Biomedical subjects

N Silvis

Publications and source records attributed to N Silvis.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Diagnostic accuracy and image quality using a digital camera for teledermatology.

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of digital photography for dermatologic diagnoses and compare it with in-person diagnoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients referred for specialty consultations (n = 308) were recruited from a university dermatology clinic. Patients were examined in-person by one of three board-certified dermatologists who provided clinical diagnoses. Digital photos were obtained on all patients and were evaluated as computer images by a panel of dermatologists. RESULTS: There was 83% concordance between in-person versus digital photo diagnoses. Intradermatologist concordance averaged 84%, and interdermatologist concordance averaged 81%. Decision confidence was rated as "very definite" to "definite" 62% of the time. Concordance with biopsy results was achieved in 76% of the cases. Image sharpness and color quality were rated "good" to "excellent" 83% and 93% of the time, respectively. CONCLUSION: Digital photography for store-and-forward teledermatology produces high-quality images and diagnostic concordance rates that compare favorably with in-person clinical diagnoses.

Arizona↗

PubMed1994

Both fish oil and olive oil lowered plasma fibrinogen in women with high baseline fibrinogen levels.

This double-blind, cross-over study with olive oil as placebo, examined the effect of a daily dosage of 6 g fish oil on cardiovascular risk markers of 20 healthy young volunteers (10 men, 10 women). Serum lipids and lipoproteins, and plasma coagulation and fibrinolytic enzymes, including fibrinogen concentrations and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were measured at baseline and after 6-week supplementation of either fish or olive oil. The results showed that fish oil had an independent lowering effect on triglycerides and coagulation factors Vc and VIIc. Both fish and olive oil significantly raised PAI-1 levels and lowered plasma factor Xc and fibrinogen levels in the women, who had higher initial levels than the men. Mean fibrinogen levels of the women were lowered from 3.23 +/- 0.98 to 2.64 +/- 0.55 g/l and from 3.19 +/- 0.72 to 2.66 +/- 0.49 g/l by fish and olive oil respectively. This study raises the question whether a particular fatty acid or group of fatty acids, or another constituent of the oil such as vitamin E may be responsible for the fibrinogen lowering effect.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1992

Nutritional recommendations for individuals with diabetes mellitus.

The diabetic diet is fundamentally a healthy diet, high in complex carbohydrates, high in dietary fibre, low in fat. A nutritionally adequate, mixed diet is satisfactory for most people with diabetes and special foods or food supplements are not required. The dietary recommendations directed towards the diabetic population are essentially similar to those recommended by most authorities for the population as a whole. Education of diabetic patients and their families and also individualised diet and meal planning are essential components in the management of diabetes mellitus. Weight loss and subsequent maintenance of a desirable body weight should be achieved when necessary. The amount of carbohydrate should be liberalised, including a wide variety of fibre-rich complex carbohydrates. In some individuals modest amounts of sucrose taken at meal times are acceptable. Foods with lower glycaemic indices should be offered on trial to people with diabetes. Total fat intake, especially saturated fat, should be restricted. More research is needed before recommendations regarding eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation can be made. Protein intake should be restricted to the Recommended Daily Allowance except in groups at risk of negative nitrogen balance. A restriction in salt intake is advised. Alcoholic beverages and nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners may be used, but in moderate amounts.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

PubMed1992

Egg intake does not change plasma lipoprotein and coagulation profiles.

The effect of the intake of 3-14 eggs/wk on biochemical risk markers of coronary heart disease (CHD) was examined in 70 young men who followed a high-fat diet. The study consisted of a run-in phase during which all subjects ate 3 eggs/wk for 2 mo and an experimental phase during which a reference group continued eating 3 eggs/wk and two experimental groups ate either 7 or 14 eggs/wk for 5 mo. The mean coefficients of variation in total plasma cholesterol (5.4-7.4%) were similar in all three groups and were larger than the mean changes of 0.2-5.6% in plasma cholesterol from baseline to end in the experimental groups. Except for increased lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activities and total serum protein concentrations, no significant differences in lipoproteins or coagulation factors occurred between groups. It seems that egg intake in this range did not influence CHD risk markers in these subjects. Recommendations to lower risk should probably concentrate on a reduction in fat and not cholesterol intake.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Influence of a habitual high egg intake on serum lipid levels in a rural coloured population.

The effect of a habitual high cholesterol intake on serum cholesterol and other lipid levels against the background of a moderate fat intake was investigated in 30 rural coloured volunteers (16 men, 14 women) working on an egg farm. Protein contributed approximately 11%, fat 31%, carbohydrate 58% (sucrose 21%) of energy intake. Daily cholesterol intake averaged 575 mg. In men, although not in women, cholesterol intake correlated negatively with serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, indicating that a high consumption of eggs in the study population did not prejudice lipid homeostasis. The population exhibited a high profile of coronary heart disease risk factors.

Cholesterol↗

PubMed1987

Serum cholesterol, lipoproteins, and plasma coagulation factors in South Africa blacks on a high-egg but low-fat intake.

Twenty-five rural South African black males who worked on an egg farm an average of 4.1 yr had a mean habitual cholesterol intake of 1240 mg/d with fat supplying only 20% of total energy. Although total serum cholesterol was slightly although significantly higher and serum triglycerides significantly lower than those for a control group, no disturbance was evoked in the distribution of cholesterol between HDL, LDL, and VLDL fractions. Coagulation factors were within the normal range, but the high egg consumer group had significantly higher plasma fibrinogen and factor IX levels with a shorter mean prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time, possibly indicative of a slight hypercoagulable state. Apparently rural blacks can handle a very high cholesterol intake without meaningful disturbance in serum lipid homeostasis.

Black People↗

PubMed1983

Nutritional status of thoracic surgical patients. A prospective evaluation.

The nutritional status of 102 thoracic surgical patients was studied prospectively. Fifty patients showed combined or single abnormalities of the parameters studied. Seventy per cent of the patients with empyema were found to have abnormal nutritional values. Thirteen of 20 patients with oesophageal obstruction (malignant or benign) were also found to be malnourished or to have pathological nutritional parameter values. The diagnosis and correction of malnourishment in patients who are to undergo surgical procedures should be undertaken early.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Differences in plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 activity between blacks and whites may be diet related.

Two matched groups of healthy non-smoking male volunteers between 18 and 23 years old and with a body mass index of 19-24 kg/m2 were selected from urban whites (n = 15) and from rural Vendas (blacks; n = 17). Fasting venous blood samples were collected between 07.00 and 10.00 h, and a validated food frequency questionnaire was administered. The results showed highly significant differences in dietary patterns. Significant differences were observed with regard to serum cholesterol (p < 0.02), percentage high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.02), calculated insulin sensitivity index (p < 0.04), and plasma fibrinogen levels (p < 0.03). Tissue plasminogen activator antigen did not differ significantly. The plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 activity was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the Vendas than in the whites. It is concluded that diet may be an important determinant of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 activity.

Adolescent↗