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Biomedical subjects

C M Reid

Publications and source records attributed to C M Reid.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Selenium content of Brazil nuts from two geographic locations in Brazil.

Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) natively contain very high concentrations of selenium. Since dietary selenium, including Brazil nuts, have been associated with protection against tumor development in laboratory animal studies, it was of interest to determine the selenium content of the nuts from different nut-growing regions of Brazil. In the work reported, 162 nuts from each of two regions (Acre-Rondonia and Manaus-Belem) were individually analyzed for selenium. The average +/- standard deviation and range of selenium concentrations in ppm, fresh weight for nuts from Acre-Rondonia and Manaus-Belem regions were, respectively, 3.06 +/- 4.01 (0.03-31.7) and 36.0 +/- 50.0 (1.25-512.0). The toxicology of Brazil nut consumption is discussed.

Brazil↗
PubMed1995

Factors influencing the success of withdrawal of antihypertensive drug therapy.

We have reviewed the literature on the effect of withdrawal of antihypertensive therapy on return to hypertension. We also present our data from 83 patients in whom a 12-month follow-up period showed that 28% required re-institution of therapy within 10 weeks of withdrawal of medication, over half by 20 weeks, but a significant proportion (28%) stayed normotensive off therapy for a year. All patients had met the criteria for resumption of antihypertensive medication after 2 years of therapy. We also demonstrated predictive effects of left ventricular hypertrophy and duration of therapy on rate of redevelopment of hypertension. Our study raises the possibility that echocardiography may indicate the likelihood of a rapid return to hypertension when drug therapy is ceased.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1994

Interactions between the effects of exercise and weight loss on risk factors, cardiovascular haemodynamics and left ventricular structure in overweight subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the individual and combined effects of exercise and weight loss on the cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac left ventricular structure and function in overweight individuals. METHODS: A randomized, parallel-group, crossover study design was adopted. The following treatments were employed: exercise three times a week at 70% maximum work capacity for 30 min; dietary modification to achieve weight loss involving 4200 kj/day dietary restriction; and a combination of both exercise and dietary modification weight-loss programmes. Each subject was randomly assigned to one group only and was studied after a 12-week treatment and 12-week control period, performed in a random order. Thirty subjects entered the trial, 23 completing both treatment and control phases. RESULTS: Body weight remained unchanged with exercise alone and fell significantly both with weight loss and with the combination. The corresponding effects on blood pressure were also significant. Exercising groups also showed a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption and a reduction in heart rate. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides fell significantly only after the combination, whereas high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased with exercise, decreased with weight loss and did not change with the combination. Interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness measurements remained unchanged after 12 weeks' treatment in all groups. No significant changes occurred in left ventricular internal diastolic diameter, wall thickness:radius ratio or the heart rate corrected ratio of peak early diastolic filling velocity:peak late diastolic filling velocity. Left ventricular mass and mass indexed to body surface area were not changed in any group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the effects of exercise and weight reduction on blood pressure are additive, although a positive interaction may exist with respect to lipids. Despite lowering blood pressure, exercise and weight loss had no effect on cardiac left ventricular structure or function in these overweight individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare risk factors for cardiovascular disease in pet owners and non-owners. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Accepted risk factors for cardiovascular disease were measured in 5741 participants attending a free, screening clinic at the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne. Blood pressure, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride values were compared in pet owners (n = 784) and non-owners (n = 4957). RESULTS: Pet owners had significantly lower systolic blood pressure and plasma triglycerides than non-owners. In men, pet owners had significantly lower systolic but not diastolic blood pressure than non-owners, and significantly lower plasma triglyceride levels, and plasma cholesterol levels. In women over 40 years old, systolic but not diastolic pressure was significantly lower in pet owners and plasma triglycerides also tended to be lower. There were no differences in body mass index and self-reported smoking habits were similar, but pet owners reported that they took significantly more exercise than non-owners, and ate more meat and "take-away" foods. The socioeconomic profile of the pet owners and non-owners appeared to be comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Pet owners in our clinic population had lower levels of accepted risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and this was not explicable on the basis of cigarette smoking, diet, body mass index or socioeconomic profile. The possibility that pet ownership reduces cardiovascular risk factors should therefore be investigated.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Measuring blood cholesterol outside the pathology laboratory: issues of accuracy and reliability.

Desk-top analysers that are simple to use, portable and free from technical requirements are now widely used for blood cholesterol measurement outside the traditional pathology laboratory setting. Test accuracy and reliability are essential if these portable desk-top analysers are to be of value in the assessment and management of elevated blood cholesterol. To determine their accuracy and reliability we compared the results obtained from four different desk-top analysers with those from a teaching hospital's routine laboratory method. The desk-top analysers assessed were the Ames Minilab, the Kodak DT60, the Boehringer Reflotron and the Abbott Vision. The precision of each desk-top analyser was within acceptable limits, defined as a coefficient of variation less than 5 per cent. The results from the Vision, Reflotron and DT60 related closely to those from routine laboratory method, with least squares linear regression slopes ranging from 0.92 to 1.06 and intra-class correlation coefficients from 0.95 to 0.99. The Minilab showed least agreement with the routine laboratory method and caution should be taken in the interpretation of cholesterol estimations made with this device.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗
PubMed1988

Identification in rodents and other species of an mRNA homologous to the human beta-amyloid precursor.

The isolation and sequencing of the core peptide (beta-amyloid) found in the plaques of patients with Alzheimer's disease has allowed the identification of a cDNA for the precursor protein. Using a human cDNA clone for this beta-amyloid material, we have identified an homologous mRNA (3.8 kb) in brain tissue obtained from 8 additional species. We have also determined its distribution in 7 brain regions and 12 organs obtained from rodents. A prominent, second mRNA species (2.2 kb) has been identified in rat non-neuronal tissues. The beta-amyloid gene is amply expressed in the brain of all vertebrates tested and in most rodent organs, indicating that it encodes a highly conserved and ubiquitous protein.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1987

Increased HDL-cholesterol levels with a weight lifting program.

Weight training regimens are generally thought not to improve cardiovascular function or lipid parameters. To evaluate this further, we studied 25 men before and after supervised weight training three times each week for eight weeks. Mean plasma HDL-cholesterol level increased significantly with training, from 38.8 to 44.1 plasma HDL-cholesterol level increased significantly with training, from 38.8 to 44.1 mg/dl, while calculated LDL-cholesterol decreased from 132 to 121 mg/dl. Triglyceride values were unchanged. Percent fat decreased from 14% to 12.7% (P less than .05), and muscle mass increased from 32.4 kg before training to 37 kg after training (P less than .05). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) increased significantly (from 45.2 to 49.2 ml/kg X min) during the eight-week period. LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were negatively correlated with VO2max but changes in HDL-cholesterol were not accounted for by alterations in VO2max, muscle mass, or percent fat. This study suggests that weight training can be used to increase strength, alter body composition, improve plasma lipids, and enhance cardiovascular function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Weight training and strength, cardiorespiratory functioning and body composition of men.

Forty-five men (18-35 years) trained three times a week for eight weeks to determine the effects of four constant-resistant weight training programmes on muscular strength, endurance, body composition and cardiovascular functioning. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four programmes: Endurance (2 sets of 15 repetition maximum [RM]); Explosive (1 set of 15 RM); Strength 1 (3 sets of 6 RM); Strength 2 (1 set of 10 RM twice weekly and 1 set of 3 RM once weekly). All groups showed significant increases in elbow and shoulder flexion strength with elbow extension strength improved in the Explosive, Strength 2 and Endurance groups. Shoulder extension strength improved the Endurance group and in the Strength 2 group. Maximum oxygen uptake (L/min) and (ml X kg-1 min-1) improved significantly in the Endurance and Strength 2 groups. Lean body weight increased significantly in all groups except the Strength 1 group, but there was no change in % fat for any group. Due to a high drop out rate (55%) and injury related problems, the Explosive technique is not recommended. The Endurance and Strength 2 programmes were most effective for improving physiologic functioning, as assessed in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Comparison of canine cardiovascular response to inhaled and intraperitoneally infused CO.

We compared the hemodynamic and blood gas data from anesthetized dogs given 0.15% carbon monoxide (CO) to breathe (INH group) and from dogs injected with 100% CO intraperitoneally while breathing room air (ITP group). The animals were observed for a period of 150 min after reaching a level of 50% carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO). The time required to reach this level was similar for both groups, i.e., 102 +/- 54 and 90 +/- 21 min for the ITP and INH groups, respectively. The average HbCO% for the duration of the experiment was 58.3 +/- 2.4 and 62.9 +/- 1.5% for the ITP and INH groups, respectively. All the animals survived in each group. There was no significant difference in their hemodynamic response to CO, except for a higher mean systemic blood pressure in the INH group. This difference was also present during the base-line measurements, suggesting that it was not related to the effects of CO. Following the 150-min comparison period, we attempted to precipitate a terminal cardiovascular crisis by increasing the amount of CO given. The animals in the ITP group lived indefinitely as the result of a "plateau" effect in the level of HbCO%. The measured HbCO% level did not rise above 70% regardless of the amount of CO injected into the peritoneal space. Those in the inhalation group died with an average HbCO% of 80.0 +/- 3.5%. It is concluded that the toxic effect of CO is the result of impaired O2 delivery to the peripheral tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study (ANBP2). Australian Comparative Outcome Trial of ACE inhibitor- and diuretic-based treatment of hypertension in the elderly. Management Committee on behalf of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia.

The Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study (ANBP2) is a comparative outcome trial being conducted in general practices throughout Australia of ACE inhibitor- and diuretic-based treatment in 6000 hypertensive patients aged 65-84 years. The study is using a prospective randomised open-label design with blinding of endpoint assessments. The primary objective is to determine whether there is any difference in total cardiovascular events (fatal and non-fatal) over a five year treatment period between the two treatment regimens. Eligible hypertensive patients (average sitting blood pressure at the 2nd and 3rd screening visits > 160 mm Hg systolic and/or > 90 mm Hg diastolic) may be either untreated or previously treated and should have no history of recent cardiovascular morbidity or serious intercurrent illness. Patients are randomised to one of the treatment arms with randomisation stratified for practice and for age. Following randomisation each patient's blood pressure is managed by his/her general practitioner according to guidelines relevant to each treatment arm. Over 700 patients have now been randomised with recruitment intended to be complete by the end of 1997.

Aged↗