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Biomedical subjects

H N MacDonald

Publications and source records attributed to H N MacDonald.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Nova Scotia.

A study of ALS incidence in Nova Scotia for a ten year period was carried out with the cooperation of neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiatrists and major medical hospitals. Over a ten year period 161 cases occurred, an incidence of 1.95 per 100,000 population in a province with a population of 825,000. There was an increase in incidence over the ten year period, with an incidence for the first five years of study of 1.50 per 100,000, and 2.40 per 100,000 for the latter five years. The peak incidence in 1981-1982 was 2.66 per 100,000. Although this is the highest incidence in community studies of ALS (excepting the unusual circumstances in Guam), it may reflect the realistic incidence of ALS rather than an unusual focus, as ascertainment was likely greater than in many other studies. The more significant finding is the suggestion of an increasing incidence, as noted in other studies in the U.S., England and Israel.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

A prospective trial of computed tomography in the staging of ovarian malignancy.

Thirty patients, thought clinically to have ovarian tumours, were studied prospectively by pre-operative computed tomographic (CT) scans of the abdomen and pelvis. In six patients (20%) small metastases in mesentery, omentum and on subdiaphragmatic peritoneum were not detected by the scans. CT did not improve the accuracy of staging or assist the surgeons by drawing their attention to disease which they might otherwise have missed. Although CT gives an elegant demonstration of anatomy, it is not an alternative to extended laparotomy in patients with ovarian tumours.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Fetal movements in small-for-dates babies.

Subjective assessment of daily fetal movement rates is a simple clinical guide to fetal well-being. Fetal death is unlikely to occur until rate falls below 10 movements/12 hours whilst a rate of less than 21 movements/12 hours is strongly associated with a small-to-dates fetus and indicates the necessity for further assessment of placental function.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and associated haematological parameters during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and associated haematological parameters were measured throughout the normal menstrual cycle, in each trimester of pregnancy and on the third day post partum. There was no significant change during the menstrual cycle but the 2,3-DPG concentration was increased early in pregnancy, and thereafter gradually decreased. Although other metabolic changes are likely to contribute to the increase in 2,3-DPG concentration, it is concluded that 'functional anaemia', secondary to increased oxygen demand, is a more important stimulus than the decrease in haemoglobin concentration. The implications of a decreased oxygen affinity of haemoglobin, secondary to the rise in 2,3-DPG concentration, are discussed in relation to anaemia and blood transfusion in pregnancy.

Adolescent↗