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Biomedical subjects

D R Lines

Publications and source records attributed to D R Lines.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Sodium valproate (Epilim) in the treatment of refractory epilepsy.

Sodium valproate was given to seven children with refractory epilepsy and mental retardation. Four of the children became fit free while another was much improved. Plasma levels of sodium valproate correlated well with the dose prescribed and did not approach the theoretical top-desirable level of 200 microgram/ml despite larger than recommended doses. Side effects were minimal and it is concluded that the drug is safe and useful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Effects of changes in Mg++ ion concentration upon bacterial inhibition by beta-2-thienylalanine in defined media.

Variation in the inhibition of growth of Escherichia coli and Shigella sp. in various media containing beta-2-thienylalanine was attributed to differences in concentrations of Mg++ ions. Random blood samples 112 infants were tested for elevated phenylalanine in the phenylketonuria (PKU) screening assay. Magnesium ion levels also affected the results of this assay. At 0.05 g/1 MgSO4, the concentration present in commerical PKU test agar, four false positives were detected, while no readings could be made due to overgrowth of the Bacillus subtilis test strain when the concentration was increased to 0.1 g/1.

Alanine↗
PubMed1977

Mercury levels in residents of a geothermal area in the Central North Island.

As a result of previous high trace metal findings in the soil, cattle, vegetation and water of the Broadlands area of New Zealand a study was made of the levels of mercury, selenium, arsenic and zinc in a group of children from this region. Arsenic and zinc levels were found to be normal but significantly raised urinary spot mercury concentrations were found in some of the children when studied in December 1975 and 24 hour urinary mercury concentrations recorded six months later were also raised, but to a lesser degree. Samples of household tap water showed increased mercury concentrations (median 0.001 micromol/L). In agreement with other New Zealand studies the blood selenium concentrations were low (76.7 mu/L) and they did not vary in relation to urinary mercury levels. The children were also examined for signs of peripheral neuropathy but only minor abnormalities were found. The source of the elevated mercury is uncertain but it may come from drinking water or possibly from locally produced meat or vegetables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The nutritional status of Auckland children.

The nutritional status of children (and hence the community) was assessed in the five major races in Auckland by height, weight, and head circumference measurements. Under the age of two years Samoan children were significnatly taller and heavier than Europeans and Maori children. No significant racial differences occurred in children between ages two and 13 years. No racial variation in head circumference between races was noted at any age. More children of lower socio-economic class had weights about the 97th percentile especially in Samoan, Cook Island and Niuean children's groups, suggesting they are particularly vulnerable to obesity. Heal circumference of children of low socio-economic status was smaller than that of other children. Similarly non-breast fed children had smaller heads than breast fed children. This suggests these children may have impaired brain growth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

An Auckland high school health survey.

To assess the importance of racial and socio-economic factors on the health of teenagers attending an Auckland High School a full clinical examination was conducted. The socio-economic status of the four major racial groups, European, Maori, Pacific Island Polynesian and Asian was relatively constant and predominantly from Social Classes 4 and 5. The pattern of health in each group was not significantly different between races with the exception of a high incidence of scabies and impetigo among the Maori and Pacific Island Polynesians. These skin infections were possibly related to a significant degree of overcrowding that was found in this group where 21 to 29% of the families had five or more children under 15 years of age in the one house. Dental caries was commoner among Maori teenagers. These findings are in accord with the hypothesis that health differences between races are a reflection of socio-economic factors rather than due to any intrinsic differences in susceptibility to disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Serum zinc levels in New Zealand children.

A report is made of serum zinc levels in 518 children with an age range of nine days to 17 years. There were significant differences in normal levels between fasting and non-fasting children, Europeans and Maoris, Europeans and Polynesians, and Indians and Polynesians. Lower levels were also found in those under the age of 13 but may be due to variation in serum proteins in these children who were all anaesthetised.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Differentiation of pathogenic, gram-negative, bacterial genera in the presence of beta-2-thienylalanine.

Described in a fast screening assay for aid in the differentiation of bacterial genera. Salmonella is separated from Escherichia and Shigella, as a generic group on the basis of an inhibition assay incorporating beta-2-thienylalanine, and using a defined medium. The assay is also usable for confirmation of taxonomic differences between genera. The inhibition reaction, readable as an 'all-or-none' phenomenon, follows a dose-response relationship for cultures affected by beta-2-thienylalanine, and is unaffected by the growth phase of the culture.

Alanine↗
PubMed1975

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in an Australian aboriginal kindred.

Four Australian aboriginal children were found to have nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. They are the sons of 3 sisters who were shown to have a urinary concentrating defect uncorrected by vasopressin. An extensive genealogy did not reveal any caucasian genetic influence suggesting that a new genetic mutation was responsible.

Australia↗