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Biomedical subjects

A Hinds

Publications and source records attributed to A Hinds.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The influence of a fish oil high in docosahexaenoic acid on plasma lipoprotein and vitamin E concentrations and haemostatic function in healthy male volunteers.

Nine healthy male subjects consumed a daily fish oil supplement providing 2.1 g docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3; DHA) and 0.8 g eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3; EPA) for 6 weeks. The proportion of EPA and DHA in plasma, erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelet phospholipids was increased by the supplement. Plasma concentration of triacylglycerol and very-low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol were lowered and those of high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)- and HDL2-cholesterol and apoprotein B were increased. Platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 production induced by collagen were partially inhibited. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell during treatment and rose following withdrawal of the supplement. Statistically significant reductions in erythrocyte counts, packed cell volume and haemoglobin and increases in total leucocyte and monocyte counts occurred with the supplement. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations fell below the normal range during the period of supplementation. It is suggested that future studies consider components other than EPA in fish oil. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent to which fish oil increases the requirement for antioxidant nutrients.

Adult↗

Postprandial hyperglycemia and pancreatic function in cystic fibrosis patients.

Pancreatic endocrine function was studied in 50 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 15 healthy controls by measuring glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon and gastro-inhibitory polypeptide responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Biochemical and clinical parameters were also measured, including glycosylated hemoglobin A1, serum immunoreactive trypsin, fasting urinalysis, pulmonary function, percentage body fat and 3-day dietary records. According to National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria, 6 CF patients had impaired glucose tolerance (ICF), with elevated serum glucose concentrations and reduced and delayed insulin secretion compared with control (CON) subjects, although none were overtly diabetic. Although the remaining 44 CF patients (NCF) did not meet NDDG criteria for impaired glucose tolerance, mean area under the concentration curve (AUC) for glucose was greater than control values and AUC for insulin diminished. HbA1 levels in the 2 CF groups were greater than that of controls subjects, but there was little difference between ICF and NCF groups. C-peptide levels paralleled those of insulin for the 3 groups throughout OGTT. There was little difference in GIP secretion between groups, and the enteroinsular axis was intact in the control and NCF groups and slightly increased in the ICF group. Basal glucagon concentrations and AUC for glucagon during OGTT were similar for the 3 groups, but glucose-induced glucagon suppressibility i.e., basal to nadir change in each subject, was reduced in the ICF group. Serum IRT concentration was significantly lower in the ICF and NCF groups compared to control subjects, and was lowest in the ICF group. A strong correlation was observed in the ICF group between FEF25-75 and AUC for insulin, as well as HbA1 level and AUC for glucose. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in 50 CF patients was 12%. Despite extensive comparisons of biochemical and clinical parameters with endocrine function in this population, we were unable to define reliable criteria for predicting glucose intolerance.

Adolescent↗

Influence of n-3 fatty acids on blood lipids in normal subjects.

The effects of consuming oils providing alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were studied in healthy volunteers. A blunted increase in plasma triglyceride was observed in subjects given a test meal containing fish oil compared with olive oil; cholesterol concentrations were not increased; increases in EPA and DHA were seen in all lipid fractions. In longer term supplementation studies, ALA increased EPA, but not DHA in plasma phospholipids; preformed EPA was more effective. The proportion of EPA in platelet lipids increased in a dose dependent manner. EPA or DHA, but not ALA, decreased plasma triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol concentrations. Supplements containing DHA increased HDL and HDL2 cholesterol and LDL apoB. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations were unaltered.

Adolescent↗

Plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Kingston, Jamaica: 1990-1991.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Gonococcal infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have spread into many geographic areas and have increased in prevalence since the mid 1970s. Surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant gonococcal strains of Jamaica from 1981 to 1983 indicated that fewer than 3% of strains of produced beta-lactamase (penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae); approximately 4% of strains were resistant to penicillin, and 12% were resistant to tetracycline. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To measure the frequency and nature of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Kingston, Jamaica, from 1990 to 1991 and to assess the effectiveness of prescribed treatment regimens. STUDY DESIGN: Urethral isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from 116 heterosexual men with uncomplicated gonorrhea, representing 7.1% (116/1633) men attending the STD Comprehensive Health Centre from October 1990 through March 1991 who had positive Gram-stained smears, were characterized by auxotype, serovar, presence of the TetM determinant, and plasmid content. Antimicrobial susceptibilities to penicillin, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and spectinomycin were determined by an agar dilution method. RESULTS: A total of 80.2% (93/116) of the isolates exhibited plasmid-mediated resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, or both: penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (13/116; 11.2%), tetracycline-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (25/116; 21.6%), and penicillinase-producing/tetracycline-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, (55/116;47.4%). Isolates with chromosomally mediated resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, or both, accounted for 5.2% (6/116) of the isolates. Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, tetracycline-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and penicillinase-producing/tetracycline-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae belonging to multiple auxotype/serovar classes were isolated repeatedly through the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibiting plasmid-mediated resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, or both, have become prevalent and endemic in Kingston, Jamaica. Therefore, all gonococcal infections should be treated with antimicrobial therapies known to be active against penicillin-resistant and tetracycline-resistant organisms to reduce gonorrhea transmission.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗