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Biomedical subjects

E J Coombes

Publications and source records attributed to E J Coombes.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Free beta human choriogonadotropin in Down's syndrome screening: a multicentre study of its role compared with other biochemical markers.

To ascertain the value of maternal serum free beta-human choriogonadotropin subunit measurement in Down's syndrome screening and to compare its effectiveness when screening with a variety of biochemical markers, we have evaluated maternal serum free beta-human choriogonadotropin, total human choriogonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein and unconjugated oestriol in a large multicentre study of over 2800 unaffected cases and 90 affected cases, the largest collection of Down's cases ever reported. Of all the markers identified to date, free beta-human choriogonadotropin is the marker of choice for use in Down's syndrome screening. When used in early gestation (14-16 weeks) in combination with alpha-fetoprotein and maternal age, it will allow the detection of 77% of Down's cases. A side-by-side comparison with the performance of total human choriogonadotropin shows the superior detection efficiency of free beta-human choriogonadotropin. Unconjugated oestriol adds nothing further to the detection rate compared with the use of alpha-fetoprotein and free beta-human choriogonadotropin alone, and its use results in a 1% increase in false positive rate. We conclude that unconjugated oestriol has no value in Down's screening. The superior detection rate obtained using free beta-human choriogonadotropin is a result of superior detection of Down's cases in women under 30 years old, where the free beta-human choriogonadotropin combination detects 100% more cases than does the total human choriogonadotropin combination.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1979

Urine proteins after burn injury.

Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis was used to examine the proteins present in urine during the first week following burn injury. Of the "serum" proteins present in the urine some glycoproteins were found to be in different relative proportions from those observed in serum. In patients sustaining severe burns the amount of protein excreted was increased compared to patients with mild burns and to controls. alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin detected in the urine of patients with severe burns was at times seen as a twin peak. This altered peak was of slower electrophoretic mobility and may represent a polymer of the protein or a complex of the protein with some other, possibly tissue-derived, protein.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1978

Observations on serum and urine alkaline ribonuclease activity and urate after burn injury in man.

In an investigation into the disturbances of body function associated with burn injury we have measured the activity of alkaline ribonuclease (EC 3.1.4.22) and the level of urate in the serum and urine of patients sustaining burn injury. Ribonuclease activity was elevated in all patients. The degree of elevation can be related to the percentage of the body surface area burned and to a predictive index of burn mortality. Increased serum ribonuclease activity was accompanied by increased urine ribonuclease output. The relationship between serum urea and ribonuclease activity has been investigated. A significant correlation between these two parameters was observed during the first week post burn. We suggest that this correlation shows as a result of increased protein catabolism and renal dysfunction. After the first week a significant correlation between serum urea and ribonuclease activity was not observed. It is possible that, at this stage, increased ribonuclease activity is perhaps a result of tissue repair. Serum urate was found to be decreased in all patients after burn injury. Serum urate decrease expressed as a percentage of initial value, correlated very strongly with the predictive index of burn mortality. In severely burned patients the decrease in serum urate was accompanied by increased urine urate output and may indicate a change in renal handling of urate after burn injury.

Burns↗
PubMed1975

Mortality study of workers in a polyvinyl-chloride production plant.

Age-standardised mortality-rates for a population of 2100 male workers exposed to vinyl chloride for periods of up to 27 years do not show any excess of total or cause-specific mortality. 1 case of angiosarcoma of the liver was identified just outside the study period. There was no suggestion of an increased frequency of deaths from the more common malignant diseases.

Adult↗