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Biomedical subjects

M O'Callaghan

Publications and source records attributed to M O'Callaghan.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Renin and angiotensin levels in children.

Plasma renin activity, plasma renin concentration, and angiotensin II levels were measured in 63 normal children aged between 2 months and 12 years. The results showed that the high levels of renin and angiotensin II present in infancy remained above adult levels throughout the first decade of life but that there was a decline with age. Boys less than 8 years old had lower plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels than girls of a similar age; this may be due to a relative substrate deficiency. Serum urea levels were inversely correlated with plasma renin activity in both sexes. A significant inverse relationship was found between both plasma renin activity and angiotensin II, and serum sodium in the girls; a similar, although not statistically significant, relationship was seen with plasma renin activity in the boys. An inverse correlation was found between plasma renin concentration and diastolic blood pressure for the group as a whole.

Aging↗
PubMed1978

A postgraduate course in community paediatrics.

Community paediatrics is assuming increasing importance but is rarely taught as an entity. We have recently organized a course in community paediatrics for general practitioners, doctors working in the area child health services and hospital paediatricians. Features of this day release course are self-instruction at home with specially prepared material, discussion between doctors from different disciplines, discussion with non-medical professionals and the undertaking and presentation of a project. The course is flexible, and once set up can be run without extensive facilities and resources.

Child Health Services↗
PubMed1978

Carbamazepine as a single drug in the treatment of epilepsy. A prospective study of serum levels and seizure control.

Serum levels and seizure control were investigated in a prospective study when carbamazepine was given as a single drug to 32 patients with a variety of seizures. The patients included 13 previously untreated patients (group 1), and 19 who were unresponsive to other anticonvulsant drugs used in different combinations or as a single treatment (group 2). Thirteen patients (10 from group 1, and three from group 2) became seizure-free, and a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency occurred in 10 patients (nine from group 2, and one from group 1). Less than 50% reduction in seizure frequency occurred in five patients from group 2. As a wide range of serum levels was associated with complete freedom from seizures, or a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, it was not possible to define a therapeutic range for carbamazepine. Side effects occurred at the start of treatment or after a dose increase. A wide range of serum levels was associated with side effects, and some patients could not tolerate levels greater than 42 mumol/l.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The effect of anticonvulsant drugs which induce liver microsomal enzymes on derived and ingested phenobarbitone levels.

A comparison was made between the levels of derived Phenobarbitone in three groups of patients who were taking Primidone as a single drug, Primidone with Phenytoin and Primidone in combination with Phenytoin and Carbamazepine. The levels of ingested Phenobarbitone when this drug was taken as a single drug were compared with the levels when Phenobarbitone was taken in combination with Phenytoin in two other groups of patients. A significant increase in derived Phenobarbitone levels occurred when Primidone was used in combination with Phenytoin alone or with Phenytoin and Carbamazepine. The highest level occurred in a group of patients taking the three drug combination. There was no significant difference between the levels of ingested Phenobarbitone when this drug was used as single therapy or in combination with Phenytoin. We suggest that the increase in derived Phenobarbitone levels relates to the effect of Phenytoin on liver enzyme systems, and that the greater increase with triple therapy was related to the combined effect of Carbamazepine and Phenytoin on microsomal enzymes. As there was no increase in ingested Phenobarbitone levels when this drug was taken in combination with Phenytoin, we were unable to confirm previous suggestions that Phenytoin either inhibits the hydroxylation of Phenobarbitone or impairs its renal excretion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The effects of toxic and non-toxic serum phenytoin levels on carbohydrate tolerance and insulin levels.

The effect of toxic and non-toxic phenytoin levels on carobhydrate tolerance and insulin levels was studied in 18 patients with epilepsy and 17 control subjects. Toxic levels were defined as a serum level greater than 20 microgram/ml. Toxic levels occurred in 11 patients and nontoxic levels in seven patients. Blood glucose and insulin levels were measured at 30-min intervals for a period of 3 h following the ingestion of 50 g glucose. Blood glucose levels were measured by the ferricyanide method, and serum insulin levels by immunoassay of insulin with insulin antibody precipitate. Serum phenytoin levels were measured by gas liquid chromatography. The insulin profiles were the same for all three groups, but there was a significant delay in reaching peak glucose concentrations in patients with toxic levels of phenytoin. It was therefore confirmed that non-toxic levels of phenytoin do not affect carbohydrate tolerance or insulin levels when phenytoin is used in the routine treatement of epilepsy, and it has also been shown that toxic levels of phenytoin do not affect carbohydrate tolerance when the high levels are detected at an early stage.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computed tomographic evaluation of comminuted middle phalangeal fractures in the horse.

Comminuted fractures of the middle phalanx have been well described in the horse. Choice of treatment, surgical planning and prognosis have traditionally been based upon evaluation of radiographs. However, the complex nature of comminuted fractures makes radiographic interpretation difficult. Computed tomography (CT) allows the production of cross-sectional images with spatial separation of structures which are superimposed on survey radiographs. This allows accurate assessment of the number and direction of fracture lines within the bone. In this paper we report the use of CT in the evaluation of 6 comminuted middle phalangeal fractures. Computed tomography is potentially useful in deciding the type of treatment, surgical planning and determining the prognosis.

Animals↗