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Biomedical subjects

T Fay

Publications and source records attributed to T Fay.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Managing STIs identified after testing outside genitourinary medicine departments: one model of care.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a local strategy for managing cases of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) which have been identified in the departments of obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G). METHODS: Weekly notification from the local microbiology laboratory to genitourinary medicine (GUM) departments of all positive CT and GC results generated by tests performed in the two local O&G departments. Direct contact made by GUM departments to index patients identified and "fast track" appointments made. Data recorded for future audit include numbers attending, details of health adviser input, and success of contact tracing. RESULTS: Over 18 months, 294 women were identified and 231 (78%) attended GUM departments; 142 (48%) had received antibiotics before attending GUM departments and of these, 58 (41%) had risked reinfection by an untreated partner and 48 (20%) were found on screening to have a previously undiagnosed genital infection. Over 90% were interviewed by a health adviser. Appropriate follow up was achieved in 87% of index cases. Of the contacts, 194 were treated--150 in the local GUM department. Of these 150 men, 99 (66%) had an identifiable genital infection and 84% of those with CT/non-gonococcal urethritis were asymptomatic. There have been no complaints either formal or informal, by women managed by this system. CONCLUSIONS: GUM clinics are the ideal setting to achieve successful treatment of patients with sexually acquired infections, which must include notification and treatment of their partners if reinfection is to be avoided. For patients with infections diagnosed on other settings, such as O&G, a system of direct notification of results to GUM departments by an agreed protocol can be highly successful. For such a system to work, close cooperation and trust between departments is essential.

Adolescent↗

Is macrosomia associated with poor glycaemic control in diabetic pregnancy?

The study aimed to determine the influence of glucose control during pregnancy on the incidence of macrosomia in the infants of mothers with insulin-dependent diabetes. The prevalence of macrosomia was determined in pregnancies of all such women attending the City Hospital Nottingham, between July 1987 and July 1993, where it is policy for diabetic patients to aim during pregnancy for preprandial capillary glucose levels of less than 6.0 mmol I-1, and postprandial glucose levels of less than 8.0 mmol I-1. Macrosomia was defined as a birthweight greater than 90th centile using a computer model which takes into account all the major determinants of birthweight. Twelve of 29 infants were macrosomic, which is greater than expected (p < 0.01). During pregnancy there was no difference in mean seven point glucose profiles between those mothers with normal weight babies and those with macrosomia, but fructosamine levels at booking were significantly higher in the latter 2.5 (1.9-2.9) vs 2.2 (1.2-3.0); p < 0.05. These data confirm other studies and suggest that the incidence of macrosomia may be reduced by tighter control of diabetes at conception and in the first trimester, but to a lesser extent during later pregnancy.

Blood Glucose↗

Behavioral effects and pharmacokinetics of propofol in rats selected for differential ethanol sensitivity.

High- and low-alcohol sensitivity (HAS and LAS) rats have been selected for their differences in ethanol-induced sleep time. The rats also differ in sensitivity to pentobarbital, halothane, isoflurane, and enflurane. To determine if this sensitivity extended to propofol, the anesthetic requirements were measured. In this study, the sleep time and the tissue levels of propofol at awakening, as well as the pharmacokinetics, were evaluated. Propofol was administered intravenously. For one group of rats, sleep times were measured; blood and brain samples were taken at awakening. Blood samples were collected in another group of rats at frequent intervals from 0 to 90 min after injection. Propofol concentration of the samples was determined by gas chromatography. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a nonlinear least-squares regression program. Sleep time was not different; however, blood and brain propofol levels at awakening showed a small, but significant difference between HAS and LAS rats. Propofol blood concentration-time curve data were fitted to a three-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic parameters were also not different between the rat lines. However, sleep time was 50% longer in female rats than male rats in both strains (p < 0.0001). The rates of propofol clearance were slower in female rats, because of different rates of disappearance from the second compartment. The observations suggest that the genetic selection for ethanol sensitivity selection for propofol sensitivity was not nearly as intense and presumably involves some different genes. These two central nervous system depressants would seem to differ significantly in their mechanism of action.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcoholism↗

Prevalence screening for ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women by CA 125 measurement and ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of the sequential combination of serum CA 125 measurement and ultrasonography in screening for ovarian cancer. DESIGN: The serum CA 125 concentration of each subject was determined and those with a concentration > or = 30 U/ml were recalled for abdominal ultrasonography. If ultrasonography gave abnormal results surgical investigation was arranged. Volunteers were followed up by annual postal questionnaire. SETTING: General practice, occupational health departments, ovarian cancer screening clinic. SUBJECTS: 22,000 women volunteers who were postmenopausal and aged over 45 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Apparent sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, years of cancer detected. RESULTS: 41 women had a positive screening result and were investigated surgically. 11 had ovarian cancer (true positive result) and 30 had other disorders or no abnormality (false positive result). Of the 21,959 volunteers with a negative screening result, eight subsequently presented clinically with ovarian cancer (false negative result) and 21,951 had not developed ovarian cancer during follow up (apparent true negative result). The screening protocol achieved a specificity of 99.9%, a positive predictive value of 26.8%, and an apparent sensitivity of 78.6% and 57.9% at one year and two year follow up respectively. The estimated number of years of cancer detected by the prevalence screen was 1.4 years. CONCLUSIONS: This screening protocol is highly specific for ovarian cancer and can detect a substantial proportion of cases at a preclinical stage. Further investigation is required to determine the effect of the screening protocol on the ratio of early to late stage disease detected and on mortality from ovarian cancer.

Aged↗

Aortic dissection during pregnancy.

Aortic dissection occurred in a nineteen year old woman during the thirty seventh week of pregnancy. Immediate elective delivery of a normal baby by caesarean section was followed by aortic root replacement 48 hours later. It was decided not to proceed immediately to operation on the aortic root because it was believed that the anticoagulation necessary for cardiopulmonary bypass might provoke dangerous haemorrhage from the raw placental site.

Adult↗