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Biomedical subjects

M Whitehead

Publications and source records attributed to M Whitehead.

103 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Real-time ultrasonography for determination of ovarian morphology and volume. A possible early screening test for ovarian cancer?

The accuracy with which ovarian morphology and size can be determined by a real-time, ultrasound mechanical sector scanner was assessed. Both ovaries of 11 climacteric women appeared morphologically normal by ultrasonography and these findings were confirmed at laparotomy the following day. The correlation coefficient between ovarian volumes determined by sonar and those obtained by direct measurement at operation was 0.97. In a series of 31 postmenopausal women in whom clinical examination was unremarkable, both ovaries were identified by sonar in 26 subjects (84%) and a cystic ovary was diagnosed in 1 patient. Ovarian morphology in the other 25 subjects appeared normal and the range of volumes was from 1.47 to 10.43 cm3 with an arithmetic mean of 4.33 cm2 +/- 1.91 (SD). The mean difference between the volumes of the right and left ovaries was 1.48 cm3 +/- 1.19 and the percentage mean difference was 42.88% +/- 32.05. An ovary with a volume more than twice the size of its fellow should be regarded with some suspicion because ovarian volumes within individuals are clearly related (correlation coefficient = 0.82). The potential of the technique as a screening test for the early detection of ovarian cancer warrants further evaluation.

Climacteric↗
PubMed1981

Interrelations of calcium-regulating hormones during normal pregnancy.

Profound changes in calcium metabolism occur during pregnancy. The mother has to make available extra calcium for fetal requirements while ensuring that her plasma and bone calcium concentrations are satisfactorily maintained. In a cross-sectional study plasma concentrations of the major calcium-regulating hormones--namely, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D)--were measured to establish their interrelations during normal pregnancy. The major changes observed were increases in the circulating concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D and calcitonin. Concentrations of parathyroid hormone and 25-OHD remained within the normal range. The increased concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D enable the increased physiological need for calcium to be met by enhancing intestinal absorption of this element. The simultaneous rise in calcitonin opposes the bone-resorbing activities of 1,25-(OH)2D, thereby protecting the integrity of the maternal skeleton. Maternal calcium homeostasis is thus maintained yet the requirements of the fetus are fulfilled.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2↗
PubMed1981

Oral progesterone.

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Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1977

Oestrogen therapy and the menopausal syndrome.

Sixty-four patients with severe menopausal symptoms completed a four month double-blind placebo trial with conjugated equine oestrogens (premarin). Using a graphic rating scale system of assessment, a statistically significant improvement with premarin was observed in 12 psychological and symptomatic scores (Table 3). From a comparison between these results and the results of the 20 patients without vasomotor symptoms it would appear that many of these symptomatic improvements result from the relief of hot flushes (i.e. a domino effect). However, the improvement in memory and reduction of anxiety in these 20 patients suggest that oestrogens have a direct tonic effect on the mental state which is independent of vasomotor symptoms. Sixty-one patients with less severe menopausal symptoms completed the second twelve month double-blind placebo trial and, as assessed by graphic rating scales, a significant improvement with premarin was observed in five psychological and symptomatic scores (Table 3). In both the twelve and four month studies the marked placebo effect of "youthful skin appearance", and on skin greasiness in the twelve month study, indicate that no reliance can be placed on patient judgement of skin texture and appearance. Despite the lessening of the domino effect there was a slight improvement with premarin over placebo in 15 of the remaining 16 symptoms and it is likely that the cumulative effect of these small improvements results in an overall enhancement of well-being. The relief of atrophic vaginitis by premarin did not result in an improvement in libido and this suggests that the ability and the desire to have sexual intercourse are not related. The strength and duration of the placebo effect were well demonstrated in the three standard psychiatric scoring systems, the Beck score (for depression), the General Health Questionnaire and the Eysenck Personality Index (formula: see text) (for neuroticism). We observed a highly significant placebo effect extending for six months in all three, the improvement with premarin over placebo being non-significant. We must conclude that these tests are not sufficiently sensitive to assess psychological or symptomatic changes in menopausal women and that these changes are best assessed by the graphic rating scales. The number of side-effects and complications was assessed in the 61 patients in the long study. A higher incidence of minor side-effects was observed during premarin therapy; this was most marked in relation to leg cramps but radio-isotope scanning revealed no evidence of leg vein thrombosis in these patients or indeed in any patient in the study. Premarin caused no elevation of systolic or diastolic blood pressure; indeed there was a progressive fall in blood pressure throughout the study with no significant difference between premarin and placebo...

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1976

Ultradian and other rhythms in human respiration rate.

Twelve male subjects had their respiration rate (RR) measured at 3 min intervals for 6 h. Although there were substantial individual differences, most subjects demonstrated a 90 +/- 15 min rhythm of RR, with several subjects also showing 60 +/- 10 min and 30 +/- 3 min rhythms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Abnormalities in somite segmentation following heat shock to Xenopus embryos.

The typical abnormality induced by a 15 min shock at 37degreesC is a single discrete length along the somite file within which segmental boundaries are absent or irregular. The two sides of the same embryo present a similar but not necessarily identical appearance. Usually all the embryos in a treated batch show abnormalities of similar severity. Survival of treated embryos, the details of the visible malformations, and temporal aspects of the phenomenon have been studied. The results indicate a temperature sensitive period that traverses the neurula, from head to tail at about the same rate as the somites form, but some hours beforehand. The temperature sensitive process is not associated with cell determination and differentiation, and there are reasons for thinking that the specification of the normal somite number occurs independently. The results are discussed in relation to Cooke & Zeeman's model of a wave front interacting with an oscillator.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Breaking the poor health-poverty link in the 21st Century: do health systems help or hinder?

It is depressing but true that, at the beginning of the 21st Century, poverty and ill-health are still closely interrelated. This review traces the current pathways from poor health to poverty in low- and middle-income countries, first at the national level, then at the household level. Ill health can have a substantial impact on gross domestic product, holding countries back from economic development, the fruits of which could be used to improve population health. At the household level, people may be pushed into poverty as a result of paying for health care. Households are forced to pay for the direct and indirect costs of health care at precisely the time when their incomes may be lowered by ill health. For this reason, many forego care, or rely on self-care or informal care, which may hasten the decline in their health and reduce their productivity. Sick people face a double jeopardy: their ill-health puts them at greater risk of poverty, and their poverty is likely to damage their health still further. The review goes on to discuss the role of health systems in the generation of poverty, before concluding with pointers as to how health systems can become part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Cost of Illness↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HRT and breast cancer.

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Breast Neoplasms↗