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Biomedical subjects

M Ball

Publications and source records attributed to M Ball.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Cataloging blood alcohol level and alcohol consumption data in field settings: feasibility and findings.

A team of two female interviewers, two male interview assistants, and one or two additional male observers were stationed in front of targeted drinking establishments to survey individuals about their drinking practices and to collect blood alcohol levels (BALs) using portable breath testers. Of the 176 individuals asked to participate, 156 (88%) consented to be interviewed and 141 (90%) provided breath samples. Of those tested, 40 (29%) were legally intoxicated (BAL greater than or equal to 100 mg/dl) while 68 (49%) registered a BAL of 50 mg/dl or greater. The mean BAL was 72 mg/dl. Individuals reporting that they were going to drive had significantly lower BALs than those planning not to drive. Subjects who thought they were legally intoxicated, on average, had BALs greater than the legal level of intoxication, and BALs significantly greater than those who felt they were not intoxicated. These data suggest that the collection of BAL, in combination with self-reported alcohol data, is an important component of methodologically sound alcohol field research.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Ultrastructural aspects of equine pemphigus foliaceus-like dermatitis. Report of cases.

Pemphigus foliaceus is an uncommon dermatologic disorder occurring in several species and has been reported in horses during the past decade. An ultrastructural analysis of affected skin of horses presenting to our clinics has revealed early cytopathologic features of pemphigus-like disease, some of which closely resemble pemphigus foliaceus in the human, calve, and guinea pig. Prior to complete acantholysis and bullae formation, the intercellular spaces enlarged, but intercellular bridges and desmosomes remained intact. A novel finding was presence of aggregates of electron dense granular material which were seen in intercellular spaces of the epidermal basal cell layer, and may represent antigen-autoantibody complexed material or deranged cement substances. Other changes preceding acantholysis consisted of mild dyskeratosis, reduction of peripheral tonofilaments, enlargement of rough endoplasmic reticula, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and mitochondrial damage in epidermal cells. In more severe lesions where bullae were present and acantholysis was observed, bacterial invasion and leucocytic infiltration were evident in all epidermal layers, and corneal cells displayed cytoplasmic vacuolization and retention of nuclei. Basal cells remained intact, though intercellular spaces were enlarged on apical and lateral boundaries. The pathogenesis of this disease in the horse appeared morphologically similar to a pemphigus autoimmune disorder and its variants in other species, and morphologic evidence is provided to suggest that some cellular metabolic derangements may be concurrent with the extracellular events or cell peripheral changes that precede acantholysis and bullae formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Serologic correlation of suspected Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona-induced uveitis in a group of horses.

After the observation of 2 horses with uveitis on a horse farm in the Minnesota River valley, 100 horses from this geographic area were given ophthalmologic examinations and were evaluated serologically for leptospirosis. A statistically significant (P less than 0.001) association was observed between the finding of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and uveitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effect of dietary cholesterol on plasma cholesterol concentration in subjects following reduced fat, high fibre diet.

One hundred and sixty eight subjects participated in a randomised crossover study to determine whether halving or doubling the present dietary cholesterol intake from eggs had any influence on blood cholesterol concentration in people following current dietary recommendations. During the first eight weeks all participants were advised to follow a reduced fat diet (26% total energy for hyperlipidaemic patients, 35% total energy for normolipidaemic volunteers) with an increased ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids. This background diet was continued throughout the 16 week experimental period, during which participants ate either two or seven eggs a week. A small but significant increase in total cholesterol was seen after four weeks in the group eating seven eggs a week compared with that in the group eating two eggs a week, but this was no longer apparent after eight weeks. Previous studies suggesting that dietary cholesterol has a greater effect on the serum cholesterol concentration either have been carried out against a background of a higher fat intake or have contrasted extreme cholesterol intakes. A further reduction in dietary cholesterol seems to be unnecessary in those people who have already reduced their intake of saturated fat and increased the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids and fibre rich carbohydrate.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1987

Lateral lumbar spine roentgenograms: potential role in complications of lumbar disc surgery.

Penetration into the abdominal cavity with injury to visceral, vascular, or neural structures is a potentially life-threatening complication of lumbar disc exploration. In this report, we used reconstructed computed tomographic measurements of the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 intervertebral discs to show that lateral spine roentgenograms contain an unavoidable magnification error that makes accurate measurement of minimal depth to penetration impossible. This magnification error may mislead the unwary surgeon into an overestimation of actual disc size. Moreover, the "safe distances" that have been published for the avoidance of penetration at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 intervertebral levels would have been excessive for 22.2%, 19.4%, and 8.3%, respectively, of the 26 patients in our study.

Female↗
PubMed1986

The metabolic consequences of infusing emulsions containing medium chain triglycerides for parenteral nutrition: a comparative study with conventional lipid.

In order to test the hypothesis that medium chain triglycerides (MCT's) are a safe and potentially superior energy source during parenteral nutrition 13 patients were entered into a randomised cross over trial. They received either a long chain triglyceride emulsion (LCT) or a 50% medium chain (MCT)/50% LCT mixture as part of their energy supply. Nitrogen balance was significantly better when MCT/LCT was infused and the greater levels of plasma ketones and lower plasma triglyceride levels suggested that MCT was more readily metabolised in these patients. Routine haematology, biochemistry and liver function tests gave no indication of harmful side effects from MCT.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Course of the dermatophytic spectrum in tinea capitis. Apropos of 124 cases seen in Bordeaux].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of tinea capitis in the Bordeaux area (Dermatology Unit of the Hôpital des Enfants, Bordeaux) during a 6-year period (January, 1979 to December, 1984). Dermatophytic infection of the hair was proven by culture in 124 patients, 21 of whom had a negative potassium hydroxide direct examination. Age and sex distribution are shown in figure 1. One case was observed in a 15 days old infant, and 4 cases in adult females (3 young black mothers of affected children, 1 elderly white woman). Table I indicates the geographical origin of the patients and the isolates identified. The incidence of anthropophilic dermatophytes has increased from 13 p. 100 to 50 p. 100 since our previous survey (1975-1978). M. langeronii (29 cases), T. soudanense (19 cases) and T. violaceum (10 cases) were isolated mostly among African immigrants from Western tropical Africa and the Maghreb. However, 4 children of French origin without any history of previous sojourn in endemic areas developed tinea capitis due to M. langeronii; the source of contamination could not be determined. Zoophilic dermatophyte infection was mainly caused by M. canis (50 cases), with cats being the most frequent source of contamination. Family cases were frequent: 64 corresponding to 28 families. This may be due to either interhuman contamination or the presence of a contact pet animal in the family. The discussion is focused on: the shift in dermatophytic isolates from tinea capitis toward anthropophilic species, notably M. langeronii, mainly caused by an increased immigration from West Africa; the relevant clinical and mycological correlations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Renal failure and the use of morphine in intensive care.

Intravenous morphine infusions were given to 20 patients in the intensive-care unit to provide sedation and analgesia. In 10 of the patients renal impairment was already present or developed during intensive care. Plasma morphine concentrations for a given dose of morphine and morphine clearance depended on renal function; dose-related plasma morphine concentrations rose as renal function deteriorated. Reduced morphine clearance leads to increased elimination half-life of the drug, and neurological impairment caused by unrecognised high concentrations of morphine could result in an incorrect diagnosis of cerebral damage in patients in intensive care.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Preoperative percutaneous localisation of parathyroid tumours: a preliminary report.

Uncomplicated bilateral percutaneous subclavian venous sampling for parathormone estimation was performed preoperatively in 10 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. In 7 cases there was correlation of the higher parathormone level with the side of the parathyroid tumour subsequently found at operation. In conjunction with the "Tibblin strategy of unilateral parathyroidectomy" (1) a dual approach is suggested that may provide a simple, accurate method of treating patients with hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

Plasma lipoprotein retinoids after vitamin A feeding in normal man: minimal appearance of retinyl esters among low-density lipoproteins.

Retinyl esters have been thought to be carried solely by lipoproteins of intestinal origin (chylomicrons and their catabolic derivatives). Recent reports, however, have indicated that there may be significant transfer of retinyl esters from chylomicrons to low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in vitro, and that in other species, substantial amounts of retinyl esters may appear in LDL. Since in man lipoproteins of intestinal origin are not considered to contribute to a quantitatively significant extent to circulating LDL, we have examined this issue further. The distribution of retinol and retinyl esters within the plasma lipoproteins of eight normal human volunteers was measured following the ingestion of vitamin A along with a mixed meal. Retinyl esters appeared in the chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoproteins. Small amounts of retinyl esters were also detected in the intermediate- and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) classes. Estimates of the masses of retinyl esters, however, indicated that 5% or less of chylomicron retinyl esters appeared in the LDL. These observations are consistent with orderly chylomicron delipidation and provide further evidence that chylomicron-derived components do not contribute directly or to a quantitatively significant extent to circulating LDL.

Adult↗