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Biomedical subjects

A J MacGregor

Publications and source records attributed to A J MacGregor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Fasting lipids and anticardiolipin antibodies as risk factors for vascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Fasting cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apoprotein AI, and apoprotein B were measured in 64 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus to assess the risk factors for vascular disease. The relation between the lipid profile, steroid treatment, the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies, and the prevalence of vascular disease was examined. Raised concentrations of triglyceride and apoprotein B were seen in those patients treated with more than the equivalent of 10 mg prednisolone a day in the six months before testing. An increase in vascular disease was found only in the subgroup of patients with increased triglycerides who also expressed anticardiolipin antibodies. This study confirms the association between treatment with high doses of steroids in lupus and the development of an atherogenic plasma lipid profile. The presence of anticardiolipin antibodies compounds the risk of developing vascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of antibody reactivity in the sera of 42 patients with paraproteinaemia.

The clinical expression of disease in patients with conditions in which autoimmunity is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of disease is the result of an unfortunate combination of predisposing and environmental factors. The presence of autoantibodies showing a variety of antigen specificities in sera from many of these patients has been closely correlated with particular spectra of organ involvement or tissue destruction. Their precise role in the disease process is as yet unclear. Sera from patients with paraproteinaemia also often contain autoantibodies to a variety of cell components, although symptoms of autoimmune disease are rarely found in this group of individuals. In this study of 42 sera from patients with paraproteinaemia we have confirmed the presence of autoantibodies in 33% (13/42) of samples. Amongst the autoantibodies detected were those to human neutrophils (3), U1RNP (8) and cardiolipin (4). In five sera, the immunoglobulin class of autoantibody did not correlate with that of the monoclonal band. This study extends previous reports of the repertoire of autoantibodies present in sera from patients with paraproteinaemia.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗
PubMed1991

Updating practices among Yorkshire general dental practitioners.

Ninety-eight per cent was the response achieved by a June 1989 postal survey to determine how general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Yorkshire Region maintain their professional knowledge. Such a good response adds confidence to the survey's findings which show many GDPs are educationally active and use a variety of media to keep up to date. Nevertheless, there remains a substantial proportion who should be doing more and need encouragement.

Education, Dental, Continuing↗
PubMed1991

IDEA: an index of dental educational activity.

This paper reports on the construction of an index of dental educational activities (IDEA) developed as part of an exploration of continuing professional development activities among a sample of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the Yorkshire Region in Britain. To assist in the interpretation of the index scores an analogy is drawn to an academic examination. Only 50% of the GDPs passed, 31% achieving scores of 40% or less and 9% distinctions. Higher IDEAS were achieved by practitioners who spent a lot on their dental education, those who intended to attend continuing education events next year practice principals, those who worked in larger practices and men GDPs. Little difference in the scores was observed by the age of the practitioner, experience of working in hospital or distance from the central continuing education centre. Discussion centres on the utility of the index as a summary of updating practices and its potential as a comparative measure across health professions. High levels of continuing professional development and thus high IDEAs must be encouraged, but they need to be accompanied by high quality care and effective job performance.

Education, Dental, Continuing↗
PubMed1990

Reduction in morbidity in the surgery of the third molar removal.

No single regime has proved to be totally successful in reducing the pain and swelling that frequently follow extraction of wisdom teeth. In this review the author examines the regimes that are currently used, assesses the evidence for their efficacy, and makes some practical recommendations.

Edema↗
PubMed1986

Increased resistance to penicillin of oral viridans streptococci in dental students.

Salivary samples were taken annually in October from 48 dental students as they progressed from pre-clinical studies to final year. The MICs of penicillin for the viridans streptococci were determined. Over the three years these organisms became progressively more resistant but not to a level of clinical significance. The findings were confirmed by a cross-sectional study of 57 pre-clinical and 37 final year students. The increase in resistance might have been related to age, but a further study of 20 postgraduate chemistry students of the same age as the final year dental students showed that the former had a population of streptococci similar to that found in the pre-clinical students. Whether the increase in resistance is a result of the dental students working in the clinic or having penicillin more frequently prescribed for them personally is a matter for speculation.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The effect of a single large dose of amoxycillin on oral streptococci.

Salivary samples were examined for a period three weeks before, and three weeks after the administration of 3 g of amoxycillin in ten volunteers. There was a marked drop in the concentration of streptococci in all subjects in the first 4 h but most had substantially recovered within 48 h. All had recovered at seven days. No strains were resistant to 1 mg/l amoxycillin in the pre-treatment control series, and no resistant streptococci emerged.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed1985

The response of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve to trauma.

56 patients were monitored for a period of 26 weeks following injury to one of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve. A further 10 patients were followed up after periods of 1 to 9 years suffering impaired facial sensation. Tests showed that 50% of the patients returned to normal in 3 months and 60% in 6 months. The fine sensations of touch and temperature recovered first and the response to pricking and two-point discrimination occurred later. Not all patients recovered normal sensation. A small proportion continued to suffer disturbing sensations such as tingling, burning and formication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

The radiological assessment of ectopic lower third molars.

Experiments using observers ranging in experience from undergraduates to consultants showed that the orthopantomograph can be used satisfactorily to predict the time taken to remove those ectopic lower third molars capable of being put into Winter's classification. When used for this purpose this radiograph compared well with the lateral oblique view of the mandible. There were differences with the intraoral view, but it could not be certain which was superior. The value of the orthopantomogram in predicting impaired postoperative labial sensation was tested. It became apparent that there were cases in which the nerve was clearly at risk and others in which it was clearly not at risk. Variations in the anatomy of the canal and the quality of its image could give rise to doubt, some of which could be resolved by taking intraoral views. An unsuccessful attempt using analysis of multiple regression was made to select and quantify those features of the radiograph important for predicting the time taken for removal of the teeth. A simple points scoring method was evolved which agreed with current practice and was capable of being used effectively by undergraduates, some of whom had made inadequate assessments hitherto.

Humans↗
PubMed1975

The effect of sulfonamides on pain and swelling following removal of ectopic third molars.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out to study the value of cones containing sulfanilamide and sulfathiazole in the healing of third molar sockets. On the seventh postoperative day, 94 patients were examined regarding pain, swelling and the overall effect of the operation. Trials were run to compare sulfa cones directly with a placebo: in addition, the placebo and sulfa drugs were each compared with the effects of no medication. Pairs were made of the left and right mandibular third molars in the same patient and the results assessed by sequential analysis. It was found that although sulfa cones were better than the placebo, they themselves were no better or worse than leaving the socket alone.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗