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Biomedical subjects

J Misson

Publications and source records attributed to J Misson.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Physical activity patterns in normal, overweight and obese individuals using minute-by-minute accelerometry.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels and patterns of daily physical activity in groups of normal-weight, overweight and obese adults using uniaxial minute-by-minute accelerometry. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of physical activity levels over a 7 day period using accelerometers programmed to collect minute-by-minute data. SETTING: Participants were recruited from large companies in Bristol and Cardiff. All meetings took place on company premises. PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred and eight participants volunteered for the study. Eighty-four (36 males, 48 females; 38.6+/-9.3 y) (mean+/-s.d. ) met the inclusion criteria for accelerometer measurements and were included in analyses. RESULTS: No significant differences in physical activity were identified between normal-weight (BMI<25) and overweight (BMI 25-29.9) participants. Obese participants (BMI>30) were significantly less active than non-obese participants (BMI< or =30) during weekdays (279.1+/-77.5 vs. 391.3+/-139.4 counts min(-1); P<0.001), weekends (222.3+/-93.9 vs. 386.2+/-177.5 counts min(-1); P<0.001) and evenings (221.1+/-126.3 vs. 380.8+/-220.7 counts min(-1); P=0.002), but not at work (307.5+/-87.2 vs 398.7+/-163.3 counts min(-1); P=0.06). Differences in activity levels between obese and non-obese participants were greater in males than females. Hour-by-hour physical activity patterns demonstrated that obese participants were less active than the non-obese for almost every hour of the weekdays and the weekend. CONCLUSIONS: Although no differences in activity emerged between overweight and normal-weight individuals, obese participants were substantially less active than the non-obese, particularly when there was a free choice of activity or no activity. The difference in activity levels was particularly pronounced in males, and unless obese individuals are compensating by lower energy intake, these activity patterns will contribute to the maintenance of or increase in the degree of obesity. Minute-by-minute accelerometry is a valuable tool for the assessment of activity patterns and may be useful to highlight periods of inactivity for intervention design.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Therapeutic advances: leukotriene antagonists for the treatment of asthma.

Asthma is the most common respiratory disease encountered in clinical practice, affecting both children and adults. It is an important cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality. Recent therapeutic developments have shown that leukotrienes are the most potent and important inflammatory mediators in the pathology of both acute and chronic asthma. They cause increased bronchoconstriction, mucous secretion, and vascular permeability. Studies using compounds that block leukotrienes (receptor antagonists - montelukast and zafirlukast and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors - zileuton) have demonstrated improved asthma control in patients aged 12 years and older. In this article we assess the therapeutic importance of these new compounds.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Clopidogrel: secondary prevention of vascular ischaemic events.

Atherosclerotic disease is one of the major causes of premature death. In patients with atherosclerotic disease, antiplatelet therapy with aspirin has been shown to decrease the risk of subsequent events by about 20%. In one large randomized controlled study, clopidogrel showed a marginal benefit over aspirin in the prevention of ischaemic vascular events in high-risk patients. Clopidogrel is therefore an alternative in secondary prevention for those patients who are unable to tolerate aspirin. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library, using the keyword 'clopidogrel'. One published randomized, controlled trial was found which evaluated the effects of clopidogrel in the prevention of vascular ischaemic events.

Clopidogrel↗
PubMed1997

Therapeutic advances: donepezil for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Until recently, few drugs have been available for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The first such drug to be launched in the U.K. was the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil. The limited published data on donepezil shows only modest cognitive benefit in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The cost of diagnosis and drug treatment, the distressing nature of the disease and the limited evidence available, pose difficult decisions for the introduction of new drugs and the management of this condition.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1997

Therapeutic advances: protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

BACKGROUND: Anti-retroviral treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is undergoing great changes, brought about by a better understanding of the disease pathology. One of the most recent advances has been the introduction of the protease inhibitors, reversible inhibitors of HIV aspartic protease. Published data on the clinical efficacy of these drugs are limited, but preliminary results suggest that, in combination with one or more nucleoside analogues, they represent an important advance in the treatment of patients with advanced HIV infection. The adverse effects and potential for drug interactions, together with the additional cost associated with prescribing these drugs, mean that careful selection and supervision of these patients is imperative. AIM: To present an up-to-date review of the three most recently introduced protease inhibitors. METHODS: Based on a review of the literature, abstracts from relevant meetings and information from the pharmaceutical companies. CONTENT: A review including background data on HIV infection and the treatment options. Detailed information on ritonavir, saquinavir and indinavir. CONCLUSIONS: These new drugs are useful additions to the therapeutic current aims for the treatment of HIV infection. They need to be used under close supervision by specialists.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗