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Biomedical subjects

V McCann

Publications and source records attributed to V McCann.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

A computerized technique for analyzing lateral bending behavior of subjects with normal and impaired lumbar spine. A pilot study.

STUDY DESIGN: A computerized technique, employing a motion analysis system and a force platform, was developed to analyze lateral bending behavior of subjects with normal and painful spines. METHODS: Lateral bending was quantified using motion (angle and speed of rotation), force (ground reaction kinetics), and biomechanical behavior ("compliance" and "transfer mobility") characteristics of four discrete spinal segments measured during standing, range of bending, and bending at normal and maximum speeds. RESULTS: For subjects with pain, there were reductions in the range of lateral bend (43%) and speed of rotation (39%). Ground reaction moment about the medial-lateral axis was greater (58%), whereas that about the anterior-posterior axis was less (28%). "Compliance" was less (25%), whereas "transfer mobility" was greater (24%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the characteristics of lateral bending, rather than range of motion, is most affected in subjects with pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ancestral haplotypes reveal the role of the central MHC in the immunogenetics of IDDM.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains multiple and diverse genes which may be relevant to the induction and regulation of autoimmune responses in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In addition to HLA class I and II, the possible candidates include TNF, C4, and several other poorly defined polymorphic genes in the central MHC region. This study describes two approaches which take advantage of the fact that the relevant genes are carried by highly conserved ancestral haplotypes such as 8.1 (HLA-B8, TNFS, C4AQ0, C4B1, DR3, DQ2). First, three "diabetogenic" haplotypes (two Caucasoid and one Mongoloid) have been compared and it has been shown that all three share a rare allele of BAT3 as well as sharing DR3, DQ2. In 43 sequential patients with IDDM the cross product ratio for BAT3S was 4.8 (p less than 0.01) and 6.9 for HLA-B8 plus BAT3S (p less than 0.001). Second, partial or recombinant ancestral haplotypes with either HLA class I (HLA-B8) or II (HLA-DR3, DQ2) alleles were identified. Third, using haplotypic polymorphisms such as the one in BAT3, we have shown that all the patients carrying recombinants of the 8.1 ancestral haplotype share the central region adjacent to HLA-B. These findings suggest that both HLA and non-HLA genes are involved in conferring susceptibility to IDDM, and that the region between HLA-B and BAT3 contains some of the relevant genes. By contrast, similar approaches suggest that protective genes map to the HLA class II region.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The evaluation of group education for patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes at Hollywood Repatriation Hospital in Western Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To enable effective use of hospital resources in relation to staff time and diabetes education; to ensure that all patients have access to a standard level of education; and to maintain and/or improve diabetes control. METHOD: Multiple choice questionnaire to test knowledge; check of individual biochemical status. RESULTS: Diabetes knowledge and control were assessed in 51 persons with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) attending diabetes group education sessions at Hollywood Repatriation Hospital in Western Australia. The programme comprising three 2.5 hour sessions at weekly intervals, was conducted by the physician, dietitian, nurse educator, podiatrist and physio-therapist. Groups consisted of 7-14 patients, with partners encouraged to attend, and aimed to promote and stimulate discussion on diabetes self-care among participants. After group education there was a significant improvement in knowledge of diabetes, blood sugar control and energy balance. This was achieved with a reduction in staff time, when compared with individual education, and a more efficient use of hospital resources. Thus, the objectives were realized. It is concluded that diabetes group education is useful in patients with NIDDM attending Hollywood Repatriation Hospital.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Diabetes in part-aborigines of Western Australia.

One thousand, two hundred and eighteen diabetic subjects living in and around country towns of Western Australia were screened for complications of diabetes. This population included 134 subjects of Aboriginal descent, who were compared with the Caucasoids taking part. In the Aboriginal group there was a greater proportion of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients, a relative female preponderance (69% compared with 51%) and a tendency to present at an earlier age of onset than their Caucasoid counterparts. Diabetic complications were at least as common in the Aboriginal group as in the Caucasoid patients. Indeed, retinopathy within 10 years of onset of diabetes was more common in the Aborigines. Peripheral neuropathy was more prevalent in Aborigines treated by diet alone or oral hypoglycaemic agents than in Caucasoids. A much greater prevalence of proteinuria was an additional feature of the Aboriginal subgroup (29% versus 4%).

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Clinical macrovascular disease in Caucasoid diabetic subjects: logistic regression analysis of risk variables.

A cross-sectional study of 1084 Caucasoid diabetic subjects in rural Western Australia revealed a high rate of clinical macrovascular disease (46%), including coronary heart disease (13%), stroke (8%), and peripheral vascular disease (38%). Age was the major time-related variable for total macrovascular disease and for peripheral vascular disease, with identical prevalence rates in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes when age was taken into account. In 179 Type 1 diabetic subjects, logistic regression analysis showed no associated risk factors other than age. In 905 Type 2 diabetic subjects the independent risk factors for total macrovascular disease, identified by a forward step-wise selection procedure, were age as the major contributor, with plasma creatinine levels and plasma glucose levels (all p less than 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, serum total cholesterol levels, and the (supine-erect) systolic blood pressure difference (all p less than 0.05). There were no direct associations with percentage desirable weight, cigarette smoking or male sex. Type 2 diabetic subjects demonstrated a very strong negative association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease, and significant associations were found also between plasma glucose levels and coronary heart disease (p less than 0.01), and glycosylated haemoglobin levels and peripheral vascular disease (p less than 0.001).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Dietary modification of UV-induced epidermal ornithine decarboxylase.

The effect of several dietary antioxidant supplements upon ultraviolet light-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity was determined. Hairless mice received diets supplemented with either butylated hydroxytoluene, disulfiram, phenobarbital, glutathione (reduced), or a special antioxidant mixture for 2 weeks before irradiation with FS-20 fluorescent sun lamps. Epidermal ornithine decarboxylase activity, the induction of which is thought to be a necessary component of skin tumor promotion, was determined at designated post-irradiation periods. Significant inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase induction was found in epidermis from animals receiving diets containing butylated hydroxytoluene, the antioxidant mixture, or disulfiram whereas no significant effects were noted in animals receiving reduced glutathione or phenobarbital. Butylated hydroxytoluene, at physiological concentrations, had no effect upon ornithine decarboxylase activity when added directly to the reaction mixture. Nor did this compound, when provided in the diet of animals, evoke a notable effect upon 12-0-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced ornithine decarboxylase. The latter finding suggests that dietary butylated hydroxytoluene inhibition of ultraviolet light-induced ornithine decarboxylase is a response related directly to the degree of irradation insult rather than a general effect upon the processes associated with carcinogenic promotion.

Animals↗