Sera from 96 blood donors were tested for antibody to human herpesvirus 6 by indirect immunofluorescence (IF), circle immunoassay (CIA) and competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA). The correlation between the three assays was good but the CIA and competitive RIA were more sensitive for the detection of HHV6 antibody than indirect IF. The crossreaction of HHV6 antibody with that to the other human herpesviruses was also studied in this blood donor group. No correlation was found between antibody to human herpesvirus 6 by any of the methods described and antibody to any of the other human herpesviruses in these sera.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical screening of hospitalized geriatric patients.

Blood specimens were collected from 50 hospitalized geriatric patients with a range of chronic diseases. Analyses were conducted for 12 plasma components. Additional tests were performed on patients with abnormal results in the first tests. Of the 50 patients, 21 (42 per cent) had biochemical abnormalities, often unexpected on the basis of current diagnoses. It is suggested that routine biochemical screening should be conducted on geriatric patients at regular intervals.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Independence of oral contraceptive-induced changes in glucose tolerance and plasma cortisol levels.

1. Following a 50 g oral glucose load, plasma glucose concentrations and plasma cortisol concentrations were measured in twenty-five young healthy women. 2. When compared to controls, oral contraceptive users (OC-users) were found to show a small but significant decrease in glucose tolerance while plasma cortisol values were increased more than two-fold. 3. The decreased glucose tolerance in OC-users did not show a significant correlation with raised plasma cortisol levels.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (50/250 microg) administered via combination Diskus inhaler: as effective as when given via separate Diskus inhalers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a new combination Diskus inhaler containing both salmeterol 50 mg and fluticasone propionate 250 mg (Seretide) with the two drugs delivered via separate Diskus inhalers. DESIGN: A multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy study. Three hundred and seventy-one symptomatic asthma patients (age range 13 to 75 years, mean 42 years) receiving inhaled corticosteroids were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: 28 weeks' treatment with either salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (50/250 microg bid) via a single Diskus inhaler (combination) and placebo bid via another Diskus inhaler, or salmeterol 50 microg bid via one Diskus inhaler and fluticasone propionate 250 microg bid via another (concurrent). Morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and symptoms were measured for the first 12 weeks and safety data were collected throughout the study. RESULTS: Over weeks 1 to 12, adjusted mean improvements in morning PEFR were 43 and 36 L/min for combination and concurrent therapies, respectively. The difference between the two treatment arms was 6 L/min (90% CI -13 to 0 L/min; P=0.114), which was within the predefined criteria for clinical equivalence. Adjusted mean improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 s from baseline for week 28 were also similar between the two therapies. Thirty-five per cent of patients receiving combination inhaler and 31% of those receiving concurrent therapy had a mean daytime symptom score of zero over weeks 1 to 12 compared with 1% and 2%, respectively, at baseline. There was no difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two treatment arms. Mean serum cortisol levels were similar, and no differences in frequency of abnormal results were noted between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate in a single inhaler is as efficacious in achieving asthma control and as well tolerated over a 28-week period as the two drugs administered individually.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in biochemical indices of vitamin nutrition in women using oral contraceptives during treatment with "Surbex 500".

A study was conducted on 10 healthy young women who had taken oral contraceptives of the combined type for several cycles. Daily treatment was instituted with a high-potency vitamin B complex with vitamin C ("Surbex 500"). Blood specimens were collected before and after treatment with this vitamin supplement and plasma levels of ascorbic acid and vitamin B12 were measured. Activity of red cell aspartate amino-transferase (AST) was determined before and after the in vitro addition of excess pyridoxal phosphate, and of glutathione reductase (GTR) before and after the in vitro addition of excess flavin adenine dinucleotide. Women taking oral contraceptives showed plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid and vitamin B 12 below the range seen in a matched group of untreated women, while red cell AST and GTR were less saturated by their essential co-factors. Daily treatment with"Surbex 500" restored all four biochemical indices of vitamin nutrition to the normal ranges.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Choosing wound care packs: a survey.

Despite considerable advances in recent years in knowledge of the way wounds heal and how they should be managed, the author found that the contents of packs used by hospital nurses in dressing wounds reflected outmoded practices. Working with colleagues from the hospital's supplies department, and with endorsement from the local Wound Care Group, she introduced two new packs with similar qualities to practitioners in a variety of clinical areas, and sought views on their applicability. The results of her survey showed that the new packs were considered more appropriate, and offered a clinically sound and cost-effective alternative.

Bandages↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Principles of acute pain assessment.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical and pathological studies of brain injuries in horse-riding accidents: a description of cases and review with a warning to the unhelmeted.

We present a clinical and pathological study of brain injuries in horse-riding accidents. Among six fatal cases, all experienced riders varying in age and sex, two were not wearing helmets and four had inadequate protective headgear. Among five non-fatal cases, four wore adequate helmets and only one of these suffered permanent neurological damage. The fifth was not wearing a helmet and although he eventually returned to work, a CT scan following the fall showed a deep-seated perithalamic hematoma. These findings are consistent with those of virtually all other studies in that they suggest that the present type of riding helmet is inadequate and largely unable to absorb the shock of a normal fall. We hope these findings will serve as a warning to those who choose to ride unhelmeted.

Adolescent↗