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Biomedical subjects

L Ward

Publications and source records attributed to L Ward.

107 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Altered body composition and muscle protein degradation in nutritionally growth-retarded children with cystic fibrosis.

To investigate nutritional growth retardation and the adaptive response to malnutrition in cystic fibrosis (CF), body composition and muscle protein catabolism were studied in nine malnourished CF children and eight healthy controls by anthropometry, measurement of whole body potassium, urinary creatinine excretion, creatinine height index, and urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion, an index of myofibrillar protein catabolism. CF children had a significant deficit of body mass (p less than 0.001), derived from both the body fat and the fat-free compartments, including a deficit in muscle mass (p less than 0.005). A deficit of muscle mass in CF was also reflected by a lower creatinine height index (mean +/- 1 SEM = 0.66 +/- 0.04 in CF, versus 0.85 +/- 0.5 in controls, p less than 0.02). Urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion was elevated in CF children and the mean (+/- 1 SEM) rate of muscle protein catabolism was 0.82 +/- 0.06 versus 0.53 +/- 0.04 kg-1 24 h-1 in CF and controls, respectively (p less than 0.01). 3-Methylhistidine excretion rates did not correlate with severity of disease as assessed by clinical score. We conclude that nutritional growth retardation in CF is characterized by a protein energy deficit resembling that of protein-energy malnutrition, but that in contrast to the normal adaptive response to protein-energy malnutrition, muscle protein catabolism is markedly increased. These data may have important implications regarding the clinical course and prognosis of CF and the design of optimal therapy.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1981

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to human myelin and axolemma-enriched fractions.

The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a well established procedure for antibody determination which has gained wide acceptance, particularly in diagnostic virology. We have adapted the method for use with the lipid rich antigens of human myelin and axolemma enriched fractions. Adsorption of the antigen onto the assay plates was rapid and relatively independent of pH. Antibodies to myelin and axolemma cross-reacted extensively. Little antibody reaction was noted using human liver microsomes, indicating the antibodies were specific but that myelin and axolemma shared at least one strong common antigen. With further purification of the antigen, this method should be useful in evaluating immunogenicity and antigenic purity of these membrane fractions.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Increased circulating neutrophils with surface receptor activity for immunoglobulin G in polycythemia vera and myeloid metaplasia.

Reports of heterogeneity of IgG receptor activity of normal circulating neutrophils prompted measurements in myeloproliferative disease to determine if dysplasia of the hematic stem cell resulted in an abnormality of this membrane property. IgG receptors were assayed by rosette formation in suspension with human Rh-positive erythrocytes sensitized with high-titer Rh antiserum. IgG receptors were detected on 19 +/- 1.6% (mean +/- SEM) of neutrophils from 45 normal subjects. A significant increase in IgG-receptor-bearing neutrophils was found in polycythemia vera (PV) and myeloid metaplasia (MyM), with values of 70 +/- 3.6% and 69.7 +/- 4.3%, respectively. Normal values were observed in polycythemic states not due to myeloproliferative disease and in chronic myelocytic leukemia. Rosette-forming neutrophils were increased to 52.3 +/- 3.7% in infection and inflammatory disease, but this value was significantly lower than those in PV and MyM. Increased IgG receptors in PV and MyM may be related to the activated state of the neutrophil and may result from an intrinsic cellular abnormality of the proliferating clone or from altered bone marrow release. Quantitation of neutrophil IgG receptors may be of value in the differential diagnosis of PV and MyM and may offer insights into the derangement of hematopoiesis that underlies these myeloproliferative disorders.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in body water distribution during treatment with inhaled steroid in pre-school children.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to examine the changes in water distribution in the soft tissue during systemic steroid activity. RESEARCH DESIGN: A three-way cross-over, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was used, including 4 weeks of fluticasone propionate pMDI 200 microg b.i.d. delivered via Babyhaler, budesonide pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) 200 microg b.i.d. delivered via Nebuchamber and placebo. Spacers were primed before use. In total, 40 children aged 1-3 years, with mild intermittent asthma were included. Twenty-five of the children completed all three treatments. At the end of each treatment period body impedance and skin ultrasonography were measured. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We measured changes in water content of the soft tissues by two methods. Skin ultrasonography was used to detect small changes in dermal water content, and bioelectrical impedance was used to assess body water content and distribution. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: We found an increase in skin density of the shin from fluticasone as measured by ultrasonography (p = 0.01). There was a tendency for a consistent elevation of impedance parameters from active treatments compared to placebo although overall this effect was not statistically significant (0.1 < p < 0.2). However, sub-analyses indicated a significant effect on whole-body and leg impedance from budesonide treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Decreased growth during inhaled steroid treatment seems to partly reflect generalized changes in body water.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aerobic capacity, weight gain and psychotropic medication.

The relationship between physical health and psychological wellbeing is a complex one, with each impacting upon the other to one degree or another. Psychiatric patients are often reported to be not as physically healthy as their counterparts in the general population, with reports of increased weight gain and decreased activity. This study of two classifications of psychiatric patients in a high security psychiatric establishment was an attempt to ascertain if such a relationship existed between physical fitness, psychopathology, weight gain and medication levels. Using standardized tests to assess two parameters of health-related fitness--Harpenden skinfold callipers to estimate percentage body fat (BF), and a submaximal cycle ergometer ride for aerobic capacity (VO2 max)--results were compared with the general population using the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey (Sports Council and Health Education Authority, 1992) as a reference. The results indicate significant differences in aerobic fitness between the two groups (P < 0.01) and such differences could be a cause for concern and may constitute a threat to both physiological and mental wellbeing.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modesty in ICUs.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Clothing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Natural and experimental infection of turkeys with avian paramyxovirus-7.

Avian paramyxovirus-7 was isolated from a natural outbreak of respiratory tract disease in male and female commercial turkey breeder flocks. The disease spread readily between different housing complexes. The virus was isolated from affected flocks and used for experimental studies in specific-pathogen-free poults. Inoculated and contact-exposed poults developed a respiratory disease characterized by rhinitis and airsacculitis. The virus was isolated from the inoculated and contact-exposed poults, and hemagglutination inhibition antibodies were detected in exposed birds.

Air Sacs↗