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Biomedical subjects

L M Brown

Publications and source records attributed to L M Brown.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Intake of tapwater and total water by pregnant and lactating women.

BACKGROUND: Despite theoretically higher requirements for water due to physiologic demands of pregnancy and lactation, little is known of actual ranges of intake in pregnant and lactating women. METHODS: Population-based estimates of total water and tapwater intake in women of reproductive age were derived using data from the 1977-78 USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. Three-day average intakes were calculated for 188 pregnant women, 77 lactating women, and 6,201 non-pregnant, non-lactating control women. RESULTS: Total water intake (mean +/- SD) was 1,940 +/- 686 g/day (median 1,835) for control women, 2,076 +/- 743 g/day (median 1,928) for pregnant women and 2,242 +/- 658 g/day (median 2,164) for lactating women. Tapwater intake was 1,157 +/- 635 g/day (median 1,065) for control women, 1,189 +/- 699 g/day (median 1,063) for pregnant women, and 1,310 +/- 591 g/day (median 1,330) for lactating women. Total water intake was equal to or greater than 3,000 g/day among 7 percent of control women, 11 percent of pregnant women, and 13 percent of lactating women. Tapwater intake was equal to or greater than 2,000 g/day among 10 percent of control women, 15 percent of pregnant women, and 8 percent of lactating women. CONCLUSIONS: These results should be useful in estimating amounts of nutrients and toxic substances that women of reproductive age obtain through the water supply.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Magnetoencephalographic localization of interictal spike sources. Case report.

The reliability of localization of interictal spike sources using magnetoencephalography (MEG) was examined by repeated measurements in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy. During two preoperative recording sessions, the estimated sources, projected onto magnetic resonance images of the patient's brain, were found to lie less than 1 cm apart within the area subsequently resected. The MEG localization was in close agreement with intraoperative cortical recordings.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Pesticide exposures and other agricultural risk factors for leukemia among men in Iowa and Minnesota.

Mortality surveys and death certificate studies have suggested an association between leukemia and farming. To investigate whether exposure to carcinogens in an agricultural setting is related to risk of leukemia, the authors conducted a population-based case-control interview study of 578 white men with leukemia and 1245 controls living in Iowa and Minnesota. Consistent with recent mortality studies, there were slight, but significant, elevations in risk for all leukemia [odds ratio (OR) 1.2] and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (OR 1.4) for farmers compared to nonfarmers. There were no significant associations with leukemia for exposure to specific fungicides, herbicides (including 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T), or crop insecticides. However, significantly elevated risks for leukemia of greater than or equal to 2.0 were seen for exposure to specific animal insecticides including the organophosphates crotoxyphos (OR 11.1), dichlorvos (OR 2.0), and famphur (OR 2.2) and the natural product pyrethrins (OR 3.7) and the chlorinated hydrocarbon methoxychlor (OR 2.2). There were also smaller, but significant, risks associated with exposure to nicotine (OR 1.6) and DDT (OR 1.3). This finding of elevated risks for insecticides used on animals deserves further evaluation.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1990

Amorphisation of MgO single crystal specimens prepared by ion milling for transmission electron microscopy studies.

Single crystal MgO specimens having low load Vickers indentations were thinned in an ion milling machine employing a single ion gun, and their characteristics were investigated with optical microscopy and high voltage electron microscopy (HVEM). It was found that the state of cleanliness of the specimen chamber of the ion milling machine had a very marked influence on the quality of the thinned specimens. If the specimen chamber was not well cleaned before ion milling a fresh specimen, the latter tended to show amorphisation due to the deposition on the specimen of the debris left in the chamber from the previously ion-milled specimens. Such observations were made from MgO specimens ion milled in several different types of commercial ion milling machine employing a single gun. It is proposed that to obtain good-quality ion milled TEM specimens, it is important to clean the specimen chamber thoroughly prior to milling.

Magnesium Oxide↗
PubMed1990

T-cell subsets in healthy teenagers: transition to the adult phenotype.

Little is known about the normal range and variability of T-cell subsets in older children. We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets in 112 healthy children, ages 12-19 years (mean +/- SD: 15.4 +/- 1.9 years), using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. The study population included 28 blacks and 84 whites, with 59 boys and 53 girls. The mean +/- SD cell subset values were: CD3+ T cells, 74.0 +/- 7.8%; CD4+ helper-inducer T cells, 46.8 +/- 6.9%; CD8+ suppressor-cytotoxic T cells, 27.3 +/- 5.7%; CD4:CD8 helper:suppressor ratio, 1.81 +/- 0.57; CD16+ natural killer cells, 4.4 +/- 3.1%; CD19+ B cells, 10.0 +/- 5.3%; CD14+ monocytes, 20.0 +/- 6.5%; and HLA-DR cells, 15.4 +/- 4.8%. Overall, boys had a higher proportion of HLA-DR+ cells than girls, attributable to an increase in CD19+ B cells. Blacks tended to have a higher proportion of HLA-DR+ cells than whites, apparently due to an increase in activated T cells. Detailed analysis by age group revealed a striking transition in the pattern of CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations. The CD4:CD8 ratio, higher in boys than girls for ages 12-16, was reversed to the "adult" pattern in 17-19 year olds, with a higher CD4:CD8 ratio in girls. These data provide important baseline values for healthy children and stress the importance of establishing normative ranges for pediatric subjects separately from adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Occupation and risk for testicular cancer: a case-control study.

A case-control study of 271 testicular cancer cases aged 18-42, including 60 seminomas and 206 other germinal cell tumours, and 259 controls was carried out to study the association between occupation and testicular cancer risk. Study subjects were identified at three medical centres, two of which treat military personnel. Controls were men diagnosed with a cancer other than of the genital tract. Associations were identified between professional employment (administrators, teachers and other professionals) and risk for testicular seminoma, OR = 2.8 (95% Cl: 1.4-5.4) and between employment in production work and risk for other germinal cell tumours, OR = 1.8 (95% Cl: 1.1-2.7). No specific occupations within these broad groups were responsible for observed increases. Self-reported exposure to microwave and other radio waves was associated with an excess risk for both seminomas and other germinal cell tumours. However, an assessment of radio wave exposure based on job title did not support this finding. Although testicular cancer has been increasing in recent decades among young males, occupational factors did not appear to account for a substantial proportion of testicular cancer occurrence in the population studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Psychiatrists in primary care: would general practitioners welcome them?

During the spring of 1988 a postal questionnaire was sent to all general practitioners in one health district, enquiring about their present links with psychiatrists and asking for their views on the desirability of psychiatrists visiting their surgeries regularly. At present only a minority of general practitioners have a regular link of this kind but a substantial majority would welcome such an arrangement. The type of link most commonly desired is one in which the general practitioner shares actively in the assessment and treatment of the patient. A degree of ambivalence about the role of other mental health professionals was detected.

England↗
PubMed1989

Alterations in serotonin binding sites after 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine treatment in the rat spinal cord.

The 5-HT1B subtype of serotonin (5-HT) receptor regulates the release of 5-HT in the rat spinal cord. In an attempt to confirm the presynaptic location of the 5-HT1B receptor, serotonergic nerves were destroyed neurochemically with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) administered intrathecally. At 3, 7 and 14 days post 5,7-DHT, competitive radioligand binding assays were performed using 2 nM [3H]5-HT and varying concentrations of trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), a drug which interacts with 5-HT1B and 5-HT1A binding sites (affinity of 5-HT1B site greater than 5-HT1A site for TFMPP). The decrease in 5-HT1B sites that was expected was not observed at any time following the lesion. However, the binding capacity of the 5-HT1B site, as well as the 5-HT1A site, increased significantly by 7 and 14 days postlesion, respectively. Thus, it appears that an up-regulation of 5-HT1B sites occurred that may have obscured the ability to observe a reduction in a small population of sites located on the serotonergic nerve terminals.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗
PubMed1989

Effect of smoking and alcohol consumption on laryngeal cancer risk in coastal Texas.

Data from case-control studies of respiratory cancer conducted in the Texas Gulf Coast region between 1975 and 1980 were used to examine the effects of smoking and alcohol on laryngeal cancer risk. Analyses were limited to living white males, aged 30-79, which included 151 histologically confirmed incident laryngeal cancer cases and 235 population-based controls. A dose-dependent effect for cigarette smoking was observed, with odds ratios ranging from 4.4 for ever smoking up to one-half pack daily, to 10.4 for smoking more than two packs per day. Risks were strongest for current smokers and declined markedly following smoking cessation. Higher risks were associated with smoking nonfiltered than filtered cigarettes. No significantly elevated risks were associated with the use of other tobacco products. Odds ratios for alcohol beverages did not increase linearly with increasing use; instead risks were twofold for consumption of four or more drinks weekly. Patterns of risk associated with beer and hard liquor were not consistent and few participants drank wine. Although the data were sparse, a dose-response effect for alcohol intake was suggested for tumors of the supraglottis (n = 23), while for nonsupraglottic cases, alcohol risks were elevated but did not increase beyond those observed for four drinks per week. Predicted risks for the combined effects of cigarette and alcohol use were intermediate between an additive and multiplicative form of interaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The influence of age, race, and gender on peripheral blood mononuclear-cell subsets in healthy nonsmokers.

To investigate the influence of age, race, and gender on the cellular immune system, we determined T-cell, B-cell, monocyte, natural killer (NK)-cell, and HLA-DR+-cell subsets in 266 nonsmokers from a population-based random sample of healthy adults using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Blacks had a lower total white blood-cell count than whites (P less than or equal to 0.0001), due primarily to a decrease in granulocytes. There was no significant difference in absolute lymphocyte count between blacks and whites. Blacks had a higher proportion of CD19+ cells (Leu 12+ B cells) and a lower proportion of CD3+ cells (OKT3+ T cells) than whites (P less than or equal to 0.01). Female sex and increasing age were independently associated with an increased percentage of CD4+ cells (OKT4A+ helper-inducer T-cell subset), resulting in a higher helper/suppressor ratio among women and older individuals (P less than or equal to 0.05). Black race and increasing age were independently associated with an increased proportion of HLA-DR+ cells (P less than or equal to 0.0001) which was not attributable to B cells or monocytes. No significant age, race, or gender effects were observed for CD14+ cells (Leu M3+ monocytes) or CD16+ cells (Leu 11A+ natural killer cells). These data demonstrate that age, race, and gender are each associated with significant differences in peripheral blood mononuclear-cell subsets. Population-based data such as these provide an important foundation for future design and interpretation of human flow cytometry data.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

In vitro fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes recovered by laparoscopy.

Thirty-three laparoscopies were performed on 16 follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-superovulated cows (one to four laparoscopies per cow). Two hundred and four follicles were aspirated (6.18/cow) and 157 oocytes (77% recovery rate) were isolated. Sixty percent of the oocytes found were considered to be of good to excellent quality. In cows with ongoing ovulations at laparoscopy only 32% of the oocytes were suitable for fertilization. Twenty-four percent of the oocytes from cows with no ovulation and 16% from cows with ovulations were fertilized. Higher proportions of oocytes were fertilized in cows showing estrous behavior vs cows with no signs of estrus (25 vs 15%). Using lysolecithin-treated spermatozoa, 28% of the oocytes with good to excellent quality were fertilized, and 35% of the fertilized eggs cleaved in vitro to two- to four-cell stages.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Biochemical epidemiology in community-based studies: practical lessons from a study of T-cell subsets.

Elaborate laboratory tests are increasingly being incorporated into traditional epidemiologic research designs, a concept commonly termed biochemical epidemiology. Some of the issues encountered are illustrated by a recent population-based survey of healthy individuals in the Washington, D.C. area designed to examine the effects of demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and medical conditions on peripheral blood T-cell subsets. The study was conducted in three phases: selection of households by random digit dialing (Phase I); telephone interviews (Phase II), and self-administered questionnaires and phlebotomy (Phase III). Although this design facilitated the selection of the final study population, it influenced the participation rates by offering opportunities for nonresponse at each phase. Race was the strongest determinant of response rate despite the use of highly-trained, racially-matched telephone interviewers and repeated attempts at refusal conversion. Also discussed are issues of confidentiality, and logistics of biologic specimen collection and handling. The difficulties encountered in this survey are examined, with suggestions for future population-based investigations involving biochemical epidemiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Changing caries experience and risk factors in five- and six-year-old Melbourne children.

Recent studies have shown a decline in the caries experience in Australian children. It has also been shown that a number of socio-demographic variables are associated with risk of caries experience. The aims of the present study were to identify changes in caries experience and the association of socio-demographic variables with risk of caries experience in five- and six-year-old children over the period 1977 to 1985. In 1985, a sample of 174 children resident in the municipality of Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, was examined. A similar sample was drawn from the same area in 1977. The percentage of children caries-free had greatly increased, while caries experience had decreased. Parental birthplace, occupation and ethnicity were associated with caries experience in 1977 and were used to control for socio-demographic changes in the samples between the two survey times. In 1985 exposure to water fluoridation was also associated with caries experience. The study highlighted the improvement in dental health of five- and six-year-old children in Melbourne since 1977 and the consistency of associations between socio-demographic variables and 'at risk' children.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Association of cigarette smoking with decreased numbers of circulating natural killer cells.

To investigate the relationship between cigarette smoking and the level of circulating natural killer (NK) cells, we studied 282 subjects from a population-based, stratified random sample of healthy persons. NK cells were enumerated by flow cytometry using the monoclonal antibody anti-Leu 11A. Cigarette smokers had a significantly lower proportion of NK cells than did subjects who had never smoked (5.5 +/- 0.3% versus 7.4 +/- 0.4% of lymphoid cells; p = 0.0002). NK cells were also decreased among ex-smokers (5.6 +/- 0.4%; p = 0.002), including subjects who had not smoked for more than 20 yr. The white blood cell and lymphocyte counts were increased in smokers compared with those in never smokers (p less than 0.0001). In contrast to NK cells, the smoking-related changes in leukocyte count were not present in ex-smokers, even those who had stopped smoking within the past year. Multivariate analysis confirmed that both current and past smokers had significant decreases in both the number and proportion of NK cells after controlling for age, sex, and lymphocyte count. These data indicate that cigarette smoking is associated with a decrease in the number and proportion of circulating NK cells, and that this effect is present many years after smoking cessation. This quantitative NK cell deficit may contribute to the elevated risk of malignancy in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The effects of cigarette smoking on T cell subsets. A population-based survey of healthy caucasians.

To investigate the influence of cigarette smoking on mononuclear cell subsets, we determined T cell, B cell, monocyte, and HLA-DR+ subsets in a population-based, stratified, random sample of healthy Caucasians using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. The study population consisted of 282 subjects 20 to 69 yr of age, including 108 smokers and 174 nonsmokers. Multivariate analysis techniques were used to assess the influence of cigarette smoking status after controlling for the effects of age and gender. Cigarette smoking was associated with a nonspecific increase in the leukocyte count involving all major cell types (smokers: 8.50 +/- 0.15 versus nonsmokers: 7.33 +/- 0.12 cells/mm3; p less than or equal to 0.0001). In addition, cigarette smokers had a selective increase in CD4+ cells (helper-inducer T cells) compared with nonsmokers (55.3 +/- 0.8 versus 52.2 +/- 0.6% of lymphoid cells; p = 0.002), resulting in a statistically significant increase in the CD4+/CD8+ (helper/suppressor) ratio (2.42 +/- 0.1 versus 2.13 +/- 0.16; p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers in the level of CD3+ cells (total T cells: 76.8 +/- 0.7 versus 76.1 +/- 0.5; p = 0.5), CD8+ cells (suppressor-cytotoxic T cells: 25.7 +/- 0.8 versus 27.0 +/- 0.5%; p = 0.1), CD19+ cells (B cells) (10.7 +/- 0.4 versus 10.0 +/- 0.3%; p = 0.2), CD14+ cells (monocytes) (18.0 +/- 0.6 versus 17.0 +/- 0.4%; p = 0.2), or HLA-DR+ cells (14.5 +/- 0.5 versus 14.0 +/- 0.4%; p = 0.4).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Management activities in community dietetics practice.

Information on the management activities of community dietitians was obtained through a mail survey of 350 randomly selected community dietitians. Subjects provided information on their management level, the importance to their job performance of 83 management activity statements, and the percent of time they spent performing management activities in each of nine categories. Twenty-nine percent of the respondents indicated job responsibilities in lower-level management; 45% had mid-level and 26% had upper-level management responsibilities. Numbers of activities rated essential or very important increased as management levels increased. Kinds of activities changed from technical to human to conceptual as management levels increased. Mid-level management subjects, while still spending time working with clients, reported spending considerable time on coordinating, investigating, and evaluating, often reporting as much time spent on those activities as did upper-level management subjects. Definitions provided by respondents indicated great diversity in job requirements and settings.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1988

Environmental factors and high risk of esophageal cancer among men in coastal South Carolina.

A case-control study involving interviews of 207 men with esophageal cancer and 422 control subjects or their next of kin was conducted to identify reasons for the unusually high rates of esophageal cancer among men in coastal South Carolina. Tobacco and alcohol, including moonshine, were identified as the major determinants of esophageal cancer risk. Increased risk was also associated with low intake of fresh fruits but not with drinking of local herbal teas. The findings suggest that efforts aimed at reducing tobacco and alcohol use will help to lower the elevated rates of esophageal cancer in coastal South Carolina.

Alcohol Drinking↗