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Biomedical subjects

C Fraser

Publications and source records attributed to C Fraser.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Prospective study of patients aged 55 years or less with acute myocardial infarction between 1981 and 1985: outcome 7 years and beyond.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term prognosis of patients after a myocardial infarction (MI) at a young age. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of patients aged 55 years or less suffering a myocardial infarction. SETTING: A single coronary care unit admitting patients from the community. PATIENTS: 255 consecutive patients (210 men) aged 55 years or less admitted between 1981 and 1985 after acute MI. Twenty four patients died in hospital or within 3 months of infarction and 11 were lost to further follow up after discharge. Of the remaining patients, 150 (mean (SD) age 48 (5.7) years) able to exercise 3 weeks after infarction and who agreed to undergo coronary angiography were recruited to a study group and seen 18 months, and 3, 5, and 7 years after MI. In addition, a cross sectional analysis of survival was made to a median of 120 months. Seventy 3 month survivors (mean (SD) age 48 (5.8) years) were not recruited to the study group but were traced for late survival through their general practitioners and family health service associations to a median of 130 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival in young patients after MI and the survival of 3 month survivors stratified by their ability to exercise and agreement to undergo angiography. The rate of coronary artery surgery (CAGB) and reinfarction during the first 7 years after index MI in patients recruited to the study group. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (6%) died in hospital and eight (3%) within 3 months of the index infarction. The 7 and 11 year survival rates in the whole cohort of 255 patients were 80% and 66% respectively using life table methods. Survival 7 years after MI, in patients recruited to the study group was better than in those not recruited (93% v 79%, P = 0.001), but thereafter mortality in the study group accelerated and there was no significant difference in survival 11 years after infarction (76% v 67%, P = 0.05). There was a trend towards higher mortality in patients with multivessel disease and severely impaired left ventricular function. During the first 7 years after MI, 38 of 150 patients in the study group underwent CABG and 19 suffered reinfarction, which was fatal in three. CONCLUSION: The medium-term prognosis of young survivors of MI is good, particularly in patients recruited to the study group. After 7 years there is an increase in mortality and the long-term prognosis is less favourable. This should be taken into account when planning future management and follow up of young patients after MI.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cytokine-mobilized peripheral blood CD34+Thy-1+Lin- human hematopoietic stem cells as target cells for transplantation-based gene therapy.

Gene-therapy of blood-borne disorders may be best achieved using hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) which have extensive self renewal potential as well as multilineage repopulating potential as a cellular target. The human HSC, which is CD34+Thy-1+Lin- has been isolated from fetal, adult bone marrow and cytokine-mobilized peripheral blood (MPB) (1-3). Results presented in this study show that the degree of mobilization of HSC into peripheral blood of cancer patients is highly variable and that the combined use of high dose chemotherapy and GM-CSF as a mobilization strategy is superior to the use of G-CSF with regard to the mobilization of true HSC. A multistep cell isolation procedure has been developed which utilizes high speed flow-cytometric cell sorting and allows the isolation of sufficient numbers of HSC from MPB to permit their use as an hematopoietic graft for clinical transplantation. Hematopoietic stem cells isolated from MPB are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into multiple hematopoietic lineages as shown by their behavior in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Mobilized PB mononuclear cells isolated from cancer patients are frequently contaminated with tumor cells. Using this cell isolation procedure, HSC preparations from patients with multiple myeloma have been created with greatly reduced tumor cell burdens. These CD34+Thy-1+Lin- cells are capable of being stably transduced at high efficiency (32-75%) by co-culture on a cell line producing recombinant retroviruses containing the neomycin-resistant gene. These HSC cell populations are likely ideal targets for hematopoietic cell-based gene therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Antibody-antigen binding constants determined in solution-phase with the threshold membrane-capture system: binding constants for anti-fluorescein, anti-saxitoxin, and anti-ricin antibodies.

Affinities of various monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for fluorescein-containing antigens, saxitoxin and ricin, were determined by using a light addressable potentiometric sensor-based system (Threshold). The dissociation constants, determined from Scatchard plots, ranged from 2 x 10(-7) to approximately 3 x 10(-12) M. Dissociation constants for fluorescein and saxitoxin were compared with values determined by independent means. This technique was found to be quick, simple, reproducible, and accurate.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1993

Assessment of the residual efficacy of lambda-cyhalothrin. 1. A laboratory study using Anopheles arabiensis and Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) on treated daub wall substrates from Natal, South Africa.

Laboratory assessment of the residual efficacy of lambda-cyhalothrin (Icon) 10% AI against Anopheles arabiensis and Cimex lectularius was carried out. The insecticide was applied to daub substrates, simulating the wall surface of houses from 3 areas within the endemic malaria area of Natal, South Africa. Variability in residual efficacy was found between different areas and appeared to correlate to organic content of the substrate. Residual efficacy against An. arabiensis ranged from as little as 2 wk in some areas to in excess of 14 wk in others. Residual efficacy against C. lectularius was 4 wk for all 3 areas, but was 10 wk in only 2 areas.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Alzheimer's disease: case management in a rural setting.

This article describes a case management model developed under the guidelines of the Medicare Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration. This delivery model currently provides services to over 400 Alzheimer's disease victims and their family caregivers who reside in predominantly rural communities in east central Illinois and western Indiana. Client and caregiver characteristics are provided as well as service utilization patterns. The model incorporates intervention strategies that facilitate communication and coordination of services, integrates formal and informal support systems, and allows for client advocacy and system development.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Some factors in the choice of male or female sterilisation in Aberdeen.

In a random sample of 84 men and 167 women, medical considerations, an intransigent attitude of one partner or a fear of adverse effects, were related to the decision on which partner should seek sterilisation. Only 19% of couples felt that they had a real choice between male and female sterilisation.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Infertility--epidemiology and referral practice.

A questionnaire-based study of infertility has been carried out in two age cohorts of women in a defined geographical region. Women were aged 36-40 years or 46-50 years at the time of the survey. The prevalence of infertility (no conception after 2 years of trying) was approximately 14% in both age cohorts. However, a significantly higher proportion of younger women had sought medical help. In both age cohorts there was a higher incidence of spontaneous abortion among infertile women. These findings suggest no significant increase in the prevalence of infertility over a decade but a considerable increase in the use of medical services.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1991

Menstrual symptoms in women with pelvic endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate menstrual symptoms in relation to pelvic pathology. DESIGN: A prospective questionnaire-based study. SETTING: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland. SUBJECTS: 1250 questionnaires were sent out prior to planned admission and 1200 women (96%) brought the completed questionnaires. They comprised 598 women undergoing laparoscopic sterilization, 312 having laparoscopy because of infertility, 156 having laparoscopy because of chronic pelvic pain and 134 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, menstrual regularity, premenstrual spotting, deep dyspareunia and pelvic pain in women with either endometriosis and post infective pelvic adhesions or a normal pelvis. RESULTS: Menorrhagia, menstrual irregularity and premenstrual spotting occurred with equal frequency in all groups. Deep dyspareunia, pain after intercourse and recurrent pain unrelated to menstruation or coitus was more common in women with endometriosis and those with post infective pelvic adhesions than in those with a normal pelvis. Dysmenorrhoea appears to be more prevalent among women having endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Menstrual symptoms, while raising a high index of suspicion for endometriosis, are not entirely reliable as indicators of disease. Dysmenorrhoea is the most common reported symptom in endometriosis sufferers. Diagnostic laparoscopy should be considered before institution of treatment in women complaining of pelvic pain and menstrual symptoms.

Dysmenorrhea↗
PubMed1990

Non-invasive brain stimulation reveals reorganized cortical outputs in amputees.

EMG responses to non-invasive electromagnetic brain stimulation (EMS) were recorded from arm muscles of congenital amputees. Responses were obtained with lower thresholds on the amputated than on the intact side and were evoked from a larger cortical area. Contracting muscles showed increased responses to EMS; the increase was more pronounced on the amputated side. Similar findings were obtained in one traumatic amputee who suffered an early amputation, but not in another patient with a late amputation. We conclude that in congenital amputees there is substantial reorganisation of the corticospinal system and that this may also occur in early traumatic cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The epidemiology of infertility in Aberdeen.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of infertility, both primary and secondary, outcome of pregnancy, occupation, and uptake of medical services in a total population of women from a geographically defined area. DESIGN: A postal questionnaire survey of an age cohort of women who had completed their fertility, and who were randomly selected from the Grampian Health Board's primary care register. SETTING: Aberdeen city district. SUBJECTS: 1024 Women in the age group 46-50, of whom 130 had to be excluded. Of the remaining 894 women, 766 (86%) responded to the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response to questionnaire on pregnancy history, the length of time taken to become pregnant each time, and whether medical advice had been sought. RESULTS: Among the 766 women contacted, 602 (79%) reported no difficulties in having children, 56 (7%) had chosen not to have children, and the remaining 108 (14%) had experienced infertility, defined as having difficulty in becoming pregnant for more than two years. In total 68 (9%) women had primary infertility, of whom 41 (5%) eventually conceived. Of the 40 (5%) with secondary infertility, 23 (3%) conceived. Overall, 52 (7%) of the population were left with an unresolved problem of infertility. Only 67 (62%) infertile women had made use of hospital services, and a further 8 (7%) had consulted their general practitioners. Among those who conceived there was no difference in the proportion who sought advice compared with those who did not. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of infertility was 14%, although half of these women eventually conceived. Primary infertility was more common than secondary infertility. Only 62% of infertile women attended a hospital clinic for treatment of their infertility.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1990

Recovery of elbow function in voluntary positioning of the hand following hemiplegia due to stroke.

Elbow movement during voluntary positioning of the hand (with the arm supported against gravity) is described in a longitudinal study of five patients recovering from hemiplegia due to stroke. Over a twelve month period, four of the patients improved their speed of movement, three exhibiting slightly better recovery of elbow extension, one of flexion. In some instances co-contraction of the elbow agonist and antagonist (measured just before the onset of movement) decreased with time after stroke. The effects of contrasting movements at the shoulder on elbow movement were also studied. Estimates of recovery were generally similar whether patients kept the shoulder still or made movements that were synergic or counter-synergic to those of the elbow.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Can platelet volume predict progressive hypertensive disease in pregnancy?

Increase in platelet size has been found in conditions with increased platelet destruction and use. This increase in platelet size can be found in patients with moderate or severe hypertension in pregnancy, even in the presence of a normal platelet count. The goal of this study was to investigate whether an increase in platelet size was present before the manifestation of the disease and therefore could be used to predict the progression of the disease before it is clinically apparent. Three hundred normal primigravid pregnancies were studied between 28 and 30 weeks' gestation, and blood was taken to assess platelet count and mean platelet volume. Two hundred sixteen patients had no hypertensive problems during their pregnancy, 84 developed hypertension, 62 had mild hypertension only with diastolic blood pressures between 90 and 99 mm Hg, 13 had moderate hypertension with diastolic blood pressures between 100 and 109, and nine had severe hypertension with diastolic blood pressure above 110. No difference was found between these groups in the parameters measured. Therefore it was felt that platelet volume may not be a useful screening test in a low-risk population. A second study was carried out to investigate the serial changes in these parameters in patients at risk of progressive disease. Thirty-four patients with essential hypertension were followed from 24 weeks with serial blood sampling to study changes in platelet size. An additional 40 patients with mild pregnancy-induced hypertension were also studied. From these patient groups, 20 patients developed severe hypertension. The mean platelet volume increased significantly at least 1 week before the hypertension became clinically apparent. There was no change in platelet count at this time. It is concluded that increasing platelet size can predict which patients are likely to progress to severe disease before it becomes clinically obvious.

Blood Platelets↗