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Biomedical subjects

H G Sammons

Publications and source records attributed to H G Sammons.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1984

Serum total bile acid levels in patients receiving rifampicin and isoniazid.

Serum bile acid levels in 61 patients receiving daily doses of rifampicin and isoniazid for the treatment of tuberculosis have been investigated. Bile acids were measured using 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in a continuous-flow system. Abnormally elevated levels were found in 44 patients (72%) during the period of study up to 80 days after onset of treatment. The results showed a mean of 24.9 mumol/l and a positively skewed distribution. Whilst marginally raised levels of bilirubin were seen in some samples (mean 8.2 mumol/l), these did not reflect the marked changes observed in bile acids. Patients receiving rifampicin and isoniazid may therefore have markedly elevated levels of total serum bile acids, while other tests used to assess liver function can remain normal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Factors affecting the serum iron-binding capacity in the elderly.

The relationship of the serum iron-binding capacity (IBC) to the serum proteins and other haematological parameters was studied in 96 elderly subjects. With two exceptions, IBC levels above the normal range were confined to cases of anaemia with transferrin saturation levels of less than 12%. In 13 cases the IBC was below normal, and in 9 it was normal in the presence of iron deficiency; in these groups the IBC correlated with serum albumin, and there was a clinical explanation for protein depletion. In cases with normal serum albumin and normal transferrin saturation, there was no decline in IBC with age. The best serological index of iron status was the transferrin saturation, which was less than 12% in significant iron deficiency. Malabsorption of inorganic iron was demonstrated in 11 out of 30 iron-deficient patients, 4 of whom had reduced IBC, but there was no relationship between iron absorption and the IBC.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1981

Collection of breath for hydrogen estimation.

The breath hydrogen test is used in gastroenterological investigation, particularly for sugar malabsorption, transit time, and the investigation of small-bowel bacterial overgrowth. Several methods of collecting breath from infants and children for hydrogen assay have been described. Four such techniques (postnasal catheter, nasal prong, Rahn-Otis end-tidal sampler, and modification of a party toy--the 'Wiggins's blowout') were compared with breath collection using the Haldane-Priestley tube. Multiple sampling of breath from 3 adults was performed after initial lactulose loads to increase breath hydrogen excretion. The variability between the different assay techniques was less than the inherent variability of repeated breath hydrogen assays using the same technique. Each technique is therefore adequate for breath hydrogen collection; we recommend the Rahn-Otis end-tidal sampler in young infants and children, and the Haldane-Priestley tube in older children, since these were most acceptable to the children and their parents.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Lactose malabsorption during gastroenteritis, assessed by the hydrogen breath test.

Thirty-eight infants and young children with gastroenteritis were investigated for lactose malabsorption. Each of them was given an oral lactose load of either 0.5 g/kg or 2 g/kg after which breath hydrogen excretion was measured, and each was observed to see if he had clinical symptoms of lactose intolerance. Only one patient, given 2 g/kg lactose, had clinical intolerance. His breath hydrogen excretion however was negative. Three of 18 patients given 0.5 g/kg lactose had positive breath hydrogen tests. None of these was symptomatic. Lactose intolerance in gastroenteritis was rare in our study, and the hydrogen breath test was not an appropriate technique for detecting it.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed1980

Quantitative recovery of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase isoenzymes after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Loss of activity of the isoenzymes of gamma-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase has been shown to occur during electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. After studying the possible factors concerned in this loss, reasonable recovery from the gel can be obtained only for the isoenzyme staying at the origin. Maximum recovery is 60% for origin gamma-glutamyl transferase and 92% for origin alkaline phosphatase.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1979

An interfering factor in the automated analysis of calcium.

The widespread use of stainless steel for sample probes, connectors, and sample stream splitters in autoanalyser systems can lead to significant differences in the amount of calcium available for analysis. At alkaline pH calcium can be adsorbed onto the metallic components of the sampling system, and under more acidic conditions calcium can be released. Thus an alkaline sample will have an apparently reduced calcium content, while a more acidic sample may have an apparently increased concentration of calcium. By using non-metallic components in the sampling system this source of error an be eliminated.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1979

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase isoenzymes in extrahepatic biliary obstruction.

The gamma-glutamyltransferase isoenzymes in the sera of patients with extrahepatic biliary obstruction have been studied, using electrophoretic, gel filtration, and ultracentrifugation techniques, and compared with those present in normal sera. Five isoenzymes were shown to exist in patients' sera, three of which were not demonstrated in normal sera. The observations are discussed in relation to the influence of biliary regurgitation and the possible solubilisation of membrane-bound enzymes. The results are compared with those of previous studies on alkaline phosphatase.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1979

Changes in protein-bound calcium during haemodialysis in relation to bone disease.

29 patients receiving haemodialysis treatment for chronic renal failure were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of bone disease as defined by radiology and bone alkaline phosphatase. The group of patient with bone disease showed a significantly greater increase in protein-bound calcium during dialysis compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in the changes in total calcium, albumin or hydrogen ion concentration during dialysis between each group. The data suggest that there is a relationship between the increase in protein-bound calcium during dialysis and the incidence of bone disease.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1978

A simple modification to an LKB 8600 reaction rate analyser for rapid measurement of enzymes showing lag phases in a coupled system.

An enzyme assay which utilizes a coupled enzyme system may show a lag phase. To help to overcome problems associated with the kinetic measurement of these enzymes a modification to an LKB 8600 reaction rate analyser is described. It has been applied successfully to a kinetic method for the measurement of 5'-nucleotidase activity in serum.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1978

gamma-Glutamyl transferase isoenzymes in human bile.

The gamma-glutamyl transferase isoenzymes of bile were studied using electrophoretic, gel filtration, and ultracentrifugation techniques. In view of the known association of other biliary enzymes with lipids the effects of butanol extraction were investigated. The results show the presence of four isoenzymes of gamma-glutamyl transferase in bile, differing in electrophoretic mobilities, molecular size, and density. The correlation between the properties of biliary gamma-glutamyl transferase and of alkaline phosphatase is discussed.

Bile↗
PubMed1978

A short review of techniques for the localisation of gamma-glutamyl transferase isoenzymes after electrophoresis.

The development of a sensitive method for the localisation of gamma-glutamyl transferase isoenzymes after electrophoresis on various media is described. Recommendations on final conditions are given for optimal concentrations of substrate, acceptor and buffer, and for pH of the reaction mixture. The reaction conditions are compared with other isoenzyme localisation techniques previously reported.

Electrophoresis↗
PubMed1978

Evaluation of xylose absorption as measured in blood and urine: a one-hour blood xylose screening test in malabsorption.

The assessment of D-xylose absorption by measurement of urinary excretion is subject to several sources of error. An investigation has been made into the use of the blood levels obtained after a 5-g dose as an assessment of malabsorption. We have shown that optimal discrimination between normal and impaired xylose absorption is achieved by measuring blood xylose levels 1 hr after oral administration and then correcting the results to a constant body surface area. The reference range was 0.65 to 1.33 mmoles per liter for values corrected to 1.73m2. In a prospective study of the value of this modification in investigating malabsorption, the incidence of false-negatives and false-positives was found to be 4.8 and 2.2%, respectively. The test is of particular value in the elderly because surface area corrected 1-hr blood xylose levels are independent of age, eliminating the expected and observed declines in renal function and urinary xylose excretion in this age group.

False Negative Reactions↗
PubMed1978

The ageing gut: a study of intestinal absorption in relation to nutrition in the elderly.

This study was designed to assess the functional efficiency of the ageing small intestine and the possible role of malabsorption in old people with nutritional deficiencies. Fifty subjects aged 65 to 92 years were studied, of whom 33 presented with anaemia, chronic diarrhoea or bone pains, and 17 were apparently healthy 'controls' with no relevant symptoms. Tests of intestinal function included blood xylose and iron absorption curves, a double isotope Schilling test, faecal fat, urinary indican and small bowel radiology, with duodenal aspiration and jejunal biopsy in some cases. On the basis either of steatorrhoea or at least two other abnormal parameters of absorption, there were 15 cases of malabsorption. Thirteen of these had symptoms but two were 'controls'. Four of these had duodenal diverticulosis, two had the post-gastrectomy syndrome, and one had calcific pancreatitis. Malabsorption in the remaining eight cases was not fully explained. The age range of this last group was 72--86 years; one of them had a contaminated small bowel and two showed some evidence of pancreatic insufficiency. Malabsorption emerged as a significant cause of low levels of serum iron, haemoglobin and calcium. The blood xylose test is a useful screening procedure for intestinal malabsorption in old age, but full evaluation calls for investigation of pancreatic function.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

An interpretation of the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme patterns in patients with obstructive liver disease.

Earlier studies have identified two main isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase in the sera of patients with obstructive liver disease. This paper reports on a study of these isoenzymes in specific types of liver disease where the pathology in relation to bile duct obstruction is known. The results have been used to support the theory that in biliary obstruction the increase in serum alkaline phosphatase is in part due to regurgitation of the biliary isoenzymes.

Adult↗