Biomedical subjects

John T Ely

Publications and source records attributed to John T Ely.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Aneurysm: prevention and nonsurgical repair.

The approximately 4000 'normal' mammals that synthesize ascorbic acid produce on average circa 50 mg/kg per day routinely. Although humans have the same needs as normal mammals, they do not produce ascorbic acid at all and, on average, ingest only circa 1 mg/kg per day. The normal mammals' much larger production enables them to continually renew structural proteins, including both collagen, a flexible but inelastic tissue, and elastin, the elastic connective tissue. As a result, many normal mammals maintain a 'youthful' appearance with little gross anatomical change from age of maturity (i.e, first estrus) to more than 20 times age of maturity. In stark contrast, the extremely small ascorbic acid intake of humans does not enable them to maintain a youthful flexibility and elasticity beyond possibly 6 times age of maturity (most have died before 8 times). This loss of youthful qualities in structural proteins results in susceptibility for many forms of deterioration in both appearance and properties of vascular and other structural tissues. One such deterioration is aortic aneurysm, a common cause of morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize herein that improved dietary intake of essential nutrients needed to enhance the renewal of all structural proteins can: (1). prevent this deterioration completely; and (2). cure even large aortic aneurysms without surgery.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

On reducing the need for arthroplasty: benefits for patients and budgets.

The need for arthroplasty, especially in the hip, arises primarily because of failure to replace damaged structural proteins as a result of improper balance in essential nutrients. The principal failure is an inadequate production of elastin resulting in cartilage consisting primarily of a collagen that may be flexible but is not elastic. In spite of the fact that an excess of protein, with adequate lysine, is commonly consumed by the affluent societies, this lysine is not utilized because of the inadequate intake of ascorbic acid necessary for virtually every step of the structural protein synthetic reactions. Experiments in animals support these conclusions. It is anticipated that dietary correction in candidates for total hip replacement will be able to restore normal hip cartilage (with corresponding improvements of other structural protein deficits throughout the body) in less than a year. Adoption of this regimen should result in: (1) a greatly decreased need for arthroplasties; and (2) better results in those that are performed, with less failures and less need for revisions. The benefits include much less suffering for patients and far lower medical costs.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Polyurethanes and childhood asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common chronic disease of children. Its prevalence in affluent nations has steadily and dramatically increased in recent decades. Genetic and environmental factors play a role in development of atopy and asthma. Imbalance in the immune system favoring respiratory diseases has been linked to exposure to environmental stressors (e.g, biological and chemical) very early in life. Isocyanates, used in the production of polyurethane, can elicit asthma and produce immune responses (e.g, antibodies, cytokines, etc.) typical of atopy. MATERIAL/METHODS: Numerous medical materials that directly contact human neonates are constructed of polyurethanes. A detailed survey and listing of such materials was undertaken in the neonatal unit of a large urban hospital. Representative samples of polyurethane-containing materials were tested for isocyanate residues using a semi-quantitative colorimetric method. RESULTS: Isocyanate residues were detected in wound dressings, adhesive films, oximetry sensors, etc, that directly contact neonatal skin. CONCLUSIONS: Dermal exposure to polyurethane and, thus, to isocyanates could occur early in life through contact with medical materials. In an animal model, dermal exposure to isocyanates leads to dermal sensitization and asthma. We postulate that dermal contact with polyurethane-containing medical materials may be involved in dysregulation of the neonatal immune system and could predispose infants to the development of childhood asthma.

Animals↗