following brain transplantation in Notoplana acticola, a polyclad flatworm.

Although Notoplana acticola, a marine polyclad, cannot regenerate brain tissue, neuronal repair is rapid. Brains were transplanted into decerebrate flatworms to determine the anatomical patterns and functionality of neural connections established between a new brain and the peripheral nerve network of the recipient animal. Sixty-nine transplants were performed. Four brain transplant orientations were used: normal, reversed, inverted, and reversed inverted. The functionality of the transplanted brains was tested and measured using both behavioral and electrophysiological criteria. Within 23 days, 56% of the transplants that survived and retained the transplants recovered the four behaviors tested: righting behavior, avoidance turning, ditaxic locomotion, and feeding. Nerves exiting the brain tended to join with the peripheral nerves closest to them. Anatomical connections were made within 24 hr of surgery. Some normal behavior was seen within the first 36 hrs after surgery. Control decerebrate worms did not recover behavior. Preliminary intracellular recordings from three types of identified brain sensory interneurons, in transplants, revealed normal electrophysiological properties and this implied that appropriate connections with peripheral sensory cells had been reestablished. Intracellular dye-marking of these neurons in reverse-oriented brains revealed that, although individual nerve processes apparently leave the brain and associate with inappropriate nerve cords, some of the processes turn 180 degrees to reinervate nerve cords, which they normally occupy in unoperated animals. Thus, although anatomical and functional neural connections apparently were made rapidly following brain transplantation, the specificity of the reconnections remains to be shown.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Clinical follow-up of couples treated for sexual dysfunction.

The present status of 38 couples who had been treated at a clinic for sexual dysfunction 3 years previously was determined by a self-report assessment battery. The battery consisted of the Sexual Interaction Inventory, the Locke-Wallace Marriage Inventory, and the Sexual History Form completed at pretreatment, immediately posttreatment, 3 months after treatment, and at 3-year follow-up. An additional Follow-up Questionnaire was completed at the 3-year point only. At 3-year follow-up, analysis of data by diagnostic category indicated that sexual desire dysfunction for both men and women was particularly resistant to sustained behavioral change. Men with erectile difficulty reported significant improvement in their ability to maintain erections during intercourse but not in their ability to achieve erections prior to intercourse. Data from men with premature ejaculation revealed some immediate significant posttherapy gains, which, with the exception of length of foreplay, were not sustained at 3-year follow-up. For women with global inorgasmia, a significant increase in orgasmic response was reported. Data from women with situational orgasmic difficulties indicated some success in improving frequency of orgasm through masturbation and through genital caress; however, these changes did not reach statistical significance. Across all diagnostic categories, both men and women respondents reported increased satisfaction in their sexual relationship. Satisfaction in the marital relationship showed a more varied response pattern.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

A survey of patients selected by general practitioners for home care of suspected myocardial infarction: arrhythmia detection using Holter monitoring.

From the Lancaster district (pop. 50 000) 101 patients were selected for home care of suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by their general practitioners (GPs) and 78% were seen within 6 h (44% within 2 h). Infarction was confirmed in 54 cases compared with 203 in the coronary case unit over the same period. Reasons given for home management were stable condition (48%), diagnostic doubt (34%), patient preference (18%), good home (15%), age (14%). Holter ECGs from 97 patients were analysed to see if arrhythmias were undetected clinically and recordings of at least 20 h were obtained in 88 (91%). Symptoms drew attention to atrial arrhythmias in 5 patients. Ventricular premature beats were recorded in 96% of the AMI group (84% of the non-MI), ventricular tachycardia in 21% of the AMI patients (5% non-MI), atrial fibrillation in 25% of AMI (7% non-MI) and complex ventricular ectopic activity (Lown 3-5) was found in 81% of the AMI (58% of the non-MI). We conclude that the GPs in the Lancaster district select patients for home care of AMI on clinical and social grounds rather than time after onset. Holter ECG recordings reveal major arrhythmias which are usually undetected clinically and are at least as common as those found in CCU treated patients. Further studies involving larger numbers of home treated patients monitored early are required to identify criteria for home care.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Nutrition and health at retirement age in the United Kingdom.

A total of 113 subjects participated in a detailed nutritional and health surveys shortly before their retirement from work. Data were collected using: 7-day weighed dietary intakes; interview questionnaires including topics such as smoking, activity, stress-related factors, health history of subject and family, detailed consumption of alcohol; frequency of consumption of specific foods and drinks. Health screening included routine biochemical and haematological analyses and assessment of nutritional status. Mean nutrient intakes met the United Kingdom RDA although ranges were wide. Mean energy intakes for women (1730 kcal +/- 400 s.d.) were below the RDA of 1900 kcal; men met the RDA of 2400 kcal. Energy consumption was highest in the third period of the day (after 14.30 hours). The distribution of energy from protein, fat, carbohydrate and alcohol was 16, 42, 39 and 3 per cent respectively. The main food sources of nutrients are reported. A mean Quetelet index of 24.7 +/- 3.4 was found in women and 25.7 +/- 3.2 in men. Blood analysis indicated that a small proportion of the sample were outside expected ranges; this was most marked for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (gamma GT) where skewed distributions distorted the standard deviations. Prescribed medication was taken by 50 per cent of the sample; 33 per cent of the sample were cigarette smokers, 40 per cent had given up smoking, 27 per cent had never smoked cigarettes. Duplicate resting blood pressure readings showed a prevalence of hypertension. The data indicate areas of concern which should be dealt with at or before this stage of retirement from work.

Alcohol Drinking↗