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Biomedical subjects

G Woodward

Publications and source records attributed to G Woodward.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Autism and Parkinson's disease.

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, is multifaceted, having a variety of genetic and environmental factors. There is considerable evidence to support the role of toxins, particularly pesticides and herbicides, in at least some of those affected (presumably, mostly the genetically vulnerable). The pathogenesis of autism is no less complex, but little is known about the potential role of toxins for autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder. The incidence of autism appears to be rising, and early exposure to synthetic chemicals is one suspect for this rise. Impaired detoxification of certain chemicals may be common to autism and Parkinson's disease. Further study of environmental influences for either disorder may lead to important insights regarding causation for both, and perhaps for other neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders as well.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed1996

Optometrist screening for diabetic retinopathy: evidence and environment.

A recent English government-funded study has suggested that optometrists are not best suited to screening for diabetic retinopathy. This is surprising given the level of training of optometrists and their aptitude in detecting other conditions such as glaucoma and cataract. The need to screen for diabetic retinopathy is discussed. The major unresolved issue concerns the choice of screening modality, i.e. who should perform screening, when and how. A literature search is reported. Given the available evidence, to make conclusions about the relative performance of optometrists with other screeners would be inappropriate. Unresolved controversies could be addressed by new prospective studies of optometrists, and others, in screening. A pragmatic design, mirroring the current environment of care, may be important. In particular, the manner in which diabetics currently present to the health service would make screening by one modality of limited use. If thoughtfully applied, shared care concepts may achieve a broader coverage of patients with diabetics mellitus. Smaller trials investigating sub-issues, and surveys of patients and potential screeners may produce a valuable backdrop in designing appropriate studies. Issues for the development of screening schemes are considered, including the role of training, the development of protocols for care and sharing data, reimbursement and audit.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of immunocytochemical staining as a method of improving diagnostic accuracy in a routine cytopathology laboratory.

Immunocytochemical stains in a routine cytopathology laboratory can be used to distinguish between benign and malignant cells, and to identify tumour type. In our laboratory 30 problematic cases were selected for immunocytochemical stains and the results analysed in this paper. The following markers were used: cytokeratin (CAM5.2), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), kappa and lambda light chains, leucocytic common antigen (LCA), chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), prostate specific antigen (PSA), L26, UCHL1, S100-protein and vimentin. Twelve FNA (four lymph nodes, one parotid swelling, two from lungs, two from pleura and chest wall, one from lumbar region, two from soft tissue masses), and 18 effusions (12 pleural effusions, five ascitic fluids, one pericardial effusion) were investigated. We found immunocytochemical stains of value in formulating the cytological diagnosis in 11/12 of FNA and 15/18 of effusions.

Cytodiagnosis↗
PubMed1989

Long-term oral contraceptive use does not affect trabecular bone density.

To determine whether long-term exposure to exogenous estrogen in oral contraceptives influences trabecular bone mass in premenopausal women, we studied 25 closely matched, healthy, premenopausal women, who were recruited from an active obstetrics and gynecology practice. Eleven women had never used oral contraceptives, and 14 women had used oral contraceptives for a minimum of 67 months. All oral contraceptive users had used preparations that provided a minimum of 50 micrograms mestranol per day. Trabecular bone density was determined by quantitative single-energy computerized tomography of the L1-3 lumbar vertebral bodies. Trabecular bone density was similar for both the control group and the oral contraceptive users, 160.6 +/- 6.9 versus 161.2 +/- 7.4 mg/ml, respectively. The power to detect a 15% difference in bone density between these two samples was 0.87. We concluded that long-term, premenopausal oral contraceptive use has no effect on vertebral bone density.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1986

Hydroxylation and glucuronidation of various xenobiotics by hepatic microsomes from the fetal lamb, pregnant ewe and human fetus.

The ability of microsomes isolated from liver of pregnant ewes and their fetuses at near term to catalyze the biotransformation of benzo[a]pyrene, hexobarbital, meperidine, methadone and morphine was investigated. Cytochromes P-450 and b5, NADPH and NADH cytochrome c reductase, methadone and meperidine N-demethylase and morphine glucuronyltransferase activities were detected in microsomes from both maternal and fetal livers. Fetal hepatic microsomes however, lacked the ability to catalyze the hydroxylation of hexobarbital and benzo[a]pyrene.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Estimation of blood loss in second-trimester dilatation and extraction.

A method of estimating blood loss during second-trimester dilatation and extraction has been developed. This method is based on a standard curve for fetal and amniotic fluid weight at each gestational week from 13 to 21. Measurements needed to determine an estimated blood loss include only fetal foot length and total tissue and fluid (amniotic fluid and blood) weight.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1983

Intraoperative blood loss in midtrimester dilatation and extraction.

Intraoperative blood loss was evaluated in 215 patients undergoing a midtrimester dilatation and extraction procedure using a paracervical-intracervical block. Patients were assigned to four randomized drug regimens using a combination of 0.5% bupivacaine, dilute epinephrine, and methylergonovine maleate. From these four regimens, a select group of patients were given fentanyl. No significant difference in blood loss was observed in any group at less than 17 weeks' gestation. Only in gestations of 17 weeks or more was there a significant increase in blood loss, and this increase was associated specifically with the use of fentanyl in the nonrandomized selected group.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1976

Symptom response to lactose-reduced milk in lactose-intolerant adults.

The possible usefulness of low-lactose milk for those lactose-intolerant subjects who develop symptoms from milk consumption was investigated. In the first part of the study, 16 intolerant subjects (blood glucose rise less than 25 mg/100 ml) received low-lactose skim milk containing 15 g lactose (2.5 cups) and 7.5 g lactose (2.5 cups), regular skim milk containing 30 g lactose (2.5 cups), and all three milks plus a small breakfast. The low lactose milks produced significantly fewer symptoms. The food given with the milk had no significant effect on symptomatic response. The second group of 17 subjects received 25 g lactose in water (250 ml), skim milk (500 ml) and whole milk (500 ml); 10 g lactose in lactose-reduced skim (500 ml) and whole milk (500 ml) and whole milk (500 ml); and a placebo (250 ml). There was a significant positive relationship between amount of lactose consumed and symptom response. The form in which the lactose was administered (e.g., whole versus skim milk) was not significantly related to symptoms. It is concluded that in a symptomatic subjects a significantly greater quantity of low-lactose milk than regular milks can be consumed.

Adult↗