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Biomedical subjects

W B McIntosh

Publications and source records attributed to W B McIntosh.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

A possible relationship between high-extraction cereal and rickets and osteomalacia.

The evidence of the present study suggests a strong and possibly causal relationship between high-extraction cereal and rickets and osteomalacia. It seems likely that this occurs when vitamin-D status is border-line. The rachitogenic component of high-extraction cereal remains to be identified; dietary phytate now seems unlikely and phytate-derived polyphosphate esters or dietary phosphorus may be incriminated. The present study strongly indicates that Mellanby's original suggestion of an "anti-calcifying substance" in high-extraction cereal remains valid.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 in primary hyperparathyroidism.

The surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism with severe bone disease (and tertiary hyperparathyroidism) has frequently been complicated by severe and prolonged post-operative hypocalcaemia. In seven such cases a short-pre-operative course of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 has been found to abolish these adverse features virtually completely and even to diminish pre-operative symptoms where present. Exacerbation of hypercalcaemia has not occurred and this regimen is thus recommended as a routine measure.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Amylase thermolability in body fluids.

The thermolability of amylase was measured in saliva, pancreatic juice, urine, adult and neonatal sera. The mean percentage thermolability from these fluids was 100%, 99%, 87%, 44% and 23% respectively. In patients with acute pancreatitis and mumps the amylase was 84% and 83% thermolabile during the acute phase. On resolution of the pancreatitis this dropped towards normal. Patients with a pancreatic pseudocyst showed a high mean percentage thermolability (82%). These results could suggest that a component of amylase in human serum is not of pancreatic or salivary origin. In addition, this simple technique may be helpful in the diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst.

Amylases↗
PubMed1976

Prevention of vitamin-D deficiency in Asians.

Asian families living in Glasgow were studied between December, 1973, and June, 1974. One group of families served as a control; their mean serum-25-hydroxy-vitamin-D (25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxyergocalciferol) remained low, being 5-1 +/- 0-8 (S.E.M.) ng/ml at the end of the study. A second group was given 3000 units of vitamin D2 in a capsule weekly; this raised the mean concentration of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D to 18-1 +/- 2-9 ng/ml. The variable effectiveness of this supplement was attributable to some subjects not taking the capsules regularly. The third group of families was provided with chupatty flour fortified with vitamin D(6000 units per kg). This increased mean serum-25-hydroxy-vitamin-D very uniformly to a mean value of 19-5 +/- 1-2 ng/ml. It is concluded that vitamin-D deficiency in Asian immigrants could be substantially reduced by fortification of chupatty flour with vitamin D.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Cord gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity and neonatal jaundice.

gamma Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity was measured in normal neonates and in maternal serum post partum. Levels were above the normal adult range (35I U/1) in all neonates and a significant correlation was bound between enzyme activity and bilirubin levels on day 7(P less than 0-005). The mean bilirubin level on days 4 and 7 was higher in babies with cord values less than 90 IU/1. In certain circumstances increased plasma GGT activity may serve as an index of enzyme induction. However, our results suggest that raised levels in the neonate may reflect hepatic microsomal damage with subsequent impairment of bilirubin conjugation. Further evaluative studies of cord GGT activity in neonates at risk, with a view to early prophylactic or therapeutic measures, are indicated.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1975

Elevation of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in end-stage chronic renal failure.

The serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was measured on 32 randomly selected patients about to commence or already on chronic haemodialysis. Raised values were found in 12 patients (37%). None of these patients had received drugs known to affect hepatic microsomes and all had normal liver function tests. The possible significance of this surprising finding is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1972

Biochemical response of late rickets and osteomalacia to a chupatty-free diet.

Eight Pakistani children with late rickets and two Pakistani women with osteomalacia were given a chupatty-free diet for seven weeks, substituting leavened bread of lower extraction. On this diet serum calcium levels rose to normal or near normal, levels of serum inorganic phosphorus rose slightly but significantly, and serum alkaline phosphatase levels showed a definite rise indicative of healing bone disease. It is concluded that the high phytate content of unleavened bread is the major cause of late rickets and osteomalacia in Pakistani and Indian communities in the United Kingdom. The simplest prophylactic measure seems to be the additional fortification with calcium carbonate of the high extraction flour used in preparing unleavened bread.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1972

Rickets and osteomalacia in the Glasgow Pakistani community, 1961-71.

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was reassessed in April and May 1971, 10 years after the discovery of widespread late rickets and osteomalacia in the Glasgow Pakistani community. Evidence of vitamin D deficiency was found in 28 out of 115 adults and children examined (24%). Children at the age of puberty were most severely affected by rickets, whereas most infants and younger children in the survey were protected by vitamin D supplements. Mild biochemical osteomalacia was common in Pakistani women.A total of 21 Pakistani and Indian children with rickets were admitted to Glasgow hospitals during 1968-70. These comprised 10 children with infantile rickets and 11 with late rickets. Four of the latter group required osteotomy for severe rachitic deformity.Late rickets and osteomalacia in Pakistani and Indian immigrants are not primarily due to nutritional deficiency of vitamin D, though the high phytate content of their diet may be of aetiological importance. A combination of environmental, social, and endogenous factors, the relative importance of which is not at present clear, may also be involved. Advice on the prophylaxis of vitamin D deficiency should be given to all Pakistani and Indian communities in the United Kingdom.

Adolescent↗