ABSTRACT
Discriminant function analysis has been used to investigate the relative value of six biochemical parameters (plasma ferritin, C-reactive-protein, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase and albumin) in the diagnosis of liver disease. This was done among four groups totalling 70 subjects including healthy controls and patients with acute viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Albumin had most value in distinguishing between groups, followed cumulatively by ferritin, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein, bilirubin and glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase. However, if data on albumin, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase had already been routinely collected, there would be no advantage in collecting data on ferritin and C-reactive protein. Any four of the six parameters would be of about equal value in distinguishing between diagnostic groups. When the data on all six biochemical parameters was combined in an optimum way, about 66% of all individuals could be correctly assigned to one of the four groups using biochemical markers alone. While the control subjects and patients with acute viral hepatitis formed a relatively well defined, tight cluster (apart from two patients with acute viral hepatitis), patients with liver cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma were almost indistinguishable, using these biochemical parameters. If the latter two groups were pooled, then about 86% of subjects could be correctly classified.
Subject(s)
Alkaline Phosphatase/blood , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Bilirubin/blood , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis , Discriminant Analysis , Ferritins/blood , Hepatitis, Viral, Human/diagnosis , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/diagnosis , Liver Diseases/diagnosis , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Serum Albumin/analysisABSTRACT
Four categories of plant dominated the diet of chimpanzees in Kibale forest; Uganda: non-fig tree fruits; fig tree fruits; herbaceous piths and terrestrial leaves. Fruit abundance varied unpredictably; more among non-figs than figs. Pith intake was correlated negatively with fruit abundance and low sugar and protein levels. Compared with fruits and leaves they are consistently high in hemicellulose and cellulose; which are insoluble fibres partly digestible by chimpanzees. Herbaceous paths appear to be a vital resource for African forest apes; offering an alternative energy supply when fruits are ecarse
Subject(s)
Food , Pan troglodytesABSTRACT
Four categories of plant food dominated the diet of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest; Uganda: non-fig tree fruits; fig tree fruits; herbaceous piths and terrestrial leaves. Fruit abundance varied unpredictably; more among non-figs than figs. Pith intake was correlated negatively with fruit abundance and positively with rainfall; whereas leaf intake was not influenced by fruit abundance. Piths typically have low sugar and protein levels. Compared with fruits and leaves they are consistently high in hemicellulose and cellulose; which are insoluble fibres partly digestible by chimpanzees. Herbaceous piths appear to be a vital resource for African forest apes; offering an alternative energy supply when fruits are scarce