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Biomedical subjects

P Smart

Publications and source records attributed to P Smart.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Comparison of three homogeneous methods for measuring high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with a precipitation method in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

Three homogenous methods for the automated measurement of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) are studied and compared with a precipitation method in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. All three methods meet the precision criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP). Triglycerides did not cause significant interference up to 10 mmol/L in the immuno-inhibition method (Wako) and up to 40 mmol/L in the Randox and Roche methods. Haemoglobin, up to a concentration of 5 g/L, had only negligible effect on the performance of all three homogeneous methods. Bilirubin caused an increasing positive bias in all methods above a concentration of 50 micromol/L. In comparison with the precipitation method, the new homogeneous methods agreed for type 1 diabetic patients but showed a positive bias for the control subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes. The bias of HDL-C levels in type 2 diabetes may be sufficient to affect the calculation of cardiovascular risk, and may therefore influence the decision to prescribe lipid-lowering medication.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed2002

Comparison of two direct methods for HDL cholesterol measurement with an indirect precipitation method in diabetic patients.

The conventional precipitation method for measuring HDL cholesterol involves a centrifugation step which prevents automation of the method. Several methods have been introduced for measuring HDL cholesterol without the need for a centrifugation step. These new methods are therefore automatable and can process a large number of samples in a short period of time. Measuring HDL cholesterol is an important aspect of management of diabetes mellitus. In this study, we compared 2 direct methods for measuring HDL cholesterol with a conventional precipitation technique in 63 patients with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both direct methods showed acceptable precision but they both showed positive bias compared to the conventional precipitation method. The greatest degree of bias occurs at low HDL cholesterol levels, which are more important for Type 2 patients. Such differences may affect cardiovascular risk calculation in patients with diabetes. Further studies are required to investigate if a correction factor needs to be introduced when these direct assays are used to measure HDL cholesterol in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1999

Effects on normal fibroblasts and neuroblastoma cells of the activation of the p53 response by the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B.

p53 tumour suppressor protein levels and p53-dependent transcriptional activity have been recently shown to increase in cells treated with leptomycin B (LMB), an inhibitor of nuclear export. Experiments presented here show that LMB treatment leads to growth arrest and a senescence-like phenotype in human normal fibroblast cultures. This effect is reversible after removal of the drug and further passage by trypsinization. Instead, LMB has a strong cytotoxic effect on human neuroblastoma cell lines even at nanomolar concentrations. In both these cell types the effects of LMB are attenuated when the activity of the endogenous wild type p53 protein is abrogated by overexpression of a dominant negative p53 mutant. We conclude that the induction of the p53 response by LMB plays an important role in the effects of this drug on cultured cells.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed1996

Oximeter reliability in a subzero environment.

BACKGROUND: Pulse oximeters optimize care in the pre-hospital setting. As British Columbia ambulance teams often provide care in subzero temperatures, we conducted a study to determine the reliability of 3 commercially-available portable oximeters in a subzero environment. NULL HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that there is no significant difference between SaO2 readings obtained using a pulse oximeter at room temperature and a pulse oximeter operating at sub-zero temperatures. METHODS: Subjects were stable normothermic children in intensive care on Hewlett Packard monitors (control unit) at room temperature. The test units were packed in dry ice in an insulated bin (temperature - 15 degrees C to -30 degrees C) and their sensors placed on the subjects, contralateral to the control sensors. Data were collected simultaneously from test and control units immediately following validation of control unit values by co-oximetry (blood gas). RESULTS: No data were unacceptable. Two units (Propaq 106EC and Nonin 8500N) functioned well to < -15 degrees C, providing data comparable to those obtained from the control unit (p < 0.001). The Siemens Micro O2 did not function at the temperatures tested. CONCLUSIONS: Monitor users who require equipment to function in subzero environments (military, Coast Guard, Mountain Rescue) should ensure that function is reliable, and could test units using this method.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Characteristics of dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy.

Videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow (VMBS) examinations may provide clinically relevant information regarding deglutition in children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia. A retrospective review of clinical evaluations and VMBS studies on 90 consecutive children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia was completed. Most children were referred because of concerns regarding airway protection during oral feedings. Most children had multiple disabilities and 93% were nonambulatory. The majority of children were totally dependent for oral feedings (80%). Oral and pharyngeal phase abnormalities were present in almost all patients. Abnormalities of deglutition were observed only while swallowing specific food textures in the majority of patients. Aspiration of specific food textures was significantly more common than aspiration of all food textures (p < 0.0001). Finally, aspiration was silent in 97% of the patients. VMBS studies can provide clinicians with valuable information regarding the most appropriate food textures and rates of oral feeding for children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Silent aspiration prominent in children with dysphagia.

Children with neurologically-based dysphagia are at high risk for silent aspiration. Aspiration can lead to complications such as acute pneumonia and chronic lung disease. Thorough evaluation of the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases of swallowing is crucial for patients with dysphagia. The videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow study (MBS) is the procedure of choice for children to delineate the pharyngeal and upper esophageal phases of the swallow that can only be inferred by bedside clinical assessment. This study describes attributes of aspiration and pharyngeal motility in a large sample of infants and children assessed with MBS. Aspiration was observed in 48 (26%) of 186 children, primarily on liquid before or during swallows. Aspiration was trace (less than 10% of a bolus) and silent in 94%. Relationships to clinical history and implications for management are discussed. Given the lack of objective clinical information to identify children at risk for aspiration, MBS should be considered in all children with severe dysphagia to rule out or confirm aspiration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Linitis plastica carcinoma of the colon mimicking Crohn's colitis.

Primary linitis plastica carcinoma of the colon is an uncommon morphological type of colorectal carcinoma. Linitis plastica of the stomach may spread to the colon producing a similar lesion to primary colonic linitis plastica. This case report describes a case of linitis plastica of the colon that had many of the clinical, endoscopic, radiological and operative features of Crohn's colitis. The precise origin of the linitis plastica carcinoma was not clear: it may have been clonic or gastric, although the former is favoured. This case illustrates a number of facets of this unusual colonic carcinoma.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Care of the injured pregnant patient.

Nursing care of the obstetric patient requires an understanding of normal changes that occur during pregnancy in order to make critical decisions concerning care for her and her infant. Trauma during pregnancy threatens not only the pregnant woman but also her infant. This article reviews the normal physiologic changes relating to pregnancy. It includes a checklist for orthopaedic nurses to use when caring for a pregnant patient.

Female↗