PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M E Edwards

Publications and source records attributed to M E Edwards.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Improvement in the health-related quality-of-life symptoms of hyperparathyroidism is durable on long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Subjective symptoms such as decreased energy, chronic fatigue, and depression are associated with hyperparathyroidism. Studies have shown that these symptoms are improved during short-term follow-up after parathyroidectomy. This study evaluates the durability of this subjective improvement in quality-of-life symptoms in a large population of patients with follow-up greater than 1 year after operation. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2005, 258 patients underwent parathyroidectomy, 100 (81 females and 19 males) of whom were available for this study. The patients were evaluated with a survey based on the Health Outcomes Institute Health Status Questionnaire. Some answers were quantified on a 1 to 6 scale, while others consisted of "yes" or "no" responses. Patients completed a questionnaire prior to parathyroidectomy and postoperatively at 1 month, 3 to 6 months, and 1 to 2 years or greater intervals. Statistical analysis was used to detect changes attributable to parathyroidectomy. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: At 1-month follow-up, patients' perceptions of their overall health, energy level, and mood significantly improved. At 6-month follow-up, significant improvements in muscle strength, health, endurance, and relief of anxiety were documented. At the interval of 1 to 2 years, overall health, energy level, endurance, and relief of anxiety were improved. There was no significant decrement in the quality of life in these patients after parathyroidectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism is associated with significant lasting improvement in subjective symptoms. The potential durable improvement in these quality-of-life symptoms is a valid indication for parathyroidectomy.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

Oral lavage with polyethylene glycol reduces microbial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers.

Oral lavage of 7-wk-old broiler chickens with polyethylene glycol (PEG) was conducted to induce rapid evacuation of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) before processing. Three groups of birds were fed ad libitum (FF), subjected to feed withdrawal 12 h before processing (FW), or received 115 mL of PEG by oral lavage 3 h before processing (PEG(L)). The crop, a section of small intestine, and the right cecum were aseptically collected for determination of contents and Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) counts. The PEG(L) effectively cleansed the upper GIT and intestine of treated birds within 3 h before processing. However, the ceca were not completely empty for all the birds subjected to PEG(L). The PEG(L) group had a significantly lower crop and cecal GNB concentrations than the FW group. Birds on FW and PEG(L) treatments had significantly lower GNB concentrations in the small intestine than FF birds. Polyethylene glycol resulted in complete evacuation of the upper GIT, as well as the intestine, within 3 h of use, and significantly reduced GNB concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Use of a mathematical model to estimate stress and strain during elevated pressure induced lamina cribrosa deformation.

BACKGROUND: High intraocular pressure (IOP), which is generally associated with glaucoma, causes lamina cribrosa retrodisplacement and deformation. Shear stress and strain resulting from lamina cribrosa deformation have been implicated in tissue remodeling, changes in retinal astrocyte function and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death observed in vivo during glaucoma. METHODS: A mathematical model was developed to describe the lamina cribrosa exposed to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The model is based on the bending theory of plates, incorporates anatomical properties of the lamina cribrosa, and provides estimates of its biomechanical properties. The model relates IOP, the parameter normally correlated with glaucoma, and lamina cribrosa retrodisplacement to stress and strain experienced by cells, parameters that may be more closely associated with cell injury. RESULTS: We estimate that shear strains of 0.05 occur at the edge of a 200 microm thick lamina cribrosa at an IOP of 25 mm Hg. We estimate greater lamina cribrosa deformation and higher shear stress and strain for thinner lamina cribrosa and lamina cribrosa of larger radii. CONCLUSION: These results may provide better estimates of the stress and strain experienced by cells in the lamina cribrosa and may further our understanding of the forces that contribute to optic nerve degeneration during glaucoma.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1999

Molecular characterisation of a membrane-bound galactosyltransferase of plant cell wall matrix polysaccharide biosynthesis.

Galactomannan biosynthesis in vitro is catalysed by membrane preparations from developing fenugreek seed endosperms. Two enzymes interact: a GDP-mannose dependent (1-->4)-beta-D-mannan synthase and a UDP-galactose dependent (1-->6)-alpha-D-galactosyltransferase. The statistical distribution of galactosyl substituents along the mannan backbone, and the degree of galactose substitution of the primary product of galactomannan biosynthesis appear to be regulated by the specificity of the galactosyltransferase. We now report the detergent solubilisation of the fenugreek galactosyltransferase with retention of activity, the identification on gels of a putative 51 kDa galactosyltransferase protein, and the isolation, cloning and sequencing of the corresponding cDNA. The solubilised galactosyltransferase has an absolute requirement for added acceptor substrates. Beta-(1-->4)-linked D-manno-oligosaccharides with chain lengths greater than or equal to 5 acted as acceptors, as did galactomannans of low to medium galactose-substitution. The putative galactosyltransferase cDNA encodes a 51282 Da protein, with a single transmembrane alpha helix near the N terminus. We have also confirmed the identity of the galactosyltransferase by inserting the cDNA in frame into the genome of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris under the control of an AOX promoter and the yeast alpha secretion factor and observing the secretion of galactomannan alpha-galactosyltransferase activity. Particularly high activities were observed when a truncated sequence, lacking the membrane-spanning helix, was expressed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

A small-angle neutron scattering study of gamma-crystallins near their isoelectric point.

In this paper, a small-angle neutron scattering study of gammaII-crystallins near their isoelectric point is presented. The experiments were carried out using protein concentrations of 5.7-85.7 mg/ml at temperatures in the range 11 -60 degrees C. The experimental data were analyzed using an ellipsoidal model for intraparticle correlations and the mean spherical approximation for interparticle correlations. Our studies revealed that gammaII-crystallins have a thick hydration layer, which is possibly due to the special arrangement of polar and ionic groups on their surface. The temperature scan shows that, as a result of relatively strong attractive forces, clusters of two, three, or higher oligomers are present below 20 degrees C. Our results suggest that protein clusters, with a distinctive hydration layer, form a protein-rich phase that separates from a protein-lean phase as the temperature is decreased below some threshold value.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Psychophysiological factors in ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Plasma catecholamine levels were measured preceding programmed electrophysiological studies of patients who had survived a ventricular tachyarrhythmia episode. Psychological assessments of desire for control, locus of control and behavior pattern were obtained. Psychophysiological variables were analysed with respect to the severity of arrhythmias induced by the electrophysiological procedure. Analysis of data from 17 subjects showed desire for control was significantly higher in those with induced sustained arrhythmias than in those in which nonsustained arrhythmias were induced. No relationship was found between behavior pattern and arrhythmia severity or plasma catecholamine levels. There was a significant interaction between desire for control and behavior pattern with respect to epinephrine level. The findings indicate that psychological factors such as desire for control may be associated with potentially lethal arrhythmias and implicated in sudden cardiac death.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Offset electrocardiographic electrode simulating a pulmonary nodule on radiographs.

A recently developed type of electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring electrode may simulate a pulmonary nodule on chest radiographs. The artifact results from the offset design of the electrode, which contrasts with the configuration of conventional electrodes. Awareness of this potential artifact is important to prevent misdiagnosis.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMed1988

Social isolation and mortality in ischemic heart disease. A 10-year follow-up study of 150 middle-aged men.

The effects of psychosocial and clinical factors on mortality in ischemic heart disease (IHD) were examined in a 10-year follow-up of 150 middle-aged men. Three groups of men were included: men with clinically manifest IHD, men with risk factors and healthy men. Psychosocial factors were assessed by means of standardized questionnaires. They comprised educational level, social class, marital status and a comprehensive assessment of the daily rounds of life of these men. Furthermore, a subjective rating of the own general health status was obtained. The clinical investigation included a standard physical examination, fasting serum lipids, glucose and urate, a frontal and sagittal chest X-ray and a 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring. During follow-up 37 men died, 20 of them from IHD. Non-survivors were discriminated from survivors by the following factors: older age, lower education, lower social class, higher systolic blood pressure, increased ventricular irritability and cardiac enlargement. Furthermore, a relative social isolation as indicated by a low social activity level and a poor self-rated general health status was characteristic of non-survivors. In multivariate analyses three factors emerged as the equally strong predictors of mortality, both from all causes and from IHD: social isolation, a poor self-rated health status and ventricular irritability. The psychosocial mortality predictors were independent of and of similar strength as the clinical predictors.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1987

The release of insoluble antibiotics from collagen ocular inserts in vitro and their insertion into the conjunctival sac of cattle.

The release rate of procaine penicillin, erythromycin and erythromycin estolate from soluble and insoluble collagen films was investigated in vitro to develop an ocular insert for the treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis. The release rate and duration of release varied according to the selection of antibiotic and vehicle. The combination of erythromycin estolate and soluble collagen produced the most sustained drug-delivery system. However, due to the inappropriate physical properties of collagen and poor retention of ocular inserts, it was considered that the development of an antibiotic-impregnated collagen ocular insert requires further investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

A national survey of the occurrence of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.

A national mail survey of 4880 beef and dairy producers was undertaken to record details of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis. One thousand four hundred and fifty eight (29.8%) questionnaires were returned. The survey confirmed the widespread nature of the disease with higher prevalence in the summer months, in calves and dairy cattle, and in Bos taurus breeds. The constant prevalence contrasts with the disease in New Zealand where it is increasing.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

A national survey of the clinical features, treatment and importance of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.

A postal survey of cattle producers throughout Australia was conducted to obtain information concerning the occurrence, signs and treatment of infectious bovine keratocojunctivitis, animals breeds, animal numbers and types, environmental conditions under which the animals were kept and management routines and systems of the animals (Slatter et al 1982). The most common clinical signs reported were ocular discharge (43.9%), corneal opacity (9.9%), or both (46.1%). The majority of respondents (54.8%) indicated duration of infections of at least 3 weeks. The condition was predominantly unilateral (74.7%) but 22.3% of respondents reported an equal occurrence of the condition unilaterally and bilaterally. The most frequently used drugs were homidium bromide (26.7%), oxytetracycline hydrochloride (22.8%), chloramphenicol derivatives (13.7%) and penicillin derivatives (13.5%). However, described treatment regimes indicated that therapeutic levels of antibiotics would not be maintained in the eyes of treated animals. Producers considered that 75% of affected animals showed reduced rates of weight gain, and 64% indicated they were more difficult to handle. An approximate figure of +22,000,000 was determined for loss of national production due to the disease, based on producers' estimates. In addition, a further cost of +1,566,500 was estimated for the labour involved in current treatment regimes. Beef and dairy producers spent different amounts on medications and treated for different durations. The economic significance of the disease justifies further studies on production losses due to the disease and cost effective methods of treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Relation between arrhythmic sensations, cardiac arrhythmias and psychological profile.

The relation between arrhythmic sensations and objective findings of ectopic arrhythmic activity was studied in 150 middle-aged men. Objective arrhythmias were studied by 24-hour Holter monitoring and subjective symptoms assessed by a questionnaire and a dairy protocol during the ECG recording. Psychological characteristics were described by means of a personality inventory, the Emotions Profile Index. No direct relationship was found between subjective symptoms and objective findings of cardiac arrhythmias. Those men, however, who complained of arrhythmic sensations but had no clinically important arrhythmias exhibited a few specific characteristics. They had no signs of organic heart disease and appeared less trustful and more aggressive than those with arrhythmias.

Adult↗