Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M A Williams

Publications and source records attributed to M A Williams.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Editing site recognition in plant mitochondria: the importance of 5'-flanking sequences.

Cytidine to uridine (C-to-U) editing occurs in plant mitochondria with very high specificity such that only specific cytidines are converted to uridines. The mechanisms for editing site selection in plant mitochondria are unknown. In order to examine the determinants of editing site recognition, repeated mitochondrial DNA sequences that include edited nucleotides have been evaluated as editing substrates. During evolution the maize mitochondrial ribosomal protein subunit 12 (rps12) gene recombined with intron 1 of the ribosomal protein subunit 3 (rps3) gene and a region of the S1-like sequence of the 2.3 kb plasmid. These recombinations created a second copy of an internal portion of the rps12 gene, known as rps12b, which includes the first four editing sites of rps12 transcripts. The duplicated sequence extends seven nucleotides upstream of editing site 1 and six nucleotides downstream from editing site 4. The sequences of rps12 and rps12b are identical between these sites except for a single change at -5 from editing site 1. These modifications did not effect C-to-U conversion at editing sites 2, 3, or 4 in rps12b; however, no editing was detected at editing site 1 in rps12b cDNAs. Thus, the 5' recombination abolished editing at site I, while the 3' recombination modified the downstream RNA sequence, but did not effect editing at site IV. Secondary structure prediction suggests that changes in editing site recognition do not correlate with differences in secondary structures, and that primary RNA sequence may be responsible for editing site specification.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors for pre-eclampsia among Zimbabwean women: maternal arm circumference and other anthropometric measures of obesity.

Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity is a risk factor for pre-eclampsia (proteinuric hypertension in pregnancy) among North American and European women. We studied the relationship between maternal obesity and risk of pre-eclampsia among Zimbabwean women. A case-control study was conducted at Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe, between June 1995 and April 1996. Study participants were 144 women with pre-eclampsia and 194 normotensive women serving as controls. Maternal weight, height and mid-arm circumference were measured and recorded during study participants' postpartum hospital admission. Maternal mid-arm circumference, considered to be relatively stable during pregnancy among women of developing countries, was used as the primary indicator of maternal pre-pregnancy obesity. Logistic regression procedures were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. There were linear trends in risk of pre-eclampsia with increasing mid-arm circumference, increasing weight and increasing body mass index. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, women in the highest quintile for mid-arm circumference (28-39 cm) were 4.4 times more likely to have had their pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia than women in the lowest quintile (21-23 cm). Odds ratios of similar magnitude were observed for the other anthropometric measures. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a positive association between maternal obesity and pre-eclampsia risk in a black African population. Biological mechanisms thought to explain this relatively consistent epidemiological finding include endothelial cell injury, possibly resulting from hyperlipidaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Maternal factors and breast cancer risk among young women.

The results from previous studies have provided evidence to support the hypothesised association between intrauterine oestrogen exposure and subsequent risk of breast cancer. Information has not been available to study this relationship for several perinatal factors thought to be related to pregnancy oestrogen levels. Data collected from the mothers of women in two population-based case-control studies of breast cancer in women under the age of 45 years (510 case mothers, 436 control mothers) who were diagnosed between 1983 and 1992 in three western Washington counties were used to investigate further the relationship between intrauterine oestrogen exposure and risk of breast cancer. A pregnancy weight gain of 25-34 pounds was associated with breast cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 2.0); however, women whose mothers gained 35 pounds or more were not at increased risk. Use of antiemetic medication in women with any nausea and vomiting (OR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.1, 8.1) and use of diethylstilboestrol (DES) (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 0.8, 6.4) appeared to be positively associated with breast cancer risk. The results from this study provide limited support for the hypothesis that in utero oestrogen exposure may be related to subsequent breast cancer risk among young women.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Age-adjusted ultrasound risk assessment for fetal Down's syndrome during the second trimester: description of the method and analysis of 142 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and test a method of individual risk assessment for fetal Down's syndrome based on maternal age and second-trimester ultrasound findings. DESIGN: A case-control study of 142 fetuses with Down's syndrome was compared with 930 control fetuses with normal karyotype. All patients underwent second-trimester ultrasound at a single institution with a standardized ultrasound protocol without knowledge of fetal karyotype. Age-adjusted ultrasound risk assessment (AAURA) for Down's syndrome was performed by multiplying the a priori risk, based on maternal age, with likelihood ratios resulting from the presence or absence of specific ultrasound findings for each patient. Individual ultrasound findings were assigned likelihood ratios (LR) as follows: structural abnormality (LR 25), nuchal thickening (LR 18.6), echogenic bowel (LR 5.5), shortened humerus (LR 2.5), shortened femur (LR 2.2), echogenic intracardiac focus (LR 2), and renal pyelectasis (LR 1.6). A normal ultrasound was assigned a LR of 0.4. RESULTS: One or more ultrasound markers were identified in 68.3% (97) of fetuses with Down's syndrome compared to 12.5% of fetuses with normal karyotype. Among fetuses with positive ultrasound, 31% of those with Down's syndrome and 80% of those with normal karyotype showed a single non-structural finding. Using AAURA and a threshold of 1: 200, 74% (105 of 142) of fetuses with Down's syndrome were identified, including 61.5% (24 of 39) from women aged less than 35 years, 67.2% (45 of 67) from women aged 35-39 years inclusively, and 100% (36 of 36) from women aged 40 years or older. AAURA of 930 fetuses with normal karyotype showed an overall false-positive rate of 14.7%, including 4% (21 of 519) from women aged less than 35 years, 12.5% (42 of 337) from women aged 35-39 years inclusively, and 100% from women aged 40 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: AAURA permits improved individual counselling regarding the risk of fetal Down's syndrome following a second-trimester sonogram. For low-risk women under age 35 years, ultrasound assessment can identify over half of the affected fetuses with Down's syndrome with an acceptable false-positive rate (4%). For women aged 35-39 years, a normal ultrasound can substantially reduce the risk of unnecessary amniocentesis (12.5% from 100%) but will also miss approximately one-third of affected fetuses. Biochemical screening of maternal serum is also suggested for this group. Based on their high a priori risk, women aged 40 years or more should consider genetic amniocentesis regardless of a normal ultrasound.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Does memory test performance in children become more consistent with age? Cross-sectional comparisons using the WRAML. Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning.

This study examined intertask consistency on the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML), using two age cohorts of children. Eighty-one neurologically impaired children and 76 matched (i.e., age, gender, race) controls were separated into two age groups, 5- to 9- and 10- to 14-year-olds. Performance on four subtests from the WRAML Memory Screening Index were examined. For the older neurologic sample, all six intertask correlations were significant (mean r = .58) while only three of the six correlation coefficients were significant among the younger neurologic group (mean r = .26). In contrast, only three of the six intertask coefficients were statistically significant in both the younger and older controls. A possible explanation for these divergent findings and clinical implications of intertask variability on memory measures are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors for preeclampsia-eclampsia among Zimbabwean women: recurrence risk and familial tendency towards hypertension.

We sought to estimate the risk of recurrence of preeclampsia-eclampsia among Zimbabwean women. Additionally, we sought to assess the extent to which family history of pregnancy-induced or chronic hypertension was predicative of the risk of developing preeclampsia-eclampsia. This hospital based case-control study was conducted at Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare Zimbabwe during the period June 1995 to April 1996. Study participants were 200 women with preeclampsia or eclampsia and 200 normotensive pregnant women serving as controls. Logistic regression procedures were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among multiparous women, a history of any pregnancy-induced hypertension was associated with a 10.5-fold increase in risk of preeclampsia-eclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy (95% CI 4.7-23.5). Women who reported that their mother or sisters experienced pregnancy-induced hypertension were found to be at an increased risk of preeclampsia-eclampsia (OR = 2.3 and 2.6, respectively). A 2.3-fold excess risk of preeclampsia-eclampsia was associated with paturients' maternal history of chronic hypertension (95% CI 1.3-3.6). The corresponding relative risk of preeclampsia-eclampsia for women reporting to have a sister with chronic hypertension was 2.6 (95% CI 1.2-5.3). Zimbabwean women, like North American and European women, are at increased risk for the recurrence of preeclampsia-eclampsia. Findings from our study and those of others suggest a possible genetic component involved in the multifactorial aetiology of preeclampsia-eclampsia. The information provided here should be useful to clinicians involved in the management of patients with a prior history or family history of hypertension.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Monocyte anergy in septic shock is associated with a predilection to apoptosis and is reversed by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ex vivo.

The effects of priming monocytes from septic patients with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) ex vivo were investigated. Monocytes from septic patients had depressed plasma GM-CSF and dysregulated levels of other cytokines compared with normal subjects. Membrane expression of CD71 and HLA-DR were depressed, and monocytes were anergic to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in vitro, which was associated with spontaneous and accelerated activation-induced apoptosis by LPS. Priming monocytes with GM-CSF ex vivo augmented membrane cytokine expression, CD71, and HLA-DR. GM-CSF priming augmented cytokine secretion in response to LPS stimulation, restored cytokine secretion in monocytes from septic patients, and reversed their predilection to undergo apoptosis. Thus, monocyte dysfunction in septic shock is associated with depressed plasma levels of GM-CSF and enhanced apoptosis; however, GM-CSF stimulation ex vivo restored normal monocyte function and cytokine secretion by a mechanism that may depend on abrogating apoptosis.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1998

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induces activation and restores respiratory burst activity in monocytes from septic patients.

Monocyte activation in response to recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was examined in vitro in septic shock patients. These monocytes exhibited a greater respiratory burst activity than monocytes from healthy subjects; the response to secondary stimulation with bacterial stimuli was attenuated. GM-CSF restored the ability of monocytes to respond appropriately to secondary stimulation. Expression of certain integrin adhesion molecules, L-selectin, and Fcgamma receptors was increased on monocytes of septic shock patients; expression of CD11c was reduced. GM-CSF up-regulated integrin expression and decreased L-selectin, FcgammaRII, and FcgammaRIII expression. Septic patients exhibited greater biologic activity of monocyte tissue factor than did healthy subjects. Priming monocytes with GM-CSF accelerated tissue factor activation following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and bacterial culture supernatant. Certain parameters of monocyte function may be restored by exposure to GM-CSF. This benefit may be offset by an increase in monocyte procoagulant activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Treatment of refractory intracranial hypertension with 23.4% saline.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intravenous bolus administration of 23.4% saline (8008 mOsm/L) on refractory intracranial hypertension (RIH) in patients with diverse intracranial diseases. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A neurosciences intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: We present eight patients and a total of 20 episodes of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) resistant to standard modes of therapy. Five patients had subarachnoid hemorrhage, one patient had traumatic brain injury, one had a brain tumor, and another had spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage. Seven patients had intraventricular catheters, and one had a subarachnoid pressure screw placed. We monitored continuously mean ICP, serum sodium concentrations, mean arterial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), central venous pressure, and urine output before and after the administration of hypertonic saline (HS). Post mortem examination of the brain was performed in two patients. INTERVENTION: Intravenous bolus administration of 30 mL of 23.4% saline. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was a significant (p < .05) decrease in ICP from a median of 41.5 mm Hg before HS to 17 mm Hg at 1 hr, 16 mm Hg at 2 hrs, and 14 mm Hg at 3 hrs after HS administration. In 80% of cases, ICP decreased by >50% of the pretreatment value over a duration of 21.2+/-10.3 mins. ICP decreased to <20 mm Hg in 65% of all cases and the mean time for it to again exceed 20 mm Hg was 6.3+/-4.9 hrs. There was a significant improvement in CPP, from 64.7+/-19 (SD) mm Hg before HS to 85.6+/-18 mm Hg (1 hr) and 83+/-18 mm Hg (3 hrs) after HS. There were no significant differences in the other variables measured. The post mortem examinations showed no white matter changes or subdural collections. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary case series suggests that the intravenous bolus administration of 23.4% saline reduces ICP and augments CPP in patients with resistant increased ICP. This reduction can be maintained for several hours while other therapeutic measures are being considered. The patient population most likely to respond to this therapy needs to be further defined. Although more research is needed, this treatment is promising as a new modality for RIH because of its ICP-lowering effect without intravascular volume depletion.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Silicone elastomer cerebrospinal fluid shunt systems. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association.

A 1995 resolution of the American Medical Association House of Delegates, introduced by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, asked the American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs to add the use of hardened silicone shunts to its study of the effects of silicone gel used in breast implants. On consideration of the important differences between the two materials, silicone elastomer ("hardened silicone") and silicone gel, the Council on Scientific Affairs elected to address the subject of silicone elastomer shunt systems separately. This report describes the different types of medical-grade silicone used in medical devices, the incidence of hydrocephalus and its causes and treatment, and the use of cerebrospinal fluid shunt systems made of silicone elastomer. Published case reports of possible immunological disease in patients who have had silicone elastomer cerebrospinal fluid shunt systems implanted are reviewed. The Council on Scientific Affairs concluded that the evidence presented does not support the occurrence of immune-mediated systemic reactions to implanted silicone elastomer cerebrospinal fluid shunt systems. The local granulomatous or inflammatory responses observed in some patients with silicone shunt systems have not been shown to be immunologically mediated; similar reactions have been described with other implanted foreign bodies.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗
PubMed1998

Phosphorylation and functional desensitization of the alpha2A-adrenergic receptor by protein kinase C.

We have investigated the potential for protein kinase C (PKC) to phosphorylate and desensitize the alpha2A-adrenergic receptor (alpha2AAR). In whole-cell phosphorylation studies, recombinantly expressed human alpha2AAR displayed an increase in phosphorylation after short-term exposure to 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) that was blocked by preincubation with a PKC inhibitor. This increase in receptor phosphorylation over basal amounted to 172 +/- 40% in COS-7 cells and 201 +/- 40% in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In permanently transfected Chinese hamster fibroblast cells, PKC activation by brief exposure of the cells to PMA resulted in a marked desensitization of alpha2AAR function, amounting to a 68 +/- 4% decrease in the maximal agonist (UK14304)-stimulated intracellular calcium release. Such desensitization was blocked by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I and was not evoked by an inactive phorbol ester. The desensitization of this agonist response was not caused by PKC-mediated augmentation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase activity, because PMA-promoted desensitization of a mutated alpha2AAR that lacked G protein-coupled receptor kinase phosphorylation sites was identical to that of wild-type alpha2AAR. To test whether PKC phosphorylation is a mechanism by which alpha2AAR can be regulated by other receptors, the alpha1bAR was co-expressed with the alpha2AAR in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Upon selective activation of alpha1bAR, the function of alpha2AAR underwent a 53 +/- 5% desensitization. Thus, cellular events that result in PKC activation promote phosphorylation of the alpha2AAR and lead to substantial desensitization of receptor function. This heterologous regulation also represents a mechanism by which rapid crosstalk between the alpha2AAR and other receptors can occur.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of human influenza virus variants selected in vitro in the presence of the neuraminidase inhibitor GS 4071.

An oral prodrug of GS 4071, a potent and selective inhibitor of influenza neuraminidases, is currently under clinical development for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza virus infections in humans. To investigate the potential development of resistance during the clinical use of this compound, variants of the human influenza A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2) virus with reduced susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitor GS 4071 were selected in vitro by passaging the virus in MDCK cells in the presence of inhibitor. After eight passages, variants containing two amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin (A28T in HA1 and R124M in HA2) but no changes in the neuraminidase were isolated. These variants exhibited a 10-fold reduction in susceptibility to GS 4071 and zanamivir (GG167) in an in vitro plaque reduction assay. After 12 passages, a second variant containing these hemagglutinin mutations and a Lys substitution for the conserved Arg292 of the neuraminidase was isolated. The mutant neuraminidase enzyme exhibited high-level (30,000-fold) resistance to GS 4071, but only moderate (30-fold) resistance to zanamivir and 4-amino-Neu5Ac2en, the amino analog of zanamivir. The mutant enzyme had weaker affinity for the fluorogenic substrate 2'-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid and lower enzymatic activity compared to the wild-type enzyme. The viral variant containing the mutant neuraminidase did not replicate as well as the wild-type virus in culture and was 10,000-fold less infectious than the wild-type virus in a mouse model. These results suggest that although the R292K neuraminidase mutation confers high-level resistance to GS 4071 in vitro, its effect on viral virulence is likely to render this mutation of limited clinical significance.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1998

Oral administration of a prodrug of the influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitor GS 4071 protects mice and ferrets against influenza infection.

We have recently described GS 4071, a carbocyclic transition-state analog inhibitor of the influenza virus neuraminidase, which has potent inhibitory activity comparable to that of 4-guanidino-Neu5Ac2en (GG167; zanamivir) when tested against influenza A virus replication and neuraminidase activity in vitro. We now report that GS 4071 is active against several strains of influenza A and B viruses in vitro and that oral GS 4104, an ethyl ester prodrug which is converted to GS 4071 in vivo, is active in the mouse and ferret models of influenza virus infection. Oral administration of 10 mg of GS 4104 per kg of body weight per day caused a 100-fold reduction in lung homogenate viral titers and enhanced survival in mice infected with influenza A or B viruses. In ferrets, a 25-mg/kg dose of GS 4104 given twice daily reduced peak viral titers in nasal washings and eliminated constitutional responses to influenza virus infection including fever, increased nasal signs (sneezing, nasal discharge, mouth breathing), and decreased activity. Consistent with our demonstration that the parent compound is highly specific for influenza virus neuraminidases, no significant drug-related toxicity was observed after the administration of oral dosages of GS 4104 of up to 800 mg/kg/day for 14 days in nonclinical toxicology studies with rats. These results indicate that GS 4104 is a novel, orally active antiviral agent with the potential to be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1998

Urinary gonadotropin peptide levels in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Results from a pilot case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is an important marker of Down syndrome. Notably, women with unexplained elevated serum hCG in the second trimester experience a 2- to 5-fold increase risk of preeclampsia. Urinary gonadotropin peptide (UGP), thought to be a metabolite of hCG that is excreted into urine, has recently been shown to be elevated in Down syndrome pregnancies. We sought to examine urinary UGP levels in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. METHODS: We measured UGP levels in urine collected during the third trimester from 18 women with preeclampsia and 20 normotensive controls. UGP levels were determined using enzyme immunoassay and were corrected for dilution using urinary creatinine. Statistical significance testing was done using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test and Student t test statistics. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant elevation in urinary UGP levels among preeclamptic cases as compared to normotensive control subjects (p = 0.013). Mean urinary UGP levels were 80.7 and 31.3 pmol/mg creatinine for preeclampsia cases and controls, respectively. Elevations in UGP levels among women with preeclampsia as compared with normotensive control subjects persisted after adjustments for possible confounding factors. CONCLUSION: These early findings suggest that elevations in urinary UGP may be a risk marker for preeclampsia. Prospective studies should further clarify the relation between urinary UGP levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes. These results are consistent with results suggesting a role of placental hypoperfusion in the etiology of preeclampsia.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Risk of preeclampsia in relation to elaidic acid (trans fatty acid) in maternal erythrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Trans fatty acids, formed by the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils, are associated with increases in plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein (a), and coronary heart disease risk. Trans fatty acids may also increase platelet aggregation and alter eicosanoid biosynthesis. We studied the relation between maternal dietary intake of trans fatty acids and risk of preeclampsia. METHODS: Maternal intake of elaidic acid, one of the most abundant dietary trans fatty acids and other fatty acids were estimated using gas-liquid chromatography on erythrocytes from 22 women with preeclampsia and 40 normotensive controls. Fatty acids were expressed as the percentage of total fatty acids in erythrocytes. Logistic regression procedures were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Mean levels of elaidic acid were 28% higher among preeclamptics (0.43 +/- 0.12) as compared with controls (0.31 +/- 0.12; p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, women with the highest levels of elaidic acid (median = 0.47) were 7.4 times (odds ratio = 7.4; 95% confidence interval 1.4-39.7) more likely to have had their pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia as compared with those women with the lowest levels (median 0.24). Risk of preeclampsia appeared to increase with increasing levels of elaidic acid (p value for linear trend = 0.05). CONCLUSION: These cross-sectional data suggest that diets high in elaidic acid may be associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. This hypothesis should be examined in larger longitudinal studies.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1998

A defensive response set and the relation between cognitive and emotional functioning: a replication.

This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that a defensive self-report response set tends to attenuate the strength of the relationship between self-reported emotional functioning and cognitive tests, particularly the functioning of verbal memory. 75 patients with end-stage lung disease were administered the MMPI and a cognitive test battery as part of a psychosocial evaluation for transplantation. Patients were separated into defensive and nondefensive groups using the MMPI F - K Gough Dissimulation index (raw score F minus K < or = -15). Cognitive factor scores were generated and correlated with non-K-corrected raw scores of MMPI Scales 2, 7, and 8. Correlation coefficients were compared across groups. As predicted, increases on Scales 2 and 7 were significantly associated with decreased functioning of verbal memory (r = -.35 and -.34, respectively) among the nondefensive group but were unrelated in the defensive group. It is argued that the attenuation of the relationship between self-reported emotional status and verbal memory functioning is, in part, due to a restricted range of symptom endorsement on the MMPI among the defensive group. These findings replicate those previously reported using a sample of patients with cardiac disease.

Cognition↗
PubMed1998

Dietary risk factors for pre-eclampsia among women attending Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE: To identify specific foods that predispose Zimbabwean women to a higher or lower risk of pre-eclampsia and/or eclampsia. DESIGN: A case control study was implemented. Participants were asked by questionnaire to recall the specific amounts of meats, poultry, fruits, fish, vegetables and dairy products they had consumed in the month prior to giving birth. SETTING: Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe between June of 1995 and April of 1996. SUBJECTS: 180 women clinically diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (144) or eclampsia (36), and 194 normotensive women without these conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. RESULTS: There were few associations between consumption of specific food items and the occurrence of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Meat and fruit were the only foods found to be significantly associated with pre-eclampsia. Women who consumed 12 or more servings of meat per month were more likely to have pre-eclampsia/eclampsia when compared to women eating 11 servings of meat or less per month. While intake of bananas and mangos was unrelated to risk, women who consumed other fruits (i.e. apples, oranges, grapes, peaches, apricots, paw paw, and plums), were 1.7 (95% CI = 1.0 to 3.1) times more likely to develop pre-eclampsia/eclampsia as women who ate none of these fruits. However, women who consumed relatively large quantities of these fruits were not at a particularly high risk. Increased consumption of kapenta was modestly associated with a decrease in disease risk, but this finding was well within the limits of chance and no association was present with intake of other types of fish. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that variation in consumption of specific foods do not have a strong effect on the incidence of pre-eclampsia in this population. However, further research involving the use of a more comprehensive dietary measure, biochemical measurements of nutrients, pre-pregnancy assessment and ascertainment of dietary intake prior to the development of pre-eclampsia are needed.

Adult↗