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Biomedical subjects

M A Ford

Publications and source records attributed to M A Ford.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Predicting survival after stroke: a three-year follow-up.

We examined characteristics associated with a high risk of mortality within 3 years after a stroke. Analyses are based on data from a population-based register of stroke events that occurred in Auckland (total population 829,545), New Zealand during a 1-year period in 1981-1982 and a 3-year follow-up study of all survivors (97% complete). Statistical techniques that allow for the simultaneous evaluation of multiple factors indicated that retention of consciousness, decreasing age, and place of residence at the onset of the stroke were the strongest predictors of survival over 3 years. The survival rate for those living at home at the onset of the stroke who did not lose consciousness was 58% compared with 5% for people in institutional care who lost consciousness. Marital status, history of stroke, and ethnic group also predicted survival. Most of the important prognostic factors we identified in our study cannot be modified, testifying to the importance of the prevention of stroke in the first place.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Underestimation of relative weight by use of self-reported height and weight.

Self-reported and measured height and weight were obtained from a representative sample of 1,598 persons in Auckland, New Zealand during 1982. The accuracy of the self-reported data and its effect on the misclassification of relative weight, as measured by Quetelet index, were examined. The finding that for most participants (75%), self-reported measures were no more than 3.5 cm from their measured height and 2.4 kg from their measured weight indicates that self-reports have a high degree of accuracy. However, the participants consistently overestimated their height and underestimated their weight, resulting in an underestimation of relative weight. This would have little effect on analyses using the self-reported relative weight measures as a continuous covariate, but misclassification would occur when using relative weight as a categorical variable. The sensitivities and specificities associated with categorized self-reported relative risks that have been calculated from relative weight derived from self-reported height and weight.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The carbohydrate maintenance properties of an experimental sports drink.

The effects of an experimental sports drink (Q) were compared with a commercial sports drink (D) of proven ergogenic efficacy. Seven highly trained subjects performed two hours of cycle ergometry exercise at approximately 65% maximal aerobic power (VO2 max) while receiving levels of Q and D in quantities designed to supply approximately 28% of the total energy requirement of the exercise task. Both Q and D formulations were supplied at 15 minute intervals at 16 degrees C, in volumes required to provide equivalent carbohydrate loads from two products of differing concentrations and compositions. Q was equally as effective as D in terms of the maintenance of plasma glucose concentrations during exercise, while selected physiological indices of work performance favoured Q. However, the time course of plasma glucose concentration changes during and after exercise indicated a trend towards more rapid uptake and assimilation of carbohydrate in the case of Q. The findings suggest that Q may provide a more readily available carbohydrate source during exercise and may enhance work performance through its ergogenic properties.

Beverages↗
PubMed1983

The hydration and electrolyte maintenance properties of an experimental sports drink.

Seven highly trained subjects underwent exercise dehydration without fluid replacement (X), resulting in approximately 1.9% and approximately 3.5% body weight (fluid) losses at one and two hours, respectively. Subsequently, subjects underwent two identical exercise trials with isovolumetric fluid replacement of water (W) and an experimental formulation (Q). An anti-dehydration schedule was initiated prior to, and continued throughout the exercise, with W and Q supplied every 15 minutes at 16 degrees C in volumes related to each subject's fluid loss estimate derived from trial X. A rehydration schedule was maintained for two hours of recovery, with total fluid replacement equivalent to the body weight decrement due to fluid losses. In both W and Q trials, selected physiological indices of work performance were maintained closer to homeostatic levels during exercise, with a more rapid return to pre-exercise resting levels during recovery than during that trial X. Furthermore, W and Q were equally effective in preventing plasma volume changes during exercise and restoration to pre-exercise levels during recovery, as well as in preventing plasma osmolality disturbances during exercise and recovery, although minimal plasma electrolyte changes were associated with Q.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Epidemiology of infection by nontuberculous mycobacteria. IV. Preferential aerosolization of Mycobacterium intracellulare from natural waters.

We report here the first laboratory studies simulating the conditions for natural aerosolization of Mycobacterium intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum and estimate the yields for this pathway of transfer of pathogenic mycobacteria from water to air; M. intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum were both concentrated in droplets ejected from cell suspensions of densities comparable to those found in natural freshwaters (100 to 2,000 colony-forming units per ml). The enrichment factor (defined as the concentration of cells per droplet volume divided by the concentration of cells in the bulk suspension per equivalent volume) for M. intracellulare isolates ranged from 68 to 15,000, with an average of 2,922; for M. scrofulaceum it ranged from 35 to 550, with an average of 177. One factor responsible for the greater aerosolization of M. intracellulare was their aggregation. However, after vortexing, M. intracellulare were still aerosolized more (enrichment factor, 325) than M. scrofulaceum. Increasing salt concentrations enriched the aerosolization of both species, but the number of organisms transferred from water to air did not increase proportionately because the salt decreased the droplet volume. Other waterborne pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila were also enriched and transferred from water to air, indicating that this pathway for possible infection of humans may also be significant for other respiratory diseases.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1980

The effect on plasma lipids of the isoenergetic replacement of table sucrose by dried glucose syrup (maize-syrup solids) in the normal diet of adult men over a period of 1 year.

1. Eighteen males (31-62 years) who habitually consumed significant amounts of table sucrose (approximately 25% of total carbohydrate intake) were supplied with their usual intake of sucrose for consumption in conjunction with their normal diet for 1 year, and a record kept of the amount consumed. The sucrose was then replaced isoenergetically by dried glucose syrup (55 D.E.) which contained saccharin to equate the sweetness to that of sucrose. 2. Fasting blood samples were taken every 4 weeks during the 2 years, and the plasma analysed for glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipid-P by automated colorimetric methods. Dietary questionnaires were issued every 3 months to confirm the subjects were not substantially altering their diets. 3. In subjects whose weight remained unchanged and in those who lost weight there was a significant fall in cholesterol (P less than 0.025) and phospholipid.P (P less than 0.025) in the glucose-syrup period compared with the sucrose period; triglycerides did not change. In subjects who gained weight there was a significant increase in triglycerides (P less than 0.05), but no change in cholesterol; phospholipid-P fell significantly (P less than 0.0005). 4. The dietary modification in this experiment was sufficiently long to ensure that subjects had adapted, and the results obtained show stable changes in blood lipids which may be attributed to the isoenergetic replacement of table sucrose by glucose syrup.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Dandy-Walker syndrome.

The problem of a patient with hydrocephalus, a posterior fossa 'cyst' and a cerebellar malformation is rather rare. Four cases of the syndrome are presented. The clinical manifestations, pathology, radiological investigations and management of the condition are briefly discussed.

Child↗