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Biomedical subjects

B McLean

Publications and source records attributed to B McLean.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Medical needs of people with intellectual disability require regular reassessment, and the provision of client- and carer-held reports.

BACKGROUND: Previous work has indicated a wide range of unmet medical health needs in people with intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: A profile of recorded medical needs was produced for 589 people with ID through a detailed search of individual medical and nursing case records. Specialist optometric and audiological assessments were offered, and reports were provided in technical and plain English terms. A Health Watch project delivered folders with copies of the plain English reports to 60 individuals and carers. RESULTS: The case record review indicated a wide range of medical disorders; however, exact diagnoses and counselling regarding underlying neurological conditions were seldom recorded. Assessed levels of hearing and vision loss were much greater than had been previously recognized. The Health Watch reports were welcomed by the clients and carers. CONCLUSIONS: If satisfactory healthcare is to be achieved for people with ID, medical needs must be monitored, regular specialist reassessments offered, access to specialist services facilitated and reports clearly explained to carers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Prozac. A bitter pill.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation↗
PubMed2001

Physiological characteristics of nationally competitive female road cyclists and demands of competition.

There are few published data describing female cyclists and the studies available are difficult to interpret because of the classification of athletes. In this review, cyclists are referred to as either internationally competitive (International Cycling Union world rankings provided when available) or nationally competitive. Based on the limited data available it appears that the age, height, body mass (BM) and body composition of women cyclists who have been selected to the US and Australian National Road Cycling Teams from 1980 to 2000 are fairly similar. Female cyclists who have become internationally competitive are generally between 21 to 28 years of age, 162 to 174 cm, 55.4 to 58.8 kg and 38 to 51 mm (sum of 7 skinfolds) corresponding to 7 to 12% body fat. The lower BM and percentage body fat are traits unique to the most competitive women. Internationally competitive women cyclists also possess a slightly superior ability to produce a high absolute power output for a fixed time period and a noticeably greater ability to produce power output relative to BM. In Women's World Cup races, successful women (top 20 places) spend more time >7.5 W/kg (11 +/- 2 vs 7 +/- 2%, p < 0.01) and less time <0.75 W/kg (24 +/- 4 vs 29 +/- 3%, p = 0.05) compared with non-top 20 placed riders. Additionally, cyclists in the top 20 produced higher average power (3.6 +/- 0.4 vs 3.1 +/- 0.1 W/kg, p = 0.01). Unlike professional men's road cycling, the physiological characteristics of internationally competitive female road cyclists and the demands of women's cycling competition are poorly understood.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The rapidity of drug dose escalation influences blood pressure response and adverse effects burden in patients with hypertension: the Quinapril Titration Interval Management Evaluation (ATIME) Study. ATIME Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Antihypertensive medication doses are typically increased within several weeks after initiation of therapy because of inadequate blood pressure (BP) control and/or adverse effects. METHODS: We conducted a parallel-group clinical trial with 2935 subjects (53% women, n=1547) aged 21 to 75 years, with Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure VI stages 1 to 2 hypertension, recruited from 365 physician practices in the southeastern United States. Participants were randomized either to a fast (every 2 weeks; n=1727) or slow (every 6 weeks; n=1208) drug titration. Therapy with quinapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, was initiated at 20 mg once daily. The dose was doubled at the next 2 clinic visits until the BP was lower than 140/90 mm Hg or a dose of 80 mg was reached. RESULTS: Pretreatment BP averaged 152/95 mm Hg. Patients with stage 2 hypertension reported more symptoms than those with stage 1. The BP averaged 140/86, 137/84, and 134/83 mm Hg in the slow group compared with 141/88, 137/85, and 135/84 mm Hg in the fast group at the 3 respective clinic visits. The BP control rates to lower than 140/90 mm Hg at the 3 clinic visits were (slow, fast, respectively) 41.3%, 35.7% (P<.001); 54.3%, 51.5% (P=.16); and 68%, 62.3% (P=.02). In the fast group, 10.7% of participants experienced adverse events vs 10.8% in the slow group; however, 21.0% of adverse events in the fast group were "serious" vs only 12% in the slow group. CONCLUSION: Slower dose escalation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril provides higher BP control rates and fewer serious adverse events than more rapid drug dose escalation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Rofecoxib, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2, with clinical efficacy comparable with that of diclofenac sodium: results of a one-year, randomized, clinical trial in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Rofecoxib Phase III Protocol 035 Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of rofecoxib, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), with that of diclofenac in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of rofecoxib. METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled trial in 784 adults with OA of the knee or hip. Patients were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment groups: 12.5 mg of rofecoxib once daily, 25 mg of rofecoxib once daily, and 50 mg of diclofenac 3 times daily. Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated over a 1-year continuous treatment period. RESULTS: Rofecoxib at dosages of 12.5 and 25 mg demonstrated efficacy that was clinically comparable to that of diclofenac, as assessed by all 3 primary end points according to predefined comparability criteria. Results from secondary end points were consistent with those of the primary end points. There were small statistical differences favoring diclofenac for 2 of the end points. All treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Rofecoxib was well tolerated and provided efficacy that was clinically comparable, according to predefined statistical criteria, to that of 150 mg of diclofenac per day in this 1-year study. Specific inhibition of COX-2 provided therapeutic efficacy in OA.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Characterization and affinity applications of cellulose-binding domains.

Cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) are discrete protein modules found in a large number of carbohydrolases and a few nonhydrolytic proteins. To date, almost 200 sequences can be classified in 13 different families with distinctly different properties. CBDs vary in size from 4 to 20 kDa and occur at different positions within the polypeptides; N-terminal, C-terminal and internal. They have a moderately high and specific affinity for insoluble or soluble cellulosics with dissociation constants in the low micromolar range. Some CBDs bind irreversibly to cellulose and can be used for applications involving immobilization, others bind reversibly and are more useful for separations and purifications. Dependent on the CBD used, desorption from the matrix can be promoted under various different conditions including denaturants (urea, high pH), water, or specific competitive ligands (e.g. cellobiose). Family I and IV CBDs bind reversibly to cellulose in contrast to family II and III CBDs which are in general, irreversibly bound. The binding of family II CBDs (CBD(Cex)) to crystalline cellulose is characterized by a large favourable increase in entropy indicating that dehydration of the sorbent and the protein are the major driving forces for binding. In contrast, binding of family IV CBDs (CBD(N1)) to amorphous or soluble cellulosics is driven by a favourable change in enthalpy which is partially offset by an unfavourable entropy change. Hydrogen bond formation and van der Waals interactions are the main driving forces for binding. CBDs with affinity for crystalline cellulose are useful tags for classical column affinity chromatography. The affinity of CBD(N1) for soluble cellulosics makes it suitable for use in large-scale aqueous two-phase affinity partitioning systems.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1995

Social support, support groups, and breast cancer: a literature review.

A review of medical, social science, and "grassroots" literature on support groups and breast cancer, this paper concerns the need among women living with breast cancer and their caregivers for more information on the efficacy of social support as a therapeutic intervention. The literature has been subdivided into reviews of articles dealing with professionally led support groups, community-based support groups, support groups and survival, and support groups and psychological adjustment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Relationship between strength qualities and sprinting performance.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between strength measures and sprinting performance, and to determine if these relationships varied for different phases of sprint running. Twenty (11 males and 9 females) elite junior track and field athletes served as subjects. Athletes performed maximum sprints to 50 m from a block start and time to 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 m were recorded by electronic timing gates. The resultant forces applied to the blocks were obtained from two force platforms. Twenty-seven measures of strength and speed-strength (absolute and relative to bodyweight) were collected from the height jumped and the force-time curve recorded from the takeoff phase of vertical jumping movements utilizing pure concentric, stretch shortening cycle (SSC) and isometric muscular contractions. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the single best predictor of starting performance (2.5 m time) was the peak force (relative to bodyweight) generated during a jump from a 120 degree knee angle (concentric contraction) (r = 0.86, p = 0.0001). The single best correlate of maximum sprinting speed was the force applied at 100 ms (relative to bodyweight) from the start of a loaded jumping action (concentric contraction) (r = 0.80, p = 0.0001). SSC measures and maximum absolute strength were more related to maximum sprinting speed than starting ability. It was concluded that strength qualities were related to sprinting performance and these relationships differed for starting and maximum speed sprinting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Elevated serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Activated T lymphocytes and macrophages play a putative role in the the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Both cell types secrete tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a cytokine that has well-recognized toxic effects on myelin, Schwann cells, and endothelial cells. We determined serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha in 26 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, 27 patients with other polyneuropathies, 30 patients with neurological diseases of the central nervous system, and 14 healthy control subjects. Markedly increased serum levels were detected in 14 patients (54%) with Guillain-Barré syndrome and to a significantly lesser extent, in patients with other polyneuropathies (26%) and in neurological control subjects (23%). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome or other polyneuropathies. Increased serum concentrations in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome correlated directly with disease severity and these concentrations returned to normal in parallel with clinical recovery. These findings emphasize the complexity of the immune response in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and suggest that tumor necrosis factor-alpha may be important in the pathogenesis of peripheral demyelination in this disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The significance of serum oligoclonal bands in neurological diseases.

The presence of oligoclonal bands (OCBs) of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in CSF provides evidence for the occurrence of a humoral immune response, but it is not always appreciated that the oligoclonal IgG may have originated in the serum. To determine the diagnostic significance of serum OCBs 146 patients with serum OCBs were identified among 1874 patients with suspected neurological disorders (7.6%). Clear diagnoses had been made in 112 of these patients: in 56 identical CSF and serum bands were present, revealing a systemic immune response, while in 46 additional unique CSF bands indicated that intrathecal IgG synthesis was also occurring. In the first group neoplasia and peripheral neuropathies accounted for over 50% of the diagnoses, infections and systemic inflammatory disorders for 32%, and multiple sclerosis was diagnosed in only one case. These figures contrast considerably with those reported for patients with CSF OCBs alone. Diagnoses in the second group of patients, with unique CSF OCBs in addition to serum OCBs, resembled those among patients with CSF OCBs alone. Examining CSF and serum in parallel for OCBs of IgG provides more diagnostic information than examining CSF alone, and the latter is potentially misleading.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1992

Fitness characteristics of competitors in a six day sailboard marathon.

The purpose of this study was to profile the fitness characteristics of competitors in a 6 day sailboard marathon and assess the aerobic demands encountered. Twenty one male sailboarders were assessed for body composition, horizontal shoulder adduction and abduction strength as well as grip strength. Body composition was assessed by skinfold measurement and strength measured by dynamometer. A subgroup of 5 subjects were assessed for VO2 max by indirect calorimetry using a treadmill protocol. Functional capacity was determined as the quotient of VO2 max and the VO2 at rest and the aerobic conditioning threshold estimated. The corresponding threshold heart rate was determined. During each days racing, heart rate was continuously monitored from 2 different members of the subgroup. In the total group body fat was 19.1 +/- 5.1%, grip strength was 502.3 +/- 61.8 N and horizontal shoulder adduction and abduction strength was 449.3 +/- 121.6 N and 437 +/- 94.2 N respectively. In the subgroup, VO2 max was 49.6 +/- 3.7 ml/kg/min, functional capacity was 8.8 +/- 0.9 METS and threshold heart rate occurred between 155 +/- 5.2 and 161 +/- 4.6 beats/min. Heart rate response during sailing was typically in the 120-150 beats/min range. The results indicated that sailboarding does not promote high levels of aerobic fitness.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Characterization of MBT-2 tumour cell "variant" resistant to tumour necrosis factor.

Previously we reported sensitivity of MBT-2 murine bladder tumour to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in vivo and in vitro [8]. We showed that with prolonged exposure of cultured MBT-2 tumour cells to TNF, a resistant MBT-2 "variant" tumour cell population emerged in vitro. This concurred with the finding of transient in vivo cytotoxic effect of TNF against MBT-2 tumour. Herein, we delineate phenotypic changes in MBT-2 cells associated with TNF resistance. Parent MBT-2 (MBT-2P) and the TNF-resistant "variant" MBT-2R cells were compared in terms of in vitro sensitivity to TNF, DNA profile, karyotype and in vitro growth kinetics. We conclude that acquisition of resistance to TNF may be due to cell cycle derangement and differences in in vitro growth characteristics. DNA indices and karyotype of "variant" MBT-2R cells were not altered, indicating the anti-tumour action of TNF is not-mutagenic.

Animals↗