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Biomedical subjects

P Morgan

Publications and source records attributed to P Morgan.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Screening for cognitive impairment in the elderly using the mini-mental state examination.

The use by non-medical staff of a brief screening instrument (the mini-mental state examination) to detect cognitive impairment among the elderly in primary care is described. Patients aged 75 years and over registered with nine general practices in north and north west London were invited by their general practitioners to take part in the study and 1170 patients participated, a response rate of 90%. The prevalence of possible or probable cognitive impairment (score below 25 on the mini-mental state examination) was 12.8%. Six per cent of patients scored below 19, at which score a high probability of dementia exists, although less than a third of this group had a diagnosis of dementia in their medical records. There was no significant difference between men and women or by social class in the proportion of patients with low scores, but the proportion with dementia rose from 2.5% in those aged 75-79 years to 29.0% among those aged 90 years and over. Under the new general practitioner contract there is a requirement to provide annual services to the elderly, including a 'mental assessment'. In a practice with a list size of 2000 around 130 patients are likely to be aged 75 years and over. Of these around 17 would require further assessment for possible dementia on the basis of results obtained using the mini-mental state examination.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

A mathematical model of flow through a collapsible tube--I. Model and steady flow results.

A one-dimensional model is presented to describe the flow through a collapsible tube whose ends are tethered to rigid tubes and which is enclosed in a pressurized chamber. Results are presented for the special case of steady flow. Predicted pressure drop versus flow rate (delta P-Q) characteristics agree qualitatively with available experimental data. The significance of the model and of various physical parameters, in regard to the shape of these characteristics, is discussed.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1989

Differentiation of blastocysts derived from in vitro-fertilized rhesus monkey ova.

Six in vitro-fertilized ova were cultured for 10 to 13 days in vitro. All six had formed blastocysts with cavities, five had hatched from the zona pellucida, and one had attached to the substrate. After fixation and preparation for examination by light and electron microscopy, it was determined that all but the youngest blastocysts had developed substantial amounts of syncytial trophoblast, which morphologically resembled the syncytial trophoblast present in the first 2 days of implantation in vivo. One of the smaller blastocysts had developed syncytial trophoblast but had not hatched from the zona. All of the blastocysts showed indications of loss or inadequate development of the inner cell mass constituents, indicating that the culture conditions were suboptimal for these constituents. Apparent C-type virus particles were abundant, budding from the basal surface of the syncytial trophoblast. Because the type of trophoblast formed was that normally associated with epithelial invasion and formation of the trophoblast plate, it is suggested that such blastocysts would be useful for in vitro implantation studies as well as studies of formation of syncytial trophoblast. However, other methods should be developed for study of postimplantation embryo development. It is also noted that the inadequate differentiation of the epiblast and endoderm would not have been apparent without microscopic examination.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Microbiological methods for the cleanup of soil and ground water contaminated with halogenated organic compounds.

There is growing interest in the enhancement of microbial degradative activities as a means of bringing about the in situ cleanup of contaminated soils and ground water. The halogenated organic compounds are likely to be prime targets for such biotechnological processes because of their widespread utilisation and the biodegradability of many of the most commonly used compounds. The aim of this review is to consider the potential for microbiological cleanup of haloorganic-contaminated sites. The technologies available involve the provision of suitable environmental conditions to facilitate maximum biodegradation rates either in the subsurface or in on-site bioreactors. Methodologies include the supply of inorganic nutrients, the supply of oxygen gas, the addition of degradative microbial inocula and the introduction of co-metabolic substrates. The potential efficiencies and limitations of the methods are critically discussed from a microbiological viewpoint with respect to substrate degradability and population responses to supplementation.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1989

Hydrocarbon degradation in soils and methods for soil biotreatment.

The cleanup of soils and groundwater contaminated with hydrocarbons is of particular importance in minimizing the environmental impact of petroleum and petroleum products and in preventing contamination of potable water supplies. Consequently, there is a growing industry involved in the treatment of contaminated topsoils, subsoils, and groundwater. The biotreatment methodologies employed for decontamination are designed to enhance in situ degradation by the supply of oxygen, inorganic nutrients, and/or microbial inocula to the contaminated zone. This review considers the fate and effects of hydrocarbon contaminants in terrestrial environments, with particular reference to the factors that limit biodegradation rates. The potential efficiencies, advantages, and disadvantages of biotreatment techniques are discussed and the future research directions necessary for process development are considered.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1987

Blood pressure, smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption in black and white patients in general practice.

A comparison of blood pressure (BP), smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity between whites and blacks of Caribbean origin aged 17-70 was undertaken in a general practice in North West London. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) showed no consistent overall differences between the two ethnic groups, though DBP rose significantly more with age in black males than white males. Somewhat higher proportions of the black patients were receiving anti-hyper-tensive treatment compared with the whites, the difference was statistically significant in the case of males (P less than 0.02). This observation did not appear to be due to more effective detection of hypertension amongst black males. Overall, fewer than one-third of black females were current cigarette smokers compared with around one-half of white females (P less than 0.001). Amongst males, however, the proportions of never, ex and current smokers were similar in the two ethnic groups. Young black patients of both sexes were more likely to smoke than older blacks. Blacks who smoked tended to smoke fewer cigarettes than white smokers. Eleven of 190 (5.8%) black males had consumed 35 units or more of alcohol within the last week compared with 87 of 452 (19.2%) of white males, (P less than .001). Amongst females the differences were smaller, 5 of 227 (2.2%) of black females had consumed 21 units or more in the last week compared with 23 of 490 (4.7%) of white females (NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Primary structures of locust adipokinetic hormones II.

Adipokinetic hormones II from corpora cardiaca of the locusts Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria, respectively, have been isolated and their primary structures elucidated. Both octapeptides are N-terminally blocked by a 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamate) residue and had to be cleaved by 5-oxoprolyl-peptidase to make them available for the Edman degradation method carried out with a gas-phase sequencer. The C-termini are blocked as both peptides are not cleaved by carboxypeptidase A; the presence of C-terminal amide groups is very likely. AKHII (S. gregaria) Glu-Leu-Asn-Phe-Ser-Thr-Gly-Trp-NH2 AKHII (L. migratoria) Glu-Leu-Asn-Phe-Ser-Ala-Gly-Trp-NH2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Assessment of upper respiratory infections in the school-age child.

The incidence of upper respiratory infections in school-aged children contributes to absenteeism and interferes with the learning process. It is, therefore, important to identify the underlying conditions and determine the appropriate actions for health care and education. The following protocol is designed to aid school nurse practitioners in their assessment of the child with upper respiratory complaints.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Forecasting Australian marriage rates.

"The paper discusses the problem of modelling demographic variables for the purpose of forecasting. Two empirical model selection procedures are applied to suggest final form forecasting equations for Australian marriage rates. The suggested models are then assessed by comparing their post-sample forecast performance with that of univariate ARMA-type models of marriage rates which are regarded as approximations to marriage rate final equation models. In this instance the ARMA models are preferred for forecasting purposes. The properties of the ARMA model forecasts are then examined and the modelling strategy is contrasted with the regression method used by Withers."

Australia↗
PubMed1980

Factors influencing recruitment to an occupational fitness program.

Factors influencing participation in an employee fitness program have been studied in a group of 535 early recruits for a Health Fitness Center established at the headquarters office of a larger corporation. The overall participation rate (20% of eligible staff with convenient access to the facility) was much as in previous reports. Interest was relatively equal in men and in women. Typical recruits were middle-aged non-smokers who had previously been active elsewhere. Men had an above average maximum oxygen intake and muscle strength, but were also somewhat overweight and fat. Women were closer to their actuarial ideal weight, but had relatively lower levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness than the men. Program acceptability factors (traveling time, hours of work, and cost) had little effect on participation. Subjects perceived that they were active for health, fitness, competition (men), and appearance (women). General and specific health beliefs were well-developed, but bore surprisingly little relationship to health practices and outcomes. It is thus argued that the shaping of attitudes by trial of an exercise program may be a more effective tactic for increasing exercise participation than general campaigns designed to change attitudes and values.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and other serum lipids in an isolated island community free of coronary heart disease.

Fasting serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, other lipid concentrations and related characteristics have been measured in 87% of 261 residents aged over 5 years on the small isolated island of Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Isles. Only one subject, a hypertensive woman, had a major electrocardiographic Q wave abnormality, and none of the islanders had clinical coronary heart disease. These findings, together with local clinical experience indicated a low incidence of coronary heart disease in this community. Adult mean concentrations of HDL cholesterol (1.6 mmol/l) and serum total triglyceride (0.81 mmol/l) were relatively high and low respectively compared with those of men and women in North American communities. Unlike findings in North America, there was no significant sex difference in HDL cholesterol concentration apparent in adulthood and this was not explained by sex differences in alcohol consumption (positively correlated with HDL cholesterol in both sexes) or adiposity (negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol in men only). Residents who were recovering from an epidemic of mild upper respiratory infection had on average a 9% reduction in HDL cholesterol concentration compared with the remainder of the community. The lipoprotein lipid pattern in these people is consistent with a low cardiovascular risk status, and might account for the apparent absence of coronary heart disease on the island.

Adolescent↗