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Biomedical subjects

P Robb

Publications and source records attributed to P Robb.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Multi-element survey of wild edible fungi and blackberries in the UK.

A survey of 12 metals including lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and platinum (Pt) was carried out using ICP-MS in 34 samples of wild fungi and 48 samples of wild blackberries collected from sites across the UK. On a fresh weight basis (mg/kg) levels of Pb were in the range 0.003-5.990, Cu 0.596-34.800, Cd<0.001-19.6, Hg<0.001-4.150, As 0.001-0.972 and Pt (microg/kg) 0.006-0.200, with higher concentrations found in fungi than in blackberries. The results of the survey showed that the concentrations of the metals were consistent with previous studies, where available. Concentrations in wild fungi of Pt, tin (Sn), and titanium (Ti) were significantly higher at urban sites than at rural sites. Urban blackberries had significantly higher levels of Pb, Ti, and Cd than rural ones, but lower levels of manganese (Mn). Pb, Ti and Sn concentrations were significantly higher in blackberries sampled near main roads rather than in rural areas.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2001

Role of a home care team in paediatric day-case tonsillectomy.

The feasibility of paediatric day-case tonsillectomy (PDCT) depends on its safety and acceptance by parents and patients. The purpose of our retrospective study of paediatric day-case tonsillectomy was to review the role of the home care team (HCT) in improving the safety and acceptance of the procedure. Between January 1997 and June 1999, 352 consecutive children underwent day-case tonsillectomy. The notes and HCT assessment sheets were reviewed for telephone calls made by HCT or by parents, home visit by HCT, types of complication and their outcome. The primary haemorrhage rate was 0.6 per cent. The effective day-case rate was 97 per cent. The unplanned admission rate was three per cent. The HCT visited about 25 per cent of patients at home. We conclude that paediatric day-case tonsillectomy is associated with high morbidity and considerable parental anxiety that can be dealt with by timely reassurance, support and advice by a dedicated HCT.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed2000

1997 UK Total Diet Study--dietary exposures to aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, tin and zinc.

Concentrations of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, tin and zinc were determined in samples from the 1997 UK Total Diet Study and used to estimate dietary exposures of the general UK population. Population average dietary exposures to aluminium (3.4 mg/day), arsenic (0.065 mg/day), cadmium (0.012 mg/day), chromium (0.10 mg/day), copper (1.2 mg/day), mercury (0.003 mg/day), nickel (0.13 mg/day), tin (1.8 mg/day) and zinc (8.4 mg/day) are similar to those from previous UK Total Diet Studies and are below the appropriate PTWIs, PMTDIs and TDIs. Dietary exposure of the UK population (0.026 mg/day) to lead is falling as a result of measures taken to reduce lead contamination of the environment and food and is well below the PTWI. There has been little change in UK estimates of selenium exposure since the 1994 Total Diet Study but current-estimates (0.039 mg/day) are lower than those derived from earlier Total Diet Studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Dietary exposure estimates of 30 elements from the UK Total Diet Study.

Dietary exposures of consumers to 30 elements (aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth, boron, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, germanium, gold, iridium, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, selenium, strontium, thallium, tin and zinc) estimated from the UK 1994 Total Diet Study are reported, and compared with those from previous UK Total Diet Studies and those from other countries. Dietary exposure estimates were generally low and, where comparisons are possible, similar to those from other countries and below the relevant Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes and Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intakes. For most of those elements included in previous UK Total Diet Studies, dietary exposures have declined.

Diet↗
PubMed1993

Esophageal stricture following esophageal atresia repair: endoscopic assessment and dilation.

A retrospective review from 1981 to 1986 was made of 51 neonates who were treated for congenital esophageal atresia at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia. Thirty of the 51 had primary repair and 15 (50%) developed esophageal stricture requiring one or more dilations. Stricture dilations were performed with open-tube rigid esophagoscopes, rigid telescopes, and Jackson dilators. The number of dilations performed until the patient was asymptomatic ranged from 1 to 12 (mean 4.5). The minimal follow-up time was 4 years. There was one esophageal perforation with full recovery following conservative management. One child died of septicemia caused by continued aspiration of unknown cause. A surprising finding, contrary to other reports, was the stricture formation did not appear to be related to the size of the "gap" found at the time of esophageal repair. Gastroesophageal reflux, however, was an important factor. We conclude that esophageal stricture following repair of tracheoesophageal atresia can be satisfactorily and relatively safely managed by direct vision antegrade endoscopic dilation using graduated dilators, although treatment may be prolonged and repeated. New esophagoscopes and dilators, in graduated sizes and designed for pediatric use, are recommended. The technique of esophageal dilation in infants is described in detail. Pediatric laryngobronchoesophagologists will become more involved in the care of infants born with esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula.

Dilatation↗
PubMed1992

Guar, but not psyllium, increases breath methane and serum acetate concentrations in human subjects.

Guar and psyllium are fermented by human fecal bacteria in vitro. To see if they were fermented in vivo, eight subjects were studied over 3 separate days, in random order, while eating a polysaccharide-free diet. Twenty grams guar or psyllium, taken at breakfast, had no effect on breath hydrogen levels over 14 h. Mean breath methane and serum acetate concentrations after guar, 37 +/- 1 ppm and 93 +/- 6 mumol/L, respectively, were significantly greater than after control, 20 +/- 2 ppm (P less than 0.05) and 62 +/- 4 mumol/L (P less than 0.01), and psyllium, 20 +/- 2 ppm (P less than 0.05) and 78 +/- 6 mumol/L (P less than 0.05). Serum acetate increased after guar (area under curve 193 +/- 56 mumol.h/L; P less than 0.02) but decreased after psyllium and control. We conclude that guar is fermented in the human colon, producing rises in breath methane and serum acetate but not hydrogen. Although psyllium had no effect on hydrogen, methane, or acetate, this does not prove that it is not fermented.

Acetates↗
PubMed1991

Mammalian lignan production from various foods.

Mammalian lignans such as enterolactone and enterodiol, which are produced in the colon from precursors in foods, have been suggested as playing a role in the cancer-protective effect of vegetarian diets. Despite this, very little is known regarding the amount that is produced from different food products. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the production of mammalian lignans from 68 common plant foods by using the technique of in vitro fermentation with human fecal microbiota, which simulates colonic fermentation. Results showed a wide range (21-67,541 microgram(s)/100 g sample) in the amount of lignans produced. On the average as a group, the oilseeds produced the highest amounts (20,461 +/- 12,685), followed by the dried seaweeds (900 +/- 247), whole legumes (562 +/- 211), cereal brans (486 +/- 90), legume hulls (371 +/- 52), whole grain cereals (359 +/- 81), vegetables (144 +/- 23), and fruits (84 +/- 22). The vegetables produced the second highest concentration of lignans (1,546 +/- 280) when the data were expressed on a moisture-free basis. Flaxseed flour and its defatted meal were the highest producers of lignans (mean 60,110 +/- 7,431). Lignan production with the in vitro method related well to the urinary lignan excretion observed in rats and humans. The data should be useful in the estimation of lignan production from a given diet and in the formulation of high-lignan-producing diet for the purpose of reducing the cancer risk.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed1983

Large intramedullary neurofibroma of the conus medullaris: case report.

A case of a very large intramedullary neurofibroma of the conus medullaris extending over 3 1/2 segments is reported. The tumor was successfully treated by midline myelotomy and radical excision with no exacerbation of the preoperative neurological deficit. Intramedullary neurofibroma is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of spinal neurofibromas. Myelotomy and radical excision under the operating microscope are recommended in such cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Clinical, biochemical, and radiologic reversibility of hyperprolactinemic galactorrhea-amenorrhea and abnormal sella by thyroxine in a patient with primary hypothyroidism.

A case of primary hypothyroidism associated with postpartum galactorrhea-amenorrhea is reported. The configuration of the sella was compatible with pituitary adenoma, but prolactin dynamics did not support an autonomous secretory state. Replacement therapy with thyroxine led to complete reversal of clinical, radiologic, and biochemical abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intramuscular hemangioma of the sternomastoid muscle.

Intramuscular hemangiomas of head and neck are uncommon benign tumors. They arise most frequently in the masseter muscle and may present a diagnostic problem. The clinical presentation is usually that of a slowly enlarging intramuscular mass. The recurrence rate is high following enucleation. A case of a rapidly evolving sternomastoid hemangioma is described which presented in unusual circumstances. The angiographic appearances of this tumor were diagnostic, and the lesion was subsequently resected completely together with a cuff or normal muscle.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Giant Teflon granuloma of the larynx.

Endolaryngeal injection of Teflon paste to augment and medialize the paralyzed hemilarynx aims to improve dysphonia and relieve aspiration. After an initial short-lived inflammatory reaction in the laryngeal tissues, a foreign body granuloma forms around the Teflon. In most cases the results are good but it may occasionally be necessary to consider removal of the granuloma if too large a volume has been injected, if it is inappropriately placed, or if the paralyzed vocal cord subsequently recovers. Surgical removal is difficult and the results are unpredictable. This case illustrates, for the first time, that evaluation using both a high-resolution computed tomographic (CT) scan and endoscopy with telescopes permits satisfactory assessment before removal of Teflon.

Granuloma, Foreign-Body↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of lead in wine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry: interlaboratory study.

An interlaboratory study of a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) method for the determination of lead in wine was conducted. Seventeen laboratories from France, United States, and the United Kingdom, using a variety of GFAAS instruments, took part in the study. The method incorporated a novel matrix-matching procedure to minimize matrix effects between standards and samples. Six wine test materials were prepared and sent to participants as 12 blind duplicate or split level samples. There was good agreement between results obtained from participants and target values (24-279 micrograms/L) obtained with an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method. The precision of the GFAAS method was well within the range predicted by the Horwitz equation for the 6 test materials analyzed. Repeatability standard deviations ranged from 3 to 17%. Reproducibility standard deviations were in the range of 10 to 30%. The method is recommended for use for official purposes.

Food Analysis↗