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Biomedical subjects

Nicholas D H Balazs

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholas D H Balazs.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Relationship between plasma lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein (a) phenotypes, and other coronary heart disease risk factors in a Melbourne South Asian population.

BACKGROUND: High plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] level is a strong and important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Small-sized apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoforms (F, B, S1, and S2) are inversely correlated with the high levels of Lp(a) in plasma and significantly associated with CVD. Although the effects of apo(a) phenotypes and various risk factors on Lp(a) status in South Asian population may have been studied in other countries, there are no reports involving these risk factors in Australia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Factors contributing to variation in Lp(a) were surveyed in 402 (216 males and 186 females) South Asian Melburnians. There was a negative relationship between low alcohol beer per day and Lp(a) in men (P < 0.05). Approximately 21% of the variance of Lp(a) concentration in men and 6% in women were explained by age. Age was positively associated with Lp(a) concentrations in men but negatively in women. The most commonly occurring phenotype was apo(a) S3. In this phenotype, Lp(a) concentrations ranged from non-detectable to 811 mg/l. After adjusting for age, an inverse correlation was observed between Lp(a) concentration and apo(a) phenotypes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although Lp(a) has been reported to be genetically determined, there are clearly other factors contributing to variations in Lp(a) concentrations in a South Asian population.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Carotenoids: separation methods applicable to biological samples.

Epidemiologic and clinical studies have shown that a high intake of vegetables and fruit, with consequently high intakes and circulating concentrations of carotenoids, is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. The antioxidant properties of carotenoids are thought to contribute to these effects. The analysis of carotenoids in plasma, foods and tissues has thus become of interest in studies examining the role of diet in chronic disease prevention and management. High-performance liquid chromatography with ultra-violet or photodiode array detection is most often employed in routine use. We review these and other current methods for carotenoid analysis and information on sample stability relevant to epidemiological studies. The carotenoids remain an important and intriguing subject of study, with relevance to prevention of several important "lifestyle-related" diseases. Research into their physiological functions and their use as dietary markers requires sensitive, accurate and precise measurement. Further advances in these methodological areas will contribute to basic, clinical and public health research into the significance of carotenoid compounds in disease prevention.

Carotenoids↗
PubMed2002

Point-of-care testing of blood glucose in the neonatal unit using the AVL Omni 9 analyser.

BACKGROUND: Blood glucose measurements in newborns at risk of hypoglycaemia are an essential part of their medical management. Blood glucose measurements obtained by point-of-care testing using an AVL Omni 9 blood gas and metabolite analyser were compared with those obtained in the central laboratory using a Dade Dimension RXL analyser. METHODS: Blood glucose was measured at the point of care by nursing staff using an AVL Omni 9 blood gas and metabolite analyser and compared to results obtained in the central laboratory using a DADE Dimension RXL analyser. In total, 123 samples were taken from 114 babies admitted to the neonatal unit. RESULTS: The limits of agreement between the AVL Omni 9 and the central laboratory were 0.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/L for glucose values between 0.5 and 13 mmol/L. Regression analysis showed: AVL Omni 9 glucose = 0.977 x plasma glucose+0.14. There was also a good correlation (r = 0.92) between the AVL Omni 9 and the DADE Dimension RXL analyser for glucose values < 3 mmol/L. The limits of agreement for the AVL Omni 9 when compared with the DADE Dimension RXL analyser were -0.1 +/- 0.5 mmol/L. DISCUSSION: Point-of-care testing of blood glucose using the AVL Omni 9 blood gas and metabolite analyser is a reliable means of measuring blood glucose and has the advantage of providing a fast result using small volumes of blood.

Biosensing Techniques↗