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Biomedical subjects

R Herd

Publications and source records attributed to R Herd.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Serum alpha 2-macroglobulin levels in diabetes.

Serum alpha 2-macroglobulin levels have been determined in diabetic patients by quantitative radial immunodiffusion and compared with those observed in age- and sex-matched controls. In addition, the results in diabetics have been analysed with respect to such variables as the age and sex of the patient, the duration of disease, treatment, control, and the occurrence of retinopathy or nephropathy. The alpha 2-macroglobulin levels in diabetic patients were found to be significantly higher than in age- and sex-matched controls, thus confirming previous observations. However, these differences were most apparent in the more extreme age groups. Multiple regression analysis also revealed that the only variables contributing significantly to the regression apart from age and sex were control and retinopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Prevalence of subclinical thyroid failure in insulin-dependent diabetes.

A study was made of the distribution of primary thyroid failure, indicated by a raised serum TSH concentration, in 605 (294 males and 311 females) insulin-dependent (type I) diabetics, aged 21-84 yr, not previously suspected of having thyroid disease. The prevalence of a raised serum TSH concentration in females of all ages (17%) was significantly greater (P less than 0.0005) than that in males (6.1%) and increased with increasing age at onset of diabetes (P less than 0.05) and age at time of study (P less than 0.001) in females but not in males. There was no significant difference in the duration of diabetes when comparing patients with normal and raised serum TSH concentrations. The prevalence of a raised TSH concentration in late-onset insulin-dependent diabetics was no greater in patients requiring insulin within 3 months of diagnosis of diabetes than in those exhibiting secondary sulfonylurea failure, who required insulin more than 3 months after diagnosis. In type I diabetes, the prevalence of subclinical primary thyroid failure is considerably greater than has previously been suspected, with female late-onset insulin-dependent diabetics being at the greatest risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

High Dipetalonema reconditum microfilarial counts in two dogs.

Dipetalonema reconditum microfilarial counts of 509 and 932/ml of blood, respectively, were found in 2 dogs thought to have been infected with Dirofilaria immitis. The high counts were attributed to a state of immunosuppression. It was concluded that microfilarial width is a more reliable criterion that microfilarial numbers for the differentiation of D immitis and D reconditum infections. For reliable width measurements, it is necessary to use the modified Knott or polycarbonate filter techniques, inasmuch as the cellulose filter technique gives misleading results.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A clinical profile of back pain and disability in patients with spinal osteoporosis.

This study investigated the pain and disability experienced by 85 consecutive postmenopausal Caucasian women, average age 64 years (range 50-82), with spinal osteoporosis, referred to a specialist bone clinic. Symptoms were related to the numbers and severity of vertebral deformities, and degree of kyphosis. Persistent back pain was experienced by 54 (63%) in the lumbar spine and 53 (62%) in the thoracic spine. The severity of thoracic but not lumbar back pain was significantly related by Kendall rank correlation to degree of kyphosis (R = 0.255, p < 0.01), numbers of collapsed vertebrae (R = 0.279, p < 0.01) and a summed score of the severity of collapse for all vertebrae (R = 0.253, p < 0.01). The severity and duration of thoracic back pain was also significantly related to numbers of collapsed vertebrae from T4-T8 alone. Sleep was disturbed in 60%, difficulty obtaining suitable clothes was found in 42% and difficulties with functional activities in 47%, although these were severe in only 10%. Significant associations were also found between scores of osteoporosis severity and sleep disturbance, difficulties with clothes and many functional activities. We conclude that in patients with spinal osteoporosis coming to medical attention, assessment and management of pain, disability, sleep pattern and difficulties with obtaining clothes are required for optimal care.

Activities of Daily Living↗