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Biomedical subjects

B Marks

Publications and source records attributed to B Marks.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Persistence of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) in human post-mortem tissue.

Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), a fire retardant, was accidentally substituted for an animal feed supplement in Michigan 10 years ago. This led to widespread livestock contamination and ultimately to contamination of virtually every human residing in the State at that time. In order to evaluate the extent of PBB persistence and distribution in human tissues 10 years after this accidental poisoning, a study was conducted on a series of autopsy cases from the Grand Rapids ("high" exposure) area of the State. No attempt was made to relate cause of death to PBB exposure or tissue concentration. Samples of 196 tissues from 15 subjects were analyzed for PBB content, and levels were determined by measurement of the hexabromobiphenyl peak using electron capture gas chromatography. Only 4 of the 196 samples analyzed did not have PBB concentration above the limit of detection (0.5 ng/g). As expected, fat and fat-rich tissue had the highest PBB concentration. Perirenal fat had the highest mean concentration (475 ng/g). Adrenal, atheromatus aorta and thymus had mean concentrations about half that of perirenal fat; all other tissues had mean concentrations one-tenth or less of perirenal fat. The results document that PBB is still present in human tissue and that PBB was distributed in all tissues examined. The PBB fat elimination half-time was estimated to be at least 7.8 years. If this is approximately correct, PBB will persist in tissues throughout the lifetime of humans so contaminated.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1985

Regulatory factors specific for adult and embryonic globin genes may govern their expression in erythroleukemia cells.

In order to test if trans-acting regulatory factors specific for globin genes of the adult and embryonic stages of development exist in erythroid cells, transcriptionally active embryonic and adult globin genes on the same chromosome were transferred by cell fusion from the human leukemia cell K562 into phenotypically adult mouse erythroleukemia cells. Restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms of the K562 zeta (embryonic) globin genes were used to establish that all three copies of human chromosome 16 present in the K562 cell showed the same pattern of human globin gene expression after transfer to the mouse erythroleukemia cell. Adult (alpha) but not embryonic (zeta) human globin mRNA was detected in all nine of the independently derived mouse erythroleukemia hybrid cells, each of which contained human chromosome 16. Restriction endonuclease studies of the K562 alpha- and zeta-globin genes after transfer into the mouse erythroleukemia cell showed no evidence of rearrangements or deletions that could explain this loss of zeta-globin gene expression. These data suggest that regulation of globin gene expression in these erythroleukemia cells involves trans-acting regulatory factors specific for the adult and embryonic stages of development.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The role of actors in teaching communication.

This paper describes a series of communication workshops designed to improve the consultation skills of third-year clinical medical students during their period of attachment in general practice, and to enable them to understand the differences in perspective and attitude existing between doctor and patient and their effect on the process and outcome of the clinical interview. The workshops involve a group of professional actors as simulated patients. The advantages of this method are discussed in terms of increased lay participation in the teaching.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1983

The assessment of physical activity in older women: analysis of the interrelationship and reliability of activity monitoring, activity surveys, and caloric intake.

The interrelationship and reliability of three different activity measures were examined in 76 postmenopausal women. The women wore Large Scale Integrated (LSI) activity monitors, completed the Paffenbarger Activity Survey, and completed 3-day food logs for determination of caloric intake/expenditure. The Paffenbarger survey was assessed twice, a year apart. The results indicated that caloric intake was a very poor index of activity. The LSI activity monitoring and Paffenbarger survey were both effective, reliable measures of physical activity. However, they appeared to measure somewhat different aspects of physical activity. The LSI measured physical activity associated with movement, whereas the surveys measured the intensity component of energy expenditure. The research indicated that it is important to evaluate the characteristics of the activity of interest in order to select a physical activity tool for assessing activity patterns in older women.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Social work in general practice.

A questionnaire seeking details of working arrangements and problems encountered was circulated to social workers working in general practice.THE MAIN DIFFICULTIES WERE: insufficient preparation for the scheme, poor communication between general practitioners and social workers, and the inadequate provision of facilities for social workers in practice premises.Most of the respondents had not experienced big difficulties. Two thirds had enjoyed a rewarding professional experience, which is a testimonial to interdisciplinary co-operation.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1977

Androgens in the anaemia of chronic renal failure.

Plasma levels of testosterone-like substances (TLS) were depressed in seven patients with chronic renal failure. Intramuscular testosterone (as Sustanon 250 once a week) elevated plasma TLS levels to above normal throughout the week with an initial high peak. Sublingual testosterone produced a high but brief peak in TLS. Results were similar in renal failure patients and normal controls. A controlled trial of weekly Sustanon 250 in 24 regular dialysis patients produced a significant increase in haemoglobin from 6.8 to 8.2 g/dl. Side effects were mainly mild and acceptable but one patient developed priapism and another a large haematoma. The discriminate use of androgens is recommended for anaemic male patients on regular haemodialysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1974

Toxic polyneuropathy produced by methyl N-butyl ketone.

A polyneuropathy affecting a large number of workers was recently observed at a plant producing plastic-coated and color-printed fabrics. Epidemiological data suggested strongly that methyl N-butyl ketone (MBK) was responsible for the outbreak. This hypothesis is now supported by the development of a peripheral neuropathy in chickens, rats, and cats exposed to MBK at atmospheric concentrations of 200 to 600 parts per million, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Although the animals were exposed continuously and the affected workers were exposed intermittently, the averages of the total number of hours of exposure for development of the peripheral neutropathy in the animals and workers were remarkably close.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Breath-holding in healthy and pulmonary-compromised populations: effects of hyperventilation and oxygen inspiration.

Suspension of respiration during end-expiration often is recommended to minimize body organ displacement between sequential image acquisitions. The purpose of this report is to evaluate techniques for end-expiratory breath-holding applicable to a pulmonary-compromised population. Eighty-seven consecutive outpatients with chronic pulmonary diseases and 31 healthy nonsmoking volunteers were recruited for the study. All subjects were asked to hold their breath in end-expiration while in the supine position (29 after breathing room air, 29 after hyperventilating room air for six breaths, and 29 after breathing O2 from a portable oxygen tank via nasal cannula until pulse-oximeter readings stabilized or reached 100%). Each volunteer was tested with all three methods. The mean length of time for a breath-hole on room air without hyperventilation was 9.2 seconds for the patients and 31.7 seconds for the volunteers. A breath-hold after hyperventilation of room air was timed at 12.3 seconds for the patients and 41.2 seconds for the volunteers, and after O2 administration, the breath-hold was 22.4 seconds for the patients and 60.9 seconds for the volunteers. No adverse effects occurred. The pulmonary-compromised patient can suspend respiration most successfully after O2 administration (P < .0001), whereas hyperventilation seems to be less beneficial. Nonpulmonary-compromised volunteers can hold their breath for longer periods of time.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of mycobacterial infections using the Dieterle stain.

Retrospective review comparing the modified Dieterle stain with standard acid-fast stains was performed on seven surgical pathology cases that contained culture-positive mycobacteria infections. Tissues examined comprised cervical and submandibular lymph nodes and soft tissues of the face and chest. Modified Dieterle staining was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections, and the results were compared with those of hematoxylineosin stains and auramine-rhodamines and carbolfuchsin acid-fast stains. The acid-fast stain showed organisms in three of seven cases on initial review and five of seven cases on retrospective review; the auramine-rhodamine stain retrospectively revealed organisms in five cases. In contrast, the Dieterle stain showed organisms in all seven sections on retrospective examination. Dieterle stains revealed either beaded bacilli or nocardia-like filamentous organisms, sometimes with abundant granular debris possibly representing degenerative organisms. In three cases in which bacteria were readily apparent with the Dieterle stain, only rare organisms could be identified with the acid-fast stain. The modified Dieterle stain was more sensitive than the acid-fast stain in the identification of mycobacteria in pediatric specimens, and its use is recommended in cases with necrotizing granulomas. However, its specificity is limited by morphologic similarities of the organisms to those of nocardiosis and cat scratch disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health characteristics and behaviors of adults with mental retardation residing in three living arrangements.

Three hundred and twenty-nine subjects (aged 17-70 years) residing in an institution (N = 184), group home (N = 39), or with one or more family members (N = 106) were evaluated on body composition, blood lipids, and health behaviors. Subjects in the institutional group had lower body weights than those in the group home and natural family settings (p < .001) and also had lower BMIs and percent body fat levels compared to those in the natural family (p < .001). The institutional group also had lower total cholesterol and LDL-C levels than the group home and natural family groups (p < .001) and lower TG and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C than the natural family group (p < .01). Although overall use was quite limited, residents in the group home setting smoked more cigarettes, drank more alcohol and coffee, and exercised less than those in the institution and natural family (p < .001). Group home residents also exercised less. Health promotion and disease prevention initiatives for persons with mental retardation living in group homes, in supported living placements, and with their natural families should be undertaken and carefully evaluated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of BMI among adults with Down syndrome: the social context of health promotion.

The study explored the relationship of diet, exercise, disability status, and degree of social integration to Body Mass Index, an indicator of excess weight and health status. Subjects were adults with Down syndrome living at home with their families. Variables included a 110-item nutritional analysis and assessments of family demographics, severity of disability, and "lifestyle" variables, such as friendship and affiliation, access to recreation and social activity, and level of physical activity. A factor analysis reduced lifestyle variables into three distinct factors representing friendship, social opportunity, and physical competency. Factor scores were entered into a hierarchical regression model that compared the variance predicted by these factors to the variance accounted for by diet, exercise, and health and physical status variables. Although the overall regression was not statistically significant, the final block of predictors, which represented friendship and social opportunity effects, accounted for a significant increment in BMI variance. Thus, even after the effects of diet, exercise, and physical status variables were partitioned out, the lifestyle variables remained potent predictors of BMI. Study conclusions are described in the context of current paradigms of health in the field of mental retardation and their relationship to inclusion in the community.

Activities of Daily Living↗